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The Cake List
Do Something Brave. Do Something Selfless. Do Something Kind. Break a Never. Stop an Always. Figure out God.“Some people write a bucket list, you know… things they want to do and tick off before they die. Honestly? Dying doesn’t seem half as scary as the big-O birthday that’s hunting me down. So I’ve made my own list. Things I want to do and tick off before I eat that birthday cake. So far, it’s not going too well.”~*~Fresh from a spectacular break-up and faced with a looming big-O birthday, Meg throws her cautious nature aside and signs up for dance classes. Little does she know that Ballroom will stretch more than just her muscles. Between the charming dance instructor and his secrets, her grumpy neighbour and a fish that can’t swim straight, Meg’s list seems doomed from the start.~*~Heart-felt and funny, Meg’s list-crossing quest takes her so far out of her comfort zone, she may never find her way back.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2020
269 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Dianne J. Wilson
24 books85 followersDianne J. Wilson writes across genres including YA Fantasy and Romantic Suspense. Weaving Invisible into words, she explores spiritual truth woven through ordinary life with equal dashes of breathless adventure and tongue-in-cheek humor, all soaked in God's Grace. She writes in stolen moments, usually in the back seat of her tiny car.
Her home is in Makhanda, a South African university town, where she lives with her hubby and three daughters who all take turns at being home. Her love-language is tea and taking long drives to listen to new songs with her girls. When she’s not stuck in her car writing, you can find her feeding all the hungry people in her house who gaze at her expectantly around mealtimes.
Her home is in Makhanda, a South African university town, where she lives with her hubby and three daughters who all take turns at being home. Her love-language is tea and taking long drives to listen to new songs with her girls. When she’s not stuck in her car writing, you can find her feeding all the hungry people in her house who gaze at her expectantly around mealtimes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 13, 2020
Adorable, lighthearted, and funny. This story was a joy to read!
May 10, 2020
Wonderful,
Could not put down this book. Hooke me in from opening sentence and took me for a roller coaster ride from humor to pathos to drama to romance. Brava Ms. Wilson,
Could not put down this book. Hooke me in from opening sentence and took me for a roller coaster ride from humor to pathos to drama to romance. Brava Ms. Wilson,
February 18, 2020
We all have those certain birthdays which make us feel we are getting older than we want to be. Especially when they end in a -0.
Such is the case for Meg. She has written a Cake List. Items she wants to accomplish before the big -0 birthday.
Do Something Brave. Do Something Selfless. Do Something Kind. Break a Never. Stop an Always. Figure out God.
I enjoyed this book as I am facing my own big -0 Birthday. This is a humorous look at Meg’s journey as she works towards scratching out items on her list.
"That was three sentences without a sneeze." "So?" In two steps, he was so close she breathed him in. And sneezed. "Meg Davis, I believe you're allergic to me."
Meg takes up ballroom dancing and other adventures grow from that one decision. I look forward to reading Dianne J. Wilson’s next book.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author. I was not required to post a positive review nor was any compensation exchanged. All opinions are my own.
Such is the case for Meg. She has written a Cake List. Items she wants to accomplish before the big -0 birthday.
Do Something Brave. Do Something Selfless. Do Something Kind. Break a Never. Stop an Always. Figure out God.
I enjoyed this book as I am facing my own big -0 Birthday. This is a humorous look at Meg’s journey as she works towards scratching out items on her list.
"That was three sentences without a sneeze." "So?" In two steps, he was so close she breathed him in. And sneezed. "Meg Davis, I believe you're allergic to me."
Meg takes up ballroom dancing and other adventures grow from that one decision. I look forward to reading Dianne J. Wilson’s next book.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author. I was not required to post a positive review nor was any compensation exchanged. All opinions are my own.
May 23, 2020
Lists—there are some people who make them, and some people who hate them. Meg, now she's one who made one to cross off before her big-O birthday. In her own words “things I want to tick off before I eat that birthday cake”. But so far, it's not going so well.
