I’ve been taking some time to stop and reflect on all of the books I read in 2025. While each and every one was interesting and well-written, there were specific ones that really stood out to me, which is why I want to share them with you. All of the books on this list received 4 to 5 stars from me, so if you’re curious which ones knocked it out of the park, just keep scrolling.
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The Women by Kristin Hannah
This was the first book I read in 2025 and I can honestly say it was one of my favorites. Set during the Vietnam War, it follows twenty year old nurse Frankie McGrath who follows her brother to the frontlines by joining the Army Nurse Corps. At first Frankie is overwhelmed by the death and chaos that surrounds her, but in time she gains her footing and grows to become the difference between life and death for many soldiers. But as difficult as the front lines are, Frankie quickly discovers that life at home has its own sets of challenges and struggles. This book was thought-provoking, interesting, and relatable. A must-read for everyone.
Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter
This YA rom-com was one of the cutest things I read this year. It follows high school student Liz and her annoying (yet surprisingly cute) next-door neighbor, Wes, as he helps her catch the eye of her crush, Michael. Liz has been in love with Michael since forever but he’s just never seen her in that way. With Wes’ help, Liz sets her sights on making Michael her prom date, but the more time she spends with Wes, the more she realizes that maybe he’s not so bad. Maybe, just maybe, the guy of her dreams has been right in front of her the whole time. I read this book in the spring and found it absolutely adorable. It’s funny, has plenty of movie references, and cute characters that reminded me of a 2000s rom-com.
Gate to Kagoshima by Poppy Kuroki
This next book is for Outlander/time travel trope fans. Isla Mackenzie travels all the way from Scotland to Kagoshima, Japan to learn more about her family history. But when a treacherous typhoon transports her back in time to the beginning of the Satsuma Rebellion and the end of the way of the samurai, her world is completely turned upside down. With the help of a handsome young samurai named Kai, Isla embarks on a journey to get back to her own time. Armed with the knowledge of the rebellion’s outcome, Isla has a decision to make: let things happen as they did in history or try to change the past. You’ll just have to read this one to find out which way she goes.
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
This next book was my first Abby Jimenez book and completely stole my heart. Xavier is a devastatingly handsome veterinarian with a heart of gold. Samantha is a social media marketer for a mustard company who brings in her cat to be treated at his clinic. After the best date of their lives, Samantha reveals to Xavier that she’s moving back home to California to help with her mom who’s struggling with early on-set dementia. While she asks Xavier to forget her, he refuses and the two of them begin a long-distance relationship. But can their relationship survive distance, family illness, financial woes, and an uncertain future? This book made me fall in love with Abby Jimenez’s writing. Not only was the plot and characters real and relatable, the story offered deep, heart-wrenching scenes that had me thinking about the book long after I put it down.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Similarly to the previous book, this book was my first Carley Fortune book and I quickly became a fan of her writing. The story follows Alice, a photographer who takes care of her grandmother after she breaks her hip. As Alice and her Nan spend the summer at a small cottage near the lake, she runs into Charlie Florek. Alice hasn’t seen Charlie since she was seventeen years old, but now they’re both all grown up. When they make a pact to make the most of the summer, they realize that maybe their summer fling can turn into something much more. Yes, this book has some spice, but Carley’s writing captures the spirit of summer so perfectly that I could overlook it.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
If a heartwarming story that feels like a warm, cozy blanket is what you’re looking for, this book will be perfect for you. Set in England in the fall, it follows a witch named Mika Moon (great name, BTW) who gets a job as a magical tutor to three young witches coming into their powers at the mysterious Nowhere House. Add a host of unique and fun characters and a grumpy (but handsome) librarian and you have the coziest found family you’ll ever meet. I listened to this one on Audible and absolutely fell in love with everything about it – the story, the characters, the setting. If you’ve ever been curious about this book, I highly recommend picking it up, especially in the fall.
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
Near the end of 2025, I went down the K-drama rabbit hole on Netflix and Disney+, so when I learned about this book I knew I had to read it. Set in 1506 Joseon, the story follows a seventeen year old girl named Iseul who hatches a plan to save her older sister, Suyeon, from the clutches of the evil tyrant King Yeonsan. Traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital, Iseul quickly discovers that those who go against the king risk losing everything, particularly their life. But when she meets Prince Daehyun and learns of his plan of a coup, she realizes that she might play a bigger part of history than she ever imagined. This book was well written and educational as well as entertaining. I really enjoyed learning more about ancient Korean culture and highly recommend the audio version of this book. It brought the story even more to life.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
I read this book toward the end of 2025 just as I was transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas, which I think is the perfect time to read it because the story takes place from September to December 1997. It follows a woman named Michelle whose mother has just passed, making her the temporary heir to her mother’s bed-and-breakfast in Copper Run, Vermont. Michelle is recently divorced and plans to run the B-N-B only until her younger sister graduates from art school. Four months, tops, she can do this. But she quickly learns that there’s more to running a B-N-B than she thought. With the help of her next door neighbor, Cliff, his daughters, Emily and Brittany, and a host of other small town characters, Michelle slowly gets her footing and begins to see that maybe Copper Run could be a refuge for her like it was for her mom and dad. This book was so nostalgic and sweet. There were some spicy scenes toward the end, but even without them, the plot holds up very well.
Grace and Fury & Queen of Ruin by Tracy Banghart
These last two books are actually a duology and must be read together to appreciate the full experience. Set in a world where women have no rights, they follow two sisters – Serina and Nomi – as they are separated and faced with unimaginable challenges. Serina is sent to a women’s prison on an island while Nomi is forced to become one of the Heir’s “Graces” – potential companions for the Heir. Will each sister crumble under the weight of their circumstances or will they rise above it all and tap into strength they never knew they had? You’ll just have to read and find out. I absolutely adored both books. They reminded me of The Handmaid’s Tale but with much more hope.
What were the best books that you read in 2025? Let me know in the comments and feel free to tag me on Instagram with #best2025.
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Verse of the Day: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
