This is a wonderful middle grade novel set in the early 1930s. Eleven-year-old Hurricane has recently lost her mother to tuberculosis and is struggling to find her place in the world. She is a thoughtful, introverted girl who often feels pressured by her teacher and other adults to be more talkative and outgoing. When her sister also becomes ill, she is taken to live with a great-aunt she barely knows. What follows is a lovely story of Hurricane finding her own voice as well as a found family. This novel is quiet and there isn’t a great deal of action, but I loved the character development and the important messages about learning to accept yourself and others for who they are.

This was a wonderful book, sure to be a childhood classic! "The Secret of Honeycake" follows Hurricane through a wild ride as she must leave her cozy home on the dunes for life in the city with her aunt. There, she must find her voice and learn to stand in her own clam-digging boots as her aunt faces the pressures of The Great Depression, her aunt's cook and chauffeur's PTSD, and trying to save a street cat with the help of the fishmonger boy. Over the course of the novel, each character has room to grow and step into their own, learning to speak up, to take joy in the simple things, and to find comfort in family and home.

I really like how each character had his or her own growth arc; so often, the secondary characters in books for children are static or flat, but here, Fusco has carved out realistic, engaging characters in Hurrican's Aunt, Theo, and Mr. Keats. I also love how Hurricane learned to solve her problems along with learning what are actual problems to be solved and what are just personal quirks to embrace. I really enjoyed the vibes of this book. It reminded me of Dodie Smith's "I Capture the Castle" and Jean Webster's "Daddy Longlegs.," with a good splash of Kit Kittredge. I will definitely be getting a copy of this book for my classroom as well!

It is an old fashioned book - in many ways it felt like I was reading Little Women or What Katy Did - but thankfully not quite as quaint and antiquated. It takes place after WWI at the start of the depression so it is a bit old fashioned for plot related reasons, but it was the gentleness of the older books that made me happy. You don’t read many books like that these days - maybe The Penderwicks or The Vanderbilts but both of those feel a bit more ‘updated’ than this one. The Secret of Honeycake might not be very popular with kids now. That makes me sad and I wish it would be, but I think you had to grow up on The Bobbsey Twins, Anne of Green Gables and other books from that genre to really appreciate it.
The story will be familiar to readers of the books mentioned. An orphan girl named Hurricane is being raised by her older sister but the sister develops tuberculosis and is sent to a sanitarium to recover. Hurricane must go to the city to live with her Aunt Claire, who is a bit stodgy and set in her ways. Hurricane has always been quiet and doesn’t speak up, but as time passes, with the help Mr. Keats, a new friend her own age,Theo and her journal she starts to find her voice and her own place in her world.

This was a fantastic middle grade read that really tugs at your heartstrings. It's that kind of depressing book we all need in our lives. I did enjoy Hurricane's development throughout the book though. Honestly, this is a book I'd recommend for all ages, not just middle-grade.

TW: chronic/terminal illness; parent death; grief; bullying

The Secret of Honeycake is a poignant novel of grief, hope, love, and life through the lense of Hurricane. Set in the 1930's, twelve years after the end of World War 1, Hurricane's life is turned upside down. Her sister, Bronte, has been her caretaker since their fathers death in the war and their mothers death from tuberculosis living in their families house by the sea. However has started to show symptoms of tuberculosis and opts to send Hurricane to live with their Aunt Claire in the city. This story follows Hurricane as she grapples with all the changes in her life and the heaviness of grief when you lose people you love. But this story also follows Aunt Claire and her chaueffer/cook, Mr. Keats, as they all adjust to their life together. I loved the complexity of each character and the slow unraveling of their worries, long-held stubborn beliefs and the slow bonding between all three of them. Mr. Keats constant comfort of baked goods and a listening ear as Aunt Claire grapples with her humble beginnings by the sea and the proper society she learned to conform to after marrying her late husband, Mr. Butterfield. Hurricane feeling so isolated and unable to find the confidence to express herself as she constantly feels the pressures of what everyone else wants for her.

Hurricane, honestly, was such an interesting main character and I saw a lot of my younger self within her train of thoughts. Hurricane often laments how others treat her quietness and I found myself thinking back to my own self as a child and how I very much felt the exact same way. Fusco crafted such a cosy atmosphere by the sea, Hurricane's love of the salty air and her perception of their magic little house by the ocean was such a joy to read. I also truly love and appreciate how the title weaves into the heart of this story and that so much that occurs in this novel is based on Fusco's ancestors! Highly recommend this incredible and heartfelt middle grade read.

