A new month means a fresh stack of books to look forward to. Whether you’re into thrillers, romance, fantasy, or something in between, May 2025 has some exciting titles on the way. Here are the 10 Most Anticipated Books Of May 2025 we can’t wait to get our hands on.
Never Flinch: By Stephen King
Stephen King’s upcoming novel, Never Flinch, set for release on May 27, 2025, marks the return of beloved character Holly Gibney in a gripping crime thriller. The narrative weaves two intense storylines: Detective Izzy Jaynes receives a chilling letter from someone threatening to “kill thirteen innocents and one guilty” as retribution for a past injustice. As the threat looms, Izzy enlists Holly’s expertise to prevent the potential massacre. Concurrently, feminist activist Kate McKay faces escalating harassment during her lecture tour, prompting her to hire Holly as a bodyguard.
The stalker’s actions grow increasingly dangerous, intertwining with the broader investigation. The novel introduces new characters, including gospel singer Sista Bessie and a vengeful figure named Trig, whose paths converge in a suspenseful climax. With its blend of psychological depth and suspense, Never Flinch promises to be a standout addition to King’s oeuvre.
The Tenant: By Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden returns with The Tenant, a psychological thriller set to release on May 6, 2025. Known for her gripping narratives, McFadden introduces readers to Blake Porter, a former marketing VP who, after an unexpected job loss, struggles to maintain the mortgage on his brownstone. In a bid to alleviate his financial woes, Blake rents out a room to Whitney, a seemingly perfect tenant.
However, unsettling events—strange odors, eerie noises, and shifting neighborly attitudes—begin to plague his once peaceful home. As Blake’s paranoia intensifies, he suspects that someone is aware of his deepest secrets. The novel delves into themes of trust, privilege, and the hidden dangers lurking within one’s own home, promising readers a suspenseful journey filled with unexpected twists.
My Friends: By Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman’s upcoming novel, My Friends, set to release on May 6, 2025, is a poignant exploration of friendship, art, and the enduring impact of shared experiences. The narrative unfolds through dual timelines. In the present, Louisa, an 18-year-old aspiring artist, becomes captivated by a renowned painting titled The One of the Sea, which features three small figures on a pier—details often overlooked by others. Determined to uncover their story, she embarks on a journey that leads her to the painting’s origins.
The past narrative delves into the lives of four teenagers: Joar, known for his defiance; Ted, a quiet, bookish boy mourning his father; Ali, whose father is perpetually on the move; and the young artist, C. Jat, battling depression and harboring an extraordinary talent. During a transformative summer, these friends find solace and inspiration in each other, culminating in the creation of the painting that later captures Louisa’s attention.
Backman’s storytelling weaves humor and emotion, illustrating how art and friendship can transcend time, leaving lasting imprints on lives. My Friends is a testament to the profound connections that shape us and the unexpected ways they resurface years later.
Hidden Nature: By Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts returns with Hidden Nature, a standalone thriller set to release on May 27, 2025. The novel follows Sloan Cooper, a Natural Resources police officer in Maryland, whose life is upended when she is shot during a convenience store robbery. After being revived on the operating table, Sloan retreats to her hometown of Heron’s Rest to recover.
As she heals, Sloan becomes intrigued by a series of disappearances across three states, all involving victims with near-death experiences similar to her own. With the help of Nash, a new ally who shares her investigative drive, Sloan delves into the mystery, uncovering a chilling pattern that suggests a pair of twisted killers are targeting survivors of near-death experiences. Determined to stop the horror, Sloan risks her life once more to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Hidden Nature blends suspense and emotional depth, offering readers a gripping tale of resilience and determination. Fans of Roberts’ romantic suspense will find this novel a compelling addition to her extensive body of work.
Parents Weekend: By Alex Finlay
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay, set to release on May 6, 2025, is a gripping thriller that delves into the unsettling disappearance of five college freshmen during a university’s Parents Weekend. As their families gather for a celebratory dinner, the students—Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella—fail to appear, initially dismissed as typical college behavior. However, as time passes without any contact, concern escalates into panic, prompting campus police to initiate search efforts and drawing media attention.
The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, including the returning FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller, exploring themes of family secrets and the complexities of parent-child relationships. Finlay’s storytelling weaves together suspense and emotional depth, making Parents Weekend a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.
The Love Haters: By Katherine Center
The Love Haters by Katherine Center, set to release on May 20, 2025, is a heartfelt romantic comedy that blends humor, adventure, and self-discovery. The story follows Katie Vaughn, a video producer facing potential layoffs, who seizes an opportunity to profile Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. Despite not knowing how to swim, Katie pretends she can, leading to a series of comedic and transformative events.
