5 new books you need to read in May 2025 - including Love Island thriller and ‘incredible' romantasy
May is shaping up to be a big month for new releases, whatever genre you prefer reading
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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