Name: Denisse Garcia Ramírez 's review of The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke
Item: The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom
Rating: 3
Author: Denisse Garcia Ramírez

Shari Franke

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.

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

ReadwithZanariah 

for someone who had grown up in such a restrictive environment, felt revelatory, a small act of rebellion against the rigid rules that has governed my life for so long. 

Valeria Rodriguez

The true embodiment of all kids deserve parents, but not all parents deserve kids. Some people are monsters for real, and I hope they stay in jail for the whole time. 

Denisse Garcia Ramírez 

The true embodiment of all kids deserve parents, but not all parents deserve kids. Some people are monsters for real, and I hope they stay in jail for the whole time. 



Heavy, but well written & inspiring. Quick read as I was hooked the entire time. Took 4 hours to read. 

Alexis McLuen

this is more like a 4.25 because it was pretty amazing the strength that she has to write about her abuse in such a well-written way as well. 📖

Sadie Hoffman

Absolutely heartbreaking but told in such a beautiful way. May bring up past traumas for people with childhood trauma. 

Shari is still very young and what happened to her is still very recent. On one hand, this led to a book that felt disjointed and at times like it was written by two people (her and an experienced editor). On the other hand, it left me in awe and horror at the emotional intelligence she has had to learn at her age. Kudos to her for the bravery it took to come forward and tell her side of the story, even if I think she could have benefited from having a few years to process. 

Kaitlyn Wendler

shari is so smart, well-spoken, and inspiring 

taylor

Wow - all I can really say about this is wow 

i feel so sad and hurt for this family - except ruby she can go straight to hell. I cannot imagine putting my family through the hell she did. 

I wish this book was longer but I feel like as these kids grow and mature there will be more books, documentaries etc from their POV. I challenge you to read this one and please don’t believe everything you see on the internet. 

Brittany Peterson

Wow - all I can really say about this is wow 

i feel so sad and hurt for this family - except ruby she can go straight to hell. I cannot imagine putting my family through the hell she did. 

I wish this book was longer but I feel like as these kids grow and mature there will be more books, documentaries etc from their POV. I challenge you to read this one and please don’t believe everything you see on the internet. 

I feel nothing but hate for Ruby. she could have tried ANYTHING and none of this would have happened. Shari is a bigger person than I would be. 

I'm happy that Kevin found his common sense.

This gave me a much needed reconsideration of my personal feelings about things and how I consume true crime media/YouTube drama from now on.

Wish the children absolutely nothing but peace and happiness ❤️❤️

Susan

I feel nothing but hate for Ruby. she could have tried ANYTHING and none of this would have happened. Shari is a bigger person than I would be. 

I'm happy that Kevin found his common sense.

This gave me a much needed reconsideration of my personal feelings about things and how I consume true crime media/YouTube drama from now on.

Wish the children absolutely nothing but peace and happiness ❤️❤️

Valeria Rodriguez &
The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke

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Valeria Rodriguez &
The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke