This was such a beautiful story of young girls who had pregnancy and motherhood in common. Following their stories over 3 trimesters allowed time for the characters to change and grow. Although life threw them all curveballs, they all came together and turned tragedies into triumph. This is a tale of true sisterhood and shows the strength of women and mothers. I loved it so much!

This book is potent and raw. It is about teenage pregnancy, friendship, and resilience. The setting, a podunk town in Florida, is perfect for the backdrop of these girls’ lives and their toughness to persevere.

The Girls are a group of young women, all of whom are either pregnant or new mothers. They support each other, care for each other, fight, argue, disagree, but they all respect each other and each other’s choices. It’s amazing how truly resilient and intelligent these girls are, contrary to how they’re perceived.

Beautifully written and brilliantly plotted, this book is emotional and compelling. I couldn’t love it more. Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the opportunity to read and review this 5-star book.

4.5 Stars. The Girls Who Grew Big was an emotional glimpse into teen pregnancy and motherhood. This story is a raw look at motherhood in general, the need to be loved, social class, prejudice, community and the strength of friendships and forgiveness. The character development of these young ladies, their babies, and families is amazing with layers upon layers of emotion. The author, Leila Mottley is only 23 years old... mind blown! I truly loved this book! Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC opportunity.

This book was SO GOOD. It was a great meaningful story. It taught me a lot and I was engaged the whole time. A very important story overall.

I loved this book! It was a beautifully written and heart-wrenching story. The writing style is what immediately captured me but the story itself, wow. This author is extremely talented.

This book was so intriguing to me. In light of the current era in the U.S., I think Mottley uses this book to bring emotional, deeply personal characters to a larger problem of the era.

3.5 stars!!!! this was beautifully written, however a little confusing at times with the jumping around memories/timelines. that's my only complaint! the story was something i haven't seen much of - teen pregnancies are truly still very taboo even in 2025. i loved the sense of community and how the girls banded together in times of need, even when one felt betrayed by the other. i wish we had seen more of the other girls in the group but understandable that we didn't due to there already being quite alot of characters POVs.

i loved how each character at the end had so much growth and decided to do things their own way forward. that is such an important message to send to young women - you CAN and SHOULD do it! for yourself!

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of The Girls Who Grew Big, by Leila Mattingly, from Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Wow. Just…..wow.

Fever dream. Didn’t want to put it down.

How in the holy hell did 23-year-old Leila Mottley—who has not (yet) had a baby—make me—a 59-year-old woman who wasn’t able to have kids—feel like I was experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood?

This book was magic.

Oh, it was also some spot-on social commentary, too, don’t get me wrong. This woman doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to that. So, no, the book won’t be for everybody, especially those who think they have some sort of right to tell anyone else what they can do with their body. (Also, and I’m picking nits here, the dialectic stuff sometimes came off as forced/uneven. So don’t read it if you’re not a fan of books written with most of the characters speaking in such.)
Now I need to read everything else she’s ever written, including this piece published just this month (April 2025) in Harper’s Bazaar:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture...

Just not until I get some of my yardwork done. I totally flipped my schedule today in order to finish this book before getting to my plants, because after reading the first third of it yesterday I absolutely had to finish the remainder in one sitting.

DESCRIPTION
From the author of Oprah's Book Club pick and New York bestseller Nightcrawling, here is an astonishing new novel about the joys and entanglements of a fierce group of teenage mothers in a small town on the Florida panhandle.

Adela Woods is sixteen years old and pregnant. Her parents banish her from her comfortable upbringing in Indiana to her grandmother’s home in the small town of Padua Beach, Florida. When she arrives, Adela meets Emory, who brings her newborn to high school, determined to graduate despite the odds; Simone, mother of four-year-old twins, who weighs her options when she finds herself pregnant again; and the rest of the Girls, a group of outcast young moms who raise their growing brood in the back of Simone’s red truck.

The town thinks the Girls have lost their way, but really they are finding it: looking for love, making and breaking friendships, and navigating the miracle of motherhood and the paradox of girlhood.

Full of heart and life and hope, set against the shifting sands of these friends’ secrets and betrayals, The Girls Who Grew Big confirms Leila Mottley’s promise and offers an explosive new perspective on what it means to be a young woman.

