12 New Releases // May 2026
It was a big book haul in April, so these 12 new releases for May can’t exceed more than that! If you don’t know why I started doing 12 new releases, please read January’s blog post.
Here are the 12 May releases I am most excited for…
I have included the title, author and synopsis of the books in the image above, below:
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore
“Love is the last thing Daisy expects to find. After a string of bad relationships and rumours that her flower shop is cursed, she’s struggling to keep both her business and her spirits alive in the cosy town of Dream Harbor. Newcomer Elliot is also trying to move on from heartbreak. Settling into small-town life hasn’t been easy, and he’s done his best to avoid anything that might bring more chaos into his world , including Daisy’s infamous flower shop. But when fate unexpectedly brings them together, the two begin to realise there may be more to Dream Harbor than bad luck and old gossip. As friendships grow and sparks begin to fly, Daisy and Elliot must decide whether they’re ready to open their hearts again. Set in a charming seaside town filled with warmth, romance and community spirit, this is a heartwarming story about fresh starts, unexpected connections and finding love where you least expect it.”
Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey
“After a heartbreaking setback at work, NICU nurse Daisy Stevens leaves everything behind for a fresh start in the seaside town of Cape Carolina. Hoping for a quieter life, she instead finds herself caught up in an unexpected event that quickly draws the whole community together. Baseball coach Mason Thaysden has spent years feeling stuck after an injury ended his dreams of playing professionally. As he helps Daisy settle into town life, the two form a connection neither of them expected. Surrounded by colourful locals, family drama and the warmth of small-town living, Daisy and Mason begin facing the struggles they’ve both tried to leave behind. But when long-hidden secrets start coming to light, the peaceful charm of Cape Carolina is threatened. Emotional and heartwarming, this is a story about healing, second chances, community and discovering that sometimes the life you never planned for can become exactly what you need.“
Rules For The Summer by Meghan Quinn
“Renley Gossage is determined to save her struggling candy shop on her own. Independent and stubborn, she has no interest in relying on anyone, especially not a wealthy stranger with an unexpected proposal. Theo Williams arrives in Cape Meril with a problem of his own. Desperate to keep his future on track, he offers Renley a deal that could solve both their troubles: a fake engagement for the summer in exchange for helping her business survive. With clear rules in place, neither of them plans on getting emotionally involved. But between small-town gossip, family chaos and spending more time together than expected, their arrangement quickly becomes complicated. As summer unfolds, Renley and Theo are forced to confront their fears, past mistakes and what they truly want from life. Warm, funny and full of romantic tension, this is a charming small-town romance about taking chances, learning to trust and discovering that some rules are meant to be broken.”
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
“Frankie and George have been best friends for years, constantly drifting apart and finding their way back to each other. But as Frankie’s wedding approaches, their friendship feels more uncertain than ever, and she’s no longer sure where they stand. When unexpected events leave Frankie heartbroken, George convinces her not to give up on the honeymoon she had planned. Together, they escape to the stunning coastal beauty of Tofino for one unforgettable week. As they spend time together away from everyday life, old memories, hidden feelings and unresolved tensions begin to surface. What starts as a chance to mend their friendship soon becomes something far more complicated. Set against a breathtaking backdrop of beaches and rainforests, this emotional and romantic story explores love, friendship and the difficult choices that come with growing up. Heartfelt and tender, it’s a story about second chances and discovering whether some connections are simply impossible to leave behind.”
Broken Dove by Dani Francis
“After escaping the Prime-controlled capital, Wren Darlington finally reaches safety with the Uprising. While her former commander and lover, Cross Redden, remains behind enemy lines, Wren joins the fight to bring down the Primes once and for all. But safety doesn’t mean peace. Trust is fragile within the rebel base, and secrets seem to surround everyone, including Cross. As the war grows more dangerous, Wren struggles to know who she can truly rely on. Things become even more complicated when she reunites with Grayson Blake, a skilled pilot and undercover operative from her past. Once one of her closest friends, Gray understands Wren in ways no one else does. As tensions rise and the battle for the future intensifies, Wren is forced to face impossible choices about loyalty, sacrifice and the people she’s willing to fight for. Fast-paced and emotional, this is a gripping story of rebellion, betrayal and survival.”
The Seaside Book Club by Helen Rolfe
“Meeting online late at night, the group becomes a welcome escape from the struggles of everyday life. Recently retired Howard joins to ease his loneliness. Margot treasures the club as a rare chance to feel like herself again. Across the world, Faye turns to the meetings for distraction and support during a difficult time. Though they have never met in person, the friendships formed through books soon become deeply important to them all. So when Howard suddenly stops showing up, concern quickly grows. Determined to find answers, Margot and Faye leave their own worries behind and travel to Dorset in search of their missing friend. Warm, emotional and uplifting, this story celebrates friendship, community and the powerful ways books can bring people together.”
