May 3rd: The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews
Title: The Homewreckers
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Page Length: 448
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Synopsis: Summer begins with MKA, in this delightful summer read about flipping houses, and finding true love.
Hattie Kavanaugh went to work helping clean up restored homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at eighteen; married the boss’s son at twenty; and was only twenty-five when her husband, Hank, was killed in a motorcycle accident.
Broken hearted, but determined to continue the business of their dreams, she takes the life insurance money, buys a small house in a gentrifying neighborhood, flips it, then puts the money into her next project. But that house is a disaster and a money-loser, which rocks her confidence for years to come. Then, Hattie gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: star in a beach house renovation reality show called “The Homewreckers,” cast against a male lead who may be a love interest, or may be the ultimate antagonist. It’s a question of who will flip, and who will flop, and will Hattie ever get her happily-ever-after.
Filled with Mary Kay Andrews’s trademark wit, warmth, junking trips, and house porn, The Homewreckers is a summer beach delight.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 3rd: Elektra by Jennifer Saint
Title: Elektra
Author: Jennifer Saint
Page Length: 400
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Synopsis: The House of Atreus is cursed. A bloodline tainted by a generational cycle of violence and vengeance. This is the story of three women, their fates inextricably tied to this curse, and the fickle nature of men and gods.
Clytemnestra
The sister of Helen, wife of Agamemnon – her hopes of averting the curse are dashed when her sister is taken to Troy by the feckless Paris. Her husband raises a great army against them, and determines to win, whatever the cost.
Cassandra
Princess of Troy, and cursed by Apollo to see the future but never to be believed when she speaks of it. She is powerless in her knowledge that the city will fall.
Elektra
The youngest daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Elektra is horrified by the bloodletting of her kin. But, can she escape the curse, or is her own destiny also bound by violence?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 3rd: Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep
Title: Tear Down the Throne
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: A Gargoyle Queen #2
Page Length: 464
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Synopsis: Crown princess. Clever spy. Powerful mind magier. Gemma Ripley of Andvari is all those things–and determined to stop an enemy from using magical tearstone weapons to conquer her kingdom.
Gemma’s quest for answers leads her to a trade Summit between the various kingdoms. Among the other royals in attendance is Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta and her son, Prince Leonidas–Gemma’s charming and dangerous nemesis.
Gemma knows that Maeven always has a long game in motion, and sure enough, the cunning queen invokes an arcane tradition that threatens the fragile truce between Andvari and the other kingdoms. Despite her best intentions, Gemma once again finds herself thrown together with Leo and battling her growing feelings for the enemy prince.
When a series of deadly attacks shatters the Summit’s peaceful negotiations, Gemma realizes that someone wants to tear the royals down from their thrones–and that this enemy just might succeed.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 3rd: Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood
Title: Under One Roof
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Series: The STEMinist Novellas #1
Page Length: 121
Publisher: Berkley
Synopsis: A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis – it leads to combustion.
Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn….
As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side…but Helena was her mentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.
The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him…and the easier it is to love him.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 10th: Set On You by Amy Lea
Title: Set on You
Author: Amy Lea
Page Length: 384
Publisher: Berkley Books
Synopsis: A gym nemesis pushes a fitness influencer to the max in Amy Lea’s steamy debut romantic comedy.
Curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen built her career shattering gym stereotypes and mostly ignoring the trolls. After her recent breakup, she has little stamina left for men, instead finding solace in the gym – her place of power and positivity.
Enter firefighter Scott Ritchie, the smug new gym patron who routinely steals her favorite squat rack. Sparks fly as these ultra-competitive foes battle for gym domination. But after a series of escalating jabs, the last thing they expect is to run into each other at their grandparents’ engagement party.
