From the New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Running in Heels comes “a compassionate, poignant, often humorous story of the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter” (Mariah Stewart, New York Times bestselling author) as they attempt to rediscover the past before it disappears forever. Lou Ann Hunter’s mother has always had a passionate nature, which explains why she’s … forever.
Lou Ann Hunter’s mother has always had a passionate nature, which explains why she’s been married five times and spooned enough male patients to be ousted from three elderly care facilities. She also has Alzheimer’s, which is why she wants to spend the rest of her life surrounded by childhood memories at Sutton Hall, her family’s decrepit plantation home in Louisiana.
Lou Ann, a.k.a. Lulu the Love Guru, has built an empire preaching sex, love, and relationship advice to the women of America–mostly by defying the example her mother has set for her. But with her mom suddenly in need of a fulltime caretaker, Lou Ann reluctantly agrees to step out of the spotlight and indulge her mother’s wishes.
Upon her arrival at Sutton Hall, Lou Ann discovers that very little functions as it should–least of all her mother’s mind. And as she adjusts to this new and inevitably temporary dynamic with the help of a local handyman and a live-in nurse, she is forced to confront the reality that neither her nor her mother’s future is going according to plan.
“Fans of Sophie Kinsella and Jane Graves will love Rachel Gibson’s How Lulu Lost Her Mind, an endearing, funny, and heart-tugging story from the first page to the last” (Karen Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author).
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Lou Ann (Lulu, the love guru) keeps her life running in tip-top shape, everything except her eccentric mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. When Patricia is evicted from her third senior care home for her romantic tendencies, Lou Ann is forced to set aside an important tour to take her mother back to her childhood home in Louisiana.
The plantation is in rough shape, the mosquitos are huge, and don’t even get her started about the alligators, but Lou Ann vows to make the best of a bad situation as long as it makes her mother happy.
While a sexy cajun handyman works on the mansion, Lou Ann and her mother delve into a long forgotten past and reconnect with each other in the process.
This book explores the horrible disease of Alzheimer’s in a humorous, yet heartwrenching way that is bound to touch readers. My grandmother passed away a few years ago from dementia and I found myself relating to Lou Ann’s frustration, pain, and love over the person who had taken over her beloved mother’s body.
Dementia changed my kind, sweet grandma into one who was often angry and scared. I pray that a cure will be found for this brain disease.
How Lulu Lost her Mind is simply…wonderful. I read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t – and didn’t want to –put it down.
In an age where more and more CHILDREN are caring for the longer-living parents, the struggles are very real and Rachel Gibson has done a heart-wrenching, realistic, and totally wonderful job of showing just exactly how hard those struggles are.
Lulu Hunter is successful, independent, and unencumbered in her romantic life. She’s also the alter ego of Lulu the Love Guru, a jet-setting advice maven. Her mother, unfortunately, has Alzheimer’s and has been in several care facilities since diagnosis. Just when Lulu is about to launch out on new business tour, her mother is tossed out of her latest care facility due to her…well, passionate nature. Let’s just say Patricia is a fan of all things love and love related, including canoodling with men she is not married to.
Faced with personally caring for her ailing mother, a mother who insists she wants to go to her ancestral home in Louisiana to die, Lulu hires a live-in caretaker and the three of them embark of the trip.
I don’t like spoilers so I won’t divulge all the secrets and shenanigans mom and daughter get into, but there’s a foul mouthed parrot, a hot Cajun contractor, and a baby that make life just a little bit more of struggle than Lulu ever anticipated.
This book is love letter, pure and simple, to mothers and daughters who have reached that age where the maternal roles are reversed. I cried, I laughed, I wet my pants, when I read this book.
I can’t think anyone who loses themselves in this work won’t be able to put it down!
Brava. 5 stars from me- wish I could give it more. Thanks Netgalley and Gallery books for the sneak peek at what I predict will be a bestseller for 2020.
