If you’re new to Hide Your Wallet, this is where we list new releases we’re pretty excited for in the coming month.
Each reviewer has a book maximum (five per person), and we’ve separated HYW into two parts. The first HYW of the month will cover books that release from the 1st to the 14th. The second HYW will cover books released from the 15th to the end of the month.
We also think this will help us feature books from smaller publishers who don’t have buy links up as early as the bigger trade houses.
As always, if we missed any books that you’re particularly looking forward to, tell us all about them in the comments.
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Book of Night
Author: Holly Black
Released: May 3, 2022 by Tor Books
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Urban Fantasy#1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black makes her stunning adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies in the vein of Ninth House and The Night Circus
In Charlie Hall’s world, shadows can be altered, for entertainment and cosmetic preferences—but also to increase power and influence. You can alter someone’s feelings—and memories—but manipulating shadows has a cost, with the potential to take hours or days from your life. Your shadow holds all the parts of you that you want to keep hidden—a second self, standing just to your left, walking behind you into lit rooms. And sometimes, it has a life of its own.
Charlie is a low-level con artist, working as a bartender while trying to distance herself from the powerful and dangerous underground world of shadow trading. She gets by doing odd jobs for her patrons and the naive new money in her town at the edge of the Berkshires. But when a terrible figure from her past returns, Charlie’s present life is thrown into chaos, and her future seems at best, unclear—and at worst, non-existent. Determined to survive, Charlie throws herself into a maelstrom of secrets and murder, setting her against a cast of doppelgangers, mercurial billionaires, shadow thieves, and her own sister—all desperate to control the magic of the shadows.
With sharp angles and prose, and a sinister bent, Holly Black is a master of shadow and story stitching. Remember while you read, light isn’t playing tricks in Book of Night, the people are.
Amanda: Adult Holly Black, hello!
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Breathless
Author: Amy McCulloch
Released: May 3, 2022 by Anchor
Genre: Mystery/ThrillerAS SEEN ON THE TODAY SHOW • A high-altitude thriller that will take your breath away—Cecily Wong is on her most dangerous climb yet, miles above sea level. But the elements are nothing compared to one chilling truth: There’s a killer on the mountain.
“A vertigo-inducing page-turner by an author who brings the high-stakes world of expert mountain-climbing to life on the page.”—Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid
Journalist Cecily Wong is in over her head. She’s come to Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world, to interview internationally famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh on the last leg of a record-breaking series of summits. She’s given up everything for this story—her boyfriend, her life savings, the peace she’s made with her climbing failures in the past—but it’s a career-making opportunity. It could finally put her life back on track.
But when one climber dies in what everyone else assumes is a freak accident, she fears their expedition is in danger. And by the time a second climber dies, it’s too late to turn back. Stranded on a mountain in one of the most remote regions of the world, she’ll have to battle more than the elements in a harrowing fight for survival against a killer who is picking them off one by one.
Elyse: I love survival stories as much as I love thrillers and this looks to be a good combo.
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By the Book
Author: Jasmine Guillory
Released: May 3, 2022 by Hyperion Avenue
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Meant to Be #2A tale as old as time—for a new generation…
Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing right out of college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, living at home, still an editorial assistant, and the only Black employee at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.
All she has to do is go to the author’s Santa Barbara mansion and give him a quick pep talk or three. How hard could it be?
But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau Towers is not some celebrity lightweight writing a tell-all memoir. He is jaded and withdrawn and—it turns out—just as lost as Izzy. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story begins to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn’t there before.
Best-selling author Jasmine Guillory’s reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is a romantic triumph of love and acceptance and learning that sometimes to truly know a person you have to read between the lines.
Elyse: This book sounds like it has Beauty and the Beast vibes.
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The Hacienda
Author: Isabel Cañas
Released: May 3, 2022 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: American, Horror, Mystery/ThrillerMexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches…
In the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz’s father is executed and her home destroyed. When handsome Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, Beatriz ignores the rumors surrounding his first wife’s sudden demise, choosing instead to seize the security his estate in the countryside provides. She will have her own home again, no matter the cost.
But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.
When Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, visions and voices invade Beatriz’s sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Rodolfo’s sister, Juana, scoffs at Beatriz’s fears—but why does she refuse to enter the house at night? Why does the cook burn copal incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark its doorway with strange symbols? What really happened to the first Doña Solórzano?
Beatriz only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will help her.
Desperate for help, she clings to the young priest, Padre Andrés, as an ally. No ordinary priest, Andrés will have to rely on his skills as a witch to battle the malevolent presence haunting the hacienda.
Far from a refuge, San Isidro may be Beatriz’s doom.
Elyse: I have been so excited for this retelling of Rebecca!
