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Cake at Midnight
Giovanna, Zoë and Declan have always been a trio - their fierce friendship has seen them through every heartbreak and hardship and helped pave the way to brighter futures. Gio is a passionate baker of cakes, pastries and all things delicious, Zoë a take-no-prisoners beauty, and Declan an ambitious businessman on the way up.
Best friends forever, Gio thinks - until Gio's lifelong crush on Declan is exposed, leaving her humiliated, and Gio realises she needs to cut him loose to get over him once and for all.
Enter Theo, Gio's neighbour ... She's never met anyone like him before. He doesn't talk much, but he's kind, he's sexy, he's generous and he's often awake in the middle of the night, like Gio. Theo has a sweet tooth and a mysterious history and Gio can't seem to stay away.
Thanks to the power of sleepless nights and chocolate cake, Gio thinks she's finally over Declan, but then his whole world turns upside down. Gio knows she can't desert Declan in his time of need, but how can she explain a lifetime of love to Theo?
Letting go of the past isn't so easy when your heart is breaking.
Best friends forever, Gio thinks - until Gio's lifelong crush on Declan is exposed, leaving her humiliated, and Gio realises she needs to cut him loose to get over him once and for all.
Enter Theo, Gio's neighbour ... She's never met anyone like him before. He doesn't talk much, but he's kind, he's sexy, he's generous and he's often awake in the middle of the night, like Gio. Theo has a sweet tooth and a mysterious history and Gio can't seem to stay away.
Thanks to the power of sleepless nights and chocolate cake, Gio thinks she's finally over Declan, but then his whole world turns upside down. Gio knows she can't desert Declan in his time of need, but how can she explain a lifetime of love to Theo?
Letting go of the past isn't so easy when your heart is breaking.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2018
6 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Jessie L. Star
9 books140 followersWhilst digging through her childhood scribblings, Jessie L. Star discovered a thrilling saga by her six year old self entitled 'Jessie has Lost her Sock'. This sweeping epic spanned all four corners of her childhood house in outback South Australia as the sock was hunted down (spoiler, it was in Jessie's bed all along). Many years later and the urge to write is still going strong, although lost socks have been replaced with a raft of characters destined to snark and banter at each other until, ultimately, falling in love.
Jessie studied Business at Uni where she primarily learnt that writing and talking were very much her thing and that dealing with numbers was very much not.
Jessie studied Business at Uni where she primarily learnt that writing and talking were very much her thing and that dealing with numbers was very much not.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 16, 2018
It’s an interesting dynamic to have two best friends, especially when one is male and you have a serious crush on him. In this book the author takes on this delicate balance as we explore the life of a group of friends in Australia.
Dealing with heartache and heartbreak can be tough. But at least there’s always cake to help commiserate over.
The author leads us through old friendships and crushes in this well told story. With plenty of well-developed characters and interest, it’s hard not to get overly attached the story.
The awkward feelings that we tend to have around guys we like is alive and well in this book. Ms Star brought back plenty of memories and feelings I had towards my own crushes at that age. Somethings never change.
But she also deals with the inadequacies we may feel due to our upbringing. That connection we build with friends who become our family whenever our family is not enough or just not capable of support or any engagement in life. She also shares the other side – the rich side of life and how greed and hate can consume everything.
The author managed to craft a delightful read that brings back your own memories of first loves. With intricate detail and plenty of trials, tribulations, and comfortable sweet romance, the story is a fresh look at friends and family. She then served it up with a bit of the bitter taste of life, but gave us a sweet dessert to help you over the rough spots.
* copy received for review consideration
full review - http://amidlifewife.com/cake-midnight...
Dealing with heartache and heartbreak can be tough. But at least there’s always cake to help commiserate over.
The author leads us through old friendships and crushes in this well told story. With plenty of well-developed characters and interest, it’s hard not to get overly attached the story.
The awkward feelings that we tend to have around guys we like is alive and well in this book. Ms Star brought back plenty of memories and feelings I had towards my own crushes at that age. Somethings never change.
But she also deals with the inadequacies we may feel due to our upbringing. That connection we build with friends who become our family whenever our family is not enough or just not capable of support or any engagement in life. She also shares the other side – the rich side of life and how greed and hate can consume everything.
The author managed to craft a delightful read that brings back your own memories of first loves. With intricate detail and plenty of trials, tribulations, and comfortable sweet romance, the story is a fresh look at friends and family. She then served it up with a bit of the bitter taste of life, but gave us a sweet dessert to help you over the rough spots.
* copy received for review consideration
full review - http://amidlifewife.com/cake-midnight...
April 28, 2018
I honestly don't know how to characterize this decent book that was almost good. Almost really good. I almost kind of sort of like it?
It was on the longer side, it seemed, with heavy set-up on a trio of best friends making their way in the world in their mid-20s. One of the friends is in love with another, which leads to all kinds of things. Things that almost made me stop reading. The heroine (Gio) felt weak, the love interest/friend (Dec) abusive, the other friend (Zoe) continually telling her that he didn't deserve her time and efforts and she was right. Zoe was so committed to that, she basically ended her own friendship with Declan. Gio, in effect, is a fallback girl for Declan, and their relationship reads very co-dependent. It clearly messes with her agency and her self-confidence, and we are given many many reasons that this isn't worth it for her. Gio doesn't see this for herself until he insults her so horribly at a party, she hides away, calls a 30 day break to get over him, and I'm confused...I thought it was a friends-to-lovers. And also weak heroine. This book nearly lost me after 20% - after all that's some pretty hefty groundwork for a...
NEIGHBOR ROMANCE.
But honestly, this is why this book glimmered. Despite the choppy, awkward start with the annoying MC (Gio) it did set her off on a journey. One with a nicer, steadier guy who didn't need her and take her for granted. Star built their intimacy, tension and relationship quite nicely, but that undercurrent of waiting for the other shoe to drop (i.e. the re-intro of Declan) was irritating. I felt like I couldn't move on from that raincloud of her old, unhealthy friendship. As Gio gains her agency though, and as her relationship with Theo grows, I appreciated the depth to which all the characters seemed to be explored. And in the end, I appreciated the way the friendships were fleshed out. Neither perfect nor healthy, but striving for both. Theo was a steady, quiet, sexy type. He also made mistakes. It was enjoyable to see how much he appreciated Giovanna in the end, and how he worked with and through his own baggage.
So why not quite three stars? Cause doesn't this sound almost great? Well, really, that first 20% were crazy making, the Declan subplot was irritating, the writing at times felt juvenile and wasteful. It just wasn't a tightly knit story-I felt too distracted. So, despite the strong secondary characters and the admirable development and growth for the relationships and friendships and our main characters, I just can't give it more than a 2.47. It just felt a little too all over the place even though sometimes that lent to the strength of the book, it was absolutely the major detractor too.
**BTW, I love the colors on the cover, and that's why I read it. Good times.
It was on the longer side, it seemed, with heavy set-up on a trio of best friends making their way in the world in their mid-20s. One of the friends is in love with another, which leads to all kinds of things. Things that almost made me stop reading. The heroine (Gio) felt weak, the love interest/friend (Dec) abusive, the other friend (Zoe) continually telling her that he didn't deserve her time and efforts and she was right. Zoe was so committed to that, she basically ended her own friendship with Declan. Gio, in effect, is a fallback girl for Declan, and their relationship reads very co-dependent. It clearly messes with her agency and her self-confidence, and we are given many many reasons that this isn't worth it for her. Gio doesn't see this for herself until he insults her so horribly at a party, she hides away, calls a 30 day break to get over him, and I'm confused...I thought it was a friends-to-lovers. And also weak heroine. This book nearly lost me after 20% - after all that's some pretty hefty groundwork for a...
NEIGHBOR ROMANCE.
