Classic Kathie Lee Gifford. Raw. Funny. Real. Inspirational. Courageous. Emotional. Five stars.

It's Never Too Late is an inspirational biography by Kathie Lee Gifford, who uses examples from her own life on how to grow and reach for your dreams, even when facing big obstacles.

I wanted to read this book because I liked the idea of an inspirational book focusing on motivation and working toward your dreams.

Before reading It's Never Too Late, I mostly was familiar with Kathie Lee Gifford from her time as a Today Show host. This book serves as a biography, from her teen years to the present, so readers will learn a lot about her background and life. There are some very sweet, touching chapters of the book about her first love, a handsome surfer, her marriage to Frank Gifford, and especially about Kathie Lee's parents and their lives as they aged.

I thought the book would have more motivational content and perhaps a bit less biography, but I still found it to be an inspiring read. I particularly liked:

"A wish and a dream are not the same. You can sit around and wish all day long about wanting this and wanting that. But that’s not gonna get you anywhere if you don’t dream up a plan and then act on it" (eBook location 43)

and

"I’ve often been quoted as saying, “In order to make dreams come true, you have to put legs, arms, feet, hands, and wings on them.”In other words, you have to work your ever-lovin’butt off to get the job done. Of course, you also have to have a plan and a talent in whatever field that you want to be successful in. But with blood, sweat, and tears, it can be achieved. Most people are not willing to sacrifice sweat and tears, much less blood. Even though that’s very graphic, it does amount to that" (eBook location 45).

The book is told in short chapters. Each chapter is prefaced by lyrics to songs by Kathie Lee. There is generally a short biographical anecdote (told in lively and engaging fashion) and an inspirational nugget to learn from the incident.

It's Never Too Late will be of interest to readers who enjoy a light inspirational read, and especially for fans of Kathie Lee Gifford.

I am embarrassed to admit that I almost missed this book because of my snobbery. I’ve never been a fan of daytime TV, and I had pigeon-holed Kathy Lee Gifford as a beautiful and entertaining intellectual light weight. And I have been wrong. As Gifford shares her fascinating story, she is also teaching her readers how to lament what is truly sad and to celebrate what is truly a blessing, because it all comes to us through God’s sovereign plan.

A woman who has experienced both heady success and gut-wrenching tragedy, Gifford bears witness to a surprisingly even-keeled life and invites her readers to take a second look (or even a first look!) at the faith that has served as her own life-long ballast. Even if her gift for writing song lyrics had not sparkled its way into her prose (which it did), the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter felt like little word-bonuses. If you were a faithful viewer of Regis and Kathy Lee in your youth, It’s Never Too Late will be a treat, but even if not, you will be inspired by her challenge to “make the next act of your life the best act of your life.”

Enjoyed this look into a woman’s life that I admire. Thank you Kathie Lee for showing and reminding me that with God ALL things are possible. Not always easy but keeping God in everything you do there is someone that walks beside you.

This book has filled my soul with hope. It’s raw honesty grabs you and never let’s go. A deeply moving and poignant glimpse of the life of Kathie Lee. Her life has not always been glitz and glamour. Her very human side is exposed with stories sure to impact your heart. Dare to dream...#NetGalley #ItsNeverTooLate

I was familiar with Kathie Lee Gifford as a TV personality but had never read a book by her. Her writing style is breezy and fun, just like her on-air personality. This book is a memoir and consists of short, topical chapters. I learned a lot about Gifford, her faith, and all of her creative abilities. In addition to being a TV host, actress and singer, she is also an accomplished song writer and movie scriptwriter. This book was very enjoyable and I came away with an even greater admiration for Kathie Lee.
I recommend to anyone with an interest in Kathie Lee Gifford.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Unfortunately I was not able to review it in time. I will make sure it does not happen again. Thank you.

I've always been a fan of Kathie Lee, and was happy that she was so forthcoming in her very personal book. This isn't a celeb "dishing" about show biz, this is a highly thoughtful book, revealing Kathie's thoughts on life, love, work and the importance of religion in her life. Her happy marriage to Frank Gifford is detailed and the reader comes away with a sense that Kathie Lee can handle any tribulations life throws at her. A delightful read.

