Grown in Sixty Seconds

Denim Diaries #2

by Darrien Lee

After seventeen-year-olds Patrice and DeMario spend one intimate yet careless night together, they find themselves anticipating the birth of their first child. Unfortunately, their excitement is not all that it could be because their two best friends are not around to share in their joy.

Estranged from Denim after a heated argument, Patrice battles with bouts of depression as she struggles through a difficult pregnancy. DeMario is feeling alienated after the mysterious disappearance of his friend Andr� and the stress of finding a job to support his family. Isolated and alone, even more pressure is added when the young couple finds out that Patrice and their unborn child could be facing life-threatening complications.

Will DeMario be left a widower, or will lifelong friendships be just what the doctor ordered in time to save Patrice and her baby?

288 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2009

About the author

Darrien Lee, a graduate of Tennessee State University, is a two-time Essence bestselling author with four published works with Strebor Books. She has been featured in several periodicals, including Romantic Times magazine and the Nashville Tennessean. She lives in LaVergne, Tennessee, with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[Aja]

Reading this book ive seen alot of myself in Denim. Im going through problems with friends, family, and school which puts me under alot of stress and sometimes makes it hard for me to let people know whats going on with me. Teens all over the world can relate to Denim and her situation some dont cope with their problems like her instead the cope with drugs or drinking, this book shows them that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

Denim is going through drama wit her bestfriends Demario and Patrice who had went into early labor and is now in a coma. Denim blaims herself for not being there for Patrice and doesnt know how to be there for Demario whom feels he's about to loose his eveything. Her boyfriend Dre who's under protective costudy and couldnt explain to her why he just up and lefted her until the end, has taken her on an emotional ride when beings to miss him. The problems that have evolved through being assosciated with Lil Carl whom was just her patient, but he must have thought they were closer due to the kiss has her being claimed by his gang and almost jumped by the girls who are down that seem not to like her. From day one Denim's Life had her spinning in circles for a momment where she coudn't think straight going through many trials has made it hard for Denmin to express herself to others except her diary.

[Joi]

This was a nice quick read that had been sitting on my shelf for a long time. I'm glad that I picked it up. This was a book about a teenage girl named Denim and what she went through as a high school student. She faces boy trouble, friendship troubles, and getting to know herself and the values that she holds near and dear to her heart. She learns the true definition of friendship, loyalty, and honesty.

[cheeks]

reading this book i learned that friendship can save your life in a way.having freinds around you in your time of need will help you in the future.having the support of you family is great but when you have people around you that arent family but just as close around you to help you with your needs is fine.i liked the book because it explains how friends have their ups & downs but it takes a real friend to come back around admit they was wrong.when they admit they was wrong means they want to work things out & get their friend back! i understood how denim feelings towards patrice but it wasnt her problem.she knew she was wrong and its crazy that it took acoma & for her to realize that

[Elijah Wooden]

Denim Diaries #2 Grown in Sixty Seconds is about 17-year-old DeMario and his girlfriend Patrice who are expecting their first child after a careless night. Due to Patrice’s pregnancy, she and her best friend Denim get into a heated argument because the plans they had to attend college together is ruined. The story is also about how Denim’s boyfriend Dre is in the witness protection program, because Dre’s father witnessed the murder of an officer by a very dangerous man who can have Dre and his family disappear just by snapping his fingers. Denim doesn’t know about Dre’s relocation until he decides to go against what the officer and his father says and goes to see Denim with the help of DeMario who is Dre’s Best friend. Meanwhile during Patrice’s pregnancy, she is facing problems, she has Toxemia and with it, it can kill both her and her unborn baby. Denim is dealing with the guilt she feels for the way she treated Patrice, having to sneaking around to see her boyfriend so he isn’t at risk of being found out by anyone who might want him dead, and the fact everyone thinks she is a part of a gang which was led by her friend Carlton or Lil Carl who was killed by a rival gang. While denim is in a convenient store, two burglars come in and start to rob the store. Being she was in the store, they were going to rob her to until they realized she was the girl Lil Carl use to hang with. The two boys who were a part of Lil Carl’s gang let Denim go, but Denim didn't go without trying to reason with the robbers not to steal the money, or kill the clerk. She was able to keep the guy alive, but was not able to convince them not to rob the store. While classified as a hero she is labeled “hands off” and is deemed apart of their gang. Patrice later gives birth to a healthy baby boy named Alejandro Chemelle Gonzalez, but was put into a coma. After realizing that their argument was stupid Denim decided to apologize to Patrice and Dre was soon able to return home after the incident was over. Patrice later woke up, but loses her memory forgetting about the argument her and Denim get into. After deciding to leave her memory the way it is Patrice, Dre, Denim, and DeMario go back to the way their lives were to being the best friends.
In my opinion Denim was wrong about the way she treated Patrice about her getting pregnant. The way she handled the subject was totally uncalled for and Patrice didn’t deserve that. Another thing she was wrong for was getting mad at Dre after he disappears. She should have understood he was just trying to protect her from harm. Although I am happy that he did tell her, because I felt it made them closer as a couple knowing that they can trust each other. I am also proud that Denim could fix the problems her and Patrice had and become inseparable best friends, the way they once were. I suppose I could say I had mixed feelings about the book, but overall it really was a great read, and I haven’t read a book that has caught my attention the way this book did.

