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Grease Monkey
Itzel Trejo Castillo has always had other people in charge of her a powerful father, people pretending to care but really just pushing their own wishes, and a man who thought controlling her was the same as loving her. When she can no longer avoid being pushed to marry her father’s business partner, Itzel finally does something for herself—she leaves. Her plan to get away quickly turns into an unexpected stop in a small, out-of-the-way town, where her car breaks down near an auto shop run by Joshua Bradley, a quiet mechanic who believes in doing things the right way or not at all.
While waiting for her car to be fixed, Itzel finds a place where being honest is more important than looking good. Josh helps her without wanting anything back, keeps her safe without trying to control her, and gives her space without judging her. As real and emotional storms come and go, their connection grows in quiet moments, honest talks, and slowly learning to trust again. Josh sees the fear Itzel tries to hide, and when the man she ran from finds her, the fight is violent and changes everything. Itzel finally what she left behind was not love, but danger.
Once the truth comes out and the danger is over, Itzel faces her hardest not whether to leave, but whether to stay because she wants to. This is not a story about being saved, but about taking back control—realizing that feeling safe and wanting someone can go together, and that real love never asks you to stop being yourself. Years later, Itzel lives a life she chose, built on patience, respect, and a partner who stands by her rather than trying to own her.
This story explores the difference between control and care, fear and choice, and the quiet but powerful act of staying because you want to, not because you have to.
Perfect for readers who
• emotional slow-burn romance
• strong heroines reclaiming their lives
• protective, gentle heroes
• hurt/comfort and healing love stories
• small-town found family vibes
• “who did this to you?” energy
• love after trauma
• quiet, intimate, character-driven romance
Content This story includes references to domestic abuse (emotional, psychological, and coercive control), stalking and harassment, threats involving power, reputation, and immigration status, physical violence and injury, attempted kidnapping, and non-consensual image sharing (referenced, not graphic). It also contains off-page discussion of grooming and abuse of minors.
While waiting for her car to be fixed, Itzel finds a place where being honest is more important than looking good. Josh helps her without wanting anything back, keeps her safe without trying to control her, and gives her space without judging her. As real and emotional storms come and go, their connection grows in quiet moments, honest talks, and slowly learning to trust again. Josh sees the fear Itzel tries to hide, and when the man she ran from finds her, the fight is violent and changes everything. Itzel finally what she left behind was not love, but danger.
Once the truth comes out and the danger is over, Itzel faces her hardest not whether to leave, but whether to stay because she wants to. This is not a story about being saved, but about taking back control—realizing that feeling safe and wanting someone can go together, and that real love never asks you to stop being yourself. Years later, Itzel lives a life she chose, built on patience, respect, and a partner who stands by her rather than trying to own her.
This story explores the difference between control and care, fear and choice, and the quiet but powerful act of staying because you want to, not because you have to.
Perfect for readers who
• emotional slow-burn romance
• strong heroines reclaiming their lives
• protective, gentle heroes
• hurt/comfort and healing love stories
• small-town found family vibes
• “who did this to you?” energy
• love after trauma
• quiet, intimate, character-driven romance
Content This story includes references to domestic abuse (emotional, psychological, and coercive control), stalking and harassment, threats involving power, reputation, and immigration status, physical violence and injury, attempted kidnapping, and non-consensual image sharing (referenced, not graphic). It also contains off-page discussion of grooming and abuse of minors.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 12, 2026
A beautiful novella about taking back freedom
Grease Monkey is the kind of romance that sneaks up on you. From reading its description, I thought I knew what to expect... and I did, to an extent. What surprised me and caught me off guard was Itzel's quiet grace, even while running scared, and Josh's steady patience. Even when he finds himself falling for the girl he knows not to encroach, that she needs the time and the space to feel safe & seen before she could even consider risking her heart.
I really felt for Itzel. While her past is, in large part, a mystery we still know enough to infer a lot about her trauma. It's a master stroke by the author, giving readers the ability to take Itzel at face value or, as I did, to read more deeply into her history. There was a line she says, about midway through the story, that shined a light on her experience which I think many women can relate to: “You learn early that rules are just the part before they decide they deserve more.” Men have never treated her with any sort of respect, taking what they want and leaving her to deal with the aftermath.
Josh isn't one if those men. He's patient, forthright, and (despite his sometimes gruff words) a true gentleman. There are hints at his past, but we really don't get into it, and in a novella this short it's unsurprising. I can't pretend that I didn't want to know more, but in the end I know enough.
If you're looking for a short, single-sitting read that throws a few low-blows (in Itzel's past) before delivering on a promise of safety, freedom, and love built on trust... this one will hit the spot!
Grease Monkey is the kind of romance that sneaks up on you. From reading its description, I thought I knew what to expect... and I did, to an extent. What surprised me and caught me off guard was Itzel's quiet grace, even while running scared, and Josh's steady patience. Even when he finds himself falling for the girl he knows not to encroach, that she needs the time and the space to feel safe & seen before she could even consider risking her heart.
I really felt for Itzel. While her past is, in large part, a mystery we still know enough to infer a lot about her trauma. It's a master stroke by the author, giving readers the ability to take Itzel at face value or, as I did, to read more deeply into her history. There was a line she says, about midway through the story, that shined a light on her experience which I think many women can relate to: “You learn early that rules are just the part before they decide they deserve more.” Men have never treated her with any sort of respect, taking what they want and leaving her to deal with the aftermath.
Josh isn't one if those men. He's patient, forthright, and (despite his sometimes gruff words) a true gentleman. There are hints at his past, but we really don't get into it, and in a novella this short it's unsurprising. I can't pretend that I didn't want to know more, but in the end I know enough.
If you're looking for a short, single-sitting read that throws a few low-blows (in Itzel's past) before delivering on a promise of safety, freedom, and love built on trust... this one will hit the spot!
January 11, 2026
I loved this story from start to finish. Itzel, trying to rid herself of a terrible situation. And Josh, the loner who could see something in her that he couldn’t say no to. Like having her stay at his home because her vehicle broke down. Or giving her his bed when a terrible storm made the power go off. There were little things between these two that made it a special novella. Itzel teaching Josh Spanish was so cute. Josh teaching her about tools. Each time, they were falling for each other. A really perfect story about being allowed to choose your own way. Loved this book so much.
April 3, 2026
Short beautiful read
Itzel is a strong spirited woman who I instantly loved. Josh stubborn but from the beginning I knew he would be just what she needed to not be so, tight up as they say.
