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Your Mom's Gonna Love Me

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One part memoir, one part comedy special, one part crazy first date. Just you and Matt between the covers. What could be better?

Matt Rife is well aware that he’s both the most loved and the most controversial comic in America today. And honestly, he thinks that’s your problem.

Matt reveals (without apology, of course) what led him to becoming comedy’s biggest lightning rod before he reached thirty, in a story full of bold and hysterical takes on everything from Justin Bieber tramp stamps and rap battles with ex-cons to Matt’s struggles with depression and his many brushes with failure before finally hitting it big.

Born in trashy backwoods Ohio, Matt was saved by his foul-mouthed but loving grandpa Steve, who fostered his passion for standup. He started hitting comedy clubs before he could even drink, cutting his teeth in front of crowds who dared him to succeed. Matt honed a brand of razor-sharp, brutally honest standup that took no prisoners—and took him to the most famous stages of Atlanta and LA before he graduated high school. Along the way, he broke the hearts of MILFs everywhere, finally hit puberty at the ripe age of twenty-two, and never, ever backed down.

Full of Matt opening up, at his unfiltered best, about his life for the very first time, this book will give his millions of fans everything they want and more—and might even get his insecure enemies to change their minds.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published December 3, 2024

620 people are currently reading
9080 people want to read

About the author

Matt Rife

3 books157 followers
Matthew Steven Rife is an American comedian and actor. Rife is best known for his self-produced comedy specials Only Fans (2021), Matthew Steven Rife (2023) and Walking Red Flag (2023), his 2023 Netflix specials Natural Selection and Lucid, as well as his previous recurring role on the sketch improv comedy and rap show Wild 'n Out.

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5 stars
2,015 (24%)
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79 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 942 reviews
Profile Image for Kenny.
599 reviews1,492 followers
April 6, 2025
You can joke about absolutely anything as long as your intention and your heart is coming from the right place.
Your Mom's Gonna Love Me ~~~ Matt Rife


1

It seems, Matt Rife ignites controversy wherever he goes. He's faced multiple controversies over the past few years 1) over his appearance ~~ has he or hasn't he had plastic surgery? ~~ he says no, but those cheekbones are mighty suspicious, 2) over his sexuality ~~ is he or isn't he gay? ~~ he says no, and honestly, is it any of our business? 3) the sexist and inappropriate jokes he tells ~~ Rife has refused to apologize ~~ his jokes can be dark & mean spirted, but holding comedians to account for their jokes has gotten out of hand. Comedians are meant to offend. It is the very nature of their act.

So, what are my feelings about Matt Rife? I love the guy. Also, I don’t like the direction of social puritanism trying to dictate something so innately human as a sense of humor.

1

This isn't a comedian's memoir as much as it is a I had shitty childhood ~~ my mom left me to the mercy of an asshole step-father; my step-father abused me; I fucked up a lot as a kid; this is why I am the way I am memoir. Rife is extremely honest here and makes no excuses for anyone in his life, most notably himself.

If you've seen Rife’s comedy this memoir is going to feel very familiar to you. He talks about his childhood of course; how he got into comedy ~~ thank God for his grandfather ~~ and how he built a following. He is open about the ups and downs he faced. He doesn't hold anything back.

1

I was most surprised by the vulnerable moments in the book; the reader clearly comes away knowing what make Matt Rife tick.

And yes, he does address that joke ~~ if you know anything about Matt Rife, you know about that joke . And no, I will not repeat it here. Do not expect any type of apology from Rife, but there is a moment at the end of this chapter talking about how we treat people, especially people who are different that was truly heartfelt. I do believe Rife is genuine.

1

The bottom line is if you were looking for a comedic memoir, this is not it. It does give the reader insights into the struggles someone breaking into comedy faces; even more importantly, Matt Rife shares the emotional battle of emotional abuse and body image issues ~~ and boy does he have a lot of body image issues.

Lastly, Rife reminds us that things aren’t always what they seem and we shouldn’t make assumptions about someone just because they seem to have it all.

1
Profile Image for DD.
63 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2024
I love Matt Rife and I love a comedian memoir, but this is not it y’all.


Profile Image for Violet.
477 reviews306 followers
April 10, 2025
I am a sucker for an audiobook narrated by the author. This one was a good mix of funny and heartfelt.