[Temani]

This book reminded me of myself and everyday problems with my boyfriend and I. We go through our problems and somehow we end up making up at the end of the day. The book was a run on from 16 Going On 21(Denim Diaries #1). The main characters in the book are Denim,Dre,Patrice and Demario. At that point Dre's gone no one knows where he's went and why. Denim is hurt and worried because it's not like Dre to not be in contact with her. Dre's father gets him and his family tied up in his problems. Patrice ends up pregnant by her boyfriend Demario. Denim and Patrice stop talking because Denim was hurt and mad at Patrice for getting pregnant knowing they had plans on going to college together. To get Dre off Denim off her mind she starts working at a rehab center for patience that are trying to walk again. She meets a young man named Carlton and starts catching feelings. Before you know it they were sitting on the bench waiting for his mother to pick him up and begin kissing. Dre pops up out of nowhere and ask why Denim why she was kissing him. Meanwhile all this is going on the next few days later Denim hears about Carl getting killed. Not knowing who she was dealing with, he was involved with a gang. She's labeled as Lil Carl's girl, his gang buddies decided to look after Denim and make it be known she's not to be messed with or else. Denim gets to school and hears the non sense, that's where the trouble begin. Meanwhile Denim runs into Patrice at the mall feeling akward Patrice basiclly begs Denim to be friends again when Denim just brushes her off with the cold shoulder. After Patrice falls into a coma and almost looses the baby, when she wakes up she forgets all about the argument with Denim, she thinks they've been cool since day one and bestfriends forever. Denim was happy that she didn't remember because she knew she was being cold towards Patrice at the hardest time. Dre's finished up with non sense his father brung him and his family into, they can move back in town. Denim over hears a conversation about a fellow student that has once helped her at a point in time, and decides to go to the girls "hood". What happens from here? Read queen of the Yards(Denim's Diaries #3)

The following line has stood out to me "It only takes sixty seconds" Patrice once told Denim that and look she's the one that ends up pregnant. How do you give advice if you don't take it yourself. At the end of the story Denim told Patrice it only take sixty seconds. I want to know why Patrice would give Denim adivce and not take it herself. She should've been setting an example for Denim instead of getting pregnant.

[KIKI DHATTS ME]

I have finished this book two weeks ago .This book reminds me of things in life beacuse we will never know what will happen in life that will make changes in your life . The same way Patince got pregnet and she didnt expect to get pregnet beacuse she wanted to go to collage with Denim gives a good example why you never know what will happen weather its good or bad things in life. I can relate to this book beacuse I related it to one of my family members I have seen on christmas day of 2012 and the day before 2013 came .Then all of a sudden he passed away on the first day of 2013 and no one in the family expected that to happen,just like Patince didnt expect to get pregnet. After Denim found out what have happened things got twisted and their friendship ended for awhile.One day while Denim was at the store she pataince and they acidently ran into each other then Patince started to have pain at that time Denim decide to talk her to the hospital where hey boyfriend will be waiting for her to see what has happened. A few days later Patince ended up in the hospital aging beacuse she had passed out and was in a coma for about two weeks and while she was in the hospital Denim started to visit her and forgive her for getting pregnet an when Patince woke up she was surprised to see Denim in the room with her .There on out they became friends againg just like any regular pair of friends .As you can see life brings drama arugements and unexpected situations throught life .This book was very interesting and good to read . It doesnt hurt to look at a cover an start reading .

[Ms. Tongate, TLC Librarian]

Friendship, high school romance, teen pregnancy, gangs, and dreams. Patrice and Demario, 17, are expecting their first child. Luckily, these two teens seem to have family around to help them. Denim is upset with her buddy Patrice for getting pregnant. All their life their goal was to attend college together. Denim is also missing her boyfriend Dre who just disappered one night without saying goodbye or one peep! To help keep Denim occupied she gets a job with physical therapy where she helps and gets to know the lead gang member, but she doesn't know that! The drama is just starting! Great read only wish I had part 3 at home!

[Sherline]

this book was really good...i can discribe it but it was somehow different than most of the books i read even though.. i read books simular like books that have drama and are very realistic. i felt like this book was better and different because there was just so much going on and it had like its one unquie way of describe and stuff...some how the other books in this catagory are all amost the same, but this book really brought something to they table...this author is amazing.

[Edjhae]

This book is so good .Its do many setting ,different events , and alot of suprises.I love this book.

[Dejonae]

LOVED IT..

[Samara Chalumeau]

good

[Kim]

Really enjoying this series.

[Tyreshamccullen]

i love this books so much you have to read this book

[Destinee Henton]

It was a great book for teens it taught alot of morals such as teen pregnancy and friendship ... i recommend for any teen who loves to be on the edge of their seat wanting to know what happens next

[Aubreyhoner]

its good

[Amiyah]

this book was sad but really good i love this book

[Arron Crowder]

It was so good

[Jessie Prescott]

y

[Nandi]

i thought the book was amazing and it was a real paage turner.

[Briamber Terrell]

I likes this book very much! I like what Denim writes in Diary.