Welcome to 2026, friends! Whether you’re a regular reader always looking for recs or similarities in taste, or if reading is a goal for the new year, today, I’m sharing the 19 books I rated as 5-star reads this past year, out of the total 166 books I read in 2025! While most are new, a handful aren’t, coming out in some instances a decade ago. These are the favorite books I actually read this year ;). For more reading recs, you can find my lists from previous years and seasons at the bottom of the post!
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Between visual and audio formats and I covered just about every genre. If you ever want to see what I’m reading in real time and catch all my follow-up ratings with occasional reviews, you can follow me on Goodreads HERE.
You can find my top favorite reads from 2024 in last year’s list HERE.
You can find my top favorite reads from 2023 in the list HERE.
As always, remember… book preferences and what/how we connect with books is totally personal. If I don’t like a book, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. Just that I didn’t connect with it enough to recommend. That being said, you can find my running list of recent reads of books I’ve rated with 4+ stars HERE. I’m always updating the list, so bookmark it and check back often!
For all the books I’m reading and loving, and giving 4+ stars, check out my list here…
For all the books I’m reading in real time, along with ratings and reviews, check out my GoodReads account here…
Favorite Reads of 2025
Below are my five-star reads from the past year, all in random order. From rom coms to thrillers to nonfiction, there’s a little bit of everything that made the list. I also noted in which media format I consumed the book (which IMO can make or break a read, sometimes). Some of these have been featured in seasonal lists earlier in the year — others are being mentioned now for the first time. I did not provide any content or theme in the list, but if you’re a sensitive reader/have trouble with certain topics, be sure to check your own trigger warnings.
1. MOST UNEXPECTED
Atmosphere
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
I have yet to read a TJR book I haven’t liked and I always opt for the audio since she uses Julia Whelan as the narrator for all her books. I read this one with few expectations since I didn’t think the premise — women in the space program — sounded like it would be something that would hold my attention. I. Was. So. Wrong. And, I absolutely, 100% recommend the audio version. This one is definitely worth the hype!
2. BEST SUMMER ESCAPE
One Golden Summer (Book 2 in Series)
by Carley Fortune
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
I really liked her first book — Every Summer After — didn’t care for the next, Meet Me At the Lake, skipped the third, This Summer Will Be Different, but came back around and LOVED LOVED LOVED One Golden Summer! Not just a 5* read for me but one of my top few of the year, this was everything you want from a summer novel but with extra heart.
3. MOST RELATABLE
Say You’ll Remember Me
by Abby Jimenez
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Arguably my favorite author, Abby has yet to deliver anything short of 5 stars for me. This one has everything I love about her — the most incredible characters, relationships, and relatable storylines. If you love to laugh, to feel your heart swell, and to become totally invested in the world you’re reading about, don’t miss this one.
4. BEST SMALL TOWN CAST
Beg, Borrow, or Steal (Book 3 in Series)
by Sarah Adams
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
One of my top sweet romance series of all time, I have LOVED each sibling’s story from Rome, Kentucky — all with different personalities and tropes set in the most lovable town. Start with When In Rome and work your way through. Sarah Adams has such a knack for endearing characters and sweet chemistry and the third book is no exception. The fourth and final book just launched this week and I just started it today!
5. MOST UNDERRATED & OVERLOOKED
The Bright Side of Disaster
by Katherine Center
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Not a new book but as one of the final books from Katherine Center’s backlist that I tackled (and her debut novel!), this was the kind of realism meets romance that I adore. It’s funny, it’s warm, it’s emotional, it’s optimistic, and it’s a total treat to read while facing some of the complexities of single motherhood.
