The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

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

An INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, this book is a "heart-wrenchingly personal…dizzying" (Rolling Stone) account of a daughter’s survival. From eldest daughter Shari Franke comes the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog—the same story now at the center of a new Hulu docuseries—and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, Ruby Franke.

A Darker Truth Beneath a Picture-Perfect Façade

For millions of subscribers, the 8 Passengers YouTube channel documented the day-to-day life of a loving, picture-perfect family. But beneath this wholesome facade, Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code, and as the family’s online notoriety grew, so too did Ruby’s tyrannical behavior, fueled by the sadistic influence of relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt and her cultish program, “ConneXions.” Together, they implemented an inhumane and merciless disciplinary regime.

A Daughter’s Fight for Truth

In 2023, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in Utah on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo of a police car outside their home with a single, poignant word: “Finally.” In this book, Shari reveals the disturbing truth behind the 8 Passengers channel, her family’s devastating involvement with the ConneXions program, and her own battle to survive her mother's cruelty. It's a gripping and deeply personal story that exposes the perils of influencer culture and the resilience of a daughter fighting for her freedom and healing.