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Cake Craft
I used to know the Devil, only back then he was called Arthur, and he was a seventy-eight-year-old dairy farmer from Yorkshire.
Kat is haunted by memories of her past. Memories of her first job at a nursing home, where Arthur Shipton would raise hell in search of his flat cap. Of boyfriends who preferred prettier girls, and the cakes she ate to fill her hungry heart. Now thirty, no amount of comfort food can help her get over her divorce. But Stella-Arthur's granddaughter-might.
Beautiful and mysterious, there's something about Stella that inspires Kat to leave the safety of her couch. She can't help but think Stella has something to do with Arthur's recent death, but the closer she gets to Stella, the less it matters. With Stella's magical pull, Kat feels an old hunger-one long since buried with the crumbs of cake-reawaken.
Cake Craft is a dark, bisexual novella set in the Gothic moors of Yorkshire with a pinch of the paranormal. It's a story of trauma, desire, and hunger-and a whole lot of Grandma's ginger sponge.
This edition also contains the following short stories by Hannah-Freya 'Mother Magpie', 'House Proud', and 'Old Jack'.
Kat is haunted by memories of her past. Memories of her first job at a nursing home, where Arthur Shipton would raise hell in search of his flat cap. Of boyfriends who preferred prettier girls, and the cakes she ate to fill her hungry heart. Now thirty, no amount of comfort food can help her get over her divorce. But Stella-Arthur's granddaughter-might.
Beautiful and mysterious, there's something about Stella that inspires Kat to leave the safety of her couch. She can't help but think Stella has something to do with Arthur's recent death, but the closer she gets to Stella, the less it matters. With Stella's magical pull, Kat feels an old hunger-one long since buried with the crumbs of cake-reawaken.
Cake Craft is a dark, bisexual novella set in the Gothic moors of Yorkshire with a pinch of the paranormal. It's a story of trauma, desire, and hunger-and a whole lot of Grandma's ginger sponge.
This edition also contains the following short stories by Hannah-Freya 'Mother Magpie', 'House Proud', and 'Old Jack'.
156 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2023
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189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
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February 13, 2021Bridget Jones but Gothic and set around the moors of Yorkshire 😭 With an older bisexual heroine wondering wtf she's doing with her life and a F/F relationship and an unusual death and most importantly: CAKE?!!
March 19, 2023
Rating: 3.5
Special thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Normally I find novellas to fall flat. Usually due to not enough time to get to know the characters, or the plot being super rushed. This is not the case for this story.
30 year old Kat, our bisexual and newly “divorced” lead finds herself inexplicably at the memorial service of Arthur, a resident of the nursing home she worked at a decade earlier. She feels herself drawn to Stella, his granddaughter, as well as other members of the family. Arthur always referred to them as witches, and the more she is around them the more she starts to believe this.
This novella is strange, but it’s also funny, magical and when it ended I was filled with a deep satisfaction and outlook on even my own life.
Special thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Normally I find novellas to fall flat. Usually due to not enough time to get to know the characters, or the plot being super rushed. This is not the case for this story.
30 year old Kat, our bisexual and newly “divorced” lead finds herself inexplicably at the memorial service of Arthur, a resident of the nursing home she worked at a decade earlier. She feels herself drawn to Stella, his granddaughter, as well as other members of the family. Arthur always referred to them as witches, and the more she is around them the more she starts to believe this.
This novella is strange, but it’s also funny, magical and when it ended I was filled with a deep satisfaction and outlook on even my own life.
April 7, 2023
Got an arc from the publisher!
This is a neat little book. The main story has smacks of Gaiman’s Ocean at the End of the Lane with a hefty dose of disaster bisexual. It’s not gonna be For everyone though I think I can safely say it was For me.
I didn’t realize going in that it was a novella and other stories. Those were a surprise!
This is a neat little book. The main story has smacks of Gaiman’s Ocean at the End of the Lane with a hefty dose of disaster bisexual. It’s not gonna be For everyone though I think I can safely say it was For me.
