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Girl, Uncoded

A Memoir of Passion, Betrayal, and Eventual Blessings

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

For fans of true crime memoir comes a gripping tale of one woman’s harrowing and spiritual journey of resilience after she learns that she was a victim of a sex crime—and her husband was the culprit.

At sixteen, Caroline longed to meet the man who owned the apartment she was hanging out at with her teenage friends. The one they said was a stripper, a fact that intrigued her. From the moment she saw Gary Richard, she craved his attention—and once their eyes met, he was all she wanted.

Months later, she was dismayed to discover that she was pregnant. But she had Gary Richard, she reassured herself, and he was all she needed to be okay. A belief that didn’t change even when, holding their week-old son, she sat in court and watched him face charges for stolen property. This was her family, her life; so when Gary Richard’s lawyer suggested a ploy to show the judge he was a changed man, she agreed. At seventeen years old, she became a wife.

Over the next nine years, Caroline’s identity and dreams of a fairy-tale life became twisted by adultery, betrayal, poverty, court cases, and lies. And then, one evening, the reality of her marriage finally became clear to her after a sergeant revealed she was the victim of one of her husband’s crimes—statutory rape—and her son’s DNA was the evidence the prosecution needed to convict him.

About The Author

Brandi Dredge is a mom, encourager, and author. She shares her story with the hopes that what she went through will bring encouragement to victims and/or individuals who could benefit from knowing about God’s favor and blessings in their lives. She enjoys swimming in the deep end of mystical thoughts, wading in emotions to pen poetry, and sipping a strong cup of coffee. She is a member of The National Association of Memoir Writers and resides in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (October 22, 2024)
  • Length: 284 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781647428099

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Raves and Reviews

“An intimate exploration of survival and recovery that may appeal most to readers in similar situations who are looking for hope.” Kirkus Reviews

Girl, Uncoded is an affecting memoir that emphasizes the power of faith in the face of intense personal struggles.” —Foreword Reviews

“Brandi’s writing is truth wrapped in love—an unraveling journey from hopelessness to the joy and persistent love of a God who cares. This is a vulnerable tale, a book to binge-read and then purchase for a friend. Enter these pages with the expectancy of discovering a heartfelt life-giving depth of soul and spirit.” —Byron Easterling, CEO of BHH International and author of Dream Big Dream Often

“With raw, searing honesty, Dredge transports us through the incredible journey of her life—a life which, at times, seems beyond repair. A memoir of resilience, hope, and, ultimately, redemption, Girl, Uncoded is a brave testimony to the power of a mother’s love and the longing to find our heart’s home.” —Laura Whitfield, author of Untethered: Faith, Failure, and Finding Solid Ground

“Dredge reaches into her darkest truths with this piercing memoir about victimization and the powerful act of reclamation. A captivating read, Girl, Uncoded speaks to anyone carrying the weight of secrets they shouldn’t have to keep.” —Rev. Jennifer Dawn Watts, MA, CPC, founder and CEO of Living Well Counselling Services

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