A review by michelles_book_nook
The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

⚠️ CW: child abuse, miscarriage, mental health, suicidal ideations, sexual assault, gaslighting, stalking, torture ⚠️ If you want to know more about the horrific case of the Franke family behind the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, and are prepared to go on an emotional rollercoaster then this book is for you! Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a front of a picture perfect family. But Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined. 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 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo of a police car outside their family home with a caption saying 'Finally'. In this heartbreaking memoir Shari reveals the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt, while also exposing the perils of influencer culture and her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother’s cruelty. This book was so hard hitting and left me speechless with every single chapter. It's well known that the Franke children endured appalling conditions and abuse, but this book details so much more as Shari opens up about her life and how the things she endured have left lasting scars. Shari is incredibly inspiring and I hope that she and her siblings can now be given the time they need to process and heal. Overall, I highly recommend this read but please check the CW's because there are so many that I may have missed some.
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