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Cutthroat
Eden Shelton was once told that you can’t spell embarrassment without MEN. She never believed it because according to her there was nothing better than being a wife to a loving and appreciative man. Marrying her college sweetheart seemed to make everything in her life better. But, when her rose colored glasses are removed, Eden discovers that the man she planned to walk through life forever with has secrets. Secrets that will change who she is forever.
176 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2025
1862 people are currently reading
3836 people want to read
About the author
Octavia Grant
90 books846 followersOctavia Grant found her passion for Creative Writing in 2002, while a Junior in high school. She began writing professionally in 2016, two years later she decided to take the reins of her literary career and became an Independent Author. As an Independent Author, Octavia has penned over 30 novels. She’s spoken on the Thriller Author Panel at ESSENCE Fest, been interviewed by Narrator iiKane, interviewed by Literary Reviewer and Movie Commentator Tamara Walker of Tam Telling Tales, featured in magazines WYB Lifestyle, VoyageJacksonville, Canvas Rebel, named in 160 Black Women In Horror. Octavia's psychological thriller novella, Dear Vicky, was the winner of Black Girls Who Write It’s Lit Award for Best Black Mystery/Suspense, Audio In Black North Star Award Winner and AAMBC Award Winner for Mystery/Thriller Book of the Year. Octavia loves reader interaction and encourages her readers to follow her on social media:
FB: Octavia Taneka Grant
IG: Octavia_vs_otaneka
TikTok: Tavi_vs_Otaneka
FB: Octavia Taneka Grant
IG: Octavia_vs_otaneka
TikTok: Tavi_vs_Otaneka
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,151 reviews
November 28, 2025
Now, you won't hear me say this too often considering the reading choices I make but every single character in this book, yes, every last one of them, needs Jesus and therapy, lots of it. I doubt there's enough holy water or therapists in this world to fix any of their delusional asses but yeah, therapy and Jesus.
My thoughts while reading this book (in no particular order):
1. "🎵Est-ce que les hétérosexuels vont bien?🎶 -Non." (iykyk). Repeated many, many times.
2. "Wait wasn't she the woman's sis? Are all these people siblings somehow?"
3. "For someone who talks about praying you don't have nearly enough Jesus"
4. "Therapy, go to therapy"
5. "You say his unhealed ass if yours was healed"
6. "Note to self, never touch a straight person ever again"
7. "Baby goes yeeeeeet" (NGL that's the only moment I laughed cause that was so figgin stupid).
8. "Direct dans la Fontaine, all of them, direct dans fontaine."
The only character I had some small modicum of sympathy for was the "evil" sister, she at least had the excuse that no one ever did right by her.
All of that wouldn't have been ground for a 2 stars rating, my real problem with this book is that the writing just isn't good. Every character sounds and thinks the same, there's nothing distinctive between them. Stylistically it's profoundly boring. The amount of time between events is kinda wack and downright nonsensical in some instances. Several passages make it sound like the author changed her mind on where the story was going or on who the characters were but didn't do a full reread to fix the issues the change caused.
My thoughts while reading this book (in no particular order):
1. "🎵Est-ce que les hétérosexuels vont bien?🎶 -Non." (iykyk). Repeated many, many times.
2. "Wait wasn't she the woman's sis? Are all these people siblings somehow?"
3. "For someone who talks about praying you don't have nearly enough Jesus"
4. "Therapy, go to therapy"
5. "You say his unhealed ass if yours was healed"
6. "Note to self, never touch a straight person ever again"
7. "Baby goes yeeeeeet" (NGL that's the only moment I laughed cause that was so figgin stupid).
8. "Direct dans la Fontaine, all of them, direct dans fontaine."
The only character I had some small modicum of sympathy for was the "evil" sister, she at least had the excuse that no one ever did right by her.
