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Every Book I've Read in 2025

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I read a ton and I made a goal for myself to be a little bit more intentional about what I read in 2025 and to get through my physical bookshelf so I no longer have stacks on stacks of books that I've never read! Let's see how it goes!
Sections
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January

January is a cold month so I read a lot of books that had chilly winter vibes this month! 

 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
A nice smutty potato chip book. I was here for it. I liked the cinnamon roll book boyfriend who everyone else thinks would kill you but we know better. It was a bit insta lovey which isn’t entirely my vibe. But still enjoyable when you want a smutty ...
Neon Gods - by Katee Robert
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I get why people like the first book and then stop reading after this one. This was not great. The story was half assed and I was tempted to not read the second one but now there’s some interesting things happening in the city that I want to know abo...
Electric Idol - by Katee Robert
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
So far, this has been my favorite. I had no idea going into this book that it would be about a thruple. I liked that Achilles and Patroclus had been together for 10 years and that Patroclus and Helen had known each other longer. There’s less of the i...
Wicked Beauty - by Katee Robert
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I almost DNF’d this series halfway through this book. It was so slow and I was having a hard time caring about the side characters and their points of view. But the ending got me excited to read the next book.
The Silvered Serpents - (The Gilded Wolves 2) by Roshani Chokshi
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This is the kind of thriller I love. My favorite thing is when thrillers aren’t wrapped up in a bow. I feel like so many authors just wrap everything up nice and neat and this book does not do that. Not every question is answered and you’re left wond...
Invisible Girl - by Lisa Jewell
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I really wanted this ending to be better. I feel like it did not do Severin and Laila justice. They deserved better. But I was here for Zofia, Enrique, and Hypnos’s implied thruple.
The Bronzed Beasts - (The Gilded Wolves 3) by Roshani Chokshi
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I was surprised at how much I liked this book. This is what The Midnight Library should have been. I was trying to figure out what the lesson or point was for a while and then when I finally got it, I loved it. It wasn’t so obvious that I was like “W...
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I’ve heard good things about this author’s fantasy and this was a good quick kinda smutty book. I didn’t really get why there was so much violence in it? But this was also the definition of a miscommunication trope and it’s also the kind of book that...
Frigid by Jennifer L Armentrout
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I’ve decided I do not like paranormal mysteries when the paranormalness doesn’t make sense. This should not have been a paranormal mystery.
The Book of Cold Cases - by Simone St James
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
Finally a book in this series with ZERO instalove! This whole boss/employee but they’re in love thing was really cute and there was a ton of extension into the plot which I really liked. Apollo wasn’t my favorite of the book boyfriends in this series...
Radiant Sin - by Katee Robert
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This book had so much more potential. I still liked it, but I wish it had leaned more into her thinking he was a serial killer more. Like, she basically got over that really fast, too fast and it was like… okay? So you’re done now? But wasn’t that th...
Love in the Time of Serial Killers - by Alicia Thompson
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I did the dramatized audio for this book for my third read before Onyx Storm. 5 star read as always.
Graphic Audio: Iron Flame 1 of 2
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I did the dramatized audio for this book for my third read before Onyx Storm. 5 star read as always.
Graphic Audio: Iron Flame 2 of 2
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I was not expecting this book to be what it was. But I really liked it. Adonis’s love for Eris was so pure and their relationship was everything then you add in Theseus and it adds this really interesting dynamic. THEN you add in Pandora but only for...
Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was everything I ever wanted. And I cannot wait to reread it. I have a feeling this is a series I’ll be rereading at least once or twice a year. I can’t get these characters out of my head.
Onyx Storm (Deluxe Limited Edition) - by Rebecca Yarros
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I did the dramatized audio for my second read of this book and I liked it a lot better than reading the book normally. It’s a lot harder to tell that these books aren’t written all that well if you listen to the graphic audio and you can really just ...
Graphic Audio: ACOTAR 2: A Court of Mist and Fury 1 of 2
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I did the dramatized audio for my second read of this book and I liked it a lot better than reading the book normally. It’s a lot harder to tell that these books aren’t written all that well if you listen to the graphic audio and you can really just ...
Graphic Audio ACOTAR 2: A Court of Mist and Fury 2 of 2
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I did cry during this book, not gonna lie. But only because of Sam. I hated Celaena. Hated her. It took me five days to finish this book because of how much I hated her. I’m wondering if I can even continue this series… someone tell me I should. I’ve...
The Assassin's Blade - (Throne of Glass) by Sarah J Maas
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February

February was a crazy month for reading! Here are all the books I read in February 2025! 

