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Sad Pancakes
One unexpected death. Two strangers bound by grief. And pancakes that taste like letting go. When Grace Little delivers her brother Frankie’s eulogy, the last thing she expects is to lock eyes with a mysterious stranger in the back row. Brooks—the best friend Frankie never mentioned—brings her brother’s treasured bracelet and an invitation for pancakes that changes everything.
As Grace’s life begins to unravel—a sister spiraling into chaos, parents hiding devastating secrets, and her own dangerous methods of coping—Brooks becomes the unlikely anchor she never knew she needed. But behind his quiet strength are battles of his own, wounds that push him away just when Grace needs him most.
Between late-night confessions in a broken-down RV, tense confrontations with the man responsible for Frankie’s death, and family revelations that threaten to shatter her world, Grace discovers healing isn’t linear. It’s messy, complicated, and often tastes like bittersweet pancakes shared with someone who truly understands your pain.
A poignant exploration of grief, unlikely connections, and hope rising from life’s darkest moments, Sad Pancakes reminds us that sometimes the most profound beginnings emerge from endings we never saw coming.
As Grace’s life begins to unravel—a sister spiraling into chaos, parents hiding devastating secrets, and her own dangerous methods of coping—Brooks becomes the unlikely anchor she never knew she needed. But behind his quiet strength are battles of his own, wounds that push him away just when Grace needs him most.
Between late-night confessions in a broken-down RV, tense confrontations with the man responsible for Frankie’s death, and family revelations that threaten to shatter her world, Grace discovers healing isn’t linear. It’s messy, complicated, and often tastes like bittersweet pancakes shared with someone who truly understands your pain.
A poignant exploration of grief, unlikely connections, and hope rising from life’s darkest moments, Sad Pancakes reminds us that sometimes the most profound beginnings emerge from endings we never saw coming.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2020
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hood
47 books360 followersHolly Hood is a prolific romance author who specializes in crafting stories filled with dysfunctional characters, layered drama, and small-town secrets. From paranormal romance to dark mystery suspense, her work fearlessly explores love triangles, supernatural connections, and the complex dynamics of family drama.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, and now residing in Sylvania, Holly began writing as a child to navigate a difficult home life. What started as an emotional outlet through diaries, journals, and play scripts evolved into a passion for storytelling that allows readers to experience raw emotions that might make them "want to punch someone in the face or cry."
With nearly 30 published books to her name, Holly has captivated readers with popular titles including The Ink series, Run, Anonymous, Perfectly Hopeless, Sad Pancakes, Castles, Neighbor, and Even Wilder. Her writing stands out for its unexpected twists, touches of humor and sarcasm, and refreshingly non-traditional endings—she's not afraid to kill a character when the story demands it.
When not writing, Holly embraces her creative spirit through various art forms including drawing, clay work, crochet, painting, and 3D printing. She also enjoys cooking, baking, reality television, and music.
Holly's newest project, The Serpent Series, launches with "When Serpent Sleeps," available on Amazon. Connect with her on TikTok @readhollyhood or Facebook @authorhollyhood to follow her writing journey.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, and now residing in Sylvania, Holly began writing as a child to navigate a difficult home life. What started as an emotional outlet through diaries, journals, and play scripts evolved into a passion for storytelling that allows readers to experience raw emotions that might make them "want to punch someone in the face or cry."
With nearly 30 published books to her name, Holly has captivated readers with popular titles including The Ink series, Run, Anonymous, Perfectly Hopeless, Sad Pancakes, Castles, Neighbor, and Even Wilder. Her writing stands out for its unexpected twists, touches of humor and sarcasm, and refreshingly non-traditional endings—she's not afraid to kill a character when the story demands it.
When not writing, Holly embraces her creative spirit through various art forms including drawing, clay work, crochet, painting, and 3D printing. She also enjoys cooking, baking, reality television, and music.
Holly's newest project, The Serpent Series, launches with "When Serpent Sleeps," available on Amazon. Connect with her on TikTok @readhollyhood or Facebook @authorhollyhood to follow her writing journey.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 3, 2025
Going into Sad Pancakes by Holly Hood, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but just one chapter in, I already knew I liked Brooks.
Grace meets her brother’s best friend, Brooks, at her brother’s memorial service when he gives her a bracelet that once belonged to him. From that moment, there’s a quiet understanding between them that grows into something heartfelt and beautiful. One of the most memorable lines comes from Grace: “Sad pancakes are better than crying alone in my room all night.” That quote perfectly sums up the bittersweet tone of this story.
Even though the book is wrapped in grief, it somehow finds space for hope, healing, and unexpected joy. Grace and Brooks build something genuine in the middle of heartbreak, and I found myself smiling throughout, even when the subject matter was heavy.
If you’re looking for an emotional, comforting read that balances sadness with sincerity, Sad Pancakes is absolutely worth picking up. Grace and Brooks’ story lingers long after the last page.
Grace meets her brother’s best friend, Brooks, at her brother’s memorial service when he gives her a bracelet that once belonged to him. From that moment, there’s a quiet understanding between them that grows into something heartfelt and beautiful. One of the most memorable lines comes from Grace: “Sad pancakes are better than crying alone in my room all night.” That quote perfectly sums up the bittersweet tone of this story.
Even though the book is wrapped in grief, it somehow finds space for hope, healing, and unexpected joy. Grace and Brooks build something genuine in the middle of heartbreak, and I found myself smiling throughout, even when the subject matter was heavy.
If you’re looking for an emotional, comforting read that balances sadness with sincerity, Sad Pancakes is absolutely worth picking up. Grace and Brooks’ story lingers long after the last page.
June 14, 2025
I absolutely enjoyed this read it invoked so many emotions this is a story of going through grief and trying to figure out where you’re life is going to take you after a devastating loss of the person who you felt held you’re world together but she learns that her personal was that to so many people and one shows up to show his respects and it becomes something much more for her if they can just find their way through the grief with each other, home sometimes isnt a place but a person and that the perfect way to describe this book!
September 28, 2025
𝙎𝙖𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙃𝙤𝙤𝙙
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5
🚫🌶️ 0/5
🎧 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 (𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘶𝘴)
🎙️ 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 4 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 & 16 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
Overall it was okay. I feel like it was missing something, but not entirely sure what. I definitely wish it was longer, and we got more of their backstories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5
🚫🌶️ 0/5
🎧 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 (𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘶𝘴)
🎙️ 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 4 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 & 16 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
Overall it was okay. I feel like it was missing something, but not entirely sure what. I definitely wish it was longer, and we got more of their backstories.
October 12, 2021
Even with being a sad book. This was a really good page turner. Grace's story was rough and her story is one you can feel. Brooks story was touching and understandable. I don't want to give too much away. It's a good read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews