I found The Girls Who Grew Big an honest and emotional portrayal of young mothers. It captures the struggles and realities of these teenagers focusing on their lives without judgment.
A compelling and powerful read.

I thought this was really well done.

A perspective we so rarely get to see, it shed some well needed light on the strength of young mothers.
I think as a society, we still place a lot of judgement on young mothers without placing any of it on the men responsible.

This captured that teenage essence so well, the decisions they were making didn’t annoy me because they were realistic. I remember when I was that age and wanted to feel special and the guys who made me feel like I mattered were far too old to be doing so. And I obviously I know enough now to call a spade a spade, but at that age it just feels nice to be wanted, especially by someone older.

For these girls it was even more valid as they had been ostracised by not only the community, but their families as well. This further proves the point that it really does take a village. What if we supported young girls like this instead of judging them? Allowing them to make their own decisions, whether they choose to keep the baby or not and sharing our knowledge with them because we were teenagers once too.

It really is so sad to think there are people out there who don’t want to know their children/grandchildren because they weren’t born at the right time or in the right circumstances or even with the ‘right’ genetics. We have to be better and this book does a really good job of confronting the reader to see that.

I did often wonder how they were affording any of this, especially without the support of their families and also with the whole social services thing, it seemed to blow over quite quickly which is unlikely given Simone’s living situation and age. I woild have loved a little more at the end but it still felt conclusive.

Mottley's storytelling is luscious. She embodies Florida just as she embodied the Oakland setting of her first novel, Nightcrawling. Her characters are direct, unapologetically young and raw, and will not allow you to look away. Their voices will stay with me forever.

This was such an emotional read for me. I couldn't stop thinking about it and caring about these young girls. It was raw, heartbreaking and honestly a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Nightcrawling was on of my top reads of 2022 so I was so excited and grateful to read this new book by Leila Mottley. I really enjoyed this book as well. It took me a little bit to get into but I found myself rooting for the characters and my heart breaking at their circumstances and choices they were face with. WE follow a group of young women who have become young mothers and must rely on each other for support and help. The characters are raw and gritty yet still lovable. I found myself empathising with them and I think it is a story that will stay with me for a long time. It raises many issues that young women are facing in America but also across the world and definitely has a powerful message hidden in the beautiful writing and story.
Another powerful read by Leila Mottley that I definitely recommend!

‘The Girls Who Grew Big’ by Leila Mottley is quite possibly one of the most impactful novels I have read within this last year. It focuses on a group of young women, all in different stages of motherhood and life as a whole. It is not only compelling but a beautiful homage to women everywhere.

Lost and alone, a group of women found each other and created a community, headed by Simone. Drawing only from personal experiences, they pull each other through life and showcase the gritty determination of love. I believe it is very easy, not only for authors but also the general public, to reduce a woman to motherhood as soon as they have a child. Mottley didn’t. Instead, she made a point of fleshing them out, making them real, and exposing the deepest parts of them. With their distinctive voices and interchanging POVs, the readers get an excellent insight into The Girls and their levels of self awareness. They become a friend to the reader, a companion. You can so easily place yourself into any of their lives. This is a skill crucial for a book of this nature as it humanises teen/young mothers in a way I haven’t seen before.

My favourite character, by far, was Simone. To me, she encapsulated the power of a woman. A compassionate and nurturing nature guarded by strength and a willingness to do anything for those she loved. She wasn’t a stereotype nor was she a half-hearted ‘girlboss’. She was entirely herself, shielded from all but the reader.

The writing was so raw, emotional and full of a rich sense of self. No description was too ‘on the nose’. Instead, it was imaginative and playful while also carrying the seriousness of the situations The Girls found themselves in. Nothing was trivialised or romanticised, it was a harsh, honest, and confronting read but one that was a real eye opener. Especially for those brought up to judge teen mothers or those who are poor.

While the plot initially seemed directionless, it was full of colour and twists. There was a slow burning of tension and a believability to the scenes that was just so compelling. It immediately draws you in. There was an excellent balance between tense, dramatic scenes and calm ones. With consistent underlying emotional weight, it is a heavy book to read but not one that would bore easily.

The only criticism I can note would be some unexpected darker scenes. They seemed to come without warning and it was quite a shock. There were some instances, mainly in Emory’s life, where things were mentioned but not really followed-up on. If I had to ask anything more of this book, it would be to dig deeper into the psychological repercussions of those experiences.