3.75 ⭐️
Profile Image for Patty (IheartYA311).
1,270 reviews
December 6, 2024
Your Mom's Gonna Love Me is snapshot of the history and erratic thoughts of Matt Rife. It was relatable and funny (as expected). I'm glad I listened to it on audio, and I think it would be a different experience if read by written word because Matt writes the same way he speaks (AND the way he pronounces "rural" earned extra giggles). I enjoyed learning more about his relationship with Grandpa Steve. I was surprised to learn how humble Matt is. I usually complain that a book is too long, but this one could have been longer and more intimate. A solid 3 stars.
Profile Image for Daniil.
103 reviews12 followers
December 19, 2024
I never give 2 starts to the books, I just don’t finish those that fail to grab me. Somehow through I pushed through this one, maybe just to be able to add it to my Goodreads list.. I had started with a paperback, but seeing how basic and simplistic it is (almost like Wimpy Kid’s Diary) I switched to an audio book and that what has helped me to see (or rather hear) the end.
Now looking back - and what did I expect? This is a memoir of a 29 year old who’s life so far has been escaping from a “white trash” (his words, not mine) rural Ohio and moving to LA to sleep on mates’ couches and perform at every comedy venue that he can find until he finally gets noticed and makes it big. That’s really it…
Is the book funny? No. Is it full of some profound wisdom based on life long experience? No. It’s literally a rambling of a youngster who (through hard work though) became an brief media sensation and decided that now he is ripe enough to write a memoir…
There was a moment when I was a big fan of Matt Rife and that’s what pushed me to buy the book, but one thing is to be able to do a good crowd work as a comedian and the other to write a book that is actually meaningful or at least entertaining in any way..
Unfortunately, this is not the book I can recommend.
Profile Image for Amity Bailey.
247 reviews38 followers
January 4, 2025
I know he can be controversial, but if you like Matt Rife, I recommend. Typical Matt Humor, but also heartfelt and emotional at times. I was tearing up towards the end 🥹🫶🏻 recommend the audio!
Profile Image for Melanie Grupka.
69 reviews2 followers
December 10, 2024
This just wasn’t nearly as good as the other celebrity memoirs I’ve read this year. It was kinda all over the place and was also kinda contradictory in some parts
Profile Image for Nicole Wuthering Vines .
964 reviews50 followers
January 9, 2025
I’ve been a fan of Rife for years, and while his comedy and jokes are undeniably entertaining, what I’ve appreciated most is the insight into his background. I already knew some of this from watching various interviews, but this book truly highlights just how humble he is, which I found particularly compelling.

Discovering how nerdy and insecure he was growing up adds a deeper layer of vulnerability and relatability, making him feel even more authentic.

I always love when authors narrate their own stories—it adds such a personal touch. I especially appreciated how unfiltered this felt, almost like one of his crowd work bits come to life.

If you’re searching for your next nonfiction audiobook, I highly recommend giving this one a listen!
Profile Image for Steph Carr (LiteraryHypeWoman).
700 reviews68 followers
January 27, 2025
Was this a quick, easy listen? Yes.
Was it anything deep or fresh? Nope.
Just your average celebrity memoir, but from someone who probably should've waited a few years to have more life under their belt.
Profile Image for Haley Caruso.
111 reviews2 followers
December 4, 2024
I love him with all my heart. Not a single flaw in this story 😭💕
29 reviews
July 6, 2025
I think Matt is hilarious and loved that he opened up about his past and was vulnerable about his struggles with mental health, however it was very poorly written (who is his editor?) and didn’t seem like he needed to write a book. A bit premature for his career as he is still young and he could’ve waited before publishing a “memoir”. Also, why the hate for Montreal, Matt?! -.-
Profile Image for Niki Mclaren.
619 reviews15 followers
August 26, 2025
They should make a rule where kids under 30 aren't allowed to write autobiographies because this book is literally about nothing. It's not even funny.
Profile Image for Michelle ~catching up slowly~.
761 reviews20 followers
January 25, 2025
I like Matt Rife. I know there’s some controversy, but the reason I’m giving 5 ⭐️’s is because this wasn’t just a comedic venture. I listened to the audiobook and Matt Rife read it. And he did it well. It was heartfelt and honest. He addressed many of the issues surrounding his quick rise to fame. It wasn’t handed to him. He worked for it. He admits he bombed his first show, but begged for a second chance.

I feel like had this been just a book of comedy, it would have been just an extension of his act. Instead we were able to get an honest look at what’s behind the comedy.
Profile Image for Katrina (Catching up on Reviews).
657 reviews22 followers
August 17, 2025
I really like Matt Rife’s comedy—he’s sharp, confident, and knows how to work a crowd. I know some people have tried to cancel him over certain jokes, but at the end of the day… they’re jokes. Comedy isn’t always meant to be taken so seriously, and I think people can be a little too sensitive these days. His memoir is read by him and I thought he did an excellent job.

