Grease & Grips

Friction Fiction #2

by Elliot Kyle

My life’s all busted engines and keeping my heart in neutral. Then a gorgeous stranger named Andrés rolls into town with a broken-down BMW and eyes that read me too easy, and suddenly everything’s falling apart. It was supposed to be one night. Just a tow job. But things heat up fast and get a little slick around the edges, leaving me face to face with something I’ve spent years avoiding.

I’ve always been good at helping people leave. Never figured I’d want one to stay.

Grease & Grips is a 17k-word, low-angst, one-night-stand-to-HFN novella where motor oil gets used in ways the manufacturer definitely didn’t intend. It is the second novella in a series of queer love stories full of big feelings and extremely unconventional lube choices. Because who says silicone and water-based are the only options?

Genres: M M Romance, Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Elliot Kyle believes queer people deserve stories full of light, full of hope, and full of big feelings that don’t have to come from pain to feel real. He writes queer romance with less angst and a whole lot more heart.

He lives in the South with his husband, their very spoiled dog, and a TBR pile that refuses to quit.

Reviews

[JonathanSamuelReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this author pokes fun at the MM genre in a subtle way that makes this even funnier to me.

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was even more unhinged than the banana book LOL. Still ridiculously funny and unexpectedly sweet. I was a bit sad the ending was ambiguous but I want to believe they’ll find a way to be happy together.

[erm · Rating 1 out of 5]

he literally ghosted him after spewing all that stuff when they were together why tf would I want to read that

[Lauralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andres and Mack have basically nothing in common. When Andres breaks down in the middle of nowhere Georgia, Mack is the one to get the call. Because he’s the only one around. At first glance, Andres seems like someone who would never waste their time with a guy like Mack. But Mack couldn’t be more wrong. The night these two spend together is something that’s beautiful and unconventional and truly wonderful.

Honestly, where to start. This novella is truly beautiful. It’s an opposites attract, gritty, raw and beautiful look into two men that really couldn’t be more different. Sure, at its base, you’re reading a novella about unconventional lube, but it’s honestly so much more than that. It’s beautiful.

[dj&books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a dirty grinder hook up but I didn’t feel like shit after! Elliot Kyle makes me giggle haha

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Andres and Mack

HFN ending

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little novella! It was short and sweet and had everything I love in a romance book!

Forced proximity
“Good boy”
Opposites attract

I cannot wait to read more of Elliott Kyle!

[Sara Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The motor oil 😭. I assume all these novellas will be just as unhinged but I’m eating them up. So good. So funny.

The only thing that irked me in this one was the fact that he ghosted?! I don’t think that was necessary. Without the time jump I would have liked this even more.

3.5 ⭐️

also hoping for a full length novel one day because the writing is just 👌🏼

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC Review***
Beauty in the ridiculous is the perfect way to describe Elliot Kyle’s books. This is my second unconventional lube read from this author and they have both been pure perfection. Everything you can want in a book all wrapped into a little novella. The way Elliot Kyle writes brings together sweet, swoony, hilarious, ridiculous and FILTHY in the best possible way. If it’s possible, I think I loved this one EVEN MORE than Ripe & Ready. Mack was so relatable and real and wholesome and Andrés got him out of his head and grounded him just how he needed him to. I loved the dynamic between these two characters and will forever be in awe of how much emotion Elliot stirs up in such a short little novella. So thankful to get to ARC read another book from Elliot Kyle and cannot WAIT to see what he does next.

[Meaghan Messmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed! 🤌🏼 Eliot’s writing is BEAUTIFUL! This Novella had it all and with the perfect amounts. Angst, Tension, opposites attract. It’s a one night stand and an unconventional lube choice. I loved every second of it

[Madam Ra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost wished they never met again.. is that weird? I liked the fist half, it is a short novella, but the first half was so good, like two strangers in the night, the have so much chemistry and share this very passionate moment. I am happy that it was a catalyst for Mac to gather courage and chase something new. I don’t get why Andres stopped contact if he was so interested in Mack, if they never met in that airport… what then. So yeah I think I wanted to see Mack going on this new adventure for himself.

