May Fiction 2025: Best Best New Book Releases On Our Reading Bucket List
- The Betty Edit
- May 7
- 4 min read
There’s something about May that feels like a fresh turn into a completely new season and gets me excited about what's on the horizon for summer reading. Whether it’s the return of longer days or just the idea of a good book in-hand with all the pretty blooms outside my window - I can't wait to crack open some new reads. This month’s new fiction lineup does not disappoint. We’ve got gorgeous prose, juicy drama, eerie thrillers, and anytime Stephen King pops up on the new release list...well, I'm pretty pleased.
In case you are wondering what I read in April - here's a quick list and my general assessment for each one (yeesh! I did not do a ton of reading last month!) You can check out my full post about recommended April reads for additional new fiction release suggestions.
My April Reads:
If you’re building out your summer reading stack or just looking for your next literary obsession, here’s what deserves a spot on your nightstand in May.
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When a prestigious university’s parents’ weekend turns deadly, a shocking act of violence leaves a campus in chaos. As dark secrets unravel and suspicions mount, a determined detective and a desperate mother must uncover the truth before another life is taken—proving that behind the ivy-covered walls, no one is as innocent as they seem. Buy on Amazon: Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay
A heartfelt story of unexpected family and second chances when two estranged half-sisters, raised apart, are brought together at their late father’s lakeside retreat. Amid the tranquil beauty of rural Maine, they must navigate grief, secrets, and the bittersweet discovery of sisterhood, learning that even the most complicated bonds can lead to belonging. Buy on Amazon: Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
When a father and son confront the specters haunting their fractured relationship, they uncover disturbing truths that blur the line between memory and nightmare. Buy on Amazon: The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North
Ocean Vuong fans, rejoice. His latest novel is everything you'd expect: aching, luminous, and impossible to put down. It follows Hai, a grief-stricken teen unexpectedly tasked with caring for a sharp-tongued elderly woman with dementia. Buy on Amazon: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
At Manhattan's legendary Bohemia apartments, the lives of wealthy residents and working-class staff collide during a night of escalating citywide unrest. As tensions erupt between penthouse secrets and sidewalk struggles, the doorman becomes the unexpected center of a building on the brink. Buy on Amazon: The Doorman by Chris Pavone
A heartfelt narrative that traces the life of Emilia, a woman navigating her personal history amidst the political upheavals of her homeland. Through her story, the novel explores themes of resilience, memory, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity. Buy on Amazon: My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende
If you're a fan of his other books featuring the beloved character Holly Gibney, you're in for a treat. Holly is back featured in a novel that boasts two plots featuring villans, vigilantes, murder and body counts that eventually merge into one conclusion. I'm excited for this one!! Buy on Amazon: Never Flinch by Stephen King
A poignant tale of love, rivalry, and the fragile ties that bind as two sisters navigate ambition and identity in late-1990s Singapore. With lyrical prose and sharp insight, the novel captures the ache of growing apart and the enduring pull of family—even when the world tries to redefine what that means. Buy on Amazon: The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei
When four unlikely teens form an unbreakable bond in their small town, their connection ripples across decades - ultimately transforming the life of a complete stranger a quarter-century later. Buy on Amazon: My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Happy Reading, Friends!
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