The Girls Who Grew Big is a powerful, beautiful and tragic novel that follows four different teen moms as they come of age, and come to terms with their newfound role as mothers while still trying to find their place in this world.

I am completely in awe that Leila Mottley is only 23 years old. I was awestruck by her writing in Nightcrawling and this Novel did not disappoint either. She writes with meaning and feeling. Her characters are so powerful, often raw and painful, frequently heartbreaking and it has an authentic tone throughout the storytelling.

Overall, this novel is VERY serious in it's themes, but written with warmth and empathy towards the characters, reinforcing the idea of resisting the rush to judgement and to stereotype. Some of the thought processes of these girls I found so haunting and disturbing, but also so realistic of the teenage maturity level. Even though the girls are faced with such difficult circumstances, the overall tone and arc is hopeful. I loved the depictions of friendship and sisterhood.

This was anexcellent read. I was all in from page one. I finished the book in 3 days. Never was I bored, always eager to see where the went. The story was wrapped up excellently.

So, the term "grew big" references pregnancy. This novel is set in the Florida Panhandle in a poor, beachside town where a group of "Girls"—young, unmarried, pregnant or new moms, some somewhat intentionally but often not—come together in a sort of commune to support each other after their families, friends and other residents of the town shun and look down on them. The story is told in rotating chapters, written in the voice of three Girls. Life is hard and bleak for these young women, yet their sisterhood and their love for their children and desire for a better, bigger life is fierce. At times, it was hard to keep the characters straight (for me) and I am not sure that the ending really nailed it. Can't say I loved it (3-1/2 stars), but boy, it did give me a perspective I did not have—and makes me want to be an even stronger advocate for reproductive rights (in all forms).

Leila Mottley is masterful. This is her first work of fiction - she created a beautiful community of four young women, their children, and the family they create with eachother. Thank you NetGalley & Knopf for my early copy. I’ve read everything that Leila has written and will continue to do so forever.

"The Girls Who Grew Big" By Leila Mottley follows three girls living in Florida and they're experiences with motherhood. Adela was the best swimmer at her school, nationals were within her grasp this coming season, but now she is pregnant and living with her Noni in Florida after her parents sent her away to "save her reputation. Emory is a teen mom and doing her best to give her son a good life while following her own dreams of going to college. Simone had twins in high school and is just trying to do right by them and the Girls. The Girls are a group of young moms doing their best when all odds are working against them. They breathe together, sleep together and care for their children together. They may be the societal outcasts but they have what they need in each other. A heartbreaking, inspiring story of girls bound by more than just motherhood but by a will to prosper.

Mottley writes such emotionally loaded stories with such care and kindness to her characters. You will feel for these girls and their experiences, they are deeply flawed but fierce. I found myself completely immersed in their world and stories, each one so unique yet connected.

This is a book that pulls you in completely and doesn’t let you go until it’s over. The chapters change between characters/mothers and we get a glimpse of the differing points of motherhood: pregnancy, new motherhood, mothering with toddlers & all from the perspective of teen/young mothers in a small town.

It was emotional - capturing wholly girlhood, friendship, and sacrifice.

The Girls Who Grew Big is a book about motherless, literally and figuratively, teens who become young mothers and bond together to survive. The story centers the leader of the group Simone, her pseudo sister-in-law Emory and new comer to their small, poor, Florida community Adela. The girls learn how to mother their children and each other to survive in a world that doesn't deem them worthy. The story was totally engrossing and I cared about the characters and the outcome of their choices. Ms. Mottley's writing is exceptional and reminds me of Jesmyn Ward in the best way. I highly recommend this book and am already looking forward to the next one by Ms. Mottley.

The Girls Who Grew Big is a raw, poignant, and beautifully written novel that explores the intersection of girlhood and motherhood with unflinching honesty. Leila Mottley delivers a moving story about resilience, friendship, and the strength of young women determined to carve out their own futures.

At sixteen, Adela Woods finds herself pregnant and exiled from her comfortable Indiana home to live with her grandmother in the small town of Padua Beach, Florida. There, she meets a group of young mothers—Emory, who brings her newborn to high school as she fights to graduate; Simone, already raising twins and facing another unexpected pregnancy; and the rest of the Girls, a tight-knit crew of outcasts raising their children together in the back of Simone’s red truck. Though the town dismisses them, these young women create their own version of family, bound by shared struggles, love, and the relentless pursuit of a better life.

Mottley captures the raw emotions of teenage motherhood with lyrical prose and depth, painting an intimate portrait of the joys and hardships these girls face. The novel is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, filled with secrets, betrayals, and the fierce determination to survive. While some parts feel heavy, the story’s heart and authenticity shine through, making it a deeply affecting read.

For readers who love powerful, character-driven stories about female resilience and unconventional family bonds, The Girls Who Grew Big is a novel that lingers long after the final page.

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley comes out on June 24th, 2025 so a big thank you to Net Galley for this ARC!!

The Girls Who Grew Big follows two young mothers and one soon-to-mother in a small country town in Florida. The novel touches on the judgment and adversity that teen/young/single mothers often face, and has themes of friendship and found family.

The writing was beautiful and after recently finishing Nightcrawling, Leila Mottley’s debut novel, I expected nothing less.

The only thing I wish was a little bit fuller was the character development of Emory and Adela. Both characters are called out at the beginning of the book for thinking themselves better than the others, whether that be due to education or class. While their characters do grow by the end, it’s not as fully realized and reflected on as I think it could’ve been. Especially with Emory, who was raised in a deeply racist and religious family. I didn’t find her likeable and I feel like her character would’ve benefited from more character growth. She only denounces her grandparents racism after they kick her out and doesn’t really acknowledge the shame engrained in her about her sexuality.

