The May House: A Novel

by Jillian Cantor

Three adult sisters inherit a beach house from their grandmother on the condition they return every May to spend one week together, earthing family secrets, unrequited love, and the deep bonds of sisterhood in this shimmering new novel from the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Fiction Writer and Beautiful Little Fools.

No matter what’s going on in the May sisters’ lives, the one thing they can rely upon is seeing each other for one week each year, while staying at their grandmother’s beachside home in gorgeous Coronado. As adults, Julia, Emily, and Nora aren’t particularly close, spread out across the country and busy with careers, relationships, and the minutia of life, but their promise to Grandma Vera keeps them anchored together, if only for one week every May.

One year Julia, the oldest and most dependable sister, doesn’t show. And suddenly Nora and Emily start to question how much they truly know about their sister’s life. Told in alternating points of view, spanning from their time together with Grandma Vera as kids into their adult lives, The May House explores how a decades-long family secret has unknowingly shaped each sister and, ultimately, how it brings them closer together.

Funny, poignant, and brimming with heart, The May House is an irresistible story about the special bond between sisters and figuring out what matters most in life, in all its ups and downs.

Genres: Fiction, Summer, Contemporary, Romance, Family, Summer Reads, Family Drama

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2026

About the author

Jillian Cantor is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of fifteen novels for teens and adults, which have been chosen for LibraryReads, Indie Next, Amazon Best of the Month, and have been translated into 15 languages. Born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, Cantor currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[aira]

I'm trying to catch up on all my arcs (I have too many to finish and my net galley ratio is so bad 😭) and this blurb really caught my eye.

[Dee (in the Desert) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4 star women's fiction about three sisters and family secrets. My favorite part was how Coronado Island was almost a character itself - very authentic. The author's note discusses her history of summers here & her love for the place just shines though and until I read her bio, I didn't realize she was also an Arizonan. The beginning of this one took me a bit to get into but then I got hooked by the story, which is very character driven. Recommend to those who enjoy family saga type books

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Three adult sisters inherit a beach house on the condition they spend one week together every May, leading to the discovery of family secrets, unexpected romance, and a new understanding of each other."

The May sisters spend all their summers growing up at their Grandma Vera's beach house on Coronado Island. They inherit the house from her and spend one week together in May each year as adults. One year, Julia, the oldest and most reliable, doesn't show up and Nora and Emily are unable to reach her. What follows is a dual timeline summarizing their years growing up and alternating with the present. The bonds of sisterhood are tested and celebrated. A family secret is unearthed which affects each sister differently and in profound ways. This is a beachy family saga thay celebrates family traditions and sisterhood. It was nostalgic and reminded me of family summer vacations including on Coronado Island itself. It is a special place for me and felt nostalgic as I was transported there with the May sisters. Highly recommend reading this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and Jillian Cantor for the gifted advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was beautifully written and grabbed my attention immediately with the style of prose. There is something about it that feels natural? tangible? How do I explain this right? Like your smooth voiced grandma is telling you the perfect bedtime story?

Ah well you get the drift. The prose was pretty af.

This is a bit outside my usual genre but I do like to dabble in a bit of literary fiction on occasion and this is a bit of a blend that makes it very accessible.

Weaving timelines move in and out and the emotional and character depth is sure to milk at least a few tears from its reader.

If you’re looking for a book that explores the complexity of sisterly bonds and complicated family dynamics, and you enjoy a dual timeline, this might be a great pick!

| IG | TikTok |

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The May House
By: Jillian Cantor
Pub Date: May 12, 2025
Publisher: Atria Books

If you have followed me any length of time you know I am a huge fan of Cantor and her books. I was elated to get approved for her latest book.

This novel follows three sisters who inherit a beach house from their grandmother. They grew up spending time at the beach house next door to a young man who looks forward to their visits every year.

Coronado is beautiful and they look forward to going to the beach house each year with their families even after their grandmother Vera’s health declined. Julia, Emily and Nora’s life’s change as they grown older as life happens, but they promise each other they will return to reconnect each year.
Told in alternating points of year and spanning their lives this novel will tug at your heart and really makes think and remember what is truly important in life. Always listen to your heart and be there for the ones you love.

Her writing is beautiful and this story is heartwarming. Be sure and read the author notes. Off to pre-order to add to the rest of my books by Cantor.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my favorite bookclub readers: Darla, Tina, and Barbara. It turns out I liked to the book more than most of our group. After hearing their perspectives, I will say there will be different experiences, depending on your mood and your take on the characters.

I liked that the characters had flaws. Real life, humans. Not perfect. Some were quite outstanding flaws I seriously disliked.

But the central 3 sisters spoke to me. I'm the youngest of 3 sisters. I did see some of my personality in each (an over-planner, always dreaming about building the life I really want, getting consumed by an idea or person).