I felt as if this author and I were sitting down in comfy chairs, drinking coffee, and sharing from the heart, life experiences and how they affected us. What has kept this author sane is the fact that she has stayed true to herself and her faith. I loved the honest approach in which she shares the happy, sad, glad, bad and everything in between. She talks about how the Lord called her and she followed. She could not have orchestrated important meetings and opportunities that came her way. Even when everyone thought she might be foolish to do what she felt lead to do. Kathie had a peace about listening to that still small voice. She took courage and answered the call. She was never sorry! She said, “…little is much when God is in it.”

I loved how she shared Devine moments that changed the course of her life and encouraged her when she needed it most. I was surprised to hear about the people she was able to meet and work with. She is an inspiration to all in following your heart, and your dreams. She reveals things about her childhood, her parents, her first marriage, about knowing she was supposed to be in show biz and how hard it was. Living in the limelight, getting falsely accused in the tabloids and how it felt being in the public eye through it all. Kathie says this about tabloids,” It doesn’t really matter if any of it is true or not; all that matters is that it sells. And it will sell until the next person arrives on the scene and it starts all over again under a new name.”

“If I hadn’t been able to hold on to my own truth through all the viciousness of those years, I’d be in the Betty Ford Center, or in prison, or dead. But I didn’t let the headlines define me. I battled every day to keep reminding myself that only god could do that. And every day I clung for dear life to what His word said about me.”

This book has it all, it is encouraging, funny, heart-felt and a must read when you think it’s too late to start something new, follow a dream, and learn a new skill. It is not over till it’s over! The author has that right. Thanks to this author for her encouragement during these hard times. I’m thankful for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Never would I have thought that I'd be excited and raving about reading a Kathie Lee Gifford book! Don't get me wrong. I loved her on Regis and Kathie Lee. She was hilarious, and I was shocked when she left. But I never really connected with her or watching her material outside of the live show. Until I saw her on an interview on a short-lived day time talk show....I don't remember whose, maybe Meghan Kelly's. And I was enthralled by how real she was and how boldly she talked about her faith. That wasn't a side of her I'd ever seen before.

But that is the side of her that I got in this book. Real. Authentic. And Bold.

What an amazing life she has led. I really had no idea that she was such a faith-filled woman her entire life. She say for Kathryn Kuhlman. Later she wrote a play Amy Semple McPherson. Wow! These are bold women of faith whom I grew up hearing about but had no idea Kathie Lee Gifford knew they at all.

Here is the fault of the media and the way celebrities are portrayed....or oftentimes feel like they have to portray themselves....their true self, true nature, gets squashed below the media line, and only what media qualifies as interesting or important is shown. Like Kathie Lee always drinking wine......

They've made almost made her out to be a bimbo over the years....but she has such depth. She's fun. She hilarious, actually. She's interesting. She's grace-filled (both in character and in her faith). Despite the shows that she hosted and the "gossip train" that TV made her look like, she didn't say a bad word about any celebrities in this book. In fact, even when she had something unkind to say, she would always back it up with how human they were or with a story that taught her to look passed one experience with someone (like Tammy Baker).

I found it interesting, too, because she wrote an entire chapter about how we should never solely believe what television and media is telling us about celebrities and people. In that chapter, she listed several names (include Donald Trump). She also wrote an entire chapter on the Kardashians, with similar undertones.

It always makes me laugh when I read reviews from readers of celebrity memoirs who are annoyed that the author name dropped so much or talked so highly of themselves. I mean, that's the name of the game...and also probably the reason you picked up the book. But Kathie name drops, and you don't even feel like she did. This was her life. Her world. It was no different than me talking about my friends and interesting stories I have with them. And that just makes her feel real. I mean, celebrities are human too. Don't you know?

Anyway, as shocked as I am, I absolutely LOVED this book. Loved it.



>>>Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy for review. My opinions are my own.

Beautifully told and richly embellished with true encounters with God and with people, Kathie Lee sets out a challenge to refire your life. She encourages the reader to strike out , be bold and get out of your comfort zone to find new purpose and confidence in life. Sharing from her own experiences in recreating her life after the death of her husband and/or leaving a treasured job or following a God-given dream to create something new.
The book is very inspirational and shares from her spirit and the richness of her relationship with God. It is a beautifully done book and a very enjoyable read.

Kathie Lee is a woman centered in faith. This was a quick read and had the perfect mix of inspiration, encouragement, and celebrity stories!

