Not Here for the Romance

by Gaia Tate

I knew my work assignment would be difficult. What I didn’t expect was getting stuck with my ex-crush-turned-work-nemesis at a one-bedroom cabin in the woods...

I’ve spent the last seventy-three days perfecting the art of avoiding Kyle Donovan ever since I overheard him making a humiliating comment behind my back. But when our boss sends us on a last-minute business trip, I'm forced to handle both an eccentric art donor and all the tension with the one person I’ve been trying to hate.

Not Here for the Romance is a 19k word, rivals to lovers romantic comedy short story about buried feelings, getting drunk on the job, and making wildly inappropriate bathroom proposals to your coworker.
🔥 Enemies to lovers
🔥 Forced proximity
🔥 Only one bed
🔥 Witty banter
🔥 Scorching passion

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Queer, Enemies To Lovers, Novella

79 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh, why are all of Gaia Tate’s covers so freaking CUTE, I can’t resist them 😩

Thank god the cover matched the content of this sweet, little novella 🥰

Because this was a very lovely co-workers-who’ve-been-secretly-pining-for-each-other-forever-to-lovers story with a lot of miscommunication (but in a very cute way), adorable (and a bit oblivious) MCs and a sexy little sprinkle of art and sex.

Had a great time!

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and ridiculous boys that can’t get their act together because of dumb miscommunication. Cameron was adorable and oblivious, having a crush on his “straight” coworker Kyle. Meanwhile, Kyle remains equally clueless about Cameron’s feelings. As always, I wish the story were a bit longer or that it included an epilogue.

I don’t know if I keep coming back to these books because I always enjoy them or because the covers are irresistible, honestly, probably both💁🏻‍♀️.

[Kaylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time with this one. Cameron was soo judgy; right off the bat at 3% we have: And now, because Alina Makarenko couldn't be bothered to wash her vegetables properly, they're sending me-- after being told she was out with the stomach flu. And it's that kind of attitude throughout. Maybe I could fake sick too.

God, is his heterosexuality really that fragile?
What's the plan? I tag along while they sip wine and screw their way through the Armenian countryside?

To top off his childish behavior, there are multiple, and I mean, multiple Twilight references. One is already bad enough, but at least this wasn't about vampires...

What was the point of making Cameron feel sick/nauseous during the first half of the book from the plane to the cabin and then again in the car...? Kept saying "psychosomatic" but it reads as if he was catching the "fake" stomach flu or just had motion sickness. Especially since nothing was brought up about it again after he got drunk off his ass. Just seemed pointless. Guess as a way for Kyle to show concern and to not have to worry about conversation during those trips...?

Talk about unprofessional, though. Cameron was so concerned about Kyle thinking him unprofessional, stalker, useless, etc. and then he gets drunk while trying to close a deal? Okay.

Now that I think about it, I don't know why I jumped straight to the show. Maybe I am chronically online, like my mom says.
Maybe he should stop jumping to conclusions about people period.

This line really rubbed me the wrong way, like a sexual orientation is a disease:
For a supposedly straight guy in remission...

I was hoping for a short, cute story to pass the afternoon with my kitties but was disappointed. At least it was short. Maybe most my gripes are because of how short it is (although I highly doubt that)? I did like how they finally do clear things up with Cameron's assumptions about an eavesdropped conversation, even if it did have to take him breaking down. That was actually understandable given the circumstances, though.

The cover is cute and very fitting.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’ve been trying to get Baby Reindeer off my team for weeks. I can’t work when he’s around.”
'Three days. Three days of pretending I’m not still burning with humiliation every time he looks at me or says my name.'

I loved this book. It was such a fun read. I loved both Cameron and Kyle. Cam overheard Kyle say something hurtful about him once and avoided him like the plague ever since- though he still has an angry crush. I loved Dorothy Sullivan- the older lady made me laugh.

“There’s only one [bed], dear,” the old woman says, patting his forearm. “You don’t have to keep up appearances here. Nobody’s going to know anyway.”

I love the progression of their relationship over the course of the story, talking things out, understanding, coming together. Cameron has his insecurities, especially as Kyle is so perfect in his eyes. But I liked the growth of his confidence by the end. The chemistry between them was scorching. I even liked Duncan, whose character is positioned like an adversary, but is also a catalyst for Cameron and Kyle's relationship. I got so invested in these two! A very fun read. 5 stars.

[Hira Chaudhary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and hot! I adored Cameron and died over the way he had had a crush on his new coworker, and how they had been becoming friends, and then how he overheard Kyle calling him a stalker and completely started avoided him. I loved how they went on this work trip together, and how they finally told each other the truth of what had happened between them. I died over the fact that Kyle had had a crush on Cameron as well, and that when he said "baby reindeer," he literally meant the animal, not the Netflix show. I died over these two and the fact that Kyle didn't even know he was queer before he got a crush on Cameron. I loved these two and the whole thing with the artist's nephew they were trying to get her collection from was so funny and great. This little story was so much fun!

[ViVi · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Really enjoyed this one. Normally I find misunderstandings lowkey frustrating, but in this story it worked pretty well. The tension between the characters was done well, although the confession was a bit cheesy for me. I love how this author writes short stories, they are always easy to consume. My favourite thing about them is the humor, so if I want something light and fun between reads this is it.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️s rounded up. This is a short novella about Cameron and Kyle two work colleagues who like each other but because of a misunderstanding are keeping their distance from each other but when they have to go on a work trip together lines get blurred and when they finally talk they realise they both like each other and it was a misunderstanding and they end up together.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Here for the Romance is story about Cameron and Kyle. Cameron has crush on Kyle, but then he hears what Kyle say about him, so Cameron starts to avoid Kyle. When their co-worker gets sick, Cameron has to go to work trip with Kyle.

Story is cute and short, I liked it.


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I received a copy of this book, and this is my honest review

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a co-workers to lovers story about Kyle and Cameron. It was cute and spicy! I always enjoy the stories by this author and seek them out. This had some fave tropes including forced proximity and only one bed. Love the spicy art twist!

I received a complimentary copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Cold To Truths
Between miscommunications, misconceptions, questioned sexualities and only one bed, colleague Cameron and Kyle’s work trip is off to a rough start. I loved how these two went from not talking to each other to unloading their truths. And that art… that was something else! A delicious read.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how a business trip and the eccentric art donor allows Kyle and Cameron to clear the air and admit they love each other. I liked the humor in the story.

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel like the story could've been expanded about certain elements like, when kyle is on the phone to his friend about the cabin. I thought we'd find out she booked it on purpose to get them closer together.

I liked the story but was too short!

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Here for the Romance is a sweet, short, co-workers read about Kyle and Cameron. This is such a wonderful read when you just need something to make you smile.

[Jessica Swan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and quick read

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

Novellas remain not quite my jam. My jelly, perhaps.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[c · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5)

[Makepeace · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, no spoilers.

What a cute ass little story. Two art guys, one bed troupe, the sex sculptures. The deer in the headlights 😂😂 very cute.

[Sara Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam has spent the last 73 days avoiding his coworker Kyle after overhearing a conversation between Kyle and his work BFF. Unfortunately, the
MCs are forced to take a buisness trip together. They were sent to convince creepy Dalton to sell his art collection. Cam has master the one word answers and cold shoulders.

Cam gets a little drunk at dinner and can't hide his attraction anymore. He initiats a very heated kiss and attempted a BJ but Kyle puts a stop to it because Cam was drunk. The next morning they both open up and admit their feelings for each other.

💥Cameron's POV
💥Mutual secret pining
💥Misunderstanding
💥I'm pretty sure it was Kyle's first time with a man.

I hated that Dalton. secretly recorded the MCs in the bathroom while Cam was on his knees begging to give Kyle a blowjob. They didn't do shit about it. They just labeled him creepy and proceed with their plans help sell his porn art. Now that I'm writing this out some of those sex statues are probably victims also....yikes...