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A new month is almost here, which means it is time for the May 2021 new book releases!
May is my birthday month, so of course I am planning to treat myself to some new books! There are some really good books on this list, so I don’t know how I will choose which ones to treat myself with. About half of the books on this list are being released the day before my birthday, so that is super exciting! I always take a trip to the book store on my birthday, so I will have plenty of choices this year.
This might be the best mix of genres I’ve had on a new book releases post. I have been branching out to genres outside my comfort zone this year, so researching new book releases each month has become harder but also more fun as I find new titles I wouldn’t normally reach for!
Most Anticipated May 2021 New Book Releases
The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter
Release Date: May 25
Delta, a photographer, becomes obsessed with a family after photographing the child’s birthday party. She begins to babysit the child and longs to be part of the family. She becomes a friends with the mother and a confidante for the father. But soon Delta realizes that the mother may also have plans to keep Delta in the family permanently.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance copy of this title.
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Release Date: May 11
Jake hasn’t published a novel in years. He is working as a college professor when a student, Evan, informs him he doesn’t need his help. Evan claims he already has a novel in the works, one he is sure will be published. Jake waits for the impending success of his student-but it never comes. Evan has died without finishing his novel. Jake decides Evan’s novel is a story worth telling, so he finishes the story. But soon after the novel is published, Jake receives an anonymous note: “You are a thief.” Jake begins to investigate Evan and discovers things that amaze and terrify him.
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
Release Date: May 4
The synopsis doesn’t give away too much about the plot of this book. It is the first book in a new series about Corayne, a girl who discovers she is the last of an ancient lineage that can save the world from destruction. She teams up with a diverse group of companions to stand against a vicious opponent who is determined to burn all kingdoms to ash.
More May 2021 Book Releases
May 4
Six Weeks to Live by Catherine McKenzie
Jennifer receives the terrible news that she has a brain tumor. She decides to spend the time she has left with her children and grandchildren. Then she discovers she may have been poisoned a year earlier. Now Jennifer is determined to uncover the truth. Did someone want her dead or is it all in her head?
Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee
Twin British-Chinese acrobats Val and Jamie travel aboard the Titanic in this YA historical fiction novel. Val has dreams of being an acrobat in America, but she is turned away at the gangway and must travel as a stowaway. Her brother Jamie is already on the ship, as is an influential circus owner that Val is determined to meet. Val only needs to hide for seven days, which should be easy, right?
Luck of the Titanic is the May Once Upon a Book Club YA book. Once Upon a Book Club is a unique subscription box where you open gifts at certain pages while you read the book! This box will be on sale through May 14 or while supplies last. You can use my rep code READWITHALLISON10 to save 10% off your purchase!
Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson
Best friends Kat and Stevie decide to sneak away from their home in the suburbs to spend a night on the town in NYC. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out, a lot can happen in one night, and the two friends must face obstacles together, including the future of their friendship.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Astronaut Ryland is the sole survivor of a mission to save humanity. The problem is, he can’t remember anything about his mission or even his name. All he knows is he is alone on a small space ship and the success of his mission will determine the very future of humanity.
Project Hail Mary is a May Book of the Month add-on! You can sign up with my link and get your first book for only $5.00!
Related: Is a Book of the Month Subscription Worth It?
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Owen disappears and leaves behind a note for his new wife-“Protect her.” His wife, Hannah, knows the note refers to his daughter, Bailey, who wants nothing to do with her new stepmother. Together they must work together to piece together why Owen disappeared and his true identity.
The Last Thing He Told Me is a May Book of the Month pick! You can sign up with my link and get your first book for only $5.00!
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Ariadne, Princess of Crete, defies her family and risks everything for love when she helps Theseus, Prince of Athens, kill her brother, the Minotaur. Now Ariadne must face the consequences of her actions.
Ariadne is a May Book of the Month add-on! You can sign up with my link and get your first book for only $5.00!
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian
Mary, a young Puritan woman, is desperate to divorce her abusive husband. But neighbors are always watching for signs of the devil, and soon Mary finds herself accused of being a witch after a series of unfortunate coincidences.
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
Lila moves back home after a horrible break up and must help save her Tita Rosa’s restaurant. After a notorious food critic (who is also her e-boyfriend) ends up dead, Lila is suddenly suspected of murder and must investigate the crime to clear her own name.
Arsenic and Adobo was an early release pick for Book of the Month in April! Remember to use my link and get your first book for only $5.00!
May 11
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Poppy and Alex are best friends with nothing in common. Somehow they make the friendship work, even though they live miles apart. Except for the one week each year that they take a vacation together. Or they did, until two years ago when they ruined everything. Now Poppy is determined to make things right by asking Alex to go on one last trip with her.
People We Meet on Vacation was an early release pick for Book of the Month in April! You can sign up with my link and get your first book for only $5.00!
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Daisy is exhausted by her life as a small business owner, wife, and mom. She begins to received emails intended for a woman named Diana, a single woman with an exciting career. The two women meet and become friends. But their connection is more than coincidental. Who is Diana and what does she want with Daisy?
May 18
Madam by Phoebe Wynne
Rose accepts a position at a prestigious girls’ school. The school has not hired a new teacher in over a decade. Rose soon learns that there may be more to the previous teacher’s dismissal than she thought, and soon she is investigating the school and it’s true purpose.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
Two women and a young girl, Delilah, disappear from the same location in a small town. Eleven years later, Delilah returns and the community wants answers. But they may not be prepared for what they discover..
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Jess, a single mom, decides to join a new DNA-based dating service called GeneticAlly. She matches with the service’s creator, Dr. Pena, by 98%. Jess can’t wrap her head around the match-she knows Dr. Pena and thinks he is stubborn and stuck-up. But then GeneticAlly offers to pay her to date Dr. Pena as a promotion for the dating app. As Jess gets to know Dr. Pena more, she may find that there is more to being soulmates than she originally thought.
Which May 2021 new book releases are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments!
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