There’s something about the way Leila writes that just works for me. The sentences move along so beautifully and keep me wanting more, without in any way being overly complicated or flowery. I see the place and the people she has built up so clearly and I’m interested in each and every one and them all as a group as well. I really enjoyed her first book, and this one I think even more so.

The Girls Who Grew Big is about a small group of young women who have all got babies. Into their close-knit group comes Adela, a rich girl who has been sent to Padua, Florida, by her parents to have the child she's carrying, get it adopted, then return to get on with her life.

The girls all have different stories as to how they ended up as outcasts but and as the story develops the three narrators - Simone, Emory and Adela - all undergo transformative experiences.

At first I was happy to decry these "children" for being so irresponsible but as the story continues I became far more sympathetic to their stories until I'd have happily cheered for all of them. The descriptions of their trials are extremely well drawn and the characters are all very likeable.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story of adversity and girl power. A very human story about family, understanding and motherhood.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the advance review copy.

Leila Mottley has done it again! Within her sophomore novel, Leila turns her attention to the often overlooked stories of teenage mothers, delivering a heartfelt and uncompromising exploration of identity, rebellion, and chosen family.

The prose pulses with movement and emotion, capturing the humid intensity of Florida, the shifting tides of female friendship, and the visceral power of a mother’s love. These girls are not just surviving, they are living, choosing, and daring to grow big in every way that matters. The narrative is lyrical without sacrificing clarity. Mottley’s signature prose is almost cinematic, with every detail lush and atmospheric. There is a dreamy rawness to it all, which makes the stakes feel even more immediate.

This novel is a reclamation. It challenges the notion that teenage motherhood must be a tragedy. Instead, Mottley honours its contradictions: its exhaustion and exhilaration, its sweetness and sorrow. The emotional arc between Adela, Emory, and Simone is raw and unpredictable, moving toward both tenderness and rupture, all the while grounded in an unflinching truth.

This is a book about friendship, rebellion, messy motherhood, and what it means to build a village when no one offers you one. I devoured this one, it is a story that will stay with me, and I will absolutely buy anything Leila writes in the future. All the stars!

Thank you so much to @leilamottley @netgalley and @penguinukbooks for sending me a digital copy to review 🙏🏻

Leila Mottley has written a warm, affectionate book about girls who become pregnant earlier than society or even they would have liked. She lays bare the reality of this time for a group of girls living in Padua Beach, Florida, a place described as forgotten by most other people.

Although we see the shame that they feel, the horror in those around the girls when they become pregnant, the reader is given an insight into 3 girl's minds as they grapple with motherhood, pregnancy and birth. We are asked to have empathy and respect for those girls in Padua Beach, but also those around us in our life too. We see that there should be no shame attached to the experience, but in the novel, the girls need to find each other to begin shaking thay off. Their found family provide support when those around them didn't find in it their heart to provide that care.

The book also explores race within their experiences, we see the impact of racism on the black characters and the main white character in the book; she suffers because she has a mixed race baby and her family can't see past it. The concept of freedom is important to these girls in the context of historical slavery and the yet reamining repercussions.

I think the discourse around motherhood is not only relevant to young mums, but to our idea of motherhood across the board. What should a good mum be doing for her children?

This book was warm, uncomfortable, exploratory, emotional and rage inducing in the best possible way. The characters are both loveable and frustrating, but more importantly written so well that you are completely immersed in the character's experiences. Even when you don't agree with the decisions or actions of one of the girls, you can understand why they are doing what they do.

This is a rich novel filled with diverse characters and a strong sense of place.

This book is an informative commentary on modern America and teenage pregnancies, and poverty. Set in Florida, it narrates the tale of a group of teenagers who have, against the odds, become young mothers and how society views them. The lead characters are strong females and all are well written. Simone is the oldest mother who is the ‘go-to’ for advice. Adele, is sent away from home by her parents to hide her pregnancy. Her parents expect her to return home after giving birth and pretend nothing has happened. Emory is another young mom who decides she wants to return to school (with her newborn baby) but is forced to leave. The powerful instincts of motherhood make this an illuminating read.

I really liked the author's debut novel and this one is even better, you can really see how the author has matured.

This one follows a group of teen mothers (The Girls) who live in a dead-end beach town in Florida. They have all of the usual teen angst - friendships, boys, parent issues, mixed in with bringing up their kids in the right way in a town that thinks they‘ve already failed.

I loved all The Girls and rooted for them all the way.

I was so excited to read this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations, sadly.

The three main characters, Adela, Simone and Emory are all women who become mothers at a young age. They bond because of their shared circumstances but they don't always get on and there is plenty of drama between them. I found myself frustrated with them because they didn't learn from their mistakes or grow as individuals and so the story became repetitive with very little actually happening, other than the girls making the same poor choices and seemingly having very little self respect. With the exception of Jay, all of the male characters were portrayed negatively, which was pretty harsh and certainly not accurate.