But honestly, this is why this book glimmered. Despite the choppy, awkward start with the annoying MC (Gio) it did set her off on a journey. One with a nicer, steadier guy who didn't need her and take her for granted. Star built their intimacy, tension and relationship quite nicely, but that undercurrent of waiting for the other shoe to drop (i.e. the re-intro of Declan) was irritating. I felt like I couldn't move on from that raincloud of her old, unhealthy friendship. As Gio gains her agency though, and as her relationship with Theo grows, I appreciated the depth to which all the characters seemed to be explored. And in the end, I appreciated the way the friendships were fleshed out. Neither perfect nor healthy, but striving for both. Theo was a steady, quiet, sexy type. He also made mistakes. It was enjoyable to see how much he appreciated Giovanna in the end, and how he worked with and through his own baggage.
So why not quite three stars? Cause doesn't this sound almost great? Well, really, that first 20% were crazy making, the Declan subplot was irritating, the writing at times felt juvenile and wasteful. It just wasn't a tightly knit story-I felt too distracted. So, despite the strong secondary characters and the admirable development and growth for the relationships and friendships and our main characters, I just can't give it more than a 2.47. It just felt a little too all over the place even though sometimes that lent to the strength of the book, it was absolutely the major detractor too.
**BTW, I love the colors on the cover, and that's why I read it. Good times.
January 15, 2018
Jessie L. Star's Cake at Midnight gave me all the feels!
Going into this I was expecting to like it. I mean, it's a foodie romance, and seriously, what's not to like about that? However I ended up LOVING it. The romance, the characters, the writing, the CAKE....everything was top notch. Honestly, if Sarah Dessen wrote contemporary romance instead of YA I think it would look a lot like Cake at Midnight.
Cake at Midnight introduces Gio, a young pastry chef with a bad case of unrequited love, and Theo, Gio's new neighbor.
I loved Gio from the moment she was introduced. She's sweet, trusting, and vastly hopeful. I admired that she wouldn't give up on people, no matter how tough times got. I also adored Theo. When he was first introduced I didn't truly understand him. I wondered why he was so aloof and mysterious as well as so unwilling to ever fully smile. His need, though, to help Gio in tough times was adorable and sexy! I loved when he went all macho man. I won't say much about his family history and past because I think it's important to experience it first hand, but I will say Theo is just such an incredible guy. He's had a tough past but he always stays resilient and hardworking.
I'll admit that I was worried that Gio's case of unrequited love would get on my nerves. Luckily it didn't. I could 100% could understand it, actually, because the type of unrequited love that Gio has (for a long-term friend who has been giving her mixed signals for years) is one I think most readers will find relatable. I know I did! It did frustrate me at times, though, that Gio wasn't always quick to call Declan out for leading her on and in the process treating her like dirt; however, she got better at it as the book went on it so I couldn't be too mad.
Additionally, I loved the romance in Cake at Midnight. Gio and Theo's relationships is the epitome of slow-burn. The build-up was fantastic. There was hilarious yet awkward moments (the one where Gio hits her head off of Theo's door is my favorite!), late night hangouts involving cake, and some big and epic romantic gestures. I was swooning the whole way through!
I could honestly go on about Cake at Midnight all day, but I'll cut it off here and leave you all with this. Jessie L. Star's Cake at Midnight is one of my favorite romances of the year (and possibly of all time!). So if you love romance (and cake and big oh-my-goodness revelations!) as much as I do, this NEEDS to be on your TBR! I promise you'll thank me later!
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Going into this I was expecting to like it. I mean, it's a foodie romance, and seriously, what's not to like about that? However I ended up LOVING it. The romance, the characters, the writing, the CAKE....everything was top notch. Honestly, if Sarah Dessen wrote contemporary romance instead of YA I think it would look a lot like Cake at Midnight.
Cake at Midnight introduces Gio, a young pastry chef with a bad case of unrequited love, and Theo, Gio's new neighbor.
I loved Gio from the moment she was introduced. She's sweet, trusting, and vastly hopeful. I admired that she wouldn't give up on people, no matter how tough times got. I also adored Theo. When he was first introduced I didn't truly understand him. I wondered why he was so aloof and mysterious as well as so unwilling to ever fully smile. His need, though, to help Gio in tough times was adorable and sexy! I loved when he went all macho man. I won't say much about his family history and past because I think it's important to experience it first hand, but I will say Theo is just such an incredible guy. He's had a tough past but he always stays resilient and hardworking.
I'll admit that I was worried that Gio's case of unrequited love would get on my nerves. Luckily it didn't. I could 100% could understand it, actually, because the type of unrequited love that Gio has (for a long-term friend who has been giving her mixed signals for years) is one I think most readers will find relatable. I know I did! It did frustrate me at times, though, that Gio wasn't always quick to call Declan out for leading her on and in the process treating her like dirt; however, she got better at it as the book went on it so I couldn't be too mad.
Additionally, I loved the romance in Cake at Midnight. Gio and Theo's relationships is the epitome of slow-burn. The build-up was fantastic. There was hilarious yet awkward moments (the one where Gio hits her head off of Theo's door is my favorite!), late night hangouts involving cake, and some big and epic romantic gestures. I was swooning the whole way through!
I could honestly go on about Cake at Midnight all day, but I'll cut it off here and leave you all with this. Jessie L. Star's Cake at Midnight is one of my favorite romances of the year (and possibly of all time!). So if you love romance (and cake and big oh-my-goodness revelations!) as much as I do, this NEEDS to be on your TBR! I promise you'll thank me later!
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June 7, 2019
An engaging novel of contemporary romance, Cake at Midnight is a story of friendship and love from Australian author, Jessie L. Star.
Giovanna, Zoë and Declan - the baker, the beauty, and the brains- have been best friends since childhood. Now in their early twenties, they have celebrated one another’s successes, and commiserated with one another during times of heartbreak. For years Gio has nursed a crush on Declan who doesn’t mind taking advantage of her slavish devotion when it suits him, much to the growing disgust of Zoe. And after a disastrous not-a-date Gio realises she has let the situation get out of control, and in order to preserve their friendships, decides to cut Declan out of her life for 30 days. It’s not an easy step for Gio to take, not even cake is enough to dull the hurt, but her new neighbour, the enigmatic Theo, might just be exactly what she needs.
I enjoyed the romance in Cake at Midnight, it develops slowly from an odd sort of companionship, to a ‘friends with benefits’ situation, to the beginnings of a real relationship. Despite their very obvious differences, Gio and Theo complement each other well, though of course their path to true love has obstacles to overcome.
But romance is not all Cake at Midnight is about. It’s also about the friendship between Gio, Zoe and Declan and how it has changed over time as they have matured. There is a layer of emotional complexity relating to the family dynamics of Theo, and Declan. It’s also about being true to oneself.
The foodie element of the novel comes from Gio’s love of baking. She works at Pickle, Peach and Plum, an artisanal bakery, as an apprentice pastry chef.
“You’d perhaps think that, working at a bakery, the last thing I’d want to do upon returning home from a gruelling, every-last-swirl-of-ganache-critiqued, constantly-on-my-feet, nine-hour day, was more baking. You’d be wrong.
It was like the difference between reading for school and reading for pleasure. I’d certainly always found during my years of education that the chance to chuck aside a textbook and pick up a recipe book had been a welcome one. That was what home baking was like for me.”
The first cake she bakes for Theo, to both apologise and thank him for rescuing her the night her not-a-date with Declan goes badly, is a Dark Chocolate and Rum Cake. She serves him a two-layer Lemon and Cardamom Cake the first time they kiss. The foodie references and metaphors added to my sweet enjoyment of Cake at Midnight.
Giovanna, Zoë and Declan - the baker, the beauty, and the brains- have been best friends since childhood. Now in their early twenties, they have celebrated one another’s successes, and commiserated with one another during times of heartbreak. For years Gio has nursed a crush on Declan who doesn’t mind taking advantage of her slavish devotion when it suits him, much to the growing disgust of Zoe. And after a disastrous not-a-date Gio realises she has let the situation get out of control, and in order to preserve their friendships, decides to cut Declan out of her life for 30 days. It’s not an easy step for Gio to take, not even cake is enough to dull the hurt, but her new neighbour, the enigmatic Theo, might just be exactly what she needs.
I enjoyed the romance in Cake at Midnight, it develops slowly from an odd sort of companionship, to a ‘friends with benefits’ situation, to the beginnings of a real relationship. Despite their very obvious differences, Gio and Theo complement each other well, though of course their path to true love has obstacles to overcome.
But romance is not all Cake at Midnight is about. It’s also about the friendship between Gio, Zoe and Declan and how it has changed over time as they have matured. There is a layer of emotional complexity relating to the family dynamics of Theo, and Declan. It’s also about being true to oneself.
The foodie element of the novel comes from Gio’s love of baking. She works at Pickle, Peach and Plum, an artisanal bakery, as an apprentice pastry chef.
“You’d perhaps think that, working at a bakery, the last thing I’d want to do upon returning home from a gruelling, every-last-swirl-of-ganache-critiqued, constantly-on-my-feet, nine-hour day, was more baking. You’d be wrong.
It was like the difference between reading for school and reading for pleasure. I’d certainly always found during my years of education that the chance to chuck aside a textbook and pick up a recipe book had been a welcome one. That was what home baking was like for me.”
The first cake she bakes for Theo, to both apologise and thank him for rescuing her the night her not-a-date with Declan goes badly, is a Dark Chocolate and Rum Cake. She serves him a two-layer Lemon and Cardamom Cake the first time they kiss. The foodie references and metaphors added to my sweet enjoyment of Cake at Midnight.
January 17, 2018
It's been a while since I sat down and read a romance novel. I open with that thought because you need to understand why it took me a while to settle in to Cake At Midnight. Expecting a fun and food filled romance, I was instantly smitten with Gio and her glowing personality. However as soon as Declan entered the picture, well, let's just kindly say that I didn't get their connection. This book has a lot more drama than I expected and, while that's not necessarily a bad thing, I felt like it took me a while to really get on board with it.
Before anything else though, let me praise Jessie L. Star for creating such a wonderful character in Gio. Her passion for baking, her deep love for her friends (even when they might not quite deserve it), and her endlessly glowing personality all had me smitten. Gio is the type of main character that we'd all love to be friends with. She's the character who you cry for, cheer for, and yell at all in the same ten minute span. In other words, Gio is a human. I loved her for that.
In the same respect, despite my disdain for Declan, all the other characters feel distinctly human as well. They love, they loathe, they make mistakes, and they forgive. It's no surprise that Theo steals center stage once he's introduced. Starting as the stoic "Nod Next Door", and slowly moving towards someone that Gio genuinely feels for, he was definitely someone that I adored. It's always nice to see a relationship on the page that isn't perfect, and takes real time and work to create. While I didn't agree with all of the choices the characters made in this book, I can say that at least I understood them.
My biggest issue with this story was that it felt slightly too long. The drama that unfolded between Theo and his family, and then between Declan and Theo, started to feel a little forced. That and I'm not sure I was entirely satisfied with Gio's growth by the end of the book. She started as a character who was too willing to let her friend walk all over her, and she ended not too far from where she started. I understand happily ever after endings, I just wish Gio had gained a bit more backbone. I know, it's romance. I'm being nitpicky. Still, I admit that would have made me extremely happy.
Overall, this was a sweet and well-written read. If you're looking for a foodie romance, with realistic characters, add Cake At Midnight to your reading list.
Before anything else though, let me praise Jessie L. Star for creating such a wonderful character in Gio. Her passion for baking, her deep love for her friends (even when they might not quite deserve it), and her endlessly glowing personality all had me smitten. Gio is the type of main character that we'd all love to be friends with. She's the character who you cry for, cheer for, and yell at all in the same ten minute span. In other words, Gio is a human. I loved her for that.
In the same respect, despite my disdain for Declan, all the other characters feel distinctly human as well. They love, they loathe, they make mistakes, and they forgive. It's no surprise that Theo steals center stage once he's introduced. Starting as the stoic "Nod Next Door", and slowly moving towards someone that Gio genuinely feels for, he was definitely someone that I adored. It's always nice to see a relationship on the page that isn't perfect, and takes real time and work to create. While I didn't agree with all of the choices the characters made in this book, I can say that at least I understood them.
My biggest issue with this story was that it felt slightly too long. The drama that unfolded between Theo and his family, and then between Declan and Theo, started to feel a little forced. That and I'm not sure I was entirely satisfied with Gio's growth by the end of the book. She started as a character who was too willing to let her friend walk all over her, and she ended not too far from where she started. I understand happily ever after endings, I just wish Gio had gained a bit more backbone. I know, it's romance. I'm being nitpicky. Still, I admit that would have made me extremely happy.
Overall, this was a sweet and well-written read. If you're looking for a foodie romance, with realistic characters, add Cake At Midnight to your reading list.
December 16, 2021
This book gave me heartburn. But in a good way?
March 4, 2018
This was so good! It felt like a slow build for all that it wasn't, and I liked the decency of the characters. Add in a messy friendship situation, and it was my own brand of catnip. Really hope there are follow up books for Zoe and Declan, if only because I want to see how you make Dec an attractive hero.
I like Aussie romances. I wish there was an easy way to find more of them.
I like Aussie romances. I wish there was an easy way to find more of them.
February 27, 2018
Reviewed for Dear Author. 4.5 stars.
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
January 15, 2018
4.25 stars
About the book: Release Date January 15, 2018
Giovanna, Zoë and Declan have always been a trio - their fierce friendship has seen them through every heartbreak and hardship and helped pave the way to brighter futures. Gio is a passionate baker of cakes, pastries and all things delicious, Zoë a take-no-prisoners beauty, and Declan an ambitious businessman on the way up.
Best friends forever, Gio thinks - until Gio's lifelong crush on Declan is exposed, leaving her humiliated, and Gio realises she needs to cut him loose to get over him once and for all.
Enter Theo, Gio's neighbour ... She's never met anyone like him before. He doesn't talk much, but he's kind, he's sexy, he's generous and he's often awake in the middle of the night, like Gio. Theo has a sweet tooth and a mysterious history and Gio can't seem to stay away.
Thanks to the power of sleepless nights and chocolate cake, Gio thinks she's finally over Declan, but then his whole world turns upside down. Gio knows she can't desert Declan in his time of need, but how can she explain a lifetime of love to Theo?
Letting go of the past isn't so easy when your heart is breaking.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--CAKE AT MIDNIGHT by Jessie L. Star is a stand alone, contemporary, new adult romance story line focusing on Australians twenty-two year old pastry chef Giovanna ‘Gio’ Koppelmann, and twenty seven year old acquisitions and mergers manager Theo McKillop.
Told from first person perspective (Giovanna) and third person (Theo) CAKE AT MIDNIGHT follows the building relationship between new neighbors Giovanna Koppelmann, and Theo McKillop.
Giovanna, Zoe and Declan are lifelong best friends who grew up together on the wrong side of the tracks struggling against abuse, neglect and a history of addiction. Giovanna, for all intents and purposes, has had a crush on Declan O’Connor for most of her life, a crush that will quickly dissolve when their friendship is abused one final time. Enter Theo McKillop, Giovanna’s neighbor and the man with whom our heroine will fall in love. Humiliated and stunned by the man she has known most of her life, Giovanna will welcome Theo’s acceptance of her quirky ideas including a ‘midnight witching hour’ wherein Giovanna finds solace in Theo’s company and home-made cake. What ensues is the building relationship between Theo and Giovanna, and the potential fall out when their time together comes to an end.
