Seventeen-year-old Enchanted Jones has an amazing voice, but her parents think she should concentrate on her school work and her swimming. When she finally sneaks into a song contest, her life changes forever. Not because she wins (though she clearly deserves to) but because she meets Korey Fields, R&B megastar. At first he is so sweet and charming, offering her VIP tickets and vocal coaching. Soon, though, their relationship turns into something dark and toxic. All the trigger warnings for this tense thriller about how Black girls and women are abused and disbelieved by society.

Tiffany D. Jackson has done it again.

Enchanted Jones, a seventeen year old aspiring singer, has gotten the deal of her life time: Korey Fields, a twenty-eight year old famous singer, wants to take Enchanted under his wing and make her a star after hearing her beautiful voice. Not only would this be the perfect chance for Enchanted to make her big break in the music industry, but Korey would also help her family back home with her financial struggles. Despite her parents disapproval, Enchanted chooses to go with Korey to develop her musical career. However, things take a turn as a romantic and sexual relationship begins to bud between Korey and Enchanted.

From the adrenaline-pumping pacing to the confusing yet intriguing jumps between past and present to the lovable yet unreliable narrator, the experience of reading <i>Grown</i> equates to watching a high-energy thriller movie. Jackson has created a fantastic plot where readers can predict what might happen—clearly a relationship between a seventeen year old girl and twenty-eight year old man isn’t going to go well—even when the main character can’t, and yet Jackson still manages to throw in a plethora of twists that will make you question how well you really understand what’s going on. <b>Prepare for your heart to be racing the entire time.</b>

Beyond the plot, Jackson is a master at crafting characters. Personally, I loved Enchanted, but she’s the type of character where you can’t exactly describe her in simple words. Was she foolish for messing around with a grown man? Was she brave for risking it all to build her career and help her family? Was she smart for putting together the pieces of the puzzle that is Korey Fields? Was she selfish for leaving her family? There’s just no answer. In fact, just about all the characters were intricately built and multi-faceted; perhaps quite a few of the characters are disturbed, twisted, and horribly unlikeable, but there certainly isn’t a boring person in sight.

I also appreciated the commentary on women, especially black girls, being abused yet never believed. The wicked thing about this fiction book is that <i>it’s so real.</i> You want to believe that all the terrible things that happened to Enchanted would never actually happen and yet...you can see how this could happen in real life. Even if readers can clearly point out the mistakes Enchanted is making—and even if the characters can point out her mistakes too—Jackson crafts Enchanted’s narrative in such a way that the reader understands how her mind works and why she chooses to make certain decisions at certain moments, even if an outsider would claim that no reasonable person would ever get into such a situation.

Dark, uncomfortable, and full of unpredictable twists, <i>Grown</i> is the absolute epitome of a page turner.

<b>Content warnings: pedophilia, rape, drugging, abuse of minors, sexualization of minors, kidnapping, manipulation, physical abuse, murder</b>

“Trying to reclaim your life is a lot like drowning. You attempt to stay above water as waves of new information hit you sideways, carrying your further into the unknown. People throw life preservers, but the ropes can only reach so far, and once a rip tide catches you by the ankle, all you can do is wonder why ever thought you’d be ok jumping into the deep end, when you could barely manage the shallows.”

Grown, by Tiffany D. Jackson, begins with Enchanted Jones waking, with no recollection of the night before, with blood on her hands. One thing is certain - Korey Fields, the legendary R&B singer is dead and all fingers point to Enchanted. Korey was Enchanted’s ticket to her dream of a singing career. When the much older Korey spots the teenage Enchanted at an audition, he knows what he wants. Despite strong hesitation from her parents, Enchanted accepts the opportunity to go on tour with Korey where the luxury of his lifestyle and affection quickly turns to rage and romantic ruin.

The very first chapter of Grown will have you hooked - we know that Korey is dead and we know that Enchanted is in trouble and possibly behind the murder. After chapter 1, the story flashed back and forward between “then” and “now”, giving the reader pieces of the story in an intriguing way. The chapters are small, which I love in any book, and also were helpful with consuming the subject matter (tense moments were tense for a few pages). The characterization of Enchanted did feel to be as strong in places, especially the sections when she was living at home with her family, but I decided that was stylistic -- she was growing and becoming more of herself when she was in her element (building a singing career) versus when she felt alone (one of the only Black students in her private high school).

