Eat the Cake

by Annie Cathryn

A widow's career is on the line, her heart is in pieces, and her only path forward is a surprise scavenger hunt planned by her late husband.

Leah Wright spends her days advising thousands of podcast listeners on how to live their best lives. But since her husband Elliot died, she has been running on autopilot—until a very public on-air meltdown forces her into a mandatory leave of absence. With her career at stake and her sponsors wavering, Leah is finally compelled to confront the silence of her empty home.

Then, the impossible happens. A bouquet of flowers arrives at her door with a note from Elliot.

Hidden among his belongings, Leah discovers an itinerary for the surprise trip to Florence that he never had the chance to give her. Urged by her sister-in-law to find closure, Leah flies to Italy, only to uncover that Elliot has left her one final gift: a scavenger hunt through the winding, sun-drenched streets of the city.

As the clues become more personal, the mystery deepens. How could he have known what she would need to hear months after his death? To find the final message, Leah must stop hiding behind her podcast persona and confront the secret guilt she has been carrying—or risk remaining broken forever.

Genres: Summer Reads, Italy

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Annie Cathryn lives by the motto, "Creating is Living," and is the award-winning author of The Friendship Breakup. When not writing or reading, she's organizing her personal library by color and planning her next vacation.

Annie earned a journalism degree and a master's in communications from Marquette University and lives in Chicagoland with her husband, daughter, and two fur babies.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ARC from NetGalley.

Some books tell a story & some feel like an experience you carry around afterward.

Eat the Cake is the second kind.

At its heart, this novel follows a woman unraveling after the loss of her husband, not in a dramatic, cinematic way, but in the quiet, confusing, deeply human way grief actually works.

She isn’t “strong” or inspirational all the time. She’s numb, sarcastic, angry, guilty, nostalgic, hopeful, and exhausted all often within the same chapter. That honesty is what makes the story land and relate so hard.

Every Florence street, meal, and memory forces her to face the life she had, the life she thought she’d have, and the terrifying question of who she is without him. The scavenger hunt lets you see why their love mattered, why losing it feels unbearable, and why moving forward feels almost like betrayal.

Food plays a surprisingly meaningful role. The pastries, dinners, and shared tables aren’t decorative travel details; they’re grounding moments. Eating becomes permission to live again. Not dramatically but one bite at a time. The title ends up meaning far more than it first suggests!

What makes this book memorable is that it never tries to “fix” grief. It doesn’t rush healing, doesn’t force romance to be the cure, and doesn’t wrap life neatly. Instead, it shows that love doesn’t disappear, it changes form. The past and the future learn to exist together instead of competing with each other. By the end, the story doesn’t erase the loss, it teaches Leah how to carry it without losing herself too.

I cried multiple times, laughed unexpectedly, and finished the final pages feeling both heartbroken and comforted.

One of those rare reads that stays with you long after you close it!

I’d give it 6:5 if I could.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely triumphant. I am speechless after finishing this stunning story. I could not put this down, and the ending had me in tears. The author handled grief and the true aftermath of losing your partner in such a beautiful way. I felt like I knew everyone in the book. A must read!

[Janne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐✨
Eat the Cake quietly broke my heart and gently pieced it back together again 💔🤍
Leah’s grief felt tender and deeply personal, and I found myself tearing up more than once 🥹 Her growth was imperfect, honest, and quietly inspiring 🌿 The Florence setting added warmth and light, balancing the heavier themes beautifully 🇮🇹☀️
The scavenger hunt has a slight fairytale feel at first ✨ but it ultimately becomes meaningful in a way that truly worked for me 💌
A hopeful story about love, loss, and finding your way forward again 💛
Thank you to Moon Ray Books, Annie Cathryn, and NetGalley for the ARC 📚

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eat the Cake is a beautiful story exploring grief. Leah who goes by the professional name of Tandy hosts a podcast called Pep Talk which is like a modern day agony aunt column. It’s coming up to the 12 month anniversary of her husband Elliot’s unexpected death and she’s falling apart, struggling to deal with some of her caller’s issues which seem insignificant. After an on air scandal, she is given 90 days off to regroup.

