Grown

 

Author: Tiffany D. Jackson

Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Publisher: Harper Audio

Release date: 9/15/20

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author Tiffany D. Jackson doesn’t shy away from the hard issues. Her two previous books, Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming, punch you in the heart. Jackson doesn’t let up on the intensity in her soon to be released book Grown. Jackson explores a predator manipulating his victim, child kidnapping, sexual abuse. 

All seventeen year old Enchanted Jones wants to do is sing. When she meets superstar Korey Jones, she believes all her dreams will come true. Instead, her dreams turn into a nightmare. 

Korey is eleven years older than Enchanted and offers to be her mentor. Enchanted doesn’t know Korey has a thing for young girls. He promises her love and a record album but only delivers lies, isolation, and mental, physical and sexual abuse. 

When Korey is murdered, Enchanted is the main suspect but she knows she didn’t do it. She must find out the truth and learn to heal. 

This is a chilling story of a predator who manipulates his victim and how those around him enable him. It also explores how society treats the victims and blames the victims. 

Jackson’s writing is crisp and she keeps the story moving. The audiobook narration by Joniece Abbott-Pratt is excellent. She makes it easy to distinguish each character. She strikes the right tone for Enchanted, a girl on the verge of being a grown up and yet still a kid. 

It’s a chilling and heartbreaking book. This is a book that I want to give to every teenage girl or young woman I know. I want them to read it and learn.

Grown publishes on 9/15. Definitely put this on the top of your TBR pile. 

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins and HarperAudio for the review copy.