Haunted Games: A Masked Man Romance Novella

by Elizabeth Dear

He’s the entrancing masked stranger in the haunted house. She’s the girl he’s wanted for years

After taking leave from work to care for her mom, Abby Rogan is trying to scrape herself back onto the partner track.

Standing in her way is the man her firm just hired—Galen Costas, her law-school nemesis. Now he’s taking her cases and unearthing his obnoxious nicknames for her in front of their coworkers.

When Abby’s friends drag her to a haunted house to let loose for a night, an unwanted confrontation with her cheating ex sends her right into the arms of a sexy masked stranger.

One hot night leads to another. And another.

Meanwhile, she’s discovering there might be more to Galen than the win-at-all-costs gunner who takes pleasure in getting one over on her.

But she can’t fall for Galen, because when the haunted house beckons, she’s powerless to resist its call.

Galen Costas has wanted Abby Rogan since she scowled at him from across a lecture hall, so when he stumbles into her during his night working in a haunted house, he can’t help but seize the opportunity to live out his wildest dreams.

But this arrangement has a ticking clock.

Will Galen forever be Abby’s anonymous fantasy, or can he find a way to make her his?

This is a spicy masked man/haunted house romance novella. While it has some spooky settings, it is not a dark romance. It is also SHORT at 20,000 words and is intended to be consumed in one bite like Halloween candy. For readers aged 18+ only due to foul language and spicy scenes. Happy reading!

Genres: Novella, Halloween, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Spicy, Contemporary

89 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2025

Reviews

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author lets you know at the start that this is a bite of a book so not intended to be a fully developed romance. Still, I was surprised at how much actually was developed in the short page count. It was all around a great and steamy short read.

Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, touch of om drama with h’s ex trying to talk to her still, which she shuts down hard. Both seemed to be experienced, we know the h had been with the recent ex for years but nothing on the H.

Some tropes/themes:
☆ Both lawyers close to 30
☆ New coworkers but known each other since law school
☆ He’s wanted her for years and is down bad
☆ She considers him a rival
☆ Hidden identity with some dub-con - MMC doesn’t reveal himself as the masked man before gettin down
☆ Masked hook-ups
☆ Ex gets put in his place
☆ MMC’s actions show he’s not who she thought
☆ Low angst - even over the reveal
☆ Female friendships

These two felt complicated at the beginning with the h starting off prickly towards the H and him effectively tugging on her pigtails. There’s a whole history that occurs before the story starts and it made the characters fleshed out and gave their behaviors context without weighing down the flow, since there wasn’t much time. Suddenly being co-workers while the h is concerned about coming back from a leave of absence, the H realizes that she needs support and he steps up, getting her to see him in a different light. I liked how despite how quickly this went, all the pieces clicked together regarding them learning to work, first as co-workers and then in a friendlier sense.

I would consider this a fast burn. The h goes to a fall festival which includes a haunted house and has an upsetting confrontation with her ex, that happens to occur near some masked men. One steps in and sweeps her away, then adrenaline and the hotness of the guy takes over, leading to a steamy encounter. The reader immediately learns it’s actually the H and he’s admired and wanted the h since law school, but she was in this relationship. I love a guy who’s crazy for the girl and ate that up. He’s opportunistic and sure he could have let her know who he was, but early on, she would have absolutely not seen past her prejudices against him. She’s also consenting to anonymous sex so it didn’t feel icky to me.

The H is then slowly revealing himself as a good guy at work while fulfilling her physical needs once a week in the haunted house. The haunted house hookups weren’t entirely realistic but I didn’t care either lol. They’re hot. I also thought it was great how the author approached the H asking for a relationship with the h having her masked encounters and the reveal. It’s low angst in spite of the snark and prickliness that exist between the two of them at the beginning. There’s also a cute epilogue a year later headed into a HEA with a planned proposal and revisiting where they started. Solidly fun and fast read and I’d love to have more of these kinds of short stories from the author.

