The Best and Worst Books of 2025

The Best and Worst Books of 2025 sums up my reading year perfectly. 2025 was a genuinely great reading year for me. With an average rating of 4 stars, I had more wins than misses.

There were plenty of strong 4-star reads and an impressive number of 5-star books too. That said, not every highly rated book leaves a lasting mark. Some fade the moment you close the cover, while only a handful stay permanently etched in your mind, replaying scenes on an endless loop.

Out of 35 5-star reads, I managed to narrow it down to 10 books that I loved far more intensely than the rest. These are the stories that consumed my thoughts, wrecked my emotions in the best way, and reminded me why I read so obsessively in the first place.

Best Books Books of 2025

Here are my 10 Best Books of 2025 in no particular order-

Lady’s Formula for Love – Books like this remind me exactly why historical romance will always beat modern romance for me. It has everything I want: sharp chemistry, delicious banter, real tension, drama, a strong plot, and memorable side characters, all wrapped in a Victorian setting. This book felt complete and deeply satisfying in every possible way.

The Housemaid’s Secret – I did not love the first book because it felt predictable, though the ending was still interesting. The third book was easily the weakest of the trilogy. But the second book completely surprised me. The twists kept coming, none of them obvious, and that ending left me staring at the wall in silence. This was the standout of the series for me.

The Valley of Fear – I have enjoyed most of the Sherlock Holmes books, but this one stood out above the rest. The atmosphere, the mystery, the slow-burning tension, and the chilling presence of the deadliest villain made it unforgettable. It felt darker and more intense than the others, almost like a game of survival.

Little Women – I genuinely cannot believe it took me this long to read this classic. If there is a book I loved as much as Anne of Green Gables, it is this one. The story of the March family is warm, emotional, and deeply comforting. Every sister felt real and distinct. Jo is easily my favorite, and I fully plan to continue reading the rest of their stories.

Lady Susan – This became my second favorite Jane Austen work after Pride and Prejudice. Despite being a short epistolary novella, it delivers drama, scandal, manipulation, and a wonderfully unapologetic anti-heroine. It was wildly entertaining, and I honestly wish it had been a full-length novel.

The Serpent and the Wing of Night – It’s been I read a vampire book and this fantasy pulled me right in. As the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, it delivered a brutal tournament, a dark and dangerous world, morally grey characters, and constant action. Oraya became one of my favorite heroines instantly, and her strength and vulnerability made this an exceptional series starter.

The Fallen and The Kiss of Dusk – Book four in the Crowns of Nyaxia series somehow managed to be even better than the first. The world expanded beautifully, the stakes rose higher, and the war between vampires, gods, and humans added depth and intensity. I loved how fiercely the characters fought against everything and everyone just to be together.

If It Makes You Happy – This was the coziest book I read all year. Small-town charm, found family, a nostalgic 90s fall vibe, and a slow-burn romance made this a comfort read in the truest sense. The title does not lie. It genuinely made me happy while reading it.

People We Meet on Vacation – This was my first Emily Henry book and still my favorite among everything I have read from her so far. Friends-to-lovers is not a trope that always works for me, but this one absolutely did. The twelve-year span, shared vacations, emotional depth, and slow-burn romance completely won me over.

Happy Place – Like People We Meet on Vacation, this book follows a long-term relationship and delivers a layered second-chance romance. It beautifully explores the idea that love is not about finding the perfect person but about choosing each other again and again. Quietly emotional and deeply human.

Honorable Mentions

Worst Books of 2025

Not every book can be a winner, and 2025 was no exception. As much as I love celebrating great reads, a few books missed the mark for me. These are the ones that fell short despite their potential.

Kalki Trilogy – I went into this series cautiously. My sister-in-law bought it, so I decided to give it a fair chance. Even after disliking the first and second books, I pushed through all three just to see if it improved or redeemed itself. It did not. The writing was mediocre, the execution weak, and I did not connect with a single character. The world had so much potential, and watching it fall apart felt genuinely painful.

Modern Divination – This book started strong with a dark academia vibe and a murder mystery setup. Unfortunately, it quickly unraveled. The world-building felt incomplete, with little introduction to the witch world and too many gaps left for the reader to fill. Important plot points were underexplained, and key events felt confusing rather than intriguing. The emotional resolution was especially frustrating and left me unsatisfied.

---

From five-star obsessions to outright disappointments, this reading year had range. Some books stayed with me, some tested my patience, and a few taught me exactly what I do not want to read again. Either way, 2025 was a year well spent in books.

What’s you best and worst reads of 2025?

Just in case you missed,,,

• The Best and Worst Books of 2025
• The Holiday Fakers (Hideaway Harbor #2) by Evie Alexander – fun and cozy holiday romance
• Fantasy as Literature- Why I Will Always Take Fantasy Seriously

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | YouTube

---