Leah was such a reliable character, her grief still raw at a time where everyone seems to think you should recovered and moved on. I enjoyed the realistic look at the ongoing impact of grief and that it shows that it never really goes away. I enjoyed her friendship with sister -in-law Megan who was very supportive. She has been trying to get Leah to come to Italy with her to visit her and Elliot’s father who recently moved there. Leah discovers that Elliot had planned a similar trip and reluctantly agrees to go despite her fear of flying. Leading up to the trip and during the trip Leah starts to receive flowers and messages from Elliot and discovers that the trip planned included a scavenger hunt designed to help her face her fears.

It was interesting to see Leah face her fears and make progress. In the process she discovers a secret about Elliot that helps her move on and forgive herself. I enjoyed Megan’s side plot and Tallulah the dog. The trip to Italy and all the different food and pastries was enjoyable. I loved the overall message of learning to Eat the Cake again. A rollercoaster ride of emotions perfect for those who enjoyed P.S. I Love You.

[Shelbi Dion | Redheadbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has such an excellent message!

Widow Leah is sent on a scavenger hunt arranged by her late husband after a long grieving process comes to a head and she makes a mistake at work. Leah finds herself chasing clues from her husband who passed away.

This book has a little of everything - sisterhood, mystery, overcoming loss, an epic Italian vacation, and romance.

The best part of this book, though, is the way it sweeps you up and motivates you not to waste a single minute…eat the cake!

It feels so fitting that I just finished Eat the Cake by Annie Cathryn today and somewhere along the way, “eat the cake” became my mantra lately. 🍰

Figuratively: find the joy anyway. Buy the coffee. Read the book. Celebrate the tiny good moments while you’re in the middle of hard things. Stop waiting for life to feel perfect before you let yourself live it.

Literally: after weeks of health struggles, tests, procedures, stress, and today’s flex sig… I ate the cake (technically brownie and ice cream, but who’s counting?) on my daughter’s birthday. Because life is fragile and beautiful and exhausting and worth celebrating anyway.

So yeah. Eat the cake. 💜

Thank you to @moonraybooks and @netgalley for the e-ARC!

[Mackenzie Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every single page of this book! There’s seriously not one bad thing I could say about this book. I think that a grief element is really hard to articulate well but this book did it perfectly. It was beautiful because the grief element was one of the first parts of the book and it ended with it but in such a full circle type of way. Something that drew me to this book in the first place was the Italy part of it all and within reading this book I felt like I was transported to Italy which is my favorite place in the whole world so it made the book even better than it already was. When I saw the title I was intrigued and when I finished the book I definitely knew that it was the perfect title for the book. I think this book had a ton of elements but they all worked so well together and truly crafted a beautiful and timeless story that came full circle from beginning to end…truly couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait to read more of Annie Kathryn’s books in the future!!

[Adrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

Throughly enjoyed this book. I loved all of the elements and themes. I love the way that fate was used throughout this entire book. It left me with such a positive feeling. I loved the found family elements as well.

Would be a great movie.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in return for my honest review

[Marjorie Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid 4.5 stars. Thank you Goodreads for my free kindle copy of this sweet story. It’s my third book won on a Goodreads giveaway and probably the most enjoyable. Such a sweet journey with loveable characters and an amazing trip to Florence! You’ll want to book a trip immediately and invite this sweet family to join you.

[Shawn Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway winner from Goodreads. I loved this book! I read it in one sitting. I highly recommend it. This is my first book from this author and I will definitely read more.

[Jo Bardgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eat the cake
By Annie Cathryn
Published by Moon Ray Books

Annie Cathryn has written a wonderful story I could only wish for if tragedy and grief were to be part of my journey. Beautiful written, with pockets of compassion, humour and thoughtfulness. Something a girl can only dream of when her luck is running out.
As the story unfolds and pieces of the puzzle are revealed, Leah begins to hear her own advice, understand what she needs which enables the healing process to begin.

