Get ahead of the curve with the May 2025 book releases—your ultimate sneak peek at next month’s hottest titles.

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21 May 2025 Book Releases You’ll Want on Your Radar

May 2025 is shaping up to be a month of unputdownable reads. From swoony enemies-to-lovers and small-town charm to gothic terror and epic romantasy, this roundup of most anticipated May 2025 book releases has something for every mood. Bookmark release dates, clear a spot on the TBR, and get ready to fall headfirst into these new worlds.

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Contemporary Romance May 2025 Book Releases

Drop Dead by Lily Chu

Obituary writer Nadine “Lady Death” Barbault and rival journalist Wesley Chen must team up inside a reclusive author’s mansion…for three weeks. This enemies-to-lovers mystery blends forced proximity, ice-queen persona meets determined reporter, and deadline drama that might just thaw two hardened hearts.

Drop Dead releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

After a messy office breakup, Dani Dorfman flees to Amsterdam and crashes into her high-school ex, Wouter van Leeuwen. This marriage-of-convenience romance serves second-chance sparks, forced proximity on picturesque canals, and opposites-attract energy as Dani rediscovers her bold side and wonders if old flame could become forever.

What Happens in Amsterdam releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

Wren and firefighter Ellis Byrd split but reunite to drive their son to college, igniting a coastal road trip full of hope. This second-chance, small-town romance brings childhood sweethearts, bakery-owner meets first-responder, soul-baring letters, nostalgic longing, and raw intimacy as they ponder if love can be left behind.

Left of Forever releases on May 20 and is available to order on Amazon

Fantasy, Romantasy and Sci-Fi May 2025 Book Releases

Daughter of Tides of Kit Rocha

God of love Aleksi, pirate lord Einar, and water nymph Naia sail to an icy kingdom to broker peace and maybe each other’s hearts. This ice court romantasy stirs enemies-to-lovers, love triangle twists, political intrigue, and immortal desire where surrendering to the tides may save them all.

Daughter of Tides releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Bound by a blood pact, a sheltered princess and a rival monster hunter trek cursed lands in this slow-burn romantasy. Expect enemies-to-lovers sparks, court intrigue, monster hunts, royal duty vs personal choice, and a heroine who shatters her crown—and expectations—to claim her own power.

Shield of Sparrows releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

Foundling prophetess Sybil, cursed to dream others’ futures, must join forces with heretical knight Rodrick when diviners vanish. Gothic moors, quest romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and mysterious Omens collide as these unlikely allies face gods and secrets that could save—or damn—their world.

The Knight and the Moth releases on May 20 and is available to order on Amazon

Historical Romance May 2025 Book Releases

Two Secrets to Surrender by Grace Callaway

Lady Gigi Harrington aims to rescue her cursed village, only to clash with ruthless industrialist Conrad Godwin—whose hidden identity complicates everything. Their enemies-to-lovers chemistry sizzles amid prophecy, danger, and witty banter. Expect secret identities, small-town stakes, and swoony passion as they fight for village and heart.

Two Secrets to Surrender releases on May 8 and is available to order on Amazon

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

Miss Euphemia Flite infiltrates a viscount’s circle for her secretive Academy, trading crinolines for gambling dens. When owner Gabriel Royce thwarts her mission, their enemies-to-lovers banter escalates amid London’s underworld, secret societies, and feminist revolt. Expect political intrigue, witty sparring, and passion that risks freedom—and hearts.

Rules for Ruin releases on May 20 and is available to order on Amazon

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by Virginia Heath

Lady Clarissa enlists spy Sebastian Leatham’s fake courtship to snag a duke, but when Sebastian—posing as Lord Millcroft—arrives, sparks fly. This fake-marriage romance blends hidden identity, Regency high society, witty banter, and slow-burn tension, as Clarissa questions if she craves a title or Sebastian’s unexpected passion.

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft releases on May 26 and is available to order on Amazon

Horror, Thrillers and Romantic Thriller May 2025 Book Releases

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

Jodi Dillon infiltrates the Thrashers, an elite high school clique led by childhood friend Zack—until a classmate’s death and a haunted journal expose deadly secrets. This twisty YA thriller mixes clique politics, ghostly vengeance, and moral dilemmas as loyalty, betrayal, and fear collide in an unforgettable race for truth.

The Thrashers releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

The Marriage Rule by Helen Monks Takhar

Struggling new mom Elle is drowning under postpartum pressure, marriage strain, and career doubt—until one illicit night ends with a dead stranger and her devoted husband Dom at her side. This domestic romantic thriller unravels betrayal, rule-breaking, and psychological suspense as love and survival hang by a precarious thread.

The Marriage Rule releases on May 13 and is available to order on Amazon

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

A besieged medieval castle clings to survival when divine visitors arrive offering salvation at a horrifying price. Three determined women—a war hero, a sorceress, and a servant—must resist cult horror, cannibal feasts, and dark rituals in this visceral gothic tale of power and faith undone.

The Starving Saints releases on May 20 and is available to order on Amazon

Paranormal Romance May 2025 Book Releases

The Things We Water by Mariana Zapata

Nina Popoca’s world changes when she finds a magical puppy and heads to a Colorado ranch hiding supernatural creatures. Living with her best friend’s rugged cousin Henri Blackrock forces them into close quarters. This paranormal romance blends found family, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, magical realism, and small-town mystery as danger and desire grow.

The Things We Water releases on May 2 and is available to order on Amazon

Archangel’s Ascension by Nalini Singh

Archangel’s Ascension reunites immortal pair Aodhan and Illium in New York when rising powers threaten their bond and the Tower. This paranormal romance delivers angels-to-lovers tension, immortal love stakes, magic council intrigue, and emotional hurt/comfort. As ascension looms, they’ll risk everything to protect each other—and rewrite fate.

Archangel’s Ascension releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens

PR director Vanessa Theriot is hired to rebrand legendary villain Roland Casteel as hero The Wyvern. Their pretend romance sparks real heat in this fake-dating paranormal romance, blending enemies-to-lovers, secret identities, and superhero tropes. When a monstrous threat resurfaces, they must learn to trust love and power alike.

All Superheroes Need PR releases on May 27 and is available to order on Amazon

Women’s Fiction May 2025 Book Releases

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Photographer Alice returns to her grandmother’s lake cottage, meeting Charlie—the boy she captured in a chance teenage snapshot. This second-chance, summer romance blends nostalgia, self-discovery, and grandparent bonds as Alice rediscovers joy and wonders if magic still happens under sunlit skies.

One Golden Summer releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

The Last Sunrise by Anna Todd

When chronic health issues hold Oriah Pera back, a summer in Majorca with her mother’s new job feels like exile. But meeting local charmer Julián sparks unexpected adventure, self-growth, and forbidden romance. This coming-of-age tale blends beach escapades, cultural discovery, and a choice that could change her life.

The Last Sunrise releases on May 6 and is available to order on Amazon

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey

After her husband’s arrest, Charlotte Sitterly and her daughter Iris are forced out of their home and into a North Carolina beach haven for single moms. There, they find a makeshift family, shared secrets, and a community’s power. This mother-daughter saga explores resilience, friendship, and redefining family.

Beach House Rules releases on May 27 and is available to order on Amazon

Final Thoughts on May 2025 Book Releases

With so many standout titles on the horizon, the May 2025 book releases list is guaranteed to fuel next month’s reading obsession. Which of these releases will claim a spot at the top of upcoming TBR piles? Share thoughts below!

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