My first Jillian Cantor and I'm planning to continue with the author. Check out the bookclub reviews from my friends :)

[Kenzie | kenzienoelle.reads]

DNF at 60 pages. Family dramas are very hit or miss for me. I could tell that one was going in a direction that wasn’t for me and then I saw a review that said, “Also, almost every single person in this story emotionally or physically cheats on their partner or becomes the side piece to a married person…”

[Makayla Samountry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I could read 100 times and still get something new out of it every time. I related to every single character and felt their growing pains; and most of all, this made me yearn for a sister more than ever.

[Rosi Colmenares · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one had a lot of potential, but the execution just didn’t work for me.

The story follows three sisters who reunite every May because of a promise they made to their grandmother, which I thought was a really good setup.

But the timeline jumps between 1999, 2009, 2015, 2019 and so on, and it’s not chronological, so it got confusing and hard to follow. On top of that, it dragged a bit and I honestly considered DNFing.

The big “reveal” doesn’t happen until like 88%… and even then it wasn’t that shocking.

I can see this working for some readers, but it just wasn’t for me.

[Abi Brennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a family drama, I love a story with secrets, and I had high hopes for this story.

Unfortunately, it really fell flat for me. My biggest issue is the way the story is told. We follow the three sisters from 1985-2019, but the story is told completely out of order. We jump between the present and the past, but the past is also told out of order. It was really hard for me to keep up with the timeline, and to keep track of what was going on with each character as we jumped back and forth across 34 years.

I thought the twist at the end was decent, but I had no emotional attachment to any of the sisters, or the side characters. I found the sister characters, struggles, and relationships to each other to be really one dimensional and flat. Also, almost every single person in this story emotionally or physically cheats on their partner or becomes the side piece to a married person, no idea what was going on with that, it made me dislike them all even more than I already did.

The story wraps up super quickly and after one clarifying conversation with the sisters, all is forgiven. Very unrealistic, to the point of being silly.

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three sisters grow up without their mom, but their maternal grandma makes sure they have one week with her at her Coronado cottage.
When their grandma passes, she leaves the cottage to them, but with a condition: The girls must continue to meet one week at the end of May to carry on the tradition.
Time has a way of moving things forward, whether you want them to or not. Each one brings a bit of something to their dynamic...Julia, the oldest, is the glue. She makes sure it happens every year, complete with lists and a whole to do list.
One constant is their neighbor Nate.
One year Julia not only doesn't show up, but she seems to be missing. As they try to unravel where she might be, they realize that one week a year doesn't make for true close relationships.
This book was everything I'd hoped, and more. I read long into the night, and I'm paying for it today...but I highly recommend that you read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #TheMayHouse #JillianCantor #AtriaBooks

[Kate Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The May House took me on such a journey, given that we see these three sisters facing life from early childhood up until their forties and early fifties. I picked up this novel expecting a story of sisterhood and a beloved beach home, and it definitely delivers on that promise, but it feels like the book offers so much more than that.

The way the author weaves in historical events and milestones throughout made it such a unique family saga. I felt for all three sisters as well as Grandma Vera and next-door neighbor Nate. I mourned with them over their familial losses and cheered for them to discover their own happiness.

No character in the story is faultless, but they’re trying, drawn together each May to the house left to them by their beloved grandmother. I enjoyed the way the timeline hopped around, taking us from the present day and back to various points in each sister’s life. It was an amazing forty-year journey that I didn’t want to put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC of this novel!

[Angelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 family saga stars for The May House by Jillian Cantor.

Three sisters with complicated bonds come together every May to the beach house their grandmother left for them in her will. This book unfolds year after year, weaving in and out of the various complicated relationships the three women have. Told in two timelines, centering around a family mystery, this story is heavily character driven, melancholic, with the grand finale reveal at the end.

I alternated reading my NetGalley ARC and listening to the wonderfully narrated Cassandra Campbell’s audiobook I purchased.

This was a very melancholic read, and I tried to imagine how I would recommend this book to my closest friends. It’s full of drama, leaves you mildly dysthymic and frustrated for stretches at a time. Sometimes that can feel cathartic, sometimes not. There are stretches that fall flat, and moments you get sucked right in. The characters are complicated, and I would recommend if you like character driven family sagas.

I would also advise that there is a lot of vomiting for some reason, so steer clear if you have emetophobia. I don’t have that phobia, yet I am left wondering why there was so much vomiting? I might look back on this book someday and say, “oh yeah, that’s the sister saga drama vomit book.” But hey, Cassandra Campbell narrates so well, that she can make vomit sound pretty, so maybe choose audio for this book!


Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. All opinions and statements are my own.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

I really enjoy both sister stories and stories set in family vacation homes, so of course I had to give The May House a try!

