Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

One Night Only: A Shifter Romance Novella

Rate this book
Zuri Price has no intention of responding to the strange invitation she’d received to some unknown place called the Red Key Club. She doesn’t even like Valentine’s Day, after all. But a charming neighbor and a cheating boyfriend change her mind and, skeleton key in hand, Zuri steps into a new world and into a painful but unforgettable memory of her old one. It’s one night of possibilities, one night of her dreams, but what will Zuri do when the star of her fantasies insists that one night could turn into so much more?

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2025

507 people are currently reading
529 people want to read

About the author

Elle Kayson

50 books1,399 followers
Published Author.

Exasperated Mother.

Southern Cook.

Angsty, Beautiful, Clueless Mess.

That's me, in short. I've been writing since elementary school and won my first prize in seventh grade. I am a romantic at heart and love a happy ending! Join me on this writing (and reading) journey--you won't be disappointed!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
921 (51%)
4 stars
519 (28%)
3 stars
293 (16%)
2 stars
58 (3%)
1 star
14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
Profile Image for MJ.
291 reviews22 followers
February 10, 2025
4/5 ⭐️

A short and spicy shifter romance! Elle Kayson got this one all the way right. I could have easily read 300 more pages 😂
Profile Image for April.
584 reviews169 followers
February 22, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this shifter romance novella! The romance mixed with the supernatural touch added to this already spicy story! I love Zuri & Chi’s story and hope to see them again. Great quick read! Madame Cupid me please! lol
Profile Image for Tina Sharane.
152 reviews8 followers
February 13, 2025
4.25 🌟 Elle Kayson is a phenomenal writer so this paranormal, second chance romance did NOT disappoint imo! Ofc, my only complaint is that it wasn't long enough for meeeee... 😩😭 I wanted sooooo much more of Zuri and Malachi, mostly Malachi, but more nonetheless.

And there is still so much more potential to explore Chi's heritage and bloodline plus the originality of him being a jaguar shifter just did it for me! This could've easily been a 300+ novel and I would have devoured every page with great pleasure. Miss Kayson, please pen more paranormal romances in the future because I will read every single one you write, believe that (in my Martin Lawrence “Blue Streak” voice). Well freaking done ma'am!
Profile Image for Sha Sha.
243 reviews16 followers
May 30, 2025
Now yall know I love me a good paranormal romance! This one was pretty decent. I expected more it was missing something but I do understand that this was her first paranormal story. 3.5⭐️s
Profile Image for Fatimah.
455 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2025
This type of book is definitely out of the norm for me. When I first started this book, I didn’t know WTH I was reading but then it started to come together about half way through.

Favorite Quote- “I’d always wondered about the existence of things unknown and been fascinated by the possibilities. But I was content to leave some shit “unexplained.”
Profile Image for Goddess’ Smut Library &#x1fa77;.
476 reviews21 followers
March 26, 2025
I felt like this book was very dry. I don’t know if the reviews are from people that have not read other shifter paranormal books, but it didn’t meet the bar. If I could read half-point rating system, I would give it a 2.5. And because it’s a novella, it was way too short. She wasted too much time with nonsense, if you asked me.
Profile Image for Rhina M. Finley.
1,250 reviews20 followers
February 9, 2025
Spicy Shifter Romance!

Elle Kayson knows she is a gifted writer and this spicy shifter romance is another masterpiece added to her collection! I reunited love stories with paranormal!
Profile Image for Brooke ♡.
305 reviews37 followers
February 23, 2025
2.75/5

This book was so jumbled in not even sure what to say 😭. I'm left with one word and it's "what?" LMAOOO. The getting spicy while having flashbacks and trying to explain important information ruined this for me personally. Zuri had every right to be mad, but she decided to be weak and just say "it's fine!" After one time??? Pain of ten years??? Yeahhhhh this wasn't it I'm sorry. The random back and forth time jumps also- idk this should've been longer I feel like it would've made more sense 😭. Also the beginning? Was that their first time meeting? What happened between then and the time he told her off? Like idk this was really all over the place unfortunately. I'm personally left with too many questions for this to be an 80 page novella lol.

