I have never seen the show (Jon and Kate plus 8) or really followed any news about this family, but after this book came out it’s been all over all my feeds so the algorithm did its work and tickled my interest.

In spite of not knowing anything about this family I concluded that it would probably be an interesting read just to get the perspective of a child being on a reality tv show from the age of 2, now an adult 20 years later. Little did I know or suspect where this was headed.

At the very beginning some things stuck out for me, like the quote “I never really knew my parents before they became the people they performed as for the cameras.” was heartbreaking enough. And then it got worse.

The life that is so carefully curated for the cameras, and then heavily edited to fit a narrative, had a very dark side. No laws to protect the children and kids not understanding or having access to a normal life. And then it got worse.

Collin as a child did not enjoy living in this format and refused to smile for the cameras, which led to him being physically and mentally abused by his mother. And then it got worse.

And it just got worse and worse and worse. And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, it got worse!!!

Colin brings the receipts and lays out all the ways he’s been abused, manipulated and lied about and to. And how this has impacted his life, his relationships, his education, his health and future. It’s a story so shocking it is hard to look away, our morbid curiosity gets the better of us as we rubberneck past the crash site.

I BEG from anyone judging this book before reading it – DON’T. Don’t sit there and ask what the purpose of this book is, or if it’s needed, because the purpose becomes very clear to those who have read it.

It’s important and it’s necessary.

For Collin. For his truth. For his father. And his family. And for all the kids forced into performing in front of cameras for clicks, likes or cash. Read this book. Then let your kids be kids in the real world.

I applaud Collin and root for him, he made it, against all odds – to the other side of this. And he wrote a book so powerful that I’ll never stop thinking about it, if I had any doubts about children being exposed on social media or reality shows, this has pushed me firmly to the side of not. Thank you Collin, for speaking up for all those who cannot.

“That’s the thing about growing up in front of a camera, you don’t get a say in any of it. And you don’t understand the cost until it’s already been paid.”

Ps: There are some serious allegations in this book and the actions described go far beyond general child abuse. False imprisonment, unlawful restraint, custodial interference, medical malpractice – to name a few! I hope this will lead to Kate Gosselin and Fairmount Behavioural Health System facing legal consequences.