When you finish a book, sometimes you’re ready to move on and jump right into reading the next one on your list. It’s not that it was a bad book, but it might have left you feeling just a bit “meh.” Maybe the characters didn’t resonate with you, the story dragged on in places, or the genre just wasn’t your jam. These are the books you probably won’t recommend or the ones you may forget about in a year or two.
Your favorite books, however, leave you with a hangover that you actually don’t mind. After you turn that final page, you’re left in a blissful haze, still thinking about the world you just left behind. You’ll want to return to its pages almost the moment you finish. You’ll tell everyone you know (and maybe even unsuspecting strangers) that they absolutely need to read this book immediately. It will stick with you for life and has earned a permanent spot on your shelves—and in your heart.
You don’t often come by favorite books, but when you do, it’s like meeting a friend you’ll have for life. This year, our team has been fortunate enough to add several books to their lists of favorites. We polled our team on their top three books of the year, their favorite genres, and how many books they read this year. Collectively, we read over 365 books—but there were a few that stood out. These are the books we’ve read in 2025 that made a lasting impression:
Meet Our Editors
ASHLEY SELLEKE
Branded Content Managing Editor
Favorite Genre: Mystery/Thriller
GARRI CHAVERST
Senior. Managing Editor
Favorite Genre: Fantasy
JESSICA WELSH
Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Favorite Genre: Romance
JOSIE SANTI
Podcast Host
Favorite Genre: Memoir
JESSICA FRIEDHOFF
Sr. Living Editor
Favorite Genre: Romance
JENNA PIOTROWICZ
Associate Editor
Favorite Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
LAUREN BLUE
Assistant Editor
Favorite Genre: Literary Fiction
CASSANDRA MCCOOK
Social Media Editor
Favorite Genre: Literary Fiction
ABIGAIL MOSEMAN
Marketing Associate
Favorite Genre: Literary Fiction
TINSLEY CRISP
Fashion & Beauty Writer
Favorite Genre: Historical Fiction
KATHY SISSON
Senior Editor
Favorite Genre: Historical Fiction
STEPH ALLEVA-CORNELL
Branded Content Editor
Favorite Genre: Romance
KAIA GROBE
Video Content Editor
Favorite Genre: Romance
MEGAN KEMP
Senior Sales Manager
Favorite Genre: Mystery/Thriller
MADIGAN WILL
Assistant Editor
Favorite Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
MADDI GOODWIN
Account Manager
Favorite Genre: Romance
MCKENNA PRINGLE
Branded Content Editorial Assistant
Favorite Genre: Memoir
Romance
Romance was our editors’ most-loved genre in 2025 by far. From classic romance authors delivering yet another big hit (like Ali Hazelwood and Emily Henry) to new breakout authors, we absolutely devoured romance authors this year. Here were our favorites:
1. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Several editors absolutely loved Carley Fortune’s latest release. I’ll admit I was slightly skeptical this book would live up to Every Summer After, but I was blown away. I couldn’t put the book down, and a trip to Barry’s Bay is officially on my bucket list (yes, it’s a real place).
Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was 17—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life. When Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat and the gorgeous man driving it.
2. Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De la Rosa
If you’ve been counting down the days until we’re blessed with another Bridgerton season, our Branded Content Editor Steph ate up every second of this enemies-to-lovers romance. The slow-burning tension (with spicy scenes to match) kept her hooked on every page, but as good as the actual romance is, the book delivers so much more. “It combines romance with poignant societal issues of the time (that still apply today), diverse political history, and complicated family dynamics,” she said. “Plus, having a Latina as the main character of a romance novel adds a layer of representation I was personally overjoyed by.”
Gabriela Luna Valdés claws for her freedom in any way she can. This time, it has led her aboard a ship bearing for her homeland. But Gabby can’t escape her father’s expectation that she settle down to find a proper husband—a compromise she’s unwilling to make. For Sebastian Brooks, Duke of Whitfield, the trip to Mexico is his last chance to rectify his family’s estate and refill their dwindling coffers. And his last chance to match wits with the sharp-tongued but deliciously tempting Gabriela. Can Sebastian convince Gabby his regard is sincere?
3. Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
After seeing hundreds of TikToks raving about this series (and reminding herself that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover), our Account Manager, Maddi, fell head over heels for the Boys of Tommen series. The character development, combined with Chloe Walsh’s addicting storytelling, cemented these books as her favorites of the year. “The series not only has characters you root for like your own siblings, but emotional depth that covers deep topics where readers are taken along for all the highs and all the lows,” she said. But you don’t have to take her word for it; she also convinced all of her friends to start the series, and they’re just as obsessed as she is.
