It's hard to say I "love" a book that is so brutally honest and raw. Lots of triggers in this one and the author puts those right up front so you know what you're getting into. Even knowing that and knowing it's inspired by the R. Kelly cases, this was hard to read. Jackson is a master at writing teen girls and Enchanted's POV is so real and true and harsh. This book is heartbreaking but so important and necessary.

I was able to review Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson for free from Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book that I've read by Tiffany D. Jackson, it was difficult to read but was able to read it.
Tiffany Jackson gives a voice to young black women and validates their struggles and strengths. It was heartbreaking how no one listened to her, but it was great that she found the confidence to stand up to Korey and all of his enablers. This was a difficult subject matter that she was able to expertly navigate in a way that is realistic and appropriate for a YA audience.

This is the kind of book where I got actively furious when I had to put it down. SUCH a page turner. I feel like all of Tiffany Jackson's books have that hugely compelling page turner quality and yet also at least one extra plot twist where if you did put the book down and stop to think about it for a second you'd be like, wait, what, that doesn't make sense? But you don't actually need to think about it because you just have to keep reading baby!!!!!!

Anyway, the "ripped from the headlines" R. Kelly-ish vibe here is obviously upsetting, and there's some really interesting explicit textual criticism here where the main character, Enchanted, loves Disney movies and Twilight and justifies a lot of Korey's bad behavior by thinking it's romantic like Edward Cullen or that it's okay that she's only 17 because Ariel the Little Mermaid was only 16 when she got married. It's interesting commentary but also having Enchanted explicitly think lines like that makes her sound extremely young. Which I guess is the point, she is!

This is a great one for fans of thrillers/mysteries.

The events that take place in this story are an absolute nightmare. And I mean truly, truly horrific. As a parent I think I felt the pain of them even more acutely than I might have otherwise.

But the story itself is masterfully woven and told. I don’t want to give too much away but it will have you on the edge of your seat, dying to know how it ends while simultaneously screaming at the main character to get out, get away, to save herself.

The book opens with a horrific murder scene—blood everywhere—and our leading lady, Enchanted Jones, waking up and having no idea what happened. We then go back to the beginning and watch the whole horror story unfold.

In the author’s note Jackson states that this book is not a true story, but loosely based on pieces of her own life and inspired in-part by a court case. She does specifically call out that it’s not about R. Kelly, but rather, it is about the abuse of power and how grown men never seem to be held accountable for their actions, but young girls are always discounted, not believed, or victim-shamed in these situations. It’s also about corporations covering up horrific crimes if it means the cash keeps rolling in.

Anyway, back to the book. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were wonderfully developed, the emotions real and complex, and the story was fast-paced and gripping.

Jackson is adept at capturing young adult insecurities and dreams. Just as she did in her earlier novel, Allegedly, here a teen has gotten in over her head. Caught up in a whirlwind of celebrity life, Enchanted Jones is pursuing her dream of making it as a singer. She is easily ensnared in the glitter and romance of her new rock star boyfriend’s life. But as with realistic portrayals of glamorous lives, there is an underbelly that Enchanted is becoming enmeshed in.

This is a story of a teenager who is easily seduced with the promise of a music career and the love of an older man. Her naivete is typical for girls her age. The music world beckons, so she becomes enchanted with the idea of getting a record deal and being promoted by a superstar. There are many instances where the reader will question Enchanted’s reliability as she presents facts. That adds to the mystery of the novel. Plus, Jackson starts the book off with a bloody scene and a dead body and as the story unfolds, one will put together the pieces of the mysterious crime. Periodically, the initial bloody scene is brought back to the narrative and a few small details are revealed. This jumping from the current time back to the past is an effective way to build tension for a crime that has already taken place.

The action is intense and the situation Enchanted has gotten involved in is reminiscent of recent celebrity cases like R. Kelly, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein. Jackson makes the point that for years women have been ignored when they reported sexual abuse – especially young Black girls. This is a timely book and also a cautionary tale for young innocents who can be easily lured with promises almost too good to be true. It also highlights some of the obstacles facing girls and women who step forward as part of the Me Too movement. A riveting, powerful book for the times.

Tiffany D. Jackson did it again! This book is the definition of a puching-in-the-gut. I felt many emotions with this one; from sadness to happiness.
Grown is huge, Grown is beyond a book; it is the importance of telling your truth, no matter what!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this incredible book!

Enchanted Jones just a regular teenage girl. She's a doting sister and daughter, a promising swimmer, and an aspiring singer. When she meets R&B superstar Korey Fields he offers her the chance for her dream to become a reality, opening doors she’d thought impossible and taking her on amazing little adventures. Then Korey is murdered, and Enchanted is the #1 suspect.

