24 Incredible Books I’ve Read

If you’re looking for some seriously good books you just can’t put down, you’re in the right place. I’m sharing some of the best books I read, starting with one of my all-time favorite author Kristin Hannah’s book. I have also discovered another amazing writer, Freida McFadden. I even found a new favorite in the steamy romance genre with Bride. Of course, I’ve got plenty of thrillers and psychological suspense books on here too—I can never resist a good twist! I even stepped way out of my comfort zone with one of the saddest books I’ve ever read. I don’t usually go for heartbreaking novels, but I’m really glad I gave this one a chance. So If you’re looking for some new books to read for yourself or for your book club , this list has a little bit of everything!

Insanely Good Books I’ve Read This Year

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Women is about Frankie, a young woman who leaves her sheltered life to become an Army nurse during the Vietnam War. Frankie experiences so much—from the chaos of war to coming home to a country that doesn’t want to remember. I’ve never read a Vietnam War story focused on women, so it was really incredible to read about it. And it was really heartbreaking and I cried more than once. If you’ve read other Kristin Hannah books you know she has this way of making you feel like you’re living through it with the characters. If you’re seeing this book everywhere, it’s for a good reason. It’s powerful, raw, and one of those reads that sticks with you long after. It’s also one of the best historical novels featuring strong females.

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

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Bride by Ali Hazelwood

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s a paranormal romance between a Vampyre bride, Misery, and a Werewolf Alpha, Lowe. I don’t usually read this genre, but it was so much fun! It was one of the spiciest romance books I have read.

A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

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Funny Story by Emily Henry

This one is a feel-good romance that’s both sweet and funny. Daphne’s fiancé leaves her for his childhood best friend, and she ends up becoming roommates with that friend’s ex, Miles. The setup is hilarious, and their awkward friendship-turned-romance is so relatable. What I loved most was how real the characters felt—both are dealing with messy breakups, but they help each other move forward in unexpected ways. It has all the elements that you would expect in Emily Henry books. However, I have to say Book Lovers is still my favorite.

A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it… right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex… right?

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The Teacher by Freida McFadden

Eve is a math teacher at a high school with a dark past. There was a scandal with a student, Addie, and now the truth is coming out, but not how you’d expect. The way this book unravels the mystery is what kept me glued to it. It’s full of suspense and just when you think you know what’s happening, something new comes up. Freida McFadden is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for fast-paced thrillers.

A mind-bending, psychological thriller from Freida McFadden, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Housemaid!

Lesson #1: trust no one

Eve has a good life. She gets up each day, gets a kiss from her husband Nate, and heads off to teach math at the local high school. All is as it should be. Except…

Last year, Caseham High was rocked by a scandal involving a student-teacher affair, with one student, Addie, at its center. But Eve knows there is far more to these ugly rumors than meets the eye.

Addie can’t be trusted. She lies. She hurts people. She destroys lives. At least, that’s what everyone says.

But nobody knows the real Addie. Nobody knows the secrets that could destroy her. And Addie will do anything to keep it quiet.

From the New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden comes a story of twisting secrets and long-awaited revenge.

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A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

I knew A Little Life was going to be a sad book, but it totally wrecked me. It’s about four friends who move to New York, but the story centers on Jude, who has a painful past that shapes his entire life. The writing is so good that it pulls you into their world.Jude’s story was heartbreaking and hard to read, but it’s also beautifully written. This isn’t a light book at all—it’s heavy, intense, and emotional. If you’re ready for something that will stick with you and make you feel all the emotions, this is the one.

When four classmates from a small Massachusetts college move to New York to make their way, they’re broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their center of gravity.

Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. Yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what he fears is a degree of trauma that he’ll not only be unable to overcome—but that will define his life forever.

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The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

The Midnight Feast is about a fancy, over-the-top opening party at a secluded manor, but of course, things go wrong. There’s a fire, a body, and everyone has secrets. If you liked The Guest List, you’ll love this. The setting is creepy in all the right ways, and the shifting perspectives make it hard to guess what’s really going on until the end. loved the multiple POVs too.

It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.

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The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

The God of the Woods has such eerie fall vibes. It’s set in 1975 at a summer camp where a girl goes missing. What I loved was the historical feel and the layers of secrets that get revealed as the story goes on. It’s not just about the disappearance—it’s also about the history of the family that owns the camp. The writing really draws you into the mystery, and it keeps getting deeper as more connections are uncovered. This dark atmospheric book would make a perfect for fall read.

When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide

Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.

As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.

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By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult always brings a lot of depth to her books, and By Any Other Name is no different. It follows two women, centuries apart—one in the Shakespearean era, the other in modern times—both struggling to get their voices heard. The dual timeline makes it feel like two stories in one, and both are full of ambition, courage, and a bit of mystery. The idea that Shakespeare’s plays might’ve been written by a woman is super interesting.