CAKE AT MIDNIGHT focuses on friendship and family-the dysfunctional family dynamics not only of Giovanna, Zoe and Declan’s present and past, but that of Theo’s eccentric, well to do, and outrageous family whose behavior is fodder for the socialites, gossip magazines, and paparazzi fanatics. Theo has kept his familial identity a secret for most of his life but workplace jealousy, and bitter family kinetics become the breaking point for a man who is unable to let go of the past. While Giovanna accepts all that is Theo including his unconventional and heart breaking family, Theo will struggle with Gia’s relationship to a man who continues to break her heart. The $ex scenes are limited, passionate but mostly implied.
We are introduced to Giovanna’s best friends Declan O’Connor, and beautician Zoe; Gio’s boss Celeste, and co-worker Maya; as well as Theo’s best friend, and executive assistant Ari; Theo’s parents Philomena and Harvey, and sister Lena Leventis; and Theo’s ex-fiance Vanessa. I am hoping the author has plans for future story lines involving Declan, Zoe, Ari and Lena.
CAKE AT MIDNIGHT has a little bit everything: romance and love; jealousy and betrayal; friendship and family; heart break and acceptance. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are charismatic, realistic and dynamic; the romance is intimate and romantic. Jessie L Star writes an emotional and inspiring story about two people pushed together by circumstance, fate and love.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
About the book: Release Date January 15, 2018
Giovanna, Zoë and Declan have always been a trio - their fierce friendship has seen them through every heartbreak and hardship and helped pave the way to brighter futures. Gio is a passionate baker of cakes, pastries and all things delicious, Zoë a take-no-prisoners beauty, and Declan an ambitious businessman on the way up.
Best friends forever, Gio thinks - until Gio's lifelong crush on Declan is exposed, leaving her humiliated, and Gio realises she needs to cut him loose to get over him once and for all.
Enter Theo, Gio's neighbour ... She's never met anyone like him before. He doesn't talk much, but he's kind, he's sexy, he's generous and he's often awake in the middle of the night, like Gio. Theo has a sweet tooth and a mysterious history and Gio can't seem to stay away.
Thanks to the power of sleepless nights and chocolate cake, Gio thinks she's finally over Declan, but then his whole world turns upside down. Gio knows she can't desert Declan in his time of need, but how can she explain a lifetime of love to Theo?
Letting go of the past isn't so easy when your heart is breaking.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--CAKE AT MIDNIGHT by Jessie L. Star is a stand alone, contemporary, new adult romance story line focusing on Australians twenty-two year old pastry chef Giovanna ‘Gio’ Koppelmann, and twenty seven year old acquisitions and mergers manager Theo McKillop.
Told from first person perspective (Giovanna) and third person (Theo) CAKE AT MIDNIGHT follows the building relationship between new neighbors Giovanna Koppelmann, and Theo McKillop.
Giovanna, Zoe and Declan are lifelong best friends who grew up together on the wrong side of the tracks struggling against abuse, neglect and a history of addiction. Giovanna, for all intents and purposes, has had a crush on Declan O’Connor for most of her life, a crush that will quickly dissolve when their friendship is abused one final time. Enter Theo McKillop, Giovanna’s neighbor and the man with whom our heroine will fall in love. Humiliated and stunned by the man she has known most of her life, Giovanna will welcome Theo’s acceptance of her quirky ideas including a ‘midnight witching hour’ wherein Giovanna finds solace in Theo’s company and home-made cake. What ensues is the building relationship between Theo and Giovanna, and the potential fall out when their time together comes to an end.
CAKE AT MIDNIGHT focuses on friendship and family-the dysfunctional family dynamics not only of Giovanna, Zoe and Declan’s present and past, but that of Theo’s eccentric, well to do, and outrageous family whose behavior is fodder for the socialites, gossip magazines, and paparazzi fanatics. Theo has kept his familial identity a secret for most of his life but workplace jealousy, and bitter family kinetics become the breaking point for a man who is unable to let go of the past. While Giovanna accepts all that is Theo including his unconventional and heart breaking family, Theo will struggle with Gia’s relationship to a man who continues to break her heart. The $ex scenes are limited, passionate but mostly implied.
We are introduced to Giovanna’s best friends Declan O’Connor, and beautician Zoe; Gio’s boss Celeste, and co-worker Maya; as well as Theo’s best friend, and executive assistant Ari; Theo’s parents Philomena and Harvey, and sister Lena Leventis; and Theo’s ex-fiance Vanessa. I am hoping the author has plans for future story lines involving Declan, Zoe, Ari and Lena.
CAKE AT MIDNIGHT has a little bit everything: romance and love; jealousy and betrayal; friendship and family; heart break and acceptance. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are charismatic, realistic and dynamic; the romance is intimate and romantic. Jessie L Star writes an emotional and inspiring story about two people pushed together by circumstance, fate and love.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
November 22, 2017
ARC received from S & S Australia for an honest review
Not going to lie, I sat down and ate a muffin at midday as I read Cake At Midnight.
This is a beautiful story of love, friendship, and moving on.
Gio, Declan and Zoe - Baker, Brains and Beauty - have that kind of friendship that can get through anything. Well, almost.
I adore Gio, all her quirks just make her all the more adorable. I hurt along with her as she tries to move on from her lifelong crush, Dec.
Ugh, Dec. I am not sure if I am supposed to really, really dislike him most of the book, but I did. He is an ar5e, a complete douche to his friend, and I just couldn't with him.
Enter Theo... oh my! I couldn't help but fall for this guy next door, right along with Gio.
It was great to see her spread her wings and take flight.
I laughed, I hurt, I craved cake. In fact now, as I am writing, I am wanting cake. Can someone go get me some cake?
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This is only the second book of Ms Star's that I have read, but it definitely won't be the last. The story flowed, there was such wonderful imagery that I could picture myself sitting with our lovelies.
Ms Star has impressed me with both of her I have read to date, and I can't wait to see what she brings us next.
Not going to lie, I sat down and ate a muffin at midday as I read Cake At Midnight.
This is a beautiful story of love, friendship, and moving on.
Gio, Declan and Zoe - Baker, Brains and Beauty - have that kind of friendship that can get through anything. Well, almost.
I adore Gio, all her quirks just make her all the more adorable. I hurt along with her as she tries to move on from her lifelong crush, Dec.
Ugh, Dec. I am not sure if I am supposed to really, really dislike him most of the book, but I did. He is an ar5e, a complete douche to his friend, and I just couldn't with him.
Enter Theo... oh my! I couldn't help but fall for this guy next door, right along with Gio.
It was great to see her spread her wings and take flight.
I laughed, I hurt, I craved cake. In fact now, as I am writing, I am wanting cake. Can someone go get me some cake?
[image error]
This is only the second book of Ms Star's that I have read, but it definitely won't be the last. The story flowed, there was such wonderful imagery that I could picture myself sitting with our lovelies.
Ms Star has impressed me with both of her I have read to date, and I can't wait to see what she brings us next.
April 21, 2018
This was really sweet. I liked Gio and Theo a lot, how they developed a friendship/bond first before getting together. I liked that times when I was worried about miscommunication causing drama between them, they acted like adults. They were just very adult and mature and lovely together, and I loved how they each were there for one another and supported one another.
I liked Zoe a lot, but I could never get on board with Dec. I get that he was there for Gio when her aunt died and they had been friends for 17 years, but the problem was that I didn't get to experience that myself, so like 95% of what I saw of Dec was him being an asshole to Gio. So it was hard to feel favorable about him and Gio repairing their friendship. And I get that Gio's crush on him clouded her perception of him, but I had a really hard time understanding why Zoe would want to be friends with him when she could see how he was fucking with Gio's head.
