May Book Review: My Top Reads for May 2025

Maria Foy
Jun 3
9 min read

May was wild ... I read 31 books and for a while there I was absolutely living the dream - just floating from one 5 star read to the next like some kind of blessed book witch. Fantasy romance ruled my Kindle, with a few contemporary romances sneaking their way in too and honestly I was thriving. The stories were hitting, the characters were angsty, the spice was spicy - I was in book heaven. But you all know how it goes ... all good things must come to an end.

Because when that 5 star reading streak ended? Oh it ended hard. The reading slump came in hot, dramatic and entirely unforgiving. But let’s not dwell on that because this post is all about the gems ... the 5 star standouts; the books that broke me in the best way.

So here they are - my top reads of May that made the chaos worth it.

Be sure to follow me over on Goodreads to see what else I read, and connect with me so I can follow you too!

A Snapshot of My Top May 2025 Books

Given by Elayna R. Gallea
When We Break by Kristen Proby
Silver Elite by Dani Francis
Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry*
What Blooms From Death by SM Gaither*
Deadwood by Karley Brenna
Redeeming the Villain by Pru Schulyer
This Vicious Dream by Stacia Stark

Let’s take a closer look at these captivating stories:

Heart surrounded by colorful flowers on a dark background, with text: "GIVEN. She’s born to die; he lives to hunt." Author: Elayna R. Gallea.

Given by Elayna R. Gallea

This one really caught me off guard in the best way. Given follows Wren who is one of the unlucky “blessed” chosen to be sacrificed to the Gods in some very suspicious ceremony. She’s meant to ascend to some divine temple gig ... but let’s just say things don’t exactly go to plan. Suddenly she’s on the run, a broody Hunter is chasing her down, and nothing, literally nothing, is as it seems.

I was hooked from the first few chapters. The story slowly unravels with just the right amount of mystery, tension, and world-building. I found myself asking all the same questions as Wren - what actually happens in the ceremony? Why are certain people marked? And seriously who tf is this Hunter guy and why do I kind of love him?

If you’re into high-stakes fantasy with a slow-burn mystery and a side of “WTF is going on but in a good way” then this one’s worth your time. I’m already eyeing up book two.

A couple embraces in a grassy field, gazing into each other's eyes. The sky is sunset-colored. Text: "When We Break," Kristen Proby.

When We Break by Kristen Proby

Set in the charming town of Bitterroot Valley, Montana, When We Break follows Skyla, a former prima ballerina who relocates to escape a dangerous past. There, she meets Beckett, a devoted cowboy who sees her for who she truly is. Their connection is immediate and profound, offering a heartfelt exploration of healing and love amidst suspenseful undertones.

This book was exactly what I needed ... a soft and swoony love story that hit all the right spots. Normally I'm not an instalove girlie, but this one? It worked. Skyla and Beckett were magic together. And Beckett ... he treated Skyla like gold. I swear he's been added to my book boyfriend list, and I'm not even sorry about it. Honestly, this book gave me all the warm fuzzies, and I adored every second of it.

If you're in the mood for a heartfelt romance with a touch of suspense and a dreamy cowboy who knows how to treat a lady right, this one's for you.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

The story follows Wren who is a powerful but secretive young woman hiding out with her “uncle” Jim. When he’s captured, she’s forced into military service and has to navigate a brutal environment while keeping her powers hidden, helping others survive, and doing her best not to fall for her commanding officer (lol good luck with that Wren).

This one had me fully locked in from start to finish ... I smashed it out in about four hours and genuinely loved every minute. There's been some chatter online about the author and the storyline, but for me? Easy 5 stars. I’m a vibes reader, and this one gave me excellent vibes.

The world building was solid, the characters felt real, and I appreciated how the pacing kept things interesting without feeling rushed. And those last few pages? Absolute chaos in the best way. I need book two immediately.

