Long weekends are the perfect time to squeeze in a little extra reading, but let’s be honest—those extra days off tend to fill up fast with errands, chores, or that project you swore you’d finish weeks ago. That’s why I love a short read for a long weekend.

I personally gravitate toward short romance reads when I don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to a new book. Whether you’re looking for a quick escape or a palate cleanser between longer books, romance short stories and novellas are the perfect way to add a little swoon and spice to your long weekend.

Here are some short stories, novellas, and short-ish romance reads to check out on the Libby app for your extra day off:

Short stories

One Last Weekend by Linda Lael Miller is a short story about two college sweethearts who never thought they’d end up on the brink of divorce. But the success they've found in their careers has taken them on different paths.

Before they separate, a friend advises them to spend one last weekend together, at the very least so they can agree on who gets the dog. When a ferry strike leaves the couple stranded together at their beloved beach cottage, it could be the most awkward weekend ever. Or the perfect chance to fall for each other all over again.

Highland Vampire is a collection of spicy vampire short stories set in the Scottish Highlands.

This collection includes “Kiss of the Vampire” by Hannah Howell, “His Eternal Bride” by Adrienne Basso, and “To Tame the Beast” by Deborah Raleigh.

Some great benefits of anthologies like this are that you can choose to read one or all the short stories and potentially find a new favorite author. And if one story in the collection isn’t for you, there’s always the next one!

Seduction on a Snowy Night is another collection of short stories. These regency romance stories take place in winter—perfect if you’re still trying to romanticize the dreary winter weather.

This collection contains “A Christmas Abduction” by Madeline Hunter, “A Perfect Match” by Sabrina Jeffries, and “One Wicked Night” by Mary Jo Putney.

According to our friends at Publishers Weekly, “This fanciful Regency anthology will keep readers warm all winter.”

Novellas

Served Hot is the first book in the LGBTQIA+ romance series, Portland Heat, by Annabeth Albert.

Robby is a self-employed barista with a busy coffee cart, a warm smile, and a major crush on one of his customers. David is a handsome finance director who works nearby, eats lunch by himself, and expects nothing but "the usual"—small vanilla latte—from the cute guy in the cart. But when David shows up for his first Portland Pride festival, Robby works up the nerve to take their slow-brewing relationship to the next level.

This story is just over 100 pages long, so when you’re finished, you’ll have plenty of time to dive into the other novellas in this series!

Family Affair by Debbie Macomber is a cute, cozy read— great if you’re looking for more swoon than spice! And if you’d prefer to listen to it, the audiobook is only two hours long.

After a painful divorce, Lacey is content living a quiet life with her beloved cat, Cleo. But her peace is constantly disrupted by her frustrating neighbor, Jack Walker, whose loud arguments and mischievous cat named Dog, keep drawing her into his orbit. When Lacey discovers that Cleo is unexpectedly expecting—and Dog is the culprit—she’s furious. As she navigates this unexpected turn of events, Lacey finds herself opening to the possibility of love again.

Novels on the shorter side

Love Rehab by Jo Piazza is a great short read if you’re not really wanting romance, but something romance-adjacent.

After a devastating breakup, Sophie spirals into full-blown heartbreak mode—cyber-stalking, desperate texts, and clinging to the hope of winning her ex back. But when her best friend Annie is forced to attend an AA meeting, Sophie has an epiphany: love addiction is real, and women need a recovery program of their own. Determined to help others (and herself), Sophie starts a support group for the romantically obsessed.

Playing Dirty by Taryn Leigh Taylor is a short and spicy hockey romance.

Lainey Harper has sworn off hockey and the players who come with it. After everything she’s been through, she’s built a life away from the sport—and she intends to keep it that way. But Cooper Mead, Portland’s newest hockey star, is impossible to ignore, no matter how much she tries. Giving in to their undeniable chemistry was never part of the plan, but when their connection becomes public, Lainey’s carefully guarded past threatens to resurface.

A Taste of Sage by Yaffa S. Santos is the longest book on this list but is still short enough for a quick read.

Lumi Santana has a rare gift—she can taste a person’s emotions in their cooking. After pouring her heart and savings into her dream restaurant, only to see it fail, she’s forced to take a sous chef position at a prestigious French restaurant owned by Julien Dax, a sharp-tongued, charismatic chef she can’t stand. She vows never to taste his food, but resisting his culinary creations—and the emotions they stir—is easier said than done.

This quick read is also available as an audiobook, with about an eight-hour run time. Even though it’s a little longer than some of our previous choices, consider borrowing the audiobook to make those aforementioned chores and errands a little more fun!

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

They may be short on pages, but they don’t skimp on romance! Find your next quick escape by borrowing these books on the Libby app, free from your library.

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