I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Nicole Brooks did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

I recently read "Cake" by Nicole Brooks and I must say, it was a page-turning domestic drama for me. The story centers around a few members of two different families that are intertwined in somewhat unbelievable ways, but that's what makes it interesting. The characters were well-developed and I enjoyed reading about the different perspectives and struggles of being a woman and having limited options when it comes to lifestyle choices. The book touched on the age-old debate of nature vs nurture and how small choices made early in life can manifest into more complex issues as one grows older. The author's writing style allowed for the story to be told from several different perspectives and I found myself relating to at least one of the characters. Overall, "Cake" was an enjoyable and quick read that encourages readers to live authentically and be true to themselves. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting and thought-provoking read.

This book wasn't a great fit for me. I really didn't like any of the characters so that made this book difficult for me to get into.

I began reading Cake by Nicole Brooks with some trepidation but I would have missed out big-style, had I not followed my instincts and read it anyway! I found the book to be most compelling and engaging.

Cake is told from several different perspectives, allowing the reader to gain an insight into the minds of various cast members, thus enhancing the story. As a result, I couldn't wait to turn to the next page to see how the characters' lives were progressing, either positively or otherwise. Nicole’s writing style is a good fit for me; easy-to-read, clear and with subtle dashes of humour, whilst delivering a rich portrayal of certain key characters. In Cake there is sadness by the bucket-load, along with some awe and shocks throughout, and this could have been a rather melancholic and sombre novel. However, Nicole Brooks cleverly levelled the equilibrium with some well-placed lighter, comedic moments. The themes at the core of this book are timely and relevant and this novel beautifully highlights concepts of violence, sexual identity, self-esteem, body image, and the need for acceptance. Definitely a provocative, fulfilling read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I will be posting a full review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

I tried multiple times to read this and it just couldn’t keep my attention. There was nothing wrong with the writing or story, it just wasn’t a good fit for me.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a review!

It was a quite decent read. It had the right elements of a page-turning drama that I really appreciated. It was a bit like reading a dramatic soap opera, in fact.
The only thing that seemed a bit off to me was the fact that everything was happening too fast.
Not a bad read overall.

A story about two women, how their lives intertwine and how remarkably different their worlds are. The subject matters at the core of this book are both urgent and relevant. I was gripped by the story and read it quicker than I anticipated. However the writing wasn't exceptional. Brooks has created a great narrative with such potential but it is missing the expressive and gritty vocabulary that I crave. I wanted to feel a deeper connection to the characters and I wanted more depth in both the writing and the character development. I read another review that suggested this book has a very YA feel to it. And with that I entirely agree. It had potential to be something breathtaking and visceral but just fell short.

I received this novel via ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley.

Two womens lives, a world apart, collide when Michelle, a downtrodden middle-aged woman, who has known only neglect and abuse from men, meets Andrew and falls in love. This will change forever, not only her lives, but the lives of those around her.

Thought provoking, this novel alternatively shocked and saddened me, but never bored me.

Read it.

I need to preface the following review with the fact that this was not the book for me. I may seem to be stating this often of late, but I think it counts as a bias that needs to be taken into account when reading a review because it indicates the slant of the review itself.

Cake is a book which includes different types of cheating, to the extent that it made me uncomfortable despite all the background information providing us with reasons why it was so. Cheating oneself, a spouse and general public in the form of social presence are all the prominent parts of the tale. We have two main women, as poles apart from each other as upbringings could make them. then we have two other women, daughters of the other women with a life struggling to understand the choices their mothers make on a daily basis. It has fodder that can be dissected to the smallest fraction because of all these instances and the way each character responds, staying true to their image on the whole.

I did not enjoy the book in the sense of the word but I think it threw up contradictions in daily lives of almost average people and would appeal widely to the right audience. I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review (as you can see) is completely based on my reading experience.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a page turning domestic drama for me. It was about a few members of two different families that were intertwined for kind of unbelievable reasons (think soap opera) but nonetheless that made it interesting. I thought the characters were well developed and there were some good points about being a woman and having limited options when you make certain lifestyle choices.

I typically wouldn’t pick up this book but was glad I was given the opportunity to read it. The characters are easy to relate to. This wasn’t a favorite read of mine because the plot became very predictable.

The book “Cake” tackles some hard subjects. The book seemed to drag in places and the ending seemed a bit abrupt and too nicely packaged. Overall, I enjoyed the quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Cake is the novel that asks us to look at ourselves and decide how much is too much. How selfish is too selfish, should we keep giving from ourselves until we have nothing left?

Michelle gives her entire self. She gives herself to her daughter as a loving mother who protects her in every way she can. She is even willing to suffer if she believes it is for her daughters benefit. She gives herself to her abusive husband as his obedient housewife in exchange for financial security. Keely gives nothing. She was a stay home mom when he kids were small, but found it didn't make her happy so she changed her life. Her main priorities are her body, her fitness competitions and her gym. She gave away enough of her life and now she wants what makes her happy. When the two women's lives collide in more ways than one, can each learn a little about give and take for their own lives? Or are they stuck on the path they've been travelling forever?

I flew threw the first (approx.) 75% of this novel and then I found it got so cliche and stereotypical. After that it slowed down for me. I also found the ending to be rushed and everyone's problems seemed to be solved with the snap of a finger in the most TV wrapped predictable way possible.

