Jake McKallister may have been a rockstar but he was no ordinary one. Surviving an unspeakable crime as a young teen had shaped him into the guarded workaholic he was today. He 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, … 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 would 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 lived a happy childhood. His was a well-publicized nightmare.
Yet, despite their obvious differences, Jake and Casey found each other and it was as if her light balanced out his darkness. Would their love be strong enough to survive the weight of his tragic past?
In response to reader feedback, this novel was professionally re-edited as of June 28th, 2016
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First time listening to a book by this author and it definitely will not be my last as I plan to work my way through this series. I loved Casey and Jake from the moment they met! I could not get enough of them and their instant connection and slow burn journey. This story has a good balance of sweet romance, steamy goodness, mild drama and emotional scenes.
Andi and Joe did such an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Both performing with such great humor and even emotion during some tough scenes. Always a pleasure listening to them.
Absolutely beautiful! A warm and fuzzy love story that is at the same time heart wrenching and delicate. Casey and Jake are two young and lovable characters that deal with the roller coaster ride that is love, family, and their hopes and dreams while overcoming the past. An amazing book that touched on real and sensitive issues. I definitely will be reading the rest in the series.
I am at a loss for how to word this review. I was thinking this was going to be a typical rock star romance with trashy girls, misunderstandings and cheating while away on tour. I was so wrong. This is a love story…but not just a love story. It is about overcoming tragedy, finding a soulmate and finding a reason behind all of the crap from your past. Jake not only is a rock star but has survived vicious abuse at the hands of a serial killer. Casey has led the life of a college student not sure what the future held. But meeting each other as part of a wedding party knocks them both for a loop and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Simply remarkable story that had me on pins and needles from the opening pages and was a joy to read. This is one I will re-read again and again.
A poignant, beautiful, and humorous story about unconditional love. Jake and Casey are perfectly matched. I am so glad that Cake was recommended to me. Everything about this series is touching, realistic, swoon worthy, and entertaining. I am absolutely in love.
One of the best books I’ve ever read!
This was a free audiobook download that had crossed my path, and I had no idea what to expect with never hearing about the book or author prior. OMG… what an absolutely amazing surprise! I freaking LOVED this book! First of all… it has a rockstar so cue the swooning. But what I loved most about the book was the chemistry of the characters. Jake, the loner rockstar with a dark past, and Casey, the quirky and witty college student, complete opposites on paper but when an awkward icebreaker turns into the beginning of an undeniable attraction, these two give us the perfect up and down twists to a blossoming relationship. And even though Jake’s dark past entwines within the romance, the humor throughout the book has just the right amount of balance to give this romance a multi-dimensional feel. The narration was spot on and truly let the personalities of the characters shine, where I found myself lost in the words and wanting to be part of these characters’ lives.
I loved this story so much as an eBook. I loved it even more as an audio book. This narration was awesome!
Cake: A Love Story, J. Bengtsson’s debut novel, is a slow burn, new adult, rockstar romance told in dual POV. It follows the relationship between a college student and a famous rock star who meet at a wedding and instantly hit it off.
I fell in love with both characters right away. Beautiful accounting major, Casey, has a quirky, nerdy, honest, no-nonsense personality that is just so much fun. Sexy rock star, Jake, comes across as broody, aloof and untouchable to the public but he’s really down-to-earth and genuine. Due to a horrific event in his past, he doesn’t trust easily and keeps most people at arm’s length.
Casey and Jake meet when they are paired to walk together in the wedding of Jake’s brother, Mitch, to Casey’s friend, Kate. In an attempt to alleviate the awkwardness she feels in their initial meeting, Casey plays a joke on Jake. It breaks the ice and lowers his guard. They have a great time together and form a real connection that neither is ready to give up when the weekend ends. We watch their relationship progress as they keep in touch by phone, facetime, and while Casey visits Jake on tour.
I really enjoyed this book. Although it wasn’t perfect, I’m giving it 5 stars because I was so invested in the characters and their story that any errors I may have encountered barely affect me. I was so eager to know what happened next that it was easy to brush them aside and jump back into the story. Jake and Casey were well-developed characters with fantastic chemistry. I felt their love story unfolded in a very natural, realistic, and believable way. The dialogue was quick-witted and fun. The story was emotional, heartfelt, funny, and so sweet. I loved it!
I absolutely adored everything about this book!!
Quirky heroine… Sexy, broken Rock Star… scorching chemistry.
Excellent writing filled with plenty of passion, steam, and humor. Amazing secondary characters as well! I couldn’t wait to finish this, yet I didn’t want it to end.
I need more from this author!
Can’t wait to read book 2!
*The audio book of this was really good! Narrators did a fantastic job!
My new favorite author. This booked grabbed my attention on the first page. I enjoy the humor and her writing style. I laughed out loud and shed a tear or two. I loved the character development. I couldn’t put it down. When I finished the book, I immediately read the rest of the books in the series and can’t wait for the newest book to be released!
cannot recommend this book more. Bengtsson has a new #1 fan!
A wonderful story
I try to read at least one book by each author attending an author signing. I will admit I had never heard of J. Bengtsson before it was announced that she would be signing. What rock had I been hiding under? This book had so much that sucked me in. I found myself addicted to the characters, to the story. Now I face a major conundrum, to read the rest in this series or continue with the attending list. I must feed my addiction. Book two here I come!!!!!
This is a sweet book about a rock star and a regular girl (one of my fav tropes).
Wow! Well written, this book is a story of love, pain, laughter, fear and ultimately hope. I completely fell in love with Jake and Casey and can’t wait to read Kyle’s story. 5+ Stars!
Jake was a famous rock start attending his brother wedding.. he had a rough life when he was a kid, he suffered from something really bad, that has been hunting him all his life.. his family has been by his side but still nothing seems to get rid of that awful memories.. but after his brother wedding his life is about to change..
Casey was an accountant, a regular girl attending her friends wedding, she didn’t have any expectations, she was the girl that would think nobody would see her.. but everything change that day, when she meets someone who will change her life forever.. someone who will see her from who she is.. she is funny, strong and stands up to whom ever doubt about her..
Jake is a nice guy, successful with a great career.. his life was about sleeping with women but never getting intimate with .. he couldn’t expect more than just the regular encounter.. his mind was plagued with bad memories and a bad past that keeps coming in whenever he least expected..
Casey didn’t have much experience with guys, her last boyfriend was not that good. but she is ready to stand up for the man she loves.. nothing and no-one will ever hurt him again..
This was my first book By J. Bengsston.. i kept seeing people recommending the audiobook.. and i’m glad i pick up up.. a good story, so many great characters.. Jakes family was amazing, his mom, his brother, all of them, a very strong support system for Jake .. specially when his life is crumbling all around..
I can’t wait to continue reading this amazing series..
Love this book! Such a good read. Characters were really well created and the book did not have mistakes in the story line. Sometimes that’s hard to come by.
Very entertaining series.
Absolutely loved this book!!! Well worth the read!!! Casey was such and independent, funny, loving, and down to earth girl!! And Jake…. I just fell in love with him!!! I’m
Looking forward to reading more with these characters!!
Loved this book. Will probably re-read and look for more from this author…