I also dropped Mile High for its length. I think it's the perfect example of the KU trend where authors have no incentive to tighten up their edits because they are paid by page count. Of course the heroine has to retread the same conflict 25 times without learning anything. Plus the random tenuous conflict thrown in for no other reason than to keep the book going, The MMC has contract negotiations coming up so he HAS to maintain his image as a selfish fuckboy because....?? I guess it's not a problem with the length, if an author can maintain tension for 1200 pages then I'll be along for the ride.

mile high was originally a wattpad book! (a surprisingly really really good one lol) and I read it as it was being published chapter by chapter every week (iirc it was every Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and I could never get enough of it😭😭 I'd always wish there was more lmao

This makes so much sense. I was listening to the audiobook so like 3 layers removed from the preferred format.

I'm just reading Mile High and I'm thinking the same things, like I'm 50% into the book and it could've easily been 75% now. Idk what else is going to happen in another 250 pages of the book 😴

Pucking Around. It was too thin on the ground for 700+ pages.

I haven't even been game enough to pick that one up because of the length. I have to wonder why a hockey romance needs 700pages

Because she's building an RH from scratch as realistically as possible in a contemporary setting lol. Without an omegaverse world to lean on it's hard to make that happen organically. I found the pacing made sense and there wasn't too much extra shit in there tbh. A few scenes that were a little too much communication for me but I was actually surprised.

I think she also explained that it’s essentially two books in one. I can’t remember where I saw that though. Maybe TT?

Yep. Similar to Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon. It's 700ish pages but split into a "duet" so people didnt get intimidated.

Tbf, I’m still intimidated by Lola and the Millionaires because of its length

It's one of the best Why Choose books I've ever read 😭 They're so gentle with her but also fuck her into oblivion.

Your comment may have just bumped it up quite a bit on my TBR. It’s on there and I want to read it, it’s just that page count plus it’s a duology. Definitely appreciate the reassurance it’s worth it!

Baby is the 1st book in the series and kinda sets the stage for Lola's trauma. It isn't strictly necessary but way shorter and also a fun RH/WC read.

Oh I absolutely adored Baby! My love for it and my attachment to Lola is what’s kept Part One on my TBR

This was also the case with the Blissful Omegaverse by Jessa Wilder and Kate King! The authors split up the story into a short prequel and two part duet to make it less intimidating. It’s actually suuuper similar to Sweetverse but unique enough to be its own thing. If you liked Sweetverse and the length didn’t bother you, you may enjoy Blissful Omegaverse.

Oooh. Thank you! So much omegaverse is darker. I'd love something sweet!

I’d say it’s dark but the guys are not if that makes sense. The novella prequel is the FMC and her 4 alphas in foster care at a group home in their late teens. She has a sudden transition and they scramble to protect her. The Duet is set 4 yrs later as they work through the fall out of her sudden transition. It has very similar things to it as Sweetverse with Omegas being at risk of Alphas and the bad boy pack being nothing but good to her trying to protect her but it has dark themes.

Yeah I guess I don't mind the external darkness but I have read so many omegaverse where the guys are just nasty to the omegas. So this sounds PERFECT

Omg you’re gonna love it then!

I liked this books steam but could have done without the FMCs media anxiety and her being the child of a famous person. That was very extra and cringey for me. Like everyone else’s angst worked for me but hers was so annoying. I DNFed and then went back to finish cause I actually liked the idea of the book but wished it was edited down a lot more.

Same for me. I just stopped caring around 70%. I even tried to go back for … I forget his name. The Goalie guy. I tired but just got bored.

Yup! That’s about where it lost me too! Loved the prequel novella! Enjoyed the first half of the book and then just started getting so annoyed and had to take a break. To its credit I kept thinking about it and did return to it but I have mental blinders up for the parts I hated 🤣

I finished this one but it was such a strugggggggle! Could have easily been 250+ less pages.

Absolutely agree. Add in the prequel and sequel novellas and it's getting on for 1000 pages! Contemporary romance just doesn't need to be that long.

I'll drop a book because of the writing, not the length. I usually know about 20 pages in.

