Thanks to NetGalley and Apeiron Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC of Pete Fanning's A Cake Without Candles.

This middle-grade story of Nettie is incredibly moving and powerfully profound for a book geared toward young readers. This was so wonderfully done and will be appreciated and enjoyed by readers of all ages. Nettie is such a strong young lady that you will find yourself rooting for as she goes through some many tough changes and challenges that many other young people sadly face in their own lives, which makes this so wholly relatable. Aunt Bethany is the mean family member that everyone has and secretly isn't too fond of, but you love anyway because it's what you are supposed to do. Please pick up this book and share it with all the young readers in your life... oh, and don't forget to grab a box of tissues - you're going to need them.

This was a heart warming, heart wrenching YA book! Nettie Betts is doing the best with what life has given her: a completely absent mom, a long haul truck driving father, and a really mean aunt. Of course she also has her best friend Cole and loyal pup Bailey. But things start changing with the coming of middle school and Nettie doesn't necessarily roll well with the punches. What follows is a lot of life lessons for her and those around her. I really enjoyed reading this sweet story of a young woman trying to find herself and her place.

Nettie is facing a lot of changes, this summer before she turns eleven…
Her father has a new schedule for his truck driving, which means he’ll be on the road more often. As a result, Aunt Bethany is going to be around taking charge. This seems like a horrible fate for Nettie and her dog Bailey to have to endure, because her aunt is the absolute meanest person that Nettie knows. And that’s saying something, ‘cause she’s put up with some real bullies at school. If only she had her best friend Cole to confide in as usual, but Cole seems to be drifting away into new territories. Or even better, if Nettie could only track down her long-absent mother, she’s sure all these changes would be easier to take, especially with sixth grade starting in a few weeks…
This book packed a punch.
On the surface it appears to be a rather light coming-of-age story. As the plot emerges, some heavy life issues began to surface. The adults in Nettie’s life have had difficulties of their own in the past; her aunt and mother had to manage largely on their own as neglected children. And an incident as a child with a man is referred to as the root cause for the Nettie’s mother leaving, and for the aunt’s bitterness as an adult. (What happened behind the closed doors is not detailed; I believe that was intentional, as this was written for a middle-grade audience.)
There were moments that had me laughing aloud, immediately followed by a hint of a tear. The relationships that Nettie has with the adults in her life will make one alternately gasp, giggle, and ultimately cheer for this spunky girl! (And want to eat at an old-fashioned Pizza Hut, with Tiffany lamps, pitchers of cold drinks, and bright red booths!)

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

A Cake Without Candles was a perfect Middle Grade book. I really grew to love the characters as they were developing throughout the story. Nettie was a rough and tumble, strong willed and, inspiring character that kids of the age can identify and look up to. The adults in this story seemed to be stumbling through life and just trying to do the best with what they had. This is a perfect summer read or read aloud for back to school.

Thank you Net Galley, Pete Fanning and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions expressed are my own.
A Cake Without Candles is expected to be released June 24, 2025.

Nettie is one determined young lady. With her dad away often as a long-haul trucker, and her mother having abandonded her years ago, Nettie has to deal with her unpleasant Aunt Bethany. After her aunt ends up in the hospital, she and Nettie begin to bond and understand each other better. Sweet relationships, a non-conforming protagonist, and some laugh-out-loud episodes make this a great read. Note: there is a hint of potential sexual abuse in the past. Well handled, not even remotely explicit, but there nonetheless.
4 1/2 stars.

Nettie is about to start the 6th grade and is hoping that being in middle school will give her the reset she needs after earning the nickname Crazy Nettie back in the fourth grade. She’s always been a little rough around the edges, preferring playing at the creek, building forts, overalls, her dog and best friend Cole to playing with make up, wearing prissy clothes, and being one of the popular girls, but that fight when she was 9 just seemed to seal her fate as not the girl you invite to birthday parties. To be fair, it wasn’t all her fault. Being raised by a single, truck-driving dad who travels a lot has to leave her in the care of overweight, smoking, gambling and mean Aunt Bethany has done much for developing her softer side. But this year is going to be different.

