**The following book previews were directly inspired by their Goodreads descriptions**
Summer’s approaching fast, and what goes better with lazing about the beach than a good book? This article lists a few long-awaited novels releasing in May for readers to preorder, read and — hopefully — love.
Mystery thriller, suspense: ‘The Tenant’ by Freida McFadden
Another sure-fire hit thriller by Freida McFadden is set to enter the literary scene in May. Readers might recognize McFadden from her ongoing “The Housemaid” series, which is lauded for its delectable “twists and turns.” McFadden also writes medical humor novels, like the “Dr. Jane McGill” series, giving readers of all tastes something to try.
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When Blake Porter was suddenly fired from his job as the vice president of marketing, he and his fiancée struggled to make ends meet. Their recently purchased brownstone slips from their fingers as they fail to make mortgage payments.
In the nick of time, a beautiful, charming woman comes forward in need of a room. Is Whitney all that she seems to be?
As time goes on, Porter notices a shift in how his neighbors treat him. Unusual noises wake him from a dead sleep throughout the night. What’s more worrisome is that no matter how much Porter cleans, his home constantly smells of decay. By the time Porter realizes that his home isn’t as safe as it seems, it’ll be too late.
As the novel’s Goodreads description claims: “The trap is already set.” The thriller is set to release on May 6. Readers can preorder a Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition of this thriller for $14.99, or a paperback for $3 more.
Contemporary adult fiction: ‘My Friends’ by Fredrik Backman
No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman adds to his contemporary collection with “My Friends.” Backman is most known for his novel “A Man Called Ove,” which centers around a grumpy, solitary man and the lively family moving in next door. The 2022 film “A Man Called Otto,” starring Tom Hanks, is an English remake of the Swedish 2015 film “A Man Called Ove,” both inspired by Backman’s novel. Backman’s newest contemporary novel, “My Friends,” is a story of how art and friendship have the power to change lives.
Twenty-five years ago, four teens, Joar, Ted, Ali and an unnamed artist type needed an escape from their unfortunate home lives. Their haven? A pier, filled with laughter, storytelling and escapism. The teens find in each other a reason to live — a reason to dream.
At 18 years old, Louisa, an artist, somehow inherits an otherworldly painting. She embarks on a cross-country journey to discover its origins and is inspired to pursue her artistic passions along the way.
Three small, unnamed figures rest at a pier’s end in one of the world’s most famous paintings depicting the sea. Louisa can’t seem to overlook them like other viewers, and seeks to uncover the story of the painting’s three stars. However, Goodreads states that this “fresh testament to the transformative power of friendship and art” shows that happy endings might take unexpected forms.
This novel is set to release on May 6. Readers can preorder a signed Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition for $29.99 or a standard hardcover for $26.99. Additionally, Backman will visit 77 W. Washington St. in Chicago on May 6 to celebrate its release.
Fantasy, romance, gothic: ‘The Knight and the Moth’ by Rachel Gillig
The author of “The Shepherd King” series returns to stun readers with the first installment of her new, enrapturing “romantasy” series, “The Stonewater Kingdom.” Rachel Gillig dedicated the preface of “One Dark Window,” the first book of her “The Shepherd King” series, “To the quiet girls with stories in their heads. To their dreams — and their nightmares.” The literary sensation will likely carry that same energy into her upcoming novel.
Sybil Delling is a member of an inferred fantastical religious order called Diviners, along with other girls, called foundlings. Delling receives visions from six otherworldly figures, known as Omens, and she has “spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all,” according to Goodreads. Lords and common folk alike travel great distances across the kingdom of Traum to have their futures foretold by her prophetic dreams.
Living in a great cathedral, sheltered from the dangerous outside world, the Diviners serve their religious order for ten years. As their terms wind down, Delling is shocked to see her fellow Diviners disappear one by one for seemingly no reason.
The mysterious, apostate knight Rodrick has no respect for Delling’s visions. The ill-mannered, devilishly good-looking knight is a source of intense frustration for Delling with his sharp eyes and dark wit. However unwilling Delling might be to request his aid, she needs Rodrick’s protection. Can the two set aside their differences to locate the missing Diviners?
Only the gods have the answers that Delling seeks, and only a heretic can defeat a god.
The captivating gothic “romantasy” novel will be released on May 20. Preordering the Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition hardback will cost $21 and the regular hardback $30. Preordering the novel from Barnes & Noble automatically enrolls buyers into a special sweepstakes, ending May 19, with multiple prizes. Additional details can be found on the Barnes & Noble website.
Horror, mystery thriller: ‘Never Flinch’ by Stephen King
Pop-culture icon Stephen King continues his iconic horror repertoire with his newest novel. “Never Flinch” is King’s long-awaited fourth installment of the “Holly Gibney” series.
The Buckeye City Police Department receives an anonymous, disturbing letter threatening to “kill thirteen innocents and one guilty” in “an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man.” Detective Izzy Jaynes is left puzzled by the message. Who were the 14 citizens set to be slaughtered in this unhinged act of retribution, and who was the “guilty” one? What were they guilty of? Jaynes ultimately turns to her friend Holly Gibney for assistance.
Kate McKay is a controversial, outspoken women’s rights activist, which brings about opposition. McKay becomes the target of a stalker who vehemently disagrees with her messages of female empowerment, and her safety is at risk. Gibney is hired on as her bodyguard — a difficult task, as McKay refuses to stop her series of lectures.
The converging twin narratives in this novel star characters old and new, beloved and disliked. King’s newest novel is described as being spectacularly chilling. As stated by Goodreads, “Thrilling, wildly fun and outrageously engrossing, (“Never Flinch”) is one of King’s richest and most propulsive novels.”
King’s newest novel is set to release on May 27. Preordering a hardcover copy will cost $22.40.
Writer’s pick: ‘Rewind It Back’ by Liz Tomforde
The fifth installment in Liz Tomforde’s “Windy City” series has fans celebrating the long-awaited love story of series favorite, Rio DeLuca. The series is notable for its dual-perspective storytelling and portrayals of realistic, healthy relationships. Each installment can be read as a stand-alone, but intertwining narratives encourage readers to engage with the novels as a series.
Hallie Hart and DeLuca have a lifelong history of love and friendship, culminating in heartbreak when Hart was 19. Six years later, Hart got her dream interior design internship in Chicago, the city where DeLuca plays hockey. She thought the city would be big enough that their paths wouldn’t cross — but boy was she wrong. Not only is DeLuca her new next-door neighbor, but his house is also the project for her interior design internship.
DeLuca has accepted his position as his friend group’s token single person, letting his friends believe he’s been searching for “the one” since moving to Chicago. What his friends don’t know, though, is that he found her when he was 12 years old. And that the only girl he’s ever loved is moving in next door — again.
Accidentally hiring Hart to renovate his house has DeLuca rewinding memories that he’s kept buried for years, even from his friends. How can Hart stand to make DeLuca’s bachelor pad into a family home when they can barely stand to be in the same space? While Hart had loved DeLuca once, she wasn’t that same girl anymore.
“Rewind It Back” is set to hit the shelves on May 20. Preordering the Barnes & Noble Deluxe Edition will cost $16.99, with the standard paperback costing $18.99.
