I haven’t enjoyed literary fiction this much in ages. Usually, literary fiction, even at its best, feels like a prerequisite is preconscious writing. This had none of that. It was a breath of fresh air and held me captivated throughout! Highly recommend

I generally enjoyed this, but it was one where the premise was more promising than the execution. It took me a good chunk of the beginning to figure out what was going on— the idea of a book within a book is creative, but I thought this was a little clunky. Once we got going, I enjoyed the middle section—the writing is solid, I enjoyed the different POVs and the Easter eggs between stories. The end wrapped up a little too neatly for me though and I wish there had been more there. A promising fiction debut and I’d definitely read her next book!

I feel like a tagline like ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets First Lie Wins’ is immediately going to intrigue a lot of people. I know so many people love TSHOEH (I've already seen multiple reviews comparing it!) and I’m here as someone who has not read that book but gave First Lie Wins one of the easiest five stars ever. Unfortunately I did not get First Lie Wins vibes from this at all. Fortunately, I still really liked it.

I think I just kinda assumed this would have a bigger focus on the different identities and I guess it did but like… none of it really came off all that dramatic to me? This is more of a comment than a criticism. Also, I don’t love the whole ‘book within a book’ thing. I do totally get why it was done this way, it fit the book, it’s just not my personal preference.

The way this was written was really cool. There were a lot more timelines and POVs than expected, and it probably should have been a lot more confusing than it was bit it just kinda worked. It kept me intrigued and I didn’t want to put it down until I was done. I found that the ending got a bit rushed but overall I am glad I read this because I enjoyed it a lot!

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The strength of friendship and the power of love drive the plot of this novel. Guilt is undeniably a part of the action as well. Formatted with several POVs, the 3 main characters still are satisfactorily developed so the reader cares about them. Pacing is really good as the tension builds toward a happy conclusion.


Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC to read and review.

A very cute little story. However, none of it was realistic, even as fiction.

The book is inventive and easy to fall in love with, and the literary gourmand in me wishes it were (much, much) longer. It subtly balances simplistic prose with intense introspective ruminations. That isn't easy to do as an author (especially in a debut), to string along a reader with absorbing drama and throw a pensive tone at the whole affair instead. The characters' distinct personas are fleshed out well in the beginning, but then all melt together, an unfortunate result of multiple POVs ultimately written by the same person. Plot conveniences happen, which could irk some readers. 3.5 stars rounded up—I'm being very generous because I loved the characters. Read if you like drama, escapism, endearing characters, and brilliant LGBT representation.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review of this book! The Three Lives of Cate Kay is being published in the US on Jan 07, 2025.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay drew me in with its depth and emotional resonance, delivering the same intensity that makes The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo unforgettable. The novel explores Cate’s life through three transformative phases, each peeling back new layers of her personality and challenges, making her story feel personal and real.

What makes this novel shine is Cate’s complexity; she’s raw, resilient, and achingly human. Her journey of self-discovery, love, and loss is both gripping and introspective. The pacing is precise, with unexpected turns that keep you on edge, while the writing combines beautiful prose with dialogue that feels as if you’re eavesdropping on someone’s most vulnerable moments.

The supporting cast is equally compelling, each character shaping Cate’s journey in unique ways. Their relationships add a richness to the narrative, highlighting the intricacies of connection, whether in love, friendship, or family.

Ultimately, The Three Lives of Cate Kay is a mesmerizing exploration of identity and reinvention. It’s a novel that lingers with you, offering the kind of immersive, poignant experience that makes you reflect on life and the choices that define us. For anyone craving a story with heart and substance, this is one to savor.

“As a young adult, she and her best friend Amanda dreamed of escaping their difficult homes and moving to California to become movie stars. But the day before their grand adventure, a tragedy shattered their dreams and Cate has been on the run ever since, taking on different names and charting a new future…”

I loved The Three Lives of Cate Kay. The book was a quick read with multiple POVs & commentary from Cate Kay.

