2025 was not a super stellar reading year for me. Normally, I have a few stand out books that I am raving about and recommending to anyone who will listen. It seemed like I read a lot of 'just okay' books last year. But, I did reach my goal of 100 books, so there were a few 5 star reads! I also made it a goal to read more classics, and I am happy to say I read several.
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Here's what I rated 5 stars in 2025:
Assistant to the Villain #1 by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
I found this book to be so fun! Evie Sage really needs a job, and accidentally ends up saying yes to a position as an assistant - to THE Villain. She's all sunshine, and he's all evil, tortured, and has a dungeon. It's just a really fun premise, set in a fairy tale. Their banter was great, and this was super entertaining. The only thing I think this book was missing was them going off doing Villainous things. This actually became a workplace romance because so much of it takes place at 'the office'. I mean, the Villain has an HR department. Language warning. I will say, I didn't love the rest of the series like I enjoyed the first book.
The Widow's Husbands Secret Lie by Freida McFadden
OMG, this was hysterically unhinged. Freida McFadden is the queen of writing those popcorn thrillers. Honestly, I look to her to get me out of a reading slump. She wrote this satirical novella that I just thought was brilliant. She pokes fun at the genre, using all kinds of funny common tropes and twists. I belly laughed multiple times. If you love a thriller, but also understand that most of them are ridiculous - this is for you.
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
This is a coming of age book about a couple of runaway kids in the 30's. They face a lot of tragedy but have a sweet and loyal friendship - and they go on a big adventure.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
It's always been a goal of mine to read Jurassic Park! I love the movie. This is such a great book, and I was surprised at the differences between the page and film. For example, you don't meet Alan Grant until like half way through the book. 100% worth the read.
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
A hiker disappears on the Appalachian trail in Maine - and it becomes a race against time to try to find her. One of the POVs is an old lady in a Connecticut retirement community who becomes an armchair detective. I wondered how it would all come together, and it did! While this is a race against time mystery, it's ultimately about the characters.
Lost Stars by Claudia Gray
A Star Wars book is on my 5 star list! This is a really cool book about two childhood friends on the opposite side of the rebellion. If you like the newer SW movies, you'd like this. I did have to ask Blake a lot of questions along the way when it came to types of ships and such.
The Compound by Aisling Rawle
This was a weird one I couldn't put down! Lily wakes up on a desert compound with a bunch of other contestants on a reality show. They start out with nothing, and have to compete for luxuries. Of course relationships begin, and the competition intensifies with increasingly difficult tasks.
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
A family drama about the ethics of AI...trust me on this one. A family is driving in a self driving minivan, and an accident occurs. Each family member is guilty of something that makes them sort of responsible for the accident.
If anything, this book made me think! It's dramatic and made me uncomfy.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
If you've seen this one on everyone's lists, it's for good reason. It takes a minute to get going, but you are reading the correspondence of an old lady named Sybil. She's always written letters, and you get to read her emails and notes too. Her little life is quite small in the beginning of this novel, but it was very sweet to see her circle grow.
The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss
One night Ellie and her fiance Drake are walking and they stumble upon an old fashioned movie theater. They decide to go in, and are completely shocked when the movie playing is their earliest childhood memories. They are offered the chance to come back and view each other's most formative moments.
The concept here was SO good, and I just loved the idea of getting to witness my own husband's early memories. Of course, not everything that shaped you needs to be seen by the person you are with now - like your first love. And did things really happen like you remembered them?
The Dream Daughter by Dian Chamberlain
A very interesting genre bending book! It's a little scifi but mostly historical fiction I guess. Caroline is an expectant mother who finds out her unborn baby has a heart defect. Her brother in law has a solution though, and it involves quite the leap of faith. I'd love to hear a mother's perspective and find out if you would make the same decisions Caroline does.
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