Yesterday we talked about our May bookhaul, so today is our May wrap up! What books did we read? Did we find any new favorites? Keep on reading to find out!
Candyce
My reading in May definitely improved after how bad it was in April. It’s still not where it was, but I’m slowly getting back to my normal reading behavior. In May I read 23 books (8 hardcovers, 6 eARCs, 4 manga, 2 paperbacks, 1 audiobooks, and 2 eBooks).
What the River Knows – Isabel Ibanez
Historical fiction isn’t something I read. Especially in fantasy books, but What the River Knows sounded interesting. I had a good time with this one taking place in Egypt, but I just didn’t feel invested. I really feel like the magic and characters could’ve used a little bit more development.
One Last Shot – Betty Cayouette
Our two main characters in One Last Shot were best friends and had a marriage pact. For many reasons they don’t talk anymore, but Emerson has been thinking about Theo and decides to try and get on his photoshoot. I love the idea of best friends finding each other again and falling in love, but there was just so much miscommunication. These two really just needed to sit down together and talk.
Wild Reverence – Rebecca Ross
Wild Reverence takes place before the Letters of Enchantment duology and I loved being in this world. Learning more about gods and their politics was amazing. Also, the slow burn romance hit me in all the feels. This book is over 500 pages, but I was truly sad when it was over.
The Forest Grimm – Kathryn Purdie
The Forest Grimm has all of the elements to make a great book, but the execution of said elements was lacking. The dark forest and the missing people becoming part of fairytales was interesting, but I feel like the author was trying to do too much. For me everything was just solved a bit too easily.
Aicha – Soraya Bouazzaoui
I don’t know too much about the events that inspired this book, but it caught my attention. Aicha was an interesting character and the set up of the story had me intrigued. Then things started slowing down for me. We’re getting a countdown to a battle or attack, but I don’t feel like there was tension or the anger she’s supposed to be feeling.
Dom-Com – Adriana Anders
Stories where characters see each other in clubs or have one night stands to only find out that they work together always catch my eye. In this case they meet each other at a club for doms and subs. I loved the tension between these two and appreciated the slow burn aspects. I will say I expected there to be more time spent in the club. These two clearly help the other grow and I think they’re great a great match.
To Cage a Wild Bird – Brooke Fast
I’m in my dystopian romance era and To Cage a Wild Bird sounded right up my alley. This one gave me a bit of The Hunger Games vibes with the battles, but I was intrigued. The politics and characters were very interesting. I also loved that even though this is a romantasy, we feel tension with the romance. It’s still a bit of a slow burn. I’ll definitely be reading the sequel when it releases.
Death’s Daughter – S.A. Barnes
The title is literal, because our main character is Death’s daughter. It’s not something she’s particular excited about, but there’s not much she can do. When she’s named his successor and people try and come to her territory, people start dying. The tension in this one had me on the edge of my seat. I would’ve loved just a little bit more about the different parties and how it all works, but I think a sequel may take care of that. The only thing I’m not sure of is the possible love triangle we could be getting.
The Moon on a Rainy Night Vol. 3 & 4 – Kuzushiro
I’m so glad I decided to pick up The Moon on a Rainy Night after seeing someone read it. There’s depth to this one and our characters. We’re starting to see hints of a possible romance and I’m intrigued.
Komi Can’t Communicate Vol. 4 & 5 – Tomohito Oda
The concept of Komi Can’t Communicate is that Komi has social anxiety, but has the goal to make 100 friends. The first couple of volumes were interesting, but after that I feel like there’s no development and the story seems random. There’s also some weird chapters here and there and I’m just not loving it. I’m not sure I’ll continue this series.
Tusk Love – Thea Guanzon
Tusk Love was the surprise of the month for me. My fiancé watched Critical Role for a while and I’ve caught glimpses of it. The story sounded like fun, but I’m normally much of a fan of monster romances. Oskar and Guinevere are such fun characters and I love them together. The adventure they went on is something I couldn’t get enough of. I wouldn’t say no to more books in this world.