The three May sisters (Julia, Emily, and Nora) grew up spending a magical week in Coronado every summer. (I am an east coaster, so I had to look this up, and it’s near San Diego). They loved their time there, and the time they spent with the boy next door, Nate. When their grandmother died, she left them the house with the understanding that they’d continue to spend time together each summer, no matter what. But one year the ever-dependable Julia doesn’t show up. Where is she? They find her, but also open a Pandora’s Box of family secrets!

The book then proceeds to switch back and forth in time, with the past timeline slowly progressing forward. If you are not a fan of a lot of timeline switches, you may struggle a little. I had to make a list of the sister’s birthdays (Julia: 1973, Emily: 1976; Nora: 1979) if that helps.

The benefit of this structure is that it gave a fantastic overview into all the characters ups and downs from their teens through their forties. Julia tackles marriage and motherhood, Emily struggles to find herself and explores her sexual orientation, Emily follows her dream of being a Broadway star. And Nate’s life is interwoven with theirs as well, giving this a little bit of a The Summer I Turned Pretty feel.

My Master Post on New Summer Romance Books for 2026 has all the top summer romance books you need to know about. Be sure to check it out and then Download my Summer Romance Reading Guide

I also have two summer quizzes for you to take, my Find Your Perfect Summer Trope Quiz and my Choose Your Summer Romance Adventure Quiz. Take them both and get book recommendations based on your answers!

[Wendy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Atria books for my advanced copy. I’ve loved all of Cantor’s books I’ve read so far and so happy to continue.
A quietly emotional, character-driven novel that explores grief, love, and the lasting impact of choice. Jillian Cantor weaves together the stories of Julia, Nora, and Emily through a well-balanced dual timeline that unfolds naturally and with purpose. Each woman feels distinct and fully realized, and the connections between their lives emerge with subtle emotional power. While the pacing slows slightly at times, the strong character development and thoughtful structure make this a rewarding and reflective read.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three sisters, one house, and a yearly pact that binds them through decades. This beautifully written, character‑driven novel follows the lives of three women who inherit their grandmother’s beach house under one condition: they must return every May to spend a week together. Spanning from their youth into their fifties, the story explores the evolving bonds of sisterhood, the complexities of love and marriage, and the weight of long‑buried family secrets.

I was especially drawn to how the author handles grief and healing. The sisters feel fully lived‑in, and their relationships are the heart of the novel.
That said, the alternating points of view and shifts across multiple years occasionally pulled me out of the story. While the structure adds depth, it sometimes disrupted the emotional momentum I wanted to stay immersed in.

Readers may want to check for trigger warnings, as some themes are heavy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect story to start off summer. Taking place over many decades and life changes, I thought it showed growth and change within each sister. It was great how each year had a nod to the technology of the time- blackberry's, etc; it was relatable and nostalgic. I liked the multi point of view. Nate being their neighbor over the years too.. what a sweet addition to the storyline. The authors note shared that a lot of the references were real due to her own family’s connection.

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always a sucker for a book about 3 sisters, even if their personalities and relationship with one another don't match that of me and my own sisters. This was a good story about the bond of sisterhood, shared trauma, and the importance of not keeping secrets. Plus it takes place on Coronado beach, which had some nice summer vibes. :)

[Jaclyn Wingfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️ The book follows three sisters throughout childhood into their mid 40s, mainly based around their one week visit every year to their grandmother’s house/cottage on the beach. The story touches on love, heartbreak, career changes, family secrets - almost like a coming-of-age novel? We got to see the sisters through life’s ups and downs, but their one week in May at the cottage always remains constant.

There are secondary characters that come in and out of the sister’s lives, which really added to the story and relatability of how people come and go from your life. But also the importance of those “side characters” in shaping who you are.

My one point of feedback (why I didn’t give it 5 stars) is that one of the main issues in this book felt a little unrealistic and the resolution of it felt too brief for me; however, I can understand what the author did in showcasing that you don’t always get closure and life is messy/incomplete at times.

As someone with two sisters, there were a lot of moments I found very relatable. Similar to this story, relationships with my sisters have changed over the years, depending on our age, what life phase we are in, etc. But no matter our differences, we are always there for each other.

This ARC was provided to me via NetGalley and Atria in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacey Beane · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was 3.5⭐️ read for me but not good enough for me to round up. I thought this story had the potential to be great but it ……just….dragged in parts for me. I liked the evolution of the 3 sisters from being close as kids but then drift apart as they got older only to get closer as they aged & matured. I’d say if you have the book then yeah…give it a read.