Itzel wasnt only running away from something unsafe and unhappy but she needed to heal and needed a new beginning. Somewhere she chose an a place she could relax and feel safe in and Josh gave that to her.
Their back and forth was something I enjoyed but the best part for me was how the author didnt rush anything with them, it felt real because of how they wrote how they felt but they didnt act on it, it took time, as it does in real life.
I enjoyed everything until after the big fight scene. For me once that happened I felt the story got rushed. Where the author would have conversation and give a blow by blow of everything before that moment, after it was jumpy with less conversation and more telling which for me took away from what I was enjoying about the story before that point, which is why I am giving it a 4 instead of 5 star review. The story was still great and I loved the conversation and interaction before the time jump and to see where they ended up but then once again that felt too short and rushed for me. I would have liked to have more of them after her past was finally behind her. But overall I very much enjoyed the story.
Itzel is a strong spirited woman who I instantly loved. Josh stubborn but from the beginning I knew he would be just what she needed to not be so, tight up as they say.
Itzel wasnt only running away from something unsafe and unhappy but she needed to heal and needed a new beginning. Somewhere she chose an a place she could relax and feel safe in and Josh gave that to her.
Their back and forth was something I enjoyed but the best part for me was how the author didnt rush anything with them, it felt real because of how they wrote how they felt but they didnt act on it, it took time, as it does in real life.
I enjoyed everything until after the big fight scene. For me once that happened I felt the story got rushed. Where the author would have conversation and give a blow by blow of everything before that moment, after it was jumpy with less conversation and more telling which for me took away from what I was enjoying about the story before that point, which is why I am giving it a 4 instead of 5 star review. The story was still great and I loved the conversation and interaction before the time jump and to see where they ended up but then once again that felt too short and rushed for me. I would have liked to have more of them after her past was finally behind her. But overall I very much enjoyed the story.
April 24, 2026
Potentially offensive items: nudity, adult situations, premarital sex, pedophilia, sexually explicit, rape, offensive language, violence, graphic violence, violence against women, mature themes, technically inaccurate errors that could cause harm, lying, dysfunctional family, divination
The premise for this book: a rich woman fleeing an abusive relationship has car trouble in a town that's smaller than small and falls in love with a mechanic--was great. I also liked the disclaimer of potentially offensive material found at the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, the book was not fleshed out or researched.
The female lead was allegedly from a rich family of Hispanic background. The Spanish phrases that were used, however, were not only directly translated in parentheses immediately after them, which regularly pulls the reader out of the story, but also were sometimes incorrect. Further, although her family is never described as being rich from illegal activities directly, the way the family is described doesn't fit a rich family at all, and only potentially fits a crime family. I felt that making the character from a Latina crime family seemed racist, especially since the parents condoned her repeated rape by a pedophile in their own home.
Then, there was the mechanic. The author's lack of knowledge about car repair was blatantly obvious. Instead of avoiding talking about what the mechanic was doing to the car and focusing on the relationship, we get ridiculously inaccurate names and details of what is going on. There is also so much repetition and silly statements like "Fluid's just from the blown line scraping when it dropped." Huh? What blown line? (We are never told.) It seems the line being "blown" would cause a leak, and not its scraping on anything after it was blown. There is so much lack of mechanical knowledge in this "mechanic," it was painful to read.
And although there are plenty of fake details discussing how Josh, the mechanic, is working on Itzel's car, it is as if all the numerous details are about things unimportant to the plot. There is also a lot of fluff that filled pages without saying much or, in some cases, without making any sense. Then, the author seems to forget what was already established and either contradicts previous statements or repeats them.
This book needed better developmental editing to get rid of everything that is unnecessary, add in researched information, and improve the relationship information. As it is, I would say the characters are more underdeveloped stock characters instead of even one-dimensional characters. My rating is based on the unbiased matrix I have posted on my blog.
The premise for this book: a rich woman fleeing an abusive relationship has car trouble in a town that's smaller than small and falls in love with a mechanic--was great. I also liked the disclaimer of potentially offensive material found at the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, the book was not fleshed out or researched.
The female lead was allegedly from a rich family of Hispanic background. The Spanish phrases that were used, however, were not only directly translated in parentheses immediately after them, which regularly pulls the reader out of the story, but also were sometimes incorrect. Further, although her family is never described as being rich from illegal activities directly, the way the family is described doesn't fit a rich family at all, and only potentially fits a crime family. I felt that making the character from a Latina crime family seemed racist, especially since the parents condoned her repeated rape by a pedophile in their own home.
Then, there was the mechanic. The author's lack of knowledge about car repair was blatantly obvious. Instead of avoiding talking about what the mechanic was doing to the car and focusing on the relationship, we get ridiculously inaccurate names and details of what is going on. There is also so much repetition and silly statements like "Fluid's just from the blown line scraping when it dropped." Huh? What blown line? (We are never told.) It seems the line being "blown" would cause a leak, and not its scraping on anything after it was blown. There is so much lack of mechanical knowledge in this "mechanic," it was painful to read.
And although there are plenty of fake details discussing how Josh, the mechanic, is working on Itzel's car, it is as if all the numerous details are about things unimportant to the plot. There is also a lot of fluff that filled pages without saying much or, in some cases, without making any sense. Then, the author seems to forget what was already established and either contradicts previous statements or repeats them.
This book needed better developmental editing to get rid of everything that is unnecessary, add in researched information, and improve the relationship information. As it is, I would say the characters are more underdeveloped stock characters instead of even one-dimensional characters. My rating is based on the unbiased matrix I have posted on my blog.
April 25, 2026
Grease Monkey is a love story novella. The main character, Itzel, is on the run, trying to escape her life. She has been tormented forever and is treated as a business trading object. However, her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, where she meets Josh, who happens to have a workshop.
I can see this works for readers looking for a slow-burn romance. The build-up to the two characters getting to know each other is good. The story is well written and focuses heavily on how the characters feel. This is the strength of the story.
However, I have read this many times before. It feels cliché; everything is very predictable because it follows the recipe of a romance almost part-for-part. Nothing is suspenseful, and the plot doesn’t feel unique. The blurb also tells everything about the story, it’s a summary because everything is there instead of a tease.
