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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.
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Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Relatable stories you will enjoy!Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
I just finished Fifteen First Times by author D.G.Kaye and wow, did I have an emotional trip down memory lane. She so plainly yet beautifully bares her soul. This is a collection of nonfiction stories about the first fifteen milestone or life changing events in her early life. These are experiences that changed perceptions, attitudes, opinions, or were life lessons learned. Kaye pledges “unabashed honesty,” and she truly delivers. These life-altering experiences are candid, emotionally raw, heartbreaking, and humorous. I loved that she felt comfortable exposing her insecurities, owning up to her mistakes, sharing her triumphs, and laughing at herself. We have all experienced similar events in different ways, but Kaye seems to give us permission to own up to these awkward situations and realize that in our youth we’ve all experienced insecurities and difficulties in finding ourselves. I felt like I was having a conversation with an old friend who I shared confidences with. With each story I read, I mentally relived my similar experience, relating to hers in so many ways. I laughed, cried, cringed, and cheered.
It is hard to say which were my favorites because they were all wonderful. First Kiss stands out because it so eloquently conveys the difference between the storybook kiss we romanticize from books and TV as pre-teen children, and the reality of a sweaty ten-year-old boy sticking his tongue down your throat. It reminded me of my first kiss at ten when my family spent the summer in Silverton, Colorado. I got kissed in a coal shed while playing post office. Not at all what I expected. First Broken Heart, My First Apartment, and First and Last Love are also amazing. I did love My First Christmas tree because it brought to life how confusing it is for a child to live in a country where their family’s beliefs are different from the norm. From Blond to Wrong was hysterical. Been there done that.
It was so gracious of Kaye to share such person stories. I love her quote, “When we are young, we’re more curious than cautious, and as we age, our accrued wisdom becomes our guide to future choices we make.” These stories are the formulation of the talented, self-confident woman she has obviously become. It was brave for her to share these intimate experiences. As she says, “If we don’t learn and grow, we’re forced to repeat the lessons until we do.” I think everyone can relate to these stories, and I highly recommend you take this journey with Kaye.
Reviewed by Miriam Hurdle – https://theshowersofblessings.com/2023/09/11/fifteen-first-times-by-dg-kaye-book-review/comment-page-1/#comment-470439
My 5-Star Review
Fifteen First Times is Kaye’s delightful memoir. It feels like chatting with her about life over a cup of coffee. Some of her experiences remind me of my first times. These stories could be common to some people, but they are unique to Kaye. Some stories are cute, some serious, some happy, and some sad.
One cute story was that Kaye’s father gifted her a trip to Europe as her eighteenth birthday present. She had a fascination with shoes. She wore 4” spike high heels, carrying oversized luggage on her trip. I could visualize her dragging her luggage, trailing behind a group of young folks who were hopping and skipping in front of her. Her great outgoing personality came to her rescue. She made friends with the tour guides who always looked out for her. In Rome, Ricardo, the tour guide, carried her luggage to her room.
The story I considered as serious was about Kaye’s first boyfriend. At seventeen, she met a singer, Tony, at the nightclub. They seemed to click right away. She listened to Tony every Friday night and spent time together afterward. Tony would pick her up in his red Dodge on a date. She thought it was real love. Tony’s friend broke the bad news to her that his parents had pre-arranged his marriage.
One happy story was about Christmas. Kaye loved Christmas and all the decorations, toys, Santa, and reindeer. But they didn’t have a Christmas tree at their house. Her mother said, “Jewish people don’t have Christmas trees.” When she moved away from home, the first thing she wanted was her own Christmas tree. She was so excited that she “went overboard” with decorations.
The sad story that made me cry was about her best friend Al. Al was a happy-go-lucky friend, divorced, with two children. She jokingly said her painful leg might not support her body one day. Kaye and another best friend didn’t pay attention initially. By the time Al went to the doctor, she was diagnosed with a tumor close to her spine. Surgery couldn’t take care of it. It went downhill at a fast speed. She was put in hospice. Kaye wanted to visit her, but Al’s daughter said her mom was gone. Kaye mourned for her friend of her own age and realized “death has no age limits.”
Kaye wrote a beautiful tribute to her late husband, who was her first real love and will remain the greatest love of her life. I recommend this book to memoir lovers.
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Reviewed by Marian Beaman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65975556-fifteen-first-times
Fifteen First Times is a memoir of fifteen significant moments in the author’s life. It is a very entertaining book as most of the experiences are fairly universal for women so I could easily relate to the author’s emotions, anxieties, and joys. It was enlightening to read about the same experiences I had in the author’s different environment and lifestyle. Such experiences are so huge and often devastating when they occur, but when we look back on them, they really weren’t that awful after all. Hindsight definitely helps in life.
My favourite story was when the author had a small accident in her father’s car as a result of a defiant response to her grandfather’s spoken and non-verbal critisism of her driving. I had a similar experience but I did a lot more damage to my mom’s car and I’ve also never forgotten it. I got such a horrible shock at the time.
The author’s experiences travelling as a young woman were intriguing for me. I was quite sheltered by my father and never did anything like she describes. It certainly helped her achieve independence and learn some important life lessons.
Fifteen First Times is a wonderful way to remember the highlights of young life from a humorous and witty perspective.
When I read D. G. Kaye’s books, I always get the impression I’m having a conversation with the author. In her latest, Fifteen First Times, the author once again gets up close and personal.
In fifteen chapters, Debby discloses her love affair with shoes, close encounters with boys, the fright of her first menstrual period, the glory of travel and much more. Brimming with chutzpah, the author divulges also how she engineered Christmas cheer in a home where Hanukkah was respected.
The vignettes come with lessons learned, takeaways for readers: “My big European vacation taught me many lessons about life—friendship, flirting, culture, how ridiculous I must have looked wearing four-inch spikes in the desert, consequences for not obeying laws, and how much my father had spoiled me.”
Growing up with a narcissistic mother, we are thankful for the presence of dear Aunt Sherry and a devoted Dad. As expected, the book concludes with an homage to her beloved husband: “My G was the first true love of my life. He loved me through all my war wounds unconditionally. We laughed our way through hard times and shared a most beautiful life together.”
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but most of all you will be able to relate to Debby Gies’ coming of age memoir and conclude with the author that “hindsight gives us insight.” This brief book with a stunning cover by Unicorn Cats Publishing gets five stars.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Days Gone Bye…
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2023
4.5*
I so enjoyed reading these snapshots of D. G. Kaye’s life, growing up in the 1960s, 70s and 80s – partly because I discovered that she is just two months older than me, so it’s a world I know about … mostly!*
I love the conversational aspect of the essays; the way Kaye writes is so readable, so down-to earth that it’s like she’s talking just to you, from the first kiss to the first love, to the first car and apartment, and, more seriously, the first bereavement of someone her own age. This one was so heartrending that I found myself missing Alba too, a woman I know only from this one short story.
I think the piece that made me smile and nod the most was the ‘first diet’ – years of yo-yo dieting and obsession with what is put in one’s mouth, the bane of many a young (and not so young) woman’s life. The daft things you try to lose weight. Definitely a generational thing; I remember my mother (born in the 1920s) telling me that when she was a young woman, you were just the shape you were, and you didn’t give it a great deal of thought. Before advertising got serious!
Anyway, this is great, definitely recommend it to anyone. It’s not that long; you could probably read it in a couple of afternoons. Ideal for a nice bit of holiday reading, too 😀
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Reviewed by Resa McConaghy from Graffiti Lux Art & More
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Fifteen First Times by D. G. Kaye
Reviewed by Lauren Scott
I’ve always enjoyed D.G. Kaye’s conversational writing style. This book is no exception to her honest and entertaining narrative. She has compiled a collection of ‘firsts’ from her teen years relatable to all readers. I felt so at ease that I read this collection in one sitting, feeling like we were comfortably chatting over a glass of wine. These memories invited me to stroll down memory lane, recalling crazy crash diets, first kiss, first boyfriend, and first broken heart that felt like it would never mend. Her amusing fascination with shoes made me chuckle; how she managed those heels is beyond me. I laughed out loud when I read about the first hair dye episode. Her first car was a Ford Mustang given by her wonderful father, and while my first car wasn’t, her story evoked memories of when I bought a blue Mustang a few years later with equal excitement.
