As a teen mom myself, this one really tugged at my heartstrings. What a powerful and moving story Leila Mottley has crafted in "Big Girls". If you're looking for a book review that resonates, and you have the time, definitely read or listen to "Big Girls"!

4.5/5- OMG, I need everyone to read "Big Girls" by Leila Mottley ASAP!!! It was sooooo good!! The writing was gorgeous, and I wanted to highlight everything. I completely fell in love with all the characters. They felt incredibly real.- I felt so many emotions throughout this story and was almost in tears by the end!! So raw and real.- Leila Mottley has officially become an auto-buy author for me because she knows how to completely wreck you emotionally and then piece you back together! Seriousl...

I rarely check reviews before diving into a book. I use reviews to add titles to my TBR list, but honestly, I'm old and my mind's always buzzing, so I never actually remember anything specific about those reviews by the time I get around to reading the book. In a move completely out of character for me, I actually peeked at the *New York Times* review when I was about halfway through **Big Girls** by Leila Mottley. I felt like I was reading a review of a completely different book. That's one of ...

Teenage motherhood can sometimes feel like the end of a mother's dreams. *Big Girls* attempts to tell a story in which three teenage mothers continue to make choices – different choices. At times, it does feel forced or didactic, so be prepared for some ups and downs. But Leila Mottley continues to make interesting choices herself, and that’s the best thing an artist can do. If you're looking for honest book reviews about motherhood, this might be worth a look.

Leila Mottley's *Big Girls* is a moving novel about a group of young, predominantly Black teenage mothers navigating life in the small town of Padua Beach, Florida. I'll be honest, for the first 250 pages or so, I found Mottley’s writing a little slow. I recognized the importance of the story from the start, but the pieces didn’t truly click for me until the final 150 pages – and wow, those pages really blew me away. I absolutely loved the theme of female friendship and empowerment in *Big Girl...

4.5-5⭐️ In Leila Mottley's *Big Girls*, a group of young, outcast girls, all new mothers, come of age over several years as they step into adulthood and motherhood – together. Let me start by saying that the character development and storytelling in *Big Girls* are unmatched. By the time I reached the end, I felt I knew all of these characters in a visceral way. As a result, *Big Girls* will leave you feeling the whole spectrum of emotions. If you're looking for emotional book reviews, this one'...

4.5 stars!Absolutely loved this story about the Girls... specifically, a group of young, pregnant teens in the coastal town of Padua Beach, Florida. The story primarily centers on three of them:Simone, a Black girl, was kicked out of her home by her mother upon becoming pregnant, her mother’s religious beliefs causing her to judge her harshly. Simone delivers twins and lives in the back of her boyfriend’s beat-up truck on the beach where she gave birth. The Girls all gather there with her, their...

Waiting three years for a follow-up after such an excellent debut feels like cruel and unusual punishment. Just like Leila Mottley's first book, "Big Girls" can be a frustrating read—because it's challenging. It challenges so many preconceived notions and stereotypes, so many of the ways we, as readers and as people, judge. Its characters are complicated and fallible. The writing is authentic and powerful. The story moves in fits and starts. But all of that builds intentionally. The moments I ...

Big Girls by Leila Mottley is the absolute essence of girlhood ❤💅. I read this book earlier this year, and I'm only just now gathering my thoughts, four months later, because it was so heartbreaking. Every time I thought about the story or tried to put my feelings into words, I'd just stare at the ceiling and sob. Big Girls is more than just a sad story; it's about motherhood, girlhood, womanhood, and just being human. It's about betrayal and lies. This book was so raw, gut-wrenching, powerful,...

4+ starsPadua Beach, Florida, is definitely off the beaten path—more like a forgotten wasteland. This is where we meet the girls who grew big: Adela, Emory, and Simone. Teenage mothers whom the town believes have completely lost their way, and they judge them accordingly. However, while they might sometimes stumble, they are far from lost as they navigate the challenges of motherhood and the pitfalls life throws their way. Adela arrives in Padua Beach to live with her grandmother because her par...