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85 More Books I’m Excited to Read in 2025

If your list of books to read is already overflowing, you’re not alone! But trust me—there are so many more 2025 books to read and the second half of the year is absolutely stacked with must-read releases!

I spend a lot of my free time reading, but I also spend a lot of time browsing publishing catalogues and researching brand-new stories. That means I’m constantly discovering exciting new books and authors—and of course, I have to share them with you!

On this list, you’ll find the adult fiction books I’m most looking forward to picking up in the second half of 2025. Whether you’re looking for the most anticipated books of the year or something new for your next book club, this list is here to help.

From swoony romances to twisty mysteries and heart-pounding fantasy, there’s something for every kind of reader. Your wallet may hurt after reading this post, but your bookshelf will definitely thank you!

And in case you missed it, be sure to check out my list of most-anticipated books to read in 2025, featuring releases from January to June!

Browse the Books!

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July 2025 Books to Read

An Irish Summer by Alexandra Paige

I can’t resist a good romance—especially when it’s set in Ireland! When her beloved job at a Boston B&B unexpectedly ends, Chelsea takes a summer position at its sister hostel in Galway. But clashing with the rainy weather, the laid-back lifestyle, and her charming new coworker, Collin, leaves her questioning everything. As the summer unfolds, she must choose between the safe life she left behind and a future she never imagined.


History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook

I don’t read mystery books too often, but when I do, I gravitate toward cozy ones—and History Lessons sounds like the perfect fit! It follows Daphne, a junior history professor who is suddenly thrust into the spotlight when a colleague is murdered—and someone believes she has what they’re after. With help from a mysterious bookseller, she uncovers a campus conspiracy more dangerous than any lecture.


Overruled by Lana Ferguson

I’m currently reading this one, and spoiler alert—I’m really loving it! It was already on my radar, and it’s even more satisfying when a book lives up to your expectations. Top divorce lawyer Danica Pierce is laser-focused on her biggest case yet—except she’s secretly hooking up with her rival, the charming and infuriating Ezra Hart. When they end up on opposite sides in court, sparks fly both in and out of the courtroom, forcing Dani to rethink everything she believes about love.


Save Me by Mona Kasten

I’ve already read this one—and it was SO good! The English translation is the perfect fix to hold me over until Season 2 of Maxton Hall drops on Prime. Ruby Bell, a scholarship student at elite Maxton Hall, is determined to keep her head down and get into Oxford—until she uncovers a scandal involving the school’s golden boy, James Beaufort. As their lives collide, Ruby finds herself falling for the one person she vowed to avoid.


The Spirit of Love by Lauren Kate

This sounds like such a unique blend of romance and magical realism, and I’m so intrigued! Fenny’s career is finally taking off—until she’s suddenly replaced by Jude, a brooding director who looks exactly like Sam, the man she just fell for on a romantic weekend away. As past and present begin to blur, she’s pulled into a mysterious love triangle that spans time and identity.


Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator by Kelly Gardiner & Sharmini Kumar

As soon as I heard about this one, I immediately added it to my TBR—it sounds like such a great read! When Georgiana Darcy’s maid goes missing, Caroline Bingley rushes to London in pursuit and stumbles into a murder investigation that drags her into the city’s dark underworld. Armed with sharp wit and steely resolve, she uncovers secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew about society—and herself.


Relationship Goals by Brittany Kelley

This one is pitched as Ted Lasso meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and honestly—what could be better than that? When rising actress Abigail is paired with grumpy soccer star Luke Wolfe for a fake relationship to boost the team’s image, their chemistry quickly becomes real—until she discovers the lie behind it all and decides it’s time to get even.


Rose in Chains by Julie Soto

I haven’t read anything by Julie Soto yet, but Rose in Chains has definitely caught my eye! After losing the war—and her magic—Princess Briony is captured and sold to a ruthless noble family. But in the last place she expects, she discovers that hope and rebellion may still be alive. It sounds like it will be a great romantasy!


The Game is Afoot by Elise Bryant

I’ll admit I’m behind on this series (oops!), but that doesn’t make me any less excited for the newest release. Mavis just wanted rest after quitting her job—but when a youth soccer coach drops dead, she dives headfirst into the mystery while juggling PTA drama, her ex-husband, and a murder investigation she never planned to lead.


