5 new books you need to read in May 2025 - including Love Island thriller and ‘incredible' romantasy
Between Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry's latest romances and new releases from Suzanne Collins and Lauren Roberts, April was a big month for readers.
And May is shaping up to be just as big, with lots more exciting releases on the way, including a thriller that's been described as Love Island meets White Lotus, and a debut that's perfect for fans of Emerald Fennell's viral 2023 hit, Saltburn.
Without further ado, here are five books being released in May 2025 you need to read this year, whether you're a fan of romance, literary fiction, thrillers or fantasy. For more book recommendations, reviews and news, you can also click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.
The Tenant by Freida McFadden
The Tenant is bestselling author Freida McFadden's latest thriller - and it looks to be just as twisty as all her others. The Housemaid author's new novel follows Blake, who has just been fired from his job and is left struggling to make the mortgage payments on the new townhouse he shares with his fiancée.
The synopsis continues: 'Enter Whitney. Beautiful, charming, down-to-earth, and looking for a room to rent. She's exactly what Blake's looking for. Or is she?'
Sunstruck by William Rayfet Hunter
The debut novel from the winner of #Merky Books' 2022 New Writers' Prize, Sunstruck follows a working-class Black man as he attempts to navigate the opulent world of his university friend Lily's wealthy family. He finds himself captivated by Lily's charismatic brother Felix as they holiday in the south of France.
But when they return to London, the cracks in the Blake family's careful facade begin to show, with their secrets and choices affecting all those around them. The book explores race, status and the parts of ourselves we risk losing when we fall in love.
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
If you've ever spent even just a couple of minutes scrolling through BookTok, you'll have heard of Rachel Gillig. The bestselling author of the One Dark Window duology is back with a brand new novel, The Knight and the Moth, which will be the first in a new gothic duology called The Stonewater Kingdom.
The Knight and the Moth follows Sybil, a diviner forced to leave her life behind and venture out on an impossible quest with Rodrick, the one knight whose future she cannot see.
This is one of Goodreads' most anticipated books of the month, with early reviews describing The Knight and the Moth as 'absolutely incredible' and 'even better than One Dark Window'.
People Pleaser by Catriona Stewart
People Pleaser is Catriona Stewart's debut novel and follows Maggie Lathrop, a struggling actress whose life is transformed overnight when she wins LoveShack, America's most popular reality dating show.
But when she is found murdered in a Los Angeles warehouse and the police fail to come up with any answers as to what happened to her, her sister Emma steps in to investigate herself.
Described as Love Island meets White Lotus, this pacy thriller is full of memorable characters and unpredictable twists. It's the perfect holiday read for anyone fascinated by the world of reality TV.
Ride with Me by Simone Soltani
Romance fans, this one is for you. Ride with Me tells the story of Stella, who was left at the altar before having to show up to her cousin's hen party just two weeks later, and Thomas, a Formula 1 driver with a new reputation as the most hated man on the grid.
When the two singles wake up married in Las Vegas, they decide staying together may just be the answer to all of their problems. Perfect for the summer, even readers who aren't used to the sports romance genre will find it hard not to immediately fall in love with Stella and Thomas.
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The Guardian
3 days ago
- The Guardian
‘Don't feel like you have to stop at one': the shiny, thrifty brooch revival
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Alternatively, take a leaf out of Zendaya's book and fasten one to the back of a coat or dress – just watch out for your handbag strap if you do it. 'There are no rules,' Cummings says. 'I also love to wear them over the top button of a shirt or pinned to a straw hat in summer.' A brooch is a great way to break up an all-black outfit, to fasten a scarf thrown over the shoulders or to add some sparkle to a basket or handbag. If you're looking to start, or add to, a brooch collection, try searching for vintage brooches on secondhand sites such as Vestiaire Collective or online marketplaces such as Etsy, eBay and 1stDibs – the results page feels like rifling through a wealthy, bohemian grandmother's jewellery box. Antique stores and vintage markets also often have extensive brooch collections, if you prefer to peruse in real life. From gold nose-and-mouth sculptures by Salvador Dalí to 1980s Lanvin flowers and enamel and rhinestone sea shells – each pin contains the possibility of another, fancier world. At their best, brooches should feel like small sculptures – striking from afar but still full of detail when you come closer, Cummings says. 'Weight and balance are important but above all it should carry a sense of story.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
9 books you need to read before they hit the screen
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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Hollywood star's ‘nepo-niece' begs for a job and admits she's unemployed after ‘stupid' decision to move to London
The aspiring host paid tribute to her boyfriend after leaving him behind Down Under FRESH START Hollywood star's 'nepo-niece' begs for a job and admits she's unemployed after 'stupid' decision to move to London AN A-list Hollywood star's niece is begging for a job after making a "stupid" decision to move from Australia to London. Lucia Hawley, 26, quit her gig as a host of digital show 7Bravo before moving to the UK. 4 Lucia Hawley has swapped Sydney for London Credit: Instagram 4 The nepo-niece is looking for work after quitting her TV gig Credit: Instagram She's yet to land a job in Blighty but insists the big life change feels "freeing". She wrote on Substack, "On June 18, I officially made the move to London. On paper, this is a totally stupid decision, and honestly, frightens me (someone hire me pls). 'I am risk-averse, which means my body quite literally rejects the idea of both moving overseas being unemployed.' Lucia, whose auntie is Nicole Kidman, left her boyfriend, Henry, Down Under though spoke glowingly of his unwavering support and the way he has shaped her view of the world. READ MORE ON NICOLE KIDMAN BEACH PLEASE Nicole Kidman puts her long legs on display in just a low-cut bodysuit She wrote, 'Saying goodbye to Henry was incredibly difficult (I am traumatized by airport goodbyes). Even harder were the goodbyes to my family — I kissed my little brothers through floods of tears,' 'It is exciting and freeing and kind of what life is all about. I believe home to be a feeling… Having a strong network of people who support you is what truly enables you to navigate the world with confidence and self-assurance.' Bachelor star Bella Varelis has replaced Lucia on 7Bravo, on which she would regularly report from red carpet events and interview famous names. Explaining why she decided to leave the role, Lucia said, "Well, truthfully, the first six months of the year were difficult for me career-wise. "I lacked direction and faced numerous rejections in the pursuit of something better. This period was pretty taxing on my confidence, and I eventually began to feel like there was just simply not much left for me in Sydney (at least for now)." Last year Lucia went viral for getting flustered while chatting to Elvis heartthrob Austin Butler. Nicole Kidman breaks down in tears making emotional tribute to her late parents as she accepts prestigious award The charismatic American fired off a series of questions and asked if they'd met before as she looked familiar. And more recently she was snapped looking annoyed after missing out on an interview with Ariana Grande at the Sydney premiere of Wicked. The TV star, who once had an internship at Vogue Australia, has experience of being on the other side of the carpet rope due to her close relationship with Kidman. Last year she attended the actress's AFI Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony in LA and six months later she reportedly spent time at Kidman's Nashville home. An emotional Kidman was presented her AFI award by Meryl Streep, herself a recipient in 2004. Speaking at the ceremony, she said, 'It is a privilege to make films. And glorious to have made films and television with these storytellers who allowed me to run wild and be free and play all of these unconventional women. 'Thank you for making me better at my craft and giving me a place, however temporary, in this world.' 4 Lucia with famous auntie Nicole Kidman Credit: Instagram