I'm facing my own big-O birthday this year and I still haven't figured out or done even half the things I envisioned myself doing by this age. Maybe that's the whole point, my life isn't my own, it's in the capable hands of God and I don't have to have it all figured out. I just have to trust He'll lead me & guide me on the path I need to go. That’s my favorite item on her list “figure out God” and one lesson Meg will also eventually learn, she has to go on faith to know the Almighty.
I used to think I had Him all figured out. He was the mean one who set up up to fail. The one who stood by with arms crossed while you floundered. Now...I know He can't be figured out. He's so far beyond what our minds can grasp. But what I do know, is that He's good. Whether it looks like He's bailed on the disaster that is my life, or not—He won't leave. He's altogether too good. Here's the clincher—I will probably never understand what He's up to.
In an effort to “reinvent” herself after an engagement to her lifelong childhood friend, she takes up ballroom dancing and does all kinds of other things she never envisioned herself doing. I liked her a lot, in spite of the pain she went through, she's willing to go out of her comfort zone in so many ways. Her character growth was one I loved watching. In the process, she meets Dominic, her dance instructor. He's driven by the one thing he's passionate about, something called “The Pheonix Project”. I won't spoil it by telling you what it is, that's something you as the reader have the anticipation of finding out. There's also the rest of the dance troupe, each person different, each person lending their own personalities to the mix. This story truly is Meg's journey from the certainty of where her life was going to her world being upended and trying to find a new solid ground. I loved it! I loved every aspect, every twist and turn, every lesson learned, just everything. The humor kept me in stitches and made for a lighthearted read, there are some extremely funny parts I found myself chuckling at. I also found some of my own things to ponder because of the way the author wrote the book, and made the whole story relevant to myself. There just isn't anything I honestly don't like about The Cake List , I think anyone who reads this will enjoy it too. It's a funny, lighthearted mix of real life!
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and wasn't obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
I'm facing my own big-O birthday this year and I still haven't figured out or done even half the things I envisioned myself doing by this age. Maybe that's the whole point, my life isn't my own, it's in the capable hands of God and I don't have to have it all figured out. I just have to trust He'll lead me & guide me on the path I need to go. That’s my favorite item on her list “figure out God” and one lesson Meg will also eventually learn, she has to go on faith to know the Almighty.
I used to think I had Him all figured out. He was the mean one who set up up to fail. The one who stood by with arms crossed while you floundered. Now...I know He can't be figured out. He's so far beyond what our minds can grasp. But what I do know, is that He's good. Whether it looks like He's bailed on the disaster that is my life, or not—He won't leave. He's altogether too good. Here's the clincher—I will probably never understand what He's up to.
In an effort to “reinvent” herself after an engagement to her lifelong childhood friend, she takes up ballroom dancing and does all kinds of other things she never envisioned herself doing. I liked her a lot, in spite of the pain she went through, she's willing to go out of her comfort zone in so many ways. Her character growth was one I loved watching. In the process, she meets Dominic, her dance instructor. He's driven by the one thing he's passionate about, something called “The Pheonix Project”. I won't spoil it by telling you what it is, that's something you as the reader have the anticipation of finding out. There's also the rest of the dance troupe, each person different, each person lending their own personalities to the mix. This story truly is Meg's journey from the certainty of where her life was going to her world being upended and trying to find a new solid ground. I loved it! I loved every aspect, every twist and turn, every lesson learned, just everything. The humor kept me in stitches and made for a lighthearted read, there are some extremely funny parts I found myself chuckling at. I also found some of my own things to ponder because of the way the author wrote the book, and made the whole story relevant to myself. There just isn't anything I honestly don't like about The Cake List , I think anyone who reads this will enjoy it too. It's a funny, lighthearted mix of real life!
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and wasn't obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
May 17, 2020
The Cake List
A very throughly entertaining book. Meg, who we are introduced to early in the storyline, has many quirks and foiables plaguing her life. So strong is her desire to change her life, that she makes a list of things she wants to accomplish before an upcoming milestone birthday. Thus begins a series of adventures, mysteries, and ultimately challenges outside her comfort zone to remake herself into the woman she wishes to be with an occasional peptalk in her mind from the Maker!