Kaye’s anecdotes are witty, engaging, and poignant. She has no trouble sharing her vulnerability. Low self-esteem plagued her in those years, but with her outgoing personality and wild sense of fashion, she rose above it, growing into the confident woman she is today. Being a teenager isn’t easy. Those years are about finding ourselves, figuring out who we are, and Kaye succeeded with spirit!
Kaye ends the collection with an emotive tribute to her late husband, her only true love. My heart still aches for her loss. She writes in her dedication, “To those who’ve been there, done that, and learned from. And for those who’ve yet to venture out and overcome.” She couldn’t have expressed the purpose of this delightful book any better. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a heartwarming memoir and a stroll down memory lane.
One more 5-star rating!
5.0 out of 5 stars An Enchanting Tour of Life
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
I might be in my sixth decade of life, but DG Kaye’s memoir, Fifteen First Times, brings me blissfully back in time as if I were reliving my youth. She includes tender moments, budding independence, and painful firsts. I felt as if I were sitting across the couch from Kaye, sipping crisp white wine and exchanging stories of our beloved but challenging past.
She draws you in with our commonalities as women, from our first love to menstruation, a hysterical shoe obsession, bad hair decisions, first apartments, and broken hearts. As I read through each story, I laughed, cried, and empathized with Kaye’s Fifteen Firsts. It is a bold, funny, and touching read about life’s endearing moments. An enchanting novel for fans of delightful memoirs.
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Reviewed by Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes
A Collection of Indelible Firsts
My First Car
I share many memories of my first times with Debby, and the most memorable for me, was my first car and learning to drive it. This was my first taste of independence, and I loved every minute of being behind the wheel.
For The Love of Shoes
Shoes struck a different note with me; however, as being tall, I apparently have rather large feet. Finding shoes that fit has always been a nightmare for me.
First and Last Love
Although I share many of Debby’s Fifteen First Times, I never did find the love of my life, although there were plenty of almosts. I am envious of the love she shared with G and very sad that she must mourn him every single day…
This intriguing book is so many of our lives in a nutshell…
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Deborah Jay
5.0 out of 5 stars Open, honest, poignant, and funny all in oneReviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 8, 2023
‘Fifteen First Times’ fully describes this short, entertaining read in D G Kaye’s inimitable open and honest style – no subject is too difficult to approach or describe.
As with some other reviewers, there were several experiences I didn’t relate to, but found Kaye’s explanations of them engaging and sometimes eye-opening. The one that amused me most was ‘From Blonde to Wrong’. I began experimenting with dying my own hair quite early in my teens, and also chose to go red – a colour that both my cousins have by nature, and I coveted. Unlike Kaye, my first foray into hair colouring was using henna, and I was pleased with the results, so I have continued to dye my own hair, and the only time I ever got it done at a salon was the one time it turned out so dark it was almost black and I hated it – just as happened to Kaye with her first home effort!
No matter how painful the memories of some of these ‘firsts’, Kaye does not shy away from sharing the depths of feelings she experienced, and still manages to highlight the humour that characterises her welcome positive approach to life. I’m sure everyone will find some ‘firsts’ applicable to them – well worth the read.
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Toni Pike
My Review
5 Stars – a pleasure to read
I loved D.G. Kaye’s new book and it even exceeded my high expectations. I’ve enjoyed books by this author before – she has a great talent for writing highly entertaining stories. This is a heart-warming collection of fifteen stories about significant firsts in her life, mainly from her early years. Kaye regarded these as “her compass for life, setting up the direction for whom and how I’d become me.”
Every story was so easy to relate to and touched a chord with me, bringing back memories of my own life. They all tugged at the heart-strings and were told with a great deal of humour and common sense, showing a wonderful zest for life. The author is not afraid to shy away from some very difficult subjects, such as her first, very traumatic experiences with menstruation.
I enjoyed all of the stories, but my special favourites were:
Crazy Diets
My First Kiss – Yuck!
First Broken Heart
My First Apartment.
Most touching of all was the final story – a heartbreaking tribute to her beloved husband.
This was a joy to read, and I give it a resounding five stars.
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Jane Sturgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars Another lovingly observed collection of stories from Kaye’s gifted writing talent …Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 16, 2023
I love Kaye’s books and this one does not disappoint. A loving collection of ‘firsts’ and the stories are all warm, witty and keenly observed by a writer who writes from a wise viewpoint. I was right there with her on First Broken Heart, From Blond to Wrong, First Loss Of A Friend, through to the heartbreaking tribute to her beloved G. We will all find a part of our history in her stories as they help us to feel seen and understood. Please keep writing!
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Harmony Kent
4.0 out of 5 stars A quick and easy readReviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 19, 2023
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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4.0 out of 5 stars Relatable Personal StoriesReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 31, 2022
This recollection of fifteen events in the author’s life that shaped her entire future is an entertaining and relatable memoir.
We’ve all had those first moments of an experience we could never forget. In a personal and conversational style of writing, Ms. Kaye shares fifteen of her firsts, from a fascination with shoes to getting her period, her first car, heartbreak, apartment, learning to drive, and to her first experience with grief.
When we are kids, we have so many questions and search for answers. And while this author had an insatiable curiosity, sadly, she had no one in which to confide when she first got her period, and she had no idea what was happening to her. Thank goodness we have come forward in a time where these things are more openly talked about. I love the humor the author interjected into the stories, and many made me chuckle. The last entry in the book gripped my heart as she shared the loss of her husband, her one true love. The anguish comes across in her words. I highly recommend this personal memoir to women of all ages. There is a sprinkling of sage advice that would benefit younger women, and a feeling of camaraderie older women can experience when reading this book.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of Familiar FirstsReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 2, 2023
Fifteen First Times was such a comfortable and almost conversational read that I cranked it out in one setting. While a few of the memorable firsts involved topics that pertained more to women (period, menopause, shoes), there were plenty of other subjects that involved either gender. Written in her usual honest style with moments of sadness and humor embedded, Kaye will connect with most readers. While reading about a young woman finding her way, I found myself reminiscing about my first kiss, car, heartbreak, cigarette, and many other subjects.
Most subjects were pretty light until the author shared some poignant and touching memories about experiencing the death of a close friend and then, later, her husband. Those chapters will stay with me the most as Kaye openly shares her private thoughts. I felt like I was listening in on a phone call with someone sharing their feelings with a close friend.
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5.0 out of 5 stars An Enchanting Tour of LifeReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2023
I might be in my sixth decade of life, but DG Kaye’s memoir, Fifteen First Times, brings me blissfully back in time as if I were reliving my youth. She includes tender moments, budding independence, and painful firsts. I felt as if I were sitting across the couch from Kaye, sipping crisp white wine and exchanging stories of our beloved but challenging past.
She draws you in with our commonalities as women, from our first love to menstruation, a hysterical shoe obsession, bad hair decisions, first apartments, and broken hearts. As I read through each story, I laughed, cried, and empathized with Kaye’s Fifteen Firsts. It is a bold, funny, and touching read about life’s endearing moments. An enchanting novel for fans of delightful memoirs.
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Kaye’s memoir Fifteen First Times reads like a conversation over a glass of wine with a bunch of besties. As I was reading, I could imagine the groans, laughter, and tender moments many women share in common as they navigate their teens and young adulthood—first kiss, first love, first car, a broken heart, the angst of menstruation, the first hair coloring disaster, and the first death that woke us up to the impermanence of life. Fifteen firsts.
I couldn’t relate to all of Kaye’s experiences. I never had a thing about shoes, for example, and didn’t have the privilege of travel, but I could relate very well to the journey of self-discovery, to struggles with self-esteem, and to finding a home within ourselves.
What struck me the most about Kaye’s recollections is how humor and a bold, flamboyant approach to life helped her overcome challenges and become the confident woman she is today. She ends the memoir by highlighting the importance of laughter in her life and in her relationship with her late husband. It’s a touching thread that connects her memories and heartfelt conclusion to her book of firsts. An entertaining two-hour read, highly recommended to fans of memoirs.
