Grown

***Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Drug Use***

By: Tiffany D. Jackson

5/5 🎤

I want to preface this entire review with the dedication Tiffany D. Jackson so craftily added to the beginning: "To the victims, to the survivors, to the bravehearted, to the girls who grew up too fast... we believe you." This dedication tells you everything you need to know about how wonderfully written and skillfully crafted Grown will be.

Enchanted Jones (mostly called Chanty) wants to be a singer more than anything. She knows she has the voice, and she's finally gotten over the stage fright. Her best friend, Gab - short for Gabriela - tells her about a local audition for a new singing show. Chanty can feel her opportunity slipping away as she realizes there's no way her hardworking parents would allow her to go to the audition. They simply want her to be a kid... she's only seventeen, after all. But Chanty thinks she's grown.. she'll be 18 in a few months, so her parents should just support her dream to sing!

With a skillfully crafted lie, Chanty is able to snag an audition. It's here that she meets 28-year-old superstar Korey Fields. While Chanty is denied access to the second round of the competition, Korey seems smitten. He gives her his number and things progress from there. What follows is a series of events that make Chanty feel more grown than perhaps she's ready to be. But what happens when no one believes her and a life is lost? Can you be un-grown?

If you loved Monday's Not Coming, you'll be pleased with Tiffany D. Jackson's new book! It has the same short chapters, transitions between past and present, and quick-paced storyline. However, I enjoyed Grown a touch more because it was less of psychological mindf***. I also read and interview with Jackson before reading this book. Knowing her 15-year-old self dated a 22-year-old shed a new light on this book. It felt authentic and almost therapeutic. Like Jackson was letting her readers know they aren't alone and that there is a way to heal.

In her Author's Note, Jackson does say that this book is not about R. Kelly, but he is who was on my mind the entire read. I'd say it was probably inspired by both his disgusting and disturbing case, and Jackson's own experience. While the book itself is difficult to read, in a way it's not. As I said, it truly almost feels therapeutic... at least someone's voice is being heard and attention is being brought to a problem.

The last 100 pages is what truly ramped this book up to a 5-star review for me. I was questioning Chanty's sanity, I was questioning my own sanity, I was questioning LaToya's sanity, I was even questioning Terry. I could NOT put my book down! I literally carried it to the bathroom when I couldn't hold my pee any longer... that's how enthralled I was! At points, I was questioning whether a murder truly happened or not. If the entire book even happened, or if Chanty was still somewhere else... It was a wild ride to say the least!

I know this book will be difficult for many to read, but if you are able to stomach it and not damage your mental health in the process, I HIGHLY recommend this book!