The Three Lives of Cate Kay

Bookseller recommendation

“Full cast- sign me up! This one follows the life of Cate Kay and her various identities throughout her past. The storytelling is brilliant and listening to it really brings the book to life. ”

— Aimee • Wandering Pages Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“I loved the characters and how their stories wove together to create a beautiful story of friendship, forgiveness and love ❤️”

— Madison • Saltwater Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“Dive into the fascinating memoir of an anonymous writer! Drama, interesting characters and queer love, this story has it all. The plot twists were truly unexpected and the numerous narrators breathed life into the different characters. ”

— Cécile • Le Tigre

Bookseller recommendation

“The Three Lives of Cate Kay is a novel that truly stays with you long after the last page. It beautifully combines the gripping twists of a Lisa Jewell thriller with the emotional depth and nuanced characters of J. Ryan Stradal. The pacing is impossible to resist, and the story feels both intimate and heart-grabbing in its portrayal of love, friendship, and the costs of both fame and anonymity. This is one of those rare books that reminds you of discovering a favorite for the first time—a standout, unforgettable read that I can't wait to read again.”

— Sarah K • Dragonfly Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Fantastic group of vibrant narrators who help you keep the well developed characters straight, (you might want to take notes), because that is part of the mystery of Cate Kay. This is an unbelievable debut about the lengths some will go to to achieve their goals. ”

— Mollie • HearthFire Books

Bookseller recommendation

“What if the most selfish thing you ever did lead to you getting everything you ever wanted - and nothing that really matters? That makes The Three Lives of Cate Kay sound like a downer, but it's not. The payoff of this intricately plotted novel about friendship and love, and the stories we tell, is a joy!”

— Robin • Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West

Bookseller recommendation

“When an unexpected tragedy shatters her and her best friend's dreams of moving to California and becoming movie stars, Cate changes her name and goes on the run. This is a fascinating and unique story, filled with all my favorite things: a book within a book, multiple timelines, multiple POVs, love, friendship, identity, mystery, and even footnotes that add an extra layer of depth to the story. I was emotionally invested from the very beginning until the last page! The ending is GREAT! 5 STARS! ”

— Sandra • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I saw Sue Bird and Megan Rapino recommended this book, so I immediately had to listen. It did not disappoint. I had to keep listening to find out how everything came together in the end. ”

— Meghan • More Than Words

Bookseller recommendation

“Recreating your life and erasing the past is a dream we all have at least once. But when it comes back to haunt you, can you fix what you broke when you made that choice?”

— Judi • Artisans Books & Coffee

Bookseller recommendation

“A page-turning story of friendship, true love, secrets, dreams unfulfilled, worlds colliding, and fortuitous twists. I couldn’t put it down! ”

— Katie • Lake Forest Book Store

Bookseller recommendation

“First book of the year and what a way to start! I loved this time-traveling tale of one woman with three identities and how she kept all of them in their own lanes. The different voices for the characters were on point, especially Sydney, because I could just picture this powerful, self-assured woman. Funny, heartbreaking, characters with depth, and, on occasion, the reading version of breaking the fourth wall. I loved it.”

— Kelli • The Novel Narwhal

Bookseller recommendation

“A story of friendship, love and forgiveness that is a absolute delight and thrill to read. Fagan’s debut novel hits. ”

— Sam • The Painted Porch Book Shop