What I Read in May 2024

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Hello! As most of you know from reading the end of my last post, I started my new job at the beginning of this month. I also started my summer semester about halfway through (around Mother's Day) so I wasn't able to read a lot on my phone this month. With that said, I read 14 books in the month of May. Let's talk about them!

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on May 3rd. Honestly, this was a pretty unique concept for a book. About halfway through, I thought I was gonna give it 3.5 stars instead of 4.5 stars because I didn't like how Doug was evolving in his character development. However, this wasn't about him. It was about Annie and her growth, and I loved it. I'm not gonna say it felt like "the authentic girlfriend experience" like some of the critics say because she is a robot. I'm not sure if I'd recommend this though due to its unique concept, and I know it definitely won't be for everyone. I do suggest you read it though, just give it a try. It's just over 200 pages so it was easy to fly through too.

"A powerful, provocative novel about the relationship between a female robot and her human owner, exploring questions of intimacy, power, autonomy, and control. Annie Bot was created to be the perfect girlfriend for her human owner Doug. Designed to satisfy his emotional and physical needs, she has dinner ready for him every night, wears the pert outfits he orders for her, and adjusts her libido to suit his moods. True, she’s not the greatest at keeping Doug’s place spotless, but she’s trying to please him. She’s trying hard. She’s learning, too. Doug says he loves that Annie’s AI makes her seem more like a real woman, so Annie explores human traits such as curiosity, secrecy, and longing. But becoming more human also means becoming less perfect, and as Annie’s relationship with Doug grows more intricate and difficult, she starts to wonder: Does Doug really desire what he says he wants? And in such an impossible paradox, what does Annie owe herself?"

All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: I rated this book 6/5 stars and finished it on May 5th. This is the third book in the Naturals series and it definitely ended up being my favorite. I liked the case they covered in this one, I loved all the twists and turns that went with it. The cliffhanger at the end was fantastic too, set up perfectly for the final book in the series. As I've said before, I'd absolutely recommend this series to anyone who loves Criminal Minds or true crime. This series is young adult, so it's not super graphic or anything which I like.

"Three casinos. Three bodies. Three days. After a string of brutal murders in Las Vegas, Cassie Hobbes and the Naturals are called in to investigate. But even with the team's unique profiling talents, these murders seem baffling: unlike many serial killers, this one uses different methods every time. All of the victims were killed in public, yet the killer does not show up on any tape. And each victim has a string of numbers tattooed on their wrist. Hidden in the numbers is a code—and the closer the Naturals come to unraveling the mystery, the more perilous the case becomes. Meanwhile, Cassie is dealing with an equally dangerous and much more painful mystery. For the first time in years, there's been a break in her mother's case. As personal issues and tensions between the team mount, Cassie and the Naturals will be faced with impossible odds—and impossible choices."

Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on May 6th. This is the fourth and final book in the Naturals series. The end of All In set up perfectly for this one, and it was the perfect ending to the series. I can't recommend this series enough, please please please go read it. If you love Criminal Minds or true crime, you'll eat this up. The characters are great, the plot is great, the romance subplot is great because it's a subplot, so it's just happening in the background. I think I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this is my favorite series of the year so far.

"New victims. New betrayals. New secrets. When Cassie Hobbes joined the FBI’s Naturals program, she had one goal: uncover the truth about her mother’s murder. But now, everything Cassie thought she knew about what happened that night has been called into question. Her mother is alive, and the people holding her captive are more powerful—and dangerous—than anything the Naturals have faced so far. As Cassie and the team work to uncover the secrets of a group that has been killing in secret for generations, they find themselves racing a ticking clock. The bodies begin piling up, the deaths hit closer and closer to home, and it soon becomes apparent that this time, the Naturals aren’t just hunting serial killers. They’re being hunted themselves."

One By One by Freida McFadden: I rated this book 2.5/5 stars and finished it on May 7th. I think I've read eight or nine Freida books by now, and this is down there with the worst I've read. It was just..boring. The story was boring, all six of the main characters were boring, the concept and plot were mundane, and I didn't even care about the twist. I didn't necessarily see it coming, but I wasn't surprised. It didn't blow my socks off. I'm not sad, or angry, I'm just disappointed. She has so many other great books, but this isn't one of them. I wouldn't recommend it.

"One by one, they will get what they deserve...A night spent sleeping on dirt and leaves is not how Claire Matchett expected to spend her vacation. She thought this would be a break from the stresses of work and raising her young children. A chance to repair her damaged marriage. A week of hiking and hot tubs with two other couple friends. It sounded like heaven. Then Claire’s minivan breaks down on a lonely dirt road. With no cell reception, the group has no choice but to hike the rest of the way to their hotel. But it turns out the woods aren’t as easy to navigate as they thought. Hours later, they are lost. Hopelessly lost. And as they navigate deeper into the woods, the members of their party are struck down mysteriously one by one. Has a wild animal been hunting them? Or is the hunter one of them? But as more time passes, one thing becomes clear: Only one of them will return home alive."

Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry: I rated this audiobook 4.5/5 stars and finished it on May 10th. This is the darkest thriller I've read in a long time (probably ever), but it was fantastic. The end was nuts too, but overall I loved the whole thing. I loved Adrianne and Noah's relationship, seeing her evolve throughout the entire story. The end specifically was just...I have no words. None. Still! It's one of those that I don't like to think about it, but I'm not gonna forget about it anytime soon. I'd recommend this one, but definitely check your trigger warnings on it.

"We forgive murderers, not pedophiles. Meet Noah—an A-honor roll student, award-winning swimmer, and small-town star destined for greatness. There weren’t any signs that something was wrong until the day he confesses to molesting little girls during swim team practice. He’s sentenced to eighteen months in a juvenile sexual rehabilitation center. His mother, Adrianne, refuses to turn her back on him despite his horrific crimes, but her husband won’t allow Noah back into their home. In a series of shocking and shattering revelations, Adrianne is forced to make the hardest decision of her life. Just how far will she go to protect her son? Saving Noah challenges everything you think you know about teenage sexual offenders. It will keep you up at night long after you've read the last page, questioning beliefs you once thought were true."

Funny Story by Emily Henry: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on May 11th. I was looking forward to this one since I didn't love Happy Place, and I wasn't disappointed. It was pretty good! I liked Daphne and her character development throughout the book; however, I loved Miles. He's probably my favorite MMC she's ever written. I liked their story too, how they went from strangers to friends to lovers, I thought that was pretty cool. I think this might be the first time the author's written fake dating too which was cool. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes romance.

"Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them? But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?"

The Girl in My Dreams by Jeanne Olivier: I rated this ebook 4.5/5 stars and finished it on May 15th. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the early arc of this book! I thought it was great! Fast-paced in the beginning, but it took me a while to get into it. The middle chunk was much slower so it was harder to get through, and the twist toward the end was insane. I wasn't expecting it to go that way at all, and I was completely shocked. I'd absolutely recommend getting this one when it comes out on June 10th.

"When up-and-coming rock star Oliver meets gorgeous but wild Nina at a club, their connection is instant. Then a car crash cracks Oliver’s spine and leaves Nina in a coma. As Oliver recovers in hospital, he has vivid dreams of Nina, but every day his injuries heal, Nina’s condition worsens. Convinced one of them must get worse for the other to get better, Oliver deliberately hurts himself during a physio session… and Nina wakes up. Oliver is dismayed to face a lifetime in a wheelchair, but with Nina at his side, their connection blossoms into an obsessive romance, until they discover that they have been sharing the same dreams. Unhinged and desperate, Nina wants to dive deeper into the world of lucid dreaming, while Oliver fights to protect Nina from finding out she may have been drunk at the wheel the night of the accident, which would send her further down the road of self-destruction. But why do they share these dreams? Are there more sinister forces at play? Will their love be enough to overcome their harsh reality—or are they skidding headlong toward another crash?"

Rubber Duckie Shifter Next Door by Mia Harlan: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on May 15th. Thank you to NetGalley for an early arc of this book! I thought it was super cute and easy to get through. It's a short story so it's only about 100 pages or so, which makes it easy to like the characters and the plot. I thought it was short and sweet, and I plan on reading more from this author in the future. I'd recommend getting this one when it comes out on May 17th.

"She’s a hot mess. He’s a rubber duck. When I become the guardian of my friend’s rebellious kids, I feel like I’m drowning. That’s when he floats into my life and throws me a lifeline. The moment our eyes meet over the fence, the connection’s undeniable. Sig isn’t just my hot dreamy neighbor. He owns a sprawling water park and he has an effortless way with kids. But beneath his perfect exterior lies a quirky the man of my dreams spends his days as a floating bath toy. Can I really fall head over heels for a rubber duckie? Only time (and a lot of bath time fun) will tell."

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren: I rated this book 4.75/5 stars and finished it on May 15th. I loved this! I loved Josh and Hazel’s friendship that morphed into a relationship, and I loved the side characters too. I thought it was absolutely fantastic, and the only reason why it’s not getting five stars is because something happened at the end that I’m not totally vibing with. Other than that, I absolutely loved it and I’d recommend this one. Also, I feel like it would be a fantastic movie. So if the authors ever wanna turn it into one, I’d be down to watch it. I'd recommend this one for sure.

"Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them...right?"

King of Sloth by Ana Huang: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on May 22nd. This is the fourth book in the Kings of Sin series and follows Sloane and Xavier. This is my favorite Ana book I've read so far. Sloane and Xavier are my favorite couple by far, I love them SO MUCH. I loved their publicist/client relationship, especially when it shifted in his POV chapters into something more. I liked the reverse grumpy sunshine too, because yes, Sloane is definitely the grump here. Again, I'd absolutely recommend this one too. I can't wait for Asher's story in September, and I'm even more excited for Vuk and Ayana's story in 2025!

