34 Brand-New May 2026 Books to Read

A Zoom with a View by Jess Cannon

Fans of cozy mysteries will love A Zoom with a View. Returning to her small Texas hometown was never part of Leo’s plan, but after her academic career falls apart, Blue Oak is the only place left to land. When she discovers the body of a local real estate agent and social media influencer she’s secretly mocked online, she’s pulled into a murder investigation that hits too close to home—forcing her to navigate old relationships, new complications, and a detective she didn’t expect to notice.

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister

From the author of Wrong Place Wrong Time, this gripping thriller explores how far a mother will go when everything is on the line. When her daughter vanishes from their Texas rental, Simone is left with nothing but a phone and chilling instructions she can’t ignore. As she follows the kidnappers’ demands, she’s drawn into a dangerous situation that forces her to make impossible choices to save Lucy.

Homebound by Portia Elan

In 1983, Becks sets out to finish the video game her late uncle left behind—unaware that her work will echo across centuries. As her creation connects the lives of a scientist, a sentient automaton, and others searching for meaning, their stories become intertwined in unexpected ways. Homebound is a sweeping, hopeful story about connection, survival, and what it means to be human.

Moonlight Murder by Uzma Jalaluddin

Another great cozy mystery on this list! In this sequel to the Detective Aunty Investigates series, the search for answers becomes deeply personal. Kausar Khan is back in Toronto and is reluctantly drawn into another investigation when a young man linked to her granddaughter is found dead. As she digs deeper, the case begins to mirror the mysterious death of her own son years earlier, forcing her to confront a past she’s never fully resolved.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Spoiler alert: I’ve already read this one and loved it! I never miss a Carley Fortune release, and this one is definitely worth picking up this May. On the eve of her wedding, Frankie’s life unravels when her fiancé calls it off—leaving her with a honeymoon she never expected to take. Determined to help her heal, her best friend George convinces her to go anyway, turning a week in Tofino into a chance to repair what’s broken between them. It’s an emotional friends-to-lovers romance set in a stunning Canadian setting you won’t want to miss!

Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn

I adore Meghan Quinn—I never miss one of her releases, and I’m so excited to pick up Rules for the Summer! Renley is determined to save her family’s failing candy shop on her own, but her plans get complicated when her new (and unexpected) neighbour turns out to be Theo, a runaway groom with nowhere else to go. As their forced proximity turns into something more, both are forced to confront what they really want before summer ends. I already know this laugh-out-loud rom-com will be perfect for the start of summer!

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

Set in 1930s Mississippi, The Calamity Club follows three women—an abandoned orphan, a disillusioned socialite’s sister, and a woman down on her luck—whose lives unexpectedly intertwine. As they band together to take control of their futures, they risk everything in a world not built for their independence. From the author of The Help, this is a powerful, big-hearted story of resilience, friendship, and defiance.

The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore

The next book in the Dream Harbor series is here! Daisy’s flower shop has been labelled “cursed,” and after one too many disappointments in love, she’s starting to believe it. But when Elliot, who’s been avoiding the shop, unexpectedly walks through the door, their connection begins to shift their luck. It’s a cozy romance that blends small-town vibes, a fake relationship and a sweet love story.

The Undergrads: Student Union by Julie Murphy

Fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace will love this college romance and the start of a new series from Julie Murphy. Clover has her future planned out—until a housing issue forces her into a marriage of convenience with the one person she never wanted to see again. Bennett may be the last person she’d choose, but as they fake their relationship to secure a place to live, old history and undeniable chemistry resurface. It will be full of tension, banter and forced proximity.

Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez

Burnout Summer is perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Tessa Bailey, and friends-to-lovers romance. This beachy romance follows Cam as she escapes her stalled post-grad life for a summer in a small Rhode Island town. Staying with her longtime friend Danny, who now runs a seaside restaurant, she finds herself rediscovering joy, purpose, and feelings she never expected. As summer comes to an end, she’s forced to decide whether to return to the life she planned or take a chance on something new.

First and Forever by Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter is an author I never miss—and since I’ve already read and loved First and Forever, it definitely deserves a spot on your TBR. It follows a die-hard football fan and a star player who get swept up in a viral moment that turns into a PR relationship … except only one of them knows it’s fake. As their chemistry grows both on and off camera, keeping the truth hidden becomes more complicated than either expected. It’s perfect for fans of sports romance and for those wanting subtle Taylor and Travis vibes.