In the lead up to their grandparents’ wedding, Crystal discovers there’s a soft heart under Scott’s muscled exterior. Bonding over family, fitness, and cheesy pick-up lines, she just might have found her swolemate. But when a photo of them goes viral, savage internet trolls put their budding relationship to the ultimate test of strength.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 10th: Flame and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody
Title: Flame and Crystal Thorns
Author: Kay L. Moody
Series: Fae and Crystal Thorns #1
Page Length: 350
Publication Date: May 10, 2022
Publisher: Marten Press
Synopsis: She vowed she’d never return to Faerie…
But vows were made to be broken.
As a human girl, Chloe is perfectly happy being back in the mortal realm where she belongs. She’s even become the town apothecary. When a fae from her past shows up begging her to return to Faerie, she utterly refuses.
But then she finds out an angry group of mortals are using iron to hold an entire castle full of fae hostage. And of course, the hostages include Chloe’s older sister and her sister’s beloved.
Reluctantly, Chloe packs a bag for what is supposed to be a short trip to Faerie.
But the mortals are more powerful than she expected. To fuel them, they have weapons, flames, and revenge. They won’t stop until they control every court in Faerie.
With the help of a new and mysterious magic and a too-handsome-for-his-own-good fae companion, Chloe has to save Faerie before her sister and the other fae are killed.
May 10th: The Sylvan and the Sand by Sarah M. Cradit
Title: The Sylvan and the Sand
Author: Sarah M. Cradit
Series: The Book of All Things #2
Synopsis: Marry your enemy. Dare to survive.
From the USA Today Bestselling Author of Kingdom of the White Sea comes a new series of standalone fantasy romance tales set in the same vibrant world: The Book of All Things. Disappear into this scintillating tale of mortal enemies forced into a perilous, passionate marriage.
Yesenia Warwick artfully dodges her father’s talks of marriage, set on proving she is just as capable as her brothers. Her three loves—kin, homeland, and independence—are all she needs.
Corin Quinlanden suffers under the cruel contempt of his ruthless father and brother as they scheme and plot from their castle in the trees. He’s given up wishing for happiness. A strategic marriage, far from home, is as high as he dare dream.
But the king of this realm has his own plan.
Everything the gilded Quinlandens have “earned” was stolen from the Warwicks. So when all the leaders of the realm are summoned to a celebration with the king, both houses approach this fete balancing on a sharp blade’s edge.
But the king’s celebration quickly turns to horror. The lords and ladies can only watch, helpless, as the devious king masterminds a series of marriages between their children, spinning the kingdom into chaos.
Brash, fearless Yesenia Warwick is now the unwilling bride of tender-hearted Corin Quinlanden. Neither her silver-tongued wit, nor her unmatched skill with daggers, can erase what has been done.
The choice ahead of her is simple, but impossible.
Embrace her dangerous new life in the den of her enemy, or send the kingdom to war.
May 17th: All Fired Up by Dylan Newton
Title: All Fired Up
Author: Dylan Newton
Page Length: 368
Publisher: Forever
Synopsis: After one wild night together, two complete opposites plan to stay firmly in the friend zone, but life has other plans in this delightful romantic comedy, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez.
As a successful book publicist, Imani Lewis works night and day to promote her authors. It’s her dream job, but she’s become a total workaholic. So when her grandmother invites her to stay for the summer as she recovers from surgery, Imani happily agrees. But being back in the same small town as her one-night stand may not be quite the relaxing break she envisioned…
Zander Matthews wakes up every day determined to enjoy the present because he knows from his time in the Marines that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. But he’s never gotten over the beautiful woman who blew through town a year ago, then disappeared. And he doesn’t want to be hurt again. So they agree to a deal: he’ll help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house as long as they stay firmly in the friend zone.
Whether it’s repairing tiles in his ceramics studio, dodging nosy neighbors, or soothing the most obnoxious parrot ever, Zander never fails to make Imani laugh. And soon their friendly banter is turning ever flirtier. But since Imani’s stay is temporary and Zander can’t be tied to anything beyond the most tenuous plans, will she be able to handle it when things get all fired up?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 19th: Glow by Raven Kennedy
Title: Glow
Author: Raven Kennedy
Series: The Plated Prisoner #4
Synopsis: This is book four in The Plated Prisoner series, the adult fantasy romance inspired by the myth of King Midas.
