Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Today’s topic is: Best Books I Read in 2025 –
- Today’s TTT post gives me a chance to highlight some of the standout reads I enjoyed in 2025. I also found out that I could almost write a second post on this topic, which is good, but now I’m wondering would you all would like me to share a part two with a few of my other favorites and highlights from the books I read in 2025?
(This post includes affiliate links. This means that if you click on one and end up buying something I might get a small commission. This doesn’t cost you any extra, and simply helps me out a bit.)
I can’t choose an actual ‘top reads’ list, there were just too many amazing books! Therefore, this list is not in any actual order, although most of them are in the order I read them in, since that’s just how my Goodreads ‘read’ shelf is sorted.
The Hunted Heir by Jayna Breigh –
After a tragic loss, private investigator Nona Taylor swore off romantic entanglements and distanced herself from the world. Once a year, on New Year’s Eve, she attends church to beg God for forgiveness, haunted by the guilt of driving her twin sister to her death.
Attorney DeMarcus Johnson is determined to climb the ladder to partnership by winning high-profile cases at his Los Angeles law firm, harnessing his ADHD hyperfocus to excel. He’s everything Nona knows to steer clear of–an overconfident ex-jock willing to do anything for success.
Their worlds collide when Nona’s pastor receives a mysterious letter claiming he’s the sole heir to a substantial estate. Desperate for answers, Nona infiltrates a lavish charity ball, only to be found out by a suspicious stranger–so she latches onto DeMarcus and concocts a fib about being his fiancée.
Now bound by a false engagement, the pair reluctantly join forces to discover the truth about the inheritance. But when an unseen enemy strikes, they realize the stakes are higher than they thought. Can Nona and DeMarcus overcome their differences to keep the pastor safe, secure DeMarcus’s partnership, and preserve a future for themselves?
I was blessed to kick 2025 off with some amazing reads, and it just got better from there! While the year itself was extremely difficult, from losing my dog to an unexpected fallout with a family friend (which wasn’t the first time. The span of time year between June of 24 – June of 2025 saw several such things as our group of friend -some of which we’d known for years- fell apart, and multiple times over that span of twelve months saw us having to distance or completely step away from many of the friends we had spend the last two years with nearly every week.
That said, God is good and I had no shortage of amazing stories to enjoy. There were also so many blessings, big and small, that could have only come from Him. He knew before it happened all the challenges we would face, and He made a way. I know that even when it’s hard, He always has a plan and that He will see us through, working all things together according to His purpose as He does.
The Hunted Heir by Jayna Briegh was one of the best books I’d read in a long time, and I still remember how much I loved the characters! DeMarcus and G’Mama were some of my favorites, but the whole cast was highly entertaining. This one’s a Christian legal thriller with a bit of a ‘romantic suspense’ feel paired with some unique sleuthing that really caught my attention. Debut author Jayna Briegh has such a wonderful style and I loved the writing in this one. I can’t wait for her upcoming release, that come out in just a few weeks.
An Appearance of Impropriety is expected to release January 27th.
Second Dance by Emily Maxwell –
Cait has finally broken her streak of failed relationships and plans to marry the man of her dreams…if his mom doesn’t break them up first.
Cait
My first serious boyfriend said I wasn’t long-term material. Oh, and cheated on me. So I learned to keep men at arm’s length. Too many jerks saw me as a trophy to collect before moving on to the next. I had to protect my heart.
That is, until I met Bryson Walker–smart, sweet, and superhero-level hot. I lowered my defenses and he proposed.
The last thing I needed was for his mom to drop into town and make me second-guess myself and our relationship.
I’ve found the man of my dreams and I don’t want to let him go, even if his mother is infuriating. I will be Mrs. Walker, won’t I?
Bryson
Between law school and starting my own sports agency, my schedule was hectic. I wasn’t too worried about settling down. Besides, most of the women I dated lacked depth.
For starters, none of them would’ve set foot in the gym without taking an hour to get ready. But Cait? She was different. Even in sweatpants, an oversized tee, and without makeup, she was confident. It’s no surprise she was down to earth, too. When we got engaged, I felt like the puzzle pieces of a championship life were falling into place.
But ever since my mom came to town to help with the wedding, Cait has been crazy stressed and not acting like herself. I’m determined to keep her happy and remind her this all ends with us together…hopefully.
This one was a shock, in the best way! I avoid rom-coms, or at least try to. I’ve read a few recently that had had me rethinking that a bit, but I’m still very picky about them. It’s just not something I’m likely to enjoy. This one stood out, though, and the FMC has ADD, something I’ve long suspected I had. I have felt ‘seen’ while reading other books, but never quite like this. I could relate to Cait’s struggles in a way I have never seen before. While her career and priorities are different, her struggles with self-image, difficulty focusing, and social interactions were spot-on! I think I even cried at one point while reading this, which is rare indeed!
Bravo by Jessica Ashley –
Their love is a risk neither can afford—but it might be the only thing worth fighting for.
Former Special Forces Operative Bradyn Hunt may have left battlefields behind for his family’s Texas ranch, but he’s still fighting—now as the head of Hunt Brothers Search & Rescue. He and his team tackle the toughest missing persons cases, reuniting families and seeking answers.
Kennedy Smith has been on the run for years, living under different names and never getting attached. Her latest hiding place is as a ranch hand at the Hunt family’s property, figuring there’s no safer place than among a group of Army veterans. But she didn’t count on falling for Bradyn, the quiet, determined leader who just rolled back into town.
Just as she considers staying, her past catches up. The danger she fled is at her doorstep, and now Bradyn is in the line of fire. Kennedy must decide—keep running or fight for the only man she’s ever trusted. But the secrets she’s kept could destroy them both.
This is one that I almost didn’t read. Which would have been a real shame, and I’m so glad that the Holy Spirit insisted I give Jessica Ashley another chance. I’ve always loved her stories, but have struggled with her heavy references to CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) after finding out many of the mega-churches and producers who are behind the music aren’t at all what they pretend to be. I have since realized that we are all at different levels of awareness, so just because they don’t see one thing doesn’t mean they are wrong on everything. It’s been a few years, and things look much different now than they did when this journey started. So, taking the leap I decided to skip her previous few books and pick up her new series.
Wow, it was exactly what I needed at the time (last March). It was definitely a ‘Holy Spirit’ nudge and me the encouragement to take a moment to read this one. I quickly found myself loving the story, but the Hunt family? Serious family goals, ya’ll! I don’t know, maybe it’s an age thing, but lately I’ve noticed myself taking note more of families in stories, especially the mothers and father figures characters’ who welcome in the love interest or friend, making them feel welcome and treating them like family from the moment they meet. It’s true for mentor-type character’s discipleship of the younger characters. That descipleship type role of stepping up and stepping into a place of wisdom and protectiveness toward the younger character learns and grows. It’s such a beautiful thing, and love that about books like this.
The Enemy by Sherry Kukla –
Ronika Reed, a recently released convict, is excited about starting fresh with an extended stay in a small desert town, at the invitation of her friend Lorelai Gatlin.
The calm, peaceful life she imagined is interrupted when private investigator Shane Stevens asks for her help in cracking a baby selling case. Shane doesn’t know of her possible involvement with a key player in this crime, and she is torn between the two men, wondering where her allegiance should lie. During the course of this investigation, a retired military veteran turns up dead on the outskirts of the small town and Ronika’s world is rocked when she discovers who the man was and why he was killed.
I was curious about this series when I first heard of it last year, and eagerly signed up for the launch of the newest book, The Enemy. I read the first two after signing up, and could tell the series was getting better with each book. This one, though! This one really won me over. The first book was okay, the second was better, but this one became an instant favorite. I also really like that Kukla takes a unique approach to Romantic Suspense, as she tackles crimes and topics seldom talked about in fiction. I loved her faith threads too, woven beautifully throughout each book.
