The House of My Mother. By Shari Franke 🎧 Listen to Free Audiobook Online
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Shari Franke’s early years were marked by an ongoing struggle for safety and stability. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a strict moral code while projecting an image of perfection to the world through their highly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers. https://audiobooks.ink/product..../the-house-of-my-mot The channel showcased the daily life of raising six children and amassed over 2.5 million followers. However, beneath this polished exterior, a darker reality existed—Ruby’s cheerful online persona concealed a much more oppressive and controlling parenting style than anyone suspected.
As 8 Passengers gained fame, so did Ruby’s self-righteous beliefs. Driven by the manipulative influence of Jodi Hildebrandt, a controversial relationship coach, Ruby adopted a brutal and uncompromising approach to discipline. Their combined efforts led to an inhumane and harsh regime that caused immense suffering.
In 2023, Ruby and Jodi were taken into custody in Utah on numerous charges of aggravated child abuse. That day, Shari posted a photo of a police vehicle outside their home with a single caption: “Finally.”
For the first time, Shari will open up about the unsettling truth behind 8 Passengers and her family’s tragic involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt’s cult-like life coaching program, “ConneXions.” She leaves no detail uncovered as she exposes the dangers of influencer culture and recounts her personal fight for truth and resilience amidst her mother’s cruelty.
From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog – now the subject of a new Hulu docuseries – 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.
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I never watched 8 Passengers and had never heard of Ruby Franke until this story popped up on my true crime radar… well, part of it anyway. We all saw what was captured on body cam, heard the interviews, and read police statements. But honestly, no one really knew how deep it all went — what was happening right in front of so many people, yet behind closed doors. The media was quick to get every headline out there, but they didn’t care enough to let those involved decide what could be shared publicly. Nobody was gentle with their questions or tried to see things from the survivor’s perspective. So many demanded answers and didn’t respect their privacy. There were countless documentaries, headlines, and gossip without the family’s approval.
I truly believe this book is the best — maybe the only — way that Shari, a survivor, could really tell the truth of what happened. It’s the perfect way to satisfy innocent curiosity and also quiet the vultures of gossip.
I pre-ordered the book even though I hadn’t read a physical book in a couple of years. Even as a busy mom who spends hours playing with her child and having family dinners, I finished it in just 24 hours after it arrived.
From the moment I opened it, I was hooked by the author’s writing style — so skilled and vivid. It really feels like you’re walking in Shari’s shoes. You see her helplessness, her desire for perfection, the constant feeling of being put down, but also her perseverance to save her family and find ways to help herself.
The story is told chronologically, and despite how much there probably was left out, it feels complete. It starts with Ruby and Kevin’s childhood, gives a glimpse of their upbringing, and then takes you through their whirlwind journey to marriage.
What really stood out to me is how Shari managed to show all the different feelings and perspectives, making the story so complex. She describes how stunning Ruby looked on her wedding day, her desire to be her mom’s friend, the feelings of being used by her mom, her anger, compassion, fear, and the desire to keep her safe — all in one. You really get a sense of each emotion she experienced at the time.
Before reading, I thought the book might focus only on how terrible her mom was. But it’s so much more than that. Shari is genuine and not just a victim — she shows her growth, her struggles, her perseverance, and her journey to healing.
I also want to mention that I’m not LDS, but I really appreciated how she spoke respectfully of the LDS church. Since the Franke family was part of that community, I was curious if the book would portray them negatively. Instead, it mostly highlights how Ruby changed dramatically after joining the conneXions cult, especially through her relationship with Jodi. And Shari remains part of the church but recognizes that God’s word is more important than how people sometimes interpret it. She seems to be in a healthy place spiritually, with a lot of self-awareness and understanding that growth and healing are ongoing.
Honestly, I loved this book so much. I recommend it to everyone — it’s powerful, honest, and inspiring. It really opened my eyes and touched my heart. I couldn’t put it down, and I think you won’t either. If you’re interested in true stories of resilience and hope, this is a must-read!
Trust me, you’ll love it as much as I did! 😊
I am SO GLAD Shari finally got to tell her story, without news outlets and social media exploiting her family. This had me in tears, my heart was racing for her. She is stronger than I could ever hope to be. I hope anyone who reads this can learn the patterns of abuse, that Shari lays out in her book. These topics are so important to prevent abuse for ourselves and to advocate for others.