Also respectfully, I need her to get to work on demons dream part 2 LMAOOOO
Profile Image for Iris Denise.
60 reviews16 followers
February 14, 2025
I need just a lil but more

I love Elle, & loved that she tapped into some “Shifter Romance”, however, I def needed more fillers and/or maybe 1 more chapter to fill in the gaps…. But overall it was a good short read, with of course some much needed spice to it!!!
Profile Image for Sunflower.
80 reviews13 followers
March 4, 2025
This was out of my norm, but I liked it. Never read a paranormal romance before, and now I think I want more of Zuri & Malachi. There was just enough spice to make me want my own shifter 😅😏 And Madame Cupid? I need to meet her. Where’s my red envelope?! 👀
Profile Image for Juli_xox.
48 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2025
This was a very nice spicy short read. I loved Malachi & Zuri but I wish it was a little longer to really dive deeper into the characters. I also would of liked to see Malachi meet her parents. Overall it was a quick romantic valentine day shifter romance.
Profile Image for thebookcritic_.
860 reviews24 followers
February 8, 2025
cute

Good. Cute and short. I felt like some things could’ve been explained in depth more but I get why they weren’t as this was novella. Why couldn’t his uncle be with his aunt? That kind of threw me off a little.
Profile Image for Jaleesa.
402 reviews53 followers
February 15, 2025
I need more

I knew going in this was a quick and short but man I needed it to be a little longer. Ready for more as soon as more is available.
Profile Image for ShaTorey.
365 reviews9 followers
February 16, 2025
This was definitely different from other books I’ve read by Elle. It was a quick read but I do think that there was some things that could have been explained better.
Profile Image for Ravyn &#x1f423;.
167 reviews9 followers
April 9, 2025
This book took me back to my Wattpad days and I’m not even mad at it
1 review
April 12, 2025
I need more!

Wow. I can only hope we get a full book on Sha & Chi after this. Definitely a good quick read.
Profile Image for Tash. Tash..
Author 3 books12 followers
February 17, 2025
Pleasantly surprised

Elle did her big one branching into the paranormal world.

I can’t wait to see what more comes from this.
Profile Image for Taees_Cozy_Corner.
789 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2025
Oh this was perfect . I loooooove a fated mates situation and this was a hit for me. I hate that he ran from her and left her but for her protection. But I loooooove how he said I’m done running and so r u!!! I’m chasing and u not going nowhere !!😝😝😝!!! Get ur woman !!!
Profile Image for Readitandwhisk (Tay).
42 reviews22 followers
March 6, 2025
Sexy 🥵🌶️

I instantly want more! Malachi and Zuri are so sensual together. I love a fated mate story. I’m interested to see where Elle takes this series!
Profile Image for NeiNey.ThaReadinDoula.
293 reviews9 followers
April 18, 2025
What a read… and I do mean whew!

Madame Cupid invites you to step behind the velvet curtain and experience all the secret pleasures of the Red Key Club on the night of February 14th. One night. One key. One unforgettable love story.

Now hold up—before we even get into the plot… where do I get a key?! Because baby, I’m tryna RSVP immediately. The vibes, the heat, the mystery? Yeah, go ‘head and sign me up.

Let’s get into it though: Imagine meeting your soulmate at 18. I’m talkin’ real-deal love. The kind that wakes up your soul. But then imagine having to walk away… not because you wanted to, but because loving her out loud meant putting her in danger. That’s Malachi’s side. Now imagine being Zuri—left behind, heart shattered, no real answers, and trying to pick up the pieces for ten long years. Love hasn’t hit the same since, and every relationship feels like a watered-down version of something you used to know.

That kind of pain don’t fade. That kind of connection don’t break. And Malachi? His inner beast is fed up. He’s tired of fighting what’s his. Zuri might not know what’s living under Malachi’s skin, but trust—she’s about to find out. That man is on GO. And his only goal? Take. Claim. Keep.

Shoutout to the real MVPs—Tante Eloise, Deidre, and of course, Madame Cupid. They knew exactly what they were doing setting that night up. The stars aligned, and what was once broken finally had a shot at being whole again.

This story was short, spicy, and had me hooked from start to finish. It gave second-chance romance with a paranormal twist and just the right amount of heat. Elle Kayson did what needed to be done. Again. This was more than a story—it was an experience. Go grab it. Trust me, you’ll be looking for your own Red Key after this.
Profile Image for Sherley's Reading Corner.
300 reviews4 followers
March 9, 2025
*𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5.0 ⭐
*𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 3.5 🌶️

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂

I have officially become a paranormal romance girlie! This short, fast-paced read had me entranced in Malachi and Zuri’s world and I did not want to leave! By the end of 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲, I knew that I wanted, no, I NEEDED, more of this!

