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8-14-25:My 54th finished book of 2025!I loved this novel! Cate Kay starts as a young girl named Annie whose best friend Amanda is ready to run away to Hollywood in search of stardom with her once they graduate high school.One fateful day a near fatal accident cuts their plans dead and Annie finds herself without anyone in the world.She reinvents herself twice over and becomes a reclusive best selling author but she never stops missing her friend.

Excellent

I heard the author speak on a panel this year & she piqued my interest in her debut novel.

At first I was unsure of the structure & story but as I read I became more immersed in the lives of Cate Kay & those who played a part in it. I also think the unique structure (multiple POV, non-chronological timeline) worked really well and enhanced the story. I loved unraveling each piece of the puzzle as to who this dynamic woman was & what shaped her.

It wasn‘t bad but it didn‘t grab me. I enjoyed it when I picked it up but didn‘t find myself rushing to pick it up!

This story pulled me in from the beginning and never let go. It was another one where I had no idea the middle or end, and that‘s always a fun book experience. I‘m fascinated by this writing. There were several opportunities for tiffs based on poor choices by characters to take control of the story, but the author opted against that kind of conflict. And 👏 for the nod to Lawrence, Kansas - Rock Chalk!

I am happy to report I really liked this! It is written as though a memoir by mega-successful author Cate Kay, who has previously remained a mysterious figure known to almost no one. It focuses on the relationships she has with the women in her life, whether friendship or loves. I really like how it all came together at the end.

I thought this was a great debut! Seeing one women‘s life through the eyes of those who influenced her, those she influenced, and her own, we are drawn along on a heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting, story of love, loss, and expression. There is also a story within the story and I‘ve got to tell you, I wish I could read that book because it sounds amazing! Definitely recommend! 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

I thought this was entertaining if implausible and the character building was good but seemed a little unrealistic in the time it was set.

This is a well done debut ( fiction) novel. I can‘t wait to see what else she writes.
I went to the University of Kansas, so those references were fun! 💙❤️
The author played basketball at the University of Colorado and then played professional basketball for an Irish team. She then did sports journalism before writing this book.
Here‘s a Friends & Fiction interview with her

https://www.youtube.com/live/o_zqEYVP8cw?si=3mxlxBVuBHAKMtKD

This was an entertaining read, despite finding some of the behaviour by the characters to be somewhat unrealistic. I was surprised to find it described as a thriller, as I would say it is more a character driven tale of best friends, manipulation and romance. I particularly enjoyed the early friendship years. The book within a book and multiple POVs worked well and there were some nice humorous moments. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 4/5 stars

I gave this one a good go and read over a quarter of it. I'd heard it was a bit slow to start but had lots of positive reviews. Alas, my mind keeps wandering off while listening so I'm taking that as a sign I should bail. I absolutely loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I see the comparisons, but these characters are not grabbing me like Evelyn and her people did. I find Cate Kay kind of passive and opaque.

#weekendreads 🎧📚

Just a great full-cast audiobook. Lots of enjoyable reveals. Characters to love and hate. Not a perfect book but one worth reading

Cate Kay is the pseudonym of an author running from her past. When she cuts ties with a manager, she finds her literary agent wants her to step out of the shadows and lay it all out. This is her memoir told from her perspective and also by people who have loved her, hated her, and manipulated her.

A fictional memoir about an elusive best-selling author told from multiple POVs. This one got off to a slow start but once I got into it I could not put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.

Me actually reading a #botm the month I received it is completely unheard of! #newyearnewme I guess? 😂 A little airplane reading.

This adult fiction debut‘s certainly gained a lot of buzz from being a #BOTM choice & the January Reese Witherspoon pick! And it‘s one that does draw the reader right in with multiple narrators, a book-within-a-book & an authentic depiction of that all encompassing girlhood best friend relationship. It kept my attention (though simple communication & a good shaking of sense into some of them was all that it needed to be resolved!) & I liked it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This is the kind of storytelling that‘s easy to get swept up in as it carries you along its narrative tide. The way there were multiple POVs (and multiple audiobook narrators) was really well done. 🎧 #reesesbookclub

I‘m definitely the target demographic for this, even moreso than I am for a lot of the books I love, but all I‘ve got it “meh.” It‘s too highfalutin, and not ultimately about very much—especially because the catalyzing event feels a lot less damning than how the characters view it.

#botm arrived. I almost skipped but decided to give this one a try.

Loved it! Couldn‘t stop reading.

This is such a good story that I found myself putting it down just so that it would not end.

The way the author gave even minor characters their own POV was a great move in my opinion.

I didn‘t get the comparison with Evelyn Hugo while I was reading (and after I finished) the book. But, now that I think about it, I see it.

If you picked this as a #BOTM selection, you‘re in for a treat!

Read this!

5⭐️ #arc Pub Date: 1/7/25

Currently reading… I started reading this a few days ago and was immediately hooked by the writing.

I‘m almost at 50% and hoping that this debut continues to deliver. Review coming soon! #arc