This book was everything I needed and didn’t even know it. From the first page, I felt connected to the writer in a way I didn’t know possible. As a mother with an addictive personality and love for literature, I saw myself in Lara. The fact that it could be any of us. The fact that we all have dark moments and how we persevere through them… that’s what matters. This book sucked me in. The writing style was perfection. This book made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel hopeful, made me feel angry. I experienced all of the feelings while reading this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it and I look forward to purchasing a hard copy soon!

Lara Love Hardin has written a fine memoir about how she ruined her upper-middle-class life and family with drugs and thievery, spent an extended period in jail, and finally rebuilt herself, her family, and her career despite the enmity of almost everyone she’d ever known, and a probation system designed to send most of its clients back behind bars. Indeed, she rebuilt her life so solidly that she found herself working closely on a project with both Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama.

Her story is well-written (as you might expect of someone whose childhood dream was to be a writer and who eventually realized that dream as a professional ghostwriter for the famous and not-so-famous). Her prose is clear and straightforward and unburdened by literary embellishments. She does not tell her readers what to think or feel. Nevertheless, what she describes about herself, her upbringing, her family, her neighbors, and California’s criminal justice system is often highly evocative of both thought and feeling.

She has some very important things to say, about California’s system of probation and how we treat those who’ve been imprisoned. We as a society may say we want to give former convicts a second chance, but Ms. Hardin’s tale should make readers question whether we really mean it.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Lara Love Hardin, and publisher Simon & Schuster for providing me with an electronic ARC. The foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.

First off, I am beyond grateful that I was able to read an advanced copy of this book! I was instantly hooked, and I could not put the book down. Such an incredible and moving memoir of Lara Love Hardin, who went from businesswoman soccer mom, to convicted felon, to rising above and becoming a successful writer. The book touches on drug addiction, the flawed legal system, and a mother's love and determination. I cannot wait for this book to be published so that I can add it to my book club!

WOW! What an incredible book. Mama Love captivates readers as she tells her story of addiction, crime, jail time, ghostwriting and most importantly, motherhood. Mama Love takes you through her all of her addictions - some lead her to jail, others lead her to be a best selling co-author. Her story is remarkable and written in a very likable and human way. This book was smooth, super easy to read and quite the page turner. This book will pull on your heart strings with every chapter, as you laugh, cry and even scream reading about Mama Love's journey.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Hardin is an excellent writer and I feel privileged to have been able to read this book for free and early.
Her journey was excruciating and beautiful and I can't wait for everyone to read it!
Hardin's difficult journey though the judicial system should be shared with everyone. It's unacceptable this is happening and so very sad.
Her specific journey, however, if beautiful and heart-warming and I wish her the best!
I shared a review on GoodReads but cannot get the link via mobile

HUGE thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Publishing, and the author for the chance to get my hands on this book early!

One of the best memoirs I’ve read! a look into the cycle of addiction and the difficulty of building a life after serving time in America’s “justice” system. This book is a call to action to look past our worst mistake and not let it define us while also urging us to not define others by their worst mistakes.

Of course the writing was amazing, but what else is to be expected from someone that has a resume like the author’s? I highly recommend everyone pick this book up when it’s released and prepare yourself for a perspective shifting look into the life of someone who has experienced the injustice of the current state of America’s justice system and has learned to love her life and herself.

A solid 4.5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance copy. I’m return I will leave this book a GLOWING REVIEW.

I always struggle with memoirs. How do I rate someone’s life? How do I put a star rating on someone’s struggle, triumph, rage? I’ve since realized I cannot, and I do my best to rate memoirs with a caveat that this person deserves an above average rating because they are really being vulnerable with their memories and trusting us, as readers, to embrace it.

Lara kills it. I was recommended this book by a dear friend that also got a galley, and I downloaded it the following week. When I first opened the book, I was so gripped by the first line that I felt my jaw go slack. As the chapter reads on, it was so incredibly hard to want to continue. Lara writes so openly about her drug use while she’s with her three year old, her husband who really enables her use, and the internal conflict she has every single day. I paused after the end of chapter one and thought that maybe I should table this one until it was published, giving me more time to remove myself and mentally prepare for the heartache that would follow.