Some things feel like merely plot devices. For example, as mentioned earlier, Itzel wants to run away, but she is fully aware that she is being tracked. She is also fully aware that she could endanger someone’s home. Julio, the villain, apparently builds an empire based on lies, but there are so many holes and weaknesses in the empire that it crumbles just because of someone he has been controlling his whole life. I would imagine he feeds the authorities and even has the power to extort them. For someone who has made a living by controlling others’ lives with extortion, blackmail, murder, and every other shady thing for decades and is so powerful, it’s hard to believe that he is so easily taken out.
The main problem that has been established since the beginning turns out to be nothing, easily settled in a few sentences, literally. The villain is just one-dimensional, the evil, bad man, while both main characters are idealistic.
The book works for those who are looking for a quick romance story. The characters have good chemistry, the novella is well-written, fast-paced, and has a feel-good, happy ending.
I can see this works for readers looking for a slow-burn romance. The build-up to the two characters getting to know each other is good. The story is well written and focuses heavily on how the characters feel. This is the strength of the story.
However, I have read this many times before. It feels cliché; everything is very predictable because it follows the recipe of a romance almost part-for-part. Nothing is suspenseful, and the plot doesn’t feel unique. The blurb also tells everything about the story, it’s a summary because everything is there instead of a tease.
Some things feel like merely plot devices. For example, as mentioned earlier, Itzel wants to run away, but she is fully aware that she is being tracked. She is also fully aware that she could endanger someone’s home. Julio, the villain, apparently builds an empire based on lies, but there are so many holes and weaknesses in the empire that it crumbles just because of someone he has been controlling his whole life. I would imagine he feeds the authorities and even has the power to extort them. For someone who has made a living by controlling others’ lives with extortion, blackmail, murder, and every other shady thing for decades and is so powerful, it’s hard to believe that he is so easily taken out.
The main problem that has been established since the beginning turns out to be nothing, easily settled in a few sentences, literally. The villain is just one-dimensional, the evil, bad man, while both main characters are idealistic.
The book works for those who are looking for a quick romance story. The characters have good chemistry, the novella is well-written, fast-paced, and has a feel-good, happy ending.
January 23, 2026
A Fabulous Little Story of Conflict and Trust
As a very amateur grease monkey, the details, sounds and smells of this tale are easily identified and real to me. I like these characters and very much enjoyed sharing their story.
The mechanics of the writing is precise and refreshing. The timbre of the sentences is non-patterned and enjoyable with unexpected turnarounds. Specifically the book never loses its character as conversation carries initially from conflict, outlining the more direct and boring truth or point of the exchanges.
I recommend Grease Monkey wholeheartedly.
As a very amateur grease monkey, the details, sounds and smells of this tale are easily identified and real to me. I like these characters and very much enjoyed sharing their story.
The mechanics of the writing is precise and refreshing. The timbre of the sentences is non-patterned and enjoyable with unexpected turnarounds. Specifically the book never loses its character as conversation carries initially from conflict, outlining the more direct and boring truth or point of the exchanges.
I recommend Grease Monkey wholeheartedly.
February 4, 2026
A well-paced, emotionally grounded romance that is easy to read and engaging throughout. The story flows naturally, allowing the characters and their emotional journeys to take center stage. A satisfying read for those who enjoy slow-burn romance with depth, healing, and genuine connection.
January 22, 2026
A short and beautiful read - the one that leaves you with happy tears. It is that kind of love story that makes you crave one. A recommended read for sure.
January 8, 2026
Grease Monkey by Evie Del Rey is a quiet, powerful romance about choosing yourself—and finding love that never asks you to shrink.
Itzel Trejo Castillo has spent her entire life being managed, molded, and controlled. By her powerful father. By people who claimed to care while making decisions for her. By a man who mistook ownership for love. When she’s finally pushed toward a marriage that feels like another prison, Itzel does the bravest thing she’s ever done: she runs.
Her escape lands her in a forgotten little town with a broken-down car and no plan beyond “keep going.” That’s where she meets Joshua Bradley—a soft-spoken, steady mechanic who fixes cars the way he lives his life: carefully, honestly, and without shortcuts. Josh doesn’t push. He doesn’t pry. He doesn’t demand anything from her. He simply helps, listens, and gives her space to breathe—something Itzel hasn’t had in a very long time.
What unfolds between them is a beautifully slow-burn connection built on trust, not control. Quiet conversations. Shared silences. Small, meaningful acts of kindness. Josh sees the fear Itzel hides beneath her composure, and instead of trying to “save” her, he stands beside her. When the man she fled finally tracks her down, the story takes a darker, more intense turn—forcing Itzel to confront a truth she’s been avoiding: what she left behind was never love. It was danger.
And that realization changes everything.
Grease Monkey isn’t about a woman being rescued—it’s about a woman reclaiming her agency. It’s about learning that safety and desire can coexist, that love doesn’t mean surrendering yourself, and that choosing to stay is far more powerful than being forced to remain.
Years later, Itzel’s life is proof of that choice—built on patience, mutual respect, and a partner who stands with her rather than over her.
Tender, emotional, and deeply grounding, Grease Monkey is perfect for readers who crave healing romances with protective-but-gentle heroes, strong heroines finding their voice, and small-town found family vibes. If you love stories where love feels earned, safe, and real, this one will stay with you long after the final page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Itzel Trejo Castillo has spent her entire life being managed, molded, and controlled. By her powerful father. By people who claimed to care while making decisions for her. By a man who mistook ownership for love. When she’s finally pushed toward a marriage that feels like another prison, Itzel does the bravest thing she’s ever done: she runs.
Her escape lands her in a forgotten little town with a broken-down car and no plan beyond “keep going.” That’s where she meets Joshua Bradley—a soft-spoken, steady mechanic who fixes cars the way he lives his life: carefully, honestly, and without shortcuts. Josh doesn’t push. He doesn’t pry. He doesn’t demand anything from her. He simply helps, listens, and gives her space to breathe—something Itzel hasn’t had in a very long time.
What unfolds between them is a beautifully slow-burn connection built on trust, not control. Quiet conversations. Shared silences. Small, meaningful acts of kindness. Josh sees the fear Itzel hides beneath her composure, and instead of trying to “save” her, he stands beside her. When the man she fled finally tracks her down, the story takes a darker, more intense turn—forcing Itzel to confront a truth she’s been avoiding: what she left behind was never love. It was danger.
And that realization changes everything.
