2025 Book List

With 2025 over, it's time to review my reading for the year. I read 97 books: 64 audiobooks and 33 books. And 203 Kindle books. 

I stayed exactly in the romance genre. I reread Ali Hazelwood books on audiobook and created a definitive list of favorites, plus she had three books out this year that were all spectacular. She's still my favorite author in the genre, hands down. I reread Penny Reid books getting ready for the third Three Kings book in January. I read a fantasy series that Alice recommended so we could talk and swoon about it. Tessa Bailey had two books out this year in her sports romance and they were both so much delightful fun. 

But the book I'm crowning my favorite, after the Ali and Tessa books, is "First Time Caller" by BK Borison. I just fell for the characters, the vibes, the goodness, the sweetness. I must have paused my work and "awwed" over phrasing and kind feelings so many times. I guess this year I just needed a book that was all sugar and happiness. The second book in this series is due out in January 2026. Glee! 

AUDIOBOOKS 

1.  The Devil Wears Black by A Shin -- funny but a little boring 
2. Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia -- the construction of this story was a little uneven and weird, with the destructive ex-wife and the uneven serious/funny tone. It wasn't as good as it really should have been. 
3.  Happy After All by Maisey Yates -- the narrator's male voice was distractingly horrible and the story got a little darker than I like. Overall, it's was just ok. 
4. Hazel and Josh's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren -- it was hard to overlook (hear) the horrible cartoon voice the mail narrator used for Hazel. Otherwise, love a manic-pixie MC friends-to-lovers story. Though, the friends-to-lovers is hard to do well, and this isn't an example of a good one. 
5. The Rogue's Wager by Christi Caldwell -- read by a man, so the lady voices were a little lame, but it's a solid historical romance and she's written a ton, so not a bad discovery. 
6. My Favorite Half Night Stand by Christina Lauren -- this was a reread because I really just wanted something nice to listen to while doing a horrible project. 
7. Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson -- I went in to this story trying to have an open mind but UGH ... he turns into the Loch Ness Monster at night?! No way. I was only listening for the accents. Nothing else. 
8. Powerless by Lauren Roberts -- great hero story with an active MC teen girl who gets sucked into the fighting for her life as entertainment for her kingdom. And meeting a very dashing second-son/prince. Alice loved it. 
9. Story of My Life by Lucy Score -- no one does a grumpy hero like Lucy. She's a master. This story was very much in the vein of 
10. Reckless by Lauren Roberts -- such a classic second-in-trilogy, where the action slows down and the emotional connection amps up. Really enjoying the characters and the pining. 
11. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano -- I love this series because it's so accessible and casual. The latest is just a wild ride that doesn't feel like time is passing as fast as it is. The timeline continues to be super compressed and I really like that; this book is a few months after the first, and days after the last one. 
12. Dating You Hating You by Christina Lauren -- this is a re-read because I was having trouble finding anything worthwhile. I ran out of interest halfway through, but I finished it and it's a fun Hollywood agent romcom. 
13. The Winning Formula by Cara Veloce -- just finished the newest season of F1 and found this free audiobook. It was a very fun very STEM-forward romance between engineer and driver. Lots of voices and romance. 
14. Fearless by Lauren Roberts -- emotional and sad ending. 
15. Mis-Directed by Lucy Parker -- an Audible-original, this wasn't written very well. It wandered a little too much and was a little too cliche. But the narrators (an actress from Derry Girls with a hot Brit male actor) was excellent. 
16. Highlands Hope by Julie Johnstone -- fun little romance tale with female lead that's escaping a horrible husband and goes right into a very heroic and kind laird. With twins. 
17. Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley -- Meh. The narrator was ok. And the story never hooked me. I never bought that she'd get away with the crime. 
18. All Forked Up by Penny Reid -- the typical Penny main character that's independent and doesn't trust anyone. And a sturdy, dependable, emotionally-stilted gentlemen that falls almost unwillingly. LOVE. 
19. First Time Caller by BK Borison - amazing narrators that I just loved listening to their voices (making note: E.J. Bingham and Hathaway Lee) and a very sweet and wonderful stories with characters so well sketched out and banter so fresh and funny, I was totally charmed by this one. 
20. It Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier -- lusty assassins in dual perspective travel all over Europe trying to figure out who they work for. Lusty being the keyword. This is Triple spicey. 
21. It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret -- my favorite historical romance narrator for sure (Faye Adele) this was a perfect and charming romance. Text book perfection. Happy swoons. 
22. Homemaker by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare -- This is a amateur detective novel about Prairie Nightingale. Not my usual thing. But it was also a lot about gender politics and the way marriage swallows up women and makes them victims in one way or the other. One kissing scene? And not as funny as the Finlay Donavan series. 
23. The Hooker and the Hermit by Penny Reid -- Will I always love a Penny Reid novel? It seems certain. But with an Irish hero? Even better. Lonely girl troupe was on fire here. 
24. Under One Roof 
25. Stuck with You 
26. Below Zero -- am I on a Ally Hazelwood rereading kick? Yes, I am. Are these fun novellas that give me my favorite Ally heroes? Yes, double yes. 
27. Love on the Brain by Ally Hazelwood -- so I think I'm on the hunt for my favorite Ally book and sadly, this one isn't it. The secret identity thing is one of my least favorite troupes. But are the hero and heroine perfect? Pretty much. 
28. Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage -- this was on sale on my audible app and I read all these books, so I thought why not? Guys, WHY didn't they get narrators with cowboy accents? Darlin' just doesn't hit right unless there's a drawl. Ava and Wes are probably my favorite characters. I especially relate to all Ava's thought about being unlikable. 
29. Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood -- this is Elsie & Jack. I love how she is a perpetual people-pleaser and he sees right through it immediately. Then, I love how she puts him in his place at the end (well, she puts everyone in their place) and then has to work on being honest. Who wouldn't relate?! 
30. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood -- this is Olive & Adam. And Ali's debut book and it's very clunky. Too many lies. Olive isn't well-drawn (she's snarky in dialogue, but insecure in her head, it's not consistent). And the power dynamic, he's a older man PROFESSOR/younger woman STUDENT is more problematic than she makes it out to be. You can see how far Ali's writing has developed when compared to the newer books. 
31. Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood -- Mallory & Nolan. I really liked the way this book was constructed. Good, quick pacing. Likable characters, even side characters, with an obnoxious bad guy. The MCs are well drawn and I really rooted for them. And it's written in a way that I don't even mind all the chess talk -- I might really like it? Do I chess now? 
32. Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood -- Rue & Eli. As I recall, I didn't like this one much. But I really enjoyed it this second time. This is the first 2 POVs, and I appreciated Eli's view. Plus, she's it's a lot kinkier and sexy than the other STEM-focused books. Lots of sex. The patent law and corporate takeover stuff was a little dry, but overall a deeply satisfying love story. 
33. Bride by Ali Hazelwood -- Misery & Lowe. I recalled this book being a lot spicier, this second read and I got a little more into the politics and world-building. Misery is so so funny. Her wit and one-liners are so fun. Can't wait for the sequel all about Serena. 
34. Deep End by Ali Hazelwood -- Scarlett & Lukas. When I read this the first time I remember all the kinky stuff and less of the sweet stuff. On this re-read, it was all so good. Her best, probably. It's funny and honest and kind and relatable and, ugh, too good. Lukas as far better drawn out than her other MC guys and Scarlett is the usual Ali heroine. 
35. Two an Play by Ali Hazelwood -- Viola & Jesse. Short, audio-only release from Ali. It's cute. Fast and fun. This re-read has been lots of fun. 
36. Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood -- This novella series is my favorite, so when I need something light and fun for a while, I'll flip one of these on. Ali just gets me. 
37. The Love Haters by Katherine Center -- I kept thinking how restrained this story was. Instead of dramatic big scenes with rescue swimmers or hurricanes, it was mostly about Katie surviving her terrible self-hate with all this amazing support that effortless fell into her life. And the hero was again way too perfect and basically without flaw (too thoughtful, too confident, blah). The ending was too swift and the damn epilogue was, again, too long and has lots of good scenes I'd rather have read instead of been briefed on (which happens a lot with this author). 
38. A Little Too Close by Rebecca Yarros -- Turned out to be a very middle-of-the-road romance. Clinical. I liked it but I didn't love it. The Colorado setting, since we were just there, was extra fun. Kinda interested in the sequel, though. 
39. Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey -- a great, short romance for the trip to Spain. 
40. When in Rome by Sarah Adams (DNF) -- something light because the Abby book was getting me down. Didn't finish it but I got pretty close and I've read it before. I might read the next book because I remember it was way better. 
41. The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (DNF) -- was reading when my dad passed away, and there's so much talk about grief that I had to shut this down. May finish later. 
42. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry -- I wanted to DNF this so bad because there wasn't nothing I liked about this story. Hinting at there being a big lie in the celebrity's backstory the whole time really killed it for me. The chemistry was meh. The location didn't even give me enough. But I skimmed to the end so I could find out the "big reveal" - it wasn't that big. 
43. Hands Down by Mariana Zapata -- where was the editor on this one? Sheesh. Too long. Too boring. No chemistry. But gah do I love Chris Brinkley's narration. So of course I had to finish it. 
44. Soul Searching by Lyla Sage -- the new series by this great author. The ghosts stuff gave me the creeps but the narration was great and the MCs were swoony. Looking forward to the next one. 
45. Parks and Provocation by Juliette Cross -- this is a Green Valley book with Chris Brinkley narration, so it's delightful to listen to. Narrator Lila Winters kinda sucks though. 
46. I'm Gonna Get You Back by Elena Armas -- generally not my favorite writer but this novella had a little suspense and two great narrators. Good one! 
47. Beautiful Collide by Ava Harrison -- blah. This book should have been 3 hours, not 11! Lots of arguing and avoiding tough conversations. 
48. Chasing Love by Piper Rayne -- blah. nothing really special about this one. 
49. Ruby Dixon binge 
50. Don't Call Me Daddy by Jere Anthony -- a little too much innermonologe, but it got me to and around NYC in a day so it was fine. And a little smutty. 
51. Catching Quinn by Jennifer Bonds -- a little bland but a fun listen and the narrators did a great job. 
52. Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws -- caught this one in the second of three but I'm not mad about it. The narration was good and only thing that kept me going. Great dialogue. You know I love a mountain man brothers series, right? 
53. Scared Sexy Shorts - this is a set of scary/romance short stories by some great authors for Halloween; including Ali Hazelwood, Ruby Dixon and Christina Lauren. Damn good. Will need to relisten next year. 
54. Homecoming King by Penny Reid -- this is a holiday re-read because I just heard the third book in this series is finally coming out. Nothing big happens but this author always hits. 
55. Drama King by Penny Reid -- another re-Reid (get it?) getting ready for the third book. Another nothing happens but inner turmoil and great dialogue and I am fine with it. 
56. Bound by Ali Hazelwood -- she just casually dropped this new audio-only book on us unsuspecting fans. The male narrator was not right. At all. It's not all that great and borrowed a little too much from A Discovery of Witches, it was almost weird. My least favorite. 
57. Overdue by Stephanie Perkins -- as excited as I was to read this author's first adult romance (she used to write great YA) this was waaaaaaay too long. And not enough of a conflict to sustain hours/pages of story. But the narrator Evie Kominski did her best but even she seemed exhausted at the end. 
58. Ruby Dixon Risdaverse binge part two -- these stories are just so fun and I found another group of them for free on Hoopla. thankyouverymuch! 
59. Ruby Dixon dragon book -- Ok, so he's a dragon shape-shifter. DNF because I had no interest in the "lore" or where this series goes. But still I'd bet it's a great series. 
60. Laws of Physics by Penny Reid -- this is a three-book, slow-as-hell, series that's kind of like the last one. 
61. Honeymoon Phase by Amy Daws -- this is the second book in this series I read, tho I think it's the third book. Teddy Hamilton can read the shit out of a book and this friends to lovers came together well. The fourth book isn't out until May. Maybe I'll read it. 
62. Bourbon and Lies by Victoria Wilder -- the narrators were so good. Grants and Laney's love story. Lots of deep emotions and close brotherhood. 
63. Bourbon and Secrets by Victoria Wilder -- Lincoln and Faye. Single dad and a women burlesque dancer/PI with a few really bad guys.
64. Bourbon and Proof by Victoria Wilder -- Finally getting Ace and Hadley's story and it's for sure the smuttiest. But also the most satisfying as we learn about all the back-channel moves Ace has been making through the entire series. 

 BOOKS 

1. Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams -- so sweet it will give you a cavity and it's wonderful. These sisters just stick to me and this older sister, need to be in charge, gal is so good. The guy was a bit of a miss on a motorcycle, but outside of that, he was totally swoony. 
2. Body Check by Elle Kennedy -- A lot sexy but not a lot of other things going on. Would have been better with a sub-plot that was more than just rumors about bribing. Still, might read the second book in this series. 
3. Cash by Jessica Peterson -- there's no denying that I love a ranch romance. This enemies to lovers hit all the right notes. Great story. Great ranch. Cash is a perfect MC hero. I want to read the whole series. 
4. Wyatt by Jessica Peterson -- friends to lovers is a really tough troupe to get right. It's not right in this story, but it's still pretty cute and I love a cowboy, so there you go. The third book in this series is not available yet. Drat.
5. Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey -- squeeeeeel! the tension jumps off the page it clouds the room! I took my time reading it because it was so good and I never wanted it to be over. Another year wait for the next book in the series.
6.  The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez -- such a great novella. So much great banter, adorable meet-cute and satisfying HEA.
7.  Deep End by Ali Hazelwood -- Gah, this book is all about kinky sex and being ok with your sexual wants and it's great. I loved the MC so much and really felt for her. And Ali's heroes are always so so good. Cutting up the apple?! Gah. There's a lot of NCAA diving and swimming 
8.  A Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase -- while the beginning was kind of a mess, this story was really adorable and the banter was extra A++. I bought the two other books in the Dis-graced Dukes series. 
9. 10 Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase -- the second book in this Duke series and it's just so good. The heroes are these thoughtless sweet child-men who have to pull themselves together to keep their women. 
10. The Inconvenient Duke by Loretta Chase -- this one got a little way from the story, since the Alice/Blackwood story was teased in the last two books but it was still a satisfying read. 
11. Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage -- this is the final book in the series and probably the least fun. It's a second-chance love with characters who never stopped being in love and it takes WAY too long for them to figure it out. It's annoying. And the 'no kids' discussion seemed really disingenuous. Like huh? But Emmy's wedding at the end, the characters from the first book, was a tear-jerker. 
12. The Beast Take a Bride by Julie Anne Long -- A very excellent romance that did the job. A MC that's "not worthy of love" and a sweet gal that proves him wrong. 
13. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood -- possibly my least favorite in a string of great books from Ali. It starts off slow, with a lot of backtracking (too dual-time-line for me) and by the time it focused in on the present, I was almost uninvolved to follow the carrot through to the end. Mia was a well-written character, though. 
14. What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long -- I'm really enjoying this author. And this book was so deftly written I just kept going back for more. Will be reading more and more of her back catalog. 
15. Sawyer by Jessica Peterson -- maybe went on a little too long but still a fun cowboy love story. This series has got almost everything I want in a ranch love story and this one was fun. 
16. The Storm Between Us by Erika Hilton -- terrible, repetitive and not authentic-sounding, but also a little angsty, so I finished it. Won't read the rest of the series. 
17. Between the Pines by Amber Palmer -- cowboy ranch romance, obvi, that started out with a bang (teehee) and then she runs off! He shows up out of the blue on her ranch and it simmers for some great tension until all obstacles are removed. Series follows the three sisters from the ranch and yes, I will be reading them all. 
18. Through the Dust by Amber Palmer -- second in this series and about the wild child youngest daughter Lennox and Bishop, the ranch foreman that was thrown out of his home as a teen and came to live on the ranch and looks up to Lennox's dad. Lots to unpack here and it's pretty sweet when they finally figure it out. 
19. Waking Olivia by Elizabeth O'Roark -- meh. It sounded a lot bigger and better in the summary. It was just a little good. 
20. My Darling Mayhem by Ashley Munoz -- I don't usually read MC romances but this one had some compelling troupes in the summary so I started it. Yeah, it was OK. But no, I will not be reading another MC book for a long time. Ugh. Gratuitous gun violence is not my thing. 
21. Ice Plant Barbarians by Ruby Dixon -- this is a series of really silly but kinda intriguing sci-fi romance books and, look, not my usual thing but these are fun and written really well so we're just going with it. They're 300 pages each and I'm on book 4. 
22. Texas Glory by Lorraine Heath -- I've said it once, I've said it 100 times, nothing pulls me out of a reading slump than a romance paperback. This was chef's kiss! All the things you want from a western romance. Read it in 12 hours while down with covid. 
23. Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey -- Might be my favorite in this incredibly awesome series that I hope never ends. Robbie is perfectly imperfect and falls so fast, I loved it. Funny and sweet, I wouldn't change a thing! 
24. Maid to Order by Lynn Painter -- This author just hits right because this is such an obvious, over-done set-up and yet she fills it with so much light and happiness and great dialogue. Loved it. 
25. Mate by Ali Hazelwood -- utter perfection as usual. It's twisty and soo much pining and long looks and a few battles and pasts coming back. Loved it. 
26. Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver -- spontaneously signed up for a book club meeting on this book that was a little darker than my usually read, but still a fun ride with a bunch of serial killers. (Audiobook/read to get it done in time for the meeting) 
27. Oops Baby for a Billionaire, Rock Star and Mafia Boss by Chloe Maine -- I read a lot of these little smutty short stories at night. This set was really fun, so I'm putting it on the official count.
28. Good Spirits by BK Borison -- book club book for November. The magic and the rules around the magic messed with my head, but the love story was solid. 
29. Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace -- another book club read, not what I'd normally pick up but a swoony little read
30. Texas Splendor by Lorraine Heath -- Austin's story after he gets out of prison and meets Loree alone on her family farm. All the feels. Didn't finish but got the gist. 
31. Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean -- this is a reread. I flew through her books in 2020ish and they deserved a second go. Started with the middle series of Bareknuckle Bastards for no good reason. Felicity and Devil were an incredible match and I couldn't get enough of the lockpicking, physical and metaphorical. 
32. Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean -- second book in this series and so fun. With the first book being about locks and keys, this was about knots. 
33. Heroes of Huckleberry Creek Series -- a fun KU 5-book series with all the troupes.

Looking forward to a new year of reading!