I enjoyed this debut novel, the writing was very good and the structure of the story flowed beautifully.

This book reminds me of the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo in the way we get to know the FMC following different timelines to bring us to the present.

It was easy to get to know the FMC and who she really is. The author provided detail, created specific settings/world building and helped build an emotional connection to the story.

If this doesn’t speak romcom perfection I don’t know what does!… I was so delighted with the warm fuzzy feeling this book left me with
Found myself laughing out loud and smiling throughout this book… If you love cozy stories, some cute romance… this book is for you!

The Three Lives of Cate Kay

Cate Kay is a very successful author but no-one knows who she is... or do they? Because her multi-million bestseller books have lots of references to things that will mean something to someone she lost along the way... or did she? As we read various peoples' contributions to Cate's biography, her three lives are gradually revealed.

Wow, WOW, what a brilliant story, I absolutely LOVED it! Fantastic premise, characters, storylines, intrigue, settings... everything. And I really REALLY loved the friendship between Annie and Amanda, especially the dialogue and in-jokes... Cate with a Kay! Can't wait to see what the author writes next - what a talent. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed the story of Cate Kay and how she came to be, and I feel that the writing style and structure was very novel and intriguing. By choosing to switch between characters and years in each chapter I felt the author allowed me to connect with and better understand each person in Annie’s life. This definitely made it easier to relate to them and, though often I disagreed with them, I understood their purpose.

From the very start I found this book difficult to put down as I felt swept up in the main character’s life instantly. The way the writer describes relationships, settings and emotions is so specific and allows you to instantly picture and empathise with the characters.

The only downside for me was that I felt the book may have been slightly shorter and a few areas felt more like filler, but I would still very much recommend it to others!

I really enjoyed the multi-perspective, back and forth in time style of this book. It’s so easy for books like this to become confusing but I found this so easy to follow despite the different POVs and timelines, and the fact that we’re also technically reading Cate Kay’s memoir.

I can see why this book is being compared to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work, as it definitely has that Hollywood glamour, gritty underbelly vibe that we know so well from her books, but I think Kate Fagan has done something really unique with the character of Cate/Cass/Annie that I haven’t seen before. I love messy human stories with characters you truly connect with; I wanted to scream at the pages at certain points, and it was so reminiscent of watching a film and knowing what you want to happen and being so on edge as you watch those characters make all the wrong choices!

I was so fully invested in this book, in Cass and Ryan’s relationship and the confusion that tears them apart, as well as Cass’ beautiful friendship with Amanda. There wasn’t a single character that shouldn’t have been there and it was so satisfying to see everything click into place so perfectly at the end. I can truly see this being a film. I could’ve easily read this in a couple of sittings if I didn’t have to work, and would 100% recommend it to anyone!

A haunting exploration of friendship, loss, and the ripple effects of tragedy. From the very first pages, I was immersed in a world shaped by girlhood, love, and the complexities of relationships. The emotional depth of the story kept me engaged, and I didn’t want to leave its intimate world.
The use of multiple points of view is one of the novel’s strongest features. Each character offers a distinct lens on the events, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Even characters I didn’t necessarily “like” were integral to the story, each contributing to the emotional richness that made the final picture feel complete.
The portrayal of the characters is nuanced and realistic, avoiding simplistic labels of “good” or “bad.” Their flaws, fears, and vulnerabilities make them relatable and the dynamics between them are raw and emotional, reflecting the messiness of real life.
I also appreciated the inclusion of Annie’s cliffnotes, a device that often feels overused in fiction. Fagan uses it effectively, giving Cate’s voice another layer and adding to the emotional impact of the story.
Overall, The Three Lives of Cate Kay is a beautifully complex and captivating tale about how life unfolds in unexpected ways. Fagan’s sharp prose and multifaceted characters stay with you long after the final page. A compelling read that I won’t soon forget.

Cate Kay is a reclusive author,very few know her, millions have read her books and seen the movies. Cate hasn't always been Cate and of the millions who read her books they mean something very personal to one person.
Kate Fagan's very impressive debut is a tale of secrets,betrayal and reinvention as it follows Cate's life from her childhood,growing up with a seemingly insuperable friendship. Both girls are extremely talented but with creeping envy from one of them poisoning that, to massive success for one while the other struggles through life with the effects of an act of betrayal .
This is an easy read but an affecting one, a story that seems ready-made for a tv series.

An interesting and intriguing tale about an author called Cate Kay, told from different perspectives over 3 stages of her life. This book was interesting, unusual, and had me hooked from the very beginning. I read it over a couple of days and it was a definite page turner. Fabulous read!

“The trick of life, as I see it now, is to make what’s around you beautiful. It’ll grow from there.”

This was a book I picked up purely because of it being recommended to fans of the book Evelyn Hugo, and I must say it deserves that recommendation. This was a fantastic read that I was completely engrossed in throughout. It was very though provoking, and had a lot of moments throughout the book that really made you question the characters motives, as well as evaluate yourself as to what your actions would be, I especially loved the book club scene and felt this was a perfect example of the books ability to break the fourth wall and discuss topics that would have varied responses and opinions.

