honestly the short version is: it depends on what you're hoping to get out of 'Next to You'. If you're
chasing a compact, emotionally intense ride that wraps up relatively quickly but leaves a warm, lingering ache, treat it like a novella — sink in for a single evening, let the mood wash over you, and don't feel shortchanged. But if you want to luxuriate in side plots, extended worldbuilding, or a slower burn of character growth, approach it with the same patience you'd give a novel and savor every scene as if you're stretching it out.
I usually decide based on pacing and density. Some works wear their heart on their sleeve and are content with a focused length that makes every line count; other times, the same premise gets expanded into a broader canvas that rewards long-term investment. For 'Next to You', pay attention to chapter rhythm and scene scope: are scenes self-contained and crisp, or do they keep opening onto new threads? If it's the former, you're in novella territory; if it's the latter, it reads more like a compact novel. Either way, I find companion reads helpful — pairing a shorter text with a long, immersive listen like 'Norwegian Wood' (for melancholic vibes) or a brisk, character-driven story like '
eleanor oliphant is completely fine' can highlight what you like about the format.
Ultimately I lean toward enjoying it however the mood strikes me. Sometimes I want a two-hour emotional catharsis; sometimes I
crave a deep, slow-brewed connection. With 'Next to You', I pick the pace to match my evening: fast and bright on crowded nights, slow and detail-minding when I can linger — and it always leaves me thinking about certain turns of phrase long after I close the cover.