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9 Most Anticipated May 2025 Book Releases You Shouldn’t Miss


May 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable month for readers, with a wide range of new books hitting shelves—from pulse-pounding thrillers and epic fantasy to emotionally charged romance and witty contemporary fiction. Whether you're in the mood for a high-stakes love triangle, a forgotten oracle in a crumbling kingdom, or a cozy mystery disguised as a rom-com, this list has something for every book lover. Below, we’ve rounded up the ten most anticipated May 2025 book releases that deserve a spot on your TBR.

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig




Release Date:
May 20, 2025
Series: The Stonewater Kingdom #1

Rachel Gillig returns with a gothic romantasy full of atmosphere, betrayal, and destiny. Sybil Delling is a gifted Diviner whose prophetic dreams have shaped the fates of nations. But when her fellow seers begin disappearing, Sybil is forced to leave her secluded island and seek help from Rodrick, the cursed knight who once broke her heart. As a mysterious murderer haunts the land, the two are drawn together again in a story of fate, longing, and revenge. Perfect for fans of lush world-building and slow-burning romance, this is the start of a series you won't want to miss.


A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher




Release Date:
May 13, 2025

This cozy and magical rom-com follows witch Olivia "Harry" Dunning, who returns to her New York hometown to recover from heartbreak. Instead of peace, she’s met with her meddling family’s attempts to repair her love life—and a soulmate-seeking system that delivers hilariously inaccurate results. Add to that awkward encounters with her grumpy ex and a sister determined to fix everything, and you have a sweet, supernatural love story filled with second chances, laughter, and plenty of witchy charm.


A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen




Release Date:
May 13, 2025
Series: Saga of the Unfated #2

In this epic continuation of Jensen’s romantic fantasy series, Freya must come to terms with her dark destiny and the god who holds it in his hands. As the lines between love and duty blur, war brews on the horizon, and ancient power stirs beneath the surface. Combining fierce emotion, political tension, and magical lore, this series deepens its grip with high-stakes decisions and intense chemistry between two unforgettable characters.


The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz




Release Date:
May 20, 2025

Andrea Bartz delivers a tropical thriller where paradise is anything but peaceful. Abby arrives at a remote island to spread her fiancée’s ashes, but something about his death doesn’t sit right. When locals avoid her questions and strange events begin unfolding, Abby starts to suspect a deeper mystery. As the last ferry out looms, she must decide whether to leave or dig deeper into the truth—no matter how dangerous it becomes.


It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan




Release Date:
May 27, 2025

Jane Jackson is a successful TV executive with a picture-perfect life built on a very strategic lie. When a childhood incident comes back to haunt her—thanks to an old crush and a popstar former best friend—she’s forced to confront the truth and the messy, funny, heartfelt complications that come with it. With its clever banter and warm nostalgia, this rom-com delivers a poignant yet hilarious look at growing up, making mistakes, and finding love where you least expect it.


Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald





Release Date: May 27, 2025

When April, a lonely remote worker, leaves an anonymous love note in a book for Westley, her local bookstore crush, she hopes for a quiet spark of connection. But when Laura, a widowed single mom, buys the book instead, she thinks Westley wrote the note for her. As anonymous letters pass between April and Laura, both women begin to reimagine their lives—and the possibility of love—without realizing how close their worlds truly are. A gentle, heartfelt tale of mistaken identity and quiet connection, this story is perfect for anyone who believes in the power of serendipity.

His Face Is the Sun by Michelle Jabès Corpora



Release Date: May 6, 2025
Series: Throne of Khetara #1

In the ancient desert kingdom of Khetara, rebellion stirs, and a deadly power awakens. The pharaoh’s illness sparks unrest across the land, while a forgotten evil reemerges to threaten the realm. Four strangers—a rebellious noble, a devout priestess, a daring tomb robber, and a princess—are drawn together by a mysterious oracle that may hold the key to the kingdom’s future. Bursting with monsters, magic, political intrigue, and romance, this richly imagined fantasy is ideal for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J. Maas.


The Thrashers by Julie Soto




Release Date:
May 6, 2025

Jodi Dillon never belonged with the Thrashers—her school’s elite, glamorous friend group—but her childhood bond with Zack Thrasher earned her a seat at the table. When Emily Mills, an outsider desperate to join, dies mysteriously, the once-perfect clique starts to unravel. With Emily’s diary casting doubt and eerie warnings piling up, Jodi must choose between protecting herself or exposing the truth. A chilling, twist-filled YA thriller about popularity, power, and the ghosts of high school choices.


Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler




Release Date:
May 27, 2025

Evie Riley arrives at Camden Academy fresh from betrayal—dumped by her boyfriend, ditched by her sister, and burned by her best friend. But her plans for a quiet fresh start implode when she’s mistakenly placed in an all-boys dorm. As gossip spreads, she leans into her new rebellious image with the help of her emo roommate Salem, forming an unlikely alliance. She’ll teach him how to connect with his parents if he teaches her how to stop caring what everyone thinks. But as their pact deepens, Evie must confront who she is—and what she truly wants.


May 2025 brings a diverse mix of thrilling mysteries, swoon-worthy romances, intricate fantasies, and emotional contemporary stories. Whether you’re craving a sun-soaked suspense, a magical second-chance romance, or a YA saga of power and prophecy, these upcoming books promise to be unforgettable additions to your reading list.

Which one are you picking up first? Share your thoughts and let us know what’s topping your May 2025 TBR.


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