Oh my heart! This was such a beautiful and touching story. The narration was perfect and I loved every second.

Beautiful the most beautiful book about love, life, friendships, and those who leave us too soon. I left, and I cried. The narrator was perfection. I loved it and highly recommend!

The Secret to Hummingbird Cake is a moving, funny, and heartfelt story about friendship, love, and the bittersweet moments that make life worth living. Set in a small Southern town, the novel follows three lifelong friends—Carrigan, Laine, and Ella Rae—who have weathered every kind of trial together with plenty of humor, faith, and loyalty. When tragedy strikes, they are forced to face the reality that even the strongest bonds can be tested by loss, but also that love and laughter endure in the hardest seasons.

Listening to the audiobook adds an extra layer of richness to the story. The narration captures the warmth of Southern storytelling, drawing listeners into the charm, wit, and raw emotion of these women’s lives. The dialogue feels authentic, and the pacing allows both the humor and heartbreak to shine through in equal measure.

Celeste Fletcher McHale has crafted a tale that feels deeply relatable, reminding us of the importance of friendship and the fragile beauty of time. The audiobook makes it easy to become fully immersed in the characters’ journeys—whether you’re laughing at their antics or tearing up at their struggles.

Perfect for fans of Southern fiction, women’s fiction, and stories that celebrate the messy, beautiful bonds of friendship, The Secret to Hummingbird Cake is a listen that lingers long after the final chapter.

The Secret to hummingbird cake is a beautiful story of the friendship of three women who have known each other since kindergarten. The story takes place in the deep some and begins with one of the women having marital issues and her friends supporting her - soon their personal issues jump to the back burner.

It is a beautiful story about friendship and supporting those we love during the challenges life throws at each with unconditional love.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early review of the book.

If you're craving a Southern slice of storytelling with a generous helping of heart, humor, and friendship, this audiobook might just hit the spot.

Overview Set in the small Louisiana town of Bon Dieu, the story follows three lifelong friends—Carrigan, Ella Rae, and Laine—as they navigate the ups and downs of life, love, loss, and laughter. The audiobook begins with a light, almost predictable tone, but don't let that fool you. As one listener noted during a solo road trip, the narrative deepens significantly about a quarter of the way in, with characters evolving beyond their initial stereotypes and the emotional stakes rising.

Narration While specific narrator details aren't widely discussed, the Southern charm and authenticity of the dialogue lend themselves well to audio format. The natural cadence and colloquialisms of the Deep South come alive, making the listening experience feel intimate and immersive.

Themes & Tone

Female friendship is the beating heart of the story.

Faith is woven gently throughout, without overt preaching.

The humor is warm and distinctly Southern, reminiscent of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Emotional depth grows steadily, culminating in moments of genuine poignancy.

Verdict Listeners who stick with it are rewarded with a heartfelt tale that balances lightness with emotional gravity. And yes—you do eventually learn the “secret” of the hummingbird cake, even if it's a bit cheesy.

If you're in the mood for a story that feels like a long chat with old friends over coffee and cake, this audiobook delivers.

The Secret to Hummingbird Cake by Celeste Fletcher McHale was a great read and a new author for me.

This is a book about three best friends who are more like sisters navigating their life now being 30. Some have hidden secrets, while another is struggling in her marriage and as things come to light - they have to decide how they will handle these next steps. There are tears - in the book and for the reader, so tissues be ready is a must.

As far as the audio version, I am an avid audiobook reader and the narrator was alright. She reminds me more of an author reading her work or someone reading it at a "story time". I like it more when a narrator changes their voice depending on who's speaking. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this read and it's a good "Chick-Lit".

This story in not in my typical wheelhouse of genres. I actually picked it because I needed a "food in the title" book for a tic tac toe board in one of my challenges. I was so pleasantly surprised with this listen! The characters were so well-written; I felt like I was sitting down with old friends. These ladies had so much love for each other, and as someone blessed enough to have a had friends in my life for a very long time, the women in this story just felt so real. I laughed, celebrated, giggled, and ugly-cried during this listen. If you enjoy a real Southern style women's fiction with lasting friendships, marriage in danger, and the reality of dealing with cancer, then this one is worth the read. The narrator, Nan Kelley, really added to the authenticity of this one with her subtle Southern accent. Definitely the right voice actress for this genre.

"The Secret to Hummingbird Cafe" is a touching story of three childhood friends now in the early thirties. They have grown up together, explored adulthood together, and are trying to figure life out together. Yet when they are faced with a devastating medical diagnosis, this is when their bond truly shines.

