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Mother’s Little Alibi: A First Memoir
Four generations of love, family, tragedy, addiction, wealth, poverty and infidelity. One family produced a handsome, but wild son and the other family, a strong-willed daughter. These two personalities wed, leading to a very interesting, but tumultuous life and one daughter, Lydia.
This culminated in a true story of a 4 year old girl's memory of serious problems that many adults have never faced. She was saved by a sense of humor you will find both amusing and heart lifting. Moved from one home to another because of family illness, she also became ill and was isolated for 3 months at the age of 5. Forced to defend one parent, while lying to the other, this only child became "street smart" at the age of 9 in order to defend herself and keep the family secret. Her life nearly came to a tragic ending when she was 11 years old.
Lydia was surrounded by small town characters in an era which was mostly innocent, but incredibly dangerous for this child. Once learning about Lydia's life in the 1940's and 1950's, you will ask yourself, do we really know what's in a child's heart or mind?
This culminated in a true story of a 4 year old girl's memory of serious problems that many adults have never faced. She was saved by a sense of humor you will find both amusing and heart lifting. Moved from one home to another because of family illness, she also became ill and was isolated for 3 months at the age of 5. Forced to defend one parent, while lying to the other, this only child became "street smart" at the age of 9 in order to defend herself and keep the family secret. Her life nearly came to a tragic ending when she was 11 years old.
Lydia was surrounded by small town characters in an era which was mostly innocent, but incredibly dangerous for this child. Once learning about Lydia's life in the 1940's and 1950's, you will ask yourself, do we really know what's in a child's heart or mind?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2024
About the author
Lydia Constantine
21 books11 followersWelcome. My name is Lydia Constantine, and I am living proof that life’s journey doesn’t end with hardship . . . it evolves through it.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: mother, grandmother, business owner, and community leader. Each role has come with its own challenges, lessons, and moments of joy. Through it all, I’ve held onto a simple belief: you are never too old to learn, to grow, or to pursue something new.
Writing became my newest adventure, and perhaps my most meaningful one.
In my memoir trilogy, Out of Mother’s Shadow, I share the story of my life across three deeply personal books: Mother’s Little Alibi, In Spite of Mother, and My Mother At Last. Together, they trace my journey from a childhood shaped by love, loss, addiction, and secrecy… to adulthood filled with both hard-earned strength and unexpected trials… and finally, to a place of reflection, resilience, and understanding.
What began as the story of a little girl growing up in the 1940s and 50s, navigating a world that was both innocent and dangerous, becomes something much larger. It is the story of survival, of family, of longing, and of the complicated bonds that shape who we become.
Through heartbreak and humor, setbacks and successes, my story spans decades of life’s realities. It is not a perfect story, because life is not perfect. But it is honest.
More than anything, these books are a reflection of the strength we all carry within us. No matter where we begin, no matter what we endure, there is always a path forward.
I invite you to walk that path with me.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: mother, grandmother, business owner, and community leader. Each role has come with its own challenges, lessons, and moments of joy. Through it all, I’ve held onto a simple belief: you are never too old to learn, to grow, or to pursue something new.
Writing became my newest adventure, and perhaps my most meaningful one.
In my memoir trilogy, Out of Mother’s Shadow, I share the story of my life across three deeply personal books: Mother’s Little Alibi, In Spite of Mother, and My Mother At Last. Together, they trace my journey from a childhood shaped by love, loss, addiction, and secrecy… to adulthood filled with both hard-earned strength and unexpected trials… and finally, to a place of reflection, resilience, and understanding.
What began as the story of a little girl growing up in the 1940s and 50s, navigating a world that was both innocent and dangerous, becomes something much larger. It is the story of survival, of family, of longing, and of the complicated bonds that shape who we become.
Through heartbreak and humor, setbacks and successes, my story spans decades of life’s realities. It is not a perfect story, because life is not perfect. But it is honest.
More than anything, these books are a reflection of the strength we all carry within us. No matter where we begin, no matter what we endure, there is always a path forward.
I invite you to walk that path with me.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 11, 2026
Lydia Constantine was at my B&N bookstore today so I purchased volume one of her trilogy. It was good and very interesting reading about families and society during the 40’s and 50s. I guess I was just underwhelmed. There were a few amusing anecdotes. But the danger, trauma and tumult of her life was really quite unremarkable. I’d take her childhood experiences in a heartbeat! Very quick read, just 216 pages.
August 29, 2025
Great start on this trilogy!
This is a well-written memoir that has special appeal to those of us who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s. It will also appeal to readers who spent their childhood in a small rural town. I fall into both those categories. In fact, I was born and grew up in the very same town as “Lydia”. I congratulate her for this writing project she has undertaken, and I’m confident she will finish it triumphantly with the same brilliance and grace with which she lives her life.
This is a well-written memoir that has special appeal to those of us who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s. It will also appeal to readers who spent their childhood in a small rural town. I fall into both those categories. In fact, I was born and grew up in the very same town as “Lydia”. I congratulate her for this writing project she has undertaken, and I’m confident she will finish it triumphantly with the same brilliance and grace with which she lives her life.
August 2, 2024
a must read!
The thing I liked most about this book is the author’s blatant honesty. It would be very hard for most people to open up and tell the secrets of their family, but she did, and the words seem to just flow out throughout the book. Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. Excellent!!!
The thing I liked most about this book is the author’s blatant honesty. It would be very hard for most people to open up and tell the secrets of their family, but she did, and the words seem to just flow out throughout the book. Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. Excellent!!!
May 18, 2025
A realistic look back to a small town. It teaches the lesson that how we choose to use the struggles in our lives is what makes us happy, sad, successful, or a failure. It also tells us to love people that love us, and take them as they are.
I enjoyed it. I admire the author and how she developed into the happy, successful person she has now become.
I enjoyed it. I admire the author and how she developed into the happy, successful person she has now become.
January 26, 2026
Worth reading with Kindle Unlimited
This was a bit tedious- seemed repetitious, but still a decent time filler. Probably would not recommend as a page-turner,, can't put down read
This was a bit tedious- seemed repetitious, but still a decent time filler. Probably would not recommend as a page-turner,, can't put down read
August 8, 2026
Interesting
This book wad well written and I was very much able to connect to this story through the alcoholism and the adult adultery and the frightened child. Too many families goes through this exact circle of life. Not the memoirs any child wants to carry throughout their adult life!
This book wad well written and I was very much able to connect to this story through the alcoholism and the adult adultery and the frightened child. Too many families goes through this exact circle of life. Not the memoirs any child wants to carry throughout their adult life!
August 18, 2025
A real life story
Specially loved the fact that she was able to recount her life story with such realism.
Including all of the good and the bad and to be able to finish on a loving note.
Specially loved the fact that she was able to recount her life story with such realism.
Including all of the good and the bad and to be able to finish on a loving note.
January 20, 2026
So entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so well written and a pleasure to read.
I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a relaxing, enjoyable read and am looking forward to reading the second book.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so well written and a pleasure to read.
I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a relaxing, enjoyable read and am looking forward to reading the second book.
February 9, 2026
really good
This was a very interesting memoir! Rich in her family history Lydia gives detailed accounts of her grandparents as well as her mother and father. Very entertaining, well written!
This was a very interesting memoir! Rich in her family history Lydia gives detailed accounts of her grandparents as well as her mother and father. Very entertaining, well written!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews