The Many Lives of Mama Love cover art

The Many Lives of Mama Love

A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing and Healing

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The Many Lives of Mama Love

By: Lara Love Hardin
Narrated by: Lara Love Hardin
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About this listen

 'Once you start reading, be prepared, because you won't want to stop.' -Oprah Winfrey

OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK

New York Times bestselling author Lara Love Hardin recounts her slide from soccer mom to opioid addict to jailhouse shot caller and her unlikely comeback as a highly successful ghostwriter in this harrowing, hilarious, no-holds-barred memoir.

No one expects the police to knock on the door of the million-dollar two-story home of the perfect cul-de-sac housewife. But soccer mom Lara Love Hardin has been hiding a shady secret: she is funding her heroin addiction by stealing her neighbors' credit cards.

Lara is convicted of thirty-two felonies and becomes inmate S32179. She finds that jail is a class system with a power structure that is somewhere between an adolescent sleepover party and Lord of the Flies. Furniture is made from tampon boxes, and Snickers bars are currency. But Lara quickly learns the rules and brings love and healing to her fellow inmates as she climbs the social ladder and acquires the nickname "Mama Love," showing that jailhouse politics aren't that different from the PTA meetings she used to attend.

When she's released, she reinvents herself as a ghostwriter. Now, she's legally co-opting other people's identities and getting to meet Oprah, meditate with the Dalai Lama, and have dinner with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. But the shadow of her past follows her. Shame is a poison worse than heroin-there is no way to detox. Lara must learn how to forgive herself and others, navigate life as a felon on probation, and prove to herself that she is more good than bad, among other essential lessons.

The Many Lives of Mama Love is a heartbreaking and tender journey from shame to redemption, despite a system that makes it almost impossible for us to move beyond the worst thing we have ever done.©2023 Lara Love Hardin (P)2023 Octopus Publishing Group Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions True Crime Memoir
All stars
Most relevant  
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Inspiring. Looking forward to your next book. You have a great way of telling stories. Good luck.

Brilliant.

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I loved this read. It is so well written, raw & inspirational. Bonus being narrated by the author too. Thanks for sharing your story.

Best read this year

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I really enjoyed listening to this book because of the way she wrote it and the way she told it. It’s an amazing story, both sad and uplifting. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Moma love is a great story teller

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Love, love, loved this book. Heartbreaking - at times I was in tears, but also a heartening story of redemption. Love’s warmth and honesty is so engaging and raw and beautiful.

Love love love

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This book is a great example of how those that suffer from or have suffered from any kind of addiction or incarceration are really not helped much at all (and sometimes deliberately hindered) by our society when it comes to getting their lives back on track. This is a great memoir of one woman’s grit and determination to get past all of those obstacles and end up thriving. Her determination to overcome everything for her family is amazing. Thank you Lara for sharing your story and congratulations to you for all of your success in the face of so much adversity.

Grit and Determination

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This is a fantastic read, narrated by Lara, who despite her life choices, you can’t help love her. She is honest and tells her life story in a way you can’t wait to hear more. . Thoroughly recommend!!!!!

Just brilliant

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I adored this from beginning to end! Lara Love Hardin’s story of turning darkness to light took my breath away. I could not stop listening. Vulnerable, brave, gutsy, resilient, respectful and cathartic.
I’ll never forget this story. Thank you for sharing your story and your gift.

I’ll never forget this story! Literary gold❣️

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Wow what a story! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is curious about resilience and courage, love and compassion. Mama Love tells her story that will bring tears and heartbreak but she transforms her life with her strength and determination. I loved this book for its honesty and Mama Love ❤️

Strength and Courage

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Mostly believable, cannot believe the trauma inflicted upon her family over the years, l am sure they have a different take on the life they were dealt and their mother

Hmmmmm…..

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.