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NOT MY SPICE: Halloween Rom-Com Short Story
#1 in 90-Minute Romance Short Reads IN JUST 5 DAYS ♡
#1 in New Adult Romance ♡
#9 in Small Town Romance ♡
Pumpkins, coffee, and one very grumpy guy.
When small-town newcomer Josie rearranges the Halloween Festival layout and accidentally steals Dylan’s longtime spot for his coffee truck, sparks fly—literally and figuratively. Between pumpkin carving mishaps, runaway decorations, and a whole lot of cinnamon lattes, this holiday might just brew up something neither of them expected.
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️
It’s messy. Creepy. Too much banter. The heroine swears too much, the guy’s only scary in flannel, and honestly? You’ve got better things to do than stay up all night turning pages.
Seriously, don’t read this if you
✔️ haunting skeleton toe bones
✔️ raining batshit
✔️ dark alleys
✔️ cinnamon overload
Unless you’re into bad timing, sarcastic smiles, and romance that bites.
Then… fine. Go ahead. But for God’s sake, don’t read it in public spaces.
✨A standalone Halloween novelette set in the same town as Unread—short, sweet, and perfect for a one-sitting autumn escape.✨
#1 in New Adult Romance ♡
#9 in Small Town Romance ♡
Pumpkins, coffee, and one very grumpy guy.
When small-town newcomer Josie rearranges the Halloween Festival layout and accidentally steals Dylan’s longtime spot for his coffee truck, sparks fly—literally and figuratively. Between pumpkin carving mishaps, runaway decorations, and a whole lot of cinnamon lattes, this holiday might just brew up something neither of them expected.
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️
It’s messy. Creepy. Too much banter. The heroine swears too much, the guy’s only scary in flannel, and honestly? You’ve got better things to do than stay up all night turning pages.
Seriously, don’t read this if you
✔️ haunting skeleton toe bones
✔️ raining batshit
✔️ dark alleys
✔️ cinnamon overload
Unless you’re into bad timing, sarcastic smiles, and romance that bites.
Then… fine. Go ahead. But for God’s sake, don’t read it in public spaces.
✨A standalone Halloween novelette set in the same town as Unread—short, sweet, and perfect for a one-sitting autumn escape.✨
63 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2025
29 people want to read
About the author
Madison Colt
8 books6 followersMadison Colt writes raw, heart-twisting romances with characters you can’t forget and emotions you can’t shake off. Her books blend passion, humor, and that bittersweet ache of love you almost lost.
Her heroines always bring chaos—the kind that turns lives upside down—and the men? Well, they’re irresistibly addictive, sexy as hell, and impossible to walk away from. Every cup of coffee turns into sarcasm in her veins, fueling every wicked line and unapologetic twist in her stories.
When she’s not writing, she’s riding horses, traveling to new places, people-watching in coffee shops, or plotting her next fictional heartbreak—all while being dangerously funny and more than ready to mess with your heart.
Read with caution: you might laugh, cry, and fall a little bit in love. The characters in her books are fictional. Any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental… though the author can neither confirm nor deny otherwise.
Her heroines always bring chaos—the kind that turns lives upside down—and the men? Well, they’re irresistibly addictive, sexy as hell, and impossible to walk away from. Every cup of coffee turns into sarcasm in her veins, fueling every wicked line and unapologetic twist in her stories.
When she’s not writing, she’s riding horses, traveling to new places, people-watching in coffee shops, or plotting her next fictional heartbreak—all while being dangerously funny and more than ready to mess with your heart.
Read with caution: you might laugh, cry, and fall a little bit in love. The characters in her books are fictional. Any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental… though the author can neither confirm nor deny otherwise.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 7, 2025
Didn't think a pumpkin festival meltdown could make me care this much, but here we are.
Read it in one sitting. Immediately wanted more. :)
Read it in one sitting. Immediately wanted more. :)
October 19, 2025
Funny, cute, festive read ☕ + 🎃 = 🧡
This was my first read by Madison. I am thoroughly impressed that I'm now a fan after that short story..err.. novelette? I'm not a professional here! Okay?
