Secrets Among Friends

by Octavia Grant

Isaiah ‘Zay’ Jeffries has the life that most people crave. A loving fiancée, two wonderful children, as well as his own lucrative career. Sadly, having it all is sometimes never enough. When his relationship hits a rough patch, his beautiful secretary Zorelle seems to be the only person that can fulfill his needs. But everything that looks good isn’t good for you. Isaiah had no idea that entertaining Zorelle would cause a major downfall in his life.

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2019

About the author

Octavia Grant found her passion for Creative Writing in 2002, while a Junior in high school. She began writing professionally in 2016, two years later she decided to take the reins of her literary career and became an Independent Author. As an Independent Author, Octavia has penned over 30 novels. She’s spoken on the Thriller Author Panel at ESSENCE Fest, been interviewed by Narrator iiKane, interviewed by Literary Reviewer and Movie Commentator Tamara Walker of Tam Telling Tales, featured in magazines WYB Lifestyle, VoyageJacksonville, Canvas Rebel, named in 160 Black Women In Horror. Octavia's psychological thriller novella, Dear Vicky, was the winner of Black Girls Who Write It’s Lit Award for Best Black Mystery/Suspense, Audio In Black North Star Award Winner and AAMBC Award Winner for Mystery/Thriller Book of the Year. Octavia loves reader interaction and encourages her readers to follow her on social media:

FB: Octavia Taneka Grant
IG: Octavia_vs_otaneka
TikTok: Tavi_vs_Otaneka

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby I need a day in the life segment on Octavia because sis, your mind!!! How do you come up with these stories!!!!

This was a messy messy read and even when you think a character is going to win, they aren’t 😩😩! I actually enjoyed this book but it was a bit more predictable than some of the other books by Octavia and there were some inconsistencies with the kids that had me confused. Don’t let this 3 stars fool you, it was still a good read and had I read this one early on then it would’ve been a 4 for sure!

[Diamond °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot twists after plots twists was insane. Especially the wedding scene. I feel like Tyler Perry would definitely enjoy making this into a movie 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be a glutton for punishment, or just like messy, cause at least once a week I need my dose of Ms. Grant’s crazy! She will surely get me right. 😂

Is the grass greener on the other side? Hmmmm…… Does the forbidden fruit taste better? Well……. Is all the excitement of sneaking around worth it? Uhhh…..

Isaiah just had to find out the hard way, I guess. Then with someone what works that close to you? Fix it Jesus! 🤯 Got a good woman who works a lot, okay. What’s the harm in that. Why didn’t you talk to her, and tell her how you felt before you lost yo damn mind? Then get with a crazy bih, that’s about to cost you everything? SMDH… Zorelle was hell on wheels y’all! She just didn’t care about nothing but getting what she wanted.

Then the plot started twisting like a MF!!!!!! What you say?????? 👀 Ahhhh…. Hell….. Naw….. The way my mouth dropped is crazy right now! Secrets for real, for real! 🤯 Talk about some get back! Just wow! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[TellsOfABibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

MESSY ‼️‼️

OMG. This story had me in my feelings. Isaiah really pissed me tf off. He really wasn’t ish. Zorelle was a backstabber. I kinda suspected the Braylen situation. The secret animosity was there. I’m still at lost for words. I did not expect this to end the way it did. It was a whole lot of cheating & unloyalness going on. Whew this was a good short read.

[Nikita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets Among Friends

The wedding scene was shocking and I’m speechless. I get the intention was humiliation but why take so long and pretending for just as long. That ending though, again speechless and a bit haunting if I let my mind wonder with the mention of the word ‘soundproof’. This was a crazy and definitely interesting friend group.

[Sha Sha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew honey this one was a whirlwind for sure! Yea just go ahead and read it.

[*Ebony I* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loving the crew ...

3.5 Stars
We love a messy story and this one fit the bill. Isaiah was your typical cheater, swore he loved his woman down but spent so much time cheating he didn't recognize his house was in disarray. Some parts were predictable, but I loved the plot twists. Also Ms. Grant are you okay 😩 Girl that ending.

[Jenn Rickel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy drama & mess then this book is for you!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do NOT Want friends like these! The amount of lies and deception was unreal!! Zay was out of control in this book, but as the secrets began to unfold one could say he wasn’t the only villain. Great short read with sooooooo much drama, secrets and lies. Highly highly recommend.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many secrets

The friends & couples in this book were all lying to each. So many secrets & lies that they all should have not been able to look at each other or sleep at night. The twist at the end revealed even more secrets. You have to read it yourself to see who will make it out alive.

[RAWFIZZLE · Rating 3 out of 5]

the majority of this story was unbearably repetitive. i almost marked it as DNF. it definitely took a dark turn in true Octavia Grant fashion, tho. i came up from my kindle thinking “wtf did i just read???”

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

wild

This book was wild because London was playing the same game. I feel like the ending was crazy and had my mouth wide open.

[Shemese Vines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be careful who you call your friend

[Jailai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where’s the accountability here Octavia???

I kind of figured out the portion with the husband but wifey too??? Omg that is what I was not ready for at all.

[Latiqua Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was another winner by Octavia Grant. From start to finish it was good. It was filled with so many types of drama. I can't believe Isaiah was sleeping with London's best friend. Zoelle was a snake. With friends like her, who needs enemies? I had a feeling London was sleeping with B. Didn't expect her child to be his though. I still can't believe Isaiah killed his friend and killed London and his kids. He was crazy but he brought this all on himself. It was truly a pleasure reading this book and I would recommend it to others.

[Brooklyn Simpson-Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star level: 5 stars Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trope: cheating, cheating cheating, no good bestfriends, secret babies, and marriage
Trigger: cheating, murder,
Fav quotes: “
About the book: Isaiah is no good! Really 2. Year 2 years of cheating and you want to still marry London because you “love her”. Him and Zorelle are no good then being a baby in the picture and still cheating tomatoes!! I’m glad Landon got her “revenge” the ending sucked a little but I loved the plot twist London pulled. I knew Isaiah was crazy.

[Arra Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Was So Invested In My Other Series That I Put This Short Read To The Side. This Was My Second Octavia Grant Read, & I Enjoyed It, But Not More Than Work Husband. This Quick Mess Of A Read Took Me Quick Just Like Work Husband. 2 Male Best Friends & 2 Women Best Friends End Up Screwing Each Others Spouses. Suppose To Be Married Soon London & Zay Both Hold Back Secrets That Will Soon Tear Them Apart. Zay Doesn’t See Any Of It Coming Because He Was Too Busy Blaming Everybody Else For The Decisions He Chose To Make. It Was A Good Read Though

[Shunita O · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reader was too stunned to speak

Octavia Grant know she can write a book that will have you thinking what just happened? Because Zay deserved the Karma he got because he was fool for what he did. Zorelle reminds me of those side chicks who thought they were better than the guy’s girl. Because he gassed her up to believe a lie that was built on their affair. I was glad she got her Karma too, because she was a snake. Now what I didn’t expect was Zay losing his mind and doing what he did.

[Pat Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandalous

Wow, and I was feeling bad for London. Isaiah's betrayal was the ultimate, but he had help from a snaky source. How could these people even look at each other, all being so untrustworthy. The only thing I didn't like was that wedding scene - that was truly irreverent. Quick read, fast paced and drama-filled, I doubt you'll be disappointed with this one.

[Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s gotcha !

Then there’s gotcha, bitch !

The only thing missing from this book was a bowl of popcorn, because this book was straight madness! 😩

You get played

You get played

You get played

EVERYBODY GOT FUCKING PLAYED 😭😂

Ms. Grant! Why do your books gotta be so damn good?!?

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love love love Octavia Grant book. I have not been disappointed yet. While a short novella Secrets Among Friends had be hook from page one I could not put it down. The way her mind works OMG. Her book are the types of books I have always wanted to read. Don't know what that really says about me lol.

[Aphrodite the Reader ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes ma'am

Ivory Addison has made her parents again I really enjoyed this book my favorite character has got to be Isaiah Definitely some good twists and turns in this 1 as well I am dedicated to the entire month of December to miss Octavia grant and I have not been disappointed yet

[Gemini Rule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy

Isaiah cheated on London for her Bestfriend his secretary Zorella. On to get humiliated on his wedding day because London already was knew and was secretly dating his best friend Braylen.

[Benjamin Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it!!!

This book was so good. It definitely reeled me in from the first chapter til the unexpected end. London did her big one baby, because 2 years?! Could not have been me. Lol. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

[Fatima Munroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yikes.

Can’t play with people’s feelings, cause Karma’s Cafe is open 24/7. I knew London was trash and Braylen was a hater.

Ivory Addison gonna KEEP a job living in this town. 🤦🏾‍♀️

[Taeesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karma is something else!!!!

All I have to say is be careful what you do to people cause if Octavia Grant gets a hold of your life story, Karma will definitely come back with a vengeance.
This book gave what it needed to give, spice and everything nice!!!!!

[Fatimah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zay really played himself if you ask me!! London is better than me because AINT NO WAYYYY. Zay had no damn self control what so ever. The saying is keep your friends close but your enemies closer is definitely what this book gave.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This writer makes me wonder what goes on in her head. (full review coming soon)

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to be so short

I loved the story I just wish it was longer. The storyline will make a good standalone especially with all the drama.

[Deidre · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow just when I thought a woman scorned can be bad this man took the cake and the ending I wasn't ready for it! this was a really good book, I really enjoyed it!