It was gripping from the beginning, and I loved the dual narratives between the present and the past. I know some readers struggle with dual narratives, but it was done well so the story was still easy to follow. That said, the topics in this book were emotionally heavy as the story is loosely based on the R. Kelly case. This book shows how adults can prey on/ groom youth as well as how this abuse can have long-lasting effects on youth. It also reminds us that the children are not at fault for these actions.

In many ways, Enchanted Jones seems to be a typical high school student. She's on the swim team, participates in community groups, and helps care for her younger siblings. Her family has financial difficulties and her parents are making huge sacrifices to send her to an expensive private school. When a famous musician, Korey Fields, takes interest in Enchanted at an audition, Enchanted loves the attention and praise, but the relationship quickly turns abusive and she finds herself cut off from family and friends. When Korey is found dead, many people blame Enchanted for his death and the abusive relationship she endured.

Grown tells the story of seventeen-year-old Enchanted, who dreams of making it as a singer. Chanty begins to actualize those dreams when she meets R&B superstar Korey Fields. But those dreams soon turn to nightmares as Chanty learns and experiences who Korey Fields really is.

This book sparks a necessary and powerful conversation about many prevalent issues: power, control, abuse, and how systems can question and fail those who need them the most. Readers should be aware of the trigger warnings before reading (sexual assault, abuse (mental & physical), mental health, drugs, etc.). While the content can be difficult at times, Grown is an important read.

I loved Jackson's writing style and her use of imagery and similes/metaphors. Seeing her carry certain imagery throughout the novel was one of its most powerful aspects for me. The pacing was quick, and this was a read I could not put down. While I would have liked to see more development in some characters (Chanty's father, grandmother, and Gab), overall, the book was great!

Received an arc via Netgalley.

DO NOT READ THE SYNOPSIS. It gives too much away. This book was absolutely phenomenal. My favorite Tiffany D. Jackson book yet. Follow Enchanted's story as she gets sucked into a relationship with a music superstar and all that unfolds. AMAZING 5 stars!!!

Enchanted Jones is an aspiring seventeen year old singer who is one of the few Black girls at her suburban school. She finds herself struggling to fit in since her family’s recent move. She joins the swim team and has one close friend, Gab. As she watches her sister acclimate faster and enjoy her new surroundings, Chanty longs for more - she longs for a singing career.

One night, she fibs to her mom, asking her to drive her to a swim meet. Conveniently, they end up in the same location as auditions to be on a popular singing show. Chanty auditions and is rejected from the show, but someone special was watching her from the crowd.

Enter Korey Fields. He’s a famous singer/rapper who got started when he was 14. Now 28, he knows the scene, he knows true talent when he sees it. He offers private lessons to Enchanted to help launch her career. He eventually brings her on tour, much to her parents’ chagrin, and a wild ride of drugs, partying, jealousy, abuse, and even murder ensues.

The story is supposedly not based on R. Kelly’s history in the music industry and the allegations made against him, but the similarities are uncanny. It’s up and down constantly, riding the waves of the power within the music industry. Jackson’s writing is incredibly relatable - I flew through this book in 6 hours. And if you know Jackson, you know you’re in store for a heck of a plot twist.

Fresh from the oven your meal is in front of you and it looks so good you have to take a bite right now fully knowing the steam coming off it means you should wait or at least blow on it, but you don’t and you burn the roof of your mouth. Soon the plate is clean but you’ll continue to feel the burn.

Grown by TDJ burned me but didn’t stop me from needing more. Jackson’s writing engulfed me in the world of Chanty’s hopes and dreams, and subsequently her worst nightmares.

I think it’s important that an educator considering this book in a classroom library heed the content warnings and know potential triggers it has before a student picks it up to read. I also think it’s a book that, at some point, every student should read.