Set during the Great Depression, this is the story of 12-year-old Hurricane who is trying to find her voice. Since her mother's death, Hurricane has counted on sister Bronte to speak up for her. But when Bronte becomes sick and has to go away for treatment, Hurricane is sent to live with her Aunt Claire, an outspoken, opinionated force to be reckoned with. While living in the city, our heroine meets a host of friends who help her find her voice and ultimately, her home.

We loved this middle-grade historical fiction book. Often, these middle-grade books feel like they were written to an older crowd. Not so with this one. The tone and approach are very age-appropriate, a tricky feat in this genre. Hurricane and Aunt Claire's characters are incredibly relatable, and it's beautiful to observe their growth throughout the book. I loved that Fusco wrote this one as historical fiction. With such a well-written story, it was nice to have some historical context as well.

In addition to Hurricane and Aunt Claire, several side characters are given a great deal of development. The reader is introduced to Aunt Claire's housekeeper, the fish boy, a mangy cat, and a beloved beast of a dog... all of whom add to the book's richness and color.

All in all, we really enjoyed this title and give it a hearty 5 stars. This is a great find for readers ages 10 years through adult. We know you'll love it as much as we did.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I suspect that this will be the best book I read in 2025.

This book is like a hug. Not like the kind of hug when everything is great and nobody has any problems, but the kind of hug where life is hard but it's okay because there are people who will love you anyway. And speaking of hugs, I would love one from every character in this book, thank you very much.

The characters are the heart of this book. There's Hurricane, whose name sounds like she should be a force to be reckoned with but is more focused on battling her own inner storms from her mother dying, her difficulty in standing up for herself and having to go live with her aunt instead of with her sister and dog she loves dearly. There's Aunt Claire, a woman who loves Latin mottos and things being orderly although she doesn't entirely know how to make suddenly being responsible for a child an orderly business. Mr. Keats is a man with a warm smile and comfortable-looking boots who struggles with PTSD but has a way with cooking and knowing what Hurricane isn't quite able to say. That's not counting Theo the fish boy who has a way with animals or any of the lovable animals Hurricane encounters in her life.

All of these characters learn and grow through the book, and each has to adjust how they view people and life. There's so much growth and adjustment as they all deal with their lives changing, and it's all so beautifully done. They grow and adjust just like people do in real life: gradually and as needed, sometimes with difficulty and sometimes with sweetness.

The characters deal with some challenging issues, but it's never too intense. While there are issues of the Great Depression, World War I PTSD, monetary issues, prejudice, and tuberculosis, it is relevant enough to be meaningful but not significant enough to be depressing.

I truly loved everything about this book. If you want a historical middle grade book that will make you want to move in with the characters or adopt a stray cat, this is the one for you. I wish I'd had a book like this when I was a shy kid trying to figure out how to use my own voice.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.75/5 stars

The Secret of Honeycake is a middle-grade historical fiction (set shortly after WWI), about a girl named Hurricane who must live with her aunt while her sister is treated for tuberculosis.
The start of this book was almost painfully depressing, but I loved it. Hurricane’s voice is so strong and I related to her so much throughout the story. I loved watching her grow over the course of the book.
The side characters were also amazing. I would’ve liked to see a little more development for them, but the pacing of the book makes that difficult. Even still, they added unique perspectives to the book, and they felt like they were written for the adults reading this book.
My one issue with this book is that the chapters are super short and there are too many of them. This book is 350-ish pages and there are over 100 chapters. It made the pacing a little too fast when there were parts that I wish we could’ve gotten more in depth. Also, it made it too easy to put the book down because there were so many easy stopping-points.
All that said, this is a fantastic middle-grade for all ages (adults too). I will be recommending this to everyone I can.

CW: chronic/terminal illness; parent death (& grief); bullying

Hurricane struggles when she's forced into Aunt Claire's care to learn the rules of etiquette and society, but through some new friendships, she finds and learns to be true to herself. Aunt Claire, who married into wealth but is now struggling during the Great Depression, also grows while Hurricane does. Through memories, she loosens her hold on what society tells her to do and learns to accept people, herself included, for who they truly are. It was a beautiful and unique historical story that I feel readers of all ages will enjoy.

