My Favourite Books of 2025!

Each year, I reflect on the books that made the biggest impact on my reading life. My Favourite Reads of 2025 is a curated list of the best books I read in 2025, selected from the 100 titles I enjoyed throughout the year. These standout reads earned five-star ratings for their unforgettable storytelling, compelling characters, and lasting emotional impact. Every book on this list comes highly recommended. Below, you’ll find my top book recommendations of 2025, listed in the order they were read. Click on each title to read my full review, with my overall thoughts shared in italics.

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Grieving the loss of her best friend, Lou, Lenny feels completely adrift, avoiding her parents, her old apartment, and the “live again” list Lou left for her. Her only stability comes from babysitting for Reese, an overworked single mom, and her lively daughter, Ainsley—though Ainsley’s grumpy uncle, Miles, complicates things. Despite his brusque exterior, Miles understands grief and offers Lenny a deal: he’ll help her tackle her “live again” list if she helps him reconnect with Ainsley and mend his strained relationship with Reese. As they spend more time together, Lenny begins to realize that losing everything might just be the first step toward healing—and finding love again. Promise Me Sunshine is a story that will stay with me for years to come. It’s a book about love in all its forms—romantic love, friendship, family, and, most importantly, learning to love life again after loss. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romance with real emotional depth, and I can’t wait to see what Cara Bastone writes next.

The Favorites is an epic love story set in the ruthless world of elite figure skating, following Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, a passionate duo who rise from turbulent childhoods to become Olympic ice-dancing sensations. Their fiery chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship captivate the world—until a shocking incident at the Olympics abruptly ends their partnership. A decade later, an unauthorized documentary threatens to redefine their legacy, pushing Kat to break her silence and reveal the truth behind their all-consuming bond and dramatic fallout. Inspired by Wuthering Heights, this tale explores obsession, ambition, and the price of success. The Favorites is an exhilarating read, brimming with heart, suspense, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re a figure skating fan or simply love a story about resilience and ambition, this book is not to be missed.

Inspired by a true literary mystery, The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry is a sweeping tale of family, loss, and the enduring power of stories. In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s world is shattered when her mother, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham—a renowned author who wrote a groundbreaking book in an invented language—disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Decades later, in 1952, Clara, now an illustrator and mother, is contacted by a Londoner claiming to have discovered a dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Skeptical yet drawn by the mystery, Clara travels to England with her daughter, Wynnie, arriving just as the Great Smog engulfs the city. Seeking refuge in the Lake District, she embarks on an emotional journey to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance and the untold story she left behind. Told in Henry’s lyrical prose, this captivating novel explores the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters and the timeless allure of secrets. This book will stay with me for years to come. The Story She Left Behind is, without a doubt, my favourite Callahan Henry novel to date, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. If you love historical fiction filled with heart, adventure, and a touch of literary magic, don’t miss this one.

When their close friend Noelle unexpectedly takes her own life, Tara and Emerson are left reeling, with only an unfinished letter as a clue to her shocking decision. Known as a passionate midwife and a devoted friend, Noelle seemed to embrace life, but as her friends delve deeper, they uncover hidden truths about the woman they thought they knew. Through love and betrayal, compassion and deceit, Noelle’s story intertwines with a desperate stranger, forcing Tara and Emerson to confront the heartbreaking secret that changed everything. I can absolutely see why this book was a nominee for the Goodreads Choice Award for Reader’s Favourite Fiction in 2011. It’s a gripping, emotional read that kept me engaged the entire way through. The twists were well-executed, and the resolution was satisfying, making this a standout novel. This book has reminded me of Chamberlain’s talent, and I’ll definitely be diving into more of her backlist soon.

More or Less Maddy novel follows Maddy Banks, a freshman at NYU who, amid academic pressure, a recent breakup, and lifelong feelings of not fitting in, experiences a devastating low that leads to a bipolar diagnosis. Initially seeking stability through medication, she soon spirals into a manic high, forcing her to confront the complexities of her identity, relationships, and aspirations. Rejecting the expectations of a “normal” life, Maddy pursues a career in stand-up comedy, navigating the challenges of being both “too much” and “not enough.” With deep empathy and insight, Genova delivers a moving exploration of mental health and self-discovery. More or Less Maddy is an unforgettable read—raw, insightful, and deeply moving. Whether you read it in print or listen to the audiobook, it’s a story that will stay with you long after the final page.

Cassie and Zoe Grossberg rose to fame as the Griffin Sisters in the early 2000s, with Zoe chasing stardom and Cassie, a musical prodigy, preferring to stay in the background. After a year of success, the band mysteriously broke up, leaving the sisters estranged for two decades—Zoe now a housewife and Cassie off the grid. When Zoe’s daughter Cherry, eager to become a star herself, starts digging into the past, long-buried secrets about the band’s breakup resurface. As the truth unfolds, all three women must confront the choices that shaped their lives and decide whether they can forgive each other—and make music again. The novel wraps up with a satisfying, emotional conclusion that left me feeling hopeful. Weiner’s writing is sharp, heartfelt, and empathetic throughout, and she continues to shine in the women’s fiction genre. The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about complicated families, second chances, and the bonds that refuse to break—even when everything else does.

In Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Joan Goodwin, a reserved physics professor with a lifelong fascination for the stars, is selected in 1980 to train as one of NASA’s first female astronauts. As she trains at Houston’s Johnson Space Center alongside a diverse and talented group—including a magnetic engineer named Vanessa Ford—Joan forms deep friendships and discovers a love that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. Her journey toward space becomes one of personal transformation, but a pivotal mission in December 1984 changes everything in an instant. Set during the thrilling early years of the Space Shuttle program, the novel explores ambition, identity, and the profound impact of human connection. Atmosphere is everything I hoped it would be — a compelling, character-driven novel with heart, tension, and a whole lot of soul. It’s a 5-star read for me, and one I’ll be recommending often.

Lorna has spent her life burdened by guilt over her sister Kristen’s lifelong addiction, which overshadowed her childhood and left her mistrustful and emotionally isolated. Now an adult, she lives a quiet, guarded life with only her dog for company—until an unexpected friendship with Bean, a wise and winsome eight-year-old neighbor, begins to crack her tough exterior. When an opportunity arises to buy her beloved grandmother’s house, Lorna must confront the painful memories and betrayals of her past as part of a trust agreement. Guided by Bean’s innocent insight, she begins to re-examine her past, discovering that not everything happened the way she remembered. In accepting that she couldn’t have saved Kristen, Lorna finds the strength to forgive herself and start rewriting her own future—on her own terms. Everything Is Probably Fine is ultimately a hopeful, character-driven novel about forgiveness, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to change your own story. Julia London balances the heavy emotional themes with warmth and moments of humour. This 5-star read will stay with me for a long time.

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As 2025 comes to a close, these books represent the stories that truly shaped my reading year. Each one offered something unforgettable—whether it was emotional depth, exceptional storytelling, or characters that lingered long after the final page. Narrowing this list down from 100 reads was no small task, but these five-star favourites earned their place through sheer impact and resonance. If you’re looking for your next great read, I hope this list of My Favourite Books of 2025 inspires you to discover a story that stays with you, just as these did for me.