3.5⭐️

32 Days in May was a raw and sweet story. This was my first Betty Corrello book and I enjoyed it. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but I was still interested in how the story would develop.

I liked reading about all the date adventures and moments between Nadia and Marco. They were both likable characters. Things did move fast between them so it was a bit insta-lovey. The ending moment was so sweet and had my heart melting at how thoughtful it was.

Will definitely read more by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the arc!

The banter was next level. I hadn’t smirked or squealed reading the dialogue in a book in a very long time.

I loved the diversity.

The plot felt believable and endearing.

The autoimmune representation was explained well from someone who isn’t familiar with Lupus.

Overall, a perfect emotional contemporary romance for those who are looking for some depth with their swoon.

Thank you Avon Books for my #gifted finished copy and thank you Harper Audio for my #gifted listening copy of 32 Days in May! 32DaysInMay
#BettyCorrello #HarperAudio #avonbooks #JoyNash

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝟑𝟐 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐲
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐨𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐡
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟱★

Incredible! Betty Corrello has written an incredibly moving, funny, heartbreaking, and authentic romance about a young woman, Nadia, recently diagnosed with lupus, and her attempts at a no-strings relationships with Marco, a former TV star for a month. Set on keeping her illness a secret, this book beautifully portrayed life, love, and more, all while living with a chronic illness. The chronic illness rep in this book was so unbelievably well done. Not only did I learn a lot about lupus, but I felt like the author did such an amazing job portraying an autoimmune disorder. There was so much to love about Nadia and Marco and their relationship with one another and how they both brought out the best in one another.

I loved how the book was written, with the start of each chapter as a new date in the month of May. I felt like it flowed so perfectly and I could not read this book fast enough! This book should definitely be on your summer reading list!

☀️Chronic Illness Rep
☀️Found Family
☀️Jersey Shore and Italy Setting
☀️Emotional
☀️Dating Pact
☀️Must Read Book of the Summer

🎧I started with the physical book, and then switched to the audiobook, which was narrated by Joy Nash. This was my first audiobook narrated by Nash, and I loved how she perfectly fit Nadia’s character. Nash was just as I imagined Nadia would sound when I started reading the physical and I thought she did such a phenomenal job bringing the right type of emotion for this book. If you’re looking for a new audiobook with an amazing narrator, this is it!

Posted on Goodreads on May 13, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around May 13, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on May 13, 2025
**-will post on designated date

This book broke my heart and put me back together. In a world of happy summer rom coms, sometimes we need a Sad Girl Summer book and Corrello delivers beautifully.

Nadia is adjusting to life after being diagnosed with Lupus. She's figuring out what she wants, what she can handle, and if the two will ever overlap. Marco is a well-recognized ex-actor with a questionable past and Nadia is asked to show him around Evergreen. After an eventful evening together, Marco proposes the idea that they date for one month and then go their separate ways. Nadia agrees, but plans on never disclosing her diagnosis because Marco treats her like a normal person. But when the end of the month comes, will they be able to unattach as easily as they had planned?

Thoughts:
I loved watching these two banter and battle it out. While this book made me so emotional, it was because of the vast amounts of joy that these characters experienced. Their May was soft and wonderous. The side characters are delightful and I loved them so much. The chronic illness rep was well done! Nadia has me feeling inspired to make more out of this summer!

Get Ready For:
Chronic Illness Rep (Lupus)
Small Beach Town
Banter
Mental Health Rep
Sobriety
Jersey Shore
Whales!!
Italian Getaway

And if you don't trust my review, it has a STARRED review from Publishers Weekly!!

The only thing better than reading this book in paperback form was listening to the audiobook! I AdORED Summertime Punchline and 32 Days in May was another amazing read for me! I love the laughter that Betty Corrello brings to my reading experiences!

4.5 stars!⭐️

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s a romance, of course, but it’s also an emotional story about chronic illness, identity, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you.

Nadia retreats to Evergreen - the Jersey Shore town of her childhood - after a life changing lupus diagnosis, determined to keep her life small, quiet, and under control. Enter Marco, a former actor with baggage of his own, and a “just for May” fling that quickly becomes much more complicated.

As Nadia’s health struggles escalate alongside her growing feelings for Marco, the novel doesn’t shy away from the realities of chronic illness. Instead, it embraces them, shedding light on the emotional and physical toll with grace and empathy. It doesn’t pretend chronic illness is something that can be wished away with love - but it does show that love can coexist with pain.

Recommend if you love:
- beach-town romances
- emotional depth
- honest depictions of chronic illness

A huge thank you to Avon for the ARC & ALC! 💕

Betty Corrello has actually blown me away. Summertime Punchline was all over my feed last year and now I totally understand that it’s because Betty puts actual DRUGS in her writing. Mind blown.
There’s so much to love about 32 Days in May. Not only is it an incredible romance about unexpectedly finding YOUR person, but it’s also an emotional, raw, real depiction of chronic illness and the toll it takes on mental health. Through many small, hopeful moments, Nadia and Marco fall together in a way that almost can’t be described. They just ARE. They each fight through their own, and each other’s angst to be present and supportive in a way that becomes so far beyond what they initially set out for and the undeniable pull and yearning is so real and heartfelt.
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the romance, the banter, the side characters, the humor. I’m actually gutted that Betty Corrello’s debut novel has been sitting on my shelf waiting for me for so long because what have I been doing?? After this masterpiece it’s absolutely coming up for me soon.
Thank you so much to Avon Books for providing me with a digital review copy via NetGalley! This is 100% one I will be purchasing.

4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Nadia is living with Lupus, recently diagnosed and still grappling with the daily pain, fatigue, and emotional weight that comes with it. The book opens with a raw, deeply personal look at her reality-no sugarcoating, just the honest struggle of managing a chronic illness. The author, who has an auto immune disease herself, writes with unfiltered authenticity, and it shows.

Nadia lives in New Jersey, where a routine doctor’s visit takes an unexpected turn-her physician wants to set her up with his cousin, Marco. To their surprise, there’s an instant spark. They agree to one month of no-strings-attached dating: no pressure, no expectations. Nadia chooses not to tell Marco about her illness. For once, she wants to feel carefree, spontaneous, and untethered by her diagnosis.

But Lupus doesn’t stay quiet. When the flares come, there’s no covering them up-and Nadia is faced with the one thing she’s been trying to protect herself from: being seen at her most vulnerable. What happens when something meant to be light and easy starts to carry real weight? And what if the one person who makes her feel safe also sees the parts she’s fought hardest to keep hidden?

Though much of the story is rooted in New Jersey-Nadia’s home, her heart, the place where real life unfolds with all its grit, salt air, and steady rhythm-a brief stay in Italy glows with its own kind of magic. The Jersey Shore is a constant, familiar pulse, but Italy offers something she rarely feels: quiet, beauty, and a break from the weight she carries every day.

Love doesn’t wait for perfect timing or perfect health-it shows up messy, uninvited, and exactly when you need it most. And when it stays, despite everything, that’s when it becomes real.

An hilarious, no filter, yet serious take on what it is to live with a chronic illness.

It follows the story of Nadia, living with Lupus, who agrees to a month long no strings attached relationship with Marco, an actor and recovering alcoholic.

The book told from May 1-May 32 in a diary like format explores the dynamics between the duo, secrets and familial interjections alongside some funny moments.

I found Nadia to be a refreshing take on main characters. She had no filters which I particularly liked. She is vulnerable and yet afraid and sometimes not afraid to show it.

I love the ‘relationship’ with Marco. I love the ease and camaraderie that they both share. You will feel all the emotions with the characters.

This book had a great premise, and I enjoyed the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, the book fell flat for me, and I think that the characters were one-dimensional. I don't think that Nadia or Marco were healthy enough to be in a relationship either.

There were heavy topics in the story, and I think that they were handled well. Nadia's lupus has affected every aspect of her life, and she escapes the city to go to a small beach town in New Jersey. Marco is an actor, who is looking for his next role. He is hiding out in the same small town, and he and Nadia decide to date each other for the month of May.

They quickly develop feelings, and they realize that they don't want May to end because they don't want to say goodbye to each other. I wanted to connect with the characters, but I just didn't. I wanted to root for them to be together, but I just didn't.

