Reviews
“In this touching memoir, Koll tells of her life as a caregiver. …Koll’s compassionately told stories uplift and inspire.” —Publishers Weekly
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“In this memoir, Koll offers clear-eyed memories of hospitals, health care, and hope. … An engaging, warts-and-all telling of the ups and downs of a full-time caregiver.” —Kirkus Reviews
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“Turning trial into triumph has been a theme of author Kathi Koll’s life.” —Modern Luxury Magazine
“[Koll’s] book chronicles in vivid detail, the meaningful lessons she learned on her journey…”
—Newport Beach Magazine
“Kick-Ass Kinda Girl is an inspirational memoir documenting author Kathi Koll’s challenges and achievements, presenting a blueprint on not just surviving life’s slings and arrows, but finding joy despite adversity. Readers of books about caregiving, survival, and being a widow will find a remarkable energy within Kick-Ass Kinda Girl that belays the usual focus on mourning and picking up pieces to instead follow a passion for seeing the good about life even during the throes of grief. The result isn’t just a memoir by and about a “kick-ass” girl: it’s a lesson plan others can use to find their own rainbows behind the clouds, and represents a standout in the literature surrounding grief, recovery, and illness.A standout in the literature surrounding grief, recovery, and illness.”
—Diane Donovan for California Bookwatch & Midwest Book Review
“The book is light on real estate news…but it has more than its share of anecdotes featuring U.S. presidents, celebrities, far-flung locations, and at least one near-kidnapping.” —Mark Mueller, Orange County Business Journal
“Kick-Ass Kinda Girl: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Caregiving is one of those books that bring tears to the reader’s eyes while warming their heart — poignant, honest, and filled with humanism….The intelligence of the heart, the gift of following one’s gut, and the power of instinct are some of the qualities of the author that come out brilliantly through the narrative. …Beautifully written…this is a book that both inspires and entertains, loaded with the wisdom readers need to cope with challenging situations. A book for keeps.” —Readers’ Favorite, 5 stars
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“Kick-Ass Kinda Girl is an entertaining roller coaster of a memoir whose second half will be particularly pertinent to caregivers.” —Foreword Clarion Review, 4 stars
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“Koll comes across as a potential friend, someone who listens well and willingly opens her heart. Since she can’t be everywhere to help those who need her hard-won wisdom for moving forward, Kick-Ass Kinda Girl is a worthy surrogate.” —BlueInk Review
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“Very compelling…an emotional page-turner.” —OnlineBookClub.org
“Kathi’s page-turner book paints a picture of two grounded people who suffer heartbreak as they navigate life with serious healthcare challenges. …You may likely feel as I do when you’re finished reading this Memoir of Life, Love, and Caregiving: I would love to sit down with the caregiver I got to know in these pages for conversations about caregiving, her foundation, and more.”
—Brenda Avadian, The Caregiver’s Voice
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“There were no guidebooks for Kathi – she made it up as she went along. What she lived and learned is an amazing story, and I am delighted to see her tell it.”
—Deborah Norville, anchor, Inside Edition and New York Times Bestselling Author
“For virtually her entire life, Kathi Koll’s lived in the front row seat of caregiving. From alcoholism to cancer—to Don’s debilitating stroke, Kathi felt the full force of brutal illnesses, and yet she dug deep as a caregiver to respond to it all with a strength, honesty, and a dignity that blazes a trail for the rest of us.”
—Peter Rosenberger, Caregivers with Hope radio show host, author of Hope for the Caregiver and husband/caregiver for 30+ years
“Kathi Koll’s passion and spirit shine. Her story is a stellar example of a life fully lived despite devastating circumstances. Read it, read it again, and gift it to someone who needs a dose of laughter-through-tears along with a lot of inspired practical ideas for caregiving as a dynamic, creative, and uplifting act of love.”
—Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen and New York Times Bestselling Author of Promise Me
“In this captivating and touching memoir, Kathi Koll offers a fresh perspective on the relationships that define our families and the care and devotion we give our loved ones. Here is a story of courage, love and resilience no matter what life brings. This is a must-read for all healthcare professionals, their patient’s families and anyone in a caregiving role.”