Jackson’s writing is so artfully crafted that there were moments where everything I thought about certain characters was flopped. She has a way of building her narratives that is refreshing and you know will lead you to a momentous conclusion. Just like Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming, the characters felt so real, and more importantly, have a very real story to tell. Grown covers so many important ideas: abuse of power, how Black girls are viewed and treated by society, how others are quiet when they have the ability to shed light on a harmful situation. While the book is considered a thriller, I do feel like the delicate subject matter was handled thoughtfully, and definitely stresses that the reader should focus on the problem of the abuser and not the victim.

I’m always looking for ways to get my students to read more critically and widely, especially about what really matters. I can’t wait to get a physical copy of this book - and what a stunning cover - for my classroom. I think this novel will be important for the young people in my life. We can all use a few more stories about strong people, strong women, overcoming it all, finding their joy, and loving themselves in the end.

[CW: sexual abuse, rape, assault, emotianal violence and grooming, child abuse and trafficing, kidnapping, victim blaming, drug use, addiction]

Thank you to Tiffany D Jackson, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, 2020

Recommended for grades 10+; realistic fiction, thriller

Not yet published; this review refers to an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley

Seventeen-year-old Enchanted Jones is an aspiring singer and songwriter with lots of natural talent but no formal vocal training. Her parents aren’t encouraging her musical career; they want her to focus on school, swimming, and helping care for her younger siblings. So it’s a dream come true when Enchanted catches the attention of superstar Korey Fields at an audition. He gives her singing tips, invites her to his private recording studio, and eventually even suggests that she come on tour with him. Enchanted’s parents initially don’t want her to go, but they do reluctantly sign the necessary paperwork with the understanding that she’ll keep up with her schoolwork and that Korey’s staff will care for her as the minor that she is.

What Enchanted’s family doesn’t know is that her relationship with Korey isn’t just a mentorship. Despite the eleven-year-age difference, they’re in love, just like in the Disney movies that Enchanted loves so much. They’ve been exchanging flirtatious text messages since the audition where they first crossed paths, and they’ve even kissed. Enchanted doesn’t mind that Korey is an adult. After all, her best friend Gab is three years younger than her boyfriend Jay. If Enchanted is at all concerned about the age difference, it’s only because she’s afraid Korey sees her as an immature child. But he’s been treating her as an intellectual equal and Enchanted is flattered.

While they’re on tour, though, Enchanted discovers that the beloved musical genius has a darker side. Sometimes, he’s still the sweet, romantic man she met back home, but other times, he’s angry and controlling. On one occasion, when Korey sees Enchanted talking to a boy at a party, he confines her to her room, forcing her to go without food and to go to the bathroom in a bucket for over a day. He also cuts off all communication between Enchanted and her family, takes away her phone, forces her to wear a wig that she hates, and breaks his promises about helping her record her own album. For a while, they stay at Korey’s lavish house in Atlanta where his rules are even stricter. Enchanted is a prisoner in her bedroom. But when the police come to do a welfare check, she tells them that everything’s fine. She’s too indebted to Korey to leave him.

Earlier, Enchanted heard that Korey has been accused of abuse and sexual misconduct, and now she’s gradually coming to the realization that it’s probably true.(Enchanted hasn’t had sex with him herself, but she knows that he’s having sex with a girl named Amber who is even younger than her.) Although Korey still characterizes their relationship as a romantic one and even talks about marrying Enchanted once she turns eighteen, the dynamic between them has changed. Enchanted lives in fear of upsetting Korey, not only for her own safety but also because he seems so emotionally fragile and has threatened suicide if she leaves him. He also tells her that her family is reliant on the money he’s been sending them, leading her to believe that they’d be in trouble if she were to fall out of Korey’s favor.

