Loved it. It's a personal insight of events WITHOUT exposing her brothers. Very good.

Interesting story. One I had followed real time. A bit choppy throughout and seems lots of details left out that could have helped the story. Overall, a good, easy read with justice served. I really continue to struggle with understanding the Mormon faith, if you can even call it that.

inspiration. thank you for sharing your story.

Shari, you are an amazing human. I hope you are able to have the happy and healthy life you deserve surrounded by your chosen family. Future reader, This book is so well written and I am so happy Shari chose to share her story. Listen and bare witness to a child's struggle and her ability to overcome hardship that no one should ever have to suffer. Let this be a warning to those who exploit their children for financial gain. The day will come when you have to face judgment.

What a story. It's hard to imagine.

Eu não sei nem por onde começar a falar desse livro. escutei o áudio book com a própria voz da Shari e meu deus que tristeza, que ódio, que desespero por tudo que ela e seus irmãos passaram. você consegue sentir as emoções dela conforme ela vai narrando, quando você pensa que não pode piorar, vai lá e fica um milhão de vezes pior. eu não tenho palavras pra descrever o tanto de trauma e abuso que essa menina tão nova e seus irmãos passaram, justo dos pais que deveriam ser seu ponto seguro. nossa que vontade de cair na porrada com essas desgraçadas da Ruby e Jodi, e por mais que eu entenda que o pai também tenha sofrido um pouco, acho ele um frouxo por não se posicionar e tentar proteger seus filhos. apesar de toda dor e sofrimento, eu admiro muito a força e resiliência da Shari por lutar até o fim por seus irmãos e por si mesma e quebrar o ciclo e conseguir recomeçar, e sua coragem de contar a sua história para o mundo. desejo toda felicidade pra ela e sua família , e que as desgraçadas da Ruby e Jodi morram na cadeia.

Very sad story but well written. I appreciated Shari narrating her own story. She has a lot of healing to do but it's wonderful to know she's free from all the tragic things she had to endure.

This was a fascinating look behind the scenes of the LDS society, good and bad. It is amazing that this intelligent young woman went through all of this and comes out without doubting the tenants of the religion that was used as an excuse and a shield for all the abuse that was heaped upon her and her family. It was also admirable that she attempted to shield her younger siblings by not disclosing what happened to them to her readers, but this information is apparently available elsewhere and deprives us of part of the story. Sweeping this under the rug at the end seems disingenuous, and the contributes to an entire ending that seems to be just hanging. Other than a disappointing conclusion, the book is a good read and an important one.

Best book ever read

This book had my jaw on the floor multiple times. Shari is an incredible writer with an ability to make you feel as though you were right there with her. I hope Shari and her siblings finally have the peace they deserve.

flew thru this

Creepy. Had to read it for book club

it was really eye opening. i’ve listened to several podcasts and watched several documentaries on this situation and i really enjoyed hearing her side. i feel so deeply for her and her siblings

Really wanted to like this book but though the story it self is unbelievable it is in my opinion that the book could have been written a lot better.

I feel for the pain this child endured; however, I would only recommend this book to maybe people in their 20’s overcoming trauma. I am curious to see how the point of view and life experiences of Shari shape her future. I agree that everything about her mother, Jodi, her dad… messed up! The sexual harassment from the man older than her, messed up! But, as someone who was raised in the same religion as her, how much of her thought processes are still grounded in those belief systems taught to her as the only way. I feel sad for the little girl still in her needing the external approval from bishop, stake president, etc. I hope Shari can move out of Utah, see various cultures, use her craving for inquisitive independent thoughts, and write again in 10 years.

Couldn’t put it down! Raw and Excellently written. Shari is one smart girl. I’m so glad she found her voice. I highly recommend this book!

amazing book

Excellent book. Well written & narrated.

Shari Franke is such a hypocrite for profiting off of her two youngest siblings who were brutally tortured and while she desperately did TRY to save her siblings, she failed. It was her youngest sibling who saved himself and his little sister. He is the actual hero here. Not Shari who was off at school busy having inappropriate relationships with a married man. Yet Shari is so quick to condem anyone else who profits off of her family's story. I don't find her or her story to be sympathetic at all. I do find certain revelations in regards to the true crime aspect to be interesting though. She scoffs at her life and family being made into entertainment yet proceeds to write a book and seems lost on the fact that this is also a form of entertainment at the expense of the younger siblings who were truly victims of such an extreme abuse, it made headlines. Her intense scrutiny against Lifetime, family vloggers, etc just left me feeling very grossed out by her as it does make her indeed seem extremely selfish. As though she and she alone should be in charge of telling a story that involves so many other people! Id actually love to hear from the eldest son, Chad's story. He, I think, would be able to add much more insight into what was actually going on in that home that led up to the worst of the abuse. Kevin as well! At least, imo, they don't seem to be so excruciatingly hypocritical when it comes to writing a book vs bashing anyone else who dares to tell their story, speak up about it, make a movie, etc..

Shari told her story in a way that was captivating, educational

Shari had to walk a very fine line sharing her story while still protecting her siblings’ right to privacy and she did an outstanding job with that! It is very well written, her vocabulary is extensive so despite having to reiterate a point a few chapter later, it never felt redundant. The narration was a pleasant surprise, I listen to a lot of audiobooks so I can multitask (AuDhd) in order to keep focus and let me tell you, bad narration doesn’t make it past the first chapter with me. I loved the epilogue where Shari dove more into what she’s learned through therapy and how compassionate she still feels towards Ruby despite lifelong narcissistic abuse. I, too, have a narcissistic mother and my father was physically abusive until I was 19, the mental abuse until I went no contact a year ago. Despite understanding why their brains work the way they do, I can’t find compassion, just pity and indifference. It is hard to find empathy when your inner child still feels unsafe and especially when you’re the oldest with much younger siblings to help deal with the trauma. I can’t even imagine adding the media frenzy, social media, etc,. into the mix. At the end of the day, I truly hope people listen to Shari’s plea to remember that this happened to real people, literal children and they were being bombarded by paps, reporters, people they knew and I’m guessing a large percentage of people worldwide for details as it was happening. First, we are never entitled to the details of other people’s traumas, ever. Secondly, sticking a camera in their faces before they’ve even hit the shock stage of: grieving the loss of the family unit, seeing the actual evidence such as the photos of their siblings’/childrens’ injuries and having to process the magnitude of long term damage caused by Ruby and Jodi and of course, the immense guilt for being powerless to stop it. So while I understand that society as a whole is filled with curious creatures, which is fine as long as we implement boundaries so families like this don’t have to worry about the media adding to their traumatic experiences in order to capitalize on the exploitation and abuse of children while they’re exploiting those same children for money. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-

A must read

Incredible book by an incredible young woman:)

Shari is such an exceptional, resilient, insightful, thoughtful & intelligent young woman, sister & daughter. Great Read.

This was written so beautifully!

Incredibly powerful and so well written, as well as narrated!

Shari, did a fantastic job with a very painful story of her life. I really felt for her.

best book I've heard. she is a strong woman to go through this.

Such a heartbreaking yet powerful story of resilience, growth, freedom & light found within yourself even in the darkest times