It's Never Too Late

by Marla Gibbs

The star of classic television series, including The Jeffersons and 227, reveals her difficult journey from a tempestuous childhood to becoming a confident Hollywood powerbroker and groundbreaker who paved the way for today’s superstar talents.

Marla Gibbs has been a Hollywood icon for generations of fans. Now, at ninety-three, she chronicles her climb from a difficult youth in which she yearned for safety and love, to the high-stakes world of Hollywood where she became a confident powerbroker learning to work behind the scenes for fair pay, access, and more creative control for herself and her colleagues.

Told in her forthright voice, It's Never Too Late illuminates Gibbs' daring move to Los Angeles to rebuild her life after an abusive marriage, how she became an actor, and how she eventually learned to balance acting with show running. She was a “Boss Bae” decades before the term would become entertainment industry shorthand for a power flex. While developing 227 her lawyer won her “all rights, courtesies and privileges of an executive producer without the credit.” Though the authority she wielded behind the scenes created deep tensions on and off the set, her hard-luck young life had prepared her to succeed even as her tenacity was put to the test. Her experiences laid the groundwork for powerbrokers like Shonda Rhimes and Issa Rae.

An inspiring personal portrait of triumph and Hollywood that reminds us we can leave the past behind, It’s Never Too Late is the true tale of a remarkable life and a wise guidebook for aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, and entertainment fans.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography, Tv, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

288 pages, Hardcover

Published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Book Reviews by Tara aka Queen of Memoirs · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ~ This memoir is something special. The book will be hitting shelves on February 24, 2026, and I already know it’s going to make waves.
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From the very first page, you can feel how much heart Marla poured into telling her story. There’s an honesty and warmth that makes it easy to connect with her journey, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the entire journey.
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One thing that really stood out to me was how open Marla is about her life’s toughest moments. She doesn’t shy away from sharing the pain of escaping an abusive marriage, or the complicated truth that her one true love was a married man. Her willingness to be vulnerable is what makes this memoir so powerful.
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Marla also takes us through her ups and downs as a mother and a businesswoman. She’s refreshingly candid about her successes, but she’s just as honest about the times she stumbled or wished she’d done things differently. That kind of self-reflection is rare, and it made me appreciate her story even more.
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Of course, fans of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 and 227 will love the behind-the-scenes glimpses she shares. Marla gives us a front-row seat to her groundbreaking career, and it’s fascinating to see what went on beyond the camera. Her stories from those sets are both entertaining and inspiring.
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One of the most memorable parts of the book is when Marla talks about surviving a brain aneurysm. The way she describes her fight to recover is both heartbreaking and uplifting. It’s a reminder of her resilience and the strength she’s carried through every chapter of her life.
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Overall, 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 is a beautifully written, deeply honest memoir that left a real impression on me. Marla Gibbs’ journey is filled with challenges, triumphs, and lessons that anyone can relate to, whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering her story.
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[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Marla Gibbs’ memoir felt like sitting with an elder whose story holds both the pulse of Black Hollywood and the heartbeat of Black womanhood. I loved learning about her early years, her journey through motherhood, and how all of it sharpened her advocacy for authentic Black representation on screen.

It was moving to read about how she navigated an entertainment industry that often failed to credit her brilliance. Long before words like “showrunner” and “boss” were part of everyday language, Marla Gibbs was out here doing the work while fighting for fair pay, creative control, and space for Black artists to do well in the industry.

Knowing that she now has a gold star in Hollywood feels especially powerful after reading what she survived and what she built. Her story is a reminder that no matter where you begin, you can still shift an entire industry with courage, clarity, and conviction.

If you’re an artist, a dreamer, a creator, or just someone trying to make your mark this memoir will definitely speak to you.

[Mediaman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Often-depressing memoir that focuses too much on the negative early years of the author's life and only has two substantial chapters devoted to The Jeffersons and 227. It's riddled with mistakes and confusing verbiage. There must have been an actual writer that helped 94-year-old Gibbs with this, but that co-author did a poor job.

The first chapter is a mess, with Gibbs rambling back and forth about different aspects of her years while overly bragging about all her honors and opining that she deserved an Emmy award adding that "many believe I have more than earned one." The opening chapter was extremely difficult to follow and sadly set the stage for a book that often had me wondering what she was trying to say beyond showing overestimated self-worth.

