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That First Year
From #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Margaret Kay, That First Year, a story of love, loss, family, and resiliency, with hope, tears, and laughter.
Elyse Laramie created a happy, loving home for herself and her three children, who now, as adults, are successful and living independent lives away from home. Her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Tim, had grown into something that neither of them wanted it to be, but it wasn’t something that either of them wanted to end. Elyse had always secretly hoped the future would bring about a change that would rekindle that spark between them and renew what had become a platonic relationship.
Her oldest daughter, Claire, is married with two young children of her own. She is building her career in the same field as her father. Kade, the middle child, is a paramedic, living with his girlfriend of two years. Kelsey, the youngest, is getting ready to graduate from college.
Then…a terrible accident changes everything.
In the aftermath, life goes on and brings new roles, new or renewed romantic relationships, and new challenges to each member of the family.
Grief experts advise someone coping with the recent loss of their loved one to make no major life decisions or changes during That First Year. For the Laramie family, life had other plans. This is each of their stories during That First Year.
Elyse Laramie created a happy, loving home for herself and her three children, who now, as adults, are successful and living independent lives away from home. Her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Tim, had grown into something that neither of them wanted it to be, but it wasn’t something that either of them wanted to end. Elyse had always secretly hoped the future would bring about a change that would rekindle that spark between them and renew what had become a platonic relationship.
Her oldest daughter, Claire, is married with two young children of her own. She is building her career in the same field as her father. Kade, the middle child, is a paramedic, living with his girlfriend of two years. Kelsey, the youngest, is getting ready to graduate from college.
Then…a terrible accident changes everything.
In the aftermath, life goes on and brings new roles, new or renewed romantic relationships, and new challenges to each member of the family.
Grief experts advise someone coping with the recent loss of their loved one to make no major life decisions or changes during That First Year. For the Laramie family, life had other plans. This is each of their stories during That First Year.
695 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2023
199 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Kay
34 books108 followersMargaret Kay is a wife, a mother of two adult children, a grandmother, a pet lover who makes her own dog food from scratch, and a writer of Military Romance Novels.
Margaret's husband proudly served 8 years in the United States Navy. She's a veteran of more than a few deployments as the spouse who took care of the family while her military member served halfway around the world.
Margaret's husband proudly served 8 years in the United States Navy. She's a veteran of more than a few deployments as the spouse who took care of the family while her military member served halfway around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 7, 2023
A story of love and family.
October 1, 2023
Heartfelt, Poignant
This is a heartfelt, and at times, poignant family saga detailing “that first year” after the unexpected death of the family patriarch, showing what happens with the newly widowed mom and her adult children. The audiobook is over 20 hours long, which is a commitment, but I found it extremely enjoyable to listen to their first year unfold. The family came together and struggled, fighting and supporting each other, and ultimately came to a better understanding of themselves, each other, and their even-prior-to-his-death absent dad. Because this is so long, the author could truly delve into complicated family relationships. Coming from a family of five kids, the actions, reactions, and interactions felt real. This family has a lot of love, especially between the remaining members, but they all had a somewhat strained relationship with the one who had passed. In this book that details that first year after his death, they also have to struggle with what their relationships were with him and what that ultimately means for them now as they continue to grow, change, and add to their family. I found the book's first part a little confusing until I got to know the characters, and then everything made sense. If you love heartfelt family stories, this is one of them. Highly recommended.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
This is a heartfelt, and at times, poignant family saga detailing “that first year” after the unexpected death of the family patriarch, showing what happens with the newly widowed mom and her adult children. The audiobook is over 20 hours long, which is a commitment, but I found it extremely enjoyable to listen to their first year unfold. The family came together and struggled, fighting and supporting each other, and ultimately came to a better understanding of themselves, each other, and their even-prior-to-his-death absent dad. Because this is so long, the author could truly delve into complicated family relationships. Coming from a family of five kids, the actions, reactions, and interactions felt real. This family has a lot of love, especially between the remaining members, but they all had a somewhat strained relationship with the one who had passed. In this book that details that first year after his death, they also have to struggle with what their relationships were with him and what that ultimately means for them now as they continue to grow, change, and add to their family. I found the book's first part a little confusing until I got to know the characters, and then everything made sense. If you love heartfelt family stories, this is one of them. Highly recommended.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
June 28, 2023
Margaret Kay does a wonderful job of creating realistic characters that readers can actually see, develop opinions and care about. The story spans a year through the lives of a family after a life changing event. The characters are realistic as are all the events occurring throughout the year. The family endures many life altering events after the first and comes out as a better and stronger unit. Very well-written.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2024
Heartfelt, emotional, A journey
This book is about a family's journey the first year after the father's death. As a widow, it touched me in many ways. I wish I had a family like this to have learned on. I dreamt of brothers to lean on, of children to have celebrated with, of family to have cried with.