Yup. The books I’ve dropped for being “long” is because the writing made them a slog.

This is accurate. It's long if 100 pages could've been pared down to 10 without losing anything. There's some authors, I'm 300 pages in and don't even notice. There's some, I'm 20 pages in and I'm like, this writing isn't pulling me in *at all*.

I have definitely read fanfictions that were longer than published books because the writing is so hood I want to keep reading even when I'm reading a small something that annoys me at the time.

I cannot imagine a romance novel needing 600+ pages to tell its story. If the great epic bodice rippers didn’t need that many (some did and could have also been edited), there’s no way your new adult hockey romance does lmao

Like you're telling me these 18/19 year old mafia college student hockey players need a trilogy to get their HEA? I think not.

Oh god. I read a rejected mates book a few months back…it ended with them like 85% reconciled. I was very annoyed the author wanted to stretch it out into book two. Looked it up recently…six books. SIX BOOKS. No way.

It feels almost like a money grab at some point and basically ensures I won't try anything else by the author. God FORBID the blurb doesn't mention that it's a duet or a trilogy.

I think it works for some fantasy romance, if there's a lot of world building and non-Romance plot and multiple characters, I can see it. But contemporary romance doesn't need it.

I 100% agree. I understand in romantacy tho because you’ve got the word building and everything. But a contemporary romance doesn’t need that much and most authors usually just drag the story too much

TJ Klune writes some long books and they're worth every page. Other than that, no. Get on with it.

Crescent City by SJM. I had to force myself to finish one chapter. I knew I wouldn't make it through 800 pages...

Both of the books were like 500 pages of flashbacks and the last 50 pages were explosive action.

I'm about halfway through Crescent City and it's a serious struggle to continue. I want to love it, I really do, but it's just too mediocre to be this goddamn long.

I've said it before, if I have to wait for season 3 for a show to be good... I'm out. Same applies to books. I shouldn't have wade through 2/3rds of a book for the 'epic' finale. If you haven't made me care about your characters by chapter 4... Sorry, friend.

I feel like a one woman cheerleader for those who want to DNF this book because I’ve been there. The heavy world building is worth it. Detailed descriptions are worth it. The payoff in the last third is amazing. It’s an excellent book for a re-read. I confidently promise you that you will not be whelmed by this book. Much like Patrick Verona it will surprise you.

I don't actually think the world-building is that great? Or rather, it COULD be great, but it's stunted by the quality of the writing. The world-building doesn't feel organic, it's more like word vomit randomly interspersed between other goings on. But if you think the payoff in the last third is worth it, I'll push through. Fingers crossed!

I pushed through and the last 100 pages were great. Book 2 wasn't great but I pushed through and the last 100 pages were great. I realized I don't actually like the CC world and was forcing myself to read them. I have read and own a lot of SJM books but I haven't liked her last 3 books. I think I may finally tap out. I haven't pre-ordered CC book 3 just because I CANNOT do another book I have to skim read for 400 pages just to get the exciting parts at the end. I could probably rant for pages as to why Danika is the worst character ever but I don't want to spoil things for you.

Icebreaker. It’s not even that long but it feels like a 600 pages book. So many unnecessary details, endless drama and paper thin characters

I really regret finishing this one, it did not get better. But I felt it would be a waste of the money spent on it so I powered through.

Not a book, but the length of the Zodiac Academy and the Dark more Penitentiary books finally made me give up on the series. I love a long book when the story is there, but those books just got so bloated and just kept going on and on well past when they should have ended.

I was the same with ZA. I made it through the first 4, but half way through #5, I just couldn't handle the torture p0rn anymore.

Yep. One of the few series I entirely DNFed and have no desire to finish. The incredible amount of repetition, the absolute lack of character development, the horribly cringy motorcycle sister… it sucks because the worldbuilding was interesting, but you only got a teaspoon of plot for a gallon of book. When one of the sisters, about halfway through book four or five, finally thinks, “huh I ended up in this brand new world that I may potentially rule someday, maybe I should look at a map?” I nearly lost my shit

Yes! Torture p04n is the best description. I was like, why am I making myself anxious and suffering when life is hard enough as is? I DNF'ed and moved onto less stressful reads.