[T.P.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was exactly what the author promised - cute bite size novella with lovely Halloween vibes and interesting characters.. Loved the snarky comments that the main characters exchanged, it was quite pleasant following these two. I did appreciate the contrasts - how they were at the law firm and then every Saturday, the Hunted House did offer all sorts of delights.
Indeed, probably not a fully developed romance, but there was quite a bit shown here in terms of maturity, building trust and of course, forming a solid foundation.
Overall, this was the perfect short read for the end of October.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was actually quite hot. And fun.

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have masked man kink, then you have to read this. Perfect mix of spice and plot in a short but fun package. Can I have my own Galen now please?

Also, I have yet to read a bad book by Elizabeth Dear. If I was tech savvy enough I'd add a "May I have some more, sir"-gif here.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby + Galen

-halloween novella
-workplace rivals
-masked man
-haunted house rendezvous
-spicy, not dark

this was a great interesting take on these tropes! like our boys been DOWN BADDDD for years & found the PERFECT work around to get the girl!! & i love that for him! hahaha

[Laura (lady_h_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“You better run, sweetheart.”

I am so grateful that Elizabeth Dear caught a wild hare and gave us this Halloween gift! What an absolutely fun and spicy read! Makes you want to see if you can find your own masked man to give chase in a haunted house.

This fast paced and short novella can be consumed in one sitting. HEA guaranteed.

Thanks to Elizabeth Dear for the ARC.

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨
2.5🌶️

Pretty fun! Definitely spicy, but I almost feel like this would be a good starter story for any reader looking to try a masked-man style romance. It feels safe in that way, if that makes ANY sense?

The title pretty much says exactly what this is. Very quick read with a kick to pad your Halloween tbr!

[britta ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

just the right amount of pumpkin spice for me! steamy little Halloween novella (1 hr read) with a masked man👻 now I wanna get chased through a haunted house! 🏚️

[Courtney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful surprise! Perfect for spooky season!

I absolutely loved every word of this novella, especially in conjunction with the others that recently dropped. In just 90-something pages, Elizabeth Dear has blown me away with this fun, sexy, spooky story.

I adore both Abby and Galen, and it is the perfect balance of spooky scenery without the dark romance parts I’m not a fan of. Everything is consensual, but the masked man is hot 🥵 and it’s almost enough to make you want to go to a haunted house. Abby is still a badass, even if she doesn’t punch anyone in the face.

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this was under 100 pages there was so much here. This took place over a month! Multiple days, emotions, and conversations. I'm shocked at how much was put into this story and it was so fun to read.

This is not a dark romance.
Characters are 29/30 years old.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haha... very silly but very fun. A quick sit down and read in one go, just enough plot to make it make sense, fun, smutty, one-shot fic.

The premise is ridiculous, and acknowledges it to be - Abby is a high-powered lawyer just coming back to work after several months off taking care of her mother (breast cancer, in remission, doesn't even appear in the one-shot). She's getting her feet back under her, and her nemesis from uni come onto the scene - he's the new hot thing in the lawfirm. She's frustrated, has a persistent ex that cheated on her and now wants her back, so she decides to go to a halloween haunted house. There, she meets a sexy masked man and they have fun together. Then she keeps going back every Saturday, with more fun each time. At the office, Galen keeps sharing opportunities with her, and eventually asks her out. She decides to end things with the masked man, who reveals himself to be... Galen!! (this is not ever a secret for the reader). They get together, get engaged and it's a HEA.

[Tammy Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is not what I’m use to reading from Elizabeth Dear, I loved every second of this novella. It was a quick, fun, and spicy read that I flew through in no time.

I adore both Galen and Abby and love their chemistry together. And let me just say, Galen can chase me through a haunted house any time!

[Minta Lambrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love it when one of your favorite authors just surprise drops a novella, lol. Sat down and read it in one sitting. Great characters, great plot, great pacing, great spice. Checked all the boxes with this one.

[Michelle’s Book Quest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all: this SPICED UP MY DAY!! Perfect if you’re not into dark romance, but it still has edginess. The dialogue is WONDERFUL, snark and sass galore. As Dear says in her forward, it’s meant to be read in one sitting, like Halloween candy! 🎃

[Jess McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, bite size halloween read!