I ended up doing the opposite. 24 hours later, this book lay closed in my hand and I could do nothing but sob. Lara is a beautiful writer, a beautiful human and such an example of a system that oppresses instead of rehabilitates. She writes so candidly, unbiasedly and never once did I feel like she was selling us a sob story.

I don’t want to give anything away, but if you’re a fan of memoirs similar to A Piece of Cake, give this one a try.

I immediately got into this book and couldn't really stop reading. It's so very well written, very engrossing and just so moving. Primarily though, it's about how we, as a society, dehumanize those who have made mistakes and how we're not willing to see the difference between those who are sorry for their crime and those who are not. I also don't know how it works in other countries, but judging by this book and some others I've read in the past, it sure looks like in the US, the system is simply designed to keep a person in, once they so much as spend a day inside.

Despite that, this book made me genuinely happy - for the author, and the way things turned out for her. It's a sad story, but not a sad book - and it has a happy ending (I'm not spoiling, okay? The author clearly wrote it, so she's fine!)

There is no way you'll be reading this book and not rooting for Mama Love. I dare you. I fell in love with her within the very first pages.

Oh, and unrelated - but I just wanted to say, how funny it is to find out you've read quite a few of the books co-authored by a person and you never knew. Loved them as well. Hilarious.

I became engrossed in her story from page 1 and I felt her emotions right alongside her. Her fear of where her baby went, the uncertainty of jail, the feeling that it would be easier for everyone if she just ended her life. I felt what she was feeling and fully understood why in those moments.

This is a story of redemption.

I know quotation marks being in a memoir might be concerning for some. I think it’s important to remember that a memoir is simply that- a person’s recollection of what happened to them. For that reason, it doesn’t bother me that there’s quotations throughout. This is her story as she remembers it.

I think on some level we can all resonate with her story. Feeling shame about something. Knowing we have more potential in life than we’re giving.

Ultimately fighting so hard even when everything seemed to be against her. Mama Love’s story will pull on your heartstrings, inspire you, and leave you feeling like you just made a new friend.

Wow this book was absolutely phenomenal! I was immediately drawn into the story of Mama Love. Hearing her descent from soccer mom to felon and then her rise out of the darkness was just incredible. Her story is a heartbreaking yet inspiring one. I loved every second of hearing her tell it.

It takes true bravery to bare the parts of yourself that scare you the most to the world.

This memoir was specifically hard to get through for me, since I’ve resented the many addictions in my family for as long as I can remember, and how they’ve shaped me to be terrified of everything they crave and everything I’ve ever been curious of.

This book was also incredibly easy to read, as much as I tried to fight it, Lara’s story gave me comfort and hope. For someone who’s found safety in seeing the world in black and white, it’s hard to understand that us humans are made of everything in between, to accept that the ugly parts of us don’t make us worthless, that even when we don’t love ourselves and when we destroy and sabotage, we’re still worthy of love.

To Mama Love: you’ve always been worthy of happiness, thank you for the nurture, the light and for reminding me it’s all not going to be not okay.

I absolutely love the way this book was written! Matter of fact, doesn't pussy-foot around. This dives right into the crux of the story. It doesn’t dance around with prose, it doesn’t have a lively, crucial action scene or sequence to start it off–it doesn’t need it, either. Instead, jump right in! If you read the synopsis, you already know what’s likely going to be seen on the pages. Probably not a lot of lovely, tingling moments are going to happen in this book.

“The truth is simple: Getting high feels better than not getting high. And until that changes, no addict will change.”

In this book, in a way, you are the author’s celly, as you’re with her daily life as she goes through all of these shifts in the process, the drugs, the getting caught, getting arrested and charged, waiting for court, serving time and making deals, shake-downs, and timed meals and shared toilets. All of your business on the front page of a newspaper. Winning custody back of a child, expired relationships and the constant ugly head of addiction that always shows up. It's about realizing whether you follow the rules or don’t, how very little control you have over anything and how flawed the prison system and society can be.