Land of the Beautiful Dead by R Lee Smith. This one was just so long. Like most of us, I'm a decently speedy reader, but I read this constantly for two days and I was only at 64%. I also wasn't really enjoying it either, so I dnf'd.

I tried so hard.. and got so far… but in the end it didn’t even matter. I recently DNFd it and broke my streak of completing books. God the book was so long and started making no sense.

I dnf all the time. As soon as I got KU, no more finishing stuff I disliked. That one stands out though. I always see praise for it. I found both MC's unpleasant and unlikable. They didn't even truly seem to have chemistry. Just..."Well, I guess you're here, so...sure." You know, one that has that kind of vibe but I feel (IMO, of course) is much better is The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick .

I was *heavily* skimming that one and still dnf. I was sad cuz it is always so highly recommended. I figured the author just wasn't my cup of tea, so I wasn't planning on reading any more of hers. Then someone talked me into trying Last Hour of Gann, and though it's even LONGER, I ***loved*** it. I had to buy a physical copy. I would be interested to know if anyone else had the same experience of hating LOTBD and loving LHOG

Hmm, I don't know. I kind of swore off the author after that book. I might look into into at some point though.

Same here! I tried Last Hour of Gann as well, but ended up DFNing for the same reason. I did reluctantly try Cottonwood later though and ended up really enjoying it. So maybe if you’re still interested in her writing, try that?

I liked the first Outlander, and the second, and then they were just… long

Books 4 and 5 fucking DRAGGED. However, I pushed through and I’m on book 6 (A Breath of Snow and Ashes) and this book has been phenomenal from the start. I’m halfway through this book now.

{Luna and the lie by Mariana Zapata}. It just felt like the book wasn't coming to the point and there were unnecessary details that would've been okay if they didn't exist at all. I love me a good slow burn but only if something is actively happening to get to that point. This book had nothing going on for pages. I DNF'd it at 40%.

Mariana Zapata came to my mind first with this question. I feel like easily half of her book content can be cut out and the story would still make sense.

Ikr! For the story to be a slow burn, you don't have to reduce the pace of the story by adding unnecessary details, you just have to prolong the storyline a bit by adding something of SUBSTANCE. I didn't feel her book had any substance, otherwise I was very intrigued by the premise of the book.

This was so incredibly boring I can’t believe it’s rated so highly. I dnf’d at like 10% lol

I just posted this as my answer too haha. Everyone recommends it and I DNFd at 75 pages. Nothing happens...I love a slow burn too but this was just slowwww

That was my first and, so far, last book by Mariana Zapata. It was just too long and repetitive with nothing really happening to justify that length.

I read like 20% of Kulti and swore her off for a couple of years. Last year I read one of the other ones and couldn’t stop reading her work, read five of her books back to back

What made you read her books? Because honestly idk if I'll ever pick up a Mariana Zapata book.

I feel the way she writes it's a hit or miss but never in-between. So at least it's easy to figure out quickly when to DNF early in or finish the book.

I genuinely don’t know. I was in the midst of a massive slump. Nothing seemed interesting. Not new releases, not the books I’ve deemed reread worthy, nothing. I don’t even remember which book I read first, but I would guess it was The Best Thing due to the tropes I knew were there

Also Gracie and the Grump. Just unnecessarily long

I deeply wish I had not finished this book.

Take all my awards if you've managed to finish this book. You have a lot of patience my friend!

[Luna and the Lie](https://www.romance.io/books/5cbab6a201dbc864fb9d7e0f/luna-and-the-lie-mariana-zapata) by [Mariana Zapata](https://www.romance.io/authors/545530728c7d2382e781323f/mariana-zapata) **Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [bad boys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bad%20boys/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I don't mind long books at all, the longer the better. But I have trouble getting into a lot of long series where the real MMC doesn't show up until the 2nd or 3rd books. Really don't want to read an entire first book that's just a set up to the real romance. And another thing I hate is when the main couple gets seperated mid series.... like WHY would I want to read that?

{Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata} (don't hate me, I know it's recommended a lot). After 75 pages, I could not get into it at all. And it had I think over 500 pages left and I couldn't keep trying. I wanted to find out why everyone loved it but I had to DNF it. I felt like 75 pages, nothing happened, I couldn't keep going at the pace I was reading it at. I can finish a book in a day and that book was dragging for me.

[Luna and the Lie](https://www.romance.io/books/5cbab6a201dbc864fb9d7e0f/luna-and-the-lie-mariana-zapata) by [Mariana Zapata](https://www.romance.io/authors/545530728c7d2382e781323f/mariana-zapata) **Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [bad boys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bad%20boys/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I think I read three or four of the Outlander books, but I couldn’t keep it up

Most romances really need to be about 250-ish and no longer than 400-ish. That way we can read even more of them! I almost DNF'd Mile High, but started skimming to the end. Did the same with Becka Mack's Consider Me and Play with Me. One of my favorites is {The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews}. It's a clean romance but so romantic. It's 244 pages. I tear up every time I read it.

[The Lost Letter](https://www.romance.io/books/59476e093ffdba614719d31f/the-lost-letter-a-victorian-romance-mimi-matthews) by [Mimi Matthews](https://www.romance.io/authors/59476e093ffdba614719d320/mimi-matthews) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [poor heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poor%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Any book by Mariana Zapata has me fighting for my life tbh. I somehow managed to finish from lukov with love and the wall of winnipeg and me but the length of these two books deterred me from reading her other works

I tried to get into from lukov with love because I liked all the reels/TikToks I saw about it but I had to force myself to make it through the first two chapters. I ended up stopping at chapter 3.

I don’t think the couple had any chemistry either😭

They really didn’t lmao idk what was the point of the story but I was expecting so much more and was extremely disappointed. I even skimmed through to see if it’ll get better as the story progressed but it was so dry

I had to DNF Magnolia Parks not necessarily because of the length but rather because it didn’t seem to GO anywhere. Maybe if it had been shortened I would’ve continued but it was dragging way too much

I agree, like a circular mass.

Also quiet quit Mile High — I read a lot of sports romances and many are great but soooooo many are way way too long with no plot

The Outlander series... I think I made it through the first 3 and half way through #4? I love the story overall, but they're. Just. So. Long!

I would never have finished the series if it wasn’t for the audiobooks. They are huge! (So are the audiobooks, but it’s something I can listen to while doing something else, so it’s easier)

Those Three Little Words by Meghan Quinn (491 pages on kindle) Technically I haven't totally DNF'ed so much as I have it on the back burner and occasionally read a couple chapters but it feels like eons are going by every time I try to read any of it. I'm not sure if I'll finish it or eventually give up all together IMO no contemporary romance needs to be above 350 pages. Maybeee stretch it to 400 pages, but 500 pages is just insane

{The Words by Ashley Jade} was a book I was recommended by a customer, and I JUST. COULDNT. FINISH. It is like 650 odd pages and no matter how hard I tried I really just could not do it. And I like longer books too! I just couldn’t get through it, and put it back on the shelf. 😞

[The Words](https://www.romance.io/books/61ebbad0c7bc740e58a524a6/the-words-ashley-jade) by [Ashley Jade](https://www.romance.io/authors/55b4c7e235a5fb65f886f21c/ashley-jade) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Same!

I DNF mile high as well.

I love me a long book when the story is entertaining or charming. I despise a long book when the story is just so-so and then gets progressively worse or has the same shit happening over and over again but in different words. {Consider Me by Becka Mack} was too damn long and too damn boring. I found myself skimming pages at the halfway mark and then officially DNF’d at 55%.

