My Best Books of 2025

Every reading year has its fair share of good books, forgettable ones, and then those rare reads that make you pause after turning the last page. 2025 was a year filled with stories with some being comforting, some intense, some unexpected, and while I loved many of them, a few stood out enough to earn a special mention.

This list is a roundup of my top-rated books of 2025. The reads that earned 4 and 5 stars, stayed in my thoughts, and in some cases, were reread within the same year. Think of this as my personal highlight reel of 2025.

Simply The Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Ain’t She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Twisted Lies by Ana Huang
King of Wrath by Ana Huang
King of Envy by Ana Huang
The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
Killjoy by Julie Garwood
Shadow Music by Julie Garwood
The City of Pillars by Bhavini K. Desai
The Space in Between by Bhavini K. Desai
Ache for You by J. T. Geissinger
Contractually Yours by Nadia Lee
The Billionaire’s Claim: Obsession by Nadia Lee
Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles
Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare
Striking Distance by Pamela Clare
Managed by Kristen Callihan
Best Served Cold by Maya Alden
Best Kept Secret by Maya Alden
Heaven and Hell by Kristen Ashley
Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Double Standards by Judith McNaught
Cry No More by Linda Howard
Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
Dream Man by Linda Howard
Again The Magic by Lisa Kleypas
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
Kulti by Mariana Zapata
Love to Loathe Him by Rosa Lucas
Face the Fire by Nora Roberts
The Calhouns: Catherine, Amanda and Lilah by Nora Roberts

Rating books is always subjective, but my favourites tend to share a few things in common: Strong emotional connection, Characters that feel real, Stories that linger beyond the last page.

Advertisements

These reads captured my attention, met my expectations, and in many cases, exceeded them. 2025 was a wonderful reading year and filled with variety, comfort, and stories that reminded me why I love reading as much as I do. Whether they earned 4 stars or a full 5, each of these books played a part in shaping my year in books.

If you’re looking for book recommendations from 2025, this list is a great place to start.

With love and lots of stories,
The Reading Lane

Liked this post? Come say hi on Instagram and Goodreads — I share recs, rambles, and way too many romance reads.