This year really came through reading-wise. Initially, I didn't know what to expect. And I think I was a little surprised to find myself feeling a strong pull right from the beginning of the year to published books. I tried quite a few new-to-me authors with more abandon than I have in recent years—something I'm proud of and hope to continue. Not all of them worked in just an Angie-like way, but regret never entered the room. I passed them on. To the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood, to the used bookstore down the street that I love, to my own public library in donations. Someone will love them. It didn't have to be me. And I loved giving them that little push along their way to the homes of the people who would soak up their words and hold them tight.
What a gift books are. How much I need them and how grateful I am at the end of this year for the ones that came and continued on their way—but most especially for the ones that came to stay.
And so, as has long been my custom, I record here the list of published books that helped make 2025 worth every swamp we had to slog through to keep on.
(listed in the order in which I read them)
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
Three Wild Dogs (and the truth) by Markus Zusak
Crash Test by Amy James
In a Rush by Kate Canterbary
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune
The Last Guy on Earth by Sarina Bowen
Back After This by Linda Holmes
The Lady Sparks a Flame by Elizabeth Everett
Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone by Louisa Darling
Fan Service by Rosie Danan
On the Edge and Shots on Net by J.J. Mulder
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater
Copper Script by K.J. Charles
These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
He Falls First by Jill Shalvis
The Last Days of Summer by Sarra Manning
Slipstream by Madge Maril
Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey
Breakout Year by K.D. Casey
The Librarians by Sherry Thomas
Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Claiming the Princess by Charis Michaels
How About Now by Kate Baer
In a Second by Kate Canterbary
FYI, that's 19 contemporaries, 5 historicals, 4 fantasies, and 1 scifi. Of those, 19 are romances, 5 are mysteries, 2 are retellings, 1 is a memoir, and 1 is a volume of poetry. This list includes 14 standalones, while 15 are part of a series or duology. Of the 25 authors featured, one is a debut author (love this), two appear twice on the list each (always a treat), and one appears a whopping three times (!). I actually think that last may be a first in this history of my best of the year lists. Honestly, how prolific (and consistently good) can you be, Hazelwood? And lastly, five authors from my Best of 2024 list make repeat appearances this year.
For a more in-depth (and fun) breakdown of my 2025 reading, go check out my Instagram.
Best Books I Read in 2025 That Were Published in a Different Year
The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair
The New Guy and Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen
Between the Pipes, Changing the Game, and Square to the Puck by J.J. Mulder
Game Misconduct and Home Ice Advantage by Ari Baran
Savor It by Tarah DeWitt
Daisy Haites and Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing by Jessa Hastings
Happy New Year!
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