Book to be published May 13, 2025
32 days in May, on the surface, may seem like a typical contemporary romance. It has an “everyday” quality that describes the most mundane details about someone like only someone who is gently falling in love can.
We are on the Jersey Shore, seeing the world through Nadia’s eyes, she attempted suicide due to debilitating depression after a lupus diagnosis. Lupus has given her terrible migraine headaches, overall body pain, and led to her being let go from her job. It was an all consuming job, one of those that we have a hard time separating our identity from. She is introduced to Marco, a celebrity formerTV actor who is the relative of her doctor. Marco is working hard at his sobriety and finding his next steps. They are instantly attracted to each other and decide to date for the month of May, a no-commitment casual relationship that will end when he goes back to LA.
Nadia doesn’t tell him about her lupus or her depression, taking her medications in secret and getting to live a minor fantasy, having someone know her without knowing her diagnosis.
Beautiful, sweeping descriptions of the boardwalk and the ocean, sometimes snarky observations interspersed with well timed dialogue, 32 Days in May is an emotional romance. Who hasn’t fantasized about being able to hide the shame of ourselves and find intimacy outside of our brokenness? And to have someone say, “I love you, for all you are, and the thing you are ashamed of is not something that defines you.”
I have actually daydreamed about writing a book like this one. I have a severe case of misophonia, a loneliness inducing condition that is filled with shame. It is widely misunderstood, and to have someone love me despite my diagnosis is a romantic notion I can’t even rationalize. You will love Marco and you will want to wrap up Nadia and be her big sister.
Thanks to @netgalley and @avonbooks for the ARC. Book to be released May 13, 2025.
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