The internet has a weirdly short memory, but some things just don’t wash out. For years, people watched the Franke family through a glass screen, wondering why the basement looked so cold or why a kid was sleeping on a beanbag chair. Then came the sirens, the arrests, and the total collapse of the 8 Passengers empire. Now, we finally have The House of My Mother by Shari Franke, a book that isn't just another influencer cash-grab. It’s a heavy, visceral autopsy of a home that looked perfect on YouTube but felt like a prison behind the scenes.
It’s raw. Honestly, it’s a lot to process if you followed the case in real-time. Shari isn’t just "Ruby Franke’s daughter" anymore; she’s the primary witness to the slow-motion car crash that was her childhood.
Why Shari Franke's perspective matters right now
When the news broke about Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, the world saw the extreme end of the spectrum—the physical abuse and the legal fallout. But the book focuses on the "before." It’s about the psychological erosion that happens when a parent chooses a cult-like ideology over their own flesh and blood. Shari describes a household where "Truth" (with a capital T) became a weapon. It wasn’t just about being a strict parent. It was about a total loss of autonomy.
You’ve probably seen the clips of Ruby taking away Christmas or making her kids skip meals. In The House of My Mother by Shari Franke, those moments aren't just viral snippets. They are parts of a cohesive, terrifying narrative of isolation. Shari writes about the transition from a "normal" LDS family to one governed by the rigid, often cruel principles of Connexions.
The book hits hard because it challenges the "perfect family" trope that Utah influencers have mastered. It's a warning. It shows how easily a family can be dismantled from the inside out when an outsider—in this case, Hildebrandt—is allowed to take the wheel.
The Connexions influence and the breaking of a family
The core of the memoir revolves around the shadow of Jodi Hildebrandt. If you aren't familiar, Hildebrandt was the "life coach" who essentially dismantled the Franke family structure. Shari’s account provides a chilling look at how her mother shifted from a high-strung but present parent to someone who viewed her children as "distortions" of the truth.
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It started small.
A few rules here.
A "vibration" check there.
Then, suddenly, the kids were the enemy.
Shari details the isolation she felt as the oldest child. She was often the one expected to uphold the very rules that were suffocating her. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the narrative is her realization that she couldn't save her siblings while she was still under that roof. The book explores that guilt—the survivor’s guilt of getting out while the younger children were still trapped in the "house of her mother."
The writing style is blunt. Shari doesn't use flowery metaphors to hide the ugliness. She talks about the silence in the house. She talks about the feeling of being watched, even when there were no cameras running. It turns out the YouTube channel was just the tip of the iceberg; the real control was happening when the "Record" button was off.
Addressing the 8 Passengers legacy and the "Truth"
For years, the 8 Passengers channel was a juggernaut. It defined a specific era of "family vlogging." But The House of My Mother by Shari Franke forces us to look at the ethics of that industry. Shari reflects on what it's like to have your entire adolescence commodified for views, only to have that same platform used to justify your mistreatment.
People often ask: "Why didn't anyone do anything sooner?"
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Shari’s book answers that with the complexity it deserves. She mentions the calls to CPS, the neighbors who were worried, and the family members who were cut off. The reality is that Ruby and Kevin Franke created a fortress. They used their religion and their online presence as a shield. Inside that fortress, Shari was trying to navigate a world where her mother’s love was entirely conditional. If she followed the "Principles," she was okay. If she questioned them, she was "in distortion."
It’s a masterclass in how coercive control works. It’s not always bruises; sometimes it’s the systematic removal of everything that makes a person feel safe.
Key Themes Shari Explores:
- The psychological toll of being a child performer in a family vlog.
- The indoctrination of Connexions and how it replaced their actual family values.
- The painful process of estrangement and why it was necessary for her survival.
- The eventual police intervention that led to Ruby Franke’s arrest.
The road to healing and the public's reaction
The public reaction to the book has been polarized, but mostly supportive. There are those who feel like she’s "airing dirty laundry," but they’re missing the point. This isn't gossip. It’s a reclamation of a narrative that was stolen from her. When you grow up with your life being edited for a global audience, writing your own book is the only way to get the last word.
Shari has been incredibly vocal on social media about the "deconstruction" of her upbringing. The House of My Mother by Shari Franke dives deeper into what that actually looks like. It’s not a linear process. It’s messy. It involves a lot of therapy and a lot of unlearning the idea that she is responsible for her parents' actions.
She also addresses the "fans" of 8 Passengers. It's a weird spot to be in—writing for people who might have contributed to your childhood trauma by clicking "like" on a video of you being punished. She handles it with a surprising amount of grace, but she doesn't let the audience off the hook entirely. We watched. We participated.
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What this means for the future of family vlogging
The Franke case was a watershed moment. It led to legislative discussions about child influencer laws and the "right to be forgotten." Shari’s book is the definitive primary source for why these laws are necessary.
Honestly, the "house" she describes isn't just a physical place in Springville, Utah. It’s a metaphor for the mental space her mother occupied. It was a space defined by fear, judgment, and a total lack of empathy. By moving out and writing this memoir, Shari has effectively demolished that house.
If you’re looking for a "tell-all" full of cheap shots, this isn't it. It’s far more sobering. It’s a study of how someone can lose themselves to an extremist ideology and take their family down with them. It’s also a story of a young woman who refused to let that be her entire story.
Actionable Insights for Readers and Creators
If you are a consumer of family content or someone interested in the ethics of digital parenting, there are real takeaways here. First, understand that a "perfect" digital facade is often a red flag for internal turmoil. High-control environments thrive on appearing flawless to the outside world.
Support organizations that advocate for children in the digital space. The "Quit Clicking Kids" movement gained massive momentum during the Franke trial, and for good reason. Shari’s account proves that the harm isn't just in the moment of filming; it’s in the lifelong repercussion of having no privacy.
If you find yourself in a situation where a "mentor" or "life coach" is encouraging you to cut off family members who don't agree with their specific "truth," step back. Isolation is the first step of radicalization. Shari’s memoir serves as a blueprint for identifying these patterns before they escalate to the level of the Franke case.
Finally, recognize the importance of listening to children. Many people tried to speak up for the Franke kids over the years, but the system is often designed to favor parental rights over child safety. Shari’s voice is a reminder that the kids are watching, they are feeling, and eventually, they will tell their own story. The "House of My Mother" is a heavy read, but it’s a necessary one for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of the 8 Passengers saga.