The entire for half of the book is very depressing but also confusing because she makes a number of terrible decisions about men who cheat on her (basically all of them), tolerating physical abuse (she kept going back to the men who punched her), and what she does with her children (ranging from ignoring them to enabling their addictions). She claims that around 1946 or 47 she was "recruited...to make an appearance as an actor on a TV show called Juvenile Court." That's hard to substantiate and was before most TV stations were established.

You have to wait a long time to get to anything substantive in her career since she started as an adult following her daughter into the business. The Jeffersons chapter is just okay (and makes you wonder why she waited until the sixth season to ask for a raise!) but the 227 chapter dishes plenty of dirt on the production process and how she felt like she was mistreated (when her diva phase begins). Gibbs does include a couple negative things about conflict on set among black cast members but breakout supporting actress Jackee comes out looking like a queen (though others were jealous, Gibbs claims she was not).

One of the most confusing statements she makes is when she writes about her second TV sitcom hit. "We shot the pilot and waited for NBC to make its final decision. They picked it up and positioned 227 behind The Jeffersons, because they figured the long-running show had one more season and then they could move on seamlessly with 227." Um, 227 was on NBC, The Jeffersons was on CBS. And they weren't on the same night. The Jeffersons ended July 2, 1985, while 227 began Sept. 14, 1985. No matter what she meant to say, she was wrong.

She also claimed that she demanded to be an executive producer of 227 and Norman Lear agreed to give her that role "in name" but with no on-screen credit. However, no one else was told about her involvement in decision-making and there was nothing in writing so that was divisive when she made self-serving complaints. Not only does that again paint Lear negatively, but her excuse is warped that "he was not singling me out. I heard Carroll O'Connor was also not given an executive producer title on All in the Family." Marla, Carroll O'Connor WAS given that official on-screen producer title on the spin-off Archie Bunker's Place, which went on the air six years before 227. Lear played you.

What baffles me is how Marla overpraises Norman Lear, yet he is the man who hired the people who mistreated Gibbs and Lear looked the other way when decisions were made against her. This paints a picture of a leftist liberal elitist executive who does a lot of subtle abuse of people of color and women while presenting to the world an image of pushing for their rights.

The narrative also unfortunately focuses too much on her skin color and if she thinks she's painting a picture of a positive black community, think again. The men are all sex-hungry monsters (I lost track of how many kids her men had with other women, while she mostly dated guys who were already married with families!), the women are either clueless or seductresses, the children suffer from parental refusal to act like adults (at least two of her children were molested, one by her husband). The saviors often end up being sympathetic white people.

By the way, her book (like all modern woke publications) capitalizes the word black and not white when referring to skin color. That's not only grammatically incorrect but it's racist--though one refreshing thing here is that Gibbs acknowledges that blacks can be racist.

There's not enough here worth reading, and her attempts at adding spiritual inspiration fall flat when she is making up for so many bad decisions in life. It comes across as too little, too late.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest, hopeful, and triumphant memoir of working and overcoming from the woman I really only know as Florence the housekeeper on The Jeffersons. Of course, she is much more than that and the context of her family is life is, at times horrendous. There is spousal abuse and the sexual abuse of her children, including actress Angela Gibbs. There is a very colorful mother whose biography I would like to read:

My mother, Ophelia Kemp, was a force to be reckoned with. She was a young, pretty girl when my father spotted and claimed her. Out of necessity and choice, she grew into a formidable woman who didn’t let the tenor of the times stop her from carving out a life on her own terms. She sought to be a faithful follower in the church led by Detroit’s legendary Prophet Jones. But she would eventually establish her own church and garner a following of believers who respected and recognized her gifts as faith based. She was a business leader and a clairvoyant. People would stand in line for hours to get a spiritual reading from her.

....

I think Mom was so young, she thought she needed someone to take care of her, especially now with three children. She met a man named Chester Rentie. He was known as the mayor of Paradise Valley in Detroit, Michigan. Chester was a booking agent for talent, and he once managed jazz vocalist Betty Carter. He told my mother she could do better if she moved to Detroit. Mom needed a new start and agreed to move to Detroit, where Chester helped her get a nice house.

Much of Marla's pre-Flo life is one of honest work and an environment where signs of burgeoning success of Black America was apparent.

