Author: Jill Duggar with Derick Dillard and Craig Borlase

Where do you know this celebrity

The TLC show 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On.

Where does the title come from? 

A bible verse about counting the costs before you start a project to see if it is a worthwhile undertaking. Like 14:28-29

Synopsis

“Counting the Cost” provides a revealing behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of life in the limelight, exposing the complexities beneath the seemingly perfect exterior of a reality TV family. Jill, recognized for her role as the gentle-natured older daughter in the TLC series, presents a candid companion piece to her sister Jinger’s book, offering a more opinionated and detailed account of their shared experiences.

Most Surprising Reveal

While serving as missionaries in Central America conditions were so dangerous TLC took out a life insurance policy on Jill and her husband Derrick.

Is it Worth Your Time

In her revealing memoir, Duggar takes readers beyond the TLC show, recounting her early days when she meticulously crafted the image of the perfect daughter. Raised in a family with strict rules—no dancing, modest dressing, and a reluctance to challenge the status quo for the sake of harmony—Jill earned the endearing nickname “sweet Jilly Muffin.”

As Jill’s narrative unfolds, she candidly shares her journey, from breaking away from the show to venturing into international missionary work and marriage. Readers join in on her gradual disillusionment with fame, as she fights to gain more privacy for herself and for her family. For example, it may surprise long-time viewers of the show that she did not want the birth of her child filmed.

Jill’s separation from the show began with her quest for fair compensation, revealing financial disputes and undisclosed contracts. As the book progresses, Jill’s frustration intensifies, prompting her to distance herself from her family and scrutinize the traditions she was raised with. It was not only compensation that frustrated Duggar, persistent contractual obligations hindered her pursuit of missionary work, her perceived true calling. In a bold move, Duggar insisted on direct payment per her contract, shedding the good girl persona she had maintained.

This newfound independence sparked ongoing tension with her family, a central theme in the latter part of her memoir. This caused Jill to experience missed job opportunities and tensions with both producers and her family. By the end of her experience on the show Duggar openly reflects on whether the benefits the show brought outweighed the personal and professional losses she experienced.

The show gave me so much, and I am grateful for the places I have been the moments I have enjoyed, and the people I have met. But … … some things are not worth the cost. Some things are not for sale.

While the narrative is thorough, some aspects are left unexplored, such as her early life and the influence of the IBLP philosophy. The book briefly touches on the lawsuit related to the leaked details of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother and concludes with a hopeful nod toward reconciliation with her parents.

Remarkably, Jill avoids bitterness, seeking fairness in the face of past grievances. The book complements her participation in the documentary ‘Shiny Happy People,’ providing a well-rounded perspective on her journey. “Counting the Cost” is a compelling read that exposes the hidden struggles behind reality TV fame and showcases Jill’s resilience and tenacity in getting paid what one is worth. 

Photo credit: Simon and Schuster