Cake by J. Bengtsson Series: Cake #1
Published by Self-Published on May 14, 2016
Pages: 611
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Amazon Audible
Jake McKallister might have been a rock star, but he was no ordinary one. Surviving an unspeakable crime as a young teen had shaped him into a guarded workaholic, and he now lived his life trying to forget. If it hadn’t been for music and the redemption he found through it, he might not have survived. Career success came easily for him. Personal connections did not.
When outspoken, vivacious college student Casey Caldwell was paired with the famously reserved rockstar for a friend’s wedding, she was prepared for the worst. What could they possibly have in common? She was a bubbly talker; he was a reclusive loner. His life was filled with music; she couldn’t carry a tune. She’d enjoyed a happy childhood; his was a well-publicized nightmare.
Yet despite their obvious differences, Jake and Casey found each other, and her light balanced out his darkness. Would their love be strong enough to survive the weight of his tragic past?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a *full-length* standalone romance. Cake is a love story at heart but does deal with a sensitive topic and may not be for all. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of eighteen.
Cake is on the longish side, but I still enjoyed it very much. This is one of those rock star romances where you have enough time to get a true sense of what daily life is like for one of the world’s most famous musicians—from glamorous things such as dealing with mega fans and headlining a European tour, to ordinary things like going to family barbeques and shopping at Target.
Cake has an old school romance feel, with much of the story devoted to Jake’s wooing of Casey and the nurturing of their budding relationship. The relationship seems a bit lopsided sometimes since Jake is reluctant to share much of his private life, but fortunately Casey is very patient. Her bubbly nature blends nicely with Jake’s compassionate heart, and I enjoyed their fun and easy rapport.
While there is great chemistry between couple, unlike most other rocker romances I’ve read, you won’t find any heat. There is exactly one bedroom scene, and the wording is so awkward I could have done without it. All other intimate acts are simply alluded to. Frankly, it didn’t bother me once I adjusted my expectations.
There is a darker side to the plot, and I would have appreciated more time spent exploring that. I didn’t understand the negative press angle that is haphazardly tossed in toward the end of the book, but it’s a small hiccup in an otherwise heartwarming love story.
Cake is a standalone; however, I plan to continue reading the series.
Recommended for fans of:
Rock star romances
Weddings
Tormented heroes
Extroverted heroines
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