In 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 we meet Malachi Landry and Zuri Price. When we meet him, Malachi is a young businessman who happens to also be a nagual, a human who has the power to shapeshift into a certain animal, for Malachi, it’s a jaguar. He is anti-commitment and anti-love. Zuri is like Malachi in that she too is anti-love; she has even labeled herself the “Grinch of Valentine’s Day.” In a world where people only see her when they need something from her and she has never had the love of her parents & family, Zuri feels lonely and yearns for something more.

About 12 years ago, the two’s paths did cross but it ended in complete disaster. After giving herself to Malachi and falling head over heels in love with him, Zuri found herself abandoned and alone without any explanation. Now, 10 years later, a set of magical circumstances brings these two together for one night only on Valentine’s Days. Will Zuri be able to forgive Malachi after a night of passion and lovemaking, or will the trauma from her past heartbreak cause her to walk away from him and their undying love forever?

Elle Kayson did such a great job in world-building and character development in this short story. Though the story is told in just a few short pages, I really felt like I got a sense of who Zuri and Malachi were as individuals. I got a full understanding of Malachi’s background, how he came to be who he was. I felt the same for Zuri. She was such a sweet person who, though born with an abundance of money, felt impoverished in other areas of her life. I also really enjoyed the presentation of the magical world with magical beings in which Malachi was a part of, being part of the actual human world that Zuri lived in. This was fascinating to see and experience as a reader.

In addition, I think Kayson’s use of a dual timeline to tell the Zuri and Malachi’s story was a great idea. By doing this, we the reader are able to understand the history of these two characters and how they came to be living in the world they are living now. Zuri and Malachi were fated, meant to be, and different worlds, and a progression in time, just could not keep these two apart. I absolutely loved their love and that one-night reunion, my goodness! Did someone turn the heat on in here? These two had a fiery chemistry that literally jumped off the pages!

Shapeshifting, magical worlds, second chances, a love like non other! This is what you will find in Elle Kayson’s 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲. This was such a great read that took me no time at all to finish. It was action packed, spicy, gave me all of the feels, and exceeded my expectations as a reader. I want more from Zuri and Malachi’s world (please give us Micha’s story) and I absolutely recommend 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲. I look forward to reading more paranormal romance from author Elle Kayson.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃
❤️ Valentine’s Day Novella
🖤 Paranormal Romance
❤️ He’s a Shapeshifting Jaguar
🖤 Fated Mates
❤️ “One Night Only” Leads to…
🖤 Second Chance Romance
❤️ Steamy Open-Door Spice

🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🅻🅸🅽🅴🆂/🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂
❤️ “And for the first time in a long time, I felt free. But freedom, I realized, was a lonely place to be.”
🖤 “If you use your key, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
❤️ “It was like she was woven into my soul, pulling me north, away from the waterfront, and into her orbit.”
🖤 “Why are you scared, sha? The only pain I give you will be good. You gon’ learn to crave it.”
❤️ “I made a kid’s mistake, pushing you away. I made a man’s mistake, staying away.”

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
* 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 5.0 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆




Profile Image for Chanel.
432 reviews5 followers
February 7, 2025
Let me just say I went in blind because clearly I’m a fan of Elle, so it’s always automatic read for me when it comes to her.
So all honesty I was definitely confused on what I was reading but once it made sense to me. I was hooked then it just ended lol (hint it is a novella only 84 pages)

“One night of possibilities, where dreams become reality”

This short “shifter romance “ novella takes place on Valentine’s Day. It is about Malachi and Zuri, one night after not seeing each other after 12 years.
It is giving gothic vibes, animal vs human natures.

Zuri was already going thru it with the pushy distance parents, the boyfriend that she didn’t feel connected to anymore and then getting this random invitation to a sex club… once she enter this sex club that Madame Cupid arranged, she is left with Malachi.

Malachi is all about claiming what is his. And Zuri belongs to him! End of the story… i definitely recommend you guys to check out this short story when it is released… no spoilers allowed!