This book speaks on many levels. I wish I found a man like Jake. This left me hoping. Expect to be touched on many levels.
This book is about a family's journey the first year after the father's death. As a widow, it touched me in many ways. I wish I had a family like this to have learned on. I dreamt of brothers to lean on, of children to have celebrated with, of family to have cried with.
This book speaks on many levels. I wish I found a man like Jake. This left me hoping. Expect to be touched on many levels.
May 12, 2023
This is not what I am used to get from Margaret (no military action!) but I read it in one loooong sitting! It is not a mystery or action book but you want to know what is going to happen next and before you know it you reach the end.
So the household chores were neglected for one day, but it was worth it and I don't feel guilty at all!!!
So the household chores were neglected for one day, but it was worth it and I don't feel guilty at all!!!
May 12, 2023
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Margaret Kay is one of my two favorite authors and her Shepherd Security series is amazing. This book is very different from Shepherd Security, and is every bit as good. I enjoy reading about people in their 40s and older who are facing real life situations. That First Year is a great book and I highly recommend adding it to your must read list!
Margaret Kay is one of my two favorite authors and her Shepherd Security series is amazing. This book is very different from Shepherd Security, and is every bit as good. I enjoy reading about people in their 40s and older who are facing real life situations. That First Year is a great book and I highly recommend adding it to your must read list!
May 15, 2023
A wonderful read!
First! This is the longest book I have ever read and I loved every single chapter. This book drew me in and with each page I got deeper and deeper into this families lives! An amazing read that I had a hard time putting it down for any reason!
Thank you Margaret Kay! I love EVERY book you have written and I can't wait for your next book!!,
First! This is the longest book I have ever read and I loved every single chapter. This book drew me in and with each page I got deeper and deeper into this families lives! An amazing read that I had a hard time putting it down for any reason!
Thank you Margaret Kay! I love EVERY book you have written and I can't wait for your next book!!,
May 22, 2023
Story of love
I call this story of love because it is not a love story of an individual but the story of love and acceptance in a family.
It is not the type of book I normally read as I enjoy more murder mystery type books. In spite of that I was draw by the story right to the end.
I call this story of love because it is not a love story of an individual but the story of love and acceptance in a family.
It is not the type of book I normally read as I enjoy more murder mystery type books. In spite of that I was draw by the story right to the end.
September 12, 2023
One of the strangest books I’ve ever read. At times, with the explicit recording of the sex scenes, it reads as awkward and gauche and detracts enormously from the gravitas of the story. Then, just when I’m about to leave it and toss it, there will be a scene so gripping that I become immersed in the story again. And so it goes throughout. Also I found the references to religion and the church off-putting. I wont read another story by this author, but I did read it to the end and found some parts really drew me in.
December 5, 2025
A real life story.
That First Year reflects what happens in a lot of families; the loss of a loved one. It also shows how family dynamics can grow and change. This was a truly wonderful story. Thanks Ms.Kay keep these great stories coming.
G. Perkins
That First Year reflects what happens in a lot of families; the loss of a loved one. It also shows how family dynamics can grow and change. This was a truly wonderful story. Thanks Ms.Kay keep these great stories coming.
G. Perkins
May 12, 2023
Great read. Margaret is a great story teller. I love that this is story about a woman over 40. It's about how she deals with her adult children and how she finds herself and love again.
May 13, 2023
Family Dynamics
I loved how the family dynamic changed - some better, some cathartic, and some frightening. Strength & perseverance bring closure
I loved how the family dynamic changed - some better, some cathartic, and some frightening. Strength & perseverance bring closure
May 22, 2023
Great Book
I have read a couple of books from Margaret Kay and I liked the characters and stories. This book I loved in fact I'm going to read it again. This book is a keeper!!
I have read a couple of books from Margaret Kay and I liked the characters and stories. This book I loved in fact I'm going to read it again. This book is a keeper!!
July 16, 2023
great story
Loved this book. Couldn’t put it down.. I can’t wait to read more from the author. I can’t wait for the next story
Loved this book. Couldn’t put it down.. I can’t wait to read more from the author. I can’t wait for the next story
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February 21, 2025Loved it. The characters are all caring and it us so nuce to see a close knit loving family that faces adversity together.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews