May Reading Wrapped
We're a 1/3 of the way through June, but better late than never, right?
May was a slower reading month for me, not for lack of good books, but because life was lifing. Between early mornings at work, busy weekends, my first book event, and trying to stay present offline, my usual reading time had to take a little pause. And honestly? I didn’t mind. Sometimes, waterboarding your brain with books isn’t the best approach to the reading lifestyle.
Even though I didn’t finish as many books as I typically do, the ones I did sit with gave me something to think about, whether it was a line I highlighted, a character I wanted to shake (or protect), or a plot twist that made me do a double-take.
We’re taking Prose & Cons and making it short and sweet for our monthly wrap-ups—just the hits, the heartache, and the highlights.
Here’s a look at what I read this month, what I loved, and what’s still lingering in my mind.
Also, shout-out to
for inspiring this recap format. As a new substacker, I’ve been struggling and spiraling on how to get what’s in my head into a post, and she helped with that, so thank you if you see this <3
Fate Of Our Future
May 1-May 3 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
It’s not every day you get a second chance with the one who got away, especially when she left to keep you from holding each other back. But Saleem and Amira? They get that chance. Toss in some fake dating, a marriage of “convenience,” and all the second-chance romance tension you could ask for, and well... I ate this one up.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯.5
Mason Neiman
May 6-May 6 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Y’all know I love an unhinged man, and Mason? Unhinged doesn’t even begin to cover it. But here’s the thing: he’s the kind of man who knows exactly what he wants, and that diabolical devotion? Lowkey swoon-worthy. Tylee was his from the moment he laid eyes on her as a kid. And while he hit pause and pushed her into the “friend zone” because his life was too chaotic for something real, make no mistake…he was never letting her go. When the time was right, she was always meant to come home to him.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯
Maison Neiman 2
May 6-May 6 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
More Neiman being Neiman, which means chaos, charm, and a whole lot of attitude. But this time? They really pissed him off, and he took unhinged to near Ocean-level madness. I should’ve been concerned… but instead, I was still swooning. Hard. haha
Rating: ✯✯✯✯
Let Me Love You
May 7-May 7 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Baby, I love me some Big South. Jo went from bum to baller, and I was locked in from the first page. It’s not often that I read rapper romances, but when I do? They never miss. Everett isn’t just a dad…he’s a dad who stepped up (you know what I mean), and I’m an absolute sucker for that. I devoured this book, and the whole series, honestly (as you’ll see from the next three books below). This was my first Alexandria House read, and let’s just say... I’m officially a fan for life.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯.5
Let Me Hold You
May 7-May 8 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Age gap alert—but when you’re Leland, the spoiled youngest McClain brother, you’re used to getting what you want. And this time, it’s Kim. She’s older, wiser, and doing her best to keep her distance… but fate (and a little McClain charm) has other plans. Oh, and did I mention he’s an NBA player with that signature McClain brother swag? The banter in this one? Perfection. Had me grinning the whole way through. Check the trigger warnings before diving in.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯.5
Let Me Show You
May 8-May 8 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Grumpy sunshine at its finest. The buttoned-up, broody brother might’ve been the shortest of the McClain brothers, but trust, he came with big BDE. He won Bridgette (and me) over with the kind of love that leaves you weak in the knees. And even with shaky legs, Bridgette wasn’t one to back down. She gave Nolan a serious run for his money. That said, this one comes with some heavy trigger warnings, so definitely check those before diving in.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯
Let Me Free You
May 9-May 10 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Another marriage of convenience? Yep—definitely a trend this month, lol. But this one stood out for all the right reasons. It brought the laughs, but also delivered some unexpectedly tender, heartfelt moments. Two people with a pretty tragic track record in love somehow stumbled (really pushed by their friends and family) into something real, and watching them turn it all around was such a joy.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯.5
Standing in the Sun
May 10-May 10 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Little Lunar *cries*. I was waiting on this book for a hot minute. You can read my full review in my Prose & Cons: 5 Star Reads post, here.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Keep You to Myself
