Special Edition Books – May 2025
Special Editions - May 2025
← Apr 2025 | May 2025 | Jun 2025 →
This page includes special editions that are anticipated publications in May 2025.
If you are looking for upcoming releases, click the button below.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links for which I may be compensated (this does not affect my reviews nor cost you any money, but helps support my site hosting costs). I deeply appreciate your support of my site if you use these links, but warmly encourage you to buy from your local Indie bookshop if you have the opportunity.
A Mermaid's Diary - Chris Riddell
Release date: May 1, 2025
“Dive into a mermaid’s diary and discover all the underwater secrets in this fantasy adventure, fully illustrated in black and white throughout.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback, signed by the author with exclusive endpapers.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Dragonborn - Struan Murray
Release date: May 1, 2025
“An electrifying story of dragon-children forced to hide their true natures and a deadly battle to stop the greatest dragon of all from waging war on humanity.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback, with red sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo
Release date: May 6, 2025
“A nscintillating dark fantasy set during Spain’s Golden Age, as a servant girl with magical powers strives to hide her Jewish blood from the deadly gaze of the Inquisition.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK paperback with author Q&A, inside jacket, and red sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
His Face is the Sun - Michelle Jabès Corpora
Release date: May 6, 2025
“A new reign is coming…Romance, magic, adventure, and horror collide in the start to this lush, epic, Ancient Egyptian inspired trilogy.”
Deluxe Limited Edition (US first printings). US hardback with scarab beetles stenciled on green sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
Shield of Sparrows - Devney Perry
Release date: May 6, 2025
“A swoon-worthy romantic fantasy filled with legends and monsters – it’s The Witcher meets Cinderella.”
Deluxe Limited Edition (US first printings). US hardback with decorative stenciled page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Silver Elite - Dani Francis
Release date: May 6, 2025
“In the first book of a sizzling dystopian romance series, psychic gifts are a death sentence and there are rules to survival: Trust no one. Lie to everyone. And whatever you do, don’t fall for your greatest enemy.”
Deluxe Limited Edition (US first printings). US hardback with silver foiled page edges, a premium foiled dust jacket, and an interior map illustration.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Older - Jennifer Harmann
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Before he discovered my age, he uncovered my heart.”
Deluxe Limited Edition (US first printings). US paperback with blue water stenciled page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
The Remnant Chronicles - Mary E. Pearson
Release date: May 6, 2025
“The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can’t abide. Like having to marry someone she’s never met to secure a political alliance.”
Special Edition. US paperbacks with decorative sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy Morrighan from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
➤ Buy The Kiss of Deception from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
➤ Buy The Heart of Betrayal from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
➤ Buy The Beauty of Darkness from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Skandar Series - A. F. Steadman
Release date: May 6, 2025
B&N Exclusive. US paperbacks with exclusive stenciled edge design, special holographic foil, and bonus content.
➤ Buy Skandar and the Unicorn Thief from Barnes & Noble
➤ Buy Skandar and the Phantom Rider from Barnes & Noble
➤ Buy Skandar and the Chaos Trials from Barnes & Noble
➤ Buy Skandar and the Skeleton Curse from Barnes & Noble
Love and Other Words – Christina Lauren
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Christina Lauren writes a romance for the ages in Love and Other Words, reuniting childhood sweethearts who never forgot each other.”
Deluxe Edition. US hardback with stenciled page edges, four-color endpapers, and more.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Jilted - Vi Keeland
Release date: May 6, 2025
“A slow burn, swooning romance where 27 Dresses meets The Hating Game.”
Special Edition. US hardback with turquoise stenciled page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
All We Lost Was Everything - Sloan Harlow
Release date: May 6, 2025
“A sexy, dark romantic thriller—with a shocking twist—by the author of Everything We Never Said.”
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with teal sprayed page edges and bonus content.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
The Survivor Wants to Die at the End - Adam Silvera
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Packed with all the themes and tropes you’ve loved in the series so far, the third installment offers up two new characters to fall in love with as they grapple with their fate.”
