Tiffany D. Jackson

Grown

Lindsay

This book is about the abuse of power. It’s about the pattern of excusing grown men for their behavior while faulting young girls for their missteps.

’s about the blatant criticism of girls who were victims of manipulation. It’s about holding the right person accountable for the crime he committed. It’s about corporations attempting to silence victims and continuing to profit off the very monster they helped create.

About the individuals who were meant to protect and serve never believing victims in their moments of bravery. It’s about girls trying to defend themselves against the world and the possibility of similar situations happening to anyone . . . even to girls from two- parent households.

This book is not about R. Kelly. It’s about adults who know the difference between right and wrong. Because no matter where you stand on the issue . . . he knew better.

Yo, Malcolm X said it best. “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.”

I am a heap of dead leaves, blackened, moist, reeking of mold. Rotting apples, dying grass, early darkness chasing away the sun.

Trying to reclaim your life is a lot like drowning. You attempt to stay above water as waves of new information hit you sideways, carrying you further into the unknown. People throw life preservers, but the ropes can only reach so far, and once a riptide catches you by the ankle, all you can do is wonder why you ever thought you’d be OK jumping into the deep end, when you could barely manage the shallows.

Bria

I don't think I'm a fan of Jackson's writing. It feels so.....middle schooler's first Wattpad book to me.

Sarah Sammis

The book is a heart stopping page turner. It's an excellent but depressing and rage inducing checklist for how abusers charm their prey and then keep them under control.

The most important takeaway from this novel is that teenagers under eighteen are children. It doesn't matter how developed they look or how much make up or fancy clothing they wear. They are children.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comm...

Michaela Hudson

Robi Carballo

This book tackles serious issues. I love the way it was written going back and forth from then and now without any confusion! This is a great eye-opener to everyone.

Jule

Alexa M

4.5*
i read this book in one sitting. so gripping and powerful, yet so hard to read at times. everyone pick this up!! love Tiffany D. Jackson

Joycelyn Ghansah

"Blooming and Growing" I got 90. The way we just watch her grow from someone so innocent to still a child who is being manipulated, cheated, and used. And now a child still, being free. I thought that was heartbreakingly beautiful. Everything she went through is so raw and sad, but here she is, trying to make it.

Davina 

An instant New York Times bestseller! "Grown exposes the underbelly of a tough conversation, providing a searing examination of misogynoir, rape culture, and the vulnerability of young black girls. Groundbreaking, heart-wrenching, and essential reading for all in the #MeToo era." --Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman's voice. When legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields? Before there was a dead body, Enchanted's dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey's charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he's dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted. "Never have I read a story that so flawlessly hits the highest high and lowest low notes of Black girlhood in pursuit of the American Dream." --Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Jackpot

Rachel Evans

(4.25/5) Audiobook - 4 hours 9 minutes - This book was very well written, and provided a very good insight into the world of fame and power and abuse, as well as touching on systematic racism. The pacing sometimes felt a little off - at times things moved too quickly and at times things moved too slow, but aside from this, the writing style was very good.

Spencer McWilliams

YA is not really my style, but I ended up finishing this book in 1 day because I had no self control and was hooked. I really enjoyed the story and the important message that it conveys, but there were some parts of it that I felt were unnecessary (ex. Gab). Overall, the book was amazing yet devastating.

Isabela H 

Don't get me wrong, I understood what this book was trying to accomplish. Unfortunately, I think that it was nowhere as good as it could've been. There were some really cute moments, some nice aha! moments, but on the whole, the narrative just felt flat and not engaging at all

4 stars - The only thing I coud think about is R. Kelly, despite the author putting in her author's note that the book is not about him. Honestly, the story is sad but true... Grown ass disgusting men preying on underaged girls in the music industry. And even outside of that. It's a fast read so you'll be done in no time

Joy KBA

Ella Evans

Fist off, just like the book im adding a CW for everything the book held which is sexual abuse, rape, assault, child abuse, kidnapping and addiction to opioids.

first off, as a younger person reading this book I was very glad that they included a CW at the very beginning. I definitely wasn't expecting the level of intense the book got and if you are to read this id read with caution as I felt pretty sick just reading it. besides the bad parts, this book was beautifly wrote. I think it portrayed the events of what can happen to someone perfectly. how one thing could easily lead to another and cause all the of these events. how any and all adults in her life weren't listening to her and letting her leave. I think it also did an amazing job bringing up the mention how the court is still embedded with racism. It also did an amazing job of showing that its hard to speak up against someone who has hurt you that bad, especially with all the people who wont believe you and even more if the person is a celebrity or has any bit of public recognition. I think it was what everyone who read it needed to hear and reminded me of the things I wouldn't normally think about, and the injustice of the world we don't always notice. As long as ou feel ready enough to read the book I recommend it entirely.

Livia

Clara Moore

Difficult subject matter but such a well written story.

Cat H

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. The grooming, lies (a.k.a. promises made), drugging, mental abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse is so well depicted that it's scary. There are chapters that bounce in-between Enchanted's perspective of spectators who all feel free to make comments and judge the events as the situations between her and Corey become public. There is also the abuse laid out from those who work with and for Corey, as well as, the mind games police play in order to protect a celebrity. 

The later half of the book brings up mental illness and begins to play with the unreliable narrator trope which I was skeptical about because I didn't know if there would be enough time to neatly wrap it up and explain some important details. But it does. My only gripe is that the ending does feel rushed and I wish we got more of a resolution. Especially in regard to Enchanted's family. Tiffany D. Jackson played with my mind and my emotions. There are so many heartbreaking moments that made me tear up. This is a gripping, important story to read that reflects a modern dilemma despite progress made with the Me Too Movement. 

