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Since when does Aaron Olson have abs like that? I haven’t seen him since high school, but now I find myself desperate to see much more of him.

Sarah Anderson's plan for the Cupid's Crush event at the local bar, High Five, is straightforward: enjoy some playful banter and score a free drink. After a decade on the West Coast, Sarah’s still adjusting to life back in her small Wisconsin hometown, surrounded by familiar faces—until one of them completely catches her off guard. Aaron Olson, the once scrawny high school wrestler, is now tending bar shirtless with fluffy angel wings strapped to his back, revealing a physique that is distracting in the best way.

What starts as light-hearted banter turns into a flirtatious game of cat and mouse, where Sarah learns that you shouldn’t judge someone by who they were in high school—because they might just surprise you in the most irresistible ways.

In this flirty and steamy Valentine’s themed novella, discover the thrill of seeing an old friend in a whole new light, and watch sparks fly as past perceptions are shattered and new attractions take hold.

(This is Book #2 in an interconnected series. It is encouraged, but not essential, to read Santa's Coming before reading Cupid's Shot.)

Romance Tropes:
Second Chance (at a first chance), Friends to Lovers, Small Town, Holiday Romance, He Falls First, Secret Admirer


High Five Novella Series Description:
From divorce and raising children, to relocating and calling off a wedding, dating in your thirties is different.

The steamy and romantic High Five Novella series follows three friends as they navigate love and life's challenges in their hometown of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. While each holiday-themed novella can be enjoyed as a standalone, reading them in order is recommended for the full experience.

Book #1:Santa's Coming: Emily, a single mother, finds herself enchanted by a charismatic man playing Santa in a local bar.

Book #2: Cupid’s Shot: Sarah, a West Coast girl reacclimating to small-town life, discovers the thrill of seeing an old friend in a new light—shirtless and wearing angel wings.

Book #3: Shamrock Kisses: Rachel, who’s sworn off dating apps, unexpectedly connects with a Chicago guy in town for the weekend.

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2024

258 people are currently reading
2005 people want to read

About the author

Serena Pier

13 books612 followers
Serena Pier is a recovering girl boss, mom, and wife. After being called a brat for as long as she can remember, she decided to lean into it—writing sassy, strong, complex female characters who fully embrace the sexy side of the word. Her books are influenced by her endless fascination with power dynamics and how they play out in relationships, workplaces, and everyday life. Most of her stories are set in and around Chicago, paying tribute to her Midwestern roots and love of all things dairy. When she isn’t in front of a screen, Serena can be found pontooning with her family, enjoying a glass of wine with friends, and driving as fast as she can on the track. Literary Agent - Amanda Wooden, SBR Media

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5 stars
772 (27%)
4 stars
1,113 (39%)
3 stars
732 (26%)
2 stars
146 (5%)
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41 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 666 reviews
Profile Image for Grace Btrs.
377 reviews271 followers
November 24, 2024
Second Chance at a First chance? Yes, please.

This is the equivalent of meet-cute in get-together-cute.

The High Five Novellas follow 3 besties with their hot-shot boys on 3 different holidays.

Aaron is the whipped cream to your chocolate-covered strawberry 🤭
And Sarah is the sassy confident artsy girl.

The chemistry between these 2 is so hot and perfect.

I don't know what else to say? If you want a quick read that gives you good vibes, good mood, you'll like the characters but also help transition you out of a reading slump, this book is for you.

I have received an ARC for an honest review, and yes, this one is as blunt as you always get from me.
Profile Image for Jeanmarie ʚɞ.
67 reviews36 followers
January 17, 2025
Short spicy story. You can read about creative ways to spend valentines day lol. Aaron is so detailed oriented and Sarah is your typical down to earth FMC.
Profile Image for Aeman(ia).
52 reviews14 followers
December 24, 2025
⤷ 3.5★

“Roses are red, violets are blue, give me your number so I can flirt with you.”
Well, thats what the cover says.

It was really cute until it wasn’t. She sends him a picture of her kissing her vibrator because he refused to sleep with her until their third date. They’ve known each other since childhood but she only started feeling attracted to him three days ago and they’ve already been on two dates. It’s fast-paced without being fast-paced. Ykwim? Like the buildup is well paced but the romance itself feels way too quick.
Anyways the guy did have romantic feelings for her for a very long time and I really appreciate that we actually got a flashback of it. I’ve read a few books recently that mention years of pining yet don’t include a single flashback and I would’ve been really pissed if this followed the same path.

“Roses are red, violets are blue, I’d like to cook dinner for you.”
- Your secret admirer,
Aaron Olson


He has been role-playing as her secret admirer for the past few days( yeah the same day she finally noticed how charming he has become). He has been sending these cute thoughtful gifts anonymously and she only just found out it was him. He couldn’t ask her to homecoming when they were young and now years later with her back in town he finally asked her out. Thats actually so cute.

