Ever you ever read a book, and had to cancel your whole day? This is how I felt about The Three Lives of Cate Kay.

Every time I thought I knew what was coming in this book, I was thrown for a loop. I think the oddest thing about this novel is the release timing. I could see reading this on summer vacation at the beach, because I just wanted to get lost in the world of Annie/Cass/Cate. The POV and character timelines made this book and concept fresh and exciting. I think this might be a hard book to review without spoiling parts of it, so all I'll say is I hope you read this in a book club because this is going to be a book that you finish and immediately want to talk about.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Kate Fagan. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Cate Kay is the author of a bestselling book trilogy that struck box office gold as a film series. But Cate Kay doesn’t really exist. Her true identity has been hidden until now. As a teenager, she and her best friend, Amanda, dreamed of escaping their difficult home lives and moving to California to become movie stars. But the day they were to leave, tragedy struck. Cate has been on the run ever since.

This is a fabulous debut and I love how the story is told in snippets from the POV of a whole cast of characters, even very minor ones, to completely flesh out the events. In addition, Cate has footnotes at the end of most of those other voice chapters, filling in even more information from her point of view. It also includes a book within a book, which I thought was done really well because it again added dimension to the story of the two friends. It was unique, very well written and completely absorbing. I was always anxious to get back to reading and loved the ending. Can’t wait to read more from this author – bravo for a wonderful debut!

This is a poignant and entertaining debut fiction novel. (The author is an award-winning journalist and best-selling sports writer) The emotions conveyed and the cleverly structured story stand out to me in this book. It is a journey that delves into identity, longing, growth, success, and the complexities of emotion and relationships, with a sapphic love story at the heart of the novel.

Told in a memoir style and a multiple POV format, the story follows three different identities of an enigmatic best-selling author who writes under a pseudonym and has kept her true identity hidden. She has lived a life of anonymity since running away after a terrible accident in high school and is about to face that past.

This is well-written, with a structure and style that bears mention. The author skillfully weaves the threads of the multiple POVs, timelines, and the dystopian book within the book. The short chapters make it easy to binge this, as I kept thinking, "just one more." The prose is lovely, and the observations are sharp. There are even footnotes at each chapter's end with Cate's impressions of events and characters, which were fun to read.

The characters are well-developed, nuanced, and flawed. FMC Cate is a mystery, so an air of mystery surrounds her, but I was glued to the pages as the picture of her came into focus. A bit of ambiguity also remains and works well with the story. Packed with emotion as relationships and events are recounted, I genuinely felt connected to these characters. I enjoyed this so much, and highly recommend it.
I look forward to whatever Kate Fagan writes next!

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted ARC

Having read What Made Maddie Run, Kate Fagan's excellent exploration of a promising young athlete's suicide, I was excited to read this fictional memoir of a successful author who wishes to remain anonymous. To do so, she assumes a new identity AND a pen name. When the story explores her past and uses his birth name, I admit I was confused about what was what and who was who. Fortunately, everything sorted itself out and I settled into what was a very entertaining read. Cate/Cass/Annie struggles with a traumatic event from her youth into a relationship with a very controlling partner who helps her move forward with her new identity and become successful. That success comes with a price and watching Cate/Cass/Annie work through it was very satisfying.

Oof I loved this. A unique read that I wasn’t expecting. I devoured this in under 24 hours. I needed to know what happened.

I do think the marketing is off - the book comparisons are weird and inaccurate. Don’t go into this expecting a thriller or Evelyn Hugo. It is a sort of mysterious memoir within a book with some mention of Hollywood aspirations, but that’s where the similarities end.

DNF'd this pretty early on because I got the sense it was very similar to other books I haven't liked. Definitely an interesting format with different points of view, and the main character assuming other identities, but just not my vibe. Could see people who loved Evelyn Hugo going for this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book!

I had such a fun time with The Three Lives of Cate Kay!

I really enjoyed the narrative style, and I thought the multiple POV's within Cate Kay's "memoir" brought so many extra layers to the story and made it such a fun read. While there were a lot of different POV's introduced, I never found it confusing, and I thought it added a great rhythm to the storytelling. Getting to experience the same moment through multiple lenses and through the eyes of different characters was so fascinating. Even though you only hear from a couple characters a handful of times, every character pushes the story forward and comes together in the end to give Annie/Cass/Cate her ending.

There are so many easter eggs and strings hidden throughout this story, and the way everything comes full circle in the end is so...*chefs kiss*. Kate Fagan weaves this story together so beautifully, and I think every aspect of this novel is executed wonderfully.
 
