The manchineel is an extremely toxic and poisonous plant native to the state of Florida, as well as parts of Central and South America. Eating just a tiny bite of its fruit or any other part of the plant can lead to fatality. This is what readers learn from the novel’s protagonist Elyse Santiago during the early pages of Jessica Carrasquillo’s THE MANCHINEEL—providing a glimpse into her vast knowledge about the dangers of certain plants and how they can be used as murder weapons.

Elyse is a rising Instagram star who creates educational and inspiring videos about gardening and plants. She recently moved from Miami to Los Angeles with hopes of starting anew and escaping her traumatizing past, along with accusations about murdering the man who sexually abused her as a child. Now that she’s on the opposite side of the country, Elyse is intent on finding a job with steady income that gives her the stability she needs to continue tending to her beautiful and wild garden.

Enter Ben Deluca, an attorney for a major talent agency who sees great stardom potential in the beautiful and intelligent Elyse. When they start working together to take Elyse’s career to the next level, sparks fly; there’s no denying these two are meant to be together. But before their happily-ever-after can come to fruition, these lovebirds must overcome a few serious roadblocks. Elyse must put certain ghosts from her past to rest, while Ben must leave his physically abusive wife without jeopardizing his career (his father-in-law is his boss and owner of Ben’s firm). Together, they develop a sinister and seemingly foolproof plan that will earn them their freedom, but it’s left to fate to decide whether these two truly deserve lasting happiness.

THE MANCHINEEL is incredibly engaging, fast-paced, and flows seamlessly. It has few dull moments and can easily be read in one or two sittings. Elyse is extremely relatable; as a newcomer to L.A., she struggles to pay her bills on time and exudes genuine modesty in a city that some of the world’s most beautiful people call home. Ben’s character is just as authentic (despite being a bit juvenile at times), as he strives to excel at work and repair his toxic marriage while combating his growing feelings for Elyse.

This romantic suspense novel is unique in a Dexter Morgan-like way; it will have readers rooting for Ben and Elyse despite their intentions to do away with the jerks in their lives. For instance, Carrasquillo tackles the topics of sexual and domestic abuse in a delicate and sensitive manner bound to evoke empathy and understanding among readers.

Carrasquillo’s own background as an attorney shines through in her writing and strongly supports the novel’s narrative and plot, as there are no apparent plot holes or inconsistencies. Overall, THE MANCHINEEL is a welcome take on the genre.

Fans of romantic thrillers will appreciate this all-too-relatable debut by Jessica Carrasquillo. A legit page-turner, THE MANCHINEEL is exciting and addicting—so readers won’t be able to resist rooting for its unlawful protagonists.

~Sarah Morris for IndieReader