COUNTING THE COST (Jill Duggar) – Honest Tell-All from 19 Kids & Counting Star

Intrigued from the Start

As mentioned in our review of Jinger Duggar’s book, your literature ladies watched a large portion of 19 Kids and Counting as well as the spinoff, Counting On. I’ve followed various family members on social media on and off through the years and watched with horror the events of Josh Duggar’s scandals unfold. 

When I learned Jill Duggar had written a book detailing her time on the show and her departure from it and a lot of her family, I could not wait to read it. It did not disappoint. We both zoomed through Counting the Cost in less than 24 hours.

I found myself at some points tearing up as Jill shared with candid and heartfelt words the ups and downs of her life connected to (and breaking free from) her family’s show and many of their strict values. 

What Counting the Cost Covers

Following a chronological pattern starting with childhood and moving to present day, Jill details what it was like growing up in a “filming family.” She shares about her relationship with her husband Derick and the lengthy process of disentangling themselves from the show. Duggar also reveals how she sought healing from the various traumas she endured.

Jill does not hold back from throwing punches, particularly at the people responsible for revealing her past abuse to the world.

She details:

• Her tumultuous relationship with her father
• The pressures of the show/producers
• Her traumatic births
• Their time as missionaries
• And their current season of life, settled and raising their three children

What I Disliked

I felt, at times, she and Derick came across a little bit as if they did no wrong, where their victimhood felt a little contrived (while, on the whole, I feel their feeling like victims was quite valid).

I occasionally got a vibe of “we did everything right, and [insert person here] did everything wrong.” I didn’t love that.

But other than that, I thought it was excellent. Their writer did a good job helping them tell their story in an impactful, well-written way. I think Jill did well respecting her siblings’ privacy while still painting a picture of her relationships and family. 

Interested in More Duggar Books?

While less personal (in my opinion), if you like reading about reality TV families and disentangling from cults, check out these other Duggar books:

1. Becoming Free Indeed (Jinger Vuolo)
2. People Pleaser (Jinger Vuolo)
3. The Hope We Hold (Jinger Vuolo)

Final Thoughts

I really was moved by what Duggar shared and how she’s overcome her past. I felt the emotions she conveyed many times in reading the book and teared up more than once. The ending, in my opinion, was particularly touching and well-done. 

Whether you are a Christian (as Jill is) or not, familiar with the Duggar family or not, Counting the Cost is just a good book. I love memoirs, and this one was exactly what I want all memoirs to be. Honest, touching, a little dramatic (we all love a tell-all), and best of all, full of hope. 

Content Rating: Mild

references sexual abuse

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Copyright Jill Duggar and Gallery Books. Image from Amazon.