Also, Theo's family was terrible, and I really didn't like the bits at the end
Anyways, apart from those quibbles, this was really lovely and enjoyable.
I liked Zoe a lot, but I could never get on board with Dec. I get that he was there for Gio when her aunt died and they had been friends for 17 years, but the problem was that I didn't get to experience that myself, so like 95% of what I saw of Dec was him being an asshole to Gio. So it was hard to feel favorable about him and Gio repairing their friendship. And I get that Gio's crush on him clouded her perception of him, but I had a really hard time understanding why Zoe would want to be friends with him when she could see how he was fucking with Gio's head.
Also, Theo's family was terrible, and I really didn't like the bits at the end
Anyways, apart from those quibbles, this was really lovely and enjoyable.
February 13, 2018
I loved this!
Gio, Zoë and Dec are childhood friends who refer to themselves as Baker, Beauty and Brains. They have a long standing friendship although it was complicated when Gio kissed Dec, who doesn’t return her romantic feelings. In the time since, Dec has been taking advantage of Gio’s feelings for him, resulting in Zoë distancing herself from him. When Dec invites Gio last minute to a work function at his fancy firm, she’s surprised to find someone she kind of knows there.
Gio refers to Theo as “Nod Next Door” – they live in apartments on the same floor and she’s taken to saying hi to him when she sees him, only to receive a nod in reply. Theo rescues Gio when she overhears something humiliating and all of a sudden he’s talking, rather than just nodding and disappearing. Soon they’re spending their nights together (innocently) – Theo works and Gio hangs out on his couch. She’s determined that she get over Declan once and for all and she might’ve found the perfect way to do it.
This was sooo much fun! Gio (short for Giovanna), Zoë and Declan all grew up in a rough neighbourhood and although Gio had a loving home life, Zoë and Dec definitely lacked that. Their childhood bond keeps them tight and even though Zoë and Dec aren’t the closest of friends these days, she’ll still drop everything when he needs her. Gio has been in love with Declan for years and although he doesn’t return her feelings, he does use them in order to get her to do things that he wants, to Zoë’s chagrin. Gio has never really seen it until her feelings are very hurt when she overhears something at Declan’s work party. It makes her see him in a whole new light and she decides that she really does need to move on from this crush. He doesn’t have feelings for her and he never will and she’s wasting her life pining after him when nothing is ever going to happen. Declan has the best of both worlds – women to date and Gio as permanent back up to step in whenever required so she needs to remove that from the equation.
I absolutely loved Gio and Theo together! I liked their early interactions – Gio is friendly and quite bubbly so she always offers a cheerful greeting whereas Theo is more reserved, nodding politely and moving on. As they spend more and more time together, at night in his apartment, you get a better picture of Theo and what has made him the man that he is. Gio is the perfect counterpart, baking sugary treats, providing a down to earth presence in a life that has been filled to the brim with drama. Despite Gio’s angst over Declan, she’s not particularly dramatic and her determination to move on seems to ground her. Weirdly, I never noticed until I began writing this review that Theo and Gio rhyme (I think because in the book he calls her Giovanna all the time). Like their names, they fit together.
I also loved Theo’s backstory, a lot of it was really unexpected. He’s wealthy, with an important job which was expected but the secrets in his family, his employment history were all really nice surprises, helping to construct his character in multiple layers. Gio’s support of him in difficult moments is something he really appreciates and is I think, not used to. Theo’s family are truly quite awful selfish people and it’s sort of both unbelievable and also incredibly unsurprising that he turned out the way he did. I also really appreciated that the book is told two ways – most of the narrative is first person from Gio’s point of view but at the end of each chapter is a brief portion that’s third person from Theo’s perspective which really helps round out the narratives and give the reader a better insight into his thoughts in the early stages.
Basically I just loved this from start to finish. I found Gio really easy to relate to, her crush on Dec and her resolution to get over it – well, who hasn’t been there? I liked Theo, even when he did silly things because I understood why he was doing them and that’s important. And did I mention this book talks about food a lot? Gio is a pastry chef (in training kind of) and she bakes lots of things. She shares a lot of them with Theo and this book made me crave rich chocolate cake so much. Definitely going to be looking out for more from this author in the future.
**A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review
Gio, Zoë and Dec are childhood friends who refer to themselves as Baker, Beauty and Brains. They have a long standing friendship although it was complicated when Gio kissed Dec, who doesn’t return her romantic feelings. In the time since, Dec has been taking advantage of Gio’s feelings for him, resulting in Zoë distancing herself from him. When Dec invites Gio last minute to a work function at his fancy firm, she’s surprised to find someone she kind of knows there.
Gio refers to Theo as “Nod Next Door” – they live in apartments on the same floor and she’s taken to saying hi to him when she sees him, only to receive a nod in reply. Theo rescues Gio when she overhears something humiliating and all of a sudden he’s talking, rather than just nodding and disappearing. Soon they’re spending their nights together (innocently) – Theo works and Gio hangs out on his couch. She’s determined that she get over Declan once and for all and she might’ve found the perfect way to do it.
This was sooo much fun! Gio (short for Giovanna), Zoë and Declan all grew up in a rough neighbourhood and although Gio had a loving home life, Zoë and Dec definitely lacked that. Their childhood bond keeps them tight and even though Zoë and Dec aren’t the closest of friends these days, she’ll still drop everything when he needs her. Gio has been in love with Declan for years and although he doesn’t return her feelings, he does use them in order to get her to do things that he wants, to Zoë’s chagrin. Gio has never really seen it until her feelings are very hurt when she overhears something at Declan’s work party. It makes her see him in a whole new light and she decides that she really does need to move on from this crush. He doesn’t have feelings for her and he never will and she’s wasting her life pining after him when nothing is ever going to happen. Declan has the best of both worlds – women to date and Gio as permanent back up to step in whenever required so she needs to remove that from the equation.
I absolutely loved Gio and Theo together! I liked their early interactions – Gio is friendly and quite bubbly so she always offers a cheerful greeting whereas Theo is more reserved, nodding politely and moving on. As they spend more and more time together, at night in his apartment, you get a better picture of Theo and what has made him the man that he is. Gio is the perfect counterpart, baking sugary treats, providing a down to earth presence in a life that has been filled to the brim with drama. Despite Gio’s angst over Declan, she’s not particularly dramatic and her determination to move on seems to ground her. Weirdly, I never noticed until I began writing this review that Theo and Gio rhyme (I think because in the book he calls her Giovanna all the time). Like their names, they fit together.
I also loved Theo’s backstory, a lot of it was really unexpected. He’s wealthy, with an important job which was expected but the secrets in his family, his employment history were all really nice surprises, helping to construct his character in multiple layers. Gio’s support of him in difficult moments is something he really appreciates and is I think, not used to. Theo’s family are truly quite awful selfish people and it’s sort of both unbelievable and also incredibly unsurprising that he turned out the way he did. I also really appreciated that the book is told two ways – most of the narrative is first person from Gio’s point of view but at the end of each chapter is a brief portion that’s third person from Theo’s perspective which really helps round out the narratives and give the reader a better insight into his thoughts in the early stages.
Basically I just loved this from start to finish. I found Gio really easy to relate to, her crush on Dec and her resolution to get over it – well, who hasn’t been there? I liked Theo, even when he did silly things because I understood why he was doing them and that’s important. And did I mention this book talks about food a lot? Gio is a pastry chef (in training kind of) and she bakes lots of things. She shares a lot of them with Theo and this book made me crave rich chocolate cake so much. Definitely going to be looking out for more from this author in the future.
**A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review
March 19, 2018
#280CharacterReview "A shining example of contemporary #romance that shows the intricacies of friendships, romance, & heartbreak. Jessie L Star writes beautifully & perceptively presenting strong characterisation & great story development" #AusRomToday
January 3, 2018
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Completely impressed with Cake at Midnight by Jessie L. Star! A sweet, charming love triangle sort of relationship revolving around a childhood friendship of Gio, Zoe and Declan, that turns into something more for Gio.