B&N Exclusive. US hardback with a bonus short story about Orion Pagan, scans of author Adam Silvera’s notes on the story, printed endpapers, and a unique cover.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
The Covenant of Water - Abraham Verghese
Release date: May 6, 2025
“A gorgeous and unforgettable epic about a family in South India where at least one member of each generation dies by drowning.”
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with French flaps, deckle edges, and an essay from the author about his travels in Kerala.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Lore Olympus: Volume Eight - Rachel Smythe
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Olympus is shaken, isolated from the mortal world by order of Zeus. But Persephone and Hades’ love cannot be tarnished by the insecurities of the gods.”
B&N Exclusive. US hardback with original cover artwork on the hardcover by author and illustrator Rachel Smythe.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
The Measure – Nikki Erlick
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.”
Deluxe Edition. US hardback with specially designed cover, stamped case, stunning endpapers, gilded edges, sewn-in ribbon bookmark, and new bonus content.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune
Release date: May 6, 2025
“A radiant, new escape to the lake from #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune.”
B&N Exclusive. US hardback with special cover effects and a behind-the-book essay from the author on her Bachelor-style creative process of auditioning many characters to get to Charlie Florek’s HEA.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Sweet Chaos (Calder Academy) - Tracy Wolff
Release date: May 6, 2025
“The adventure continues in book two of the bestselling spin-off to Tracy Wolff’s #1 NYT Crave series.”
Deluxe Limited Edition (first printings). US hardback with sprayed edges and a detailed foil stamped cas.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Only Mine (Honey Mountain) - Laura Pavlov
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Wolf Wayburn is the devil in an Armani suit. Most women would drop to their knees at just the sight of him. Lucky for me–I’m not most women.”
Limited First Printings. US paperback with stenciled page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth - Andrew Joseph White
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Gothic horror meets historical fiction in a profound and unflinching tale shining a light on the often overlooked experience of transgender and autistic people throughout history.”
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with four-color sprayed edges, embossing and metallic foil on the cover, and an alternative POV bonus chapter.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
The Tenant - Freida McFadden
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Blake Porter is riding high, until he’s not. Fired abruptly from his job as a VP of marketing and unable to make the mortgage payments on the new brownstone he shares with his fiancée, he’s desperate to make ends meet.”
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with an exclusive cover and letter from the author.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Charming Devil - Rebecca Kenney
Release date: May 6, 2025
“Neon Gods meets The Picture of Dorian Gray in this spicy modern retelling with a magical twist.”
Deluxe Edition. US paperback with red sprayed page edges, character art and more.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
The Devils - Joe Abercrombie
Release date: May 6, 2025
“The bestselling author of the First Law series unleashes a brilliantly inventive and witty fantasy yarn, involving bloodthirsty elves, a congregation of monsters and a plot to place a thief on the throne of Troy.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback, signed by the author with exclusive foiled board sprayed edge and alternate cover colourway.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #4) - Jessica Townsend
Release date: May 8, 2025
“Revelations surrounding Morrigan’s true identity gather pace as she sides with someone very dangerous to learn more of the Wundrous Arts.”
Waterstones Exclusive. Signed UK hardback with sprayed page edges (cover TBC).
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Donut Squad take Over the World – Neill Cameron
Release date: May 8, 2025
“A deliciously zany Phoenix Comic Book, a quartet of hilarious and hugely ambitious donuts perfect their plans for world domination.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK paperback with bonus sticker sheet.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
The Cambridge Jane Austen Set
Release date: May 8, 2025
“Prefaces and explanatory endnotes supplied by Janet Todd illuminate the cultural, historical and literary context, bringing Jane Austen’s world to life.”
University of Cambridge. UK hardbacks, released to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. The set includes illustrations drawn by Austen’s sister Cassandra to accompany her childhood piece ‘The History of England’, as well as Austen’s poems, unfinished novels and a selection of letters in which she offers advice on writing fiction. .
➤ Buy boxed set from Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Pride and Prejudice from Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Sense and Sensibility from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Persuasion from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Emma from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Northanger Abbey from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Mansfield Park from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Childhood Writings from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
➤ Buy Later Manuscripts from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
A Curse Carved in Bone - Danielle L. Jensen
Release date: May 13, 2025
“The Saga of the Unfated continues with another fiery, captivating romantasy where Freya fights for her kingdom — and her heart.”
