GROWN opens as Enchanted Jones wakes up and finds legendary R&B Star Korey Fields dead next to her, his blood on her hands. The story unfolds between chapters of Now and Then as we learn how a failed audition lands 17 year old Enchanted in the spotlight under the wing of the 32 year old music legend. What starts seemingly harmless mentoring quickly progresses into an abusive and predatory relationship that Enchanted can’t escape. Cut off from everyone that she loves, Enchanted must find a way to save herself.
Once I really started reading GROWN, I couldn’t stop! Riveting

A bit "ripped from the headlines". It takes the idea of the predatory nature of fame and the music industry to an extreme. Maybe too extreme. It's more than just taking advantage of a naive girl. It's torture and abuse, culminating in murder. It over reaches, taking what could have been a subtle exploration of predatory fame and the perception of the abused, and making it a bit exploitative.

Tiffany Jackson does it again. I'd love to say that I spent a lot of time with her books, but they are so page turning that I just can't stop. This book is one that needs to be required reading. I wish that there weren't so many girls out there that needed this story, so many girls who needed to see that they aren't alone.

My first response after reading this book...WOW. Holy cow this book will have you hooked from the start. That first chapter...beet juice...whew! And it just keeps going. I love the horror aspect combined with a mystery that is all tied into some seriously real and disturbing points of older people grooming and taking advantage of younger people among other serious topics. Such a gripping story. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fierce story that didn’t hold back. There was enough suspense to drive the book forward, but it still told a chilling tale that was uncomfortably based in fact. This book is a wake up call, and gives a voice to the young women that need to be heard.

This was well written and a good story. Some of the twists and turns had me questioning things lol. I think on some level most of us can identify with Enchanted and what she goes through with Korey, maybe not to this extreme but in some fashion. Older men can make you feel some yupe of way and when you're young and qurstiong yourself and your own worth that can make you feel on top of the world. I really do enjoy Tiffany's books and this one was no exception. I liked the back and forth of the present and how it led up to it. I will definitely reccomend this book, with caution. I couldn't put this one down!!!! ♡

As in books past, Tiffany Jackson pulls the story from the headlines. In this book, it's the R. Kelly case. Enchanted Jones wants to sing and perform. She know she has what it takes: talent and the look. She believes all her dreams are coming true when she catches the eye of the famous Korey Fields. As she's drawn into his life, she realizes that Korey isn't what he seems. The book alternates between before the blood and after. As the story unfolds, the reader keeps asking, can it get worse? Definitely a more mature read for the high school age and above.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ebook ARC of this title.

HOLY MOLY. This book is incredible, and feels especially timely given the lack of justice for Breonna Taylor today. Tiffany Jackson writes a scathing indictment of powerful men (and their aids and abettors) who prey on girls, as well as the criminal "justice" system that doesn't believe those girls. While reading this book, I couldn't help but think of Malcolm X's words: "The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." Turns out, Tiffany was thinking about those words too.

Jackson included a content warning at the beginning of the book. This is something that all books should have!

Tiffany D. Jackson does not disappoint in her newest release. Grown is a twisted tale that pushes the reader quickly toward the ending. There is a lot of sensitive subject matter surrounding the abusive relationships in this book, but they also provide hope for survivors.

Enchanted dreams of singing in front of sold out crowds and following her passion to become a singer/songwriter. She auditions for a televised talent competition and meets superstar Korey Fields. He is charming, charismatic, and clearly interested in Enchanted's talent...but is he interested in more than just her music? Grown provides a cautionary tale of power struggles, keeping secrets, and trying to grow up too quickly.

This is one of my favorite reads of 2020 so far. Be sure to check out this captivating tale. 5/5 stars

This book isn't perfect - there's so much in so little space that it feels rushed throughout and sometimes the dialogue is clunky and unrealistic, but damn, if it doesn't grab you and then doesn't et go until the last page. We need more books like this one: thrilling and suspenseful, yet incredibly socially conscious and with an amazing protagonist to boot.

Awful and brilliant. Grown had me filled with dread and rage and sympathy and horror. I'm absolutely glad I read it, but even in the lightest moments, even in the unexpected beats and twists of the unfolding mystery, that sense of dread made this a difficult read. It's far more and far worse than just a contemporary YA thriller. It's a revelation and an indictment.

