New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on May 27
At thirty, Max is tired: of dysphoria, of bad exes, of the nagging sense that life should feel better by now. After a dramatic fall at a New Year's Eve party, she resolves to try something new: heteronormative romance. Enter Vincent. His affection offers Max a glimpse of the stability she's always thought out of reach. But Vincent has unresolved history of his own, and as old wounds resurface, Max is forced to confront what forgiveness truly requires. Can she make peace with her past, and with his?
Disappoint Me is a funny, sharp and emotionally resonant novel that explores love, loss, identity and the tangled webs of millennial life. Through dual perspectives, Nicola Dinan delves into the complexities of race, gender and family, examining what it means to confront the painful mistakes of those closest to us.
RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out On May 20 The Bombshell by Darrow Farr
A politician's daughter, 17-year-old Severine Guimard is bold, beautiful and craving stardom. Her moment in the spotlight comes when she's kidnapped by a group of bumbling militants fighting for Corsican independence. As ransom negotiations stall, Severine begins charming her captors, immersing herself in their radical politics and transforming from hostage to figurehead of a revolution.
Youthful passion, political awakening and first love abound in Darrow Farr's debut novel. Taking place over the course of one Mediterranean summer, The Bombshell is a glamorous literary achievement. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
23-year-old Maya Killgore can't stop thinking about Conor Harkness, her older brother's best friend and a man 15 years her senior. Things come to a head when they're thrown together for a weeklong wedding in Taormina. Tension simmers between ancient ruins, breathtaking coastlines and chaotic family drama. Despite every reason not to pursue him, Maya senses Conor might be hiding something. A summer fling, however complicated, might be worth the risk.
It wouldn't be summer without a new Ali Hazelwood. Problematic Summer Romance features enemies-to-lovers, an age gap, forced proximity and plenty of other tropes that fans will love.
RELATED: Book Review: Behooved When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur
When Dawson Sumter disappears in Carrion, Georgia, all that's left behind is blood in the motel Neera Singh's parents own. Disappearances like this are common, especially every 13 years when the cicadas return. Neera, determined to find Dawson, teams up with three other teens to investigate. As they uncover secrets, they discover the town's wealth may be tied to an ancient legend of three devils. Together, they must uncover the truth and escape the town's dark grip.
When Devils Sing is an atmospheric horror novel set in a haunting, rural Georgia landscape. Fans of She Is a Haunting, Mexican Gothic and Midsommar will love Xan Kaur's debut. Love in Focus by Lyla Lee
When her seven-year relationship ends, jaded advice columnist Gemma Cho is ready to give up on love. She dives into her work, where she's assigned a high-profile piece on modern romance with world-renowned photographer Celeste Min. The catch? Celeste is Gemma's college ex, the one who broke her heart and vanished overseas. As the two navigate old wounds, undeniable chemistry and a story that could revive Gemma's career, they must decide if love deserves a second shot, or if some heartbreaks are better left in the past.
Lyla Lee's new book release is also her adult fiction debut! Love in Focus is a charming second chance romance perfect for fans of The Bold Type and Delilah Green Doesn't Care .
RELATED: 10 Books With Queer Protagonists to Read All Year Round Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim
Every generation, the Major Gods host a Celestial Banquet, where chefs compete for the Peaches of Immortality. Hot-headed noodle chef Cai enters the competition with dreams of opening a restaurant and supporting her struggling town. With the help of a drunken Minor God, her childhood friend Bo and noble Seon, Cai faces impossible culinary challenges, from hunting sea serpents to cooking with mystical ingredients. As Cai navigates fierce competition and complicated feelings, she is determined to create a feast worthy of the gods. Even if it means risking her life.
The publisher describes Celestial Banquet as ' Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games ' and I absolutely love it. Roselle Lim's new book release combines cooking competitions with literal gods in what promises to be a super fun way. Amplitudes edited by Lee Mandelo
Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity is a bold and imaginative sci-fi anthology exploring what queer life could look like, whether centuries ahead or just around the corner. From dystopian knights and Appalachian romance to skyscraper domesticity and galactic dance floors, these inventive tales blend raw emotion, protest, and play. Featuring never-before-published stories from acclaimed and emerging LGBTQIA+ voices, this collection is a celebration of queer resilience, creativity and possibility.
RELATED: 6 More Trans and Nonbinary Writers to Check Out Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi
A veteran and weary private eye, Bouba wants nothing more than to keep his head down in a city veiled in dust and tension. But when a bleeding woman appears on his doorstep and vanishes just as quickly, he falls into a dangerous mystery suspended between two cultures. As unrest simmers between the French occupiers and the long-oppressed dugulen, Bouba must confront buried truths, ancestral powers, and a city teetering on the edge of chaos. Navigating hidden factions, colonial violence, and ghosts of his own past, he's forced to decide where he stands, and how much of himself he's willing to give up for justice.
Harmattan Season is a gritty, genre-bending mystery of identity, legacy and power in a world where nothing stays buried for long. Drawing from the tradition of Raymond Chandler and Agatha Christie, Tochi Onyebuchi's standalone novel is a gripping fantasy noir. And They Were Roommates by Page Powars
Starting fresh at an elite all-boys school, Charlie's goal is simple: keep his head down, guard his secret, and make it through the year as the academy's only trans student. His plan falls apart, however, when his assigned roommate is Jasper Grimes, the boy who unknowingly broke his heart pre-transition. Jasper doesn't recognize him, and Charlie agrees to ghostwrite love letters to earn a private room. But as late-night talks turn into something deeper, Charlie must decide if he should protect his secret, or risk his heart for a second chance at love.
Utterly unrealistic and yet still incredibly charming, And They Were Roommates is a fun, silly YA romance. Page Powars' new book release will delight fans of Casey McQuiston and Lex Croucher.
RELATED: Book Review: Gwen and Art Are Not In Love The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell
Maggie Fishbone doesn't expect much when she's sent to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls, a last resort after causing too much trouble at her last orphanage. But the Institute isn't dreadful at all. Instead, it's full of curious girls training to solve mysteries and fight bad guys. Between fencing lessons and exploring, Maggie makes friends and finally feels at home. When a woman goes missing, Maggie embarks on her first assignment, uncovering the city's hidden secrets.
Fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Mysterious Benedict Society will love The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls . Featuring beautiful black-and-white illustrations and 'Useful Things Every Girl Should Know' this is a whimsical, adventure-packed mystery from bestselling author-illustrator Judith Rossell.
You can check out these new book releases at Bookshop.org or your local bookstore. What May 27 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR.
12 Debut Books Releasing In 2025 You Have to Check Out
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