All of that wouldn't have been ground for a 2 stars rating, my real problem with this book is that the writing just isn't good. Every character sounds and thinks the same, there's nothing distinctive between them. Stylistically it's profoundly boring. The amount of time between events is kinda wack and downright nonsensical in some instances. Several passages make it sound like the author changed her mind on where the story was going or on who the characters were but didn't do a full reread to fix the issues the change caused.
April 20, 2025
If “I’m gone get my lick back” was a person, it would be Eden. Octavia Grant does it again, and per usual she did not disappoint. This story was truly mind blowing and kept me hooked from start to finish.
Eden & Jermaine are happily married, living their best life. When Jermaine commits the ultimate betrayal, Eden is determined to show him that she is NOT the one to be toyed with, as “Hell hath no fury, like a woman scorned!” As Jermaine steps into the “Garden of Eden,” read to see if he will escape Eden’s wrath, or will this be his demise.
And if this wasn’t a proud mama moment, I don’t know what is lol. ⬇️
"Bring him into the Garden of Eden, baby girl," Marie said proudly as she bit into her apple.”
Overall, a very solid 5 ⭐️ read. Highly recommend for anyone that loves jaw dropping, wtf moments!!!
Eden & Jermaine are happily married, living their best life. When Jermaine commits the ultimate betrayal, Eden is determined to show him that she is NOT the one to be toyed with, as “Hell hath no fury, like a woman scorned!” As Jermaine steps into the “Garden of Eden,” read to see if he will escape Eden’s wrath, or will this be his demise.
And if this wasn’t a proud mama moment, I don’t know what is lol. ⬇️
"Bring him into the Garden of Eden, baby girl," Marie said proudly as she bit into her apple.”
Overall, a very solid 5 ⭐️ read. Highly recommend for anyone that loves jaw dropping, wtf moments!!!
June 23, 2025
4/5
- I will literally read anything this author writes because it’s so unhinged!! Her writing keeps you wanting more and on the edge of your seat.
- If you’re ever feeling a book slump coming on. Please pick up one of her books. She’s such an underrated author! If you like Freida McFadden’s writing, you’ll love her books.
- Love that this book and most of her books have a romance element to them. Love a good thriller with a romance conflict!
- I will literally read anything this author writes because it’s so unhinged!! Her writing keeps you wanting more and on the edge of your seat.
- If you’re ever feeling a book slump coming on. Please pick up one of her books. She’s such an underrated author! If you like Freida McFadden’s writing, you’ll love her books.
- Love that this book and most of her books have a romance element to them. Love a good thriller with a romance conflict!
May 18, 2025
"He had never thought about that before, mainly because he never thought about it."
"I’m about to call Eve over here to drink with me. You know how we get. So, if I’m passed out drunk when you get here; Fuck me anyway.”
When that man literally went
"I’m about to call Eve over here to drink with me. You know how we get. So, if I’m passed out drunk when you get here; Fuck me anyway.”
When that man literally went
December 7, 2025
hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
✮⋆˙ This was unhinged!
✮⋆˙ This was fast paced!
✮⋆˙ This was messy!
✮⋆˙ This was pure comedic entertainment!
✮⋆˙ This is not one to be taken seriously!
YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
✮⋆˙ This was unhinged!
✮⋆˙ This was fast paced!
✮⋆˙ This was messy!
✮⋆˙ This was pure comedic entertainment!
✮⋆˙ This is not one to be taken seriously!
August 11, 2025
This book is unhinged….
Very good book will definitely recommend.. The name says it all.. Cutthroat really means cut Throat I mean that I was definitely not expecting what I had just finished reading.. the FMC is off the chain.. If you are looking for a revenge story this is it.. would definitely read another book from the author
Personally note:
Please when reading a book do not to take the words in each book you read as real life it’s just a book meant to entertain and cause amusement not to be taken to serious that’s why they are called fiction.. if you want real life or facts please stick with nonfiction books please..
