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

I mistakingly thought this was a work of fiction, but no, this is really happening! Lara Love Hardin shares an important life story that needs to be heard.
Trying to be the perfect suburban mom was more than she could do. Heroin became her crutch, until it became her downfall. Jailed for over 30 counts of theft, she lived in fear of losing her 4 year old son to the system. For him, she would do anything, including get clean. But the jail system and a self absorbed spouse would not make that easy.
The Many Lives of Mama Love addresses addiction, recidivism, second chances and “real power .
I stayed up way too late to finish this book. You will too! Will be a fabulous book club choice.

My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster fir tge ARC of this book

I was hooked from the beginning. Laura tells her story of addiction and dysfunctional love and the spiraling down from barely hanging on to rock bottom in this memoir. Laura is on her 2nd marriage and has a child with her second husband when she and him are arrested for drugs and stealing identities via her neighbor's mail and using their credit card. It's a bad offense for sure but she more than pays the price with how the justice system is set up. And even though you might feel bad for her and there are times where she does paint a picture where you can't help but feel bad for her she isn't blaming anyone for her choices and truly makes amends and turns her life around. The last quarter of it felt a little distant, like maybe she was rushed in writing it which accounts for the 4 stars instead of 5 but I was cheering for her the entire way and am so happy she's such a great example of someone who screws up but redeems herself. We all need a second chance.

Such a moving memoir about Lara Love Hardin. This book grabs you right from the get go and throws you right into the chaos that is Lara's life. this book was the real nitty and gritty of the "justice system" and the hoops you must jump through to be acceptable as a functioning member of society and deemed worthy again. I loved the way Lara described her decent and then journey to recovery.
This book wasn't so much an eye opener for me as others, as i have faced the justice system, the probation officers, and the battles. It felt like an old friend recounting an incredible journey we've both been on.
I strongly recommend this memoir as its gripping, intense, fun, and full of hope.

Thank you Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC.

Sometimes a memoir grabs you by the throat and doesn't let you go. The Many Lives of Mama Love is one such memoir. At one point, I had to stop, catch my breath, and go back to the publisher's blurb which assured me that Lara Love Hardin's life would turn out OK - that's how perilous her life became as a "suburban mom heroin addict who was sent to jail for identity theft." I have absolutely no judgement about Love Hardin's life choices and only praise and awe for the way in which she dug herself out of an unimaginable hole to share her story, help women who find themselves at the mercy of the dual hell that is addiction and imprisonment, and lead a healthy and fulfilling life. To say more would be to detract from the roller coaster ride that is reading this memoir. Highly highly recommend (and Love Hardin hints at her next memoir and its topic - her long lost family - sign me up!). Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the privilege of an early read of this memoir.

This book is gut-wrenching, maddening and encouraging all at the same time. I had never really understood drug addiction, but I have a better grasp on it after reading this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a family member struggling with addictions, because it shows how the addiction can overwhelm your life very quickly and also what it takes to recover. Great book even if it did make me cry multiple times! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

In The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin, Hardin explores her chaotic descent into substance abuse and criminal convictions and her attempts to claw her way back out to reclaim her family and life, revealing just how difficult it is for re-entry into an unforgiving society, regardless of how sincere people are in their path to recovery.

Hardin chronicles her remarkable life in a frank and compelling way revealing how she went from an upper-class life of comfort to a world of destructive substance abuse to that of later emerging as a writer able to bump shoulders and work with some of the most influential people in the world. In writing about her journey and sharing deeply personal details, she never crosses the line from being openly heartfelt to becoming luridly candid for mere reader titillation.

Her journey tells the story of resilience and struggles within an unsympathetic system where it seems the best way to avoid doing one’s job and helping others is by telling those in need, “It’s not my problem.”

Many readers, just like this one, will most likely be more frustrated regarding the endless hoops she must jump through in her genuine attempts to put her past behind her, rather than being troubled by her committed offenses and substance abuse. Not only that, in reading her book and of her life, she is open and honest about how her obstacles were nothing in comparison to those of the uneducated and without a safety net, and people of color when attempting the same things.
The book is also a treatise on how people that have made mistakes, sometimes many mistakes, are blocked from re-entry into society while navigating the obstacles of a callous and Byzantine bureaucratic world that quite effectively dooms one right from the start.

Hardin’s recounting in the book is not necessarily a sad story filled with little hope, but instead, a book that shines a light on the unwillingness of people like Hardin to not give up, no matter how daunting the road before them seems to be.

The Many Lives of Mama Love is highly recommended to those that enjoy biographies of people that have excelled after facing seriously troubling times and is set to be published on August 1, 2023, by Simon and Shuster.
Netgalley provided an ARC upon the promise of a fair review.

The Many Lives of Mama Love ranks in my best books of the year if not the best! Lara Love is living in the tony suburbs in Northern California. She has four kids, a husband, a nice home, and a heroin addiction. She steals from her neighbors and moms in the carpool lane to pay for drugs for herself and her husband. Just when her house is about to be foreclosed on, she is arrested and sent to jail. Though she loses everything, her memoir is poignant and funny. Her tales about the prison and probation systems are eye opening. Her battle to get back her life after she is released is perhaps the best part of the book. The author also wrote The Sun Does Shine with Anthony Ray Hinton, an innocent man who spent many years on death row. Both of these books present amazing stories, strong writing, and hope for the future. I loved it and strongly recommend it. I thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this ARC

Thank you @netgalley and @simonbooks @simonandschuster for this advance copy.
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I wanted to get my hands on this book as soon as I read the synopsis about a soccer mom turned opiate addict turned “jailhouse shot caller” turned successful ghostwriter (most famously Oprah’s Book Club pick The Sun Does Shine with Anthony Ray Hinton). It was difficult to read the first half of the book as the author so honestly told her story of self destruction through a cycle of addiction and its consequences. Seeing her transformation by the end of the book was mind blowing. What a strong, resilient woman with an impressive story of overcoming the odds.
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The Many Lives of Mama Love publishes August 1st.
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#simonbooks

The Many Lives of Mama Love grabbed me from the beginning pages. As someone who is familiar with the criminal justice system, much of Mama Love’s story resonated with me. I appreciated her candor and how she incorporated others’ lives in her journey. Additionally, I appreciated her journey, because it inspired and created hope. I particularly like how she mentioned gardening and Blaine. In some ways, I believe it was parallel to life…planting seeds, tebding to them and watching them grow. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m extremely happy for this author and her success. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy.