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The First Day of the Rest of My Life
A beautiful story that will have you laughing one moment and crying the next, so grab wine, chocolate, and a tissue and settle in.
Madeline O’Shea is a nationally known life coach and columnist. She confidently tells women exactly how to improve their lives and create change. Her advice is often unconventional, hilarious, and outrageous – and it works.
In terms of her own life? She’s a total mess.
“I am two people. The public Madeline O’Shea, flamboyant and confident, who inspires people, mostly those with vaginas, to grab life, shake it around, and sling it in a new direction, and the other me who cowers, likes to be alone with my seriously unbalanced mind, doesn’t trust, and battles near-crippling fear and sadness…
I am a lie. I have no more business advising people what to do with their lives, or their relationships, than I have advising NASA how to build a spaceship to Alien Monster Land.”
As she counsels quirky clients, the long-held secrets in Madeline’s life are about to be exposed, which she had always dreaded, as her past catches up with her.
Yet she is not the only one with secrets. Madeline is stunned to find out that her beloved grandparents have their own, all centered around an old, battered violin. Madeline will soon discover the mind-numbing truth about her entire family, and herself, a story that stretches from France to Cape Cod to a pink beauty parlor to a lavender farm in Oregon.
Within that truth she’ll finally find out who Madeline O’Shea really is.
Madeline O’Shea is a nationally known life coach and columnist. She confidently tells women exactly how to improve their lives and create change. Her advice is often unconventional, hilarious, and outrageous – and it works.
In terms of her own life? She’s a total mess.
“I am two people. The public Madeline O’Shea, flamboyant and confident, who inspires people, mostly those with vaginas, to grab life, shake it around, and sling it in a new direction, and the other me who cowers, likes to be alone with my seriously unbalanced mind, doesn’t trust, and battles near-crippling fear and sadness…
I am a lie. I have no more business advising people what to do with their lives, or their relationships, than I have advising NASA how to build a spaceship to Alien Monster Land.”
As she counsels quirky clients, the long-held secrets in Madeline’s life are about to be exposed, which she had always dreaded, as her past catches up with her.
Yet she is not the only one with secrets. Madeline is stunned to find out that her beloved grandparents have their own, all centered around an old, battered violin. Madeline will soon discover the mind-numbing truth about her entire family, and herself, a story that stretches from France to Cape Cod to a pink beauty parlor to a lavender farm in Oregon.
Within that truth she’ll finally find out who Madeline O’Shea really is.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
130 people are currently reading
4390 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Lamb
24 books1,598 followersCathy Lamb was born in Newport Beach, California. As a child, she mastered the art of skateboarding, catching butterflies in bottles, and riding her bike with no hands. When she was 10, her parents moved her, two sisters, a brother, and two poorly behaved dogs to Oregon before she could fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a surfer bum.
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she earned good grades now and then, spent a great deal of time daydreaming, ran wild with a number of friends, and landed on the newspaper staff in high school. When she saw her byline above an article about people making out in the hallways of the high school, she knew she had found her true calling.
After two years of partying at the University of Oregon, she settled down for the next three years and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and became a fourth grade teacher. It was difficult for her to become proper and conservative but she threw out her red cowboy boots and persevered. She had no choice. She had to eat, and health insurance is expensive.
She met her husband on a blind date. A mutual friend who was an undercover vice cop busting drug dealers set them up. It was love at third sight.
Teaching children about the Oregon Trail and multiplication facts amused her until she became so gigantically pregnant with twins she looked like a small cow and could barely walk. With a three year old at home, she decided it was time to make a graceful exit and waddle on out. She left school one day and never went back. She likes to think her students missed her.
When Cathy was no longer smothered in diapers and pacifiers, she took a turn onto the hazardous road of freelance writing and wrote almost 200 articles on homes, home décor, people and fashion for a local newspaper. As she is not fashionable and can hardly stand to shop, it was an eye opener for her to find that some women actually do obsess about what to wear. She also learned it would probably be more relaxing to slam a hammer against one’s forehead than engage in a large and costly home remodeling project.
Cathy suffers from, “I Would Rather Play Than Work Disease” which prevents her from getting much work done unless she has a threatening deadline. She likes to hang with family and friends, walk, eat chocolate, camp, travel, and is slightly obsessive about the types of books she reads. She also likes to be left alone a lot so she can hear all the odd characters in her head talk to each other and then transfer that oddness to paper. The characters usually don’t start to talk until 10:00 at night, however, so she is often up ‘til 2:00 in the morning with them. That is her excuse for being cranky.
She adores her children and husband, except when he refuses to take his dirty shoes off and walks on the carpet. She will ski because her children insist, but she secretly doesn’t like it at all. Too cold and she falls all the time.
She is currently working on her next book and isn’t sleeping much.
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she earned good grades now and then, spent a great deal of time daydreaming, ran wild with a number of friends, and landed on the newspaper staff in high school. When she saw her byline above an article about people making out in the hallways of the high school, she knew she had found her true calling.
