Short audiobooks are amazing to get you out of your reading slump or to stay entertained during a drive! But it hurts to spend an entire Audible credit on a 3-hour audiobook instead of, say, a 13 hour one. That’s why I want to share with you some fantastic novellas that are included in your Audible subscription or that you can listen to for free with Kindle Unlimited!
Less than 5 hours long but full of fast-paced story, emotions, and action, these short audiobooks will keep you perfectly entertained!
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Why Short Audiobooks are so Awesome
In the days before I found out about unlimited audiobook subscriptions, I was pretty focused on audiobook length. I felt I needed to get as many hours of entertainment as possible for every Audible credit.
So, the minimum for me was 9 hours. But preferably more than 10! And I missed out on a lot of great books that way…
Fortunately, these days, we don’t have to pay the full price for each audiobook – or not even pay for each one individually at all! Which means we can fully enjoy short audiobooks now.
The world of novellas and short stories is amazing. In a reading slump, it can be difficult to commit to a story and really give in to it. Short story audiobooks are perfect for those times because they are fast-paced and have a different flow that makes it easier to dive right into it without the feeling of committing to an epic plot.
But these short audiobooks are also good choices for driving! You can easily finish them in a day while being well entertained on your road trip to and from your destination.
The following list is a mix of audiobooks I have listened to and recommend, as well as the best short audiobooks with the highest ratings on Audible!
15 of the Best Short Audiobooks in Audible Plus
If you have an Audible subscription, you automatically have free access to the Audible Plus digital library! It includes thousands of audiobooks that you can borrow without any extra cost.
Related article: Everything you need to know about Audible Free Trial and Membership
Coming Home
By: Kennedy Ryan
Narrated by: Wesleigh Siobhan, Jakobi Diem
Length: 2 hrs and 40 mins
Coming Home is a beautiful, heartwrenching second-chance Romance written by award-winning and bestselling author Kennedy Ryan.
It is read by the amazing Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem. They bring out all the emotions in this story of two people who always knew there was something there but never quite managed to get together until it seemed “too late”.
I had a wonderful time listening to Coming Home, and for me, it’s one of the best short audiobooks!
Catchers
By: Ben Rock, Bob DeRosa
Narrated by: Billy Gardell, Herizen Guardiola, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Nicki Micheaux, David Patrick Kelly, full cast
Length: 2 hrs and 20 mins
If you are looking for a chilling and thrilling short story, Catchers is just the thing for you!
Elaborately produced with a full cast, this book is inspired by Horror movies of the 80’s. And Audible reviewers are loving it!
An older man, soon to retire, and a young vet student investigate reports of bloodthirsty beasts…
The Summer Melt
By: Emily March
Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Dave Gillies
Length: 2 hrs and 52 mins
The Summer Melt is a sweet romance set in a small town. The perfect pick for a road trip this summer!
Listening to Andi Arndt is always a pleasure, and Dave Gillies has a sexy Scottish accent that listeners love!
Related article: The Best Free Road Trip Audiobooks
The Weirdies
By: Michael Buckley
Narrated by: Kate Winslet
Length: 1 hr and 43 mins
The incredible Kate Winslet reads this fun and unexpected audiobook by Michael Buckley.
The Weirdies is a wonderful choice if you’re going on a trip with a young person or if you just want something light and different for yourself!
Deep Hole
By: Don Winslow
Narrated by: Ed Harris
Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
Going by the amazing ratings, you can really say Deep Hole is one of the best short story audiobooks on Audible!
Read by the awesome Ed Harris, it explores surfing in Rhode Island. There’s lots of wry humor, emotion, and a general laid-back attitude that draws listeners in.
Lucky Suit
By: Lauren Blakely
Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt
Length: 2 hrs and 25 mins
Lucky Suit is one of the best short audiobooks for Romance fans!
Lauren Blakely is always good for a straight-shooting heroine. And her hero in this fun mistaken identity Rom-Com is absolutely adorable! Even more so thanks to Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber, who are always a pleasure to listen to.
The Set Up
By: Falguni Kothari
Narrated by: Soneela Nankani, Vikas Adam
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
The Set Up is one of my favorite short audiobooks in Audible Plus!
This is an utterly charming and funny Romantic Comedy about an Indian-American woman who keeps being set up with the same guy.
I absolutely loved this dating story and the narration by Soneela Nankani and Vikas Adam, who are both so great!
Once Upon a Haunted Moor
By: Harper Fox
Narrated by: Tim Gilbert
Series: Tyack & Frayne, Book 1
Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
Once Upon a Haunted Moor is an atmospheric Mystery novella with a gay romance. It is the first part in a series of The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries that are all also included in Audible Plus.
Tim Gilbert did a wonderful, emotional narration for these two men and their search for a missing child.
