book to be published January 6, 2025

Literary fiction wrapped up in a mystery; this book follows Cate Kay, the anonymous and elusive best selling author who writes of a post apocalyptic Manhattan and how the human race rebuilds through the POV of low level surviving journalists. Cate has had many different identifies since leaving her hometown and her best friend Amanda behind. It becomes clear that she must return to her hometown and come to terms with the reality of who she once was.

This book is a wonderful story; it has many points of view- SO many that you may lose which ones are actually Annie and which are not. There are a few mysteries that are interwoven in a compelling way. Although I was a bit confused around the middle, the story came together at the end. And I LOVE a somewhat ambiguous ending- the last couple paragraphs are chefs kiss

The main character is a gay woman, with a theme of having different identifies over the course of her life. I love the theme of becoming different people as you are in different parts of your life. There is a theory of reincarnation that says when the most important people in your life from one time frame don’t recognize the most important people from another time frame… then that means you are in a different “life.” And as tempting as it is to start over in your youth, the more likely you will need to return to a former identify to get closure.

My favorite thing about this book was the quirky observations, the storytelling and the rich characters. A solid effort from a celebrated journalist to become an outstanding debut novel.

Thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the ARC. Book to be published January 6, 2025.

booksbooksbooks #booktok #bookstagram #arcreader #bookreview #bookrecommendations #ManyLivesOfCateKay