Book Reviews, Mom Books

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

I’ve been lucky to read so many great books this year! Another 5-star read for me is the debut novel by Charmaine Wilkerson, Black Cake!

In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking journey Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child, challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their family, and themselves.

Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right?” Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever? 

Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.

This is a story that isn’t told so much as point A to point B, but more as tightly woven story from the present, to the past, and back again. Along the way, we meet friends and family members of Eleanor’s, and learn more about Benny and Byron present day.

I couldn’t put this book down. I wanted to know everything about Eleanor and her past. While the present day items were interesting, the star of the show was Eleanor and damn she led an interesting life.

I really enjoyed this debut story and look forward to more from Charmaine Wilkerson!

Out now! Thank you to the publishers for providing a free digital copy for review! All opinions are my own.

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