11 EXCITING MAY BOOK RELEASES

May is the kickoff of summer reading in my opinion and the beginning of some of my favorite releases every year – and 2022 is looking to be exactly that way! Here are eleven books that I am looking forward to reading!

Please note that all images link to Amazon and are affiliate links giving me a small commission at no cost to you. If you prefer to shop your favorite independent bookstore, please click here to be redirected to my Bookshop.org list with all of these titles in one spot!

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Genre: YA LGBTQ romance
Pub day: May 3rd 2022

The author of Red, White, & Royal blue is back with a young adult debut! Part romance, part mystery, this one will have you turning the pages fast.

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Genre: YA romance
Pub day: May 3rd 2022

Rachel Lynn Solomon brings back her classic Seattle setting with her young adult Groundhog Day themed novel about two college students stuck in a time loop. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Genre: Adult romance
Pub day: May 3rd, 2022

You know and love Emily Henry as the author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation. Her newest title, Book Lovers, has excellent early reviews!

The Unplanned Life of Josie Hale by Stephanie Eding

Genre: Adult romance
Pub day: May 3, 2022

A second chance romance that promises found family and fried food, this story should be full of banter, heart, and LOL moments.

The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall

Genre: Adult romance
Pub day: May 3, 2022

Described as Four Weddings and a Funeral meets The Wedding Party, this book sounds like so much fun! It releases May 3, 2022.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Genre: Women’s fiction
Pub day: May 10, 2022

A women’s fiction debut described by Emily Henry as “radiant”, this story is told over the course of six summers and one weekend.

Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy

Genre: Adult historical fiction
Pub day: May 10, 2022

Set in the 1970’s on Mustique, the world’s most exclusive private island, this story focuses on a divorcee and her two daughters.

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

Genre: Adult romance
Pub day: May 10, 2022

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach

Genre: Adult romance
Pub day: May 17, 2022

A coming of age story that is surely heartbreaking and beautiful, written as letters from one best friend to another.

City of Orange by David Yoon

Genre: Adult sci fi
Pub day: May 24, 2022

From the author of Frankly in Love, this sci fi novel focuses on a man who wakes up in an apocalyptic landscape alone.

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle

Genre: YA romance
Pub day: May 31, 2022

Described as Hitch meets The Sun is Also a Star, this witty YA romance is sure to capture your heart! The author is a marketing and publishing professional that is finally publishing her own book!

REVIEW: SOMETHING WILDER by CHRISTINA LAUREN

To read the synopsis of this book, click the following links to The StoryGraph or Goodreads!

Thank you Gallery books for allowing me to read this via Netgalley prior to publishing!

I stayed up until 2:30 am last night finishing SOMETHING WILDER, so it’s safe to say that I was hooked! I had my slight concerns about this second chance love story set in the desert of Utah, mostly because both the trope and the setting kinda had me turn my head in curiosity – I wasn’t sure if Christina Lauren could pull it off.

The first 30% of this book I felt like I sloughed through. There were times where I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a love story or just a straight up treasure hunt. But once the story really started focusing on Leo and Lily instead of some of the distracting side characters, I really found myself enjoying the ride!

The description of the scenery in Utah was beautiful was equally exhilarating and terrifying. It didn’t sound like a place I would like to be stranded! But it almost made camping and hiking with a significant other almost sound adventurous and appealing. Watching Leo and Lily rediscover their love all while solving a mystery together ended up being a great mix of romance and suspense!

While a much different read from their past books, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone who loves love, the great outdoors, and a little sprinkle of mystery!

This title releases May 17, and if you would like to preorder it, please consider using my Amazon or Bookshop.org affiliate links. These provide me with a small commission at no cost to you!

REVIEW: THE SWIMMERS by JULIE OTSUKA

To read the synopsis of this book, click the following links to be redirected The StoryGraph or Goodreads!

I finished The Swimmers a few weeks ago and needed some time to let it simmer. Because it is so different from most that I tend to pick up, it was a bit tricky for me to decide my final feelings on it. I went with a neutral 3 star rating because, while I didn’t love this book, I also didn’t hate it.

I really, really enjoyed the first half of this book. I loved hearing about the different nuances of each of the swimmers, about how they carve out time in their day to day to spend some time underground in the water. I thought it was really beautifully written, with lovely descriptions and lyrical prose. I found myself wanting to know more about each of the characters, and also relating to it as someone who has spend many miles in a pool swimming with other strangers. We recognize one another, we know the others exist, we have casual conversation, but we never really KNOW one another. So, for the first half the book, I was extremely entertained and engrossed.

Then, the second half. This description of life for someone with severe memory loss (I believe it was Alzheimer’s, but again, it has been a few weeks since I finished it) was heartbreaking and eye opening. As someone who lost a grandparent with Alzheimer’s, I found it intriguing but also painful.

