My Favourite Reads From the First Half of 2025: Must-Read Books You’ll Love

My Favourite Reads From the First Half of 2025 include a mix of unforgettable stories that have stayed with me long after turning the final page. As I look back on the past six months, I’m excited to share the books that truly stood out—whether they made me laugh, cry, or keep reading late into the night. From heartfelt contemporary romance to dramatic fiction and everything in between, these titles have made the first half of my reading year one to remember. You can click on the book’s cover to add to your Goodreads list.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo:

SUMMARY: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: 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. You can read my review Here.

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry:

SUMMARY: 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.

MY THOUGHTS:  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. You can read my review Here.

More Or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova:

SUMMARY: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: 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. You can read my review Here.

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone:

SUMMARY: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: 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. You can read my review Here.

The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain:

SUMMARY: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: 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. You can read my review Here.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez:

SUMMARY: Xavier Rush might be dangerously close to perfect—a stunning veterinarian with Greek god looks and a soft spot for kittens—until he speaks and completely ruins the illusion. Samantha loves nothing more than proving a jerk wrong…unless he can admit his mistakes. After an unexpectedly amazing, never-ending date, she’s forced to face reality: her family is in crisis, and a relationship is impossible. She begs Xavier to let their night remain a perfect memory, but forgetting isn’t so easy. Because sometimes, one perfect moment isn’t enough—especially when there’s a chance to build a love worth remembering.

MY THOUGHTS: Say You’ll Remember Me is not just a love story—it’s a story about love in all its forms. Romantic, familial, selfless. It’s about remembering the moments that matter, and fighting for the ones you love, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. This one stayed with me—and I think it will for a long time. You can read my review Here.

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner:

SUMMARY: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: 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. You can read my review Here.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

SUMMARY: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: 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. You can read my review Here.

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That wraps up My Favourite Reads From the First Half of 2025! I hope this list inspires you to pick up a new book or two, and maybe even fall in love with a story the way I did. I’d love to hear what books have stood out for you so far this year—feel free to share your favourites in the comments. Happy reading, and here’s to even more great stories in the months ahead!