From the New York Times bestselling co-author of Mad Honey comes an “inspiring” (Elle) novel about two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—who are both forced to hide behind another name.

Young playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. But seeing it performed is unlikely, in a theater world where the playing field isn’t level for women. As Melina wonders if she dares risk failure again, her best friend takes the decision out of her hands and submits the play to a festival under a male pseudonym.

In 1581, young Emilia Bassano is a ward of English aristocrats. Her lessons on languages, history, and writing have endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but like most women of her day, she is allowed no voice of her own. Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees all theatre productions in England, Emilia sees firsthand how the words of playwrights can move an audience. She begins to form a plan to secretly bring a play of her own to the stage—by paying an actor named William Shakespeare to front her work.

Told in intertwining timelines, By Any Other Name, a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire centers two women who are determined to create something beautiful despite the prejudices they face. Should a writer do whatever it takes to see her story live on . . . no matter the cost? This remarkable novel, rooted in primary historical sources, ensures the name Emilia Bassano will no longer be forgotten.

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The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

I wasn’t expecting this time-travel romance to be so heartwarming. The Seven Year Slip is about Clementine who falls for a guy, only to realize he lives seven years in the past. It sounds wild, but the way the story unfolds makes it feel magical and bittersweet. The whole idea of timing and how love sometimes finds you when you least expect it is really well done. It’s not just about romance—it’s also about healing and finding yourself.

An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate…only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

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Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Assistant to the Villain was such a fun surprise! It’s like The Office but set in a fantasy world where Evie becomes the assistant to an evil villain. The dynamic between Evie and her boss is hilarious and surprisingly sweet. I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did, but it’s perfect if you’re in the mood for something light and funny with a fantasy twist. It’s a cozy fantasy book.

ASSISTANT WANTED:Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

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Ward D by Freida McFadden

If you’re looking for a spooky, locked-door mystery, this is it. Amy, a medical student, is spending the night on a psychiatric ward, and things start going very wrong. Patients and staff disappear, and the creepy atmosphere builds fast. What I liked is how eerie everything feels from the start, and it only gets more intense as the night goes on. Freida McFadden really knows how to set the mood for a good thriller, and this one is perfect for Halloween.

Medical student Amy Brenner is spending the night on a locked psychiatric ward.

Amy has been dreading her evening working on Ward D, the hospital’s inpatient mental health unit. There are very specific reasons why she never wanted to do this required overnight rotation. Reasons nobody can ever find out.

And as the hours tick by, Amy grows increasingly convinced something terrible is happening within these tightly secured walls. When patients and staff start to vanish without a trace, it becomes clear that everyone on the unit is in grave danger.

Amy’s worst nightmare was spending the night on Ward D.

And now she might never escape.

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The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden

The Perfect Son was such a gripping family mystery. Erika has the perfect family until her son becomes the prime suspect in a missing girl case. The story is full of twists, and you never really know if her son is guilty or not. What I loved is how it explores the idea of how far a parent would go to protect their child, even when they’re unsure of their innocence. It’s fast-paced, with plenty of suspense, and it keeps you second-guessing right until the end. It’s one of my favorite Freida McFadden books.

Erika Cass has a perfect family and a perfect life. Until the evening when two detectives show up at her front door.

A high school girl has vanished from Erika’s quiet suburban neighborhood. The police suspect the worst–murder. And Erika’s teenage son, Liam, was the last person to see the girl alive.

Erika has always sensed something dark and disturbed in her seemingly perfect older child. She wants to believe he’s innocent, but as the evidence mounts, she can’t deny the truth–Liam may have done the unthinkable.

Now she must ask herself:

How far will she go to protect her son?

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Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

This was such a sweet second-chance romance. Fern and Will met years ago, shared something special, and made a pact to meet again, but Will never showed up. Nine years later, just as Fern’s life was falling apart, Will suddenly reappeared. I loved how real their relationship felt—life and timing got in the way, but their connection remained strong. It’s a good story about love, second chances, and figuring out life.

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in Toronto. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.

At thirty-two, Fern’s life doesn’t look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern’s back home, running her mother’s Muskoka lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend’s the manager, and Fern doesn’t know where to begin.

She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern’s going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern’s not sure she wants to know what it is.

But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?

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Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

This one is a fast-paced psychological mystery about three foster sisters and their dark past with their foster mother, Miss Fairchild. When a body is found at their childhood home, their secrets start to unravel. I love how Sally Hepworth balances sisterhood, trauma, and suspense in this book. It’s twisty and dark, with just the right amount of creepiness, so just perfect if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers.

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.