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Kiss Hard
Author: Nalini Singh
Released: May 3, 2022 by TKA Distribution
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Hard Play #4New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh brings you a sinfully playful contemporary romance between two sworn enemies turned partners in crime…
Daniel Esera is a young god on the rugby field, a sexy and charming man who’s got the world at his feet. There’s just one problem: his sudden potent attraction to his number one nemesis–Catie River. No. Just no. Not happening.
Catie River is on her way to Paralympic gold, and she’s not about to allow Danny “Hotshot” Esera to derail her plans. Too bad her body isn’t cooperating. Even worse? Her heart might be coming along for the ride. No. Nope. Never.
The pair are united in their desire to remain enemies… until a stranger’s reckless action threatens both their careers. Now, the only way out for Catie and Danny is to pretend to be in a relationship. How bad can it be? They’re adults in full control of their hormones and their hearts. There will be no kissing. No PDA. And definitely no falling in love.
Let the games begin.
Aarya: Love it when both main characters are athletes.
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The Murder of Mr. Wickham
Author: Claudia Gray
Released: May 3, 2022 by Vintage
Genre: Historical: European, Mystery/ThrillerSarah: Austen characters and couples assemble at a house party, and the grown offspring of two of them solve a murder – this sounds completely delightful.
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Tear Down the Throne
Author: Jennifer Estep
Released: May 3, 2022 by Harper Voyager
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Gargoyle Queen #2Bestselling author Jennifer Estep continues her Gargoyle Queen series with a highly anticipated sequel to Capture the Crown: Gemma Ripley must protect her kingdom and herself from threats of war, assassination, and a dangerous attraction that could break her reign…or her heart.
Crown princess. Clever spy. Powerful mind magier. Gemma Ripley of Andvari is all those things, but these days, she’s also extremely worried. Her problem? Figuring out how to stop an enemy’s plot to somehow use magical tearstone weapons to conquer her kingdom.
Gemma’s quest for answers leads her to a trade Summit between the various kingdoms. Among the other royals in attendance is Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta and her son, Prince Leonidas—Gemma’s charming and dangerous nemesis.
Gemma knows that Maeven always has a long game in motion, and sure enough, the cunning queen invokes an arcane tradition that threatens the fragile truce between Andvari and Morta. Despite her best intentions to keep her distance from the Morricones, Gemma once again finds herself thrown together with Leo and battling her growing feelings for the enemy prince.
When a series of deadly attacks shatters the Summit’s peaceful negotiations, Gemma realizes that someone wants to tear the royals down from their thrones—and that this enemy just might succeed . . .
Sarah: Any variation of “burn it down” or “tear it down” or “destroy it all” is right up my alley at the moment. Plus I love forbidden romances.
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Small Miracles
Author: Olivia Atwater
Released: May 6, 2022 by Starwatch Press
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, LGBTQIA, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyA little bit of sin is good for the soul.
Gadriel, the fallen angel of petty temptations, has a bit of a gambling debt. Fortunately, her angelic bookie is happy to let her pay off her debts by doing what she does best: All Gadriel has to do is tempt miserably sinless mortal Holly Harker to do a few nice things for herself.
What should be a cakewalk of a job soon runs into several roadblocks, however, as Miss Harker politely refuses every attempt at temptation from Gadriel the woman, Gadriel the man, and Gadriel the adorable fluffy kitten. When even chocolate fails to move Gadriel’s target, the ex-guardian angel begins to suspect she’s been conned. But Gadriel still remembers her previous job… and where petty temptations fail, small miracles might yet prevail.
Olivia Atwater explores love, grief, and the very last bit of chocolate in this sweet modern fantasy, full of wit and heart. Pick up Small Miracles, and enjoy a heavenly faerie tale from the author of Half a Soul.
Aarya: This sounds like the perfect mashup between The Good Place and Good Omens. I loved Olivia’s first trilogy (Regency Faerie Tales)!
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Tramps and Vagabonds
Author: Aster Glenn Gray
Released: May 9, 2022
Genre: Historical: American, LGBTQIA, Romance“We’re in this together, share and share alike, you said, and you got to let me share the bad too.”
Bold, streetwise James has been riding the rails in the midst of the Great Depression ever since he ran away from his uncle’s house two years ago. When he pauses to catch his breath with a stint in the Civilian Conservation Corps, he meets Timothy, who has never spent a day on the road but sure would like to give it a try.
James figures sweet angel-faced Timothy will last a few weeks at most. They’ll jump a train or two, see some of the country, maybe fool around a little: on the road no one minds much about two boys canoodling. Then Timothy will get tired of slumming it, and head on home.
