Excerpt

He starts. “I’m not angry at you. I just—” 

“What, Cray. What?” I can’t contain my frustration anymore. I move toward him. 

He throws his hands up and paces in a circle ahead of me. “I don’t know what to do to stay away from you.” 

“Then don’t.” 

He charges at me, backing me against the wall again, nearly knocking the wind out of me on impact. He rests one hand against the building and places the other on my cheek. 

“Cray.” I’m hyperventilating as I nuzzle against his palm. It’s rough and callused and smells like turpentine and paint. “You feel so good.” 

With a grunt, he pushes his body against mine, pinning me tight to the wall. He takes both of my hands and holds them high above my head, trapping me. He leans down over me. 

“God, you are so fucking beautiful.” 

He drops his head and kisses my neck. It tickles, but I’m focused on the ache in my already hard nipples. I lift a leg, wrapping it around his waist, dying for a release. He takes both of my arms in one hand and cradles my leg with the other, lifting it higher. He presses harder against me. 

“No.” He drops my leg and releases my pinned hands. He steps back, jamming his hands into his slacks. “I—I can’t.” 

My body aches, and I shudder. “Why not?” 

“Because you’re a teenager, and I’m practically a forty-year-old man. I’m the adult here.” He walks a few feet farther away.

“So am I. And I’m giving you permission. Cray, I have wanted this—you—my entire life.”

 “Oh God, don’t say that.” He looks at me, eyes blazing. 

“Why not? Why can’t I tell you you’re the only man I’ve ever wanted?” 

“Because you shouldn’t want any man. And no man should want you. You—You’re a child.”

“I’m not a child.” I walk toward him. “I’m old enough to vote, to go to jail, to…” 

“Drink?” 

I shrug.  

“Be an age that doesn’t end in the word ‘teen’?” He shakes his head. “We have to go back.” 

“Cray.” I place a hand on his forearm. 

He looks at it and then at me, directly. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” 

I drop my hand, turn on my heels, and walk back to dinner.  

Summary

‘O’ just turned eighteen and wants to live her dream of becoming a painter. She joins her sister in New York to fulfill her dream and also to meet the man she’s forever crushed on, Douglas Craven. Twice her age, Craven (Cray) is her mentor. A world-famous sculptor himself, Cray cannot hide his inner feelings for O as they embark on a creative journey of art. Will O be able to fulfill a long-sought dream of becoming a painter? Will Cray own up to his feelings for O, will they finally find each other?

“I am tired of being a plague you run from. Stop making me feel bad for being me.”

My Review

Where Birds Fly refers to an establishment that O was taken to as a kid that haunted her childhood with bitter memories. The story of this book was simple, and so was Cathrine Goldstein ‘s writing. No twists, nothing unique about the story.

I liked the names of the character. A little different from stereotypical romance novel names. I also like the glamorous world-building. New York, the modeling agency, O’s apartment, her Art College. I even liked the passionate scenes; although not brilliant, they did give out steamy vibes and rated quite well on the hotness quotient.

“It’s like you were made to be ravaged but protected, all at once.”

Other than these traits , I can’t say I loved many things about this book. The characters were too ideal to be believable. They lacked a struggle. O gets a place to live in New York as soon as she quits her sister’s place. That too a swanky new apartment with nobody in it. Then she quickly gets a modeling job with an upmarket modeling agency that pays her bills and food. Then she gets into the best New York Arts College without batting an eyelid. She then sketches without creating a presentation/canvas/frame for her college and comes out with flying colors.

Cray is supportive and kind. But it just seems like he has no other job than to turn up when O needs him and then leave things as they are without talking about anything. O’s sister keeps preparing meals or eating them throughout the book.

I don’t get why characters don’t talk and solve their problems. Come on, grow up, talk to Cray, 90% problems are never problems, and the rest of them can be solved by openly talking about them.

I found myself agreeing with Thelma, O’s mom, the negative character in the story. You don’t just give up on your education at eighteen and walk into the bed of a man twice your age and not talk to your parents at all about it. And how can you keep popping diet pills instead of real solid food and still manage to look like the most beautiful woman in the world? Beats me.

Final Verdict

I rate the book 3 out of 5 stars.

Who Should Read It

 I recommend it as a quick read on the way to your work or as a beach read. Or for young adults looking for a light sultry read. Nothing memorable about it. No fire.

Happy Reading!