✨ The Vibes ✨
If Hozier starred in Before Sunrise

📖 Read if…
✨ You want a book you can read in one sitting
✨ You want characters that approach romance with thoughtfulness and maturity
✨ Rockstar romance is your favorite trope

Hardly Strangers follows Shera and Max during the evening they spend together after meeting at a bar. It’s a relatively simple premise, but A.C. Robinson has infused the story with so much feeling and emotion, that this story became an instant favorite of mine.

I usually have problems with novellas and short stories because they never feel fully developed, but Hardly Strangers bucked that trend. I’m in awe of how Robinson was able to write both Shera and Max in a way that made them feel totally human, without slowing the story down. Their journey had a perfect arc and left me wanting more in the best way possible. Speaking of wanting more…831 Stories has fan fiction for each story on their website that keeps the story going in a fun and creative way after you finish the book. I 10/10 recommend the Hardly Strangers extras.

Overall, I’m not just a fan of this book, but 831 Stories in general. I love their approach of publishing these emotional, well-written stories, as they’re the perfect things to pick up when you want to read something phenomenal but don’t necessarily have the energy for a full-length novel.
I can’t wait to dive into the world of Big Fan next!

Hardly Strangers is out now. Thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's official. I am only reading litfic if it's written by poets and published by romantic imprints. I am hesitant to call this book a true romance because of the ending, which is more a Litfic question mark vs an undeniable HEA. Fated Mates often describes a romance as two people falling in love in a phone booth and this is exactly like that, except the phone booth is fancy LA AirBnb. If you also had a creative or romantic crisis of faith in your late twenties, you will feel seen by this book.
Drink this book: Enjoy with a bottle of Cabernet from California that is just a tiny bit out of your normal price range.

Moody and deeply connecting, I thought this was a unique take on a romance that spans just one night. I tend toward frothier romance, so this was a nice change of pace.

Truthfully I’m not sure how I feel about the novella length, but this sucked me in and I was able to finish it in one sitting which is always nice. I’ll definitely give more of 831’s work a shot!

While I enjoyed the meet cute and the "just for the night" energy, I wasn't a fan of how quickly the protagonist wrote off the love interest because of past experience. It just didn't feel like the relationship was serious enough for that...

Truthfully, the simplistic cover of this novella is what initially drew me in the most; however, I was also a bit worried because a romance *novella* can sometimes be hard to pull off. I'm used to short stories (or even fanfic one-shots, lbr), but I do believe that romances (or "love stories") in general already hold the onus of having to convey SO MUCH within a certain number of pages in order for the development/ending to land properly, and novellas are, well... they're short! But ANYWAY. All of this was just to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this little book as I read it while traveling on holiday. Taking place over the course of just one night, there are definitely some twists and misdirects I wasn't expecting but ultimately paid off in the end. I found our "true" MCs to be relatable in their flaws and in their actions, though there were plenty of times I found them to be unlikeable.... I suppose that's only human though, right? Overall a quick, fun read that managed to keep my attention and look at the author's backlist as well!

Wow what a ride of a book. Shera and Max spend one night together and that’s what you follow. There’s ups and downs. It’s all very emotional as they talk through their past traumas and how that affects their current interactions with each other.

The whole book is very poetic and I think some people will adore that. For me that was not my type of book. I also just didn’t love the story. I think it’s so beautiful and so well written but this wasn’t for me.

After reading 831 Stories’ debut publication Big Fan, I was expecting something in a similar vein from Hardly Strangers. The shift in pace and tone took me by surprise, but in the best way possible. While this story is quieter and more introspective, I found it incredibly relatable and grounded in a way that felt so real.

What stood out to me most was how A.C. Robinson managed to capture the weight of a single night. The entire story unfolds over the course of just a few hours, but as we all know, a single night can change everything. The tightly focused timeline added a sense of immediacy and intimacy that drew me in, and Robinson’s attention to small, meaningful moments made the characters feel so alive.

The tone is reflective and full of unspoken tension, a contrast to Big Fan’s bolder energy, but it worked beautifully for this story. There’s something universal about the connections we form with people who might only be in our lives briefly, and Robinson explores that with a sensitivity that lingers long after you turn the last page.