After Joey was born, I landed a job as a switchboard operator at the Gotham Hotel. It was Black-owned and was a hot spot for Black millionaires and Black entrepreneurs. I remember there was a gift shop with fancy jewelry that I loved. The nine-story, two-hundred-room hotel sat at 111 Orchestra Place and had a fancy restaurant, a great brunch, and an all-girls jazz band. I would later emulate that at my jazz club, Marla’s Memory Lane.

The father of her children is an unfortunate, recurrent agent of chaos and suffering over which she must overcome in finding her way, protecting her children, and advancing her career.

Buddy gave me two black eyes during another pregnancy, and I found the courage to leave, so I went to an attorney. He took me to a judge, who asked me how long I’d been married, and I told him, “Four years.” He replied, “Then you ought to know how not to push his buttons.” The attorney was very disappointed, and so was I. People often ask why women stay in abusive relationships. It’s hard to go when you’re broken. Add to that the time I came up in, when women were still considered property and had few rights. Leaving seemed damn near impossible.

Along the way she met and collavorated with more interesting and less harmful men.

Horace Tapscott was my friend. His talent was undeniable, and he traveled the globe, playing the piano where his music was honored and lauded. He was most proud of the mentorship he created with the young, upcoming jazz musicians...

This association led to a hopeful and expensive investment in community arts and theater which she boldly pushed forward as long as possible, or maybe longer.

In its heyday, the Vision served as a hub of sorts. The Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan held a rally there to drum up support for the 1995 Million Man March. Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigned there. Poet Maya Angelou had a reading there, and a renowned healer conducted a wellness seminar at the Vision Theatre. We were also proud to premier Lily in Winter, starring Natalie Cole, along with Jim Pickens Jr., Rae’Ven Larrymore Kelly, Salli Richardson, and me. The Josephine Baker Story was another film we premiered, starring Lynn Whitfield, along with Louis Gossett Jr., and Kene Holiday. It was great to premiere films starring Black actors in a Black community when our images were so often marginalized or nonexistent. It was important to me to create a venue where we could celebrate our work.

...

I ran into Larry Hearns, who owned the Memory Lane, an established and popular venue. His place featured performers such as Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Little Esther, and Lorez Alexandria. I told him what I wanted to do, and he talked me into buying his club. I loved the idea of carrying that tradition over into what I called Marla’s Memory Lane. The central idea was to showcase local jazz musicians. The Los Angeles scene was rich in those days; the national and world scenes were too, of course.

....

The great Dizzy Gillespie. Etta James and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson recorded their Grammy-nominated album Blues In the Night, Vol. 1: The Early Show live at Marla’s Memory Lane.

Another fascinating individual in her orbit I would read a life of is Dr. Sebi.

My daughter introduced me and the family to the world-renowned herbalist Dr. Sebi. He was one of the brilliant people that I’ve been blessed to know, and he helped me take care of my health. Chile, at his recommendation, my sister Susie and I took some mushrooms.

Fortunately, the faithful Marla soldiers on even over adversity anew.

Most people do not survive brain aneurysms, so I knew God still had plans for me. The more my strength and memory came back, the more trouble I got into. I’m a Gemini, and my mind is always curious and always working . . .

[Paula W · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s Never Too Late is a memoir by the woman we all know as Florence Johnston. Marla Gibbs was so much more than just a smartass housekeeper for the couple who were “moving on up to the East Side”, though. She was a strong leader in the movement for black excellence, advocacy, and diversity at a time when it was sorely needed. It was a rough and difficult road to get there but Marla was a pioneer for black women in the entertainment industry, becoming one of the first to have influence behind the camera when the world wasn’t sure if black people could play characters other than the quiet servant.

This memoir will be great for people who like general memoirs or surface-level behind-the-scenes stories. Ms. Gibbs gives a lot of self praise (certainly earned but bordering on tedious for me, especially the dozens and dozens of name drops) yet doesn’t ever dig deep into anything; she spends about 2 paragraphs on a miscarriage during an abusive marriage and the same amount on an event where she met a famous celebrity. The memoir does not follow a strict chronological timeline and memories are often grouped by subject instead. Those things made it a bit difficult for me to follow, sadly. But if you like your memoirs light on detail and heavier on a series of vignettes that read like modern fables with the end of each chapter being a lesson learned, then you’ll really enjoy this. She is such a powerhouse who is deserving of all the recognition and more. 3 stars

Thanks to Amistad, Marla Gibbs (author), Edelweiss, and Libro.fm for providing an advance digital copy and advance listening copy of It’s Never Too Late (narrated primarily by Tisha Campbell with a foreword by Regina King and title breaks by the author). Their generosity did not influence my review in any way.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

After growing up watching The Jeffersons and 227, I was excited to hear what Marla Gibbs had to say. She's been a legendary actress for many years, appearing on numerous television shows and movies. It was interesting to hear her story about growing up, motherhood, and then becoming an actress later in life. She was an early pioneer for Black artists in the industry, striving for a fair wage, screen representation, creative control, and space. She did so much for her community as well.