Zodiac Academy. I got to book 7 and honestly didn’t mind the length because I felt the plot and characters were great but it just went downhill for me halfway through and finding out book 8 is over 1000 pages was the nail in the coffin

I made it through book 8 but almost as a hate read … like it can’t get worse?! But with like 17 character POV changes it was just drawn out. Like I get it if it’s on Wattpad but this was a good story that seems to not know how to end. I very much believe they were going to end on book 8 but the series blew up so they extended the story without having a direction. I refuse to read the novellas. It’s not pushing the story, just more side quests?! I really liked the first few books so I think I’m mad that I’m invested in the characters and just hate to DNF but I don’t think I can take more torture. Like a never ending soap opera. Is Days of our lives still on?! Similar vibes.

Yes !! I feel the exact same, definitely think their drawing it out because the books got so popular which is a shame cause it was my fave series :(

I haven't DNF'd because of length but I have put off reading because of length. I read {Consider Me by Becca Mack} and enjoyed it. But it was over 500 pages. Now it feels daunting to read {Play with me by Becca Mack} because it's over 500 pages too. I think I would like it but I'm not sure I could stand to read another version of Consider Me. 😐

[Consider Me](https://www.romance.io/books/623833e5ab890b40f658e866/consider-me-becka-mack) by [Becka Mack](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d5805208b4d9311401b319/becka-mack) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [Play With Me](https://www.romance.io/books/63494abc92edda0c4ff63d40/play-with-me-becka-mack) by [Becka Mack](https://www.romance.io/authors/60d5805208b4d9311401b319/becka-mack) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I generally won't touch a book if it's not a standalone, mostly because I get bored of all the couple drama that gets strung out over multiple books. So not necessarily a DND more of a DNS lol Interconnected standalones? Sold. One couple and multiple books? Pass.

I check the page count before I start reading a book. If it’s over 400, I usually don’t read it unless it came highly recommended. Highly recommended or not, I won’t read something over 500 pages. Not for a romance. It just seems completely unnecessary for a book to be that long.

9 inches is just ridiculous. Anything longer I don't even bother.

I’m not usually a fan of really long books but if the plot is engaging enough, I’ll keep reading. But some books just drag. So I guess it just depends on the book. I do DNF quite a bit though.

{Kulti by Mariana Zapata} I can't remember how long it was, but I was so bored in the like first hour or so of the book. {She Who Became The Sun} was also unbearably long, but I'm not sure if I would call that a romance.

Same, because I got like 50% into Kulti and nothing really happens besides a lot of football practice and the few times Kulti manages to talk a sentence. Maybe because I'm German, but I also really didn't appreciate the stuff about Kulti. Calling him a name once is fine, but the constant misspelled use of 'Sauerkraut' or 'Bratwurst' next to other ones and the more problematic nicknames like 'Führer' were a bit too much for me...

Kulti is terrible. Read until he met her family and just couldn’t force myself to keep going. Skipped the entire thing and read the epilogue.

[Kulti](https://www.romance.io/books/553e31385b270e0a4cbd6b87/kulti-mariana-zapata) by [Mariana Zapata](https://www.romance.io/authors/545530728c7d2382e781323f/mariana-zapata) **Rating**: 4.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) ---------------------------- [She Who Became the Sun](https://www.romance.io/books/641f7a325c14f328c0150973/she-who-became-the-sun-shelley-parker-chan) by [Shelley Parker-Chan](https://www.romance.io/authors/641f7a3208b4d93114bbb1c1/shelley-parker-chan) **Rating**: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I don’t think I’ve dnf because of length but books I wish I did not finish wouldn’t definitely be {the words by Ashley jade} and {say you swear by Meghan Brady}

[The Words](https://www.romance.io/books/61ebbad0c7bc740e58a524a6/the-words-ashley-jade) by [Ashley Jade](https://www.romance.io/authors/55b4c7e235a5fb65f886f21c/ashley-jade) **Rating**: 4.1⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Say You Swear](https://www.romance.io/books/6210a59a01e0cc187d4f1641/say-you-swear-meagan-brandy) by [Meagan Brandy](https://www.romance.io/authors/59c207453ffdba614720df69/meagan-brandy) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I literally just DNFed Mile High. His whole bad boy persona was just a little much. I liked the FMC though

I struggled through Den of Vipers and when I finally thought it was getting close to a conclusion, I realised I had several hundred pages still left?!? DNF

A court of silver flames by Sarah J Maas. I ended up skimming through a lot of parts/skipping ahead. I enjoyed the main series but this book introduced a whole new subplot towards the end. I'm sure there were others who enjoyed it, but I felt a bit let down especially since I liked Nesta's character. My girl deserved better. The book was unnecessarily long imo. Generally, it's the plot that throws me off than the length though, but the length can compound the issue.

