Inspy Romance

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Novellas, How do I Love Thee…

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Am I the only one who loves novellas? I know C.S. Lewis says, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me,” but I have a confession. Sometimes, just sometimes, I don’t want a large book. I want a novella.

But before you gasp in horror, it’s all about time. You know that elusive concept you try to find in between household chores (can I get a fist bump for never ending laundry?), overseeing school duties for my boys (yikes forgot about my youngest’s school project), writing my own stories, oh and the part-time job. Yeah, there’s never enough time.

But I can often squeeze in space for a novella. That sweet story that pulls me in with a quickness, makes my head swoon over the romance between the hero and heroine, and sends me a way happy with an epilogue that ties it all up.

If it stands on its own then I’m happy and have marked off a book on my Goodreads challenge. (Hey no one said they had to be all full-length.)

So I thought, maybe, you’re like me. You want to read a great book, but you just don’t know if you have the time for a full-length novel. At least not today. And you don’t want to start a new book and not be able to finish it. Well, never fear! InspyRomance to the rescue. Below are 5 novellas that will fit your time constraints and expectations for contemporary romance.

First up (and in no particular order), Jaycee Weaver’s Adrift. 

I’ve read this one and can I just say wow! Definitely one you should put in your read now pile and it’s FREE.

Blurb: I’m overwhelmed.Truth be told, I’ve been overwhelmed for years. Adrift in a sea of stress and grief and clinging to the life raft of responsibility.

It’s time I start swimming again. And someday? Maybe surf the waves instead of being pulled under and dragged out to sea.

God offers so much more for Erin than a life of treading water, focusing all her time and attention on running a small business while raising her kids after the death of her husband.

Through strangely poignant dreams and a series of run-ins with an unexpectedly attractive guy from church, Erin finds the hope she’ll not only feel alive again, but maybe even ride life’s waves victoriously.

Next is Julie Arduini’s Match Made in Heaven. 

I haven’t had the chance to read this one yet, but I peeked at the blurb (I had to for the blog post) and it definitely sounds like a must read.

Blurb: Beth Prescott wants to make a difference with the senior citizens she serves as a volunteer coordinator, but their matchmaking efforts leave her guarded. She’s experienced too much pain to make that leap again.

Dean Kellerman returns to the Finger Lakes area to help his grandfather and heal his own broken heart. He’s recommitted his life to Christ, and doesn’t want any distractions.When his grandfather needs assistance with a senior program, it places Dean right in Beth’s path. Can these two surrender their pasts to Christ and have faith in each other and their future?

Next is Kimberly Rose Johnson’s Brewed with Love. 

Can I just say, what an adorable title! It alone makes me want to slide this right onto my TBR pile. (You can never have enough books. I’m just sayin’.)

Blurb: Will fear hold them back, or will love reign?

Annika returns to Mistletoe Springs, her childhood summer home, where life was always a little brighter. Without her beloved aunt and the pressure of running a failing coffee shop, her dream of continuing the success of her aunt’s business fades.

Bryan, a local firefighter and hobby musician, needs a place for his band to practice. Main Street Java is his last hope. He remembers his former crush—the new shop owner—as a shy, sweet girl, but rumor says she’s anti-music. Could the rumors be true?
Can Annika open her heart to the unexpected, or will she turn her back on the one man who makes her remember why she loved Mistletoe Springs so long ago?

Next suggestion I have is Liwen Ho’s Lawfully Cherished. 

I’m intrigued by the Lawfully books and since this one is a marriage of convenience, it kind of HAS to go in my TBR pile. I’m on a moc kick lately and have been reading them in droves. :)

Blurb: She’s a piano teacher who will stop at nothing to help her students. He’s a retired cop who will give his all to pay back a debt. A marriage of convenience offers them a chance to redeem the past and heal their future. 

The last thing Natasha Livingston expects to find on her doorstep is a threatening letter. As a precaution, her billionaire uncle insists on hiring a bodyguard for her—a hunk of a man who happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Now, not only is her life at risk, but her heart as well, especially when their business arrangement takes a personal turn.

Guilt drove Victor Price to leave the police force and his old girlfriend behind years ago. With a stalker on the loose, he has no choice but to step in and protect her. It’s a small price to pay when her brother, his old partner, gave up his life to save his. What he didn’t plan on was marrying the woman who still has a hold on his heart.

It’s only a matter of time before danger catches up with them or they end up falling in love again.

Next up is the Christy finalist in short form category Falling for Grace by Janet Ferguson.