This book opens fast and heavy and stays that way until the very end. This isn’t a light read by any means, but I was still so captivated that I finished reading it in hours. My heart bleeds for Enchanted. I felt her desperation. I raged for her. I felt her dread in the pit of my stomach. I’ve known girls like her, I’ve been her. What little black didn’t grow up being told they were to cover up, that she was being too fast or too grown? All while being expected to play the role of a parent to her siblings or cousins? For the boys she meets? “Girls mature faster.” right? And “Boys will be boys!” right? Different levels for sure, but this is how it starts.

This is a very fast-paced book, it jumps back and forth between the present and Korey’s murder and the past and how his and Enchanted's relationship progressed. Jackson does a pretty good job of showing how insidious abusive relationships occur. The subtleties in her and Korey’s early interactions can easily be overlooked if you didn’t know what to look for. I’m eager to reread for the sole purpose of highlighting every red flag.

The single issue I have with this book is [the plot twist of Gab and how the author makes it seem like Enchanted’s mental illness made her delusional. It was unnecessary and after everything she’d been through, felt like an extra helping of gaslighting.

I do worry that the content and trigger warnings of the books will turn off the younger scope of it's target audience, which would be a shame since it's such a great book.

"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."
--Malcolm X and quoted by Jackson

This is a tough book, one that will prove difficult for much of the YA audience. But, nonetheless, it has an important message carried by engaging characters and a suspenseful plot.

Enchanted Jones wants nothing more than to be famous enough. She is talented vocalist, so when her best friend, Gab, tells her about a singing competition nearby, she jumps at the chance to audition. There she meets everyone's favorite R&B idol, Korey Fields, who presents her the opportunity of a lifetime. Lured by his fame, his attention, and his promises, Enchanted quickly finds herself in a risky situation. But this story is made even more complicated by the fact that Korey Fields was found murdered, and Enchanted was the only one at the crime scene. Throughout the story, the reader wonders how Korey was killed, if Enchanted had any involvement in his murder, and how we got there in the first place.

As with her other books, Jackson knows how to keep a reader engaged in a story. What better way to hook someone in than putting your main character at the scene of the crime and pulling them through the entire book to figure out what happened. Sure, there were moments in between that were engaging and interesting and suspenseful, but let's be honest. I was here to figure out what went down in that room.

But most importantly, this story brings an accessible and honest portrayal of a very real problem in the world: the denigration and distrust of women who have been sexually abused, especially black (and women of color more generally). These are issues the younger generation is being forced to grapple with, and many are not given reliable tools and resources to become better educated about them. And what resources are available may not always address an intersectional lens. I'm glad that this book, which has such an alluring narrative for teens will be a resource where they can begin to learn more about rape culture and its impact on the most disparaged group in this country.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Katherine Tegen Books for an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

The protagonist, Enchanted Jones, is an aspiring singer who is victimized by the powerful and predatory megastar, Korey Fields. After Korey discovers Enchanted at a local city-wide audition, he promises to make her his protege; and, an elated Enchanted feels as if her fantasy of becoming an R&B performer are finally coming to fruition. However, now that Korey is dead, her hopes have turned to horror.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson is an irresistible and imperative read for many of today's youth. This fast-paced, Suspense-Thriller explores a gamut of pressing issues that range from addiction, biases against teenage girls of color, and toxic masculinity. This title takes on the task of delving into the intersectionality of gender and race in the era of the #MeToo Movement. Ms. Jackson also made sure to include a plethora of resources for youth who have suffered and/or are surviving sexual abuse.

Tiffany Jackson’s Grown is without question the best YA novel I have read this year—one of the best books I have read this year. Jackson’s writing is arresting, gorgeous prose that hooked me immediately. I read this book in one sitting, equally eager to continue the story but desperately trying to make the experience last longer than it did. This story is not just another #MeToo novel by any means. Each of these characters is fully formed, three-dimensional, and at turns likable and problematic, as the best characters are. Jackson requires the reader to question their ideas of agency, power, love, and fame, and entertains while doing so. Five generous stars.

content warning: substance abuse, grooming, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, kidnapping

I have other books by Tiffany D. Jackson but I have not read them yet. When I saw this on NetGalley, I thought I would like read this one. Now, I will be going back to read the others that I own by her. This was a great book. It is hard to say it is great because the subject matter is raw and hard to read. But the writing is so well done that I felt all the emotions as I read.