A very throughly entertaining book. Meg, who we are introduced to early in the storyline, has many quirks and foiables plaguing her life. So strong is her desire to change her life, that she makes a list of things she wants to accomplish before an upcoming milestone birthday. Thus begins a series of adventures, mysteries, and ultimately challenges outside her comfort zone to remake herself into the woman she wishes to be with an occasional peptalk in her mind from the Maker!
February 9, 2021
Loved this book with it's very unusual "bucket list" before the big-O birthday! Wouldn't we all like to "Figure out God"?! I really enjoy Christian Fiction stories and having a little mystery makes it even better. Happy I found this new author to read. I liked it so much that I've moved on to read The Never List. I really think I'm going to like it as well.
August 27, 2023
I thought the premise for this book was interesting, so I kept reading through the somewhat choppy writing. I liked the two main characters and was rooting for them individually and together. However, they both kept making assumptions about each other and never having a simple conversation that would have cleared things up! (That's a plot device that personally drives me crazy.) The main character was searching for God in the story, and in the end she found Him yet couldn't fully grasp Him, which was a good point to make about God. However, there wasn't a clear explanation of the gospel or how to have a relationship with God through Jesus, which was disappointing. I did finish the book, but it could have been a better story with smoother writing, some different plot devices, and more clarity on the character's spiritual journey.
March 11, 2020
Delightful
This book delighted my soul. The story line brought joy to my heart. Such a tender message. I loved this book.
This book delighted my soul. The story line brought joy to my heart. Such a tender message. I loved this book.
May 14, 2020
This was a really fun, happy story. Sweet romance developed. Challenges me to try to step out of my comfort zone more. To be brave.
May 18, 2020
Great read as we're home during pandemic.
This is a fun read, light and funny with lots of dancing. I'd recommend it. Could easily picture each of characters.
This is a fun read, light and funny with lots of dancing. I'd recommend it. Could easily picture each of characters.
July 12, 2020
Absolutely wonderful
Great book. Well written and kept my interest. The plot was unexpected & fun. I really enjoyed reading along as Meg discovered herself.
Great book. Well written and kept my interest. The plot was unexpected & fun. I really enjoyed reading along as Meg discovered herself.
January 6, 2021
Loved it!
September 17, 2023
The Cake List is the first book I have read by Dianne J. Wilson, but it will not be the last.
Meg aimed her feet into the satin shoes and realized two things: you can get a muffin top on your feet, and breaking off an engagement makes your feet fat.
The first line immediately drew me in and made me laugh. Not that a broken engagement is funny, but the sentiment behind it is. Meg realized that somewhere along the way, she had lost herself. The Cake List is a story of self-discovery for Meg. Her character growth is exceptionally well-written.
I liked Dom, but I did not like that he kept so many secrets. I don't like the miscommunication trope, and this is full of it. It got old after a while, but I wanted to see how the story unfolded. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Meg aimed her feet into the satin shoes and realized two things: you can get a muffin top on your feet, and breaking off an engagement makes your feet fat.
The first line immediately drew me in and made me laugh. Not that a broken engagement is funny, but the sentiment behind it is. Meg realized that somewhere along the way, she had lost herself. The Cake List is a story of self-discovery for Meg. Her character growth is exceptionally well-written.
I liked Dom, but I did not like that he kept so many secrets. I don't like the miscommunication trope, and this is full of it. It got old after a while, but I wanted to see how the story unfolded. Overall, an enjoyable read.
March 7, 2020
This wonderful story is about not settling for anything but the best God has to offer. About when we look beyond ourselves and do for someone else that we are blessed in the process. Don't stay in your comfort zone, try something new as you might surprise yourself. Never put God in a box. His ways are not our ways. Sometimes He uses someone else to accomplish what we were trying to accomplish. If you seek after His was you will never be sorry. Enjoy this amazing story of self discovery with delightful characters by a wonderful author, Dionne J. Wilson.
I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
January 5, 2021
Cute, sweet
I love the characters! I feel for Meg because I understand about being stuck in a place and feeling like there is no where to go. I was impressed that she broke off her engagement with a vague idea of why. Also, I understand about her List. I just wish she and Dom communicated better. I had to put this down a few times and come back to reading it so I could think about the whole situation. They really didn't trust each other.