Leah Wright has a successful podcast advising others about life’s trials and tribulations. But her heart is in pieces after the tragic death of her husband.
Running on auto-pilot, not accepting she needs time and maybe a break, her sharp response to one of her listeners turns sour.
Now is the time for some self care, as her career topples in the balance.
Will she see it from another’s perspective?
Will she follow her own advice?
Will she face her fears and come out stronger or will her followers cancel her?

After a bouquet of flowers arrives at her door with a note from Elliot, Leah later discovers an itinerary for the surprise trip to Florence that he never had the chance to give her. Accompanied by her sister-in-law, they fly to Italy and uncover a scavenger hunt filled with some of Leah’s fears: flying, ghosts, looking after a pet to name a few.

How could he have known what she would need to hear and do months after his death?
Why did he leave her so much to face all alone?
From clue to clue, Leah builds her strength to face her fears supported by her extended network. To finally confront her secret guilt is the only way she can carrying on being Leah or she will remain broken forever.

Full of tender, heartfelt moments, Annie Cathryn explores aspects of grief, loneliness and pure sadness that will resonate with anyone who has experienced grief. But remember the realisation, relief and enlightening moments of joy outweigh the emotional pain.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery

[Dive Into A Good Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows you all the levels of grief. The deep sadness, the fear of being alone, the guilt that you are still here that eats you from the inside out. The thought of having to go through life without them, the anger, and the endless tears. Annie Cathryn has taken a difficult topic and never pushed the character to just get through it. Annie allowed them their own journey. To feel deeply, to still love the person who passed to young. To grieve in their own time and place. It is not all sad. There were points of laughter, when the sun glowed on their faces, when life was not so heavy. This is a work of art that I could not put down, I was up way past my bedtime tearing through the pages. My heart shattered, trying to stitch itself back together page by page.

Leah Wright is a widow before her thirtieth birthday. She does not know how she can make this journey alone without Elliot by her side. She does not want to get out of bed, clean the house, or shower. Leah is forcing herself to work. Her podcast PepTalk gives out positive advice, which Leah is clean out of. After a particularly rough segment, a caller comes on complaining about dropping cake on her pants and Leah finally loses it. As soon as the words pass her mouth she knows she has gone too far. Has she lost her podcast for good? Megan, her sister-in-law, wants to go to Florence to see her father. She finally convinces Leah she needs a change of pace and new scenery. Leah and Megan make it to Florence, and the descriptions of the food and surroundings make me want to jump a flight. Was this trip a good decision?

I loved the mystery that was woven into the story. The scavenger hunt across the city. Leah finally allowed herself to laugh and smile once again. This is a terrific read that you need to pick up. What are you still doing here, go put this book in your cart. Once you have it enjoy it with a slice of chocolate cake. Thank you to Annie Cathryn and Moon Ray Books for my gifted copy.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eat the Cake is a tender, emotionally resonant story about grief, reinvention, and the unexpected ways love continues to shape us long after loss. Leah Wright, a polished podcast host who spends her days telling others how to live bravely, is suddenly confronted with the truth she’s been avoiding: she’s been surviving, not living, ever since her husband Elliot died. Her on‑air breakdown is heartbreaking but honest, and it sets the tone for a novel that treats grief with both gentleness and clarity.

The turning point—flowers arriving with a note from Elliot—lands with a quiet, stunning weight. From there, the story unfolds into something hopeful and deeply human. Leah’s journey to Florence feels like stepping into sunlight after a long winter: the city’s warmth, colour, and history become the perfect backdrop for a scavenger hunt that is equal parts love letter and last request. Each clue Elliot leaves behind is intimate without being sentimental, nudging Leah toward truths she’s been too afraid to face.

What makes the novel shine is its balance. It’s emotional without being heavy, romantic without being saccharine, and reflective without slowing the pace. Leah’s guilt, her loneliness, and her gradual rediscovery of joy are handled with a light, steady touch. The mystery of how Elliot seemed to know exactly what she’d need months after his death adds a lovely thread of intrigue, but the heart of the story is Leah learning to step out from behind her polished persona and allow herself to be vulnerable again.