I loved the books format, the way it is written in a memoir type chaptered read, but with notations, as well as paragraphs from interviews and Cate’s best-selling novels, it was a very well-developed plot and revolved around characters with huge depth, and the romance was adorable albeit very serendipitous. This was a lovely sapphic read that everyone needs, one that builds on an attraction into romance, but without feeling too much like a slow burn.

This book had the right level of shock moments, heart break and intrigue, I really felt for Amanda, and Annie throughout the book, and the author did a wonderful job of creating their characters and friendship. I did think that I would struggle to keep up with the vast points of view as the book alternates very often through different characters perspectives but this was done really well, in a way that benefited each character and the story, as well as the women’s history together. I would say that Carl’s chapter wasn’t really necessary but it delivered my favourite quote of the book so I won’t complain too much.

Either way this is definitely worthy of the anticipated release in 2025, and it is one I recommend to those that love a plot that weaves together through multiple POV as well as sapphic love stories.

A book with a difference, an authors tale, inside an authors tale. A book within 1 book at least.

Story of girlhood infatuation that went wrong and one of them panicked. Then started a literally career instead of an acting career. Discovered her sexuality through trial and error. Showed off the not so glitzy life in Los Angeles and New York. Can she really get over the lies that been told to her along the way and rebuild bridges with family and dearest friend after all the years?

I loved this book! I was gripped from early on, wanting to know what would happen. Interesting characters and I really liked the book within a book element. It gave me a lot of good for thought at the same time as being enjoyable. Highly recommend

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for the ARC. I thought this was a gripping read, I was really invested and couldn’t put it down towards the end! I enjoyed the sapphic representation, it felt genuine and varied. I liked how some of the characters felt really fleshed out.
However, I found some of the writing to be clunky, especially the earlier chapters, so it took me a while to get into. Overall I enjoyed it, particularly for the plot.

Really loved it, I enjoyed read it. The plot was captivating and so was the characters. The characters were strongly written. I found it to be a page turner, I had to know what was going to happen next, which I really loved. Thanks for the ARC. I can't wait to recommend this in the shop.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay has a complex and ambitious plot at its heart and there is a lot to like about this novel.

I finished the book over a couple of days and found the short chapters and different points of view made for propulsive reading.

The book is structured as a memoir of an extremely successful but anonymous author. As well as the author’s point of view, there are chapters in the memoir from other characters. This was something I wasn’t so keen on in the book.

One of the most intriguing chapters for me was the publisher Melody’s backstory and I would’ve loved to read more about her. I also found Ryan’s story made for compelling and believable reading as she dealt with fame, fake relationships and coming out.

Overall I enjoyed this book enough to finish it but there was something lacking for me. I think some of the differing points of view did not have a distinct enough voice and it’s just not a style I particularly like to read.

Unfortunately I abandoned this book after forcing myself to get through the first half. Not for me! Flat characters and messy narration.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
Out on the shelves 7th of Jan 2025

Cate Kay is a bestselling author. She comes to fame through her trilogy and hooks the world. Yet no one knows who she is. Despite being the talk of every book circle, she does no book tours, no book signings, and no interviews. Her identity is a complete mystery!

The novel takes you through Cate Kay's three names and her three different lives, but who is the real Cate Kay?

Will she really hold onto everyone's hearts once the truth about her past is out, or will her flippant decisions from her youth haunt her future?

Kate Fagan's multilayered debut novel is a delight. It explores many themes. One of longing, both for the past and the future. How ambition can really sometimes cost you everything. Love is intertwined within the novel, showing you how life presents not one but a multitude of opportunities for love and how the protagonist has a different love in each stage of her life.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay will be on the shelves in January 2025, but you can pre-order @waterstones or directly from @bloomsburypublishing who currently have a pre-order discounted price.

#bookreviewersofinstagram #prerelease #bibliophile #bibliotherapy #bloomsbury #thethreelivesofcatekay

Had me hooked from the first page. Totally engrossed me. The concept of three stages of life. Couldn't put it down. Flawed but human reactions following certain circumstances. Relationships and careers.
Can't recommend this book enough.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay is an extraordinary debut that delves into the complexities of identity and ambition. Fagan’s writing is deeply emotional, capturing the longing for love and the price of fame. As Cate prepares to unveil her true self, the tension builds around the repercussions of her choices. This captivating story challenges us to consider the cost of our dreams and the possibility of redemption, reminding us that the path to self-discovery is often paved with both sacrifice and hope.

A really good story but quite messed up.in places with dependant unhealthy relationships however bery enjoyable!

There were many plot holes that could have been better resolved with stronger plot planning and a more coherent use of multiple points of view. Overall, I think the premise was great but the execution needed a bit more sorting out as it didn’t have me reaching up pick it back up.