I'm an outlier on this one, but this wasn't for me.

2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

The Girls who Grew Big examines an aspect of small town America which many people would rather not consider; teenage pregnancy.
Adela is sent to live with her grandmother in Padua Beach when she finds herself pregnant. She is bright and a champion swimmer - her parents want her to disappear and come back ready to start again the following year.
However, she is quickly drawn into a group of young mothers led by 20 year old Simone, who have been ostracised by their families. Depending on each other, they have learnt how to parent while learning to grow up. Soon Adela realises her choices aren't as cut and dried as she thought.
This is a beautifully written book full of strong and believable characters. Your heart aches for these lovely young women who are having deal with hard life situations far too young. They are brave and loyal yet still so young, a very tough life.

Booker longlisted author Leila Mottley returns with 'The Girls Who Grew Big', a novel set in the fictional town of Padua in Florida. Mottley creates a group of young rebellious women who are seen as outsiders in this small town. These girls deal with teenage pregnancy and encounter a society's disapproval for their predicaments. Mottley shows how sexism, race, and class continue to influence how women (especially Black women) are treated when they go against society's prescribed rules for their behaviour.

Mottley shows the emotional and physical toll that pregnancy takes on the girls' bodies, and how this makes the ostracism even worse. The young women are constantly battling their own bodies and restrictive abortion laws. Mottley does not judge these women; she shows empathy that I wish we saw in real life for women like the characters in this novel. While the novel is set in Florida, there's a worldwide regression in terms of women's rights. Women are currently under attack and they are judged on aspect of their lives.

Mottley can be a bit mawkish at times, but it's easy to overlook that when the point is so strong. I grew to care about the characters and I was angered by how much women have to endure just to exist in the world. It's 2025, but in many countries (especially in the UK and the US), it feels like women's rights are being attacked and rolled back. Mottley is an antidote to such hopelessness.

This book tells a rather moving and powerful story of three black teenage girls, who are pregnant, or are already a mother.
The girl’s characters, Adele, Emery and Simone, develop as the story unfolds, they build strong bonds and rely on each other for support, friendship, love and strength. They are courageous against all odds as they navigate the many challenges they face. Simone has young twins already and finds herself pregnant again, Adele has been sent to stay with her grandmother as her parents wish to hide her pregnancy, Emery want to continue her education and is taking her newborn to classes, she is aiming to graduate and go to university.
The story is a little slow at the start, but the author has given each young girl a voice, their friendship isn’t always easy but they figure things out and pull together and fight for a future for themselves and their babies.
I thoroughly enjoyed their story.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Penguin General UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This book and these characters are going to live within my heart for a very long time. The Girls Who Grew Big is a story of motherhood, found family, struggles, lies, betrayal, and everything in between. I don’t think there was one chapter within this story that didn’t pull and my heart strings and make me well up.

The story is told from the perspective of three girls, each who became pregnant at a young age, from different backgrounds, in different circumstances, and with different goals. They highlighted that despite the hardships each girl faced and the abandonment from those supposed to help and protect, you can create your own community, you can strive to complete those goals you have before motherhood, and you can create new dreams for yourself and your family.

Mottley did a create job at creating complex characters you will care deeply about and want nothing more than for them to win. Each one so strong and brave, and will be impossible to forget.

An excellent, raw, heart-wrenching read. I completely absorbed it. The characters were amazing and I felt so captivated by the whole book.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Nightcrawling, so I was highly anticipating the release of Mottley's second book and happily I can confirm it is just as excellent as her debut. I am in awe of the way she writes, with so much heart, vividness and power. I found The Girls Who Grew Big such a raw and completely captivating read and I'm still thinking of these characters now. It is the sort of book that completely pulls you in and doesn't let go - and it takes the reader deep into the heart of this memorable group of young mothers and their experiences in a society that often shuns them. I highly recommend adding this to your summer TBR - you won't regret it.

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

Unflinchingly raw, hard hitting and soul piercing.

Thanks Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business | Fig Tree& NetGalley for the invite to read this ARC!

Synopsis-

Adela Woods has big dreams of winning the Olympics as a swimmer. But pregnant, at 16, she is banished by her well to do parents to the neglected small town of Padua beach, Florida. It’s here that Adela meets Emory, who brings her new born to high school, determined to go to University, Simone, the mother of twin 4 year olds & several other girls, also teen mothers, who live with Simon at the back of her truck. The girls might have wandered off path, but they will find a way to make it in life through friendships, love, womanhood & motherhood.

Review-

Goodness, I am in awe of Leila Mottley's writing. Oh how I appreciate the brevity, maturity & depth she creates through her words. Her prose weilds a certain power & she imbues it into these girls she portrays.

