MAY WRAP UP
Disclaimer I read books based on preferences which take into account my faith and personal convictions. Please check any of my recommendations against your own convictions and read responsibly.
Well reader friends, this month I got hit with a massive book slump. I think it was a combination of the disappointing new releases from April and staring May off with the worst book I’ve ever encountered—which I ultimately did not finish. Thankfully, a good ole Frieda McFadden book got me out of the initial slump feels, but even after that—it was a struggle to find a book above the 3 star range for me this month. Let’s see how my May reading stats played out!
This month my most read genre was Contemporary Fiction—with a definite focus on Romance. I gravitated towards some different books this month—trying to find something to spark my book joy—rather than opting for some of my top picks on my TBR. In hindsight, maybe that backfired a little. Most of what I read ended up landing somewhere in the middle—not bad, but not memorable either. What did surprise me, though? A few religious non-fiction picks that ended up being the highlight of my month. Let’s talk it through!
RATING: 4.25 ⭐️
This my friends is a compelling read. If you grew up in the church, have worked in the church—or even just engage consistently with pastors or church leaders—this would be a great book for you to pick up.
The word “narcissist” gets tossed around a lot these days—often carelessly. But this book isn’t about finger-pointing, villainizing, or making emotional accusations. Instead, it offers a well-reasoned and honest look at how narcissism quietly—and sometimes not so quietly—creeps into the church. And it’s not just about pastors. The culprits can be anyone, touching regular church leaders and volunteers alike. It’s a sobering, necessary conversation we don’t have nearly enough.
This book brought so much clarity and understanding to some of my own experiences with leaders over the past decade. But it didn’t stop there—it also held up a mirror and challenged me to take a hard, honest look at myself as a leader. Because surely I couldn’t be a narcissist… right? Well, not necessarily. What this book revealed is that narcissistic tendencies aren’t reserved for the extremes. We all carry traces of them, and if we’re not mindful, they can quietly seep into the way we lead.
Overall, I really appreciated the author’s ability to provide both language and context—the kind that helps you feel seen and begin to heal from past wounds. At the same time, he offers empathy and deep insight into the hearts of pastors and leaders who may be wrestling with narcissism themselves. If you’re in the Christian community, this is a definite must read.
AGE RECOMMENTDATION: 18+
RATING: 4.25 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
VIOLENCE: LIGHT 🔪
SPICE: LIGHT ❤️🔥
There’s no reading slump that Freida McFadden can’t cure. Whenever I feel myself slipping into a slump, I reach for an author who I know delivers—and Freida always does. Her books are fast-paced, wildly binge-able, and exactly what I need to break a slump.
In this new release, we follow our main male character, Blake, as he tries to recover from a major career setback. To make ends meet, he and his fiancé decide to take in a tenant—cue the chaos. As tensions rise, Blake grows increasingly suspicious of their new houseguest, and things quickly spiral. What really stood out to me was that the story is told entirely from Blake’s perspective, and he's a bit of an unreliable narrator, which I loved. At times, I genuinely thought he was losing it—and honestly, he kind of was.
I thought the twist in this one was solid—a little predictable, but in a way that felt satisfying rather than disappointing. Honestly, that’s exactly what I’ve come to expect from Freida McFadden, and it’s why she’s my go-to when I need a quick reading pick-me-up. This was definitely my favorite of hers in a while, and I’d recommend it if you’re in the mood for a fast, twisty read that keeps you hooked.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 21+
RATING: 3 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
VIOLENCE: LIGHT 🔪
This was a new release thriller recommended to me by my long time best friend and fellow avid reader—Thanks Robyn!
In this book, we follow our female main character, Nic, as she searches for the truth behind her sister Kasey’s disappearance. Along the way, she teams up with Jenna, another girl whose sister vanished just two weeks before Kasey. Together, they dive into the mystery, determined to uncover what really happened to both girls. The pacing was solid for a thriller—fast enough to keep things moving, with chapters that always left me just curious enough to see what would happen next. While I didn’t always feel fully connected to the characters, the plot kept me turning the pages.
Speaking of the characters—I struggled with them. It felt like we were thrown straight into the plot without much character development, which made it hard to connect from the start. The dialogue, especially in the beginning, felt off—awkward and inauthentic to the point that it pulled me out of the story. As a reader who really connects through characters, I need that depth and insight into their backgrounds and inner thoughts. Without it, I just can’t fully invest—and unfortunately, that was the case here.
I will say, I appreciated that the twists weren’t predictable. However, the final twist came way too fast, and there just wasn’t enough time to properly wrap things up. It left behind a lot of plot holes, which made the ending feel unrealistic and hard to believe. If you enjoy thrillers, you might still find this one entertaining, but fair warning: the ending will probably leave you with more questions than answers.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 18+
RATING: 3.25 ⭐️
SPICE: LIGHT ❤️🔥
This book was an emotional read—dealing with an amnesia trope, deep rooted family dynamics, and quite a few heavier topics.
In this story, we follow our female main character, Evie, who wakes up after an accident with severe memory loss. As she tries to piece together her past and make sense of who she is and how she got there, she’s guided by her old friend, Drew, our male main character. The book shifts between past and present timelines, which can take a minute to get used to, but it’s handled really well.