As she navigates her assignment, Katie becomes entangled with Hutch—her boss’s estranged brother—and his vibrant circle, including Aunt Rue and a lovable Great Dane. Their journey is filled with swim lessons, helicopter rides, conga lines, and unexpected romance, all set against the backdrop of impending hurricanes. Beyond the laughs and love, the novel delves into themes of self-acceptance and bravery, reminding readers that the most important love story is the one we have with ourselves.
A Curse Carved in Bone: By Danielle L. Jensen
Danielle L. Jensen’s A Curse Carved in Bone is the highly anticipated conclusion to her Norse-inspired fantasy romance duology, following the bestselling A Fate Inked in Blood. Set to release on May 13, 2025, the novel continues the saga of Freya, a shield maiden grappling with the revelation of her divine heritage and the immense power coursing through her veins. Determined to prevent a prophecy that foretells widespread destruction, Freya forms a precarious alliance with Skaland’s greatest enemy to seek guidance from the seer who once ordered her assassination.
As tensions rise, Freya must navigate complex relationships, including her strained bond with Bjorn, whose betrayal still lingers. Bound by blood oaths, they must work together to avert an impending war. Freya’s journey leads her to Nordeland’s Unfated—children of the gods serving a feared king who surprisingly offers his support. Amidst external conflicts and internal turmoil, Freya faces a pivotal choice: to become the shield that safeguards her people or the curse that leads to their downfall. With its rich Norse mythology, intricate character dynamics, and a blend of romance and fantasy, this novel promises a compelling finale to the duology.
The Knight and the Moth: By Rachel Gillig
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig is a gothic fantasy novel set to release on May 20, 2025. Following her acclaimed One Dark Window duology, Gillig introduces readers to a hauntingly atmospheric world filled with divine prophecies, forbidden alliances, and simmering romance.
The story centers on Sybil Delling, a Diviner who has spent nine years receiving prophetic dreams from six enigmatic figures known as the Omens. These visions allow her to foresee calamities, making her a sought-after figure in the kingdom of Traum. As her service nears its end, a mysterious knight named Rodrick arrives at the cathedral. Skeptical of Sybil’s visions and marked by his heretical views, Rodrick initially seems an unlikely ally. However, when Sybil’s fellow Diviners begin to disappear, she is compelled to seek his assistance. Together, they embark on a perilous journey into a world fraught with danger, where the gods themselves may hold the key to the unfolding mysteries.
The Knight and the Moth is the inaugural book in The Stonewater Kingdom series, promising a blend of dark magic, intricate world-building, and a slow-burn romance that fans of gothic romantasy will eagerly anticipate.
The Missing Half: By Ashley Flowers
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers, set to release on May 6, 2025, is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family bonds and the pursuit of truth. Nicole “Nic” Monroe, 24, has been haunted for seven years by the mysterious disappearance of her older sister, Kasey. Kasey’s car was found abandoned over a hundred miles from home, with her purse untouched on the passenger seat, and no signs of a struggle. Two weeks earlier, another young woman, Jules Connor, vanished under eerily similar circumstances. Both cases went cold, leaving their families in despair.
Nic’s life has unraveled in the years since, marked by a DWI, a dead-end job, and a sense of aimlessness. However, everything changes when Jenna Connor, Jules’s sister, reaches out to Nic. Believing the disappearances are connected, Jenna convinces Nic to join her in investigating their sisters’ cases. As they dig deeper, they uncover secrets their sisters were hiding, leading to shocking revelations that will change their lives forever. The novel promises a blend of suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page.
A Fate Forged in Fire: By Hazel McBride
A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride is the first installment in the Bonded to Beasts series, set to release on May 27, 2025. This adult fantasy romance blends Celtic-inspired world-building with elemental magic, dragons, and a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
The story follows Aemyra, the rightful heir to the throne of Tìr Teine, a kingdom once ruled by powerful queens but now under the control of corrupt kings and the oppressive True Religion. Raised in hiding, Aemyra is a skilled blacksmith and a fire-wielder determined to reclaim her birthright. Her plans are disrupted when Prince Fiorean, a dragon-riding fire mage loyal to the current regime, captures her. Initially adversaries, they are forced into an uneasy alliance that sparks unexpected emotions.
With themes of political intrigue, religious oppression, and a slow-burn romance, A Fate Forged in Fire offers a rich tapestry of action, magic, and complex characters. Readers can expect a gripping narrative that sets the stage for an epic saga.
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