Profile Image for Misty.
337 reviews322 followers
August 29, 2025
First, I need to say that this boy is 🔥. No lie. I find him to be irreverent, brash and just deliciously sexy. He’s clearly bright, able to think on his feet and projects a certain vulnerability that makes him relatable. I would give any of his performances five stars. Unfortunately, in this book, he comes across as a bit whiny, extraordinarily immature and a poor writer. Sorry, Matt.

I love the fact that Rife laid bare his difficult childhood and allowed us a glimpse into what shaped him to be the man he is today. He admitted to making mistakes as he grew up in front of his fans, but he never seemed to take full responsibility for his missteps. This was particularly glaring in his recounting of “The Joke”. Anyone even vaguely familiar with Rife’s act knows that it is edgy, as he spends the majority of his stage time dancing on the edge of a dime—sometimes embracing and often antagonizing the “woke” crowd. Whilst he is an equal opportunity roaster (women, whites, blacks, those from Ohio…), he sometimes steps over the line of what is just good taste. “The Joke” was a bridge too far, and he knew it. Instead of taking responsibility, he told those who were offended to pretty much fuck off. It was a slap in the face to women who had supported him in his struggle to raise to the rock star status he currently enjoys. I expected to see in these pages a moment of introspection about the entire incident—not necessarily an apology but a humble nod to the fact that it was not his best moment. Consider me schooled.

As for the writing….it was just bland. There was no spark, in spite of the fact that many of the situations he encountered were flame worthy! I felt like he was skimming his life with a shallow net, allowing the reader to know ABOUT the events without helping the reader to experience them. The opportunity to engage the reader through actual “scene” based writing was completely overlooked. Instead of showing the reader, he TOLD the reader. On so many occasions I found myself wanting to hear the details—to experience the sights and sounds of the moment. I wanted to see it play out through his eyes instead of through a dreary narrative. The other issue with this book was the organization of the chapters. They were seemingly all over the place, as if he’d written each, tossed them in the air and published them in the order in which they fell. The continuity simply seemed to be nonexistent as he tried a chronological approach that often meandered into the past before slipping into the future, then finally grabbing the thread of intent with which he began. It was maddening.

While Rife is truly a comic genius, this type of writing is not his lane. He may be able to pen one hell of a joke, but he lacks the maturity in his writing to engage and maintain reader interest. If this was the work of a ghost writer, shame on the editor, agent and publisher for allowing this to go to print without some major rewrites to tighten up. I’m no less a fan than I was before I pushed through this, but it didn’t gain Rife any points as a Renaissance man. I fear instead he may be a one trick pony, a comedian who should leave writing anything other than jokes to the professionals, but damn, what a pony he is!
Profile Image for Reviews.with.Bianca.
179 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2025
This is a mix of humour and heart, diving into the highs and lows of life as a comedian while navigating anxiety and personal trauma. Rife’s reflections are raw and relatable, offering a candid look at the struggles behind the spotlight.

While his anecdotes about famous comedy clips—many of which dominate social media—are entertaining, I found myself wishing for more insight into his personal journey beyond the stage. The book feels more like an extended riff on his viral moments than a deep dive into his life story.

That said, Rife's wit and openness made this an engaging read. It's a solid choice for fans of his comedy, but those looking for a more introspective memoir may come away wanting more.

Matt, if you're reading this, I saw your show in Melbourne in 2024 and thought it was one of the best comedy shows I had seen in a long time. Love your work, keep being you and I hope you come back to Australia again ❤️
Profile Image for Sharlotte.
39 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2025
I loved getting a peek into the life of Matt Rife (look at that, I can rhyme). There was a bit of inspiration for me personally because man, all it takes is that ONE thing you’re overthinking to take you somewhere you couldn’t imagine.

It was heartwarming to see who was always in his corner, how he was raised and listening to the book was great since he read it. I laughed often but it was also interesting and kept me intrigued to find out what would happen next.

Profile Image for Susannah.
439 reviews16 followers
March 5, 2025
I give all memoirs a 5⭐️ rating because I believe we shouldn't judge someone else's life experiences or how they choose to share them.

I've enjoyed Rife's comedy and have been following him for a couple of years. I was excited to read about his journey into comedy and stardom.

However, I left the book feeling a bit disappointed. Having seen most of his comedy through social media videos and his Netflix specials, there weren't many new stories in the book for me.

