Unhealthy Love: A Dangerous Obsession

by Octavia Grant

This novella is not for the faint of heart. A book so twisted and taboo filled, you'll find yourself running to the nearest altar to pray. Some affairs are so heinous that some people never escape the mental turmoil of living through it. Lavanya "Lava" Jackson, is that person. For years she tried to escape her past, but somehow it seems impossible. Things take a drastic turn when secrets she never knew are exposed. Will Lava finally escape her past, or will she become swallowed by the truth.

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2020

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

[Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, okay, okay…. What the fuck did I just read? I thought I was ready for this book but I wasn’t 😭. Ms. Grant, I’m sorry but ima have to stop reading your books for awhile, only because I’m going to therapy. I’ll make sure I’ll send you the bill 😩

This has to be the most twisted book I’ve ever read. I’m not sure how you came up with it but it’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me !

The ending made me cry . 😭

“She’s a danger to herself because she can’t escape the fantasy of her own mind. That makes her dangerous to society.”

“Looking around my room, I knew I needed to call an interior decorator as soon as possible. All the white padding on the walls and on the floor, just wasn’t the right décor for me.”

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

Uhhhh…. Whew! I knew by the synopsis that this book would be something, but I was not in the least bit ready for what I just read! 😤 I finished this early this morning, and I had to sit with it for a minute before I could write my review. I mean, it kept me awake as I could not get these characters out of my head! Ma’am you did not lie when you said this was not for the faint at heart. I figured how bad could it be. Y’all…….. this was dark, disturbing, traumatic, sad, and oh so twisted!! After the first chapter, I almost put it down because I was could not believe what I read, and it scared me a lil bit! But, I pushed on, and well….. now I will be forever scarred! 🤯😥

Dr. Lavanya Jackson is like no other character I have ever read before and will probably never see again! The heinous things that she went through with her parents, did a number on her psyche and that was all she wrote. I thought I understood what an unhealthy love was, noooooo Ms. Grant taught me a thing or two! As I continued, I couldn’t tell what was real or was I beginning to lose my mind? This story just sucks you in, and I felt like I was in the passenger seat watching as it all went down with Lavanya.

Toward the end when things started to connect, I wondered who was minding the store? I mean the psychiatric hospital. It was the blind was leading the blind here! I just…. did that really…. happen??????🤯🤯🤯

Ms. Grant honey your imagination is of another world, cause how did you come up with this thang here? Imma need to read some foolishness after this cause I am just a mess! 😥 I’m going to have to do your reads in doses ma’am, cause I can’t with you. 👀 Imma be on them people’s pills! Just wow!

[Kim’s Kindle Reads. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not even sure .. for real. I don’t know what that was but it was A LOT. I don’t know if I need therapy or a drink. I thought Andrew was crazy… he had nothing on Lava. This was very dark and even more twisted.

[adoseof.adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excuse me???

[Jahda · Rating 4 out of 5]

you already know what to expect with Octavia 🤯

[Elonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! This novella is fast paced, a true page turner, and all types of crazy!!! I absolutely loved it. Run to KU to read it! 😂❤️

[Symone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm questioning what the fuck I just read. Octavia had me regretting I started this book by page 2..... but she laces her penmanship with something because I was hooked. I couldn't stop reading this wild ass book.

[Nedra N · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unhealthy love

I did not enjoy this book. I was one of the saddest incestuous book I have ever read. I thought it would have a happy ending but I was very disappointed.

[Tina Sharane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟 I have absolutely no idea what I just read!!! Like, I'm not sure what did or did not happen tbh.
All I do know is Octavia Grant is keeping this pregnant mama outta a book slump and no other author writes unreliable narrators like her!

This novella is most definitely NOT for the faint of heart! Dr. Lavanya Jackson was completely deranged and the epitome of unhinged... Even though I empathize with all that happened to her in her childhood and teenage years, she had no business being a psychiatrist and needed all the help she could get. But what a wiiiiild, crazy ride once again! I shall be giving her books a break for my mental health though.

[Fatimah · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! This book was so insane, disgusting, & delusional but I couldn’t get enough! I ate this book up. On to the next Octavia Grant book.

[thebookcritic_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

no

A scattered story that was all over the place. It’s like the author was like what’s the most crazy, disturbing story I can come up with and just ran with it. Lava was just like everybody she hated. How did the governor even get in her house? How did she preserve “it” that long? Literally makes no sense. How are they twins but different ages? Book needed to be heavily edited.

[Ms. Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trigger warnings

This book was very sick and twisted. Lots of incest, rape, molestation, sexual abuse of every kind going on. I couldn’t finish this book. It made me cringe. And who plays with themselves while driving?? This author is a sick individual. How does she come up with this type of nonsense. Sisters eating each other out. Mom and brother sleeping together and has kids. Disgusting.

[Page Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like books by this author, but I did not enjoy this one. It was written in such a way that I was too disturbed by the content to get into it. It didn't help that I didn't like any of the characters. I still like this author, but I guess every book is not going to be a hit for everybody.

[Simoné Wolmarans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This MFC was utterly and completely unhinged. I’ve read some messed up things in the last few weeks but this woman just takes the whole damn cake.

This book is filled with dark subject that would make the most evil person on the planet blush and/or cringe.

The twist at the end made my jaw drop. Was not expecting that at all and it made the entire book so much better.

READ YOUR TRIGGERS. This book is not for the faint of heart.

[Terra Jeniece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dark and twisted.

[Kswag · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know where the author came up with this mess but worse why I love reading it. It’s so unhinged and uncomfortably addictive.

[michelle]

3.5 ⭐️ —— it was a bit too much for me, do NOT read this surrounded by strangers, people might peek at what you’re reading and think you’re nuts 😂😂😂😂🤦🏾‍♀️

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

Star level: 5 stars Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trope: TABOO, sooo much taboo, relationship within family, death, cheating, harm to children, SA, rape, suicide, kidnapping, prison, mental illness,
Trigger: death, murder, toxic, SA, suicide, rape, suicide, child pedophilia
Fav quotes: “You need to remember that when you raise your hand to point the finger at someone, there are a few fingers on that same hand pointing back at you”
About the book: Blind I went into this book blind and my gosh was this book taboo! The. At the end had me questioning what did I just read. This book is taboo with lots of triggers be prepared. Lavany is a psychic doctor and she’s doing well for herself especially after everything that she has went through her past. 9 years 9 years she has been in this relationship with this man that she does things to keep people way no matter what. Normally I give very detailed review but I don’t want to give nothing away. But if you do read this book be prepared to rethink about what you just read, need a drink, and stare at a wall. Because now I want the pov from the people around her because I need more information for the questions I have.

[Shernina Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

What in the unhinged erotica plot twist did I just read

I…I don’t even know how to put into words the thoughts in my brain about this book. It was insane, unhinged, and extra smutty in a bad way😳 This book had me like 😯😦😧😮😲😳🤯 almost the entire time. The story line was decent, but the ending was rushed. I needed so many more answers. There was so much info and plot twist in that epilogue, that I had to breathe a second to wrap my mind around it all. There was so much going on and then BAM! The author’s shock value was definitely top notch, but gracious how did she even come up with this 😲🤯

[Anissa Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost put this down several times but I hate starting a book & not finishing it.
The issues Lava had were more than one person should have to deal with. First I was wondering why she would deal with a married man for so long. Then why she would even keep answering the phone for her mother. When the true paternity was revealed for her & her sisters I understood why I thought she wasn't working with a full deck. But it's the ending that pulled it all together. It wasn't so shocking, well some of it was.

[Antoinette Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

whew Honey let me pray

I would like to request an evaluation for Octavia Grant, as I found Unhealthy Love extremely disturbing. In fact, I was so repulsed that I didn't think I could continue reading past page 35. The content was sickening, and what's worse is that such things happen in real life. After finishing the book, I felt the need to pray for myself. Could ya'll please assist me with the evaluation process? Lol

[Jae Philon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was TOO WILD

Yooooo WHAT did I just read? This story was legit all over the place and just sick. I am literally questioning my sanity for even sitting through this nonsense. I gotta give it up to the Author though for being creatively insane to have thought this up and publish it. It so many unanswered questions that I don’t even have the mental capacity to ask.

[Brianna M · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I don’t know what I read but I know it was damn good
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[📚MekaG Readz📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

Talking about total mind fck!!!! This story right here was insane!!!!! Another one for the books with Octavia Grant!!!! Sheesh

[Sunflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, but very twisted. I was uncomfortable during the last 2 chapters, idk it took a very weird turn. Again, good, but twisted. If this book is for you, by all means have a ball!

