The best books of 2025

This list is part of the best books of 2025.

Join 1,210 readers and share your 3 favorite reads of the year.

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My favorite read in 2025

Hanging Mary

By Susan Higginbotham ,

Book cover of Hanging Mary

Kara O’Neal ❤️ loved this book because...

I enjoyed this story very much. It was well-researched. What I liked most, besides the subject matter, was how the characters spoke. I felt like I was listening in on real conversations that could've happened in the 1860s. I was immersed in the time period, and learned much about these real people. The festivities held in D.C. that related to the election and presidency were very interesting and were described vividly by the author.

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Immersion 🥈 Teach

  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it

  • Pace

    🐇 I couldn't put it down
Hanging Mary

By Susan Higginbotham ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hanging Mary as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Based on the true case of Mary Surratt, Hanging Mary reveals an untold story of President Lincoln's assassination - the story of a widow whose boardinghouse became the site of her secessionist son's activities.

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My 2nd favorite read in 2025

The Frozen River

By Ariel Lawhon ,

Book cover of The Frozen River

Kara O’Neal ❤️ loved this book because...

This book was so good. Martha is a real person, and I enjoyed the author's portrayal of this historical figure. I adored Ephraim, her husband. My gosh, he really was something! The author, though she used some phrases that are more contemporary in her writing, immerses the reader into the time period and setting. Very descriptive. Additionally, the characters were all strong and jumped off the page. Finally, the plot was quite gripping. It really happened, and happened much worse than what was detailed in the book, and I was on the edge of my seat hoping that justice was served. I found the trial process, etc. all very interesting, and it was obvious the author did her research. Very good book!

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Character(s) 🥈 Teach

  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it

  • Pace

    🐕 Good, steady pace
The Frozen River

By Ariel Lawhon ,

Why should I read it?

43 authors picked The Frozen River as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • GMA BOOK CLUB PICK • AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR • From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.

"Fans of Outlander’s Claire Fraser will enjoy Lawhon’s Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent. . . impressive."—The Washington Post

"Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine." —People Magazine

Maine, 1789: When…

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My 3rd favorite read in 2025

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

By Evie Woods ,

Book cover of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

Kara O’Neal ❤️ loved this book because...

I enjoyed this story very much. The mystery was surrounded by well-written characters, who also were very different from each other, but had similar connections. Additionally, there were nice elements of romance. As the characters go through the external conflict, they learn how to understand grief. Each character has a story and must face their sorrows. Everyone is given their due time and nothing is rushed. Great book!

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Character(s) 🥈 Emotions

  • Writing style

    👍 Liked it

  • Pace

    🐕 Good, steady pace
The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

By Evie Woods ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop

'A delicious book that I couldn't resist devouring in one sitting. It was a delight to lose myself in the world of Edie and the mysterious baker. I would recommend to pastry lovers and book lovers alike!' Sally Page, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Stories

Nestled among the cobblestone streets of Compiegne, there existed a bakery unlike any other.

Rumours were whispered through the town that its pastries offered a taste of magic, chasing away the darkest of sorrows. Just one bite of a croissant might bring luck,…

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Don‘t forget about my book 😀

Prickly Poppy

By Kara O'Neal ,

Book cover of Prickly Poppy

What is my book about?

Brownwood, Texas, 1883

Two years ago, Hazel Rutherford fled from her lying, greedy fiancé. Now, her young cousin is within his sights, and Hazel must return and rescue her. Which means facing a manipulative villain.

But her uncle won’t let her go alone…

Kit Kirby is the man tasked with escorting her and protecting her while she’s in Brownwood.

Kit Kirby. Saloon owner. Hell raiser. The man that all the ladies—from five to eighty—swoon over. All except Hazel, that is. Since the day she met him, they’ve done nothing but fight.

He calls her prudish. She calls him irresponsible. He calls her prickly. She calls him a conceited hell-trap. There’s no way she’ll make it to Brownwood with her sanity intact.

But when Kit changes the game and kisses her, she’ll be lucky if she gets through the ordeal still the owner of her heart.

Book cover of Hanging Mary
Book cover of The Frozen River
Book cover of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

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