4.5 stars
This was a beautifully written novel!
Set during the early years of the Great Depression, it’s the story of young Hurricane (yes, her actual name), and the many changes she must adjust to when tuberculosis strikes her family. It is a warm, sweet read, sort of like how I imagine honeycake would taste!
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Historical Fiction at its best. The year, 1930, the place, the coast of Maine. Hurricane must leave the only home she has ever known as turberculosis has claimed the life of her mother, and the health of her sister. She leaves her beloved dog, Brody-Bear, with a neighbor and goes to the city to live with her Aunt Claire. Fusco does an excellent job of creating characters and situations that bring historical details to life for readers. So many adults in her life misunderstand Hurricane's quiet, shy ways. Throughout the story Hurricane and Aunt Claire come to know and understand each other developing a beautiful relationship. Mr. Keats and Theo, as well as William the Conqueror, Gully, and Moon Pie, add to the creation of a supportive, loving, and welcoming group of humans. Readers will want the story to continue. Please, do not disappoint us.

I loved these characters! I would look forward to dipping into their world each night as I read The Secret of Honeycake, which is set at the beginning of the Great Depression. Hurricane is a quiet and observant kid who loves deeply. She doesn't always do well in school because she doesn't like speaking to adults. When her big sister gets sick with tuberculosis, Hurricane goes to live with her rich Aunt Claire. This is quite a shock to them both. Aunt Claire is gruff but teaches Hurricane to have confidence in herself and to be bold. For her part, Hurricane teaches Aunt Claire how to be true to yourself rather than follow what society expects. Mr. Keats is Aunt Claire's only servant, as the rest has to be let go when the stock market crashed. He is supremely kind and calm and helps the other two find themselves. And then there is Theo, the fish sales boy, who wants to grow up to be a vet and has an animal menagerie following him as he goes through the streets selling fish. You will want to be friends with each and every one of these characters! This book left a residue of joy in my heart.

Hurricane McAdams Pierce is an eleven-year-old girl growing up in the early 1930s. Hurricane and her older sister, Bronte, were left orphaned after their mother died of tuberculosis; their father was killed over a decade earlier in World War One. When Bronte is diagnosed with TB, she is sent to a sanitarium and Hurricane is whisked away to live in the city with her wealthy Aunt Claire. Aunt Claire grew up in the same coastal community as Hurricane but worked hard to fit into polite society after marrying her husband, the late Mr. Butterfield.

Hurricane, despite her name, is a quiet and introverted girl. She likes to write, but her teacher Miss Witherspoon wants her to be more outgoing. When she’s brought to the city, Hurricane is unused to her aunt’s formal ways and struggles to learn the rules of etiquette. However, she finds an immediate kindred spirit in Mr. Keats, the cook/chauffeur.

Mr. Keats will be a favorite with anyone who loves Matthew Cuthbert’s sweet bond with Anne Shirley. He’s kindly, understanding, and unafraid to stand up to Claire when she’s too strict with her niece. Despite their disagreements on how Hurricane should be brought up, the two are more like mother and son than employer and employee. We learn that Mr. Keats is a WWI veteran and suffers from shell shock, or PTSD, that is triggered by loud noises. Claire is always gentle and patient while tending to him, and in one scene, kicks the Butterfields out of her house for saying he belongs in a psychiatric hospital.

Aunt Claire is also a fascinating character in her own right. She’s a woman who married into wealth but is now struggling through the Great Depression and trying to make things work. Although she can come off as harsh, she is doing what she thinks is right for Hurricane. Over time, though, her softer side begins to show itself. While she initially disapproves of Hurricane’s friendship with a fish peddler named Theo, she comes around once she gets to know him.

This book definitely has the feel of a classic children’s book. The Hurricane-Claire-Keats dynamic is very Anne of Green Gables, which I’m sure will appeal to older readers as well as young ones. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

What a darling book Kimberly! I was so in love with the main character and her sweet story. My daughter and I read this together and just devoured it. She asked to read it again. Thank you for a wonderful story!