Quick, fun spooky season read. I don't typically like workplace romances, but this one was coupled with a haunted house and a masked man. I'd love to read more stories about the other characters in this one!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby & Galen
Halloween Novella
Workplace Rivals
Masked Man
Haunted House
Spicy but not dark

This haunted house, masked man novella is such an interesting take on this because this book isn’t a dark romance!!

I love these two!

[Kendra Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4 🌶️3.75


This was extremely hot to me. I loved the enemies but not really enemies to lovers, rivalry, yearning, masked man, kinda office romance and yearning that I got in this. It was a well balanced quick read.

[Pene|ope • Reading Slump, Send Help · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author never misses. 5 stars, no notes.

[Sorina§ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyment:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What can make a workplace rivals romance story better? A 6'4 masked man who has been in love with the FMC for years.

[Lanae (findmeonsmutlane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS THE HOTTEST AND CUTEST AND MOST DELICIOUS NOVELLA IVE EVER READ. OMG.

10000/10. I am dead. Absolutely amazing. Ima go pass out now.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

November 2025
Kindle edition

Meant to read this one for Halloween but best laid plans and all that. This was a fun one. Short but a lot happening. Dual POV so not so masked stranger. The ex really couldn't take a hint. Bit of gender gap BS but mostly sweet.

[Maaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from author, thank you!

**

Such a fun novella, perfect bite-sized treat to start off spooky season! Abby and Galen are such fun characters to follow and I think the rivals to lovers -angle was done well and their chemistry was sizzling both in and out of the haunted house.

The spice was definitely spicing and I love the non-dark but tiny bit thrilling -vibes mixed with the overall happy and cute story, which is just as promised by the author. I wouldn’t mind returning to this world again! Also who doesn’t love a good masked man who is ready to jump in and protect his lady from idiot exes? Chefs kiss.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pretty much a perfect novella. It was a short, hot story that gave enough background and story outside of the steamy parts to make the story work, but didn't get bogged down in unnecessary characters or complicated plots that needed more page time to do justice. It had the things it needed, as well as the scorching chemistry between the main characters, and it wrapped up before it outstayed its welcome.


The story opens with the main character, Abby, at work. She's a lawyer at a high powered law firm but her bosses are douchebags who forget she's there. At first this comes off as them just being misogynists and treating her badly because she's a woman, but later we're told that it's because she took a leave of absence when her mother got cancer. Now they've decided that she's "not dependable" and therefore don't give her the lead roles in important projects. This is made even worse when her old school rival, Galen, joins the firm and starts getting assigned projects that should have gone to her simply because he happened to be in the room and had a penis.

If I had one complaint about this book it's that Abby never does anything about this bullshit. She just sits there taking it. It never even occurs to her to, say, leave and join another firm. Later in the story Galen does things to try to force leadership to treat her fairly, but it just shone a spotlight on the fact that Abby was too weak to demand better treatment herself.

Elsewhere in Abby's life, she's got an ex-boyfriend who cheated on her but for some reason won't accept that their relationship is over as a result. He keeps calling and trying to tell her that she needs to accept some of the blame for his cheating because they were doing the LDR thing and "he has needs" so what else was he supposed to do?

When the book starts, the ex-bf has traveled to her city, for a trial, not specifically to see her, but, since he was in the neighborhood he thought he'd take the opportunity to come to her office and try to confront her some more about how his cheating is totally her fault, and she's being immature by refusing to take his calls. She blows him off and tells him to stop harassing her.

Later that night, Abby joins some friends of hers at a haunted house. And lo and behold, her ex turns up there as well. She tries to avoid him by running into the haunted house, but he follows her in and won't leave her alone. Suddenly three muscle-bound masked men charge in and get between them. Two of them crowd the ex, but that doesn't stop him because he, as a lawyer, knows perfectly well that these theme park workers aren't allowed to touch him and, if they did, he'd sue the proprietors to hell and back. So, two of the masked men just keep getting in his way while the third one grabs Abby by the hand and drags her away and then into a closet so the ex won't be able to find her.