This is the story of Enchanted Jones who really just wants to make it big as a singer. When she goes to a tryout she catches the attention of world famous singer, Korey Fields. They are immediately connected and she goes on tour with him but he is not the person she thought he was. This was inspired by the R Kelly case. It was hard to read and as a parent, I felt so helpless and dumbfounded by how Chanty’s parents lost all power in the situation.

A compelling, heartbreaking story that was hard to put down. Younger readers may not be comfortable with the topics and language. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins.

Loosely inspired by the R. Kelly case, Grown examines the relationship between 17-year-old Enchanted Jones and 28 year-old world-renowned singer Korey Fields. The book deals with a lot of heavy topics: grooming, sexual assault, physical abuse, gaslighting/emotional manipulation, PTSD.

We see the downward spiral that Enchanted goes down very early on. Enamored by his charm, justifying to herself that age is nothing but a number and believing wholeheartedly that there’s nothing wrong with her and Korey being together. As she falls deeper in the relationship, she starts doing things against her character and ultimately, losing the essence of herself due to the amount of control that Korey has on her. The impact that this situation has on her family and friends broke my heart, especially her parents.

To know that this is a recurring thing that happens not only in the industry but just in regular, everyday life continues to anger me. Jackson really highlights on the power that abusers have over their victims. In doing so, we feel the fear the victims are experiencing not only to come forward with their truths but also in trying to escape. We see just how much the gaslighting and emotional manipulation affects their mental state, making them believe that as a victim, they’re the only ones to be blamed for the situations they found themselves in rather than pinpointing it on the abuser.

This book was unputdownable. The first book in awhile that I constantly found myself thinking about throughout the day even when I wasn’t reading it. Tiffany Jackson never disappoints. A must read if you’re able to handle the content.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Grown is timely, raw and above all necessary. Enchanted is a strong female protagonist that finds her voice throughout the book.
The subject matter is not easy. It’s heartbreaking, tough and so necessary to tackle.
Tiffany Jackson does a beautiful job portraying the struggles young Black women are faced with. This is a YA book but, honestly, I would recommend it to everyone. Everyone should read this book.

Now more than ever young readers need the courageous work of Tiffany Jackson. At times well-meaning and valid calls for more stories featuring BIPOC characters that are not “centered” on “struggle” undervalue the need of youth from marginalized communities to see their challenges with the “isms” validated as much as they may need escapist fare. As with all her previous novels, Jackson’s GROWN continues to tackle the ways that Black girl magic is disrupted with both honesty and sensitivity while still delivering another page-turner that fans like me come to expect. In her hands, what could have been little more than an entertaining ripped-from-the-headlines story about a young Black girl whose dreams of becoming a recording artist gets ensnared by a charismatic but abusive superstar also become an exploration of such things as respectability, colorism and class politics. Jackson gives seventeen-year old Enchanted Jones as much agency as she does vulnerability which will make her recognizable to young readers of all backgrounds. In fact, GROWN would be a fantastic addition to any sex ed class seeking to engage students in difficult but necessary conversations about forging healthy relationships, recognizing flags and setting boundaries.

I loved how different this book was! Tiffany Jackson gives a voice to young black women and validates their struggles and strengths. Enchanted was such a relatable character and I held my breath the entire book! It was heartbreaking how no one listened to her, but I loved that she found the confidence to stand up to Korey and all of his enablers.

I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in a single sitting, breathless. Enchanted is an incredible talent who’s been caught under the wing of a manipulative star 11 years her senior. The alternating timelines keep the pace quick and make it impossible to put down. Of course anyone who’s enjoyed Jackson’s other work will enjoy this, but I could see anyone who likes thrillers loving it. Any Karen McManus fan will love it.

I was drawn to this book because of the cover and I had no idea what it was about. I was initially regretting my twist to read it when I found out it was inspired by the R. Kelly case only because I did see the documentary and it was just so graphic and upsetting. However, I think the author did an amazing job at telling such a horrible story in a digestible way. There is the f word a few times and obviously the subject matter is mature.

I’ve read Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, but Grown is by far my favorite of her work! This book explores the dark and disturbing truth of the music industry and sheds light on how higher ups use their power to manipulate and control young women to suit their needs while brainwashing them with the hopes of stardom, wealth and fame. I felt for Enchanted and her family as they were completely swept up in Korey Fields and were so powerless to stop his advances. This is a great fictional take on what has really happened in the news and how victims are often silenced. It exposes the harsh reality and truth to stories like these and is a cautionary tale for young artists to protect themselves against power hungry men that can be so destructive and damaging to their well-being while making empty promises to lure them in. Grown is an insightful and gripping read that has so much to say about society at large. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading about controversy in the entertainment industry and proponents of the Me Too movement.

One of the most important books I’ve read this year! It also talks about rape culture and other topics.