It’s 1930 and Hurricane has to stay with her aunt because her sister has tuberculosis. Hurricane is a quiet girl and loves writing in her words of encouragement journal. As time passes Hurricane meets Theo who helps her with a stray cat. Mr. Keats, who lives with her aunt, and loves to bake has Hurricane help him sometimes. Hurricane and her aunt start to get along better, and Hurricane starts to stand up for herself. One day she asks her aunt could they all go live at her house because she misses her sister and her dog. What ends up happening?,
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes reading about hard times makes you feel better, and so I dived into this middle grade story set on the east coast at the beginning of the Great Depression. Hurricane, the protagonist 11-year-old girl is sent to live with her Aunt, when her sister, her only other surviving relative, comes down with TB, and has to be sent away.


Hurricane does not like the house in the city. It is cold, and uninviting. And her aunt is still and formal, and tries to make Hurricane the same way. She even wants her to change her name, to be more acceptable.
And Hurricane finally finds her voice and refuses.


And the name of the book is about a recipe that has been passed down orally, never written down. Hurricane doesn’t know how to make it, and her Aunt can’t remember. She tries, and tries, in the cold house in the city, and can’t quite do it.


This is a quiet, quick read of a book. I love how the main character finds herself, and realizes what she needs to do with her time, and how she doesn’t want to become “civilized.” That that is not what is best for her..


What I most loved about this story is how the antagonistic aunt grows and changes the more she is around Hurricane. And the growth is from memories of what she loved when she lived in the house by the Atlantic, when she was a girl. It was such a sweet growth. And so strong as well.

For this great historical fiction, I would give all the stars available. Based loosely on family history, the author has brought out some great characters, strong of will and spirit.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 21st of January 2025.

This is a really sweet book about change and family.
I loved that Hurricane helps her Aunt see that it's okay to be a certain way and that letting go of the past and being open to change can be good.
I liked the animals in this story too and the new friendships.
This is a lovely middle grade read.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

This story is simply delightful, yet not without a few heartaches as life so likes to deliver.

Hurricane and her older sister Bronte have been living by themselves ever since the death of their father during World War I, and their mother's death from tuberculosis in 1930. Now Bronte has been diagnosed with TB, and is sent to a sanitarium. Hurricane, eleven, is taken from her coastal home and everything familiar, even leaving behind her beloved dog, Brody Bear.

Hurricane finds herself living with her great Aunt Claire, and her chauffeur/cook, the kind Mr. Keats. Aunt Claire grew up in the same community that Hurricane is from, but once she married Mr. Butterfield (who died shortly after they were married), she learned how to perform in cultured society. Right off the bat, she is disturbed by Hurricane's rough ways as well as her insistence in wearing overalls and worn out boots. Easy going Mr. Keats is much more understanding, bringing her delicious baked goods instead of the beef boullion with pepper and horseradish that Aunt Claire recommends for her cold. Aunt Claire takes her new responsibility seriously and is determined to raise this girl right. She reads parenting type books and attends a Mother's Club.

Mr. Keats and Hurricane hit it off as they find a stray cat, they name MoonPie, even though Aunt Claire does not approve of pets. Even so, Aunt Claire has her soft spots, although they take a while to surface. Desiring to provide Hurricane with more fitting wear, she has a seamstress come to the estate, but the woman turns up her nose at making pants for a girl. This incidence reminds Aunt Claire of how much she hated being fitted for clothes, therefore she sends the seamstress away. Here you notice the hard shell of Aunt Claire begin to soften.

Then we meet the fish boy, who aunt Claire has no use for, nor his dog, nor his injured seagull. Because this is a friend for Hurricane, she eventually agrees to his presence.

This story is filled with generosity and innate kindness. Hurricane narrates her story with love, generosity and kindness even when frustrated. This Is a work of historic fiction incorporating Depression-era Hoovers and Frigidaires, lack of indoor plumbing, electricity and basic resources during this hard time in history. Then there is the mysterious honeycake, my mouth watered for, as well as the many many well described baked goods Mr. Keats prepared. But NOT the turnip pie!
Everything comes together in a lovely, hopeful new beginning, honeycake included.

I recommend this book for your gentle readers who love a happy ending. Probably has a greater appeal to female readers.

This was a delightful story of a young girl named Hurricane who goes through losing the most important things in her life and finding her way back to them and more. A depression era story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you smile! The short chapters make it a great option for young readers looking for something more difficult than those early chapter books that they have graduated from. Simply delightful!

A lovely historical fiction written with today's more diverse view but that doesn't mean it didn't happen this way