The Neil Gaiman at the End of the Universe
By: Arvind Ethan David
Narrated by: Neil Gaiman, Jewel Staite
Length: 29 mins
This pretty odd Sci-Fi short story is a must for Neil Gaiman fans! It’s wonderfully narrated by the man himself. And the story is… Well… it’s something different and full of unexpected twists and turns!
I absolutely adored The Neil Gaiman at the End of the Universe and can wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s really one of the best short story audiobooks!
The Very First Damned Thing
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Jodi Taylor
Series: The Chronicles of St Mary’s, Book 0.5
Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
The Chronicles of St Mary’s is a fascinating time-traveling Fantasy series, and the author herself has recorded a short story prequel, The Very First Damned Thing.
This is a great introduction to the series for those who haven’t listened to it yet and a wonderful treat for those who have!
The Five-Year Hitch: Not Quite a Love Story
By: Melissa de la Cruz
Narrated by: Rachel Boston, Daniel di Tomasso
Length: 1 hr and 10 mins
The Five-Year Hitch is an excellent production with duet narration and sound effects. In podcast interview form, two people talk about how they kept getting together and breaking up again.
Rachel Boston and Daniel di Tomasso did a fun narration, and I had a great time listening to this unexpected love story.
Dispossession
By: Tayari Jones
Narrated by: Gabrielle Union
Length: 57 mins
Dispossession is a very powerful and moving short story about a mother, her regrets, her conflicting thoughts, and her emotions in regard to her now-adult son, who avoids her.
This very emotional audiobook is narrated by Gabrielle Union who completely captivates you and makes you feel every line of this outstanding short story!
Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues
By: Molly Harper
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi, Jonathan Davis
Series: Mystic Bayou, Book 2.5
Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues is a cute Paranormal Romance novella set in the Mystic Bayou.
The entire Mystic Bayou series about a town of supernatural beings is included in Audible Plus, and they are among the most popular audiobooks for listeners here!
Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis perfectly bring the characters to life!
The Dispatcher
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto
Series: The Dispatcher, Book 1
Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins
The Dispatcher has a breathtaking 80,000 ratings on Audible with a 4.5 star average rating!
I’m pretty sure that this is the most popular audiobook of all in Audible Plus and definitely one of the best short audiobooks.
Zachary Quinto reads this Science Fiction Thriller, and I absolutely love the entire Dispatcher series. It’s different, fun, captivating, and so perfectly narrated!
Related article: Weird and Spooky Audiobooks that aren’t Horror
The Mountain and the Sea
By: Kwame Dawes
Narrated by: Paula-Anne Jones
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
The Mountain and the Sea is a romantic tale about letting go of the past and embracing the present. Set on the lush Jamaican coast, the poetic prose brings to life the warmth of the sands, the spice in the foods, and the passion of a Caribbean love affair.
It is read by Jamaican narrator Paula-Anne Jones.
Related article: The Best Audible Originals that don’t cost an Audible credit
Pin these Short Audiobooks for later:
10 of the Best Short Audiobooks in Kindle Unlimited
The following short story Fiction audiobooks are all free with Kindle Unlimited. Read more about how to listen to audiobooks with Kindle Unlimited!
Evidence of the Affair
By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrated by: Julia Whelan, George Newbern, James Daniels, Dara Rosenberg
Length: 1 hr and 19 mins
Taylor Jenkins Reid is the bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six.
In Kindle Unlimited, you can find her novella Evidence of the Affair. The story is told in the form of letters between a man and a woman whose spouses are cheating on them. I was utterly captivated and absolutely loved the (pretty unexpected) ending!
This is, without a doubt, a must-listen short audiobook that is so amazingly narrated!
Undercover: Into Shadow collection
By: Tamsyn Muir
Narrated by: Susan Dalian
Series: Into Shadow collection
Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins
The author of Gideon the Ninth joined several other outstanding Fantasy and Science Fiction authors for the Into Shadow collection of Horror and Dystopian short stories.
In Undercover, a woman takes on the job of being the bodyguard of a ghoul!
The Wedding Setup: A Short Story
By: Sonali Dev
Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
Length: 2 hrs
Sonali Dev is a bestselling author of Romance novels, and I always immensely enjoy her books.
The Wedding Setup is a beautifully written, heartwrenching second-chance love story, and Soneela Nankani excels at bringing out all the emotions in this beautiful short story audiobook!
The Black Pages (Black Stars)
By: Nnedi Okorafor
Narrated by: Naomi Ackie
Series: Black Stars
Length: 1 hr and 27 mins
The Black Stars collection features speculative fiction by popular Black authors.
In The Black Pages, a young man meets a supernatural being in Timbouctou, where they explore Mali’s history.
Readers and listeners are absolutely enthralled, and this is one of the best short audiobooks in Kindle Unlimited!