This is not a story of a rich socialite caught up in drugs by chance, this is the story of a woman who was an addict long before she ever tried drugs the first time.

First read on NetGalley, and I'm delighted I had the chance! I can't wait to own this one!

I work in a prison in a substance use disorder program. I've been honored to hear many stories of some amazing people trapped in their addictions. It's the hardest job you'll ever love (behind parenting).
Sometimes I hesitate to read stories of addiction & incarceration as I'm unsure of how much pain I can hold. Yet reading about Mama Love's journey helped me see how important it is to see what's next. I don't always get to see what happens next to the brave souls leaving our program.
Yes, there's pain, but for some there's acceptance, joy, and a lot of resilience!
Thank you for the advanced read copy and chance to review! (my current drug of choice)

The Many Lives of Mama Love
By Lara Love Hardin

This is a memoir. It details the many ups and downs the author experiences through her life to date, including drug addiction with all its attendant criminality, going to jail for her crimes, the difficulties faced by felons returning to society, and the long process of rehabilitating and learning to love herself.

This must have been a hard book to write. It is a hard book to read. But it gives the reader food for thought. The author is very fortunate to have found many people to help her stand up again when she has collapsed under the cruel judgments of others. But the real message here is that everyone must learn to accept and love themselves. We all have good and bad on our personal life ledgers. Accepting ourselves with all the flaws is what makes us worthy of love and acceptance from others.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for the ARC of The Many Lives of Mama Love! Expected release date: August 1, 2023.

I was immediately drawn into this memoir of your classic suburban mom, but is secretly an opioid addict, steals money from friends and strangers, and winds up in jail. From page one, I knew this was going to be a book I couldn't put down. Every page reads like a fiction novel and I had to remind myself that this is a memoir and is really the life of Lara.

Lara learns how to be "successful" during her time in jail and ends up not only being an advocate for herself but for all the women in her block. She continues to be an advocate for those in the system, even several years after she has gotten out. You can't help but root for her from the beginning through the end.

The overarching message in her memoir is how completely screwed up the U.S. jail/prison system is. Basically, once your in the system in any way, it's practically impossible to get yourself out. She gives us a lot to think about for sure. What I really loved is that she conveys this message without sounding like she is on a soapbox.

Ultimately, this story is a compelling read and will stay with me long after I have finished reading it.

I enjoyed the introduction to LLH's memoir. Her writing is stellar, and the story is intriguing. However, the narrative became boring as the description of jail and drug use continued. The story didn't hold my interest.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Rollercoaster Ride of Redemption

Lara Love Hardin takes readers on an exhilarating journey in her memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love. Brace yourself for a tale that oscillates between heartbreak and hilarity, as she navigates the treacherous path from soccer mom to opioid addict to unexpected jailhouse shot-caller, and eventually finds redemption as a renowned ghostwriter.

From the outside, Lara's life seems picture-perfect, nestled in a million-dollar home within a flawless cul-de-sac. But beneath the veneer of suburban bliss lies a dark secret—Lara's funding her heroin addiction by pilfering her neighbors' credit cards. Cue the unexpected knock on her door and her descent into the abyss of the criminal justice system.

Convicted of thirty-two felonies, Lara morphs into inmate S32179. Behind bars, she discovers that jail is a peculiar class system resembling a peculiar blend of an adolescent sleepover party and a wild Lord of the Flies adventure. Tampon box furniture and Snickers bars as currency—Lara adapts quickly to the rules while spreading love and healing among her fellow inmates. It turns out that jailhouse politics aren't so different from the PTA meetings she used to attend.

Upon release, Lara embarks on a transformative reinvention as a ghostwriter. Legally appropriating other people's identities grants her access to extraordinary experiences, including encounters with Oprah, meditations with The Dalai Lama, and dinners with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Yet, the shadows of her past lurk in the background, reminding her that shame is a poison more potent than heroin. Lara must grapple with forgiveness, navigate life as a felon on probation, and prove to herself that she possesses more good than bad.