—Farzad Massoudi, MD Fellow American Assn. of Neurological Surgeons
“This book, full of jaw dropping challenges, unstoppable love, and true inspiration, could not be arriving at a better time, as I believe we could all use a mega dose of whatever is in Kathi Koll’s emotional tool box.”
—Lucie Arnaz, Golden Globe–nominated, Emmy Award–winning Actress
“Kick-Ass Kinda Girl is a deeply moving personal story of love, compassion, devotion, anguish, sorrow, courage, and strength, beautifully told by Kathi Koll. It is the perfect gift for anyone seeking a path through pain to a place of joy, peace and understanding.”
—Alexandra de Borchgrave, President & Chairman Light of Healing Hope Foundation
“True love, selflessness and caring exist in this world and Kathi’s story offers proof. This masterful work will touch many hearts and give any child of God a reason to believe in the greatness of life lived and surrendered to love. Now more than ever we need words that heal, are kind, offer hope and reveal the power of encouragement. This book is a wonderful gift and all who read it will feel they have found a sister in Kathi. I highly recommend it to anyone needing to restore their inner strength and faith.”
—Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B. Prioress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis and author of The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’s Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows
“Kathi’s creativity and passion put a buoyant spin on her brilliant caregiving strategies, but mostly I love the way this book places caregiving into the context of life. It isn’t about surviving as the child of an alcoholic or as the devoted spouse of someone who’s suffered a debilitating stroke; it’s about living a life powered by joy, motivated by love, and lifted by hope.”
—Joni Rodgers, New York Times bestselling author of Bald in the Land of Big Hair
“With her husband, Don, facing a debilitating illness, Kathi Koll had a choice to make: She could trudge on, fulfilling her role with her head down and teeth gritted. Or she could choose life for both herself and Don, honoring their time together with joy and energy. … Kathi’s story is a testament to perseverance, spirit, and character.
—Senator Bill Frist, MD, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, surgeon, co-founder of palliative care company Aspire Health
“Like the 1984 Olympic U.S. Hockey Team win against Russia, Kathi Koll pulled off a miracle. Her husband Don was not supposed to live for long after suffering a catastrophic stroke let alone thrive for over six years in the comfort of his own home surrounded by loved ones. I witnessed Kathi’s spirited determination firsthand as she actively and lovingly addressed the challenges posed by Don’s debilitating illness. For Kathi impossible meant nothing. Her miraculous ability to seize every possibility for hope as she orchestrated with expert precision a medical team that would rival any hospital ICU reveals a woman of great strength and courage. Kathi’s moving story is an indelible portrait of one woman facing the impossible with grace and gumption and never giving up.”
—Harley R. Liker, MD, CEO, Liker Consulting, Inc. and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
“Kathi Koll’s memoir shows how one can put love into action while facing great adversity and heartbreak. With humor, grace and raw honesty, Kathi reveals the personal struggles she has faced as a daughter, a sister, and a spouse selflessly caring for loved ones in need. Through her work with the Kathi Koll Foundation and in her book, Kathi offers encouragement for others who find themselves facing overwhelming circumstances when caring for sick family members regardless of their age, the nature of the disability or their financial situation. Kathi brings a unique perspective to a universal experience and her story offers valuable lessons on how caregivers can improve the quality of their lives and by doing so, improve the quality of care they give others.”
—Donna Benton, PhD, Director USC Family Caregiver Support Center
“Kathi Koll is the most modern of genuine American ladies! And her kick-ass demeanor reminds us of the founding frontier women who pioneered the trail’s of our country’s western expansion. Her journey – from Lucille Ball to Laura Bush – is powerful, relatable and personally inspiring. READ this book, as the lessons learned are priceless!”
—Christopher Meigher, Publisher Quest Magazine
“Kathi and her story are amazing. She is such a caring and selfless person and she is a true inspiration to many. You can’t help but be moved by Kathi’s dedication and circumstances.”
—Lucila Torres, USC Family Caregiver Support Center, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology graduate student