PLEASE read for the joy of reading…
Just a thought
Very good book will definitely recommend.. The name says it all.. Cutthroat really means cut Throat I mean that I was definitely not expecting what I had just finished reading.. the FMC is off the chain.. If you are looking for a revenge story this is it.. would definitely read another book from the author
Personally note:
Please when reading a book do not to take the words in each book you read as real life it’s just a book meant to entertain and cause amusement not to be taken to serious that’s why they are called fiction.. if you want real life or facts please stick with nonfiction books please..
PLEASE read for the joy of reading…
Just a thought
July 30, 2025
Stars: 1 Star
Start Date: 5/8/25
Ending Date:05/10/25
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Form: E-Book
Page Count: 178
Publishing Date: 4/20/25
Point of View: 1st and 3rd person
Setting:
Content Warning: Sexual Content, Sexual Assault, Mention of Abortions, Domestic Violence, Murder, Mention of Child Pornography (CP), Child Abuse, Generational Trauma
My Blog: https://tanyasreading.wordpress.com/2...
OG Review May 8th 2025
Everyone needs to go to therapy.
Everyone needs to go to therapy. This book was a waste of time and felt like a low budget tubi movie. I seen this book on a couple FB reading pages hyping it up and decided to give it a try. Everyone felt one Dimensional and plagued with trauma that everyone need multiple therapy sessions. The revenge felt over the top because why go through great lengths to get your lick back over a dude that is so damn dumb and has so much trauma in his life that doesn't understand the consequences of his actions. You would have done better divorcing and move on instead of putting that much energy into getting your lick back.
Extended Review June 24 2025
I just have to add more to this since this book as still been on my mind. Spoilers
I have to pose a question.
How can we break the cycle of generational trauma when revenge is used to get more generational trauma?
Hurt people Hurt people and innocent people pay for it.
It was a lot of hurt people in this book.
Because the ending is what really got me since Eden got her revenge but at what cost?
You get your " lick back" from being cheated on by your husband with your half sister ( which was an outside child from your father cheating on your mom ( which your mom was abused by your dad) which the sister didn't even know until the end) by bring a child in this world from your husband father who is in jail from killing his mom who was cheating on him and expect that child to have a good life in the foster care system?? While you ride in the sunset in your new job while you frame you husband for killing your half sister but his father actually did it?
What kind of fuck up shit is this?
I just can't with this book and the fact it is being so hyped up..
Start Date: 5/8/25
Ending Date:05/10/25
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Form: E-Book
Page Count: 178
Publishing Date: 4/20/25
Point of View: 1st and 3rd person
Setting:
Content Warning: Sexual Content, Sexual Assault, Mention of Abortions, Domestic Violence, Murder, Mention of Child Pornography (CP), Child Abuse, Generational Trauma
My Blog: https://tanyasreading.wordpress.com/2...
OG Review May 8th 2025
Everyone needs to go to therapy.
Everyone needs to go to therapy. This book was a waste of time and felt like a low budget tubi movie. I seen this book on a couple FB reading pages hyping it up and decided to give it a try. Everyone felt one Dimensional and plagued with trauma that everyone need multiple therapy sessions. The revenge felt over the top because why go through great lengths to get your lick back over a dude that is so damn dumb and has so much trauma in his life that doesn't understand the consequences of his actions. You would have done better divorcing and move on instead of putting that much energy into getting your lick back.
Extended Review June 24 2025
I just have to add more to this since this book as still been on my mind. Spoilers
I have to pose a question.
How can we break the cycle of generational trauma when revenge is used to get more generational trauma?
Hurt people Hurt people and innocent people pay for it.
It was a lot of hurt people in this book.
Because the ending is what really got me since Eden got her revenge but at what cost?
You get your " lick back" from being cheated on by your husband with your half sister ( which was an outside child from your father cheating on your mom ( which your mom was abused by your dad) which the sister didn't even know until the end) by bring a child in this world from your husband father who is in jail from killing his mom who was cheating on him and expect that child to have a good life in the foster care system?? While you ride in the sunset in your new job while you frame you husband for killing your half sister but his father actually did it?
