A review by adanna_h
The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

medium-paced

4.5

Ever wonder what it’s like to juggle multiple identities while trying to become a bestselling author? Well, buckle up! This book takes you on a wild ride with an elusive author who finally decides to shed her secretive past. 

There’s a lot happening here: multiple POVs from characters both major and minor, a book within a book, Cate Kay’s own footnotes (because why not?), flashbacks, and a heavy dose of early 2000s nostalgia. It sounds like a lot, right? But trust me, it all comes together in a way that makes you want to keep flipping pages like you’re on a caffeine high. I was hooked, eager to uncover every juicy detail of Cate Kay’s many lives. This small-town girl who is a master of reinvention turns her wild ambitions into fame while keeping her true self under wraps.

Describing this gem as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets First Lie Wins is spot on, but this book is no copycat. It stands out with its emotional depth and insightful observations that hit you right in the feels. I laughed, shed a few tears, and definitely smiled more than I expected. Plus, the characters are complex, real, and oh-so-relatable.

I had a couple of quibbles along the way. But they were quickly set to the side as I dove deeper into this captivating story.

Don’t miss out on this enthralling tale that explores complex friendships, the choices that shape us, the rollercoaster of fame, ambition, secrets, privacy, and, of course, love. Grab your copy and prepare for a reading experience that’s anything but ordinary! 

I received a gifted copy of this book.