Home › review › #BookReview: First Fifteen Times by D G Kaye @pokercubster #lifelessons

#BookReview: First Fifteen Times by D G Kaye @pokercubster #lifelessons

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Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a favourite writer of mine, and fellow blogging friend, D G Kaye … an author many of us know and love >>>

67990739. sy475 About the Book:

This book is a collection of stories about some of Kaye’s first-time experiences with life’s most natural events. Told through the intimate conversational writing we’ve come to know from this author, poignant personal steppingstones to learning moments are revealed. She encompasses the heart of each matter with sincerity and sprinkled inflections of humor.

From first kiss to first car to walking in the desert with four-inch heels, Kaye’s short coming-of-age stories take us through her awakenings and important moments of growth, often without warning. Some good and some not, life lessons are learned through trial and error, winging it, and navigating by the seat of her pants.

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

A quick and easy read

I have read and enjoyed books by this author previously. So when Fifteen First Times released, I grabbed a copy right away. At 92 Kindle pages, this is a quick and easy read. 

‘We live, we experience, we learn, we become, and we overcome.’ I loved this quote in the opening pages, which spoke to my own life truths.

In this book, the writer shares fifteen firsts–or, in some cases, almost or kind-of firsts–with the reader, along with what she learnt from each experience. Many of these, I couldn’t connect with so easily, as I didn’t need to diet as a child but, rather, struggled to get enough to eat. The same with the shoe fetish, where I used to stuff the soles with cardboard as new shoes were nowhere near my horizon. Neither did I have my father buy a new car for me or have an aunt and father who could rent me a flat. What I did connect with was the narcissistic mother, who had more concern for her own life than that of her daughter. The lack of knowledge of that first period, I could relate to strongly, as my mother failed to mention this major event completely, and I had many of the same fears and shame as did D G Kaye, which she expressed wonderfully.

While I might not have connected fully with each experience, I loved the raw honesty of this short memoir, told in a slice-of-life fashion. And the final chapter, where the author shares her utter anguish at the loss of her husband–lifelong partner and best friend–moved me deeply. The author’s outgoing personality shone through in this small book, as did her ability to make friends easily, which came through in her chatty, easy-to-relate-to style of writing. I believe that this little memoir will appeal to women of all ages–both as a cautionary tale and as inducing poignant memories of ‘the good old days’.

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NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

 

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

 

39 Comments on “#BookReview: First Fifteen Times by D G Kaye @pokercubster #lifelessons”

  3. Harmony!! It’s on my iPad but I have a lot of titles to read before it… Ack! I want to read this one but can’t skip the “line up” of books… Ahhhhh! What’s a gal to do?!! …Seriously though I’m loving this review and so happy for Debby’s great response to her newest book. I’m looking forward to settling down with it to read soon(ish) xx

  6. Great review, Harmony 🙂 I enjoyed this collection too, as well as connected to having a mother like that.

  7. A lovely review, Harmony. I couldn’t agree more. I also couldn’t relate to all of Debby’s experiences, but they were still relatable (if that makes any sense). We all grow up though some of the steps along our paths may be different. Her “chatty, easy-to-relate-to style of writing” describes the book beautifully. Congrats to Debby on the wonderful review.

  9. This was a super review, Harmony. I loved how you related your own background to Debby’s. It gave the review a personal touch that I enjoyed. I wish Debby the best and congratulations to her.

  10. Thanks so much for reading and your lovely review Harmony. I was visiting Twitter when I saw someone shared your review. I am humbled as always for your kind and honest words. Thank you so much.
    Hugs from Mexico! <3 xx

    • It was my pleasure! I hope you’re having a fantastic time in Mexico! Your books really speak to me, Debby, and I’ll be sure to read more. Hugs 💖🤗💖

      • Thank you again Harmony. I am humbled by all the wonderful comments here. I just popped by again to thank everyone for their kind words. I’m very busy having a social life in the sun. Sunny hugs to you and Happy Valentine’s Day. <3 xxx

  12. I would imagine I, like you, don’t share many of the same first experiences, but the honesty with which she writes does make the book sound appealing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Harmony. I wish Debby all the best.

  16. A Great Review as usual/This honours Debbi’swork by sharing what you gained from the book as well as what She wrote about.She has great skill at tapping into a readers emotions and bringing forth their own. This is a book no-one should miss and it is for all ages.There will b many readers with a few years behind them who will resonate at the loss of a loved one.Thee will be soome who have not reached any great age who will have expeienced that loss who will unerstand the emptiness also.

    • Debby certainly does have a great skill in sharing words we can all connect with. Thanks for your wonderful words, David. Huge hugs 💕🙂

  17. Thanks for this heartfelt review, Harmony – I’m looking forward to reading this. I was sorry to hear about your early difficult times, too – sending you some hugs. Toni x