The Three Lives of Cate Kay: Reese's Book Club: A Novel

The beginning was rough, the middle caught my attention, and the ending was the least detailed of the whole book. So much build up and then it fell a little flat. However, I got the award I needed to from listening to it.

I love a book that evokes every possible emotion - empathy, incredulity, fear, tenderness, anger, hope, defensiveness, joy and relief, and this one did just that. It is not an easily-digestible, one-note book and I absolutely love it for that. To feel so deeply engaged in a story is a gift!

I loved this book! I brought it on vacation with me and finished it while I was away. It was a really well written book and the storyline was great.

4.5⭐️’sI went into The Three Lives of Cate Kay completely blind. I had no idea what the book was about, and I’m actually really happy I didn’t read the synopsis first.This was my April Book Club pick, and we collectively gave it 4⭐️s.The story pulled me in immediately. I finished it in about two and a half days, switching between my Kindle and Audible. I was completely swept up in the emotional unraveling of a woman who has lived many versions of herself, and who finally lets her story be told not only by herself but by those who’ve come in and out of her life.I absolutely loved the layered storytelling. Cate’s journey unfolds through her own reflections and the voices of the people who shaped her. It’s a story within a story, rich with female friendship, longing, and the complexities of identity. Each perspective added emotional depth, and I found myself pausing often just to let certain lines sink in.This isn’t a thriller or a twisty plot-heavy novel. It’s a quiet exploration of how we evolve, how the past lingers, and how the people we love can both anchor and undo us. The writing is honest and unpretentious, with moments of sharp insight and aching vulnerability.If you enjoy character-driven reads with LGBTQ+ rep, found family, and a touch of literary mystery, this one’s worth picking up. It’s a beautifully introspective novel about reinvention, regret, and reclaiming your truth, even when it’s messy.

This one was heavily compared to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but for me, it didn’t come close. There were a lot of inconsistencies in the storyline—some that could’ve been fixed with a quick Google search—which made it hard to stay fully invested. It’s also not really my go-to genre, so that played a part too. Interesting concept, just not a standout for me.