I love the characters! I feel for Meg because I understand about being stuck in a place and feeling like there is no where to go. I was impressed that she broke off her engagement with a vague idea of why. Also, I understand about her List. I just wish she and Dom communicated better. I had to put this down a few times and come back to reading it so I could think about the whole situation. They really didn't trust each other.
November 15, 2020
Meg is approaching a big-0 birthday, and makes a list of things she wants to do before the day. They all mean she has to step out of her comfort zone, starting with breaking up with her fiancé. She does new things, makes new friends, and really changes her life. A very good book, with both laughter and tears.
January 9, 2021
Loved this book!
I loved this book. It had enough romance to entice you, but not too much that it was the only storyline. I lived how all the characters mesh and work through their differences. The author does a great job of weaving God into her storyline without it being in your face. There were multiple lines from this story that I will remember and take to heart.
I loved this book. It had enough romance to entice you, but not too much that it was the only storyline. I lived how all the characters mesh and work through their differences. The author does a great job of weaving God into her storyline without it being in your face. There were multiple lines from this story that I will remember and take to heart.
January 10, 2021
Such Fun & God’s Goodness
I absolutely loved this story. In the midst of a pandemic and life’s other hardships, this was a book showing God’s light, His presence and power even when it seems far away. I loved each character as they came to life off the pages and into my circle. I NEEDED this story right now! Be brave. Be selfless. Have fun. Trust our mighty God.
I absolutely loved this story. In the midst of a pandemic and life’s other hardships, this was a book showing God’s light, His presence and power even when it seems far away. I loved each character as they came to life off the pages and into my circle. I NEEDED this story right now! Be brave. Be selfless. Have fun. Trust our mighty God.
May 17, 2020
A fun, interesting book
I've never read a book quite like this before and none by this author. It was a very pleasant surprise! Full of small twists and turns that kept it very interesting as well as a few laughs and a couple tears! What a good book!
I've never read a book quite like this before and none by this author. It was a very pleasant surprise! Full of small twists and turns that kept it very interesting as well as a few laughs and a couple tears! What a good book!
June 24, 2020
Sweet story
The Cake List is a clean Christian romance about a woman with a list she wants to fulfill before her 30th birthday. It is full of lovable characters and surprising twists.
The Cake List is a clean Christian romance about a woman with a list she wants to fulfill before her 30th birthday. It is full of lovable characters and surprising twists.
October 16, 2020
Five stars!!!!
Wonderfully written book! The author introduces the characters one at a time and then merges their lives to make them seem !one family. Caring plot and God's plan abound. Excellent!
Wonderfully written book! The author introduces the characters one at a time and then merges their lives to make them seem !one family. Caring plot and God's plan abound. Excellent!
July 3, 2024
How much tea can a person drink??
May 17, 2024
I liked the idea of this book. The writing was choppy and not my favorite style.
June 30, 2023
Since they were 4 and 5 respectively, Meg and Chad has been joined at the hip. Chad's baby sister had drowned and he was too young to help her. They went through school together as best friends, and this sort of led to an engagement and pending nuptials.
Except they had a fight and broke up. And thus, Meg went to their first dance lesson for their wedding alone, and met Dominic.
Dominic was trying to get together a 5 person precision ballroom dancing team, and Meg and Chad were his only hope for a 5th couple. But Dom wins Meg over, and as her partner, they manage the routine.
But in the contest preliminaries, Gina faints, her partner falls because of it, breaks his kneecap, and even though, due to the nature of their inability to complete their dance, they are reconsidered anad allowed to try again, there is no way for a man to dance in a casted leg, and a broken kneecap can cause a lot of issues even if it's not stressed. Then Dom finds out there is a category in which they might be able to compete, and Talia comes up with a basic routine, which Meg "translates" enough for the rest to pick up on it.
Meanwhile, Meg is trying to check off items from a list before her big-0 birthday. From a couple of trips she makes with Dom, she gets some ideas.
