Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Now available.

Leila Mottley's second novel, The Girls Who Grew Big, is a sympathetic look at young mothers in the Florida Panhandle. Just like the movie The Florida Project, Mottley romanticizes the deep poverty and abuse the Girls face. The writing is deeply poignant and often takes several flashbacks before we meet with the present moment and the secondary characters are hazy at best. Yet the stakes are so high for T
the Girls that it is impossible to look away. And maybe that's what the Girls need, just someone to look at all their glory and pain.

I loved this book! This story is about teenage mothers living in Padua Florida. These girls have been cast out by their families and looked down upon by the people in their small town. The writing is powerful, messy, raw, but also beautiful and challenging. There is strong character development throughout the novel. I loved the themes of learning to take up space, be BIG, of found family, and not judging a book by its cover.

Sophomore novel by Leila Mottley, The Girls Who Grew Big had some pretty large shoes to fill after my love for NIghtcrawling. I mean, the bar was set HIGH in my opinion. And she, nor the book did not disappoint. Mottley has a unique talent of writing a character driven novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath in anticipation of what will come next. Not only a commentary on motherhood and pregnancy but specifically what that looks like when the person is a teen mom. The book is gritty and real You can feel the emotion flowing into the story from Mottley, her writing is powerful. She writes with a purpose, every word, every sentence is intentional. Spectacular cast of characters, each with their own unique and distinct voice. At the time I am writing this review the book hasn't even been released yet and I am already anticipating Mottley's next novel.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy.

After reading Leila Mottley’s debut, I had super high expectations for her sophomore novel.

The writing in this novel is just as good as Nightcrawling. Each character has a very strong voice and this helps the reader get invested in each girl’s story. I would have liked more character development for some of the side characters though, I think this really could have made the book stronger.

This is a hard book to read. There is a lot of frantic experiments that the main characters have gone through and it can be difficult top read at times. I think for me it was challenging to get through the book because of how sad it was and currently with the state of the world, I am gravitating towards lighter reads.

Overall, I would recommend this book! I think the author is so talented and I’m just in awe that at such a young age she can write such amazing books. I am also impressed how well she captured a lot of aspects of motherhood.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for arc.

I have been waiting for this author’s second book since her debut crushed and amazed me. I haven’t forgotten that book since I read it on an airplane a few years ago. While this one is a vast departure from her previous type of book, I fear I won’t forget this one any time soon. Teen pregnancy is not something I’m familiar with myself, but my mom was a teen mom. She always reminded me of just how much she loved my brother but in all the ways society looked at her different once she was pregnant. How life became so much harder but how lucky she was to have a supportive community around her and my dad. How their family and friends stepped in to help them, support them, feed them when they didn’t have much. So many times reading this book my heart shattered. These girl were failed too many times by their families, friends, communities, and more. But they were also resilient, compassionate, kind, empathtic mothers. This book is so much about womanhood and motherhood. But also about generational trauma, poverty, friendship, and so much more. This is not easy or light read but I will be thinking about this book for a while. 4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A fierce group of teenage moms in the small town of Pauda Beach, Florida panhandle are the center of new novel, The Girls Who Grew Big. Simone is the mother of young twins and finds herself weighing options when she becomes pregnant again. Adela's parents send her to live with grandmother as they cannot handle her pregnancy. She meets Emory upon arrival, who is struggling to balance new motherhood and higher education. The whole town has written the girls off as lost outcasts but their bond grows big as their bellies, as the artistic book cover displays.

It took a good third of the book for me to get into the story. It is told from the point of view of three girls; eventually, their stories intersect in unexpected ways. This is where the storytelling of Leila Mottley shines through the pages. Her writing is raw yet engaging. If you previously read the bestselling author's novel, Nightcrawling, then you know!

The personal growth of characters Simone, Adela and Emory as they navigate pregnancy, motherhood, relationships and friendships will interest readers. It will make you think twice before judging teenage moms. Readers will admire their resilience and desire to just win. By the time I reached the last page, I cared about each girl and their unique journey. I'm confident you will too, Bookhearts.

Happy Early Pub Day, Leila Mottley! The Girls Who Grew Big will be available Tuesday, June 24.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

A group of teenage mothers come together to support one another through pregnancy and the challenges of life after childbirth. As they face the realities of young motherhood, each girl embarks on a personal journey to discover who she is and what she truly wants from life.

Interesting read. I couldn't relate to any of the characters but I could understand their problems. It held my interest for the most part but definitely not a book I couldn't put down.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: June 24, 2025

An insanely well written novel that follows three teen mothers in the wilds of Florida. This made me feel deeply—deeply uncomfortable, deeply frustrated, deeply sad, deeply hopeful, deeply human. This was raw and honest in a way that repeatedly took me by surprise. Just when I thought I had a grasp on what would (or could) happen, it would jarringly turn down another path. Bold and full of heart…wildly human.

I loved every moment of this book! A memorable opening that leads you on a journey of a compelling story, a heartwarming cast of characters, and beautiful writing! After reading this book, I must go back and read the first book by this author.
One of the best literary fiction reads of the year!

The author sets you in the life of the GIRLS. A group of young mothers in Florida. The GIRlS each have their ideas of motherhood, versus how society sees them. The reader also has a front seat to their discovery of who they are, what makes a family, and what love is.

The writing is brilliant. You can't help but feel for the GIRLS, finding a place for them in your heart! Their stories are so real! The author succeeds at making you think about how society, and even the reader, may judge young mothers and why those judgments may be misplaced. Solid writing that emphasizes the development and exploration of these compelling young mothers and how their actions impact their lives and those of their children.

I enjoyed the writing style. Each chapter focuses on one of the GIRLS, and their POV. This allows the reader to see the events through the eyes of each GIRL. This style enhances the reader's ability to be engaged with the story and characters on an emotional level.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Knopf for the eARC. Add this to your TBR, you will not be disappointed!

"The Girls Who Grew Big" by Leila Mottley is truly unlike anything I have ever read. The novel delves into the lives of teenage mothers in the small town of Padua Beach, Florida. It focuses on a group of girls who are either pregnant or have recently become mothers, exploring the intricacies of their personal lives.

As we delve into each girl’s story, we see how differently they handle their pregnancies and the new challenges they face. The novel vividly portrays how society views these girls, often perceiving their lives as over in terms of advancing themselves or breaking the cycle of teen pregnancy.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is the depiction of families who kick out these teen moms, forcing them to find their own shelter and demonstrate incredible survival skills. While I would never encourage anyone to get pregnant at such a young age, these girls are portrayed as truly tough, resilient, and resourceful, showing a deep commitment to their children.

Expect to feel a wide range of emotions while reading this book. However, it’s important not to judge these girls too quickly, as they are much more than you might initially perceive. Their stories are a testament to their strength and determination.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#TheGirlsWhoGrewBig, #LeilaMottley, #NetGalley

3.5 Stars

This was a study of a group of young, (unplanned) teenage mothers in the Florida panhandle who found refuge, friendship, and support with each other. They congregated mostly around the main character of Simone, who assumed a mother superior type leader role. She gives birth to twins (a boy and a girl) alone in the bed of her red truck as the book begins; a riveting scene that establishes this character as a force to be reckoned with. Her coterie of misfit young mothers use that red truck as a sort of home base/support site. People in town regard this group warily as a situation to stay away from. However, young girls in trouble approach them in trepidation, desperate for advice and direction.

While this was an interesting premise for a book and I enjoyed it, I had difficulty keeping track of all the young mothers and extended families/significant others. I also thought there was too much preachy dialogue amongst the characters and this could have been edited more.

Thank you to the publisher Knopf who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

heartwarming and insightful read on motherhood. even though this book is about teen moms, i have never read a book focused on mothers in general, and i am so happy i got to understand their experiences better. all of the main characters are so nuanced; they all make bad choices and mistakes throughout the book, but we also see how all of them learn and grow from their actions, and that was so satisfying to read

A story about young pregnant girls in the Florida panhandle trying to do the best for themselves and their children. Many difficult decisions were made by each of the girls during the story. The story showed the messy parts of life. It was. a great read!

Leila Mottley’s sophomore novel, "The Girls Who Grew Big," is a bold and emotionally charged portrait of teen motherhood, friendship, and resistance. Set in the fictional Florida town of Padua Beach, the novel follows three young women - Simone, Adela, and Emory - whose lives intersect through pregnancy, social stigma, and a shared refusal to be defined by their circumstances.

Mottley’s lyrical writing is often raw and visceral, pulling readers in with striking immediacy, starting with Simone’s unforgettable opening scene and continuing through moments both tender and painful. Each narrator brings a distinct voice and perspective to the story. Simone is fiercely independent and hardened by experience, Adela is a former competitive swimmer who hides her grief under layers of sarcasm, and Emory - the most hopeful of the three girls - is determined to rewrite her future without giving up her baby. The bond between the three of them feels organic, created via shared acts of defiance, messy fights, and survival. Although the plot occasionally feels a bit melodramatic, Mottley's skill as a writer captures their inner lives with compassion and grit.

Just as she did with her debut novel, "Nightcrawling," Mottley once again proves why she is a young writer to watch. She doesn't just tell a story; she demands attention for girls who are often dismissed or misunderstood. Told with moments of beauty, anger, humor, and resilience, "The Girls Who Grew Big" is a fantastic exploration of girlhood and strength.

What a stunning novel by Leila Mottley. Her prose and politic shine as she bring us into the lives of three young mamas in the Florida panhandle, as she mirrors back to us their power and grace against all that our society flings at them. I was rapt as I read this book, finishing it in less than two days. Her deep research is matched with her love for the stories and brilliance held within these young girls. It will make you rethink everything you’ve ever been taught about young parents and the worlds they’re building.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy.

Unfortunately, this book did not do it for me. The main idea caught my interest at first, but it just didn’t quite materialize for me. With a bit more thought and effort, this book could’ve been something great.

The orca story, the story about the sand and a few others were really reaching for symbolism and it just didn’t flow well.

This book focuses on the lives of three girls in Florida as they become mothers. Each of the girls comes from difficult circumstances and is essentially an outcast, but Mottley writes them so well in voice and description that you feel invested in their stories and root for them. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The girls who grew big is is mottleys follow-up to a very different nightcrawling. This novel shows her versatility and range. The story is a story about a group of motherless teenagers who are expecting themselves and from their own community where they take care of one another. Told in alternating perspectives,, through their bonds, the girls truly grow big together and come to love one another and help one another develop and prepare for motherhood., and life.

Not a ton of “plot” here per se, but well-written and defined character development. Despite the page length, the characters will draw you in, and you will find the double meaning of the girls who grow big hooking you to keep reading. Well-done follow-up!

Thanks to the publisher for providing the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Oh how these girls GREW on me. By the end I was like a proud Mama.

They say it takes a village and Mottley shows how a group of girls come together when so many of their loved ones have abandoned them. They're not always honest about their needs but their babies needs are always a priority.

This wasn't a quick read for me but I'm glad I took my time. Each time I picked up the book, returning to the girls, curious to see what decisions they would make and anxious to see them learn and grow.

If motherhood books are your jam then add this to your list. The love, determination, growth and beauty is something not to be missed. Mottley gives readers an important perspective of young mothers.