Let’s Talk About: Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard
Star Rating (out of 5): ★★★★
Honest and engaging with great insight, though some parts felt a bit underdeveloped, which put it at four stars for me.
Quick Summary
A candid memoir from Jill Duggar Dillard about growing up in a strict religious household under the constant pressure of reality TV, and the personal cost of stepping away from both.
My Thoughts
Listening to Counting the Cost was an eye-opening experience. I never watched the Duggar family’s TLC show, but I knew the basics going in. What surprised me was how familiar so much of Jill’s story felt. Growing up in a strict religion myself, the pressure to appear “perfect,” follow rigid rules, and prioritize the image of faith over actual well-being all felt very real and recognizable.
Jill does a strong job showing how fame reshaped their family dynamic — how the show amplified control, distorted expectations, and turned private struggles into something to be managed or hidden. Her perspective adds nuance to a story most people only saw from a polished distance.
She doesn’t rehash every detail of the controversy surrounding her older brother Josh, but she provides enough context to understand the situation and how poorly it was handled. The restraint works in her favor; it’s clear she wants to tell her story, not sensationalize trauma.
Overall, this memoir blends behind-the-scenes reality TV insight with a personal journey of faith, boundaries, and self-preservation. It’s honest, relatable, and offers a grounded perspective on what it costs to break away from the only world you’ve ever known.
Standout Themes
Religious control and reevaluating belief
Family loyalty vs. autonomy
The psychological impact of being raised on reality TV
Would I Recommend It?
Yes. Especially if you’re interested in memoirs about faith, strict religions, family dynamics, and the behind-the-scenes reality of growing up on TV.
“Sometimes you have to be okay with other people not being okay with you. And you have to be okay with you not being okay too.”
