This was such an interesting story! I really enjoyed the unique plot and the characters. I look forward to the author’s next work!

First off, this has to be one of my favorite covers of all-time! So beautiful! This book had a lot of interesting threads, but the execution was a little bit lacking for me.

The story follows siblings, Byron and Benny, who reunite after an estrangement when their mother passes away. Their mother leaves them a recording unveiling many family secrets. The story is told in flashbacks to when the mother was young and with the backgrounds of the two siblings. I loved the setting of the Caribbean and the many unique characters. However, there were elements of the writing that left me a little confused. The jumping between time periods is rather disjointed (especially when Byron or Benny are recounting some of their adult lives). It was hard for me to keep track of when certain events occurred. There are also a ton of characters to keep track of and some of the names were way too similar (Benny vs Bunny, etc.). I also had an issue with the lack of suspense - every single reveal was pretty obvious to me.

All that being said, Wilkerson was able to create characters that I truly fell in love with and was rooting for (especially the mother). Because this is her debut novel, I think she could write some truly great pieces down the line. Her imagery and the connection between generations with the black cake recipe was lovely. Although this wasn't a surefire hit for me, I would still look out for future works from her, and I'll be checking out the series that just came out on Hulu.

Lots to think about in this book, and some interesting twists. Great beginning that I went back to at the end; it was probably not what you initially thought! I listened to the audio, which was very well done. (It was returned to the library once, so I had to wait to get it back to finish.)
At times, introducing a new character without revealing the connection for a bit got to be a bit much. I have to admit, I did fall asleep when the story of Marble began and tried to backtrack. Did we find out how Covey found her?
I also felt that the story of Mathilda was wrapped up too abruptly, and had more questions.
The premise of the audio to bring siblings together and tell the story was a very good one!

What are the ingredients needed for a good book? Author Charmaine Wilkerson's Black Cake was part complex characters mixed in with half a cup of intrigue and a sprinkle of social commentary and topped with a touch of historical context.

While the book started off a little slow, it ratcheted up and up and up with each plot twist. Each time I wondered what would be revealed next. There were times I was left utterly confused by how many characters changed their names but that didn't stop me following down the rabbit hole. I continued on until Byron and Benny found some semblance of peace, not in knowing who their mother was but what she endured and what she legacy she left behind.

Storytelling is an art and Charmaine is an artist!

Unique! I loved the setting and learning about the culture. I did feel the story slowed down in the middle but it still fascinated me in so many ways. The characters and their interactions with each other and their growth, just made the whole book.

What a beautiful sweeping historical story, full of heart, memory, identity, connection, and redemption. I loved the alternating chapters, the slow unraveling of the truth, and the beautiful portrayals of Jamaican culture and setting.

I have had Black Cake on my TBR for a while, but the new series on Hulu pushed me to read before I watch, and I'm now firmly putting Black Cake in the why-did-I-wait-so-long category. There are books that I read for the pure entertainment value, the ability to get lost in the drama of it all, and then there are true pieces of art like Black Cake. Charmaine Wilkerson managed to take me from the islands of the Caribbean to England and then to southern California as we followed Covey through life. Her strength and perseverance shines through in every page.

A long kept secret revealed after the death of their mother, new family found, and a cherished recipe passed through generations! I loved the varying perspectives of this story, making sure we got all the views of the things happening in the pages! It really goes to show that sometimes... you really have no idea about a person, even those closest to you!

Let me start off by saying I enjoyed how the story began, that immediately intrigued me and sucked me into the story. I liked getting to read from different perspectives to really understand the whole story but the mom's story confused me enough to take me out of the story. It's objectively a well-thought out book but with how many different POVs there was the story is way too difficult to follow. I did end up having to look up spoilers to understand what was going on and unfortunately this book did have my least favorite trope.

*Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books for the gifted copy for my honest review*

I really felt that this book really offered something different and I really enjoyed the backstory of the mother and family. The tie in with the black cake was beautiful. I loved how the story unwound and the pieces came together. All of sudden though this book turns into social commentary out of nowhere and it seriously ruined what this author has created. There was no place in this book for that and it was just forced into being. I understand that our social climate in the US is a mess, however this was not the place to unwrap this. This was just devastating for this book. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

This is a story of secret heartbreak and family life built on lies. For the grown children of Eleanor Bennett, their inheritance includes a recording of their mother's true life story. Her life story is nothing like what they were told as children. It is a compelling read. I would like to have seen a more in depth character study of the children, Benny and Byron. This is a great novel for book club discussions.

This books was a lovely story. I honestly felt that I could have kept reading about the characters indefinitely! Highly recommend.

I almost gave up on this one, again. I’m glad I didn’t. It is a story of family but there is also some murder and mystery involved.

I’m anxious to see what Hulu does with it.

A Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Historical Fiction and for Debut Novel (2022), and a Book of the Month Book of the Year Award Nominee (2022), Black Cake is a beautiful novel about secrets, family, love, and loss.

The author’s complex plot unfolds in vignettes that alternate among different times, places, and viewpoints. Unfortunately, the multiple alternating timelines/storylines became confusing, even more so as the story progressed. More than once, I double-checked to make sure I was still reading the same book more than once.

I like stories with complex characters, and deep themes, but this author overdid it with social issues. It was just too much. I also found the pacing to be a trifle slow.

Incidentally, black cake is a boozy Caribbean cake filled with dried fruit such as prunes, raisins, cherries, and currants and loaded with dark rum and dessert wine or cherry brandy. I’m not keen on fruitcake, but this one might be worth a try. One must think ahead, though, as the fruit should be soaked in the alcohol for between 7 days and six months.

If you enjoyed Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half, or Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing, this is a good choice. Black Cake is a beautiful, poignant, and descriptive novel from a talented debut author. I look forward to watching the Hulu series, which is scheduled for release sometime in 2023. 4 stars.

*I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was very good and I loved it! This book was beautifully written and I was hooked the entire time! The plot was thought out and filled with secrets and turns.

This is a perfect read for anyone who loves books that follow a whole family over time. It weaves together several different storylines taking place over different timelines in such a powerful way, I was surprised to learn that this is a debut! It is definitely a character driven novel, so it may not be for some, but I recommend it to anyone who loves a sweeping family tale that has just the right amount of family secrets to keep you on the edge of your seat.

***I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This book is a remarkable debut novel! With short chapters from multiple perspectives and varying timelines, a story about family, love, sacrifice, and secrets emerges. It‘s an unique look at racism in the Caribbean, as well as a raw dive into grief and sorrow for things lost and for the hurdles life places in the way. A five star read for me.

This might end up being one of my favorite books read in 2023, I just really connected with it. Bryon and Benny have just lost their mother, but the story really revolves around discovering who their mother really was and their relationship with each other. It is the multi-generational family drama that is a sub-genre favorite of mine. To be honest, I found the story of Eleanor's life pre-children the more fascinating and compelling chapters. There is so much in the book, a bit too much at points. Eleanor is the only really well-developed character, though I did really enjoy the other characters like Eleanor's childhood best friend and the housekeeper. There is food (the famed black cake), racism, the effects of colonialism, alcoholism, sexism, and a fractured sibling relationship. I don't want to give away other content warnings in case I spoil anything. There is a grief at the center that made me tear up at points, and also just the "now what?" feelings that accompany loss. It was a book that made me want to pick it up to find out what happened, while also bracing myself for the sadness ahead. The secrets revealed at the end left me smiling, and I am so glad I finally read this one. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advanced copy.

Black Cake is a literary gem that will sweep you away on a captivating journey through the intricacies of family, identity, and the power of inherited legacies. From the moment I delved into the pages of this extraordinary tale, I was enthralled by the author's ability to weave together a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. What sets Black Cake apart is the author's ability to infuse every page with emotional depth and thought-provoking reflections on the choices we make, the burdens we carry, and the resilience of the human spirit. Wilkerson's storytelling prowess is further elevated by her exploration of the significance of names and the threads that connect generations, reminding us that our heritage shapes us in ways we may not fully comprehend. In conclusion, Black Cake is a stunning triumph of storytelling that will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page.

Eleanor Bennett has passed away and leaves an audio message for her children, Byron and Benny, revealing a checkered past. They ultimately realize that there was so much about their parents that they didn't know, but one thing that remained constant, is their love of the traditional Black Cake. As the daughter of a Jamaican mother, this was very familiar to me, as it served as the groom's came at my wedding. Learning of its original and an actual recipe, also had me intrigued.

Byron and Benny must mend their differences, in order to tackle the biggest secret of them all…another sibling. This part of the story tugged at my heartstrings, because each sibling was faced with issues of their own.

What I loved most about this book by @charmspen1, is the journey that she took the readers on. From the Chinese presence in Jamaica (my mother's first boss was an Asian lady by the name of Miss Chin), to the significance of swimming (I swear, my entire family is a fish…except me), to schooling in England, to jobs in Scotland and then the migration to America. I also loved how throughout it all…love won. My favorite character is a tie between Pearl and Gibbs. Pearl for truly being the keeper of secrets (for Matilda and Covey) and Gibbs, for never giving up on love. He was a stand-up guy thru and thru. My least favorite character was Mr. Lin, until I met Little Man. You'll have to read the book in order to know why.

I read this book in observance of Caribbean American Heritage Month, and I wish I could remember who to thank for sending me the paperback and @randomhouse for sending me the e-book. This is one book I will revisit and had earned a spot on my Best Books of 2023.