I usually include a content note at the end of my reviews, but this one requires a more prominent placement. Please handle with care. Content notes: main character Korey Fields is loosely based on R. Kelly and situations described in the book are loosely based on the decades' worth of abuse allegations against R. Kelly, including rape of a minor(s), grooming, brainwashing, controlling and isolating behavior, gaslighting, assault and physical abuse, emotional abuse, manipulation, lying, child pornography, revenge porn, misogyny, underage drinking, substance abuse, addiction, enablement, victim shaming, unsympathetic police and community , mental illness, financial stress

Told with a dual then-and-now timeline, the book opens with now. Enchanted wakes confused in a room covered in blood and Korey Fields stabbed to death on the bed. The then narrative paints a picture of the normal life of 17-year-old Enchanted "Chanty" Jones: hanging out with teammates and friends; suffering the love and indignities of a large, close-knit Black family that holds onto their suburban life by thin margins; desperately longing to develop her undeniable singing talent into a viable career path; and, once superstar Korey Fields spots Chanty at an audition, falling in love and following the 28-year-old Fields on what she hopes is that path. As then draws closer to now, we watch the path lead to that blood-soaked room and into the mysteries, investigations, and revelations beyond.

Written in 4 parts and 90 short chapters, there's is a tense, break-neck pace to this book that many readers will find engrossing and some will find merciful. It's compelling and relevant, centers the voice of a talented and strong Black girl, and offers an opportunity for so many important discussions about power and abuse, love and consent, race and gender and vulnerability, community, and more. Highly recommended but with serious caveats for content warnings, and a bit of discomfort about this story being read as a thriller or for "the thrill."

My thanks to NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books for a digital ARC.

This is difficult and at times uncomfortable read. Although fictionalized, this shines a light on toxic abusive relationships and the reason some victims stay in them. The story is captivating but might be triggering to readers that have dealt with abuse, rape, and toxic relationships.

Enchanted Jones has always wanted to sing professionally. She can't even believe her luck when she auditions for an American-Idol-esque competition, and though she doesn't get chosen to move on, she meets the amazing Korey Fields, the most popular and idolized singer. Korey takes Enchanted under his wing in an effort to give her a push onto the music scene. However, the more Enchanted realizes about her new life with celebrity-status, she wonders if this is where she truly wants to be.

Rape, abuse, racism, and racial inequalities are important and sensitive topics in this story. The story itself is interesting and compelling, but the message through Enchanted's journey is even more powerful. I highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book should be required reading for Black girls, women, and anyone who works with them. The author masterfully shared the story of Enchanted Jones, a Black girl seeking validation and belonging in a world that has ignored her. I really appreciate the way that we got a glimpse into her inner thoughts, and how she ended up getting involved with Korey. I have never before encountered a story of abuse and trauma within YA literature. But after reading this book, I know that these are the types of narratives that are needed. Abuse is never as simple as it may seem on the outside, and manipulation is often disguised as love by men who are healing from their own traumas. Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it!

17-year-old Enchanted Jones wants to be a singer so badly. When she meets famous musician Korey Fields at an audition, her career and her love life take off. Korey is 28, but the age difference doesn't matter because this is true love - until it isn't. Korey quickly becomes controlling and abusive. I don't want to give too much away, but this book should be considered a must-read for teen girls. It is triggering for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, but I feel strongly that it has the potential to prevent more girls and young women from falling prey to abuse. This book has the potential to save lives by showing teens the warning signs of abusive relationships and human trafficking. I have so much love for this book. I have read Allegedly and Monday's Not Coming which are also by Tiffany D, Jackson, and while I enjoyed the mind-blowing plot twists in both of them, this one blows them both out of the water. The audiobook is exceptionally well-narrated and I highly recommend it. #Grown #NetGalley

I had to DNF this book. I've wanted to try reading Tiffany for years, but this was a great disappointment. I got about 20% into the book before giving up. All of the characters felt so inauthentic. They were ignorant of the stupidest things. As a high school teacher, I was insulted at what she thinks Black teens are like. It just all annoyed me too much to continue.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Enchanted Jones is a young, talented, aspiring singer, who meets the much older R&B superstar Korey Fields at a singing audition. Enchanted immediately becomes infatuated and gets caught up in the older superstar’s attention and lifestyle. Korey begins to pray on Enchanted and takes advantage of her blind ambition as well as her family circumstances. What begins as a dream quickly turns into a nightmare.

This story, ripped from the headlines, confronts extremely relevant and controversial issues. While understanding the significance, it was not always an easy read for me. It felt at times like an avalanche of occurrence’s and I honestly felt overwhelmed by it – although, maybe that was the point...

What I really did enjoy is that not only does this novel address extremely difficult topics, it also possesses the elements of a great thriller, which I l really appreciated. There were a number of incidents throughout the book when I was sure I knew what to expect, and how it would end, and I was wrong!