Reality Bites by Amy Mass

If you’re looking for a rom-com with a reality TV twist from a debut author? You’ll want to pick up Reality Bites. It follows a scientist who reluctantly joins a dating show to save her lab, only to find herself completely out of her element—and caught between the cameras and an unexpected connection behind the scenes. As the competition heats up, keeping her real motives and her growing feelings under wraps becomes harder than she ever imagined.

Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth

Veronica Roth’s latest release is an epic dystopian fantasy in which a soldier and her greatest enemy are bound by a prophecy that could decide the fate of their nations. When Elegy learns that love and a mysterious man will play a central role in what’s to come, she’s forced to question everything she thought she knew about loyalty and destiny. As war looms, only one side can win, and she’s determined it won’t be her side that falls.

The Forgotten Midwife by Laura Anthony

If you’re a fan of dual timelines, you’ll want to read The Forgotten Midwife. Set across New Jersey and 1950s Ireland, the story follows a bride-to-be as she uncovers a long-buried family secret while her grandmother’s memories begin to fade. As her search leads her to Ireland, another woman’s story emerges—one shaped by sacrifice, resilience, and a system stacked against her. Based on real historical events, the novel explores sisterhood, identity, and women’s enduring strength.

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung

Fans of Louise Penny will not want to miss her next release! When a series of global security breaches sparks widespread panic, suspicion quickly turns to China—and a mother-daughter duo is pulled into the centre of the crisis. As a renowned activist and her estranged daughter race to uncover the truth, they’re forced to navigate political tension, buried secrets, and a threat far more dangerous than it seems. This fast-paced thriller blends high-stakes international intrigue with a powerful story of family, loyalty, and trust.

The May House by Jillian Cantor

The May House is a heartfelt story about sisterhood, second chances, and the bonds that hold us together. Each year, three sisters reunite at their grandmother’s beach house, bound by a promise that’s kept them connected even as they’ve grown apart. But when one sister fails to show up, long-buried secrets surface, forcing the others to question everything they thought they knew about their family.

Fever Dream by Elsie Silver

I adore Elsie Silver, and I can’t wait for the start of her next series, Emerald Lake. Fever Dream is a small-town, rivals-to-lovers romance about a bull rider who signs up for a reality dating show to save his family’s farm—only to fall for the one woman he definitely shouldn’t want. As Emmett and Julia’s off-limits connection grows behind the scenes, keeping things professional (and secret) becomes nearly impossible. This one is not to be missed!

Forty Love by Jane Costello

Jules has spent years watching the tennis club from afar, but as she faces an empty nest, she decides it’s time to try something new—even if she’s never held a racket. Joining the local team brings unexpected friendships, renewed confidence, and a second chance with her old crush. This fun, feel-good romance is about starting over and taking a chance on yourself—and maybe love, too.

Murder at the Hotel Orient by Alessandra Ranelli

For fans of The Maid and The Grand Budapest Hotel, this mystery unfolds in a secretive Viennese hotel where anonymity is everything—and everyone has something to hide. When a double murder shatters the hotel’s carefully guarded privacy, concierge Sterling is forced to investigate, even if it means breaking the very rules she’s sworn to uphold. As the truth unravels, so do the secrets surrounding her own past.

Score by Kennedy Ryan

Perfect for fans of second-chance romance, Score follows a screenwriter and a musician forced to reunite years after a devastating breakup. As Verity and Monk collaborate on a high-profile film, old wounds resurface alongside the undeniable connection they never truly lost. From the author of Before I Let Go, this is an emotional, layered romance about love, regret, and what it takes to start again.

Soon by You by Dahlia Adler

Burned out from being a perpetual bridesmaid, Arielle is ready to swear off love altogether—until she keeps crossing paths with a charming (and frustrating) wedding singer who challenges everything she thought she wanted. As their banter turns into something more, both are forced to reconsider their assumptions about relationships and the futures they’ve been chasing. Set in New York’s Modern Orthodox community, this opposites-attract romance blends humour, heart, and undeniable chemistry. I feel like this one will be perfect for fans of 27 Dresses.

Take Me with You by Steven Rowley

When Jesse’s husband mysteriously vanishes into a beam of light in their backyard, Jesse is left questioning everything he thought he knew about their life together. As grief, suspicion, and unanswered questions close in, Jesse is forced to confront what it means to be alone for the first time—and whether he can move forward without the person who defined his world. This emotional, thought-provoking story from the author of The Guncle blends love, loss, and a touch of the surreal.

