A journey of radical self-acceptance.
A fearless, tender novel about Black masculinity, queer desire, and the spiritual cost of hiding who you are.
🖤 What does it mean to be a trans-amorous man? What is queer—and can a Black man be both strong and soft, seen and safe, loved and whole?
Bryan Hicks has played the part his whole life: the polished Black executive, the steady father, the man who never lets his guard down. As a Senior VP in Houston’s high-stakes oil and gas industry, he's built a fortress around himself—one made of success, discipline, and silence.
But when he meets Nadia—a radiant, no-nonsense transgender woman who refuses to shrink—something in him begins to break open. Their connection sparks not just passion but a reckoning. To love her out loud, Bryan must confront the questions he’s buried deep:
Is queerness a threat to his manhood—or the doorway to something freer?
Cake Walk challenges everything we think we know about gender, desire, and emotional survival—and dares us to imagine what wholeness looks like for Black men who refuse to keep living in the dark.
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“I loved Nadia for her "I don't take crap" mindset and for sticking up for herself. I endeavour to be as strong and brave within my life journey. A great story about choices, and the harsh reality of hiding who you are, and the repercussions of these choices. I thoroughly enjoyed this.” – Goodreads Reviewer.
“This book gave me a whole new perspective on the struggles that both black people and LGBTQ+ people face on the daily; to see it laid out so bare is heart wrenching to read. It takes both of those hardships and meshes them nigh perfectly into the main character, turning it into a compelling and at some points tense narrative. I also like the end notes with how the book got its name, to the authors Buddhist perspective about putting aside any prejudice, labels or beliefs and accepting yourself just as you are. 10/10, would recommend to others.” – Amazon Reviewer
“Cakewalk is a riveting read that explores the nuances of the human experience and the many ways we all possess blindspots to the trauma we inflict on each other. I can’t sing the praises of this book enough.”
Gianna Ramirez, GOODREads reviewer