May 2026 Book Reviews and Recommendations
I think I read more books in May than any other month thus far. Looking back, I’m surprised at the amount of mysteries I read this month. I guess I was in the mood for suspense and thrill, though a couple of the mysteries leaned more towards comedy. I hope my reviews and book ratings below help you find your next great read.
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Excellent (4.5 – 5 Stars)
Mad Mabel
Published Date: April 2026
Genre: Mystery
How I Read: Kindle
I will read anything Sally Hepworth writes; she is so good, there are always twists I don’t catch.
Mabel is a young girl born to a wealthy Australian family. Her parents are distant. They travel often and throw extravagant parties, but her aunt and aunt’s “best friend” often care for her.
She is known as “Mad Mabel” in her community because numerous people in her life have died or had serious accidents while in her presence.
Readers know that Mabel is the youngest Australian to be convicted of murder at the beginning of the story. Through interviews, we learn her entire past. She’s now a spirited old woman with found family in her neighborhood. The book jumps back and forth between the past and present. Highly recommend.
To Cage A Wild Bird
Published Date: September 2025
Genre: Dystopian
How I Read: Paper
For readers of The Hunger Games and Silver Elite, Raven is a bounty hunter with one goal: to keep her younger brother fed and alive. Ever since her parents were arrested and killed many years before for being leaders of the Collective, she has taken responsibility for her brother. Now her brother has been arrested and sent to Endlock, where wealthy citizens can pay to hunt the jailed criminals.
Raven purposefully gets arrested to try to save her brother. She makes an agreement with the Collective. If she helps a specific prisoner escape from Endlock, they can help her.
There’s some spice. Friendship. Enemies to lovers. Planning an escape. Being hunted felt straight out of The Hunger Games but much less elaborate. I will read book two when it is published.
Dial A For Aunties
Published Date: April 2021
Genre: Murder Comedy
How I Read: Kindle
This is a quick, completely non-serious book. I laughed out loud numerous times.
A woman is set up by her Asian mother who created an online dating profile for her. The date ends poorly and now there is a body to get rid of. Her mom and aunts step in to help but it is the day of their biggest wedding to date. Each has a role in their wedding business- florist, photographer, makeup artist, etc.
Plus, a long-lost love makes a sudden appearance. It’s ridiculous in the best way.
Great (4 Stars)
Wild Reverence
Published Date: September 2025
Genre: Fantasy
How I Read: Kindle
I thought this was the sequel so for a few chapters I was confused but that’s on me. It’s the prequel! It’s great, just a tad slow and the romance didn’t stir me as the first did.
Matilda is a goddess in the underworld but her father is a god of the sky so she can pass between realms. She’s only a herald but eventually becomes more powerful and has an ability that makes her very interesting. Matilda falls for a mortal that she knew as a young girl through his dreams.
There’s war, love, magic, realms, and excellent storytelling.
The Island Club
Published Date: April 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
How I Read: Audio
Three women each have a big secret that threatens to upend their lives.
One just moved to try to get her husband, who works in Hollywood TV, to spend more time at home with the family but her plan backfires. Is he having an affair?
A neighbor has befriended her; she and her husband are super well-known and wealthy on the island. They own The Island Club – a recently opened tennis club. Her husband is hiding a big secret that could alter her life forever.
Lastly, another resident of the island has kept to herself for years. She might have the biggest secret of all. Tennis, affairs, female friendship- it’s very enjoyable.
Six of Crows
Published Date: September 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
How I Read: Paper
A street gang takes on an impossible task of capturing a scientist from the Ice Court. The money offered makes the job worth it but their lives are at stake.
Along for the journey are the wraith, a Grisha not well trained at healing, their leader who never tells them the full plan, a merchant’s son who is being used as leverage but might be more of a burden than help, and a sharpshooter who is careless with secrets.
They all have different traumatic backgrounds. The reader is never sure how they will get out of a certain situation. I enjoyed the pace and found the story entertaining.
The Night We Met
Published Date: March 2026
Genre: Romance
How I Read: Paper
A romance with lots of trauma. Longing, friends to lovers, long-term friendships, book lovers.
Larissa is super poor because her father opened a ton of credit card debt in her name. Chris is a pharmacist who recently lost his mom unexpectedly.