My issue, however, wasn’t with the first half of the book or the second half of the book. It was the book as a whole being published as ONE book. It felt like two books to me – or two essays pushed together into one when it should’ve just stayed as two. If I had to describe the book in one word, it would be disjointed – with the first half being entertaining/engrossing, the second heavy and heartbreaking, evoking strong emotion. It made for an incredibly unbalanced reading experience for me, and also had me wondering if I had forgotten something with the narrative as I moved into the second half. Like did I miss the part where the author explained something crucial? No, I didn’t – the perspective shift was just so drastic that I had whiplash.

Overall, I do think this book will be a big win for those who enjoy this style of storytelling – emotional, heavy, and slow paced.

If you would like to purchase this book, please consider using one of the following links to Amazon or Bookshop.org. These are affiliate links that give me a small commission at no cost to you.

REVIEW: SEE YOU YESTERDAY by RACHEL LYNN SOLOMON

Cover photo courtesy of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Website.

To read the book synopsis, click the following links to be redirected to Goodreads or The StoryGraph.

I want to start out by stating that Rachel Lynn Solomon is an auto buy author for me after reading The Ex Talk in February of 2021. I immediately went through her backlist and loved each of them for different reasons. That being said, I automatically requested this one when I saw it available on Netgalley!

I wish I had read the synopsis a little more closely prior to requesting, because the trope of this story does not usually work for me. I find the storyline of living each day over and over again for 80% of a 300+ page book incredibly underwhelming and boring. That being said, the first 50% of this story was brutal for me. The character development was essentially non existent and the romance actually WAS non existent. Since I was expecting the chemistry buildup of two characters falling in love rather quickly, I was disappointed that the first 60% or so was just the two of them trying to figure out time traveling instead of flirting and falling in love.

At the 60% mark, when we FINALLY start to see some chemistry between the two characters, I felt that it finally picked up quite a bit. I started to feel the chemistry between the two leads and believe them. We got a lot more back story on each of them as well, leading to more in depth character development, and the resolution of the story was timely.

I want to pause here to talk about the level of steam in this book since it is marked on Goodreads as Young Adult. This is NOT a YA book targeted to the 12-17 age range. It is new adult according to the author, and it is definitely not appropriate for that younger age group that you think of as YA readers. The romance was PG-13 with a lot of foreplay but fade to black after a paragraph or two of it (perfect for the new adult audience in my opinion). But I would never hand this to a late middle schooler/early high schooler.

Overall, I give this book 2.5 stars. It was okay, but not great. I think a lot of my distaste for the first half had to do with the “Groundhog Day” trope. I will absolutely read more from RLS, but this one was just not my favorite.

TW: bullying, drug use/rehab, car wreck

If you would like to purchase this book, please consider using my Amazon or Bookshop.org affiliate links. These give me a small commission at no cost to you.

REVIEW: COVER STORY by SUSAN RIGETTI

Thank you to the publisher, William Morrow books, for my free copy in exchange for a review!

To read the synopsis of the book, click the following link to The StoryGraph or Goodreads to do so.

Wow, what a ride this unique book was! I read it in just over 24 hours, and as a mom of two little kids, that says something. Written in diary entries, emails, text messages, etc., this fast paced novel will keep you turning the pages rapidly from start to finish. Note that, because of the formatting, I think this book would be nearly impossible to follow on audio, so if you can get your hands on a print copy, do that!

Immediately after finishing this one, I had to call my best friend who had just read it the week before. I had so many questions, so many theories to discuss, and as we went over it, I realized that Rigetti did not miss a MARK. She did not leave a plot hole anywhere or have us wondering about anything – as long as you caught the minor details. Similarly to Netflix’s Inventing Anna, this story will have you wondering who to trust, who has a motive, and will make you want to read/watch in one sitting.

I highly recommend this one as a book club pick. This is an open a bottle of wine, grab some spinach and artichoke dip, and talk about what the heck just happened kind of story. This genre bending novel is sure to be a hit of 2022! If you would like to order a copy based off my review, please consider using my Amazon or Bookshop.org affiliate links provided. These give me a small commission at no cost to you.

REVIEW: ELIZA STARTS A RUMOR by JANE L. ROSEN

Since I don’t tell the synopsis of books in my review, feel free to follow these links to The StoryGraph or Goodreads to find out what exactly the book is about!

Things are crazy in the suburbs, y’all! This book, packed to the gills with fascinating characters, lots of intertwining storylines, and a whole lot of action will keep you on your toes til the very end! I listened to this one on audio in the car with my mom and we were both equally glued to the story.

Written with multiple POV’s, these very different characters have different takes on the same story. It was a lot of fun to get into the minds of each of the people weaving the story together. At first, I found it slightly difficult to remember who was who, but having my mom listen with me helped – she was able to explain if I got anyone’s names confused.

Another aspect I enjoyed was that the storyline showcases women in several different walks of life bonding and banding together. It had a real Girl Power feel to it by the ending, and I appreciated that the older moms and younger moms were able to find common ground and nourish friendships.

Each character has a secret that plays into the story, and some are exposed earlier than others. By the ending of the book, everything came full circle, and I felt it was tied up completely (though not necessarily in a cute little bow – and that, for this story, was quite fitting).