It was heartbreaking & frustrating to watch the miscommunication with the main characters & so many years wasted because of that. I cried.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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

The Three Lives of Cate Kay had some strong comparisons to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I can see it....kinda. The general premise being about Cate Kay which is the pen name the main character Annie uses once she leaves her home town after a tragic accident involving her best friend. Unable to live with the guilt of what happens, she leaves and through a series of events ends up writing a best selling novel which has far reaching impacts.

The story overall was a quick read that got me out of a bit of a reading slump. I found it enjoyable, but the convention used of multiple characters from her life recalling their memories at times was unbelievable-in some chapters it felt like the author forgot the writing convention and was just telling the story straight. Also, while it was fun to have excerpts from the book that Annie wrote, by the end of the book I found like these started to detract from the main story as they were used a little too often.

If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read that doesn't require a lot of thought, then I'd recommend spending time with this group of characters.

One of my favourite books this year. I loved everything about this book. The writing style, multiple POVs, commentary from Cate Kay, the characters, the storyline, the morally gray behaviours.

It was such a complex piece of writing but the execution was perfect. The description of the book was also perfect - this does give Evelyn Hugo vibes and I’m so here for it. But this book is also a standalone and should be recognised as an incredible book in its own right.

Loved that we gained insight from different characters. It was really sad in parts where you realised something had/hadn’t happened but in the timeline the Kate/Cass/Annie didn’t. The ending was so beautiful and I’m so glad it came together as it did. A fantastic story about how life doesn’t go the way you imagined it, but how it can work out in the end. Carl’s small entry really broke my heart.

Just loved loved loved it and would love to read more from this author.

I loved this book - hopeful and heartbreaking all at once, with a dash of Fleetwood Mac-ish vibes.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

i thought the narrative was pretty interesting and i found the main character compelling; however (this may be a marketing issue), i thought this novel would be more of a thriller based on the comparison to first lie wins and was a little caught off guard that it was more of a character exploration. i also found it slightly unbelievable that seemingly every character in this novel was super attractive?

it was easy to get through and a fun read, and overall i enjoyed it and do see the similarities to evelyn hugo.

Cate Kay, author of the hottest best-selling trilogy, is a mystery. Nobody knows her face, or her real name, but she’s finally ready to share her story. This book is her memoir: it starts when she was a teenager daydreaming with her best friend about being famous. They were going to go to Hollywood and become eternal. But something went very wrong…


The Three Lives of Cate Kay tells the story of Annie using several POVs that get to know her in different states of her life. The blurb promises The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes and I have to admit they were there, even if the books are very different.


My relationship with this book wasn’t great at first. I was moved only by the mystery surrounding Annie/Cass/Cate and kept mourning the fact that I didn’t really care about any POV besides Ryan’s. That would be my main critique of the book: I couldn’t connect with the other main characters until the 60-70%. At first I thought the author didn’t want me to understand and love them, but by the end of the book I decided it probably wasn’t done on purpose.


In any case, the suspense kept me entertained and I ended up caring for Cate and the others. I think this is a story a lot of people are going to enjoy: it’s fast paced and fun to read, with the Hollywood glamor some readers adore in the background. I advise to go in blind, because I enjoyed a lot not having any idea of how everything was going to end and liked how the author executed it.


*Rating: 3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for providing this ARC!

I have really mixed feelings on this one. I so wanted it to be a 5 star read after reading all the praise, but I’m currently hovering between 3 and 4 stars.

There was a lot that I loved. I thought the premise was really interesting and unique, and the writing style really had me hooked. I also enjoyed the multiple POVs, and thought it was so interesting to hear from even the most inconsequential characters in Cate’s life.

But what really frustrated me were all those wasted years over nothing. Ryan and Cate spent years pining for each other from afar, all due to a misunderstanding that could’ve been cleared up by a single phone call. Amanda and Cate spent years on anger, guilt, and blame that could’ve been avoided by a proper Google search.

These characters refused to pick up the phone but were all about grand gestures—sending a handwritten note from LA to NYC, moving to Charleston to watch the filming of the movies, and randomly driving around the streets of Bolton Landing in search of Cate.

I also thought Cate’s reclusiveness and determination to live such an empty life went a bit too far. Years of being a bestselling author without even reading fan mail? I just wasn’t buying it.