The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

It’s been a long time since I read The Woman in Cabin 10, but I’m so excited it’s finally getting a sequel! It follows Lo Blacklock, who returns for a luxury hotel press trip in the Swiss Alps—only to be pulled into a high-stakes chase across Europe after a mysterious late-night call and a woman who claims she’s in danger.


A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Fantasy, witches, and romance? This book sounds like everything I love wrapped into one. Once one of Britain’s most powerful witches, Sera now runs a chaotic magical inn—until a new guest arrives with a clue that could help her restore her powers and possibly open her heart again.


How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin

Despite Alexa Martin being on my TBR for years, How to Sell a Romance was the first book I finally picked up—and I loved every single minute of it. Kindergarten teacher Emerson joins a suspicious beauty MLM to make ends meet—only to fall for the investigative reporter trying to take it down … who also happens to be her student’s father.


Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter

Maid for Each Other is another one I’ve already read—and it totally deserves a spot on this list. Abi is crashing at the penthouse she cleans when she’s mistaken for the owner’s girlfriend—and now she and workaholic Declan must fake a relationship neither of them has time for … until sparks start flying and the plan gets complicated.


Pugs & Kisses by Farrah Rochon

I’ll always pick up a new Farrah Rochon book, and I’m so excited for this one! After catching her fiancé cheating, Evie’s life is turned upside down—until her old college crush Bryson returns, and they team up to save the animal shelter where their friendship first began.


The Odds of Getting Even by Amanda Sellet

This sounds like such a fun, adventurous romance—I can’t wait to dive in. When free-spirited Jean has a whirlwind fling with a mysterious guest at the resort where she works, she doesn’t expect it to end with betrayal—or a chase across continents to uncover who he really is.


Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely

This one sounds like the perfect summer read. Childhood best friends Joni and Ren have always been each other’s wedding plus-ones—until one summer, a fractured friendship and lingering feelings begin to change everything. It’s giving me Happy Place vibes, so fingers crossed I love it!


Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher

I really enjoy rom-coms with a dash of adventure, so I’m hoping this one hits the spot! Treasure hunter Stella is shocked when the charming novelist who ghosted her after an unforgettable night shows up on her next expedition—forcing them to confront buried secrets, unfinished business, and their undeniable connection.


Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

I really enjoyed A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (even though I still need to watch the TV show!), so I’m excited for Holly Jackson’s adult mystery debut. After waking up from a brutal attack, Jet Mason learns she has just one week left to live—and she’s determined to solve her own attempted murder before time runs out.


Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku

This cozy mystery sounds like so much fun, and I’m really looking forward to it! When a local womanizer dies after eating at her café, soul food chef Savvy Summers finds herself—and her beloved restaurant—at the center of a scandal. To clear her name, she’ll have to catch the real killer before everything crumbles.


August 2025 Books to Read

Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer

I’m so intrigued by this road trip romance! Charley sets off on a chaotic mission to stop her sister’s wedding—only to find herself stuck in a camper van with her charming but commitment-phobic best friend, Ethan, and the feelings she thought she buried long ago.


If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

There’s nothing better than picking up an Emma St. Clair book on Kindle Unlimited—so I’m thrilled to dive into her first traditionally published romance! When school nurse Josie is roped into helping her brother’s grumpy hockey star best friend recover from an injury, a summer in a rundown cottage—and an unexpected sailing trip—turns enemies into something far more complicated.


The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold by Ally Carter

I still need to read the first book in this series, but both are on my TBR—and I’ve heard amazing things! After waking up handcuffed and injured with no memory of how they got there, two rival spies must team up to survive a deadly mission that could be their last.


Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings

I always enjoy a good romantic rivalry, and Well, Actually sounds like it’s going to deliver! Eva’s viral takedown of her ghosting ex turns into an awkward reunion when he proposes they film a public redemption tour of their relationship—but pretending to forgive him might just reignite something real.


A Killer Getaway by Sienna Sharpe

A Killer Getaway kind of gives me Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies vibes, and I’m really looking forward to picking it up! Every summer, Lily lifeguards at a luxury Caribbean resort—where mysterious deaths always seem to follow. This year, a suspicious true crime podcaster shows up, determined to uncover the truth behind her secrets.


For the Record by Emma Lord

Emma Lord writes such fun, heartwarming romances—whether it’s young adult or adult—and it wouldn’t be a complete list without her newest release. Former music rivals Mackenzie and Sam reunite to record a comeback album, but with lingering chemistry, a complicated past, and a few new secrets, getting back in tune may be their hardest collaboration yet.


