If you like books with a theme that amounts to near pedophilia, then this might just be the book for you. After all, our main character, model Birdie, is only 15 when she meets and becomes involved with "the rock star," who is more than double her age.

This book incorporates the clichéd (but historically correct) amount of drugs, rocj band tours, suicide attempts, and generally a lot of inner dialogue. Of course, this novel is told in the first person, which is to be expected.

I made it to about 55% before I gave in and gave up. I couldn't bring myself to like or feel sorry for poor Birdie, and I wasn't engaged or curious about what might have happened in the part I skipped.

I may come back to it to see what happens when Birdie grows up, because this book is also split into two time periods, with Birdie grown and in her 50's. From what I can tell, she hadn't changed much.

ARC supplied by the publisher MIRA, the author, and NetGalley.

I am normally not a fan of books written in first person, but for this novel, it works perfectly -- it reads just like a memoir. The story of Birdie, a 13-year-old who is "discovered" in Saks New York by a modeling agency owner is compelling, disturbing and enlightening. Birdie is tall for her age and struggles to fit in at school; her parents are narcissists who basically ignore her, so when she becomes a model under the tutelage of the famous Harriet Goldman, she is scared but also looking for love and acceptance. She becomes one of "Harriet's Girls" and thrives under the demanding woman, who she comes to think of as a substitute parent. But her career takes a drastic turn when she falls in love with "the rock star" (he is never named) and moves to California to be with him after her parents sign over guardianship rights to him. She can't see that he is a serial child predator (in my opinion).

The book goes back and forth in time from 1975 to 2018. The later years focus on an upcoming tribute to Harriet Goldman in NYC, and Birdie's struggle to decide whether or not to attend because of the way their relationship devolved.

I enjoyed the peek at an industry I know nothing about. While I wanted Birdie to come to her senses many times, I understand that she was caught between childhood and adulthood with no real sense of what was right or wrong. I enjoyed her relationship with Bernice, a fellow model Birdie befriends in Paris. I don't want to spoil anything, but there is some personal redemption for Birdie late in the novel.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and MIRA/Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC and the opportunity to read and this novel. All opinions are my own.

Similar to other things I have read. Interesting dual timeline approach. Had a difficult time connecting to the characters.

I usually love a story centered around the subject matter of this one, but unfortunately, this was middle of the road for me. I didn't love it, didn't hate it - it just didn't have anything particular standout about it for me. I think the comp titles are fairly accurate, but maybe that's what went wrong here. It really does feel like if TJR wrote a My Dark Vanessa story, which sounds like it'd be incredible, but really that meant that it didn't feel authentically new or fresh for these tropes. Regardless, I did like the writing style and would consider reading from the author again.

A competent debut that tackles important themes around exploitation in the modeling industry, though it never quite transcends familiar territory. Birdie's journey from discovered teenager to disillusioned middle-aged woman hits expected beats—predatory older men, complicit industry figures, long-buried trauma surfacing through career retrospectives.
The author handles the dual timeline skillfully, and Birdie's voice feels authentic in both eras. The modeling world details ring true, particularly the claustrophobic dynamic between young models and their handlers. When the story focuses on industry mechanics and power imbalances, it's most effective.
However, the #MeToo framework feels somewhat imposed rather than organic. The rock star relationship, while believable, doesn't offer much insight beyond "older men exploit vulnerable teenagers." Birdie's decades of avoidance and eventual reckoning follow predictable patterns.
The writing is solid if unremarkable—readable without being particularly memorable. For readers interested in stories about women reclaiming agency after exploitation, this delivers what it promises. The My Dark Vanessa comparison is apt but highlights how much more psychologically complex that novel was.
A worthy effort that addresses necessary themes, just not with exceptional originality or depth.

This book gives a great snapshot into the harm fame can do at a young age if you don't have a good support system.

I struggled quite a bit to get into this book as it had a slow start, but the futher I got the more I couldn't put the book down so hang in there I promise it gets so much better.

The dual timelines is what I liked the most about this book, being able to see the past compared to the future always helps show the development of a character, or in this case how her past, the good, bad, and ugly, have shaped Birdie.

Thanks to Amy Rossi and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC.

It’s a bit disconcerting to read a period book set during one’s own life. I am two years older than Birdie, the protagonist of this novel. Notwithstanding that fun fact, what I was looking for in this book are the same things I look for in any period book - primarily that it be evocative of the time and place where it is set; with characters who are realistic to the time they are set in. Check and check. It is a bonus if the book expands my understanding of something. This was a check too. I found the glimpse into the lifestyle of a model in the ‘70s to be riveting. Highly recommended.