I genuinely enjoyed reading this mini story. This was totally what I’ve been looking for this time of the year. Also I would like to give you a heads-up: the dialogues were very simple and nothing fancy which might feel a bit uneven considering they’re in their thirties. It wasn’t a problem for me since it sped up my reading speed (I’ve got a long tbr for this month). Also, it has SPICE(yes, def the kind that had me sweating beneath my blankets). Firstly, it took me a few seconds of starting the book to realise that MMC in this book was the same bartender (now a manager) from the first one and secondly, I wasn't expecting him to be this dom. Such a drool worthy cupid. I am so glad this turned out to be 3.5 star.

Oh and yes I’m still planning to continue with the series.

──── ୨୧ ────

𖦹Pre-read:Because I just finished reading the first one and I plan to continue with the series.
Profile Image for Leticia🌻.
306 reviews18 followers
April 1, 2025
This is the second installment in the High Five Novella series; it's a friends to lovers novella set in a small town. In this novella, we read the story of Sarah and Aaron. Sarah just returned to the hometown after moving away to pursue a career in the West Coast, she also has a policy to never date guys from her hometown. Aaron, the main bartender at the High Five bar, known to be flirtatious, also has the same policy as Sarah, to not date women from his hometown.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, Aaron is asked by the marketing team of High Five Bar to dress as Cupid. Sarah and Aaron realize that they might have to break their one rule for each other. I personally liked this story more than the first one as the story line and the characters are more developed. Will definitely be continuing the series.
Profile Image for Toni.
500 reviews6 followers
February 12, 2025
Awwwww very Valentiney

Kindle Book - 109 Pages
Valentine's theme
Novella sequel
Childhood friends
Spice
Aaron is dressed as Cupid in the bar he works and Sarah is stunned to know the boy she knew has grown to the MAN she sees before her. He sends her drinks as her secret admirers before flirting escalates to dates and dates turn to spice and romance.
Profile Image for LaceyBanana Reads.
531 reviews28 followers
February 19, 2025
3.75. This was such a fun and fast read! Perfect for Valentine’s Day I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it a ton!
Profile Image for Amy.
2,654 reviews2,025 followers
December 3, 2024
In the mood for a spicy one sitting read? Definitely try this, it was so much fun! This is the second book in a series of novellas and it was just as good as book one and can be alone. Sarah and Aaron had fantastic chemistry and the whole secret admirer bit was adorable. It was a perfect balance of spice and cuteness with a side of witty banter.
Profile Image for Mary Lohorn.
133 reviews12 followers
December 7, 2024
Another 5 star read from Serena, yet I’m not surprised by it. I always get so excited when one of her ARCs hit my inbox.

This novella follows Sarah (a studio owner & artist) and Aaron (a bartender and a buff shirtless Cupid wearing angel wings 🪽)

Sarah attends the Cupid’s crush event with her friends hoping to enjoy some banter and a couple free drinks. But boy is she surprised when her eyes land on the bartender and old friend from school Aaron (buff and shirtless wearing angel wings 🪽 ). That’s definitely not how she remembered him from high school. After a “secret admirer” sends her a couple free drinks she decides to go talk to Aaron to find out who they are from. But she won’t get that answer yet! Cupid won’t tell the secret until Valentine’s Day. She seems to be ok with that because she can’t keep her eyes of Aaron. She decides to shoot her shot and ask for his number!. They exchange numbers and that’s when all the flirty texts start! If you love a fast pace read filled with sexy banter and so much spice then you definitely need to read this! 5⭐️ 4🌶️. This couple radiates so much chemistry!! I love all the witty comebacks. I definitely laughed out loud a couple times reading this. If you love a sassy couple with superb humor, charm, with witty sexy banter this is for you! Pre-order now release day is December 5th.
Profile Image for Hayley Gallant .
843 reviews84 followers
July 6, 2025
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another great read in this novella series!


This one had more of a slow burn than the first one and had a great back story for the main characters.

I am a huge fan of a he falls first and I loved the secret admirer aspect.

You get:
• Contemporary Romance
• Spicy
• Novella
• Slow Burn
• Secret Admirer
• Friends To Lovers
• Small Town


Another fun, great, quick read! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.
Profile Image for Taylin Ashlee.
220 reviews3 followers
November 25, 2024
Omg this was sooo good serena just UGH chefs kiss i cannot wait for book 3 😍😍😍
Profile Image for Red-Eyed Reader.
88 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2024
This second chance, he falls first, friends to lovers romance is so much fun!

When Sarah and her two best friends go to the local bar for a Cupids Crush event she didn’t expect to see her old friend from high school half naked in angel wings. Since when does Aaron Olsen have abs like that?