[Lex ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐

This was a gorgeous, heartwarming read about the lives of three sisters who stay at their late grandmother's beach house for a week at a time, every year. The three sisters inherit the cottage after her passing and it's up to them to figure out what to do with it. Their lives as adults are much different than they were when they were younger. The premise of this book easily captured my attention and I also really loved the summer-feel that the Coronado setting offered. The May House is very character driven and we get to know each of the sisters throughout, several timeline jumps in between to help us as the reader grasp their pasts and feel more connected. This touched so much on grief (both familial and relationships) and the beauty of sisterhood. As the eldest sister in my family, it really resonated with me and I could relate so much to some of the things each of them were going through. It just felt so easy to be immersed and I highly recommend if you're looking for a family-drama summer read!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horrible people that were hard to pull for, except for the Dad. The ending was ok but not enough to save the book. I pushed through the unnecessary use of GD on every page but I should have just DNF.

[Sam Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ cute! set in May but felt like summer. this book felt long but it actually wasn’t ???

[Emily Judd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, I did not like this book. Every character was annoying, everyone was cheating on each other, the sisters had such surface level relationships with each other. Just didn’t like it at all. Skimmed the last 50 pages just to get it over with.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prepare to suspend your disbelief for 350 pages

[Mostly Bookish Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The May House is a heartfelt story about sisterhood, family secrets, and the ties that continue to bind us together even when life pulls us in different directions.

When three sisters inherit their grandmother's beloved beach house with the condition that they reunite there every May, the tradition becomes the foundation of a story filled with love, loss, unanswered questions, and self-discovery. I especially enjoyed the exploration of the sisters' relationships and how their shared history shaped who they became as adults.

The novel is told through multiple points of view and timelines that stretch back to 2019 and beyond. While I appreciated how the different perspectives added depth to the story, I did find the shifting timelines and pacing a little confusing at times, which occasionally pulled me out of the narrative.

That said, the emotional core of the novel shines. The family dynamics felt authentic, and the themes of forgiveness, unrequited love, and the enduring bond between sisters made this an engaging and worthwhile read.

A touching and emotional family drama that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy stories centered on sisters, secrets, and second chances.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 just ok but still entertaining beach read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Atria, Libro.FM and Simon & Schuster Audio for this ALC of The May House.

This is a story about sisters brought back together year after year to their Grandmother’s cottage on Coronado Island. They each navigate their own lives full of unique drama, love, and experiencing the world motherless (which is a huge theme in this book which I obviously loved).

I thought the narrator brought the characters to life and was pleasant to listen to. I finished this audiobook in one day - simply could not stop listening.

if you’re in the mood for sisterhood, grief and loss plot lines, or motherhood in different forms pick up The May House on May 12!!

[Ashley (aneverendingbookstack) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt like a soft, nostalgic escape—like stepping into a quiet beach house filled with memories, love, and just a little bit of heartache. It’s the kind of story that unfolds gently, pulling you in with its emotional depth and cozy atmosphere.

At its core, The May House follows three sisters who reunite year after year at their grandmother’s seaside home. Each visit brings old memories to the surface, along with new tensions and unspoken truths. I really loved how the story explored the complexity of sisterhood—the way relationships can be messy and strained, but still rooted in deep, unwavering love. It felt very real and relatable.

The beach house setting added so much to the story. It had this warm, lived-in feeling that made everything more intimate and reflective. The dual timelines were also a strong point, slowly revealing pieces of the past that added depth to the present-day relationships. I found myself really invested in how everything connected.

What stood out most to me was the emotional tone. It’s quiet but powerful, focusing more on character growth and relationships than big dramatic twists. That said, the pacing did feel a bit slow at times, and I wished some of the bigger emotional moments had just a little more impact.

Still, this was such a lovely reading experience overall. It’s tender, thoughtful, and full of heart—perfect for when you’re in the mood for something reflective and character-driven.

If you enjoy stories about family, forgiveness, and the ties that keep pulling us back home, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books and Jillian Cantor for the ARC

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi, book friends. I have another beach read recommendation for you! The stunning cover of THE MAY HOUSE by Jillian Cantor grabbed my attention immediately, but this quick synopsis made me purchase it ASAP:

𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘺, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.

Getting lost in a messy family drama with an idyllic beach house setting is the only way I wanna spend my summer, and Cantor most certainly delivered with her latest. This one has all the best ingredients for a solid summer read. The shared history and trauma of these three sisters had me HOOKED, along with their individual experiences and struggles that spanned decades.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Family drama and secrets
- Sisterhood and sibling dynamics
- Motherhood and marriage
- California beach house setting
- Multiple POVs and timelines
- Actress lifestyle
- LGBTQ representation
- First/young love
- Light romance
- Summer traditions
- Character-driven novels
- Flawed and realistic characters
- Reflections on loss and grief

The big family secret/reveal was pretty obvious to me the entire time I was reading, but it still made the ending quite impactful and emotional. I was just checking out Jill Cantor’s extensive backlist, and can’t believe that this is the first book I’ve read from the author! I must read more!

4/5 solid stars for THE MAY HOUSE! It’s available now!