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Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Expiration Dates is such a unique and emotional story. It follows Daphne, who gets a mysterious slip of paper every time she meets someone new. It tells her exactly how long the relationship will last. Over the years, she’s gotten used to knowing the end before it begins. But one day, she meets Jake, and this time the paper only has his name. If you are looking for uplifting books to read in 2025, this is for you.

Being single is like playing the lottery. There’s always the chance that with one piece of paper you could win it all.

From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a name: Jake.

But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.

Told with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, Rebecca Serle has finally set her sights on romantic love. The result is a gripping, emotional, passionate, and (yes) heartbreaking novel about what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define each of them for ourselves. Expiration Dates is the one fans have been waiting for.

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Unravel Me by Becka Mack

Unravel Me is a cozy but spicy hockey romance. Adam, a goalie who’s tired of being seen only for his fame, meets Rosie. She is a single mom who has no idea he’s a pro athlete. Their first meeting is totally accidental. This one’s great if you want a sports romance that feels fresh and really hot.

In the sizzling hockey romance that has taken TikTok by storm, the star goalie discovers the family he’s always wanted when he falls in love with a single mother.

The third book in the globally popular Playing for Keeps series.

Can he leave the past behind to forge the future he’s always wanted?

When it comes to dating, Adam Lockwood wouldn’t know luck if it hit him in the face. After a failed relationship and a string of dates gone wrong, the thought of being vulnerable with someone is terrifying—most women only see his fame. But when his dog runs into Rosie Wells, a beautiful woman with a blush as pink as her hair, she doesn’t seem to have a clue who he is, and Adam seizes the opportunity as a chance to finally be himself.

Rosie has her hands full as a single mother and fourth-year veterinary student, and she certainly wouldn’t know a hockey player if she ran into one. She doesn’t have time to date, and she’s fiercely protective of her little family. But when a chance encounter leads her to Adam, she knows it’s worth risking her heart.

The only problem? Adam is used to wearing a mask—he’s a goalie, after all. And as he holds onto a secret that threatens to unravel him and destroy his new family, they’re both at risk of losing more than ever before.

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Not in My Book by Katie Holt

Not in My Book follows Rosie and Aiden, total opposites. She’s a romance lover, he’s into serious literary fiction but they’re forced to co-write a novel together. I liked that Rosie is exploring her identity and culture, while also chasing her writing dreams. This book is perfect for you if you are a fan of enemies-to lovers romances.

The Hating Game meets Beach Read in this sexy and hilarious contemporary romance from a debut Peruvian-Tennessean voice.

Rosie, an idealistic and passionate Peruvian-American who has grown up without strong ties to her culture, leaves her Tennessee hometown to pursue her dream of making it in New York as a writer. But her plan is derailed when she ends up in class with her arch-nemesis and ex-crush, Aiden Huntington—an obnoxious, surly, and gorgeous literary fiction writer who doesn’t have much patience for the romance genre, or for Rosie.

Rosie and Aiden regularly go to verbal battle in workshop until their professor reaches her breaking point. She allows them to stay in her class on one condition: they must co-write a novel that blends their genres.

The reluctant writing duo can’t help but put pieces of themselves into their accidentally steamy novel, and as they slowly get to know each other, they try to put their differences aside. Meanwhile, their manuscript-in-progress provides an outlet for them to confess their feelings—and explore their attraction toward each other.

When Rosie and Aiden find themselves competing against each other for a potentially career-changing opportunity, the flames of old rivalry reignite, and their once-in-a-lifetime love story is once again at risk of being shelved—unless they can find a way to end the book on their own terms.

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First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

First-Time Caller is about Lucie, a single mom whose daughter calls into a radio show asking for dating advice for her mom. The radio host, Aiden, is secretly over love, which makes things more complicated. If you like soft, character-driven romances, this book is for you.

A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

Aiden Valentine has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight.

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending… even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

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Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Say You’ll Remember Me is about Samantha and Xavier. Their first meeting goes badly, but one amazing date brings them close. Samantha has a tough life. Her mom has early dementia, and her whole family needs her. It’s also about family, illness, and love during hard times. I’ve noticed that many of Abby Jimenez’s characters are caring for others or holding their families together, and that’s what makes her books so emotional and real.

There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong…

. . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date—possibly the best in living history—Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be.

Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.

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Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter

Nothing Like the Movies is such a fun second-chance romance. Wes wants to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, Liz. They broke up after something really sad happened in their lives. Now, Wes is trying everything to win her heart again. What I liked is that he’s not just trying to impress her, he’s also trying to show that he has changed. If you are looking for a fun beach read for 2025, this is for you.

For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: the strong-willed girl next door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off for college to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.

Flash forward months later, and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.

Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with rom-com-worthy grand gestures she loves. Only . . . Liz will have none of it! Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend . . . a guy friend.

Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.

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Love, Mom by Iliana Xander

Love, Mom is a mix of family secrets and true crime. Mackenzie’s mom was a famous thriller author and maybe something more. After her mom dies, Mackenzie starts getting strange letters that lead her to read parts of her mom’s hidden diary. I love books like this. They are eerie and full of twists. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unexpected twists, this is for you.

A best-selling author. A mother. A murderer…

Mackenzie Casper is a brilliant student. But she is best known for her mother, a best-selling author whose dark, twisted thrillers have a dedicated worldwide fanbase.

When her mother dies in an accident, fans across the world are left grieving, and the investigators are asking: Was that really an accident?

The day of the memorial service, Mackenzie gets the first mysterious envelope, signed,
From #1 fan. XOXO

Inside are the pages of her mother’s diary that start with the lines:
Want to know a secret?
Love, Mom.

What Mackenzie reads leaves her in shock.
But then comes the second letter.
And the third…

Mackenzie starts her own investigation and stumbles upon secrets that her family has lived with for years.
Quickly, she realizes that her mother’s path to stardom was etched with sinister lies that might have caught up with her.

Sometimes fame is worth a murder. Or worse.
Soon, Mackenzie will come to find out that there are worse things than murder.

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Hunted by Darcy Coates

Hunted is creepy and fast-paced. We follow who disappears while hiking, and after a few days, her camera turns up with strange photos that hint something terrible happened. Her brother and friends decide to search for her, but things get weirder the deeper they go into the forest. I loved the way the forest felt like its own character. It was eerie, alive, and full of secrets. This was a really good thriller with good surprises. If you like survival horror with a mysterious twist, this one’s for you.

She only went off the trail for a moment…

22-year-old Eileen goes missing while hiking in the remote Ashlough Forest. Five days later, her camera is discovered washed downriver, containing bizarre photos taken after her disappearance.

Chris wants to believe Eileen is still alive. When the police search is abandoned, he and four of his friends create their own search party to scour the mountain range. As they stray further from the hiking trails and the unsettling discoveries mount, they begin to believe they’re not alone in the forest… and that Eileen’s disappearance wasn’t an accident.

By that point, it’s too late to escape.

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Take a Chance On Me by Elizabeth Eulberg

Take a Chance On Me follows Evie who goes to London after a bad breakup. Soon she meets Aiden, a British street musician who’s kind, funny, and completely different from her ex. This will be a perfect romance, if you are looking for uplifting books to read. The London setting adds so much charm, and the music element gives it a fresh feel too.

The international bestselling author of Better Off Friends returns to form with a love story that’s Once meets The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.

Evie is heartbroken and betrayed when a video of her confronting her cheating ex boyfriend goes viral, so what’s a girl to do? Flee to London for the summer, of course! Evie loves everything about London – the double decker buses, afternoon tea, history around every corner. Everything that is but having to stay with the person who’s hurt her most of all – her father.

Desperate for a distraction from their contentious relationship, Evie spends her days wandering the historic streets . . . where as though fate is intervening, she keeps meeting a charming and beautiful British busker named Aiden.

Evie doesn’t want to open herself up again, but Aiden is funny, kind, and he never treats Evie like she’s too much. He may just be worth taking a chance on . . . if Evie can keep her past from getting in the way of her future.

Internationally bestselling author Elizabeth Eulberg pens an unforgettable journey that’s heartwarming, hilarious, and heavy on both romance and jetlag.

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Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

Dating and Dragons is a fun romance that you should read this summer.Quinn is new at school and joins a D&D group to make friends. She ends up in the same group as Logan, who she liked at first but quickly finds annoying. There’s a strict no-dating rule in the group, which only makes things more complicated. You will love their dynamics and flirty tension. If you are looking for a sweet YA love story with a slow-burn romance this is a good book.

From the author of the nationally bestselling Dungeons and Drama comes another gaming romance that’s sure to win you over!

Quinn Norton is starting over at a new high school and hopes that joining a D&D game will be the trick to making friends. The plan sounds even better when she’s invited into a group that includes Logan Weber, the cute and charming guy she met on her first day of class. But this isn’t your average D&D campaign— this group livestreams their games and enforces strict rules: no phones allowed, and no dating other group members.

Quinn is willing to accept the rules, even if it makes Logan off-limits. And she quickly learns that doing so won’t be a problem, since Logan goes from charismatic to insufferable as soon as she agrees to join. As their bickering—and bantering—intensifies inside and outside the game, Quinn can’t help wondering: Is Logan’s infuriating behavior a smokescreen for hidden feelings? Quinn is risking it all, and the twenty-sided dice are rolling!

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