If you’re into fast-paced fantasy with secret powers, slow-burn tension, and a badass heroine trying to hold it all together, this one should be on your list.

Purple book cover with teapot, cat, and books. Title: "Fangs for Nothing." Mysterious, whimsical design with stars and candles. Author: Steffanie Holmes.

Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes

The story follows Winnie who is a professional organiser with some hoarder-induced trauma ... she lands a job cleaning out a crumbling gothic castle in a quirky little town. The castle’s owner? Alaric. Broody, moody, and yep you guessed it ... a vampire (though Winnie has no idea at first). What starts off as a dream job quickly turns chaotic with the arrival of a murder mystery disguised as a smutty book club, aka the Smutty Book Coven.

This was a bloody delight (yes, pun absolutely intended). I was lucky enough to get a special copy from Steffanie Holmes’ PR team and devoured it in under three hours, because how could I not?

This book had everything I love: small-town vibes, supernatural shenanigans, a slow-burn romance with plenty of banter and a found family that made my heart happy. Alaric gave just the right amount of “I’m a tortured monster” angst and Winnie, with her colour-coded labels and zero tolerance for mess, was the perfect foil.

If you’re after a cozy, paranormal romcom with murder, mayhem, vampires, and laugh-out-loud moments, add this to your TBR immediately. And yes, I’m already impatiently waiting for book two.

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Think: a girl raised in secrecy, a prince in disguise, a cursed kingdom crawling with monsters, and centuries-old betrayals bubbling under the surface. It's a rich, high-stakes fantasy that balances politics, magic, slow-burn romance, and gut-punch twists in the most delicious way.

Without a doubt, this was my favourite read of the month, and absolutely in my top 3 of the year so far. Shield of Sparrows is the kind of book that grabs you by the face and refuses to let go.

I found Odessa to be a strong and painfully likeable FMC, and she's forced into the centre of a world she was never supposed to be part of. Her family are absolutely awful. Yet her strength and growth are absolutely brilliant. And then there’s the Guardian ... ourcold, broody, and emotionally constipated MMC (at first anyway). Slowly (and so satisfyingly) he unravels into one of the best MMCs I’ve read in a long time.

The dynamic between the leads was chef’s kiss. No tired miscommunication tropes, no dramatic betrayals, just two people learning to trust each other in the middle of chaos. And those last few chapters? I was tense and emotional and yelling “I KNEW IT” one minute and “what the hell just happened” the next. I need the sequel immediately.

If you love richly layered fantasy with emotional depth, actual adult communication, and a plot that’ll keep your brain spiralling (in the best way) thenShield of Sparrows is calling your name; and I suggest you answer.

What Blooms From Death by S.M. Gaither

Nova is preparing for an arranged royal engagement to the Light King but everything shatters when her father is murdered, her powers explode, and a deadly curse is unleashed - locking everyone in the palace under its grip (except her). Seven years later and she’s still fighting to break it. Alongside the mysterious (and not-so-evil) King Aleks, Nova is pulled into a high-stakes quest filled with ancient magic, terrifying realms and heart-wrenching choices.

This story is layered, emotional, and packed with tension. It took me a minute to find my footing but once I did I devoured all 600+ pages. Nova is strong, complicated, and pissed off (rightfully so) and Aleks? Book boyfriend material, through and through. Their bond is so beautifully balanced ... quiet moments, deep loyalty, and a slow-burn connection that hurts in the best way.

There’s heartbreak, hope, epic worldbuilding and plot twists that made me gasp. The ending? I was not okay. I need book two immediately, but also might re-read this one just to soak in the details again. Easily one of the best fantasy reads I’ve picked up this year.

Intricate red and gold potion bottle amidst twisted branches on a dark cover. Text: "Magic is alive, and sometimes it bites. Deadwood."