Leila Mottley easily falls under my list of "Grocery List Authors" - that is, authors whose grocery lists I'd jump at the chance to read. Her debut novel "Nightcrawling" was one of the most riveting and thought-provoking novels I've read in the prior few years, so I was delighted to hear that she was coming out with her second work.

"The Girls Who Grew Big" centers on a group of female teenagers who grow up in Padua Beach - a small, overlooked town in the Florida Panhandle who've been forced to grow up in ways that no one can truly understand. The unofficial leader of the group is Simone, a 20 year-old mother to twins Luck and Leo who has helped the other girls in her group with their pregnancies and children, and whose red pickup truck serves as a shelter and safety net for them all. Emory is still in high school, but wishes to pursue her education even with the birth of her son Kai, even if it means bringing him along with her to classes. And Adela is the newest entry into the group, a competitive swimmer who who moves to Padua with the grandmother after the discovery of her pregnancy, her parents determined to hide the truth from their community.

What follows is a series of events that bring the girls closer together (and also breaks them apart), forces them to confront their true desires and dreams, and highlights the ever-evolving and complex situations and decisions these teenager mothers have to face. From decisions they have to take into their own hands because no other options are available to them, to the both forced yet resilient bonds they create between themselves, to the fierce and unwavering love that they have for their children (despite being children themselves) - this is a deeply emotional and beautifully crafted novel that weaves each of the three characters' perspectives and backstories together. Mottley's prose is both diverse and dynamic, juxtaposing seemingly simple passages and phrases together with captivating insights and emotions, and I loved how she rotated perspectives and voices amongst the protagonists of her novel.

Perhaps most overwhelming of all is the fact that Mottley is only 23 years-old... I'm still trying to wrap my head around how someone of that age can create a work of this depth and complexity. Regardless, "The Girls Who Grew Big" is well worth the read when it is published in June 2025!

This book was surprisingly insightful and profound - not because I doubted the writer's ability but because I didn't expect to be so affected by the elements of motherhood, I'm currently 7 weeks postpartum and I read this book around 5 - and it was an honest relatable book given the characters are absolutely nothing like me. Really good read.

Why are we so much harder and unforgiving when it comes to our girls and so easily forgive our boys for the same mistakes? This book is so many things: a story of survival, of love and redemption, but really it’s about community and who and what make up our community. This book explores choices women and girls make with their bodies, the way we give ourselves up, and how these choices shape their lives and their children’s lives. Do our choices define us?
When you lose your way and what it takes to find your way back. This book is bold and daring but hold true for the girls this book is written about, our young teenage mothers. This book may not resonate for all who read it, but the ones that get it will absolutely love this book.

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley is an unusual novel in that it portrays teenage pregnancy and motherhood in a gritty, visceral way. Parts are difficult to imagine, especially for someone who has had normal pregnancies and deliveries, in hospitals, with supportive partners and families. I felt for these young women, although I could not relate to their circumstances or the decisions they made. Thank you to the author publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley is a raw, emotional, and beautifully written story about teen motherhood, friendship, and resilience. At the center is Adela, a sixteen-year-old girl sent away by her parents after getting pregnant. In Florida, she meets a group of other young moms who become her unexpected support system—each with their struggles, strengths, and stories.

The Girls—especially Emory and Simone—are tough, determined, and full of heart. They face judgment and hardship but also find moments of joy, sisterhood, and fierce love. Mottley does a great job showing that motherhood doesn’t cancel girlhood; it just complicates it. The writing is lyrical and vivid, and the characters feel alive.

The only reason this isn’t five stars is that a few storylines felt rushed or unresolved. I wanted more time with certain characters and a deeper dive into some of their choices.

Still, this book is powerful and moving. It shines a light on often overlooked girls and tells their stories with care, honesty, and compassion. An intense read with a lot to say.

What a spectacular novel! Mottley’s writing is beautiful, and she conveys the complex emotions of the Girls perfectly. I found myself thinking about the characters when I was away from the book! I cheered for the Girls as my heart broke for them. This is a powerful novel about motherhood and the power of young women supporting one another when no one else will. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

4 pregnant teen stars

The Girls have come together because their parents and others have turned them out. They are pregnant teenagers or have recently given birth in the small Florida town of Padua Beach.

