Work Husband: Some Lines Shouldn't Be Crossed

by Octavia Grant

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

Genres: Novella, Short Stories, Ebooks, Romance, Fiction

52 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2019

About the author

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

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Octavia the way your mind works has me afraid for anyone that dares to ever cross you IRL!! Chyyyyyy I couldn’t do nothing but SMMFH reading this one! I enjoy an unhinged story but I didn’t like that ending AT ALL!! That ending had me taking a star off this review because it was on a level I can’t vibe with. I still plan to read more from Octavia because I’m enjoying her books but this one just didn’t quite cut it. I was enjoying the book til that end 🥴

[Jahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was rooting for Crystal due to the issue in her marriage but that girl is looney. Miss girl was OBSESSED. The ending could have been better.

[Keith Book Korner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️’s The title tells the story but remember a work husband is just that just at work.. The FMC takes you along with her on a crazy ride.. For a small book the author knows how to pack a punch.. She is a great short story writer.. If you are looking for a quick unhinged main character that’s toxic check her books out.. Her books are like mini rollercoasters a quick fast fun time..

[Msstiletto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lady was CRAZY

[Lamaya ꨄ︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chile.. what in the actual fuck

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

wtf did I just read ????🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[k e n y a. · Rating 1 out of 5]

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOO this was pretty terrible, i need to stop listening to tiktok 😫

[BrownBookNerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even have even have the words to explain this level of craziness. Just read the book.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wowzers! Was not expecting that

If this story teaches you nothing else, it should teach you to be faithful. Octavia once again delivers another job dropping short story. The story follows Crystal, who decides to get involved with a coworker after suffering from a broken heart in her own marriage. Falling head over heels for her side dude was never in her plans however, when this happens, she makes it clear where she stands. A must read that will literally leave your jaw on the floor, up until the very last line of the book.

[*Ebony I* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Work bae gone wrong

Whew this is not the type of work wife you want to encounter. Crystal was heartbroken because her husband had betrayed her in the worst way. She decided to move on to spite him. Lamar was the next best thing, so she thought. They had a work relationship and when she started to blur the lines things went all the way left.

Whew another psycho fmc 😩.

[kezkez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is the author of this book okay?

[Myracle ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I-… chile oh my goodness.this was wild as hell from start to freaking finish. Jaw was on the floor the entire time. Crystal delusional as hell & it was foul how she handled Larissa.

[Sher✩･*˚⁺‧͙ · Rating 2 out of 5]

WTF DID I JUST READ 😭😭

[Audrey ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

How the hell does Ms. Grant come up with these plots cause they are a kii!

[ReneeReads · Rating 1 out of 5]

No.

[Angel Sihmai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very unhinged in the best way possible!!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and…not so sweet!
I refused to call my husband’s name when I was talking to my other man. This quote pretty much sums up Crystal’s level of delusion when it came to her work bae lmao. She was so delulu she was in genuine shock that Lamar wasn’t jumping at the chance to have their happily ever after when the opportunity finally presented itself. This novella was short but packed a punch. After reading this, you won’t want your spouse getting friendly with any coworkers ever again. 😭

[Jess Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just….bad. Like a low-budget Tubi movie. It felt like a teenager wrote this. The constant grammar mistakes, the situations that didn’t make any sense (one of the character’s names was even changed from the beginning of the story to the end). This one had the potential to be great based on the story line. Missed the mark entirely for me.

[Tams Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTF did I just read!!!! I don’t even know what to say other than WOW!!!!

[The Urban Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Work Husband by Octavia Grant is pure chaos—in the BEST way. This is my second book by Grant, and once again she delivered a story that is bold, messy, and absolutely unforgettable.

Crystal’s marriage is crumbling, and in the middle of heartbreak she makes the one decision she swore she wouldn’t: getting involved with a coworker. What starts as an escape quickly spirals into something deeper, riskier, and far more addictive than she ever imagined. By the time I hit the last page, I was literally stunned—Grant knows how to make every single line hit like a grenade.

This book is fast-paced, unhinged, and dripping with tension. The spice level? Off the charts. The drama? Jaw-dropping. The emotional rollercoaster? Completely unrelenting.

It’s the perfect reminder of the saying: “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” If you’re looking for a short read that grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the explosive ending, this is it. Octavia Grant never misses.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Octavia?!! Ma'am!! If you need help blink twice!!!! PLEASE

[Kendyll · Rating 1 out of 5]

chile what in the world did i just read? this was a MESS. grammar was terrible, incomplete sentences everywhere 😩 and the storyline went from 0 to 100 REAL QUICK. i know it was a short story but .... just WTF all around.

[Nikita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Work Husband

What the he!!. That ending was, I’m speechless. Crystal was crazy and obsessed and then turned to be a lunatic and vicious. Like why did you do that, 2 undeserving people were punished for what.

[Ineshia ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

if a tubi movie was a novella…lmaooo 😭😭😭

[Alexis French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Idk if I should put LOL or WTF??? Either way this bitch is crazy lolwtfomg

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t Date at Work

Octavia Grant, are you ok?? This is the second book I’ve read from this author and the second time I’m questioning her and also myself lol I’ll continue to read more from this author but she will take you on a crazy ride! This story is a cautionary tale of why you don’t have work wives or work husbands!!!

[Readitandwhisk (Tay) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned

Crystal was a NUT JOB!!!! Lamar brought this entire situation on himself! I love how unhinged and straight to the point Octavia’s writing is! Forever a fan!

[Jayda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chile..... the most ridiculous novella I've read in a long time.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAHHAAH what the hell Ovtavia 😂😂😂

[reading mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

If crazy was a person it will def be miss lady! lol this book was crazy