Johnny Kavanagh is an all-star rugby player with loads of friends. But what people don’t know is that he has been dealing with a painful injury that could halt his career. This means he has no time for distractions, especially not a girlfriend. Shannon Lynch has been bullied all her life and would rather hide herself away to make it through school. But when she arrives at Tommen College for a fresh start, she meets Johnny Kavanagh on her first day. What follows is a complicated friendship that turns into undeniable chemistry.
Other romance books we loved:
Literary Fiction
Listen—it was a big year for lit fic. To some, reading a book you know will most likely have you completely depressed by the end sounds like a total drag, but over at The Everygirl, that’s our idea of fun. Literary fiction was the second most popular genre among our team this year, thanks to the following reads that captured our hearts.
1. Heart the Lover by Lily King
If you were anywhere on the internet this year, you’ve probably come across Heart the Lover. The love triangle is officially back (Conrad and Jeremiah, Challengers—the list could go on and on), and Heart the Lover is reminding us just how incredible the trope can be. So many of our editors loved this book, so take their rave reviews as a sign and pick it up ASAP.
In the fall of Jordan’s senior year of college, she meets two star students from her Lit class. The boys invite her into their intoxicating world of academic fervor, rapid-fire banter, and raucous card games. But youthful passion is unpredictable, and soon she finds herself at the center of a charged and intricate triangle. Decades later, she returns to a world she left behind and must confront the decisions and deceptions of her younger self.
2. Wellness by Nathan Hill
This book ended up pulling me out of a weeks-long reading slump. If you find yourself fascinated by the placebo effect, health trends, and manifestation, this book is for you. I loved it so much that I have officially declared Nathan Hill one of my favorite authors.
When Jack and Elizabeth meet as college students in the gritty ’90s Chicago art scene, the two quickly join forces and hold on tight, each eager to claim a place in the thriving underground scene with an appreciative kindred spirit. Fast-forward 20 years to suburban married life, and alongside the challenges of parenting, they encounter the often-baffling pursuits of health and happiness from polyamorous would-be suitors to home-renovation hysteria.
3. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
One thing about The Everygirl team is that we love nothing more than a sweeping family drama that completely sucks you in, and Broken Country definitely fits that bill. It’s a passionate story about love and loss that, according to our editors, you literally won’t be able to tear yourself away from. So, be sure to pick it up when you have ample reading time because your to-do list will fall to the wayside.
Beth and her husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. When Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface with deadly consequences.
Other literary fiction books we loved:
Fantasy
At last, the category that many of you were probably waiting for: fantasy and romantasy. Fantasy is, notoriously, the genre that holds many of our editors’ favorite books of all time. And this year, it tied for second place, working its way up the genre list from fifth place in 2025.
1. The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino
Our Senior Managing Editor, famously a fantasy and romantasy aficionado, ranked this book as her favorite of the entire year, so you know it’s a page-turner. “The Second Death of Locke breathes life into the genre and has become the pillar I measure almost every fantasy book I read against,” she said. If you love romantasy but are starting to feel like the genre is getting stale, this is for you.
Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal. When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her secret. For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her.
2. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
Yet another one of our editor’s favorite fantasy books of the year, The Unmaking of June Farrow is true romantasy. “I cried, I swooned, and I couldn’t have predicted the ending if I tried,” Jessica, our Senior Lifestyle Editor, said. “It’s one of those books that will stick with you long after the last page.” If you love a star-crossed lovers trope, you’ll love this book.
It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.
3. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
In my mind, R.F. Kuang can do no wrong, and her latest release, Katabasis, only proved what an incredible writer she is. If you love dark academia, were obsessed with The Lightning Thief growing up, or your ideal romance takes 200 pages just for the first touch to happen, you will love this book. The characters are deeply flawed, in the most relatable ways, and reading them descend further into hell is endlessly entertaining.
Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to work with Professor Jacob Grimes. That is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault. Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him because even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams. Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the very same conclusion.
Other fantasy books we loved:
Thriller
Several members of our team are huge thriller fans, so it’s no surprise that there are some twisty, edge-of-your-seat picks making their way onto our favorites list. However, even editors who prefer romance or nonfiction picked up thrillers this year, packing this category with some total must-reads.
1. The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
If you love a thriller that won’t have you sleeping with the lights on, but still builds suspense with every page, The Academy is your girl. Megan Kemp, Senior Sales Manager at The Everygirl, is a thriller lover through and through, and even though this book wasn’t the most thrilling, spicy, or shocking of any of the books she read this year, she enjoyed the overall experience the most. “It gave me a bit of academia-leaning Gossip Girl vibes, and I am always a complete sucker for Elin’s extravagantly-described scenes (girl knows how to paint a picture with words) and her multi-POV style,“ she said.