[Eli M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honestly a little mad at how good this novella was. If Elliot Kyle is going to write this well, he should be required to give us a full-length book.
From the first paragraph, I was blown away at his ability to write such strong character voices. There was a completely different feel to Mack’s POV than Andy’s from Ripe & Ready. Not only was his voice original, it was authentic. This character is the men I know, who I grew up with in a small town where the outside world feels unattainable. In a way, this character was me, struggling to understand who I was on the inside with the view my hometown had of me. Getting out helped, but it stays with you. As Andrés observes: “The way I talk, the way I carry myself, the way I love… even the way I fight. All of it comes from that place.”
Despite some heavier themes, this story is still full of humor and steamy chemistry. The sexual tension in that tow-truck ride was palpable, and Mack’s struggle to converse with Andrés built their chemistry even more. In Ripe & Ready, I admired the way Elliot Kyle built a believable years-long friendship so concisely for the MCs, and here he makes two complete strangers believably fall in almost-love in one night.
The smut is smutting, and once it starts, the dynamic between the MCs was a little unexpected, but so, so good. Not only is the contrast of their physical appearances appealing, so is the difference in the way they each approach s3x.
This may be a series of novellas that started from a joke about anything working as lube, but these first two installments have delivered some of the best and most enjoyable writing and characters of this year. I don’t consider myself that critical of a reader, and I enjoy all types of writing/stories, but it’s rare that a book is so well crafted I can’t sleep after reading it because I’m thinking about the writing, the characters, and the story that thoroughly infiltrated my brain.

[Josh Epp · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars!

Motor oil y’all, fucking motor oil.

So, I didn’t like this one much. The first one was a great time, this one was not. I don’t like the Andres at all. Mack was fine but got a bit annoying. I understand this is a novella but one minute we are frail and self-loathing and then a chapter later we are macho man. Yeah, no.

The set up was clunky. The writing felt very all over the place compared to book 1. I didn’t care for either of the MMC’s. The banter they both had with each other was forced and not genuine. The way the sex happened was very abrupt and odd.

The sex. It was fine, nothing crazy. I personally do not like the dom/sub trope at all. I also am not a huge fan of “good boy, yes sir.” So it rubbed me the wrong way. The obsession that Mack grew into so quickly was disingenuous. I didn’t believe it at all. All because one man asked to kiss you, you fall in utter love and he becomes your soul mate. Yeah, no.

I honestly couldn’t wait for this one to be over with the last chapter being a “one year later.” The airport was expected, I knew exactly what was going to happen. I called every single plot point and loose end before reading it. So I was a bit disappointed with this one.

I would skip this one. I’m going to read novella three and I’m hoping it’s better than this one.

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 ＆ 𝒢𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓈 // Fictional Fiction 2 // ℰ𝓁𝓁𝒾ℴ𝓉 𝒦𝓎𝓁ℯ

🧴 Some of my Favorites // Edit // Review 🧴

Talk about Filthy, Feral and just absolutely perfect.

Talk about the perfect short treat to kick off 2026. Elliot delivered exactly that. Just when I thought banana purée was unconventional (IYKYK 🤭), Elliott said, “Hold my beer” 🤣 and gave us something even better.

Everything you could possibly pack into a short novella—this author nailed it. Elliot’s ability to mix swoony, sweet, ridiculous, hilarious, and filthy moments is straight-up 👩🏻‍🍳💋. I’m absolutely here for it.

The way I needed these two to find a way to be together is still living rent-free in my head. And the way I desperately want Elliot to give us a follow-up on Mack and Andrés…

Elliot hasn’t disappointed me yet in the two books I’ve read, and I can’t wait to jump into book three.

Please ✔️ TRIGGER WARNINGS before jumping in. If you have none then just jump in 😉.

What to expect // Trope
Short Novella 86pgs
🏳️‍🌈 MM Romance
💜 Grumpy x Sunshine
😈 Strangers
💜 Insta-Lust
😈 One Night Stand
💜 Forced Proximity
😈 🍑 👅 in the best way.
💜 Small Town
😈 Low Angst // High Heat
💜 “It’ll Fit”
😈 Dude In Distress
💜 Unconventional Lube 🧴
😈 Dirty Talk 🥵
💜 “Bless His Heart”
😈 Forearm P*rn
🔝 Strict Top // ⬇️ Strict Bottom = yes

Find Edit 👇🏼
🦄 IG: @love.2.readallmmromance

[Bookstarreviews_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 3.5🌶️

There’s more than one engine turned on in this spicy MM novella! 🌶️

In the first novella in the Friction Fiction series, bananas were a sweet and sticky addition and well, let’s just say motor oil is slippery and ensures a seamless glide in this quick and easy to read second and standalone story.