Whether you’re a fan of YA or not, I recommend reading Grown. This is my second book by Tiffany D. Jackson and it won’t be my last. Both the story and the messages are significant and impactful. We need to speak up, to believe, help, and support each other. Community is essential, “it takes a village.”

Thank you to #grown #netgally and the author for my advanced copy.

Grown is not your typical Young Adult read. Tiffany D. Jackson dives deep into issues of sexual assault, substance use, stalking, racism, and the ongoing problem of not believing young survivors of abuse. I highly recommend this book to teens and adults.

Enchanted is a seventeen year old high school student who loves singing. When she finds out about a huge singing competition that allows anyone to register, she jumps at the chance. It's here that she is noticed by famous musician Korey Fields. Korey invites Enchanted into his fold by offering singing lessons, recording time, "friendship," and even invites her on tour with him. The story seems at first like a typical teen romance. However, when it's revealed that Korey is 28 years old and "beet juice" is everywhere, readers know we're in for a ride.

This story is captivating. The evolution of teenage dreams and excitement to reality and horror is vivid. Though the jumping back and forth in timeline was at times confusing, it felt necessary to recreate the trauma that Enchanted was experiencing as she attempted to put together the pieces. The descriptions of sexual abuse, grooming, and eventually captivity resemble the real-life, much-publicized case of R. Kelly. Tiffany D. Jackson notes this at the end, explaining that while there are similarities, this is a much deeper issue.

Enchanted not only represents the #metoo movement to believe survivors of sexual assault but she also represents the intersectionality of being a Black teenage girl. She is treated as an adult ("grown"), which is outright vocalized on multiple occasions as evidence of her consent and guilt. The commentary that Tiffany D. Jackson provides through this narrative is deeply important to realize how the many identities of survivors - especially race in relation to age - can prevent justice and necessary support for those in need of being heard and healing.

Thank you to Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley for an advance eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Seventeen is grown, right? At least that's how Enchanted Jones feels. Age ain't nothing but a number to 28-year-old R&B artist Korey Fields. He's a superstar with no one around to tell him no, especially his protégés. He grooms them and makes promises of a successful music career all while robbing the cradle.

Add locked rooms, sex tapes, high school hangouts and young black female victims to the story. Sound familiar? Then a plot twist! Enchanted Jones wakes up with bloody hands and no recollection of the previous night. Korey Fields is dead!

Grown is clearly inspired by R. Kelly and the very public allegations of abuse. There are way too many similarities ripped from the headlines and documentaries to think otherwise. At first, this was uncomfortable to read and I was unsure whether to continue. It was the opening chapter that kept me reading. I had to finish and see who killed Korey Fields.

Bookhearts, be warned this new novel mentions abuse, assault and addiction. It can be triggering and difficult to read but it respectfully addresses the issues. Thanks to the author for using her literary voice. Well done! And applause for this gorgeous book cover that originally grabbed my attention. It's great to see a black woman with natural hair (recent big chop, maybe?) wearing a pair of gold door-knocker earrings grace the cover. I see you, grown brown girl!

Happy Pub Day, Tiffany D. Jackson! Grown is now available.

LiteraryMarie

*The review below is being done on a Netgalley Advanced Reader's Copy of Grown. This review is my own, and I have written it in my honest opinion.

​Grown is the first book that I have read by Tiffany D. Jackson, and I have to say it was AMAZING! Grown is about a seventeen year old girl named Enchanted who has a beautiful singing voice. During a televised singing competition, Enchanted is approached by the world famous entertainer Korey Fields. Korey is dazzled by Enchanted's voice, and they exchange numbers. One thing to know about Korey Fields though is that he is twenty-eight years old...which makes his communication with Enchanted dangerous.

Korey offers to take Enchanted under his wing in the music business, and this could be the opportunity of the life-time for Enchanted and her family. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse once Korey becomes a little too obsessed with Enchanted, and he begins to control her interaction with others. When Enchanted joins Korey's tour, she begins to see her family less, and now even her parents cannot get through to her. When Korey is killed, Enchanted becomes a person of interest, but she cannot remember what happened that night. I wish I can say more, but you have to read the book to let Enchanted tell you her story.

I had found this book hard to read at times, not because it was bad, but because it was so life-like. This book is important to read because it discusses topics of consent, healthy/unhealthy relationships, family, and self-worth. Even though I am not a teenager anymore, it still holds the reminder of what relationships should look like. Since Enchanted is a woman of color, this book also gives us a picture of some of the challenges we encounter. Enchanted is an incredible character on a wild journey, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this before release.