For fans of true crime memoirs, Girl Uncoded offers a gripping and poignant journey of survival. Brandi Dredge recounts her harrowing experience of learning that she was a victim of a sex crime—and that her husband was the perpetrator. This memoir is an emotional rollercoaster, beautifully written and compelling, making it an essential read for those interested in the true crime genre.

I found the book easy to read and deeply moving, but I was also frustrated at times with the people around Brandi, and even with Brandi herself. The passivity in response to the obvious signs of her sexual abuse as a minor was uncomfortable and, frankly, unacceptable. Dredge does a powerful job depicting the nuances of an abusive relationship, highlighting the power imbalance and the subtle, yet clear, signs of manipulation and control. These chapters are not only relatable but serve as an important exploration of the complexities of abuse.

One thing that really stands out is Dredge’s love for her children, which shines through every page. However, I occasionally found myself disagreeing with some of her decisions, particularly regarding how she evaluated the risks her ex-husband posed to her children. At times, she came across as naive, and this frustration added another layer to the memoir. I do value the honesty she provides even if some of her choices were questionable.

Finally, while I understand that Brandi’s faith played a pivotal role in her survival and recovery, I didn’t particularly enjoy the preachy tone that emerged toward the end. As much as I respect her journey, I was more interested in reading a true crime memoir than a promotion of organized religion. That said, this is a powerful and eye-opening account that many will find valuable, especially those who relate to her experiences.

Thank you to Brandi for her honesty & bravery; thank you to NetGalley & SheWritesPress for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Out on 10/22/2024!

Memoir of domestic violence and the courage to deal with this issues. For lovers of this type of topic. It was hard for me to read it - very depressing.

This book was different, to say the least. Unique in the writing and the overall plot, as the MC realizes she is a victim of a sex crime by none other than her husband. I think I expected more of a psychological thriller approach, but it was definitely along the lines of true time, only, not. It was an interesting and engaging read nonetheless.

Girl, Uncoded
A Memoir of Passion, Betrayal, and Eventual Blessings
by Brandi Dredge
Pub DateOct 22 2024
She Writes Press
Biographies & Memoirs| Christian| True Crime



Netgalley and She Writes Press provided me with a copy of Girl, Uncoded for review:

*Trigger Warnings, Abuse, Rape, Child Sexual Assault*


This was one intense read, but an important one as well, so let's get right into it.


When Caroline was sixteen, she yearned to meet the owner of the apartment she was hanging out in with her friends. This man was rumored to be a stripper, which intrigued her. Gary Richard caught her attention from the moment they met, and once they were eyes-to-eye, she craved his attention.



She was shocked to discover that she was pregnant just months later. However, Gary Richard was all she needed, she assured herself. Her belief remained unchanged even as she sat in court watching her husband face theft charges while she held their infant son. Because this was her family and her life, she agreed to Gary Richard's lawyer's ploy to prove he had changed. She became a wife at the age of seventeen.




During the next nine years, Caroline's identity and dreams of a fairy-tale life were twisted by adultery, betrayal, poverty, court cases, and lies. One evening, a sergeant revealed to her that she'd been the victim of one of her husband's crimes-statutory rape-and her son's DNA was the evidence needed to convict him.


If you’re looking for a light read this is not that, but if you’re looking for a book that gets deep, yet offers hope then I highly recommend Girl, Uncoded!


Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

This book was such a raw and heartbreaking memoir that showed domestic violence and how a DV relationship can unfold. The book was captivating, and her story was incredible, the resilience and how hard it would have been to write this book. I feel everyone needs to read this book to gain an understanding of how DV dynamics work and how women can’t ‘just leave’ the relationships. It is definitely a story of survival and I am so glad I picked this one up.

It takes immense courage to write a memoir and immense skill to write one that is informative, interesting, and reflective. This book is utterly raw, honest, and engaging. I read the book in 2 sittings. This is an important book exploring the nuances of Brandi's coming of age story but also the painful realties of generational trauma and SA. There were times I wish the book flowed better but overall the book tells Brandi's story immensely well. This book will be great for a christian women's group and opens up space for much needed conversations within religious circles.
Final Rating
3.90

How do you apply a star rating to someone’s memoir without feeling like you’re rating their life?

