It's hard to believe that "Black Cake" is Charmaine Wilkerson's first novel. The story is sprawling and masterfully interwoven across several times and places. The characters are well developed, and their lives are captivatingly tragic. The voices for each character are unique and independent of one another in an alternating POV narrative. But most importantly, the story is engaging. I read this book quickly, pulled along by the allure of Eleanor's story and how her life wound up the way it did. Wilkerson's choice to have the story unfold as told by a deceased mother explaining her life, which she kept secret until the very end, also helped me remained rooted in this narrative. If you're a fan of books like "Girl, Woman, Other" or "The Vanishing Half", you'll really like this book too!

The writing for this book was so beautiful and I really enjoyed the journey it took me on. Told from two different timelines, one present day with siblings Benny and Byron, and one from their mother's childhood into adulthood, we start the book with the siblings meeting with their mother's attorney after her death. What unfolds is a beautiful story uncovering the mother's history and the two timelines were woven together flawlessly. I really enjoyed the friendships and relationships and how complicated they can be, especially familial ones. I also really enjoyed the short chapters. Despite all of the beautiful elements of the story, it fell a little short for me from 5 stars. I almost feel like the mother's story was developed so well that Benny and Byron's didn't seem as perfect. Still, it was a beautiful debut and I think this book will stick with me for quite a while.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

A multi-generational story that starts with two adult siblings meeting together after their mom's passing. They are instructed by the family lawyer to listen to a recording their mom (Eleanor) left for them now that she and their father (Bert) have both passed away. As they come to terms with events in their own lives, Byron and Benny are stunned to hear about the lives of their parents, Bert and Eleanor. Throughout the recording, Eleanor's history and ties to the Caribbean Islands and the traditions of Black Cake come to the forefront within the plot and character development. I loved reading about cultural traditions and diversity within the characters as well as the historical context of the Caribbean Islands. I was immediately drawn into this novel and enjoyed reading about the people in Eleanor's life, especially Covey and Bunny.

As the story progressed, I found it more difficult to continue reading. The introduction of other characters really made the storyline dense and I felt as though I was slogging through the chapters. That being said, the ending was worth the struggle because it really completed the connection between all the characters, both past and present. A recommended read for fans of historical fiction and multi-generational family sagas. I'd rate this as 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Charmaine Wilkerson, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.

With certitude, this beautiful book touched my heart in numerous ways. Wilkerson crafted an impressive read, I enjoyed Black Cake beyond words. Superlative at the least.

I loved the plot, so much going on but it was weaved wonderfully and masterfully with the characters. I was taken aback by the ending which was orchestrated with precision. I felt such a bond with all the characters, their intensity and authenticity captivated me.

“And when people didn’t understand something, they often felt threatened. And when people felt threatened, they often turned to violence.”

I highly recommended Black Cake. You will find yourself reflecting on life, your family, and issues Wilkerson presented with skill. Arranged with flair and quickness it’s difficult to comprehend this book as Wilkerson’s debut. I look forward to Wilkerson’s next venture with great anticipation. Extraordinary.

Though a bit slow a d hard to follow at first, Black Cake picks up steam and delivers by the end. A tale about love, loss, and life altering decisions, the reader is swept along with all the different characters and their individual stories. The writing is choppy at times, so the relaxer needs to be adaptable to different styles. Wilkerson takes multiple storylines and weaves a complex story, finishing with all plot lines wrapped up neatly by the end. Great book for a book club too, with so many ethical dilemmas and choices to discuss.

I received a copy from NetGalley have written an objective review.

Black Cake is Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel. Ms. Wilkerson starts off winning right out of the gate.

Benedetta ‘Benny’ Bennett and her brother Byron aren’t on the best of terms but must deal with their mother’s death together. Will they be destroyed or delighted by the history that confronts them?

Black Cake is a definite win for this debut author. She reveals the story using alternating viewpoints along dual timelines, easily handling this writing technique with appropriate chapter headers. Though divergent, the plot lines are relevant and don’t distract or detract from the story. Intensity and anticipation are steadily built in both timelines, finally revealing decades old secrets. The pace isn’t ‘fast and furious’ but ‘slow and steady’, and we all know what wins the race.

Wilkerson also employs in-depth characterization and intense character interplay to further enrich the story. She eventually brings the story and the characters full circle. The publisher doesn’t list Black Cake in the Historical Fiction category, but it’s historically accurate with some literary license taken, nonetheless. They also don’t list it as Multicultural Interest, but it truly is. This was a completely fascinating read. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of good fiction.

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-galley of Black Cake.

This was a fantastic Historical Fiction about a woman who has gone through many trials and tribulations for her family. Covington has surpassed the odds and lived multiple lives to make sure her children are in the best place they can be.

There are many timelines and many narrators throughout this novel that consistently intercept. With that, there were times were I had to reread a page or two, to make sure I know what was going on! Other than that, Charmaine Wilkerson did a wonderful job and pulling your heart strings while trying to find out what had happened all of those years ago. I truly enjoyed the personal journey I went on with each character.

Overall, I really enjoyed Wilkerson’s novel and I look forward to reading more by her!