After two years of partying at the University of Oregon, she settled down for the next three years and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and became a fourth grade teacher. It was difficult for her to become proper and conservative but she threw out her red cowboy boots and persevered. She had no choice. She had to eat, and health insurance is expensive.
She met her husband on a blind date. A mutual friend who was an undercover vice cop busting drug dealers set them up. It was love at third sight.
Teaching children about the Oregon Trail and multiplication facts amused her until she became so gigantically pregnant with twins she looked like a small cow and could barely walk. With a three year old at home, she decided it was time to make a graceful exit and waddle on out. She left school one day and never went back. She likes to think her students missed her.
When Cathy was no longer smothered in diapers and pacifiers, she took a turn onto the hazardous road of freelance writing and wrote almost 200 articles on homes, home décor, people and fashion for a local newspaper. As she is not fashionable and can hardly stand to shop, it was an eye opener for her to find that some women actually do obsess about what to wear. She also learned it would probably be more relaxing to slam a hammer against one’s forehead than engage in a large and costly home remodeling project.
Cathy suffers from, “I Would Rather Play Than Work Disease” which prevents her from getting much work done unless she has a threatening deadline. She likes to hang with family and friends, walk, eat chocolate, camp, travel, and is slightly obsessive about the types of books she reads. She also likes to be left alone a lot so she can hear all the odd characters in her head talk to each other and then transfer that oddness to paper. The characters usually don’t start to talk until 10:00 at night, however, so she is often up ‘til 2:00 in the morning with them. That is her excuse for being cranky.
She adores her children and husband, except when he refuses to take his dirty shoes off and walks on the carpet. She will ski because her children insist, but she secretly doesn’t like it at all. Too cold and she falls all the time.
She is currently working on her next book and isn’t sleeping much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
January 15, 2012
I went back to my review of the last Cathy Lamb book I read and lo and behold, I complained about her books following a template (my opinion) - quirky, strong female character(s) must overcome abusive relationships with men. Same thing again here. And this time, I swear, the characters in this book are the quirkiest EVER of all her novels. I'm all for quirky. I'm all for fun, Southern-type women. But it's getting old. And since this book partially takes place on Cape Cod, I have to say the characters don't fit the region. The women featured in the Cape parts are way too "Southern" to be native Bay Staters -- I could almost "hear" them speaking the words they said in a Southern accent! I didn't hate the book and I'd probably read another by Lamb, but I just didn't love it. It took me a while to read this, too - I could only read a few pages a night. And one last thing: I felt that there were too many ancillary characters -- the narrator is a life coach and too many of her ridiculously odd clients are featured. A good editor really could have trimmed this book down!
June 1, 2014
The story line is good - a woman and her sister hiding from the trauma of their childhood (parents die, sexual abuse at the hands of their stepfather) but unfortunately this book really needed a good editor.
The author drones on and on, telling the same supporting stories over and over. Yup, we get that the main character, Madeline, hates her expensive, modern house. Yup, we get she hates her boring business suits and sensible shoes. Yup, we get that she has eccentric clients (3 sisters who have a ton of money and are incredibly shallow, a woman who constantly throws glitter on her). How could we NOT get these points - they're repeated multiple times in the book. Also annoying is the author's portrayal of the grandmother, who is suffering from dementia. While her behavior may be realistic for someone with dementia, it seems a little far fetched and once again, the author felt the need to repeat it over and over and OVER again. I can't help but feel that the author did this to fill pages and make it a longer book. These sections became tedious and took away from the real story.
Without the distractions the book may have been a decent read, but because of them the book becomes tedious and feels false. There was a good story there but it was buried by everything else.
The author drones on and on, telling the same supporting stories over and over. Yup, we get that the main character, Madeline, hates her expensive, modern house. Yup, we get she hates her boring business suits and sensible shoes. Yup, we get that she has eccentric clients (3 sisters who have a ton of money and are incredibly shallow, a woman who constantly throws glitter on her). How could we NOT get these points - they're repeated multiple times in the book. Also annoying is the author's portrayal of the grandmother, who is suffering from dementia. While her behavior may be realistic for someone with dementia, it seems a little far fetched and once again, the author felt the need to repeat it over and over and OVER again. I can't help but feel that the author did this to fill pages and make it a longer book. These sections became tedious and took away from the real story.
Without the distractions the book may have been a decent read, but because of them the book becomes tedious and feels false. There was a good story there but it was buried by everything else.
July 26, 2015
The First Day of the Rest of my Life by Cathy Lamb is a very powerful, well written book that deals with several difficult issues. The cover of this book made me think it was a summer beach read. Not true! This emotion, heartbreaking story is about a family, especially two sisters. At times, Lamb has the reader laughing. This novel deals with secrets, family relationships and love of family. It's a story about dealing with your past, surviving and moving on with your life. This was my first Cathy Lamb novel. Looking forward to others. This book would be an excellent book club choice because of the many issues and events that occur.
