Hey lovelies, I hope you’re all doing well. I know I’m a little late with this post, but I’ve been busy behind the scenes, so that’s why I’m talking about May’s books in July – however, I’m still definitely carving out time for reading. I’ve also really enjoyed picking up recommendations and trying new genres through the book clubs I’ve been to this month, and although it may look like I’ve read a lot of books this month, many of them were only thin!
If I’m honest, it’s been one of those months where the days seem to blur together in the nicest way, and I’ve leaned into that by picking up whatever caught my mood rather than sticking to a plan. Some books surprised me, some completely pulled me in, and a few gave me exactly the kind of escape I didn’t realise I needed.
Reminder: The Vision for the Book Afghan
To maintain cohesion, I’ve used the same block pattern for the entire afghan (grab the free pattern here), working with yarn from my stash and selecting 4 colours that reflect and are closest to (as I’m not buying new yarn!) the book’s cover design.
Here’s what I accomplished in May 2026:
- Total Books Read: and Squares Completed: 9 / 18
- Total New Authors to me this month: 5
- Running total of new authors so far 19 / 50
Pin for later:
May 2026 Reads and Squares
Book 33: Death in a Lonely Place (Jake Jackson Book #2) by Stig Abell
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Death in a Lonely Place by Stig Abell is a moody crime novel set in a remote English village, where the arrival of a mysterious death unsettles an already close-knit community. As the investigation unfolds, secrets buried beneath the surface begin to emerge, and long-held tensions come to light. Through a blend of atmospheric writing and quiet suspense, the story explores isolation, trust, and the hidden lives of those living in seemingly peaceful surroundings.
Review: This is the second book in the Jake Jackson series, and for me it felt like quite a slow burn. While the atmosphere and writing were solid, I found the pacing a bit too gradual, and I ended up guessing the twist before it was revealed. It’s an alright read overall, but it didn’t quite blow me away or leave a lasting impression.
Book 34: First Time Caller by B.K. Borison NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: First Time Caller by B.K. Borison is a contemporary romance that centers around a late-night radio show where anonymous callers share their stories, secrets, and struggles. When a particular call sparks an unexpected connection, it sets off a chain of events that brings two people together in ways neither anticipated. Blending warmth, humour, and emotional depth, the novel explores love, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to open up.
Review: Chosen by my book club, not my usual genre but it wasn’t that bad. I didn’t hate the characters, the writing wasn’t terrible, but the ‘reason’ they couldn’t get together was annoying. All in all it was a fun cosy contemporary romance, with a Sleepless in Seattle vibe, which got a little more spicy in places 🌶️ than I initially expected!
Book 35: Cell One by Leye Adenle NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Cell One by Leye Adenle is a fast-paced crime thriller set in the vibrant and chaotic city of Lagos. On his very first day as a rookie police officer, Bobby Fatokun is thrown into a high-stakes investigation when a senior superintendent is kidnapped and threatened with a live-streamed execution. As the clock ticks down, Bobby must navigate corruption, deception, and dangerous secrets, unsure of who he can trust as he races to uncover the truth before time runs out.
Review: Cell One is part of the 2026 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. I was gifted my copy when attending a reading event. This was an okay read, an interesting thriller but I was left with questions at the end. I think rather than a short story it was a teaser for a full book which was disappointing. However I did like how it was set in Nigeria as I felt it did give me a flavour of West Africa.
Book 36: The Woman Next Door by Louise Jensen
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Woman Next Door by Louise Jensen is a gripping psychological thriller about trust, obsession, and the secrets people hide behind closed doors. When a seemingly ordinary neighbour enters the life of a woman already struggling with grief and uncertainty, unsettling events begin to unravel her sense of safety. As suspicions grow and buried truths come to light, the story builds towards a tense and unpredictable conclusion where nothing is quite as it first appears.
Review: The Woman Next Door is part of the 2026 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. I was gifted my copy when attending a reading event. A quick fast paced thriller novella. It was fast paced but worked well as a short story. A fairly good plot though a bit predictable, but had a clear resolution at the end.
