2025 so far has been the year of self growth and rom-coms so here are all the books I have been devouring throughout 2025
a fast-paced, gripping thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish, but the ending was a bit cluttered
The Only One Left
LOVED this book - was an interesting look into Ayahuasca from a NYTimes journalist
Trippy: The Promise of Medicinal Psychedelics
a fun romantic mystery that includes some magic and fantasy
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
I really love Elle Kennedy! This was the perfect plane read as I was about to embark on my own adventure abroad - cheeky, a little mutty, but still a fantastic storyline
Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy
a perfect romantic mystery with a touch of magic
The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris
Listen, I love a rom-com novel and I love this author, but this was different than her norm. I do enjoy a fluffy rom-com type of book and this one highlighted the real struggles of long distance and navigating this in a relationship
Say You'll Remember Me #1
imo, this is emily henry's best novel yet! it's a mix of enemies to lovers with a bit of mystery and history layered in (think Evalyn Hugo)
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
okay I loved this book - it was an easy beach read, but took place in amsterdam (hence the title) but recently being there myself, it felt like I was able to truly step foot in this novel
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
the second novel in this series - this one is a fake dating trope
The Fiancé Dilemma (Green Oak, #2) by Elena Armas
first book in this series and I loved it! enemies to lovers trope and phew *it was steamy*
The Long Game (Green Oak, #1) by Elena Armas
cheeky cat and mouse type of book where the main character is running around paris to uncover some art/family secrets - the ending wasnt exactly what I was hoping, but it was also really well done
Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan
easy rom-com read - this was a hockey rom com which I'm not a huge fan of necessarily
The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson
a mystical fake dating rom-com that I did enjoy, but did not realize it was a wolf type of novel
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
another mystical novel by Lana Ferguson that takes place in scotland and is an enemies to lovers trope with a twinge of mystery
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
takes place in Paris WW2 with a dual timeline of early 1900s and late 1900s
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
a dual timeline novel with a twinge of romance and mystery - some small plot holes, but overall a good read
The Story Collector: Magical Dual Timeline
a sad, loving, serendipitous novel about loss and love
Four Weekends and a Funeral - Ellie Palmer
Though it was a predictable plot, I enjoyed how everything played out. There was a good balance between the serious and silly moments
The Nanny by Lana Ferguson
a cheeky novel about appreciating the present and what you currently have because you won't get another chance
The Good Part by Sophie Cousens
lawyer based rom-com type of book - enemies to lovers trope and though cute, not my fav
Overruled by Lana Ferguson
this book was summer heat but make it repressed tension and questionable decision making
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
short-story collection where the outlandish and the everyday collide so sharply that even the weirdest premise ends up feeling uncomfortably familiar
Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
YA romance novel featuring a fake dating trope with highschoolers - it was cute, but I do have a hard time reading about such young people, did not know it took place in highschool when I picked it up
Better Than the Movies
one of the best books I read in 2025 - focusing on breaking down ayurveda and then sets you up to incorporate into your life for 21 days
Your Body Already Knows: Intuitive Ayurveda
Not my favorite from her. I've read the entire McFarlane background because her character development and deeper storylines are so fantastic, and while that is still true here I found the chemistry lacking and it all a bit too far fetched
Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane
This book is much like Pooh himself; charming, kind and honest
The Tao of Pooh: Hoff, Benjamin
this book was gripping and heartbreaking following the outcome of a devasting serial killing
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
A gripping and heartbreaking memoir about childhood trauma, faith (or how one uses their own view to dominate and intimidate), self-determination/preservation. I highly recommend this book
Educated: A Memoir:
I wanted to love this book, but it took a while for me to get into this and then finish it - another romcom, but didn't find a connection to the characters
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
obsessed is an understatement for this book - a beautifully written nonfiction following the seven deadly sins and how they are deeply rooted in the patriarchy
On Our Best Behavior: Seven Deadly Sins & Price Women Pay