"He'd never wanted anyone enough to chase them...until he met her. Charming, easygoing, and rich beyond belief, Xavier Castillo has the world at his fingertips. He also has no interest in taking over his family’s empire (much to his father’s chagrin), but that hasn’t stopped women from throwing themselves at him…unless the woman in question is his publicist. Nothing brings him more joy than riling her up, but when a tragedy forces them closer than ever, he must grapple with the uncertainty of his future—and the realization that the only person immune to his charms is the only one he truly wants. Cool, intelligent, and ambitious, Sloane Kensington is a high-powered publicist who’s used to dealing with difficult clients. However, none infuriate—or tempt—her more than a certain billionaire heir, with his stupid dimples and laid-back attitude. She may be forced to work with him, but she’ll never fall for him…no matter how fast he makes her heart beat or how thoughtful he is beneath his party persona. He’s her client, and that’s all he’ll ever be. Right?"

Bride by Ali Hazelwood: I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and finished it on May 22nd. I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. It was pretty good! I liked Misery and Lowe, and I surprisingly saw the chemistry between them. I liked how Misery cared and thought about Serena constantly, and that she never left her mind. I think the way she cared about Serena showed up much more in Ana throughout the entire book. The only thing I don't think I could get past (aka, why this is a 4.5 and not a 5) is the..knotting. I'm scarred from looking that up on the internet, and my brain will never be the same. Other than that though, it was pretty good. I'd recommend this one if you're a fan of Twilight (it's vampires and werewolves) or the Omegaverse, or even if you're looking for a fun read.

"Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf."

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke: I rated this ebook 4.25/5 stars and finished it on May 26th. This is the first book in her Supernatural Mysteries series. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc of this book! I thought it was cute! I liked Cordelia and Ruby a lot, and I liked their dynamic as the book went on. The mystery itself was intriguing too, and they made a pretty good team (despite one of them being dead lol). I really hope the author plans on continuing on with this series because if she wasn't, the cliffhanger at the end would be criminal. Anyway, I liked it! I'd recommend getting your hands on it when it comes out on October 29th.

"In this darkly funny supernatural mystery about an unlikely crime-solving duo that launches a commercial, unique, and genre-blending series, death is only the beginning. Ruby Young's new Boston apartment comes with all the usual perks. Windows facing the brick wall of the next-door building. Heat that barely works. A malfunctioning buzzer. Noisy neighbors. A dead body on the sidewalk outside. And of course, a ghost. Since Cordelia Graves died in her apartment a few months ago, she's kept up her residency, despite being bored out of her (non-tangible) skull and frustrated by her new roommate. When her across-the-hall neighbor, Jake Macintyre, is shot and killed in an apparent mugging gone wrong outside their building, Cordelia is convinced there’s more to it and is determined to bring his killer to justice. Unfortunately, Cordelia, being dead herself, can't solve the mystery alone. She has to enlist the help of the obnoxiously perky, living tenant of her apartment. Ruby is twenty, annoying, and has never met a houseplant she couldn't kill. But she also can do everything Cordelia can't, from interviewing suspects to researching Jake on the library computers that go up in a puff of smoke if Cordelia gets too close. The roommates form an unlikely friendship as they get closer to the truth about Jake's death…and maybe other dangerous secrets as well."

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: I rated this book 5/5 stars and finished it on May 29th. This is the first book in the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series and I thought it was fantastic. I loved Pippa and Ravi's evolving friendship throughout, even though that wasn't a big part of the plot. The mystery was incredibly enticing to me and reading the last few chapters gave me goosebumps. I'm so excited to continue the rest of this series and I'd absolutely recommend it.

"Everyone in Fairview knows the story. Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town. But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer? Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger."

Runaway Road by Devney Perry: I rated this ebook 4/5 stars and finished it on May 29th. This is the first book in the Runaway series and follows Londyn and Brooks. The one thing I've always liked about Devney Perry's writing is the likability of her characters, despite her books being shorter (this one was only 250 pages). I thought the characters had good chemistry, and I liked them individually as well. I liked how Londyn wasn't afraid to tell Brooks about her past, and I liked how open he was about being a single dad. I'm excited to continue the rest of this series next month and I'd recommend it.

"Londyn McCormack didn’t have a typical childhood. She ran away from home at sixteen, escaping parents more interested in drugs than their daughter. She doesn’t have loving siblings or an adorable pet. Her only family is the five other runaway kids who shared her junkyard home. Life pulled them all in separate directions, taking her to Boston. For a short time, she thought she’d found something permanent. But after a devastating divorce, she’s running away again, this time to find a lost friend. She’s driving across the country in her convertible. As a teenager, the rusty car was her shelter. As an adult, it’s her ride to freedom. Except one flat tire derails her trip. Her life collides with Brooks Cohen. They walked away from the first crash. The second might destroy them both."

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So, that's it! 14 is not a lot, I know. I'm hoping to be more optimistic in terms of reading goals for June and July because I know the second half of the year will be busy once it gets closer to graduating college and such. See you all next month!