After finally admitting to an airplane stewardess that she does need help, Enchanted ends up back home. She’s traumatized and addicted to the codeine that Korey has been giving her. At the recommendation of a producer she met while touring with Korey, Enchanted tries to continue working towards her own music career, but she finds out that her parents were tricked into signing her to Korey’s label when they thought they were just giving her permission to go on tour. Worse than that, Korey is still stalking Enchanted. Sometimes, she gives in and goes to talk to him even though she recognizes now that he’s dangerous. When Enchanted and her parents try to talk to the police, they can’t prove any of their allegations. The police question Enchanted’s reliability, suggesting that she might be delusional. It doesn’t help that no one else remembers Enchanted’s good friend Gab. Even Enchanted starts to wonder if she just made up an imaginary friend and has been hallucinating everything.

This whole narrative is interspersed with brief chapters taking place later, in which Enchanted is at Korey’s murder scene, although she’s confused about what she’s seeing. It can’t be blood, she tells herself. It’s just beet juice. The last portion of the book shifts genre and becomes something of a thriller. Enchanted is the prime suspect in Korey’s murder and she must prove both her innocence and her sanity by finding out who actually killed Korey and where Gab is. Most reviews and plot summaries that I’ve seen of this book give the impression that the entire book is a murder mystery, but to me, the focus seemed to be on the ordeals that Enchanted faced prior to her abuser’s death.

A disclaimer at the beginning of the book mentions R&B artist R. Kelly but also distances this story from him, saying that this book is not really about his case. I wasn’t familiar with R. Kelly or the allegations against him, but from what I’ve learned from a few internet articles, it sure sounds like Korey Fields’ character is very closely based on him and that everything Korey did to Enchanted is something that R. Kelly allegedly did. That disclaimer also emphasized that the takeaway from this story should be that people like Korey are the bad guys and people like Enchanted are innocent victims. She was too young to understand the danger she was putting herself in or to recognize Korey’s manipulative tactics. Minors shouldn’t be expected to know better, but adults should. While it’s a valid and important point, it makes me question who the real target audience is for this book. Is this a cautionary tale for teens or is it a reminder to adults that teens need adult supervision and protection? The title Grown refers to the way that Enchanted sees herself, (and other characters like Amber say similar things) but to an adult reader, it’s blatantly obvious that Enchanted is a naive teenager. Perhaps this book really is intended to speak to both teens and adults about pedophilia and stranger danger, but if so, I feel like that dual message could have been better done.

In other regards, this book is pretty good. The basic story is interesting, the writing is engaging with lots of dialogue and a fast-moving plot, and the murder mystery element is intriguing. I personally found it awkward that the most pivotal plot point is so chronologically displaced, but I am guessing that’s deliberate. It emphasizes that Enchanted was traumatized and unclear on exactly what happened. In fact, even though it’s fairly clear that Enchanted was violently raped that night, that’s never explicitly stated in Enchanted’s own narrative voice because she evidently has no memory of that part. In fact, there’s some ambiguity as to whether there was sex earlier in the relationship that Enchanted doesn’t even remember due to drugs and emotional trauma. (It’s perhaps worth noting that, despite the topic of the book, it’s not graphically sexual at all.)

One element that I especially liked was the frequent allusions to Disney movies, especially The Little Mermaid. Not only is this a somewhat subtle way of underlining just how naive and romantically idealistic Enchanted is, but it also has a good deal of relevance to the plot. Enchanted and Ariel both fell in love with someone they didn’t really know, then went against their parents’ wishes to make a sacrifice that put them in an unfamiliar world where they were powerless. The difference is that Ariel willingly gave up her literal voice, while Enchanted unknowingly gave up her metaphoric voice (that is, her ability to speak for herself) in an attempt to start a career using her literal voice. “Voice” becomes a motif in the story; the last few chapters emphasize the importance of using one’s voice. While this is a very common motif in YA literature, it takes on an interesting additional connotation in the context of a story about a singer.

Instant five stars- an immensely harrowing book about sexual assault and trauma that is definitely for an older YAreader and adults. The writing is marvelous and the subject matter is handled with the respect and thoughtfulness that is necessary. An immensely powerful work.

Y'ALL. This book is POWERFUL, and so unnervingly realistic. It's a story that needs to be told of how so many children end up being taken advantage of, and how so many men can get away with it. It blew me away.

