I have read everything by Rachel Gibson so I was very excited to see that I could preview her new book (thank you Net galley and publishers).

This book definitely hit close to home as I just lost my grandmother two years ago to dementia and I noticed many things similar to this story line. I enjoyed the inner weaving of the three female protagonist stories and the plot really moved at a good speed. I do wish the relationship with Simon was a bit more developed although I did enjoy the ending. Overall I finished this book in a day and a half because I felt like I could connect with the characters. I will definitely recommend this book to friends especially those dealing with parents or grandparents with Alzheimer's. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

A sweet and funny story about a woman dealing with her mother's mental decline due to Alzheimer's. I found it touching and funny, though in parts a bit disjointed. Things I thought would be big reveals fell flat. But the interactions for the three lead women and the themes of helping an aging parent while preparing yourself as best you can to lose them was touchingly handled. Overall, a good read.

The setting: "Lou Ann Hunter’s mother, Patricia, has always had a passionate nature, which explains why she’s been married and divorced 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 her remaining months or years surrounded by memories at her family’s decrepit old plantation in Louisiana with her only daughter." [Much on family history and secrets in the crumbling mansion.]

And I'm wondering--is there a new niche for Instagram related books since the last book I read had a similar theme to this type of social networking. [Lou Ann is Lulu the Love Guru; a single 38-year old.]

The mother/daughter thing. Been there, done that.

Yes there were some laughs. And many poignant moments that resonated because I felt same with my mom.

BUT.

A big disconnect for me is always when I know the trajectory [here, male interest] from the start .

Sometimes entertaining. Often repetitive [an Alzheimer's angle? though I think not--necessarily]. And basically just tiresome and predictable.

I am in the very distinct minority on this one. Just do not feel the love.

Maybe 2,5 but cannot round up.

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This book kept me turning the pages from page one. It was really good at describing the life with an Alzheimer's patient. It was funny, sweet and touching.
I used to work with Alzheimer's patients and I loved every second of it!! Brings back some memories for me.
Definitely worth the time to read this one!

Wonderful book!! It hit very close to home with elderly parent and all the complications that brings. I was so sad when then book was finished. Interesting story, captivating characters. So glad I had the chance to read it early!!

This is the first book I read by Rachel Gibson. I think she is a fantastic author! She captured the love and frustration in caring for a parent in failing health.

I have been through a similar situation as in this book and I was my shaking head up and down in agreement so many times. She brought humor to a difficult topic. I think most daughters will identify with Lou Ann and want to be friends with her. I know I do.

I am from the area that the story takes place and so often movies and books get us wrong. Ms. Gibson gets it and created characters true to life. Some things were a bit embellished, but not by much.

I was drawn into the book immediately. The author created a world of people that I care about and my heart broke and soared for them. Parts of the story hit me so hard and definitely was glad to have tissues handy.

I absolutely recommend this book very highly! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley.com and Gallery Books for giving me the pleasure of reading this touching story. My review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the Advance Reader Copy.

I’ve known Ms. Gibson for her contemporary romances. That’s not my favorite genre, but I always liked her books. Now she’s written women’s fiction with some romantic elements, and I love this book and the direction her writing is going in.

Lou Ann’s mother has dementia, so Lou Ann puts her business as Lulu the Love Guru to be partially managed by her staff and guest bloggers so she can be there for her mother in what could be the last months or years of her life. Her mother, who flirts with all men regardless of their age, marital status, and whether they’re gay or straight, has been kicked out of her assisted living facility yet again. So Lou Ann finds a homecare nurse and fulfills her mother’s dream of returning to the estate where she grew up. Lou Ann is not remotely excited about moving to humid, bug- and alligator-infested Louisiana.

When she meets Simon, who has been taking care of the estate, it’s irritation at first sight. Fortunately, money is no object for Lou Ann, so she hires him to fix up the old home that is falling apart. Over time, his southern charm starts to melt her defenses, which have been powerful since she learned the man she was going to marry had cheated throughout their entire relationship.

This is a beautiful story of mothers and daughters and helping others and learning to ask for help yourself. Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book, which RELEASES MAY 19, 2020.

Lulu has built a successful business doling out relationship advice as Lulu the Love Guru. When her mother Patricia is forced out of another nursing home due to her “passionate nature,” Lulu decides to put her business on hold to work on the most important relationship in her life...her relationship with her mother. This was a quick and enjoyable read. Patty was a great character and I enjoyed how Gibson portrayed her relationship with Lulu. I know Gibson as a romance writer and there was a love interest in the story, but that was only a small part of the book (Gibson wove the romance element into the story perfectly). An enjoyable, touching story.

How Lulu Lost Her Mind portrays an excellent in-depth picture of a daughter’s love for a mother with dementia. The main character remains dedicated to her mother. Why? Because she loves her! Far from perfect, her mother has had five husbands, worked many different jobs in several different locations, and has just been dismissed from a third assisted-living facility! Her daughter has finally found job security and feels in control of her life. Even so, she does everything in her power to make her mother’s last memories as happy and content as possible. Along with a young nurse companion, they return to the rarely visited family home where their lives follow reconstruction along with the century-old house. The hunky construction workers help with restoration of the home, providing love, laughter, and understanding of the complex situations. As one life moves toward its end, another life grows towards its beginning. The main character is in the middle. Her growth is perhaps the most poignant as she deals with the emotional highs and lows of living with a loved one with dementia, trying to maintain a prosperous job she created, uncovering old family secrets in an effort to keep her mother’s memories active, and exploring the multi-layered types of love. This novel gives varied avenues for discussions of the decisions, compromises, sacrifices, and choices different generations who recognize and demonstrate true love face as they value the happiness and needs of those loved.