[melanie garcia 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ · Rating 2 out of 5]

a SOLID 2 star read, very quick, easy to keep up with and honestly funny LMAO BUT the asian slurs ? extremely unnecessary. The undertone was very.. concerning. we have a character that is asian and african american (blasian) and when discussing this character, all of the african american traits were praised and “beautiful “ but the asian ones? nope and to add the use of the slurs on top of that, it made me uncomfortable. Not to mention this character was only beautiful apparently because she had “black big booty porn star” traits LMAOO wtf. I’m all here for uplifting and encouragement but when it’s done in this way? absolutely not. I don’t know why authors keep using asian slurs specifically and thinking that it’s okay AND the obvious “lighter” skin is better than dark mentality all throughout this book.


if you push that aside and focus on everything else then you’ll quickly get wrapped up into the story and you’re going to love it. It’s CRAZY and miss girl was so delusional that it became funny at one point, especially the whole ‘oh i need to call my interior designer bc the white padded walls aren’t my style’ 😭 I’m not a hater so i’ll give credit where it’s due and I appreciate that the author had you (the reader) believing everything. The wrap up was okay but definitely wish we could’ve gotten a bit more clarification on the sister situation. If you want a quick fun read then this a good option. A few grammatical errors ( your instead of you’re) which would’ve been a problem but i’m not taking this book TOO seriously so who cares, it was just fun and nice way to read but also not have to think too much! It would’ve been a 3 star read which i rate books that are fun and easy, nothing special but not bad either but the slurs? made me drop it down honestly. The author definitely is creative so I’ll go check out more (fingers crossed that the slurs are done with)


sn: again this is so unserious, so many things don’t make sense BUT just have FUN.

[Sylvia Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm just as traumatized but had to keep going

I will warn There are triggers In this book so be assured you got your mind right before you starting to read this.
I didnt know what to expect. prior to reading this. Someone warned me like I just warned you. Stepping into lava's is world was like stepping into a full grocery store of insanity and trying to sell crazy. She was all stocked up but in order to know this you had to pull her layer by layer like a bad onion making you cry from the misery and pain she suffered from six years old. There were some points of the story lost to me. The author went in on things she didn't need to and became repetitive while there were others things I wish she had gone into a little more detail. the twist was unexpected. Once you get start reading you have to go to the end.

[Tamara D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the Hell did I just read???

Ummm, somebody go check on this author because she might seriously need to lay on a couch after penning this twisted, eery, psycho-thriller. The trigger warnings were very necessary ‘cause chileeeee dis was A LOT! Now, I can appreciate untraditional sex scenes just as much as the next person, but dang it, when is enough enough? Unhealthy Love was the PERFECT title for this book because it don’t get no more unhealthy and dangerous then this. Although I’m giving it 5 stars, I would have to be very selective about who I recommend this book to. You gotta have a non-judging heart and a strong stomach to get through this here novel. But, if you’re up for a rollercoaster of a read, oh, this baby right here will get your all the way together!

[Ms. LVW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus take the wheel…

If you thought the book ‘In The Grey” was dark baby that was a sunny day compared to this story. I will say this is not for the faint of heart and deals with absolutely everything mentioned in the authors warning…EVERYTHING so please read it before you dive in.

This story shocked the h€!! out of me. Dr. Lava definitely kept it “all in the family” as the story deals with generational family abuse that caused functioning trauma, psychosis, delusions and acts of aggression justified as love, understanding and protection and in true Octavia Grant signature fashion, total insanity in rare form.

This was unlike anything I’ve ever read. This entire book needs holy water and Jesus cause baby I wasn’t ready!

I do like that attention is being spotlighted on mental health and I’m so sorry to anyone who has suffered this type of trauma in their lives!

[Loretta Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs work !

By no means am I a professional writer but I have read everything from Tolstoy to Urban Fiction. I read everything from newspapers to cereal boxes but this story was all over the place. It could have been a very meaningful book. It had a little of everything and a lot of sex. It told of a dysfunctional family that abused family members in horrific ways. This is a story that needs to be told. There are people out here who do and experience this life on a daily basis and out needs to be brought to light, but this author failed in so many ways.