Lou Ann Hunter aka Lulu the Love Guru, has built her successful relationship business and is currently on her “Find True Love” tour. Her mother, Patricia, is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is in her third memory care center…she can’t leave the men alone. When Patricia has to leave the latest center, she asks Lou Ann to take her home, her family home in Louisiana. Moving, flying, and a cantankerous bird is driving Lou Ann to the edge. How will she deal with the changes in her mother’s life? A story of the circumstances that often make changes in your life and how you deal with those changes. A sad yet delightful story told with the humorous style that Ms. Gibson is famous for. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
This was a sweet, funny and sad book all in one. Alzheimers is a disease that steals so much, but in this case, Lulu takes the time to meet her mother where she is. A great story that I would recommend.
Gibson’s first women’s fiction is a bit disappointing. While I understand the focus on Lulu, her lack of grace for her mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s fell flat. YMMV
I haven’t read a Rachel Gibson book for awhile, but this book seems like a bit of a departure from her norm. This had a slight romance in it, but it definitely takes a backseat to the relationship of Lou Ann (Lulu) and her mother as she cares for her and her progressing Alzheimer’s.
Ms. Gibson has undertaken a very tough subject and added in some humor that makes the reader feel that it’s okay to feel like everything in your life is totally crazy if you’re the caretaker of a failing parent (especially one with dementia). She manages to do it with enough love thrown in that you realize she is allowing you to laugh at the individual happenings in Lulu’s life while still maintaining the basis of the mother-daughter bond and the compassion for the illness.
The story also revolves around the friendship and support of the three women–Lulu, her mother and the nurse. While Lulu is losing a part of her family, she is also finding family in the nurse, Lindsey. They really do all need each other as they learn to live together and learn each others hearts.
This was truly a lovely book, which seems weird to say when there is so much humor in it, but it was a beautiful blend of seriousness and laughter that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend it to all those with declining parents, but I would also recommend it to anyone who loves a good read.
How could LuLu not lose her mind? HOW LULU LOST HER MIND by Rachel Gibson had me either laughing out loud or tearing up. When her mother has to leave her latest memory care home and asks her daughter to take her home, Lou Ann realizes that her time with her mother is running out and makes the decision to take a step back from her successful career and do as she asks, hoping to make some good memories while she still can. So, she packs up her mother, their newly-hired nurse, and some of their stuff and head to the family mansion in Louisiana.
I loved watching Lou Ann evolve from the impeccably dressed professional to the loosened up Southern girl navigating her mother’s dementia, the money-pit her mother inherited, a nurse with a secret, crazy parrot, and the bayou. It was gratifying to witness Lou Ann’s personal evolution as she discovered herself and her joy and her connection to her family, both past and present. I also enjoyed the evolution of her relationship with Simon, who became the friend she needed with a promise of future.
The was my first read by Rachel Gibson and it came at great time, providing a welcome escape. Once I started this unexpected and charming novel, I didn’t want to put it down. I look forward to reading more of Gibson’s work, especially if she continues to explore this genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
#howlululosthermind #rachelgibson #gallerybooks
Five stars from me! Full of laugh out loud humor, love, and colorful characters. Lou Ann is the love guru. She has an extremely successful business where she provides advice on love, sex, and relationships. Her mother who has Alzheimer’s is kicked out of the facility she lives in because of her bad behavior. Her mother is very passionate and often shocking in her behavior. Suddenly Lou Ann finds herself traveling with her mother and taking care of her whether she wants to or not. She loves her mother but is equally frustrated with her. Lou Ann has always been organized and serious. But maybe even though she is the love guru, she can still learn a thing or two from those around her.
