2025 was definitely a slower reading year for me. I’m not sure what happened, but this was the first year since probably 2020 where I had read less than 100 books. However, instead of being down on myself about not reading enough books this year to be on par for years past, I want to take a moment to share my thoughts on some of my favorite books from this year of reading.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo: I read this book back in January, and even then I knew that this was going to be a book that I was going to talk about in this post. It was one of those books that had left me in pieces as I was reading it. This book is about figure skaters Katerina and Heath who gain fame as ice skaters with every odd against them. The two were bound together and have forces that tear them apart at every turn. This book was told in a style of Daisy Jones and the Six, and I was obsessed. If you haven’t read this one, I believe that this is the perfect time of year to do so. I couldn’t put it down and it had led me to an emotional ride.
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone: This book was a great read, and one of my favorites this year. Well, obviously, since it was on this list. This book made me swoon, smile, and cry all at the same time. This is the store of Eve, who is dealing with the effects of an unexpected pregnancy. I love the friends to lovers, the characters, and so much about this book that you should just read it.
Song of Archilles by Madeline Miller: I want to add this book to one of the books that made me cry in 2025. This book was devoured on a train ride to the city, and was the retelling of the myth of Achilles. It was absolutely amazing.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone: This book gutted me in the best way possible. This one tells the story of Lenny, who is grieving the loss of her best friend. She lands a babysitting job, where she meets Miles who is the uncle of the little girl that she’s babysitting. He teaches her how to live, which was so amazing to read. I loved this book, and I highly recommend that you read it with a box of tissues near by.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: Emily Henry’s one of my go-to authors and whenever she comes out with a new book, it’s an auto buy and instant read for me. I loved that this book was different than all of the other books Henry wrote. It’s told in dual timelines, and POVs. In one, it’s about Alice competing for the ultimate biography project — a biography of Margaret Ives with Pulitzer Prize winner Hayden Anderson. In another, it’s Margaret’s story. Now, if you liked The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you would absolutely love this one.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This book is another one that made me cry in the end, and one that had a twist that I did not see coming. This book tells the story of Joan Goodwin, who is obsessed with the stars and science for as long as she can remember. She goes to NASA, where she is infatuated with Vanessa. This book completely paints the portrait of NASA in the 1980s, and has all of the things that I expected in a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel. It tugs on your heartstrings. It makes you feel all of the emotions. You don’t want to put it down.
Therefore, it’s on this list for me.
Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Susman: Lauren is a widow in a small town, and the sister of superstar, Gabe Parker. Lauren is tasked with raising her daughter on her own when actor Ben Walsh comes in the mix. With small town rumors flying, Ben’s fame, and her daughter’s moodiness against them, Lauren decides to take their sexy encounters into something more and move forward with her life. I loved this book. Told in a then and now way, the book is more than just a spicy read. It tells the story of a second chance, and two people who are looking to just move forward from trauma in their lives. Plot twist, I loved this one.
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison: I giggled and enjoyed this book all the way through. This tells the story of Aiden Valentine, who needs his ratings on his show to go up. When a young girl calls into the station in regards to her mother, he knows he’s found his chance. Lucie thinks that she’s living a perfect life. She just works and takes care of her child. However, she jumps on the chance to start her love life. This book was super entertaining, and I really loved it, especially working in radio.
Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston: When a talented songwriter has a major case of writer’s block, she goes back to her hometown to help out her family. While she’s there, she hears someone in her head. At first, she thinks that it is a figment of her imagination, or that she’s gone crazy, but it brings her to a handsome and infuriating man that she bickered with. There’s so much that I loved about this book — the family aspects, the fantasy element, and the journey the character goes on. I highly recommend this book.
The Wild Series by K.A. Tucker: This was a series that I read at the absolutely right time. This tells the story of Calla, who gets fired from her city job, and decides to visit her estranged father after years of no contact. She is in for complete culture shock when first glancing at Alaska and their way of life, and is bickering with Jonah, her dad’s right hand man. This series was amazing to read, and I am pretty sure that I will read this one again.
*Note: This post does contain affiliate links from Amazon. By using them and making a purchase using them gives me a small commission through the Amazon Affiliate program at no cost to you.
thenutmegmillennial.com 