Teenage pregnancies are considered the end of the world for girls. But #TheGirlsWhoGrewBig offers a whole new perspective of how it can only be the beginning. Amidst the judgement, stereotyping, lack of care & women friendly laws, young mothers can defy all odds with sheer grit, determination & love they have for their children.

The plot follows Adela’s entry into Simone’s circle of girls, creating a subtle shift in their dynamics, proving to be just the right kindle that will propel them closer towards their aspirations & futures. Simone’s POV especially had me entranced - it was gut punching at times & incredible to see the lengths this young woman would go to for her kids & how she strives to be the mother they deserve.

The novel explores the girls’ naiveties, fantasies, infatuations & mis-steps against the backdrop of a small town mindset. It delves into the gullible minds of these young girls, who need to grow up all of a sudden & embrace motherhood, experience everything it entails - the pain, joy, the sacrifice & burden, yet possessing the wherewithal to chase their dreams.

A powerful/unique coming of age fiction you shouldn't miss.

A great second novel from an exciting new writer that thoroughly lived up to my expectations!

Completely heartwrenching in all the best ways!

Leila Mottley has written a novel that one might describe as ‘glorious Technicolour’, the writing keenly capturing sharp and painful insights into life as a pregnant teen. I loved the comparison made with sand and never forgetting where you come from: what a wise grandmother. In Africa, there is a saying that it takes an entire village to raise a child – the way in which the girls create their own village and support system is ‘ubuntu’ in practice (I exist because you exist) and underlines the need for friendship, loyalty, love, laughter, fun, hope. The pain and despair of being let down and the increasing realisation of being responsible for another life are both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
These girls grew big in so many ways, especially in humanity.

This is another outstanding novel by Leila Motley following her last one.

In The Girls Who Grew Big we follow Adela who is immediately sent to live with her paternal grandmother when she is discovered to be pregnant. Keen to have the baby and return to the swim team she goes to Padua in Florida to have the baby.
What she discovers there is a community of young women who help each other when needed but there are a few problems that arise and need to be dealt with.

The main characters in this story are strong, inspiring and well-meaning whilst the men they reach out to can disappoint.

This is a turbulent, inspirational story deserves to be widely read and enjoyed.

A gripping read that once I got into it I couldn’t put down. I arguably enjoyed this more than the author’s debut- it was emotional, engaging and I was rooting for the girls at all times even when their choices were questionable

The Girls are a group of teenage mothers in the Florida Panhandle backwater town of Padua Beach, who establish a unique community born out of circumstance but bound by common intent. Each Girl individually isolated, disowned and displaced by their parents, but collectively finding a will and a way to survive, because the only thing that matters is the welfare of their children.
The story is told from three distinct, alternating, occasionally intimate, first-person voices. Aspiring Olympic swimmer Adela, 16, is pregnant, not anticipating keeping her baby after the birth and warned off mixing with the Girls during her confinement in Padua Beach. Emory, 18, is a talented student, finding her way as a mother while still at school (defiantly insisting on being accompanied by her son) and harbouring notions of going to college. Simone, 20, is the ‘experienced’ mother of 4-year-old twins and the matriarch of the group, instinctively protective, wary of outsiders. Three women, born a few years apart, with strikingly different but equally valid perspectives on motherhood.
Judged and vilified by the local townspeople, Mottley explores how becoming parents changes the Girls’ outlook on the world, shedding the skin of their carefree singular existence, replacing it with the mantle of provider and protector of their new-born child, the ensuing responsibilities causing them to reassess who they are and how big a life they want.
The narrative incorporates the challenging and controversial themes of racism and abortion (the Florida state law on abortion changed four times while Mottley was drafting the book). The writing is visceral and expressive, the characters flawed but vital. The overriding feeling the story generates is one of fervent resilience, camaraderie, hope and profound inviolable maternal bonds.
Leila Mottley is quoted as saying that her “goal as a writer is to offer new perspectives on what it means to be a young woman in contemporary America”. The Girls forged an indelible connection with me. Which given the disparity in our backgrounds and circumstances, speaks volumes for the mesmeric power of Mottley’s storytelling.

This book is powerful; from the cover art to the characters to the storyline.

Leila Mottley knows how to write memorable characters (how is she only 23!). Her debut Nightcrawling, still lives rent free in my mind and I expect Simone, Adela and Emory will too for some time. I was very excited to read this arc.

A story about young, teen mothers, a searingly honest portrayal of their challenging lives, their hopes and fears, all that that have lost and all that they have gained.
The girls are not to be messed with, they have formed a tribe, a family, looking out for each other when everyone else turned their backs and made them feel shame and fear.

The writing is gritty as too are the daily lives we are exposed, Simone and the girls are uncompromising and unflinching in their attempts to build a life for themselves they can be proud of.

Mottley is definitely a "forever read" author for me.