This books tells the story of a life of a woman with a secret identity and how our choices shape our life. Initially, I had a hard time reconciling all the characters in this story and figuring out how they all fit. The writing was gorgeous but felt a bit disjointed at the beginning, however, as the story progressed, the writing deepened and I had a hard time putting this book down. The characters are real and flawed and beautiful and the details really made this special. It made me feel a full range of emotions - hurt, betrayal, hope, comfort, and joy. I highlighted so many lines because they were so poignant and moving. Definitely would recommend this one for a good read!

“It’s like you hold me steady without holding me still” 😭

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for the eARC of this book to review!

Very rarely do I finish a book thinking that it could have gone on for another twenty pages. Or that I wanted it to. However that was the case of The Three Lives of Cate Kay. There's a mystery at the core of the book, but at its heart, this is a novel of the events and people that shape our lives, the decisions we make, and then having to live with those decisions.

No spoilers here, so my critique will stay at the Storygraph.

Overall, a fun read. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

I liked this one but didn't love it. It was interesting enough and a fast read, but some of the major emotional moments towards the end felt glossed over. The comp to Evelyn Hugo is something I can see, but it didn't touch Evelyn on an impact level - I am not sure this one has the staying power. It lacked the depth IMO.

I was positively surprised by how much fun I had reading this book, especially since the main character is quite unlikeable.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay is a fictional memoir of the author Cate Kay which is actually a pen name of Cass Ford, which is a new name for... You get the idea. Three lives, three different names, and one person.

What is unusual is that this memoir is also written by other people from Cate's life. Sometimes we get the same moments written from two perspectives, and I loved seeing how the characters remembered things differently. A really great idea for making this book more interesting.

The plot seems a bit chaotic at first, we go from 2014 to the 90s, then to 2006 and back to the 90s. We get the story in pieces from different people, and for a moment it is up to us to imagine what exactly happened to Cate to make her change her name and then hide under another one. For some people it can be annoying, but I didn't mind it.

What I minded was how annoying Cate could be. Even in chapters from her pov I couldn't understand her. For most of the time, she just let things happen to her, but somehow everyone who meets her would throw their life for her. I don't have a problem with unlikeable protagonists, but Cate is just dull, she keeps acting like a child who keeps running from responsibility.

And the other thing that didn't make this book a 5* for me was the lack of plot in the later part of it. We just get quick chapters that are mostly about nothing. There's a quick mention that Cate wrote the second two books in the series, but we never see her writing her. There's actually not a lot about Cate as an author in the whole of this story.

I really enjoyed reading this book. If you're looking for an unusual character-driven story with a little bit of mystery, then this is for you.

Thank you to Atria Books and Simon Audio for the ARC and ALC to review.

This is one I did not know that much about prior to reading, and when I started the audio I loved the full cast, and ended up loving this book overall. It is fiction, but the novel is written like it is a memoir with the FMC finally telling her story. What makes this interesting is she has written an extremely successful book trilogy that was turned into blockbuster movies, she lost her best friend from childhood prior to writing these books, fell in love but that is a whole other story, oh and no one other than like two people really knows who she is, it has all been kept a secret, which is the point of ‘this book’, to finally reveal it all. One of the things I loved in here was that the FMC would break the fourth wall in the best way, affirming how other people felt or how other people thought she felt in specific situations, and via audio it was lovely.

I found that I could not stop listening once I started, so it was basically a one sitting read for me. There was a huge twist at the end that I suspected, and found myself emotional when it was confirmed. The writing is fantastic, and if you have not added this to your list you absolutely must. January is starting off pretty spectacular with new books, let me tell you.

Cate Kay has finally decided to write her memoir, facing her fears and her past to unravel all three of her identities. Born as Annie, she had a difficult homelife but found refuge in her best friend Amanda. Annie and Amanda have big dreams of moving to California and becoming famous actors until tragedy sends Annie on the run. Cass is working at a diner when she meets Sidney, who helps her realize her dream and talent as an author. Sidney, an attorney, helps to transform Cass into Cate and works diligently to keep her past a secret for her own selfish reasons. After years in the shadows, Cate agrees to reveal herself to someone and it changes the trajectory of her life, realizing she needs to look backwards to move forward.

The story is told mostly in [fictional] memoir form, from varying perspectives, with Cate's footnotes accompanying many of the chapters. This format made it really unique and interesting to read. I really appreciated the footnotes because it connected all the characters together and added more emotion to it. The narrative flowed well, the characters were very relatable, and best of all -- the character development was phenomenal...all around! I felt all the things throughout the character growth, from sad, annoyed, mad, happy, proud...it was a rollercoaster!

I requested to review this book because: 1) I kept seeing it everywhere, 2) I love a good alias, and 3) the format sounded really interesting. While it did not disappoint, I only rated 3.5 stars because it was a little bit of a slow burn. Honestly, the only thing that kept me engaged in the beginning was the format. But once I got to know the characters and became more invested in Cate's story, I was more interested in seeing how it all played out.