Grease Monkey isn’t about a woman being rescued—it’s about a woman reclaiming her agency. It’s about learning that safety and desire can coexist, that love doesn’t mean surrendering yourself, and that choosing to stay is far more powerful than being forced to remain.
Years later, Itzel’s life is proof of that choice—built on patience, mutual respect, and a partner who stands with her rather than over her.
Tender, emotional, and deeply grounding, Grease Monkey is perfect for readers who crave healing romances with protective-but-gentle heroes, strong heroines finding their voice, and small-town found family vibes. If you love stories where love feels earned, safe, and real, this one will stay with you long after the final page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2026
This short but compelling story is told in alternating chapters by the two protagonists, and I was immediately drawn in from the opening paragraph. Itzel is a young woman torn between family duty and expectations, and an arranged marriage to someone she is clearly wary of. We don't know much detail at first but her fear and desperation at the looming marriage are conveyed by accomplished writing. Itzel escapes her parental home by car with no real plan, but when her vehicle breaks down she is forced to seek help at an out of the way auto repair garage. Josh is the owner/mechanic there, and I instantly warmed to his strong, calm persona. Itzel is wary, prickly, and understandably so, as she has only ever experienced controlling men. Over the few days of being marooned at Josh's place while he fixes her car, Itzel reveals a little about why she ran away, but it's conveyed mostly by what is left unsaid. We don't learn much about Josh but his quiet, gentlemanly presence makes him an appealing character, which comes through even more strongly in the final chapters.
The writing flows smoothly and the author is particularly accomplished at creating a visual setting, with atmosphere and tension running through every chapter, despite minimal action scenes. The slow-bum attraction between Itzel and Josh is very well-crafted and kept me turning the pages. The climax of the story came quite unexpectedly, with action and a little violence, and demonstrated the author's writing ability. Throughout the book I had no feeling of the ending being a foregone conclusion, which meant the Epilogue felt particularly satisfying. I found the final pages tenderly written, and they brought a tear to my eye. Grease Monkey is a well-written and thought-provoking love story, sure to be appreciated if you enjoy clean romance with likeable, strong characters and a thoughtful plot.
The writing flows smoothly and the author is particularly accomplished at creating a visual setting, with atmosphere and tension running through every chapter, despite minimal action scenes. The slow-bum attraction between Itzel and Josh is very well-crafted and kept me turning the pages. The climax of the story came quite unexpectedly, with action and a little violence, and demonstrated the author's writing ability. Throughout the book I had no feeling of the ending being a foregone conclusion, which meant the Epilogue felt particularly satisfying. I found the final pages tenderly written, and they brought a tear to my eye. Grease Monkey is a well-written and thought-provoking love story, sure to be appreciated if you enjoy clean romance with likeable, strong characters and a thoughtful plot.
January 22, 2026
This story opens from 25-year-old Itzel’s point of view. She’s fleeing her overbearing father and his plans for her to marry his 40-year-old business partner. With no real plans but escape, she takes off and feels free for the first time in her life until she breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Luckily there’s an auto-repair shop in walking distance. It’s run by Joshua, a young man with integrity, living a quiet solitude life. It’s a small shop and the repairs will take at least a couple of days, and he offers her a place to stay. Itzel assumes he’s like the other men in her life but with no other choice, she accepts the offer and dubs him “Grease Monkey.” From this point on the story pops back and forth between these two characters’ points of view, following the classic romantic trope of assumptions, attraction, trust, distrust and more.
On the plus side, this Novela is a quick easy read with a clean writing style.
What didn’t work for me: 1: The implied and stated issues seemed to contradict each other by her actions and reactions at the romantic climax. 2: We don’t see the same growth or change from Joshua’s point-of view. 3: The wrap up at the end went on longer than necessary. 4: Many of the “references to domestic abuse (emotional, psychological, and coercive control), stalking and harassment [Author description]” didn’t add to the storyline. If important, including these scenes rather than just implying them would have been powerful. Plus, it would prepare the reader for a “slow burn” steamy scene.
For these reasons I’d rate this book as 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
On the plus side, this Novela is a quick easy read with a clean writing style.
What didn’t work for me: 1: The implied and stated issues seemed to contradict each other by her actions and reactions at the romantic climax. 2: We don’t see the same growth or change from Joshua’s point-of view. 3: The wrap up at the end went on longer than necessary. 4: Many of the “references to domestic abuse (emotional, psychological, and coercive control), stalking and harassment [Author description]” didn’t add to the storyline. If important, including these scenes rather than just implying them would have been powerful. Plus, it would prepare the reader for a “slow burn” steamy scene.
For these reasons I’d rate this book as 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
January 23, 2026
Grease Monkey is a quick but at times gritty romance with smooth, error‑free prose and a lot of promise.
Itzel, the heroine, arrives on the page already furious, suspicious, and difficult to warm to. Her resentment toward her controlling family is understandable, yet the book gives us little else to balance her hostility. She’s wealthy, sheltered, and perpetually on edge, and the narrative rarely lets her be anything more than prickly.
Her late‑night run‑in with Josh, the mechanic who rescues her after a blown tire, sets up a classic opposites‑attract setup. But their first meeting feels exaggerated: she’s dismissive and rude, while he’s calm, patient, and almost saintlike. When she ends up staying in his small home while waiting for parts, Josh continues to offer kindness without hesitation, even as she remains abrasive. The imbalance is so stark that it becomes genuinely hard to understand why Josh falls for her at all.
The alternating POV chapters shed some light on Itzel’s fear and confusion, but Josh’s inner life stays thin. He’s presented as endlessly good, yet we never learn what shaped him. Their romance develops quickly, but without enough grounding to make the connection believable.
The plot’s biggest stumble comes near the end, when a supposedly dangerous villain appears, threatens havoc, and then simply disappears from the story. For a book that builds so much tension around this figure, the lack of resolution is a major flaw.
The intimate scene is well executed, but the novel overall feels more like an outline of a possible romance than a fully realized one.
Itzel, the heroine, arrives on the page already furious, suspicious, and difficult to warm to. Her resentment toward her controlling family is understandable, yet the book gives us little else to balance her hostility. She’s wealthy, sheltered, and perpetually on edge, and the narrative rarely lets her be anything more than prickly.
Her late‑night run‑in with Josh, the mechanic who rescues her after a blown tire, sets up a classic opposites‑attract setup. But their first meeting feels exaggerated: she’s dismissive and rude, while he’s calm, patient, and almost saintlike. When she ends up staying in his small home while waiting for parts, Josh continues to offer kindness without hesitation, even as she remains abrasive. The imbalance is so stark that it becomes genuinely hard to understand why Josh falls for her at all.
The alternating POV chapters shed some light on Itzel’s fear and confusion, but Josh’s inner life stays thin. He’s presented as endlessly good, yet we never learn what shaped him. Their romance develops quickly, but without enough grounding to make the connection believable.
The plot’s biggest stumble comes near the end, when a supposedly dangerous villain appears, threatens havoc, and then simply disappears from the story. For a book that builds so much tension around this figure, the lack of resolution is a major flaw.
The intimate scene is well executed, but the novel overall feels more like an outline of a possible romance than a fully realized one.
February 16, 2026
I picked this up expecting a straightforward small-town romance and got something that sat with me longer than I anticipated. There's a quietness to this story that caught me off guard.
Itzel is not an immediately easy character to warm up to, and I think that's entirely the point. She arrives in Josh's world wound tight, suspicious, and a little sharp around the edges. But the more the story peeled back, the more her guardedness stopped feeling like a personality trait and started feeling like armor she'd been forced to build. That shift in understanding happened so naturally that I didn't even notice it until I was fully on her side.
Josh, meanwhile, is the kind of character I didn't realize I needed to read. He's not flashy or grand in his gestures. He fixes things, offers what he can, and doesn't attach strings to any of it. There's something almost radical about a love interest whose defining quality is simply not demanding anything from the person in front of him. He just exists steadily, and that steadiness becomes the safest thing Itzel has ever encountered.
The small details are where this story really shines, with language lessons, the shared silences, the way two people who don't quite know how to reach each other keep finding reasons to try. The Spanish woven throughout adds a texture that feels lived-in rather than decorative.
This is a story about the difference between someone holding onto you and someone simply being there when you choose to stay. That distinction is what makes it linger.
Itzel is not an immediately easy character to warm up to, and I think that's entirely the point. She arrives in Josh's world wound tight, suspicious, and a little sharp around the edges. But the more the story peeled back, the more her guardedness stopped feeling like a personality trait and started feeling like armor she'd been forced to build. That shift in understanding happened so naturally that I didn't even notice it until I was fully on her side.
Josh, meanwhile, is the kind of character I didn't realize I needed to read. He's not flashy or grand in his gestures. He fixes things, offers what he can, and doesn't attach strings to any of it. There's something almost radical about a love interest whose defining quality is simply not demanding anything from the person in front of him. He just exists steadily, and that steadiness becomes the safest thing Itzel has ever encountered.
The small details are where this story really shines, with language lessons, the shared silences, the way two people who don't quite know how to reach each other keep finding reasons to try. The Spanish woven throughout adds a texture that feels lived-in rather than decorative.
This is a story about the difference between someone holding onto you and someone simply being there when you choose to stay. That distinction is what makes it linger.
January 14, 2026
Itzel Trejo Castillo is being pressured to marry her father’s business partner, Julio Santos Velasquez, who, like her father and many other people in her life, are control freaks. Pushed to her limits, she decides to leave home.
Her getaway is temporarily thwarted when her car breaks down in a small town. There, a mechanic, named Josh Bradley, displays both a perfectionist attitude toward fixing cars and an entirely different way of interacting with women who are tired of being handled by men.
Julio tracks Itzel down, but Josh defends her. When the violence runs its course and the dust finally settles, Itzel has important decisions to make.
Evie Del Rey’s “Grease Monkey” is not a new story. Its storyline is a common one.
However, Del Rey’s spin on “the runaway woman being rescued by the smalltown mechanic” yarn is particularly well done. The writing, which mixes English and Spanish, is clear and concise, and the plot and subplots are effective variations on a respected literary theme.
The book is easy to read, with Spanish names and sentences italicized and translated. The editing is tight, as is the formatting which, other than exaggerated indentations, is solid.
“Grease Monkey” is interesting, engaging, and unlike too many similar novels that live in the black and white, painted with wide strokes in a soothing shade of gray. It is a quick read that tells its story with an economy of bilingual expression.
Her getaway is temporarily thwarted when her car breaks down in a small town. There, a mechanic, named Josh Bradley, displays both a perfectionist attitude toward fixing cars and an entirely different way of interacting with women who are tired of being handled by men.
Julio tracks Itzel down, but Josh defends her. When the violence runs its course and the dust finally settles, Itzel has important decisions to make.
Evie Del Rey’s “Grease Monkey” is not a new story. Its storyline is a common one.
However, Del Rey’s spin on “the runaway woman being rescued by the smalltown mechanic” yarn is particularly well done. The writing, which mixes English and Spanish, is clear and concise, and the plot and subplots are effective variations on a respected literary theme.
The book is easy to read, with Spanish names and sentences italicized and translated. The editing is tight, as is the formatting which, other than exaggerated indentations, is solid.
“Grease Monkey” is interesting, engaging, and unlike too many similar novels that live in the black and white, painted with wide strokes in a soothing shade of gray. It is a quick read that tells its story with an economy of bilingual expression.
January 25, 2026
I recognize I'm not the target audience for this book, and that my above-average curmudgeonliness isn't going to reflect the experience of the average reader who chooses it. Nonetheless, it's mine. Here we go.
The good:
It's sweet and a quick, easy read. I found the plot arc fine overall. Clean and reasonably well edited.
The rest:
The characters were fantasy projections with no depth, growth, or internal conflict. Both protagonists were perfect and blameless at every moment while the villain was entirely a villain with no depth or redeeming features.
The purple prose attempted to make 80 pages of two people staring at each other in a kitchen into something epic, but the author lacked the syntactic variety to pull it off, so we just get the same obvious constructions over and over again. If very little else happened, "something broke open inside me" half a dozen times.
The full-page of trigger warnings made me expect an exciting story, full of darkness and intrigue, but there was nothing in it that would be objectionable to a particularly worldly 10-year-old—except maybe an entirely conventional sex scene that almost felt like an exciting climax after what was otherwise a long lesson in what metal sounds like when it cools.
Judging from the other, fairly positive reviews here, I might be missing something; a general sense for the romantic, for one. Nonetheless, it wasn't for me.
The good:
It's sweet and a quick, easy read. I found the plot arc fine overall. Clean and reasonably well edited.
