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Midlife Misadventures in Margate: Comedy Travel Memoir Series
Their love life is failing. Will an adventurous vacation explode into chaos, or bring them closer together? London, England. Kevin Kelly is desperate to save his waning relationship with his girlfriend. Disheartened by numerous splits and reconciliations, he convinces her a Christmas jaunt abroad will fix all their problems. So despite his friends' warnings, he jets off to Cuba on a mission of romantic salvation. Unable to speak the language, the couple suffers a string of calamitous mishaps that only increase their already fraught tension. But just when Kevin finally believes things are improving, he catches her dancing flirtatiously with a nightclub singer. Can their future survive a hectic holiday as Kevin discovers the truth to happiness? Written as both a travel book and a trek to self-realization, this intriguing tale takes you on an extraordinary journey of love and heartbreak that will make you cry and laugh out loud. Set among the backdrop of fascinating locations like Marrakesh, Trinidad, and Cuba, Kevin shares a daring and humorous ride toward his own enlightenment. Midlife Misadventures in Cuba is the first book in the poignant Trips, Travels and Tales series. If you like raw emotional expeditions, light and dark humor, and excursions to exotic locales, then you'll adore Kevin Kelly's engaging story. Buy Midlife Misadventures in Cuba to roam the world for meaning today!
- GenresMemoir
84 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 26, 2020
I was kindly chosen to beta read this witty short story by Kevin J D Kelly.
My first thoughts were, how brave! This is not the sort of book I expect a man to write (sexist, I know, apologies) because men are not generally as open as Kevin about their (not entirely successful) love life.
In Midlife misadventure in Margate, Kevin has one chance to woo the girl of his (current) dreams with a holiday. Sally appears to be stringing along two men, having them vying for her favours by a constant game of one-upmanship. When she suggests a weekend away, Kevin has the chance to be her knight in shining armour and book a perfect romantic weekend with sun, sea, sand… and hopefully sex!
What follows is a hilarious trip in the best farcical tradition as, against all the odds, Kevin tries to make Margate the getaway weekend of Sally’s dreams.
Amongst the self-depreciating humour, Kevin allows us to see his inner man: his low self-esteem, which probably was to blame for him for his decision to play Sally’s game, his desperate need to find ‘the one’, his need for love and acceptance, and his serial monogamy.
I hope Kevin did find his love and that that person would appreciate Margate for what it was, a somewhat desperate attempt at wooing (and sex). After all, it’s the thought that counts… isn’t it?
My first thoughts were, how brave! This is not the sort of book I expect a man to write (sexist, I know, apologies) because men are not generally as open as Kevin about their (not entirely successful) love life.
In Midlife misadventure in Margate, Kevin has one chance to woo the girl of his (current) dreams with a holiday. Sally appears to be stringing along two men, having them vying for her favours by a constant game of one-upmanship. When she suggests a weekend away, Kevin has the chance to be her knight in shining armour and book a perfect romantic weekend with sun, sea, sand… and hopefully sex!
What follows is a hilarious trip in the best farcical tradition as, against all the odds, Kevin tries to make Margate the getaway weekend of Sally’s dreams.
Amongst the self-depreciating humour, Kevin allows us to see his inner man: his low self-esteem, which probably was to blame for him for his decision to play Sally’s game, his desperate need to find ‘the one’, his need for love and acceptance, and his serial monogamy.
I hope Kevin did find his love and that that person would appreciate Margate for what it was, a somewhat desperate attempt at wooing (and sex). After all, it’s the thought that counts… isn’t it?
January 3, 2021
A hilarious romp through the dating game – a very amusing book
Poor Kevin – the harder he tries to woo his intended date – the worse things get! This is a hilarious, honest, and poignant story of Kevin and his love life (or rather, lack of it). He is tasked with surprising the brash and demanding Sally with a romantic weekend away. Sadly, his problems begin when he takes the advice of a waiter and books Margate – instead of her intended destination of Barcelona. He also has a rival called John vying for Sally’s attention.
Things go rapidly downhill as they arrive at the hotel he has booked. This is a fast-paced, witty, vernacular, and at times heart-rendingly touching story. Kevin is brutally honest about his feelings and as you read through the antics and adventures in the book you are left cheering on the hero and hoping things work out for him. He certainly deserves a happy ending. Will he get one, though? You’ll have to read it to find out. Highly recommended.
Poor Kevin – the harder he tries to woo his intended date – the worse things get! This is a hilarious, honest, and poignant story of Kevin and his love life (or rather, lack of it). He is tasked with surprising the brash and demanding Sally with a romantic weekend away. Sadly, his problems begin when he takes the advice of a waiter and books Margate – instead of her intended destination of Barcelona. He also has a rival called John vying for Sally’s attention.
Things go rapidly downhill as they arrive at the hotel he has booked. This is a fast-paced, witty, vernacular, and at times heart-rendingly touching story. Kevin is brutally honest about his feelings and as you read through the antics and adventures in the book you are left cheering on the hero and hoping things work out for him. He certainly deserves a happy ending. Will he get one, though? You’ll have to read it to find out. Highly recommended.
