12 Most Anticipated New Books Coming Out In May 2024

Summary This May, readers can expect romance, adventure, and suspense with new releases from popular authors like Veronica Roth and Ruth Ware.

Exciting debuts like The Ministry of Time and The Honey Witch offer unique genre-bending stories that promise a gripping read.

Non-fiction lovers can look forward to Kathleen Hanna's memoir, while fans of horror can enjoy Stephen King's new short story collection in May 2024.

There are so many exciting book releases slated for 2024, and some of the year's biggest novels are hitting shelves in May. From highly anticipated thriller books to long-awaited fantasy releases, a wide range of novels are making their debut. There's something for every type of reader, whether they enjoy trope-filled romances or outlandish sci-fi stories. And some of May's releases are already getting positive reviews from early readers, boding well for their success.

Big-name authors like Veronica Roth and Ruth Ware have new books coming out in May 2024, and fans of their previous work won't want to miss out on their latest stories. There are also a few exciting debuts, including a genre-bending time travel story and a magical sapphic romance. There are so many options for readers, so they'll want to make note of the most-anticipated releases of May 2024.

Related 15 Most Anticipated Coming-Of-Age Books Coming Out The Rest Of 2024 The coming-of-age subgenre is more popular than ever with keen book readers, and in 2024, there are plenty of highly anticipated titles released.

12 This Summer Will Be Different By Carley Fortune

Carley Fortune has written compelling summer romances like Meet Me at the Lake and Every Summer After, and her 2024 release is getting just as much excitement. This Summer Will Be Different already has a 4.28-star rating on Goodreads, and it's at the top of the platform's list of most popular May releases. This bodes well for its success when it arrives on May 7, and its cover certainly suggests it's a perfect beach read.

This Summer Will Be Different follows Lucy, who vacations on Prince Edward Island with her best friend every year. She also repeatedly hooks up with a local named Felix. Lucy can't seem to avoid temptation when it comes to Felix, but it's not for lack of trying. When she and Bridget take an impromptu trip to Prince Edward Island before the latter's wedding, Lucy does everything she can to avoid falling into Felix's bed — or worse, catching feelings. Romance readers can probably guess how well that goes, but it sounds like a compelling setup worth checking out this May.

11 The Ministry Of Time By Kaliane Bradley

One of the most-anticipated sci-fi books of 2024, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley debuts in May — and with its genre-bending premise, it sounds like a rollicking good time. Set in the not-so-distant future, The Ministry of Time follows a civil servant working as a "bridge" for the government's time travel research program. She resides with and monitors one of the expats being studied to determine if time travel is possible without negative consequences. The expat in question — Commander Graham Gore — soon develops a romance with the book's lead that sounds both comedic and compelling.

With its genre-bending premise, it sounds like a rollicking good time.

Meshing romance, science-fiction, and even a thrilling spy narrative, The Ministry of Time promises a read that never gets dull. With so much going on, it's inevitable that Bradley's debut will become one of the most-talked-about books of May 2024 — and possibly the entire year. It's a can't-miss release, and if the premise doesn't convince readers of that, the book's vibrant cover surely will.

10 When Among Crows By Veronica Roth

Divergent author Veronica Roth has published several adult novels over the past few years, and When Among Crows is set to join them on May 14. When Among Crows takes place in a dark and self-interested world, where monsters feed on emotions, knights sacrifice parts of their souls for strength, and witches make deals that lean heavily in their favor (via Goodreads). Roth combines all three of these elements in the book's central narrative, which sees the knight Dymitr teaming up with a cursed girl named Ala to track down a legendary witch.

Ala hopes the witch will rid her of her deadly curse, but unbeknownst to her, Dymitr has other plans for their encounter with Baba Jaga. It'll be interesting to see how their time together impacts Dymitr's intentions — and whether Baba Jaga manages to outsmart them both. Roth always weaves narratives full of gripping story threads and compelling characters, and it sounds like When Among Crows will continue this trend. It's certainly a fantasy release to watch out for in May 2024.