What kind of fuck up shit is this?
I just can't with this book and the fact it is being so hyped up..
June 29, 2025
Eden could have left did all that for nothing.
May 27, 2025
Honestly, I hate giving books bad reviews because I respect the authors, but this one just wasn’t it. You have to look past plenty of grammatical, punctual, and plot hole errors for one.
I predicted most of the ending…which okay, that’s no biggie, sometimes that happens… but unfortunately, this was just all over the place. This is my first Octavia Grant book and I just don’t think this author is for me…at least right now. The whole book was just basically telling and no showing. The character felt flat and one dimensional. A lot of things were there just for the story and didn’t do anything plot wise. I wanted to like this, and gave it a fair go, but it’s just not my speed.
If you’re looking for something quick and perhaps entertaining and unhinged, then by all means, choose this. But if any of the things I mentioned above bother you, maybe try something else.
I predicted most of the ending…which okay, that’s no biggie, sometimes that happens… but unfortunately, this was just all over the place. This is my first Octavia Grant book and I just don’t think this author is for me…at least right now. The whole book was just basically telling and no showing. The character felt flat and one dimensional. A lot of things were there just for the story and didn’t do anything plot wise. I wanted to like this, and gave it a fair go, but it’s just not my speed.
If you’re looking for something quick and perhaps entertaining and unhinged, then by all means, choose this. But if any of the things I mentioned above bother you, maybe try something else.
August 30, 2025
Real rating: 0.25 stars
All I can do is shake my head and laugh.
All I can do is shake my head and laugh.
June 1, 2025
Never in my life did I think I’d read a book like this. And I will never again read a book like this. This shit was too crazy and dumb. I’m thinking she gonna boss up on him and get someone better.
April 8, 2025
ARC review:
Cutthroat was THEE perfect title for everything that happened in this book! OCTAVIA!! Your brain needs to be studied, because how do you come up with this stuff! I start off reading your books with my mouth open because I know eventually my jaw is going to drop and stay that way. You do not disappoint when it comes to twists and WTF moments.
Cutthroat was THEE perfect title for everything that happened in this book! OCTAVIA!! Your brain needs to be studied, because how do you come up with this stuff! I start off reading your books with my mouth open because I know eventually my jaw is going to drop and stay that way. You do not disappoint when it comes to twists and WTF moments.
May 30, 2025
Jermaine’s punishment didn’t fit his crimes. It’s NOT okay to send someone to prison for murder because they cheated on you with your sister. Jermaine had DV trauma after witnessing his father unalived his brother and mother right in front of him and Eden was truly an evil, disgusting, diabolical person to use that trauma against him for cheating. Eden spoke like it was okay for Jerry to unalive Andrea and Josiah because she cheated with his brother. It’s sad that hurt people, hurt people and that EVERYONE in this book REALLY needed much counseling. It’s also sad what was done to Baby JJ by Eden discarding him away like he’s trash. This could have been a 5 star book in my opinion if certain aspects were left out.
April 29, 2025
4.5⭐️
This was crazy as hell. Locked in from the beginning. The end fell short to me but good af. That sister tho. 0/10
This was crazy as hell. Locked in from the beginning. The end fell short to me but good af. That sister tho. 0/10
June 21, 2025
This book read like a Tubi movie gone wrong. Started off well but went downhill fast and very unbelievable things happening in the story.
August 22, 2025
Get ready for a wild ride
I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends. Don't be fooled by the cover. This story will have you on the edge of your seat.
I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends. Don't be fooled by the cover. This story will have you on the edge of your seat.
June 30, 2025
This story puts Helen’s character from Diary of a mad Black Women to shame…completely UNHINGED…damn!