In the meantime, Timothy’s just as much fun as James hoped and then some, and tougher than he looks, too. Soon James and Timothy share everything, splitting whatever food and money and good times they can scrounge, and leaning on each other when they run into trouble.
But summer fades into autumn, and James knows that Timothy ought to go home before the deadly winter arrives. James can’t stand to keep Timothy in danger, but can he bear to lose him?
Content notes for days. Police brutality, general fisticuffs, rampant petty thievery, pervasive low-key peril, transactional sex, sexual menace, references to child abuse, references to sexual assault, period-typical attitudes in general but especially toward homosexuality (by which I mean not only homophobia but “Which parties in this sexual interaction are actually considered queer?”). One of my beta-readers said she read half the book peeking through her fingers because it was so emotionally intense. Make of that what you will.
Aarya: Honeytrap is one of my favorite historical romances and AGG is an astounding talent. So excited to try whatever intriguing setting she writes next!
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Everything for You
Author: Chloe Liese
Released: May 10, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Bergman Brothers #5Aarya: Oliver was adorable in his siblings’s books; the grumpy-sunshine pairing looks delicious.
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Siren Queen
Author: Nghi Vo
Released: May 10, 2022 by Tor.com
Genre: Historical: American, Science Fiction/FantasyFrom award-winning author Nghi Vo comes a dazzling new novel where immortality is just a casting call away.
It was magic. In every world, it was a kind of magic.
“No maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers.” Luli Wei is beautiful, talented, and desperate to be a star. Coming of age in pre-Code Hollywood, she knows how dangerous the movie business is and how limited the roles are for a Chinese American girl from Hungarian Hill—but she doesn’t care. She’d rather play a monster than a maid.
But in Luli’s world, the worst monsters in Hollywood are not the ones on screen. The studios want to own everything from her face to her name to the women she loves, and they run on a system of bargains made in blood and ancient magic, powered by the endless sacrifice of unlucky starlets like her. For those who do survive to earn their fame, success comes with a steep price. Luli is willing to do whatever it takes—even if that means becoming the monster herself.
Siren Queen offers up an enthralling exploration of an outsider achieving stardom on her own terms, in a fantastical Hollywood where the monsters are real and the magic of the silver screen illuminates every page.
Aarya: I adore The Singing Hills Cycle fantasy novellas. I had to skip Vo’s Gatsby retelling because I don’t have fond memories of the original, but Siren Queen looks right up my alley.
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Someone in Time
Author: Jonathan Strahan
Released: May 10, 2022 by Rebellion Publishing Ltd.
Genre: LGBTQIA, Time Travel, Romance, Science Fiction/FantasyAnthology of inclusive tales of people through time looking for one another and for ways for the world to be better.
Love brought together or torn apart by time travel.
This anthology is the latest collection of time-travel romance sci-fi short stories from prominent, award-winning sci-fi authors including Nina Allan, Carrie Vaughn, and Seanan McGuire. Follow timetravelers of all genders as they go backward and forward in time, sometimes to save the one they love, other times as a sacrifice, and others simply because it’s their job. Some travel through memory, others through dreams, and others still through time machines to touch people who would otherwise be out of reach, and to join them together. Some of the stories are funny, some are sad and poignant, some are tales of fresh love and some of love forever lost, but they all are rather wonderful.
Including stories by: Alix E. Harrow, Zen Cho, Seanan McGuire, Sarah Gailey, Jeffrey Ford, Nina Allan, Elizabeth Hand, Lavanya Lakshminarayan, Catherynne M. Valente, Sam J. Miller, Rowan Coleman, Margo Lanagan, Sameem Siddiqui, Theodora Goss, Carrie Vaughn, Ellen Klages
Amanda: Been really digging into anthologies lately and this one has time travel romances by authors I’ve enjoyed.
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Hard Cider by Barbara Hambly. The latest in the Ben January series (insanely overpriced…18.99 on Kindle?), but I’m on hold at the library. He’s in New Orleans for this mystery, so I’m hoping for a little less ‘Ben visits location x’ with accompanying history.
Idle Gossip by Renee Patrick: Latest Edith Head mystery. Speaking of overprices, this is 28.99 on Kindle (wtaf?), but I’ll see if I can get the library to order it.
ONE FOR THE MONEY by Skye Warren (May 10): This begins a new series with a couple first introduced in Warren’s short story, HALLELUJAH (found in the MEET ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE anthology). ONE FOR THE MONEY continues the story of Finn and Eva, members of the rival Constantine and Morelli families (part of the multi-author Midnight Dynasty universe), who got to about second base in the earlier short story, so I’m figuring they’ll go a bit further as they enter into a fake relationship. Based on the blurb, the hero suffers from a chrinic/progressive illness. I’m interested to see how that will be handled.