Warm, hopeful, and quietly powerful, Eat the Cake is a story about love that endures, grief that transforms, and the courage it takes to choose life again. It’s the kind of book that leaves you a little softer, a little braver, and very glad you followed Leah to Florence.

With thanks to Annie Cathryn, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah has a podcast. Kind of like a dear abbey, but with a millennial twist, it's called what tandy do, where she gives basic advice to people who need some quick. answers leah has also recently lost her husband and is kind of having a rough go of it. She goes off on one of her callers.And gets a ninety day vacation of sorts- her sister and law proposes a trip to Florence to see her her father. In law, after agreening and while while planning, she finds out that her husband Elliot had already planned a trip to Florence to help her conquer her fears. Once they get there, she realizes there's more to it. Almost like a scavenger hunt type feel I took her trip, she's admittedly having a very hard time with everything, then, her in Michelle (SIL) meet a family, who ends up being from the suburbs of Chicago, right near them. And a twist of fate, their uncle owns the bakery that Elliot always bought cake for Leah- one of the members of this family Marco leah is starting to realize maybe there's a little too much attraction, she then panics and their trip is over thr next day - and before and during this whole trip, definitely, I had noticed how preoccupied Michelle was, and when they get home, she finds out why and there is a whole debacle with that. And Leah learns more about what Elliot was keeping from her before he passed away. She has a very hard time. Letting anybody new in until she can let go of everything. She's feeling about Elliot. I like how the book didn't rush anything. Even the epilog isn't the simple 6 month or one year later, it's 3 years later which I liked. This is a really cute story. Especially how everybody grieves differently definitely recommend

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

📝 ARC Review: If I could give this story 10 stars, I would. This was beautiful. Grabbed me by the heart and made me cry and feel so many things from start to finish.

I really felt that the author did an amazing job showcasing how the trauma/grief from loss of a partner can affect people. The spiral of it, the effort it takes and help from others to drag yourself out of the hole and begin to live again.

I loved the friendships that developed during the Italy trip, the family bonds and the way the author left little hints throughout the story of something bigger at play, yet certain revelations didn’t happen till almost the end of the book. It was just written so beautifully. 🥺 The scavenger hunt her husband set up for the Italy trip was so sweet and it was so emotional for her having to do this trip without him by her side. I loved how it showed her learning to be happy again, yet the guilt and the pain would overwhelm her at times. So very realistic.

“Be kind to yourself.”

Genre: Women’s Fiction
POV: First Person; Single
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5!
Release Date: July 21, 2026

Vibes: Emotional, heart-wrenching, bittersweet and heartwarming, all melded into one beautiful story!

Tropes 👇

- Italian Vacation (Florence Italy)
- Scavenger hunt
- Grieving young widow
- Conquering fears
- Unexpected friendships
- Puppy antics
- Messages from beyond
- Second chance at love
- Sister-in-law bonds
- Family reconnections

CW’s 👇

- Grief/Trauma
- Loss of husband
- Mugging
- Stalker (brief part of story)
- Car accident
- Terminal illness

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Zara Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Cathryn’s Eat the Cake is a beautiful, heartfelt story. I devoured it in one sitting, swept up in Leah Wright’s journey of loss, love, and rediscovery. The story balances grief and hope so seamlessly that you feel every moment alongside her.

Leah, a recently widowed podcast host, faces a life she’s been just surviving rather than truly living. After a very public breakdown, a mysterious gift from her late husband Elliot sends her on an unexpected journey to Florence. What follows is a tender, sometimes humorous exploration of grief, courage, and the ways love can linger and guide us, even after someone is gone.

The novel’s setting is gorgeous! The streets and culture of Florence are painted so vividly that you feel like you’re walking alongside Leah. The scavenger hunt Elliot leaves behind is clever and deeply emotional, a perfect mix of intrigue and intimacy. Leah’s growth feels real and earned. Her vulnerability, guilt, and eventual joy are handled with honesty and care as well.

What sets Eat the Cake apart is its light touch with heavy themes. It’s emotional without being overwhelming, sweet without being saccharine, and hopeful without being simplistic. By the end, you’re left feeling lighter, braver, and deeply satisfied with Leah’s journey.