"Family is what God gave us to get through life." P.226
"Family is what God gave us to get through life." P.226
August 10, 2011
*Possible Spoiler* Boy, this was a tough one. As one of my favorite "new" authors, Cathy Lamb creates laughter and tears with beautiful imagery and character development. Unfortunately (for me), children in danger - children being harmed in any way, is tough for me. The abuse suffered by Madeline and Annie is tough to stomach, and even though the details are not a large percentage of the story, I was tempted to set this aside. Only because this was a Cathy Lamb book did I forge ahead. Thank goodness for unique characters and the warmth of good, true love...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2011
Story started out very slow for me...almost made me want to put it down, but I keep on and was glad that I did. It had was nice to see these sisters finally overcome the horrors that they were put through and emerge whole in the end. Though....I do wish there would have been more of Stephen storyline brought in.
November 12, 2011
Interesting book. The main character, Madeline O'Shea is a successful life coach. Abused as a child, she has constructed a life to mask the pain and self-loathing that comes from being sexually abused. Although there were many unsettling moments in the book, it becomes the story of how Madeline finally takes control of her life and opens herself up to relationships again. The ending is hopeful and uplifting.
I liked the story, although toward the end it bordered on unbelievable. There were so many secrets hidden in this woman's family that it could have been two books. I liked the main characters, and felt Madeline's frustration at not being able to move beyond her past.
There were characters who, to me, were just cartoonish. Maybe the author intended it that way. The Grandmother was over the top. I didn't find her behavior humorous, it bordered on offensive and unbelievable. When I saw moments with the grandmother approaching, I would cringe - wanting her to have a least some degree of decorum.
Madeline's clients were of the same vain. I wished there had been more normality to these people. There were one or two who were mentioned in detail that I appreciated. The rest felt like a circus menagerie - maybe that was intended by the author. Perhaps it was a move to lighten the subject matter. For me it didn't work.
What also didn't work for the most part were the repetitions of phrases - like, "the cat rolled it's eyes at me, it really did." There were several of those in the book, that after a while lost their 'cuteness'. Even the phrase about her sister "Annie never cried" became overused. The one exception I found to this was the "Click, click, click," which brought back the emotion of the child abuse.
Speaking of the abuse, I thought Lamb did an excellent job with that. She detailed enough to make the reader feel uncomfortable and 'creepy' without going into salacious detail that would be abusive in itself. There was enough understanding to reveal the abhorrent act, but not so much as to put pictures in the readers mind. As you read you feel the terror of these young girls, you understand their loss of dignity and worthiness and how such acts can adversely affect a child long into adult years. Lamb wrote it well enough that you could feel the mother's rage and fear and that made her further actions understandable and forgivable.
I wish I had a better understanding of the time period of the book. The trial in the book, although it ends like the reader would like, seemed a little unrealistic to me given today's laws. If the trial took place in the 60's then I can justify it a little better.
Overall, I liked the book, and will look into other works of Cathy Lamb.
I liked the story, although toward the end it bordered on unbelievable. There were so many secrets hidden in this woman's family that it could have been two books. I liked the main characters, and felt Madeline's frustration at not being able to move beyond her past.
There were characters who, to me, were just cartoonish. Maybe the author intended it that way. The Grandmother was over the top. I didn't find her behavior humorous, it bordered on offensive and unbelievable. When I saw moments with the grandmother approaching, I would cringe - wanting her to have a least some degree of decorum.
Madeline's clients were of the same vain. I wished there had been more normality to these people. There were one or two who were mentioned in detail that I appreciated. The rest felt like a circus menagerie - maybe that was intended by the author. Perhaps it was a move to lighten the subject matter. For me it didn't work.
What also didn't work for the most part were the repetitions of phrases - like, "the cat rolled it's eyes at me, it really did." There were several of those in the book, that after a while lost their 'cuteness'. Even the phrase about her sister "Annie never cried" became overused. The one exception I found to this was the "Click, click, click," which brought back the emotion of the child abuse.
Speaking of the abuse, I thought Lamb did an excellent job with that. She detailed enough to make the reader feel uncomfortable and 'creepy' without going into salacious detail that would be abusive in itself. There was enough understanding to reveal the abhorrent act, but not so much as to put pictures in the readers mind. As you read you feel the terror of these young girls, you understand their loss of dignity and worthiness and how such acts can adversely affect a child long into adult years. Lamb wrote it well enough that you could feel the mother's rage and fear and that made her further actions understandable and forgivable.
I wish I had a better understanding of the time period of the book. The trial in the book, although it ends like the reader would like, seemed a little unrealistic to me given today's laws. If the trial took place in the 60's then I can justify it a little better.
Overall, I liked the book, and will look into other works of Cathy Lamb.
July 9, 2011
Cathy Lamb is the most gifted storyteller I've encountered in all of my adult years of reading. She intuitively knows people, relationships and life experiences; and "The First Day of the Rest of My Life" is an example of a great author at her best.