6. MOST ADDICTIVE SERIES
Holidays with Hart
by Courtney Walsh
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Courtney Walsh has quickly become one of my favorite auto-read authors, especially since I gravitate more and more toward closed-door romance. Technically, this is THREE books, but I read all three of the Holidays with Hart novels this year– each book focused on one of the three Hart sisters — and while I adored all of them (I seriously gave each 5*, which is wild), the third novel, My Merry Mistake, probably took my top spot since I can relate to the the story of the epitome of the eldest daughter. Think hockey romance meets small town charm with a lovable cast, each with a clever and original storyline. One thing to note — and it could be coincidental or an underlying personal preference — but I think every book I read with my eyes of hers gets an almost perfect rating while I don’t connect as much with the audio.
7. MOST LIKE A 90S ROM COM
First Time Caller
by B.K. Borison
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Every book from B.K. Borison ends up being one that I can’t wait to cozy into my reading chair to dive back into at the end of the day. She has such a way with thoughtful writing. This modern Sleepless in Seattle-esque store was a fun, satisfying and cozy read and I can’t wait for the second in the series to come out soon!
8. MOST HEARTWARMING & HOPEFUL
Promise Me Sunshine
by Cara Bastone
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
What a gorgeous journey of walking through grief, real depictions of the physical tolls of depression, friend love and heartbreak, and learning how to live again. This love story was so rich with characters you just totally fall for. Somehow, through the serious themes, the moments of personality and humor made me literally LOL because the dry playful sarcasm could have been born from my own thoughts and conversations. If you’re tired of silly contemporary romances or want something that feels more mature, this delivers in a big way. One of my coziest reads ever.
9. BEST ENEMIES TO LOVERS (WITH DEPTH!)
Wild Side (Book 3 in Series)
by Elsie Silver
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Marriage of convenience and enemies to lovers for the most endearing reason. I typically enjoy Elsie Silver’s cowboy-centric novels but this one was probably my fave — not just from this series but from any of her series’. Amazon has also announced it is turning the Rose Hill series into a television series!
10. FAVORITE AUDIOBOOK
The Favorites
by Layne Fargo
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Narrated by a fantastic cast of characters, this novel has officially earned its way into one of my favorite sports romantic dramas ever. Think Carrie Soto meets The Cutting Edge, DO THE AUDIO VERSION!!
11. FAVORITE SPORTS ROMANCE
Kulti
by Mariana Zapata
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
On my TBR for a few years now, I’m so glad I finally read this slow burn, age gap sports romance. A soccer icon and personal hero since she was young, Reiner Kulti becomes Sal’s coach and they head down a complex relationship journey from enemies(?) to friends to… This novel was addictive to read and worth every bit of the hype that caused me to give in and bump it to the front of my TBR!
12. MOST HEARTBREAKING
Night Road
by Kristin Hannah
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Wow. Probably most well known and appreciated for her historical fiction, this general dramatic novel may be my favorite book of Kristin Hannah’s ever. Unforgettable, gut-wrenching, and emotional in every way. The audio was fantastic, too.
13. BEST HISTORICAL THRILLER
None Left to Tell
by Noelle W/ Ihli
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
I adore her unique suspense thrillers but None Left to Tell went down a different road of historical thriller, based on real events, and I was stunned and glued to every page. I wasn’t familiar with the Mountain Meadows Massacre but when I finished it, I immediately made Dave add it to his TBR (which he has since read).
14. MOST UN-PUT-DOWN-ABLE
Forget You Saw Her
by Noelle W. Ihli
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Yep, another Noelle W. Ihli book, this is a stand-alone pre-quel to Ask for Andrea — also a supernatural thriller — which made the list last year! When she disappeared at 17, she was relegated as a runaway by local police but when her biological mother becomes involved, unveiling secrets becomes more and more dangerous.
15. BEST TWISTY MYSTERY
It Should Have Been You
*Release Date: January 14, 2026*
by Andrea Mara
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
One of our worst fears is that we’ll accidentally text something snarky to the person it was about, in error, and when that exact thing happens at the start of this twisty novel, a whole web of consequence, layers, secrets, and interconnections is unleashed. The setting of women in a community social group with biting comments back and forth and nosey neighbors is so relatable and delicious — it’s a more sinister Desperate Housewives, set it Ireland, across multiple age groups with lots of POVs. You’ll want to pay attention as there are a lot of characters (and I had to look up how some of the traditional Irish names were pronounced) but it isn’t difficult to catch on. It transcends the thriller genre with its juicy secrets and addictive theories.
