Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Kick-Ass Kinda Girl: A Memoir of Life, Love and Caregiving by Kathi Koll is one of those books that bring tears to the reader’s eyes while warming their heart — poignant, honest, and filled with humanism. The daughter of parents who were the very picture of 1920s young love, Kathi Koll’s life has been one filled with peace and blessings. While she had enjoyed celebrities in the family while growing up, she became a caregiver when her mom was dying of cancer. She learned to take care of her alcoholic father and brothers suffering with painful diseases. Married to Don Koll, she had been living her life’s dream with the man who became her soulmate, an Air Force pilot turned real estate developer. But then he suffered a stroke and everything changed. This memoir follows Kathi’s journey as a caregiver and answers the question: Does life stop when tragedy hits home?

We encounter a woman who learned to trump difficult situations, who refused to bow when everything seemed to fall apart around her, and who chose to “stand in love” in spite of the odds. The narrative is full of grit and there is a lightheartedness in the voice that makes it memorable. Kathi Koll has a rare gift for humor and this gift flows from her heart — a secret strength that has accompanied her through difficult moments. 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. Kick-Ass Kinda Girl: A Memoir of Life, Love and Caregiving is beautifully written and I loved how the author opens her heart to the reader, offering lessons from her journey while exploring the beauty and intricacies of the relationships she cultivated along the way. This is a book that both inspires and entertains, loaded with the wisdom readers need to cope with challenging situations. A book for keeps.