Overall, ‘The Girls Who Grew Big’ is destined for success. Leila Mottley’s writing is profoundly beautiful and I would give anything to read this book for the first time again. If you are looking for a book that will showcase the raw reality of womanhood, this is for you. Just be warned, there are a few harsher scenes that may cause distress so proceed with mild caution!

A gritty look at the lives of 3 teenage mothers set in Florida. I liked the relationship between the girls and it was an eye opening read.

Thank you to Leila Mottley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business | Fig Tree, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nightcrawling was one of the favourite reads of 2024, and Leila Mottley has not disappointed with her sophomore novel! Beautifully narrated with fantastic characterisation, each character stood out as an individual with a unique narrative, which is difficult to achieve with a large cast of similar characters. The setting was descriptive and the plot flowed well. Powerful and authentic writing.

"The Girls Who Grew Big," written by Leila Mottley, is a novel set in the fictional location of Padua Beach in the Florida Panhandle. We are introduced to Simone and her group of young women. They are either teenage mothers or expectant teenage mothers who are resolute in their efforts to overcome the rejection from their families by making the most of their circumstances. They are committed to succeeding despite the challenging expectations or disappointment they face from both their families and the community in which they reside.
Leila Mottley presents an insightful novel that deals with the complexities of love, belonging, acceptance, self-discovery, and survival faced by these young women.
The novel begins with compelling imagery of Simone, a teenage mother giving birth to twins in a truck, assisted only by the father of her children. From this moment onward, the reader becomes invested in her struggle.
We also meet, among others, Adela and Emory, who have not fulfilled their families’ expectations of Olympic and academic success, respectively.
Although the novel mainly addresses teenage pregnancies and survival, it is noteworthy for its exploration of responsibility, decision-making, challenges, community strength, empowerment, vulnerability, and numerous other themes.
I recommend this novel for its inspirational message and its portrayal of the sorority's strength.

I don’t know what I was expecting but this book surpassed everything! I fell in love with these young girls. Simone, the senior at 20, Ebony and Adela about 16/17… Simone has twins of about 4 and she helps the other girls using her experience. Her parents want nothing to do with her after she became pregnant and she lives in a truck. The girls support each other through everything that happens to them. It’s easy to judge these girls but they are good mothers in very difficult circumstances. The men in the story are generally useless except Jay who is brother to Simone and father of Ebony’s child Kai.
I learned so much about this community and was horrified how these young girls were treated by their communities and the country. They were, however so resilient.

Right from the start of this story I had a picture in my head of a character from Gone With The Wind. A young black girl who talks all the time about what is going on around her that she doesn’t understand. The voice was the same and as I kept reading it began to irritate me. The story is set in Florida and it took me a while to realise that it was set in the present day not in the early 20th century. I think I am the wrong target reader for this book ( 70 year old Scottish lady!) .
I didn’t finish it. Perhaps a younger reader would enjoy it.

'This is how all family's created. Confession. A yearning to release. Somewhere to place your shame and have it wrapped up, coddled and cradled like an infant who doesn't have the words yet to explain all the ways the world haunts them'.

An incredible read by Leila Mottley, centering on motherhood, the power of creating your own community and the strength of young women. We follow the views of three young mothers; Simone, Emory and Adela. I loved how the writer celebrated their individual journeys instead of demonising them. They are all flawed, but they are also brave, kind, and doing everything they can to learn how to be the best for their children.

The language is beautiful and the main characters felt completely tangible to me.

A definite five stars.

A gritty novel exploring themes of friendship, motherhood, survival and acceptance. I enjoyed reading the girls stories, but did find some parts to be drawn out and failing to engage. A good and interesting read but would have preferred a tighter editing. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

Despite her debut Nightcrawling earning so much critical acclaim, this is my first Leila Mottley novel — and it surely won't be my last. I really enjoyed The Girls Who Grew Big, a gritty yet beautiful novel about teenage mothers in Padua Beach, a small, impoverished Florida town.

The novel follows three characters: Simone, Emory, and Adela. Simone, the leader of The Girls, is a single mom with toddler twins. Emory is a recent mother to a newborn and she is determined to finish high school and attend a top-tier college. Pregnant Adela has been sent away by her mortified parents to have her baby quietly. Their lives become entangled in various ways, and each girl has her own strong, unique voice.

