May 2026 Reading Wrap Up

Somehow, it’s already time to share my May 2026 reading wrap-up!

Thankfully, May was a much better reading month for me! The warmer weather has finally arrived, and I’m loving the longer days and the chance to read outside in the sunshine. After a slower start to the year, I finally feel like I found my reading groove this month.

In May, I read six books—five 2026 releases and one backlist title. It felt so good to curl up with stories that kept me turning the pages.

I’m really hoping to carry this reading momentum into June, especially once the school season ends, I can officially kick off my summer reading plans. For now, here’s everything I read in May 2026!

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By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin Book Cover

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Book Cover

By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin. This was such a sweet, cozy small-town romance. I loved watching Luna find her place in the community, and the friendships, cowboy vibes, and charming Texas setting made it a fun read. While I wasn’t as invested in the romance as I’d hoped, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and can’t wait to see what Alexa Martin does next in this world.

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez. This was my book club’s bonus pick for the month, and wow—I loved every minute of it. The yearning, the friendship, and the slow development of Chris and Larissa’s relationship completely won me over. Five-star reads have been hard to come by this year, but this one absolutely hit the spot and is a book I can see myself re-reading.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen. I was so excited to finally have a new Sarah Dessen book to read after such a long wait! This one was sweet, nostalgic, and full of the thoughtful character moments that always keep me coming back to her stories. While it didn’t become a new favourite, it was an enjoyable read and a lovely return to Sarah Dessen’s world. I can’t wait to see what she releases next!

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Book Cover

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez Book Cover

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. This was my book club’s official pick for the month, and it definitely fell outside my usual reading comfort zone. I loved the premise and found its exploration of influencer culture and online life incredibly interesting. While the writing style didn’t fully work for me and felt a bit choppy at times, I still enjoyed the story overall and appreciated the unique ideas it brought to the table. I’m excited to see the discussion this book sparks when my book club meets.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. I picked this up immediately after finishing The Night We Met, and I can’t believe I waited so long to read it. Abby Jimenez did a wonderful job portraying the realities of a long-distance relationship while capturing the love, effort, and commitment that make those relationships work. I didn’t love it quite as much as The Night We Met, but it was still a heartfelt and memorable read.

The Name Game by Beth O’Leary. This was my first Beth O’Leary novel, and while I enjoyed parts of it, it didn’t fully come together for me. I was intrigued by all the buzz surrounding the twist, and I will admit the reveal was incredibly interesting. However, the diary-and-email format sometimes left me confused, and that confusion only increased once everything was revealed. Overall, it was a good read, but not quite the standout I was hoping for.