If you like memoirs, strong female friendships, an array of LGBTQ characters, and feeling all the feels while you are reading...this one is for you!

You know those books that creep up and surprise you with how much you love them? That is Kate Fagan’s The Life of Cate Kay. I started it thinking, well, I’m intrigued, but, after one particular scene (no spoilers), I was completely hooked. We should all be so lucky to have a friendship like Annie and Amanda’s, and this book would be a perfect buddy read/book club choice. There’s so much to think about and ponder, and I will be recommending The Three Lives of Cate Kay immediately to my book-loving besties.

3.5 | This was one I had been anticipating, so as soon as I got the audio, I started reading (I went back and forth between audio and print). This was a quick, fairly fast-paced read that was a fun ride, but it didn't QUITE live up to some of its marketing. It was compared to both FIRST LIE WINS and THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO – the first comparison I can totally understand, but I never got any Evelyn Hugo vibes. The famous actress and unknown star writer parts were certainly fun (I'm a sucker for anything Hollywood adjacent), but it never had me as invested or went as deep as Evelyn Hugo. If I remove that comparison, I found this to be a perfectly enjoyable story of friendship, fame, secrets, and coming of age. The various points of view added a nice change of pace, and the story within a story (within a story?) made for a very meta reading experience. I think this will be one many people love and the full cast narration was fantastic. (Rumor has it this is the Reese's Book Club pick for January.)

Just finishing the night before the release! I put it off for a month or so, and I wish I didn’t! I definitely inhaled this book. This story focuses on “Cate” after her other “lives” and changes her identity. After a traumatic experience, our main character seems to always run and hide. In the end, she is found, but the journey along the way was so captivating.

I loved how the story was structured through the different time lines and different perspectives. The characters blend well together, and they’re likeable.

I highly recommend this book, I think it will be a 2025 great. Would make a great book club book or beach read.

A girl with a rough upbringing just wants to make a name for herself, she just doesn’t make it in the way she expected.

I enjoyed reading Cate Kay’s adventures and was happy that she was able to learn and grow despite the challenges she had along the way.

3.5 rounded down for the tracker below. A big thank you to the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley. This one has been receiving a lot of buzz and I was very excited to get my hands on it. If you are looking for a contemporary fiction novel that centers queer female characters, then I highly recommend checking this one out! While this one was a mixed bag for me, I did ultimately enjoy my time with this book.

The things I thought were really well executed: the different characters and their dynamic, pacing, writing style (especially the idea of this being written as a tell-all memoir about our main character's life). The writing style really worked for me and I will definitely be checking out this author's next works. A truly solid debut that comes out tomorrow (07 Jan 2025)!!

Elements that left me wanting a bit more: Switching quickly between characters sometimes left me feeling very confused as to who each character was. The quick/short chapters sometimes felt too short and the "voice" of each character sometimes blended together and were hard to identify and relate to. I also found the decision making to be lacking for each character and often wondered why they decided to make the choices they did. I am usually a "show me, don't tell me" type of reader, but in this case, I think the author could have relied a little more on the "telling me" portion so I could try to understand why some characters made their decisions.

Wow, I loved this book so much!!! I have not stopped thinking about it since I finished. What a great way to start the new year off.
It was a bit of a slow start for me but once it picked up I could not put it down. I don’t think I have ever read anything written like this and it felt like a breath of fresh air.

If you liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you will love The Three Lives of Cate Kay! ⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

Our main character has lived under three names—her birth name Anne Marie, the new identity as Cass she took on at 18 years old, and, most famously, as Cate Kay, the completely unknown, yet world-famous author of the exceedingly popular trilogy of books that went on to become blockbuster movies. Finally, Cate/Cass/Annie is ready to tell her story to the world in a memoir that reveals her humble beginnings in upstate New York, her dreams of making it big in Hollywood, and the tragedy that reshaped the trajectory of her life.

The storytelling in this novel is addictive and propulsive, bounding from one perspective to another to create a chorus of voices that come together to tell the story of person's life. It's a story of queer love and identity, of friendship, of the way dreams are born and die, and about the choices that define our lives. I loved it and highly recommend this book for anyone seeking queer stories, fast-paced reads, and some great fiction reads in 2025!

4 out of 5 Stars!

Cate Kay has lived many lives. But in her current one, she is one of the most successful authors of this generation with her bestselling book trilogy. But, she doesn’t really exist. In fact, her identity is a secret. A secret she has been trying to run away from since her childhood when a tragedy occurred. When the truth starts to unravel, she has to take a chance. Return home or stay hidden forever?

