By the Time You Read This

This is a story written by Lois’s dead father to her when she was only five years old. While Lois’s memories of her father are few, he gives himself to her each year with a new chapter of live for her to read on each of her birthdays. This book give her hope in a world that is missing importance to her. I enjoyed By The Time You Read This by Lola Jaye and look forward to reading more of her work.

Kevin Bates has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness and decides to leave his five year old daughter, Lois a gift of his thoughts and advice about life in a journal he entitles, The Manual. Seven years later, Lois receives The Manual. She's excited about her gift and especially values that it's from her father. When she begins reading, she learns her father has set a few rules. She can only read entries every year on her birthday, she's not able to read future entries and she can only refer to entries that have already been read. Year after year, Lois reads the new entries and she learns and cherishes the lessons her father has left her. BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS is the debut novel by Lola Jaye. She spins an emotional story about an unconventional relationship between father and daughter. The character's thoughts were brought to life with depth and reality. A read that will have you wondering what you would do if you were in the same situation. Reviewed by Jaime L. Lincoln of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

This book was great. It captures the amazing connection between father and daughter in a tender and believable way. The characters are well developed and the storyline is clear and easy to follow. I cried many times while reading this but they were happy tears because I felt such a connection to the characters. A+ recommendation.

In 1983, thirty year old Kevin Bates is stunned with the medical diagnosis. He has six months to live at best and no time to wallow in self pity or what if drills. Instead he wants to leave a legacy of fatherly guidance to his five years old daughter Lois. Thus he goes into hiding to write The Manual; an advice guide for his beloved child to use to help her navigate life starting when she turns twelve. Seven years later, Lois still grieves the loss of her daddy. She is angry at her mom who is about to marry some creep; as if she forgot her late husband. Lois struggles when she first tries to read her dad's advice to finding happiness and letting go pain, but over the years the Manual becomes her bible as she navigates through life until she finally meets her "one". This is an engaging look at the loss of a loved one from the perspective of a daughter who grieves her daddy until she begins to obtain solace in his last words. The story line follows Lois' reading the Manual and incorporating the words of wisdom in her daily life. Although Kevin seems too perfect sort of like Kahil Gibran's Prophet rather than a dying young man knowing he leaves behind a wife and little daughter, fans will relish this five tissue box tearjerker. Harriet Klausner