Skyward – Brandon Sanderson
Science fiction isn’t my go to genre, but Skyward is a book I’ve been wanting to read for years. Literally years, because this one released in 2018. Oops! I had a great time with Skyward. We get to see our characters train, an interesting world, secrets, and lots of character growth. I can’t wait to see how this one continues.
Love Overboard – Kandi Steiner
So I don’t watch any reality shows like Below Deck, but Love Overboard still caught my eye. There’s lot of drama, some humor, some steam, and an interesting second chance romance. The confessionals at the beginning of each chapter were my favorite. I had a great time and my only note would be I would’ve loved to have had Finn’s POV.
By the Bootstraps – Alexa Martin
By the Bootstraps is a new cowboy romance that had me smiling, tearing up, and just wanting to hug these characters. Both of them had some baggage and I feel like these two learned to deal with that together. I do feel like the real cowboy romance won’t start until the next characters in what I’m assuming is going to be a series.
All Fired Up – Dylan Newton
After a one night stand our characters don’t think they’ll see each other again, but when Imani goes to take care of her grandmother they cross paths. Imani has a hard time saying no and feels responsible for everything. Events in the past have added to this. I loved that Zander made her relax and start doing what she wants. This story hit me in all the feels.
A Widow’s Charm – Caitlyn Paxson
A Widow’s Charm was something I thought I’d love. A widow blackmailing her necromancer neighbor to bring her husband back to life sounds interesting, but it was barely part of the story. The pacing didn’t feel right and Lord Elmwood’s chapters weren’t always fun to read because I didn’t care for him as a character.
Soulgazer – Maggie Rapier
Soulgazer has actually been on my wishlist since it released last year, but I never got around to getting it. Recently it was read now on Netgalley, so I decided to give it a go. The world is interesting, the characters have great banter and tension. I’m curious to see how the sequel will wrap everything up.
The Summer of Second Chances – K.L. Walther
I’ve read a few K.L. Walther books now and it’s hard to put them down. The Summer of Second Chances is definitely an emotional one. Our main character’s grandmother has Alzheimer’s Disease and she doesn’t want to leave her for her stepmother’s family trip. Until she finds out her grandmother was there when she was younger and may have found love there before her grandfather. This book was sweet, emotional, and everything I’ve come to expect from this author.
Playbook – Rebecca Jenshak
Brogan and London’s story was such a great time. We have some found family, learning to believe in yourself, and having people in your corner. And we can’t forget the banter that Rebecca Jenshak is good at giving us. I’m honestly sad I only have one more book to go in this series.
Rendezvous with Rama – Arthur C. Clarke
Rendezvous with Rama was my book club read for the month and a 1973 sci-fi book isn’t something I normally pick up. I enjoyed seeing how the author thought of how technology would be so many years later as well as space travel. That being said, I can’t tell you a single thing about any characters.
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World – Ashley Herring Blake
There hasn’t been a middle grade book written by Ashley Herring Blake that hasn’t made me cry. Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World is no different. Our main character’s family loses there house during a national disaster. We see the aftermath in that but also our main character trying to figure out where she belongs in her family as well as having a crush on a girl. It really hit me in all the feels but it’s a beautiful book.
Isabelle
The month started off really strong, but after a week it all went downhill haha. I still managed to read 6 books (technically 8 because I read 2 of them twice haha). So not too bad at all! Let’s take a look!
Game Changers 1-6 – Rachel Reid
After reading Heated Rivalry and The Long Game I went back to the start and read the whole of the Game Changers series. And yes I reread Heated Rivalry and the Long Game that time. After finishing the whole series I also reread those 2 again last week haha. So by now I have read Heated Rivalry and The Long Game three times already haha. I need to find a new obsession…
So that’s our May wrap up! Did we read any of the same books? Or what was your favorite read of May? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