This is a warm, uplifting, and poignant read that I can’t recommend enough.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the E-Arc.

[Abby Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you, I could not get enough of this book! I absolutely DEVOURED it!!
This book made me feel every emotion. I cried, I laughed, I was embarrassed.
I feel like there is a hole in my heart that slowly got taped back together but still has a little crack in it.
“How is oxygen still pumping in and out of my lungs when I feel as if I can’t breathe? How is my broken heart still beating after nine months?”
Leah Wright has lost her husband and now, on the verge of losing her job, she’s off to Florence with her friend /sister-in-law. Her late husband has left her with a little scavenger hunt that is lovely and gut-wrenching at the same time.
If you like the movie P.S. I Love You, you’ll definitely like this book.
The author captures grief in this book so well but also the hope and love of those people in your life that will still be there even when the grief starts to lift and you realize you were never alone.
I loved that Leah doesn’t move right on in the romance aspect of her life. She actually starts to heal from her grief. As someone who also couldn’t imagine ever moving on if something happened to her husband, it just made the book that much real for me.

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. My heart will never recover. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year so far!

[Karen Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a chapter of two to engage with Leah Wright, the protagonist. At first blush, her character felt a bit superficial, despite the underlying backstory of her husband’s unexpected death. However, the storyline deepens into nuanced explorations of loss, grief, and guilt.

Leah is on the cusp of her thirtieth birthday when, amid her grief and the implosion of her career, she discovers that Elliot, her deceased husband, had planned a trip to Florence, Italy for them. At the urging of her sister-in-law, she undertakes the trip and discovers that he planned a scavenger hunt as part of the itinerary. The story unfolds with evocative descriptions of the city and its magnificent art and architecture coupled with unusual adventures incorporating interesting people and delightful food.

I enjoyed the novel more than I first anticipated. The pacing was good and I appreciated the author’s deft touch in addressing grief and its emotional toll while adding appropriate touches of humor and romance.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

[Christa Rapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Annie Cathryn, Moon Ray Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 stars
There were several elements of this novel that really resonated with me. As someone who grew up in the Midwest, I appreciated the references to places in Illinois that I’ve visited. Having also spent time in Italy, I found myself vividly picturing Florence throughout the story. Lastly, the novel’s exploration of the personal journey we can face after losing someone unexpectedly felt meaningful and very realistic.

One of the book’s strengths is its honest portrayal of grief. It captures how unpredictable and overwhelming loss can be: crying when you least expect it, lashing out at others over small things, and even blaming yourself for what happened. I also appreciated how certain triggers, like chocolate cake for Leah, become tied to memory and loss. The depiction of withdrawal, like sleeping life away in the early stages of grief, felt especially realistic and grounded.

At times, the pacing of the story felt rushed, which made it difficult to settle into the story. I struggled to fully connect emotionally with the characters and found myself wanting more depth in the character development to better understand their motivations and growth. While there was a strong build-up to the outcome in the ending, it ultimately felt a bit predictable.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah is running on auto pilot in the months since her husband's death. Despite the fact that her job is to uplift, encourage, and give advice to her listeners. She can't take care of herself or take her own advice when she's off the air.
After an on-air breakdown that potentially destroys her career she gets a flower delivery.... from her late husband.
She discovers a hidden itinerary for a surprise trip to Florence that he never had the chance to give her. To find closure, Leah and her sister-in-law go on the planned trip. Only to find that he had planned a scavenger hunt throughout the city of Florence meant to help them face their fears. Each clue adds to the mystery of why/ how he had planned this.
This story really hit me in the feels. I really felt the depression and grief that Leah experienced. And the pessimistic hope that grew with each discovery in the scavenger hunt. The letters from her late husband made me cry every time and I don't cry easily. You need to be in the right frame of mind for this story, but it is so worth it. Thank you Annie Cathryn, Moon Ray Books, and NetGalley for letting me give an ARC review for this book. 5⭐️

[Nanette Littlestone · Rating 5 out of 5]

PS, I Love You meets You, with a View

Grief can be a tricky, torturous path. Some people seem to deal with the loss of a loved one with relative ease. Others are left paralyzed. Leah Wright is the latter, hiding from the world after unexpectedly losing her husband, Elliott, barely able to cope with daily life despite encouraging nudges from friends and neighbors. When her sister-in-law urges Leah to go to Florence, Italy, to find closure—a trip Leah was supposed to take with Elliott—she reluctantly agrees. Only to embark on a scavenger hunt with clues left by her husband.

