I can see why this book has the accolades that it does and why Reese picked it for her book club. When I was reading it, there was a sense that it would make a great mini series movie. I really enjoyed this and see the connections others have made with Evelyn Hugo in terms of theme and setting. Thanks for the ARC.

I know it's rather early to say this, but I predict now that The Three Lives of Cate Kay will be one of my top reads of 2025! I was enthralled from the very first page and could barely put it down (and was so bummed every time I had to do in order to go about my day). This novel is suspenseful, emotionally compelling, and overall beautifully written; and the wlw representation made my little sapphic heart so happy. I loved the use of all the different POVs throughout the novel; it was fascinating to watch the story unfold through so many different sets of eyes and to hear different accounts of the same events. I also LOVED how short the chapters were! It helped me get into the book immediately and contributed to how fast-paced the story felt. Kate Fagan has earned a new fan and I'm so excited to see what she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

i love when books include a book within the book. This is a really original, genre bending book. We get a mystery, some romance, it's literary and queer. The writing is strong, the characters are so well developed, I loved the multiple POV and how unique the story was, and was very very happy with the ending. I'm obsessed with this book and can't wait to read more from Kate Fagan.

I think for Literary Fiction fans this is going to be a big hit. It did remind me in certain structural ways of Daisy Jones and the Six, and I'm anticipating many comparisons to Evelyn Hugo.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed either of those books. I feel like for the right reader at the right time, this book could be sheer perfection.

Thank you to Atria Books and Kate Fagan for the E-Arc!

The Three Lives of Cate Kay was our club's pick for the month of February. We were so excited to read this hyped book and discuss it together and it definitely proved for a fun and lively book club discussion. Some of us were all in on this books and some of us were on the fence...leading to such a great discussion and different perspectives!

So, what did I think of the book? I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading this book and was invested in the story from the very beginning. For an author fairly new to writing fiction, I was so impressed by the nuances in the story lines, the character development and the way that this story kept me invested. I am a fan of character driven novels, and while this book has some plot lines that are fascinating, this is much more of a character driven novel and I loved it!

What are the major themes of the book? While this book feels more surface level at first - a young girl going out on her own to create a new identity for herself after experiencing a tragedy - this book is much more than that. I felt like the themes of this book were about the way that love changes through a lifetime, how our identity changes, and how hard it is to shed the identity that others have given us. The Three Lives of Cate Kay truly was about how one lifetime truly encompasses so many different lives of an individual.

How was the pace? Like I said before, this book is a quick read that keeps you turning pages to see whats going to happen next. There are some fun characters, some characters that make you want to scream, and if you don't like any of those... there is a book within the book that I would personally love to read!

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and will definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for a unique and entertaining read. Especially those readers who love a character driven story!

The vibe of the book harkens back to the type of work that I hope to master one day. It’s cloaked in this mystery that isn’t overblown and keeps you guessing, invested in this character who really should be the villain.

Cate Kay is this almost omnipresent figure instead of a human, unattainable and glamorized by the world around her. The reader is led to believe that in way, she is faultless, that every action has a reason but when it boils down to it, she’s very much a selfish person. She doesn’t shy away from that selfish undertone to everything she does. It’s about how it’ll affect her, her success, her future, and Cate runs and runs and runs away. It’s gripping while also being immensely frustrating that someone can be so detached from the people who love her but still have some sense of humanity.

I liked that it wasn’t black and white but she’s an extremely morally grey character and that’s part of the charm. She is wholeheartedly unapologetic for most of the book, only coming to term with her faults when she stops running. It’s interesting and would be perfect if not for a bit too many characters and voices for my liking. Boiled down to just the core five people in her life, probably would have resonated better with me. Otherwise it’s a rollercoaster of a tale for someone who is seemingly quite ordinary.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting book and how the different perspectives of the main character shadowed her transformation and who she was. Cate is a new hot seeking author but no one knows she is and where she’s come from. The novel chronicles her journey to adulthood and her story she hid. 3.5 stars

Just finished The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan, and I can't stop thinking about it! The story follows Cate Kay, a bestselling author who has kept her true identity a secret—until now. As she reveals her past, we dive into her complex relationships and the events that shaped her. Fagan's writing is so engaging; I felt every emotion alongside the characters. If you're into stories about self-discovery and hidden pasts, this one's a must-read!

The tag line, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets First Lie Wins in this electric, voice-driven debut novel about an elusive bestselling author who decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past." really sold me on The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan. I loved both books and I can definitely see how they can be similar to Cate Kay. Cate Kay was a great read. I did have a bit of trouble getting into it at first but then I couldn't put it down. The characters were fantastic and I just love Kate's writing.

