This book is a knockout. This book pulls no punches and I’m glad that teens have the opportunity to read this. Because while this book is pretty raw about what can happen when an adult man targets a teen, it's important to let teens read about this as this actually happens to them.

This book does take elements from its premise from the abuse R Kelly inflicted upon his victims throughout his career. Enchanted is an ambitious young singer who wants to make her dream come true so when she catches the eye of a heavy hitter in the music industry, it seems like a fairytale. To watch the way this grown man slowly but surely manipulates her and draws her into this relationship was sickening and yet I couldn’t stop turning pages. This book kept me up way past my bedtime as I kept saying, well, just one more chapter.

Grown feels like a thriller, with it pacing and its willingness to go there in terms of the horror that Enchanted experiences. There is one thriller-y element of the book, a twist I didn’t really appreciate in terms of what it did with mental health and the space it was given on the page. It felt a little cheap and in a book that was so well-drawn and intricately created otherwise the moment felt jarring. I will say this twist I am talking about did have thematic resonances that were important, I just wish it had a bit more space and consideration given to it.

But, overall, there is a lot to love about this book. It takes a harrowing subject and dives into it unflinchingly. It looks at the ways in which society puts black teenagers into boxes and how those categorizations and assumptions have marked negative effects. There were a couple of points where those discussions were a bit on the nose, but I do think it’s important that teens have these conversations. I enjoyed Enchanted as a character and was really rooting for her to escape this monster and reclaim herself. I would highly recommend this as a book that is thrilling and that has a lot of thematic value as well.

Loosely based on the R. Kelley scandal, readers needs to be prepared for content that could be disturbing to some. This book is ripped from the headlines and such a fascinating read. I was very intrigued by the premise and then I read the book and wasn't quite prepared for my own reactions. I threatened to throw my kindle across the room because Tiffany Jackson hit her mark with this book and made me feel a range of emotions that included anger! Well written, heart wrenching, important and graphic. Grown is a must read.

Grown was a real, relatable read that adds to Tiffany D. Jackson's amazing collection. I featured it as Book of the Day on all my social media platforms and on my blog.

It's been a long time since I've read an entire book in less than 24 hours, but GROWN was unputdownable for me. This is a hard read in terms of content but the writing is beautiful and the story is compelling. I really appreciated Ms. Jackson's author's note at the end as well. Five stars.

Grown is the book I didn't know I needed. Tiffany D. Jackson has become one of those authors whose books that I buy immediately. Although this book is a work of fiction, I wondered if what Enchanted experienced in this book mirrored some of the experiences the young girls R. Kelly "allegedly" held captive.

Everything that glitters isn't gold and Enchanted Jones learned this the hard way. Enchanted is a 17-year-old singer and swimmer. She convinces her mother to take her to an American Idol type singing competition.. On that fateful day, she meets Korey Fields. He is black music royalty. Korey is mesmerized by Enchanted's singing and her beauty. Enchanted doesn't win but she ends up meeting Korey and he gets her number.

As an adult reader, we see the grooming occurring of Enchanted at the hands of Korey. What man takes this much interest in a child? He was so manipulative and what angered me, even more, were the adults who were complicit in how Korey handled all of these underage girls in his presence. I was angry with Enchanted's parents too but they felt they were doing everything right. Korey was just that good and was able to convince them to sign over guardianship of their daughter.

My heart was in my throat reading what began to unfold between Korey and Enchanted. This book has many triggers such as sex with minors, physical and psychological abuse but the story needed to be told nonetheless. Enchanted was failed in so many ways but in the end, she received justice. In true Tiffany Jackson style, she delivered an ending I didn't see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cover 10/10
Though the subject matter was sometimes difficult to get through and I found myself needing breaks. I believe this book to be truly exceptional. Many girls can unfortunately relate to the topics of this story and Tiffany D. Jackson does an amazing job at giving voice to these women. While I would definitely give out some content warnings beforehand, I will be recommending this book for a while.

Everyone needs to read this book! Everyone! This was difficult to read, almost impossible at times, but so necessary and important. I will be pressing this into the hands of everyone I know.

This characters are so relatable. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I could not put this book down. I read it in one setting. I will add to my book club and recommend to project lit This is one of my favorite authors and I knew she would not disappoint. This book was on fire. Great topics that would lend itself to sone juicy classroom discussions.

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.