The first thing I loved about this book is how Mottley expertly transports the reader to Padua Beach. Everything jumps off the page — from the sandy beaches and swimming pools to the McDonald's that Adela’s grandmother adores. I could picture it all perfectly, from the torrential hurricanes to the gritty birth scenes. Mottley has a gift for realism, even when her prose is sophisticated, flowery, and metaphorical.

That brings us to Mottley’s writing. There is no doubt about it; she is a talented storyteller with a knack for symbolism. Most of the time, I adored her prose. However, my one complaint is that, occasionally, her characters go off on long spoken monologues that feel unnatural compared to their usual conversations.

Finally, I loved that this novel is unafraid to portray heartbreaking moments while ultimately being about resilience, hope, and girlhood. From girls kicked out of their homes to awful experiences at conservative, fear-mongering abortion clinics, the novel depicts the horrors and isolation of teenage pregnancy. It doesn’t shy away from brutal truths that are very much a part of young mothers' lives. However, it also shows their inner strength and the joy they receive from their children and fellow young mothers. It’s a book about sisterhood and support.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this novel to… anyone. It’s wonderfully done.

*Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC*

Beautiful and heartbreaking all at once, this book showcases the remarkable truths of being a girl, a woman, a mother. The writing was beyond gorgeous and full of gut punching lines and prose that had me tearing up. I loved all the girls, but Simone especially carved her way into my heart. Her love and determination for her twins was awe inspiring, I was rooting for her and my heart was in my throat at certain points during this book.

If you’re looking for a book that feels like Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car, with the tenderness of sweet honey, and characters that ache and bleed and make you feel alive, I highly recommend this one. Moving and deeply emotional. I will be reading everything Mottley writes from now on.

Well, I must admit that a book about a group of teenage moms from Florida wasn't something I expected to be reading, however Mottley's reputation meant I cautiously gave this one a try. The opening pages call out preconceptions of the characters. It sets a marker in the sand not to come in with too many assumptions, and in fairness it made me put aside my hesitation over the subject too. It was less a rallying cry for the underdogs and more a rally cry of "We're not the underdogs!". I felt more engaged than I expected and joined the charge into the story that followed.

Now, this is more of a character driven story than it is plot driven. Simone, Emory and Adela take turns telling us how the time passes. Pregnancies, child raising, schooling, and romances make up the bulk of their lives with a few small diversions and flourishes. The first half of the book flew by. The characters came to life, they became real and familiar with great ease. I was hooked. The second half slowed down bit. The introductions over, time passed a little more slowly. Or rapidly I guess, since it would be easy to jump weeks at a time to get to the next event. Our characters still grew and developed, but it was less energised. Mostly building on the patterns and plots from earlier.

The conclusion threw another surprise my way though. Whilst I'd enjoyed the story so far it had felt more like a profile piece than anything else. The conclusion put everything into context though. It wasn't just a story about birth it was a story about rebirth too. The early cry for acceptance wasn't just not to judge others, it was also about self-acceptance and not letting ourselves be railroaded into what others, and ourselves, assume should be be how our life plays out. This is a story about how none of our stories are written yet. How we can turn a page and start a new chapter of our life.

Such deep messaging has more impact after all that work building up the characters beforehand. Whilst the book had a lot of positivity it still felt somewhat bleak until those final pages. There were highs and lows but it all still felt like it was about surviving. Which is why the twist towards people thriving felt so powerful. Whether it was a life changing or a life staying much the same, it felt like everyone was ready to start living.

I came into this book expecting to be impressed at the writing. What I didn't expect was to get so drawn in and enjoy it so much.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this title. It’s not my usual genre or subject but it sounded interesting. It’s the story of three young women, Simone, Emory and Adela, all unmarried and pregnant and each repressing a theme that’s explored in some detail, be it racism, sexism and all woven around a rather broken health care system and society.
The girls have very different backgrounds but share the common bond of imminent motherhood and their uncertain futures. I wanted to warm to them and lime them, but found it difficult as they seem rather shallow and two dimensional. Rather than being ‘real’ people they’re names to explore issues. Some of it works and some of it doesn’t and overall I found it rather disappointing. It’s certainly an eye opener in terms of expectations about social and health care in the USA and a couple of scenes were heartbreaking. Im torn between a 3 and a four and on this occasion, although it’s really well written, because it failed to engage me fully, I’m opting for 3*. Maybe just not my type of book.