Thank you @prettygirlsdoread for selecting me to read this one!
❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
Profile Image for Brooklyn Simpson-Crowder.
123 reviews20 followers
February 20, 2025
loved it! I need more

Star level: 4.5 stars Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Trope: shifter, 2nd chance, Valentine’s Day.
Trigger warnings: too short I want more.
Fav quotes: “ They’d be surprised to know that I had once been in love, crazy about a girl whom I knew was my soulmate, meant only for me. Deciding to give her up was the hardest thing I’d ever done, and it haunted me even now. Just the thought of her…”
““Zuri. I made a kid’s mistake, pushing you away. I made a man’s mistake, staying away.”
About the book: I want more! I love a good shapeshifter story and it sucks this was only a novella I need more now. I love the face we got the back story on how they met when they were younger and why they broke up. I just want to know how the aunt came up with the plan and how long would she had waited some them to come together on their own? Then how is D connect besides being Chi cousin, was she sent to be a watcher!? Zuri parents? Yeah I hate them and that ex. I could easily read 300-400+ more pages of this book.
Profile Image for Tatia’Anna.
18 reviews
February 7, 2025
Elle Kayson doesn’t miss okay! I ate this shifter romance UP! It was a super quick read and truly if it turned into a little series or something.. I wouldn’t mind lol. 🫣

Zuri is a woman that comes from a great family… with money 🤭 But we all know money isn’t everything, because in their eyes their first born was everything and more. Zuri is just there 🤷🏽‍♀️

She has a place to live, a job, a nice car… but that’s it unfortunately. She thought she had found love until he left her high and dry 12 years ago. The new man that is so perfect in her parent’s eyes, is a straight dog.

It’s 2 days before Valentine’s Day and Zuri gets a package inviting her to come to the Red Key Club.. she gets to indulge in her wildest dreams and guilty pleasures. Little does she know… that love that was once lost.. may just be found again 😈😮‍💨

It’s been 12 years and Malachi wants that old thing back…..does he get it?




Profile Image for Alissa.
440 reviews19 followers
February 8, 2025
Sometimes all you need is a black shifter romance to get you out your slump! Elle Kayson I need more than 86 pages 😭 idk what Elle puts in her books but I always finish them so quick!

Zuri comes from a wealthy family that ignores and her boyfriend ain’t shit, she wouldn’t be surprised if he forgot about Valentine’s Day. She gets a mysterious package, it’s an invitation along with a key inviting her to the red key club to indulge in all her desires. Malachi is jaguar shifter who met Zuri 12 years ago and hasn’t stopped thinking about her. After catching her boyfriend cheating and with the help of Madam Cupid Zuri ends up going to the club, Zuri and Malachi end up seeing eachother at this club and it’s very clear he wants that old thing back.

I ate this book up and I need Elle Kayson to write more paranormal shifter romances! Had so much fun reading this story!

Tropes:
Valentine’s Day
Secret club
Jaguar shifter
Profile Image for She Reads What She Wants.
372 reviews13 followers
March 9, 2025
Malachi and Zuri were young, in love, and thought they had forever ahead of them—until everything fell apart. Their breakup hit Zuri so hard that she swore off love completely. She didn’t just move on; she shut the door, locked it, and threw away the key. Seeing Malachi again? Never in her plans.

But then comes this mysterious invitation from Madame Cupid—and something about it makes Zuri pause. Could this be fate trying to set things right?

This novella was a vibe! It’s short, sweet, and had just enough paranormal spice to pull me in. Honestly, it felt like a teaser for something bigger, and I need Elle Kayson to expand on this world because I was not ready for it to end! If you’re looking for a quick, intriguing read with a touch of the supernatural, this one is worth picking up.
Profile Image for Read_With_KC.
191 reviews15 followers
February 7, 2025
Title: One Night Only
Author: Elle Kayson
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 85
♾️⭐️

Releases February 2025

My thoughts:

Let me start by saying that I am absolutely grateful for Zuri accepting the invitation to the Red Key Club!

Ms. Kayson DOES NOT MISS ‼️
 
This is was masterfully written! A narrative filled with emotional depth and vivid descriptions in so few pages is awe inspiring.

Zuri's whirlwind of experiences. The chemistry between Zuri and Malachi. I enjoyed every second of this story

All this time I was bothering Ms. Kayson about an update on Demon and Dream and now I am ready to embark upon whatever journey Chi and Zuri experience with their Prowl.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.