I love Kyle’s writing style and how he ensured that the story itself had emotion to it, rather than it just being focussed on spice. Behind the innuendos and all the fun, there were some really heartfelt moments. This worked very well with all the raw and gritty sections too.

Let me tell you that there was a lot of junk in the yard and Mack sure took Andrés on a ride, bringing ‘tow job’ to a new meaning. The tyre wasn’t the only rim in the novella and I was so here for it! 😏

I was slightly angry towards the end and thought whattttt! with how things played out, but the characters soon won me back quickly in the final chapters.

This was a great read in one sitting novella and I look forward to reading Slick and Spooky. 😍

If my car breaks down, I know who to call…

💬 ‘You look like a storm cloud and I’ve always been drawn to thunder.’

⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️

[Kyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has absolutely no right being as good as it is. But here I am, utterly delighted, a little confused, and completely invested in a novella series that I never expected to love this much.

Grease and Grips is the second book in Kyle’s Friction Fiction novella series, and it’s the perfect combination of big, raw emotions and hilariously raunchy humor. Seriously, I’m not sure how he does it, but his writing has this incredible ability to dive into real, human feelings while still making you laugh out loud on nearly every page. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, but like, the kind of rollercoaster where you’re screaming and having the best time of your life.

The characters are messy in the best way. They have heart, they’re real, they’re relatable—and yet they’re also somehow really, really funny. Kyle has this knack for creating these situations that are both totally wild and surprisingly endearing.

If you’re looking for a book that has a mix of humor, heart, and just the right amount of outrageousness, this is it. And if you haven’t started this series yet, do yourself a favor and jump in. I cannot wait for the next one.

[iluvbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly this book made me cry a little, especially when Mack was expressing his fears, 6/10

the reason for the 6 is the biblical reference, now I'm not saying that in an atheist way but in a I'm really uncomfortable with the way the Bible (not the physical Bible) was used in this book

I'm a Christian and though i know I'm the last person who should be saying this but the scenes were giving blasphemy

dick and God should not be used in the same sentence (I'm sorry for doing so now)

the way the book ended was absolutely insensitive and totally unnecessary cuz wdym ghosted for 6 months?

couldn't the author write an epilogue with a happily ever after, that's the whole reason I read an epilogue 😒, even two epilogues would've been nice

All in all, I know the author tried really hard with this book and reading the author's note made me a little guilty about writing this review buuut 🤷‍♀️

the book is good, has a lot of potential, didn't like the subtle blasphemy (I've classified it as such anyway)

[Daje1968 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author. Apparently, he started writing novellas as a joke, using increasingly ridiculous substitutes for lube. (I picture a bunch of gay men drinking margaritas on a Fire Island deck, swapping stories about the craziest things they’ve used for lube, and someone daring him to turn it into a book.) Turns out, he’s actually a good writer. I just wish he’d write a full romance one of these days.

I didn’t rate this one as highly as the banana book, though. I have a hard time with single–POV stories when the narrator has low self-esteem. I just… tend to believe them. Which, I suppose, is a good reminder that low self-esteem is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So I kind of thought he was a bit of a loser, and I couldn’t really see these two as anything more than a hookup or two.

The sex was pretty hot, though. For the record, I did check with ChatGPT, and apparently motor oil as lube is very dangerous so, proceed with caution.

[Amanda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this opposites attract novella, we are introduced to Mack, a borderline nihilistic, jaded mechanic who hasn't had the opportunity to travel beyond the small town he grew up in. Through his POV, we are introduced to the handsome, city-slicker Andres aka man of too many names, whose coincidental car troubles land him right in Mack's path.

I wish this was a longer novel. Mack needs to go on a hero's journey to uncover his own found family. Together, Mack and Andres seem like the type of couple that would make you say "you know, I never would have put them together, but it just works." Kyle did a masterful job layering emotion into this short piece that has no shortage of spice. Thrilled to read more from this author. The only reason I had to knock this down from 5 stars is the use of motor oil STILL has me cringing out of my sensitive skin.

[whatserereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliot Kyle did it again!
This is the second novella in the Friction Fiction series, and I loved it even more than the first one. The thing is, I found myself highlighting more lines than I usually do in a full-length book. The way he writes — the way he captures what his characters see, feel, and live — it feels so real it’s almost scary. In the best possible way.

Now, not to sound basic, but let’s talk about the smut. Insanely good. Top notch. Mack and Andrés… God. The build-up made of silences and short answers during that car ride? I WAS STOMPING MY FEET. So simple yet so devastatingly effective.

And the lube choice? I was floored. Sure, I knew it going in, but reading it actually unfold? Not the same.

If these novellas are just a warm-up for what’s coming next, keep them coming. And since the next one apparently has spooky vibes? I cannot wait.

[Rebecca T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elliot Kyle does another great job of letting the reader get to know the characters quickly and efficiently in a novella. Mack was the grump and Andrés was the black cat, so a bit of a hybrid trope, but it worked well! And the motor oil!! I may not be a mechanic, but I've been around enough motor oil to know about that smell. Unclear as to the safety of using it as lube, but it's a book! And a fun one! I looooved the puns after they fooled around. So perfect and gave us a glimpse into a more silly/playful side of Andrés. Excited to read book 3!

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I’m loving these novellas from Elliot Kyle that are somehow extremely spicy (with some unconventional product use) but also emotional despite being <90 pages. Andrés' auto shop puns were hilarious.
“Triple A would’ve never given me that kind of service.”🤭
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I need to get this car hitched before I say something like "your jaw line is upsetting me emotionally."

You look like a storm cloud and I've always been drawn to thunder.

"Flight's already delayed, I'm feeling nostalgic, and you look like you might still taste the same."

[ConversationsWith APRIL · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Elliot Kyle wrote Mack's inner dialogue had me wanting to give him all my forehead kisses. This story was beautifully written. There were areas within the read that I both highlighted and added notes in my kindle scribe. Left me wanting more but in the best way.

“How many men have done that?” I blink. “Done what?” “Kissed you and not meant it.” The breath I let out feels like it takes some part of me with it. “Everyone I’ve ever kissed.”

[Benjamin Twigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant entry into Elliot Kyle’s weird lube MM romance novella’s. But even that doesn’t completely describe the amount of heart, hot af heat and humour he writes with.

I adored Mack the moment he was on the page and then Andrés comes in and I was absolutely rooting for the two of them. And Mack could get it! My newest Book BF!

I won’t spoil anything but I loved Grease and Grips just as much as his previous entry. Perhaps even more 🥰🥰

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elliot Kyle's second novella is just as fun of a read as his first. The writing, from the descriptions to the dialogue, is very good, and without being too explicit, there is a good amount of heat. I'm really glad that this author starting publishing in this genre because his authorial voice is really fantastic: he has a way of bringing an authenticity to his characters that is rare but deeply sought after. I can't wait to read the next installment.

[Eddy Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way i was giggling and kicking my feet through this novella had me actually embarrassed. I really love how Andres helped Mack through his insecurity’s and showed him a different perspective.

You could really feel that after their steamy intimate night together, Mack was a changed person. I wish i could get more of this couple. Well done Elliot!

[Misc · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can tell the author ran out of steam fast near the end of this novella and just let it fizzle out with a sad whoosh. That last sort-of-epilogue chapter really should’ve been scratched altogether bc there’s not a single redeeming quality to it, and the jarring gap between the beginning of the book and that contrived ending doesn’t help. It certainly knocked a star from my rating - that’s how much I hated it.

[Shana Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can forgive using banana as lube. I cannot forgive motor oil. Especially since my husband is a mechanic. Absolutely hard no. He would never. And Mack absolutely could have gotten a UTI from all that and the dirtiness. Gross.

Also, Andres literally ghosted Mack after all that talk about connection and everyone leaving him. That felt icky.

[Matty Laps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella gives emotions, character development, humor and spice. I wish this was a full length novel because I want more from these two characters. Excited to see what Elliot Kyle brings us in the future.

[Books.and.Bases · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series!

How is it possible for a book where motor oil is used as lube can also make me cry?! Another hit from Elliot Kyle in the Friction Fiction series. It was funny and poignant and delightful.