December 18, 2025
4.5 stars and I’m only docking .5 star because I didn’t need that many pages with this man’s pov 🤢
THIS SHIT WAS INSANE. My JAW WAS DROPPED holy crap. This was ruthless!!!! Do not cross a woman if you do, read this book and you’ll know what the consequences will be 😫
This is not a romance and it’s about an FMC that will do anything for revenge. And god, was the revenge sweet and terrible 😩
THIS SHIT WAS INSANE. My JAW WAS DROPPED holy crap. This was ruthless!!!! Do not cross a woman if you do, read this book and you’ll know what the consequences will be 😫
This is not a romance and it’s about an FMC that will do anything for revenge. And god, was the revenge sweet and terrible 😩
June 24, 2025
I did not feel good reading this.
September 25, 2025
ngl this was giving tubi movie.. but i still liked it though nonetheless!
August 29, 2025
BRAVO! 10/10.
July 18, 2025
I finished this book in less than a day. My jaw was on the floor by the end of the book. Eden got her vengeance in a way I could have never imagined. That girl is UNHINGED!!
July 2, 2025
Reminded me of a Tyler Perry tv show
I did not like this book at all. At first I thought it was getting where. But Eden having sex with Jermaine’s father and having his baby which ended up being her husband’s (Jermaine) lil brother was just too sick and disgusting for me. I was done with the entire book after that plot. 2 out of 10 for me.
I did not like this book at all. At first I thought it was getting where. But Eden having sex with Jermaine’s father and having his baby which ended up being her husband’s (Jermaine) lil brother was just too sick and disgusting for me. I was done with the entire book after that plot. 2 out of 10 for me.
April 20, 2025
I literally read this book in one setting. I had so much fun annotating and feel like I could convince anyone to read this book based off my annotations. If you have read any Octavia Grant, then you know exactly how unhinged this book is going to be. She didn’t disappoint at all. If you’re starting her catalog with this one, buckle up and get ready for a good time LMAO.
April 9, 2025
Checkmate! Period!
Now this was the best revenge book!
I finished this in one sitting! I was hooked and couldn’t put it down!
Octavia knows how to write a crazy book. It will have you on the edge and keep turning the pages.
The title is perfect for this book!
This book will have your mouth wide open.
I love the revenge plot. I was team Eden all the way! You don’t expect to play me in my face and think I won’t do anything about it. Honey go play in someone else face with that mess.
This was absolutely automatic 5 stars! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I highly recommend this book for my unhinged readers!
Don’t sleep on it! Coming April 20th!
Now this was the best revenge book!
I finished this in one sitting! I was hooked and couldn’t put it down!
Octavia knows how to write a crazy book. It will have you on the edge and keep turning the pages.
The title is perfect for this book!
This book will have your mouth wide open.
I love the revenge plot. I was team Eden all the way! You don’t expect to play me in my face and think I won’t do anything about it. Honey go play in someone else face with that mess.
This was absolutely automatic 5 stars! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I highly recommend this book for my unhinged readers!
Don’t sleep on it! Coming April 20th!
June 25, 2025
It started off good... I appreciated the contrast to other work by Octavia in which shit hits the fan automatically. This story actually had a build up which helps you understand why certain characters ended up the way they did. However, the end was pretty flat. I predicted the "revenge" like halfway through the book, so I wasn't impressed. I expected a bit more psychological warfare. Eden actually turned out pretty shitty, worse than Jermaine or envy for that matter. Eden did too much 🙈
September 4, 2025
No way this book is rated so highly. It’s basically the SHEIN of books. It’s so bad that it’s not even interesting
June 20, 2025
“𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝”
When it comes to Ms. Octavia Grant, I always expect the unexpected. If "getting my lick back" were a person, it would be Eden, and she did just that by any means necessary.🙃
When it comes to Ms. Octavia Grant, I always expect the unexpected. If "getting my lick back" were a person, it would be Eden, and she did just that by any means necessary.🙃
June 25, 2025
This book was so ass to the point it became funny.
July 1, 2025
Did we all read the same book? It was all over the place, too much was happening, it gave Tyler Perry I wrote this in 5 hours and released it. I am disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,151 reviews