Take Two, Birdie Maxwell

Childhood friends team up to revitalize both their careers in this memorable rom-com from Scotch (The Rewind). After an on-set meltdown sends erstwhile America’s sweetheart Birdie Maxwell’s movie career into a downward spiral, she retreats to her family home in Barton, Calif. While pleased to see her best friend, Mona O’Brien, Birdie is less than enthused to see Mona’s twin, Elliot, who ran out on her seven years ago after their one night together. Elliot is now a Pulitzer-nominated journalist who travels the world for his job—which might soon implode if he doesn’t stop skating the ethical line when acquiring sources. After Birdie discovers a love letter sent to her by an anonymous ex, Mona proposes that Birdie and Elliot solve their professional problems by working together to find the letter writer. Elliot will document their journey and in doing so will drum up some good PR for them both. A reluctant road trip is launched. As Birdie reunites with her exes—sparking some serious drama—Elliot struggles to remain objective when all he really wants is to restart the relationship he snipped in the bud years before. Scotch balances wit and introspection beautifully throughout, peeling back her characters’ emotional layers. Readers will have no trouble hopping aboard the Elliot and Birdie bandwagon. Agent: Elisabeth Weed, Book Group. (Jan.)