Diana Peach – https://mythsofthemirror.com/2023/01/07/december-book-reviews-part-two/comment-page-2/#comment-205064
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Goodreads
Lisa Thomson‘s review
Jan 04, 2023
it was amazing
bookshelves: memoir
A lovely essay style memoir, by D.G. Kaye. She shares fifteen of her poignant first experiences. Each one as touching as the next. Kaye makes herself vulnerable in sharing these very personal stories, including losing loved ones. My favorite were her stories of her trip to Europe as a teen. If you grew up in the 70’s you will doubly enjoy this book. Highly recommend!
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Review by Smitha Vishwanath https://smithavpennings.com/2023/01/10/book-review-fifteen-first-times-beginnings-a-collection-of-indelible-firsts-by-d-g-kaye/comment-page-1/#comment-33471
‘Fifteen first times’ by author D.G. Kaye is a light, heartwarming read that will leave you reminiscing your own fifteen first times, sweet events you may have forgotten along the way as life took over and bitter ones that hurt you so much, that you buried deep inside of you- basically, all the experiences that made you into the person you currently are.
About the book
The 92 page book is like I said, a quick, easy read. The honesty and simplicity with which D.G.Kaye shares her story is both refreshing and endearing. Whether it be her first kiss, her first love, her first time behind the steering wheel, her first driving accident, her first Christmas tree or her first experience with losing a friend, the author bares it all in a way that touches the right cord.
The author touches upon her emotionally difficult relationship with her mother, the crazy diets that led her to becoming a size 4 and looking anorexic, ending the diet and going to a size 16, being closer to her maternal aunt than her mother but knowing she could never share too much with her aunt as in her words, ‘her aunt’s first allegiance would always be towards her elder sister.’ It’s clear from the book that the author’s father was the one constant in her life who loved her unconditionally. She shares incidents that will make you smile, for instance, the first time she buys a Christmas tree unaware of how big it will turn when it thaws, the time she decides to change her hair color on her own, or the time she drives a car under her’s father’s supervision.
The author’s lack of awareness when the ‘Crimson tide,’ hit her for the first time (you have to read the book to understand what that means) resonated with me completely. In my case, my mom was too shy I suppose to talk about it. So, also, her feelings towards her paternal grandfather how she needed to guard her self-esteem to become confident.
I found the bit about getting the Christmas tree, decorating it and finally disposing it was both hilarious and informative as we’ve only ever kept imitation trees at home. I had no idea how much of a hassle a real tree is until I read the book. The author’s experiences on a six-week student trip to Europe, a gift given to her by her dad, on her eighteenth birthday, was entertaining. The trip involved a journey to London, Israel, France, Italy and Switzerland. About packing for the trip, she says, ‘Oh, sure they sent me a packing list beforehand, but shorts, bathing suits (plural) and sneakers were definitely not occupying my suitcase. So, I traveled and toured everywhere, from museums to galleries to ruins, in my four-inch high heels. I kid you not.’ This was another experience I could relate to as I strutted to the highest point of Europe in Germany in high-heeled wedges and needed my little girls, then 7 and 9, to help me up and down the slope.
Who is this book for?
There are a lot of takeaways in this book. Like they say, ‘Why make the mistake when you can learn the lesson from someone else’s?’ This book is just that- read it, learn from the author’s experiences and either make the same mistake with wisdom or avoid making it.
This book is for girls – sixteen and older. I’ve already asked my girls, who are 18 and 20 respectively, to read the book. The young ones will definitely gain from reading this book, knowing that they are not alone when it comes to having insecurities, heartaches, poor self-esteem during their growing-up years. Some experiences may vary depending on the culture you come from but by and large, reading the book makes you realize that irrespective of where one is born or the color of one’s skin, every girl goes through these feelings at some point in life or another.
The book is also for older women too as it will help them relive their youth by bringing back memories and leave them feeling proud of how far they’ve come.
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Reviewed by Stevie Turner, January 6th
5 Stars
I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
In this short but candid book the author D.G Kaye shares fifteen of her first times with us; from her first diet to her first menstrual period, her first high heels, her first love, and her first cigarette to name but a few. We also find out what happened when she decided to dye her hair red for the first time.
