Do you love powerful stories featuring characters who lose their way and then fight their way back to the people who love and value them? Me too. I thought this book was great and am here to tell you Why You Need to Read Grown.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson. Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 15, 2020. Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Synopsis: Korey Fields is dead. When Enchanted Jones wakes with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night, no one—the police and Korey’s fans included—has more questions than she does. Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was an aspiring singer, struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight. Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields? All signs point to Enchanted.
Why You Need to Read Grown
Grown is one of a several books I read this year about abusive relationships (the others included The Comeback and My Dark Vanessa.)
But Grown is the book that gripped me the most, the one I won’t stop thinking about.
From Grown’s synopsis I was expecting a murder mystery, but it’s really not. It’s a story of an abusive relationship. It’s a story about a girl who falls prey to a charming and powerful man. It’s a story about how young Black women with talent and big dreams feel exhausted by a world that constantly “others” and devalues them.
Tiffany Jackson uses a fairy tale (the Little Mermaid, specifically) as a thematic framework for her story. I really loved this choice. Fairy tales are deeply internalized by many of us. They’re the underpinning for romance novels, and create many of our expectations when it comes to love and relationships. But just as fairy tales have princesses and magic, they also feature monsters and villains. Love requires trust and sometimes we trust the wrong people.
Enchanted (love the thematic fairy tale name!) is a talented singer. She’s a Black teen who attends a predominately white high school and is constantly told that her hair and her curves are “distracting.” Enchanted has a wonderful family who loves her, but when a famous singer offers to mentor her, she begs them to let her take the opportunity. I’ve seen reviewers criticize her family, but as a mom I can attest that it’s really hard to say no to your children and their dreams.
First we watch Korey build Enchanted up, then we watch him break her down. Watching her get drawn deeper and deeper into a bad relationship was hard, but in the end, this book was focused on Enchanted’s strength and resilience. Yes, you will find out who killed Korey, but this isn’t his story, it belongs to Enchanted.
Just a heads up that does contain scenes of an emotionally and physically abusive relationship.
I highly recommend Grown! Definitely add it to your to-read list. If you’ve read it, let me know what you thought in comments!
This was my first 5-star review and I agree, I loved all the themes. Enchanted being too small for her aquarium, losing her voice, all of it.
I love themes and when they are well done like this one they really work for me!
I’ve had my eye on Grown but so good to hear positive reviews about it, makes me want to read it more!
I am looking forward to reading this one. I have enjoyed the other Jackson books I have read. She has quite a knack for leaving an impression
I read Allegedly and Let Me Hear a Rhyme and I need to get to Monday’s Not Coming. So far Grown is my favorite!
Hi Jen – you asked for comments on your new email format & it is definitely lovely! how did you do it? do you have an email handling/popup company you recomment?
also, do you ever review adult literary books?
love anything to do with books. Would you be so kind as to guest blog post for my site? if you’re so inclined, here’s a link to general guidelines: https://wp.me/p6OZAy-1eQ
Hi – sorry for the slow reply. Have been dealing with some tough family stuff over the past week. On the recommendation of another blogger, I am trying MailerLite and so far I really like it! I do not have time for a guest post at the moment (I can barely manage this blog until the family stuff gets sorted) but I’ll come check out your website!
recommend I meant lol
These stories are so incredibly important aren’t they, not only as representation but how young women and often young women from diverse cultural backgrounds are treated as less then. This will be my first Tiffany D. Jackson read and Can’t wait to grab a copy. Brilliant review!
Oh, I can’t wait to see what you think!
This sounds very well done and an important read. Abusive relationships can be tough to read about but I think it’s good that books draw attention to them as well. Great review.
It was a tough read but ultimately a hopeful one that centered the strength of the main character rather than the abuser.
I have seen this book around with its marvellous cover and I just know I have to read it after reading this review with all the reasons why. It sounds amazing and like she really digs into those themes.
I’ve been really curious about this book, and I’m excited to hear you loved it!
I really did!