I’m late with my May reading wrap-up, but I was determined to still make it happen. I read some really interesting and great books this month with a fun mix of genres; let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 8

2025 releases: 3

Physical books: 4

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood (5 stars) – Ali Hazelwood never misses for me. So many of her books have been in the 5-star range because I just enjoy the crap out of them, and Not in Love was no exception. I think reading it this year was good timing, since one of her upcoming releases features a spin-off with a romance between two side characters; I loved both leads and their dynamics, as well as her continual focus on women in STEM. So excited to have more to read from her soon.

How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr (4 stars) – This nonfiction book was EXTREMELY informative; I can’t tell you how much I learned, and how much was glossed over in other tellings of American history. It made me embarrassed for being so ignorant of the history of American colonialism, and I was continually telling friends and family facts from this book that I feel like everyone needs to know. It is dense, long, and information-heavy, but it obviously has a lot to say.

Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake (4 stars) – This was a really good Sapphic contemporary romance between a movie star and a local fashion designer that I enjoyed the heck out of; it’s my favorite book from this author since Delilah Green, and I definitely recommend it. It had a good mix of small-town and Hollywood vibes, with a sweet romance and well-drawn main characters.

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang (4 stars) – This was a really interesting fabulist read featuring a mysterious Goop-esque beauty company and how it treats its employees, but it also is a down-to-earth look at the main character’s extremely difficult life and financial struggles. It also features a Sapphic romance and eerie mystery; I’m interested to read more from this author.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto (4 stars) – This was a really fun surprise for me! YA thrillers just aren’t a genre I gravitate towards; the only one I can remember ever reading was Sadie, but this book, with its toxic friendship dynamics and central mystery, kept me hooked. I also loved the ending and feel like it sets up nicely for a sequel that I have no idea whether it will get or not, but I’ll keep reading Julie Soto for sure regardless.

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco (4 stars) – I had to DNF this author’s YA series set in this same world, but had much better luck with her adult debut, which is a romantasy between the demon Prince of Envy and an artist living in pseudo-Regency England who reluctantly team up for a magical competition with extremely high stakes. It was a fun read with a lot of twists and no shortage of plot, despite focusing on romance; I plan to continue with this series.

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (4 stars) – This classic lesbian vampire novel has been on my list for awhile; it’s a very short read and I found the writing engaging despite the fact that it’s an older book. I was fully absorbed while reading it and recommend it to those, like me, who are fans of lesbian vampires.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (3.5 stars) – Unfortunately a disappointment for me coming from Emily Henry; not her worst book for me (that dubious dishonor goes to Happy Place), but I really wish it had worked better for me. I think it’s great for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I liked but didn’t love, and I do think the present-day romance suffered due to the emphasis on the past storyline, which I found more interesting.