While I did learn a little about his past and upbringing, I feel he didn't delve deeply enough into those aspects. Overall, I didn't feel like I gained much new insight about the comedian, which was disappointing.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
91 reviews
August 27, 2025
I think Matt is so hilarious and his book is better than I was expecting. He actually made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed the background into his story and his humility for where he’s at now.
Profile Image for Melanie Smith.
18 reviews
January 16, 2025
I already had high expectations for this book since I know how wonderful and hilarious Matt Rife is, but this book exceeded my exceptions SO MUCH!!! This was incredible. I highly recommend it !!
Profile Image for Jessica.
220 reviews1 follower
December 25, 2024
I actually liked this more than I thought I would. I listened to the audiobook and it was read by Matt himself. I’d recommend giving it a listen.
Profile Image for Helena.
67 reviews
February 21, 2025
I love Matt Rife, so it pains me to give this book two stars. It had its moments and it got me to laugh a few times, but it's kind of all over the place and not well edited. I never realized how hard comedy is when it's written out in novel format. This would definitely land more as an audiobook.

We still love Matt, though. I'm excited to follow his career in the years to come.
Profile Image for Jenn.
77 reviews3 followers
March 30, 2025
I love Matt Rife. I know he gets a lot of hate, but I think he’s funny. This book was a fast easy read. It was funny, and I enjoyed learning about his journey to where he is now.
I gave it 4 stars as I found some stuff repetitive and sometimes he bounced around with the time line which at times was confusing. But overall an enjoyable read if you’re a fan!
Profile Image for Elizabet.
28 reviews4 followers
September 27, 2025
Besides my review being partially biased because I’m madly in love with Matt Rife 😅 i ate this up in 24 hours (part of that had to do with my desire to finish before seeing him on tour tonight 🤣) Something I REALLY admire about him is that he truly has never cared what others thought of him, & never accepted being told “no”. His ability to get rejected THOUSANDS of times, but not let that stop him from pursuing his dream is super admirable. He push HARD for over a decade to get to the level of success he has now & it was really cool to see that he persevered through things that I myself couldn’t imagine surviving. & even though he’s arguably one of the most successful comedians in history, you can see how fame hasn’t changed him at the core of who he is. I eat up every video & special he puts out there, but after reading his memoir, I have a whole new level of respect for my manz 🤪
Profile Image for Shannon .
2,370 reviews161 followers
April 16, 2025
Your Mom’s Gonna Love Me

I Picked Up This Book Because: Curiosity.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: BC Public Library
Dates Read: 4/8/25 - 4/9/25
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Narrator(s): Matt Rife


Did I only read this to find out about “the incident”, yes, I did. Honestly, I didn't even know what the full cancellation offense was but the way he presented it, it wasn’t a big deal. And he’s right the internet/social media is terrible.
Profile Image for Samara.
206 reviews52 followers
December 3, 2024
Matt Rife and I have the same sense of humor. No joke, he’s got a direct line to my funny bone. Maybe it’s because all his pop culture references resonate so hard with me since we’re so close in age. Or the fact that we’re both small town bred. Or maybe because we both have similar views/values.

When you pick up a book written by a stand-up comedian you think, ok the writing won’t be great but at least it will be funny as fuck. And it’s true, I laughed out loud more times than I can count. But there was a much deeper side to Matt that I think just get hidden beneath his witty one-liners. Honestly, he can really write a book. And damn…what a life he has lived.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one from beginning to end. And I highly recommend listening to the audio because it’s like being at one of his shows (not that I would know (someday soon maybe)).
Profile Image for Natara.
433 reviews3 followers
August 12, 2025
⭐3.5. On the shorter side, this was a good, quick, overview of Matt's life and rise to internet popularity. I loved how much he talks about his grandfather, it's pretty sweet.
I was curious if he'd include the whole controversy about him not appreciating his female fan base and turning on them, and I'm glad he did and he addressed this. While his book has made me like him more, and he even acknowledges that he looks like a fuckboy... I'll still be thinking he's a fuckboy haha.
Profile Image for Dallas Strawn.
957 reviews122 followers
December 2, 2024
Genuinely a big fan of Matt Rife's standup comedy; so even though I don't read a lot of nonfiction, I was offered an advanced listening copy of this book narrated by Rife; and it really felt like a 6 hour standup act... it is part memoir and you learn a decent amount about his upbringing, his personal relationship with his grandpa Steve, and his rise to TikTok fame; but it's also quite funny and interlaced with jokes throughout and then a rehash toward the end of several of his most popular viral videos.

Rife fans will really enjoy this; I did! It was good entertainment for a lazy Sunday night!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 942 reviews

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