Novella Mini-Reviews Part 1

I don't tend to read short stories or novellas because they usually don't do it for me. But toward the end of the year, I wanted to clean up my reader a bit so I took on a few novellas. So of course...of course...I'm going to share my thoughts.

Baby I'm Yours by Stephanie Bond
Series: Southern Roads #0.5
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 48 (ebook)
Author's Website | Blog |
Buy it: Kindle | B&N
Description:

Emory Maxwell has come home to the small town of Sweetness, Georgia, with one goal in mind--to get his childhood sweetheart Shelby Moon to marry him. They've been in love with the second grade, but Shelby's father is determined to keep his daughter in Sweetness, not moving around the country as a soldier's wife. No matter what she chooses, Shelby knows she'll hurt one of the men she loves.
But when a tornado rips through town, will she and Emory lose their chance to be together forever?

Mini-Review:
This little read wasn't bad but the romantic conflict arose and was resolved within the last 7-8  pages.  The build up was cute but in such a short read it probably should have been shorter.  There was a horrible natural disaster at the end which told me that this novella's goal is likely to invest the reader in the problems of the small town and not necessarily Emory and Shelby.  For some, this novella might be enough for that but not for me.  I need a hook and a natural disaster doesn't do it for me.

Daffodils in Spring by Pamela Morsi Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance Pages: 81 (ebook) Author's Website | Blog  Buy it: Kindle | B&N (free)
Description:

Each and every one of us has the ability to effect change--to make our world a better place. The key is to begin in our own backyards, look at needs within our communities and then decide to do something about them. The dedicated women selected as this year's recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words award have changed lives, one good deed at a time. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have written stories inspired by these real-life heroines. In this book, Pamela Morsi honors the work of Karen Thomson, Founder of Literature for All of Us.

Mini-Review:
Daffodils in Spring almost made me change all my assumptions and skepticism about novellas.  The theme of this short new read is new beginnings.  New beginnings in romance and new beginnings in life.  This story is a complete story in itself.  It doesn't tackle too many issues and the conflict isn't superficial.  It handles time well so it is easy to forget that it is quite short.  The characters were believable and surprisingly well-developed.  It's a little too PG for my tastes.  I wanted a  bit more spice but it was not to be.

Amersham Rubies by Rhys Bowen Series: Molly Murphy Mysteries #0.5 Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction Pages: 34 (ebook) Author's Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook Buy it: Kindle (free) | B&N (free)
Description:

Before Molly Murphy crossed the Atlantic or even had an inkling that she might someday become a much sought after private investigator in New York City, young Molly lived in Ireland in a small cottage with her father, brothers and little else. While keeping herself and her home together, Molly receives a request from Lady Hartley—the lady of the country estate where Molly lives, and the family that employs Molly’s father and brothers. The Hartleys are hosting a ball at their manor house, and there will be so many fine gentlemen and ladies in attendance that Lady Hartley needs Molly to help some of her guests prepare for the ball. Beautiful debutantes, dresses of the finest fabrics, and sparkling chandeliers are all on display, as are heirloom jewels like the Amersham rubies—a stunning and priceless ruby necklace that has been in the Amersham family for generations. When the rubies go inexplicably missing from Lady Amersham’s neck in the middle of the party, the high-spirited Molly must rely on her wits to solve her first case in Rhys Bowen’s charming prequel to her beloved Anthony and Agatha Award–winning historical mystery series.

Mini-Review:
The Amersham Rubies started off pretty interesting.  I was drawn in and my curiosity was piqued.  Unfortunately, the conflict wasn't resolved in a realistic fashion and I found the resolution too abrupt.  This is another one that is meant to draw the reader into the series and not necessarily this story.  Does this technique work?  I love historical fiction mysteries but this novella didn't draw me in.  There was little character development but it was adequate for the short story mystery presented.  I was into it until the solving of the mystery.

How to Eat Fruit by  Anne Brooke Genre: Romance Pages: 12 (ebook) Author's Website | Blog  Buy it: Kindle | B&N
Description:

When Jacob meets an unknown woman in a cafe, he begins a series of sensual encounters, the like of which he has never experienced before. During that summer, he learns many things but, when autumn comes, will he have learned enough to stay with her?

Mini-Review:

This was   least favorite of the 7 novellas I took up to read.  I think 12 pages is just too short for a complete story.  Maybe I would have liked it more if it was a writing assignment written by a student.  There's good writing but no real story.    It had the spice I was looking for though.  There was a moral and it is good for some reflections.  Perhaps it is best for a literary assignment but not great for a comfort read in the rain.
Is the point of most novellas to draw the reader into the series?  Does it work for you?  I feel like I'm more unlikely to read the series after a less than satisfying novella.  Thoughts?