Meanwhile, Chad is being obnoxious in demanding Meg "come to her senses" and go back to him befire she runs out of chances. Finally, she finds a way to get through to him.
Laboring under a heap of misconceptions about Dom, Meg wavers between distrust and trust, like and dislike, and worse, until she finally finds out she has been laboring under false pretexts.
So, will Meg go with Dom, or stay single? Will Chad find someone else? What is Project Phoenix? And who sings sometimes in the evening in her buidling? What will she do for her Big-0 birthday? And can she check the items off her list?
Except they had a fight and broke up. And thus, Meg went to their first dance lesson for their wedding alone, and met Dominic.
Dominic was trying to get together a 5 person precision ballroom dancing team, and Meg and Chad were his only hope for a 5th couple. But Dom wins Meg over, and as her partner, they manage the routine.
But in the contest preliminaries, Gina faints, her partner falls because of it, breaks his kneecap, and even though, due to the nature of their inability to complete their dance, they are reconsidered anad allowed to try again, there is no way for a man to dance in a casted leg, and a broken kneecap can cause a lot of issues even if it's not stressed. Then Dom finds out there is a category in which they might be able to compete, and Talia comes up with a basic routine, which Meg "translates" enough for the rest to pick up on it.
Meanwhile, Meg is trying to check off items from a list before her big-0 birthday. From a couple of trips she makes with Dom, she gets some ideas.
Meanwhile, Chad is being obnoxious in demanding Meg "come to her senses" and go back to him befire she runs out of chances. Finally, she finds a way to get through to him.
Laboring under a heap of misconceptions about Dom, Meg wavers between distrust and trust, like and dislike, and worse, until she finally finds out she has been laboring under false pretexts.
So, will Meg go with Dom, or stay single? Will Chad find someone else? What is Project Phoenix? And who sings sometimes in the evening in her buidling? What will she do for her Big-0 birthday? And can she check the items off her list?
June 19, 2024
This love story us fast paced with plenty of smile and giggle moments. If you are looking for something fun, fluffy, with underlining hints of deeper meaning this story is for you.
I personally have a few reservations. The narrative jumps alot of seen brakes aplenty. I often found the seens cut off before they truly got going or before they felt done. But the style does read fast, so if you like fast it wont bother you. There was alot going on in the story almost to ketch and maybe that is why it jumped around a lot. I wanted to be allowed to get to.know the characters more.but even though they both felt reel they didn't feel always feel deep.
The story deals with faith. The main love interest is a Christian and the leading lady wants to understand God. There were a few good moments at the end that included light bulb moments for the characters but nothing got very deep and it didnt feel like the leading lady truly 'got it'.
So all.in all there where some holes.for me but there where also some good smiles and giggles along the way. A good light read.
I personally have a few reservations. The narrative jumps alot of seen brakes aplenty. I often found the seens cut off before they truly got going or before they felt done. But the style does read fast, so if you like fast it wont bother you. There was alot going on in the story almost to ketch and maybe that is why it jumped around a lot. I wanted to be allowed to get to.know the characters more.but even though they both felt reel they didn't feel always feel deep.
The story deals with faith. The main love interest is a Christian and the leading lady wants to understand God. There were a few good moments at the end that included light bulb moments for the characters but nothing got very deep and it didnt feel like the leading lady truly 'got it'.
So all.in all there where some holes.for me but there where also some good smiles and giggles along the way. A good light read.
February 12, 2024
The Cake List by Dianne J. Wilson is a feel-good contemporary Christian romp than will leave you in stitches from laughter. The story features Meg, a woman no the edge of her Big-O birthday with a vow to complete a bucket-list style of obligations before eating her birthday cake, and Dominic, a dance instructor with a list of secrets.
This book made me laugh out loud! Wilson has a brilliant writing style that is cheeky and fun, and although the story is set in London and has its turns of phrase, its not overly British-feeling, making it a pretty easy read for Americans. The comedy of errors throughout the story kept me turning the pages until I finally released a relieved breath at the end. This definitely qualifies as a page-turner!
Proofreading perspective: There was only one extra comma I noticed, and Chapter Thirty-Seven and a few afterward started chapter and section titles, but other than those minor errors, the book is perfectly polished. I give this book five stars!