Pete Fanning’s main character has quite a summer as she learns new things about her aunt and finds a support there she never expected, a truth about her absent mother is revealed and discovers she is not as alone as she thought. Older elementary readers are certain to relate to aspects of Nettie and will find themselves at times hurting for her and at others, cheering for her. The end doesn’t have everything in her life coming up roses, but middle grade readers know that isn’t realistic and will be quite satisfied with the conclusion. However, adults may find the character of Aunt Bethany confusing and slightly alarming. She is Nettie’s caregiver while dad is away but is neither caring nor a giver for much of the book, rather, is cruel to the point of neglect and abuse and then makes an abrupt turnaround when she becomes afraid that Nettie is about to experience the same assault the book alludes to for her mother. Given the target age range, some may find the absent mom character to be triggering with the vague references to a sexual assault and probably suicide as a result of the lifelong trauma from that attack. Overall, I enjoyed the book and was able to ignore the noted shortcomings.

Recommended for those in grades 4-6 and it’s less than 200 pages and fairly simple plot make it accessible to most. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and any significant violence other than some serious spray from a water hose and a lot of yelling. Nettie is Caucasian and her best friend is Black and based on naming conventions, a new friend may be AAPI.

Nettie will be turning 11 soon. Needing to register in a new school. Her father is a cross country truck driver, Nettie's Aunt Bethany cares for her when her father is on the road. Aunt Bethany and Nettie are butting heads. At one point Nettie drenches the inside of the trailer by spraying water at Aunt Bethany through the window.

This really is a wonderful story about family and very heartwarming. Highly recommended. My first book by Pete Fanning, but not my last.

Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for approving my request to read the advance read copy of A Cake Without Candles in exchange for an honest review. 188 pages, Paperback. Expected publication June 24, 2025.

This is a coming of age story about Nettie, a spunky young girl who is dealing with the mysterious absence of her mother (who abandoned her), the hated presence of her aunt (her mother's unpleasant older sister), and a father who is too often away on long distance travel earning a living to support them.

At a time when Nettie is struggling with changes in her relationships, including that with her best friend Cole (who seems to be distincing himself from her), she is about to find out that not all change is bad...

This is a story with a lot of heart and a cast of characters including 3 eldely hippies! It gets 3.5 stars.

The story is good but it’s dark. A lot of negligence in the care of a child. Well intended father, abusive caregiver, dark family history, creepy older men, missing mom and Nettie delusional about her mother.

Definitely hit some old trauma nerves. As a parent highly suggest you preview and discuss with your child if you choose to let them read this.

Overall, I enjoyed this read. The writing is definitely for middle readers, though the themes are heavy and may be too heavy for some middle readers. That said, the author does a great job of presenting these in an age appropriate manner and from the perspective of a child the age of the intended audience. This is one that I am considering as a book club option in the future.

This is a great coming of age book for middle graders. Nettie and her father were abandoned by her mom, but Nettie wasn't too young to not have any memories of her. As a result, Nettie's dad drives a semi-truck to help make ends meet, so he is often gone for periods of time. This leaves Nettie with her Aunt Bethany who has her own tragic life story. Nettie and Aunt Bethany do not get along and often fight. When Nettie witnesses her aunt fall one day and spends time with her while she recovers, the pair start to learn more about each other and their relationship changes. Nettie and Aunt Bethany bond over their feelings about Nettie's mom (Bethany's sister) leaving. It's a great story about family, learning to better relationships, growing up, and learning to get along with others.

I loved this book! Nettie is such a great character, dealing with a lot. Her and her Aunt Bethany don't get along, but she's stuck with her , while her dad is on the road. Middle school is about to start and her best friend has been acting different. And her mom left years ago and she just wants to know whether she's going to come back and why she left her.
Nettie and her Aunt come to a truce and actually start to get along and it's for the better. Nettie needs a good female role model in her life with her dad on the road all the time.
I loved all the real emotions that a middle schooler will be having and how she's just trying to figure everything out.
I loved the community that supports Nettie and helps her.
This is such a good middle grade read.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

This is a middle grade book about a girl struggling with her mom abandoning her father and her, her relationship with her aunt who helps care for her, her feelings about entering middle school, and the changes in the friendship with her best friend. It always amazes me how middle grade writers can pack in so many big issues in short, middle grade appropriate books. Fanning did a fabulous job of writing about all of these tough topics in an enjoyable read for both adults and middle grade readers.

Nettie is stuck at home with mean Aunt Bethany while dad is out on the road driving his truck. No mom although Nettie wants to know what happened to her. Nettie and Aunt Bethany don’t get along, and when Nettie makes her aunt mad she avoids her as much as she can. One day her aunt falls and the ambulance is called. The aunt blames Nettie for her sprained ankle and as the two depend on each other more Nettie starts to warm up to her aunt a little. It’s her birthday and her dad is still on the road, but Nettie’s aunt says she can invite her new school friend for pizza when they go out that night. But so many surprises await Nettie. What a great book about family, resilience, and friends.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.