I give it 4 stars—not quite as gripping as Big Fan, but Hardly Strangers is its own kind of gem. It’s a subtle, thoughtful read that will resonate with anyone who’s ever had one of those nights where everything shifts, even if just a little.

This was a case where a novella format didn’t work for me because I was not a fan of how insta-love this story felt. I found the MC to be annoying and felt like the big reveal of her back story to be anti climactic after the build up. I finished it, though!

Huh. I'm a sucker for a one-night-stand that leads to real intimacy, but the connection between Max and Shera didn't feel believable, or even healthy. In romance, characters are allowed to be flawed — even difficult! — as long as we believe their love interest will mesh with them and help them grow. That sense of rightness and growth was missing here. Shera's reaction when Max shared that he cheated in a past relationship felt disproportionate and immature. I was also surprised to read dialogue in a book published in 2024 where a character asks someone "Why didn't you leave?" when that person shares their experience of being in a toxic and potentially abusive relationship. I'm rooting for 831 Stories to succeed because we need more publishers investing in romance, and A. C. Robinson is a beautiful writer at the sentence level, but novellas require more experienced authors who can pull off the genre at such a tight length. In the future I'd love to see 831 Stories partner with existing romance authors who aren't given a shot by traditional publishing houses, like self-published authors of color.

I love love love this book! I thought it was such a fun short read with a compelling story I couldn't get enough of! I actually got sad when I finished it because I wanted more!

This book had a couple cheeky twists in it! At the beginning I thought it was gonna be about Shera and Michael and then it became very clear that was not the case! Learning more about Max and Shera's past relationships was also such a wild ride. Maybe this book just caught me at a good time, but there was a few moments that made me actually gasp.

I loved Shera and Max as characters. I loved that they were both flawed people and how sharing what made them flawed with each other brought them closer together.

I feel like I'm gonna have to reread this book and then read fanfiction about it because I loved it so much! 😂 It has easily made it into my top 5 of the year and I'm excited to see what this author does next and to pick up some more books from the publishers! Please pick this up if you're interested! I need more people to talk about this with!!

Thank you so much Netgalley and 831 Stories for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this one!! What a rollercoaster (of a night, of a book)- packed a lot of punch into a novella. The steam was all there and I loved the emotional intensity that made the stakes feel higher. The epilogue was wonderful. 831, continuing to put out incredible works!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! AC Robinson is so good at writing a beautiful love story that you can get lost in so easily. The main character, Shera, is an author who is just starting to date again after a bad relationship, and Max is a famous musician and when they meet instant sparks fly. I am not a writer, which is why my review will fail to capture the beauty of this book. You just need to trust me and read it ASAP.

HUGE thanks to AC Robinson, Netgalley, and 831 Stories(You're a gem! Love all your books!) for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

This review is going to be short and sweet bc Hardly Strangers was short and sweet and spicy and stirring and surprisingly emotional. And I have no more S adjectives left. Oh…Superb. It was also superb!! This stunning little novella from the spectacular romantic fiction company, 831Stories truly packs a punch in a short amount of time. Shera is an emotionally wounded gal jumping back on the dating horse. While waiting for her date to arrive at a bar, she meets Max, a charming Irish punk rockstar (you had me at accent, Max). In a “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” fashion, the story focuses on the one night Max and Shera spend together that is mixed alcohol, honesty, emotions, sex, cigarettes, fighting, and making up. I loved it and I couldn’t put it down and I while I needed more time with Max and Shera, it was also the perfect glimpse into a night that felt raw and real and I feel satiated by this little glimpse into their relationship. My only complaint about this book is that Max serves Shera vodka on the rocks and that’s just an unacceptable drink in the modern era of canned flavor seltzer. Can’t wait to check out more from 831Stories. I definitely recommend this one!!!

Smut- 2.34 stars
Romance- 4.76 stars
Story- 4.91 stars
Vodka on the rocks- neg 16.48 stars

I think diving in while thinking it's going to give the same vibe as Before Sunrise Trilogy is such a false move. Maybe not comparing this novella with before sunrise trilogy would make this experience better.