America Today just ranked Tiffin the number two boarding school in the country. It’s a 17-spot jump – was there a typo? The dorms need to be renovated, their sports teams always come in last place, and let’s just say Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. The, scandalous blind items begin to appear on phones across Tiffin’s campus. Everyone has something to hide. As the year unfolds, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are shared and exposed, and the lives of Tiffin’s students and staff are changed forever.
2. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
It turns out this thriller stands the test of time because even more editors loved The Housemaid 2025. The Everygirls love Freida McFadden, and this one still sits at the top of our ranking. Even better, the movie adaptation just released, so it’s the perfect time to read if you haven’t gotten around to picking this one up. “Never in my life have I finished a book in one singular sitting (6ish hours), but this one was a page turner with great pacing and a phenomenal twist,” said Ashley, Branded Content Managing Editor.
Millie is desperate for a fresh start. She takes a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Winchester family, working in their luxurious home and caring for their young daughter. At first, everything seems perfect, but Millie quickly begins to notice disturbing behavior from Nina, the seemingly unstable wife, and inconsistencies in the family’s story. As Millie digs deeper, secrets unravel, and she realizes she may be in danger herself.
Other thrillers we loved:
Nonfiction
Last year, in a somewhat shocking upset, nonfiction was one of our editors’ most-loved genres, but in 2025 our editors put it on the back burner. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t some that earned that coveted five-star rating. These were our favs:
1. Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America by Michael M. Grynbaum
It only makes sense that our staff is fascinated with the editorial world, and Branded Content Editorial Assistant McKenna absolutely loved this deep dive. “I think people forget that Condé Nast has had (and still does) a huge impact on consumerism, culture, and even political beliefs, so getting to read the ins and outs of how that all came to be? I was simply obsessed,” she said. Whether you read Vogue religiously or this is your first foray into the wild world of magazines, you will love this read.
Condé Nast billionaire owner Si Newhouse and his stable of star editors, photographers, and writers were the gatekeepers who decided what and who mattered, and they offered those opinions to tens of millions of readers every month. They were the ultimate influencers—before social media changed everything. The book is full of behind-the-scenes reporting about a plethora of boldface names and sets out to explain how Condé Nast established itself as a de facto American aristocracy, anointing an elite and dictating the culture they presided over.
2. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Of course, Ina had to make her way into our favorites. Her memoir is just as iconic as you would expect, and our editor Josie described it as “a Nancy Meyers’ movie in book form.” If that’s not convincing, I don’t know what is.
n her long-awaited memoir, Ina Garten—aka the Barefoot Contessa, author of thirteen bestselling cookbooks, beloved Food Network personality, Instagram sensation, and cultural icon—shares her personal story with readers hungry for a seat at her table.
Other nonfiction books we loved:
Historical Fiction
Historical fiction has been coming out of the woodwork in 2025, and we’re here for it. Our editors’ favorite historical fiction books of the year spanned from the Vietnam War to the 1980s NASA Space Shuttle program. Each of these reads had our team totally hooked.
1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Several of our editors read and loved Atmosphere this year. Like TJR’s other works, her characters are layered and complex. They will break your heart, put it back together, break it again, repair it, repeat until the end. “This ruined my sleep schedule and left me with a week-long book hangover. That’s about as high a praise as I can give,” said Abi.
Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. She is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy and as an aunt to her niece. Until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants, Joan begins training alongside her fellow candidates. She starts questioning everything she thinks she knows about her place in the universe. Then, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant.
2. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
If you’re craving a read with incredible character arcs and immersive prose, our editors can’t recommend The Covenant of Water enough. Set in South India, the story follows three interconnected lives across several decades. The book touches on everything from war and medicine to love, loss, and family, making it feel incredibly full and layered. “Even though it’s rooted in a specific place and time, the themes feel universal—it’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it,” said Tinsley.
Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on South India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere. The family is part of a Christian community that traces itself to the time of the apostles, but times are shifting, and the matriarch of this family, known as Big Ammachi will witness unthinkable changes at home and at large over the span of her extraordinary life.
Other historical fiction books we loved:
Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor
As Senior Managing Editor of The Everygirl, Garri oversees the pitching, planning, and creation of all content. You might also find her name pop up as a contributor throughout the site, though she mostly works behind the scenes, leading the team in their creative efforts and ensuring they have everything they need to create top-quality content for our audience.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
Products included in graphics linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited
to: Sarah Mills | Dupe