Aaron’s had a crush on Sarah Anderson since high school. He regrets not taking a chance back then. He’s not making that same mistake twice.

I loved how Aaron knew what he wanted and just went for it. The romantic gestures, the banter, the blush worthy flirting kept me so entertained. I really enjoy how Serena Pier can build a story and a believable, relatable relationship while still giving us the climactic moments we desire all within a 109 page novella.

I’ve never read a Valentine’s Day themed book before but now I know I’ve been missing out! You definitely want to check out this fun, flirty and fast contemporary romance!
Profile Image for Paloma FC (in my reading era).
338 reviews60 followers
March 5, 2025
4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐️
3.5 / 5 🌶️
Spicy chapters: 18, 28, 29, 30, 31

Aaron (MMC's) and Sarah (FMC)

Pros: Adorable spicy novella about childhood friends who reconnect as adults at a bar's Valentine's Day themed evening and fall for each other.

The MMC is shy when out and ahout, but HOT and BOSSY when in bed 🛌 🔥 🥵 ♨️

Cons: There isn't a lot of character development, but that's probably expected due to the short nature of the book.


Overall, it was a delightful read. I look forward to the other books in this series.

Happy reading! 📚
Profile Image for TeagzReads.
355 reviews26 followers
December 4, 2024
4.5⭐️

My favourite from Serena so far!

I thought this novella was really well done. I didn’t feel short changed in how the romance was developed, which can be an issue in novellas. The romance here was adorable, it was so cute that he pined for her in school and she never knew. Who doesn’t love the previously scrawny guy getting his dream girl? Aaron was on top of the romantic gestures, and I’m always a big fan of text banter in books so I was absolutely eating this up!

A brilliant blend of sweet and spicy! Close to 100 pages, this is a great Valentine’s Day or month read that everyone should have on their TBR!

**Thank you to Greys Promo and Serena Pier for sending me an advanced copy! All opinions are my own**
Profile Image for Alannah Revels.
94 reviews105 followers
February 12, 2025
Super cute Valentine’s Day novella! I love the connection Serena can make you feel with the characters in such a short timeframe. These are filled with fun holiday puns and I loved how short and easy these reads are! Perfect if you like a little sprinkle of holiday romance without committing to something that’s several hundred pages/several hours to listen to. I love her writing style! Perfect little Valentine’s Day palate cleanser!
Profile Image for Mia Mia.
445 reviews3 followers
December 6, 2025
4.5⭐️

Fun and flirty. I just smiled all the while through and now my cheeks hurt. Oh and I just love that he had a crush on her forever. If you need a spicy small town romance novella, this slaps. The spice surprised me (in a good way). I’ve been reading the series based on which audiobook is available at the library but I think it’s probably best to read in order. I love that each book has different narrators.
Profile Image for Bookish_Aly_Cat.
976 reviews51 followers
May 17, 2025
This was such a fun, quick romance! This is the second installment in the High Five novella series, but it’s easy to dive right in. I enjoyed the small town setting and the Valentine’s Day atmosphere. Sarah and Aaron had lots of flirtatious banter and things got steamy pretty quick. If you are looking for a short and spicy second chance romance this is a good one to pick up.
Profile Image for Natalie Wilkins.
3 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2024
Let me start by saying this: this is the first book I’ve ever wanted to read twice—it was THAT good. The main characters, Sarah and Aaron, are so incredibly likable, and their dynamic completely drew me in. The banter between them is truly next level, with witty, clever dialogue that kept me smiling and hooked the entire time. And the spice? Absolute chef’s kiss—perfectly done and had me kicking up my feet giggling and my husband asking me why I was blushing. 😂

The storyline itself was so well crafted, with just the right balance of romance, humor, and spice. I especially loved how seamlessly it tied into the previous novella, building on that foundation while still standing strong on its own. Sarah and Aaron’s story was everything I hoped for and more—it was simply amazing. Even the prelude to the next book was fantastic, setting up what’s to come in such an exciting way. This book was an absolute GEM from start to finish, and I already can’t wait to read it again!
Profile Image for Leah reading & recording.
447 reviews9 followers
February 13, 2025
Romantic and sexy with just the right amount of spice to make it a steamy story-driven novella!

Sarah & Aaron’s story is most girls’ dream first date/first few dates—absolutely swooning!
Profile Image for Rosariosbooks.
265 reviews
February 26, 2025
A quick and spicy read that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day 😍 I can’t wait to keep reading this series!
Profile Image for Lori R..
1,411 reviews71 followers
March 10, 2025
Another cute story in this series! Cupid’s Shot was short and sweet and spicy - a perfect Valentine’s Day read.
Profile Image for Ashley Harnage.
22 reviews
December 3, 2024
“Roses are red, violent are blue, give me your number so I can flirt with you” 💘

I didn’t think I could love Serena Pier anymore after Emily and Nicholas’ story, in Santa’s Coming, but then came Sarah and Aaron!

