I have tried this book multiple times, and every time I set it down, I don't feel the urge to pick it back up. I'm deciding to DNF and move on. I think the idea of this story is wonderful, and I will recommend it to others. I know it's getting a lot of deserved love, and I am so sad it just isn't working for me right now. Maybe I'll try again in the future.

This one was so much more than I expected. I loved this romance book that dealt with some heavier themes (chronic illness, addiction, suicide) while at the same time being full of humor. There were even times that I was getting stand up comedy vibes. I thought the author did a great job of depicting the Nadia's and Marco's struggles, and how they grew and changed and came to terms with what their respective lives would entail. I loved seeing their relationship unfold, and I also loved the friendships they had with others. Evergreen was a perfect backdrop for the story, and it sounds like a place we should all go to rest and rejuvenate sometime. This was my first book from Corrello, and I will definitely check out more from her in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

Wow this was such a good book. I absolutely loved both main characters. The progression in their friendship and relationship felt very natural, and realistic.

I dont like that she hid her Lupus from him BUT at the same time, i understood her side of why she did. When it started, she expected it to end unscathed and she could just keep going.

The writing style was so good!

32 Days in May was advertised as “Sad Girl Summer” and I don’t think I’ve ever downloaded a book quicker.

Nadia has been diagnosed with lupus and is trying to find a new normal. Enter Marco, former actor who is exploring new opportunities. The two instantly hit it off but as they both navigate new adventures they are put on a timeline. They strike a deal to date for a month, but like any time constricted relationship - things get messy.

This is one of my first ALCs and I think that the audiobook provided a unique experience as the accents used help me to dive further into the mind and story of the MCs. I also love a story that’s meant to break (& then mend) hearts and this story is a perfect example of that! I would recommend this to fans of Kennedy Ryan, Tia Williams, & Kristan Higgins.

Thank you Avon Books for the ALC for review consideration!

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (there is spice but it doesn’t FEEL spicy…see review)

“If ever there were a physical manifestation of depression, it would be the Jersey shore in the middle of January.”

“He looks like he could change a tire or smack an ass with authority.”

“My guard is down and for the first time in months I feel like I’m one with my body.

“Is it possible Marco has melted me back together, cured me, penile-ly?”

“I had to trap you.”

“Forgive me Father, for I have Googled.”

“Sickness has a way of making you aware of every dimension of yourself.” #facts

“When I keep things small I can manage.”

“…she reads books because they take her out of her body.”

“I will brush your hair.”

Random Thoughts Upon Reading: Nadia is right the perfect haircut for a man is short on the sides longer on the top; OMG so my husband and I aren’t the only ones that get migraines from hotdogs.; Is the thing about Spanish Sex (Italian Translation Titty Fu@king) for real? I’d check it myself but I don’t want the algorithm to start putting nonsense on my phone 😂: How on earth did that mother leave her son Emmitt in the hands of a complete stranger for a boat ride!!!?

Omg the intro about triggers spoke to my heart as a fellow autoimmune disease warrior. I feel seen. However, I’m fortunate enough that mine is relatively well-controlled for the most part. The author shines the spotlight on how you can be physically exhausted but your mind is awake due to the pain and then when you’re feeling good you’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for the next flare.

Synopsis: Nadia is so over having lupus and everyone fussing about it. Nadia doesn’t want her family freaking out over her lupus diagnosis. Especially after she finds out it has progressed. The relentless worrying of her family and her doctor are driving her insane. Her rheumatologist decides to set Nadia up with Marco an infamous ex Hollywood type. They agree to have a fun fling for the month of May. Only they fall for each other but this isn’t a relationship that could ever work, it’s a logistical nightmare!

Then there’s the issue of Nadia not wanting to tell Marco about her diagnosis because the last thing she needs is another person nagging and worrying about her.

It’s interesting because Marco and Nadia seem so great together and there were several intimate scenes but I didn’t feel the chemistry on the page but at the same time their relationship did feel genuine. This one was unique in that (1) geographically Nadia and Marco make no sense yet it works, (2) chemistry was lukewarm despite intimate scenes yet you feel the connection, (3) the “own your sh!t” mentality was so great, (4) there are secrets but the MCs really GET each other. All that being said they just make soooo much sense for some reason. Instalove usually makes me gag but as abbreviated as this love affair was they really packed a lot of development as both individuals and a unit. It was refreshing honestly.

#32daysinmay #bettycorrello #avonbooks #WhatAreYouReading #autoimmunediseaserepresentation #autoimmunedisease #goodreadschallenge #Goodreads #WhatAreYouReading #endlesstbr #jerseyshore #rome #chronicillness

This story had so many different emotions with Nadia and her lupus diagnosis. The romance with Marco was so good for Nadia and they had good banter, but it just wasn't my favorite. I think Nadia not telling him about her diagnosis from the beginning bugged me a little bit. I don't really have anything that I didn't like, but I just didn't love it.

32 Days in May
By Betty Corrello
Narrated by Joy Nash

Published May 13,2025

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! So so so relatable to so many feelings I feel having chronic illness when meeting new people and when I met my fiancé. Sharing chronic illness life is not easy and living with chronic illness is not easy or for the weak at heart.
Nadia is diagnosed with lupus and it turned her whole life upside down. She went to the Jersey Shore town where she grew up going on vacations to get away from it all. This is when her rheumatologist sets her up “she didn’t know that at the time” with his former actor cousin Marco. When I tell you the way that Marco is with Nadia is how my fiance soon to be husband was with me when we started dating and he learned more about my chronic illnesses.
This is a must read for anyone in the chronic illness world. I will be reading Betty’s other book asap!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

It's not often that I feel so seen in a romance novel. 32 Days in May by Betty Corrello is a sweet, steamy romance featuring a heroine diagnosed with lupus, a chronic illness that takes a serious toll on her health. I don't have lupus, but several years ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a similar autoimmune disease.

Nadia has run away from her former life and is hiding out in her parents' condo in Evergreen--a small coastal NJ town. Small and boring suits her just fine, and despite her sister's concerns, she's determined to handle her life and her health however she wants. Her rheumatologist sets her up on a date with his nephew Marco--who just happens to be a former actor who comes with his own baggage. Their first date leads to an unconventional arrangement--dating for the month of May, no strings attached, no expectations. Nadia decides that since it's a limited time arrangement, she'll keep her diagnosis to herself, but as things start to feel increasingly real, and their relationship begins to take a toll on her health, she has to decide how honest she's going to be and if she wants to see if this relationship can last beyond just the month of May.

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. The way Corrello writes about chronic illness is incredibly authentic, and it's so validating to see romances that take physical limitations into consideration. The relationship between Nadia and Marco was wonderful and steamy and everything you'd want in a romance novel, but where this book really shines is in honoring and respecting Nadia and her diagnosis, providing representation for those of us who live with the reality of chronic pain, brain fog, the endless list of evolving symptoms, and not a whole lot of understanding from friends and family who haven't experienced it.

The audiobook was great. Joy Nash's performance was pitch-perfect, and she did such a great job bringing the book to life.

Bravo. 10/10. No notes. Absolute perfection.

Massive thanks to the publisher and Harper Audio for my advance listening copy.

This was a great book! I learned a lot about lupus from the perspective of Nadia. I was hopeful, sad, excited, alllll the feelings for Nadia and Marco. I loved the narrator and the plot. All in all, would definitely recommend this to romance lovers.

32 Days In May by Betty Corrello is a beautiful romance that also covers some heavy topics. I’m so happy I picked this up.

Nadia was recently diagnosed with Lupus. Feeling down on her luck she is set up with former star, Marco. They decide to pretend date for the month of May. This story covers so many topics, alcoholism and chronic illness to name a few. Corrello handled this topics so delicately— I had so much empathy for the characters. I couldn’t help but laugh, smile, and cry for Nadia and Marco.

I listened to 32 Days in May and loved the audio book. Joy Nash, the narrator, did such a wonderful job capturing Nadia. I was sucked into the story. I felt Joy’s narration added to my enjoyment.

I absolutely can’t wait to read more from Corrello. I will definitely go back to her past novel and be first in line for her next. I highly recommend 32 Days in May.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for an advanced copy of this book!

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 Harper Audio 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.

The narration was great, accents were spot on. She was able to differentiate between each character and allow them to come through to the audience.

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

I requested this book because I was recently diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and I thought maybe this would help me not feel so alone and like I’m just flopping around in the nether with this new way of life and it did just that. What a brilliant novel filled with humor and heart, fierceness and softness. It was sexy and sweet and I fell head over heels in love with Nadia and Marco. Their decent from strangers to lovers was so real and I loved spending
time the month of May with them. Nadia is so sarcastic and sardonic and Marco cannot get enough of her. Marco is so careful and reserved but the way he brings the absolute best sides of Nadia out had me obsessed. I absolutely loved their banter and caught myself laughing out loud and giggling like a school girl at their antics. This is the perfect summer romance that will make you feel hopeful and sad, bittersweet and beautiful. I’m a woman obsessed!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audio of 32 Days in May by Betty Corrello.

This contemporary romance had such wonderful, real characters. As a person with lupus, it was great to read a romance with the female main character struggling with a diagnosis and symptoms. It was sweet, heartwarming, and funny. I think it's wonderful that contemporary romances are really having a moment and representing so many groups of people.

I loved every single moment of this audiobook!! The narrator pulled me into the story. It was an outstanding performance!!! This is the perfect amount of rom com banter along side such a believable relationship that it made my gut ache & burn for them.
As someone who also carries an invisible autoimmune disease with me every moment of every day, I was in awe of how someone outside of me could describe exactly how I feel.

Top 5 books I’ve ever read. Honestly…. This is my #1! Obsessed!!

I laughed, I cried, I swooned — ohhhh how I swooned 😅 There were so many moments where Marco Antoniou had me grinning from ear to ear. And just as obsessed as I am with Marco (because tryuly, I am), I am even more obsessed with this book as a whole. It’s romantic, it’s emotional, it’s full of depth, and I literally loved every second of the audio. The narrator did such an amazing job capturing the voices and personalities of all of the different characters and she truly breathed life into this already amazing story. Loved it!!!

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.

I loved this audiobook. Joy Nash is a fantastic narrator and the perfect voice for this story. I'm from the Philly area, and she nails the accent, plus she does so many voices well. You just fall in love with the characters. Great story. I didn't want it to end and immediately ordered her other audiobook, also narrated by Joy Nash. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen and review this wonderful book. Absolutely enjoyed it.

This was a really cute romance book. Both main characters, Nadia and Marco are such realistic portrayals of people struggling with their personal demons. After getting diagnosed either lupus and losing her big advertising gig, Nadia moves back to her childhood Jersey Shore town to process her new sickness. Marco, a former actor who is also going through his own existential life crisis, goes on a date with Nadia where they strike a deal to date only for the month of May while he’s in town.

This book is tackles a lot of hard emotional subjects while having the reader really feel for its characters. These characters feel real and their issues raw and realistic. These chemistry between Marco and Nadia is off the charts and their interactions a full of cute and witty banter.

This is a really sweet love story about flawed people just trying to do their best to navigate the many turns life takes all while trying to find love.