What I Read in May 2022

I am kind of in disbelief but I read 22 books in May. 22! What! I have never read that much in one month. But May was the month I finally got back into my audiobook groove. I also tried to really pick up titles I am excited about and truly want to read. As someone who wants to say yes to every single ARC, this is more challenging than you’d think. But I read some FANTASTIC books in May. I also had my solo trip to Connecticut that allowed me to finish some audiobooks quickly. Ultimately though, I read books that made me excited so I couldn’t put them down.

May was also a horribly difficult month and while newsfeeds have moved forward, I will be continuing to fight for gun control.

May we all have that energy for the rest of 2022.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Read video audio and it was so cute. I really think Casey’s voice is suited for YA. They write such fantastic friend groups and how they write about self discovery is so valuable to young readers. I’m not a huge John Green fan, so I didn’t love the Looking for Alaska esque storyline of this book, but i adored the characters.

Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood

Another audio novella from the author of The Love Hypothesis. I thought it was just okay. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more with I read it with my eyes, but I just didn’t vibe with the story. Fun concept though, I love being “snowed in”.

How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! It’s out June 14 and it’s the perfect combination of fun and sexy for Summer with really important character discovery and growth. I loved it! TW: alcoholism

Love Next Door by Helena Hunting

I’d had this book on my TBR for about a year! I love a lake house setting and I thought this book was cute. Liked it, didn’t love it. I great audiobook for a road trip!

Love on the Lake by Helena Hunting

But book 2! I loved this one. I finished this on my drive home from Connecticut and it was so engaging. Had I read it with my eyes, I may have been annoyed at the Insta Love, but on audio it was perfect. The ending surprised me by how deep we went into addiction but that’s why I love Romance so much. It’s not afraid to showcase real world issues amidst a happily ever after.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

I love this book I love this book I love this book. I truly don’t think I’ll ever get over just how much I loved this book. I feel very protective over the characters. It’s a perfect summer read, set at a lake house and follows the love story of Percy and Sam over seven summers and one weekend in their adulthood.

Finding Me by Viola Davis

I haven’t had such visceral reactions to a memoir in a long time. Viola Davis’ story is one you don’t want to miss. She reads the audio so I highly recommend it! But it can be difficult to read at times. She has achieved so much through hard work and grit.

Island Time by Georgia Clark

If you love family sagas and happily ever afters, I think you’ll love Georgia Clark’s latest. It’s a sapphic romance at its center, but is also set on a gorgeous island in Australia. Two families, connected through their daughters’ marriage, a natural disaster, and self discovery; it’s delightful.

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

One of my favorite tropes is “behind the scenes” and this books takes us behind the scenes of a writer who usually writes Hallmark-esque movies. But after her husband leaves her, she writes a script that is award worthy. We go behind the scenes of that filming and the next stage of her romantic life. It’s a quick read that is sweet, swoony, heartbreaking and just a little cheesy.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen

I have been wanting to read this book for so LONG and I’m so glad I read it when I did. The concept of motherhood has been at the forefront of the news so much for May 2022 and this book captured so many different feelings surrounding it that I hadn’t been able to put into words.

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

While I love an open door romance when i’m reading a physical book, I’ve found I don’t mind fade to black or closed door romances when I read them via audio. I thought The Cheat Sheet was super cute! I highly recommend the audio because the miscommunication trope is rampant in this one (as with most best friends to lovers) but the audio makes it feel like their talking it through with you so it’s slightly more bearable.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

When you’re in the headspace, this book is a must read. it took me a little while to get through because the world has been so heavy, but wow. WOW. The title says it all and I found it rather cathartic.

American Royalty by Tracey Livesay

A new royal romance is on the way! If you want an easy, breezy romance this will be perfect. It’s open door and quite spicy when there are moments but there aren’t a lot of them..

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

I know a lot of people haven’t loved C.Lo’s latest books, but I thought this book was fun. It’s easy and like Yellowstone meets National Treasure.

A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia

This book isn’t out until July but gosh did I enjoy it. I love Iman so much and I think she balanced so many aspects of the story well. It’s entertaining and glamourous but also very real and relatable.

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

I will say, this book left me surprised and intrigued. The first 50% were quite slow but once it took off, it took off. I don’t read within the thriller genre often, but I do like Riley’s books. I definitely enjoyed this one!

The Beach by RS Grey

A purely fun and sexy novella. I needed something light after HOUSE and it a great little time. Best friend’s brother trope, only one bed, and about 2 hours on audio!

For the Love of the Bard by Jessica Martins

I loved the concept of this book and I’m glad I read it for writing purposes, cause I learned a lot. There was A LOT going on, a bit too much I think, but it’s still cute.

The Summer of Christmas by Keith and Juliet Giglio

I had high hopes for this book and it’s another one that sounds brilliant in concept but I didn’t love the writing. You can tell the authors are screenwriters because the structure would work so well on film but it was too much for a book.

The Lifestyle by Taylor Hahn

I think this was one of my favorites of the month! It’s an Emma retelling and I found it to be just the right about of absurd, thought provoking, fun, and taboo/sexy for a summer read.

Fake it Til You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

A super cute, delicious romance about a cupcake baking NFL star and hated reality tv star.

You’ll Make a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

I loved this book SO much. It was raw and gritty but also so heart wrenching and romantic.

What was your favorite read of May?