Unboxing My Latest Book Haul
Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week
Mid-May has that light, fluttery feeling—like something wonderful is just about to happen—and this week’s book mail made it official. My TBR pile has grown into a cheerful, sunlit stack, thanks to a book haul filled with new book releases that feel made for long afternoons and open windows. Each package carried thoughtful book recommendations, like sweet little hints from readers who somehow know exactly what story will steal your heart. And as I set them down beside my favorite chair, I can’t help but believe that somewhere in this stack are the best books of 2026, just waiting for the moment I fall completely, happily into them.
Where to Buy These Books:
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This Week’s Book Mail Includes:
A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham — A tea shop traditionalist and a charming pub owner clash—and spark—in a small-town rivalry that just might turn into love.
Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters — Former first loves reunite undercover in a dangerous world of crime, where trust is fragile and secrets could cost them everything.
The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff — A kitchen witch must heal a mysterious warlock while uncovering secrets—and perhaps love—in a town touched by magic.
The Sea Spinner by Julie Johnson — A grieving young woman with volatile magic must navigate war, power, and tangled loyalties before it destroys her.
The Original by Priya Parmar — A young Katharine Hepburn rises to stardom in 1930s Hollywood while fighting to live—and love—on her own terms.
The Museum of Unusual Occurrence by Erica Wright — When a body appears as an exhibit, a museum owner must uncover a killer hiding in plain sight.
The Architect of Deception by Debbie Baldwin — A daring heist spirals into murder, forcing a grieving man to unravel a deadly conspiracy among the powerful.
Mist and Malice by Rachel Howzell Hall — A private investigator uncovers a chilling conspiracy in a coastal town where danger lurks behind every secret.
What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter by Laura Clery — A comedian turns heartbreak, chaos, and personal disaster into a raw and hilarious story of reinvention.
Ways of Listening by Rollie Pemberton — A musician explores how streaming, algorithms, and culture have reshaped the way we discover and value music.
One Second Away by Rick Mofina — A mother’s worst nightmare unfolds when her son vanishes mid-flight in a mystery tied to a deadly catastrophe.
Time to Burn by Ellery Lloyd — In a world where the rich vacation in the past, a vanished traveler reveals a terrifying manipulation of history.
Mayhem and the Mortal by Shanora Williams — A woman teams up with a ruthless assassin on a magical quest where secrets threaten to ruin everything.
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff — After a devastating fire, a family confronts the fractures in their marriage, memories, and sense of home.
When the Wolves Are Silent by C.S. Harris — A brutal aristocrat’s murder draws a detective into a web of ancient rituals, revenge, and deadly secrets.
The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty — A pirate captain must steal a magical object that can rewrite destiny—if she survives the dangers closing in.
Safari Murder Party by Rachel Moore — A corporate retreat turns deadly when coworkers hunt each other for control of a media empire.
How the Story Goes by Andrew Forrester — A widower and an aspiring writer join forces to finish a beloved fantasy series—and heal their own hearts.
Wings of Life by Meghan Le Fay — A princess-turned-spy must choose between duty and forbidden love as war and magic collide.
Jeff O'Lantern by Charlie Greenwald — A shy little pumpkin sets out to prove he can be just as heroic as his spooky older brother.
The Sun Thief by Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater — A curious squirrel sets out to solve the mystery of disappearing daylight in this playful seasonal tale.
Two’s a Charm by Heather Spellman — Rival witch sisters must reunite to stop dark magic threatening their small-town home.
Evening the Score by Lexi LaFleur Brown — A revenge plot turns into unexpected romance when a hockey mascot and star player fake-date their way into real feelings.
Meet Me in Italy by Brenda Novak — A woman’s trip to Italy uncovers family secrets, unexpected love, and a chance to rewrite her future.
Mother and Slaughter by Liz Shipton — A fierce gladiator defies a brutal system as she embarks on a quest that could topple a patriarchal kingdom.
Jeremy Carter: The Swell of Hope and Fury by Lior Zelering — A teen surfer’s discovery of alien power launches him into a high-stakes battle against dangerous enemies.
The Taverna at the Edge of Night by H.Y. Hanna — A dream getaway turns into a nightmare as secrets, lies, and murder haunt a Greek island village.
Daughter of the Wind by Nora Carmody — A princess with forbidden magic must choose between her duty and a dangerous love that could change everything.
The Brave and the Fearless by Dilan Dyer — A fake engagement between a rising musician and a country star begins to feel all too real.
Boots Beneath Her Bed by Taylor Esposito — A woman with a dangerous past finds love and a fresh start on a ranch—but secrets threaten to catch up with her.
More Than Friends by Denise Hunter — A woman returns home after heartbreak and discovers love may have been waiting there all along.
Go-Between Girl by Andrea Gunraj — A powerful essay collection explores identity, heritage, and the lasting impact of colonial history.
The Last Straight Woman by Phoebe Maltz Bovy — A sharp, witty exploration challenges assumptions about female heterosexuality and modern identity.
First and Forever by Lynn Painter — A PR stunt fake romance between a football star and a fan turns into something unexpectedly real.
Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson — A pop star’s murder sends her sister into a dangerous investigation through the dark side of fame.
The Last Lady B by Eloisa James — A widow at a haunted abbey must untangle secrets, lies, and love to reclaim her future.
Tapeworm by A.P. Thayer — A desert getaway turns into a terrifying descent into desire and horror when something sinister infiltrates a group of friends.
Close Relationships with Strangers by Krista Diamond — A paparazzo’s obsession with a scandal-ridden celebrity pulls him into a dangerous unraveling of morality and self.
Flirting with Murder by Amanda Sellet — A summer of staged mysteries turns real when two teens must solve an actual murder in their eccentric community.
Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West — A fake engagement for therapy blurs into real feelings in this charming, chaotic romance.
Forty Love by Jane Costello — A widowed mom finds confidence, passion, and a second chance at love on the tennis court.
The Laboratory Assistant by Natalie Loya — In revolutionary Russia, a young woman is drawn into a dangerous world where love and science blur into obsession.
Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn — A luxury prison stay turns deadly when inmates must solve a murder before becoming suspects themselves.
Baker’s Dozen by Dasha Kelly — After a woman’s sudden death, those she left behind piece together her life through cryptic clues and hidden truths.
A Walk Down Rushville by Barbara Burton — A grieving widow’s journey across continents leads her toward healing, courage, and unexpected love.
The History We Carry by Margaret Whitford — A daughter uncovers the painful legacy of her mother’s trauma in this deeply moving memoir.
Trust Yourself Anyway by Sally Miller — A heartfelt guide encourages readers to quiet the noise and reconnect with their inner voice.