Limited First Printings. US hardback with red foiled page edges, design stamped on the case under the dust jacket, and premium dust jacket materials.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Release date: May 13, 2025
“The Saga of the Unfated continues with another fiery, captivating romantasy where Freya fights for her kingdom — and her heart.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback with red stencilled page edges, signed by the author.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Not So Nice Guy - R. S. Grey
Release date: May 13, 2025
“Goodbye Ian, ol’ buddy, ol’ pal! Helloooo mister not so nice guy.“
First Printings. US paperback with stenciled page edges (cover image TBC).
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
What Sleeps within the Cove (Of Flesh and Bone) - Harper L. Woods
Release date: May 13, 2025
“Once, I bartered my soul for my mate.“
Deluxe edition. US hardback with aquamarine stained page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
The Wish Switch - Lynn Painter
Release date: May 13, 2025
“Emma Rockford knows it will take bonafide magic to make middle school everything she wants it to be. Luckily, before Emma’s beloved Nana died, she left detailed instructions on how to access an ancient, secret, magical wishing well.”
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with star stenciled page edges, an alternate cover design and bonus content.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Can't Get Enough - Kennedy Ryan
Release date: May 13, 2025
“Hendrix Barry lives a fabulous life. She has phenomenal friends, a loving family, and a thriving business that places her in the entertainment industry’s rarefied air. Who has time for romance?”
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with foiled cover and bonus content.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Love Arranged - Lauren Asher
Release date: May 13, 2025
“The final book in the Lakefront Billionaires series.“
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with foiled cover and bonus epilogue.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
The Blockbusters - Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Release date: May 13, 2025
“A boy bearing a striking resemblance to a huge movie star joins a film crew on location in hope of tracking down his runaway brother.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback with special endpapers and clapperboard sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Dream On, Ramona Riley - Ashley Herring Blake
Release date: May 13, 2025
“A small-town waitress and a Hollywood star’s worlds collide.“
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with alternate colorway and a Q&A with the author.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon - Grace Lin
Release date: May 13, 2025
” A gorgeously full-color illustrated story about a lion cub and a girl who must open a portal for the spirits, based on Chinese folklore.”
Deluxe Limited Edition (first printings). US hardback with stenciled designed sprayed edges, a foil case stamp and decorative endpapers.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
We Live Here Now - Sarah Pinborough
Release date: May 20, 2025
“A haunting Gothic novel about a house – and a marriage – gone terribly wrong.”
Limited Stenciled Edge Edition. US hardback with creepy tree in white stenciled on red sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig
Release date: May 20, 2025
“A fairytale that’ll leave you in a trance, Rachel Gillig (One Dark Window) weaves together romance, magic and folklore into one dazzling story. This is perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Ava Reid.”
B&N Exclusive. US hardback with exclusive cover with foil treatment, stenciled edges with a four-color design, designed endpapers with patterns from the stenciled edges, a foil stamp on the hardcover case, and an exclusive interview with author, Rachel Gillig.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback with sprayed page edges and exclusive endpapers.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Small Town Swoon - Melanie Harlow
Release date: May 20, 2025
“Only in the movies does the Hollywood heartthrob fall for the small town diner waitress.”
First printings. US paperback with pink cherries stenciled on the page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
The Love Haters - Katherine Center
Release date: May 20, 2025
“It’s a thin line between love and love-hating.”
First printings. US hardback with green stenciled page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Heart of the Sun - Mia Sheridan
Release date: May 20, 2025
“From mega-bestseller and TikTok sensation Mia Sheridan comes an all-new epic second-chance romance with an unexpected and gritty speculative twist.”
Deluxe edition (first printings). US paperback with foiled cover detail and ombre stars stenciled on the page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Full Tilt - Emma Scott
Release date: May 20, 2025
“I would love you forever if I only had the chance…”
Deluxe edition. US paperback with blue sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Dear Reader - Tate James
Release date: May 20, 2025
“The first in an all-new spicy and suspenseful “why choose” romance series from TikTok sensation Tate James.“
Deluxe Edition. US paperback with black foiled cover, and a decorative stenciled page edge design.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Behooved – M Stevenson
Release date: May 20, 2025
“A charming slow-burn romantasy featuring a duty-bound noblewoman with a chronic illness, a prince who would rather be in a library than on a throne, and a magical ride through a world of cozy enchantment.”