December 16, 2020
Courting and lots of calamities. Enjoyable and fun read.
I really enjoyed this short, novella length prequel to Kevin J D Kelly's travel memoir series.
I loved the fresh, bright cover, which tempted me in, and as I read, it made me think of Chas & Dave- the Margate song kept going through my head-and some of their others too. And those seaside jokey postcards from years ago. It soon looked like this would be a fun read. (It was!)
I liked the lingo; the cockney phrases (He said he was from Sunderland and moved to London). I liked the accent coming through the book, and really liked his turn of phrase.
Kevin has been married, and divorced. Now he wants to get back into dating again, find someone special, and he really thinks Sally is the one. His confidence isn't high- he's had a few disappointments, and he's hoping he can make a good impression with his new lady.
This was about places I know and know of; there was a familiarity to it: Weatherspoon’s, Blackpool, East End, Essex, Margate etc, a bit different to the usual travel memoir- not so salubrious places.
It was enjoyable, fun, easy to read, contained a few laughs-and an honest and serious side too: As well as the funny moments, he managed to convey the desperation in certain happenings in the book.
A good start to the series, I look forward to reading more.
I really enjoyed this short, novella length prequel to Kevin J D Kelly's travel memoir series.
I loved the fresh, bright cover, which tempted me in, and as I read, it made me think of Chas & Dave- the Margate song kept going through my head-and some of their others too. And those seaside jokey postcards from years ago. It soon looked like this would be a fun read. (It was!)
I liked the lingo; the cockney phrases (He said he was from Sunderland and moved to London). I liked the accent coming through the book, and really liked his turn of phrase.
Kevin has been married, and divorced. Now he wants to get back into dating again, find someone special, and he really thinks Sally is the one. His confidence isn't high- he's had a few disappointments, and he's hoping he can make a good impression with his new lady.
This was about places I know and know of; there was a familiarity to it: Weatherspoon’s, Blackpool, East End, Essex, Margate etc, a bit different to the usual travel memoir- not so salubrious places.
It was enjoyable, fun, easy to read, contained a few laughs-and an honest and serious side too: As well as the funny moments, he managed to convey the desperation in certain happenings in the book.
A good start to the series, I look forward to reading more.
January 10, 2021
An enjoyable and fun read
I have just spent a couple of hours reading Kevin´s short novella and I loved it.
This is an honest, frank and hilarious account of Kevin´s love life and his intentions to woo his date, Sally who being rather bossy demands a weekend away for Kevin to prove his worth to be her boyfriend.
Arrival at the hotel does not go down as well as he expected, he totally misread the signs as to where she expected to go so a fail point for the location. Problems with the booking do not help the matter, oh dear will anything go right for Kevin on this supposedly relationship sealing weekend. Unfortunately what can go wrong does go wrong, whatever he does to try to make things better only makes them worse.
Is Kevin successful in his wooing and seduction technique? Well I am sorry but you will have to read it to find out.
Kevin makes everything from the characters to the locations come alive, he has a witty and down to earth approach to life and this comes through in his writing. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the sequel, thank you Kevin.
I have just spent a couple of hours reading Kevin´s short novella and I loved it.
This is an honest, frank and hilarious account of Kevin´s love life and his intentions to woo his date, Sally who being rather bossy demands a weekend away for Kevin to prove his worth to be her boyfriend.
Arrival at the hotel does not go down as well as he expected, he totally misread the signs as to where she expected to go so a fail point for the location. Problems with the booking do not help the matter, oh dear will anything go right for Kevin on this supposedly relationship sealing weekend. Unfortunately what can go wrong does go wrong, whatever he does to try to make things better only makes them worse.
Is Kevin successful in his wooing and seduction technique? Well I am sorry but you will have to read it to find out.
Kevin makes everything from the characters to the locations come alive, he has a witty and down to earth approach to life and this comes through in his writing. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the sequel, thank you Kevin.
March 19, 2021
Divorced and ready to try his luck in the dating game again Kevin meets Sally and clumsily attempts to convince her that he is worthy of her affections.
Armed with a pack of Viagra and a tip from a hipster waiter the author sets off to woo his entitled and demanding girlfriend with a romantic weekend in Margate. Sally had expected Barcelona so it didn’t bode well from the start. Determined to make a good fist of it and make a good impression he wined and dined his intended with disastrous consequences as he discovers that alcohol and Viagra are not a good seduction technique.
From Sally’s disappointment at arriving in Margate instead of Spain and the mix up over accommodation things just go from bad to worse as they hurtle from catastrophe to catastrophe. The harder Kevin tried to please the worse things became and whatever could go wrong did. This was a Brian Rix style farce at its best, lots of slapstick, lots of laughs, generally a very funny book.
Brutally honest, self deprecating, and full of humour, I look forward to misadventuring with Kevin in the promised sequel.