Deadwood by Karley Brenna

Auria Tenere has spent her life locked away, serving a cruel king for a father and clinging to bedtime stories about fae and dragons. But when she’s promised to a stranger and finally allowed to leave the palace, her world cracks wide open. An ambush leaves her stranded in a strange outlaw town called Deadwood ... a place brimming with secrets, danger and magic that shouldn't exist. As she starts to unravel the lies that have shaped her life, she’s drawn to Bowen - a man her father fears and who may hold answers she’s desperate to find. But with her father hunting her down and everyone hiding something, freedom comes at a cost.

From the very first chapter, I was all in. This has all my favourite tropes: a mistreated FMC with hidden powers, a forbidden journey, and a town full of secrets. Deadwood gave off the best eerie-magic vibes, and I loved that I felt just as confused (and curious) as Auria. The worldbuilding sucked me in, the tension was chef’s kiss and the pacing kept me flipping pages way past bedtime.

And then there’s Bowen. He's hot, cold, emotionally unavailable and annoyingly irresistible. I wanted to smack him and then immediately hug him. His dynamic with Auria is so good. Add in a suspicious cast of characters, dragons, so many villains, and a final twist that left me speechless ... yeah I have questions. I have theories. And I need the next book like yesterday.

Book cover titled "Redeeming the Villain" by Pru Schuyler, features red flowers, petals, a hockey stick, butterfly, ornate gold designs.

Redeeming The Villain by Pru Schulyer

Alora Briarwood has perfected the art of pretending everything’s fine. As a politician’s daughter, she’s used to keeping up appearances but now she’s finally focusing on her music at Happily Ever After University, with her service dog Sunny by her side. Malik Ravenwell, the former high school bully turned hockey star, is trying to outrun his past. So when he accidentally ends up in Alora’s dorm room, their hostile history reignites. But secrets are about to surface ... secrets that tie them together in unexpected ways. With their pasts catching up and emotions running high, hate starts to unravel into something a whole lot deeper.

I devoured this book in one sitting ... I just couldn’t put it down. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Malik and Alora was so addictive, and even when Malik was being a complete jerk, I couldn’t help but root for him. Learning about his past genuinely broke my heart and the way Alora slowly got under his skin made it all the more powerful. That man said he hated her but every single action screamed the opposite.

Alora herself was incredible ... she's strong, compassionate, and so well-written. I really appreciated the rep for POTS and how her experience was handled, as well as how the story addressed themes of trauma and forgiveness. The found family aspect in this series continues to be one of my favourite parts, and honestly I was obsessed. This book hit hard in all the best ways and I can’t wait to see who’s up next.

This Vicious Dream by Stacia Stark

Madinia once helped save a kingdom but now she’s imprisoned. She's haunted by nightmares and trapped by those who want the powerful grimoire she’s vowed to protect. When a new player enters the game (his name is Calysian and he's beautiful, ruthless and hiding far more than he lets on) Madinia’s only hope is a tense alliance with the very man she shouldn’t trust. With ancient magic, tangled pasts and the weight of destiny looming, the battle isn’t just for the grimoire - it’s for their very souls.

I still don’t know how to emotionally recover from this book. It wrecked me in the best way. Madinia’s trauma, strength, and depth hit hard - she deserves the world and a bloody good therapist. Calysian? Also emotionally tormented but Madinia is the heart of this story.

Their connection is full of pain, fate and tension that made it all feel both beautiful and brutal. It’s slow, it’s heavy and it’s stunning. Total emotional spiral and I bloody loved every second.

Final Thoughts

And that’s a wrap on my May 5 star reads ... a glorious stretch of romantasy goodness, emotional chaos and characters I’ll be thinking about for weeks. While the reading high didn’t last forever (thanks reading slump), the standout books this month made it more than worth it.

If you’re looking for heartbreak, magic, morally grey love interests or just something that’ll leave you ruined in the best way, then these are the ones to add to your TBR immediately.

Curious which ones didn’t exactly light my fire? You can scroll through my READ list on Goodreads and peek at the ratings I threw their way.