Adela is in town living with her grandmother while pregnant, and she wants to return to her old life of competitive swimming in Indiana.

Emory has a new baby and is determined to finish high school even though the teachers don’t want her to bring a baby to school every day.

Simone is the leader of the Girls, and she has four-year-old twins. She’s not happy to find herself pregnant again.

As the Girls navigate friendship and motherhood, most others in town look down on them and expect them to fail. Many families also do not accept their situations. They each have complex relationships with their baby’s father. Some want to keep their babies, and others don’t. My heart broke for these girls, and I rooted for them to find a path to happiness.

Well-written by a young author, this one made me care for these moms and understand more about their obstacles.

The Girls Who Grew Big is a powerful and beautifully written story that delves into resilience, friendship, and the strength it takes to survive in a world that often feels stacked against you. Leila Mottley’s prose is both lyrical and raw, drawing you into the lives of young women who are navigating complicated realities while trying to hold on to their sense of self. The characters are vividly drawn and feel incredibly real, which makes their struggles hit even harder.

What I appreciated most was how Mottley doesn’t shy away from depicting the hardships these girls face, but she also highlights their courage and the fierce bonds they form to get through it all. The story feels both heartbreaking and hopeful, making you root for them despite the challenges. It’s a story that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished, reminding you of the power of community and the importance of never giving up. Highly recommend for readers who appreciate gritty, character-driven stories.

The Girls Who Grew Big is Leila Mottley's sophomore effort, after her debut garnered widespread acclaim (especially given her young age). I think this novel is a large step forward in terms of storytelling, as she captures the disparate trajectories of three young women at various points of early motherhood. The writing is raw and emotional, and captures both the immaturity of "the girls" but also their fierce determination to be something for their children and stay true to themselves. Did I like their choices? Often, no. Often I find these women/girls to be incredibly stupid. But Mottley manages to make me feel for the stakes they're dealing with and appreciate why they're making the difficult choices they do. These are searing stories, and the fierce prose conveys them beautifully.

I loved this book! ❤️ It quickly took hold of my heart & did not let go, even after I finished. 🥹 (5/5)

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

What you’ll get in this character driven gem:

↔️ Multiple Perspectives: Three very young mothers trying to do what they think best in not so perfect situations
❤️ A cast of female characters to love and root for
✍️ A writing style with fantastic natural voice! Her prose hooked me.
🥹 Memorable emotional depth conveyed through the conversational tone as well as a plethora of amazing similes and metaphors. I was noting constantly!

It was SO hard to choose just one quote! In the end, I thought this one encompassed the theme of book very well.

“…. and I did not want to cover up how she came into this world with lies, cover up my fear of doing this all on my own with a man who was never going to show her care that was as soft as her fresh skin, cover up my young with decades of attempting to make up for an act that was not unholy, but wholly human.”

😍Oh my, the author’s writing style! I have not read any other works by Leila Mottley, but I have added everything she wrote to my Want To Read on Goodreads. 🙌

This book is a raw, powerful exploration of motherhood that is both emotional and poetic. It captures the essence of young mothers navigating their complex realities, often while still grappling with their own childhood. The author beautifully portrays the strength and resilience of these girls, painting them as vibrant, beautiful women who shine with raw emotion.

The descriptive writing draws you in, allowing you to feel a deep connection with the characters. You find yourself rooting for them, investing your heart in their journeys. The prose flows like poetry, creating a beautiful harmony that resonates throughout the pages.

The story revolves around teen mothers in a small, impoverished town, tugging at the heartstrings and opening their eyes to their struggles and triumphs.

Not only does it entertain, but it also educates, shedding light on the complexities of young motherhood and the power of friendship. Overall, this book is a poignant celebration of love and support, demonstrating that the bond of motherhood knows no age limit. It left me feeling uplifted and reflective, truly a remarkable read eyes to their struggles and triumphs.

Leila Mottley, a gifted writer, illuminates overlooked stories and people in her novel, The Girls Who Grew Big. The novel follows a group of young women in different stages of motherhood and life. It’s a heartwarming tale of finding family and love despite being cast out and alienated.