5 Dates

by Alexandria House

A reluctant night out leads to an unexpected connection.
He’s enamored.
She’s apprehensive.
Can five dates open her mind and heart to the possibility of…him?

5 Dates is a stand-alone novella.

Genres: Novella, African American Romance

ebook

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

About the author
A true southern girl, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music, and tall black men in suits. When this music-loving fashionista is not shopping, she's writing steamy stories about real black love.

Verve Romance: @msalexhouse

Instagram: @msalexhouse

TikTok: @msalexhouse

Facebook: Alexandria House

Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My boy is crazy about you, will bring the pain for you. Shiiiddd, he don’t play about you. Can’t go a day without you. You know what he told me? He said you’re his dream come true. Ain’t nothing greater than you. Said he just wanna be true until there’s no him or you. So he asked me to share his words, because he tryna act all timid and shyt. Mrs. Whit, my boy wants you to be his wife and that’s some goooood shyt.” Yaaaaaassssss Nyles! 🫰🏾🫰🏾

I’ve been hesitant to read 5 Dates because, the reviews have been so mixed. But, I actually liked it. In fact, I loved it and had I known my man, my man, my man Nyles Adams made an appearance, I would’ve been all over this book when it first came out. Amnesty is over men, love, and relationships. Her track record is trash and she’s decided finding the same type of love her parents share may not be in the cards for her. But, the promise of strong drinks and some spoken word from her favorite poet was more than enough to lure Amnesty out of her house. When she meets Ty, the attraction is instant on both sides but he has to convince Amnesty to give him a chance to show her all men aren’t trash. “Just give me a chance. Give me five dates to show you who I am.” Now I’ma give Ty an A for effort because, some of those dates were questionable my guy. 🤨🤨🤨🤨 But, he still manages to chip away at Amnesty’s fears and apprehensions and help her fall in love with love again. 5 Dates was a cute and quick read. If you’re lookin’ for somethin’ to get your numbers up, add this one to your TBR.

[Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give me 5 dates and I won’t make you regret it. Ty my oh my I need to walk into a room for my Ty to find me.
This was a cute novella and I ate it. I love how AH loves to intertwine other characters into her books.
I downloaded this book from Book Baes and Heas.

[Shanna Standifer-Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of many books I downloaded from the Book Baes and HEAS. This was a cute short read! I love how Ty was able to break through Amnesty walls and gain her trust. The banter between Ty and Amnesty was sweet and hilarious at the same time. I can’t wait to read more by Alexandria House.

[Sha Sha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!!! All I did was smile. My cheeks hurt. This was so…just beautiful. I loved Nyles before! I love him in this. But Ty & Amnesty ❤️🥹🥰
Alright just read it.☺️ you’ll enjoy it. Even if you don’t think it’s 5 stars. It’s cute and fun 😉

There are appearances from Big South, Bianca & Orlando. The other characters I haven’t read about tho.

[Dahyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

sooo fun! Get into it

[Steph Beaudoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I read by Alexandria House is spectacular!

[BlackLove222 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d love ALL 5 of these dates! 😍 As usual, Ms. House never disappoints us. Go read this novella…and you will see old favs from her previous series. 🫶🏾📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Tonya Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5✨

[Shamoya Radcliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read this book through the BOOK BAES & HEA promo

this was such a good read for a short novella. I was smiling and laughing the entire time. the FMC Amnesty has given up on dating, and men in general, but when she meets the MMC Ty, there was instant sparks. Ty said give me 5 dates to show you I am not like any of the men you are used to dating.
The book takes you each date, and it started off a little weird and different, but in the middle of each date you get to know the type of man Ty is, and through it all he was so sweet, such a gentleman, and at the end of all 5 dates you will see where they choose to go from there. I also love that the FMC didn't quit the dates and took time to get to know the male.

this was my first read by the author and this makes me excited to dive in her catalog.

[Carolyn Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella. Ty met Amnesty at a Nyles Adams spoken word event. Amnesty has given up on men but she’s matched with Ty who’s attracted to her. He gives her his number.

During their first phone call Ty asks Amnesty to give him 5 Dates to convince her that all men aren’t dogs. And they are five of the most nerdiest, interesting dates. But they make a connection and 6 months later they get the HEA.

What I love the most is how Ms. House has tied some of my favorite characters from my favorite books of hers into this story. Date 5 where he takes her to a listening party and Big South of the McClain Brothers is in attendance and I got soooooo excited. Over fictional characters y’all! But I loved that family and that series.

Anyway if you wanna laugh so hard, give a great big awe, and even get a little teary eyed this novella is for you! Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited.

[Taija Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandria House can do no wrong. She literally CANT write a bad or just okay book. Everything she writes is top tier!! The way she interconnects her books is just 😙🤌🏾💋chefs kiss!! I wanna live in her universe!! Because honestly, in my mind, i do. Each time someone made an appearance from another book, i actually squealed with excitement!! When i tell you i smiled this whole book…baybeee, my cheeks hurt! I love Ty with all his connections and him barely knowing her but also hooking her up with his connections. And Nylesssss!!! Whew! I loves me some Nyles! He basically opened and closed this book! 10 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Joanna Peloquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Dates is an adorable novella showcasing there can be love after hurt. After being set up at a Nyles Adams performance, Amnesty and Ty agree to five dates to test their compatibility. Though the first few dates may be have been weird (read: country af), Amnesty doesn’t end their agreement early and, by date five, she is locked in (well, almost).

The inclusion of so many former Alexandria House characters made me giddy. The last time there were that many Housemates in one novel was in Touch Me!

[Pookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amnesty x Ty

Forget dinner and a movie…..I want 5 dates like this!

This was the cutest book. I loved how the most unconventional dates turned into their special love story. Ty recognized Amnesty’s fears and apprehensions and slowly chipped away at the wall she built around her heart.

Alexandria’s take on Black Love is always top tier…..always grown and sexy! I throughly love enjoyed this novella. Now I gotta catch up on some of the characters she mentioned in this quick read. Thank you for this early peek and making this book available through Book Baes and Heas.

4.5 ⭐️

[Sassha Reads❤️❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick cute read to me. Ty saw Amnesty and set it up with Nyles to connect them. Amnesty was hesitant but Ty talked her into five dates to show her that he was different. Those first three dates sucked in my opinion but at least Amnesty got to experience something new. I always enjoyed getting a glimpse of Big South in any book. I bet Amnesty couldn’t imagine that old school card playing Lee Chester is Big South’s uncle. I like how Ty used Nyles for the proposal and that Amnesty didn’t hesitate to say yes.

[NubianJoí · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic Number

Foremost, any reference to an original member & or song of the Jackson Five (IE: pre Epic records, ABC cereal commercials, oil sheen afros, chestnut complexions, with full nose 🤭🤷🏾‍♀️) earned an automatic three ⭐️’s is/was cool with me‼️ Thereafter, Amnesty & Ty’s dating adventure was absolutely hilarious 😂 🤣. And five is the magic number to a HEA🤩‼️“5 Dates: a novella” is a classic In House Special🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥‼️Thank you, that was literary 📖entertainment at its finest 💐🤎💐🤎💐‼️

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a feel good short story. I enjoyed how unconventional the 5 dates were and that they took Amnesty out of her comfort zone. I enjoyed the chemistry between these two and could feel it off the page. Ty kept me smiling with his dates and his openness with Amnesty. This was well worth the read.

[Plus Size Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exclusive short story released as part of the Prolific Works Book Baes & HEAs promotional event. I'm unsure when it started but this book is FREE on their website until October of 2025 so go get yours.

This book was effortlessly entertaining. Our FMC is in her thirties and after a run of failed relationships she has given up on love. Our MMC asks for 5 dates to change her mind. Now, our boy has money and connections. We find this out within the story. So one would think, okay so he's going to pull out all the stops and shower her with gifts, private experiences, and all the other typical rich behavior we see in books, right??? NOPE.

Our boy stayed true to himself and his roots. The dates include Spades, Pig's Feet, and a visit to a Community Center. I loved each and every date the bad and the good. I love that our FMC was pushed out of her comfort zone.

This is a slow burn. We get spice but we gotta wait for it and I was not mad about it. It was exciting to see the emotional connection build. And last but not least for those of us who have been obsessed with the Alexandria House universe and have read her catalog I am here to confirm there are MULTIPLE cameos and connections.

Spoiler: THEY MEET AT A SPOKEN WORD EVENT!!!

I really liked this story and this couple and would highly recommend this novella to readers. As always while YES it can be read as a standalone, reading Alexandria's 30 plus book catalog beforehand would definitely elevate the experience lol.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute novella with black couple getting a well deserved HEA after both getting some frogs.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so stinkin cute 😍! Definitely a must read!

[Shameka Erby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amnesty and Ty

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. Ms. House always makes sure to bring the laughs in her stories. This was a well written, funny and cute love story.

[NurseRox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoooooon! ✨ 💫
😍

[eryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75
5 dates to forever for Amnesty and Ty. Really liked how Ty stayed true to himself and how Amnesty was able to open herself up to one more try even though she was reluctant.