I absolutely loved this book! It was filled with humor and heart-wrenching, realistic decisions. This is the story of Lou Ann and her mother Patricia. Lou Ann has made a good living by touting herself as Lulu the Love Guru, solving the relationship issues of others. Her mom is suffering from dementia and is willing to jump into a bed with any male in the nursing home who has a pulse. When Patricia is booted out of her nursing home (again), she asks Lou Ann to take her back to the family home in Louisiana. The tone was just perfect for this novel about forgiveness and mother-daughter relationships. In fact, I felt like Lou Ann was sitting across from me telling me all about her woeful story of living in a haunted mansion with her quirky mother. The setting added to the story, especially since it was via repairs for the old mansion that Lou Ann was able to meet Simon, the handy man who knew how to fix just about everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted read. Yes, there are definitely some somber parts, when Lou Ann comes to the reality that we all must face, the fact that we are all mortal and she would one day not have her mother to grumble about. But for the most part, the book was funny and fast-paced with some real laugh aloud moments. Fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Lulu has been summoned to the care home where her mother is a soon to be Ex-resident! Once again her mother, Patricia, has been found in a mans room…well…you get the idea. Lulu has to change all her plans and business engagements and take her mother home with her. But, that is not the end of Patricia’s escapades. Patricia wants to go to her family home in Louisiana. And boy…this changes everything in Lulu’s world.
Patricia tickles me to death. She is constantly in trouble. And that never stops her from going at it again! She is a mover and a shaker, well, when her mind allows her to be. And she sure does have Lulu’s number. She can send Lulu into a tail spin.
This is a cute read. I just kept expecting more to happen. The story seems to stall and never really go anywhere. But, it is laugh out loud funny in places. And Patricia just keeps the story moving with her antics.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I always enjoy reading Rachel Gibson’s books. This one did not disappoint! This is a beautiful story about the relationship between a mother and daughter. A daughter who puts her own life on hold to care for her mother. After reading this book, it has made me realize to appreciate my parents more while I still have them.
Thank you, Rachel, for this beautiful story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review. The way this book began I thought it was going to be a humorous, light hearted read but as you get into it you find out it is anything but. This is a story of fear, regrets, sacrifices, forgiveness, some humor, love, and loss. Written very well with very entertaining characters. I highly recommend. Enjoy!
What a delightful book! There were some moments of laughter, heart-wrenching sadness, and spunkiness. There is a little more “bad” language than I care for, but there are so many other things that make up for it.
Lou Ann’s (aka Lulu) mother, Patricia, is a hoot. Lulu’s willingness to step down from her successful business to care for her mother was touching. The characters were well developed, including the parrot, Rafael. And the relationships that develop between the characters are entertaining and you will find yourself cheering them on.
Lula departs on a journey of self-discovery, an effort to survive and improve a relationship with her mother, a willingness to let go of her control issues, and examine the validity of some of the “love” advice she has spouted for years.
When you’ve closed the book, you will have shed a few tears, but the laughter you’ve experienced helps balance out the sad moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
How Lulu Lost Her Mind, by Rachel Gibson, is a bittersweet story centered around LouAnn Hunter, also known as Lulu the Love Guru, and her aging mother, Patricia. Patricia is suffering from Alzheimer’s. As LouAnn rushes to make a flight to begin her latest tour she is contacted that it is imperative she come immediately to her mother’s assisted living center only to learn that her mother’s transgressions have warranted immediate dismissal into LouAnn’s care.
After canceling her tour, LouAnn gets her mother settled in her Seattle high rise condo and decides she needs a bit of time to spend with her mother while memories can still be made. After LouAnn has hired a live in nurse to take care of medical needs, Patricia becomes determined to return to her southern Louisiana family home, Sutton Hall.
The day they travel to Louisiana is one of the worst LouAnn has had and doesn’t get any better when the car service drops them off at the tired old manor where the key doesn’t work, and that is just the beginning of the downhill slide. It is also the day that Simon Broussard, local historic renovator and godson of Patricia’s late uncle, comes into the delightful cast of characters
In the following weeks, LouAnn learns to employ a slower pace, parsing out pieces of her self help empire so that she can focus on her mother. And even then, there are times she still almost loses her mind! This is a story so well put together that it is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, laugh out loud funny and tearful. Ms. Gibson has given the reader a wonderful morality tale with a lesson so many today need to learn. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
Great book! Mother and daughter spend the last month’s of Mom’s life in the family Plantation in Louisiana. Luann aka Lulu the Love Guru, a writer,blogger& Speaker puts her life and business on hold to take Mom from Seattle to Louisiana. Mom Patricia has Alzhiemers ,this is 3rd. Memory card facility she has been kicked out of. Momma wants to die in the family family home. Mom is a character in all ways,passionate,spunky and funny when not being exasperating. Sounds depressing but it is So not! A mother daughter trip thru family history, sharing love and caring for each other and the health aide Lulu hired to help care for Mom.