If you enjoy queer, character-driven stories, The Three Lives of Cate Kay is definitely worth a read!

I am so glad to have had the opportunity to experience the magic of this book before it publishes, and I can't wait for everyone else to experience the magic too!

This was like a much worse Evelyn Hugo written by someone very much trying to mimic the narrative style and form of Taylor Jenkins Reid except for readers with no attention span. The story is written as a fake autobiography of a famous author, supplemented by the perspectives of people who knew her throughout her life. I found the themes & symbolism to be agonizingly blunt and the characters flat and uninspired. This will certainly go super mega platinum on BookTok and I will be banging my head against the wall of media literacy trying to understand how such a thing could possibly happen.

This is a hard book to like given that the heroine makes an unforgivable choice very early on in the novel especially because she and Amanda are allegedly such good friends and care about each other so much. After that, it is hard to care about her that much. Amanda and Ryan, an actress with whom Cass has an affair and who is allegedly her true love, both deserve so much better. It is almost fitting that Cass spends so long with Sydney, who is clearly manipulative and like Annie also cares more about herself and her own needs than other people's.

The ending of the story is quite unsatisfactory. Given what Annie has done, it should not be so easy for others particularly Amanda to forgive. Also, it's too rushed. Too much of the conclusion occurs off the page leaving the reader out.

Not for me. This felt like a mess from the start. Too many perspectives and stories going on and not enough interest to bind it all together. I’m sure it works for others.

Thank you so much Netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy of The Three Lives of Cate Kay. I was able to get this book as an instant read and I didn't really know too much about it going into it. So for the most part I went into this blindly. It gives The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes without being historical fiction. I spent a bit of the beginning confused. Our main character has 3 names and there are multiple perspectives and some time jumping. So I had to ask myself wait is this a new person or Cate Kay, but once I finally situated who was who I was able to follow it without a problem and I found myself appreciating the way the story was being told. Cate Kay is hard to get an emotional connection to as a reader, which I feel like is fitting because she herself struggles with emotional connections as a character. I wanted to connect to her more than I did because I think it would have made the ending more impactful. There are many emotional moments with twists and turns throughout the book that I wish my connection to them was stronger because it would have made those moments even more meaningful/stronger for me as the reader. Overall though I was pleasantly surprised with my experience since I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into in the first place. This is a story of finding yourself, the importance of relationships/connections, and truly living life. I'd recommend this to other readers who like multiple perspective stories that span time.

I was astounded by this book from the very first page. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of storytelling or narrative but I remain utterly impressed and awed by Kate Fagan’s mastery of this artform.

For a fiction debut this novel was so ambitious and, I imagine, a huge undertaking, but it was executed so beautifully. From what I learned about the author, she seems to be well-versed in writing nonfiction — in telling other people’s stories, and in a way, she stuck to her roots with this book, played to her strengths; she told someone else’s life story, it just so happens that the person whose story she chose to tell is fictional.

I’m a sucker for messy female leads because it makes me feel better to know not everyone has it figured out and that they make spur of the moment decisions that are less than perfect — Cate has made those choices. But I appreciate the fact that those are choices she doesn’t take lightly later in life, when she’s dug her hole so deep she can’t see a way out.

I am particularly fond of the characters in this book and the way in which they each had voice to tell their part of Cate Kay’s story, in how paths crossed to create the woman who became the world’s mystery. Everyone was so distinctly themselves, and I liked that there were first person accounts from each person Cate deemed important to her story when she finally chose to share it.

The ending itself was such a perfect full-circle moment, leaving me feeling content in a way I found so many novels have not accomplished.

Thank you, netgalley and Atria books for this arc. All opinions are my own.

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.

This is a wonderful debut and I can’t wait to read this author’s next book!

Read this!

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on January 1st, 2025. Links provided.

In this gripping debut by Kate Fagan, a mysterious bestselling author finally decides to reveal her true identity after years of hiding. Cate Kay, the mind behind a blockbuster book series turned hit movies, has captured fans’ hearts without ever stepping into the public eye. But Cate Kay isn’t who she seems - she’s a carefully crafted persona hiding a painful past. Years ago, a tragedy ruined her dreams of stardom and tore apart her closest friendship, sending her on the run under a new name. Now, a surprising discovery forces her to confront her choices and the secrets she’s been avoiding for years. This emotional story is full of twists, heartbreak, and the search for redemption.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this book. When it was likened to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo I was cautiously intrigued, but this book completely blew any expectations I had of it out of the water and gripped me in a way few stories have. The exploration of love in all its forms - self-love, familial love, platonic love, and romantic love - was beautifully woven throughout the narrative. Cate’s journey is told across various timelines and through multiple perspectives, each voice distinct and purposeful, and it felt like piecing together a living, breathing memoir. The short chapters and fast pace made it impossible to put down, while the clever use of footnotes and easter eggs added depth and meaning to every page. The flawed, deeply human characters and their struggles with broken homes, identity, and healing were both heartbreaking and hopeful. By the end, I was left both with a full heart and yet still wishing there was more. This is one of those rare books that as soon as I finished I wanted to immediately start reading it again. I cannot recommend this book enough and am incredibly excited for Kate Fagan’s undoubtable success.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of The Three Lives of Cate Kay in return for my honest review.