Gio has had a crush on Declan for quite sometime. When the truth comes out her feelings are not reciprocated and she is beyond crushed. Even though her heart is shattered that Declan doesn't feel the same, he continuously takes advantage of her knowing she won’t say no to him. Finally seeing Declan's ways, Gio takes a 30-day no-contact break from him to resolve her feelings. Her friend Zoe is beyond happy that Gio is finally seeing Declan's true behavior and is branching outward. Zoe has always known this and is finally joyful that her friend is finally taking a stance.
Enter the new reclusive neighbor, Theo, whom Gio develops a unorthodox friendship with, as each night both are awake at the “witching hour”. Gio, the wonderful baker that she is, tempts Theo with the most delicious cakes earning his sacred friendship. Their friendship evolves to which both help each other out in ways they both least expect, but feelings and attractions start to arise. As Gio learns more about Theo, she discovers that her feelings for Declan are nothing compared to how she feels about Theo.
Theo has a lot of secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the book. The question is will these two continue on their own paths, or choose to risk it all and become something more.
I was captured with Jessie's illustrated characters with rocking emotions. I was amazed how Theo's character evolved as his friendship with Gio progressed. I was happy to read how Gio's self-esteem increased the longer she spent time with Theo. To me that was empowering! I will note, my favorite character in the book is Zoe. She is independent, has a great attitude and does not put up with anything. I hope the author writes another book starring Zoe.
As the story progresses, an event occurs that proves that friendship overrides everything else. When one of the trio needed the others, they dropped everything to help. I loved how this story shows that friendship overcomes all. I would encourage you to read this book and laugh and cry along with the story like I did.
4 stars
Completely impressed with Cake at Midnight by Jessie L. Star! A sweet, charming love triangle sort of relationship revolving around a childhood friendship of Gio, Zoe and Declan, that turns into something more for Gio.
Gio has had a crush on Declan for quite sometime. When the truth comes out her feelings are not reciprocated and she is beyond crushed. Even though her heart is shattered that Declan doesn't feel the same, he continuously takes advantage of her knowing she won’t say no to him. Finally seeing Declan's ways, Gio takes a 30-day no-contact break from him to resolve her feelings. Her friend Zoe is beyond happy that Gio is finally seeing Declan's true behavior and is branching outward. Zoe has always known this and is finally joyful that her friend is finally taking a stance.
Enter the new reclusive neighbor, Theo, whom Gio develops a unorthodox friendship with, as each night both are awake at the “witching hour”. Gio, the wonderful baker that she is, tempts Theo with the most delicious cakes earning his sacred friendship. Their friendship evolves to which both help each other out in ways they both least expect, but feelings and attractions start to arise. As Gio learns more about Theo, she discovers that her feelings for Declan are nothing compared to how she feels about Theo.
Theo has a lot of secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the book. The question is will these two continue on their own paths, or choose to risk it all and become something more.
I was captured with Jessie's illustrated characters with rocking emotions. I was amazed how Theo's character evolved as his friendship with Gio progressed. I was happy to read how Gio's self-esteem increased the longer she spent time with Theo. To me that was empowering! I will note, my favorite character in the book is Zoe. She is independent, has a great attitude and does not put up with anything. I hope the author writes another book starring Zoe.
As the story progresses, an event occurs that proves that friendship overrides everything else. When one of the trio needed the others, they dropped everything to help. I loved how this story shows that friendship overcomes all. I would encourage you to read this book and laugh and cry along with the story like I did.
4 stars
January 15, 2018
My Review:
Be prepared...this is a long story, and there were times that it was slow reading because of that. But that didn't stop me from falling in love with Gio and Theo. I loved watching their journey to finding the "something" that is missing in each of their lives, but they never even knew it.
Gio has been in love with her best friend for years. But when she overhears him slagging on her at a company party that he invited her to, she's through worshipping him. She gives herself 30 days to get over him.
At that same party, she officially meets Theo...her neighbor who's renowned for just nodding at her instead of speaking to her, but at the party he comes to her rescue to get her out of an uncomfortable situation with Dec. From there they form an unusual friendship...one that forms at midnight when Gio can't sleep. She'll show up at Theo's apartment and reads one of his boring books as he works. This goes on for a while and they begin to form a friendship...one that truly neither one of them ever saw coming.
And as that friendship deepens, they each discover that the other is one of the most underestimated people they know. I loved that!
Gio and Theo are so different, they really work as a couple. He's controlled and restrained. She's messy and refreshingly honest. He's been hurt by pretty much everyone in his life and trusts no one. She is a nurturer and gives her heart to whomever needs it, usually to the detriment of her own well-being.
But within each other, they find the person that completes them. For both of them, they find someone who appreciates their qualities rather taking advantage of them.
There's a lot of story lines going on here...Dec's screwed up life and how that intersects with Gio's inability to stay away from him. Theo's screwed up family and work life where everyone has trampled over him...even though he's darn good at what he does. Gio's friends who are her family, but like family...they don't always treat her the way she should be treated. Then there's the whole complexity of them developing emotions for one another when they agreed that wouldn't happen.
Overall, it was a fantastic read. A tiny bit of lagging in the pacing in the beginning and middle, but the ending made the journey of reading this book well worth it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Be prepared...this is a long story, and there were times that it was slow reading because of that. But that didn't stop me from falling in love with Gio and Theo. I loved watching their journey to finding the "something" that is missing in each of their lives, but they never even knew it.
Gio has been in love with her best friend for years. But when she overhears him slagging on her at a company party that he invited her to, she's through worshipping him. She gives herself 30 days to get over him.
At that same party, she officially meets Theo...her neighbor who's renowned for just nodding at her instead of speaking to her, but at the party he comes to her rescue to get her out of an uncomfortable situation with Dec. From there they form an unusual friendship...one that forms at midnight when Gio can't sleep. She'll show up at Theo's apartment and reads one of his boring books as he works. This goes on for a while and they begin to form a friendship...one that truly neither one of them ever saw coming.
And as that friendship deepens, they each discover that the other is one of the most underestimated people they know. I loved that!
Gio and Theo are so different, they really work as a couple. He's controlled and restrained. She's messy and refreshingly honest. He's been hurt by pretty much everyone in his life and trusts no one. She is a nurturer and gives her heart to whomever needs it, usually to the detriment of her own well-being.
But within each other, they find the person that completes them. For both of them, they find someone who appreciates their qualities rather taking advantage of them.
There's a lot of story lines going on here...Dec's screwed up life and how that intersects with Gio's inability to stay away from him. Theo's screwed up family and work life where everyone has trampled over him...even though he's darn good at what he does. Gio's friends who are her family, but like family...they don't always treat her the way she should be treated. Then there's the whole complexity of them developing emotions for one another when they agreed that wouldn't happen.
Overall, it was a fantastic read. A tiny bit of lagging in the pacing in the beginning and middle, but the ending made the journey of reading this book well worth it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
January 25, 2018
I absolutely loved the book Cake at Midnight by Jessie. L Star, from Pocket Star publishing. As soon as I started reading it, I was obsessed with the storyline. I really enjoyed how Star has written the book.
The storyline follows Gio, a woman in her early 20’s, who has had a crush on a childhood friend Dec for years and years but a spanner is put into the works when she befriends her neighbour Theo. It was refreshing to read both sides of the story, from Gio and Theo, in each chapter.
I found that each of the curve balls in the book made it more interesting to read and harder to put down. I thought the book was relatable and included familiar connections to modern dating expectations, or lack of them, within Australia.