I didn’t realize going in that it was a novella and other stories. Those were a surprise!
December 14, 2023
So happy I supported the kickstarter and was able to read this book (and still have two other books to read). The first story was a confusing rollercoaster, at times the writing style wasn't the easiest and I had to re-read things, and the MC was not always the easiest, but in overall it was a ride that I will remember and I loved many aspects about it and how everything seemed to be connected. The ending, HOLY COW. That made a turn right there. Boom.
Mother Magpie was well, interesting, dark, haunting, mysterious, but also strange and I am still not sure how to interpret the ending.
House Proud, wow, that one was heavy and awesome and I think my favourite story of the book. It was so dark and perfect.
Lastly Old Jack, this was haunting, but mostly sad. I feel for Jack and would like to know more about the sun and why he isn't seeing it.
Mother Magpie was well, interesting, dark, haunting, mysterious, but also strange and I am still not sure how to interpret the ending.
House Proud, wow, that one was heavy and awesome and I think my favourite story of the book. It was so dark and perfect.
Lastly Old Jack, this was haunting, but mostly sad. I feel for Jack and would like to know more about the sun and why he isn't seeing it.
April 9, 2023
(Thank you to netgalley for providing an advanced copy)
I really liked how real and raw this book was. There was such an accurate portrayal of mental illness and trauma through our main character kat. The writing was also so well done. I loved the way certain things were described through the eyes of kat. I could see everything so clearly in my mind. It reminded me in someways a bit of midsommar? A traumatized main lead finding comfort and healing in a group of eccentric woman was such an enjoyable read to me.
Side note, I didn’t know this had other short stories after our main one wrapped up. They were so eerie and dark and i love this authors style of writing. I think House Proud was my second favorite.
I really liked how real and raw this book was. There was such an accurate portrayal of mental illness and trauma through our main character kat. The writing was also so well done. I loved the way certain things were described through the eyes of kat. I could see everything so clearly in my mind. It reminded me in someways a bit of midsommar? A traumatized main lead finding comfort and healing in a group of eccentric woman was such an enjoyable read to me.
Side note, I didn’t know this had other short stories after our main one wrapped up. They were so eerie and dark and i love this authors style of writing. I think House Proud was my second favorite.
April 10, 2023
Cake Craft is a gothic treat of a book. Our heroine is Kat, a woman haunted by her past, failed relationships (particularly her divorce) and with a tendency to put her feelings into the cakes she eats. Meeting Stella, the granddaughter of a man she once knew (unfavorably), Kat finds a new purpose in life. Drawn to Stella, she begins to realize her own worth and uncovers new passion.
This book is as sweet as the cakes it contained. While light on story, Blake imbues the characterization with nothing short of absolute beauty. She beautifully constructs the trauma and healing of Kat, sells the romance with Stella and shows a positively lovely, wonderful acceptance and joy by the end. Quirky, delectable, with an eccentric cast and a positively delightful read.
This book is as sweet as the cakes it contained. While light on story, Blake imbues the characterization with nothing short of absolute beauty. She beautifully constructs the trauma and healing of Kat, sells the romance with Stella and shows a positively lovely, wonderful acceptance and joy by the end. Quirky, delectable, with an eccentric cast and a positively delightful read.
May 31, 2023
Cake Craft is a great, witchy, queer novella with just the right amount of paranormal. Short enough to read in one sitting and meaty enough to stick with you. Really well written.
March 19, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a short but wonderful look into our mc and her life thus far. She's older and divorced which is a fantastic little slice of some representation. I think quite a few reader's will definitely click with her.
She's bisexual and really and honestly has no clue what she's doing. And we get to be there for the ride. It was simple but wonderfully executed, I think it's something I'll love to think about and most definitely recommend.
This was a short but wonderful look into our mc and her life thus far. She's older and divorced which is a fantastic little slice of some representation. I think quite a few reader's will definitely click with her.
She's bisexual and really and honestly has no clue what she's doing. And we get to be there for the ride. It was simple but wonderfully executed, I think it's something I'll love to think about and most definitely recommend.