The rest:
The characters were fantasy projections with no depth, growth, or internal conflict. Both protagonists were perfect and blameless at every moment while the villain was entirely a villain with no depth or redeeming features.
The purple prose attempted to make 80 pages of two people staring at each other in a kitchen into something epic, but the author lacked the syntactic variety to pull it off, so we just get the same obvious constructions over and over again. If very little else happened, "something broke open inside me" half a dozen times.
The full-page of trigger warnings made me expect an exciting story, full of darkness and intrigue, but there was nothing in it that would be objectionable to a particularly worldly 10-year-old—except maybe an entirely conventional sex scene that almost felt like an exciting climax after what was otherwise a long lesson in what metal sounds like when it cools.
Judging from the other, fairly positive reviews here, I might be missing something; a general sense for the romantic, for one. Nonetheless, it wasn't for me.
January 27, 2026
This sensitively told story begins with Itzel impulsively driving away from her controlling family and a looming arranged marriage. After breaking down in the middle of nowhere, she has little choice but to seek help from Josh, who runs a nearby auto repair shop. While she waits for her car to be fixed, Josh — whom she rudely refers to as a “grease monkey” — remains patient and generous, allowing her to stay in his home despite her prickly behaviour.
Told from both Itzel’s and Josh’s points of view, the author skilfully creates a dusty, atmospheric small-town setting. What begins as tension between the two protagonists gradually develops into a deeper understanding of each other. We learn about Itzel’s troubled past and why she is wary of men, while steady, hardworking Josh’s small, understated world gives her the space to be herself. Josh has a slightly lesser role in this tale, which to me is justified, because he already knows who he is — a calm, quietly confident man. Ultimately, it is with his support that Itzel realises she can choose how she lives her life and with whom. I really enjoyed this novella. It is well-written and conveys a clear message that love can overcome seemingly insurmountable circumstances.
Told from both Itzel’s and Josh’s points of view, the author skilfully creates a dusty, atmospheric small-town setting. What begins as tension between the two protagonists gradually develops into a deeper understanding of each other. We learn about Itzel’s troubled past and why she is wary of men, while steady, hardworking Josh’s small, understated world gives her the space to be herself. Josh has a slightly lesser role in this tale, which to me is justified, because he already knows who he is — a calm, quietly confident man. Ultimately, it is with his support that Itzel realises she can choose how she lives her life and with whom. I really enjoyed this novella. It is well-written and conveys a clear message that love can overcome seemingly insurmountable circumstances.
February 17, 2026
I had read Evie Del Rey's Snowed In, so wanted to give this a chance. What I liked about her other book was the inclusion of Spanish (and translations) to bring out character details. Grease Monkey does the same, this time through Itzel who has some car trouble while trying to take some control over her life from her controlling father. After experiencing some issues with her vehicle, she meets Josh, a local mechanic who takes pity on her and invites her to his home after determining that her car won't be an easy fix. At first she calls him a grease monkey as a derogatory term, but over time it turns to a term of affection. At first, I found her a bit rude, but Evie handles the growing romance with restraint and they work on trust issues together. This novella is short at 93 pages and is something that you could finish in an afternoon. I liked the flash forward ending that updated the two after their initial meeting to give a wonderful sweet finish to an emotional story about finding love and starting over. Evie handles it all well and the prose moves along briskly and with good observational details.
January 28, 2026
Grease Monkey by Evie Del Rey is a compelling romance about a woman fleeing an oppressive, controlled life to escape a forced and abusive marriage. In her flight, she meets a man who lacks the material privilege she comes from but is considerate and guided by strong ethics. Their differences initially cause friction, yet his calm, unforced demeanor allows her to slowly open up.
The book is well written and was on track to earn five stars from me until it reached the romantic turning point. At that moment, instead of fully immersing the reader in the emotional climax, the narration shifts into summary exposition. Key interactions are told rather than shown, creating distance at a point where intimacy and immediacy matter most. It felt as though the reader was shut out just as the story should have been drawing us closer. There is also some repetition toward the end, particularly around reinforcing his respect for her choices, which slows the wrap-up.
Still, this remains an enjoyable and emotional romance that could have reached its full potential with a more immersive climax.
The book is well written and was on track to earn five stars from me until it reached the romantic turning point. At that moment, instead of fully immersing the reader in the emotional climax, the narration shifts into summary exposition. Key interactions are told rather than shown, creating distance at a point where intimacy and immediacy matter most. It felt as though the reader was shut out just as the story should have been drawing us closer. There is also some repetition toward the end, particularly around reinforcing his respect for her choices, which slows the wrap-up.
Still, this remains an enjoyable and emotional romance that could have reached its full potential with a more immersive climax.
February 5, 2026
Grease Monkey” by Evie Del Rey, is a quick, engaging romance story. I read it because the description talks about dealing with trauma. The Main character Itzel deals with abuse and trauma, but not in a meaningful way. That being said, it was still a great story. The characters were realistic. Was the setting realistic? It was more idealistic, but in an authentic way. It takes place mostly at the grease monkey’s house and shop. Itzel is a high society woman thrown into a small, rural business, not willing to trust the one person helping her. That’s the kind of setting you want for a romance.
The tension is good in the story. The stakes are high. I think people will identify with the struggle to trust and let someone in their heart,
The story is told in alternating point of view between Itzel and Josh, the grease monkey. This worked well. I did find myself wanting to know what the other person was thinking about and then find out in a satisfying way while still having the story move forward.
The tension is good in the story. The stakes are high. I think people will identify with the struggle to trust and let someone in their heart,
The story is told in alternating point of view between Itzel and Josh, the grease monkey. This worked well. I did find myself wanting to know what the other person was thinking about and then find out in a satisfying way while still having the story move forward.
February 16, 2026
Itzel and Joshua come from completely different worlds — she’s wealthy and tightly controlled by her family, and he’s a small‑town mechanic.
The book starts off a bit uneven, with choppy, punchy scenes that left me unsure what was happening at first. Itzel heads out for a drive, and suddenly it’s clear she isn’t planning to go back. At twenty‑five, engaged to an older man and pressured by her father, she’s running from more than she’s saying.
Then the story shifts to Joshua’s point of view when her car breaks down. I’m not usually a fan of multiple POVs, but Itzel’s attitude kept me reading. She’s demanding and a little superior, and he calls her out on it. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, she decides to stay to wait for her repairs rather than call for help — and slowly we learn what she’s afraid of, and that not all men fit the mold she’s been taught to expect.