Book 37: The Life She Could Have Lived by Laura Pearson
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: The Life She Could Have Lived by Laura Pearson is an emotional and uplifting novel about love, loss, and the paths our lives might have taken. The story follows a woman reflecting on the choices that have shaped her life and imagining the future she once dreamed of. As past and present intertwine, she is forced to confront regret, embrace hope, and discover that it is never too late to find meaning, connection, and a new beginning.
Review: I really enjoyed this book with its ‘sliding doors’ concept of what happened if a person says yes to one thing and no to another. I liked the main character and thought all the relationships were believable. And it was nice to have a happy ending.
Book 38: Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars (out of 5) ⚠️ Content warning: includes descriptions of domestic violence.
Synopsis: Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell follows Ciara, a young mother who makes the difficult decision to flee her controlling and emotionally abusive partner with her two young daughters. Suddenly homeless and navigating an unfamiliar support system, she struggles to rebuild a life while protecting her children and reclaiming her independence. Tender, powerful, and deeply compassionate, the novel explores coercive control, resilience, motherhood, and the courage it takes to start again.
Review: What a book! I devoured it, and was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. A fantastic debut novel, so well written. A painful story with well written characters where I walked every, at times very tense, step with the heroine. A sad, beautiful, at times awful book but filled with love and ultimately uplifting and hopeful at the end.
Book 39: Forget Me Not (DI Helen Grace #12) by M J Artlidge
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3.75 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Forget Me Not by M. J. Arlidge is a gripping crime thriller that sees DI Helen Grace investigating a chilling series of murders linked by a disturbing pattern. As the body count rises, Helen and her team race to uncover the killer’s motive before another victim is claimed. Packed with short, punchy chapters, mounting suspense, and plenty of twists, the novel continues the fast-paced, high-stakes storytelling that has made the Helen Grace series so compelling.
Review: I really enjoyed this latest outing in the Detective Helen Grace Series. This was book number 12 and it was fast paced with action packed short chapters. Great holiday book or palette cleanser.
Book 40: The Names by Florence Knapp NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars (out of 5) ⚠️ Content warning: includes descriptions of domestic violence.
Synopsis: The Names by Florence Knapp is a thought-provoking literary novel that explores how a single choice can shape an entire lifetime. When a baby is given one of three possible names, the story unfolds across three parallel versions of his life, revealing how identity, family dynamics, love, and circumstance intertwine. Through these interconnected narratives, the novel examines fate, free will, and the profound impact of even the smallest decisions.
Review: I thought The Names was a brilliant debut novel. I loved the central idea of how something as simple as a name can shape identity, relationships, and even the course of a life. The way the different storylines intertwined was so cleverly done, and several moments genuinely shocked me. Thought-provoking, emotional, and beautifully written, a really memorable read.
Book 41: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir NEW AUTHOR TO ME
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars (out of 5)
Synopsis: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is an ambitious science fiction adventure that follows Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut who awakens aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there. As his memories gradually return, he discovers he has been sent on a desperate mission to save humanity from an extinction-level threat. Combining real scientific problem-solving with humour, suspense, and an unforgettable friendship, the novel is a thrilling story of survival, ingenuity, and hope.
Review: I absolutely loved Project Hail Mary! Honestly, I’d give it 6 stars if I could! Sci-fi wouldn’t usually be a genre I’d naturally pick up, but I’m so glad I listened to all the friends who insisted I had to read it. From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. This book has everything: warmth, humour, tension, action, heartbreak, hope, you name it. Project Hail Mary is one of those rare books that completely lives up to its hype and honestly deserves every bit of it. An unforgettable read that I’ll be recommending to absolutely everyone.
All the books so far
Don’t want to scroll and look for all the books that I’ve read so far? Well I’ve put together a handy list in my Amazon storefront so you can see all the books in one place: Go to the book list
Looking Ahead to Summer Reading
June has been another brilliant reading month, and one of my favourite things at the moment is discovering books I might never have picked up myself. I’m now in three book clubs, and I’m absolutely loving all the different recommendations that keep finding their way onto my TBR.
Now I need to know… what’s the best book you’ve read recently? Whether it’s a thriller, historical fiction, memoir or something completely different, I’d love to add even more recommendations to my ever-growing list. After all, every great suggestion could become another square on the blanket! 🧶📚✨
Stay tuned for next month’s updates. Until then, happy hooking and happy reading!
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