But this isn’t your regular scavenger hunt. Leah ventures on a journey of self-discovery to confront her deepest fears. Something that would challenge anyone, especially someone fragile who’s constantly reminded of the person that’s missing. Eat the Cake has flashes of humor on Leah’s travels, some laced with pain; heartfelt memories and tender moments with friends and relatives; plus, more than a few tantalizing food descriptions. And a beautiful ending that you won’t want to miss.

[Regenia Spoerndle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is as delicious as a piece of chocolate cake! The writing is flawless, the characters well developed and lovable, and although the plot line could be viewed as predictable, it is exactly what a reader wants.

Readers will empathize with Leah’s pain during her grief journey supported by her amazing sister-in-law Megan, father-in-law, neighbors and new found friends. It is the love and support of the characters coupled with beautiful descriptions that make the story come alive and speak to the heart of any reader, especially those who have wrestled with their own grief journeys. The novel has a calming, beautiful tone filled with a hopeful message, yet still mixes in some small mysteries through the pages.

I highly recommend this book for every book club, everyone looking for a feel good novel, and even those who might be struggling through grief. Part of the novel is set in Italy which only adds to the beauty of the reader’s experience. Five stars for now and anxiously awaiting a sequel.

*I received an advanced readers copy of this novel in order to write this review.

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this one caught my attention because I'm always saying this🤣 but the hopeful story kept me turning the pages. I just know your going to want to pre-order it!

🍰Book Review🍰
Eat the Cake is one of those stories that sneaks up on your heart. Leah Wright is shattered in that quiet, invisible way grief often looks from the outside, still functioning, still giving advice on her podcast, still pretending she’s fine while her world has been hollowed out.

Then, a gift arrives in the form of a trip to Italy and a scavenger hunt her late husband planned for her through Florence. Every clue feels like a hand reaching out from the love she lost, urging her to keep going, to feel again, to choose life instead of just enduring it.

What moved me most is how the book captures the messy, nonlinear truth of healing, the guilt, the longing, the unexpected laughter, the moments where hope feels almost too fragile to touch.

It’s the kind of book that makes you tear up, smile through it, and quietly ask yourself: What joy have I been putting off until “later”?

[Maxine Booktroverts AZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Leah, a recent widow and podcaster, as she grieves the loss of her husband and embarks on a journey through Italy with her sister in law.

This was an easy, fast-paced read, which made it quick to get through. That said, the pacing did feel a bit rushed at times, and I found myself wanting more depth in the character development. I had a harder time connecting emotionally with the characters, which made some of the story feel a bit surface-level for me. Because of that, it didn’t fully land as a standout read in my experience.

That said, I did really appreciate the twist at the end, and I liked the way the “Eat the Cake” metaphor rolled out. I thought it brought everything together in a satisfying way and added a nice final layer to the story. While this one wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I think a lot of people will enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Moon Ray for the ARC!

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.

Wow. This was a heartwarming story about a woman in her late 20s who has tragically lost her husband and explores the grief that entails. She ends up in hot waters with her job forcing her to take a break from work and leads to a scavenger hunt in Italy planned by her late husband.

I loved how the author told this story and how she depicts grief in a non-linear way because that's how it truly is. She also shows how grief and healing can manifest differently in everyone by showing the impact the loss of her husband had on his sister and his dad as well.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Leah and Megan. Their bond was beautiful. The author did an amazing job in making me feel like I was with Leah exploring Italy. It felt very atmospheric.

This book made me smile, made me cry and feel all of the emotions in between. I would highly recommend this book. A five star read for me.

