Too Grown to Go Back

Too Grown to Go Back is a raw and redemptive coming-of-age novel that follows seventeen-year-old Janiah as she escapes an abusive relationship and reclaims her life—one scar, one truth, and one choice at a time.

After boarding a bus to a small Southern town, Janiah arrives at New Steps House, a transitional home for young women escaping trauma. There, surrounded by girls just as bruised and guarded, she begins the difficult journey of healing. Guided by the tough love of Miss Dee and the quiet strength of her housemates, Janiah slowly unravels the grip of her past and discovers the girl she buried to survive.

Through quiet journal entries, tense visits with her estranged mother, and unexpected friendships—including a fierce teen named Mya who reminds Janiah of herself—she learns that survival is only the beginning. As she finds her voice, earns her GED, and begins helping other girls like her, Janiah proves that broken isn’t the end—it’s where transformation begins.