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Margaret Kay
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That First Year Kindle Edition

by Margaret Kay (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 457 ratings
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.
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  1. Print length
    695 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    May 3, 2023
  5. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  6. File size
    1.3 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

FOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, FOUR STORIES THAT SPAN A YEAR

TFY

Four Family Members, Four Intertwining Stories

consolidated tfy

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C4BDL6ZP
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 3, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 695 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Best Sellers Rank: #153,858 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 457 ratings

About the author

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Margaret Kay

Margaret Kay

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Please click the yellow "Follow" button to be notified by Amazon when I publish new books.

Margaret Kay is a wife, a mother of two adult children, a grandmother, a pet lover who makes her own dog food from scratch, and is a writer of Military Romance Novels and other genres as well.

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.

The Shepherd Security Series

Book #1 Operation Protected Angel, released June 2018

Book #2 Operation Recruited Angel, released November 2018

Book #3 Operation Dark Angel, released March 29, 2019

Book #4 Operation Fallen Angel, released July 30, 2019

Book #5 Operation Departed Angel, released November 17, 2019

Book #6 Operation Bayou Angel, Released March 15, 2020

Book #7 Operation Unknown Angel, Released June 13, 2020

Book #8 Operation Beach Angel, Released October 3, 2020

Book #9 Operation Healing Angel, Released February 7, 2021

Book #10 Operation Trusted Angel, Released July 25, 2021

Book #11 Operation Spirit Angel, Released January 2022

Book #12 Operation Blood Angel, Released July 15, 2022

Book #13 Operation Shadow Angel, Released December 16, 2022

Book #14 Operation Reluctant Angel, Released November 5, 2023

Book #14.5 A Shepherd Security Christmas, Released December 21, 2023

Book #15 Operation Reckless Angel, Released May 10, 2024

Book #16 Operation Valiant Angel, Released February 2025

Book #17 Operation Sharp Angel, Released June 2025

Book #18 Operation Silent Angel, Coming early Fall 2025

Also by Margaret Kay - That First Year, a Family Drama. A story of love, loss, family, and resiliency, with hope, tears, and laughter.

Have you seen these Anthologies that include a short story by Margaret Kay?

The Masquerade Ball, A Romantic Galena Anthology where you'll find Mission Masquerade, starring Shepherd & Diana - Released September 1, 2024

Lucky in Lombard, a Charity Anthology where you'll find Mission Irish Eyes, starring Angel & Jackson - Released September 1, 2024

Love, Lattes and Holiday Tales, A Charity Anthology where you'll find Charlie's New Home, Available December 10, 2024

Says Margaret: This is a very cool journey. Thank you for coming along with me on it.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
457 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be an excellent read with outstanding character development and a wonderful storyline. However, the writing quality receives mixed reviews.

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ReadabilityCharacter developmentStorylineWriting quality
6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent read.

"...This was just a very marvelous story; one that you will really enjoy reading. I highly recommend reading this book." Read more

"...I loved reading and learning about Elyse and her family after they lost their husband and father, Tim...." Read more

"This is a very good book well written by Ms Kay...." Read more

"...This book is very different from Shepherd Security, and is every bit as good...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the character development in the book.

"...It was very well written. The character development was outstanding. This was just a very marvelous story; one that you will really enjoy reading...." Read more

"This is a very good book well written by Ms Kay. Her characters come alive and you just don't want to put the book down it is all about family and..." Read more

"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...." Read more

3 customers mention "Storyline"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book.

"...The character development was outstanding. This was just a very marvelous story; one that you will really enjoy reading...." Read more

"...Sure enough, there was a definite plot twist! Overall, it was a great read!" Read more

"great story..." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it very well written while others describe it as amateurish.

"I truly enjoyed this story by Margaret Kay. It was very well written. The character development was outstanding...." Read more

"I've tried to continue reading this book but it is very amateurish.., drags on and on.. nothing to really hold my interest...." Read more

"This is a very good book well written by Ms Kay...." Read more

"This is the lamest book I have read in a LONG time. Several errors are in the book and it’s simplistic writing was very amateurish!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Deborah L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I truly enjoyed this story by Margaret Kay. It was very well written. The character development was outstanding. This was just a very marvelous story; one that you will really enjoy reading. I highly recommend reading this book.
    Helpful
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  • Melanie Giek
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Storyline!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Sometimes it is difficult to start a new book with new characters. It took a few chapters to really get involved but when I did, it was difficult to put down. I loved reading and learning about Elyse and her family after they lost their husband and father, Tim. All of those “firsts” that take place after someone passes away. I thought Claire’s storyline was going to be very predictable although I was secretly hoping it wouldn’t be. Sure enough, there was a definite plot twist! Overall, it was a great read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a book to read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very good book well written by Ms Kay. Her characters come alive and you just don't want to put the book down it is all about family and their interactions. Loved it
    One person found this helpful
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  • Carol K
    2.0 out of 5 stars Not so great
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I've tried to continue reading this book but it is very amateurish.., drags on and on.. nothing to really hold my interest. Sorry I spent money for it.. I'm deleting it and moving on to another book... sorry
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  • CLM
    5.0 out of 5 stars ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    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!
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  • Linda Foley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt, emotional, A journey
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Melissa
    1.0 out of 5 stars Amateur
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is the lamest book I have read in a LONG time. Several errors are in the book and it’s simplistic writing was very amateurish! Not worth getting. I could write a better book and I’m not even close to being a writer.
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  • KS
    2.0 out of 5 stars Poor Editing
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
    This was an OK book with an OK story but I just couldn't get past the horrible editing. Commas in weird places where they didn't belong was the most egregious. Multiple times of using one character's name when another character was meant. Made me not want to finish the 690 page book.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • ontario buyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Nice read!!!
    Report
  • Jude
    5.0 out of 5 stars Totally riviting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I was totally hooked from the start. The characters were well developed and believable. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in family relationships. I was reading til late because I wanted to know what happened next.
    Report
  • Carole Nap
    3.0 out of 5 stars Story of love
    Reviewed in Canada on May 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • Satisfied customer.
    2.0 out of 5 stars Neverending
    Reviewed in Canada on June 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This could have been written in about half the amount of words. Paragraph upon paragraph written that didn't make or break the actual story. Just too much useless conversation, description, made it long and boring to me. I've never skimmed through a book as much as this one. The characters were well developed, but the actual theme got lost along the way.
    Report

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