The Soul Grind: Fighting for Light Amidst the Trenches

by Jaydee Graham

Jaydee Graham had a golden, idyllic childhood—the youngest child, adored by her parents, her future unlimited. Then a business deal gone wrong plunged the family into difficulties, pushing her father into an addiction that shattered her childhood. When her wild and free spirit clashed with the iron control of family and church, Jaydee went through a series of therapists and hospitals, eventually ending up in long-term residential treatment—all of which alienated her further from her family and drove her into the arms of an abusive boyfriend. Then, when all hope seemed lost, she found a surprising and miraculous source of love that became the ladder out of the hole her life had become. Endlessly surprising, startling and yet oddly hopeful, The Soul Grind tells the tale of a fierce and passionate soul grasping to make sense of a senseless world. A must-read for anyone who’s survived trauma, addiction or perhaps just adolescence, this book heralds the addition of a thrilling new voice to the recovery canon.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2021

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open, honest & heartfelt. A five star read

This was an honest, soul baring book full of hurt, heartbreak & redemption. Jaydee rose above a hell on earth to become a strong inspiring woman. She brought her heart & soul to the table so that she could be a light for other woman who are enduring abuse & don't know how to free themselves. God bless you and & your gracious mother who never gave up on you!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaydee writes with authenticity and vulnerability. Her story will encourage you to look beyond the surface and to explore the truth which can lead to freedom. You can feel the pain of her story as you read these pages, but you are left with hope and joy as you read of a woman who reclaimed her life.

I work as a mental health therapist in a residential setting, and I am thrilled to be able to offer this book to older teenagers who battle with anger, addiction, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and pain from a life of being unheard and unseen. I have no doubt this book will encourage people from all walks of life!

[Aly Thibodeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for everyone because we have all been in the trenches.

[reese ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars*** Definitely heavy content, but so raw & real - such a testimony to healing

[Jason Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always found it nearly impossible to offer a review of a book that is about someone’s life. Who am I to critique their story? I never walked in their shoes and did not experience what they did. I have thought about just commenting on the writing style and moving on, but is that fair?

Overall, the thought that continues to rumble around in my head is how difficult it is to write a book. It must be even more challenging to write a book where you pour your soul out on paper for all to read. Laying bare the mistakes, heartbreaks, hurt, pain, success, love, and failures is not something the average person is wired to do, wants to do, or is remotely comfortable with.

I cannot pretend to identify with every part of Jaydee’s life that she discusses here in the book. Yet while we navigated life through what might seem like different universes, there were portions that felt as if she was describing me. I felt as if I was there. She speaks frequently of being “in the trenches” and when I most connected with her story was when she discussed a trench that I recognized and felt like I had been in.

I do not know if I will ever have the guts or determination to tell my story, so I must applaud Jaydee for doing what she has done. For those that have lived similar experiences, I hope this book helps them understand they are not alone. They are never alone. For those who read this book and cannot understand or relate to what she went through, I hope this gives additional clarity that others might be in the trenches despite how together they may seem to have it.

As a father, I pay more attention to accounts like these. Hearing about what someone else went through and how they wanted to be heard, standing there screaming, with nobody truly listening, now carries greater importance and relevance to my own life. Am I just fixing my daughter's problems? Am I in the trenches with her, holding her hand? It is an eye-opener for just being a decent human to other humans in general.