Work Husband

by Octavia Grant

When Crystal Jones’ marriage fails, she finds companionship in the arms of the man that has always been in her her coworker, Lamar Santana. Crystal believes the office flirting, lunch dates, and mind-blowing sex are due to the chemistry they’ve formed over the years. But Lamar thinks their lunchtime tryst is just two adults having fun. Sadly, Crystal has fallen so deep in love that she can't see the writings on the wall because according to her, Lamar is her man. When her delusions become a full-blown obsession, Lamar quickly regrets ever getting involved with the person whose cubicle is across from him. This short story explains why people in your corporate circle should ALWAYS be off-limits.

Genres: Thriller

63 pages, Paperback

Published July 17, 2023

About the author

Octavia Grant discovered her passion for creative writing in 2002 during her junior year at Georgetown High School in Georgetown, South Carolina. She began writing professionally in 2016 and, two years later, took full ownership of her literary career by becoming an independent author. A bestselling black thriller author and the bestselling author of Cutthroat, Octavia has penned more than 30 novels known for their psychological depth and gripping suspense.
Her work and voice have earned national recognition, including speaking on the Thrilling Tales Author Panel at ESSENCE Fest, Thriller Panelist at National Book Club Conference (NBCC), interview with Narrator iiKane, literary reviewer and film commentator Tamara Walker of Tam Telling Tales, and features in WYB Lifestyle, VoyageJacksonville, Canvas Rebel, and Bold Journey. She has also been honored as one of 160 Black Women in Horror and received multiple accolades for her psychological thriller novella Dear Vicky, including the Black Girls Who Write It’s Lit Award for Best Black Mystery/Suspense, the Audio in Black North Star Award, and the AAMBC Award for Mystery/Thriller Book of the Year.
In addition to these achievements, Octavia has been named Best Thriller/Suspense Horror Author by the Literary Gem Awards and Best Female Author by the Get Caught Up Podcast. Her storytelling continues to push boundaries within the thriller genre, centering bold narratives that captivate, challenge, and resonate with readers worldwide.

Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

- I genuinely don’t know what I just read but I need more of it hahahaha. This is NOT my typical read so jump into this with CAUTION knowing that it is completely unhinged and gives the vibe of that Beyoncé movie obsessed. Yeah you know the one I’m talking about.
- The spice was out of this world and way more than I would normally pick up, but I think because the book was so short and was a whole hot mess I didn’t mind it. I’m already ordering another book as we speak.
- This was the perfect book to read after a fluffy romance to shake things up a bit. Check the trigger warnings!! Like I still am shook by this book like why do I want more of this I don’t even know hahaha. It was giving messy but I loved it!!

[Mani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Octavia. Girl.

This would be what I consider a erotic thriller novella, I suppose.

I really want to blame Crystal’s husband’s infidelity on the crack in her psyche but I’m really not so sure lol. Baby was insane in the membrane. The way that she was breaking down in her mind and comparing herself to the other women made me believe that all of this started when David cheated on her. She was so deeply insecure and broken, while understandable, she went out saaddddd.

There’s some gems in this story; even with all its craziness, there were some big lessons weaved in. For those that get it, get it.

[April Snowden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah I truthfully don’t know what I just read…..

[Sunshine Summaries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Octavia!!! Come here sweetie… can you hear the screws rattling in your head?? Lol I just love you hahaha. This was as unhinged as I expected. I was cracking up.

[Sha Sha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honey I only have ONE word….CRAZY!!!

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I didn’t expect this type of book at all. I thought I was getting some work hook up type of book. This mess was off the charts. I can’t. For only 8 chapters, it got straight to the point! Definitely was heartbreaking. I screamed so loud. The ending didn’t have to go out like that. Not really happy about this book at all .
I was just expecting some spicy work relationship type of content.

[Elonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What in the world did I just read? Incredible writing…I didn’t see the end ending this way!

[Arlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the hell did I just read?! This was so unhinged! 🫢

[Tina Sharane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟 What did I just read!??? 😳 Deranged. Unhinged. Toxic. This went all the way wrong so fast! This novella is clearly a cautionary tale of why you shouldn't ever date/f**k around where you work. And the actual husband was just as bad as the FMC! Sheesh. I'm speechless! 😶

[Kayla]

Um, what did I just read?

Everyone ESPECIALLY Crystal needs professional help and maybe a padded room.


I don't even know how to rate this book.

[Courtney Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was messy and I loved it!

[Kendra Lynece · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Not even death could keep me away from him!" This sentence perfectly encapsulates the twisted and disturbing nature of this damn book. It's fucked up, dark, and I'm in love. I need to spend some time exploring this author's mind and maybe even buy her dinner!

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fast read and jumps straight into spice and drama. The premise definitely had potential; after reading it I was intrigued. However, the execution felt over-the-top and unintentionally funny at times, which made it hard to take seriously. I finished it quickly; it kept me engaged, I'll give it that. I'd say if you're looking for a short, chaotic, drama-heavy read you may enjoy it.