Grown is told through the eyes of 17 year old Enchanted “Chanty” Jones: oldest of the Jones siblings, Disney enthusiast, fish out of water, and an aspiring singer/songwriter. Chanty’s parents work tirelessly to put her and sister Shea in private school, but Chanty knows that a lot of sacrifices are being made, and she feels them too. So when Chanty gets her “shot” to work with superstar Korey Fields, she believes she’s doing it for not just herself, but so everyone in her family can live a better life. From the get go, Korey says all the right things and appeals to Enchanted’s wildest dreams, until he doesn’t. Going back and forth between “Now” and “Then” TDJ gives readers the thrills and chills as we navigate what happened to Korey Fields and why Enchanted’s words fall on deaf ears when her voice is so loud.

Though a work of fiction, not one bit of it is fake, and TDJ’s word craft will leave you simultaneously reading at the speed of light to find out what happens next and just wanting to turn the page because you need what you’re reading to stop.

As a teacher, there’s a lot of lessons to be taken from this book. As a human, there’s a lot of lessons to be taken from this book. Power, greed, advantage, and oppression smother the pages of this book, smothered me, and I came out begging for a breath. Powerful is an understatement.

4.5 ⭐

4 stars

This is a solid YA novel that covers issues ripped straight from the headlines: particularly those including R Kelly and other like trash heaps masquerading as people.

Enchanted is 17, on the swim team, a great big sister and daughter, a talented singer, and the central figure of this work. Unfortunately, she also becomes easy prey for Korey, a well known musician and predator.

This is a quick read in spite of its challenging subject matter, and Jackson does a tremendous job of framing Enchanted's path: how she gets here, how and why she stays, and what the aftermath looks like for her and for others who have had similar experiences. I really like how some of the potentially unreliable narration forces readers to participate in the same crappy behavior that's highlighted here: questioning the facts and - most significantly - who presents them. Also, the ties to _The Little Mermaid_ add nicely to the theme and parallel the character development without being heavy handed or detracting.

I'd have liked to get even a bit more in to Enchanted's head in the early stages of the work, and I do think aspects toward the end are a bit conveniently tied up and/or could use further exploration (I'll avoid specifics so as to maintain that spoiler-free life).

Those minor wishes noted, this is a worthwhile and important read, and I'll be recommending it to students.

To no ones surprise I am sure Tiffany Jackson has done it again! I read this book in a half a day because I was hooked from word one! A great book about women’s voices and how they are often not heard when they are being used against men with power, social clout or systems of oppression. Enchantment Jones has always identified with Ariel, she is a mermaid and she has a beautiful voice. All Enchantment wants is to be a singer so when one of the most famous singers takes her under his wing she jumps at the chance, and when he says he loves her she can’t believe her luck! The huge age difference doesn’t seem to matter in the face of love. Resembling one of the biggest headline stories this book makes a huge impact!

Tiffany D. Jackson's, Grown, is a continuation of her genius. Filled with captivating twists and turns that left me no choice but to devour the book in one sitting. Enchanted Jones wakes up in a room covered in blood and R & B superstar, Korey Fields, is dead.

When 17 yo Enchanted makes her singing debut at her high school, Fields is there. He quickly inserts himself into her space and begins the grooming process of luring her into his twisted world. She is quickly all in as she dreams of becoming a star and being able to provide financial support to her family. He sweetens the pot when he offers to mentor her. Enchanted has no idea of his past, and his sick infatuation with younger girls. She finds herself in a heartbreaking, deeply disturbing situation where she learns of his darkly hidden, sadistic rage. She quickly becomes a victim of psychological, physical, and emotional abuse. Now, Fields is dead, and all eyes are on her.

Written with the same gutwrenching style as Monday's Not Coming and Allegedly. Jackson continues to be a must-read author.

This realistic depiction of a teens desire for fame and wealth, bought by talent, reveals the underpinnings of our country’s foundational truths....sans 21st century style. Grown introduces us to Enchanted Jones , whose life is filled with opportunities to be grown and less likely to be Enchanted. Perhaps, a twist of fate could bring a chilling end to this situation, as only Tiffany does all too well in her books. Get a copy of Grown, and find out for yourself!

