There has been a great crop of new releases this past month, so many that I can hardly keep up!

Cherry has separated from her husband of ten years, Tom. When she runs into an old crush, Russ, she has a glimpse of what might have been if they had dated when they were in college. When Tom returns to pack up his things, Cherry is torn between what she and Tom have built and what might be with Russ. Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell is an excellent romance for those who want to read about nuanced characters whose complex relationships feel real.

A five-day cruise themed around now-middle-aged boy band Boy Talk isn’t Annie’s dream vacation, but she promised her sister she’d go. When Katherine breaks her leg and can’t travel, Annie suddenly finds herself adrift in a sea of middle-aged “Talkers,” trying to make the best of her solo vacation. As she leans into the madness, she unexpectedly meets one of the band members, who is also trying his best to survive the crush of fans and a life that hasn’t taken him where he hoped. American Fantasy by Emma Straub is a heartwarming, fun, and enjoyable read.

Natalie is an Instagram influencer who promotes living off the land, having a large family, and following conservative Christian values. She has many followers; many admire her, but just as many criticize her “tradwife” life. But any attention is good for the algorithm, so Natalie’s account is wildly successful. One morning she wakes up to life that – on paper – matches the ideals she espouses, but without any modern comforts like running water, electricity, or cars. Did she time travel? Is it a reality prank show? When she is caught in a trap in the woods, Natalie realizes that she might be in real danger and needs to escape as soon as possible. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is a twisty, propulsive, and suspensive novel that I am still mulling over.

Arthur Fletch is the renowned author of the Petrarch mystery series, the conclusion of which is eagerly anticipated by fans and publishing insiders alike. When five authors delightedly accept an invitation to Fletch’s secluded Scottish estate, they are shocked to hear that Fletch has passed away without finishing the ending to his last book and that they are each invited to ghostwrite the conclusion. May the best ending win! Competition is cutthroat in more than one sense of the word. The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke is an entertaining and skillfully written locked room mystery.

If you’d like to request these or any other titles, visit www.newulmlibrary.org and choose Library Catalog, or call the library at 507-359-8331. New Ulm Public Library is located at 17 North Broadway and is open from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday-Saturday. The library will be closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.