Once I settled into the style, I got caught up in their dynamic. It’s a tense, short love story that ultimately won me over.
The book starts off a bit uneven, with choppy, punchy scenes that left me unsure what was happening at first. Itzel heads out for a drive, and suddenly it’s clear she isn’t planning to go back. At twenty‑five, engaged to an older man and pressured by her father, she’s running from more than she’s saying.
Then the story shifts to Joshua’s point of view when her car breaks down. I’m not usually a fan of multiple POVs, but Itzel’s attitude kept me reading. She’s demanding and a little superior, and he calls her out on it. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, she decides to stay to wait for her repairs rather than call for help — and slowly we learn what she’s afraid of, and that not all men fit the mold she’s been taught to expect.
Once I settled into the style, I got caught up in their dynamic. It’s a tense, short love story that ultimately won me over.
March 11, 2026
Grease Monkey by Evie Del Ray is a stirring inter-racial romance novella that hits hard with emotional depth. Itzel Trejo Castillo comes from a well-off family, but one where women and girls are treated like property, with their choices not their own. After 25 years, Itzel is choosing to get out, but to do so, she needs help. That help comes from an unlikely source when her car breaks down near Joshua Bradley’s garage. Tensions rise as this rich Latina young woman has no choice but to trust a grease-monkey Caucasian mechanic who offers her shelter and a reluctant ear, while completing the repairs her car needs. The dialogue is crisp and pointed, and Evie’s eloquent writing quickly creates characters that you care about with strengths and vulnerabilities that are believable and moving. This is a short book, long on thought-provoking, powerful content that shows how opposites can sometimes attract. Lovers of short romance books with deeper meaning will be very satisfied with this quick read.
April 10, 2026
Grease Monkey arrives with a curious handicap: the publisher’s blurb pretty much gives away the entire arc, leaving little in the way of narrative surprise. What remains is the journey itself, which proves tolerable if not particularly memorable.
The story follows Itzel’s escape from her controlling father, and thanks to a blown tire, her encounter with a hunky mechanic named Josh. It’s a sweet enough love story that will likely appeal to young ladies (modern ladies, at least, if you catch my drift), but both leads feel somewhat underdeveloped to me, more like outlines of ideas than fully textured people. And the villain of the piece is very much of the mustache-twirling variety.
The prose leans toward excess, frequently over-explaining emotions or physical traits. That said, the book is clean, competently edited, and easy to read in one or two sittings. Ultimately, fans of occasionally spicy romances with happy endings might enjoy it for a moment, but I’ll confess I’m not in this demo.
The story follows Itzel’s escape from her controlling father, and thanks to a blown tire, her encounter with a hunky mechanic named Josh. It’s a sweet enough love story that will likely appeal to young ladies (modern ladies, at least, if you catch my drift), but both leads feel somewhat underdeveloped to me, more like outlines of ideas than fully textured people. And the villain of the piece is very much of the mustache-twirling variety.
The prose leans toward excess, frequently over-explaining emotions or physical traits. That said, the book is clean, competently edited, and easy to read in one or two sittings. Ultimately, fans of occasionally spicy romances with happy endings might enjoy it for a moment, but I’ll confess I’m not in this demo.
April 17, 2026
Atmospheric Novella
The literary novella Grease Monkey depicts the romance between two unlikely protagonists: Josh is a hard-working, down-to-earth character, and Itzel is a rather abrasive woman from an upper-class family. Her controlling father is trying to push her into a marriage she doesn't want. In an attempt to escape from her miserable predicament, she flees in her car – until it breaks down, pre-empting her chance encounter with Josh. Itzel's background is revealed to the reader more than Josh's, and although some readers may find it a drawback, I believe that a certain mystique can add interest to a book.
The story is moody, tense, atmospheric and well-paced. The slow-burning attraction between the characters works well. I don't think the lengthy list of trigger warnings is especially relevant or necessary, even though we are in a unique historical moment where it seems nearly impossible to avoid offending someone with almost anything. If I were to be picky, the last couple of chapters felt a bit drawn out, but overall, it is a well-written and enjoyable read.
The literary novella Grease Monkey depicts the romance between two unlikely protagonists: Josh is a hard-working, down-to-earth character, and Itzel is a rather abrasive woman from an upper-class family. Her controlling father is trying to push her into a marriage she doesn't want. In an attempt to escape from her miserable predicament, she flees in her car – until it breaks down, pre-empting her chance encounter with Josh. Itzel's background is revealed to the reader more than Josh's, and although some readers may find it a drawback, I believe that a certain mystique can add interest to a book.
The story is moody, tense, atmospheric and well-paced. The slow-burning attraction between the characters works well. I don't think the lengthy list of trigger warnings is especially relevant or necessary, even though we are in a unique historical moment where it seems nearly impossible to avoid offending someone with almost anything. If I were to be picky, the last couple of chapters felt a bit drawn out, but overall, it is a well-written and enjoyable read.
May 26, 2026
At the heart of this story, in more ways than one, is Itzel Trejo Castillo. Raised by her commanding and influential father she seems destined to be married off to his partner. The latter is not a carbon copy of her father, but they share some of the same attitudes towards her. Faced with the prospect of being little more than a docile and submissive wife, she has a huge choice to make. She summons the courage to run away. That’s when the tale really picks up pace because in many ways she is an innocent at large.
After her car breaks down, she has to take refuge in a small town. It’s a world away from the life she has known and the man who runs the repair shop, Joshua Bradley, is nothing like the men she is used to.
After that it’s a will they, won’t they scenario as the heroine learns that her new independence could be a two-edged sword.
As a plot device, a young woman breaking free from a stifling and threatening situation at home is not new, but that does not detract from the telling of this tightly-plotted tale.
After her car breaks down, she has to take refuge in a small town. It’s a world away from the life she has known and the man who runs the repair shop, Joshua Bradley, is nothing like the men she is used to.
After that it’s a will they, won’t they scenario as the heroine learns that her new independence could be a two-edged sword.
As a plot device, a young woman breaking free from a stifling and threatening situation at home is not new, but that does not detract from the telling of this tightly-plotted tale.
March 14, 2026
Grease Monkey explores the romance between Itzel, a trust fund baby, and Josh, the mechanic/knight in shining armor who helps her when she is stranded with a busted tire.