Did you know there are 32 days in May? Well okay, I was just kidding, but this book made me want to immediately ship myself to an alternate reality with infinite days in the month of May.

32 Days in May is a delightful blend of wit, warmth, and vulnerability. Nadia, grappling with a lupus diagnosis, retreats to her hometown, Evergreen, for solace. Enter Marco, a former actor seeking his own escape. Their agreement? A no-strings-attached fling for the month of May. But as days pass, their connection deepens, challenging their boundaries and fears.

Corrello masterfully intertwines humor with poignant moments, creating a narrative that's both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Nadia and Marco's journey is a testament to the healing power of love and the courage to be vulnerable. Betty Corrello really nailed this one with 10s across the board and sticked the landing perfectly. I was sobbing and laughing out loud... what more could you want from a romance experience?

Huge thank you to Avon for an early readers copy of this book!

After a shocking lupus diagnosis, Nadia returns to her hometown, Evergreen. She’s desperate for a sense of control over her body. When her rheumatologist sets her up with his infamous former-actor cousin, Marco, Nadia is skeptical. After a messy (but fun) first date, they decide that a May-long fling could be just what the doctor ordered.

Sweet November is one of my favorite movies, so Nadia & Marco Sweet Novembering their way through the month of May was like a kryptonite. I loved how they decided to date like the movie & go their separate ways by the month end when they knew that's not going to happen.

Nadia's pain with lupus is very well written--with hints of humor & rawness. The romance was so comforting & made me giddy. Their connection & chemistry were undeniable. And the backdrop of Evergreen & Rome was added bonus.

Nadia is beginning life again after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, losing her career, and having to relocate to her family’s humble duplex on the New Jersey coast. When she is set up on a date by her doctor, she jumps at the chance to live briefly without the constant reminder of her illness and limitations. Made famous by a semi-ridiculous television show, Marco is also beginning again after recovering from addiction and disconnection. Their relationship develops quickly, and they discover the beauty in each other and in the quirky beach town that is both a joke and a refuge.

I appreciated so many aspects of this book, and I can see many people absolutely loving it. It is difficult to find contemporary romances that deal with serious issues while also still being escapist and innovative, and this book accomplishes that lofty goal. I value the representation of chronic illness and the way that this informed the writer’s use of sequencing. Nadia’s journey draws the reader in, and her desire to live outside of her circumstances is relatable.

This book is also highly romantic and humorous; both the hero and heroine are beaten down by life, but their wry approach to their lives causes exceptional dialogue. The physicality is not the romantic focus, but the meeting of their minds and hearts feels unique.

This was my first book by Betty Corrello, and I would definitely read more from her. It’s not a typical beach read, and this book celebrates and honors how authentic love can bring out the best in all of us.

Overall rating: 4.5 stars

32 Days in May is such a cute book. It is funny and emotional. I lovedddddd the male main character. Sometimes I find that the third act break up erks me, but not in this book. Betty Corrello really knows how to write a good third act break up, because its realistic. This definitely was a book like I've never read before.

Betty Corrello’s 32 Days in May is the kind of novel that feels like a long, late-night heart-to-heart with a friend—one who makes you laugh through your tears, who tells you the truth you need to hear, and who holds your hand the whole way through.

This story begins with Nadia Fabiola quietly unraveling. After a sudden and life-altering lupus diagnosis, she walks away from her fast-paced, put-together life and escapes to Evergreen, the sleepy Jersey Shore town where she spent her childhood summers. She’s not there for healing exactly—at least not in the Hallmark movie sense. She wants quiet, smallness, invisibility. She wants to rest without having to explain herself. She wants to stop pretending everything’s okay.

Nadia is a brilliant, funny, complicated woman—sharp-witted, occasionally prickly, and deeply relatable. She’s stuck in the no-man’s-land between who she used to be and who she’s becoming, and she’s not quite ready to let anyone witness the in-between version.

Then comes Marco Antoniou, her rheumatologist’s cousin and an ex-teen celebrity whose own life has gone sideways. He’s charming, a little bit lost, and trying to piece together a sober, sustainable future after years in the spotlight. When Nadia agrees to one messy, chaotic first date with him, neither expects it to mean anything. But somehow, they find comfort in each other’s broken pieces. They strike a deal: a one-month-only romance, just for May, no expectations, no confessions, no big feelings. (Spoiler: big feelings arrive anyway.)

What follows is a story that is equal parts swoony romance, emotional excavation, and intimate character study. Corrello handles the complexity of chronic illness and depression with such grace and nuance. She doesn’t romanticize Nadia’s experience, but she doesn’t drown the reader in despair either. Instead, she gives us a protagonist who is allowed to be funny, stubborn, vulnerable, and strong in ways that aren’t always Instagrammable. Nadia is messy and human, and that’s what makes her unforgettable.

And Marco—oh, Marco. He starts out a little rough around the edges (and yes, with a mullet and nicotine habit), but he is magnetic and kind in a way that feels rare in contemporary romance. His chemistry with Nadia is immediate and electric, but more than that, there’s a tenderness between them that slowly builds. He sees her—not just the version she performs, but the one she tries to hide. And despite their mutual agreement to keep things casual, there’s nothing casual about the way they begin to lean on each other, day by day, moment by moment.

The Jersey Shore setting is cozy and nostalgic, full of salt air, boardwalks, quirky neighbors, and summertime magic. There’s even a sweet detour to Rome that adds a bit of sparkle to the narrative. But what shines brightest here is the emotional journey—the quiet courage it takes to trust someone new, the grief of losing who you were, and the hope that love might still be possible in the aftermath.

There’s spice, there’s humor, there are moments that will absolutely gut you (in the best way), and there’s a softness to the writing that makes the whole thing feel like a warm blanket on a hard day. The chapter format—one day for each of the thirty-one days in May, plus a little extra—creates this lovely sense of intimacy and immediacy. Every day we spend with Nadia and Marco feels earned and present.

32 Days in May isn’t just a love story; it’s a story about resilience, about learning to live with the hard things and still choosing joy anyway. It’s about love that doesn’t fix you, but lets you be broken while holding space for your healing. It’s about the ways we survive, and the ways we let people in.

This book gave me the full range—laughs, tears, swoons, and a quiet kind of catharsis I didn’t realize I needed. I closed the final page and genuinely missed these characters. I wanted just one more day with them. Maybe a few.

If you love slow-burn romance with emotional depth, chronic illness rep that’s handled with care, flawed but lovable characters, and writing that feels like both a hug and a pep talk, 32 Days in May needs to be on your TBR. It’s tender and funny and real in all the best ways.

Betty Corrello, you have a fan for life.
And thank you Harper Audio.

32 DAYS IN MAY by Betty Corrello ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re looking for an emotional and deep love story, with laughter and spice mixed in, this is for you! This book deals with a lot of hard issues: chronic illness, suicidal thoughts, and addiction, so it’s good to be aware of that going in (trigger warnings). But wow, I loved their love! They were exactly what each other needed and showed up for each other in the sweetest way. This was a quick 2 day binge for me that I fully enjoyed. Also, adding Marco to my list of favorite book boyfriends!

Nadia is struggling to adjust to, and live with, her new Lupas diagnosis. While staying at her family’s beach house, she meets Marco. Both dealing with their own struggles, the two decide to date for the month of May, no strings attached.

Perfect if you like:
•Witty characters.
•Dating pact.
•Chronic illness rep.
•Celebrity romance.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mood: 🌮🍷

🚪: Wednesday May 10, Tuesday May 16
⚠️: explicit language, suicidal thoughts, chronic illness, depression, addiction.

If you enjoy an emotional story, 32 Days in May is one to pick up!

Nadia is living with lupus, a chronic illness that affects both her physical and mental health. She is staying at her family's beach house trying to center herself when she meets Marco, an actor who is also in need of a friend. The pair decide to date just for the month of May, with no strings attached and no stress about a relationship.

Nadia's story is beautifully and emotionally written, showing the intimate details of what it can be like to live with a chronic illness. Nadia finds herself hiding her diagnosis from Marco even as she falls for him, simply because she enjoys being the person she is without lupus hanging over her. Her internal monologue is filled with wry humor and devastating truths about the pain and stress she has been feeling, and it is definitely eye-opening.

Marco has his own struggles with addiction, and his sometimes reckless behavior and whirlwind lifestyle quickly become tough for Nadia to navigate. Their love story is all of the things: chaotic, messy, authentic, and vulnerable. I loved escaping to the Jersey Shore with them for the month of May!

"It's not that days have passed and I know our time will be up; it's that this is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I want it all over again, from the beginning."

DNF REVIEW • I haven’t read anything by Betty Corrello before, but I could not stop myself from downloading 32 DAYS IN MAY when I saw it available as Read Now on NetGalley. The cover immediately caught my eye, and the summary sounded like one of my favorite types of reads — a romance with a more serious storyline (in this case, the heroine’s recent lupus). Plus, I love a celebrity storyline so the fact that the hero was a former television star was an immediate selling point.

But while I knew going into it that the heroine doesn’t want the hero to know her diagnosis (and understand her emotional reasoning), the way it played out just became too much for me. I have such a hard time investing in romances where one character is keeping a huge secret / lying to the other — but that is a personal preference and likely won’t bother many other readers.

There are some positives to this story and the way it was told, but I just found that it fell flat for me. I have seen so many positive reviews for it, however, so it’s one I would not dissuade someone from reading if it appealed to them. It had a great premise, and it was easy to get into the story and writing. I just wasn’t enjoying the characters or rooting for the romance, so it wasn’t right for me.

Betty Corrello's 32 Days in May is a poetic and beautiful depiction of what it's like to live and love with an autoimmune disease. I devoured this book, unable to put it down because I was so invested in the story. While the ending was the most perfect ending of all the endings I've ever read, I could have read hundreds of more pages of Nadia and Marco's lighthearted, slightly dark, and humorous banter.

Nadia Fabiola has recently been diagnosed with Lupus and it turns her world upside down. She returns to Evergreen, the Jersey Shore town where she vacationed with her family when she was a child, to keep her life as simple as possible and to avoid her family's incessant (but well-meant) badgering about getting back on her feet. Marco Antoniou returns to Evergreen, running from his own issues. Nadia and Marco meet up at the suggestion of Marco's uncle/Nadia's rheumatologist and they decide to have a month-long, no strings attached fling.

The chemistry between Nadia and Marco is undeniable and it only grows the further you read. I loved watching their friendship unfold and move into something sweet and vulnerable. 32 Days in May will stick with me for the rest of my life. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a ride and I loved every moment of it. Please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy on May 13th!

Thank you to Avon Books for the e-ARC!

Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. I felt so seen.
Nadia is me, I am Nadia. wth

Nadia was recently diagnosed with Lupus and she is struggling to see the future in a good light. She decided she just wants a simple life doing a simple job in a town where she is comfortable, otherwise known as Evergreen. Nadia is very depressed and goes through ups and downs with forgetting to take the medication that is vital to keeping her as healthy as possible. (Hellooooo me)

Her rheumatologist not so subtlety sets her up with his cousin, an infamous former actor, Marco. From the moment Nadia and Marco met, he made her feel alive. After a whirlwind first night together, Marco proposes an idea to Nadia. As long as he is in Evergreen, they date each other a la Sweet November (hello young Keanu Reeves 🥵) Little does he know, Nadia is actually sick. Of course Marco has his own baggage he’s bringing to the table from his very public, very messy burnout.

Marco is a brashly loving and caring person that would do anything to make Nadia smile. There is definitely an element of miscommunication to this story, but in a very real way. Sickness like an autoimmune disorder can be very hard to come to terms with. Are you outwardly sick? Not always. So sometimes people don’t understand that you truly are sick. The representation in this book was phenomenal. It felt like Nadia’s thoughts were plucked straight from my brain.

That being said, if you or a loved one has ever went through a period of wanting to or thinking about ending your life, I would highly suggest taking caution when reading the “January” chapters. While I was okay reading the scenes, it could be triggering for some. There was no descriptive on page incidents, but ideation and the therapy session that ensued when she realized she needed help badly.

Fantastic. 5,000 stars. I look forward to reading more of Betty’s books!