Took a shine to

LIKED

["Think of a past tense word that describes feeling fondness toward someone or something, like when a song or person grows on you over time."]

"Took a shine to" is an old-fashioned phrase meaning to develop a fondness for someone or something. The answer "LIKED" fits because it’s a straightforward synonym—no wordplay or tricks here. The clue keeps it simple by matching the meaning directly, making it an easy fill for solvers familiar with the expression.