This is a story of resilience, survival and a reminder that we don’t get happy endings without putting the work in. Unfortunately, men like Gary Richard are all too common but women like Brandi will ALWAYS be stronger.

A lot of people, including myself, at some point in life, have questioned why victims of domestic violence, or any abuse for that matter, don't leave their abusers. They just have to go, they say. Unfortunately, it has been proven time and again it is not that easy, even more depending on the level of abuse that person is experiencing. I am not saying that a little bit of abuse is ok; any kind of abuse is never justifiable; however, how severe it is makes it harder to walk away from the situation.

I genuinely believe that is the case for the person at the center of Girl, Uncoded Caroline, and Gary Richard, who ends up being her husband.

She met him when she was a minor, and he was much older than her. They married and had a child. Even before getting married, he managed to control her and every situation and decision. This went on until years later, when Caroline finally walked away from the marriage, divorced him, and he was out of their house.

Even though, through the years, Caroline started seeing who her husband really was, all the bad things and bad situations he put her and the kids through, the times she tried to end it, the times she forgave him again and again, at first I think she did it because she really thought things could get fixed and better, but in the end, in my humble opinion, I felt more than for the sake of the marriage; she stayed because of the kids. This is one big reason why I believe victims of abuse can't just leave; when there are children involved, it makes things more complicated because of the kids.

I can only imagine how Caroline felt when she realized who her husband really was, all that he did to her, the kids, and their marriage, and also how hard it was for her to leave that toxic, abusive, unsustainable relationship. Put herself and the kids first. We all want our lives to work out for good, to have successful marriages, and to have the most minor problems possible. Still, at the same time, all these things are part of what life is, failure, mistakes, and disappointment, and I command Caroline to be brave enough to stop the abuse.

Thank you, She Writes Press and NetGalley, for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a true crime memoir all about our main character as she describes her "relationship" with an older man. She goes on to describe all about how he groomed her but since it was told through her point of view we really got to see how she though it was true love. This young girl really though that she was in love and it was tragic to read especially when the man of her dreams was very inappropriate with his age difference. This is a classic case of Stockholm syndrome and I found myself screaming at her to get out when she had the chance. It was tragic to read about her being in "love" when everything about their relationship was inappropriate. Over the course of nine years we really find out her infatuation, her passion, but also her strength as she was able to break free of the connection she had to this man. It's really shines a light on how easy it is for predators to pray on those around them and also how they blind their victims. I really wish the main character had had someone to talk to that would have been able to help her get out of this or at least see the dangers that was taking place. I love this book because I found myself screaming at the main character and wishing desperately that she would get help. This book is viewed through almost rose colored glasses since it is told from the victim's point of view which put a new twist on memoirs of dysfunction. I feel that this is the kind of book that every teen girl needs to read and needs to be on the lookout for because not everyone will be your friend. Great read and I'm so sad that the author had to go through this however I'm glad she felt the strength to share her story and hopefully she will be able to help anyone else going through the same situation. What I really liked was how the author did finally decide to do the right thing for herself and her family. Even though I had a lot of mixed emotions towards our main character it didn't change my feelings towards this book. I loved her story even though it was super tragic. Great read and I think that all parents should read this book.

I struggled with this book. Actually, what I struggled with was the author's unending belief in her husband, despite his continuous, obvious, repeated legal issues / criminal choices.
The writing style was fine, not exceptional, and being this is a memoir I understand there isn't the bandwidth in a memoir as there is in a book of fiction where there's more creativity allowed in fiction. Four stars for the writing style.
However, I struggled with the repeated, and I mean over and over and over and... over and over... times the author believed her husband's outright lies, accusations of rape and thievery. I wanted to scream by the third time she turned a blind eye to obvious his criminal and abusive behavior.
And that was by about page 40. But, she kept on choosing to believe in him - over and over - UGH ... and not believe what had to be so obvious !
Deep into the book she decides to become an egg donor to get them out of the huge debt her husband has rung up; she provides her services of donating eggs and being impregnated for a large fee... and does this five times in 18 months !
Later in the book she is required by The Court to provide her son's DNA as part of a rape / statutory rape case that includes her.. She struggles with having to provide the DNA even though her husband is repeatedly accused of raping others... and of statutory rape because she was underage when he wooed her. ( and others ). Really ? Struggling as though your son convicted his father ? Perhaps his father is guilty !
By the end of the book she finds a way to right-size and manage her perspective and had found a resource that's helpful for her to gain interpersonal strength but I wanted to scream at her by page 40 : LEAVE HIM ! RUN ! FAST !
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for the ARC

I thought this was a good book and teetered on the edge of Stockholm Syndrome in a way.

