Okay, so April didn’t have near as many options as I thought they would and I only predicted 3 correct picks! But of all my predictions those were the three I was hoping for the most, so I count it as a win!

Now, May has so many new releases from previous BOTM authors that I’m really hoping we see quite a few more add-ons this month, than we did in April. While I normally prefer BOTM to offer debuts instead of well known authors, I do love when my books from the same author match.

Whether or not my predictions are actually picks, only time will tell. Even if they are not, all or most of these are on my May Most Anticipated New Releases list and my Spring 2022 Most Anticipated List.

SPRING 2022 MOST ANTICIPATED

When the picks are announced and you find you have space in your box still, make sure to also check out my most recent version of BOTM Add-On recommendations HERE, because who couldn’t use even more books!

Keep in mind that these are simply predictions and books I hope get chosen. I could get these completely wrong but the anticipation and guessing is part of the fun right?!

Mystery / Thriller

Based on a hint in the BOTM app, we can be pretty sure that The Hacienda is going to be a pick for May. I am not a fan of gothic books, and super unpopular opinion but did not like Mexican Gothic at all. I’m currently reading this one though, so be sure to come back and see if I like this one more or not.

May Cobb’s The Hunting Wives was a pick in 2021. She would be a repeat author and we can maybe expect to see this one as an add-on. I read this last month, and it’s an okay read, nothing amazing. You can see my review for it below.

My Summer Darlings | Review

The Island and The Favor are both on my TBR. I actually have copies of both and hope to get to at least The Favor this weekend. I’m leaning more towards The Favor being a pick since it’s a debut but be on the lookout for my review soon. Also a little birdy told me I might have a giveaway for a copy of The Favor in the next week or two over on my instagram.

Literary & Contemporary Fiction

Akwaeke Emezi is a previous BOTM author. Their book The Death of Vivek Oji was a big hit with BOTM fans and while it’s also labeled as a romance, I feel it falls more into contemporary fiction.

The Golden Season is really on my list because it’s set in Texas and I love a good Texas book. It’s also a debut and sounds right up BOTM’s alley.

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance also sounds fantastic. Taking place over a fifteen years this is more a story about coping with grief. I hope it a pick!

I have copies of all three of these books but have yet to read them. Maybe I’ll get to one next week but be sure to sign up to get updates on new reviews.

Historical Fiction

My money is on either The Lioness or The Lost Summers of Newport being the historical fiction pick. Beatriz Williams would be a repeat author which means this one could be moved to an add-on. On the other hand The Lioness is Evelyn Hugo meets Circling the Sun, which were both BOTM picks and makes it likely for this one to be chosen.

Also The Lioness is just an absolutely fabulous book. So even if it’s not a BOTM pick, you should get a copy. It’s part historical fiction, part mystery, and you can see my review below:

The Lioness | Review

Fantasy

Remember how I said there were a ton of previous BOTM authors with books coming out in May, well both Jennifer Saint and Emma Straub also have new books coming. I think both could possibly be a fantasy pick. While one is more Mythology the other deals with time-travel. They both sound probable as BOTM options.

Not a from a BOTM author, When Women Were Dragons is another fantasy option I think fits well as a BOTM pick. It’s a mixture of historical fiction and fantasy; and has throughly piqued my interested.

Once again, I have copies of all of these but have yet to read. Hoping to at least get through one before May hits.

Romance

I’m seriously hoping for Emily Henry’s newest release Book Lovers. It is by far my favorite book from her yet and I need a physical copy! If you don’t want to take my word that it’s great, check out my review below.

Book Lovers | Review

Leesa Cross-Smith would be a repeat author, as her book This Close to Okay was a pick last year. It’s giving me Eat, Pray, Love vibes and sounds like it would be a good vacation read. On the other hand Every Summer After also sounds like a great vacation read, and is a debut. Because it’s a debut it may have a better chance of being May’s romance pick.

Other May Books Coming Out From BOTM Authors

I don’t think these will be picks for May but wanted to provide them in case you were interested. I have a review for The Summer Place already up.

The Summer Place | Review

I hope you found a book that you are truly excited about in this post. Let me know which other new releases you are excited for this month or that you’re hoping are BOTM picks, by commenting below or by messaging me on Instagram @speakingof_books. Don’t forget to follow me to get weekly updates and new reviews!

Happy Reading!

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