9 The Honey Witch By Sydney J. Shields

Sydney J. Shields' debut novel, The Honey Witch, is a love story and fantasy tale wrapped up into one, and it's one of May 2024's most interesting ​​​book releases. Shields' novel follows Marigold Claude, the titular witch whose interests have always veered more towards communicating with spirits than seeking out romance. After many suitors fail to win Marigold's heart, her grandmother decides to train her to become the next Honey Witch of Innisfree — but there's a catch. The Honey Witch is permitted to fall in love, which is made complicated by the arrival of Lottie Burke.

Marigold's feelings about love change when she meets Lottie, who ironically doesn't believe in magic. Both of them are tested when dark magic emerges and puts Innisfree in harm's way. This adds greater stakes to what sounds like a fantastical sapphic romance. The Honey Witch is already getting attention ahead of its release, and it's poised to become one of May 2024's best fantasy novels. It's also perfect for readers who prefer standalone fantasy books over lengthy series.

8 A Crane Among Wolves By June Hur

Another book getting attention — and great Goodreads reviews — ahead of its May 2024 release is June Hur's A Crane Among Wolves. Hur's latest story is set in Joseon in 1506, and it's inspired by real Korean history. It follows 17-year-old Iseul, whose sheltered life is thrown into turmoil when the tyrannical King Yeonsan sets his sights on her sister. The king has a habit of destroying families and hurting women, and Iseul sets out to save her sister from his clutches. This gets her tangled up with Prince Daehyun, who hopes to stage a coup and dethrone his horrible step-brother.

A Crane Among Wolves sounds like a gripping tale with high stakes and plenty of political intrigue.

A Crane Among Wolves sounds like a gripping tale with high stakes and plenty of political intrigue. If it's anything like Hur's previous novels, it will deliver on those elements of the story and do it with gorgeously crafted prose. Reviews also promise romance, so this May release sounds like it will check off many boxes. It's no wonder so many readers are excited about its debut.

7 The Paradise Problem By Christina Lauren

The romance duo that goes by Christina Lauren is releasing The Paradise Problem on May 14, and it's easily one of the most-anticipated romance books of the year. Its unique and comical premise sets it apart from other recent releases in the genre, though it does utilize a common (but beloved) trope: fake dating. The Paradise Problem follows Anna Green and Liam “West” Weston, both of whom married in college to secure subsidized family housing. They went their separate ways after graduation, but years later, West's wealthy grandfather is requiring him to be married to be included in his will.

The money is enough to bring the two characters back together, with Anna attempting to fit in with West's well-off family and make their romance convincing. However, it seems that the time West and Anna spend together elicits true feelings on both of their parts. The question is whether they can make a relationship based on lies last. And it'll be fascinating to see if they forfeit the money for one another before The Paradise Problem is finished. Christina Lauren's romances are always a fun time, and this one sounds no different. It's perfect for spring or summer reading.

6 Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk By Kathleen Hanna

Although many of 2024's biggest releases fall into the fiction category, there are also a number of highly anticipated non-fiction books debuting this year. Among them is Kathleen Hanna's memoir, Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk. Hanna is known for the Riot Grrrl movement, as well as for leading the bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. She'll detail all of these aspects of her life in her upcoming book, which promises to get deep about her experiences in both bands and starting her own feminist movement.

Hanna is already a much-needed voice for women in the punk community, and it's little wonder her 2024 memoir is getting so much hype ahead of its release. Anyone who's kept up with Hanna will want to pick Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk up when it comes out. And even those less familiar with her work could benefit from reading this book. After all, it seems Hanna has some important things to say, especially when it comes to women's experiences in male-dominated spaces.

5 The Dixon Rule By Elle Kennedy

Elle Kennedy's books are incredibly popular among romance readers, which makes The Dixon Rule one of May 2024's most exciting releases. The second installment in Kennedy's Campus Diaries series, The Dixon Rule will follow Diana as she pretends to date her apartment neighbor, Shane. Shane seems like a player — he's pursued most of Diana's cheerleading squad — but like Diana, the hockey player is still recovering from a former relationship. Their fake dating scheme starts as a way to make their exes jealous, but it promises to evolve into more than that.

