Sapphic romance, fantasy sequels and Greek mythology: 11 May 2025 releases to add to your TBR
May is always a huge month for book releases and there are some books coming out in May that I am chomping at the bit for, and a few that I’m keeping an eye on to see the reviews and reception before I commit, but my interest is piqued. I have books on a list. I have my eyes on some covers.
I have a hefty TBR for next month (when don’t I…) but I’m really hoping to make some space for some of these upcoming releases and actually read some 2025 books in a timely manner. Stranger things have happened…
I have an advanced copy of one of these and I have another three pre-ordered, but these are the 10 books I’m most excited for or curious about coming in May 2025.
‘The Devils’ by Joe Abercrombie (6 May)
Plague and famine stalk the land, monsters lurk in every shadow and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions. Only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone.
‘A Letter from the Lonesome Shore’ by Sylvie Cathrall (6 May)
Former correspondents E. and Henerey, accustomed to loving each other from afar, did not anticipate continuing their courtship in an enigmatic underwater city. When their journey through the Structure in E.'s garden strands them in a peculiar society preoccupied with the pleasures and perils of knowledge, E. and Henerey come to accept--and, more surprisingly still, embrace--the fact that they may never return home.
‘Lore Olympus: Volume 8’ by Rachel Smythe (6 May)
Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love – the Greek tale of Hades and Persephone gets a romantic modern update in the gorgeously illustrated, Eisner Award-winning Lore Olympus.
‘Nevermoor: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow’ by Jessica Townsend (8 May)
In the magical city of Nevermoor, long-buried secrets are coming to light, and Morrigan Crow's life is about to turn upside down. When Morrigan is invited into Nevermoor's wealthy Silver District, she discovers a world of extravagance and a family mystery she's eager to unravel. She could never imagine where it will lead: a white wedding, a golden dragon and a red pool of blood.
‘Dream On, Ramona Riley’ by Ashley Herring Blake (13 May)
Once upon a time, Ramona Riley was a student at a prestigious art school, with dreams of landing in Hollywood as a costume designer to the stars. But after her father's car accident, she had to quit and return to her small New Hampshire town. Dylan Monroe has always lived an unconventional life, having famous rock icons for parents. But she wants to prove that she's not some chaotic, talentless nepo baby.
‘Immaculate Conception’ by Ling Ling Huang (13 May)
Blisteringly smart, thought-provoking, and eerily timely, Immaculate Conception deftly navigates big questions of art, technology, authorship, and what makes us human. Its answers will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
‘The Incandescent’ by Emily Tesh (13 May)
Dr Walden is the Director of Magic at Chetwood School and one of the most powerful magicians in England. Her days consist of meetings, teaching A-Level Invocation to four talented, chaotic sixth formers, more meetings and securing the school's boundaries from demonic incursions.
‘The Starving Saints’ by Caitlin Starling (20 May)
From the nationally bestselling author of The Luminous Dead and The Death of Jane Lawrence, a transfixing fever dream of medieval horror following three women in a besieged castle that descends ravenously into madness under the spell of mysterious, godlike visitors.
‘The Knight and the Moth’ by Rachel Gillig (20 May)
From New York Times and multi-million-copy bestselling author Rachel Gillig comes the next big romantasy phenomenon: a gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a prophetess who is forced on an impossible quest with the one devilishly handsome knight whose future is beyond her sight.
‘Probelmatic Summer Romance’ by Ali Hazelwood (27 May)
Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life. Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him. It's such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother's best friend and the girl he never even knew existed.
Are any of these on your May TBR? Do you have any pre-orders for next month?
Written by Sophie
