Reviews with content warning for Violence - Grown

********** I don’t consider these spoilers, but you may *********

This may be an extreme and even glamour filled version of a reality that happens everyday to millions of women, especially BIPoC women and young women. Millions of us have been/are being assaulted (myself included), and probably just as many or more of us are beaten and brutalized and victimized and gaslighted by men, especially men with power, money, and influence. It doesn’t even have to be a lot of any of the three - so long as it’s just a little more than what we have. This story is my story. It’s an exaggerated version, but it happened to me under different circumstances. I also suspect the entertainment industry is probably as toxic as written. Bravo to Tiffany Jackson for writing with courage and gentleness and for killing off a character who should’ve been raised differently and could’ve brought so much beauty into the world if he had.

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ketateza's review

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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ardenfairie1's review

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emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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mathenam's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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gen_wolfhailstorm's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Blended reading with this title!

The Details:
Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Unabridged

This was heartbreaking. I had to slow down half way through and read a little at a time because it was so upsetting.

The suddenness of how quickly Enchanted was able to go on tour with Korey and how quickly she began to see the cracks in the supposed fairytale was devastating.

This was such a genuinely difficult read, especially knowing how much this happens in the mudlsic industry and how compliant those within it are. Its either they ignore it or are blatantly actively taken advantage of these young people that are supposedly under their wing.

The power dynamic between Korey and Enchanted was messed up from the start, but I find it hard to feel some sort of way about the parents as I feel like they were blindsided just by allowing their daughter to follow her dreams... it just so happened those dreams were within the power of a cruel, predatory man.

The scenes with Enchanted at the mansion were really difficult to read and when she began to doubt her sanity I just near enough broke down because how many times is a young Black girl going to be told she's crazy for speaking up. Simultaneously I was second guessing her reality too, feeling guilty for it, be because of what she was being subject to, what she was being fed (literally and metaphorically).

Tiffany D. Jackson portrayed a dark and deeply upsetting narrative, giving voice to the many young women who have lived this, trusting in the goodness of people and their love, in the act of chasing their dreams. This was a sad perspective, but one I'm glad I have finally read.

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sarahbethhh's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

a difficult but important read. the framing was interesting, the subject matter devastating, but i felt the narrative itself could use more work.

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tmcphetridge4's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

My first Tiffany Jackson book, I listened to it in one sitting while I made cupcakes for several hours. I... did not like this book. But I want to make it clear that this is NOT my chosen genre of book (I have to read this book for a course I am helping to teach). I found myself cringing all throughout the first half of the book. I know that is the point (to depict a toxic relationship), but I just... wouldn't choose to read this book. Aside from the very clear toxic elements of the book, I thought the "plot twist" at the end was cheap. I am not a big fan of books that "twist" the ending and make you question everything about what you just read. I saw the twist coming, but I also think that it wasn't necessary.

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ksuazo94's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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