I have wanted to read this book since I saw Tiffany D. Jackson last year at the LCPS Secondary English Kickoff meeting. She spoke briefly about what she was currently working on, and I have wanted to read it ever since. I was thrilled when I was able to get an ARC from @netgalley, the release date for Grown is September 15th.

Grown did not disappoint. This book was fast-paced and kept me wanting more, all while making me cringe, both as a parent and as a female. In true Jackson fashion, the twists and turns will keep you guessing. The novel opens with a note from Jackson stating that "This book is about the abuse of power. It's about the pattern of excusing men for their behavior while faulting young girls for theirs." There is also a content warning for sexual abuse, rape, assault, child abuse, kidnapping, and addiction to opioids. I couldn't put it down. I HAD to know what was going to happen. I can't remember the last time I read a book that fast.

The main character Enchanted, Chanty, is seventeen and is an aspiring singer. The timeline does shift from past to present, but it is evident when you are in NOW vs. THEN.

Chanty is approached by Korey Field's, a mega superstar, after an audition. She quickly becomes entangled by his gentlemanly approach and desire to help her become the star she is destined to be. The character development of Chanty is fantastic. Jackson took me back to my seventeen-year-old self and all my hopes and dreams and managed to roll them into the character Chanty. Her character is believable, and yes, naive, but she is fully developed. There were times I wanted to scream at both her and her parents for their childish behavior and trusting demeanor, but I could also understand the desire to achieve your dreams. Having read other TDJ books, I knew I was in for a ride, and I was so right on that.

The book has all of the markers of a Tiffany D. Jackson classic, and in the greatest way possible. This book caught hold of my soul and did not let go. From the first page, I was hooked.

Jackson handles topics of rape culture, celebrity, and victim blaming with such sensitivity, while also exposing the traumatic and horrific ways that our society continues to belittle the word of black women. The adults in our lives need to do better to advocate for the safety of the children.

I loved Tiffany D. Jackson's book, Allegedly, and was very excited to read her new release, Grown. Although the book definitely has merit, I was largely disappointed.

Grown's protagonist, Enchanted Jones, is one of the only Black students at a predominantly white high school in Westchester County. Her family left Queens for the suburbs and struggle to raise their 5 children in this new environment. Enchanted is also a star on her swim team, a member of W and W (a fictional Jack and Jill) and an aspiring singer. She attends an audition where she meets Korey Fields, an internationally famous singer, who although 12 years older than she, falls for her and takes her under his wing, promising to make her a star. What ensues from this point is a replica of the R. Kelly story. Anyone who has seen the TV series about R. Kelly and the many women who he kidnapped, sexually abused, drugged and controlled will recognize these identical events. Fields does the same thing to Enchanted, locking her in a room in his different homes, forcing her to use a bucket instead of providing her with a bathroom, and does not allow her to communicate with the outside world. He also addicts her to codeine and sexually, emotionally and physically abuses her. Her family is unable to make contact with her, just as was the case with the many families who were affected by R. Kelly.

The book touches on many aspects that are important -- especially that Black women in our society are assumed guilty rather than innocent, and deserve any mistreatment that come their way. It is important for the reader to understand that this is a common plight of Black women and the book asks the reader to think about this. The book has many triggers -- (listed above), and also touches upon mental illness. At one point, due to the fact that Enchanted's grandmother is presumably mentally ill, the reader wonders if Enchanted is too, because she becomes so paranoid and develops such a state of PTSD that it is hard for her to know what is real and what is not.

Grown offers a quick and engaging read, but the fact that the book is so much of a copy of the R. Kelly story (even to the point of Fields having a wife that Enchanted knew nothing about), that it is inauthentic. The difference between the R. Kelly story and Grown is that Grown has a relatively happy ending.

First of all, ANYTHING by Tiffany D. Jackson is amazing! This book didn’t disappoint as well! Her novels are constant reminders of the issues that are hidden, and how Black women are unprotected by society. This novel relates to issues and topics that are currently being discussed in society, with a twist that only Tiffany D. Jackson can do!

