Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication date: January 2025
Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.
As the family’s YouTube notoriety grew, so too did Ruby’s delusions of righteousness. Fueled by the sadistic influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, together they implemented an inhumane and merciless disciplinary regime.
Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Utah in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo online of a police car outside their home. Her caption had one word: “Finally.”
For the first time, Shari will reveal the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt’s cultish life coaching program, “ConneXions.” No stone is left unturned as Shari exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares for the first time her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother’s cruelty.
I will start this by saying this is is not a critique of the content of the book. The House of My Mother is the author's lived experience. This is more just a review of the writing itself. For those who don't know, this is written by the oldest daughter of former mommy Vlogger Ruby Franke. Shari shares her experience growing up in the Franke household and being a part of the 8 Passengers YouTube channel. It's not pretty and she does give us a real and raw peek into her upbringing.
I think this book is really for people who don't really know the story of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt. For me, I didn't really learn much new information about the family or overall story. With the exception of the abuse Shari endured by a married member in the church, I think I already knew most of what was shared in this book. I feel like the arrest and trial was really glossed over in the end. I would have liked more of an update in how her siblings are doing. I know she didn't name them because they are underage, but an update on their healing would have been nice. I thought the book was fairly well written. I listened to the audiobook and the author did a great job of narrating it herself. I would recommend this one.
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