Falling with Wings: A Mother’s Story

In this candid memoir of love, addiction, and motherhood, De La Garza, the mother of singer Demi Lovato, recounts her early career, an abusive marriage, and the challenging years of raising her three daughters. De La Garza writes of becoming a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader in 1982 at age 20 while also performing locally as a country singer. At one of her concerts, she met singer Patrick Lovato; they married in 1984, and for the next 10 years he abused her and she developed secret eating disorders and drug and alcohol addictions. After her divorce, she continued to hide her addiction from her family. Her religious faith was her sole comfort. Her three daughters—Demi, Madison, and Dallas—began entertainment careers of their own, and De La Garza was determined to assist them despite being worried they would set themselves up for failure. Meanwhile, her self-doubt intensified: “Would people like me more if I were thinner? Calmer? More protective of my kids?” De La Garza’s portrayal of her addiction denial is affecting and open, as is her writing about her daughters coming to her rescue as her health deteriorated. This memoir is an honest, heartfelt story of addiction, recovery, and the importance of family. (Mar.)