Thank you Rachel Gibson and Net Galley for this ARC. This review is solely my opinion.
An endearing mother/daughter story
Lou Ann Hunter, also known as Lulu the Love Guru, put her career on hold to care for her mother who has Alzheimer’s. She never expected to find herself back in Louisiana and living in her ancestral home, Sutton Hall. But it was where her mother wanted to spend her final days.
As the story unfolds, Lou Ann finds herself discovering more about her mother and family which leads to some interesting tales embedded in the book. Lou Ann also discovers friendships, and even a love interest, that she never expected. Maybe moving to Louisiana wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had a hard time putting it down. I need more of these characters. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them yet. What could have been a sad and complicated story about an Alzheimer’s patient became much more. It was emotional in some parts. There were witty parts, fun and joyful parts and so much more making this a memorable story.
Lou Ann must put her life on hold to care for her aging mother and dealing with Alzheimer’s. This might be the first book by this author that I’ve read. It certainly won’t be the last! It was funny in parts, it made me laugh out loud. At times it was sad as her Alzheimer’s progresses.
Definitely recommend! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy
As a work of ‘women’s’ fiction, there was a bit of romance but much more focus on the mother/daughter dynamic between Lou Anne (LuLu) and her mother Patricia. I think this story will hit close to home for many of us who have spent any amount of time taking care of a loved one, especially a parent.
Patricia wants to spend the rest of her days in her childhood home, Lulu is very busy with her career and does not have much time or desire to spend much more time with her mother. Lulu gives in and what comes next is a story of growth for both women, especially Lula.
“How Lulu Lost Her Mind” is well-written and has enough humor to make the darkness of the topics less daunting. I would read Rachel Gibson’s work again as she has a great way to spinning a story for her readers.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of this novel.
I was offered this book to read by Gallery Books and so glad I read it. When I saw it was a mother and daughter and the mother had Alzheimer’s I was anxious to read it, as I am currently dealing with it with my own mom. The book had some laugh out loud moments for me and of course given the issue, a few tears. I really loved the characters and the location in Louisiana amidst the heat, humidity and alligators. A truly good southern women’s fiction read. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an ARC.
How Lulu Lost Her Mind is a heart-felt homage to mothers and daughters. Lou Ann (Lulu) is forced to put her booming business in the hands of others so that she can care for her ailing mother Patricia.
Patricia, a passionate spitfire. She is also an unmistakable flirt. She kind of reminds me of an older Blanche Deveraux (from The Golden Girls), except Patricia has been evicted from her third elderly care facility. Now, she wants nothing more than to return to her beloved plantation home in Louisiana to spend her final days.
Lulu is not very enthusiastic about returning to Louisiana and the decrepit plantation. She is also reluctant to make the transition from successful businesswoman to elderly caretaker, but with the help of a live-in nurse Lulu determines to care for her mother during the last months of her Patricia’s life.
This is a wonderfully developed and engaging story about realistic subjects and conflicts. I think many readers will relate to the realities that Lulu has to face – dealing with tensions and resentments from the past, caring for an aging and ailing parent, making personal sacrifices to help others, embracing the present, taking emotional risks, and cherishing the limited time you have with people you care about.
This is the kind of book that makes you feel all the feels. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease, and the author does not gloss over the heartbreak that comes with losing someone to it. However, Gibson’s skillful inclusion of dynamic and relatable characters, richly described settings, humorous scenes, witty banter, and a slow-burning love story show the beauty and the joy of life as well, even in times of turmoil and grief.
I often say that hardest thing about getting older isn’t aging, it’s watching your parents age. This novel puts into words the love and heartbreak, the fear and the worry, and the guilty selflessness that comes with taking care of an ailing parent.
A sweet and tender tribute to mothers and daughters, this poignant story will remain with you long after you finish it.