It’s a fun opposites attract story, even if at times it feels like their different backgrounds are too wide of a chasm for a realistic plot. The steamy scenes are handled tastefully and add to the story rather than feeling as if they are just thrown in for window dressing sake.
Author Evie del Rey does a nice job of adding Spanish throughout the book, creating a layer of authenticity to the story. The character arc experienced by Itzel adds authenticity in the way she chooses herself over her continued acceptance of a controlled life. This aspect makes the romance hold an element of female empowerment, which I really appreciated. Similarly, Josh is strong, but patient, making him a lovely leading man. It’s a short read, but an enjoyable story that lingers long after you finish.
It’s a fun opposites attract story, even if at times it feels like their different backgrounds are too wide of a chasm for a realistic plot. The steamy scenes are handled tastefully and add to the story rather than feeling as if they are just thrown in for window dressing sake.
Author Evie del Rey does a nice job of adding Spanish throughout the book, creating a layer of authenticity to the story. The character arc experienced by Itzel adds authenticity in the way she chooses herself over her continued acceptance of a controlled life. This aspect makes the romance hold an element of female empowerment, which I really appreciated. Similarly, Josh is strong, but patient, making him a lovely leading man. It’s a short read, but an enjoyable story that lingers long after you finish.
January 22, 2026
Grease Monkey tells a love story that unfolds gradually, showing that real love is built on mutual respect. Itzel leaves a difficult situation and finds freedom at Josh’s auto shop, where he is steady and practical. Their bond grows through quiet moments, small acts of kindness, and the trust they build together. Josh stands out as a different kind of romantic hero because he never tries to control others.
Itzel has a fight with her fiancé, who comes searching for her. That part of the story was so engrossing that it was very difficult to put the book down, and I was eager to know what was coming next.
This story offers a powerful emotional journey, showing characters who choose safety as they regain their confidence and decide to stay for their own reasons. The couple’s relationship is built on real love that stays steady over time.
Itzel has a fight with her fiancé, who comes searching for her. That part of the story was so engrossing that it was very difficult to put the book down, and I was eager to know what was coming next.
This story offers a powerful emotional journey, showing characters who choose safety as they regain their confidence and decide to stay for their own reasons. The couple’s relationship is built on real love that stays steady over time.
February 3, 2026
This is a crushy romance book that I enjoyed and finished in one sitting, the day after I got it. It was that captivating. Characters were slow, deliberate, and all grown up. They were fun to read, even if they felt a bit too restricted sometimes. A lot of tension is the undercurrent of the story, and there are reasons for it. So you do want everyone to relax, which they do, bit by bit. I laughed along sometimes, and sometimes I just had my fists clenched. haha!
I had expected more after the last chapter, but immediately ran into the epilogue. The ending wasn't rushed, per se, but maybe some of it could have been another chapter and not epilogue. This way works too. No issues as such. I felt that I always knew the characters, as if the author had been working them out for years, which is a good thing.
Overall an enjoyable book.
I had expected more after the last chapter, but immediately ran into the epilogue. The ending wasn't rushed, per se, but maybe some of it could have been another chapter and not epilogue. This way works too. No issues as such. I felt that I always knew the characters, as if the author had been working them out for years, which is a good thing.
Overall an enjoyable book.
February 12, 2026
My overall opinion of Grease Monkey falls somewhere down the middle of the other reviews here. The prose is very clean and readable. The plot arc works fine and resolves in a satisfying way. What I struggled to like about this book were the characters. In the opening of the story, Itzel’s fear felt like the realest thing about her and her most defining trait, but still I struggled to truly care about her. The novel is dual POV and I enjoyed the sections when we were in Josh’s head more although given the length of the project their relationship doesn’t really build over time and is more an instant connection at least that’s the way I interpreted Josh’s thoughts and actions. I did think that this book’s intense themes were handled with authenticity, gentleness and clear care and maybe I would have bonded with Itzel’s character more if I’d gotten to know over a larger piece of work.
February 23, 2026
Grease Monkey by Evie Del Rey was a really satisfying, character-driven read. I really liked how it felt almost enemies to lovers—the conflict gave the romance more weight and made the love story better.
The tension works because the book gives you a clear reason to care. You’re made to hate the antagonist, and that makes you root even harder for the protagonists. That emotional investment pays off.
I also liked how quickly I felt like I understood the characters. I got a good grip on who they were early, and they felt easy to identify with, which made the story pull me in fast.
This is a nice, quick read, but it still delivers where it counts: strong character work, meaningful conflict, and a great emotional payoff at the end.
If you like romance with tension, strong rooting interest, and characters you connect with early, this is a solid pick.
The tension works because the book gives you a clear reason to care. You’re made to hate the antagonist, and that makes you root even harder for the protagonists. That emotional investment pays off.
I also liked how quickly I felt like I understood the characters. I got a good grip on who they were early, and they felt easy to identify with, which made the story pull me in fast.
This is a nice, quick read, but it still delivers where it counts: strong character work, meaningful conflict, and a great emotional payoff at the end.
If you like romance with tension, strong rooting interest, and characters you connect with early, this is a solid pick.
May 12, 2026
Very enjoyable Novella!
Itzel has a dark and troubling past that she’s desperate to escape from. On a drive out, she gets stranded with a broken down car and meets Josh, the Grease Monkey, willing to help her out. He gives her a place to stay while waiting on car parts, and from the very start, there’s a strong connection between them. Josh notices Itzel’s signs of abuse and feels protective over her. Itzel confides in him, and opens up about being stuck under the control of her father and is being pushed to marry.
This is an emotionally intense novella about recovering from control and abuse. I have to remind myself that these types of short stories are meant to move fast so don’t think you’re in it for a slow burn!
As always, I love Evie’s use of Hispanic/Latino representation in their stories (which I’m assuming is part of their own heritage).
Great read!
Itzel has a dark and troubling past that she’s desperate to escape from. On a drive out, she gets stranded with a broken down car and meets Josh, the Grease Monkey, willing to help her out. He gives her a place to stay while waiting on car parts, and from the very start, there’s a strong connection between them. Josh notices Itzel’s signs of abuse and feels protective over her. Itzel confides in him, and opens up about being stuck under the control of her father and is being pushed to marry.
This is an emotionally intense novella about recovering from control and abuse. I have to remind myself that these types of short stories are meant to move fast so don’t think you’re in it for a slow burn!
As always, I love Evie’s use of Hispanic/Latino representation in their stories (which I’m assuming is part of their own heritage).
Great read!
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