[Elena Zinonos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah is paying tribute to her late husband, Elliot, through an adventure-scavenger hunt he planned for her before his passing. It broke my heart and pieced it back together in the best way possible until the end. Leah takes a break after the last episode of her podcast, where something unexpected happens to her from one of her listeners.

In a leap of faith, she travels to Florence with her sister-in-law in a hunt through clues left behind by Elliot to face her fears and come out of her comfort zone. Raw emotion, humour and a beautiful journey through loss to find life and love once again.

It reminded me of P.S. I Love You, but different, it felt fresh. Travelling to Italy through Leah’s steps made me want to visit Italy again. The message of finding hope and willingness to live again is strong throughout the chapters of this book. This is a hopeful story that stayed with me even after the last page.

[Cass☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to Moon Ray Books, Annie Cathryn, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC early and provide an honest review.

I recommend this book if you:
🔸enjoy novels that explore the aftermath of loss and grief as well as healing from grief and loss.
🔸enjoy novels where the character goes a on a healing journey via trip to a new place. In this case, the beautiful city of Florence, Italy.
🔸enjoy stories that explore sisterhood. I adored Leah and Megan’s relationship.

My favorite aspect of this story was definitely Leah’s journey from burying her grief inside to acknowledging her grief and being vulnerable about how she’s been affected by the loss of her husband and, finally, to making efforts to heal. I also loved how clear it was how much Elliot loved and adored Leah. For a character that we didn’t meet, it was clear he was present. I enjoyed the omens or “signs” from lost loved ones.

[Suzy England · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for Annie Cathryn’s Eat the Cake! I whipped through this book in an afternoon. It fully ensnared all my senses and emotions. It’s a heartfelt story of grief and renewal, but with touches of humor that keep it hopeful.

After an on-air meltdown, recently widowed podcaster Leah Wright needs a reset. She receives flowers from her late husband, Elliot, which send her to Florence on an unexpected scavenger hunt. Tender and honest, it follows Leah as she rediscovers her joy and learns to face her fears against a beautiful Italian backdrop.

Many authors struggle with their sophomore novel, but not Cathryn. Her engaging writing style and realistic characters will have you eagerly flipping pages. I highly recommend this touching and poignant book and urge you to check out her debut novel, The Friendship Breakup, too.

[Corey Colley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a range of emotions, but it really putted me in and I couldn’t put it down once I started. I really got pulled into the fact it takes place in Western Chicago Suburbs which is where I grew up so I could picture all the towns it talked about. The loss of a loved one was handled is such a healing way in this book. I’ve never lost a husband, but there has been loved ones that I felt like I could have grieved better, but didn’t because I took stuff that happened around their death very hard. This book honestly was so fun at times, but incredibly great at getting you and the characters through very tough times that at some point I feel like we can all relate to. There’s so many sweet and small details that carry through the whole story and book. In the end it was just such a lovely read to see a character grow, but also feel like you as a reader can do the same.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I wanna thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance.
What a good and heartfelt story. I binged it very quickly.
A grieving woman goes, kind of against her will, on an adventure that her dead husband set for her. The little details of that trip to Florence made the book for me.
The main character is also very relatable. Grief is a major topic in this book and I think it was well managed by the author as we see her go through the different stages of grief.
I got emotional towards the end when she read a certain letter and finally forgave herself and in the last chapter, before the epilogue, when she used the quote that is also the title of the book "eat the cake". It seems nothing much but, in the context of the book, it's meaningful and I got tears in my eyes in that part.

[Catherine Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah is great at her job—and it’s no easy feat helping people find perspective in their problems and reclaim the joy in their lives. So, what’s she supposed to do when she loses the person who brought her life the most joy? Eat the Cake by Annie Cathryn is beautifully told story of healing and love. Through the pages, she brings to life the precious experience of learning just how deeply one was loved. Cleverly set on a scavenger hunt though Italy, the main character searches for the gifts, some tangible—others transcendent, her husband knew she would need without him. I could not put it down. The ending brought me to tears. It was perfect!