
Shari Franke released her long-awaited memoir entitled “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom” on January 7.
In the week since it was published, the book has jumped to #4 on Amazon’s Audible Books and Originals bestsellers list.
Not only is the book being bought by the thousands, those who read the book are connecting with the story. The memoir has received 4.7 stars on Goodreads with nearly 2,000 reviews.
“Wow. It is difficult to convey just how powerful this book is. ‘The House of My Mother’ is vulnerable, devastating, and inspiring,” a reviewer from Goodreads said.
Other readers found the book gave comfort and hope to those who had also experienced family situations that were less than ideal.
“As someone who grew up watching various family vloggers to fill the void my own imperfect family left, I needed to read this book to support Shari Franke and also to unpack what my child self had created these families (including the Frankes) to be. This book is a beacon of hope, a story of strength and resilience,” a reviewer from Goodreads said.
The memoir details Shari Franke's early life and the tumultuous journey of growing up as the daughter of a famous family vlogger, Ruby Franke. Behind the smiling faces and seemingly picture-perfect life of the family shown on the famous 8 Passengers Youtube Channel was a dark home where spiritual, emotional and physical abuse was used to control the six children.
“From the very start, it seemed, my childhood was destined to be a fight for survival,” Shari Franke said in her memoir.
Jodi Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist and owner of the life coaching program called ConneXions, became associated with Ruby Franke in 2019.
Shari Franke described the destructive impact of Hildebrandt entering into her family’s life.
“Jodi. Our family’s very own cult leader, a false prophet who swept into our lives like a hurricane, turning my mother into a fawning starstruck acolyte who lapped up her every demented word like it was holy water,” Franke wrote.
In August of 2023, Ruby Franke and Hildenbrandt, were arrested for six accounts of aggravated child abuse after the miraculous escape of Ruby Franke’s youngest son. The boy asked his neighbors to call 911, alerting the world to the severity of Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt’s abuse of the Franke children. The case brought renewed attention across the nation to this famous family vlogger.

After a life in the public eye, Shari Franke is now taking back her privacy. By writing her memoir, she has told the world her story and now wishes for a life of peace.
“I’ve had my voice and agency taken for so long, and now, I’m putting my foot down. I’m not going to talk about my wedding, future husband, or future kids. I’ll continue to advocate for kids who didn’t have a voice … but this is closure for me. I’m moving on with my life, and that’s true freedom and joy,” Shari said in a recent Instagram post.
“Please respect my privacy and the privacy of my future family, and don’t speculate or pry. This is my wish, and my gift to my family,” she said.