Through the Waters by Embassie Susberry –
1961, Alabama. Cecelia “Sissy” Little thought she had seen the last of Truitt Tate two years ago after he left her cousin at the altar. When he shows up at her door, claiming to be an undercover FBI agent and furthermore, in need of her assistance to play the role as his fiancé, Sissy is less than thrilled. Aside from the fact that Sissy can’t stand Tate, Sissy has worked hard to build a life for her and her nephews in their racially tense town. The last thing she wants is for Tate to come and upset things.
Truitt Tate hasn’t always been a gentleman, but he has changed, starting from the moment he first met Sissy Little. He comes to Alabama on assignment for business, but hopes to make it personal.
As Tate becomes immersed in the Civil Rights movement and Sissy is forced to face old fears and secrets, will they find out that they have much more in common than they ever thought?
This was a fun surprise. I had never heard of Embassie Susberry or her books until the end of 2024, and I immediately knew that I wanted to read this one! I have since read this one and another of her books, her latest, I believe? (The Road Before Me)
Her writing is superb, and I love her characters. They are so complex and refreshing to read about. Her powerful use of history and narrative weaves an unforgettable tale that will pull you in and refuse to let go. Her writing is a bit on the more gritty/intense side; therefore, I wouldn’t recommend it for all readers. She keeps the details vague, but it is still clear what’s being talked about and implied, even if it’s not on-screen. Her books are clear (at least these two were) in a romantic and general sense, but do include some content that might be considered offensive, so I’m mentioning it here for those who are curious about her stories.
Weaving Roots by Heather Wood –
Baltimore, 1828
Spinning. Turning flax to fine linen thread for her family’s weaving business keeps Betha’s hands occupied all day, but it’s the concerns spinning in her heart that never truly rest. How can she give her nephew Henry a secure, loving home when his father remains indifferent? How can she guide the boy who calls her “Ma” to know and follow the Lord for himself? And when past secrets and future changes collide, will she lose Henry altogether?
Colm Gallagher is passionate about teaching boys using innovative educational methods. But is his kind and thorough instruction enough if he is not allowed to give his students the ultimate truth of God’s Word? Confronted by his student Henry Young and the boy’s lovely but determined aunt, Colm considers if he has allowed practical considerations to outweigh his deepest-held beliefs. Even as Betha and Colm are drawn to each other, family loyalties, financial pressures, and personal uncertainties push them further apart. Will the threads of their lives unravel or become knit together into something stronger?
I’m just realizing how many heavy/emotional books I read (and loved) in 2025! 😅
This one is tamer in tone than Susberry’s, but still deals with a difficult time in history. Wood is an amazingly talented author as well, and captures a time in American history that I’ve never seen or heard about before. The industrial revolution is picking up, and taking many trade jobs away from those still maintaining the old ways. Lives are changing, and so are society’s standards. The book talks about taking God out of schools, the fall of the linen/cotton/cloth weaving trades, abolitionists and slavery, and more. This book takes place several years before the sequel, and is easily read as a stand-alone, but after meeting the other Gallaghers in this one, I’m pretty sure you’ll want to read the next book too! I know I do!
(Oh, and you can read the sequel now! Sowing Hope came out a few months ago and is one of my most anticipated reads of 2026. It’s one of a few I didn’t get to last year, and apart from some incredible new releases I’m eager to read, it’s one of the stories I’m currently most excited for!)
Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette –
Recently widowed, Rivkah refuses to submit to the Torah law compelling her to marry her husband’s brother and instead flees Kedesh, hoping to use her talents as a scribe to support herself. Without the protections of her father, Kedesh’s head priest, and the safety of the city of refuge, Rivkah soon discovers that the cost of recklessness is her own freedom.
Malakhi has secretly loved Rivkah for years, but he never imagined his older brother’s death would mean wedding her himself. After her disappearance, he throws himself into the ongoing fight against the Canaanites instead of dwelling on all he has lost. But with impending war looming over Israel, Rivkah’s father comes to Malakhi with an impossible request.
As the enemies that Rivkah and Malakhi face from without and within Israel grow more threatening each day, is it too late for the restoration their wounded souls seek?