One night, Larissa chose his best friend to give her a ride home and now they are dating but did she choose wrong? Her boyfriend has a drinking problem unbeknownst to her. Chris covers for him often and all the thoughtful things her boyfriend does are usually ideas that come from Chris. Will this situation ever be rectified? Her nut allergy plays a big part in the story.
Emily’s Quest
Published Date: 1927
Genre: Classics
How I Read: Audio
The final in the trilogy. Everyone is leaving Emily as they venture into adulthood. She is continuing to write. The story focuses a lot on how lonely she is but there are some good (mostly predictable) twists. This will never be Anne of Green Gables.
The Calamity Club
Published Date: May 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
How I Read: Kindle
I found this to be a little slow and mostly depressing but she’s obviously a great writer.
Times are tough. Birdie is going to her sister’s to ask for money. Her sister married a man from a much wealthier family and he works at a bank. After spending time with her sister, it’s clear that their marriage is not as perfect as her sister tries to present it to be.
Another storyline is of an orphan girl who is singled out and treated horribly at the orphanage. The stories weave together.
The husband runs out on the family and the sisters need money quickly. Birdie comes up with a unique solution that could have serious consequences. This is a book containing a lot of heavy topics – maybe check trigger warnings.
Good (3.5 Stars)
You Deserve To Know
Published Date: March 2025
Genre: Mystery
How I Read: Audio
This was very twisty but it’s too much and ridiculous.
In the suburbs of DC, three families are friends and hang out all the time. But there are some jealousy issues because one mom wants another mom’s friendship all to herself.
There is murder, blackmail, tons of lying, affairs, and secrets from decades ago that come to light.
I had a hard time keeping the three women straight at times but I think that’s because I was listening to the audio version. Definitely not my favorite; too much happened too quickly in the story.
Look Closer
Published Date: July 2022
Genre: Mystery
How I Read: Kindle
A murder mystery that had a lot of twists but I just didn’t care for. None of the characters were likable.
A law professor wants full professorship but drama from his past and pressure from his superiors might stand in his way. He starts up an affair right before the ten-year anniversary of his marriage when his wife will finally be able to access millions in the family trust.
Will the police determine the true murderer? Will you as the reader? Things might not be truly as they seem.
Three Bags Full
Published Date: 2005
Genre: Mystery
How I Read: Audio
This book is super unique and creative but slow. The story is told from a flock of sheep’s point of view. They are trying to solve the murder of their shepherd, whom they found with a spade in his chest. There are multiple murder suspects.
A lot of the story is about how sheep think. Some backstory about the town and characters comes into play. It’s interesting, just too slow-moving for me. I think the movie might be quite good.
Okay (3 Stars)
Lake Effect
Published Date: March 2026
Genre: Fiction
How I Read: Kindle
The title is misleading. The whole book is depressing. What was the point?
Two families’ lives are completely upended in Rochester, NY when a mom of two teen girls and a dad who runs a grocery store in town leave together in the middle of the night to go to the Dominican Republic to get divorced from their spouses and marry each other. Their scandal has long-lasting effects on everyone.
Everything’s Coming Up Rosie
Published Date: June 2025
Genre: Romance
How I Read: Audio
This book should have been perfect for me – musical theatre plus Door County, but nope. Besides the name, there was absolutely nothing about Door County in this book.
As an actress in NYC, Rosie’s career has been a failure for a long time and she is now being kicked out of her apartment while all her childhood friends seem to be thriving.
For the summer, Rosie takes a job at a theater in Door County, WI but fails to read the details of the job description and is very taken aback when she arrives.
The whole book is about feelings (gag) mostly over her career and then a little bit over the man she falls instantly for (completely unbelievable). Honestly, even the good bits of musical theater weren’t included.
The Cowboy’s Game
Published Date: February 2026
Genre: Romance
How I Read: Audio
Friends to lovers. The reason I couldn’t get behind this romance is the unbelievability of the female main character. I think the author made her too pathetic. She made it to her late twenties being beautiful and athletic to only ever be in the friend zone and she’s never been kissed – doubtful. Plus, she went to college – give me a break.
Now her childhood male best friend is recently divorced with a cute young kid and is going to coach her on how to flirt. Ridiculous. Maybe a better plot for high school age but at late twenties, no thank you. The spice wasn’t spicy enough. Everything was too predictable and cliché.
Want to check out more book recommendations? Take a look at my April book reviews!
