Collin Gosselin, the son of former reality television stars Jon and Kate Gosselin, has announced the upcoming release of his memoir titled *In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood*. The news came on June 17, a date that happens to coincide with the birthday of Colleen Conrad, who was previously Jon Gosselin’s girlfriend. Collin has publicly showered praise on Colleen, referring to her as his “real mum” in a heartfelt tribute shared on social media.
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The 22-year-old Collin, one of eight siblings known from the TLC series *Jon & Kate Plus 8*, expressed gratitude to Conrad for her unwavering support during difficult times in his life. In a post on Instagram, he stated, “She is the strongest woman I know, who stepped in at the toughest part of my life and CHOSE to be a mother to me.” He accompanied his message with an undated photograph of himself alongside Conrad, further emphasising their close bond.
Jon Gosselin and Colleen Conrad dated from 2014 until their split in 2021, following Conrad’s breast cancer diagnosis earlier that year. Despite their romantic relationship coming to an end, Jon Gosselin has indicated that he and Conrad have maintained a friendship, and he has continued to support her during her health challenges. During an interview on *The Dr. Oz Show*, he confirmed that they remained close and that he was active in assisting with her treatment.
Collin’s revelation of his memoir comes at a time when family dynamics have been under scrutiny, particularly following a July 2023 statement made by his mother, Kate Gosselin, and sister Mady regarding Collin’s alleged behavioural issues. This public discussion was in response to remarks made by Collin and his other sister, Hannah, in a *Vice TV* documentary segment. Notably, Colleen Conrad expressed her support for Collin publicly amidst these family tensions, a move welcomed by Jon Gosselin. His representative conveyed his appreciation of Colleen’s involvement in co-parenting Collin and expressing support for him in a difficult time.
Collin has indicated that writing his memoir has been a transformative process, offering him an opportunity to share his truth. Describing the book, set to be released on October 13, he remarked on Instagram, “This isn’t the story people think they know. It’s the story I’ve lived.” The book’s cover features a nostalgic image likely taken during the height of the show’s popularity, spiriting readers back to the family dynamics that first captured public attention.
Colin, along with his siblings, comprised the sextuplets born in 2004, alongside their older twin sisters, Mady and Cara. Following Jon and Kate’s divorce in 2009, custody of the children was primarily awarded to Kate Gosselin, which led to significant strains in their family relationships. Collin was sent to a behavioural health institution in 2016, a move prompted by concerns regarding his behaviour. However, he later moved in with his father, Jon, who then gained custody.
As anticipation builds for *In the Shadow of Eight*, the memoir not only promises to delve into Collin’s experiences and challenges but also to shed light on the complex relationships within the Gosselin family. The memoir is currently available for pre-order and is expected to provide readers with a unique perspective on Collin’s perceptions of his childhood.
Although Collin has experienced considerable difficulties, the support he has found in Conrad and his father illustrates the shifts in family dynamics that have occurred since the original television series went off the air. As the publication date draws nearer, both fans and critics alike await the revelations that Collin Gosselin seeks to share from his journey thus far.