In "The First Day of the Rest of My Life," Madeline and Annie O'Shea are two adult sisters still learning to overcome the emotional damage of the most heinous crimes against children that anyone could ever imagine. They've grown up and become successful young women, but the abuse they suffered as children permeates every aspect of their daily lives.
Given the premise of the book, one might think that this book is a gut-wrenching story about the abuse of two young girls, but it's so much more than that. It's a story about love; familial love, romantic love and the love of good friends. And, ultimately, It's a story about owning your past so that you can take control of your future.
Intertwined with the core of the story is a group of unforgettable characters and rich humor that only Cathy Lamb could bring to such a serious subject matter. Their mother, grandparents, childhood friends and adult acquaintances are people we all know - or wish we knew - and lend just enough humor to the story to keep the reader from suffocating in the terrible trauma that was Madeline and Annie's lives.
Beautifully written and a story that won't soon be forgotten by the reader.
In "The First Day of the Rest of My Life," Madeline and Annie O'Shea are two adult sisters still learning to overcome the emotional damage of the most heinous crimes against children that anyone could ever imagine. They've grown up and become successful young women, but the abuse they suffered as children permeates every aspect of their daily lives.
Given the premise of the book, one might think that this book is a gut-wrenching story about the abuse of two young girls, but it's so much more than that. It's a story about love; familial love, romantic love and the love of good friends. And, ultimately, It's a story about owning your past so that you can take control of your future.
Intertwined with the core of the story is a group of unforgettable characters and rich humor that only Cathy Lamb could bring to such a serious subject matter. Their mother, grandparents, childhood friends and adult acquaintances are people we all know - or wish we knew - and lend just enough humor to the story to keep the reader from suffocating in the terrible trauma that was Madeline and Annie's lives.
Beautifully written and a story that won't soon be forgotten by the reader.
August 10, 2012
While there were moments when she had me drawn in, Cathy Lamb's overall plot could have been handled in much less space. The notion of someone with so many secrets in hers and her family's past being able to be a successful life coach was a real stretch in credibility for me. There was too much formula tragedy mashed together here: escape from war-torn France during the Nazi occupation, a father's untimely loss in a storm at sea, horrendous abuse at the hands of a stepfather and more nationalities than the UN Council. It felt like Lamb had the idea that this novel had no integrity with only one of those story lines so she used them all. What was intended for comic relief with the dialect and gossip in Marie Elise's French Beauty Salon came across as made a harsh contrast with details of molestation and death threats.
I'm not inspired to read other books by Cathy Lamb based on this.
I'm not inspired to read other books by Cathy Lamb based on this.
January 31, 2013
Pretty good book with several "didn't see THAT coming" moments. I don't like reading about child abuse, so if you are squeamish in that area than this book is not for you.
June 2, 2022
I liked this one! Her books always have such fun characters and I always want to visit the town they take place in.
October 11, 2011
Cathy Lamb isn’t an author I know particularly well, however when I saw the cover for her latest book I rather fell in love. I thought the girl looking out over the water was very atmospheric so I decided to look into it a bit more and I thought the synopsis sounded very intriguing. I then took a peek at the beginning pages of the novel (which, by the way, is the best invention ever; I can always tell from the first few pages if a book appeals or not) and after enjoying the opening of The First Day of the Rest of My Life, I decided to buy it for myself. It’s a bit of a strange looking book. It’s not a true paperback, but nor is it really a hardback and the pages are “deckle edged” which basically means they’re uneven and it looks as if it was cut wrong – it isn’t unique, it’s annoying. However book problems aside, I dove into the novel, hoping it would live up to its beautiful cover.
The First Day of the Rest of my Life surprised me. The synopsis isn’t necessarily right. Yes, Madeline is a life coach, yes she had a very rocky childhood (to put it mildly) but I don’t remember any kind of “tough, handsome judge with a gentle heart” that “urges Madeline to have faith in him”. That’s false. There is no man like that. There is a man. But he’s vague for most of the novel, at best. Synopsis aside, I found the book fascinating. It’s not a happy book at all, in fact it’s one of the hardest books I think I’ve ever read, particularly in parts, and what happened to Madeline, and her sister Annie, is not the kind of thing you usually see in a Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction novel. I found the plot just to be so fascinating and I felt Lamb had the right tone for the novel, with regular flashbacks to the past, as we find out exactly what happened to Madeline – and her entire family – in years gone by.
My favourite part of the novel was definitely the plot line involving Madeline’s grandparents. Her grandma has dementia, which is one of the worst diseases in the world, and Lamb handles it so sensitively, but she also doesn’t shy away from letting us see Madeline’s grandma at her worst, at her most confused. I don’t mean to demean what happened to Madeline and Annie by saying I preferred their grandparents plot, I just felt that it was handled so, so well that my interest was hugely piqued. Madeline’s grandma and grandad’s backstory is massively important – in fact, it’s as if the whole novel is built on an intricate web of lies – and the pace with which we find out the truth is just right. A little bit here, a little bit there, and it is heartbreaking. I won’t say what it is, because it’s immense and worth figuring out yourself, but believe me when I say it will tug at your heart-strings.
