The clock is ticking down the year and your reading goal. For many readers, the goals they set at the beginning of the year seem far away. A romance novella or novelettes is the perfect way to reach your goal with a lower time commitment or get you out of a reading slump. While novels are usually above 250 pages, novellas and novelettes are short books that still tell compelling stories. Novellas usually contain between 120 and 200 pages, and novelettes usually contain about 30 to 120 (all with some wiggle room for formatting). These smaller books are perfect for getting you out of a reading slump, or getting that book fantasy fix in a couple hours or less.
With only a couple weeks to go for the year, here are nine romance novellas and novelettes to help you reach your 2025 reading goal and celebrate Novella November.
Take a Hike by Ellie Harper Smith
Take a Hike by Ellie Harper Smith is a delightfully autumnal novella with disability, mental health, and even erectile dysfunction representation (don’t worry, they still get hot and heavy, but it was amazing to see!). Both characters in this meet ugly, grumpy x sunshine romance are bisexual too, which is icing on the cake.
This small town romance has returning local celebrity Tessa and new-in-town Justin forced into only one cabin as they relearn the town they build new lives together and separately, finding home in their beloved city and each other.
Page length: Under 200 pages at 162 pages
Read it on KindleUnlimited or paperback.
One Night Only by Elise Marion
This one’s for the historical romance lovers. One Night Only by Elise Marion is regency romance novella featuring a Black female main character and a multiracial male main character. It can be read alone or part of the Regency in Color series. This bookstore owner x duke romance will have you giggling and kicking your feet before things heat up and warm your heart.
Serious Thalia’s got a crush on a regular patron of her shop—Stephen Dryden, His Grace the Duke of Westerfield. After a chance encounter at a masquerade, Thalia and Stephen must face what the future holds, even if they’re not quite on the same page.
Pages: Under 100 pages at 95 pages
Read it on KindleUnlimited or on paperback.
Winks & Windows by Laurel Holl
Winks & Windows by Laurel Holl is a small town, neighbors to lovers romance novella that matches an agoraphobic, grieving woman and her new artist neighbor as they both find their passion and joy again (and features a super cute dog sidekick). Featuring mental health representation, a plus size female main character, this love after loss tale will warm your heart. Looking for spice? Don’t worry, it’s got a heavy dose, including a spicy window scene.
After a meet-ugly over a misdelivered package, Isaac can’t get his mind off his mysterious neighbor Brinn. Brinn’s been living in Calysto’s Cove for three years, but is still a fish out of water when Isaac offers her a life-raft in the darkness, showing her there’s more out there than the walls of her house. Together they find a home in each other.
Page length: Under 200 pages at 192 pages.
Read it now on KindleUnlimited or Paperback.
Trick Shot by Kayla Grosse
Queen of the spicy, plus-size romance novellas, Kayla Grosse’s Trick Shot helps you hit your reading goals and get a jump-start on the holiday cheer. This smutty MMF, mistaken identity romance skates happily down the one-night to forever pipeline. With plenty of debauched holiday themed scenes (with some kinky fun to boot), it doesn’t skip on an emotional breakthroughs and happily ever after between the FMC and the already-in-a-relationship MMCs.
After mistaking Leo for his famous hockey-player brother and getting her flight grounded on Christmas eve, Riley is invited to spend the night with him and his partner Jace. Things heat up quickly, as their instant spark becomes an inferno.
Page length: Under 200 pages at 189 pages.
Read it now on KindleUnlimited, listen to it on Audible audiobook, or find it from the bookstore of your choice (including directly from Kayla).
Fools Rush In by AS Adams
Not quite ready for Christmas? Fools Rush In by AS Adams serves up some pumpkin pie with a side of heat. This Thanksgiving romance novella features a plus-size, single mom female main character and a dadbod football coach MMC. A celeb crush meets insta-love for a spicy, snowed in holiday. Looking for more holiday themed spice? This is just one book in the four-book Pleasin’ Season series.
When Quinn’s son comes home for the holiday with his football coach Beau in tow, can Quinn and Beau fight their urge, or will they spend the holiday sneaking around?
Pages: Under 150 pages at 123 pages
Read it on KindleUnlimited and paperback.
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
Cupcake and rom-com icon Abby Jimenez delivers is an emotional but sweet romance novella with The Fall Risk. This forced proximity, neighbors-to-lovers romance delivers on the banter with Charlotte and Seth stuck in a silly situation while dealing with serious feelings. While it’s a rom-com, it does deal with some heavier topics, balancing emotion and fun.
Recently divorced Seth just moved in next door to Charlotte, a woman traumatized by a recent stalker. When a situations traps them in a precarious situation, will they fall or fall for each other?
Pages: Under 100 pages at 86 pages
Read it on KindleUnlimited or listen to it on Audible audiobook.
Love You A Latte by Corina Bair
Love You A Latte by Corina Bair is a small town, second chance sapphic romance with between down on her luck Addison, and the tattooed, non-binary coffee shop owner, Frankie. Perfect for those readers who love banter and spice, but no third act breakup this bi4nb romance delivers a steamy and swoon-worthy story.
When Addison returns to Stone Ridge after a bad breakup, of course the only person that comes to her rescue after things don’t work out as planned is the person that rejected her months earlier—Frankie.
Pages: Under 150 pages at 146 pages
Read it on KindleUnlimited or paperback, or get a signed copy directly from Corina.
Tied by Temptation by A.E. McHolme
Calling all spicy cowboy lovers! The novelette Tied by Temptation by A.E. McHolme is a perfect dislike to situationship/friends with benefits, boss/employee quick read. Tyran must beat her boss Darek in a race and she’ll be allowed to quit. If she loses though? She’s his for the next year.
This scorching hot erotic story includes primal play, rope play with a possessive, dirty talking MMC and a bratty FMC. It’s a great story for those looking for a spicy story with a fun, slightly toxic glaze.
Page length: Under 50 pages at 45 pages
Read it now on KindleUnlimited or Paperback.
The Kicker by Leonor Soliz
This paperback exclusive short story was originally for newsletter subscribers only, but now you can get The Kicker by Leonor Soliz for your bookshelf. This friends to lovers sports romance (football) has a walking green flag MMC and the delightful plus size bookstore owner FMC. Bonus? There’s a super cute puppy.
After rejecting her close friend Damián eight years ago, Natalia is now regretting it. She’s embedded in his life and can’t stop falling for him. After all, he treats her like a queen. Now Natalia must decide if she wants to risk her friendship, or make a move.
This printed version also includes two extra short stories for triple the fun. This is part of the Seattle Strike Series.
Pages: Under 200 pages at 189 pages (three stories included)
Get the paperback on Amazon.
Go forth and read, bookish besties! That reading goal is so close!
