Holiday Novellas to Fill Your eReader
Are you a seasonal reader? I'm not generally one throughout most of the year, but come fall, I do like to choose books based on the holidays coming up. Witchy reads in October, more mysteries in November, and then, of course, way more Christmas/Holiday stories once Thanksgiving is over. This year I found myself sticking to my normal reading schedule, except instead of reading full-length Christmas/Holiday books, I started devouring holiday novellas. Sitting by the Christmas tree, with a cup of something warm to drink, all snugged up, spending an hour or two reading a holiday story has been the highlight of my season so far. I've read so many great novellas in the last few weeks, but these are my stand-out favorites.
The Mistletoe Motive
Author: Chloe Liese
Publication Date: December 1, 2021
Length: 185 pages
Billed as a holiday version of a crossover between The Hating Game and You've Got Mail, The Mistletoe Motive was the perfect enemies-to-lovers bookstore story of my dreams. There was a fluffy cat, tons of banter, misunderstandings, serious longing looks, a whole hockey scene (!), as well as some LBGTQIA, chronic illness, and autism rep. I legit could not put this one down.
Wrapped Up in You
Author: Talia Hibbert
Publication Date: November 20, 2020
Length: 127 pages
Two gorgeous people, who have been friends since they were kids and who are both hiding some serious LONG TERM feelings for each other getting snowed in at a remote family home in Scotland?!?! I CANNOT.
SO. MUCH. PINING. SO. MUCH. TENSION. SO. MANY...CATS. Y'all, I audibly gasped throughout this story and I would die for Abigail.
The Toy King
Author: Adriana Herrera
Publication Date: December 14, 2021
Length: 114 pages
This title says it all. Not only is Valente a literal toy runner, aka he helps to bring toys to kids around the world, he's also ::ahem:: a Toy King...you know what I'm saying here. Listen, this story was just bonkers fun that was full of sex, fated mates, standing up to your family, more sex, lots of pampering, and plenty of space-age machines/contraptions that I kinda wish were real. As an Acts of Service Person, this story hit ALL the right notes for me.
The Kwanzaa Brunch
Author: DL White
Publication Date: December 24, 2019
Length: 67 pages
I love a good Grumpy character and y'all Sienna is EVERYTHING. I mean, she wears a hoodie to work that says "F*ck Off", lol. Throw in a boss who can't cook but forces potlucks on everyone, a bonkers ex, some kick-ass dialogue, friends who are like family, and oh yeah, a steamy ending that left me wanting more, and you've got yourself a perfect holiday story.
A Merry Royal Layover
Author: Teri Wilson
Publication Date: October 20, 2021
(Originally published in December 2020 as part of an anthology, Christmas Actually)
Length: 68 pages
A charming story featuring a Maybe Prince, a pair of ill-timed pajamas featuring french bulldogs, some well-placed Hugh Grant hate, nativity lobsters, and the sweetest ending imaginable. I love a good Secret Identity story and this one was just perfection.
Amor Actually (A Holiday Romance Anthology)
Authors: Adriana Herrera, Alexis Daria, Diana Munoz Stewart, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, and Zoey Castile
Publication Date: December 7, 2021
Length: 436 pages
This one is a bit of a cheat as it's not a novella, but a collection of short stories. But y'all, they are all perfect reimaginings of the storylines from the movie Love, Actually, and when I say I am OBSESSED... Also, as someone with Mexican roots, it was a damn delight reading stories with Latinx representation. Just seeing the word buñuelos in a holiday story filled me with joy.