I enjoyed this book. I thought the story was nice and different from a lot of what I've been reading recently. I did find some of the things that happened to be pretty unrealistic, but it's fiction so I wasn't too shocked by it. Overall, it was a decent read. I'll read another book from this author.

This is why I finish books I don't really like! This was a slow start for me. Wasn't connecting with the characters or the situation, just muddling through. At some point, it started growing on me, and by the end, I was so glad I stuck it out. Worth the read in my opinion.

It took me quite a while to get into this one. Then I was very into it. And got lost again. Found myself emerged again and in the end it was a bit too Hollywood for me. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice book, the style and structure carried me for most of the time but then some POVs were unnecessary and confusing to me.
And I simply cannot stand the miscommunication trope.
All in all, an interesting book, a queer romance with a bit more depth but not as deep as I was hoping for.

The cover of the book was my first entry point for the novel and the way it hints at both the character and the plot as a symbol drew me in and held me. I loved how this has that idea of the cracked mirror to represent the aspects of Cate and yet not just one reflecting the subject but the subject in retrospect. This sense of Otherness, disquiet, and history is all persuasive under Fagan's hand and as a reader drew me in and didn't let me go. I will say that it did take a few chapters for me to fall into the style of this book, but once I did there was not stopping my desire to know more about Cate Kay and her story.

If you looking for a complex, nuanced, and driving story with characters that you will believe lived and loved, than you don't want to miss this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the copy that I read!

Read If You Like:
- Secret identities and hidden pasts
- Female friendships and betrayals
- Coming-of-age with a twist
- Dual timelines revealing buried truths
- A protagonist searching for redemption

The story follows an enigmatic bestselling author whose blockbuster trilogy has captivated the world. Though her books have been turned into a wildly successful film series, she has remained a mystery, refusing public appearances and interviews. But behind the secrecy lies a past she has spent years trying to escape.

As a teenager, she and her best friend Amanda dreamed of leaving their troubled hometown to chase stardom in California. But just before they can embark on their journey, a tragic event changes everything. Instead of following their shared dream, she reinvents herself—not once, but multiple times—creating new identities and carefully constructing a life far from the one she left behind.

When an unexpected revelation forces her to confront the past she’s worked so hard to bury, she is pulled back home, where old wounds resurface and long-held secrets threaten to unravel. The novel weaves between past and present, unraveling the choices that shaped her life and exploring the cost of reinvention.

With themes of friendship, identity, and the weight of the past, this is a compelling and emotional read, perfect for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of mystery.

This is a beautiful and poignant tale of self discovery. I enjoyed the different character points of view, even those who were hard to like, and I liked that some kept me guessing about their identity or motives. I was a little disappointed in how it all came together in the end, because I wanted more from the characters, but overall, I really enjoyed this novel.

Thank you for the chance to read and review The Three Lives of Cate Kay.

I was so excited to receive this NetGalley as I have been hearing so many great things about this book. I really enjoyed all the characters is this story and how their stories intertwined. As Cate grows and moves through life she balances who she is becoming with her past and its repercussions. The story kept me engage and thinking about the characters. So glad there was a happy resolution for all involved.

This book is told through multiple POVs, giving you a glimpse into every single facet of Cate Kay's life and what led her to where she currently is. I found this book thoughtful and reminiscent. Made me think about my own friendships and connections. Loved the ending! The reason this was 4 stars for me.

I really enjoyed this book! The story was exciting and interesting to read, I was engaged the whole time. The characters were dynamic. I thought that the format of the story was really well done, having the alternating chapters from different points of view allowed the reader to get a well rounded perspective of the things that were happening. I was very happy with how it ended. There was nothing I didn't enjoy about this book. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

Thank you, NetGalley, Atria Books, and Kate Fagan!

When I tell you there are a lot of layers in this book, I am not kidding. Multiple timelines, book within a book. It is a lot. But if you give it a shot, it can be worth it.
I feel like my thoughts also echo some of the other readers: underdeveloped characters, too quickly resolved plots, etc.
I feel like this kind of relied on the understanding of litfic readers that it's okay to be confused, but it used that to not have to develop or resolve issues within the book.
The short chapters made this a very quick read.

Thanks <3

This book took me awhile to really get into. There are a lot of character and a lot of different/parallel plot lines. Once I was about 30% in, I was hooked. Worth the read!