My Favorite Books of 2025

<Sits down crisscross applesauce and wraps blanket around myself>

Wow, I read a lot in 2025.

<Groans as yet another stack of books falls over and lands on me>

I don’t want to keep you for too long, so let's just dive right into this post!

Also, I am only allowing myself to put one book per author on my list :) you have no idea how hard it was to limit myself to just these few books lol

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Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Death’s presence was frost that burned into Signa’s very bones – an icy lake she’d plunged into headfirst. But rather than allow her to come up for air, he embraced her in those frigid waters with no intention of letting go.

You have heard me talk about this book before, how much I loved it, how fast I devoured it. And even after reading over 200 books this year, it is still one of my favorites. It is a perfect combination of gothic and whimsical, with enough hope and romance to create a beautiful story. Adalyn’s prose is absolutely stunning, and as I attempt to read her entire backlist and complete the Belladonna series, I grow increasingly impressed by how she crafts such vivid settings.

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

It’s not the bad memories that tear a person apart. it’s the good ones.

I knew after finishing The Naturals I would be hooked, and this series was whiplash and cliffhangers at their finest. I was addicted. I couldn’t put this book down, just ask my parents, after all, they were the ones trying to get me to do math. Instead, I was in a high-action hunt to find the killer before the killer finds them. I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading this, and I can’t recommend this series enough.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

“You could rattle the stars," she whispered. "You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.”

This book… it shook me. The world-building was amazing, but the characters. That is what got me. Many people read this as a first book, but I don’t think that is right. For this book to have the proper impact on your entire being, as it did to me, I highly recommend reading it after Assassin’s Blade. You get to know our main character Celaena so much better. And this book takes the assassin and tournament trope to a whole new level. Amazing.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire most.

I have never read something so magical. It is fairytale vibes at their finest. When I read, I see the story in my head like a movie, like I am watching the most beautiful motion picture you could ever create. But with Caraval, I was there, competing against the other contestants, I was witnessing the magic that seemed to be drifting through the air. And I will say this is one of the very, very few books that I didn’t see the end coming. Not at all. The plot twist was one of the most brilliant things I have ever read.

Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson

“Some secrets are intricate tapestries impossible to disentangle. But when you do, the world unravels.”

I have talked about this book a lot; in fact, I have a whole post reviewing this book. But it deserves another shout-out because I am in love with it. and will 100 % be having a reread in 2026. But it was a fever dream filled with sparkles, casinos, dice, magic, and games. And the most interesting family secrets almost like a mafia. It was beautiful and enchanting, and you should read it.

The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson

“Today I am not the girl who's parents didn't love her. Or the women who's crazy. Or the aunt who can't keep a job. I am the girl who can see what no one else can. I matter, At least this once.”

This was a concept I have been waiting to see in a book: a girl who could see an imaginary world that wasn’t imaginary. A girl who could see how the fractures in our reality. It was an amazing idea done to perfection. I hate every single word, and despite how much I wanted the story to be longer, the ending broke my heart but also healed it.

Fearless by Lauren Roberts

“You’re quite the poet, Prince.” Moonlight pools in the dimple that accompanies his grin. “And you the muse, darling.”

This became my favorite series very quickly. The writing is easy to read and fun. The world is enthralling. The prince… well he is quite the character ;) hehehe and like it is the enemies to lovers and forbidden love and arranged marriage but not, and all those tropes are done right! Andddd on top of that, SPOILERS she reads to him?!?!?!?! SPOILER END like what?! it is the most perfect piece of literature to make myself disappear from this world for a little while <3

Wishtress by Nadine Brandes

“...your past matters. It's the ink of your story. But it doesn't write your future.”

Look at first I was kinda skeptical, like two timelines kinda, and magic but not really, and two povs. I was confused. Until I wasn’t I was wanting to cry by page two and like the ending let's all pause for a moment to think about how amazing that ending was <pauses while we take a moment to remember> yes, this book was amazing yes, the concept was fantastic. Yes, you should read it.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart.

Wow. That is all that needs to be said. I am not a fan when it comes to books with more then three point of views, as you all know. I find it kinda hard to follow but not this book. This book was found family and the biggest and coolest theft you could imagine, and the sprinkles of romance dies it was beautiful and not to mention what a cool and like kick but female main character we had! I so wish I could scale walls like her lol

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

“Aren’t you afraid?” she asked. “Fear stops life, not death,”

Six of Crows meets Twilight. I know an odd way to describe it. but accurate in my head hehehe I am not sure how to review this book to be honest, it took me on a wild roller-coaster of a lot of emotions, not to mention the fact that I might have cried at the end… I can’t lie. This book was amazing. So amazing I made my boyfriend read it  <giggles> but really this book had the story building of a master.

Rune by Victoria McCombs

“I love his drive, his passion, and the way her cares for his friends. I love that he’s fierce enough to fight and soft enough to paint. And I love the way he says my name.”

This book is my favorite all year. I don’t exactly know how to describe it. or why I fell in love with this book so much. Perhaps it was the way Victoria’s world swept me away when I was stressed, maybe it is the way the light is a butter yellow and the ocean a beautiful blue hue. Or the way the leaves fall or sound of swords clashing. Perhaps it was the romance that felt so magical or the whimsical house of the gods or maybe it was the fact a lowly girl rose to become what she did.

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That is all for today lovelies <3 thank you so much for reading.

Till next time,

~Katherine <3