Brandice's Reviews > The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing

The Many Lives of Mama Love is Lara Love Hardin’s memoir of “lying, stealing, writing and healing”. In one of the first chapters, Lara recounts checking into a hotel with her youngest son by using a stolen credit card. Of course, her actions were wrong, but wow, the stress induced just reading this early scene! Lara and her husband were funding their heroin addiction through stolen credit cards and are eventually caught.

Lara is convicted of 32 felonies. She spent a year in jail and upon her release, worked diligently to redeem herself, regain custody of her youngest son, and be the mother she wanted to be to all of her sons. She faced numerous obstacles with finances, some probation requirements, and her exes. Lara began working at a literary agency and despite making great strides, also had to battle her constant companion, shame, for her past behavior and resulting reputation through the neighborhood.

Today, Lara is a successful literary agent and ghostwriter. I have read and enjoyed The Book of Joy and The Sun Does Shine, two excellent books she worked on. This memoir is only further proof she can write. I am a big believer in righting wrongs including paying consequences. That said, I also believe people can change when they truly want to, and work to. The Many Lives of Mama Love is a real redemption story — 4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.