That ending! I need MORE! (HFN)
For the author: please put the Meloncreek series into a.. uhh series? Bundle? I wanted to read all the couples from Meloncreek! Luckily I found Mila's story at the end but I have no clue where to find the rest!
Also, I read your note. I am cozied up on the loveseat, under a blanket, eating extra cheesy Cheez-Its!
This definitely could've been a novella length at least! Totally would've read a full length novel on Dylan and Josie!
Edit: I just saw beside the title it's a standalone romance. So, I guess no more Dylan and Josie? No bonus epilogue? 🥺
It's quite alright. I definitely still enjoy a HFN.
This was my first read by Madison. I am thoroughly impressed that I'm now a fan after that short story..err.. novelette? I'm not a professional here! Okay?
That ending! I need MORE! (HFN)
For the author: please put the Meloncreek series into a.. uhh series? Bundle? I wanted to read all the couples from Meloncreek! Luckily I found Mila's story at the end but I have no clue where to find the rest!
Also, I read your note. I am cozied up on the loveseat, under a blanket, eating extra cheesy Cheez-Its!
This definitely could've been a novella length at least! Totally would've read a full length novel on Dylan and Josie!
Edit: I just saw beside the title it's a standalone romance. So, I guess no more Dylan and Josie? No bonus epilogue? 🥺
It's quite alright. I definitely still enjoy a HFN.
September 18, 2025
A very funny short story.
Josie is in a small town to coordinate the Halloween Festival; she has multiple misfortunes of her own and in organizing the festival.
The first one is a fiery encounter with Dylan, who leaves wreckage behind him.
Got me thinking how Dylan, as a child, behaved when he was treated unfairly or misbehaved. Was he mean, did he have a tantrum? Did he destroy things, showing his spiteful side? Possible it's a one-time thing.
Josie receives quiet, sweet, affectionate gestures from Dylan. It's the start of a cute friendship before romance.
Helpful, adorable townspeople, some overprotective, defend one of their own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Josie is in a small town to coordinate the Halloween Festival; she has multiple misfortunes of her own and in organizing the festival.
The first one is a fiery encounter with Dylan, who leaves wreckage behind him.
Got me thinking how Dylan, as a child, behaved when he was treated unfairly or misbehaved. Was he mean, did he have a tantrum? Did he destroy things, showing his spiteful side? Possible it's a one-time thing.
Josie receives quiet, sweet, affectionate gestures from Dylan. It's the start of a cute friendship before romance.
Helpful, adorable townspeople, some overprotective, defend one of their own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2025
A bit disjointed. Not for me, sorry
October 7, 2025
This was messy, chaotic, and completely addictive.
Josie is ridiculous in the best way, Dylan is all unresolved tension, and somehow it just works.
The Halloween vibe is full-on pumpkins, skeletons, cinnamon lattes, the whole disaster.
Quick, fun, exactly what I wanted.
Josie is ridiculous in the best way, Dylan is all unresolved tension, and somehow it just works.
The Halloween vibe is full-on pumpkins, skeletons, cinnamon lattes, the whole disaster.
Quick, fun, exactly what I wanted.
October 12, 2025
All I can say is Aww! This was really cute!
Josie just started her new job as Meloncreek's community events coordinator. It's her first festival, and she sets up decorations where Dylan usually sets up his coffee truck. They butt heads, of course, neither willing to give an inch.
This was a fun little story, with two hard headed people trying to get their way. There's a group of town grannies that are just so funny, and a meddling innkeeper who knows exactly what she's doing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Josie just started her new job as Meloncreek's community events coordinator. It's her first festival, and she sets up decorations where Dylan usually sets up his coffee truck. They butt heads, of course, neither willing to give an inch.
This was a fun little story, with two hard headed people trying to get their way. There's a group of town grannies that are just so funny, and a meddling innkeeper who knows exactly what she's doing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2025
Not much happened, it just felt a little bit like what should have been the filler for a full length book was pulled out and made into a novella - but there was no effort to make the reader connect to the characters etc. It did have some fun parts and took about 30 minutes to finish, so good if you just want a quick, no fuss-kind of read.
October 12, 2025
It was a sweet story, but I felt like the description that got me to read the book way oversold it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews