"32 Days in May" by Betty Corrello is a thoughtful and original take on love, vulnerability, and life with a chronic illness. The premise is strong, two people seeking escape and connection during a single month at the Jersey Shore, but for me, the story never quite reached its full potential. Nadia is a compelling character, and her struggle with lupus is portrayed with honesty and care. Marco adds charm and emotional depth, but despite their chemistry, the narrative felt like it stayed on the surface at times. It’s an interesting read with real heart, but I found myself waiting for it to truly take flight, and it never quite did.
Thanks to Netgalley the author and the publishing house for the chance to read this book, in exchange of my honest review.

1.75

<i>“People are falling in love all over the place, all the time. Even in their darkest, most fucked-up hours.”</I>

Shortly after being diagnosed with lupus, Nadia retreats to the Jersey Shore as a way to process this new reality and hopefully gain back some control. While there, she is set up with a man named Marco.
Marco and Nadia decide to take inspiration from a movie and date each other for one month, and one month only.

The characters don’t really have much going for them, therefore, I found it hard to connect with them and care about the longevity of their relationship.
With a story like this, it’s a cliched inevitability that they’d end up falling in love with each other by the end of the month, despite having a no-strings-attached mindset. But can you truly fall in love with someone in a month when they’ve been purposely withholding key pieces of themselves?

Living with a chronic illness is not easy and can often feel isolating, I know this firsthand, but a lot of Nadia’s choices deeply frustrated me.

cw: suicidal ideation

Nadia lives in a fast-paced world where she is successful, keeps brutal hours and has an on again/off again relationship with a co-worker. That is, she did. Now, Nadia has difficulty riding her bike a few blocks, has lost her job and lives in her parents’ rental home. She has been diagnosed with lupus that is managed with handfuls of pills and is having difficulty coming to terms with the massive changes in her life.
Enter Marco, the disgraced former star who she has agreed to show around town on the request of her physician. When she and Marco begin their month-long romance, however, she is determined to not disclose her illness. She tells herself there is no harm in this as their relationship has an expiration date. In this tender story, both Nadia and Marco find themselves developing feelings for the other even though that was expressly not part of the pact they had to enjoy May and only May.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

As someone in the healthcare industry, I know how debilitating a chronic autoimmune disease like lupus can be. Not to mention being a healthy twenty-something one day, and getting sick with a diagnosis the next.

Such is what happens Nadia, who feels like her life is suddenly over. Then she meets Marco, a dreamy actor unsatisfied with his career, and they quickly fall for each other. However, in a many ways Nadia is not able to accept the new limitations of her body and her life. This books follows Nadia through every day in May as she begins the journey to accept her disease, and reclaim her life and her future.

I think people with chronic illness, especially invisible illnesses, will feel very seen by the novel. I found Nadia incredibly relatable, and her feelings generalizable to other health or mental health conditions. This is definitely a heavy read so be prepared, but it's uplifting and hopeful too. A good reading recommendation for May which is also Mental Health Awareness Month.

I absolutely adored this book. This was so much more than a story about a woman figuring out how to live after being diagnosed with a serious illness. Unfortunately, you sometimes find that your life has turned out to be nothing like what you planned and worked towards. You find yourself having to start over. There are so many emotions that come with rebuilding and I love that Corrello let Nadia experience so many of them. This isn’t just a story about love and resilience and hope. It’s also about loss and shame and feeling helpless. I would have loved more of a back story for Marco and also selfishly would have loved a glimpse of their future, but I’d still happily recommend this to anyone looking for a funny, thoughtful book about the curves life throws us.

Thank you to Harper Collins for the ARC!

A real, raw and vulnerable book about the feelings of living with a chronic illness. Betty Corrello really nailed it with this one. Whereas this is hilarious at times (because it’s written by Betty) it is also incredibly freaking sad- but I really don’t mean that in a bad way.

I do not have lupus, nor do I know anyone in my personal life who has it either. I had no idea the symptoms, pain, and complications that go along with this diagnosis. I can relate heavily to having a chronic illness though, and this felt like a knife to my heart that was poisoned with understanding and empathy. Nadia, really encapsulate the FEELINGS that come along with getting a diagnosis that is for life. From the crash out, to acceptance, to another crash out. I felt it all. When she said, “I read so many books to escape my body,” immediate tears because YES !!!!

Marco surprised me. I kinda did expect the worst out of him… only for him to be a secret lover boy. I loved his growth in such a short time span. To know it’s time to fix your own life and own up to that is really hard.

Betty Corrello will always be a star to me. I cannot wait to see what she blesses us with next.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyage for the arc!!!

I thought that Nadia's chronic illnesses was represented really well. Her lupus is an undeniable part of her life, and there are times where she tries to pretend to be "normal" but it always has a physical consequence for her later. She tries to keep her medication a secret, meaning she stops taking it regularly, and I thought the reveal when she couldn't keep it a secret anymore was really well done.

