I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Byron and Benny’s mother has passed away. Benny makes her way back to her hometown after many years away. She is nervous, remembering why she left. Benny carefully and calmly came out to her parents and anticipated their support. love, and understanding. They did not respond as she anticipated. She left home in anger and didn’t plan to return. She kept in touch with her mother sporadically. The telephone call from her brother Byron announcing their mother’s death came as a surprise. Her next surprise would be even bigger.

Eleanor Bennett prepared for her death with the assistance of her lawyer. One of her requests was that Benny and Byron listen to a taped message that she left for them in the presence of her lawyer. At first they protest listening to this message. She was their mother, what more did they need to hear? Why would her attorney need to hear this with them? After half heartedly protesting, they sit down in their mother’s house to hear her message. As they listen, they realize that there was so much more to their mother than they ever anticipated.

They learn how a girl born in the West Indies made her way to England and eventually, the United States. Benny and Byron hear their mother unlike ever before. They learn that they have a sister. The boring and simple past they attributed to their mother is anything but boring and simple. Their mother and father have made incredible sacrifices and have survived difficulties throughout the years and now Benny and Byron understand why. Through hearing their mother’s message, Benny and Byron begin to understand the fabric of their family.

Charmaine Wilkerson dives deep into family secrets leading us through the trauma that Eleanor Bennett lived. Unforeseen circumstances can disrupt plans. Eleanor left her home behind and overcame difficulties. When Benny and Byron were born, she couldn’t share her joy with family she left behind. As the children grew, the only real traditions Eleanor shared were in the kitchen. Baking at Christmas was a several days event culminating with the baking of a black cake. Black cake was the one family tradition she could share with her family. This cake takes careful preparation. Fruit is placed in a jar with port and rum and left to soak for a long time. Recipes were something handed down to each daughter through years of assisting in the baking. Eleanor instructed Benny and after listening to her mother’s message, Benny finally understood her mother’s love of this cake.

Family tradition, acceptance, understanding, and forgiveness are the themes of Eleanor’s life. With her final message and final black cake she endeavors to bring her children the wisdom and understanding she has gained through her difficulties. I recommend this book, it is a beautifully told story.

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Additional Thoughts: I am adopted. I’ve known for as long as I can remember. There are so many emotions that come with being adopted, rejection is a big one. In this particular story the author has a character that has been adopted. As she meets her half sister and half brother, she is overwhelmed by emotion. The author manages to put words to the sometimes overwhelming swirl of feels adoptees have. I am grateful to see real emotions in this book. Ms. Wilkerson gets them right.

I really like books that cause me to learn something. When I encounter a word, term, or idea that is unfamiliar, I view it as an opportunity to learn. I stop reading and learn about this new thing and then I can move on with a full understanding. There are many, many recipes for black cake on the internet. I entertained the idea of making one but as I continued to read I discovered that this is one I will simply admire. There are techniques involved that I don’t think I can master by reading. I do know that if I ever find one, I will be tasting it though!