MINI REVIEWS: Novellas Tree Read Last Year

2022 was the year where I started reading and actually enjoying novellas!! I used to not be a fan I had a hard time getting into such short plots and then by the time I was invested the story was over. But, now I appreciate the shorter format, I think it just took some time to get used to it.

I forgot I wrote these reviews last year but while doing some new year cleaning on my computer found it and figured I would finally post them!

*this post contains affiliate links. If you use my link to purchase I earn a small commission at no cost to you* (I’m still trying to decide if this is worth it lol)

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Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1) by Ali Hazelwood (affiliate link)

TW: sexism in the workplace, death of a loved one (prior to story)

Plot: Mara and Liam both inherit a house and neither wants to leave. So now they are roommates.

Thoughts: This was a fun time and I would’ve enjoyed a full length novel with these two. For some reason I thought this was a snowed in trope? There is a snow day, but that is not the main plot at allll.

For a novella, this does have a slightly longer timeline since there are flashbacks, which made the feelings in a short book work more for me. I don’t always like flashbacks, but they worked for me here.

I did like that the audio was only three hours and I listened to it while cleaning.

I will say, if you are not already an Ali Hazelwood fan, you might not like this one (or the rest of the series) as her characters feel very similar at times, but I love how she writes dialogue and it makes me laugh so I’ll give her a pass. 4.5/5 stars.

Stuck With You (The STEMinist novellas #2) by Ali Hazelwood (affiliate link)

Plot: Sadie and Erik randomly met a few weeks ago and their connection was immediate. But, then something happened and they have not spoken since. When they are stuck together in an elevator they are forced to talk about what happened and maybe feelings occur.

Thoughts: This one was so fun! The audiobook was four parts and the first three were great, but I did think the fourth was a bit slow and not my favorite (lowkey called the conflict). But, I do love Ali’s writing style (even if it gets a bit repetitive) and her humor. 4/5 stars. 

You may be asking why there is no review for the third book in The STEMinist novella series. Well. I forgot I was doing this post and thus didn’t take notes or write anything beyond my Goodreads review. And all I wrote in my Goodreads review for that one is “All these novellas are very similar and yet I enjoyed all of them!! I cannot with his dad being a smuggler!! ” So I don’t have much to go on. This is why I have to write reviews while I am reading a book or right after bc my memory holds nothing!!

A Duke Worth Falling For by Sarah MacLean (affiliate link)

TW: sexual harassment

Plot: Lilah has spent the last year traveling the world since her career was destroyed by a powerful man. She ends up in the English countryside and runs into a man who she thinks is a farmer. They decide to have a fling during her visit, but of course both catch feelings. The issue is, Lilah does not know that her farmer is actually a duke.

Thoughts: Y’all know I love Sarah MacLean so when she mentioned on her podcast  that she had a novella, I had to read it. I recommended it to all my libraries and then one finally bought it and I checked it out right away.

And it was fine? The issue I typically have with novellas is the plots feel really rushed and in romance that means feelings are really rushed which doesn’t work for me always. I had no issue with the quick fling, but felt like the emotions didn’t match what the characters were saying. I felt like I blinked at missed half their feelings. Plus the end was not my favorite.

I also cannot get over the cover. Why does it look like an ad for his sweater/jacket thing??? 2.5/5 stars. 

The Love Connection (Airport Novellas #1) by Denise Williams (affiliate link)

Plot: Ollie works at a pet grooming salon at the airport and when a rambunctious pup escapes she runs right into the arms of a guy she has been crushing on from afar.

Thoughts: This was a cute and fun novella that I read in one sitting. I always love a romance writer main character, but I did find it odd that Bennett used his job as an excuse to hang out with Ollie, but whatever.

I thought the dialogue was a little ~too perfect~ at times, but other than that, I enjoyed the quick pacing and the airport setting. I don’t know why I never continued with the series?? Brb going to see if my libraries have them. 4/5 stars. 

The Rake Mistake (The Wild Wynchesters #1.5) by Erica Ridley (affiliate link)

Plot: One of Philippa’s friends loses a valuable family item that could possibly ruin her sister if found. So Philippa and the Wild Wynchesters band together to get it back.

Thoughts: I don’t remember the beginning of Perks of Loving a Wallflower enough to say if this book should be required reading before reading it. I did read this novella after Perks and did enjoy it. But if you’re planning on reading both, read the novella first.

I love the Wynchester family and this was a fun time. I don’t have much more to say than that. I does take place entirely in Philippa’s POV, but I enjoyed it all the same. The novellas in this series are fun, but I miss the romance found in the full novels. 3/5 stars. 

All the other novellas I read last year will be in my historical mini reviews or in kindle unlimited mini reviews so keep an eye out!!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo, Tree