2025 has come to a close and I’m taking a moment to reflect on the books that filled my year with love, adventure, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. My Goodreads account (even though I need to make the switch from Goodreads to something else – any suggestions?) has been buzzing with activity as I delved into a mix of contemporary romance, heart-pounding fantasy, and emotionally charged dramas. And I am proud to say that I beat my reading challenge again! I set my goal at 65 books (which was what I finished with last year) and I beat that before June!
Here’s a look back at the books I read in 2025…
The Best Books (In My Opinion)
Here are the best books I read this year and why they left a lasting impression.
📞 First Time Caller — B.K. Borison
Cozy, charming, and quietly swoony. A love-advice radio host who doesn’t believe in love meets a woman who challenges everything he thinks he knows. Witty banter, emotional growth, and small-town warmth make this one feel like a comfort re-read waiting to happen.
Vibe: Sleepless in Seattle, but make it modern.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨ Quicksilver — Callie Hart
A gritty romantasy where survival comes first and trust comes last. A street-smart thief is pulled into a dangerous fae world and discovers she holds a rare, powerful magic. Add an enemies-to-lovers dynamic charged with tension, and you’ve got a dark, addictive escape.
Vibe: Sharp edges, slow burn, high stakes.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🤍 Out on a Limb — Hannah Bonam-Young
Tender, funny, and deeply human. A one-night stand turns into an unexpected pregnancy, and instead of panic or drama, we get honesty, vulnerability, and genuine partnership. Thoughtful representation and heartfelt moments make this one quietly unforgettable.
Vibe: Soft, real, emotionally satisfying.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
🔥 Onyx Storm — Rebecca Yarros
The Empyrean series goes full throttle. War is looming, secrets are heavy, and Violet is pushed to her limits while trying to protect her dragons, her people, and the man she loves. Emotional tension meets epic fantasy chaos in a way that leaves you desperate for more.
Vibe: Dragons, danger, and devastation.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
💘 Say You Swear — Meagan Brandy
A college romance that leans hard into feelings. First love, heartbreak, and the slow realization that the right person isn’t always the one you planned for. Equal parts swoon and emotional damage — proceed accordingly.
Vibe: Sports romance with pain and payoff.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
⏳ The Seven Year Slip — Ashley Poston
Magical realism meets soul-deep romance. When an apartment allows its resident to slip seven years into the past, love and timing become impossibly intertwined. This one is about grief, healing, and the idea that some people are worth waiting for — even across time.
Vibe: Emotional, nostalgic, quietly breathtaking.
Spice: 🌶️
🏒 Hat Trick — Chelsea Curto
Fast-paced, flirty, and fun. A hockey romance packed with chemistry, competitive energy, and just enough emotional depth to keep you hooked. Perfect when you want sports romance that leans into banter and heat without losing heart.
Vibe: Playful, spicy, crowd-pleasing.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
💔 Please Don’t Go — E. Salvador
Raw and emotional, this story dives into love, loss, and the moments that change everything. It doesn’t rush the pain or the healing, making the emotional payoff hit that much harder. One of those reads that sits with you long after the last page.
Vibe: Heavy feelings, tender healing.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
🔦 Lights Out — Navessa Allen
Dark, intense, and not for the faint of heart. A psychological romance that plays with obsession, control, and blurred moral lines. It’s gripping, unsettling, and impossible to put down if you like your romance on the darker side.
Vibe: Dark romance, high tension, check your triggers.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✉️ Pen Pal — J.T. Geissinger
Unsettling, addictive, and wildly unpredictable. What starts as an anonymous, flirtatious letter exchange slowly spirals into something darker and far more intense. This is a romance wrapped in suspense, obsession, and twists you genuinely won’t see coming. Go in blind — trust me.
Vibe: Psychological, sexy, WTF-did-I-just-read (in the best way).
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
And here is the rest of the list! It was definitely the year of romance novels for me. I read…. a lot of them. And if I am being completely honest, I did not read too many books that I didn’t love. There were maybe two or three that weren’t my absolute favorite but I did finish reading them. I think I only DNF’d one book. You can check out my Goodreads account for more reviews & ratings.
My Complete List of Books I Read in 2025
Thanks for reading about the best books I read in 2025! If you have any recommendations or books you think I would be interested in reading, please leave a comment below! I would love to hear all of your suggestions! Also, if you are looking for more books, be sure to check out my book tab!
xo, Kerri
[ I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post ]