I have read this story a couple of times since it first came out, and it made me cry both times, but the sweet kind of tears for a story that's so well written, it gives you "all the feels."

Thank you to Celeste Fletcher McHale, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

The Secret to Hummingbird Cake

by Celeste Fletcher McHale

Narrated by Nan Kelley

This is my second read from author Celeste Fletcher McHale. This is my honest review.

Initially what attracted me to this book was the cover and description. However, I have also heard the narrator before and liked her energy.
Now with that said since I thought I was prepared for the read… I was not!! I love the story of the trio’s friendship. This resonated with me… I had a beautiful friendship with 2 of my sisters close in age… I laughed and cried.
These 3 young women coming of age coming into their own learning who they are… and supporting each other through the trials and tribulations of life. Coming from a small town where everyone knows everyone… they remained strong and loyal to each other…I loved that!!
A friendship that stood the test of time and heartache the good with the bad!!

I will say this: you will definitely need a box of tissues!!!

I truly enjoyed the moral of the story. I highly recommend this read!! I will definitely be watching for more from author Celeste Fletcher McHale!!

Thank you for this opportunity @NetGalley @Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio

I enjoyed reading The Secret to Hummingbird Cake by Celeste Fletcher McHale. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

This book is one of those rare stories that feels real, messy, emotional, funny, and full of heart. This book hit me too dang hard and close to home. I don’t know what I was expecting with the story, but it wasn’t this. It’s not a polished fairy tale…it’s about friendship, love, faith, and all the hard, beautiful parts of life that shape who we are. The women in this story aren’t perfect, but their bond is something special. Raw, loyal, and true. I laughed, I cried, and by the end, I wanted to sit on the porch and share a slice of cake with those closest to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC of this heartfelt and beautifully written book. Nan Kelley did an absolutely wonderful job narrating this story 🤍

First THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to @netgalley for my audiobook of The Secret To Hummingbird Cake!!!
I would give this all the stars if I could!!

I laughed and cried!!! The author @celestefletchermchale has a gift for story telling!!! The narrator Nan Kelley did an amazing job!!!

One of the best books I have ever read. The characters will grab your heart and squeeze tight. You will love some, hate some, and want to meet a lot of them. I wish they were real people!

One warning before you open the first page, grab a couple of boxes of tissues. You will need them! You will find yourself sobbing and the next minute laughing a deep belly laugh. This book touches your soul and fills you up with love, laughter, and a sense of belonging. I hope you will open yourself up and experience the lives of Carrigan, Ella Rae, and Laine. You will never be the same again! A delightful story of friendship, family relationships, a true sense of community, and how people make a difference in our lives. It reminded me of the precious friendships I have experienced over the years … growing up, college, adult life. They have all played an important part in who I am today. This is a book to put at the top of your to-be-read list. The time you spend in the pages of the book will be time you will cherish as you are touched deeply.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Book Club
Chick Lit
Christian
Christian Romance
Contemporary
Fiction
Romance
Southern
Women’s Fiction

Thank you NetGalley, Zondervan and Thomas Nelson for the ALC of The Secret to Hummingbird Cake. This book had Been on my TBR for 3+ years and I’m so sad I waited this long to read it.

I adored this book. The girls relationship was everthing and when tragedy struck, they were all there for each other. Their relationship was absolutely beautiful and one that will stick in my soul for a long time. There were so many lessons in this book and they def won’t go unnoticed.

I think the ending was the healing we all needed after going through the love, loss, and grief of this Trio of girls. I sobbed multiple times throughout this book but none more than the letters and the journal for Carries baby, El. Laine but so much thought into everything and it showed.

This book is ♾️⭐️ for me and will live with me for the rest of my life. Check the trigger warnings, but this southern women’s fiction about 3 best friends going through life together was absolutely beautiful. 100% recommend.

The Secret to Hummingbird Cake is the kind of book that feels like coming home — warm, funny, heartbreaking, and filled with the comforting aroma of something sweet baking in the kitchen. It’s a story about love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between lifelong friends who face life’s highs and lows with humor, grace, and a healthy dose of sass.
Set in a small Southern town where everyone knows everyone and dessert is its own love language, this novel captures the heart of true friendship. You’ll laugh, cry, and want to call your best friends just to tell them how much you love them. The characters are beautifully drawn — flawed, loyal, and utterly real — and their voices ring with that perfect blend of Southern charm and raw honesty.
The author’s wit shines through every page, balancing moments of deep emotion with bursts of laughter and warmth. Beneath the humor and heartache lies a profound message about resilience, love, and savoring life’s sweetest moments — even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.