The book is narrated by the talented Tisha Campbell and the forward is read by Regina King.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to receive a copy of the book "It's Never Too Late" by Marla Gibbs from NetGalley. Marla Gibbs writes of her sometimes rough childhood growing up in Chicago and Detroit. Her parents split up when she was a toddler and she went back and forth over her childhood.to different homes. She had other jobs like working for an airline before she found she enjoyed taking acting lessons and soon found work in California. Eventually she ended up on "The Jefferson's " As Florence Johnston the very opinionated housekeeper" she is honest about the difficulties she had in her marriage to an abusive man. She eventually divorced him and continued he career as an actress. she went on to her own tv series after years of success on The Jeffersons called "227' she speaks fondly of fellow actors she has worked with. over the years.
She writes of health challenges she has dealt with like having an aneurysm and surviving it and the long haul to recovery. She shares many other parts of her life as well. such as her three children. and friends. a good memoir I am glad I had the chance to read. I would give this book a 4.5.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

For ten years of my life, beginning in 1975, I fell in love with Marla Gibbs as the unforgettable Florence on The Jeffersons, and later all over again as Mary Jenkins on 227. While these were her most iconic television roles, It’s Never Too Late makes it clear that Gibbs is far more than a gifted comedic performer.

Her memoir is a powerful story of determination, strength, and resilience. Memoirs offer readers a brief window into lives we may recognize from afar, while also revealing experiences we might never otherwise see. This is exactly what Gibbs’s story does.

Strong narration is essential when listening to someone’s life story, and this audiobook truly shines. With Marla Gibbs herself opening several chapters, followed by the warm and engaging narration of Tisha Campbell, It’s Never Too Late becomes an absorbing and heartfelt listening experience.

What makes this memoir especially compelling is the honesty with which Gibbs shares her journey. Her early life was marked by significant challenges, and her career in television and on stage was not without setbacks. Yet she persevered, repeatedly reinventing herself and ultimately setting an inspiring example for those who would follow in her footsteps. It’s Never Too Late is a fitting title for a life defined by grit, growth, and grace.

Many thanks to Amistad and to Libro.fm and NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Roslyn Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Never Too Late by Marla Gibbs is a heartfelt, inspiring memoir that feels like sitting down with a beloved TV icon and hearing the real stories behind the roles that shaped generations. I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, and as someone who has admired Marla’s work for years — from her unforgettable turn as the sharp‑witted maid on The Jeffersons to her role as everyone’s TV mom on 227 m this book felt like a gift.

Gibbs writes with the same warmth, humor, and honesty that made her characters so memorable. Her reflections on perseverance, reinvention, and staying true to herself were genuinely uplifting. What struck me most was how candid she is about the challenges she faced both in Hollywood and in her personal life. Her journey is a reminder that resilience doesn’t have an age limit, and that reinvention is always possible.

I admired the book for its sincerity and the way it blends behind‑the‑scenes history with life lessons that feel earned rather than preached. It’s inspiring without ever becoming sentimental, and it left me appreciating Marla Gibbs even more not just as an actress, but as a woman who carved her own path with grit and grace.

A wonderful read for longtime fans and anyone who loves stories about strength, longevity, and the power of believing in yourself. #netgalley #it'snevertoolate

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last role Marla Gibbs wanted to play when she became an actress was the role of a maid. Ironically, that is the role she landed early in her career on The Jeffersons, which made her a TV superstar who never was lacking in work again. Her memoir covers those years on both that show and on 227, as well as the years before TV fame and the later years running a jazz club and a cultural center. The author is very honest about things in her personal life she regrets, such as mistakes raising her children, especially her daughter, and her possessiveness of her daughter. Her marriage was also a nightmare most of the time, but she is not one to dwell on the past.