The characters were one dimensional. Each character was simply all one thing. Keely was self obsessed with no softer moments. Michelle was an obedient woman with no good days or bad days, just sad obedient days with her abusive husband. She has one or two moments where she seems to be standing up for herself but then she's only fine when she's rescued by the man.

I did like that the book addressed certain issues, although I'm still unsure how I feel about the way they were addressed. I hate that Michelle was 'saved' by someone other than herself. I found that aspect to be quite disappointing as she never really learned to stand up for herself.

Overall, it wasn't a bad read. It's quick enough where even if you didn't like the story it doesn't feel like you wasted a lot of time on it. Would I recommend it? Yes, because despite the flaws I still think this book has some things that you can take away from it.

CAKE is a fable, shaped like a contemporary romance, set in modern Canada. The juxtaposition of the two main characters, women of middle age but different economic levels, is quite enough by itself to lend contrast. Then not only does the husband shift from one of them to the other, their two children fall in love... it's much more neat and tidy than real life, unless it was an operetta, not a novel about domestic violence and prejudice.

Both these women are ensnared by illusions. Michelle is in the millennia-old trap of a downtrodden sex object, unused to love and thinking she deserves nothing. Keely has fallen for the consumer media generated projections of what success and happiness look like, but refuses the real thing when it threatens to break that illusion and ends up starved and alone. Both are so wrong!

Helpful side characters continually offer escape to them both. The happy ending is when they each manage to take it. And the big symbolic denouement is to 'let them eat cake'.

The major characters in the book are all amazingly realistic, pitch-perfect. I didn't resent the way everything worked into a Happily ever after until the end when I read through the 'study guide ' appendix. Only then did I realize I'd been ambushed by 'romance mode'. Very crafty, Brooks.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This book follows Keely and Michelle... two women who live totally different lives. Keely is more "empowered" I'd say. She has the storybook life.. a husband, three kids, a beautiful home.... yet she's cold... and seems pretty selfish. She believes that life is a result of your own choices, and only you can change that so to speak. Michelle had a rough childhood where she was abused, she doesn't feel like she deserves any better than what life has given her. She is a victim of circumstances in her life. Her daughter is her life.
Keely and Michelle's lives intertwine when Michelle has an affair with Keely's husband.
I agree with others that the book dragged in certain areas. but overall, the storyline was good.

Cake is the story of two women whose very different lives unexpectedly collide. The plot of the novel is unique and compelling; however, the heavy handedness with which the topics are presented can be overwhelming. The pace toward the end of the book picks up quickly and, while it is an engaging read, too many conveniences make for an unbelievable and overly tidy ending. Great for those looking for a hopeful and moral tale of women overcoming obstacles and finding their way in life.

Many novels are written to a formula, variations on a theme; change the characters, create some different crises, but end on a similar and familiar note. Many readers are comfortable with such familiarity and predictability.

This is not that. There are ‘in your face’ messages in this book, the points are made in spades. Be prepared to become frustrated, angered, surprised, but most of all, I hope, sympathetic and empathetic.

The story is told through first person narratives of the primary characters, four women (the men play supporting roles only - one the caricature of the worst male characteristics; the other of the best). The reader comes to understand the characters, both good and bad traits, through their thoughts and conversations.

By far the most important issue dealt with is domestic violence against women. Michelle believes that, for whatever reason, she was born to suffer in this world. Her husband keeps her under control through a combination of brutal physical abuse, intimidation and the always present threat he presents to his step daughter. Michelle believes her only purpose in life is to protect her daughter. Even as she is successful in raising her daughter to become a caring, self confident young woman, she feels there is no escaping her situation, she is thoroughly and completely under his rule and command. Even when others offer alternatives she cannot risk the ever-present threat he presents to her beloved daughter. She comes to believe there is only one path of escape and comes very close to ending it all.

This is also a story of redemption. An overachiever, fitness nut, and successful business woman, Keely has always believed that the most important relationship she has is the one with herself. Husband and daughter are neglected and are secondary to maintaining personal beauty and her physical fitness business. She associates only with women of similar minds. But the future will reveal the huge fault in her belief system.

I was not entirely satisfied with the one-dimensionality of the characters. The dialogue failed to fully explore the character's personalities.

A story reflecting today’s world and attitudes it is valuable for its insights and attitudes. ‘Enjoy’ is not really an appropriate descriptor - perhaps ‘revelatory’ and satisfying are better words to describe my feelings having read this book.

Great concept. Loved the first 50% of the book then it got a bit tedious I'd say. Still I finished it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This novel is about two women and the very different lives that they lead. Keely is an empowered woman that has it all. She has the house, the trophy husband and three great kids. Still, she is bitter and cold towards those that should be the center of her heart. Her world revolves are her and her alone. She believes that life is a result of one's choices and only that person can change the circumstances. Michelle is a helpless and oppressed woman who has been abused from childhood. She feels that she doesn't deserve any better that what the universe has handed her. She is the victim of her circumstances. Her one accomplishment is her daughter Cassie. Michelle stays in her dark and lonely life to protect her daughter. Keely and Michelle's world collide when Michelle has an affair with Andrew, Keely's husband.
Keely is forced to deal with her inner demons and her past feelings, while Michelle comes to terms with the fact that she alone has to decide what her freedom will cost.
The author weaves an emotionally-charged story while challenging your view of what we value in this life.