This book gripped me on the first page and never let me go. The cross between a murder mystery and messy love story is insane in this book. Not to mention this is a perfect book for any Disney or music lovers. With all this said this is not a light murder mystery or love story. This book speaks out about the major issues behind a black woman and not being heard in crucial situations. It talks about muting victims' voices despite there being multiple victims. The themes of this book are heavy but crucial to write and read about. For many, these situations may not ever be on your radar. Personally, this book helped me see a new side of my white privilege and if I were to ever be in an abusive situation the privileges I may have versus a POC.

Another outstanding novel by Tiffany Jackson! Grown will be highly sought after by all of her fans and they will not be disappointed with her signature twist at the end. Put me down for multiple copies in our library!

Grown sucked me in with its fictionalization of the R. Kelly scandal. There are many mature topics in this book--abuse (sexual, emotional, physical), drug use, mental health, rape--but the story is absolutely captivating.

Enchanted is struggling to fit in to her new high school and is noticed by Korey Fields, everyone's favorite rock star, at an audition. She's immediately swept off her feet and sucked into his vortex, where he reveals himself to be manipulative and harmful. She's trapped, and can't find her way back to her family.

The story moves along quickly. It points out, rightfully so, that Black Girls/Women are rarely believed, trusted, or treated in an age appropriate way. Highly recommend for high school. Lots of discussion will come out of this title. I'm excited to keep seeing more from Jackson.

Review of 🔥GROWN🔥
Gut-wrenching. Compelling. A MUST READ.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Do yourself a favor and grab this compelling novel! On sale 9.15.20 🖤
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@writeinbk reminds us that 🗣”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.”
-Malcom X
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Enchanted Jones is a quiet, super talented teen girl. The opportunity of a lifetime lands at her feet, but we know that’s not how things happen for most young black girls. You’re wondering what’s the catch right? 🤔 Readers get a front row seat as a powerful prick manipulates this young innocent. Will she Sansa Stark this Ramsey wannabe or become another forgotten black girl who everyone assumes went looking for trouble?
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There is so much to unpack in this YA novel. Perfect addition to a high school library. Awesome read for women of all ethnicities. Gripping reminder of how important it is to advocate for young women of color & hold child predators accountable!
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FYI, I read the book in one day... the entire time I was like ooooooooooh R. Kelly is probably biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig mad and that’s great!
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#GROWN #TiffanyJackson #TiffanyDJackson #harpercollinspublishers #harpercollins #protectinnocence #stopcompetingwithgirls #mentor #mentorshipovercompetition #hearblackgirls #stopmarginalizingblackgirls #protectblackgirls #yafiction #youngadultfiction #bookreview #melanatedlit #bookloversunite #bookish #onemorechapter #thequirkyteacher #diverselibrary

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for an electronic ARC of Grown.
I did not want to put this one down. I have read Tiffany D. Jackson's other books, and this one, like her others, kept me hooked. I believe this book is relevant to our times, and young women and their parents should read it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange from review.

Tiffany Jackson wrecked me again! I cannot pick up her books at night, because I don't want to stop reading - that doesn't make for a productive next day.

Grown is an obvious fictional tale based on the R. Kelly scandal. But here's the thing - you don't need to know anything about the real life story to get how destructive an abusive relationship can be. My heart not only felt for Enchanted, who wanted her music career so badly she followed this predator without really knowing who he was. (There's a reason these monsters prey on children. What is obvious to an adult is just "love" to a child".) My heart was also with Enchanted's parents. Having 2 daughters, I would fight to the death for them. I felt their guilt as they believed they did the right thing by sending Enchanted with a "guardian" to go on tour with a big shot musician.

I was close to getting physically sick by what Enchanted and the other girls went through. I recommend this book to grades 10 and up. There is benefit to reading a tale of abuse. Hopefully, it will make young adults aware of the danger that looks like love until it's too late.

Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Grown, a novel by Tiffany Jackson, features a character Enchanted Jones. Enchanted, yes this is her name, is an high school student who inspires to be a singer. Her story is not one that is storybook or typical. Chanty as she is also referred to in the book has so many layers to her life presently and in her past.
The story starts out with some strong resemblance to an ongoing case right now but it is so valid an issue that it is right on time. This book hits on issues that are uncomfortable yet necessary to be brought to the forefront. This book picked up speed quickly and definitely left me guessing throughout. It was definitely an easy and exciting read.