The Hope Keeper by Heather Webb

Set in 1919 Washington, D.C., this historical fiction follows a young jeweller drawn into the glittering yet dangerous world surrounding the infamous Hope Diamond. As Elisabeth becomes entangled with its enigmatic owner, the line between ambition and obsession blurs. With tragedy looming, she must uncover the truth about her past and decide what she’s willing to risk for the future. This one sounds so interesting!

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

The One Day You Were My Husband is an emotional, twisty love story with a dark edge. After her husband is abducted on their wedding night and presumed dead, Carrie builds a new life—until years later, she discovers he may still be alive. As she searches for the truth, long-buried secrets surface, threatening everything she thought she knew.

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Katherine Center’s next romance definitely deserves a spot on your radar! After fainting at the altar, JoJo realizes she’s been heading toward the wrong future—just as her estranged childhood friend reappears to help her navigate the fallout. When they’re thrown together again on a cruise ship for her sister’s wedding, old feelings and unanswered questions resurface. Set against a sun-soaked backdrop, this swoony romance is full of second chances, secrets, and the possibility that love was there all along.

By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin

I love Alexa Martin’s books, and I plan to pick this one up soon—I’m really looking forward to it! By the Bootstraps follows a romance publicist who trades city life for a Texas farm, only to clash with and connect with a local handyman who wants nothing to do with cowboy culture. As their chemistry grows, she begins to realize that real-life love might be even better than the fantasy. It sounds like the perfect mix of small-town romance and a cowboy twist!

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

From the author of Nora Goes Off the Script and Summer Romance, this is a heartfelt, chemistry-filled romance about trust, second chances, and finding love where you least expect it. It follows a single mom who returns to her seaside hometown determined to save her family home—but an unexpected run-in with a wealthy local sparks a fake dating arrangement neither of them planned. As their staged relationship starts to feel all too real, she’s forced to reconsider whether she can finally let someone in.

Invitation to Murder by Carol Floriani

Nothing spoils a party quite like a dead body—especially when Lacey has just taken over her family’s printing and party-planning business. When a local councilman turns up dead at her first big event, she’s drawn into a small-town mystery that deepens as more secrets and bodies surface. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, Invitation to Murder is a charming debut that blends hometown drama, amateur sleuthing, and plenty of intrigue.

It Happened One Murder by Liz Lawson

After losing her dream job, Harriet returns to her hometown hoping for a way out—only to find herself at the centre of a murder investigation when a guest dies at her birthday party. Teaming up with her ex-fling to clear his sister’s name, she agrees to write the story that could revive her career. As they dig deeper, old feelings resurface alongside secrets their small town has long kept hidden. I just love the cover of this one, too!

Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay

Set in Paris, this cozy mystery follows a former Master Sommelier whose second chance at a dream job turns deadly when a celebrity chef is poisoned—and she becomes the prime suspect. With only her heightened sense of smell to rely on, she teams up with an eccentric group of locals to uncover the truth. Filled with food, friendship, and intrigue, this charming mystery is perfect for fans of whodunits and literary tourism.

The Divorce by Freida McFadden

Freida McFadden’s next release is a twisty, addictive thriller about a woman who refuses to accept the life her husband has left her with. As Naomi becomes increasingly fixated on his new girlfriend, what begins as curiosity quickly spirals into something more dangerous. In a story where revenge and survival blur, she’ll stop at nothing to reclaim what she believes is hers. It’s guaranteed to be a twisted, addictive story!

The Queen Who Came in From the Cold by S.J. Bennett

Set in 1960s England, this next installment in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series follows Queen Elizabeth II as she’s drawn into another mystery after a possible murder is spotted from the royal train—though no one else saw a thing. As she and her assistant investigate, the case quickly entangles them in a web of espionage, secrets, and Cold War tension. Perfect for fans of The Crown and classic British mysteries, the series continues to deliver charm and intrigue.

The Summer of Lost Things by Jenn Bennett

Perfect for fans of Outer Banks and adventure-filled romance, this story follows two former best friends as they reunite for one last shot at finding a legendary treasure in their small beach town. As Paige and Seb dive back into the mystery, old feelings resurface alongside long-buried secrets. I love Jenn Bennett’s young adult romances, so I’m especially excited to dive into this swoony, high-stakes adventure.

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

When two strangers inherit the same beach house, they’re forced to spend the summer together, fixing it up—whether they like it or not. As Hannah and Simon clash over the property, their partnership slowly shifts into something neither of them expected. From the author of Summer Reading, this heartfelt rom-com blends enemies-to-lovers tension with small-town charm and a love story that might just be worth holding onto.