Ms. Gibbs worked hard for herself, her family and for blacks trying to make it in the performing arts. Her TV series 227 appeared to be a constant battleground due to her fights trying to keep it from becoming a stereotypical black family show. For example, she refused to play a single mother raising a daughter alone. She demanded a husband character who loved her and loved and protected their child. The author and actress was tireless, too, in her efforts to keep her cultural center afloat and her jazz club open. This memoir was written in a conversational way, obviously in hopes of touching readers, and providing them with warmth and hope.

(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
📚 Book Title: It’s Never Too Late
✍🏽Author: Marla Gibbs
📕 Format: eARC

⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🕑 Quick Take:
As the star of primetime television classics in the 1970s and 1980s, The Jeffersons and 227, Marla Gibbs shares her life experiences growing up between Chicago and Detroit, and her journey to becoming a working actress in her forties, playing alongside the legend Sherman Hemsley and the accomplished Regina King, and is still active with recent appearances on Grey’s Anatomy and The Upshaws. The memoir highlights her experiences of love, parenting, and resilience!

✨ Tropes:
- Hollywood Icon
- Inspiring Memoir
- Overcoming Adversity
- Entrepreneurship & Community Advancement

⚠️ Heads Up (Trigger/Content Warnings):
- Marital Conflict & Abuse
- Health Challenges
- Child Sexual Abuse & Assault
- Parental Loss

💭 Final Thoughts:
As someone who grew up watching Marla Gibbs steal scenes in all-time TV favorites, I knew I wanted to read her memoir, and I was not disappointed. This was an enlightening and inspiring read that gave glimpses of her life on and off-screen. Overall, it’s a great read!

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Amistad, for the advanced reader copy!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audio version)
I grew up watching Marla Gibbs in syndication on The Jefferson’s and 227. She always brought such feistiness, strength, and heart to her characters that it was easy to feel you knew her. When I saw this book, I realized that I knew nothing about her actual life, and was eager to learn.

Her life has absolutely not been as easy and glamorous as we imagine must co-occur with fame. I respect her so much for really peeling back the layers on some very challenging times (including an abusive ex). It was fun to learn about her time on the shows that I “know” her from, and overall I found this an engaging book. Amazing to realize what a trailblazer she was as a boss in the industry. Her determination certainly opened the door for the women who have followed her.

Narration is a combo of Regina King (opening), Marla Gibbs herself beginning each chapter, and Tisha Campbell reading the bulk. The production is smooth and well-produced.

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book, having talked to Angela on multiple occasions, I admire Angela and Marla even more.

I love how Marla broke barriers for people of color. She stood her ground and she did not back down. It's a shame how the elite or those who are in control in Hollywood wants to see nothing but negativity coming from black people. Not all black people come from broken homes, depending on government assistance or trouble makers. That happens within EVERY race. Thank you Marla for standing tall and firm on that one!

FACTS!
You can't receive someone else's blessings, and you have no idea what that person's life journey is about, so stay on course and know your good is coming. What is meant for you will come!!!!

I was a little disappointed to see Marla belongs to the Church of Science, that was disheartening to me.

[LitSoulNYC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in thinking I knew Ms. Gibbs from television personas, but her memoir shows a life defined by strength and determination. She endured abandonment, a loveless upbringing, an abusive marriage, and a near-fatal brain aneurysm and stroke in 2006. Through it all, she never lost her faith. Her candid storytelling reveals the resilience, strategy, and courage behind her accomplishments. It’s Never Too Late is not only inspiring but also a profoundly human account of survival, hope, and dedication to her work.

side note: In my opinion, rating memoirs and autobiographies misses the point. Their truth can’t be measured, so they automatically get five stars from me.

[booksbydorothea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Recommend

This was almost a miss for me. The narration and writing were weak. The character development was good, but could have been so much better. I wanted to really understand a Black trailblazing woman in the 1970s/1980s. She could have shared so much more insight for those who are following her!

The spirituality and religious aspect of the book wasn't for me.

If you love Marla Gibbs, want to hear her life story, or want of a story of Black excellence, then this is the book for you.

For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea: https://tinyurl.com/4tkfujk4

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marla Gibbs proves that inspiration has no age limit in “Never Too Late” Her voice is warm and genuine, and every chapter feels like sitting down with a wise friend who has lived boldly and wants to encourage you to do the same. She mixes stories from her incredible career with life lessons that are funny, real, and uplifting. This book is a reminder that dreams don’t expire and resilience pays off. I finished it feeling grateful for her perspective. The book was a treat to read, and I enjoyed every moment, from 227 to Days of Our Lives!


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

[Stuart Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there's ever a person who can be an inspiration to anyone, it's this gal...Marla Gibbs! This memoir is remarkable...and so deeply emotional!

Gibbs has written one of the most in-depth and candid memoirs that I've ever read...just one hell of an honest-to-goodness read!

From her challenging childhood thru her abusive marriage and beyond...this is one of those stories that's hard to put down!

If you've ever wanted read one of the most deeply sincere memoirs that's ever been written...here you are!

Highly Recommended!

[Martin Maenza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amistad/Harper Collins provided an early galley for review.

I have fond memories watching The Jeffersons and 227 with my grandmother. Gibbs was very much a memorable part of both of these classic comedies. I was eager to read about her life and career, in her own words.

The first half of the book is very personal, focusing on her pre-professional life with all its ups and downs. It is no surprise she became a strong, capable force with all she went through. I learned quite a bit too in the later half about her career both on screen and behind the scenes. It all ties together very well.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maaaaan, I’ve been hitting on some GREAT memoirs lately! I knew NOTHING about Marla Gibbs’ personal life—I knew only of her as her iconic character as Florence in “The Jeffersons”, of course and Mary in “227”! Her early life was so interesting and jaw dropping! Her relationship with her grandmother (or lack thereof) and especially her first marriage which was staggering to read. This woman has been through soooo much abuse, it’s an absolute miracle she survived. But she did! And her book is a testament to that will to live, conquer and thrive!

[Kim Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs Gibbs takes you back to a time when our country was separated and ignorant. She light-heartedly takes you down the streets of her life and the set-backs she faced. She's a wonderful soul who endured much pain but turned that pain into positive energy to drive her to become the wonderful person, actress, mother and grandmother she is today. I highly recommend this book! Thank you Goodreads giveaways for this book. I really enjoyed it.

[Wendi Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marla Gibbs is an incredible woman. The things she fought for and insisted upon on in her life and career should be common knowledge. Hopefully after this book, they will be.

This is an honest book. She wasn’t perfect and went through some hard times. They’re in here. She doesn’t pull punches.

This was well written and fascinating. Loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

[Cecelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marla Gibbs has lived a life! And, she has done and overcome so much more than I ever knew. Her legacy and impact extend far beyond being "Florence from the Jeffersons." My only critique is that it is a bit repetitive. Reading it feels like you're having a conversation with your 90 year old grandma, and she keeps forgetting what she already told you.

[Shannon Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No matter what age I am, if I want to accomplish something, I’m going to give it a try.”

“We have today. Today is the present.”

“As long as you breathe
You’d better believe…
You cannot borrow from tomorrow
You only get one day…
Start being bold and stick to your goals
Forget all that stress and strive…
It’s never too late for life.”

Thank you for the advance copy!

[dalanceyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

227 is one of my favorite shows and I was excited when I heard Marla Gibbs was writing a memoir. Her memoir recounts her experiences throughout life and how she has matured throughout the years. I admired her ability to discuss past events (especially the traumatic ones), in such a brave and transparent manner, and embracing her growth, instead of hiding in shame.

[Natalie Oguara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, Marla Gibbs is living proof that it’s never too late to follow your dreams! After growing up in a divided household and surviving an abusive marriage, she finally learned to love herself. It’s really gratifying to hear her Hollywood success story and how she is still receiving love and recognition in her 90’s. She truly embodies a spirit of perseverance.

[Jami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd looked forward to reading this book & wanted to like it more than I did. As I was reading, it reminded me of Maureen McCormick's memoir: they spent about 70 pages discussing the show(s) they're best known for, & the other 200 pages discussing their drug problem (Maureen) & abusive family life (Marla). Couldn't their book agent have suggested it at least be 50/50? Or it could've been a book just about their performing career. It was a little TMI & stream of consciousness. But love Marla's work!

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible memoir filled with honesty, warmth, and a willingness to tackle her own toughest moments as well as her strongest. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Eileen Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mother, an actress, a producer, a business owner, a woman of wit and a woman of faith—this is Marla Gibbs.

[Orsayor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommended!

Review is posted on www.bookreferees.org

[Geneiveve “Annie” Jannetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir was interesting and informative. I read it all in one sitting. I would recommend this book.