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

A Five-Star Book Review

Lara Love Hardin’s memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing, is an unflinchingly beautiful look at her journey from heroin addict and 32-count felon to bestselling author. It is a raw, and honest exploration of a woman who has lived many lives—some of them less than admirable. But most importantly, it is a story of self-redemption and grace.

Summary of The Many Lives of Mama Love

Lara and her husband DJ have a deal. She finds the cash; he scores the heroin. Despite stealing from unlocked cars at parks and schools and then using stolen credit cards to buy food, Lara struggles to maintain a perfect mom persona, until her luck runs out. She’s charged with 32 felony counts, and her youngest son Kaden is placed with her ex-husband and his new wife. Lara is nicknamed the Neighbor from Hell.

What follows is the story of Lara’s time in a California jail, her desperation to meet the terms of her probation, and her greatest goal of regaining custody of Kaden and rebuilding her relationships with her three teenage sons. As she struggles and scraps together pieces of her life, she returns to pen and page to make sense of it all and to finally release herself from the shame she feels.

Why I Loved The Many Lives of Mama Love

The Many Lives of Mama Love is truly compelling because of Hardin’s fearless honesty about her past mistakes, criminal behavior, and the gritty work she put into rebuilding her life.

• Beautiful Writing: Hardin’s prose is captivating, pulling you into her story from the very first page. She writes with an effortless grace that makes even the darkest moments feel relatable and human. Her storytelling is intimate and authentic, with an engaging and poignant narrative. 
• Honest and Unflinching Story: Hardin doesn’t shy away from detailing her mistakes or the consequences of her actions, making her story resonate deeply. From lying and stealing to struggling with addiction, Hardin lays it all bare. Yet, her candor isn’t self-pitying or self-congratulatory—it’s real, raw, and, at times, painfully relatable.
• Not Saccharine or Self-Important Narrative: Mama Love avoids the traps that many redemption stories fall into. Hardin doesn’t sugarcoat her journey or present herself as a reformed hero. Instead, she owns her past without excuses, showing us the messy, nonlinear path of personal growth. There’s no preaching here—just an authentic account of a woman determined to do better.
• A Mother’s Determination: At its heart, Hardin’s story is about her relentless determination to be a good mother. Her journey to rebuild her life is deeply intertwined with her desire to reclaim her role as a parent. She paints a vivid picture of the hard work, setbacks, and small victories that come with trying to be the mother her children deserve.

The Many Lives of Mama Love doesn’t just tell a story—it invites you into a life marked by mistakes, resilience, and transformation. Hardin’s voice will stay with you, reminding us all that it’s never too late to rewrite our narrative. If you’re looking for a memoir that is beautifully written, brutally honest, and ultimately hopeful, this one is a must-read.