For this being a short novella, I still felt like it gave me everything I needed and wanted in a spicy love story. This was the perfect story of second chance, friends to lovers and how everything that is meant to be will happen at the right time. And the spice was spicing 🌶️!
I loved everything about this book from the small town, to the banter, and the romance to the spice. It had everything you needed to giggle and kick your feet all night long!

Serena Pier knew what she was doing with this one and let me just say… Aaron Olson is my new book boyfriend 🥵🙌🏻

Now be a good girl and go preorder this book 😏😉

Tropes;
Small Town
Second Chance
Friends to Lovers
Holiday Romance
Dom and Praise Kink
Role Play

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Stephanie Manzano.
89 reviews3 followers
November 22, 2024
Serena never fails!! This book had the cutest story and the way it progresses is so perfect. It doesn’t feel rushed at all even though it was short. I couldn’t put this book down. Serena always delivers with the right amount of spice and back story. I’m so excited to continue reading her novellas.

5/5 recommend if you’re looking for a well written short spicy story.
Profile Image for Mona.
100 reviews31 followers
December 30, 2024
Another adorable holiday novella by Serena! I love how fun and unproblematic her characters are—they make her books such an enjoyable escape. 🥰 Aaron and Sarah were a spicy yet sweet couple, and I loved following their story. This one has all the sweet tropes:
✅ Small-town romance
✅ Second-chance romance
✅ Friends-to-lovers
✅ Valentine’s Day vibes

I can’t wait for the next book! 🩷
Profile Image for Summer Ashleigh .
9 reviews
January 3, 2025
DNF! The characters dialogue between each other is the vocabulary of middle schoolers when the characters are thirty years old. The plot is so badly managed and the timeline is so fast. Don’t recommend.
Profile Image for Kay Jay.
485 reviews8 followers
June 15, 2025
Holy major abs and body objectification , between BOTH of our main characters.

Our two main characters are so horny-on-main for each other, I thought my Kindle was going to start sweating. The sheer number of times I had to read about how absolutely edible his abs are and how she looks like a walking, talking Victoria’s Secret ad had me praying for Cupid to misfire—preferably straight into my eye socket.

Yes, there’s a throwaway mention that fitness is his “thing,” but let’s be real: this is a novella. We’re not here for his reps and macros. We’re here for the fast track to horizontal cardio and the inevitable kissy-face, heart-eye emoji ending. If this were a full-length novel? Sure—take me to the gym, let me ogle the protein-shake-fueled thirst traps grunting reps. Throw in that mentioned fitness competition to envision everyone’s glistening and emotionally unavailable. But for now? Keep your six-pack and give me the romance.



Story: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Audiobook: N/A Physically Read
Profile Image for Katie_thebookslayer.
200 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2025
Short and sweet and spicy! I’m slowly making my way through this series and the best part is that they can be standalone too!

With loveable characters, this was easy to read with short chapters. I’d recommend for a palate cleanser of a much shorter story than your usual romance, but that’s the best part… no slow burn!
Profile Image for Sydney Linn.
194 reviews10 followers
December 4, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

♥️ Second chance (at a second chance)
💗 Valentine’s Day romance
♥️ Friends to lovers
💗 Small town
♥️ He falls first
💗 Dual pov novella

Thank you Serena Pier for an arc of your newest book 😍

Sarah and her friends go to a Valentine’s Day themed event at the local bar in their small town. That’s when she sees who the bartender is. Aaron Olson, her friend she hasn’t seen since high school. Sarah is instantly attracted to him, realizing just how much time has actually passed since the last time they saw each other. She decides to put herself out there and ask him out, even though she has a rule of not dating locals.

Aaron has always had a crush on Sarah. When his time to ask her to their high school dance came and went, he never got a chance to tell her how he felt about her. Now she’s moved back to their small town and he refuses to let the opportunity to have his second chance with his dream girl 💘

This was a super cute novella! The banter was perfect and I loved getting to see Sarah and Aaron reconnect after so many years apart 🥹 Aaron is just so sweet and you can tell how much Sarah means to him 💗

I can’t wait for the next in this (standalone) series!😍
Profile Image for Deanna Keri.
177 reviews
January 11, 2025
This is the cutest little sweetest Valentine’s Day Novella!!!

Small Town romance and just the right amount of spicy if that’s your cup of tea.

Banter between the FMC And MMC was just adorable, it gave me like How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days Vibes… I just love these short stories from this author!

You need a little Novella just to get you out of slump read and you won’t be able to put down here you go!
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