Inside the Australian and New Zealand book industry

Image. Advertisement:

Cake at Midnight (Jessie L Star, S&S)

Gio (the baker), Declan (the brains) and Zoe (the beauty) have always been a trio, but a few thoughtless words from Declan force Gio to face the truth: he’ll never see her as more than a friend. Now, Gio has 30 Declan-free days to sort out her feelings—30 days in which she shares late-night cake with her next-door neighbour Theo, whose apartment becomes a place of refuge. Loyalties are put to the test, and Gio discovers that when you stop chasing love, it might just come sneaking up on you. Romance and food are an irresistible combination, and Cake at Midnight is delightful and entertaining without being glib. Jessie L Star—who joins a growing number of Australian authors entering traditional publishing with a solid online fan base—is known for her relatable characters and fun, contemporary voice, which speaks to a new generation of readers. More importantly, Star retains a distinctly Australian flavour to her characters—a feat not easily accomplished in a genre dominated by overseas markets. This book should appeal to fans of The Hating Game and The Hot Guy, and has all the ingredients for a perfect summer read.

Kat Mayo runs a book blog and podcast at bookthingo.com.au

 

Category: Reviews Reviews newsletter Book review list