In Counting the Cost, Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard offer a candid look into their lives beyond reality TV. Most reviewers appreciate the book's honesty and vulnerability, applauding its insight into personal struggles and growth. However, some critique its occasional repetitiveness and the lack of deeper exploration into certain themes. An engaging read for fans and new readers alike.

A reader who cherishes memoirs about personal growth, family dynamics, and overcoming adversity would enjoy Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard. Fans of Educated by Tara Westover and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls may find this book similarly compelling.

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard, ghostwritten by Craig Borlase, is a memoir focusing on Jill’s upbringing in a Christian fundamentalist family as one of 19 children, her experiences on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, and her decision to distance herself from the show. The memoir also covers Jill’s personal journey of autonomy, marital struggles with contractual obligations, and various scandals involving her family, particularly her brother Josh. It includes discussions of sexual, spiritual, physical, and emotional abuse, rape, sexism and misogyny, miscarriage, child molestation, anti-gay bias, anti-trans bias, racism, school shootings, and gang violence.

Informative / Emotional / Inspirational / Challenging

**Jill Duggar (Dillard)**  
Jill is the fourth-oldest Duggar child, who navigates her upbringing in the fundamentalist Duggar family and later reflects on her life experiences and challenges growing up in the public eye.

**Jim Bob Duggar**  
Jim Bob is Jill's father, who uses religious influence to maintain control over his family and believes the family's reality show is an opportunity to showcase their Christian lifestyle.

**Michelle Duggar**  
Michelle is Jill's mother, who homeschooled all 19 of her children and maintained a relatively conflict-free relationship with Jill.

**Derick Dillard**  
Derick is Jill's husband, a supportive partner who helps her question her upbringing and stands by her decisions as she navigates her independence.

**Josh Duggar**  
Josh is the oldest Duggar child, involved in conservative politics, with a controversial past that impacts the family dynamics.

**Chad**  
Chad is Jim Bob's assistant, involved in the public relations and business side of the Duggar family's affairs, who plays a role in the financial tensions with Jill.

**Scott**  
Scott is the producer of the Duggar family's reality shows, who encourages the family to sacrifice privacy for the sake of the television series.

Jill Duggar

Derick Dillard

Craig Borlase

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

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Chapter 8-Epilogue

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