Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early! Do I agree with everything Adiba did in her life and all the choices she made? No. But neither does she. This book is told with transparency, vulnerability, humor, heartbreak and humility. Adiba Nelson is an author who has tried to break generational trends in order to make a better life for her daughter. She is a MAMA who fights for her baby and I love that so much. Her daughter has Cerebral Palsy and I learned so much about the disability from this book and yet thats not even the point. Hearing Adiba read her own story was very powerful. There are times where she is really choked up and that brought me to have lump in my throat in a way I probably wouldn't have otherwise. I also loved her sense of humor and her humility. This book was thoroughly entertaining and her pursuit of constant growth and betterment is inspiring.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Ain't That A Mother is an audio book I will listen to again and again! Nothing I write will do this book justice! Adiba Nelson is a strong, independent and amazing lady. She's faced such struggles and highs and has come so far in her life but not without sacrifice and a fight. I received the audio and pdf of this book and looked through the pdf at the photographs. Adibas daughter is so beautiful and such a special little girl. She really is a credit to you Adiba (if your reading this). This book was an amazing listen and I felt so connected to Adiba through her story. I felt like I was chatting with a friend! Going through hell myself right now, this was the perfect timing for me to listen to this book. Not only has it been helping me through what I'm going through, but it's given me strength and made me feel not alone.
This is definitely a book everyone should read or listen to. I'm so glad I got the audio book as it was much more engaging than the physical copy . Thank you for sharing your emotional story Adiba! You've given me light and hope during the darkest of times and I will always be grateful for that!

This book was incredible. I love how real and likable Adiba is and how her stories are so relatable. This really did it's job - had me self reflecting and trying to make myself a better version. Absolute must read.

First things first, I have no idea who this sassy lady is, but given how the cover popped, I was intrigued. I am not a mom either.

I listened to the audiobook version of this and it was read by the author.

Sometimes when I hear stories that are such a rollercoaster ride and then, you blatantly admit that is life - you just know they cannot make that up! And if she did, dang girl, that was cray cray!

I applaud her for her bravery to still keep going, keep standing though so many things in life kept bringing her down.

However, the race card thing grew a little old after a while. I am a minority myself so I get it but I never use it as an excuse. That was the only bit that turned me off after a while.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC and audio ARC of this! I switched back and forth while I was reading.

This was really emotional, and I spent the entire book swinging between the teary lows as the punches seemed to keep coming and rooting for the highs to work out better this time. I think this is exactly the kind of memoir that’s needed, the one that either validates your lived experience by showing you someone else getting through it or that shows you a window into a life that’s unlike your own, but that you can still find ways to relate to and learn from and empathize with. She doesn’t shy away from sharing hard moments or ones that might paint her in a bad light or be judged, and I hope that more good moments are coming for her and her daughter.

I loved that she narrated the book herself, I think when authors are able to do that - especially for memoirs or poetry, it adds a special something. I was listening while washing dishes at one point and had to stop, stand still and just listen as chills ran over me while she recounted a harrowing medical experience.

This memoir was an emotional roller coaster but also such a wonderful story of one Afro-Latina single mother's journey with self-love, motherhood and personal success. Adiba narrates the audiobook herself and I highly recommend listening to this book. She has such a distinct voice, I can't imagine reading her story any other way.

The best parts for me were how she managed to keep going through extreme poverty, bad luck and abusive relationships, all while loving on her disabled daughter as only the very best mothers can. She talks so openly about her past mistakes and hardships and her story is truly inspiring for anyone wondering if there is a way out of cycles of abuse.

I especially enjoyed hearing about her experience with pregnancy, loss and learning to advocate for her disabled daughter. Being a caregiver of a child with disabilities is so hard, but trying to do it as a single mother, struggling to just pay the bills is so much harder. Highly recommend this one and much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance listening copy!!

I absolutely love, love, LOVE the brutal honesty that is Ain’t That a Mother! Adiba had a gift for unveiling the deplorable and candid nature of motherhood and domesticity that are so often glamorized. She is 100% relatable, at least in my eyes; the overwhelmed, hard-working and well-meaning mom who has experienced trauma, pregnancy loss, a child with special needs, postpartum depression and the consequences of bad judgement/choices.
She says what many only dare to think, and it’s glorious. Every. Fucking. Word. Is. True. Thank YOU, Adiba for normalizing matters of mental health, and the harsh reality of being a mom and advocate for a child with special needs. And in general, for giving ZERO fucks.
#ARC #netgalley #aintthatamother