In this closet, it's very close quarters. Abby becomes very aware of how buff the shirtless masked man is, and, though she can't see his eyes, she feels the intensity of his interest in her. In very short order, they establish that she's very turned on and would be more than happy to get pleasured by this stranger. He turns her around and says to keep her eyes on the wall or else he'll stop. Then he rips the crotch out of her leggings, which she finds very hot. She recognizes that he wants to maintain his anonymity and she's fine with that, so she keeps her eyes on the wall as he performs oral sex on her. He gets her right to the edge of the big-O before putting his mask back on and then turning her around to finish her off with his fingers, so he can watch her face while she cums.

Afterward, she's on cloud nine and he tells her that he'll be there next Saturday night too, if she wants a repeat performance. Abby definitely does. They leave the closet and her masked lover takes her hand in his to lead her out of the haunted house, which she finds to be very sweet.

Throughout the next week, Abby is buzzing with the high she felt at having the most erotic experience of her life. Then we flash over to Galen's POV and learn in short order that he was the masked man. He's been in love with Abby since they were in college but when he came back from summer break, all set to ask her out, he'd found that she was dating the ex-bf. Thus he'd had to wait. He'd taken to teasing her as the only way he could capture her attention. He didn't take the job at her firm JUST to be near her, but it was a definite plus. Even though he thought she was still with the ex and thus he'd just be tormenting himself all over again by being so close to her but not able to have her.

It had been pure coincidence that he'd been at the haunted house that night. A friend of his owns the place and needed buff dudes to play the masked men. Galen had offered to help out and then he'd seen the ex harassing Abby and had intervened out of pure instinct. Then once they were in the closet together, he'd been over come with lust at being so close to her, and when she turned out to be into it, he'd gone for it. He's also on cloud nine the whole week, remembering the taste of her, and most definitely hoping she shows up the following Saturday.

Galen also spends the week trying to make sure Abby gets fair treatment at work. He tells his boss that the project he'd been given over Abby is too much for one person and that he needed Abby to be his co-lead. Abby is suspicious at first, since Galen has always tormented her as a rival, but she takes the win.

Next Saturday, Abby shows up at the haunted house again, this time wearing a skirt for easy access. Galen spots her right away and pulls her into a different room. This time they have full blown sex, though Abby is careful to insist he wear a condom. It's a shattering experience for both of them and Galen pockets her underwear afterward. Before they part ways, Abby establishes that her masked man will only be there for 2 more Saturdays because, after that, the haunted house will close down again.

Back at work Abby is finding it hard to concentrate because she's so horny for her mystery man. She's also spending her nights with her vibrator trying to take the edge off of her all consuming lust when she still has days to wait. In the meantime, though, she's spending a lot more time with Galen. He even steps in to defend her when the ex shows up again and tries to make trouble. This makes Abby start to notice that Galen is actually a very good looking and in-shape guy. It was only their rivalry that had kept her from noticing before.

Third Saturday and she's back with her masked man. He goes down on her again, then she returns the favor, and then they finish by having the earth-shattering sex again. Abby is feeling bittersweet about the next Saturday being their last time together but, at the same time, not quite as sad about it as she had expected due to her growing interest in Galen. The masked man is a fantasy. A hot fling. He's not a relationship, no matter how good the sex is. Galen, though, he's a real person and they have a lot in common.

Then they end up at some event with friends and coworkers and there's a pickle ball tournament. Galen convinces Abby to be his partner and they have a great time trouncing the competition. When they win the tournament, Abby spontaneously leaps into Galen's arms and wraps her legs around his waist. He carries her off the court and as the euphoria fades the intimacy of the moment starts to seep in. Galen then asks her out. Abby wants to accept but then thinks about her masked man waiting for her on their last Saturday together and says she needs time before she can answer.

The following Saturday, Galen is once again masked and painted up and has a room all picked out for their sexcapades. But when Abby arrives, its to say that she can't see him anymore. She's met someone and it wouldn't be right for her to have sex with her mystery man now that she's caught feelings for a real guy. The masked man then tells her to take off his mask, and when she realizes it's Galen underneath, he has some explaining to do.

And explain he does. It was a very sweet and soul-bearing speech that really conveyed just how head over heels he'd been with her for so long. And that he'd feared that he'd never get to be with her because she'd never given him the time of day in their real life. So when she'd been into it with him being a stranger, he'd been desperate enough to go for it. But that it had been so good, so perfect between them that it would never have been enough.