Reading through the pages, I was astounded that the author had never had any education from her mother as regards menstruation, and had bravely soldiered through the first three periods wondering what on earth was happening to her body. It was also sad how others perceived her as overweight, causing her to undertake diet after diet to achieve the ever-elusive size 6. I cheered her on though, when finally she moved into her own apartment for the first time and began to grow away from her mother’s influence.
D.G Kaye’s extrovert personality shines through the pages and obviously aided her in making new friends and forging an active social life in her twenties, but it would also be the first time she came face-to-face with the death of one of her friends rather than the passing of older relatives.
The above life trials (and more) have imbued the author with a kind of innate wisdom. She has no regrets, but through trial and error she now has the knowledge to favour a lifetime of healthy eating rather than a crash diet. She knows of the joy and pain of loving, and how death can claim the young as well as the old. She realises how addictive cigarettes can be. She has lived through all the experiences she has written about, has learned from them, and has important knowledge to pass down to a younger generation. However… will they listen?
I give this recommended read 5 stars.
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5 Stars
In her opening thoughts, Ms Kaye writes “We live, we write, we experience, we become, and we overcome.” It’s this acceptance of what life throws at us, and using it as a way to move forwards, that gave me huge respect for the author. Her candour, her vivid recollections of these first landmarks in her life, and her bubbly nature offset with a deprecating humour, all contribute to the magic, poignancy and heartbreak of these revelations.
The book is written in a conversational style that brought the experiences closer to home for me. Her first kiss (“Yuck!”) and her first broken heart were so natural and relatable, and I could picture them so clearly, sympathizing with her sadness whilst smiling at her recollections. The story of her first period, though, was shocking. As she says, she was “sheltered and uninformed” and dealt with the worry and practical problems on her own until others realized what was going on. Her mother’s brutal humiliation was painful to read about.
There’s a wit and wisdom about all of these pieces. During her time on a kibbutz, she refers to herself as ‘a spoiled brat’ but her good-natured responses and ability to laugh at herself completely took the sting out of the situation and earned my admiration.
The last ‘time’ is entitled When Friends Die and was the most poignant and moving of these for me. She writes “Death doesn’t bypass the kindhearted”. There is a tribute to her beloved husband who died recently and I found it incredibly touching.
In the epilogue she concludes that we have to experience these things for ourselves and that they provide the ‘compass’ for life. Without these incidents we would never learn or have anything for comparison.
I think it’s inevitable that we remember our own encounters when we read this book and this does add to the overall appeal of the book for me. It made me reflect on my own life whilst providing an entertaining, humorous and emotional read.
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My review for the book December 21st 2022 by Sally Cronin
5 Stars
The author has a natural conversational style of writing that draws you in as if she is talking to you personally. Her memories prompt the reader’s own experiences at similar ages, and raises a smile or two at the similarities between girls of a certain age, however many thousands of miles they live apart.
This is particularly true in this collection of stories as Kaye shares episodes from her childhood such as playing in her mother’s stiletto shoes which would fuel a lifetime’s love of footwear, a first kiss, and taking that first puff of a parent’s discarded cigarette.
With the smiles comes the tears, as we identify the moments of loneliness and isolation as a girl becomes a woman without the support needed from a mother, a dysfunctional family life, and the loss of a much loved friend who shared the formative years between teens and late twenties.
At the end of the collection is a wonderful tribute to her late husband, who made her laugh every day and was the first and last love of her life.
D.G. Kaye writes with poignancy but also great humour, which makes these first times all the more delightful and memorable. The experiences are not just relevant to girls growing up, as many are relateable to boys and young men coping with the cultural and social expectations of the day, and finding their way in life and relationships. Take a walk down the memory lane of your own life in very good company. Highly recommended.
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Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars Touches upon various emotions.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 25, 2022
‘Fifteen First Times’ is a collection of interesting anecdotes from the teenage years of D.G.Kaye. From crazy diets that she tried to follow to the love of shoes and her first kiss, all find a mention in a witty style, as Bobby “planted a big wet kiss… and it was no regular kiss…yuck!” I smiled at the reaction of a nine year old girl who obviously knew nothing about it.
The candor of Kaye is admirable! She shares her stressful moments of becoming a woman in a brilliant manner, trying to figure out what could have caused “the mini bloodbath” between her legs but couldn’t dare to approach her mother, as she was far from “an average mamma” who never cared to explain that there was no need to feel embarrassed about this natural phenomenon.
Kaye’s resilience and independent spirit shines through her words. She grew up into a fine woman despite her dysfunctional family and heartbreaks. Her love for her father and their bonding exemplifies how a child learns to understand life. The book touches upon various emotions and ends with a loving tribute to her late husband. I finished reading it in one sitting and loved the way Kaye shared the stories of her growing up.
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My Review: By Judith Barrow
Fifteen First Times is a collection of short but evocative memoirs by D G Kaye. I actually wasn’t sure what to expect when I first started to read. All I knew was that, having read various other books by this author, and having always admired her intimate writing style, I was in for a treat. I wasn’t disappointed.
Although brought up in a different country with a background that was poles apart from my own, I found myself nodding, reminiscing, and recognising so many of her firsts. Indeed I would go so far as to say, that many women would recognise something of themselves, something of their own experiences, in what these recollections bring to mind, wherever they have lived.
The poignancy of some of the stories brought tears, others a “laugh out loud” moment. But all are written with integrity and complete openness, something I always anticipate from D G Kaye. It’s like sharing and swopping tales from our youths. We have all had our “firsts” in our lives, and this compilation of memories is a treat that makes the reader sit back and reminisce – very satisfying.
So I would urge any reader to immerse themselves in this book… to enjoy and reflect on their own “firsts”. That’s what this author’s words brought out in me. Highly recommended.
As I say above, I have read other books by D G Kaye, and never been disappointed. The following are a couple from quite a while ago; around the first time I came across this author. As you will see, I’ve been impressed by her writing for many years. Do check them out…
D.L. Finn‘s review
Dec 16, 2022
it was amazing
“Fifteen First Times” is a group of personal stories told in a humorous yet perceptive manner. It felt like I was sitting with Ms. Kaye having a cup of tea while she shared some of her life stories. I found it easy to relate to a first kiss, first heartbreak, or first-time driving. It got me reflecting on many of my firsts and how I navigated life after. The author’s strength, fashion sense, and humor shined through the words, painting a picture of her moments. This is a book of youthful reflections and what we can learn from all our firsts. There was also a loving dedication to her departed husband that touched my soul. This is a beautiful collection of coming-of-age stories I can easily recommend.
Dec 16, 2022M.J. Mallon rated it it was amazing
Fifteen first times is a lovely memoir by D G Kaye. Reading it I recalled many of my first times too! In this short memoir, she mentions memories such as her diets, first kiss, colouring her hair, Christmas tree, first apartment, getting her driving licence, travel to Israel and Europe and much more. It is a personal, and relatable collection which I enjoyed.
I think it would be enjoyed by all and in particular bloggers, writers (a lot of the content is female centric such as the short section on first period!) This is a topic that needs to be spoke about openly! So hats off to D G Kaye for being so honest sharing her personal memories.
She also shares her sadness at loss of several family members, a dear friend Alba and her much loved husband.
So, at times humourous, sometimes poignant, a sneak peak into the author’s life.
A recommended read.
x
I always look forward to reading D.G. Kaye’s books because I know they will be authentic, witty, and compelling.
Throughout D.G. Kaye’s latest memoir, she draws her readers in by sharing her past experiences. A reader can easily relate to fifteen real talk stories that cover topics such as her obsession with shoes, her hilarious experience with her first Christmas tree, her disastrous experiment with changing from blonde to redhead, her first kiss, and many more firsts, at times bittersweet, including the death of a close friend.
In particular, I found her tribute to her beloved husband to be so very touching. She writes how no man could make her laugh. In the past laughter for her “could mask so many scars, aches, and insecurities….It was always me making someone else laugh…That was until I met my husband. Here was a man who made me laugh.”
During this Christmas season, if you’re feeling stressed like many of us are, I highly recommend this book. Relax and give yourself this gift for the holiday season. Your heart will likely smile as you reflect on some of your firsts and take a journey down your own memory lane.
DGKayewriter.com 