If this sounds intriguing to you and you would like to purchase a copy, please consider using my affiliate links to Amazon or Bookshop.org. These give me a small commission at no cost to you.

SPRING CLEANING – OF YOUR PLANTS!

The earth is thawing here in the northern hemisphere, and with the beginning of the spring season comes the start of a new growing season for my houseplants. The start of a new season is a great time to get your plants prepped for the year! As the days get longer and the nights warmer, your green babies photosynthesize more, meaning that they will grow faster – and have different needs than the winter. Listed below are four products that I use each growing season to keep them healthy and strong!

Note that all Amazon links are affiliate links that provide me a small commission at no cost to you!

Item #1: Neem Oil

Neem oil is a great, all natural product that duals as a pest preventative and cleaner for your plants! Spray some on a rag and use it to wipe down the leaves to rid them of dust and debris, an important step to ensure that your plants are getting enough light to photosynthesize. Pro tip: spray your plants with neem oil OUTSIDE during the warm months (it’s smelly) and not in broad daylight – neem is thought to cause leaf burn if used in the bright hours! And be sure you have a good spray bottle that is dedicated to your neem oil and nothing else. The smell never goes away. Store the oil at room temp, or it’ll harden/stay clumpy forever.

Item #2: Systemic Granules

I apply these at the beginning of each season (roughly every 3 months) to prevent the infestation of just about all houseplant pests. While neem oil is a great topical, the granules are watered into the soil, allowing the solution to enter the root system of the plant to keep bugs at bag. Pro tip: set a reminder on your phone for once every 3 months so you don’t forget.

Item #3: All Natural Fertilizer

I have used this organic liquid fertilizer for 2 years now and love it! When your plants are growing, they need food, and this stuff has worked for every tropical houseplant that I have. And because it’s organic, I don’t have to worry about it burning the leaves if it splashes on a little bit. Pro tip: if you can’t remember when to fertilize, then dilute the solution to about 25% strength and feed every time you water.

Item #4: Rooting Hormone

‘Tis the season to PROPAGATE, and this cheap little powder will do wonders to make your propagations go quicker! Apply a little to each fresh cutting and watch the roots take off. Pro tip: let your cuttings callous over before starting the rooting process – usually takes about a couple hours after cutting it from the mother plant. This helps prevent stem rot!

I hope these items help keep your plants healthy and strong all summer long!

REVIEW: UNLIKELY ANIMALS by Annie Hartnett

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this book!

Since I don’t share the synopsis of the book in my reviews, click the following links to Goodreads or The StoryGraph to read it!

This book is 100% outside of the norm of what I typically read, and I can give it no less than 5 stars. It wouldn’t be right. With masterful storytelling, a palpable family dynamic, and an intricate storyline, Unlikely Animals is full of heart and soul. I never wanted to leave Everton and its ghosts (literally ghosts in the cemetery, they’re the ones narrating the story).

Every single important character in this story had a quality that had me rooting for them. From Clive’s antics to Auggie’s recovery, the Starling family was charming and flawed. We get to witness our main character, Emma, find herself back in the familiarity of her hometown, a place that she couldn’t wait to get away from when she turned 18. It was fascinating to watch a family go through the troubles in their life while also interacting with the heaviness of the world surrounding them.

The pacing is slow, but there’s reason for it, as we watch every stitch in the fabric of this drama pull together. This quiet story produced some of the biggest twists I’ve ever read in my life – so twisty that I didn’t have them on my radar.

The writing is beautiful, the storyline well thought out, and the execution superb. I cannot wait to read more from Annie Hartnett.

This book releases April 12, and the following affiliate links to Amazon and Bookshop.org will let you preorder it today!

REVIEW: NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT by Annabel Monaghan

Since I don’t share the book synopsis in my review, feel free to click the following links to The StoryGraph or Goodreads to read it!

Friends, it’s the middle of February and my heart feels like summer after finishing NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT (thank you Putnam books for my gifted copy). This book publishes June 7th and please just go ahead and preorder it (my affiliate links are shared at the bottom).

This book gives the feeling of the first green blades of grass popping up in your lawn after a long winter, the inner warmth filling your body as the end of the bitter cold days comes into view. The feeling of new hope and feeling like yourself again after hibernating for months on end. It made me want to put on a sundress and get up at the crack of dawn to watch the sunrise (but alas, it’s February and 30 degrees, so I won’t).

The most wonderful part of this book was the representation of second love and the magic of finding someone after your life has come to an unsuspecting halt. This story portrays the strength of a single mom who does everything for her kids and nothing for herself. An unexpected gentleman shows up and we get to watch a love grow that is the thing of fairytales.

This story explores single motherhood, new love, the difficulties of parenting, and so much more. Set in a small, Stars Hollow-esque town outside of New York City, you’ll want to pour yourself a glass of lemonade and drink in this story with a smile on your face. I cannot recommend this book enough, and hope that everyone out there looking for a closed door romance that’ll make your heart burst picks this one up.

If you would like to order a copy, the following links to Amazon and Bookshop.org are affiliate links that provide me a small commission at no cost to you!