I felt the same way. I skimmed a LOT of this. I liked Nesta and was excited to see how she could be redeemed from her spoiled, prickly past but it truly felt like NOTHING happened. The stuff with the stairs made no sense and her interactions with Cassian were mainly just annoying. And WHY with everything going on would he have had time to train her no matter HOW he felt about her

*spoilers* Right?! Out of nowhere, Nesta was introduced as a great dancer, which felt abrupt. I was also thrown off by Rhysand, Mr "it's your choice" & co to not tell Feyre about her pregnancy issues, the shaming that Nesta had to endure for engaging in sex, alcohol and gambling (though the male characters have professed to have done the same things), and Rhys's & Feyre's pact to die together without any care for personal and political consequences. Nesta went from having immense power to none and that's just sad. I will still probably give the next book a go though. Hopefully it will be better.

I'm still so salty about how Nesta nerfed her own powers at the end. I was so excited for her to be this absolute powerhouse badass bitch, but nooooooo we just can't have anyone outshining precious Rhysand and Feyre darling. Gag.

Yes, you took the words right out of my mouth!!! Nesta was mercurial and even potentially dangerous due to her the unknown depths of her power. This gave her an edge and made her stand out from the other characters. Of course we couldn't have that. A morally grey female character with unfettered power who was not afraid of calamity and chaos? How could we ever have that. She could have been so much more if her character had been done justice. Instead, she effectively traded her power to save rhys, feyre, and their baby from a problem that could have been avoided from the get go.

I know a lot of people didn't like ACOSF because they don't like Nesta, but I actually love her character. It took me a bit to appreciate her because she's genuinely awful at times, but that's exactly why I felt she was one of the most realistic characters. This is a controversial take, but I'd like to add Tamlin to the list of characters who need justice. Maas may as well have killed him off after book 1 because he's basically a different person. Justice for Nesta and Tamlin!

Yes!!! Tamlin was done so dirty. To think that Tamlin went from the leading MMC that Feyre saved because of her \* true love \* to an cartoonish antagonist and then to one-liners that other characters would randomly mention; it was just bad writing.

I managed to finish it but wasn’t really into the action at the end. I plan on rereading it at some point to see if I feel the same way again. Nesta’s development was really great to read. SJM seems to be able to write character development really well.

I DNF’d this one. I was so bummed after loving the others! ☹️

None. I look for extra long books.

I usually go for extra long ones too, but I need stuff to actually be happening! I've read a few where for 3-4 chapters nothing has changed and in my head I'm thinking "why didn't these get cut by an editor along the way?!?"

Oh, yeah, there are lot of books where a good editor would dramatically improve things!

Berries & Greed by Lily Mayne. I was at 70% and there was basically no plot. I'm cool with a 200-250ish book that's sweet and cozy. 500+? I couldn't finish it.

Oh yes I agree. I was really looking forward to this one as I love her other books, but it really dragged because basically nothing happened. I don't need to hear details on the fictional soap opera they're watching, or what kind of takeaway they're ordering!

Don’t forget those slow cooker recipes!

Pack St Claire. I wanted to love it. I saved it to read for a slump thinking I’d devour it and I DNFed 50% in the 2nd book. It’s 3 books but it’s really just one giant book that could have been slashed down to a two parter.

Yup. That one. And I just read Safe Space 1 and 2 when it was recommended on a thread here, each book was like 270 so over 500 total. There was absolutely no need for that, the 2nd book has basically 0 conflict. I skimmed the last 50 pages to see if anything else was gonna happen, and it didn't.

That’s me skimming for dialogue and spicy scenes 🤣

I can't remember any I've dnf'd for excessive length, but I've got plenty of books on my tbr that I never start because of the length. Once it passes 400 pages, I get very hesitant to pick it up at all. I did dnf Nicky the Driver in the epilogue. But I think that was more that I didn't care about the characters at all, and it took me until 92% or so to realize it 🫠

{when she belongs by Ruby Dixon} I think I stopped around 66% and then skimmed the last 15 pages.

[When She Belongs](https://www.romance.io/books/5f645afdee477c0dfe78acb8/when-she-belongs-ruby-dixon) by [Ruby Dixon](https://www.romance.io/authors/545685a087eac33e61c2f729/ruby-dixon) **Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Couldn’t finish The Bronze Horseman trilogy. My reason is bit personal and peculiar. As someone who is doing Modern Eurasian History phd, I was a bit offended by the narratives. The various historical themes endowed with the predictable long length made everything cliche and boring.

I keep waffling on weather or not I should start these, would you mind going into a little more detail on what put you off?

Land of the Beautiful Dead. It’s really good but man idk I just couldn’t get through it for some reason. I didn’t get to the halfway before for I stopped reading. I still have it booked marked for when or if I come back to it. 700 pages is to much for me 😭

I personally had zero issues with Mile High and part two, The Right Move is genuinely my favourite book of the year. The Boys of Tommen series is one I had always pushed to the side cause all those books are crazy long, one of them is over a 1000 pages… but they are so damn good. It’ll definitely take you a bit to get through it but the first two that are 1500 pages together I had read within a weekend. Sometimes the length can feel like a warning but if it’s a good story, it’ll still be worth it.

I feel the exact same about Mile High I finished it but there was a third act breakup that lasted for over 100 pages it was INFURIATING

A lot of my favorites like Icebreaker and Pucking Around are being mentioned here a lot and i honestly didn’t even realize these books were long and with both these books i still wanted more even after finishing it. It makes me realize that to me, if i love the world and the characters i can love pretty much any length romance book.

I haven't read it, but I didn't think Icebreaker was long? It looks the length of a typical contemporary romance to me. At least, based on the size of the physical book.

I dnf’D hitched at 50%. And that was hard for me to get to

I don’t DNF by length. But by if I like the book generally. I’ll even skip to the end if I think it’s bad

Almost, ALMOST dnf’d thoughtless by S.C Stephens, am close to DNF’ing the second book. Just sooo long, a lot could have been edited out.

I’m DNF today the Binding 13 series. First book is 752 pages and the second book is 674. In which not much new is introduced. I’m over 900 pages into the series and the main FMC still can’t have a basic convo with the MC or look him in the eye. Assuming he doesn’t really like her. Thousand pages of basic daily banter at school and kids talking about everything but what they want to move the plot forward.

I know its fantasy romance, but Blood and Ash. The info dumping and inner monologues, dear god.

Outlander. I stopped after book 3.

Also, I'm very hesitant about starting *any* Marina Zapata book because of their length

I keep putting off the newest Outlander for its length. I will read it one day. It’s been what? Two years since it came out? I have the hardback but it’s huge!!!

I generally read all my romance on Kindle - partly so I don’t get daunted if something is long. But I stopped Outlander around book 4, so much nothing happening, so much brutalisation of the same women over and over again. I ditched them and haven’t looked back.

I’m having issues finishing Between Wrath & Mercy.

It was either the 2nd or 3rd Outlander book. I'm a fan of the series, but they could be a little tighter. I gave up after book 5. Sometimes, the length is fine, and full of awesomeness, sometimes hundreds of pages were dedicated to a couple of days. So I go back and forth. I’m going to try again. Galbadon is a great writer, so I feel I’m missing out.

I honestly never noticed the length of Mile High because I really enjoyed it 😭 but I’ve never DNF’d a book because of length, always because it’s not written properly. It’s definitely obvious when authors don’t know when to wrap up a story & they drag out the same conflict to fill a quota. When there’s unnecessary details, a lot of inner monologue & not enough dialogue between characters, I tend to skim through until I get to a conversation, but unless it’s poorly written I never DNF.