Deluxe edition. US paperback with pink sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
Baking Across America: A Vintage Recipe Road Trip - B. Dylan Hollis
Release date: May 20, 2025
“Join B. Dylan Hollis, bestselling author of Baking Yesteryear, on a cross-country culinary journey with 100 uniquely American recipes.”
B&N Exclusive. US hardback with a bonus behind-the-scenes look at the making of Baking of Across America including exclusive photos and stories..
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
➤ Buy signed exclusive from Barnes & Noble
My Friends - Fredrik Backman
Release date: May 20, 2025
“A moving tale about art and friendship, My Friends is a testament to love and the mysteries of life from the author of A Man Called Ove.“
B&N Exclusive. US hardback with a foil stamped case, designed endpapers, and a Q&A from the author.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
➤ Buy signed exclusive from Barnes & Noble
Rewind it Back - Liz Tomforde
Release date: May 20, 2025
“Don’t miss Rio + Hallie’s story in the final book of the global phenomenon, Windy City series.”
First Printings. US paperback with pink to red ombre sprayed page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
Last Orders - Denzil Meyrick
Release date: May 22, 2025
“The twelfth thrilling book in Meyrick’s bestselling series finds DCI Jim Daley himself stand accused of murder and as the evidence piles up against him, it’s down to DS Brian Scott to prove his old friend’s innocence.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback with a bonus chapter.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
All Fours - Miranda July
Release date: May 22, 2025
“A semi-famous artist announces her plan to drive cross-country from LA to NY. Thirty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, beds down in a nondescript motel and immerses herself in a temporary reinvention that turns out to be the start of an entirely different journey.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK paperback with stencilled page edges (design TBC).
➤ Buy from Waterstones
The Elopement - Gill Hornby
Release date: May 22, 2025
“A spellbinding follow-up to Hornby’s bestselling Godmersham Park, The Elopement finds Jane Austen’s niece Fanny take on a new role as the wife of a wealthy widower – whose young daughter just happens to fall in love with her brother.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback, signed by the author with stencilled page edges and decorative endpapers.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Felix and the Future Agency - Rachel Morrisroe
Release date: May 22, 2025
“A boy with an ability to see into the future joins the titular organisation in order to save the country from natural disasters in Morrisroe’s riveting children’s fantasy.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback with decorative stencilled page edges.
➤ Buy from Waterstones
The Sleepless - Jen Williams
Release date: May 22, 2025
“The cursed guardian of a forest full of monsters faces even greater danger when she crosses paths with a handsome Artair destined to share his body with an evil spirit.”
Waterstones Exclusive. UK hardback, signed by the author with sprayed page edges and exclusive endpapers (design TBC).
➤ Buy from Waterstones
Growing Home - Beth Ferry
Release date: May 27, 2025
“An endearing story of friendship and family featuring lovable, chatty houseplants, pets, and a pesky man in purple shoes.”
B&N Exclusive. US hardback with alternate cover, full-color designed endpapers and a special case with gold foil stamping, as well as behind-the-scenes bonus content.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Beautiful Venom - Rina Kent
Release date: May 27, 2025
“A new dark hockey romance.“
Deluxe edition (first printings). US paperback with red stenciled page edges.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Waterstones | Blackwells
B&N Exclusive. US paperback with foiled alternate cover colorway, snake stenciled page edges, inside cover design and four-color art tip-in.
➤ Buy from Barnes & Noble
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
Release date: May 27, 2025
“Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: If he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing with, will be jeopardized.”
10th Anniversary Deluxe Limited Edition. US paperback with holographic foiled cover, French flaps with cookie pattern on the endpapers, rainbow sprayed page edges and bonus content.
➤ Buy from Amazon | B&N | Blackwells
← Apr 2025 | May 2025 | Jun 2025 →
This page includes special editions that are anticipated publications in May 2025.
If you are looking for upcoming releases, click the button below.
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