May 8, 2023
This quick but substantial read was a lovely collection of short fiction. The title story (also the longest of the pieces in the book) had just the witchy vibes I love. My only issue was that the scope of the story seemed bigger than the length of the novella allowed. I think it would have worked better either as a longer piece, or with fewer topics attempting to be addressed. It felt just a little rushed and shallow at parts. The fact that there were supernatural elements was the only reason I found it convincing enough to enjoy.
The other stories here were also delightful and unique. They deal with heavy topics, so heed the trigger warnings. (By the way, LOVE the fact that there is a list of trigger warnings for each story. It made me feel much safer going into them, because I could prepare for what they contained.)
Overall, the writing was great & flowed well, lyrical without being overdone or difficult to follow.
ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!
The other stories here were also delightful and unique. They deal with heavy topics, so heed the trigger warnings. (By the way, LOVE the fact that there is a list of trigger warnings for each story. It made me feel much safer going into them, because I could prepare for what they contained.)
Overall, the writing was great & flowed well, lyrical without being overdone or difficult to follow.
ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!
February 28, 2023
I was given this arc for an honest review by Hannah Freya Blake and this book is available for purchase April 27,2023.
This is a unique premise with an older heroine which I love. It’s marketed correctly. It just was not my cup of tea. It’s well written. And a quick novella read. Honestly I might be just hyper critical because there is zero things wrong with the book. I just didn’t click with it.
I really believe you should give it a try and prove to me I’m the the big moron who needs to re-read it.
This is a unique premise with an older heroine which I love. It’s marketed correctly. It just was not my cup of tea. It’s well written. And a quick novella read. Honestly I might be just hyper critical because there is zero things wrong with the book. I just didn’t click with it.
I really believe you should give it a try and prove to me I’m the the big moron who needs to re-read it.
April 30, 2024
3.75, a great story! My first novella, so it’s going to be straight to the point. I love the main character, she was so much fun to read! It’s humorous and quirky (in a good way). I do wish it was longer, the story had a promising premise :) I did not expect the short stories at the end, those were a bonus!
It covers the ugly sides of trauma and how we cope with it, the sides we like to hide. There were some moments in the book that were beautifully said that literally had me SILENCED UGH🧍♀️.
It covers the ugly sides of trauma and how we cope with it, the sides we like to hide. There were some moments in the book that were beautifully said that literally had me SILENCED UGH🧍♀️.
March 15, 2023
- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!
- this was a solid collection of short stories, with the descriptive writing and an intriguing, adult protagonist, i found myself liking the story as it went along. it was quirky and delectable, and i feel readers who have that kind of taste in books will enjoy this novella.
- this was a solid collection of short stories, with the descriptive writing and an intriguing, adult protagonist, i found myself liking the story as it went along. it was quirky and delectable, and i feel readers who have that kind of taste in books will enjoy this novella.
April 20, 2023
This book was okay. The main character was very fun but I personally just did not really connect with this book. I personally hate to see modern references in books and this one had a few of them which were not my favorite.
August 24, 2024
he had it coming
September 12, 2024
A vivid, well conceived and well written novella and strikingly original short stories. The style is clever and entertaining. Enjoyable read.
June 30, 2025
✅ Leave that shitty man
✅ Get hot witch girlfriend
✅ Eat cake & find your self worth
✅ [redacted]
This was great fun & beautifully written
✅ Get hot witch girlfriend
✅ Eat cake & find your self worth
✅ [redacted]
This was great fun & beautifully written
September 29, 2025
Lackluster, unsatisfying horror—both the novella and the short stories included after the novella.
September 4, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc.
This book was just the right amount of dark and humorous for me, and I loved the writing. I did however, wish there was more. But overall a really solid novella!
Cake Craft will be released on April 27th so check it out!
This book was just the right amount of dark and humorous for me, and I loved the writing. I did however, wish there was more. But overall a really solid novella!
Cake Craft will be released on April 27th so check it out!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews