The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom in Play Book Tag

Aug 19, 2025 Flo rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir, nonfiction, 4-star, true-crime

In some ways, this book makes me think of I’m Glad My Mom Died - both authors were pushed into fame (albeit different mediums) as young kids even though neither of them wanted it, and of course both authors had abusive mothers who sacrificed their children's psychological well-being for their narcissistic delusions of grandeur.

Just like with Jennette McCurdy's show, I also did not follow or watch 8 Passengers, so I came into this book a bit blind as to the specific cultural context. Regardless, In some ways, this book makes me think of I’m Glad My Mom Died - both authors were pushed into fame (albeit different mediums) as young kids even though neither of them wanted it, and of course both authors had abusive mothers who sacrificed their children's psychological well-being for their narcissistic delusions of grandeur.

Just like with Jennette McCurdy's show, I also did not follow or watch 8 Passengers, so I came into this book a bit blind as to the specific cultural context. Regardless, I definitely came out of it infuriated with both Shari's mother specifically as well as with the "mommy blogger" culture. I was never into that culture to begin with, because it's clear to anyone with half a brain that real life is nothing like what those blogs/vlogs portray (and because so many of these blogs/vlogs are promoting the "trad wife" lifestyle which is a whole 'nother issue). But after reading this book, it is clear how detrimental it can be to the kids. Of course, Shari's mom took it way too far, but even for moms who aren't actively abusive, I'm sure growing up in front of a camera and feeling like the only validation that matters are randos on the internet is not psychologically healthy regardless, not to mention issues of full understanding and consent.

I was glad that Shari was basically almost out of the house by the time that Jodi came into the picture, so she was able to escape fairly quickly compared to her siblings, but it was still sad for her siblings. And of course, her psychological state/mental health really primed her to a place where she could be groomed by the older man from her church who ended up sexually abusing her. (I recognize that people can be groomed and abused even without coming from previous family abuse, but obviously this made it easier for the predator to do so.) So it really all goes back to Shari's mom...and of course, her dad is also complicit by doing nothing and letting her mom do whatever she wanted. Reading about him in particular was so frustrating! I don't think that I could have forgiven him the way that Shari did, but it's not my personal story, so I support her in however she wants to heal.

My main frustration was something that several people had mentioned - that Shari doesn't seem to fully recognize how the LDS church/religion played a role in everything that happened. Again, I recognize that not the entire religion is bad and that there are plenty of LDS people who are perfectly good people...but there have been plenty of child abuse scandals within this religion (and tbh religion in general), which can't be denied. Also, everything happened sort of within the auspices and framework of the LDS religion, so again, I was surprised that Shari stayed within the religion, but like I said before, I'm not her, and maybe she wants to keep something that is familiar in her life.

(To be fair, I just hate any and all organized religion myself, so I'm coming in hot and a bit biased to begin with.)

Anyway, this was an interesting and quick read that blended my interests of true crime and abnormal psychology. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in narcissistic personality disorder, the dark side of the internet/Youtube, or childhood/adolescent resilience. ...more

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Aug 15, 2025 Robin rated it liked it · review of another edition

So this book was chosen by my true crime book club and is a lil different since for once it wasn't about serial killers. This story focused on a family who were LDS members who follow very strict religious guidelines, but this story felt more cultish than religious and the mom was a crazy narcissistic psycho who used family vlogs and social media to broadcast their lives and have them become influencers (which seemed a little hypocritical to me). Ruby and her 'friend' Jodi were horrible with how ...more

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Jun 08, 2025 Anne rated it liked it

First of all, I really liked that the author narrated the story herself. Her voice felt honest and grounded, and it helped me connect with what she was going through. I especially appreciated how she looked out for her siblings and stayed strong through such a tough situation.

That said, I did find myself wishing she had taken a closer look at how her religion played into the family dynamics. It felt like there was a big opportunity to explore how her mother’s beliefs—especially within the Mormon ...more

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Aug 15, 2025 Zenobia Cofer rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: memoir

Franke's memoir about growing up the YouTube darling of a controlling, fanatic mother perfectly encapsulated why anyone should be wary of following "perfect families" online. At first, I downplayed some of her experiences, but it became obvious of how conforming to the image of perfection requires a certain amount of disturbing coercion.
I was also slightly frustrated about how Franke was able to become manipulated after escaping to college, but again, Franke was still a child and no matter how b ...more

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