The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker
“Raeve is still driven by revenge, but her growing connection to Kaan Vaegor forces her to question the path she’s on. Haunted by her past and the choices she’s made, she faces a future filled with impossible decisions as a devastating threat approaches. Meanwhile, Kaan struggles under the weight of leadership as he fights to protect his kingdom from collapse. With allies scattered and danger closing in, time is quickly running out. As tensions rise and powerful forces begin to clash, long-buried secrets start to surface. At the centre we have the mystery tied to Raeve’s forgotten past, one that could change everything they thought they knew. Dark, emotional and filled with high-stakes fantasy, this story explores loyalty, sacrifice, hidden truths and the fight between destiny and choice.”
Fever Dream by Elsie SIlver
“Professional bull rider Emmett Bush joins a reality dating show, Romance Ranch, not for love, but for money. With the family farm is in trouble, the show is meant to be nothing more than a performance to secure his future. Julia Silva arrives on set as the location consultant, determined to keep things professional. She’s also the younger sister of Emmett’s biggest rival, which makes her strictly off-limits. Neither of them expects to feel drawn to the other. But as they spend more time together behind the scenes, tension turns into something harder to ignore. What begins as mutual irritation slowly shifts into stolen moments, secret meetings and a growing connection neither planned for. With cameras rolling and expectations high, Emmett is still supposed to find love on the show. But the feelings he develops aren’t part of the script, and they may cost him everything he came for.”
Brave New Summer by Sally Morgan
“Evie is the acting general manager of a hotel in the Cornish countryside. But she feels stuck in a life shaped by other people’s expectations. Just as she begins to consider a change, Abby arrives undercover to review the hotel’s staff and operations for its owner. Though they meet under unusual circumstances, the two women soon form an unexpected friendship. Both are quietly struggling in different ways. Each unsure of what their future should look like. As they settle into life at the hotel, they begin to question what they truly want and who they want to become. Supported by the people around them, including a friendly chef and a gruff local pub owner, they slowly start to open up and imagine something different for themselves. Set against a warm coastal backdrop, this is a gentle story about self-discovery, friendship and finding the courage to step away from expectations to build a life that feels like your own.”
Before I Knew I Loved You by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
“In Before I Knew I Loved You, Toshikazu Kawaguchi returns to the mysterious Funiculi Funicula Café, where customers can travel through time for as long as their coffee stays warm. Inside the café, four new visitors each arrive with something they cannot let go of. A young woman hopes to make peace with her mother and repair a fractured relationship. A man longs for answers after never receiving a reply from someone he loved. A woman feels uncertain about her future and wishes to see what lies ahead. A student chooses to return to a moment with his father, who passed away years earlier. Each journey offers a chance to revisit the past, but only within strict rules. No matter what happens, they must return before the coffee gets cold. As memories resurface and emotions run high, each visitor is quietly changed by what they experience. Gentle, reflective and deeply moving, this story explores love, loss and the way moments in time can shape a lifetime.”
The Midnight Train by Matt Haig
“When Wilbur reaches the end of his life, he is given an unexpected chance. A train arrives that can take him back through the most important moments of his past. As he looks back, one memory stands above the rest, his time with Maggie, the love of his life, and their honeymoon in Venice before everything fell apart. Boarding the train, Wilbur is forced to relive the choices that shaped his life. With each stop, he sees how different things could have been and how much he would have done differently. This journey becomes more than reflection. It is a chance to understand love, regret and the weight of the paths we choose.”
Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan
“If they start as a lie, can it still become something real? Dolly Brick has always been the dependable one. No matter what life throws at her, she fixes it. So when she returns to her hometown of Whitfield, Rhode Island, she is focused on one thing: helping her family keep their home afloat. Then she meets Stewart Whitfield. Handsome, frustrating, and freshly humiliated after a very public breakup, he crosses her path at exactly the wrong moment. Dolly can’t help but step in. It’s what she does. What begins as a simple act of kindness soon turns into something more complicated. A small arrangement grows into dinners, events and shared moments neither of them expected. As Dolly is pulled into Stewart’s world, she starts to question the life she’s built on self-reliance alone. But trusting someone else might be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.”
It’s another corker of a month for releases! Are there any that you would recommend?
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As always, thanks for reading…