The Many Lives of Mama Love is a poignant and soul-stirring journey that delves deep into the realms of shame, redemption, and the struggle to overcome the worst deeds we've committed. Lara Love Hardin's writing is as unflinchingly honest as it is entertaining, pulling readers along with her as she crafts a new narrative, one brimming with hope and resilience.

This memoir is truly a masterclass in perseverance. Through Lara's captivating storytelling, we are reminded that sometimes the only way to emerge from suffering is to face it head-on. The Many Lives of Mama Love leaves an indelible impression, empowering readers to embrace their authentic selves and find inspiration in their own personal journeys.

While Lara Love Hardin's memoir captivates from start to finish, there are moments when the narrative could benefit from further exploration and reflection. Occasionally, the pacing feels a tad rushed, leaving readers yearning for a deeper dive into certain aspects of her remarkable story. Taking the time to delve into these moments would add an additional layer of richness to an already compelling memoir.

What a powerful memoir! Despite what appears to be a perfect life, Lara spirals into a drug addiction. Eye opening information about addiction and the prison system. Witnessing Lara’s transformation from beginning to end was incredible, very compelling and well written!

I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to read this book and review it in advance. I devoured it in 2 sittings. I didn't want to do anything else until I finished reading this book! The raw, authentic voice from Lara Love was so compelling. She made me feel like I've known her for years. I wanted to keep reading even after the last page. I was inspired by this story and will be telling everyone I know to read it! So often, a story like Lara's doesn't end in such a positive way. I am so thankful for the hopeful outcome Lara presented in her story, and I hope it encourages others to become who they were meant to be despite addiction and obstacles in life. I will leave a formal review on both Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you again for the opportunity to read this!

A soccer mom turned addict

I liked this memoir about a rich soccer mom who has a secret opioid addiction, steals money from friends, and ends up in jail. The story flows just like a good novel. There’s a lot of dialogue, and I always flinch a bit when a writer uses dialogue and quotation marks a lot in a memoir—how could she possibly remember such detailed conversations from her past? The dialogue made the story richer and more dramatic, but it made the memoir lose a little credibility, too. It reminds me that I can’t believe everything I read. Conversations could not possibly have gone down exactly like she said.

I was pulled into this memoir from page 1. Before you know it, she’s in jail. Her four-year-old son is sent to live with relatives (though not blood relatives), but she’s freaked, of course. It looked like her prison sentence would be long and she would lose custody. I can’t believe it (because I know a lot about addiction), but I felt judgy! (I hang my head in shock and embarrassment!) I couldn’t stand that she had risked depriving a kid of his mom for what looked to be his whole life—and she had three other boys, too, who lived with their dad. What was she thinking to let herself get addicted? Ha, yes, I know that’s not how addiction works—of course she didn’t choose to take a risk that might end in her losing her sons, but still, I was miffed. I’m a mama bear when I come across a really bad mom; I want to protect the youngins.

But I forgave her as the story progressed. She became a hero of sorts in jail, helping other women write appeals and letters. Her husband was a doozy, and I liked how well she outlined their complex relationship. I don’t want to spoil the story, so I won’t tell you anything more. I’ll only say that she continued to be a hero in my eyes. She was so strong and persistent and patient.

A couple of things bugged me—things she left out. For instance, she didn’t talk about how rough it was to detox in jail. I would have thought she’d go into that because of how hard and major kicking an addiction is. Also, she doesn’t explain how she afforded things on the outside. I’m guessing she chose to leave these topics out, but I wanted to know about them.

The main gist of the story is about how messed up the jail story is in America, how once you get in the system, it’s nearly impossible to get out. Much food for thought. She gets her point across without being preachy, which I appreciate.

The story is riveting and so well told. The author is a writer by trade, and she has the chops for sure. I was sucked into her life completely and was rooting for her all the way. But—and this is weird—it’s been a few weeks since I finished reading this book, and I don’t have that glow-y feeling that happens when I think back on a good book. So I guess all that means is that it doesn’t fall into the Amazing Book category. But after my initial, short judgy period, I just loved reading the book, and that’s what counts.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Expected publication date: August 1, 2023