It is no surprising that I love Novella, I just love a good, intriguing novella. Is this one good? Not really, but I was surprised that actually, at the beginning, this novella intrigued me right away. It was a little bit disappointing just because it isn't even nothing like Before Sunrise. Despite that, I feel like all the characters are unlikeable, I found myself just into the two main characters' past stories. It touches some heavy, toxicity topics that I encourage people who want to read it to check the trigger warnings

I'm just glad it was short so I can finish it fast enough and move on

This novella is essentially about how one person and one night can alter the course of your life. The depth and emotion that were included into this short narrative truly amazed me. The idea of documenting a single night between a couple who met at a bar—each apparently there to meet someone else—was also really original. I think it was done beautifully and magically!

Thank you to Netgalley & 831 Stories for providing me with an ARC to read.

TLDR: Loved it, pick it up!

This book feels different in a way that I can’t put my finger on. It wasn’t just the emotional and physical interactions between the characters (which was totally unique and fresh). Idk if I would have picked it up on my own without my excitement and trust in 831 Stories behind it. It’s just something that isn’t usually my vibe when it comes to romance- the one night only, emotional scars of it all doesn’t tend to lead towards the happy, shiny, “wrapped in a bow” escape that I usually seek out in romance novels. (We can talk about how this is bad later, I’m working on it). But, I really loved this book!

I’m so impressed with the plot, the character development, and emotional range that AC Robinson managed to pack into a tiny novella. What a rollercoaster! I didn’t stay up all night with Shera and Max but I really felt like I did! The characters were messy and raw in a way I have never personally experienced yet the book was so relatable in the way you want books to be to really hit you in the heart. It was sexy, fun, sad, and flawlessly written. Can’t wait to see what Alana writes next!

The book is not complete without the epilogue, which I loved. It was the perfect way to end the story for this couple (although I’d preorder a sequel in a heartbeat). You must go to 831 Stories and read it.

After loving Big Fan from 831 stories immediately requested two more books from the publisher. Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted arc.
This novella is basically a story of how one night and one person can change the trajectory of your future. I think maybe if it was longer I would have been more connected although the writing was good and the characters had a lot to offer I just did not have enough time to really get invested. Definitely a darker vibe that goes beyond the surface level getting to know you and the characters went deep in sharing their insecurities and pasts. It was good but not sure this one will stick with me

3.5

"𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒏, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒅𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒎 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏.”

The second story from 831 Stories delivers a raw and sexy one-night romance with just the right amount of angst.

Read this for:

🌙 A modern Before Sunrise-style romance set over one electric night
🎸 Sharp character study about a witty writer and a punk rock musician
💔 Themes of healing, jealousy, and rediscovery in the aftermath of heartbreak

Shera Benoit is waiting for a date she’s been crushing on for months when Max King—the darkly seductive, charismatic frontman of an Irish punk band—walks into the bar. What begins as a chance meeting evolves into a night-long connection, forcing them to confront their pasts, insecurities, and vulnerabilities.

This second novella from 831 Stories is sexy, filled with sharp banter and raw emotional depth. It leans more introspective and angsty than the usual contemporary romance, delivering a quick, character-driven exploration of love, trust, and the art of letting go (in just 160 pages).

If you enjoy novellas with witty dialogue, imperfect but deeply compelling characters, and emotional nuance, this is one to add to your list.

While I didn’t fully connect with Shera's love interest, I absolutely connected with Shera herself. Her deep insecurities and the pain of betrayal felt almost too real—I saw pieces of myself in her journey. I devoured this in one sitting (during Brady's latest ping pong tournament) and couldn’t put it down. 831 Stories novellas keep delivering, and I’ll definitely be back for more. (And if you haven’t seen, they’re *feeding* us in 2025)

Thank you to Netgalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an arc for review.

Oh Shera. I was (am?) rooting for you. Hardly Strangers is a steamy little thing. Max is pretty dreamy. Shera is obviously a Neurotic Hottie, and I much preferred her when she was talking about her Big Writing Dreams instead of her miserable ex. Or miserable filmmaker.

Maybe as a neurotic non-hottie myself, there was a bit of a disconnect with me. That's not to say that total babes can't have problems or neurosis, but Shera, girl. Giving up your dreams for the most mid man ever? Help. SOS. And then the constant looping spiral around Max was too repetitive for me. I feel like AC Cloud was working through some things on her own. I did enjoy the prose, and again, the steamy scenes were steamy. But it didn't quite live up to my expectations.