TW: sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, grooming, predatory behavior, blood

Nicki

This book is about the abuse of power. It's about the pattern of excusing grown men for their behavior while faulting young girls for their missteps.  

If there's one thing a Tiffany Jackson book is gonna, it's gonna make me feel things. She really never EVER misses. I was so grossed out by every aspect of this book and I couldn't stop reading. Somethings were just a little too close to home as a Black woman. We really need to do better as a society when it comes to holding abusers accountable.

Sarah S

intense, gripping, thought provoking, heartbreaking, and intensely realistic story. 

The story starts with A young girl, Enchanted Jones, waking up with her vision blurry and a painful headache. The room covered in beet juice, no not beet juice, BLOOD. Lying next to a pool of beet juice is Korey, he's not moving; not breathing. Enchanted is startled by someone banging on the door.. "Police! Open Up!". 

The shocking twists in this book grips you. And for us millennials, will throw you right back into the R. Kelly cases, Although the author calls upon her own history and notes the story is not necessarily about him, but of the many, many people in this world that enables people just like him. 

This is going to be my new go to YA contemporary fiction recommendations. 
4.5 /5

An instant New York Times bestseller! “Grown exposes the underbelly of a tough conversation, providing a searing examination of misogynoir, rape culture, and the vulnerability of young black girls. Groundbreaking, heart-wrenching, and essential reading for all in the #MeToo era.” —Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman’s voice. When legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields? Before there was a dead body, Enchanted’s dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey’s charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he’s dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted. “Never have I read a story that so flawlessly hits the highest high and lowest low notes of Black girlhood in pursuit of the American Dream.” —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Jackpot

Maxie Froelicher

This book hits hard and does what it sets out to do, highlighting a place where our society falls short. I will have to agree with some of the other reviews on here, the ending kind of took a turn and felt a little rushed, and the Gabby part was not my favourite. It felt weird to me that suddenly her and her grandma’s mental health was brought up to such a degree by the other characters (the officers I understood, but her sister and parents and friends?)

Other than that though, it was hard to read because of how raw it is, how real it feels because I know that all of those things Korey did are things that happen daily in abusive relationships, wether they’re with celebrities or not.

Elena

5/5 stars

This book was so gross in a good way you could just feel Enchanted's emotions the whole book. I was so grossed out by the age gap but it was written so well. I am not black but this put me in the position of exactly how it felt to a black woman and how angry and frustrating it is because of racial discrimination a lot of people never take them seriously and I think this portrayed it really well because no matter how many women came up and talked about how Korey raped them no police authority would take them seriously because they are black and it is heartbreaking to see how bad it is. I also love that there were good chapter cliffhangers so you just wanted to keep on reading and reading forever because the chapters were short and fast-paced. If I was not busy and had a life I definitely would have read this in one day.

Ivayla Stefanova

TW: sexual/physical assault, r*pe, drugs and alcohol
I didn't know what to expect diving into the story. It was confusing, compelling, and so heartwrenching I was on the verge of tears. The descriptions were detailed enough, but not to the point it makes you want to vomit.
I wanted more from Enchanted's inner monologue. Also, the ending was a little bit rushed and chaotic.
Overall, I recommend this book to all of you - whether you want to support black creators, read about the topic or simply "enjoy" a YA mystery.

Sam Pulliam

Enchanted Jones wakes up surrounded by blood. Or is it beet juice? No, it’s blood and she has no memory of what happened. Rewind and Enchanted just wants to be a singer. When famous musician, Korey Fields promises to jump start her music career, Enchanted is excited. The more time seventeen-year-old Enchanted spends with twenty-nine-year-old Korey, the more she uncovers the type of person he really is.
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After reading Monday’s Not Coming last year, I’d been anticipating getting Grown from my library for months. As soon as I got it, I started reading it and before I knew it, I was halfway done. I took a break to eat dinner and then immediately went back to finish it. I don’t read books in one day but this one was so readable and I just had to know what was going to happen next. The pacing is phenomenal and keeps you turning the pages. This book, of course, deals with some difficult topics such as grooming, abuse, and stalking. It also has a lot to say about the way society doesn’t believe black women, especially in these situations. Enchanted is such an interesting and well-written character. She goes from wanting to live out her dreams to needing to protect herself and her family. The stakes are high the entire book and if you like hard-hitting contemporary, I recommend picking this up.
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TW from BookTriggerWarnings(dot)com:
Mentions of sexual abuse
Rape
Assault
Child abuse
Kidnapping
Addiction to opioids

Lisa W.

Lord up above!! 
There's no way to read this and not feel...There's no universal feeling, it's just feeling your feelings. 
I went through almost every emotion on the spectrum excluding happiness, I will say there is no sense of happiness. Relief but no happiness. 

This was my first thriller/suspense book and at the time I never considered how this book would be classified but as I read the twists and turns of the events... I soon realized the anxiety I felt while reading this was that of a thriller. Note: this book has very triggering topics and is not for the light of heart. This book provided a glimpse into what we believe it was like for the victims of R.Kelly, the friends and the family members of the victims and everyone that was a part of problem. Tiffany did an exceptional job of capturing view points and weaving them into the storyline. 

Instead of writing on the storyline and the characters, because honestly I could almost write a fully dissertation on it.... I will say this book touches on a number of topics outside of the obvious. Religion being used as a form of manipulation, the value (or lack thereof) of black women in society, agenda and interactions with cops, and so much more. 

Would highly recommend!

Grown

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