Lastly, while I did get some Evelyn Hugo vibes, I think the comparison to First Lie Wins (which for the record, I loved) isn’t accurate and does both this book and readers a disservice.

Overall I still quite enjoyed this book. I’m glad I read it and know a lot of other readers would love it even more.

An amazing novel by Kate Fagan. A story filled with strong characters with complicated relationships and how those relationships change as the characters mature. The ending will leave you content as the author ties up all the loose ends. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
The story is told through multiple points of view with strong attention given to the relationships of all the characters. It is the perfect book for anyone who wants to read a story with substance.
Thank you to Atria Books for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Cate Kay is a bestselling author and no one knows who she really is. Cate Kay is a pseudonym and she's been running from a tragic accident that occurred when she was a teenager. She doesn't even know what happened. This is the story of Cate Kay and how she finally returns home.

This book is a gripping tale that hooks you in from the opening pages and keeps you so engaged that you never want to put it down.

I’ve read Kate Fagan’s non-fiction, so I knew she was a gifted writer and talented story-teller. In her debut novel, Kate blew me away from the book’s premise to the plot’s gripping twists and turns. I was so mesmerized by Cate Kay’s world that I missed it immediately upon finishing. I honestly can’t wait to see this book again!

After the emotional whirlwind of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I was eager to find a novel that could evoke a similar sense of connection and depth. The Three Lives of Cate Kay did just that, pulling me into its world and holding me captive until the last page.

The story follows Cate Kay, a complex protagonist whose life unfolds across three distinct chapters. Each "life" reveals different facets of her personality, struggles, and triumphs, making her a deeply relatable and multifaceted character. The author masterfully weaves themes of identity, love, and resilience throughout Cate's journey, making her experiences resonate on a profound level.

What I appreciated most about the book was its pacing; it kept me on my toes with unexpected twists and turns. The writing is both lyrical and engaging, drawing me in with vivid descriptions and emotionally charged dialogue. I found myself completely absorbed, often losing track of time as I navigated through Cate's joys and heartbreaks.

The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each adding richness to Cate's story. Their interactions illuminate different aspects of her life and choices, making her journey feel all the more poignant. The exploration of relationships—both romantic and platonic—adds depth to the narrative, showcasing the complexities of human connection.

Overall, The Three Lives of Cate Kay is a beautifully crafted tale that captivates and moves in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It’s a perfect read for anyone who enjoyed the emotional heft of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m still reflecting on Cate’s journey long after finishing. Highly recommended!

I whole heartedly implore you to read this book.

I love multiple POV stories. This was such a relatable story with how tragedies can affect your relationships. Very well done.

*alexa play “the bolter” by taylor swift*

I love books that walks you through such a portion of someone’s life and this one does it in a beautiful and captivating way. Divided in shorts chapters with multiple POVs, it leaves you always waiting for more.

It honestly took me some time to get into it, but once I hit the 25%, I was GLUED to it. And now that it’s over, I already feel nostalgic about it.

If you love reading about complex characters and relationships, sapphic yearning and co-dependent friendships, you’ll devour this one! Bonus points for identity and fame, as well.

That’s also why I think it could be a perfect book club pick! I really hope it’ll get the success and love it deserves.

Thank you to NetGalley and AtriaBooks for the ARC!!

I LOVED this book. It’s one of those books that stay with you while you’re not reading them. There I was trying to do the dishes while I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters and what they were doing.

A few things that I loved:
-The friendship. It was very easy for me to connect with young Annie, even if her childhood was nothing like mine.
-The characters. Even the ones that were doing things that left me thinking in acronyms (OMG and WTF were super common), I feel like their actions were believable and well presented.
-The story within the story. I liked the premise for The Very Last. At first I didn’t love the snippets of the book, I felt like they were too compact and rushed to get the story across without creating a whole new book inside the book, but after a while it made sense that The Very Last didn’t have the best quality because it was the first book a teenager was writing.

Overall, I really REALLY loved this book. We need more Kate Fagan books asap!

Favorite quote: “It’s like you hold me steady, but without holding me still.”

-Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.