A Wedding Thing: The One
By: Shea Serrano, Larami Serrano
Narrated by: Shea Serrano, Larami Serrano
Series: The One collection
Length: 29 mins
If you’re married or in a long-term relationship, treat yourself to the wonderful novella A Wedding Thing by Shea and Larami Serrano!
It’s a very raw and emotional story that I believe every person in a long-term relationship will feel.
The Serranos talk about love and romance but also about the very real and serious problems you might have to face when you want a family. I enjoyed A Wedding Thing very much!
Rummage
By: Ife-Chudeni A. Oputa
Narrated by: Ife-Chudeni A. Oputa
Length: 1 hr and 17 mins
Rummage is an award-winning poetry book. It tells the story of a young woman growing up and going through different periods of her life.
The storyline is straightforward and easy to follow (even for me, as someone who rarely listens to poetry), and the poems are profoundly moving and emotional.
This is a very special audiobook you should give a chance, even if you don’t usually listen to poetry!
Close to the Bone
By: Kendra Elliot
Narrated by: Christine Williams
Series: Widow’s Island Novella, Book 1
Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
Get your chill on with this Thriller in novella-length!
Close to the Bone is the start to the Widow’s Island Novella series about the FBI agent Cate Wilde who returns to her childhood home – Widow’s Island – and teams up with Tessa Black, the local deputy, to solve the case of a teenager’s skeletal remains.
Ark: Forward Collection
By: Veronica Roth
Narrated by: Evan Rachel Wood
Series: Forward Collection
Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
Ark is the first book in an Amazon-exclusive series of Science-Fiction short stories. Each book is narrated by a famous actor from a Sci-Fi or Paranormal TV show.
In the first book, a young scientist remains on Earth to finish cataloging plants while the rest of the planet is evacuated.
It’s read by Evan Rachel Wood from Westworld.
Everything My Mother Taught Me (Inheritance collection)
By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Series: Inheritance
Length: 50 mins
Everything My Mother Taught Me is the first part in the Inheritance collection, five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones.
Readers and listeners are enthralled by this story of twists and turns.
In the Heart of the Fire: Nameless
By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
Series: Nameless: Season One, Book 1
Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz offers an exclusive series of short stories in Kindle Unlimited.
In the Heart of the Fire is the first part of Nameless, a riveting collection of short stories about a vigilante nomad, who was stripped of his memories and commissioned to kill.
The audiobooks are read by Audie Award-winning narrator Edoardo Ballerini.
I hope you’ll have a great time with these short audiobooks! And if you’re looking for more ways to get the most out of your Audible credits, check out my list with Romance audiobook box sets to get 3 or even 4 audiobooks for one Audible credit.
Kindle deals can slightly differ between international Amazon websites. The lists on this blog are based on Amazon.com. If you live elsewhere, you might be sent to your local Amazon. Please don’t be disappointed if your marketplace has different prices. Sometimes, a US “Listen for Free” might cost a little elsewhere, while other deals might, in turn, be cheaper on your Amazon. You can only download Kindle audiobooks from your local Amazon website.
Eline Blackman (pronouns: she/they) fell in love with books as a child – with being read to and reading herself. 10 years ago, she bought her first Audible book. It was love at first listen! An average of 250 audiobooks per year has become the new normal and you will rarely see Eline without a wireless earbud. Romance and Fantasy are the go-to genres for this audiobook fan.
You make a really good point about how the subscription service takes away the pressure to get the biggest bang for your buck. I hadn’t really thought about that benefit!
I didn’t even expect to fall in love with novellas. I often found the ones I had as ebooks to be kind of lacking. Just too short. Not enough exposition or not enough character development. But it’s a very different experience with audiobooks, apparently. Or at least with the ones I listened to now. They are really exciting! 🙂
I just started my very first audiobook and I think I might be hooked. I love the idea of listening to shorter books too so I don’t lose the plot over time. I’m not a huge romance reader but some of these titles sound great: Just the Tip (love Paris!) and A Wedding Thing sounds really cool. Thanks for the suggestions!
That’s great! Welcome to the club 😉 A Wedding Thing was so good! I really loved it even though I’m usually more of a Romance reader. And I think short audiobooks might be a really good idea for beginning listeners since they’re fast-paced and make it relatively easy to stay in the story.
Please update this..most require a credit!
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I’m not sure how you came to the conclusion that any of these audiobooks require the use of an Audible credit. The short audiobooks under the heading Kindle Unlimited are all still “Listen for Free” so KU subscribers in the US can borrow them for free. And the audiobooks in Audible Plus are also all still included in Plus so Audible subscribers can borrow them for free. If you search for the KU audiobooks on Audible directly, it will say that you can buy them for a credit. But if you follow my links to Amazon you will see the button to borrow them for free as a KU subscriber. This blog post is up-to-date. Hope that helps!