Love at First Sighting by Mallory Marlowe

I don’t usually reach for romances with paranormal elements, but this one caught my attention. When social media star El captures footage of a possible UFO, she gets tangled up with Agent Carter Brody—a government investigator with secrets of his own and a growing attraction that’s anything but alien.


Never Been Witched by Molly Harper

I’m saving this one to curl up with in the fall—it sounds like the perfect witchy rom-com for spooky season. Alice Seastairs is a witch in hiding, juggling a haunted hotel renovation, a wealthy new client, and a meddling family, all while facing an ancient magical threat and protecting the ghosts she’s come to love.


Kindling by Bonnie Woods

After just visiting Scotland, I’m in the mood for all the Scottish-set romances, and Kindling sounds like a perfect pick. When Harper finds herself stranded in the Scottish Highlands, she ends up sharing a cozy cabin with Fraser, a brooding local woodcutter whose rules—and flannel—are as distracting as his slow-burning charm.


Love at First Sight by Laura Jane Williams

I also visited London recently, so I’m excited to read more books set in England as well—and this one sounds so fun! Jessie shares one unforgettable day with a charming stranger she never expects to see again until he shows up weeks later at her job, holding roses meant for someone else.


The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols

This is a newer addition to my TBR, but it sounds like such a unique cozy mystery! When a beloved landlady confesses to a murder her tenants don’t believe she committed, a quirky group of neighbours band together to uncover the truth—only to realize the mystery is far from over.


Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley

Another romance set in Scotland—and this one has witchy vibes too, which makes me even more excited to read it! Sloane returns to her cursed hometown to break a centuries-old spell, but things go off track when she clashes with the town’s grumpy mayor, who’s determined to keep her—and her magic—in check.


September 2025 Books to Read

Crazy Spooky Love by Josie Silver

Crazy Spooky Love sounds like another cozy mystery I won’t be able to resist later this year. Medium Melody Bittersweet launches her own ghostbusting agency and takes on a haunted mansion—while navigating a messy love triangle between her fame-hungry ex and a skeptical (but charming) reporter.

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It Seemed Like a Good Idea by Lauren Blakely

Lauren Blakely has been on my TBR for ages, and It Seemed Like a Good Idea might finally be the one I start with! A lavender farmer finds herself stuck with a broody, tattooed bodyguard—who also happens to be the one-night stand that ghosted her. It sounds like a perfect steamy small-town romance full of secrets and second chances.


Ride the Wave by Katherine Reilly

I’m so intrigued by this sports romance—and I absolutely love the cover! Sports journalist Iris heads to Portugal to cover a disgraced surf champ’s comeback, but when sparks fly with her subject (and her boss’s son), she risks far more than just her career on the waves.


Save You by Mona Kasten

After loving Save Me, it should come as no surprise that the sequel is on this list too. I’ve got an early copy and can’t wait to dive in! Still reeling from heartbreak, Ruby tries to forget James at Oxford—but as old wounds reopen and emotions reignite, the two must decide if love deserves a second chance.


Season of the Witch by Sophie H. Morgan

Season of the Witch is the next witchy romance from Sophie H. Morgan, and I’m all in! Tia is forced to fake-date her amnesiac warlock ex at a winter house party—only to fall for this sweet version of the man who once broke her heart, just as his memories start to return.


Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola

Even though Honey & Spice has been on my radar for a while, I haven’t picked up a book by Bolu Babalola yet—but Sweet Heat really caught my attention. Podcast host Kiki Banjo reunites with her ex, Malakai, at a wedding where they’re Maid of Honor and Best Man—and while they try to resist their chemistry, old flames might just reignite.


Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

I absolutely devoured the Divine Rivals series, so I have a really good feeling about Rebecca Ross’s next adult fantasy! Messenger goddess Matilda tumbles into the mortal realm to deliver a long-overdue letter to Vincent, a man she once comforted in dreams—only to find their fates dangerously intertwined in a world of vengeful gods and forbidden love.

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Game Point by Meg Jones

Apparently, I’m in my sports romance era—and I’m not mad about it! In Game Point, Tennis pro-Dylan teams up with longtime friend Oliver—now her coach—for one last shot at glory, but keeping their sizzling chemistry off the court might be harder than winning the Australian Open. It sounds so fun!


Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca

I really enjoyed Haunted Ever After when I read it last summer, so I’m excited to return to the Boneyard Key series. When rival ghost tour guides in a haunted Florida town strike a deal to save their businesses, a heated competition turns into a slow-burn romance that’s anything but paranormal.


People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young

I haven’t read anything by Hannah Bonam-Young yet, but I think People Watching will be my first! It sounds like such a heartfelt, emotional story. Prue’s quiet life in small-town Ontario is upended when a free-spirited traveller rolls in with charm, chaos, and the kind of connection that might finally move her beyond survival.


Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey

Pitcher Perfect is the next book in the Big Shots series, and I can’t wait to pick it up! I honestly don’t think I could miss picking up a Tessa Bailey release. A cocky hockey rookie and a no-nonsense softball pitcher fake a relationship for a wilderness competition—until sparks start to fly and their pretend romance becomes all too real.


Wild Card by Elsie Silver

Elsie Silver is one of my absolute favourite authors, so of course, Wild Card had to make this list. Single dad and fire pilot Sebastian ends up living under the same roof as his son’s ex-girlfriend—and their forbidden, fiery chemistry might be too much to ignore. I have a feeling this is going to be a great age-gap romance!


Fun at Parties by Jamie Harrow

I love a good friends-to-lovers romance every now and then, and Fun at Parties sounds like it’ll hit the spot for me. I also love that there’s a road trip included—those are always so fun! A fitness influencer and her estranged high school crush road trip across America to find a missing friend—and maybe rediscover their spark along the way.


The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

The second I heard about The Austen Affair, it shot to the top of my TBR. Two feuding co-stars are thrown back in time to the Regency era, where surviving corsets, carriages, and each other turn into a romantic adventure worthy of Jane Austen herself. I’m a Jane Austen fan, and I love the correlation, but the premise of this one sounds so fun in general!


The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore

I’m a bit behind on the Dream Harbor series, but I’m still so excited for this next installment! In this festive enemies-to-lovers romance, small-town baker Annie and grumpy Mac must join forces to pull off Dream Harbor’s wedding of the year—if they don’t fall for each other first.


We Met Like This by Kasie West

Kasie West has been one of my favourite young adult contemporary authors for so long, so I knew I had to pick up her adult debut. We Met Like This follows romance-loving Margot, who’s sworn off app-based dating—until she keeps matching with her chaotic (and deliciously distracting) ex, and her happy ending might be just a swipe away.


I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

I can’t believe I’m already talking about Christmas books, but I’m definitely picking up Jenny Bayliss’s newest holiday romance. When Fred returns to her quirky English village, she’s caught between her first love and a charming journalist—with her family’s Christmas business and long-buried emotions complicating it all.


The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover

I was instantly drawn to the cover of The Heartbreak Hotel—but once I read the blurb, I knew I needed to add it to my TBR. Lou turns her crumbling mountain home into a B&B for the brokenhearted—only to discover that her grumpy landlord might just be the second chance she didn’t know she was looking for.


Thief of Night by Holly Black

I still need to read Book of Night, but that doesn’t make me any less excited for the sequel. Holly Black has such a signature style when it comes to fantasy, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. In this gritty follow-up, Charlie Hall returns to the shadows that made her—and must decide if she’s willing to risk everything to steal back the one heart she never meant to lose.


You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan

I never miss a new release from Sophie Sullivan, and this holiday romance sounds like a must-read! A photographer and a professional hockey player are forced into a week of awkward proximity (and unresolved tension) at his sister’s Christmas tree farm in this second-chance love story.


Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer

Christmas People is pitched as The Seven Year Slip meets Hallmark, which sounds like a dream combo to me! After waking up in a Hallmark-style Christmas movie set in her own hometown, Jill must win a holiday bake-off and fake a romance with her high school crush—all while her real ex watches from the sidelines.


Soul Searching by Lyla Sage

I read my first Lyla Sage book earlier this year and I’m excited to read more—Soul Searching sounds like a perfect pick. A ghost-whispering wanderer and a reclusive upholsterer return to Sweetwater Peak with secrets of their own—and when haunted rooms and tangled heartstrings collide, love might be the one thing they can’t outrun.


October 2025 Books to Read

Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber

I’ve always loved Stephanie Garber’s books—and especially her writing style—so I’m really looking forward to picking up Alchemy of Secrets, her adult fantasy debut. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a darkly magical, high-stakes quest through Los Angeles, where one girl must find a mythical artifact before midnight or lose her life.


Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane

Pitched as Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets The Hating Game, this rom-com instantly caught my attention. Two rival journalists fake a romance to land a career-defining scoop—only to discover that pretending to be madly in love might not be so fake after all. I have an early copy of this one, so you can expect some thoughts later this year!


Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein

Charlotte Stein always comes up with the quirkiest, most unique titles—and I’m here for it! A grumpy demon and a reluctant witch team up for “practice dates” in this steamy, supernatural rom-com all about fated love, found family, and the magic of second chances.


Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

This title gives off major Clue vibes, so obviously I had to include it! An exclusive Christmas murder mystery getaway turns deadly when guests—washed-up influencers and disgraced creatives—start dropping one by one in this chilling, clever holiday whodunit. I’m really looking forward to picking this one up!


My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely

I haven’t even read a Lauren Blakely book yet, and somehow there are two of her titles on this list—maybe that’s a good sign! A fiery designer and her billionaire boss fake a festive romance to win a holiday competition—but their flirty charade quickly turns into something real in this steamy Christmas rom-com.


Overdue by Stephanie Perkins

It’s been a while since I read a Stephanie Perkins book, but her adult debut sounds so charming. When a happily unmarried librarian agrees to a one-month relationship break, she doesn’t expect to fall for her grumpy coworker in this heartwarming story about love, timing, and unexpected beginnings.


And Then There Was the One by Martha Waters

I was immediately drawn to this one—the title reminds me of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, which I love. Amateur sleuth Georgiana Radcliffe teams up with a dashing (and irritating) detective’s assistant to solve another village murder—only to find she might be unravelling her own love story too. It sounds like the perfect mixture of romance and mystery!


Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn

Meghan Quinn is one of my auto-buy authors, so of course, she has to be included. I don’t know much about Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal yet—but I already know I can’t wait to read it!


Revolve by Bal Khabra

I’m really looking forward to Bal Khabra’s next romance. It’s always fun to pick up a Canadian romance author! It follows an Olympic figure skater battling panic attacks and a reckless hockey player trying to revive his career team up on the rink—and might just find redemption (and love) in the process.


A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron

Farah Heron is such a reliable romance author—her books always leave me smiling. I’m especially excited to pick up a holiday romance from her! When Christmas-loving Ruby strikes a deal with a grumpy Brit to get her one step closer to her dream of running an inn in the UK, holiday sparks—and real feelings—begin to fly.


Backslide by Nora Dahlia

There’s something about a second-chance romance that always hits differently, and I have high hopes for this one! Old wounds and lingering chemistry resurface when childhood exes reunite at a wine country “un-wedding” in this witty, emotional story told in dual timelines.


Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

I have an early copy of Good Spirits, so you can definitely expect my full thoughts later this year—but I’m already so excited to dive in. A sweet people-pleaser meets the literal Ghost of Christmas Past in this magical, moving holiday romance about second chances, healing, and finding your future in the past.


The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer

Jean Meltzer always delivers fantastic Jewish romance stories, and I’m really looking forward to this one. A Jewish TV producer haunted by romantic regrets—and her ex-husband—is forced to relive the ghosts of Hanukkah’s past in this hilarious, heartfelt second-chance rom-com with a festive twist.


Breathe with Me by Becka Mack

The fifth book in the Playing for Keeps series definitely deserves a spot on this list! I’m a little behind on the series, but that doesn’t make me any less excited for what’s next. In this emotional finale, a power couple faces the heartbreaking reality of infertility—and fights to stay united when everything feels broken.


Kooky Spooky Love by Josie Silver

I haven’t even read the first book yet, since it’s featured earlier on this list, but I’m hopeful it’ll lead me right into this sequel. A ghostbuster, her chaotic team, two rivals for her heart, and a haunted castle collide in this laugh-out-loud paranormal romance mystery full of ghosts, glam, and sass.


Never Over by Clare Gilmore

This one sounds so cute. In this heartfelt second-chance romance, a rising songwriter asks her ex to re-break her heart for creative inspiration—but as old sparks reignite, she’s forced to choose between her art and the real love she never truly let go.


Some Kind of Famous by Ava Wilder

I read my first Ava Wilder book last year and absolutely loved it, so I’m eager to check out her next release. A reclusive former pop star and a swoony small-town handyman can’t deny their chemistry when a house renovation forces them together in this steamy, emotional romance about healing, second chances, and finding love after loss.


The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah

I’ve always loved Agatha Christie’s mysteries, so I think it’s time I try this new generation of stories. The Last Death of the Year sounds like the perfect place to start! When a New Year’s Eve murder shocks a quiet Greek island, Hercule Poirot must uncover the killer among a suspicious cast of residents—before another deadly resolution is carried out.


November 2025 Books to Read

Fallen City by Adrienne Young

I will always pick up a book by Adrienne Young, and I’m especially excited for this next release. To give you an idea of how long I’ve been waiting—I added it to my Goodreads shelves back in 2021! A forbidden romance unfolds between a rebel legionnaire and a powerful magistrate’s daughter as a Greco-Roman-inspired city teeters on the edge of divine war and destruction. I can’t wait for all the Greco-Roman vibes!


Save Us by Mona Kasten

Surprise, surprise—the third and final book in the Maxton Hall series is obviously included! I have an early copy of this one too, so you can expect all my thoughts later this year. In this emotional finale, Ruby and James face betrayal, broken trust, and family pressure as they fight for love—and their future dreams—against all odds. I’m already not ready for it to end!


These Violet Delights by Madeleine Roux

I always enjoy a good historical romance now and then, and this one immediately caught my eye. When a disgraced painter and the heir to a rival estate join forces to stop a forbidden romance and uncover an arsonist, their own sizzling chemistry may prove impossible to ignore.


Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen

Thrown for a Loop is another sports romance on my radar this year—and I can’t wait to dive in. A hockey star and a former figure skater must team up—and confront their unresolved past—when a viral video forces them back into the spotlight in this steamy, second-chance romance.


Take a Hike by Katie Ruggle

This one sounds like such a fun, adventurous romance! A tough-as-nails bounty hunter and a brooding firefighter team up to catch her con artist mom and clear his name—sparking an explosive connection in the wilds of Colorado. Also, how cute is the cover?


The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti

I haven’t read anything by Donna Marchetti yet, but The Proposal Project sounds like a great place to start! A perfectionist event planner and her best friend’s infuriating (but swoony) friend secretly work together to pull off a surprise double proposal—while sparks start to fly between them, too.


Pick Me by Victoria Schade

This one sounds like the perfect grumpy/sunshine rom-com. A romance ghostwriter with a deadline and a crush joins a pickleball league—only to fall for her grumpy coach in a hilarious, spicy story filled with banter, heart, and a whole lot of sportiness.


Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver

I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland and see the Northern Lights—until then, this book is the next best thing. On a work trip to Iceland, Mona reunites with her childhood best friend—and first heartbreak—sparking old emotions and the possibility of a second chance at love.


Second Chance Romance by Olivia Dade

I don’t think I’ll ever pass up a romance by Olivia Dade. When Molly flies to Harlot’s Bay to mourn an old crush after reading his mistaken obituary, she finds Karl very much alive—and maybe both of them are finally ready to give love a real shot in this hilarious grumpy/grumpy reunion romance.


December 2025 Books to Read

The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea

Amy Lea writes such fun, feel-good rom-coms, and I’m really looking forward to her next release—especially since it features a bodyguard! A secret romance writer and the Prime Minister’s broody bodyguard fake date to squash a scandal—only to realize their chemistry might be more than fictional.


The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson

At the time of writing this, I’m reading Overruled—so I’m definitely excited to pick up another release by Lana Ferguson later this year. A newly awakened omega shifter and a grumpy alpha contractor try to resist fate—and each other—while renovating a failing lodge in this sizzling paranormal romance. I definitely need to read The Fake Mate first, but either way, I’m ready!


Her Time Traveling Duke by Bryn Donovan

This one sounds like the perfect mix of humour, romance, and historical fiction. When a love spell goes hilariously right, a modern-day witch and a science-minded Regency duke must team up to reverse time travel—and might just fall in love in the process.


Seeing Other People by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemeund-Broka

Emily and Austin have always been such supportive authors of The Contented Reader, so of course their next romance is on this list. I’ll never pass up the chance to read one of their stories! A woman literally haunted by a one-date ex finds unexpected comfort—and a real connection—with a man still grieving his ghostly fiancée in this heartfelt paranormal rom-com.


Love in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly

How adorable is this cover? I’m hoping the story inside is just as sweet! A snarky waitress and her brother’s g rumpy best friend crash into love—literally—when a shared passion for flying turns a bumpy ride into a swoony, slow-burn romance.


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