[mimi 🧚🏽‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

crystal said lamar won’t be free of her, not even after death. idk wtf i just read but, it was unhinged to say the LEAST.

this is not my typical read whatsoever, but i will give it 3 stars because anything lower i feel like isn’t enough, but anything higher is TOO much. not because the story was bad, just because this is what i typically would pick up

i feel like it’d be insane to say i ENJOYED THIS, with the way everyone was acting. but it was intriguing because of how crazy it was, to say the least lol.

a short erotic thriller that’s gonna leave you saying “this mf is psycho” 😭😭😭😭😭

[AYO DOUGIE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew this short read will take you through it!! Very suspenseful. Crystal hmm I didn’t see this coming. This is why I leave work and personal alone. She had me confused though because she was married to Daniel no good ass 🤔 but was obsessed with work boo Lamar. To what means will you go to get what you assume is yours? The definition of fuck you and those kids 😐. Unhinged Ms. Grant whew. Socials always puts the links together though. These mugs in all these short reads just crazy be careful who you deal with because when someone breaks whew they break‼️ 4⭐️

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl what the hell did I just read? I’m shooketh 😭😭😭😩

[Carissa G · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author, so I’m not familiar with her work! This book started off very spicy and drama filled, no biggie! If reading about someone cheating isn’t for you, pass on this book! The turn was about the last 20% that hits you with a murder-suicide with the FMC snaps about her Work Husband having a family when she is still a married woman. And although she seems estranged from her husband because he had a baby on her with a stripper. She kills him, then goes to the work husband’s house and kills one of his children and her mom which is his fiancé, then kills him and herself…but leaves one of the children alive! Like huh?!?! Why out of all of the people did you kill the baby?!? Who had just asked her dad for a snack!

The main issue I have is that there are no TW at the beginning of this book! Because I wouldn’t have read this! Period! I don’t like children being killed, or murder-suicide! And even if it was something I was okay with reading I would’ve wanted a heads up at least! Throw the whole book away!

[Michel Brockington-Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Dear Vicky and was like OMG!!! This story was just as crazy🤣🤣 Crystal was crazy and wild!!! The men in her life did her dirty especially her husband David. After she looked through his phone and saw his text messages and pictures I knew she was going to SNAP!! And boy did she Snap!!!! I like how these short stories get straight to the point without all the extra fluff! Will read more from this author.

[Lourdes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing Octavia is going to do is not hold back. The things you think won’t happen ….DO! lol
Crystal is a married woman with a “work husband”. She seems to think her work husband is only her man .Unfortunately, work husband Lamar is a rolling stone who doesn’t realize how crazy in love Crystal is. Let’s just say Crystal was tired of being played with.

Another book that will have you shook lol.

[Tara S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I loved the fast pace of this book, I was left in complete shock and disgust for the FMC. Like what the entire fck!!! Crystal went from 0 to 1000 real quick, truly obsessed with her “work husband” lol.
I don’t even know what genre to put this book in…romance, dark romance, thriller, horror. I will say it is worth the read and it’s short, but just be prepared for the turn of events and triggers.

[Catt (the reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost this book should include a TRIGGER WARNING for murder-suicide (including the killing of a minor). Secondly, if extramarital affairs isn't something you want to read about definitely skip this novella. Thirdly, Crystal was delusional af.. I wasn't prepared for how things ended but enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Courtney Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Octavia Grant book and I'm left speechless!
Just wow, there are a lot of unhinged people in the world. This is why having relationships at work is a bad idea. I wasn't expecting this ending at all. Overall, I enjoyed the pace of this book and it won't be my last book from Mrs. Octavia!

[Madiii ❤️‍ E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand it’s a short book, but it moved extremely fast. That girl is crazy. There was nothing romantic about this book. Thought it might be some trials and tribulations, but this gave me get out energy. And what was the point of bringing children into it? Some people seem to like it so I’m just gonna say it’s not my cup of tea.

[Kelley Middleton-Speaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS.BOOK. WAS. UNHINGED!!!!!!! If youve ever watched Tubi movies this was the book version for sure!!! the way this ended I was NOT expecting it definitly took a crazy ass turn for the WORST!! had me sitting htere shocked for a few minutes after I finished. This author has great short storytelling.

[Corinna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.How on earth do I rate this incredibly unhinged book!? 🤣 I have been so busy this month and have been so tired after every day of work, and I haven't been able to focus or read much. So I wanted something short, quick and easy. This book was all of those things..... And did I mention unhinged!? 👀

[Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! That’s all I can say!
This book took me on rollercoaster!!!

I started to question the main character, I really think she was crazy! Definitely a page turner, once you start you will want to finish that day. Every page had my jaw dropping! Nothing about this was predictable. AT ALL. If you just want a quick fun weekend read, I recommend.

It’s like a Tubi movie , iykyk!

[Gabby Penn Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad I work from home!

I’m glad I work from home! I don’t need or want those kind of problems. I thought a work husband was just someone to have lunch with, hang out with on breaks… this was a whole new meaning. Everybody was messy boots in this book. SMH. Octavia knows how to write some messy characters. And I enjoy reading messy. LOL.

[Brina Monae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wtf did I just read 😳

Chile, this is a psychotic drama-filled novella centered in the land of delulu. Sis was seriously unwell. Unhinged! This is for sure the craziest novella I’ve ever read and I absolutely ate it up.

[Breana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read by Mrs. Octavia Grant! This was the most unhinged novella. Crystal middle name must be delusional. I finished this in less than an hour and absolutely loved it. If you haven’t read it yet what are you doing? The amount of chaos in between these 63 pages is well worth it.

[Michelene Brill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh chile talk about spicy passionate and crazy. Damn I enjoyed this book as I kept reading I'm like I thinks she crazy and yep it solidified it for me. When you do something you think is not a big deal but effects so much lives becareful who you sleep with