Best New Romance Books to Read in May 2026
If you’re anything like me, you don’t want every new romance release; you want the ones that are actually worth your time.
There are a lot of books coming out in May, but these are the ones I’m personally most excited about and the ones I’d tell a friend to read first.
If you’re only adding a few new romances to your TBR this month, start here.
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💕 My Top 10 Romance Books to Read in May 2026
If you only read a few books this month, start with these:
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
Releasing May 5, 2026
Friends to Lovers | Romance Books That Inspire Travel
I’m always drawn to a longtime friendship story like this one, especially when there’s so much history and unresolved feelings between the characters. This feels like it will give similar vibes to the chemistry build-up I loved in People We Meet on Vacation.
Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn
Releasing May 5, 2026
Neighbors to Lovers | Forced Proximity | Romantic Comedy
A summer setup with a failing candy shop, neighbors who fall hard, and Meghan Quinn’s humor? This sounds like the perfect summer romance for me that guarantees a fun, bingeable read with a trope that’s becoming one of my favorites: he falls first!
Fever Dream by Elsie Silver
Releasing May 19, 2026
Reality Show | Forbidden Romance
While I cannot stand watching reality TV, I absolutely adore romance books based on reality dating shows, and if Elsie’s writing it, I’m reading it. I love that it features a bull rider who is wiling put himself on the line to save his family’s farm and who ends up falling for his rival’s younger sister.
The Shippers by Katherine Center
Releasing May 19, 2026
Second Chance | Friends to Lovers
I already read and loved this friends to lovers romance that brings together Katherine’s incredible writing with a storyline that is both hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time. Cooper will become your next favorite book boyfriend as you watch him navigate the forced proximity of being on a cruise ship with this former best friend who is clueless about his love for her.
Score by Kennedy Ryan
Releasing May 19, 2026
Second Chance | First Love
After reading Reel, the first book in Kennedy’s Hollywood Renaissance series, Score instantly earned a spot on my TBR list as I need the full story of why Verity and Monk can no longer be in the same room together and yet find themselves working on the same movie as screenwriter and musical score composer. Kennedy’s books always bring an emotional intensity that I cannot get enough of so I expect this one to be a real page turner as a second chance romance.
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
Releasing May 26, 2026
Fake Dating | Opposites Attract
Annabel knocked it out of the park again with this one that I cannot recommend enough. She created another strong heroine that I want to emulate, a dashing, quiet hero who surprises me in the best of ways, a best friend who I think everyone deserves in real life, and a slow burn love story that tugged on all my heartstrings. It’s a must-read!
Birds of a Feather by Kate Stewart
Releasing May 26, 2026
Adversaries to Lovers | High Stakes
If you’ve become a rabid fan of Kate’s Ravenhood series, you already know this one is going to be intense. We’ve been waiting years for Tyler’s ultimate love story and I sincerely hope that it’s going to put me in a reading stupor after I’m done with it like The Finish Line did. Plus, at 720 pages, I know we are in for quite a roller coaster!
Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws
Releasing May 26, 2026
Best Friend’s Brother| Grumpy/Sunshine
I’ve been devouring Amy’s Mountain Men Matchmaker series ever since Everly started her matchmaking schemes for each of her uncles, so of course I’m super curious how her own love story will unfold! This is such a fun setup, having her best friend’s grumpy brother descend upon the mountain, and I cannot wait to see how much flak the uncles will give this tattooed Irishman!
Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick
Releasing May 26, 2026
Friends to Lovers | Romantic Comedy
This book had me at “Guide to Losing My Virginity” checklist! This is Brooke’s debut novel so I hope this romcom delivers on the hype, but so far it’s sold me on the story setup of the romance-book-loving, virgin teacher who finally overcomes her anxiety toward love and finds her happily-ever-after.
The Muse by Jewel E. Ann
Releasing May 28, 2026
Emotional romance | Opposites attract
Jewel always writes layered, emotional stories that make me think and feel and reach for the closest box of tissues. She he blew me away with The Homemaker last year, so I cannot wait to see how she plans to rip my heart out and patch it up again with this new romance.
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Because life is better with a love story…