Overall, this was a 3.75 star read for me. My review can be found on Goodreads, Fable, and StoryGraph

This story gives a glimpse into the tumultuous world of girl/woman/motherhood from a unique angle with the perfect blend of power and delicacy. There’s a mirror for everyone in this book. How? Well, Leila Mottley is a genius, but also, she’s created both a believable world and characters that paint vivid pictures of real life complexities. The Girls are precious. Their stories touched my heart and conjured up renewed feelings of gratitude for many women I know who were once just girls. Excellent novel!

Leila Mottley was able to weave a strong story and was able to create realistic characters that I cared about. It had a strong story going on and was invested in what was happening in this story. It was written well and was invested in what was happening with the characters, the characters worked well overall.

I did not love this book in anyway… it actually made me quite mad. I will concede the ending was worth it. As a mom of a 15 and 18 girl, if they were ever in the situation as “the girls” I would never treat them as they were treated. Very likely girls are still looked upon this way, but just not one I enjoyed

The Girls Who Grew Big is my first Leila Mottley foray, but I’ve quickly added Nightcrawling to my list. After finishing this one, though, here are some things I’ve learned that are not surprising to me in retrospect: Mottley is a poet as well as a novelist, she’s young, and she’s incredibly well-received. After reading The Girls Who Grew Big, all of this checks out. A deeply lyrical voice, a cleverly constructed story with three very distinct protagonists trading off chapters. Teenage girls written honestly and warmly. Vivid natural imagery. Truly all the ingredients for success. I said in another review that I thought Isola would be every book club on Earth’s March pick: if that’s true, then everyone will be reading this in June. You heard it here first!

this book follows three teenage mothers in Florida, as they navigate motherhood. I really enjoyed the book. beautiful story

The reality of what young mothers experience, written in a beautiful way. A display of what it feels like to have a sisterhood and how important it is. I’m so grateful to have received this ARC. Thank you NetGalley.

Wow, this was beautiful!!

The Girls Who Grew Big follows three teen mothers in Padua Beach as they fiercely love and support each other, navigating young motherhood.
Adela, Emory, and Simone each share their stories in a way that is urgent, painful, and somehow still hopeful.
Mottley’s writing is gorgeous, to the point where I found myself wishing I was back in school, analyzing this text in class. There is so much here that begs a closer reading, while still offering a propulsive story that I didn’t want to slow down. These girls, this place, their stories— they will stay with me.

I have so much I could say but I highly encourage folks to put this on their TBR. Stories about teen moms have a tendency to veer towards soapy and gawking and this is not that. Mottley has created flawed, resilient characters that are so easy to root for even at their most broken.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Knopf for the ARC!

This novel is a beautifully written, deeply empathetic exploration of teenage pregnancy, friendship, and resilience. When sixteen-year-old Adela is sent away to Padua Beach, Florida, she finds herself among a group of young mothers who defy societal expectations with fierce independence and unwavering support for one another. The Girls, each navigating their own struggles and triumphs, form a makeshift family, challenging the notion that motherhood and girlhood are mutually exclusive.

The author’s prose is both lyrical and unflinchingly honest, capturing the weight of responsibility, the ache of lost innocence, and the unexpected joys that come with raising children while still growing up themselves. The friendships between the Girls are the heart of the story, offering moments of tenderness, humor, and raw emotion.

This novel refuses to judge its characters, instead celebrating their strength and complexity. It is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about unconventional families, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Leila Mottley is only 23 years old.

When I was 23, I was barely finishing college and had no idea what direction I wanted to take with my Film degree. Meanwhile, at this pace, Mottley will be an award-winning, multi-faceted writer well before she turns 30. She was the youngest nominee for the prestigious Booker Prize for Nighcrawling, which was selected for Oprah’s Book Club in 2022. Protect her at all costs.

Her latest novel, The Girls Who Grew Big, explores teen pregnancy in the Florida Panhandle. The story unfolds from three perspectives:

Simone: who has four-year-old twins named Luck and Lion.
Emory: who brings her baby to school who has dreams of going to college
Adela: a former swimming prodigy, is pregnant and living with her grandmother after being shunned from her parents' home.

What makes this book so powerful is that each girl has a distinct story to tell. Every moment of their lives is crucial. They constantly worry about where their next meal will come from, how they will house their children on any given night, and where they will sleep. Much of their time is spent in the back of Simone’s truck, which almost feels like a character itself.

Although the overarching themes of teen pregnancy and survival are heavy, the characters are strong, resilient, and determined to be good mothers. I was on edge during a hurricane, uncertain of how they would make it through. The scene presents a thrilling take on abortion, woven into a game of truth or dare.

At their core, they are still children trying to navigate the world. Some have been abused, others have parents who never loved them, but Mottley’s writing never leaves us feeling hopeless. Her lyrical and optimistic storytelling shines through.

I loved Nightcrawling, despite its harrowing story about the Oakland Police Department’s cover-up involving young girls forced into prostitution. Mottley, an Oakland native, wrote that novel with deep knowledge of the Bay Area (woo hoo!). This time, she takes us to a part of the country I know little about, offering a fresh perspective on basic human necessities.

The writing in The Girls Who Grew Big is unique, urgent, and important. There is so much innocence in being a teen mother. Their survival depends on the guidance of others—whether it’s Planned Parenthood or teachers—but instead, they lean on each other, and the results are both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Please don’t miss this important book when it’s released on June 24! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Lovely book. I especially appreciated that the revolving narratives always went in the same order, it made it quite a lot easier to follow. Each narrator had her own distinct voice and perspective and I connected with them very much.

An entire story about what it means to be a young mother surrounded by other young moms. I was enthralled. Mottley's storytelling is unique and authentic. The characters she crafted easily took me. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.