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| "Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are." ~ Mason Cooley |
I don't know about you, but I really needed the distraction and escape that reading offers me this year. What a year of adversity 2025 was! I’m naturally a homebody, but even my reclusive tendencies have been tested as I rarely left home the last half of the year. I’ve found that there’s nothing so enjoyable, portable, and affordable as reading. And even though my recall of what I read is dismal, my favorite books featured here left quite an impression. Several of them were the unrivaled choices in multiple categories. I feel fortunate to have discovered them and have them give me so many “WOW” moments.
As I haven't discovered a better way of expressing the following, I shall repeat what I said in previous years...
To
all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially
those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem,
gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!
The books I select as my favorites each year are those that: I get lost in; the ones that while reading, I lose all track of time; the ones that evoke the strongest emotions; the ones that make me laugh, cry, blush, gasp, and sigh. Yeah, those books!
Each year I meticulously review my database and online shelves to select my favorites. Even though I arbitrarily decide upon the categories, I am careful in considering which books deserve each designation.
Sadly, no matter how much I love a book, I am unable to recall details. In other words, although my devotion is clear, my memory is not. I would, indeed, like to attempt to explain my choices to anyone who may be interested.
There are several books that were published this year that I wanted to read but was unable to, some of which were published late in the year. I may have to make an exception for some of them and include them in a future list.
The books I select as my favorites each year are those that: I get lost in; the ones that while reading, I lose all track of time; the ones that evoke the strongest emotions; the ones that make me laugh, cry, blush, gasp, and sigh. Yeah, those books!
Each year I meticulously review my database and online shelves to select my favorites. Even though I arbitrarily decide upon the categories, I am careful in considering which books deserve each designation.
Sadly, no matter how much I love a book, I am unable to recall details. In other words, although my devotion is clear, my memory is not. I would, indeed, like to attempt to explain my choices to anyone who may be interested.
There are several books that were published this year that I wanted to read but was unable to, some of which were published late in the year. I may have to make an exception for some of them and include them in a future list.
I'll be starting out 2026 with about 100 books on my to-be-read shelves—Kindle and Audible—and my library wish list. I will again set my StoryGraph Reading Challenge goal at 150 books.
My 2025 Stats
My StoryGraph Challenge total was 239 (first reads and rereads of single titles) - my 2025 StoryGraph Reading Wrap-up
My database total was 143 (first reads of individual formats only)
(Note: I receive no monetary compensation. I only wish to show my appreciation. The book links below open up to the corresponding Webpages on Amazon.com or Audible.com.)
(Note: I receive no monetary compensation. I only wish to show my appreciation. The book links below open up to the corresponding Webpages on Amazon.com or Audible.com.)
My Favorites Published in 2025
(alphabetical by author)
Single Titles
Ireland (Crossroads #1) by Sylvia Day
Illustrious (Quantum #9) by Marie Force
Beg for Me (Morally Gray #3) by J.T. Geissinger
Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Bluebird Gold (Lost Legends #1) by Devney Perry
Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows #1) by Devney Perry
Can't Get Enough (Skyland #3) by Kennedy Ryan
Soul Searching (audiobook) by Lyla Sage (my review)
Denim & Diamonds by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland
Series Titles (two or more installments published within 2025)
The First Family Series by Marie Force
Favorites by Category
Genres
Favorite Contemporary Romance - Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Favorite Romantic Suspense - State of Preservation (First Family #10) by Marie Force
Favorite Paranormal Romance - Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Favorite Romantic Series - The Single Dad Playbook Series by Willow Aster
Favorite Audiobook - Soul Searching (a) by Lyla Sage
Romance Tropes
Favorite Age Gap Romance - Beg for Me (Morally Gray #3) by J.T. Geissinger
Favorite Enemies to Lovers Romance - Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows #1) by Devney Perry
Favorite Forced/Close Proximity Romance - Gilded by Skye Jordan
Favorite Slow Burn Romance - Soul Searching (a) by Lyla Sage
Favorite Grumpy/Sunshine Romance - Wicked Love (Single Dad Playbook #4) by Willow Aster
Favorite Surprise Pregnancy - Wicked Love (The Single Dad Playbook #4) by Willow Aster
Favorite Secret Baby Romance - Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Favorite Second Chance Romance - Crazy Love (The Single Dad Playbook #5) by Willow Aster
Favorite Small Town Romance - Soul Searching (a) by Lyla Sage
Favorite Forbidden Romance - Blackthorn by J.T. GeissingerCharacters
Favorite Character Repartee - Odessa Cross and Zavier Wolfe from Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Favorite Romantic Couple - Penn Hudson and Adeline "Addy" Evans from Crazy Love (Single Dad Playbook #5) by Willow Aster
Favorite Romantic Hero - Brady Cooper from Soul Searching (a) by Lyla Sage
Favorite Antihero - Luka Bravo aka Arias from Gilded by Skye Jordan
Most Tormented Hero - Ronan Croft from Blackthorn by J.T. GeissingerMost Selfless Hero - Atticus Marchetti from The Drummer's Heart by Penelope Ward
Favorite Romantic Heroine - Collins Cartwright from Soul Searching (a) by Lyla Sage
Most "Kick-Ass" Heroine - Odessa Cross from Shield of Sparrows by Devney PerryFavorite Opposites Attract - Brock Hawkins and February Shaw from Denim & Diamonds by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland
Favorite Cameo Appearances - Gideon and Eva Cross from Ireland (Crossroads #1) by Sylvia Day
Themes/Moods
Most Affecting - Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Most Humorous - Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger (the aunts! 🤣)
Most Luscious - Illustrious (Quantum #9) by Marie Force
Most Realistic Romance - Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Most Erotic - Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Most Surprising Plot Twist - Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Most Devastating Blow Delivered - Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Most Pleasant Surprise - Soul Searching (a) by Lyla Sage
Most Devastating Blow Delivered - Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Most Pleasant Surprise - Soul Searching (a) by Lyla Sage
Most Striking Cover - Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows #1) by Devney Perry
Book Bundles I Read in 2025
Since my book database counts a multi-book bundle as a single book, the following is a list of the individual books from within the book bundles I read this year.
Irresistible (#1) 09/16/2025 (9 out of 10 stars)
Undeniable (#2) 09/16/2025 (5 out of 10 stars)
Insatiable (#3) 09/18/2025 (6 out of 10 stars)
Unbreakable (#4) 09/25/2025 (8 out of 10 stars)
Unforgettable (#5) 09/27/2025 (8 out of 10 stars)
Grip Trilogy Boxset by Kennedy Ryan
Flow (#1) 01/05/2025 (8 out of 10 stars)
Grip (#2) 01/07/2025 (10 out of 10 stars)
Still (#3) 01/08/2025 (10 out of 10 stars)
Books Read in 2025
Most Anticipated Books of 2026
Game On (Into the Darkness #3) by Navessa Allen
Bloodlust by Sandra Brown
Ironwood (Catalina #2) by Michael Connelly
Illusive (Crossroads #2) by Sylvia Day
The Night We Met (Say You'll Remember Me #2) by Abby Jimenez
Rites of the Starling (Shield of Sparrows #2) by Devney Perry
The Final Target by Nora Roberts
Individual First Time Reads of 2025
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook, a (p) denotes the paperback or signed paperback (*p) of a book that I previously read via Kindle, and the (h) denotes the hardcover version. The table is best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.)
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook, a (p) denotes the paperback or signed paperback (*p) of a book that I previously read via Kindle, and the (h) denotes the hardcover version. The table is best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.)
| Author | Title | Publication Year | Reading Date | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abby, S.T. | The Risk | 2016 | 6/6/2025 | 8 |
| Abby, S.T. | Sidetracked | 2016 | 6/6/2025 | 8 |
| Abby, S.T. | Scarlet Angel | 2016 | 6/7/2025 | 8 |
| Abby, S.T. | All the Lies | 2016 | 6/8/2025 | 8 |
| Abby, S.T. | Paint It All Red | 2016 | 6/10/2025 | 8 |
| Allen, Navessa | Lights Out (a) | 2024 | 2/12/2025 | 8 |
| Allen, Navessa | Caught Up | 2025 | 6/22/2025 | 8 |
| Allen, Navessa | Snowed In | 2020 | 9/21/2025 | 7 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Depravity | 2025 | 7/18/2025 | 8 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Desire | 2025 | 7/18/2025 | 8 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Sinners | 2024 | 7/19/2025 | 8 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Temptation | 2024 | 7/19/2025 | 8 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Wrath | 2024 | 7/19/2025 | 8 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Ruin | 2024 | 7/20/2025 | 8 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Pain | 2025 | 7/21/2025 | 8 |
| Andresen, Tammy | King of Deception | 2025 | 7/22/2025 | 6 |
| Ann, Jewel E. | I Thought of You | 2024 | 1/20/2025 | 10 |
| Ann, Jewel E. | Sunday Morning | 2024 | 2/4/2025 | 8 |
| Ann, Jewel E. | The Apple Tree | 2025 | 2/6/2025 | 8 |
| Ashley, Kristen | Breathe (a) | 2013 | 1/3/2025 | 5 |
| Aster, Willow | Mad Love | 2024 | 11/10/2025 | 9 |
| Aster, Willow | Secret Love | 2024 | 11/12/2025 | 8 |
| Aster, Willow | Reckless Love | 2025 | 11/15/2025 | 10 |
| Aster, Willow | Wicked Love | 2025 | 11/16/2025 | 10 |
| Aster, Willow | Crazy Love | 2025 | 11/17/2025 | 10 |
| Black, D.D. | The Bones at Point No Point | 2022 | 9/3/2025 | 7 |
| Bowen, Rhys; Broyles, Clare | Silent as the Grave (a) | 2025 | 12/24/2025 | 6 |
| Boyd, Natasha | Stolen English (a) | 2024 | 10/1/2025 | 7 |
| Brown, Sandra | Blood Moon | 2025 | 4/6/2025 | 7 |
| Callihan, Kristen | The Friend Zone | 2024 | 11/24/2025 | 10 |
| Carlton, H.D. | Haunting Adeline | 2022 | 4/23/2025 | 6 |
| Cates, Georgia | Steel Beauty | 2025 | 8/27/2025 | 8 |
| Cates, Georgia | American Beauty | 2025 | 8/28/2025 | 8 |
| Cates, Georgia | Beloved Beauty | 2025 | 8/31/2025 | 8 |
| Christy, Samantha | Crazy Imperfect Hearts | 2025 | 2/10/2025 | 8 |
| Christy, Samantha | Tiny Precious Secrets | 2025 | 7/11/2025 | 6 |
| Connelly, Michael | Desert Star (a) | 2022 | 6/19/2025 | 8 |
| Connelly, Michael | The Waiting (a) | 2024 | 4/13/2025 | 10 |
| Connelly, Michael | Resurrection Walk (a) | 2023 | 4/15/2025 | 10 |
| Connelly, Michael | Nightshade | 2025 | 5/26/2025 | 10 |
| Connelly, Michael | Nightshade (a) | 2025 | 7/13/2025 | 9 |
| Cowles, Catherine | All the Missing Pieces | 2025 | 1/14/2025 | 8 |
| Cowles, Catherine | All the Missing Pieces (a) | 2025 | 6/21/2025 | 8 |
| Crichton, Michael; Patterson, James | Eruption (a) | 2024 | 4/10/2025 | 8 |
| Day, Sylvia | Ireland | 2025 | 4/11/2025 | 10 |
| DeWitt, Tarah | Left of Forever | 2025 | 7/31/2025 | 7 |
| Dice, I.A. | Breaking Hailey | 2024 | 11/27/2025 | 7 |
| Dice, I.A. | Saving Hailey | 2024 | 11/28/2025 | 7 |
| Dice, I.A. | Finding Violet | 2024 | 11/29/2025 | 8 |
| Dice, I.A. | Catching Bianca | 2025 | 11/30/2025 | 6 |
| Dice, I.A. | Keeping Leilani | 2025 | 12/4/2025 | 5 |
| Farrow, Ronan | Not a Very Good Murderer (a) | 2025 | 3/21/2025 | 10 |
| Flynn, Jack; Ray, Lainey | The Scout | 2025 | 10/7/2025 | 7 |
| Flynn, Jack; Ray, Lainey | The Sentinel | 2025 | 10/20/2025 | 6 |
| Flynn, Jack; Ray, Lainey | The Commander | 2025 | 10/21/2025 | 8 |
| Flynn, Jack; Ray, Lainey | The Sniper | 2025 | 10/22/2025 | 6 |
| Flynn, Jack; Ray, Lainey | The Hacker | 2025 | 10/24/2025 | 5 |
| Flynn, Jack; Ray, Lainey | The Medic | 2025 | 10/29/2025 | 7 |
| Flynn, Jack; Ray, Lainey | The Ghost | 2025 | 10/30/2025 | 7 |
| Force, Marie | The Fatal Series Compendium | 2025 | 7/18/2025 | 6 |
| Force, Marie | State of Retribution | 2025 | 12/19/2025 | 10 |
| Force, Marie | State of Preservation | 2025 | 12/29/2025 | 10 |
| Force, Marie | Delivery After Dark | 2025 | 10/6/2025 | 7 |
| Force, Marie | Illustrious | 2025 | 4/19/2025 | 10 |
| Geissinger, J.T. | Blackthorn (a) | 2025 | 11/6/2025 | 10 |
| Geissinger, J.T. | Blackthorn | 2025 | 11/4/2025 | 10 |
| Geissinger, J.T. | Beg For Me | 2025 | 7/4/2025 | 10 |
| Geissinger, J.T. | Beg for Me (a) | 2025 | 10/9/2025 | 10 |
| Geissinger, J.T. | Spicy Little Curses | 2025 | 9/23/2025 | 7 |
| Geissinger, J.T. | Spicy Little Curses (a) | 2025 | 10/5/2025 | 8 |
| Harlow, Melanie | The Cloverleigh Farms Collection Audiobook (a) | 2025 | 9/27/2025 | 8 |
| Harlow, Melanie | Tease (a) | 2022 | 2/27/2025 | 8 |
| Harlow, Melanie | Tempt (*p) | 2022 | 10/9/2025 | 10 |
| Harmon, Amy | The Unknown Beloved (*p) | 2022 | 9/4/2025 | 10 |
| Hazelwood, Ali | The Love Hypothesis (a) | 2021 | 3/1/2025 | 8 |
| Huang, Ana | King of Wrath | 2022 | 6/2/2025 | 8 |
| Hunter, Elizabeth | Crimson Oath | 2025 | 8/7/2025 | 9 |
| James, Nicole | Crash (a) | 2022 | 3/27/2025 | 9 |
| James, Nicole | Shades (a) | 2022 | 3/30/2025 | 6 |
| James, Nicole | Wolf (a) | 2023 | 4/1/2025 | 8 |
| James, Nicole | Ghost (a) | 2023 | 4/2/2025 | 6 |
| Jimenez, Abby | The Fall Risk | 2025 | 2/3/2025 | 10 |
| Jimenez, Abby | The Fall Risk (a) | 2025 | 6/1/2025 | 10 |
| Jimenez, Abby | The Friend Zone (a) | 2019 | 6/8/2025 | 10 |
| Jimenez, Abby | The Happy Ever After Paylist (a) | 2020 | 10/16/2025 | 8 |
| Jimenez, Abby | Say You'll Remember Me | 2025 | 4/8/2025 | 10 |
| Jordan, Skye | Gilded | 2025 | 8/1/2025 | 10 |
| Keeland, Vi | Indiscretion | 2025 | 1/15/2025 | 9 |
| Keeland, Vi | Indiscretion (a) | 2025 | 2/11/2025 | 8 |
| Keeland, Vi | The Naked Truth (a) | 2018 | 1/17/2025 | 8 |
| Keeland, Vi | Something Unexpected (a) | 2023 | 3/5/2025 | 10 |
| Keeland, Vi | We Shouldn't (a) | 2019 | 1/18/2025 | 8 |
| Lark, Sophie | Monarch | 2024 | 11/25/2025 | 6 |
| Lark, Sophie | Grimstone | 2023 | 11/24/2025 | 7 |
| Lark, Sophie | Grimstone (a) | 2024 | 12/17/2025 | 8 |
| Lark, Sophie | Monarch (a) | 2024 | 12/18/2025 | 7 |
| Page, Tierney | The Other Brother | 2025 | 1/19/2025 | 8 |
| Perry, Devney | Bluebird Gold | 2025 | 12/31/2025 | 10 |
| Perry, Devney | Shield of Sparrows (a) | 2025 | 8/9/2025 | 10 |
| Perry, Devney | Shield of Sparrows | 2025 | 5/16/2025 | 10 |
| Perry, Devney | Merit | 2025 | 3/29/2025 | 8 |
| Reiss, C.D. | Deep Thrall | 2025 | 7/17/2025 | 6 |
| Robb, J.D. | Conspiracy in Death (a) | 2008 | 1/26/2025 | 8 |
| Robb, J.D. | Loyalty in Death (a) | 2008 | 10/18/2025 | 6 |
| Roberts, Nora | Hidden Nature | 2025 | 7/1/2025 | 5 |
| Romig, Aleatha | Fear of Flames | 2025 | 10/27/2025 | 7 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | Grip Trilogy Box Set | 2020 | 1/8/2025 | 10 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | The Kingmaker (*p) | 2023 | 8/10/2025 | 10 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | The Rebel King (*p) | 2023 | 8/15/2025 | 10 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | Flow (a) | 2017 | 1/19/2025 | 8 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | Grip (a) | 2017 | 1/23/2025 | 10 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | Still (a) | 2019 | 1/26/2025 | 10 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | This Could Be Us | 2024 | 1/4/2025 | 10 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | Can't Get Enough | 2025 | 5/25/2025 | 10 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | My Soul to Keep | 2015 | 1/10/2025 | 8 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | Down to My Soul | 2016 | 1/11/2025 | 8 |
| Ryan, Kennedy | Refrain | 2016 | 1/11/2025 | 8 |
| Sage, Lyla | Done and Dusted | 2023 | 11/19/2025 | 7 |
| Sage, Lyla | Soul Searching (a) | 2025 | 10/15/2025 | 10 |
| Score, Lucy | Things We Left Behind (a) | 2023 | 4/26/2025 | 8 |
| Scott, Kylie | Because the Night (a) | 2025 | 7/24/2025 | 8 |
| Scott, Kylie | Because the Night | 2025 | 3/13/2025 | 8 |
| Scott, Kylie | Dirty (*p) | 2016 | 2/24/2025 | 10 |
| Scott, Kylie | Lick (*p) | 2014 | 1/21/2025 | 10 |
| Sheridan, Mia | All the Little Raindrops (a) | 2023 | 2/16/2025 | 7 |
| Toon, Paige | What If I Never Get Over You | 2025 | 7/26/2025 | 7 |
| Tucker, K.A. | Release Me | 2025 | 6/16/2025 | 8 |
| Tucker, K.A. | Save Me | 2025 | 10/3/2025 | 8 |
| Ward, Penelope | A Drummer's Heart | 2025 | 3/11/2025 | 8 |
| Ward, Penelope | The House Guest | 2025 | 9/1/2025 | 8 |
| Ward, Penelope | Stepbrother Dearest (a) | 2025 | 2/9/2025 | 8 |
| Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi | Cocky Bastard (a) | 2025 | 9/15/2025 | 10 |
| Ward, Penelope; Keeland, Vi | Denim & Diamonds | 2025 | 7/28/2025 | 10 |
| Weaver, Brynne | Butcher & Blackbird | 2023 | 2/14/2025 | 8 |
| Wilder, Jasinda | Rev | 2022 | 1/21/2025 | 7 |
| Wilder, Jasinda | Kane | 2022 | 1/22/2025 | 7 |
| Wilder, Jasinda | Chance | 2023 | 1/24/2025 | 7 |
| Wilder, Jasinda | Silas | 2024 | 1/25/2025 | 7 |
| Wilder, Jasinda | Saxon | 2024 | 2/1/2025 | 7 |
| Wilder, Victoria | Bourbon & Lies | 2024 | 9/7/2025 | 7 |
| Wilder, Victoria | Bourbon & Secrets | 2024 | 9/12/2025 | 6 |
| Wilder, Victoria | Bourbon & Proof | 2025 | 9/19/2025 | 5 |
| Yarros, Rebecca | Variation (a) | 2024 | 1/16/2025 | 10 |
Exported from BookCollector on 12/31/2025 11:26:31 AM