I'm a bit conflicted about this one. I really enjoyed aspects of this book, but I also found their personalities to be very brash. This felt like a case where swearing was leaned on too heavily and it took away from my enjoyment of the book.

Thank you to Avon for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

I thought that 32 Days in May looked like a cute, lighthearted beach read, and while it did have sweet moments and fun banter 32 Days in May also features topics including: mental health, chronic illness, and substance abuse.

What starts out as a no-strings fling that is only supposed to last only for the month of May quickly becomes so much more. This is an epic love story between two perfectly imperfect people.

I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more books by Betty Corrello, as this was my first.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio. And Betty Corrello for this ARC.

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 2/5

I haven’t been totally surprised by a book in a while, and this heart-filled story did just that! ☀️🐋🐚🌊
Thank you to @lavenderpublicrelations for the advanced copy!

Having been recently diagnosed with lupus, Nadia just wants to not be sick. After escaping to the small town on the Jersey Shore where she grew up, we watch as Nadia seeks to gain control over her life post-diagnosis. When the hot cousin of her rheumatologist comes to town and proposes a no-strings summer fling a la ‘Sweet November’, but for the month of May, she decides to jump at the chance.

The chemistry between Marco and Nadia is instant. I am shying away from calling it insta love, but there is something magnetic there right from the start, and I was OBSESSED! The way these two flirted and bickered with one another made me giggle and subsequently roll my eyes. I loved every second. Marco brought out a side of Nadia that she became desperate to hold on to, and I loved to see her flourish.

I absolutely love it when a couple says their relationship is only temporary, but slowly they begin to wonder ‘what if’! I mean… *SWOON*! As the days passed, Nadia and Marco found themselves falling deeper and deeper into each other’s orbit, despite the looming end date.

This story made me giddy, it made me teary, it made me anxious, and it made me believe that with love, you can overcome even the hardest things. This story was just so wonderful! With her perfectly timed one-liners that had me laughing out loud, I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with Betty’s writing. I need to go back and read her debut next! I cannot wait!

Thank you again to Lavender PR & @avonbooks!

32 Days in May follows Nadia, a former advertising director, who is dealing with the aftermath of her lupus diagnosis. She's retreated to her childhood beach home on the Jersey Shore and nursing her wounds, keeping her world small with two close friends and a part-time job helping one of them with their farm. When her rheumatologist puts her in contact with one of his relatives, she meets up with him to find he's a former TV star. The two agree to date, just for the month of May, but it is clear quite quickly that what they have may be suited for more than just May.

For a pretty heavy topic, this book reads quickly. The structure is interesting, following (for the most part) each day in May. I've seen some reviews claim that the story feels rushed, but I think that structure, along with shorter chapters, keeps you turning the page. You are rushing through the month, there's a chaotic energy to Marco and Nadia's romance, one that's only there because Nadia is keeping her diagnosis a secret.

Corrello excels at capturing the struggle of both depression and chronic illness. Her dating pact opens up her life, she lives without the specter of chronic pain weighing her down. But, that life is unrealistic long-term and you can see the repercussions of her whirlwind romance coming from miles away. I think anyone who has ever dealt with mental health issues or chronic illness will recognize themselves in Nadia's internal monologue--who would be willing to spend forever with someone who might not be able to get out of bed each morning.

Fans of Tarah Dewitt or Kate Clayborn will probably love this book, as it has the same kind of emotional feel as their novels.

* Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

Nadia has returned Evergreen, on the Jersey Shore, as a reprieve from some twists life has thrown at her. As she tries to come to terms with her new life and determine how she will move forward she is introduced to Marco, also at a crossroads in his life. They decide to have a no strings (or feelings) attached relationship for the month of May before they go their separate ways. However, as time goes on their hearts aren’t quite in agreement with these terms. However, Nadia struggles with letting Marco know the truth about her circumstances and why she is in Evergreen.

Although it has a lot of the same plot points, this is not your typical summer romance. What Nadia is too scared to tell Marco is that she has recently been diagnosed with Lupus, and due to the effects of that disease on her body she has lost her job, her independence, her sense of adventure, and, at times, her will to live. Amidst fun dates and adventures with Marco we see Nadia struggle with hiding her need for medications, suffering the aftereffects of doing things her body will no longer allow her to do, fight through others’ doubts about the reality of her situation, and the sometimes scary consequences of invisible illnesses like Lupus. As an Auto-Immune Warrior myself I understood a lot of what Nadia was feeling. I remember going through all the stages of grief, after my diagnosis, for the future I had envisioned. I appreciated that realistic portrayal of Nadia’s character and her struggles.