The Cover Girl tells the story of Birdie Rhodes, a young girl who is thrust into the modeling world in the 70s. We follow her career over several decades and see the darker sides of the modeling world and what it takes to succeed (many of which I'm sure still exist today). We also follow Birdie in a second timeline in 2018, where she reflects on her experiences. I felt for Birdie, but could never totally connect or relate to her. This was a slow burn, but overall an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a honest review. I promise my review is 100% accurate to me.

Although I normally dislike first person narratives, I found this one to be rather interesting. The subject is unique and well written

In 1975, at the age of 13, Birdie Rhodes was discovered by model agent Harriet Goldman. Her fresh look, long legs, and strong work ethic resulted in early success. She became one of "Harriet's Girls." When she was fifteen, Birdie was hired to pose on the cover of an album by a famous rockstar, who swept her off her feet. Despite being twice her age, none of the adults in her life intervened in this relationship. When the story shifts to 2018, Birdie receives an invitation to a gala celebrating Harriet's 50-year career. A journalist reaches out to Birdie, who has long left the spotlight, to discuss her career, which brings back difficult memories.

The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi is a poignant coming-of-age story that exposes the dark side of the quest for fame and fortune. Birdie's story was heartbreaking as she did not have the ability at such a young age to understand how toxic the predatory relationship with the "rockstar" was. Lacking proper love and support from her parents, Birdie sought connections wherever possible, often leading her down the wrong paths. I was moved by the fifty-six-year-old Birdie, now using the name Elizabeth, as she struggled to come to terms with her past. This raw, realistic portrayal of the fashion industry, club scene in the 1970s and 1980s, and the AIDS crisis made this a tough, emotional read and an impressive debut.

hauntingly timeless and quite effective story that works so well in general. I would definitely recommend this one. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I would like to thank @Netgalley, @HarlequinTradePublishing, and @AmyRossi for providing me with the advanced audio copy of “Cover Girl”.

“Covergirl" offers an eye-opening and realistic perspective through the eyes of a very young girl immersed in the world of fashion and Hollywood during a time when many taboo subjects were often overlooked. Although I felt frustrated that the main character, Birdie, never expressed her feelings or stood up for herself, I understand that this was necessary for her story. Amy Rossi did an excellent job researching the subject for her debut novel and effectively captured the atmosphere of the 1970s to the 1990s, the period in which the story takes place. I always enjoy being transported back in time.

Birdie becomes a model at just 13 starting in the late 70’s. She is sadly neglected by her parents. She never is told she is loved and cherished. So, she molds herself to please everyone. Young girls usually do try and she is rewarded for this, being so easy to work with, quiet and complacent. When an older Rock Star takes to her, she feels so wonderful to be chosen. She is just 15. Someone who really sees her and understands her she thinks. Yet, the way a 15 year old interprets life and how things really are is quite different. Birdie lives her life unaware of much that has occurred to her and it shapes how she manages her life. I really wish she got the proper guidance that she so needed and deserved. I could understand and relate to her though. I was taken in with her story and life.

Difficult, but truthful Read. When Young Girls develop and look like women, it does not mean emotionally they are. In the modeling world, especially in the 70’s and 80’s this was really forgotten. Remember seeing so many girls in the top women’s magazines I would read and aspiring to look and be super thin as they were. See 5’10” and 115 lbs and think that made sense. Often, I would be reading about a 14, 15, or 16 year old. Eating Disorders and young women thinking they needed to fix themselves to look pretty was absolutely epidemic when I was in my 20’s during the 80’s. I look back at pictures of myself and friends and am just shocked at how I truly looked vs how I thought I did.

I enjoyed this book. About making true connections and the most important one is with yourself.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.

Book Review: The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

I devoured this book.

The Cover Girl completely swept me up—it’s raw, intimate, and hauntingly beautiful. From the very first page, I was pulled into Birdie Rhodes’ story: an awkward, quiet teen thrust into the glamorous and predatory world of modeling in the 1970s. What begins as a dream quickly turns into something far more complex—and heartbreaking.

Amy Rossi’s writing is lyrical without being overwrought, emotionally rich yet restrained. She captures the vulnerability, shame, and hunger for love and recognition that define so much of Birdie’s journey—from fame and scandal to devastating mistakes and quiet acts of reinvention. Birdie’s evolution, from model to advocate, is handled with grace and emotional honesty.

This book explores so much: abuse, fame, identity, beauty standards, and the silence young girls are forced to endure. It reads like memoir—so vivid, I wanted to Google Birdie like she was real. The story spans decades and still feels sharply relevant.

If you loved My Dark Vanessa, Daisy Jones & The Six, or Valley of the Dolls, you’ll find this just as powerful—yet uniquely its own. The Cover Girl is one of those books that lingers long after you’ve closed it. My heart ached for Birdie, a girl failed by nearly everyone around her, and I won’t soon forget her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlquin Trade Publishing for the ARC—2025 really is the year of the debut.

This was such a rollercoaster of emotions. The Cover Girl was a very interesting look at the (fictional) modeling world of the 70s, the predatory behavior of men and how the phrase “It was a different time” needs to be erased from our vocabulary. Birdie is certainly a frustrating character at times, but I kept having to remind myself that for a good portion of the book she’s a LITERAL CHILD and really has no one actively looking out for her. She was complex and messy, but I loved her. I was not expecting to cry as much as I did (to the person sitting next to me on my flight: I’m SO SORRY), but it wasn’t all sad tears! I really enjoyed her relationships with Harriet and Bernice. I thought those were a nice reprieve from her grief and loneliness. There is obviously some inspiration drawn from celebrities and relationships from that time, but the characters felt like their own. I’d LOVE to see this as a limited series.
CW: adult/minor relationship, self harm, substance abuse, grief

Thank you to MIRA Books for the digital reader’s copy!

The Cover Girl is a poignant and unflinching reflection on the modeling career of Birdie Roberts. When an invitation arrives for an event honoring the agent who discovered her at just 13 years old in 1975, Birdie hesitates to RSVP—haunted by painful memories of a past she’d rather forget. As the novel unfolds through a series of recollections, we follow Birdie’s journey from wide-eyed teenager to seasoned survivor, revealing a world where glamour masked exploitation and loneliness. With stark honesty, Birdie lays bare the truth of her early years in the modeling industry—where her first and only seeming ally turned out to be a predator, and survival often meant silence.

Reminiscent of Daisy Jones & The Six in its structure and emotional depth, The Cover Girl offers an eye-opening glimpse into the fashion world of the 1970s and ’80s. It’s a sobering yet captivating read that sheds light on the stark contrasts between then and now, making it not only a compelling story but also a powerful commentary on an industry that has long glamorized youth while ignoring the cost.

“The number one lesson: keep quiet and make them like you.”

I’m Speechless!
I went into the novel unsure of what I was going to get; I read the blurb and figured it sounded like something I’d enjoy. Let’s just say I’m SO happy I scooped this up, the FMC’s journey completely blew away me away.

At just 13 years old, Birdie is signed with a high profile modeling agent, Harriet Goldman. She’s immediately thrust into the life of go-sees, photoshoots, and high end parties. With this comes questionable choices, unwanted attention, and a sever lack of identity.

The Cover Girl, which is told as a dual timeline, follows Birdie Rhodes (who is now in her late 5O’s) as she reminisces on her upbringing and life as a model in NYC. The novel jumps to crucial moments in Birdie’s life between the late 1970’s-2000’s and flips back to present day Birdie in 2018 as she prepares to celebrate Harriet Goldman. It’s time for her to face past memories, emotions, and individuals to finally achieve peace.

I found the tale of Birdie Rhodes to be filled with heartbreak, passion, and so much sadness. It was fascinating to get a peek inside the modeling industry; although Birdie Rhodes is work of fiction, I had to remind myself that her story could be that of any young girl in the industry today. Birdie felt like she had no one looking out for her, and the one individual who she loved and trusted, was just using and abusing her. The Cover Girl tackles the deep emotions that parallel the journey of self-discovery- a must read!

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Thank you SO much Amy Rossi, HTP, MIRA, and NetGalley for allowing me access to read and honestly review The Cover Girl
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A glimpse into a world of entertainment that can be seductive and dangerous. When Birdie Rhode is recruited by Harriet Goldman into modeling, it seemed like a golden opportunity. Birdie was only 13, much too young to face the dangers ahead. Underneath the fashion shows, the European travel and the red carpet events was a ruthless business that can destroy sensitive young souls. Birdie escapes and eventually starts a new life, but the memories linger. When she has the opportunity to reconnect with Harriet who she hasn't seen in decades, a difficult choice awaits. Five stars. Recommend!

"being seen and not heart" might be the most SPOT ON description of this story's setting - bravo to the publisher for a blurb that totally encapsulates the book held within the pages.

This was dark, moody, scary accurate and well done. The Cover Girl really did give me moody TJR vibes and was so incredibly well written!

Interesting story about a young girl named Birdie Rhodes who is "discovered" at age 13 by modeling agent Harriet Goldman, Harriet transforms into one of her girl. Life is a thrilling adventure for Birdie for the next two year. She then meets an older man: a rock star who is looking for his album cover his album cover. Birdie becomes the model and much more, she begins an affair with him, going with him on his tour and entering a new world: full of adults and she begins doing drugs and drinking.
Suddenly the affair is over and she is left to drift aimlessly,, trying to make it as a model but not being very successful.
She retires from modeling at 25 and lives a quiet life.
One day she receives an invitation to a ceremony honoring Harriet and wrestles whether to attend and be seen as she is : a woman in her 50;s.