I found the characters to be extremely fascinating. I liked the fact that Madeline was a life-coach. It was sort of serendipitous how she’d come to tell people how to live their life despite not having control over hers. I’m a firm believer that just because your life is in disarray it doesn’t mean you can help others. I found Madeline to be so likeable. Both her and Annie could have imploded multiple times during the book. There are so many secrets, so many things they have to keep bottled up, that I’m surprised both were as sane as they were. What I liked best, though, was the way Madeline and Annie had never let what happen to them come between them, how they stayed close despite everything. That’s a true sisterly bond, that is. I also liked their grandparents. I did, I did. My favourite character, though, was Marie Elise, the girls’ mother. She’s passed away during the novel’s present, but she’s integral to the book and she just seems to radiate through the entire novel. What she did for her daughters was immense. It was admirable, frankly. Any parent would do what Marie Elise did and I can’t say I much care for how wrong it was. Nope, I just admire her for doing it.
I really enjoyed The First Day of the Rest of my Life. It isn’t a light and fluffy read, it isn’t something you’re going to smile about, even if it did make me laugh in places, mainly whenever Marie Elise was around. Those who are somewhat faint-hearted will not enjoy learning what happened to Madeline and Annie; I consider myself rather strong-hearted and even I was sickened by it all. I’d definitely recommend the book. I wasn’t entirely sure, when I started it, if it was my kind of thing but I sort of sunk into the book more and more as I read it. It slowly but surely sucked me in until I could barely put it down. I’ll definitely be picking up Cathy Lamb’s other books. She’s a very honest author and she tells her stories with conviction. The characters were so unique which really helped the novel, and I just enjoyed the novel, I really did.
The First Day of the Rest of my Life surprised me. The synopsis isn’t necessarily right. Yes, Madeline is a life coach, yes she had a very rocky childhood (to put it mildly) but I don’t remember any kind of “tough, handsome judge with a gentle heart” that “urges Madeline to have faith in him”. That’s false. There is no man like that. There is a man. But he’s vague for most of the novel, at best. Synopsis aside, I found the book fascinating. It’s not a happy book at all, in fact it’s one of the hardest books I think I’ve ever read, particularly in parts, and what happened to Madeline, and her sister Annie, is not the kind of thing you usually see in a Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction novel. I found the plot just to be so fascinating and I felt Lamb had the right tone for the novel, with regular flashbacks to the past, as we find out exactly what happened to Madeline – and her entire family – in years gone by.
My favourite part of the novel was definitely the plot line involving Madeline’s grandparents. Her grandma has dementia, which is one of the worst diseases in the world, and Lamb handles it so sensitively, but she also doesn’t shy away from letting us see Madeline’s grandma at her worst, at her most confused. I don’t mean to demean what happened to Madeline and Annie by saying I preferred their grandparents plot, I just felt that it was handled so, so well that my interest was hugely piqued. Madeline’s grandma and grandad’s backstory is massively important – in fact, it’s as if the whole novel is built on an intricate web of lies – and the pace with which we find out the truth is just right. A little bit here, a little bit there, and it is heartbreaking. I won’t say what it is, because it’s immense and worth figuring out yourself, but believe me when I say it will tug at your heart-strings.
I found the characters to be extremely fascinating. I liked the fact that Madeline was a life-coach. It was sort of serendipitous how she’d come to tell people how to live their life despite not having control over hers. I’m a firm believer that just because your life is in disarray it doesn’t mean you can help others. I found Madeline to be so likeable. Both her and Annie could have imploded multiple times during the book. There are so many secrets, so many things they have to keep bottled up, that I’m surprised both were as sane as they were. What I liked best, though, was the way Madeline and Annie had never let what happen to them come between them, how they stayed close despite everything. That’s a true sisterly bond, that is. I also liked their grandparents. I did, I did. My favourite character, though, was Marie Elise, the girls’ mother. She’s passed away during the novel’s present, but she’s integral to the book and she just seems to radiate through the entire novel. What she did for her daughters was immense. It was admirable, frankly. Any parent would do what Marie Elise did and I can’t say I much care for how wrong it was. Nope, I just admire her for doing it.
I really enjoyed The First Day of the Rest of my Life. It isn’t a light and fluffy read, it isn’t something you’re going to smile about, even if it did make me laugh in places, mainly whenever Marie Elise was around. Those who are somewhat faint-hearted will not enjoy learning what happened to Madeline and Annie; I consider myself rather strong-hearted and even I was sickened by it all. I’d definitely recommend the book. I wasn’t entirely sure, when I started it, if it was my kind of thing but I sort of sunk into the book more and more as I read it. It slowly but surely sucked me in until I could barely put it down. I’ll definitely be picking up Cathy Lamb’s other books. She’s a very honest author and she tells her stories with conviction. The characters were so unique which really helped the novel, and I just enjoyed the novel, I really did.
