Grown

Grown 

by Tiffany D. Jackson

Synopsis - When legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields?

Before there was a dead body, Enchanted’s dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey’s charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he’s dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted.

 

Book Review - Enchanted Jones-sister, daughter, babysitter, aspiring singer, athlete, naive teen, captive.

She wore many hats. However, thanks to a chance meeting at an open audition, she meets R&B King, Korey Fields. Fields is immediately taken with her from the first note she sings and makes it his mission to take her under his wing.  After much grooming, Fields is able to convince her parents to give permission for Enchanted to accompany him on tour and that's when Enchanted is held captive by more than just his smooth words.  

The author provides a warning that this story while fiction borrows heavily from the R. Kelly scandal. Borrowed heavily, in this case, meant penning a story from one of the teen girls from their perspective in a very real situation right down to urinating in a bucket, anxiety, familial separation, hunting outside of high schools. Unfortunately, this meant knowing what was to come for our young heroine and being equally as frustrated with adults and her naivete at 17. The one difference was the murder. I wanted to know who the second perpetrator was as one was easily ferreted out early on. 

All that being said, this story has the power to start conversations with our young people. Reading this book with your young people could open a dialogue about the red flags to look for when a predator sets about grooming them. It could highlight the unfortunate practice of victim-blaming. There is no doubt that this story a fictional account of a real-life event - i.e. Law  & Order style- is one that is informative and educational. 

As to audio production, it was well done. The narrator was perfectly suited to bring Enchanted's story to life.  You can click below to get your Audible copy.