The books in the list are the books that I read in 2025 that stayed with me long after I was done reading them, from Historical to Fantasy, all these books made a lasting impression on me and here I will share what I loved the most. I couldn’t possibly share a top book, so these are in random order. ~Cyrene
- The Spinsters Secret Stake
Collette Cameron
Historical Romance
https://amzn.to/49cVpD7
In this book, Rowena is considered a spinster and has a horrible half brother who has swindled many people, including Shelby, a man Rowena has known for years. The romance grows slowly as they try to get to the bottom of her brother’s treachery. What stood out so well for me is the characters are well flushed out, but there is also a lot of humor, especially the neighbor’s antics. A great blend of romance, suspense, danger and humor. - The Christmas Box
Toni Blake
Holiday Contemporary
https://amzn.to/4pYcOqp
This was a holiday story I finished in one day, I couldn’t put it down and I will remember this as a favorite holiday love story for a long time. This story brings a whole town together and has all the feels, from feel-good to heart wrenching, the reader will go through a whole string of emotions, but it’s all worth it. - Stone of Lust
Margaret Izard
Fantasy Romance
https://amzn.to/4sj8Z0G
This is the third book in this series, and I found myself glued to the pages. With a very original storyline and a great cast of characters, the series will keep the reader flying through the pages to find out what happens next. This is a series that is just gaining momentum, and I’m along for the ride. - Cruel is My Court
L.A. McGinnis
Fantasy Romance
https://amzn.to/44Kh1FJ
Sometimes I wonder how authors keep track of all that’s going on in their books, and this one has to be one of the most complex reads from the year. I actually had to take a couple of days to digest this story once I was finished, before starting a new book. There are so many subplots running, I didn’t dare skip around. This story doesn’t slow down and being the second book in a series, it doesn’t show any signs of a sophomore slump. - Lord Appleby’s Gorgeous Imposter
Cerise DeLand
Historical Romance
https://amzn.to/4pVWmXz
This story’s suspense actually surprised me, which is not that easy to do. This is a thrilling historical spy romance that keeps the reader guessing. Many many secrets will be revealed, and this is a different type of historical that was very refreshing to read. The characters are easily likeable, and you even symphathize with the horrible half sister near the end. - Broken Ice of Eternity
T.M. Smith
Fantasy Romance
https://amzn.to/4qoCMTM
In the second book of the series, this story is getting more intense. Even though this book centers on Ely and Fia, the characters and the overall plot that started in book one are here. There is danger, hot romance and a hefty dose of action and danger. I’m a huge fan of fallen angel lore, and this series sates that part of me. - Brushed by Moonlight
Anna Lowe
Fantasy Romance
https://amzn.to/3YNTAb3
Anna Lowe is the master of shifter romances, and it was actually hard to choose a book of hers that I’ve read that stayed with me the longest this past year, but I decided to go with her newest series and the first book in the group. The character pairing is perfection, an odd group that works so well together. Between the danger, suspense, romance and humor, this is a series that all I ask for is for the author to write a bit faster. - The Passenger
Joie Lesin
Paranormal Fantasy
https://amzn.to/4szGlIX
This is such a heart-warming and heart-wrenching tale that will hit the reader with so many emotions throughout the story. A story of forgiveness, letting go of the past and keeping an open mind and heart to what lays ahead. This book only has a sprinkling of paranormal, but this one stayed with me for a very long time and it will get you thinking about some things in your own life that you could do better with. - The Rake’s Convenient Bride
Madeline Martin
Historical Romance
https://amzn.to/4q0oqJD
I love that the heroine in this story is perfectly imperfect. Jasper is the perfect hero and I truly adored the Dowager Darrington. There were so many fun moments in this book that I have trouble naming a favorite, but this has a great cast of characters and I hardly put this book down once I started. - The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight
Jennifer Ivy Walker
Medieval Fantasy Romance
https://amzn.to/4jfN6vb
Even though all the books in this trilogy belong in my top 10, I chose the final installment. This book wraps up this story so wonderfully that was completely satisfying. The attention to detail shows the commitment from the author to the reader and to honor the story. Steeped in Celtic mythology, the reader will start believing the author’s version over the myth. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite historical fantasy series.
Hope you all enjoyed the top 10 of 2025, and if the past year has shown anything, I am prepared to be dazzled in 2026.