And with this one, I’m finally caught up on Connilyn Cossette’s backlist! I started with Like Flames in the Night autumn of 2021, I think? So, yeah it was a time of starting series at the end, but I’m so glad I did! I almost didn’t pick up her books, since I know historical fiction tensds to be harder for me to finsihg. I love them, but I’m a slow reader anyway, so the added history and writing style often make it feel like forever before I finish the book. Not a bad thing, just not good for my growing TBR. 😂
While I continued on and read her newer books as they came out, I also made it a personal mission to go back and read her other books. I haven’t (and probably won’t) get to all her GuidePost books, but I have read all of her others. At least the main ones, there are still a couple of companion stories that I haven’t read yet.
Anyway, I loved this one! I…I see a lot of my younger self in Rivkah’s character, and loved seeing her learn and grow over the years. I actually read Tzirah’s story because my sister insisted that if I didn’t read anything else, I needed to meet Tzirah since she reminded my sister so much of me at the time… And I see that too. It must have been a God thing, because I connected with her in ways my sister couldn’t have even predicted. This was a similar experience, a few years later, and just as beautiful. I also still love Liyam and Tzirah, and the older I get, the more I appreciate them, but Malakhi! If I hadn’t met Liyam first, he might have been put to the test after reading Malakhi’s story. I would be hard-pressed to choose a favorite!
No Time to Die by Taylor S Newport –
The enemy believes the battle is nearly over, but he’s just getting started.
Sector 17 has tried to silence the Ghost of Oz, but he doesn’t back down. Back on the hunt, Tyler Reid uncovers chilling truths that challenge everything he knows about his enemy and the woman who works for them. Caught between protecting a Russian heiress and the job she has to do, Tyler starts to question who he can rely on.
Alexandra “Alex” Romanova has been told who she is, but fragmented memories hint at a past she’s reluctant to reclaim—a past far darker than what she remembers. When Tyler offers her a chance to escape her cruel boss at Sector 17, the plight of young recruits being turned into killers weighs heavily on her conscience. She’s determined to give them the same freedom she’s found, but doesn’t realize that in doing so she has put them all at risk.
As the head of Sector 17 clings to power, Tyler and Alex are caught in the middle of a deadly war for lives, freedom, and revenge. With enemies closing in on all sides, they can’t save everyone. The stakes are higher than ever—there is no time to die.
I enjoyed the first book, and by the end, I knew I would likely love this sequel, but it was this one that really won me over to this series. Reid is… something else, bwahaha! This series is so cliché and trope-y, yet original and refreshing at the same time. How, I’m not even sure, but this series does a marvelous job of delivering those ‘must have’ spy thriller and action film/story elements, while still being its own journey, and I love that! Each book has gotten better and better, and after beta-reading the next book, I can confidently say that trend continues.
A Rebel’s Shot by Sara Blackard –
An unwanted legacy. An easy job turned deadly. And a Don’t trust anyone.
When Merritt Harland’s father unexpectedly died and she was thrust into the CEO position of her family’s multi-billion dollar mining empire she walked away from years ago, she thought life couldn’t get any worse. But being forced to the far reaches of Alaska and surrounded by her conniving stepfamily, loneliness and the desperation to uncover the secret of her father’s death might just consume her.
Tiikâan Rebel took the job of flying the head of Harland Global Resources for the easy money the months-long contract would give him. Money he desperately needs to keep his hunting and guiding business from going belly up and confirming his status as screw-up in his family of extraordinaires. He can endure the boredom of being nothing more than an air taxi if it means his dream will survive another Alaskan winter.
But when the frosty woman he’s flying proves to be an intriguing puzzle, his curiosity gets him deeper in trouble than he imagines. His determination to live up to his family name and help Merritt expose the treachery threatening her might be more than he can handle.
And the Land of the Midnight Sun doesn’t care who lives or dies.
I’ve liked the other books in this series, some more than others, but I knew early on that I wanted Tiikâan’s story. At the time, I had no idea how much I would need this story. I found this series when someone on IG posted about three Alaskan authors, all unknown to me. I have since read books from each of them, but the first in this series I found was Gunner’s book (two or three, depending on how you count them, A Rebel’s Promise). I have since read the others in order, but Gunner’s book was where I first met Tiikâan a few years ago (2022, maybe?), and from that brief intro, I knew I wanted his story.