December 15, 2020
Kevin wrote this book as a prequel to what I understand to be travel memoirs based in more exotic locations. I can't wait to read them. Kevin's writing style and readability is excellent, so easy to read, and once I had finished this book, I wanted it to continue! A lot of the humour will cause greatest mirth amongst those of us familiar with England and English humour, so I'm definitely the correct demographic, but I'm sure it would translate well for readers from other countries. This funny, slapstick romp through what sounds like a disastrous start to a relationship had me laughing frequently throughout the page-turner. Kevin also bares his soul more than many writers would dare to, and this self-deprecating transparency makes a good read into a great read. If the content and quality of Kevin's forthcoming writing is as good as this book, I will be able to say "Oh, yes, I read Kevin's books before he was famous, don't you know?"
December 23, 2020
This fun, short memoir is the prequel to Kevin Kelly’s upcoming travel series. The colourful cover is attractive and made me smile. The chapter headings also gave me a giggle. It’s an easy read memoir which had me laughing aloud at times and cringing a bit at others. How can one man have so many things go wrong?
It rather reminded me of the 'Carry On' films and I could imagine this as a sitcom, a very British sitcom featuring the hapless Kevin trying (without a great deal of success) to impress the flighty Sally, the object of his desires. Here is an author who isn’t afraid to reveal his personal feelings and to poke fun at himself. I really enjoyed this romp of a book and look forward to reading more from him.
It rather reminded me of the 'Carry On' films and I could imagine this as a sitcom, a very British sitcom featuring the hapless Kevin trying (without a great deal of success) to impress the flighty Sally, the object of his desires. Here is an author who isn’t afraid to reveal his personal feelings and to poke fun at himself. I really enjoyed this romp of a book and look forward to reading more from him.
February 7, 2021
Well-written prequel
This was an enjoyable short story, although I had to read it twice to get the true gist of it.
At first, I felt sorry for Kevin and cringed at his attempts to woo Sally. But then I appreciated the wicked sense of humour and self-deprecating style of the writing. My feelings moved from annoyance to outright sympathy for him. Often, I could hear myself shouting at him in my head, ‘Don’t do it!’.
After I got over my initial doubts, I found this to be a well-written prequel and look forward to reading the first in the series when Kevin ventures further afield than Margate. Will his luck change? I doubt it, but I expect more laughs and embarrassment along the way.
Congratulations Mr Kelly on getting this story out there.
This was an enjoyable short story, although I had to read it twice to get the true gist of it.
At first, I felt sorry for Kevin and cringed at his attempts to woo Sally. But then I appreciated the wicked sense of humour and self-deprecating style of the writing. My feelings moved from annoyance to outright sympathy for him. Often, I could hear myself shouting at him in my head, ‘Don’t do it!’.
After I got over my initial doubts, I found this to be a well-written prequel and look forward to reading the first in the series when Kevin ventures further afield than Margate. Will his luck change? I doubt it, but I expect more laughs and embarrassment along the way.
Congratulations Mr Kelly on getting this story out there.
January 27, 2021
I loved this book. I never laughed so hard at the awkwardness of a middle-aged man trying desperately to impress a lady and constantly tripping his self up and sticking his foot in his mouth. You must read this book. It covers only a very short amount of time, but Mr. Kelly creates such compelling scenarios that it is hard to put the book down. I am ready for the next installment to find out if he got the girl.
May 19, 2021
A short but really funny book about a guys problems and worries when he takes his potentially new girlfriend on a weekend break. It's so funny, I read it in one sitting. Loved the story loved the characters, can't wait for the prequel and sequel
July 30, 2021
Midlife Misadventures by Kevin J.D. Kelly is an enjoyable read. The reader is certainly cheering for Kelly as the protagonist when he and his potential girlfriend Sally go off on a romantic get-a-way to Margate in England.
I don’t like to give away too much in a review, but let’s just say that Kelly offers lots of surprises in this memoir story. The protagonist Kelly goes off on this weekend jaunt hoping to impress Sally and woo her into becoming his new girlfriend. The author offers some personal background so the reader sees what the protagonist is up against.
The story moves along quickly, and the characters are well drawn. The protagonist and the reader never lose sight of the ultimate goal in this story. However, Kelly twists the plot slightly and ends up with a new set of difficulties for the protagonist to consider. Midlife Misadventures is a fun read for sure.
I don’t like to give away too much in a review, but let’s just say that Kelly offers lots of surprises in this memoir story. The protagonist Kelly goes off on this weekend jaunt hoping to impress Sally and woo her into becoming his new girlfriend. The author offers some personal background so the reader sees what the protagonist is up against.
The story moves along quickly, and the characters are well drawn. The protagonist and the reader never lose sight of the ultimate goal in this story. However, Kelly twists the plot slightly and ends up with a new set of difficulties for the protagonist to consider. Midlife Misadventures is a fun read for sure.
June 19, 2022
Good lord. The characters in this book could drive you crazy. Sorry did not like this one. He was a sap and she was a horrible person. Will definitely not read the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews