Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

CONTENT WARNING!

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 fan included - has more questions than she does. All she really knows is that this isn't how things are supposed to be. Korey's was Enchanted's ticket to stardom.

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 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 power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he's dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields?

All signs point to Enchanted.'

This is a book which truly makes you feel so many different emotions at once. A mix of anger, fury, confusion, curiosity, sadness and at the same time wanting to avenge. The sad part about all of this is that it is not far from the truth in some aspects. These events, no matter the order or who it might be with, is still taking place today. Maybe even right this minute. It's shocking in so many ways, but it makes it even more important to discuss and implement measures for the safety of our children as well as people within our communities.

I think this is an especially important topic that needs to be raised at this moment in time due to the increase of how we are spending time with the same people at home. It is not just about the power dynamic of Enchanted being a seventeen year old girl and Korey a twenty-eight year old man. It's the abuse of their 'relationship' with the gaslighting, physical and mental abuse, as well as the stalking. This is a piece that we could all be taking a lesson from. Especially when we as the human race give so much power to certain people that they then use to abuse and convince most people that it wasn't their fault.

Based on the topics that have been inspired by this book and the importance of the #Metoo movement I think that this is definitely a book that should be shared with all young people, or discussed in book clubs. We need to shout this problems louder to all the people that are not listening. I cannot emphasise this problem enough. If I could I would give a copy to all of the people around me just so they could see what I can now see. That what is at risk is not only young girls and boys, but all of the black girls and boys that no one seems to believe, which breaks my heart in two.

If you haven't read this book yet, please do. Please do for the sake of yourself, community and the young people who are subjected to this type of behaviour. We need more kindness and empathy in the world to help when you can see someone might in a situation such as this.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grown-Tiffany-D-Jackson/dp/0062840355/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8Q3UAOJ7WKNC&dchild=1&keywords=grown+tiffany+d.+jackson&qid=1604499072&sprefix=grown+tiff%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/grown/tiffany-d-jackson/9780062840356

WHSmith: https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/grown/tiffany-d-jackson/hardback/9780062840356.html

Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Grown-Tiffany-D-Jackson/9780062840356?ref=grid-view&qid=1604499206302&sr=1-1

Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/grown/9780062840356

Comments

SEPTEMBER TBR!

Another month ended and school is slowly creeping back on us. Well, so much for the holidays! I have to admit that when it comes to this time in the year i get so depressed. Not only the fact of school dawning once again, but the fact there will be no more lie ins! Tough luck! But it is also because i won't have as much time to talk to you guys (mental cry). Meaning being able to keep up to daily reading... Wah wah! So what have I just received in my box of goodies for this month?... Well, it has to be the entire series of Dan Brown 's Robert Langdon, as well as other novels written by him. Including Deception Point and Digital Fortress. Yay! Pages and pages of new books to read!! I must admit that I may have already started Deception Point before letting you guys know what is happening. Total betrayal I know... Yeah, so in effect it is only 5 out of the six books received are actually TBR. But never mind. Seriously, who could pass on an incredible bestseller-...

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

I’ve been following Ashley Poston’s work for a while. At first it was the comic con series back in 2020 when she first became known to me during COVID. After I read the series I forgot about her for a while. It was only when I went into my local Waterstones to pick up The Dead Romantics she came back under my radar. She is now one of my must buys if a new book comes out. Her take of the romantic genre has always been fresh and interesting with some form of magical realism. A Novel Love Story follows our heroine Elsy, otherwise referred to as Eileen. Unlucky in love she struggles to try new things. Instead, she is comforted by her favourite book series by her favourite author, Rachel Flowers. On her way to a cabin retreat by herself, she finds her car broken down in a town that is somewhat familiar to her favourite book series. I’m not going to lie, compared to Poston’s earlier novels this book took some time for me to get into. There have been numerous occasions where I’ve had to...

The Blood Of Olympus: The Heroes Of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Yes. I have finally made it. When receiving the book last year on the day that it was published, I was very excited, not only because it had more about my favourite demigods, but also it was signed by the author himself. But then I thought, do I really want to finish what I started so many years ago? The book universe which literally made me the person I am today - writing to you. That is why it took over a year to gain the courage to tell myself that it is ok to move on. To not be stuck in the past. Cherish the moments that you have now, and see how much of a person you have become in these last few years. So, with my heart in my throat, I have decided to record and review the last Percy Jackson story that we will ever know there to be (except of course for the books which talk about Greek God's and Heroes). Right, just gathering my thoughts to tell you the final chapter. I guess you never know how difficult it is to give up your favourite characters, until the very end, wher...

The Snow Song by Sally Gardner

Synopsis : 'Women imprisoned by superstition, chained by guilt. Perched on a mountain in a land of ancient forests is a village, rife with secrets. Cut off from the outside world it is run by the elders, men to whom tradition is all. Edith lives alone with her alcoholic father who is forcing her to marry the village butcher. But she is in love with a shepherd who promised to return to her. As the village becomes isolated in a sea of snow, Edith loses her power of speech. And it is this enchantment that will have far-reaching consequences, not only for Edith but for the whole village.'

Heiress Apparently (Daughters of the Dynasty) by Diana Ma

SYNOPSIS Gemma Huang is a recent transplant to Los Angeles from Illinois, having abandoned plans for college to pursue a career in acting, much to the dismay of her parents. Now she is living with three roommates in a two-bedroom hovel, auditioning for bit roles that hardly cover rent. Gemma's big break comes when she's asked to play a lead role in an update of M. Butterfly filming for the summer in Beijing. When she arrives, she's stopped by paparazzi at the airport. She quickly realises she may as well be the twin of one of the most notorious young socialites in Beijing. Thus kicks off a summer of revelations, in which Gemma uncovers a legacy her parents have spent their lives protecting her from - one her mother would conceal from her daughter at any cost.