Millions have read her books. Thousands more have watched the resulting movies, attended the theme parks, and purchased merchandise related to her best-selling trilogy. Though it seems as if all the world has Cate Kay on its tongue, the person behind the name remains a complete mystery. And that's exactly how Cate Kay wants it to be... until now. In The Three Lives of Cate Kay, a mysterious best-selling author is finally ready to tell the ultimate story: her own.

"Cate Kay" was born as Anne Marie Callahan ("Annie") in a small lakeside New York town. Her father wasn't in the picture, and her mother habitually chose alcohol over her. Annie found solace in acting and her deep, all-consuming friendship with Amanda, a fellow latchkey kid and promising actor. Together, the girls plan to leave their town after graduation in pursuit of big Hollywood dreams—but after a freak accident, Annie bolts and leaves her best friend (and old life) behind. First, she becomes Cass Ford, a barista and auditor of writing classes at the local college. Then, a chance partnership (in every sense of the word) with a budding lawyer, Sidney, severs her past life completely and fully plunges her into the world of Cate Kay. But the past always has a funny way of creeping back in...

First, let me say what worked for me in this story. I love reading sapphic characters written by sapphic authors. Since this book is being compared to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I'll add that I was rather disappointed by the queer representation in that novel, as it felt like it hinged on tokenism. That's not at all the case in this novel. You can tell that a sapphic author wrote these characters, and I love and appreciate that deeply. Thank you, Kate Fagan. ❤️🧡🤍 Fagan also had a deep understanding of her character's motivations, and she wove facets of her characters' personalities and relationships throughout the novel. I was particularly amused by how the "Cate with a K" dialogue between Annie and Amanda inspired Annie's pen name. (I legitimately did not even notice that the author is also a "Cate with a K" until I came to review this. LOL, kudos, Kate.) The strength of female friendship and the guilt of losing such a deep connection were also powerful themes in this one, and ones that I liked very much. Also, while it was minor, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the chapter wherein Annie/Cass/Cate attends a book club discussing her novel. It was interesting to see a character confronted head-on with other's perspectives of her life choices.

Unfortunately, though, this novel strongly suffered in its structural integrity. The start of this book teases this as Cate Kay's tell-all memoir. I was expecting chapters told from the perspectives of each of Cate's three lives: Annie, Cass, and Cate. Instead, we get everyone-but-the-kitchen-sink POVs—seriously, we get single-chapter perspectives from characters as insignificant as Cass's first coffee shop job boss and a mailroom employee. This would have been more acceptable if all the POVs didn't have the same exact voice. If you pulled a random paragraph from any chapter of this book, it would be hard to know which character is speaking. Everyone sounded the same... and this is not even a dig at Kate Fagan, because she clearly has a strong voice as a writer; it's just that multiple POVs do not suit her writing. Apart from the similar-sounding POVs, I was also disappointed by the ending. It was abrupt, and chapters upon chapters of guilt, frustration, miscommunication, and yearning were resolved either off-page or without much introspection. Finally, while I actually liked the excerpts of Cate Kay's novel The Very Last (it was like book-Inception, a book inside a book inside a book), I found myself questioning how exactly this debut novel from an unknown author was such a hit, resulting instantaneously in movies, theme parks, and Broadway adaptations. This is a minor complaint compared to the rest, but it was a complaint nonetheless, as it removed me from the book quite a bit. (Also, justice for Sidney's character.)

Overall, I wouldn't say this is a bad book, it just wasn't a book for me. And that's okay. I think this would make a pretty solid women's book club read. There's a lot to discuss about the character's motives, their differing perspectives on events, and the seemingly binary decision for women between their ambitions and their relationships (whether platonic, romantic, or maternal). This book is being compared to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and First Lie Wins. I haven't read the latter, but I have read the former. As mentioned before, if you felt a bit disappointed by the queer representation in Seven Husbands, then I think you'd enjoy this representation in this one a lot more. (There's also disability representation in this book, which were some of my favorite chapters to read. Though a lot of the narratives blended together, I found that the disability chapters had a much stronger, distinctive voice.) For some reason, though—and I can't pinpoint exactly why—this book was not as strong as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo... and I didn't even think that book was all that great. (Though, that book did make me full-on sob. This one did not.) Altogether, this book was just okay. Please note, I am somewhat in the minority on this! Read some of the 4 and 5-star reviews to inform your decision before deciding to read or to pass on this one.