I got 40% of the way in and couldn't finish. I listened to the audiobook. There were moments where I was intrigued but I don't see what the hype is about. 1 star because did not finish.

This was not an unputdownable, edge-of-your-seat, “can’t go to sleep till finished” type of book, but it was enjoyable and it was worth definitely worth the read. All in all, a solid read if not life altering. But do we always need those? Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC opportunity !

Charmaine Wilkerson's debut Black Cake uses a traditional Caribbean dessert as a linchpin to this epic family story. Readers jump through time and place as present-day estranged siblings Benny and Byron discover the reality of their mother's past after her death brings them together.

Wilkerson doesn't shy away from hard truths surrounding acceptance, shame, families, friends, and identity. A character writes, "More people's lives have been shaped by violence than we like to think. And more people's lives have been shaped by silence than we think."

Black Cake is, ultimately, a book of hope, of second chances, of striving to be seen for who we are, of fighting for a better way forward. Wilkerson crafts an elaborate family history, and without doubt she has more books in her.

(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

This was a fantastic novel, telling the story of Byron and Benny, estranged siblings forced to come back together to listen to a story their mother records before she died. It's not a true mystery, but there are layers that are uncovered as the book moves through Eleanor's recording/details from her past, and then background of Byron and Benny. I really enjoyed this and the depth of the tales of family, love, race, and secrets.

Thanks to netgalley for an ARC of this title, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Black Cake centers around the events following the death of Eleanor Bennett, when her children Byron and Benny are summoned by Eleanor's estate attorney to listen to the recordings she made for them, explaining the truth about her past. Byron and Benny have been estranged for years, and it seems that Eleanor wants them to know the truth about her past - and, therefore, of course, their family history.

We are taken back to a young girl named Covey, living on a Caribbean island, who escapes to England, rather than being forced into marriage to pay her father's debts. We follow Covey through events in England, and then her move to California and her life there. No real surprise that this turns out to be Eleanor.

The story forces Byron and Benny to see their lives and their mother in a whole new light, particularly when surprises come up that affect their views of their mother, their history, and events that change their current lives.

The writing was affecting - I felt very invested in the story, and was eager to follow it. While there were numerous characters and plot lines, these fell together for me to make a coherent story. I was a little surprised that all of this had remained a secret for so long - I'm not sure I could have kept so much drama from my children! - but I was fascinated by the gradual unfolding of Covey/Eleanor's story, and read it pretty much non-stop.

It's well worth reading!

Byron and Benny were always close even though there was an eight year age difference. As adults Benny becomes estranged from her family. Byron is the perfect son with a career in ocean science but
Benny dropped out of school to pursue a different path. She feels her parents are against her and she leaves. After her mother passes away she comes home and with the family lawyer they listen to an audio file and she tells them the truth about a past the kids had no idea existed. I thought the characters were pretty well developed. For me Benny was a little hard to like but Byron was no better but they all had secrets which would have helped them understand each other better.

I loved the description of Covey's home in the West Indies. I can totally understand why it was hard for her to leave.

This is the author's debut novel and I am looking forward to reading more of her.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for providing me with a digital copy.

Byron and Benny are estranged siblings who’s mother just passed away and her lawyer has told them she left a message for them explaining everything she didn’t get a chance to tell them in person. What they learn from their mother’s video will raise all kinds of questions and hopefully some answers they have longed for.

This is a fascinating story full of family drama, a mysterious past, and love. The first half of the book was my favorite as I really enjoyed learning about B & B’s mother’s past. The second part moved really quickly and wrapped up faster than I anticipated. Definitely recommend this read.

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

Look, here is the deal. I have picked this book up multiple times and I'm like meh. It is not keeping my interest at all. I definitely think it is a case of me, not you. At this time I am putting this title down at 25%.

Black Cake started off so strong, with compelling parallel story lines. Unfortunately, in the middle, it got bogged down into a soupy mess, and it never quite managed to gel again for me. There are so many characters and at some point, I simply couldn’t be bothered to care about all of them anymore.

All this said, thank you so very much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital galley in exchange for my honest review.

Holy smokes! Drop everything and read this one. It was fantastic and kept me hooked from the very beginning. I just adored the strong sibling bond between Benny and Byron. It wasn’t only a great story but with a strong message. Thoroughly enjoyed this novel that hit my heart I’m a very strong way.

When Eleanor Bennett dies, her estranged children reunite to listen to a story Eleanor records for them to hear about her past secret and sorrow that will impact their lives. She has a final request for them to share the black cake - a gesture that is meant to bring them together.

The book is well written but I struggled to get into it at first - at least 50 pages. However, I persevered and the story really picked up after about 40% - though it shouldn't take that long. As a Jamaican, I know all about the rum cake that is delicious and a delight at most of our weddings.

While I liked the story I didn't fall in love with it the way I hoped. I would still read more from this new and promising author. The cover itself is gorgeous.
Thank you #Netgalley for the chance to read and review.
.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! Wilkerson has crafted a beautiful generational story with richly developed characters - I was relieved to find it's already been optioned for the screen! I'll definitely recommend to friends.

I really enjoyed this book. The various timelines and twists kept me engaged. This booked packed in a lot of issues but never felt forced. The writing was beautiful.