SECOND CHANCE AT THE RIVERVIEW INN by Molly O’Keefe (May 10) features a bad-boy rock star and a single mother who lost her fiance several years ago. The Riverview Inn series has been very angsty and I don’t expect SECOND CHANCE to be any different.
FALLING FOR THE ENEMY by Katie Golding (May 16) is the second of her Malibu Millionaire series of rock-star erotic romances. I recently read book one, THE FOREVER NIGHT STAND, and, while it wasn’t as good as her previous Motocross books (FEARLESS and WRECKLESS), it was good enough that I’d like to read the next book in the series. The book has a “You’ve Got Mail” set-up where rival promoters don’t know they’re talking to each other via text messages.
UNBRIDLED COWBOY by Maisey Yates (May 24) is the first full-length book in her new Four Corners Ranch series (she recently released the prequel novella, ONCE UPON A COWBOY). This is a single-dad/marriage-of-convenience romance; not my favorite tropes, but Yates can always put an interesting spin on things.
RECLAIMING HIS RUINED PRINCESS by Caitlin Crews (May 24) is the second in her Lost Princesses Scandal duet for Harlequin Presents. Crews never fails to bring the angsty heartache…and I’m always there for it.
Jackie Ashenden also releases a new Harlequin Presents on May 24: A DIAMOND FOR MY FORBIDDEN BRIDE is the first book in her duet, Rival Billionaire Tycoons, featuring brothers who are (you guessed it) rival billionaire tycoons. Jackie Ashenden’s writing style fits perfectly with the HP template and I can’t wait to start this new series.
WANT by Ellis James (aka, Ella James) has been postponed from its original April release date to May 27. WANT is an m/m age-gap romance between a U.S. senator and a ballet dancer. Regardless of the name they published under, James’s books are always super long and heartbreaking—so I expect more of the same here. James’s books also have a history of postponed publication dates, so I’m not completely confident WANT will arrive on May 27, but hope springs eternal….
WHEN SHE DREAMS the latest Burning Cove book from Amanda Quick/JAK is out on Tuesday. So, I got that going for me. There’s a certain comfort in knowing it’s going to be an enjoyable ride before it even starts. I need a little sure thing in my life right now.
There’s also a new Victoria Helen Stone: AT THE QUIET EDGE. None of her subsequent books have captured me the way JANE DOE did, but I live in hope.
Out of the Ashes by Jenn Burke, Book 3 in the Ashes and Dust trilogy (Off-shoot of her Not Dead Yet trilogy) will be released May 10th.
Lish McBride’s A Little Too Familiar is coming out this month, I read it in ARC, and it’s adorable! Perfect for fans of Lauren Dane’s Diablo Lake books or Molly Harper’s paranormal rom-coms.
@MirandaB: I just saw a 192-page ebook for $18.99. A mystery released in Feb, so not an obscure academic text or anything. I hope this pricing is not a sign of things to come.
I forgot to mention that UNWANTED by Marley Valentine is scheduled for May 20 (postponed from April). It’s an m/m romance that begins a new series featuring MCs who grew up in foster care. I expect plenty of angst from this one, which has a very evocative and emotional cover.
I’m totally excited for By the Book. 2 more days! 2 more days!
The time travel anthology looks interesting, mostly authors I recognize and have enjoyed. Some of them very likely to rip your heart out but at least it will be quick? lol
I didn’t realize that Aster Glenn Gray has a new book coming out! I love her writing, even if the content warnings make me a little cautious.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston comes out May 3. It’s queer YA and even though I’m a little burned out on YA, I liked Last Stop well enough that I’m willing to try another YA.
Everything For You sounds like the Roy Kent / Jamie Tartt fanfic I’ve just realized I want.
Some enticing choices above! Thank you for the list and comments.
By the Book does have Beauty and the Beast vibes. All of the books in the series are nods to Disney Fairy Tales.
I enjoyed the ARC.
Like others, I am looking forward to The Hacienda, The Murder of Mr. Wickham, and By the Book. In addition, I want to read Book Lovers by Emily Henry (author of Beach Read).
Some really intriguing concepts, if the books can pull off the hooks. I look forward to meeting reviews of them.
As for the outrageous pricing on ebooks, I wonder if delays in shipping print books means that people used to paying that much for print are now being asked to pay it for ebooks, since that’s all they can get? It’s not like publishers can claim shipping delays are affecting their ebook distribution.
By The book, The Hacinenda, Siren Queen, Everything for You, Tramps and Vagabonds, Small Miracles, Kiss HArd, The Murder of Mr. Wickham, and Breathless are on this month’s list.