This book was published last week so go out and get a copy!
Thank you to @netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for my review!
#NetGalley #32DaysInMay

5 ⭐️
this was beautiful!! betty's writing is emotional and impactful. I'm learning that I LOVE the fake dating trope when it's done well. this is the perfect book to transition into the summer time!
- fake dating
- tasteful spice
- set at the jersey shore & rome
- chronic illness rep
- mental health rep
- addiction rep
- found family
thank you to Avon for the opportunity to read an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. I liked this book. I think it had a lot of potential and could have been a bit better. I just feel like there could have been a bit more depth to the characters. I wanted more banter, love, looking into the illness. Overall it was good just needed a bit more.

This book exceeded my expectations; it was such an amazing story, and the characters were so memorable. I was totally engaged throughout the entire novel.
The book was full of vivid descriptions and vivid imagery to the point where I felt like I had slipped into the pages.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this touching and complex romance.
The story centers on Nadja, who moves to her family's vacation home in the Jersey Shore after being fired and diagnosed with Lupus. She meets former-actor Marco, and they have immediate chemistry. Nadja is trying to learn to deal with illness and find a new way of life. Marco is coming from a major public burnout, and he is staying in the same town while he starts finding new projects outside of acting. The two decide to date for the month of May. A relationship with an end date. The main issue is that Marco doesn't know about Nadja's Lupus. As they both spend more time together, their feelings build, and so does the pressure of Nadja's secret diagnosis.
As someone who lives with an autoimmune disorder, this book spoke to me on so many levels. It represents the frustrating ups and downs of having one of the disorders. How you can have great days but sometimes they come at a price later on. The grief of your past life and also what you could have without the illness is beyond relatable. Nadja represents the battle between wanting to live a big life but also wanting to live a small peaceful one where you can manage your illness better.
Marco is complex and not at all perfect. He is charming but has vices and emotional baggage. He deals with sobriety and starting over in a different career field.
I loved their chemistry. They accepted each other, including the good and all the bad. The story was more serious than I expected. It was a funny, sad, and heartwarming book, and I highly recommend it!

32 Days in May is such an emotional and beautiful contemporary romance.

I loved both the banter and the (eventual) intense love between these two flawed characters, as well as the background love letter to everything great and unforgettable about the Jersey shore.
Absolutely read this book - you won't regret it!

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC!

This is an enlightening look at how challenging life can be when coping with a life changing illness and the internal fears that can arise in a potential relationship. I really appreciated the kindness and patience Marco had with Nadia, and I liked that they were both flawed and learning how to cope with their developing romance together. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrators and the life they brought to the characters.

It sounds light and unattached but Nadia and Marco each bring their own baggage to the table. From chronic illness to addiction and more. Betty Corrello was able to create these characters with so much humor and equal parts depth. Watching their lives unfold felt so raw.

I’m devastated that it’s over. This story has so many things that I love in a book. Dry humor, romance, characters with emotional depth, believability and banter. The relationships and characters throughout this story have relatable struggles and work through them in a way that felt authentic.

If you’re looking for your next beach read with depth then grab this one. Thank you to Avon Books, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you @avonbooks and @bettycorrello for this ARC!

“I want you, okay? Every version of you,”

If you’re in a sad girl summer mood and looking for a story that perfectly intertwines heartbreak and newfound love, then this story is for you!

✨Nadia is learning to live her life with Lupus. She wants to start over and rebuild her life to where she can manage it and be happy. But it’s hard to feel any happiness with her diagnosis. When she meets Marco she wants to be herself without the label of her diagnosis. Just for the month of May. She wants a month full of love, laughter, and freedom without any strings attached.

✨Marco is a celebrity with a bit of a bad past. He’s actually been in hiding for years. The agreement with Nadia gives him a month of finding the joy he feels like he lost for so many years. But he finds that she is his source of light and joy. Does he really want this to end once the month is up?

✨While the agreement between Nadia and Marco is temporary and is no strings attached, you can’t help but feel the magnetic pull they have to each other. Nadia brought back the joy Marco so desperately needed. Marco gave Nadia the gentle love and freedom she has been yearning for. Watching them both find new versions of themselves and with each other left me in a crying mess.

I simply adore this story 🥹

32 Days in May has:
💛 Celebrity romance
🌊 Small town beach
🫖 Giddy banter
✈️ Mental health rep
🩺 Lupus/ chronic illness rep
📒 Opposites attract
🧡 Timeline

The perfect summer read, especially for those of us who spend time at the shore. I loved how the main female character (Nadia) had lupus, but her disease didn't dominate the book. I loved the main male character (Marco) so much. He was mature, honest, damaged, and caring. I thought the book started off slow, but boy did it get good! Can't wait to read more from this author! Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC e-book.
Read from: May 12, 2025 - May 16, 2025