There is a scene about a bear…well, there are a few, but Merrit’s story still makes me queasy, even though it’s just a few short lines, but otherwise I loved this one! It’s even more personal now that I’m a bit older and could better understand the beauty and value of some of the things the characters face and struggle with in the story. Struggling with being ‘normal’ was a big theme, just discovering how you fit in the grand scheme, and how you can best serve and interact with those you love. Of doing your best, and being able to accept that you are enough, regardless of how that might look. We don’t have to be perfect or spectacular; being us is enough, and there’s a beauty in accepting that. It was a message I needed last June, and as unexpected as it was, God used this one to speak to my soul in a way I could never have expected.
(It has happened to me before, Like Flames in the Night was another example of this, but I never know if or when it will happen, it just does right when I need it. God is amazing and knows just what we need, and how to provide for all of our needs, even the deepest, most hidden, and frequently overlooked things are important to Him.)
These Wild Dreams of Ours by Carly L. Carlson –
An unconventional young woman, a disenchanted scout, and a journey more difficult than anyone could imagine.
Kate McGrath and her family join a wagon train heading to the open spaces and promises of the American West. She is eager for a life of adventure free from society’s suffocating conventions, but those expectations follow her out into the wilderness. Kate faces storms, stampedes, and swollen rivers with courage and steadfast faith, but is set adrift when her daydreaming heart is captivated by a handsome scout.
Jacob Munroe is scouting for a wagon train yet again, but his wandering ways have lost their appeal. When he meets the McGrath family, Jacob is drawn to the peace they possess despite their hardships. Especially Kate. She is full of intriguing wild and strong, yet kind and gentle. She is a balm to his angry heart and restless soul, but brings with her a faith in a God whom Jacob is convinced doesn’t care.
Then tragedy strikes. Kate’s faith is tested and Jacob’s world is shattered, and they both face impossible choices.
Will their journey across the wilderness bring them peace or tear their worlds apart?
Ah, yes, last but definitely not least. I had heard of this one on IG at the start of 2025 (or maybe a few months before) and followed Carlson for much of her journey in those months leading up to its release. Sadly, I wasn’t about to join the Kickstarter at the time, but was on her eARC launch team, and it was as wonderful a tale as I had expected! This is Carly’s debut, and it’s amazing by any standards, but to think of all the delightful stories I enjoyed his year, it’s even more mind-blowing to realize several were debuts, or from authors who only had one or two other books out at the time. I’m pretty sure I even cried for Jacob at one point… I loved these characters and enjoyed reading their amazing story.
2025 was an amazing year for creatives, and despite all the challenges and setbacks, many still pressed on, and I’m so glad they did! Humanity is incredible, truly God’s design at work, but the resilience and determination these authors and artists showed in persevering and facing the challenges head-on despite looming setbacks and the constant threat of Ai?
How amazing is that? To see so many telling the stories God gave them, stepping out in faith, trusting in Him to see them through, and coming out victorious in the end, all thanks to Him and His infinite wisdom? God doesn’t make mistakes. He knew the trials we would face, and asked us to do the thing anyway. When He puts a call or mission on our lives, we need only to trust and obey, knowing that He goes before us and will make a way, so long as we submit to Him, trusting His leading and walking according to His will for us. The outcomes are always worth it, and far more beautiful than anything we can do on our own. He is so good to us and always cares for us in ways we can scarcely even comprehend. If He is speaking to you, telling you to write the story, talk to that person, take this opportunity, or anything else He is asking you to do, trust Him. It won’t be easy, and might look scary or even impossible, but if He asked you to do it, don’t hesitate, He has already made a way. What is impossible on our own is possible with God. He knows, allow Him to show you His will, you won’t regret it. I know because I’m there too. His plan for us far surpasses our hopes and dreams for ourselves, and His way is perfect, and always for our good. To heal us, grow us, teach us, and lavish us with His perfect love for us. He is a good Father, and desires to show us His love for us; we need only to trust Him and believe.
Did any of these grab your attention?
Have you read any of them?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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