September 14, 2011
“A Book That Will Touch and Hold Your Heart”
What a poignant story this is! We follow Madeline O’Shea from her scarred childhood to her rise to fame as a renowned life coach as an adult. Madeline learns all of the fame, glory, and extravagance cannot erase the horrific memories of the childhood abuse she, as well as her beloved, chainsaw-wielding, withdrawn from life, Sister Annie endured for the sake of those they love, nor can it keep their talented Grandmother; Emmanuelle, from falling deeper and deeper into the dark pit of Dementia. I guarantee you will love Madeline and Annie’s pistol-packing Mama, the original “Pink Girl” herself; Marie Elise O’Shea, whose never-ending love and guidance is an inspiration, not only to her family, but to friends and the clientele of “Marie Elise’s French Beauty Parlor”. You’ll chuckle over the zany group of clients Madeline deals with in her practice (especially the Giordano Sisters) as well as their antics. Through all of the trials and tribulations, the O’Shea Sisters learn very valuable lessons with the help of their family, longtime steadfast friend Steve and love struck Bertie. It has been a long time since a story has brought me to tears, but, I assure you, this one did, as well as fire up my anger over child pornography and feel my heart ache for its victims. When I closed the cover on the last page, how I wished I had elders to hug as well! After reading this, I intend to do two things; read another of Ms. Lamb’s books and start my own patch of lavender—after all, who doesn’t need extra strength, protection and a bit of luck? I might even sprinkle marbles in between the plants while I keep watch for “A Swan” here in Northeastern Pa.! This is one book you won’t want to miss! Nancy Narma
What a poignant story this is! We follow Madeline O’Shea from her scarred childhood to her rise to fame as a renowned life coach as an adult. Madeline learns all of the fame, glory, and extravagance cannot erase the horrific memories of the childhood abuse she, as well as her beloved, chainsaw-wielding, withdrawn from life, Sister Annie endured for the sake of those they love, nor can it keep their talented Grandmother; Emmanuelle, from falling deeper and deeper into the dark pit of Dementia. I guarantee you will love Madeline and Annie’s pistol-packing Mama, the original “Pink Girl” herself; Marie Elise O’Shea, whose never-ending love and guidance is an inspiration, not only to her family, but to friends and the clientele of “Marie Elise’s French Beauty Parlor”. You’ll chuckle over the zany group of clients Madeline deals with in her practice (especially the Giordano Sisters) as well as their antics. Through all of the trials and tribulations, the O’Shea Sisters learn very valuable lessons with the help of their family, longtime steadfast friend Steve and love struck Bertie. It has been a long time since a story has brought me to tears, but, I assure you, this one did, as well as fire up my anger over child pornography and feel my heart ache for its victims. When I closed the cover on the last page, how I wished I had elders to hug as well! After reading this, I intend to do two things; read another of Ms. Lamb’s books and start my own patch of lavender—after all, who doesn’t need extra strength, protection and a bit of luck? I might even sprinkle marbles in between the plants while I keep watch for “A Swan” here in Northeastern Pa.! This is one book you won’t want to miss! Nancy Narma
February 12, 2017
I read this book a few years ago and realize I never reviewed it! Although it has been a while since I read it, the story was funny, heartwarming, and sad... as Cathy's novels usually are.
She somehow knows how to make us laugh, even when the story is sad. And the importance of family always resonates in her stories, reminding us what is really important in life.
She somehow knows how to make us laugh, even when the story is sad. And the importance of family always resonates in her stories, reminding us what is really important in life.
May 18, 2013
When I read my first Cathy Lamb book, I thought I discovered my new favorite author. But this one--her most recent of the 5 she has written--was only ok. Very disappointing. Parts were excellent, but it was waaaay too long! By the time you've read your 5th Cathy Lamb book, you catch on that she writes about mentally ill people in dysfunctional families. At the same time, they are so successful, so good, and all live happily ever after.
So this was no different, but she took about 200 pages longer than necessary. And the grandmother in the book was over-the-top. She has Alzheimer's and constantly makes very sexually implicit remarks about her husband. It's funny once, maybe twice but not throughout the whole book.
Yes, the book has a nice twist to the end and is very sweet; I only wish she got to the end much sooner! I hope she writes another one because I'd like read more books by her that I can love as much as I loved Julia's Chocolates or Henry's Sisters.
So this was no different, but she took about 200 pages longer than necessary. And the grandmother in the book was over-the-top. She has Alzheimer's and constantly makes very sexually implicit remarks about her husband. It's funny once, maybe twice but not throughout the whole book.
Yes, the book has a nice twist to the end and is very sweet; I only wish she got to the end much sooner! I hope she writes another one because I'd like read more books by her that I can love as much as I loved Julia's Chocolates or Henry's Sisters.
