Book Review: The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke

May 8, 2025February 18, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Memoir / True Crime
Length: 320 pages
Author: Shari Franke
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog 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.

Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.

As the family’s YouTube notoriety grew, so too did Ruby’s delusions of righteousness. 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 Utah in 2023 on multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. On that fateful day, Shari shared a photo online of a police car outside their home. Her caption had one word: “Finally.”

For the first time, Shari will reveal the disturbing truth behind 8 Passengers and her family’s devastating involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt’s cultish life coaching program, “ConneXions.” No stone is left unturned as Shari exposes the perils of influencer culture and shares for the first time her battle for truth and survival in the face of her mother’s cruelty.

THE STRENGTH.

That’s the over arching emotion I had while listening to this book, rage. It’s hard to put into words thoughts about someone’s journey so this isn’t going to be a long review.

I think it was a powerful testament of Shari’s journey and what she went through. It’s incredibly well written and does not shy away from the deep wounds that have been created from this situation. The abuse and manipulation of Shari and her family went through is difficult but important to understand.

This helped me gain an even firmer stance on how I choose to keep my kids offline and the dangers social media and certain personalities can have on those around them.

I hope for peace and healing for all of those involved.

Overall audience notes:

Non-fiction memori
Language: none
Violence: high
Content warnings: discussions of multiple types of abuse throughout

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Book Review: The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allen

May 7, 2025March 25, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 272 pages
Author: Suzanne Allen
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: January 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the author of Mr. Malcolm’s List comes a delightful romantic comedy set in Regency England about a widow who takes high society by storm.

Diana Boyle, a wealthy young widow, has no desire to ever marry again. Particularly not to someone who merely wants her for her fortune.

So when she discovers that she’s listed in a directory of rich, single women she is furious, and rightly so. She confronts Maxwell Dean, the man who published the Bachelor’s Directory , and is horrified to find he is far more attractive than his actions have led her to expect. However, Diana is unmoved by Max’s explanation that he authored the list to assist younger sons like himself who cannot afford to marry unless it’s to a woman of means.

She gathers the ladies in the directory together to inform them of its existence, so they may circumvent fortune hunters’ efforts to trick them into marriage. Though outraged, the women decide to embrace their unique position of power and reverse the usual gender roles by making the men dance to their tune. And together… the ladies rewrite the rules.

IT WAS CUTE.

This was one of those books that I liked listening when I was, but now that it’s over I don’t remember all that much. It’s a sweet book and the general premise was fun. I liked seeing the women fight back against ridiculous rules while finding love.

I don’t love this story telling style though with multiple POV’s in a short book. It lacks the character depth I often crave and feels more superficial overall.

But if you need something short and sweet and are in the mood for a historical romance I wouldn’t hesitate to say try this one out.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses

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ALC Book Review: The Thrashers by Julie Soto

May 6, 2025May 2, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Thriller
Length: 352 pages
Author: Julie Soto
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Either you’re in or you’re out.

Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.

They’re everything everyone wants to be.

Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.

A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

NOT QUITE SURE.

This one left me a little befuddled as to how I was going to create a review. I enjoyed the first 50%ish or so. It’s dark, there’s rich kids behaving badly and I was intrigued by the bones of the story. This was my first Julie Soto book too and I thought the writing style had an easy flow as well. The pace was slow at times but picked up as the book went on.

Now, I am just not a seance/Ouija board fan. Especially if that’s not necessarily referenced in the summary and I didn’t know going in. It took me out of the story and my engagement level dropped significantly. I thought it took away from the thriller aspect.

I felt conflicted about many of the plot points and where characters ended up (and that’s fine, I think that’s often the point of thrillers too, even if it’s frustrating).

Overall audience notes:

YA Thriller
Language: moderate
Romance: kisses
Violence: high
Content Warnings: suicide, bullying, loss of a parent, drug and alcohol use, domestic abuse

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ARC Book Review: Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows #1) by Devney Perry

May 6, 2025April 22, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Devney Perry
Publisher: Red Tower
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Fear the monsters we make.

A swoon-worthy, spicy romantic fantasy filled with legends and monsters. The Witcher meets “Cinderella.” A princess is chosen to fulfill the terms of an ancient treaty and finds herself traveling with an infamous monster slayer.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Red Tower for the gifted copy.

WHO KNEW?

First off, I had no idea this book would show up on my doorstep but DANG I am happy that I got to read this early. The first physical book I’ve read in a hot minute and I enjoyed it. I’ve read a few DP contemporaries but dare I say fantasy might be her calling??

This was a SLOW BURN. OH HOW I HAVE MISSED SLOW BURNS. Gosh bring them back, I’m begging. Give me all the little moments, the actual get to know you moments, the moments without awkward lust. I was in love with how this was handled. There was actual time for connection and it has made me even more excited for book two.

The plot and world building was crafted well. It didn’t feel super info-dumpy and it was easy to get a handle on and understand. I like the magic system and the way it kept expanding as the book went on.

I had a few minor pacing quips but those last 50 pages or so the anxiety KICKED in. I love the chaos of those last moments in a fantasy book. I could flip a page and not guess who was going to make it out and who was going to land where by the end. This was beautifully written and GIMME BOOK TWOOOOOO.

Overall audience notes: