Description

A sparkling debut coming of age story about love, family, and the mysteries of the universe, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Nicola Yoon.

Linny has kept a journal of famous disappearances ever since her sister Grace ran away in the middle of the night. Sebastian is an aspiring astrophysicist with a working theory for everything—but the one thing he can’t figure out is the identity of his birth father.

They haven’t met—yet—but Linny and Sebastian have one thing in common: an obsession with famous novelist and filmmaker Àlvaro Herrera, who who went missing three years ago and has just reappeared. As their lives converge in a heartfelt summer romance centered on the mystery of Àlvaro, they begin to uncover the answers they’ve been looking for.

With humor and heart, debut author Carlie Sorosiak weaves a story of family secrets, searching for those who leave—and loving those who stay.

"If Birds Fly Back feels like that last hazy, sun-drenched summer of high school, when you know you'll need to find your place in the world, but you're busy laughing and falling in love under starlit skies. It's the rarest author who can pull off laugh-out-loud hilarious, profound, and breathlessly romantic, all in the most sparkling prose. That shortlist includes Rainbow Rowell, Nicola Yoon, and now, Carlie Sorosiak."—Jeff Zentner, acclaimed author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days

They’re both searching for answers from the same person. But what will they do when the biggest mystery of all is the one developing between them?

  • Multiple POV: See the mystery unfold through the eyes of Linny, an aspiring filmmaker documenting disappearances, and Sebastian, a hopeful astrophysicist searching for his father.
  • A Heartfelt Mystery: As Linny and Sebastian team up to investigate the enigmatic author Àlvaro Herrera, they start to unravel the secrets that have defined their own lives.
  • Opposites Attract: She believes in documenting life as it happens; he believes in theories that explain the universe. Their unexpected connection might be the one thing that can’t be explained.
  • Swoon-Worthy Love Story: Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jandy Nelson, this tale of first love, humor, and heart will have you laughing and falling in love under starlit skies.

About the author(s)

Carlie Sorosiak is the author of If Birds Fly Back and Wild Blue Yonder. She grew up in North Carolina and holds two master’s degrees: one in English from Oxford University and another in creative writing and publishing from City University London. Her life goals include traveling to all seven continents and fostering many polydactyl cats. She currently splits her time between the United States and the United Kingdom, hoping to gain an accent like Madonna’s. Visit her online at www.carliesorosiak.com.

Reviews

“IF BIRDS FLY BACK feels like that last hazy, sun-drenched summer of high school, when you know you’ll need to find your place in the world, but you’re busy laughing and falling in love under starlit skies. It’s the rarest author who can pull off laugh-out-loud hilarious, profound, and breathlessly romantic, all in the most sparkling prose. That shortlist includes Rainbow Rowell, Nicola Yoon, and now, Carlie Sorosiak.” - Jeff Zentner, critically acclaimed author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days

“A uniquely dazzling love story—sunshine flows through every electric page, and into your heart. Carlie Sorosiak writes with neon prose.” - Harriet Reuter Hapgood, author of The Square Root of Summer

“Should resonate with fans of Morgan Matson, John Green, and Rainbow Rowell.” - Kirkus Reviews

“In this charming novel about love and missing persons, two quirky teenagers embark on personal quests but end up finding each other...will hook fans of John Green, Sarah Dessen, and Jenny Han.” - School Library Journal

“A sweet love story with plenty of emotional heft...Fans of brainy romance will likely like this one.” - Booklist

“Sorosiak uses alternating voices, interspersed with Linny’s original screenplays and journal entries as well as select chapters from Sebastian’s favorite book of astrophysics, to tell their stories...these alternate forms of expression help flesh out the protagonists as Linny and Sebastian find their way through joy, sorrow, and personal heartaches to a more optimistic future.” - The Horn Book

“An engrossing combination of romance and self-discovery.” - Publishers Weekly

More by Carlie Sorosiak

More Contemporary

More Romance

More Young Adult Fiction

More Siblings

More Family

More Thrillers & Suspense

More Runaways

More Social Themes

More Coming of Age

More Romance

More Science Fiction

More Dating & Sex

More Girls & Women

More Friendship

More New Experience