Cake Series by J. Bengtsson

Jake McKallister was famous for more than just being a rockstar. When he was thirteen-years-old, he would survive a crime so brutal and so harrowing that his name would forever be linked to tragedy. And, although he had managed to put the horrors of his youth behind him in order to find success as a musician, the memories of his past still haunted him... moreJake McKallister was famous for more than just being a rockstar. When he was thirteen-years-old, he would survive a crime so brutal and so harrowing that his name would forever be linked to tragedy. And, although he had managed to put the horrors of his youth behind him in order to find success as a musician, the memories of his past still haunted him. When spirited college student, Casey Caldwell, was paired at a friend’s wedding with brooding rockstar, Jake McKallister, she was prepared for the worst. It wasn’t just that Jake was a famous, gorgeous rockstar that freaked her out. It was that they had absolutely nothing in common. She was a bubbly talker. He was a reserved loner. His life was filled with music. She couldn’t even carry a tune. She lived a happy childhood. His was a well-publicized nightmare. Yet, despite their differences, sparks flew. Casey was surprised to discover that the notoriously private rockstar was actually a charming, supercool guy. She was instantly smitten. Jake never thought he had the capacity to fall in love, so he never bothered trying. Quick, impersonal romps were the extent of his love life. Then he met Casey and, unexpectedly, he wanted more. But Jake had secrets…ones that threatened to bury their budding relationship under layers of debris. Would their love be strong enough to survive the weight of his tragic past? less

Twenty-two-year-old Kyle McKallister has lived his life in the shadows. Younger brother to one of the world’s most elusive and embattled celebrities, Kyle has carved out a comfortable existence touring with his famous brother and living in the lap of luxury with no commitments or plans of his own, only a deep, haunting loyalty to his brother. But his life is about to be shaken up when the opportunity comes to compete on a popular reality show... moreTwenty-two-year-old Kyle McKallister has lived his life in the shadows. Younger brother to one of the world’s most elusive and embattled celebrities, Kyle has carved out a comfortable existence touring with his famous brother and living in the lap of luxury with no commitments or plans of his own, only a deep, haunting loyalty to his brother. But his life is about to be shaken up when the opportunity comes to compete on a popular reality show. Small town girl Kenzie Williams has come on the show for one thing only: to win. But when a disastrous start forces her to rely on an eclectic band of misfits, she finds herself immediately smitten with a handsome and mysterious cast mate. But life on the island is just a game. Can Kyle and Kenzie’s fragile spark survive the pressures of the real world? less

Emma, older sister of renowned rock star Jake McKallister, has crafted a quiet existence for herself. Fiercely independent, scorned at work, and indifferent to relationships, she’s spent the past decade trying to move on from the crime that shook her family to the core. Living by a promise she made to herself as a distraught sixteen-year-old, Emma has sworn off marriage and children… until a chance encounter with a scruffy hitchhiker throws her orderly world into chaos... moreEmma, older sister of renowned rock star Jake McKallister, has crafted a quiet existence for herself. Fiercely independent, scorned at work, and indifferent to relationships, she’s spent the past decade trying to move on from the crime that shook her family to the core. Living by a promise she made to herself as a distraught sixteen-year-old, Emma has sworn off marriage and children… until a chance encounter with a scruffy hitchhiker throws her orderly world into chaos. A wild child raised in mayhem by a teenage mother, fearless Finn Perry cruises through life as the perennial nice guy. Now a struggling actor, he supports himself by performing daredevil stunts. At a crossroads in his life, one thing has always remained constant in his world: Finn’s desire to start the family he never had. The mystery woman who rescues him from the side of the road sure seems like the perfect person for the job. But unfinished business from Emma’s troubled past looms heavy, threatening to destroy the fledging love she’s found with the only man to ever jump-start her wounded heart. less

You thought their story was over… but a love like theirs has no end. Fate doesn’t own Jake McKallister. At least, that’s what he tells himself. Life is better than ever. He’s at the top of his game, performing to sold-out crowds the world over. He has his health and a solid, fun-loving family to keep him grounded. And he got the girl - the beautiful, quirky girl he’s just made his wife. Yes, life is good. If only fate would stop screaming in his ear... moreYou thought their story was over… but a love like theirs has no end. Fate doesn’t own Jake McKallister. At least, that’s what he tells himself. Life is better than ever. He’s at the top of his game, performing to sold-out crowds the world over. He has his health and a solid, fun-loving family to keep him grounded. And he got the girl - the beautiful, quirky girl he’s just made his wife. Yes, life is good. If only fate would stop screaming in his ear. Lucky is the best word for Casey McKallister. She has an awesome support system, a nerd’s dream job at a prestigious accounting firm, and best of all, she’s married to the hottest rock star to ever roam the earth. Yes, life is perfect… until it all comes crashing down around her. They say love conquers all. That’s what Jake and Casey are counting on. less