After being mom's caregiver for the past 2 yrs she passed away 6 months ago. I almost quit reading this story of a woman leaving her life behind to do the same. Reliving the progression of dementia and shocking aftermath of a simple UTI wasn't something I wanted to do. I skipped some here and there and at about 65% became involved with the characters
They had a great caregiver which I didn't have but so much of the story became about love and understanding when it's difficult. Very true to life in the daughter's self doubt, sorry and hurt.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

Lulu the Love Guru has built a successful business dispensing relationship advice. Her mother, Patricia, struggling with Alzheimer's, is a consummate flirt, and, as a result, has been thrown out of yet another nursing home. Lulu has no choice but to take over the care of her mother. Mama wants to go back home to Sutton Hall in Louisiana, so Lulu, Patricia and Lindsey, the nurse/caregiver, pack up and leave Seattle, Washington. As Patricia's Alzheimer's progresses, Lulu devotes more time to her mother and less time to her business. Lulu makes memories with her mother. Lindsey has a secret and finds a boyfriend. And along the way, Lulu discovers what love is really about.

Lou Ann is a wealthy self-made entrepreneur who is forced to take care of her 74 year old who has Alzheimers when she gets kicked out of yet another care facility. This book is really about the journey of Lou Ann and her mother Patricia as they navigate their tumultuous relationship and end of life decisions while going back to explore her family heritage. The narrative is lovely with matter-of-fact yet empathetic descriptions of caring for someone in old age. There are some sections which are not explored like how exactly Lou Ann makes money, how they can spend as much as they do and what else is going on in the real world outside, none of which detract from the story itself. I really enjoyed this read and want to read more of Rachel Gibson.

Quick, cutesy, predictable read. Little too "romancy" for my taste, but i did enjoy the mother/daughter storyline.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Lulu has built a multi million dollar empire being a love guru. But when her mother Patricia gets Alzheimer’s and is kicked out of multiple nursing homes, Lulu must make the difficult choice of caring for her mother or running her business. Patricia’s one wish is to go back to her family home Sutton Hall, to be buried in the family cemetery. Lulu hires a live in nurse, Lindsey and together, the three women move from Seattle, Washington to Louisiana to live at Sutton Hall. For the next few months, Lulu makes memories with her mother, and tries to enjoy every last moment. Lindsey reveals a secret. And Lulu and Lindsey both find love.

This story has it all. A memorable plot with enjoyable characters, sadness, humor, love, family, character growth and so much more. I loved this book and am going to recommend it to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley, Gallery Books and Rachel Gibson for the ARC of How Lulu Lost Her Mind in exchange for my honest review.

This book is one that stays with you. Mother and child relationships are always hard to put down on paper, because everybody has a different interpretation but, I always enjoy her writing about family and the levels and layers of people.
Even if you have the best relationship with your mom it's good to see people past is what you think, and their relationship to you.

Lulu is the successful woman behind Lulu the Love Guru, and the stressed daughter of Patricia, a passionate woman with Alzheimer’s. When Patricia is kicked out of yet another nursing home for sharing her passion with the other patients, Lulu’s plans are forced to change.

Her mother wants to return home, to the plantation in Louisiana, to be buried with her family. Lulu is determined to make enough good memories to make up for a lifetime of feeling like second place behind her mom’s five husbands and numerous boyfriends. With Lindsey, her mom’s nurse, to help her, they all head down south, where Lulu is accosted by bugs, sweat, and humidity and has to deal with Simon, the House Doctor, and an obnoxious bird named Raphael.

A great book with lots of laughter and a touch of sadness watching Lulu learn what is important to her and how to reach out and grab it.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that Lou Ann let go of being in constant control and almost robotic in nature and chose to live and love. She certainly was a product of a rather turbulent childhood but there was no doubt that Patricia loved her. In the backdrop of the South, she became softer. It was also told by the dry sense of humor I always enjoy. I would actually like to see what happens next in the lives of both her and Lindsey.

This is about a mother daughter relationship where the mother has Alzheimers and wants to return to the family homestead. Their relationship is fraught with ups and downs but they eventually resolve their issues. The mother is a consummate flirt, having been married a few times and constantly moving around. Lulu has a thriving business issuing love advice which she puts on hold. She meets Simon who is doing the renovation and has a hard time following her own advice.. Lindsey who has been hired to help care for.lulu’s mother has her own storyline. There are two love relationships going on while Lulu and her mother are working on theirs. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC.

The novel starts with Successful business woman and owner of Lulu the Love Guru, having to take her too romantically charged mother out of yet another Alzheimer’s care home. Seems like all her mom wants to do is spoon with all the men, having been married five times. Lou Ann realizes her mom won’t be around forever, so acquiesces to her moms demand LouAnn take her back to her dilapidated and huge family home in Louisiana to die. Newly hired wonderful nurse Lindsey comes along as well and the three of them settle the best way they can into this new life.
A fast read about mother’s and daughters, learning patience, and love.

Beautifully dramatic, warm, rich and complicated. I loved it. The culture of New Orleans, the old plantation that sucks money. The people who are wonderful. Great writing, fabulous situations, perfect dialogue. I wish it hadn't ended. For me that's the highest of praise.