Books
Romance readers have a lot to look forward to.
May is finally here, and its brought a fantastic crop ofnew books with it.
Lets get this out of the way now: Its a banner month forromance readers.
And thats not even all the great new romances May 2022 has to offer!
If you arent intoromance, no worries.
Mays new releases also include lots of great genre fiction, literary novels, and memoirs.
Below, the 56 most anticipated books of May 2022.
We only include products that have been independently selected by Bustle’s editorial team.
2
Book of Night
The Cruel Princeauthor Holly Black makes her adult debut withBook of Night.
To make ends meet, Amy leans on her new gig as a pinch-hitter bridesmaid.
All signs point to her rivals family, but is someone setting them up?
Its up to Gemma and her closest allies to find out whos behind the attacks before its too late.
9
By the Book
ABeauty and the Beastretelling set in the publishing world?
Yes, c’mon!
Their entanglement led Mallory to wrestle with her own identity, and eventually withdraw from everything else she knew.
The more she sees him, though, Nora begins to wonder if he isnt so bad after all.
Too bad Wrens new coworker Derrick is also his biggest crush, and hedefinitelyread the email.
But is she ready to fall in love?
Overcoming his differences with Theo, though, is easier said than done.
Unflinchingly raw and incredibly funny,Aint That a Motherdeserves a place on your to-read list this summer.
19
Elektra
Ariadneauthor Jennifer Saint returns to store shelves this month withElektra.
20
The Patient
Until recently, Rachel Goodchild was a respected doctor in Salisbury.
Now, shes locked in a prison cell.
25
Liarmouth
Youve heard of a feel-good romance, but what about a feel-badone?
G. Yellowjacketcrew were alive and well when Alto went to sleep.
Now, theyre all gone, and the anxious communications specialist is left alone.
29
Forbidden City
A River of Starsauthor Vanessa Hua delivers a striking new novel inForbidden City.
Mei grew up in China in the 1960s, and believes wholeheartedly in the communist cause.
But these waters are about to get even choppier, inSet on You.
Sparks will fly, but will they end in romance… or disaster?
32
Miss Chloe: A Memoir of a Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison
A.J.
Verdelles debut novel,The Good Negress, generated a lot of buzz when it released in 1995.
So began a friendship that lasted until Morrisons death in 2019.
33
Siren Queen
Nghi Vo follows up herGatsbyretelling,The Chosen and the Beautiful, withSiren Queen.
Although Lulis career seems to be fairly stable, danger lurks everywhere.
36
The Emma Project
Sonali Dev takes on Jane AustensEmmain this contemporary, gender-bent retelling.
Fans will recognize Naina from her role inIncense and Sensibility.
So when Cora asks Paige to help her prove her husband is cheating, Paige readily agrees.
Then theres their new neighbor, Georgia, whos clearly hiding something.
44
Either/Or
May 24
The long-awaited sequel toThe Idiotpicks up right where the first book left off.
After a strange freshman year and an even stranger summer abroad, Selins back at Harvard as a sophomore.
But playing Heras games means leaving Persephone alone in a time of great need.
With his wife in need of his support, will Hades mission derail his marriage?