 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
My deep dive book for the month was just as good the second time around. I was kicking my feet and thought it was just as cute. I was rooting for this couple and they’re a couple I could easily see going the distance. I think Bee does have some work ...
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I loved the twists and turns in this book. I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen and I definitely did not!
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I liked this enough. I mean I liked it enough to finish it. It was the perfect smutty potato chip book. I think that’s kind of what Q.B. Tyler is for me. I mean it was predictable as all hell and some of the spicy scenes were a little cringy (I’m not...
What Was Meant To Be by QB Tyler
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This book was so bad. It had every single trope that I just hate. Accidental pregnancy, cheating, a love triangle. All of them. And the whole insta love thing was just so weird. The only reason I didn’t DNF was because it was so short.
The Red Eye by A Akinosho
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was a beautiful short story. It didn’t feel rushed in any way and their romance was really believable. I heard you’re supposed to read this in between Serpent & the Wings of Night and Ashes & The Star Cursed King and I was not disappoint...
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This felt like a fitting (mostly) end to Oraya & Raihn’s story. I know we’ll get more of them in the next books, but I loved the yearning in this book. I’m glad I read Six Scorched Roses before it. It gave me a lot of context for Vale especially.
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I think I have a hard time with romances that aren’t written in the first person. But this one was really interesting at first. I did kinda think it fell apart a little bit when the characters started doing things that didn’t fit what was going on. N...
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This is just an all around no for me.
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
RY does it again. I loved this. For a debut it was nothing ground breaking, but it had me tearing up. Jacob’s secret was easy to figure out if you’re the reader and/or you’re familiar enough with the military. But it was subtle enough that I didn’t f...
Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I don’t think I expected Orpheus in this one… But I wasn’t mad about it. The Dark Olympus series has a way of keeping me on my toes and adding in new romantic situations and I’m not mad about it. Plus the plot at the end of this book has me so stoked...
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I feel like I always put off HD Carlton books and then wonder why I did it. Where’s Molly was no exception. It was cute and quick and dark and all the things I love about HD Carlton’s writing.
Where's Molly by H. D. Carlton
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I’m actually glad I read this right after Midnight Ruin because I don’t know that Medusa and Calypso are even mentioned until then. It was a cute quick way to get to know their story without being pushed into an entire book. Even though this technica...
Stone Heart by Katee Robert
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I went into this thinking it would be a cute small town romance. And it was but it was also so much more. I think Emily McIntire needs to get more credit for how she’s able to weave deep intricate plots into her romances. I know her Never After serie...
Beneath the Stars - (Sugarlake) by Emily McIntire (Paperback)
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I had little to no idea what this book was going to be about when I picked it up. I just knew I got the fancy edition from Moonlight Book Box and it seemed right up my alley. And it was. There were pieces of it that were definitely pulled from popula...
Worthy of Fate by AN Caudle
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
For a sequel this really delivered. I find I really struggle when the main characters are separated for a long period of time (I had this issue with the Plated Prisoner series) but this one it made sense. I loved getting a deeper look into the afterm...
Bound by Fate by AN Caudle
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I loved so much about this book, it was easy to read, fast paced (despite being almost 500 pages) and the spice was spicing. Though I would argue it is NOT kinky at all. I have a full review coming of this book to dive further into my thoughts so sta...
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was cute and quirky but had some flaws that had me struggling to give it more than three stars. I still liked it though!
Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
Loved. It had emotional damage but in a good way, it was set up perfectly and set up the next book (though arguably not as well as the first one set up both of these). I loved the overlap between this and the last one without it being too repetitive.
Beneath the Stands by Emily McIntire
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March

March was a great month for reading for me! Here's everything I read in March! 

 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was a cute, simple, potato chip cowboy romance. It’s a great palette cleanser. Though I kinda wished there was a little bit more drama. Everything seemed to happen and resolve quickly.
Done and Dusted - (Rebel Blue Ranch) by Lyla Sage
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was beautiful in so many ways. I could relate (a little too well) to Jane. Any kid who’s been left by a parent could honestly and Dan, while I wrote him off for being a bit of a jerk at first, turned out to be the sweetest sweetie pie there ever...
It's a Love Story - by Annabel Monaghan
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
An audio reread and always just perfect. I loved this just as much the second time around as I did the first!
This Summer Will Be Different - by Carley Fortune
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
Super cute and quick, it was kind of a copycat of Love On The Brain, which didn’t bother me but I could see how it would be kind of boring for some people. I do wish it came in a print form or at least a digital one so I could highlight and make note...
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
If you don’t like when romances are told from a third person POV then you might not like this one. I liked it enough, the spice saved it a bit but it was a bit cheesy and kind of cringe from time to time. Will I read the rest of the series? Yes proba...
My Funny Demon Valentine by Aurora Ascher
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I started this hoping it would show some more Black history (I started in February) but it was all about the white people and how the South just gaslit themselves into the Civil War. Interesting, not gonna lie. But I kind of wish there was more subst...
The Demon of Unrest - by Erik Larson
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I was so excited for this book. I mean Rose and Fionn were so cute in the first two books. I did really like that this one took place during the first two. It was a lot less dark than the first ones. I feel like Rose was barely a serial killer, but I...
Scythe & Sparrow - (Ruinous Love Trilogy) by Brynne Weaver
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was interesting, it was easy to read and quick, a little predictable. But I liked it enough to continue the series. It’ll be quick and easy and I’ll probably finish it in April. The cover makes it look like pure smut, I promise it's not lol
The Risk (Mindf*ck Series #1)
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
The first book was a generous three stars. It was kind of boring but this one, I really liked. I had a great time, the romance felt real. There was just enough drama and cuteness. It was just what I wanted in a cowboy romance.
Swift and Saddled - (Rebel Blue Ranch) by Lyla Sage
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
The vibes for this book were there. But it just went a little too crazy for me. I feel like it should have been a series or even just like… not the alien thing? I dunno. It went off the rails at one point and it seemed like the author was trying real...
Fairydale - by Veronica Lancet (Paperback)
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I love Emily McIntire, but this book was just fine. Jackson lost like all of his personality the moment he left Sugarlake and Blakely was really just kind of a damsel in distress 90% of the time. It made me wonder what he was so obsessed with with he...
Beneath the Hood - (Sugarlake) by Emily McIntire
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
Slightly predictable and pretty dark (do not read these if you haven’t read any dark romances). But it was a good time and I really enjoyed it. I downloaded the second book right away TBR be damned.
Feathers so Vicious - (Court of Ravens) by Liv Zander
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Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This one was sad. But also dark, this duet is kinda crazy honestly. I liked it a lot and had a great time. I was even tearing up at the end but check your trigger warnings for sure because there was some not great stuff between the characters that ha...
Shadows so Cruel - (Court of Ravens) by Liv Zander
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
If I wasn’t reading this by the pool in Mexico it probably would have been three stars. But since I was, I liked it a lot! Definitely read on vacation, it’s a cute easy read with no spice. So if that’s your thing then know you will get no pickles in ...
The Love Haters - by Katherine Center (Hardcover)
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was fine, I liked it enough to want to continue the series, but I did not like the MMC. He was just too much of a fuckboy trying to pretend that’s not him when really, it is.
Mile High - (Windy City) by Liz Tomforde (Paperback)
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was solid and spicy and that’s really all I needed. I did binge this book reading about 500 pages in one day. And I liked it, but I’ll probably be reading the rest of the series eventually.
The Ritual - by Shantel Tessier (Paperback)
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I read this for a romantasy book club. I liked it, though I will say it felt a little choppy at times and I di kind of feel like there was info I was missing that the author assumed I had. I will be reading the next one when it releases though. It ki...
Fear the Flames - by Olivia Rose Darling (Hardcover)
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
If this wasn’t 49 pages I would have DNF’d. It was too fast and just didn’t make any sense.
The Sublet by Greer Hendricks
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
My deep dive for the month and it hit just as hard this time around as it did the first time. If you haven’t read this book then you need to.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
This was fine, very instalovey. My first Mafia romance, I may read the rest of the series, but it’s not a priority for me. The spice kinda saved it?
Brutal Prince - (Brutal Birthright) by Sophie Lark
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DNF

This year I've learend that it's okay to DNF books, so I actually did it! I DNF'd books! Here's everything I DNF'd

 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
I DNF'd at 52%
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
DNF'd at 12%
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
 
Aurora Kretsch profile picture
DNF at 26%
The Four Winds - by Kristin Hannah
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