I Was Told There'd Be Cake: Essays

Sloane Crosley narrates the minor humiliations and logistical failures of early adulthood in New York City. The essays document specific mishaps, including her attempt to navigate the social politics of being a bridesmaid, the accidental loss of a high school classmate’s pet, and the awkward reality of being locked out of her own apartment. She recounts her time as a young book publicist, detailing the gap between her professional expectations and the messy, unglamorous reality of urban life. Through these vignettes, she examines how small, personal disasters shape a person's sense of self and social standing.

This collection is for readers who appreciate dry, self-deprecating observations about the transition into adulthood. People read it to find humor in their own daily frustrations and social anxieties. The audience walks away with a recognition of the absurdity inherent in modern professional and personal obligations. It offers a perspective that replaces idealized versions of city life with the reality of bad jobs and human error. Instead of grand life lessons, the reader gains a series of sharp, cynical insights into how to survive one's own mistakes.