Rot may bring death.
…But gold will come alive.
May 24th: Spark of Ash by Molly E. Lee
Title: Spark of Ash
Author: Molly E. Lee
Series: Ember of Night #3
Page Length: 400
Publisher: Entangled
Synopsis: The Seven—the Divine beings meant to protect the world—just declared war. On me. They took Ray, my baby sister, and now they’re using my boyfriend to do their dirty work.
Well, screw that.
I may not be able to wipe them off the face of the earth now, but I know what can.
Thanks to an Ather connection, I know about the Seven Scrolls. An ancient incantation made by the Creator to counteract the Seven’s great power, scattered into pieces across the world.
With the help of my new crew, we’re on the hunt. And with each located scroll, I face new battles, bloodier and harder than I’ve ever known before. But now the stakes are even higher, because Ray has always been my bright light in the darkness, and Draven is my hope when all seems lost, and if I don’t get them back?
Well, then I might just become the scariest legend the world has ever known.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 24th: How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart by Vivienne Lorret
Title: How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart
Author: Vivienne Lorret
Series: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #4
Page Length: 384
Publisher: Avon
Synopsis: In USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret’s latest steamy romance, a determined debutante discovers that making a deal with a notorious rake might just give her more than she ever bargained for…
Ruined debutante Prudence Thorogood lost everything when she was ousted from polite society, including her inheritance. Now she’ll do anything to take back what’s hers… even if she has to steal it. Accepting a scandalous offer from Lord Savage seems like the perfect solution to disguise her criminal intentions from the ton. Until she discovers that there’s more to this scoundrel than meets the eye.
Leo Ramsgate, Marquess of Savage, has everything except for a heart. That organ dried up long ago after a devastating betrayal. Since then, he vowed never to trust or love again. He ensures that his dalliances are mutually satisfying, but always temporary… until he meets the reserved Miss Thorogood. Not one of his previous lovers has ever beguiled him the way she does. Not one has made him want to break his own rules. Not one has tempted him to keep her… forever.
Prue has every intention of disappearing from London after their affair ends. But her plan falters when she finds herself falling hopelessly in love with a man who may never love her in return. With time running out and so much at stake, she cannot help but wonder…
How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 24th: A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman
Title: A Daring Pursuit
Author: Kate Bateman
Series: Ruthless Rivals #2
Page Length: 320
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Synopsis: The Davies and Montgomery families have been locked in an ancient feud. But it’s a thin line between love and hate in Kate Bateman’s A Daring Pursuit.
TWO ENEMIES
Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.
ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 24th: Cold Case Captive by Tyler Anne Snell
Title: Cold Case Captive
Author: Tyler Anne Snell
Series: Saving Kelby Creek #5
Page Length: 256
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Synopsis: A tragedy kept them apart
…until a dangerous reunion brought them back together.
Returning to Kelby Creek only intensifies Detective Lily Howard’s soul-crushing guilt and anger. As a teenager she chose to rescue her friend and childhood crush, Anthony Perez, rather than pursue the man abducting his sister. Years later, investigating the cold case with Ant stirs up even more troubling emotions in the usually guarded detective. Soon another teen girl’s disappearance offers a tantalizing new lead. To justice? Or inescapable danger?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 25th: Seeds of Sorrow by Elle Beaumont and Christis Christie
Title: Seeds of Sorrow
Author: Elle Beaumont & Christis Christie
Series: Immortal Realms #1
Page Length: 409
Publisher: Midnight Tide Pub.
Synopsis: Life for Eden is simple—until she’s given to the nightmare king.
Wishing for more adventure in her life, and hoping to escape from under her overprotective mother’s thumb even for just a night, Eden accepts an invitation to a ball in another king’s court. Despite her mother’s ire, it all seems worth it as their travels take Eden away from home for the first time and into the middle realm.
Draven, known as the king of nightmares and ruler of the dark realm, Andhera, desires only to remain in his kingdom and maintain control and order over the ravenous creatures that lurk in the shadows. However, he finds himself drawn away by the mysterious summons of his brother, who appears to need his aid desperately.
In one evening, thrust unwittingly together, Lady Eden and King Draven find themselves beguiled, betrayed, and betrothed. Neither is prepared for what it means for them, or for the immortal realms.
As politics and death intermingle, can two entirely different fae learn to rely on one another? Or will the dark realm destroy all that is held most innocent and precious within the realms, and Eden herself?
Seeds of Sorrow is a romantic retelling of Hades & Persephone with a fae spin on it! If you love immersing yourself in dark, descriptive worlds, political intrigue and romance, you’ll love this.
May 31st: Deep in Providence by Riss M. Neilson
Title: Deep in Providence
Author: Riss M. Neilson
Page Length:
Publisher: Henry Holt
Synopsis: For best friends Miliani, Inez, Natalie and Jasmine, Providence, Rhode Island has a magic of its own. From the bodegas and late-night food trucks on Broad Street to The Hill that watches over the city, every corner of Providence glows with memories of them practicing spells, mixing up potions and doing séances with the help of the magic Miliani’s Filipino grandfather taught her.
But when Jasmine is killed by a drunk driver, the world they have always known is left haunted by grief…and Jasmine’s lingering spirit. Determined to bring her back, the surviving friends band together, testing the limits of their magic and everything they know about life, death, and each other.
And as their plan to resurrect Jasmine grows darker and more demanding than they imagined, their separate lives begin to splinter the bonds they depend on, revealing buried secrets that threaten the people they care about most. Miliani, Inez and Natalie will have to rely on more than just their mystical abilities to find the light.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 31st: Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez
Title: Together We Burn
Author: Isabel Ibañez
Page Length: 368
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Synopsis: An ancient city plagued by dragons. A flamenco dancer determined to save her ancestral home. A dragon hunter refusing to teach her his ways. They don’t want each other, but they need each other, and without him her world will burn.
Eighteen-year-old Zarela Zalvidar is a talented flamenco dancer and daughter of the most famous Dragonador in Hispalia. People come for miles to see him fight in their arena, which will one day be hers.
But disaster strikes during their five hundredth anniversary show, and in the carnage, Zarela’s father is horribly injured. Facing punishment from the Dragon Guild, Zarela must keep the arena—her ancestral home and inheritance —safe from their greedy hands. She has no choice but to take her father’s place as the next Dragonador. When the infuriatingly handsome dragon hunter, Arturo Díaz de Montserrat, withholds his help, she refuses to take no for an answer.
But even if he agrees, there’s someone out to ruin the Zalvidar family, and Zarela will have to do whatever it takes in order to prevent the Dragon Guild from taking away her birthright.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 31st: The Last Mile by Kat Martin
Series: Blood Ties #2
Page Length: 400
Publisher: Kensington
Synopsis: Channeling Indiana Jones, New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin pairs a woman in search of her family’s truth with a hard-hitting professional treasure hunter for the second Blood Ties romantic thriller. As an unknown assailant stalks then across the treacherous Sierra Madre wilderness, they race to follow their treasure map’s directions to a hidden trove of gold…
A novel of taut suspense and danger from the New York Times bestselling mistress of Romantic Thrillers, Kat Martin.
When Abigail Holland awakes to the sound of a nighttime intruder in her rambling Denver Victorian, she knows exactly what the black shrouded figure is after—the map she recently inherited from her grandfather. Whoever he is, the man who grapples with her, then escapes, is willing to kill for the location of a treasure King Farrell hunted for more than ten years. The Devil’s Gold has claimed hundreds of lives, and it was her grandfather’s obsession.
With a killer pursuing her and her own family not to be trusted, Abby decides to take up the search herself. But she’ll need help to do it, and there’s no one better than renowned explorer and treasure hunter Gage Logan. Despite the instant chemistry between them, Gage is reluctant. Innocent people have been hurt on his watch before. But when Abby shows him a genuine gold ingot she found with the map, his curiosity is piqued. Before long they’re heading into the flash floods and brutal winds of the Superstition Mountains, straight into a passionate entanglement—and the dark heart of danger.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 31st: The Lady Loves Danger by Annabelle Bryant
Title: The Lady Loves Danger
Author: Anabelle Bryant
Series: The Maidens of Mayhem #2
Page Length: 320
Publisher: Kensington
Synopsis: The society of daring women known as the Maidens of Mayhem dedicate their lives to protecting London’s most vulnerable citizens from injustice. Daring and discreet, their missions lead them to people and places they least expect, often putting their lives—and their hearts—in peril…
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?
Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other, if only she’ll let her guard down. And, as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 31st: Dukes Do It Better by Bethany Bennett
Title: Dukes Do It Better
Author: Bethany Bennett
Series: Misfits of Mayfair #3
Page Length: 400
Publisher: Forever
Synopsis: After a debut season plagued by scandal, Lady Emma Hardwick is ready to return to London, now with her young son in tow, and make a match. She’s looking for someone respectable. Someone wholly unlike Malachi Harlow, the new Duke of Trenton and former ship captain, whose long hair and tattoos make him decidedly dangerous to her peace of mind.
Malachi would rather be at sea than in a London ballroom. But until he can sort out why the admiralty brought him home, he has to stay landbound. That becomes less of a hardship when he meets the beguiling Lady Emma, whose dimples and easy laughter capture his imagination. When they start receiving threatening notes, they realize that there’s more to their connection than chemistry, and they’ll have to work together to figure out why someone wants to ruin their lives.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
May 31st: My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Title: My Mechanical Romance
Author: Alexene Farol Follmuth
Page Length: 272
Publisher: Holiday House
Synopsis: Nerds are so hot.
Especially battle robot building nerds.
Bel would rather die than think about the future. College apps? You’re funny. Extracurriculars? Not a chance. But when she accidentally reveals a talent for engineering at school, she’s basically forced into joining the robotics club. Even worse? All the boys ignore Bel—and Neelam, the only other girl on the team, doesn’t seem to like her either.
Enter Mateo Luna, captain of the club, who recognizes Bel as a potential asset—until they start butting heads. Bel doesn’t care about Nationals, while Teo cares too much. But as the nights of after-school work grow longer and longer, Bel and Teo realize they’ve built more than just a combat-ready robot for the championship: they’ve made space for each other and themselves.
This sharply funny, academic rivals to lovers romance explores both the challenges girls of color face in STEM and the vulnerability of first love with unfailing wit and honesty.
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Which books are you most excited for? Comment below!
I’m so excited for Elektra. My copy is on its way to me!!
Oooh, so exciting!!! I hope you enjoy it!
I’m also excited for Elektra! Admittedly though, I still have to finish Ariadne. I listened to the audio of Under One Roof and I liked it and the two other novellas, Stuck with You and Below Zero!
Nice! They all sound so good, and I really liked The Love Hypothesis. And Elektra sounds amazing! I hope you love it!
I have the ARCs of a few of those books. May is going to be a great reading month ❤️
Right! I hope you enjoy them all!
It looks like a great list. I have a few of these on my TBR and am especially looking forward to Homewreckers.
I can’t wait to read your thoughts!
When I get to them. 😀
Ooh, so many of these look great. I hope you enjoy all the ones you haven’t read yet 😃
Thanks, DIni!
There are so many great books!! I have an arc for Daring Pursuit. It’s not my typical read but it was a “read now” and it sounded good. haha! I still need to get to it though!
Oooh, I hope you like it!!
Thank you, me too!
oooh Under One Roof looks awesome! 🙂
Right! I need it!!! lol