Woah. Tiffany Jackson hits another one out of the park. There is a content warning for abuse, rape, violence and addiction, but if you can read through these topics, you are in for a read that will charm you, haunt you, heal you and leave you wondering all at once.

This story is told from alternating points in time-- Now and Then-- until they catch up with each other, and tell the story of Enchanted Jones, a black girl who aspires to be a singer, and loves being on the school swim team. After tricking her mother into taking her to a singing audition, she encounters Korey Fields, a famous musician, who takes a liking to young Enchanted. What starts as a seemingly innocent relationship of mentor and apprentice quickly turns to (what feels like) love, which then turns dark, violent and manipulative.

Enchanted's voice rings teenage true and lovesick. I love the swimming and mermaid metaphors that are carried throughout the story to evoke a sense of transformation and the feeling of loss of voice that Andersen's Little Mermaid experienced. Text message exchanges bring the digital age to the page, but were sometimes hard to track.

One of the things I liked best about this story was that it showed Enchanted's recovery from what happened to her, and that she did not come from a "broken home", but has 2 loving parents and a little sister. No trite cliches are played to.

Highly recommenced where Jackson's work is already popular and for communities who eat up gritty realistic fiction.

As a female and a mother, this was so hard to read at times yet such an important topic. The flashback/flash-forward structure added suspense, and though there were a couple of points that were either incomplete or I missed, this is probably an important piece for young women.

Wow this book is such a must read in this day and age for all mature young adults and beyond. I found myself unable to book this thrilling book down. At times I wanted to hug the protagonist and other times I wanted to rescue her. I almost forgot I was reading a thriller/mystery. This book definitely needs to come with a trigger warning but it is a book ALL women and even men need to read. This book rings true to so many stories around the world which is so frightening and sad. I feel as though this book opened my eyes to the mistreatment of women.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars as I could not put the book down and finished it in less than a day. I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this advanced read.

This was excellent. It was a mystery in that it starts with the main character, Enchanted, waking up surrounded by blood and a dead man. How did she get here? What happened?

We then flash back to Enchanted's dreams of being a singer, her spiral into an abusive relationship with a much older man while she is a minor, and then his death. Along the way, the injustice girls and women face when they challenge their abusers are brought to the front. Why does the system allow Enchanted to be abused and then not believe her? The fact that Enchanted is a black woman is also discussed; it makes it even harder for the police to believe her, wanting to believe that she is insane instead of telling the truth.

I couldn't put this down.

That first chapter was quite an opening! I was not expecting that! It certainly got me hooked and interested. Further in the timeline jumping started to get a little muddled. The red herring of is she delusional like her grandmother was, to me, unnecessary. But all in all it kept me reading.

I am thrilled I got to read an ARC copy of Grown. If you’ve read a Tiffany Jackson book before, you know what you’re getting into. Dark, terrifying realities facing women of color on the daily.

In Grown, that’s no different. Enchanted has dreamed of becoming a singer, so when she meets superstar Korey Fields, it feels like her dream come true. Sadly, it turns from dream to nightmare as Korey becomes controlling, violent, and volatile.

What Enchanted didn’t know was Korey has done this before. So many times before. Yet because they’re mostly black girls, the accounts are not believed or are pushed under the rug as “girls wanting to act grown”.

I finished this book so quickly because I could not put it down. I found myself angry with Enchanted for not seeing through his lies, but I also understand that victims of abuse cannot always simply walk away.

If you want a heart wrenching, stomach churning contemporary YA novel based on all-too-real statistics, Grown is definitely worth a read.

This book is gritty, but delicately touches on how we view black GIRLS in America. It shows how society thinks they know celebrities, and the dark truth of how people in power can get away. It shook my beliefs and showed me how my viewpoint and the media’s needs to change when looking at GIRLS, who are victims. We need to call them what they are girls, not underaged women, not young women. And calling it rape, not sex with a minor.