May 12-May 13 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Setbacks are just setups for the comeback, and Synovi’s journey is proof. He had it rough, but Torin met him with a tenderness that chipped away at his armor one moment at a time. And in return, Synovi unraveled Torin’s walls with equal care. What they built together was beautiful. I’d reread this in a heartbeat. The sequel is already sitting at the top of my June TBR.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Between Friends & Lovers
May 8-May 13 | Source: Barnes & Noble
This was Novel & Nosh's May book of the month. This book was everything I hoped for and then some. Smart, soft, sexy, and just the right amount of messy. It felt real, like the kind of love story that truly reflects dating in your late 20s and early 30s, with all the nuance that comes with it. Watching Jo love her college best friend, rich, out of touch, and honestly terrible to her, was heartbreaking. But the moment she crossed paths with Mal, I knew something better was on the horizon. He’s the quiet, introverted, best-selling author type with a love that feels rare—a true 1 of 1. Watching them find themselves while learning to love each other was such a beautiful ride.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Love’s Most Wanted
May 14-May 16 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Another baby boy of the family finally stops playing and finds love in the last place he expects it—with his co-star’s girlfriend. One wild, drunken night in Vegas sets off a chain of events that leads Unique and Kabrina into a messy, unexpected, and ultimately beautiful romance.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯.5
Can’t Get Enough
May 17-May 18 | Source: Barnes & Noble
Kennedy Ryan does it again. Hendrix’s story is hands-down my favorite in the Skyland series. She’s a powerhouse—confident, successful, and hyper-independent (sometimes to her own detriment). While she’s thriving professionally, her personal life is unraveling as she navigates the emotional weight of her mom’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Then she crosses paths with Maverick at a party, and that moment marks the beginning of something real. The walls start to fall, love finds its way in, and her fierce independence begins to soften into a healthy, healing partnership. This is a witty, beautifully layered love story—and a tearjerker, no doubt. I sobbed in the prologue. Yes, the prologue.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Deuce
May 18-May 18 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Deuce pulled us right back into our mafia romance era. As the heir to the Dillinger family empire, he’s used to power, respect, and getting his way. Then he meets Salima at the club, the one girl who couldn’t care less about his last name or his status. She’s everything he can’t control, and now he wants her…bad. Salima tries to fight the pull, but like any true mafia romance, she’s swept off her feet before she even knows what’s happening. This one had me laughing with hearts in my eyes, but side-eyeing Deuce’s unhinged behavior in the best way. I had a time with this one.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯.75
Maceo
May 19-May 19 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Maceo, Deuce’s right hand and brother, spots Sharina, Salima’s best friend, at the chicken spot, and from the jump, he knows he wants her. Luckily for him, the feeling is mutual. These two are hilarious together, constantly cracking jokes, but beneath all that banter is a deep bond that gets tested when they take on something serious outside of the family. As the stakes got higher and their love story deepened, I was on edge waiting for it all to unfold. No ifs, ands, or buts, I’d read this one again in a heartbeat.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Rewind It Back
May 21-May 23 | Source: Kindle Unlimited
Rioooooo. I have been waiting for this one for a hot minute, and it did not disappoint. We’re back in our second chance romance bag with this story. Rio and Hallie were childhood sweethearts, but after a tragic turn of events, everything fell apart and they went from lovers to enemies. As fate would have it, they cross paths again in the most unexpected way, and the sparks are instant. Their love feels once in a lifetime—you can practically feel it jump off the page. The banter had me giggling and kicking my feet. So good. So worth the wait.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
In total, I made it through 15 books in May, which, considering all the shit going on last month, feels like a quiet win. It’s hard to choose a favorite for the month, but if I had to pick one, it would be between Between Friends & Lovers and Can’t Get Enough. Like how I still didn’t pick? lol They’re both still living rent-free in my mind. June is already off to a slower start (read: I was in a reading slump from hell until like yesterday), so I can’t promise I’ll be breaking any reading records as we go into the summer… but it’s a new month, a fresh stack, and we’ll give it a go. As always, I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading—drop your recs, favorites, or DNF drama in the comments. Maybe I’ll add one of your recs to this month’s TBR.
xo,
Taylor
I always enjoy your recaps! I’ll be adding some of these to this list and the Prologue in “Can’t Get Enough” also had me sobbing. I had to put the book down and come back later!!