November 3, 2016
This was a tough book to read but the flecks of teasers given throughout the book kept me interested enough to continue reading hoping for justice, resolve...a memory cleansing moment so I would not continue to remember the awful abuse these 2 girls went through. It is a testament to the vital importance of the love of family that the girls survived and prospered and did not become offenders themselves. I loved and envied the closeness of the family. Not only was there love within the family, but their love extended out to the surrounding community which created an extended family for the girls. The extended family love surrounded, protected, defended and supported them during the trials as well as comforting them after the loss of their parents. This was a very emotional story!
The title originally drew me to the book and although I did not realize what the characters experienced to need a renewal, it was still an inspiration to recreate or restore oneself.
The title originally drew me to the book and although I did not realize what the characters experienced to need a renewal, it was still an inspiration to recreate or restore oneself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2015
Never judge a book by its cover. This novel looked like one I would enjoy during warm afternoons by the lake. I did enjoy the story but it wasn't the light romance I thought it would be. Instead it is much like a Jodie Picoult book where a family must overcome a tragedy or a rare condition or bullying etc. The theme is heavy but the author uses humour to keep the book from being depressing. The main character is a successful life coach with excellent advice for her clients. I'll be sure to read more of Cathy Lamb's books only not under a shady tree at the beach.
December 6, 2017
When it comes to Cathy Lamb, I find myself savoring everything she has written, I fall into the book and love spending all the time I can get just to be with each character. Cathy is unique, her books never fail to surprise you and have you laughing, crying, jumping up and down.
If you haven't read Cathy Lamb, you must for you will not be disappointed! Bravo Cathy for another beautiful written novel, and Thank You for letting me fall in love with each character again
If you haven't read Cathy Lamb, you must for you will not be disappointed! Bravo Cathy for another beautiful written novel, and Thank You for letting me fall in love with each character again
May 31, 2023
If i could give this a zero i would. It was traumatizing and had no warnings. It goes far too in-depth into child abuse and sexual abuse as a child as well as delves in Holocaust horrors and the pain of a loved one with Alzheimer’s. It tried to do too much and break the reader (not in a good way!!!) was one of them. Literally do not read this book i couldn’t think straight for months.
February 24, 2023
If you're craving a novel about family, the power of music, and the deep, deep bond between two sisters, then this is the book for you.
This is a chunky book and it has more than its fair share of heavy topics (trigger warning: child abuse, suicide, death, etc). But I love the life lessons Madeline learned along the way. My favorite character was Madeline's sister Annie, because of her love for animals. And her mysterious trips to Fiji. ;)
Madeline's story of starting over and taking control of her life is inspirational. This isn't a book I will forget anytime soon.
This is a chunky book and it has more than its fair share of heavy topics (trigger warning: child abuse, suicide, death, etc). But I love the life lessons Madeline learned along the way. My favorite character was Madeline's sister Annie, because of her love for animals. And her mysterious trips to Fiji. ;)
Madeline's story of starting over and taking control of her life is inspirational. This isn't a book I will forget anytime soon.
January 4, 2021
I finished this novel but what a dismal read to start the year! It was NOT what I thought it was going to be about! Content warning for child sex abuse and child pornography.
Also, there was a substantial side-plot about a horny grandma with dementia. Ugh, I was just not having it. Try her other novel Henry's Sisters which I actually loved so much!
Also, there was a substantial side-plot about a horny grandma with dementia. Ugh, I was just not having it. Try her other novel Henry's Sisters which I actually loved so much!
July 18, 2017
It took me awhile to get into the book. I should never read reviews before I read a book!!
November 7, 2024
I couldn’t finish. Soooo long.
February 10, 2021
After the first 100 pages, I would give this a 4/5. If it had not been for book club, I would not finished this book. The first 100 pages felt all over the place.
March 13, 2023
The last third of the book had me hooked but it was slow going until then.
October 15, 2012
****SPOILERS**** Hmmm...well...this book was well written, hence the three stars. It was not at all what I expected though. The book cover is beautiful and serene; just a woman sitting on a dock looking out over the water. The book jacket implies that the heroin has a past and that her mother went to prison for some reason. It does not however prepare you at all for the emotional upheaval this book evokes. This book dealt in child abuse, murder, pornography, dementia, suicide, blackmail, death of a parent, oh and the Holocaust...as if this book wasn't sad enough. The author, while a great story teller, took all of those things that would have made for a heartbreaking read if it had just been one of them, and created what was essentially a stew of misery. I cried too many tears and found myself so stressed out and horrified with what I was reading half the time that my eyes started twitching. Again, I give the author credit for weaving a good tale. I am not a writer so I believe that any effort that goes into writing a story, whether it's to my taste or not, deserves credit. However, this is the first book I've read from this author and probably won't continue. I can be an emotional wreck all on my own, without help...lol.