When scrolling through Goodreads, “The Three Lives of Cate Kay” by Kate Fagen really caught my attention with the bold and mysterious cover and the title. Since reading this book, I can confirm that the cover and title really represent what was actually inside the book. It was bold, mysterious, and strong. I really did enjoy this book, even though I thought the synopsis was a little different from what I was expecting, but it ended up being excellent!

Cate Kay, ONE of the main characters, was so intriguing and mysterious. I really like her as a main character, even at times when I want to yell at her. Story aside, it was just enjoyable listening to her inner dialogue and everyday life. One thing unique about this book was the number of narrators. You had your three characters throughout the story, but every once in a while you would get a character for one chapter. It would be someone relevant to the story. I’m assuming the purpose was to understand their insights of the situation or maybe of their decision. I thought it was fascinating and unique, and kept the story alive throughout.

One thing I thought was lacking was the mystery and thriller portions of the novel. On Goodreads, the first 5 genres listed included fiction, LGBTQ+, contemporary, mystery, and thriller. I really liked the fiction, LGBTQ+, and contemporary genres in this novel, but the mystery just fell flat. I think correctly labeling this book would help the reader understand and appreciate the novel more. In the beginning, I was looking for clues and hints when I really should have been enjoying the novel.

Overall, I would highly recommend “The Three Lives of Cate Kay” by Kate Fagen if you are looking for something new and unique! Pick up your copy on January 7th, 2025!

Thank you to Atria Books, Kate Fagen, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

She published a bestselling book in anonymity, but the novel's success was not enough to bring Cate Kay into the public eye. Who is she? Everyone wants to know, but you won't know her true identity even if you meet her. It's a good thing she decided to come up with a tell-all Memoir and recover her true identity.

It started off with a bit of a struggle, but soon, it became a page-turner. The novel is a masterclass in mystery and twists, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Multiple POVs can be tricky for some readers; I am one of them. However, I love a good challenge, and Kate Fagan makes reading this novel so much fun. There are unlikable characters, sexy scenes, and footnotes. Yes, I said footnotes. I love footnotes.

The structure is essentially a memoir but with a unique twist. Different characters in 'Cate's' life have chapters that take the reader to the events that shape the main character's journey. But it isn't that simple. Some of these perspectives are from the same character who's chosen a new identity. The trick to not getting lost is paying attention to the footnotes that always bring you back to the speaker. I love when writers shape our perception with the use of footnotes. In this case, it always brought me back to the main character and helped me understand some of her choices better.

The memoir style, multiple POVs and personas, and themes make this novel utterly addictive. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down. Themes range from questioning our goodness due to past mistakes to righting one's wrongs, coming out, and going to great lengths to get what one wants. The real Cate shows how you can't always be on the run, especially if you are running from yourself. Secrets and past mistakes follow you wherever you go; facing them is the only thing that can set you free from a past that haunts you.

I loved this novel. It's a great day read. It is advertised for readers who enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but it also brought to mind Perfume and Pain for some reason. Like these books, it delves into complex characters and their personal journeys, making it a compelling read.
This just came out, and you must add it to your New Year's TBR.

This was an interesting format for a story and I really enjoyed it. All the multiple POV kept me engaged and I liked seeing it from everyone's perspective. This book was an easy binge read and it was a great story. Annie and Amanda's friendship was so nostalgic and their story was a great one. The ending wrapped the story up perfectly.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for my copy of this ARC.

This was a fantastic book! It dealt with many deep topics and I couldn’t put it down. I liked the style of writing, it reminded me of Daisy Jones and the Six. I’m looking forward to the next book by this author!

This was an incredibly moving story that explored in depth the price of fame, the power of friendship, the complexities of ambition, and the nuanced lives of storytellers. I loved the setup as a "memoir" of Cate Kay's life told partially through her and partially through the people who were closest to her at each stage of her life. Fans of literary dramas with unconventional females at the center will love this one!

The Three Lives of Cate Kay was a 5-star read for me. I love any book that can't fit into one specific genre. The writing, the fleshed-out characters, the overall story was one that will stick with me for a long time. The weaving of the story was fascinating, between past and present as well as very much in the vein of Daisy Jones in the Six with a documentary style format.

You will want to pick this one up ASAP and once you do, you will not be able to put it down. Great first read of the new year!

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan is a compelling novel about identity, memory, and reinvention. Cate Kay, a secretive author of a blockbuster trilogy, is forced to confront her hidden past after a shocking revelation.

As a young adult, Cate and her best friend Amanda dreamed of stardom, but a tragedy shattered their plans, leaving Cate on the run. Decades later, Cate must return home to face her past and find closure.

Fagan delivers an emotional story of reinvention and redemption and it felt utterly unique and fresh. While some twists are predictable, the heartfelt journey and satisfying resolution make this a solid 4-star read for fans of character-driven stories with a touch of mystery.

Thank you to Atria Books for my free review copy.