The various relationships represented in the book kept me intrigued while reading, desperately needing to know how it would all pan out in the end. I feel like there was a good mixture of positive/ negative events that happened during the book. Including enough realistic truths to keep the book from trailing off into a gushy romance novel.
I found this book to be a fantastic read and would recommend it to young adults, as the storyline is so relevant and current within today’s society. Very thankful for the opportunity to read this book as part of the beauty and lace book club.
http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
The storyline follows Gio, a woman in her early 20’s, who has had a crush on a childhood friend Dec for years and years but a spanner is put into the works when she befriends her neighbour Theo. It was refreshing to read both sides of the story, from Gio and Theo, in each chapter.
I found that each of the curve balls in the book made it more interesting to read and harder to put down. I thought the book was relatable and included familiar connections to modern dating expectations, or lack of them, within Australia.
The various relationships represented in the book kept me intrigued while reading, desperately needing to know how it would all pan out in the end. I feel like there was a good mixture of positive/ negative events that happened during the book. Including enough realistic truths to keep the book from trailing off into a gushy romance novel.
I found this book to be a fantastic read and would recommend it to young adults, as the storyline is so relevant and current within today’s society. Very thankful for the opportunity to read this book as part of the beauty and lace book club.
http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
February 6, 2018
I enjoyed this book. It was set in Australia which was a nice change from other books I have previously read. There was also a lot more going on than just your typical romance. Gio, Zoe, Dec and Theo have family issues which impact their lives differently.
It helped that I am a art fiend and enjoyed that added element of family dynamics, sculpture and notoriety being included from the art world. The sculptures sound amazing and would be fantastic if real.
Ari was the welcomed assistant come best friend or confidant. Whose light heart quips were added relief.
"Everything's arranged and luckily for you, airlines don't weigh emotional baggage."
Its also been a while since I have had to look up the meaning of a word when reading. Not that couldn't decipher the words meaning from the context but purely because I have a interest in linguistics and enjoy learning new words, phrases etc. Not only did this happen once in the book but a couple of times. I have clearly been reading books with limited vocabulary recently.
It helped that I am a art fiend and enjoyed that added element of family dynamics, sculpture and notoriety being included from the art world. The sculptures sound amazing and would be fantastic if real.
Ari was the welcomed assistant come best friend or confidant. Whose light heart quips were added relief.
"Everything's arranged and luckily for you, airlines don't weigh emotional baggage."
Its also been a while since I have had to look up the meaning of a word when reading. Not that couldn't decipher the words meaning from the context but purely because I have a interest in linguistics and enjoy learning new words, phrases etc. Not only did this happen once in the book but a couple of times. I have clearly been reading books with limited vocabulary recently.
January 24, 2018
I don’t know what I want more after reading Cake at Midnight, cake or to read more from Jessie Star. I absolutely adored this book, and I’m definitely a fan now. I’m already a sucker for a good romance story and this love triangle Giovanna id involved in was the perfect fix. The saying “opposites attract” couldn’t be more true when it comes to Giovanna and Theo. Those two are so very different, yet they complete each other. I also think a lot of people can relate to Giovanna when it comes to crushing on one of your best friends, I know I can. That’s what makes Cake at Midnight so realistic, everyone can relate to something at some point in this book. I’ll admit though that this story definitely exceeded my expectations. While it was a bit laggy in the beginning, the ending and overall story made it worth the read!
February 7, 2018
I loved Cake at Midnight, which I was delighted to receive from Beauty and Lace. It was as delightful as anything I've read recently with a wonderfully rounded theme of friendship and love in the many facets. The way the story evolved was delightful, the characters were real and believable and the ending was beautiful. Nothing was forced, nothing artificial. The bonds binding Gio, Zoe and Declan whose friendship began when they started school were strong enough to hold the friendship together through their teenage years but when Gio admitted her true feelings for Declan and he took advantage of this it was possible their friendship might not survive. Theo, Gio's neighbour is delightful and helps Gio through her crisis, eating cake at midnight with her.
It's a love story on many levels and delights on all those levels. I really enjoyed it.
It's a love story on many levels and delights on all those levels. I really enjoyed it.
May 11, 2019
This book was #9 in the Read Harder Challenge of 2019; which means that at the time it was published, prior to 2019, it had less than 100 Goodreads reviews. I really enjoyed this book!
The characters were vividly portrayed and really likable - all in their own way. It was really a romance story between Gio (Giovanna), Dec, and Theo. Who would win the hand of Gio? Dec (Declan) a long-time friend who Gio had known all her life, or Theo, a very successful businessman, who Gio had just met as a neighbor? Read it to find out. . . . and learn about the witching hour when it's time to eat cake, and how complicated relationships can be.
I will look for more of Jessie Star's novels to read. She has a great way with character descriptions and seems like she is an 'up and coming' novelist!
The characters were vividly portrayed and really likable - all in their own way. It was really a romance story between Gio (Giovanna), Dec, and Theo. Who would win the hand of Gio? Dec (Declan) a long-time friend who Gio had known all her life, or Theo, a very successful businessman, who Gio had just met as a neighbor? Read it to find out. . . . and learn about the witching hour when it's time to eat cake, and how complicated relationships can be.
I will look for more of Jessie Star's novels to read. She has a great way with character descriptions and seems like she is an 'up and coming' novelist!
June 23, 2019
DNF @ 140 pages.
Sorry, the blurb was super appealing but I just could not seem to get into this book.
I felt like the pace just dragged, 140 pages in Gio is still dancing around the idea she might hook up with Theo. I think Ana had banged Mr Grey (who I pictured Theo to be) three times by page 140.
Yeah, Theo was like a really boring Christian Grey.
The story also got very caught up with minor characters that distracted from the big picture too.
This book felt like a chore to read and it was due back at the library a 140 pages in so that's where I left it. I can't even remembered what was happening at page 140.
1 star for books I cannot finish unfortunately. Hope you enjoy this book more than I did.
Unfortunately,
Sorry, the blurb was super appealing but I just could not seem to get into this book.
I felt like the pace just dragged, 140 pages in Gio is still dancing around the idea she might hook up with Theo. I think Ana had banged Mr Grey (who I pictured Theo to be) three times by page 140.
Yeah, Theo was like a really boring Christian Grey.
The story also got very caught up with minor characters that distracted from the big picture too.
This book felt like a chore to read and it was due back at the library a 140 pages in so that's where I left it. I can't even remembered what was happening at page 140.
1 star for books I cannot finish unfortunately. Hope you enjoy this book more than I did.
Unfortunately,
January 11, 2018
Cake at Midnight was one of those books I picked up without any expectations. I've never read anything by Jessie L. Star before, but I like cake and literally all romance novels so I figured it couldn't hurt. I was underestimated this one. Cake at Midnight starts with an unrequited love story but it ends up being about friendship and self-discovery. Plus it's about a taciturn hot neighbor and nothing gets me like quiet hero who has all these feelings boiling just under the surface. Let them out, it's going to be so hot! As the reader, you know that Giovanna and Theo are creating something good together, but you're not really sure how good until the end. I enjoyed this one a lot.
March 31, 2018
There is something so likeable about Giovanna, who is known as Gio to her friends Declan and Zoe. The trio has a strong friendship forged in childhood, and Gio thinks that her crush on Declan is a secret. When she does him a favour and he humiliated her, she knows that she must move on. She wants a month with no contact from him. To ease her heartache during the sleepless nights she bakes delicious cakes and soon she is sharing them with her fellow insomniac and sexy neighbour, Theo.
Can heartbreak heal that fast? But then Declan has a crisis and Gio knows she has to be there for him. Will Theo understand?
I really enjoyed the repartee and smart sexy charcaters
Can heartbreak heal that fast? But then Declan has a crisis and Gio knows she has to be there for him. Will Theo understand?