October 3, 2011
I was really disappointed in this book! I've become a Cathy Lamb fan -- her books usually have quirky characters with good humor and strength of character who overcome sometimes really horrible childhoods and/or abusive situations.
What specifically disappointed me was that several times in the story, the main character, Madeline, sort of ... leaves the story and it feels like the author is simply delivering a diatribe against childhood pornography and abuse. Of course those are horrible, unforgivable things, but the author needs to assume her readers already know that. These diatribes *stopped* the story. And to excuse it by having Madeline sum it up by saying, "I'm really mad." didn't work. That diatribe wasn't "MAD". It wasn't emotionally wrought anger -- it was several reasoned arguements against child pornography. I wanted the story to naturally show the horror and results of such abuse. I didn't need a righteous sermon.
I'm hoping her next book returns to more of the skill her earlier books showed -- "The Last Time I Was Me", "Julia's Chocolates", "Henry's Sisters". No, this isn't "high" literature, but Lamb can do better. I've read it.
What specifically disappointed me was that several times in the story, the main character, Madeline, sort of ... leaves the story and it feels like the author is simply delivering a diatribe against childhood pornography and abuse. Of course those are horrible, unforgivable things, but the author needs to assume her readers already know that. These diatribes *stopped* the story. And to excuse it by having Madeline sum it up by saying, "I'm really mad." didn't work. That diatribe wasn't "MAD". It wasn't emotionally wrought anger -- it was several reasoned arguements against child pornography. I wanted the story to naturally show the horror and results of such abuse. I didn't need a righteous sermon.
I'm hoping her next book returns to more of the skill her earlier books showed -- "The Last Time I Was Me", "Julia's Chocolates", "Henry's Sisters". No, this isn't "high" literature, but Lamb can do better. I've read it.
March 17, 2012
I didn't really like this book. I really tried to like it but it didn't ever come. I almost put it down without finishing it several times. It was a beyond depressing book. The stories were so horrific that I'd grow stressed and anxious when I read. (A quite opposite feeling I thought'd have reading this book after looking at the beautiful cover art.) I've read and liked many books about tough situations and stories (ex., Jodi Picoult books, Diane Chamberlain books, etc.) and in those there is always a little glimpse of hope despite the hard story. This book lacked any hope until the last 75 pages or so. Then, everything wrapped up into a perfect bow. It seemed a bit artificial. Although the intertwining stories of the grandparents and of the girls kept me reading, seemed to be dragged along for what felt like forever. I grew bored with the overall story and grew frustrated with all the silly side stories about Madeline's clients and magazine articles. I'm not sure why the book is titled The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life when the whole book is about the past.
October 23, 2016
What an underrated heartbreaker book
At the beginning I was reading 100 pages per day and when I reached the last quarter I just put it down until I become ready for the saddest part of the book.
I cried so much that my head ached after awhile. And what made it worse that I know some of these terrible things are already happening somewhere around the world.
Child abuse especially sexually is one of the hardest subjects ever and this author did very well.
The only thing that I didn't like is the super perfect relationship between the grandmother and the grandfather. It was sometimes tiring and felt unrealistic to me many times. Even though, I couldn't take out any stars. It still deserves 5 stars.
Won't recommend it to teenagers and young adults at all as it has many inappropriate material for them.
At the beginning I was reading 100 pages per day and when I reached the last quarter I just put it down until I become ready for the saddest part of the book.
I cried so much that my head ached after awhile. And what made it worse that I know some of these terrible things are already happening somewhere around the world.
Child abuse especially sexually is one of the hardest subjects ever and this author did very well.
The only thing that I didn't like is the super perfect relationship between the grandmother and the grandfather. It was sometimes tiring and felt unrealistic to me many times. Even though, I couldn't take out any stars. It still deserves 5 stars.
Won't recommend it to teenagers and young adults at all as it has many inappropriate material for them.
December 29, 2012
I really did a disservice with this book by letting it languish on my to-read shelf for so long. I loved it. Despite the sobering and serious plot lines, much of the book was funny. I particularly laughed at Madeline's articles for the magazine and her life coach sessions. I cheered for Marie Elise as she protected her girls and felt sorrow for Grandad's secret. The going back and forth between time periods moved the story along, and it worked in this case. The characters were engaging and I found myself caring what happened to them. And of course, what's not to like about someone who blows up the houses of puppy mill people and animal abusers?!?!
January 19, 2012
I'd give this 3.5 stars, due to story redundancy. There seemed to be chapter after chapter of repeated scenarios with clients, and teasing at a reveal of the family secrets. I felt exasperated as a reader.
Though redundant, I appreciated the heaviness was balanced with humor, and the depth of the family story line and characters gave it a particular richness.
On another note, I was expecting a totally different story based from the cover photo. I think it's lovely, but not a good book fit.
Though redundant, I appreciated the heaviness was balanced with humor, and the depth of the family story line and characters gave it a particular richness.
On another note, I was expecting a totally different story based from the cover photo. I think it's lovely, but not a good book fit.
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