The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars | 25 ratings

Price: 14.99

Last update: 01-08-2025


About this item

From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing.

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.

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Lindsey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chilling! Tells the harrowing truths about spiritual delusions and ties with child abuse.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
    This book was extremely well written, and I applaud Shari for her bravery and for telling her story with her words on her own terms.

    I was honestly nervous to read because i was unsure of Shari's mental state. After reading, she sounds like she has processed a lot of her trauma and is very self-aware. I appreciate how she is still religious and still has her faith, but acknowledges the power dynamics and human manipulation that can occur.
  • Stephanie Da Rocha
    5.0 out of 5 stars brave story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    im in tears thank you shari it was so powerful sending you love and prayers for you and your family
  • gina
    5.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    Shari's sharing of her story is incredibly brave. Her resilience is so admirable. The levels of trauma and abuse at the hands of her mother as well as the man who took advantage of Shari's vulnerability, grooming her to participate in a toxic dynamic are horrific. Her story is an example that we never ever truly know what is going on in someone's life under the facade of social media.

    Shari has written an extremely thought provoking and powerful account of her life and experiences. I pray that it will serve as a foundation for acknowledging the danger of unregulated life coaching, the gaps in current laws that prevent protecting children and the reality of family vlogging as a harmful and toxic practice.

    Shari-- you are so strong and are impacting the world with your story. Thank you for never giving up on yourself and your family.
  • JamieRena
    5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    I have not been able to put this book down! As a former fan of family vlogging I was shocked to hear about what was really going on. Shari is an incredible storyteller and I hope she finds herself writing more books in the future. Sending all my love and support to Shari and her siblings as they navigate life after living in the house of their mother!!
  • Amazonian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Story from a Strong Woman
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    I couldn't put down the book after it arrived, Shari is such an inspiring person and her ability to push on and fight for others is truly incredible.

    Please do yourself a favor and buy this book, while it's heavy at times, it's a story that needs to be heard and through the eyes of someone who actually lived it!

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