Abby is a little bowled over by the declaration. Both that he'd continued to meet her on their Saturdays not because she was just some random willing girl, but because it was HER. And that he'd been carrying a torch for her for literal years, as far back as in their school days. And in short order, she's gone through all the emotions from shock to anger and come right back to horny. Galen, the real guy she'd been getting hot and bothered about was also the guy who had fucked her into the best orgasms she'd ever had in her life. He was the one with the talented hands and tongue and the strength and stamina to make her forget her own name. And HE already worshiped the ground at her feet and wanted to be her, forever.

And that's basically the end. They get together, there's an epilogue where the ex gets to see that Abby is not only not pining away for him but that she'd significantly upgraded and was very, very happy in her new relationship. HEA.



So, yeah, overall it was short but just the right length for this. Galen's feelings for Abby were well done and the sex was very steamy. All around just a good quick read.

[reina]

ngl, not my favourite from elizabeth (don't get me wrong it's still entertaining and hot) BUT i wish elizabeth writes more contemporary settings like this!! I loved a strong female lawyer in this and I can totally see a bad ass female assassin or something, aw even mafia romance sounds good with a fmc written by elizabeth!!!

[Laura Beltran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Spicy Halloween fun.

This short and spicy novella is the perfect way to start the spooky season or even enjoy anytime. Galen has been Abby's nemesis since law school and now he works at the same law firm. Her friends take her out to a haunted house for a distraction and wow does she find one. Little dies she know that Galen has always wanted her and when she had a,run in with her ex that leads her to him while he's working masked in a haunted house he takes advantage. Meanwhile she's realizing Galen is not quite the enemy she thought he was. Can he win her and will she realize that she isn't actually attracted to two different men. This is such steamy great fun.

[Angela Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected but very welcome novella perfect for Halloween. Love the enemies to lovers and masked man trope, definitely need to find me a haunted house after reading this.
Galen and Abby have so much in common but due to Abby having a long term boyfriend Galen could only get her attention by poking fun at her. Her opinion mellows tho as he helps her with the misogyny at the law firm they both work at.
Galen sees his chance while helping out at the haunted house and gives Abby a special experience she keeps coming back for.🌶️🌶️🌶️
Such a short but spicy story I will definitely be reading again

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short and spicy novella, but it’s so good!
Galen and Abby met in law school and the two of them were always at odds. Galen got under Abby’s skin by always getting the top spots and internships, whereas Abby would always place second.
After years apart, Galen gets a job at Abby’s firm and the love hate relationship continues. Then when Abby’s boyfriend cheats on her, she decides to have some fun in the haunted house for Halloween being chased by the hottie in a mask! Neither one expects it to be the hottest experience of their lives!

[Musings of a Booktrovert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this novella quickly. It was a super fun spicy shortly. Our main characters are both attorneys and have an extended rivalry. Abby, our FMC, is coming out of a bad relationship. Ends up going out with friends then running through a house of horrors by choice and her masked man appears. The story is fun, characters do get development, and a HEA conclusion. I had tons of annotations and honestly a lot of laugh out loud moments. I really enjoyed this read. Thank you Elizabeth Dear for this wonderful novella eARC.

[Tasha Goulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Halloween

Haunted Game is a naughty F/M quick read. It has a enemies to lovers vibe.

Galen is Abby's number one nemesis. He had taken her case and she is being overlooked by their boss. To make matters worse, her ex won't leave here alone.

A fun night out leads to a very naughty encounter with a masked man at a Halloween haunted house event. And Abby is starting to notice that Galen, even though her still bugs her, is kind of hot.

This book was a tasty little treat for all those Halloween readers out there.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet palate cleanser story

The cover/title makes it seem like it would be a darker themed romance, but it's actually pretty sweet. I've read most of ED's novels so I trusted it when she said it wasn't really dark, just happens to be around Halloween and that helps the plot.

There's a decent amount of spice considering it's a novella, but the story is pretty quickly paced. Definitely worth a read between other books, especially if you want something fairly straightforward without too many crazy plot twists or drawn-out drama.