These 10 books have been my favourite reads for 2025 for a various of reasons. Some I couldn't put down, some I still think about and others I just enjoyed immensely for whatever reason.
When in Rome (#1)
Sarah Adams
When in Rome is a small-town, sunshine-soaked romance inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Holiday, except this time, the pop star runs away from fame and lands in the middle of Rome, Kentucky. Amelia Rose (a.k.a. Rae Rose) is an international pop sensation who’s burnt out and desperate for a break. When her car breaks down outside a grumpy pie-baker’s house, she finds herself stranded in small-town America.
Noah Walker is a protective, no-nonsense pie baker who wants nothing to do with fame or fuss. He does know proper manners and offers Amelia some southern hospitality and a roof over her head, while she’s waiting for her car to be fixed. As much as he tries, he can’t get her out of his head and how normal she seems. As he helps Amelia rediscover normal life, both realize that love can be simple — even when the world isn’t.
My thoughts: Sarah Adams is one of my favourite romance authors, always sweet romance stories with lots of chemistry and sometimes with closed-door romance. Now she introduces us to small town Rome, with all the sweet and wholesome characters you can think of. I think I just might’ve found my next romance series to read.
The Wishing Game
Meg Shaffer
We follow Lucy Hart, a struggling teacher’s aide who grew up escaping into the magical world of her favourite childhood book series, the Clock Island stories. When the mysterious author of those books, Jack Masterson, suddenly reappears after years of silence, he invites a handful of readers to compete in a once-in-a-lifetime game on his private island. The prize? A single copy of his long-awaited new book, worth a fortune.
As Lucy joins the competition, she’s fighting for more than just a book — she’s fighting for the chance to change her and a young boy’s life forever. She needs the money; it will be life changing! As she continues with the competition, the stakes get higher as things outside her control start to happen. Will she actually get her magical happy ending like the characters in the books?
My thoughts: I’m not entirely sure whether this counts as a fantasy or more of a YA novel, but either way, it was such a lovely read. The characters are wonderfully odd, the imagination behind the story is beautiful, and it has that little touch of childhood nostalgia that makes it feel special. This one had been sitting on my TBR list for ages, and when I saw it on Spotify, I finally pressed play. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it — it’s charming, a little quirky, and full of heart.
The Lion Women of Tehran
Marjan Kamali
Set over fifty years, it follows two women growing up on opposite sides of Tehran, one from privilege, one from hardship. As their lives intertwine through love, loss, and the changing face of Iran, we join them in their journey. What begins in the 1960s as a hopeful, almost Westernized world slowly transforms under revolution and repression, shaping not just a country, but generations of women learning to survive and find their voices.
Kamali captures the beauty and heartbreak of Iran with incredible tenderness, showing how ordinary lives are changed by politics, culture, and faith.
My thoughts: What a fascinating book! By the end, the story stretches all the way to 2022, showing how much has shifted from the 1960s. It’s such an eye-opening read, giving a glimpse into a life and culture most of us only see on the news. Whether or not you’re interested in politics, I’d recommend this one — it teaches, moves, and reminds you how human stories transcend borders.
Finding Mr Write
Kelley Armstrong
Daphne McFadden is a writer whose manuscript keeps getting rejected, even though she is convinced she’s got a winning recipe for a book. In a moment of desperation and daring, she re-submits it under a male pen name, Zane Remington, and suddenly everything changes. A bidding war, a massive book deal, and a spotlight she never expected.
Only one problem: she needs someone to be Zane. Enter Chris Stanton, accountant-by-day, handsome “survivalist author” by publicity night. As they navigate book tours, media appearances, and a remote Yukon backdrop, they begin asking: what happens when your fake-self starts demanding the real you? This romcom delivers witty banter, identity chaos, and questions about gender, publishing and what it really means to be seen.
My thoughts: This was such a cute story and a little on the feminist side, but in a way that still worked. I actually liked how the male lead understood the main character and her frustrations instead of brushing them off. Their dynamic felt grounded and respectful. The behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world was wild! I listened to this one on Spotify.
Red Rising (#1)
Pierce Brown
In a future Mars ruled by an iron hierarchy, Darrow and his family are “Red”. The lowest caste, toiling deep below the surface, believing their work makes Mars habitable for future generations, and the cornerstone work for the future. But everything he thought he knew is a lie.
After a devastating loss, Darrow is recruited by a rebel group, forced through brutal transformation, and infiltrated into the ranks of the Golds to take them down from within. Disguised as one of them, he enters the Institute, a ruthless proving ground, where alliances are made, betrayals cut deep, and every decision becomes a matter of life or death. He must navigate politics, cruelty, friendship, and love — all while staying true to the memory of what he lost and the people he fights for. Darrow mustn’t lose himself in the process, not when so much is at stake.
My thoughts: I’m still not a fantasy fan, but this book felt more dystopian. A friend recommended this series and when I found the audiobook on Libby, I thought I’d give it a go. And now I’m hooked! Now I need to read the next one (only 4 weeks wait on Libby) and see what happens next in this strange world of Golds and Reds.
First Lie Wins
Ashley Elston
If you like spies, this might be the book for you. You have no idea who you can trust, what the truth is and you must use all your skill and knowledge to stay 5 steps ahead. Or you die.
It was quite a suspenseful book, but I must add I figured out who the mysterious Mr Smith is before the reveal. Still, it was a story that kept me captivated. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify.
Mr Wrong Number
Lynn Painter
Olivia’s life has never been boring. Chaos seems to follow her and is now ingrained in her personality as well. When she gets a random text asking, “What are you wearing?”, she obviously knew it was the wrong number. Still, she replies and soon Olivia and Mr Wrong Number banter back and forth like there is no tomorrow. Still, she needs a bright spark in her life after she literally burned down her apartment. Now she is living with her brother’s best friend, Colin, and the tension and animosity couldn’t be greater.
Colin has been chatting with MissMisdial for a while; a random woman he sent a message to by accident. It’s a good distraction from his life that just turned upside down after Olivia moved in – just temporarily- into his apartment. That is until he figures out that the mysterious MissMisdial is none other than Olivia and she has no idea. Do they have a chance to make things work in real life? Or should he just end the texting before their worlds implode?
My thoughts:
Olivia was a bit annoying and childish for me, but together with Colin it somehow works. A very relaxing lots-of-banter, brother’s-best-friend and enemies-to-lovers romance book to enjoy. I listened to the audiobook.
The Housemaid (#1)
Freida McFadden
Millie is living in her car, desperate to find a new job so that she can stay on the right side of the law. She was quite surprised when she actually got the job as live-in maid for the rich Winchester family. Everything looks so perfect, like she walked straight into the ultimate American Dream. This is where Millie will slowly start to rebuild her life.
As perfect as it looks on the outside, something about Nina, the lady of the house, is off. She’s unpredictable, manipulative, paranoid and full of rules she keeps changing as often as her moods. Why does a man like Mr Winchester stay with an unhinged woman like Nina? With Millie’s future on the line, how long will she be able to just grin and bear the many dramas of Nina Winchester?
My thoughts: I wanted to read this book before the movie came out, and I was not disappointed. This is the type of book that reminds me why I love a good psychological thriller! I wasn’t even too bothered by the changes they made in the movie (our book club went to see it)! Can’t wait to read the next one of this series.
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