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Cover of Grown

Grown

400 pages

A claustrophobic, ripped-from-the-headlines thriller that traps you in the glittering, terrifying web of a predatory superstar.

What it feels like

This propulsive, dread-soaked thriller grips you by the throat from the very first page and refuses to let go. Reading it feels like watching a slow-motion car crash; you are trapped in the claustrophobic, glittering web of fame alongside the protagonist, feeling every ounce of her starry-eyed hope curdle into suffocating terror. The prose is sharp and visceral, utilizing a fragmented timeline that masterfully builds psychological tension while exposing the insidious mechanics of grooming and manipulation. It is an unflinching, harrowing experience that demands to be read in a single, breathless sitting. Perfect for readers who gravitate toward dark, ripped-from-the-headlines suspense that tackles the systemic vulnerability of Black girls with fierce empathy and righteous fury.

Mood
  • claustrophobic
  • dread-soaked
  • tense
  • dark
Tone
  • urgent
  • unflinching
  • harrowing
  • empathetic
Pace
propulsive
Themes
grooming and manipulation · the dark side of fame · loss of innocence · systemic failure of Black girls · reclaiming power
The writing
Sharp, visceral, and immediate, using fragmented timelines to build relentless psychological tension.
The arc
Starts with starry-eyed hope that rapidly descends into suffocating terror, culminating in a desperate, hard-won reclamation of self.
Who it's for
Readers who want gripping, ripped-from-the-headlines psychological thrillers that tackle heavy, real-world issues with nuance and fierce empathy.
Content notes
  • grooming
  • emotional abuse
  • physical abuse
  • sexual assault
  • murder
  • manipulation

About the book

"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"--

Description from Open Library.

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