I really enjoyed the repartee and smart sexy charcaters
June 6, 2018
While Gio has been friends with Declan for a long time, they have the kind of relationship where Gio gives and gives and gives without receiving much in return. When she meets her next door neighbor at a party, they embark on a comfortable friendship where they meet up in the middle of the night when they can't sleep. Eventually, it starts to grow into more and Gio has a difficult time letting go of Declan and accepting what could be the love of her life. I loved this book and would recommend it!
January 15, 2018
An adorable, fun story of opposites attract that had me rooting for Gia until the very end. If you love slow burn romances do not pass this book up! (That was one of the best slow burn romances I have read recently!)
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the ARC!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the ARC!
January 31, 2018
Fantastic book!!!!! Loved it!!!!!
June 7, 2019
(3.5 stars) This was super cute and exactly what I expected. That slow burn romance always hits me in a weird way.
Also, where can I find a best friend like Zoë? Accepting applications.
Also, where can I find a best friend like Zoë? Accepting applications.
August 4, 2020
A gorgeous read by an Aussie writer, with characters you'll like and a story you'll love. Add it to your To-Read pile now.
January 27, 2019
Jessie L . Star is an instant must-buy author for me. Her books are heartfelt romantic comedy's with the perfect mix of humour, misadventure, romance and underlying serious issues that are all balanced expertly making them the perfect kind of books. They are the kind of books that make my heart sing with happiness, laugh out loud in public, and on occasion cry like the fictional characters were real friends of mine... Cake At Midnight is no exception to the above, and it may just be my favourite Jessie L. Star book to date.
At it's essence Cake At Midnight is a book about long lasting friendships and the complications that come with those, falling in and out of love, learning who you are and about growing up to become someone you are not only comfortable with, but are happy to be associated with. It's a story about first and last loves, the strength of friendships and the battles we have to fight sometimes to do not only what is right morally, but right for ourselves; about learning to put your foot down and stand up for yourself. It's a book of courage and hope in a world that many of us are very familiar with.
Gio, Declan and Zoe appear to have that ever lasting tight friendship that every one aspires to have. Friends since they were wee little kids, and having traveled through some of life's biggest hurdles, their friendship appeared unbreakable and strong... until it wasn't. Now in their twenties, the trio have to work out what really matters most to themselves and what compromises they are willing, and able, to make to keep the fault lines in their friendship from tearing them all apart.
Let me start by saying I absolutely adored Gio's character. She is quirky, fun and a little bit of a mess; all of which makes her super relatable in my books. With an undeniable sweet tooth and the coping mechanism of baking to get her through life's tougher moments, it's no surprise that she works in a bakery and I loved the interactions she shared with her brooding neighbour Theo. That said, much like her best friend Zoe, I wanted to scream at her for the way she allowed Declan to treat her.
Declan is meant to be Gio's best friend, but somewhere the lines have been blurred and Gio's unrequited crush on Declan has given him all the ammunition he needs to keep Gio as his back up girl; the one he calls last minute when everyone else falls through. I hated Declan for this, and while Jessie L. Star has worked hard to make sure that his character has a redeeming moment, I don't think I can ever truly forgive this character for how heartless and careless he is with his best friend. In many ways, Declan's friendship with Gio is pure toxic to them both , but will he wake up and see that before he looses his best friend forever?
Theo ... I think it's safe to say that I swooned just as hard as Gio did for Theo. Theo is Gio's brooding, mysterious neighbour that never says anything when she say's hi in the hallways. He is barely even an acquaintance until Gio finds herself unexpectedly at her best friend Declan's work party and who does she bump into, Theo. After getting her out of a tight spot, Theo and Gio become the most unlikely of friends ... ones that meet at midnight for cake of all things. But as time goes on, the pair build up an unshaken bond that test's their new found friendship and puts everything on the line.
In the interest of being honest, I read this book in the early part of 2018, and loved it so much that I've found it incredibly hard to right this review. Sometimes, a book so unexpectedly powerful comes along and truly knocks you around. Cake At Midnight was that book for me. I swooned, and fell madly head over in heels in love with the characters, I laughed at their antics, yelled at some of the characters, and grabbed my book so tightly and cried through chunks of chapters. It held me captivated from the very first page, and still does some eight months after I finished reading it. In many regards, this review can not ever truly express how much this book meant to me, nor does it totally represent the thousands of emotions that Cake At Midnight put me through, or the thousands of reasons I believe you should read it. It is what it is though, a surprising book full of heart and compassion in the most unlikely of places.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf 27.12.18 and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-1tY
At it's essence Cake At Midnight is a book about long lasting friendships and the complications that come with those, falling in and out of love, learning who you are and about growing up to become someone you are not only comfortable with, but are happy to be associated with. It's a story about first and last loves, the strength of friendships and the battles we have to fight sometimes to do not only what is right morally, but right for ourselves; about learning to put your foot down and stand up for yourself. It's a book of courage and hope in a world that many of us are very familiar with.
Gio, Declan and Zoe appear to have that ever lasting tight friendship that every one aspires to have. Friends since they were wee little kids, and having traveled through some of life's biggest hurdles, their friendship appeared unbreakable and strong... until it wasn't. Now in their twenties, the trio have to work out what really matters most to themselves and what compromises they are willing, and able, to make to keep the fault lines in their friendship from tearing them all apart.
Let me start by saying I absolutely adored Gio's character. She is quirky, fun and a little bit of a mess; all of which makes her super relatable in my books. With an undeniable sweet tooth and the coping mechanism of baking to get her through life's tougher moments, it's no surprise that she works in a bakery and I loved the interactions she shared with her brooding neighbour Theo. That said, much like her best friend Zoe, I wanted to scream at her for the way she allowed Declan to treat her.
Declan is meant to be Gio's best friend, but somewhere the lines have been blurred and Gio's unrequited crush on Declan has given him all the ammunition he needs to keep Gio as his back up girl; the one he calls last minute when everyone else falls through. I hated Declan for this, and while Jessie L. Star has worked hard to make sure that his character has a redeeming moment, I don't think I can ever truly forgive this character for how heartless and careless he is with his best friend. In many ways, Declan's friendship with Gio is pure toxic to them both , but will he wake up and see that before he looses his best friend forever?
Theo ... I think it's safe to say that I swooned just as hard as Gio did for Theo. Theo is Gio's brooding, mysterious neighbour that never says anything when she say's hi in the hallways. He is barely even an acquaintance until Gio finds herself unexpectedly at her best friend Declan's work party and who does she bump into, Theo. After getting her out of a tight spot, Theo and Gio become the most unlikely of friends ... ones that meet at midnight for cake of all things. But as time goes on, the pair build up an unshaken bond that test's their new found friendship and puts everything on the line.
In the interest of being honest, I read this book in the early part of 2018, and loved it so much that I've found it incredibly hard to right this review. Sometimes, a book so unexpectedly powerful comes along and truly knocks you around. Cake At Midnight was that book for me. I swooned, and fell madly head over in heels in love with the characters, I laughed at their antics, yelled at some of the characters, and grabbed my book so tightly and cried through chunks of chapters. It held me captivated from the very first page, and still does some eight months after I finished reading it. In many regards, this review can not ever truly express how much this book meant to me, nor does it totally represent the thousands of emotions that Cake At Midnight put me through, or the thousands of reasons I believe you should read it. It is what it is though, a surprising book full of heart and compassion in the most unlikely of places.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf 27.12.18 and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-1tY
![[image error]](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEqs-CmcwaA/WhTcSMzXpCI/AAAAAAAAeII/aOEF0KTk1_ken40NEncss_oYnpBXwrlTQCLcBGAs/s1600/cake%2Byum.gif){kind=link}
January 26, 2018
Really loved this - it was such a sweet book (and no, I'm not just talking cake.) Knocked down a star due to the rushed ending, but otherwise a very lovely read.
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