chasing wildfires: the journey of loving an addict

by Jessica Jocelyn, Janelle Parraz (Illustrator), Brittany Fitzsimmons (Illustrator)

To the person reading this, sometimes we get caught in the crossfire of a storm inside someone that we didn’t start and become collateral damage. Sometimes we blame ourselves. There’s guilt, there’s shame. We lie to our families, we lie to ourselves. Until the storm is so great, that it just simply cannot be hidden any longer. I’m here to say I see you. I hear you. You’re not alone. And I promise, you will get through it. We can’t forget that even though we love an addict, we must also love ourselves. Follow along in my personal story of loving an addict told through poetry.

Genres: Poetry, Addiction

139 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2021

About the author

Jessica Jocelyn is the thirty-something author of four poetry books (Chasing Wildfires, Finding Daisies, Girl(Remastered), and Ever More), a proud mother, and a nemophilist. By sharing her lived experiences, she strives to deeply connect with her readers and remind them that they are not in this alone. Jessica’s poetry may be hard to hear at times, but it’s always healing to read. In the same vein, her past may be dark, but writing serves as her spark of sunlight. When she isn’t storytelling, you can find this free-spirited goth spending quality time with her family that inspire her every day.

Reviews

[Madeleine Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I searched high and low for something - anything - that could give me some sort of peace as someone who loves an addict (romantic or otherwise). This accomplished exactly that. Although she’s depicting her romantic partner’s struggle, so much of this spoke exactly to the experience of what it’s like to care for anyone who is an addict. Unbearably beautiful and heart-wrenchingly sad. Thank you for bringing me some semblance of peace. Thank you for letting me know what I feel and think isn’t unique - it’s unfortunately shared by many who love an addict.

[Jessica Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a short but powerful read. A relationship struggling through some ones addiction. You really get the feel of how both partners are coping and feeling.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of poetry is beautifully raw, vulnerable, and honest. It brought both small smiles to my face and small streams of tears down my cheeks.

I knew the artist during what one might consider our formative years. Then life happened. I moved away, she moved away and we drifted apart except for the occasional comment here and there on social media.

I'm beyond proud of the woman she is & the strength (and talent) it took to create this. While I'm a not a big poetry reader, I'm forever moved by her point of view.

[Deven VanKirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, unflinching and often heartbreaking book. Be forwarned, Jocelyn holds no punches when it comes to describing/explaining the journey and trauma that her family has gone through. Several times I felt as though I'd been gut punched by her prose. I had to read this one in small chunks. This book is not just for addicts and those who love them, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who's experienced trauma, as well.

[Brandy Tillett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and breathtaking all at the same time! Jessica’s writing is effortlessly beautiful! Thankful for her willingness to share what it’s like walking through loving an addict! Can’t recommend it enough!

[Caytlyn Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. This book! It was like every single poem was written directly for me. I related so much to every single one of these. The amount of emotion the author captured in each verse was astounding and laid bare her own inner thoughts and struggles in a way that was so relatable and powerful. I highlighted nearly every page because each moment directly touched my own experience in a way no other book has. I cannot wait to read more from this incredible author ❤️

[Gabriella Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

This spoke to a part of my soul I didn’t know I had. This changed me and reminded me why I love poetry so much. This was based of loving someone through an addiction and it made you feel as if it were happening to you. Perfection.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoke Every Word I Couldn't

I love this style of poetry

Raw, authentic, and unapologetic.

Exactly what I needed in my fresh healing journey. A reminder I am not alone.

Fabulous work!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the Journey

A raw testimony to loving an addict. A good read for anyone who loves someone with an addiction, not just a romantic partner.

[n · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written and relatable if you’ve ever found yourself loving an addict. Romantically, friends or family.

[Katrina Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has put the millions of racing thoughts in my head into beautifully heartbreaking and heart healing poems

[Rose Brik · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever known/ loved an addict- this is the book for you

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

so healing🤍✨ loved this one so much,
super short read🤍

[Courtney Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly beautiful

She captures what loving an addict is really about. It is sad and beautiful and every emotion in between. I loved this.

[Sambora · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️: 5/5

✨ “if grief is not acknowledged then maybe it might not be real and if you pretend enough then pain does not exist”

✨ “How could you possibly learn from your pain if you never listen when it calls out to you you won’t ever escape it so you might as well sit with it and see what it has to say”

✨ “My love crossed the line between caring and enabling”

✨ “This is our forever war and we’ll never stop fighting — for the addicts in recovery and the ones that love them”

This is a very short book & is poetry about addiction and loving an addict. I am the daughter of an addict, have lost an uncle to overdose & have other members that have had addiction issues in my family. I’m breaking the cycle though 🖤

I related so much to a lot of this. I often wondered if my love for my mother was also me enabling her. Loving an addict is so hard. It breaks you down. It hurts.

I felt so so much of what was said in this book & if you’ve ever loved an addict I do recommend it. It’s very short but very worth the read.

It’s beautiful and sad all at once.

[Jessa Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was a beautiful poetic journey. there is a particular style of poem that is repeated that really hit me hard. it would have a time stamp and then almost a journal entry of what is going on at that point in the story. I related to a lot of these poems and probably bookmarked like half the pages. would recommend for anyone looking for comfort in their “loving an addict” journey ~ or as they are looking to love themselves while they heal their healing journey ((cause that’s how it touched me)).

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very first poem took my breath away. I had to close the book and walk away. Each word is carefully chosen and perfectly placed. Timing and execution is flawless. By the tenth poem I was in tears. My heart aching. This book is amazing. I read it cover to cover last night and the night before. Chasing Wildfires has been out for less than a week and I am already greedily awaiting Jessica Jocelyn's second book. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Amelia Warstler · Rating 5 out of 5]

These poems are such a gift to me as I process the early years of my marriage. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who loves an addict (romantically or otherwise). Whether you are in the middle of it, or have already walked through it and are trying to make sense of all that happened, I think this book of poems will validate your journey in loving someone who struggles (or struggled) with addiction.