Blurb: Grace Logan has taken a lot of tumbles in life, but she works hard to bounce right back. Dreams shattered and hope for reconciliation gone, Grace needs a place where she can pick herself up now that her ex is marrying her former best friend. Her boss’s beach house in Santa Rosa seems like the perfect getaway, but stumbling into the attractive-but-damaged handyman next door isn’t part of the plan.

After losing his infant son—and his marriage—Seth Gibbs is left with smothering grief and guilt. Bad memories make it difficult to find a new normal, so he escapes to his family’s vacation home. Three years later, he’s still in Santa Rosa with no plans to leave. That is…until Grace falls into his life.

Some of these are in Kindle Unlimited as well so be sure to add them to your shelf if you use KU. But before you go off and read, tell me, what’s your favorite Christian contemporary romance novella. One lucky commentor will be entered to win your choice of one of my eBooks. Comment by 2pm EDT on October 4th. One random winner will be selected.

Toni Shiloh (60 Posts)

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Find out more on her website at http://tonishiloh.com.


Comments

  1. I don’t read a lot of novellas. I am with C.S. Lewis on this one. I should give more a try though.

  2. I love novellas. I think I first started reading them at Christmas time when Barbour brought out the Christmas Novella collections each year. They also had other collections. At present I would read more Novellas than other books because of a couple of reasons. One is they are an easy read, Also I sometimes have issues reading and concentrating due to constant headpain. I also tire so easy. It makes reading hard sometimes. Novellas are so much easier to read when I have these issues.

  4. Hi Toni! As a retiree, I find my eyes and attention span waining, therefore I now especially enjoy reading novellas. I have always tried to read a book in one sitting – from dawn to dusk, since I can’t rest until I know the outcome of the story. Another reason why I like novellas. Reading novellas gives me a chance to get my reading fix, find the outcome of the story and have time to reflect on the story. Looking forward to reading the replies. Best wishes and enjoy your weekend.

  5. Lawfully Cherished sounds like a great story! Will have to check it out. I don’t usually read novellas. May have to give them a try! Especially if there are Christmas stories involved.

  12. I like novella’s and some of these are in TBR stack. However, I have to say, I really prefer the longer books. I especially like novellas that are part of a series, though. The novella is there to kinda set the stage and give a backdrop, but the series is where it all gets really fleshed out. One of the best novella’s I’ve read was by Kristi Ann Hunter. Her A Lady of Esteem started her Hawthorne House series. It was a great read! Loved that series!

  15. Love novellas! I do love a long, epic read sometimes, but I go through seasons of needing a bit more instant gratification :)

    Some of my favorites are from Krista Phillips, like A Nearly Normal Nanny, and a Kinda Country Christmas. They are sweet and full of love and humor.

  17. I enjoy interspersing my reading with novellas year ’round, for many of the reasons you mentioned. Sometimes it is nice to read a complete story in 1-2 sittings!

    I enjoy writing them, too. Sure keeps me focused as a writer to make sure I don’t follow any rabbit trails, or it won’t stay a novella for long! My novellas get a little less reader love than my longer books, though.

  19. I just finished reading a 10 novella book series and fell in love with novellas. Is there a Facebook page or group I can follow for romantic suspense novellas?

  20. I absolutely adore novellas! I currently have three novels that have to be read and reviewed within the first ten days of October, and as soon as I finish those I’m planning to binge a bunch of novellas that I’ve been saving for just such an occasion!
    I loved Adrift, and have a copy of Match Made in Heaven but haven’t read it yet, the others on this list are new to me, but they all sound awesome! 🙂

    No need to enter me, I already own all of your amazing books! 😊

  21. I love novellas! They can be a fast read when I don’t have much time. I will check out the ones I have not read yet. Thanks for the suggestions!

  22. My name is Cristina and though I was born in USA I have been living in Brazil since I was a child, so please forgive my English. I love Christimas novelas! I am also a football and hockey fan, so I love sports novelas.

  23. I’ve been novellas more and more. I find myself in full-length novels itching for them to hurry up and get to the relevant stuff. Let’s cut to the chase here!

  29. Oh I definitely love novellas for the exact same reasons you’ve written. When my first son was born, all I ended up reading were novellas for quite some time (or re-reading books, which I end up skimming some portions, not focusing enough on others which definitely solidified my decision to stick to novellas). I just didn’t have time to get involved in a book and it would take me forever to finish so I often forgot some details along the way. I’ve noticed I end up having the same mindset for books when I’m overly involved with work..

  30. I love novellas! They are great for in-between reading larger novels. They are great bedtime stories for my adult self. They also fill time in the waiting room at dr’s offices.

  33. I love novellas too. Sometimes I will read one as in introduction to a new author, I have found lots of great new authors this way. Also sometimes my brain is just to tired to read a full length novel and I just want a fun, short, light read to relax.

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