This book was our January 2026 pick for book club. I have never read or listened to a book from Oprah’s book club and now I regret that I never have.

Lara Love is absolutely incredible. Her story was so sad and to be honest pathetic at times that I had to keep reminding myself that this was true and not fiction. She details her life, her mistakes, triumphs, and rebuilds with such raw vulnerability.

This book hits on some really difficult topics, ones that I know have affected so many people and loved ones we know. Her writing is engaging and concise. I never felt bored or wondered when it would be time for the next chapter. She didn’t pull any punches either. The way she can go between her opinion and objective reflection is just fantastic.

*****spoiler section below*****

There is just so much to unpack in this book. The fact that she talks about wanting to escape her childhood in the beginning I would have thought that she grew up in a crack den. I am not saying her childhood was easy, but when she calls her mom from jail I was surprised that they actually had a decent enough relationship.

Her story is also unique because she was sober for awhile and helping to reform other. She went from very housewife addiction (pills) to her husband shooting her up with H. The lying and stealing from neighbors broke my heart. I was trying to imagine someone on Daniel Island or in Mt. Pleasant doing something like that and I know what I would say about them. That is was sad and horrible and they must be a terrible mother.

The way she talks about her kids in relation to addiction showed me a lot. She loves her kids more than anything and would die for them but can’t quit drugs for them. I think this shows us all that addiction really is a disease and that it is not so black and white. Two often contradictory things can be true at once, but a lot of times our brains have trouble accepting that.

Her time in G made me think of Orange is the New Black, the hierarchy, the fear of being new (and more ‘white collar’). I was really disappointed when Kiki betrayed her, but it also again reminded me that this is real life. A fellow addict is never going to be loyal at all times, regardless of how much I wanted her to.

DJ is THE WORST. I know he is an addict too, but him putting Heroin in her IV made my stomach flip. He definitely was in a very different stage of his ‘recovery’ and made me so sad. Really this book was so heavy and sad.

Her redemption was incredible. She took chances and had a few really great people push her when she couldn’t push herself – the circle you keep really does make such a difference in your life. The people she got to work with and then writing this book. Just wow!

The final chapter was really tough. I know she was being honest but hearing she still didn’t get her ‘happy ever after’ just made everything feel bleak and hopeful at the same time. I was upset that after all she had done she still has to keep going to figure out her happiness, but then I was proud of her for not just settling for what she ‘should’ be happy for.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone that would listen!