A love story that survives the test of time. Keith McKallister is the king of the stoners. You know the type. Every school has one – the hot, fun, dopey guy beloved by the student body but despised by, well, just about everyone else. He spends his early mornings in the ocean and his days trying to get to class on time. Life is as easy as it gets until one poor choice too many catches up with him and he’s forced to reevaluate his path. Samantha Anderson sits in the front row. You know the type... moreA love story that survives the test of time. Keith McKallister is the king of the stoners. You know the type. Every school has one – the hot, fun, dopey guy beloved by the student body but despised by, well, just about everyone else. He spends his early mornings in the ocean and his days trying to get to class on time. Life is as easy as it gets until one poor choice too many catches up with him and he’s forced to reevaluate his path. Samantha Anderson sits in the front row. You know the type. Every school has one – the quiet, faceless, studious girl who fears the taunts of her peers and fades into the background. Life has never been simple for Samantha, and it’s about to get a little more complicated when Keith slides into the seat beside her with a partnership plan designed for his benefit only. But what Keith brings to the table is more than either of them could imagine. Sometimes the person you least expect to make a difference will change your life forever. Sometimes the person you love the most might be better off without you. *Although a part of the Cake Series, this book can be read as a standalone. less

For fans of the Cake series by J. Bengtsson comes a funny, heartwarming companion novella featuring the Cake characters in lockdown. Just like the rest of the world, the McKallisters find themselves struggling to conform to a new way of life after the virus confines them to their homes. These connected short stories give fans a chance to catch up on all of their favorite Cake characters as well as enjoy a bonus epilogue and interviews with the characters... moreFor fans of the Cake series by J. Bengtsson comes a funny, heartwarming companion novella featuring the Cake characters in lockdown. Just like the rest of the world, the McKallisters find themselves struggling to conform to a new way of life after the virus confines them to their homes. These connected short stories give fans a chance to catch up on all of their favorite Cake characters as well as enjoy a bonus epilogue and interviews with the characters. Find out how Jake and Kyle cope with isolation—and each other—after they enter quarantine following exposure to the virus. Follow Finn and Emma as they desperately try to prevent a super spreader event at Perryland—while attempting to ration the toilet paper. And go on a humorous journey with Quinn as he searches for a place to stay after initially refusing to lock down with the others. And in a bonus epilogue, Keith is called upon to lead the family on a secret mission that unites them all. less

Quinn. Just six years old when my brother was snatched off the street, I grew up in the aftermath of tragedy. While other kids were happily playing in the sandbox, I was crawling under press conference podiums listening to my parents beg for Jake’s safe return. People sometimes asked if I was screwed up after what happened and I never knew how to respond. Life after the kidnapping was all I’d ever known. Well, that and being the youngest brother to a rock star. Jake was the ultimate survivor... moreQuinn. Just six years old when my brother was snatched off the street, I grew up in the aftermath of tragedy. While other kids were happily playing in the sandbox, I was crawling under press conference podiums listening to my parents beg for Jake’s safe return. People sometimes asked if I was screwed up after what happened and I never knew how to respond. Life after the kidnapping was all I’d ever known. Well, that and being the youngest brother to a rock star. Jake was the ultimate survivor. The prodigal son. My king. But I’m not that worshipful kid anymore and I’m tired of walking a step behind. I’ve got the talent. I’ve got the drive. And now I’m coming for Jake’s throne. less

Grace Note Movement at the door caught my attention. I looked over, expecting Elliott to walk back through. But it wasn’t him. My back straightened like a steel rod. Oh my god. It wasn’t him. I bolted to my feet, a breath catching in my throat. I stared in both shock and awe at the man standing on the other side of the doorway. He had always been on the other side, alone and cast out by society. But I had taken him in, loved him, and nurtured him, giving him a home inside my heart... moreGrace Note Movement at the door caught my attention. I looked over, expecting Elliott to walk back through. But it wasn’t him. My back straightened like a steel rod. Oh my god. It wasn’t him. I bolted to my feet, a breath catching in my throat. I stared in both shock and awe at the man standing on the other side of the doorway. He had always been on the other side, alone and cast out by society. But I had taken him in, loved him, and nurtured him, giving him a home inside my heart. I had given him everything. All of me. He was my first love, and if my heart had its way, he would have been my last. He was the one who got away, the OG owner of my former lovesick, teenage heart. Our eyes locked from across the room, and instantly, those long years of pining over a man I couldn't have came to a screeching halt. He was here, in the flesh. Somehow, the universe understood what I needed at the exact moment I needed it. I barely recognized the boy he'd once been. It was as if the years had zapped him of his originality. His hair, once the most vibrant and unique part about him, was long and soiled, dangling over his handsome face like a curtain, with the only openings where the strands got caught in his overgrown beard. His normally sun-scorched skin was so pale it appeared almost translucent under the harsh fluorescent lighting. And his eyes — his beautiful, soulful brown eyes — were nothing but sunken, red-rimmed misery. I thought I'd seen him at his worst, a streetwise runaway surviving with only the clothes on his back, but I was wrong. He was worse off now. So much worse. less