16. MOST ANTICIPATED 2026 RELEASE
My Husband’s Wife
*Release Date: January 24, 2026*
by Alice Feeney
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
I absolutely devoured the latest from Alice Feeney! The audio format was awesome and the suspense thriller had twists and guesses all the way to the satisfying end. It was the perfect length, so much happened, and I had so much fun with it, it will definitely be a re-read for me in the not so distant future.
17. MOST THRILLING MULTIPLE POV
What Lies Between Us
by John Marrs
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Dave and I started listening to this together on a road trip and theorizing together was an absolute blast. With multiple POVs and timelines, throw in some unreliable narrators and you’ve got a recipe for a constant game of WTF is going on and why?
18. FAVORITE FLASH-BACKS
The Ghostwriter
by Julie Clark
*Personal Reading Method: e-book
Absolutely devoured this easy-to-binge-and-get-lost-in mystery thriller. This was my introduction to Julie Clark and I can’t wait to check out her other work. Sometimes, multiple timelines and POVs can get a little confusing, but every character remained totally clear and concise throughout the entire journey of unveiling the tragedy, who did it, and the motives behind it all. I love high school flashbacks and this one served them up so well — along with complicated family and moral dynamics.
19. FAVORITE NON-FICTION
The Let Them Theory
by Mel Robbins
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Worth the hype and honestly, it probably wasn’t written for those who say otherwise. As an eldest daughter who thrives on control, is sensitive, and is a Type A people pleaser, I loved this therapeutic breakdown by Mel Robbins and while I may not totally subscribe to every single thing, it has stuck with me since I read it at the beginning of the year and I will be revisiting it in 2026. As typical with non-fiction, I love the audio version of this!
Honorable Mentions
THE ONE I WILL RE-READ
Wild Dark Shore
by Charlotte McConaghy
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
Honestly, this was a slow burn for me and was more of an initial 4* read for me, but when it picked up, it picked up! Even so, I can’t believe how many times I have though back to this novel and the ending and I am wondering if I rated it too harshly since I continue to go back and think about it.
THE ONE I WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYONE
The Wedding People
by Alison Espach
*Personal Reading Method: audiobook
After a series of life-altering events, Phoebe books herself at an Inn in Newport with extreme plans. When she’s mistaken as one of the guests of the wedding — which the hotel is booked to exclusively — she connects with the bride and embarks on an unexpected, endearing friendship. This book is honest and sincere and the if you enjoy a GOOD audiobook, this one is a fantastic one to listen to. *Deals with serious topics and contains several potential trigger warnings.
Favorite Book Accessories & Reading Essentials
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (waterproof and no glare, perfect for reading in the outdoor sun — unlike regular screens)
- Tablet/E-Reader Holder (MY MVP! If you have a Kindle, YOU NEED THIS!)
- Rechargeable Reading Light (multiple light settings & dimmable)
- Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle (or tablets/phones) (lasts on a single charge FOREVER and I love using it on the treadmill, while I’m eating, and when I want to stay under the covers)
- Book Seat (love this for both regular hard copy books and my kindle for hands-free holding)
- Pastel No-Bleed Highlighters (especially great for highlighting thin pages in the Bible)
- Custom Book Spine Mug (you send 16 book names and the shop owner creates a custom mug with illustrations of the book spines!)
- Foldable Stand (great for phones but I use it for my Kindle, especially next to the pool and on my desk. Folds flat for easy drawer storage.)
Floor Lamp | Area Rug | Boucle Storage Ottoman | Record Player Storage Cabinet | Record Player | Speakers | Acrylic Record Bin | Bird Art I | Bird Art II
If you have any top reads of the year that you think deserve a shout-out, let us know in the comments below!