The Dixon Rule sounds like the perfect lighthearted romance to pick up this spring or summer, and it will definitely appeal to anyone who enjoyed The Graham Effect. It utilizes a beloved romance trope and falls into the sports romance category, which has become increasingly popular. It's a book romance readers will not want to miss out on.

Books In The Campus Diaries Series In Order The Graham Effect (2023) The Dixon Rule (2024)

4 Lies And Weddings By Kevin Kwan

Kevin Kwan, the author of Crazy Rich Asians, is releasing a new book this May — and Lies and Weddings could easily become one of the biggest releases of 2024. Kwan's latest follows the future Duke of Greshambury, Rufus Leung Gresham, whose family's wealth has dwindled as they've become saddled with massive amounts of debt. Rufus' mother tasks him with finding a woman to marry while attending his sister's extravagant wedding. There's one rule: the woman he finds must have the money to pull them out of their present circumstances. Naturally, Rufus would rather pursue the doctor next door.

Kwan's latest promises an internal struggle between the desire for riches and the desire for love, and it's bound to have all the hallmarks of his other best-selling novels.

Kwan's latest promises an internal struggle between the desire for riches and the desire for love, and it's bound to have all the hallmarks of his other best-selling novels. The book's synopsis also teases twists and turns, so readers are in for an entertaining ride when picking up Lies and Weddings. It's a May 2024 book release that can't be missed, especially for fans of Crazy Rich Asians.

3 The Last Murder At The End Of The World By Stuart Turton

Stuart Turton, the author behind The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, is back with another book in May 2024. The Last Murder at the End of the World features a wildly unique premise, and it's already catching readers' attention ahead of its release. Set in a future where the world has been destroyed by a deadly fog, the book follows the last remaining humans. They reside on an island that keeps out the fog with its security system. Unfortunately, when one of the scientists on the island is killed, that security system begins a countdown to lower itself.

An intriguing mystery with plenty of fantastical sci-fi elements, The Last Murder at the End of the World promises a thrilling narrative from cover to cover.

The rest of the people on the island must solve the murder before the timer runs out, as it's the only way to prevent all of their deaths. This is made complicated by the fact that all of their memories have been wiped as well. An intriguing mystery with plenty of fantastical sci-fi elements, The Last Murder at the End of the World promises a thrilling narrative from cover to cover. It sounds like it's well worth picking up this May.

2 One Perfect Couple By Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware is a must-read thriller author, and her latest book sounds like the perfect spring or summer read for 2024. One Perfect Couple hits shelves on May 21, and it will see five couples stranded on a tropical island after agreeing to participate in a reality TV competition that goes awry. As a storm rolls in and the group's technology renders them incapable of contacting the outside world, things go from bad to worse. The synopsis teases "life or death stakes," which certainly isn't what any of the characters signed up for (via Goodreads).

With its gripping narrative that puts a fun spin on the reality TV concept, One Perfect Stranger is poised to be one of the biggest thriller releases of 2024. Depending on how it's received, it could also climb to the top of Ware's lineup. After all, One Perfect Stranger is very different from her other stories. It'll be interesting to see how the author handles this concept — and how the central couples fare during their not-so-luxurious trip.

1 You Like It Darker By Stephen King

Whether it's a short story collection or full-length novel, a new Stephen King book is never one to miss. The author's 2024 release, You Like It Darker, falls into the former camp, delivering 12 tales that "delve into the darker part of life" (via Goodreads). These horror and thriller stories promise to keep readers on their toes, weaving narratives about mysterious inheritances, disturbing job ads, and more.

King has a penchant for showing the perturbing elements of everyday life, and You Like It Darker vows to continue that trend. It's one of the most-anticipated horror books of 2024, and it's perfect for anyone hoping to break up longer reads with short stories. Given that it's King, it's also likely to get attention from more casual readers and book lovers alike.