It was very eye opening, though not my typical read.

Girl, Uncoded by Brandi Dredge is a delightful read that combines the thrill of tech with a heartwarming coming-of-age story. The protagonist's journey into the world of coding is both inspiring and relatable, filled with moments of humor, discovery, and personal growth. Dredge's writing is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to get pulled into the story. It's a perfect blend of geeky fun and real-life challenges, making you root for the characters while learning a thing or two about tech along the way.






You said:
Completely Rewrite this and make it simple: This was a very raw powerful read, and I was pulled in within the first chapter. Girl, Uncoded: A Memoir of Passion, Betrayal, and Eventual Blessings follows Caroline from age 16 to her mid-twenties and let me tell you, it's quite a ride. The story kicks off with Caroline's infatuation with Gary Richard, an older man with a questionable past. What unfolds over nine years is a tale of shattered illusions and harsh realities.

The author doesn't shy away from tough topics - teen pregnancy, legal troubles, you name it. It's a raw look at how easily young love can turn into a nightmare. Girl, Uncoded is Girl, Uncoded is a gripping and emotional story that hooked me from the first chapter. It follows Caroline from her teenage years through her twenties, as she navigates the ups and downs of life. The story begins with her obsession with Gary Richard, an older man with a shady past, and unfolds into a tale of broken dreams and tough realities.

The author tackles difficult subjects like teen pregnancy and legal troubles, showing how quickly young love can go wrong. Despite the darkness, the book is a powerful reminder of resilience and finding hope in hard times.

I thought this was a good book and was a good insight into how smooth predators can be to the actual point of the victim not even thinking or believing that they are a victim.

The book seemed very honest and raw and I'm glad the author didn't try to sugar coat anything. It made me take a step back and take a look at myself.
I was a young teen mum once (many years ago) and I recognised myself in some of the struggles and self doubts the author went through.

Thankyou to netgalley for an arc to read and review

Have you ever been wondering why somebody stays with their partner, although the partner is obviously a liar, adulterer or even a criminal? In this memoir you might find some answers how obsessive love mixed with fear of the unknown, insecurity and the need to feel loved might lead somebody to endure circumstances that from the outside look insufferable.

This was a very raw powerful read, and I was pulled in within the first chapter. Girl, Uncoded: A Memoir of Passion, Betrayal, and Eventual Blessings follows Caroline from age 16 to her mid-twenties and let me tell you, it's quite a ride. The story kicks off with Caroline's infatuation with Gary Richard, an older man with a questionable past. What unfolds over nine years is a tale of shattered illusions and harsh realities.

The author doesn't shy away from tough topics - teen pregnancy, legal troubles, you name it. It's a raw look at how easily young love can turn into a nightmare. Girl, Uncoded is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to find light even in the darkest of times.

Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for offering me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not an easy read but I'm glad i read it, and i think you will be too when you read the honest truth throughout the pages of what she went through. Definitely a book that will stay with me for years to come.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and did not have to write a review. All opinions are solely mine.

Delicate themes and such bravery, however not what I expected in its storytelling. In other words, not my cup of tea, although the blurb appealed to me a lot.

This is a personal story and I applaud the author for her bravery in writing it. Teen pregnancy with a common criminal husband and statutory rape, not realized until some years later. However, as a reader I wasn’t engaged too much in the sparing writing style and the story never really grabbed my attention enough for me to want to read on.

This was a drag to read. It wasn't written well. Whilst the lived experience was truly awful it didn't come across well on paper.

Not what I was expecting. I felt like there were details missing. Whilst I'm sure the real life experience was awful it just didn't come across in the written form.