A review by probablyjenna
The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin

5.0

The Many Lives of Mama Love is a tender book that will make you want to live your life in a kinder, more authentic way. This is definitely a book that I will recommend a lot and think about a lot.

From the very first page, I was sucked into Lara’s story and struggles. She writes so openly about the pains of addiction, the pains of trying to be perceived as perfect, and I felt like I was right there with her for all the highs and lows.

When I say this is a tender book, I’m really referring to the way Lara talks about the different people she encounters on her journey, particularly the other female inmates of cell block G. Her writing is filled with empathy, even in moments where she’s been wronged; she shows the inherent humanity of prison life and shines a light on the unfairness of the system, all while centering the people impacted. Her writing style is perfectly suited for this task, and I’m so grateful for her willingness to share her life with us.

At the heart of this story, it is a tale of redemption but also learning that redemption has to come through forgiving yourself. It will break your heart, then build you write back up. Truly cannot recommend it highly enough.

Grateful to the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review; all opinions shared here are my own.