This book is totally engrossing and very uncomfortable. It’s a necessary story in the post Me Too / R Kelly era.
“Grown” follows a young black girl pursuing a music career who falls victim to the abuse of an older man with connections, fame, and power in the industry. The book shifts back and forth between two timelines - Enchanted’s developing relationship with the music mogul, and the eventual search for his murderer.
The concept is unique for a YA book, but the red flags are unfortunately familiar.. The writing style is definitely YA friendly and feels slightly juvenile at times, however the content is dark and very mature. My only complaint is the end felt a bit rushed, and there were a few plot holes in the “twists” - I would have rather explored the emotional impact of Enchanted’s abuse than divert into subplots for shock value. Overall, I found this book very compelling and un-put-downable. 3.75

Tiffany Jackson impresses again with her powerful words, thrilling plot line, and relatable characters. Enchanted strives to become a singer despite having a successful swimming and academic career ahead of her. She gets her big break, but the man in power over her musical career traps her.
This book depicts the abuse and injustices many women, specifically Black women face. It shares the theme of using your voice to stand up against those in power.

Do not pick this up if you have any tasks to accomplish other than reading. I found myself sneaking seconds of reading time at all of the taboo times: stopping at traffic lights, taking bathroom breaks (don’t judge), and cooking dinner.

The book took a story we’re all familiar with (hopefully only tangentially), and sliced it open to reveal the seediest of underbellies. It’s shocking, horrifying, and altogether too realistic. Girls don’t choose to date evil men because they’re flawed. Evil people (men or women) do evil things.

This book helped me to consider the importance of perspective, of listening—especially to victims, and of the power of promised fame. Although not based on the real stories of R. Kelly’s victims, this captivating novel helps the reader to understand how the many, many girls were trapped in his web.

There are many trigger warnings in this book. It’s definitely one that I would encourage students to discuss with parents prior to reading.

Yet another 5/5 star book from Tiffany D. Jackson. If you're familiar with her work you know she will take you on a wild rollercoaster of a read. With every twist and turn the story just gets better and better. Jackson's look into a topic we hear about often in the current times is unique.

Enchanted has a family that loves her but she wants to be a star, maybe a little too much. When Kory begins taking advantage of her she doesn't realize until it's too late. Then she's trapped. Enchanted has to be careful with how she gets out of her situation, for the wrong way could end someone's life. Jackson masterfully provides characters who will inspire you and make your skin crawl. But the light she sheds on current issues is too great to ignore. Everyone should be reading this book come September.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

PHEW. Let me preface this by saying that the content of this book is tough, and it may not be the right book for everyone. It deals with rape, abuse, drugs, child endangerment, and assault. But like her other books Monday's Not Coming and Allegedly, Jackson writes about these issues in a masterful way. This book is written at a breakneck pace, and I didn't come up for air until I finished it after midnight. There are twists, mind games, and moments where you will gasp out loud. I thought it was excellent and will recommend it to everyone I know.

Review posted on Goodreads and Instagram (@bookiebffs) on July 11, 2020.

Enchanted has a family that loves her, is a talented swimmer, and mostly wants to become a singer. She has the skills- all her friends say so. When she manages to trick her mom into taking her to a talent call, she is disappointed with the feedback the judges give her, but backstage she meets Korey, a twenty someone heartthrob that’s big in the music scene. When Korey shows interest in supporting her music career, her parents refuse, but Korey wins them over with contracts and show of responsible adults that will surround Enchanted. Korey is such a star and so attentive to seventeen year old Enchanted that she starts falling in love with him, and he becomes controlling, domineering, and takes over her world. This is a fast moving story of a young girl, ready for love, but finding in the arms of a predator. A tale of warnings and good for teens to read. As an adult the first half of the story felt obvious, as Korey talks inappropriately with Enchanted, early in their meeting. Still a necessary piece of writing for young people to read.

GROWN is another stunning book by the masterful Tiffany D. Jackson. It is heartbreaking and heart-pounding. GROWN is an unforgettable call to believe Black women, to protect young people, and to tear down the systems that enable violence and oppression.