With all of this said, I would not write off Kate Fagan as an author entirely after this. I see that she's written some non-fiction, which sound intriguing to me. Moreover, this is Fagan's debut fiction novel, and it was strong in many regards. I feel that subsequent novels by Fagan could polish out the kinks that this one had and be even stronger.

This book! These characters! Except you, Sidney (🖕🏻)
I read this book in one day. Yessss it was the last day of the year when I was trying to squeeze one more in, but also I couldn't put it down!
The format probably won't be for everyone, but I enjoyed it. It's written memoir-ish and is about a famous author, except that her real identity is a mystery. There are several POV throughout as we learn about different parts of her life. There is also a book inside of a book and I loved all the tie-ins between the two books.
Read this one if you like character driven books and if you want to feel some feels. Much of the book was heart-wrenching. It would be a good one to discuss with friends or as a book club as it explores decisions and their impacts, and how identity changes over time.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC. I am choosing this one for my BOTM selection because I know I'll want to re-read it!

This book was engaging from the start and I think it will be a big hit when it comes out. The multiple POVs did confuse me at times, however that is just a me thing I think. Sometimes I cannot keep up. They did have a similar feel to one another, but overall they were really well done. The characters and story were interesting and kept me turning the page. A very solid book! Thank you netgalley for letting me read this.

The first 30% or so of this was a really gripping as the frame narrative opens into a multi POV multi timeline accounting of someone who has had many identities on their journey away from hometown trauma and towards fame and reclusive fortune. But then the POVs just keep piling on and before you know it, you've read half the book and still waiting to really care about any of the characters, including the protagonist. The writing style relies on moving fast between characters so you can get through big chunks at a time, but honestly, at the end of the day, it's doesn't really do much in terms of emotional introspection. This could probably benefit from a personable or full cast audiobook to elevate otherwise flat voices of too many otherwise uninteresting characters.

**3.5-stars**

💖💛💚💖💛💚💖💛💚💖💛💚💖

The Three Lives of Cate Kay was a quick and enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed the quality and tone of Fagan's writing. It was easy and fast-paced. While I wasn't crazy about the arrangement of how the story was told, I still really appreciated the lovely character work.

I was drawn to this because of the synopsis. The idea of following a mysterious author, Cate Kay, and learning all about her life and success appealed to me. I would say Fagan def delivered in that regard. Kay wasn't quite the kind of mysterious I tend to vibe with though. I don't know, it's hard to explain. This just didn't pack the punch for me that I was hoping it would. It was nice, but also felt a little safe.

There's a lot of different characters introduced over the course of this tale, and we get all of their various perspectives and the timeline varies as well. I'll admit to at times needing to remind myself, who I was reading from at any particular time, and where they were in time. I think as an audiobook, if it is done with full cast, like Daisy Jones, this could flow well and be quite impactful. Unfortunately, reading it with my eyeballs, it sometimes felt a little disjointed.

With all this being said though, I did really love Annie and Amanda's relationship. I think that aspect of this book captivated me the most and kept me moving forward at a steady clip. Further, I think for Literary Fiction fans this is going to be a big hit. It did remind me in certain structural ways of Daisy Jones and the Six, and I'm anticipating many, many comparisons to Evelyn Hugo. I've never read EH, so can't comment in that regard personally. I would recommend this though to anyone who enjoyed either of those books. I feel like for the right Reader at the right time, this book could be sheer perfection.

Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me a copy to read and review. Even though this is a little outside my comfort zone, I'm really glad I picked it up. It was a nice change of pace.

Cate Kay is a best selling author, but it's really a pen name and the world has no idea who she really is. The book takes us back in Cate's life to her childhood as Annie, along with her best friend Amanda, and what happened to break up their friendship. It then follows Annie as she transforms into Cass and how she becomes a writer living incognito.

The book was told from multiple points of view, and at times I liked that technique, but at other times it felt a bit much. Either way it kept me on my toes and paying attention to make sure I knew who was speaking. It also contained a book within a book, as Cate continues her writing career. I think I could have lived without that part, but it didn't make a huge negative impact on my reading experience.

I felt engaged with the story and was eager to keep turning pages to find out how the story ended.