This is a very well edited book about Kathie Lee Gifford's journey through many positive experiences and many trials in the entertainment business. I think it has an incredible message of hope, which is needed, but more importantly shows that God's timeline in not ours. God works all things for the best possible outcome here on Earth. What a great reflection of a committed believer.

Since I seldom watched the kind of television shows Kathie Lee Gifford has been on over the years, for me, she was just the person who may have been responsible for child labor in countries that made her clothing line and had a husband who cheated on her in a way that was made very public. Even that was another aspect of the Hollywood crowd, and honestly, I didn’t follow it; it sometimes just showed up somewhere.

All that changed for me when she started appearing on Dr. Oz, a show I do watch sometimes because of the health and diet advice. I was bowled over by how sincere and kind she was. Out of curiosity, I read her book, The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi, and quite honestly loved the little details she added. So now, I thought I’d see what she had to say in this book.
I must admit, that I really loved all the details she shares about her life, and her commitment to following God’s direction in her life. This book is truly inspirational.

I have been a fan of Kathie Lee Gifford, since she was on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. I have read all her books. This books has scripture readings that she shows how they relate to her life. It also updates on some of the stories, she has told before. It is an uplifting book and shows why It’s Never Too Late to find your passion or start over. Very inspirational. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

This is a great book by Kathie Lee Gifford. She is a great story teller. It is never too late. I really liked this book, she asks the readers questions too.

This was honestly just the book I needed to read at the time that I did. Like so many people during the pandemic, I feel stuck, anxious, insecure of the future and lost - especially since I'm ending a chapter in my professional life. And my three-year relationship has just ended. So yes, here we are.

It's Never Too Late is a personal and inspiring book about making changes in our lives. We might feel hopeless because we've invested so much time into things that didn't work out: like careers and relationships (hello there). The author uses many of her own and others' anecdotes about how no matter what, God has a plan for each of us, and He will get us through this. It's about little things and big things.

I loved this book! I simultaneously listened to the audiobook and read the ebook, which was just PERFECT because I could underline my favorite passages while Kathie Lee Gifford herself read her book out loud to me.

I highly recommend this book to people feeling like I have been, lost, anxious and confused. It's as fun as it is helpful.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This is an interesting book about a dynamic personality. It was confusing , at times, because the author went back and forth in time so often. There was no definite timeline and occasionally stories were left unfinished. There was much name dropping of other celebrities which didn’t seem relevant. There was also personal information about some of them that probably should not have been mentioned. That being said, this will interest the readers who have followed this writer’s illustrious career. She is a interesting person. Try it.

This book felt like Kathie Lee was sitting down with you and going through photo albums and briefly chatting about each memory. It was fun to read. She was honest and lighthearted. She was vulnerable and humble. She was open about her faith and the times her faith was tested. While she didn't do a bare her sole type of giving you information, she gave you everything you needed to connect with that particular memory.

I've always admired her strength. I may not have followed her life and career very closely, but I was aware of enough to know the woman has seen her share of rough times. I remember her being accused to knowingly running sweatshops. I was also there to see how she responded to the charge. I was aware of it when her husband's adultery, and the plot surrounding it. I was also aware enough to see how she tackled it. Within this book, she walks you through all of this and more. You see how her faith in God helped her keep her course- even when that course was more difficult to stick to than walk away from. You see how she conducted herself behind the scenes, where it truly counted.

It was a pleasure to read this book. I respected her in the days these events happened, and I respect her all the more now. I respect that she was open about the good, bad, heartbreaking, and anger inducing. The truth is, none of us are guaranteed to escape some of the things Kathie Lee faced. Her dignity, poise, and focus on what really matters is something we can all learn from.

I am a lifelong Kathie Lee fan. My mother laughed with her and Regis for 15 years weekdays in my home as I grew up. More recently, I would record the 4th hour of the Today show so I could laugh with her and Hoda. Reading this book felt like checking in with a good friend that I haven’t seen in awhile. We picked up right where we had left off!
Kathie Lee has always handled her celebrity with grace. Even the dishing she does in this book is fair and graceful. If you are looking for laughter, it’s here. Friendships, loves, heartbreaks, celebrity stories she’s never told publicly, faith, and loyalty abound. She writes just as she speaks, and I loved catching up with her.