What You Loved Most: Most Popular Book Reviews from the First Half of 2025

As we are now into the second half of 2025, I thought it would be fun to look back and see which book reviews resonated most with readers over the past six months. Using stats from Jetpack and Google Analytics, I dug into the numbers to find out which titles brought the most traffic to the blog. Whether it was a buzzworthy new release, an under-the-radar gem, or a story that simply struck a chord, these were the reviews you returned to again and again. Ready to see what topped the list? Let’s take a look at what you loved most so far this year. You can click on the book’s cover to add to your Goodreads list.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston:

SUMMARY: Evie Porter appears to have the perfect Southern life—a charming boyfriend, a lovely home, and a polished social circle—but Evie Porter doesn’t actually exist. Her identity is a fabrication, assigned by her elusive boss, Mr. Smith, as part of a job targeting Ryan Sumner, the town’s newest mark. Trained to blend in and execute her mission flawlessly, Evie has always stayed one step ahead—until now. This job feels different, and as she begins to imagine a real future with Ryan, her carefully constructed facade starts to crack. When someone from her true past shows up in town, threatening to unravel everything, Evie must navigate a dangerous game of deception where one misstep could cost her everything.

MY THOUGHTS: First Lie Wins is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking tale of deception and redemption. Ashley Elston’s masterful storytelling and nuanced characterizations make this novel an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness. You can read my review Here.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach:

SUMMARY: In Alison Espach’s “The Wedding People,” an uninvited guest at a lavish Newport, Rhode Island wedding weekend finds herself at the heart of unexpected connections and revelations. Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn in a green dress and gold heels, intending to fulfill a long-held dream of shucking oysters and taking sunset sails, despite being alone. Mistaken for a wedding guest, Phoebe is the only person not there for the nuptials, yet her presence becomes pivotal. As the meticulously planned event unfolds, Phoebe forms an unlikely bond with the bride, leading to confessions and emotional discoveries. Blending humour and tenderness, Espach’s novel explores how chance encounters and surprising friendships can lead us down unimagined paths to new beginnings.

MY THOUGHTS: The Wedding People is a delightful blend of humour, emotion, and unexpected connections. It’s a book that reminds us how the most unplanned encounters can lead us to exactly where we need to be. You can read my review Here.

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: 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. You can read my review Here.

Don’t Believe Her by Nicola Sanders:

SUMMARY: The Ellie’s life seems perfect—she has a young daughter, a dream fiancé, and a bright future ahead. When her fiancé Nick’s sister Carla, her former best friend who disappeared twelve years ago, returns, everyone is thrilled. But as Ellie reconnects with Carla, unease sets in. Carla’s behaviour feels off, her childhood memories don’t match, and she’s secretive about her missing years. Despite her growing suspicions, no one believes her concerns. Determined, Ellie realizes with chilling certainty: the woman claiming to be Carla isn’t who she says she is.

MY THOUGHTS: If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unexpected twists and a touch of family drama, Don’t Believe Her is definitely worth a read (or listen). You can read my review Here.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler:

SUMMARY: Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June is a poignant and humorous exploration of love, marriage, and family. Gail Baines, a socially awkward mother of the bride, faces a whirlwind of events in the days surrounding her daughter Debbie’s wedding. After losing her job and being excluded from pre-wedding festivities, Gail must also contend with the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband, Max, who shows up unprepared and carrying a cat. The real upheaval, however, comes when Debbie reveals a shocking secret about her fiancé, throwing the wedding into question and dredging up unresolved issues from Gail and Max’s past. With her signature sensitivity and wit, Tyler delivers a masterful tale of the complexities of relationships.

MY THOUGHTS: This book is a delightful reminder of the joys and struggles that come with family and love. It was a pleasure to watch Gail’s journey, and I look forward to reading more from Anne Tyler. Three Days in June is a relaxing, witty read that I would highly recommend to fans of heartfelt family dramas. You can read my review Here.

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella:

SUMMARY: Eve, a successful novelist, awakens in a hospital bed with no memory of the events that led her there. Her devoted husband gently informs her that she has undergone surgery to remove a large, malignant brain tumor. As Eve embarks on a challenging journey to relearn basic skills like walking, talking, and writing, she grapples with the weight of her diagnosis and the difficult decision of when to share the news with her beloved children. Through a series of poignant anecdotes, Eve reflects on the simple joys that truly matter in life—like holding her husband’s hand during long walks and cherishing family game nights. This deeply personal and emotionally resonant novel is a celebration of life, filled with warmth, humour, and the bittersweet truths of navigating grief, ultimately offering a heart-wrenching yet hopeful experience for readers.

MY THOUGHTS: What Does It Feel Like? is an emotional rollercoaster that will break your heart and then put it back together. It’s a powerful story of love, resilience, and the simple joys that make life worth living. I highly recommend this book—it’s one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. You can read my review Here.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes:

SUMMARY: Lila Kennedy is juggling a failing career, a broken marriage, two rebellious daughters, a crumbling house, and an elderly stepfather who has seemingly moved in. Her love life is a mess, and just when things couldn’t get more chaotic, her estranged father—who abandoned her for Hollywood 35 years ago—shows up unannounced. Though she’s long believed she could never forgive him, his return forces her to rethink what love and family truly mean.

MY THOUGHTS: I’d recommend We All Live Here to readers who don’t mind a more leisurely pace and enjoy character-driven family dramas. While it wasn’t my favourite from Moyes, it still had her signature warmth and insight into relationships. You can read my review Here.

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I always find it fascinating to see which stories spark the most interest—and this list says a lot about the kinds of books we’re all drawn to in different seasons of life. Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting this blog. I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2025 brings to our TBRs. If you missed any of the reviews featured here, now’s the perfect time to catch up. And as always, I’d love to hear what your favourite reads have been so far this year—drop them in the comments!