Adela has a bright future ahead of her: first qualifying for the national swim team and then the Olympics. So why did she throw herself away at this one non-swimmers party? She's pregnant and her parents won't have any of it. They immediately send her to some godforgotten beach town in Florida, to have the child (abortion is out of the question to them) give it up for adoption and return to life as was.

In that little part of Florida there's more than one teenage mum, Emory who dreams of going to university and shows up at school with her newborn strapped to her chest, and Simone, the eldest, her twins are four already.
Seen through their eyes the story unfolds. They have lots in common and little safety net. Society is quick to judge and slow to help.

I struggled the first few chapters with remembering who-was-who, and found the voices of the three main characters not that different. Quite early on there's foreshadowing happening that irked me: I know there's a bunch of Girls, and we know ONE of them is new and we know we're reading a novel so we know SOMETHING is bound to happen, just get on with the story thank you very much.

Slowly I was feeling all the feels though. Ranging from "goodness, this book is the best contraceptive one can get", to "crikey, the US of A does have a severely broken healthcare system" (of in short: "this feels so unfair") to "wait, are we anti-abortion, or anti-teenage mum, or what are we to rally against...?" to "yes, yes, this is how it feels" and in between a lot of annoyance (one of the characters, not spoiling, is annoyingly self centred - to the point where I started doubting the author, but no - this was intentional) and... well, just this one paragraph shows that you're in for a ride and i was bouncing left and right and at some point was to invested I forgot my criticism.

Turns out it's not "meant" to be anti-anything. It's a pretty accurate story of how a certain society functions, or not functions and how girls are trying to cope with this human thing called love, and the consequences of human life, called babies.
It's brutal, it's sad, it's beautiful, it's hopeful, and it makes for a good read.

I received a copy from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.

‘I’ll put it this way: teen moms, like Florida, are the country’s favorite scapegoat.’

Ms Mottley’s insights into the lives and issues of disadvantaged youth in her debut novel ‘Nightcrawling’ had me keen to see how she would address the lives of teenaged mothers in ‘The Girls Who Grew Big.’

Adela Woods, a talented athlete, lived with her parents quite comfortably in Indiana. Until, aged sixteen, she became pregnant. Adela was then sent to live with her grandmother in Padua Beach, Florida. The plan was that Adela would give birth, give the child up for adoption, and then return home. Once in Padua Beach, Adela meets Emory. Emory, the mother of a newborn, is determined to graduate from high school. And there is Simone, mother of four-year-old twins, Luck and Lion. When Simone finds herself pregnant again, she has a difficult choice to make.

Adela and Emory are part of a small group of young mothers who congregate around Simone’s red truck. Simone’s truck is part home, part drop-in centre, part childcare and advice. And yes, it is a difficult journey. These young mothers are still essentially children themselves, grappling with parenthood, relationships and finding their place in the world.

Adela, Simone and Emory are the main characters, and it is their choices and lives that shape the story.

‘Motherhood makes you lonely, but more than that, having everyone turn away from you in the moment you need them most is a betrayal that lingers like a chipped tooth, for you to drag your tongue over and remember all that was lost and wouldn’t return.’

As I read, I thought about choices and consequences. About life as a teenager trying to find a place in the world, and about the judgments that others make. There are no easy answers, and I struggled at times with the choices Adela, Simone and Emory made. But overall, I admired their determination.

Another thought-provoking novel from Ms Mottley. I’ll be looking for more.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

This is a poignant exploration of "teen moms", resilience, and the complexities of navigating life when your 'accents slung themselves into the room 'fore [you] even made it through the door'. The multiperspective narrative resonates deeply with themes found in the documentary *The Florida Project*, which similarly depicts the lives of girls living on the fringes of society. Mottley’s girls, like those in *The Florida Project*, embody a spirit of hope and determination, even as they confront daunting obstacles – including biting through an umbilical cord in the absence of a knife! Mottley’s ability to evoke empathy and understanding for her characters made this book a compelling read for me, and the vivid imagery and emotional depth prompted me to reflect on the broader societal implications of their experiences and the strength found in community.