This book made me laugh out loud! Wilson has a brilliant writing style that is cheeky and fun, and although the story is set in London and has its turns of phrase, its not overly British-feeling, making it a pretty easy read for Americans. The comedy of errors throughout the story kept me turning the pages until I finally released a relieved breath at the end. This definitely qualifies as a page-turner!
Proofreading perspective: There was only one extra comma I noticed, and Chapter Thirty-Seven and a few afterward started chapter and section titles, but other than those minor errors, the book is perfectly polished. I give this book five stars!
September 21, 2023
Cute and Heartwarming
It was a good read for a Kindle book before bed. Meg has broken up with her longtime boyfriend and is trying to find herself again. To step outside her box, she goes ballroom dancing and quickly falls into a group of friends and a rather handsome teacher.
It was adorable and Heartwarming if you take it all at face value. There was much, much more the author could have gone into. Such as: giving more details about Meg's former relationship with Chad! He seemed very controlling and for a while it seemed the author was going to go down that path, but we never quite get there.
Another big one: the List itself! Why was it called the cake list? What were the motivations and emotions behind creating the list? And ..can we SEE the list??
So much is left out or unfinished, but again, it's a cute, soft read before bedtime
It was a good read for a Kindle book before bed. Meg has broken up with her longtime boyfriend and is trying to find herself again. To step outside her box, she goes ballroom dancing and quickly falls into a group of friends and a rather handsome teacher.
It was adorable and Heartwarming if you take it all at face value. There was much, much more the author could have gone into. Such as: giving more details about Meg's former relationship with Chad! He seemed very controlling and for a while it seemed the author was going to go down that path, but we never quite get there.
Another big one: the List itself! Why was it called the cake list? What were the motivations and emotions behind creating the list? And ..can we SEE the list??
So much is left out or unfinished, but again, it's a cute, soft read before bedtime
August 30, 2021
After having broken up her engagement, Meg tried to find who she was without Chad, her former fiancé…
This is the second book I read from Dianne Wilson. Honestly, I found the first book too preachy and was not even sure I would read this one to the end if it was written similarly. But since I had it already, I decided to give it a chance and discovered I liked and enjoyed the story. Meg, the main character, is quite endearing in her quest of who she is, what she is able or likes to do. Her search of God is genuine and simple. Enjoy this book as you accompany Meg on her journey of discoveries.
This is the second book I read from Dianne Wilson. Honestly, I found the first book too preachy and was not even sure I would read this one to the end if it was written similarly. But since I had it already, I decided to give it a chance and discovered I liked and enjoyed the story. Meg, the main character, is quite endearing in her quest of who she is, what she is able or likes to do. Her search of God is genuine and simple. Enjoy this book as you accompany Meg on her journey of discoveries.
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February 25, 2022Sadly I was disappointed. I like the premise so there was great potential here, but unfortunately this book contains one of my major pet peeves- the h and H make tons of unfounded assumptions and that comprises the conflict. It maybe could have worked if there had been more legitimate reasons for them to have misunderstandings and maybe they wouldn’t have irritated me so much if they hadn’t been so stubbornly clinging to the assumptions that didn’t make much sense in the first place.
I feel bad writing something critical, but the characters really frustrated me. I did like the idea and the theme and the encouragement the story seemed meant to convey.
I feel bad writing something critical, but the characters really frustrated me. I did like the idea and the theme and the encouragement the story seemed meant to convey.
July 6, 2023
It was ok
I only gave it a 3 because the storyline was pretty good, otherwise it would've gotten a 2 star. I did not enjoy how this book was written. Just as it started getting good, it would jump to something else. There were a lot of different storylines that were pretty drawn out and unnecessary. I had a hard time finishing it when I usually can't put a book down once I start it.
I only gave it a 3 because the storyline was pretty good, otherwise it would've gotten a 2 star. I did not enjoy how this book was written. Just as it started getting good, it would jump to something else. There were a lot of different storylines that were pretty drawn out and unnecessary. I had a hard time finishing it when I usually can't put a book down once I start it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews