Another month is over and we want to tell you about everything we read in May! Did we find any new favorites? Or make a dent in our TBR? Keep on reading our May wrap up to find out!

Candyce

In May I read 24 books (7 audibooks, 6 paperbacks, 5 eARCs, 3 eBooks, 2 hardcovers, and 1 manga). My average rating was a 4.1, I’m not going to complain about that. I also read 3 big books (500+ pages) this month and I’m really happy about that. Even though my May reading started off slower, it turned out to be a good month. Let’s talk about what I read.

Binding 13 – Chloe Walsh

After having this book on my shelves for a couple of years now, I finally sat down and read Binding 13. Shannon and Johnny’s story is tragic, but also hopeful. The ending left me wanting more, so I will be reading Keeping 13 soon.

Normal People – Sally Rooney

As I mentioned recently, I’ve been wanting to read more literary fiction. Sally Rooney is the first author that came to mind and I finally sat down to read Normal People. I will say that her writing style takes some getting used to. Especially the fact she doesn’t use quotation marks when characters are talking to each other. Both characters in this aren’t likable at times, but their story kept me going. I wanted to see how everything would play out. I’ll be picking up more by this author.

Shield of Sparrows – Devney Perry

I’ve enjoyed quite a few contemporary romances written by Devney Perry, so I was very excited for the release of her first fantasy romance. This book was receiving a lot of praise from early readers and I now understand why. Shield of Sparrows kept my attention from the start. I loved the world, the twists, the slow burn romance, and the side characters. I need the sequel ASAP!!

Silver Elite – Dani Francis

Silver Elite is a dystopian romance that I saw everywhere before its release. I decided to curl up with this one to see what the hype was all about. This is a book I just couldn’t put down!! The slow burn romance, the world, side characters, and the training. The twists this book kept throwing at us were definitely surprising. I need the sequel. I was good at starting series this month, haha.

Bonded by Thorns – Elizabeth Helen

Bonded by Thorns is a Beauty and the Beast why choose romance retelling and I was hooked. I read this book in one sitting. I really appreciated that these authors gave us multiple POVs. Even though this is a retelling, I do enjoy the little aspects the authors made their own. I’ll definitely be continuing with this series.

The Prison Healer – Lynette Noni

This is the fifth series I started this month. I can’t be stopped apparently. The Prison Healer was very addictive and I couldn’t put it down. I read this one in one day. It’s interesting that this book takes place in a prison and we see the politics that go on as well. I ended up really caring for the main character as well as the side characters. Also, that ending!! I didn’t see that one coming. That’s for sure. I’m so curious to see how this trilogy continues.

The Girl with All the Gifts – M.R. Carey

The Girl with All the Gifts was my in person book club read for the month of May. I’ve actually had this book on my shelves for years, so it was nice to get a backlist book off of there. This zombie story was an easy read, but it didn’t blow me away. I missed some backstory and even some character development.

The Prodigal Son – Sara Cate

When I signed up for this eARC, I had only read the first book in The Goode Brothers series. Isaac and Jensen’s love story was tragic and sad, as well as heartwarming at times. I feel like the author wrapped up this series well. The steamy scenes didn’t always work for me though.

Christmas Is All Around – Martha Waters

I know it’s only May, but I couldn’t help picking up a Christmas story. I was just really in the mood for one. Christmas Is All Around was one I ended up really enjoying. Our main character hasn’t enjoyed the holidays since being a star in a holiday movie during her childhood. Going to London with her sister for five weeks before Christmas brings lots of surprises. Her look at Christmas changes and maybe even a new love.

My Friends – Fredrik Backman

After Beartown I knew I needed all of Fredrik Backman’s books and My Friends reminded me why all over again. It’s so hard to describe this book. I really think it’s a book you need to read and experience for yourself. My Friends is filled with (found) family, friendship, tragedy, abuse, love, and hope. I will be thinking about this book often.

This Book Will Bury Me – Ashley Winstead

I watch true crime documentaries, but it’s never come to mind to actually try and help solve crimes. That’s what interested me about this story. I love that it was written as a book being told and that definitely kept me reading more. I’m still not completely sure what I think about the ending, but it was interesting. I did recently hear that this was based off a crime that still is in court. I’m not sure how I feel about that aspect.

It’s a Love Story – Annabel Monaghan

It’s a Love Story is a book I just couldn’t put down and it hit me in all the feels. After reading Summer Romance last year, I knew that Annabel Monaghan would become an auto buy author for me. Our main character doesn’t believe and love, but may find it along the way while trying to get a movie she believes in greenlighted. The only thing I would’ve wanted in this story to make it even better would be Dan’s POV.

How to Fail at Flirting – Denise Williams

How to Fail at Flirting started out as a really strong read for me. I loved that Naya’s friends were trying to help her get herself back out there. The list was funny and especially so when she acted upon a chance with a guy at a bar. Instead of a one night stand, she ended up puking on him, haha. We don’t get Jake’s POV and about halfway through Naya was starting to annoy me. Yes, I know she went through a lot, but this just didn’t end up to be what I was expecting after reading the synopsis.

Archimancy – J.A. White

J.A. White wrote Nightbooks and I enjoyed that one, so I wanted to give Archimancy a go. This Shadow School was spooky and I loved Cordelia’s character. Besides trying to help some ghosts, she finds new friends and starts feeling like she belongs in her new home.

Mickey7 – Edward Ashton

Mickey7 was our book club pick for April, but because we ended up not being able to go, I finished a little bit later. Science fiction isn’t something I read often, but I enjoyed Mickey7. The idea of someone being expendable and being able to be uploaded again was very interesting. I did feel like it stayed a bit on the surface though. I would’ve loved if it had been a bit longer and we got more about the world and dived a bit more into other events.

The Tenant – Freida McFadden

After loving The Boyfriend, I was curious about Freida’s other books. So far I’ve read her two releases after that and I’m just not sure. The Tenant started off pretty interesting, but I’m just not sure what I think about the twists in this one.

A Sign of Affection Vol. 11 – Suu Morishita

My favorite manga released a new volume this month and I read it the day after I received it. We explored more of Itsuomi’s past and that had me hooked. I missed a few of the other side characters we’ve met, but I get why this volume was just about that. Hopefully we find out when volume 12 will release soon.

The Love of My Afterlife – Kirsty Greenwood

I remember seeing this book around a lot when it released last year, but I only just got around to reading it. The premise of the story was so interesting. Dying, but then getting a second chance if you can kiss the love of your life before her time runs out. This book had its moments, but it also ended up being a bit repetitive. That made it harder to be really invested in how this would all play out.

Tear This Down – Barbara Dee

Our main character, Freya, has always been a curious one, so when she finds out her big town hero isn’t who everyone thinks he is. After finding this out, she speaks out about thinking the town should replace his statue with a local suffragette who didn’t get much attention. This book definitely shared some important messages. I loved seeing Freya stand up to her beliefs, but also that the author shows the effect of trying to change something. I highly recommend this middle grade book.

Last Gamer Standing – Katie Zhao

Last Gamer Standing is a book I’ve had on my want to read list for a while. Even though I’m not a gamer myself, I still love reading about it in books. Reyna is an amateur gamer competing in a gaming competition. This book deals with the toxic sides of a gaming community (doxing, etc,), family complications, growing up, but also the pressure of being in a popular and public competition. I think Katie Zhao approached all of these subjects in a great way.

We Dream of Space – Erin Entrada Kelly

I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but for middle grade May that was one of the prompts. We Dream of Space focuses around the 1986 launch of the Challenger. We got three POVs leading up to the tragic event. I enjoyed learning about this family and how what happened impacted them.

The Cookie Crumbles – Tracy Badua & Alechia Dow

The Cookie Crumbles is a middle grade mystery that was cute. I really enjoyed the baking element and two friends trying to make sure they get to go to the same school. For some reason this one just didn’t hook me as much as I was hoping. I’ll still read the sequel though.

I See You’ve Called in Dead – John Kenney

The title is what really caught my eye and made me pick up I See You’ve Called in Dead. Our main character writes obituaries and one night while he’s drunk, he writes his own obituary. His employer isn’t happy about this, but they can’t fire a dead guy. While they figure it out, he visits funerals. I loved how this book explored life and death. It was interesting and heartwarming.

Throttled – Lauren Asher

I’ve loved other books by Lauren Asher, but this is one of the series that I haven’t tried. Formula 1 isn’t something I’m really interested in, but it was interesting reading about it in a romance. This brother’s teammate/rival romance had me hooked from the go. Maya and Noah both had things they were dealing with and trying to work out. I really enjoyed getting to know them. I’ll be reading more of this series.

 

Isabelle

I went on an audiobook kick halfway through the month, therefore I listened to a decent amount in about a week or so. Afterwards I read way less unfortunately, but I did manage to read 10 books this month so I’m happy!

Paladin’s Grace – T. Kingfisher

I was interested in this one after seeing it recommended in a local bookstore. After finding it included with my Audible subscription, I decided to just try it. And I really enjoyed it! I plan on reading the rest of the series for sure.

SpyxFamily 4 – Tatsuya Endo

This is one of my current manga obsessions. It’s such a fun, but also cute series about a spy who has a fake family as his cover. But his ‘wife’ and ‘daughter’ have their own secrets and get into all kinds of trouble!

The Missing Half – Ashley Flowers

I love the true crime podcast Crime Junkie and I was really curious about the host’s second mystery novel. This was a pretty good one, with an ending I really enjoyed. I can’t wait for the next book Ashley Flowers writes.

All for the Game 1-4 – Nora Sakavic

These were part of my audiobook kick haha. I listened to all four of them in about 3 days and I really enjoyed it once again. This series is one of my absolute favorites ever and just talking about it now makes me want to pick them back up to be honest! I know the series has it’s flaws, but I still love it so much.

Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom – Leigh Bardugo

These were the next 2 books in my audiobook kick. I love the Crows and while I know this story pretty well, I still forgot some details and I still really enjoyed the story. These characters are amazing and I love the heist element.

Once a Villain – Vanessa Len

The first two books in this series are great and this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I enjoyed it a lot, although I didn’t love the ending. The author used some tropes I’m not a fan of. Overall, this was still a very enjoyable series and I liked the conclusion to the series.

So that’s our May wrap up? Have you read any of these? Or have you read any new favorites? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!