The characters were easily one of the highlights for me—so well-done and genuinely lovable. It was impossible not to root for Drew, and I found myself truly feeling Evie’s pain and devastation right alongside her. While I enjoyed the second chance romance, it did feel a bit rushed toward the end. I was left with a few lingering questions, especially around the family dynamics that had been such a big part of the story. It felt like there was more to unpack there, and I wish we’d been given just a little more time to sit with those final revelations.
Overall, this wasn’t my favorite read—but I did enjoy the second chance romance and emotional depth of the characters. If you like a book that discusses lost love and deep family dynamics—albeit toxic ones—you will enjoy this book.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 18+
RATING: 4.5 ⭐️
This book was absolutely beautiful, and for me, the message came at just the right time. I listened to it on audiobook, which I highly recommend.
Having known and done life with the author, DawnCheré Wilkerson, in a previous season, this felt less like a typical read and more like sitting down for a heart-to-heart with a friend—and that connection made the reading experience all the more meaningful.
This book explores what it truly means to wait on God—and how we can do so with wonder, expectation, and joy. One of the most powerful aspects of the book is how the author shares her own personal seasons of waiting on God, offering stories that are raw, relatable, and full of faith. Having witnessed some of these moments firsthand, I can confidently say that the principles she shares have been lived out, tested, and proven true. Her words aren’t just theory—they’re testimony. God really does meet us in the wait, if only we’ll let Him.
DawnCheré’s genuineness radiates through every moment, wrapping this book in a sense of authentic sincerity that leaves you feeling inspired, seen, and encouraged to partner with God—no matter what kind of waiting season you’re in.
I highly recommend this book to all my Christian girls, but also to anyone navigating a season of waiting and searching for purpose and wonder in the midst of it. This book is a gentle reminder that the wait isn’t wasted—God is right there in it with you.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 16+
RATING: 3.5 ⭐️
SPICE: LIGHT ❤️🔥
Alexa, play “Skinny Dipping” by Sabrina Carpenter. If you were needing a soundtrack for this book—that’s it.
This book is the cutest second chance romance, following our female main character, Sam, as she returns to her family’s beach house and unexpectedly runs into her ex and former neighbor, Wyatt, our male main character. On the surface, Sam has the “picture-perfect” life—but being back home makes her question whether it’s truly what her heart wants… or if something—or someone—is still missing.
I absolutely loved the beachy, summer setting, which made this the perfect read for this time of year. The past-tense POVs from both Sam and Wyatt were so enjoyable, especially as we watched them navigate first love, heartbreak, and everything in between.
Also… a musician MMC? Yes, please. Ha!
Honestly, there’s not much to dislike about this book. If anything, I just wish there had been a bit more emotional depth and complexity to the characters—that would’ve pushed it to a higher rating for me. But if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, feel-good beach read, this one absolutely hits the mark!
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 18+
RATING: 3.5 ⭐️
We love rich people drama—especially when it’s Miami rich people.
This book is a sharp, satirical take on a group of PTA moms in Miami Beach, told through multiple POVs but primarily centered on Charlotte, the polished PTA leader, and Melody, the wide-eyed newcomer from Kansas. From gossip and comparison to secrets and scandal, the story delivers plenty of juicy moments, all building toward a twisty conclusion. It’s snarky, dramatic, and totally binge-able.
What makes this book so great is how spot-on the depictions of Miami life really are. Some of the moments might seem outrageous or over-the-top—but if you’ve ever lived in Miami, you know they’re not only believable… they’re basically nonfiction. And that’s what makes it such a blast to read. From name-drops of trendy hotspots to the wild antics of the city's elite, this book captures the lifestyle of Miami in the most entertaining way.
It definitely won’t be for everyone, but if you’re into quick reads, rich people drama, and a little bit of chaos, this one is totally worth it.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 21+
RATING: 4.75 ⭐️
2025 NEW RELEASE
SPICE: NONE
Redemption was nigh with this one! After a month full of middle-of-the-road reads, this book totally saved the day.
We follow our female main character, Katie, as she heads to Key West to film a Coast Guard special featuring our male main character, Hutch. Along the way, Katie is also navigating being a “love hater”—struggling not only with romantic relationships but also with the deeper journey of self-love.
Surprisingly, this book has gotten some mixed reviews, but honestly? I don’t care what the haters say—I loved it. From the Key West setting to the Coast Guard vibes and the unintentional proximity romance, I devoured every page. Hutch is easily one of my favorite MMCs of the year. Maybe it’s the man-in-uniform charm, or that perfect stormy-sunshine energy, but either way—I adored his character. The dialogue was great and engaging, and I actually appreciated that the romantic scenes didn’t dominate the story. That balance left space for other standout characters—like Rue and her friends—who added heart and humor in all the right places.
Honestly, one of the best parts of this book was the FMC’s journey toward self-love—finally letting go of her long-held self-criticism and learning to see herself with kindness. That said, the specific scene depicting this shift did make me cringe a little, and the entire middle storyline with Cole felt unnecessary. Those were the only elements I could’ve done without. Thankfully, they weren’t enough to take away from the overall bliss of the book.
Obviously, I highly recommend this one! It’s the perfect light, non-steamy summer read—complete with fun characters, a tropical setting, and a sweet reminder of the importance of self-love.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 18+
