The Best of 2025 – Lisa’s List
It has been one hell of a year for me; too many changes, too much stress, too much going on. BUT I still found some time to read, review and write for AAR – and just plain read. Here are my favorite books of the year, in no order of preference.
Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding
Another fantastic retelling of an Austen book, this time Persuasion; bright, snappy, fun, entertaining.
ZomRomcom by Olivia Dade
I could have recommended all of Dade’s output this year, it was that strong; I love zombie plague stories so adding romance to the mix was just pure catnip for me.
Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca
Jen DeLuca is so good, and unshockingly, this contemporary romance is utterly fantastic.
Miss Caroline Bingley: Private Investigator by Kelly Gardiner and Sharmini Kumar
A really solid mystery that transports Caroline Bingley and Georgiana Darcy into a post-canon world where Georgiana’s missing maid turns the two women into detectives. Begs for a long series.
Their Double Lives by Jamie Lynn Hendricks
My favorite mystery of the year; twisty and with great characters to be had.
The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh
My favorite fantasy novel of the year. Fun, sexy, creative; a knock-out
A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell
I am a sucker for Lowell’s historicals, which blend history and queer life so beautifully. The romances are breath-taking, and all of the people involved forever interesting. This one spotlights an archaeologist who strikes a bargain with her dandy-about-town childhood rival when an important artifact she’s been seeking is accidentally knocked into the mud by an odd tackle.
Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen
My favorite bit of historical fiction this year, fictionalizing the birth of the Barbie doll.
Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood
A story of a witch who finds family and community – and the value of imperfect. This is such a delight, with a strong romance, solid worldbuilding and a found family feeling.
Another Best of List in which every title (if not author) is new to me. I’ll definitely be reading the Joanna Lowell (who you introduced me to with A Shore Thing). Barbie and the Sea Witch are also now on my TBR.
Thank you Lisa, for a great year of reviews and an interesting end of year list!
Thank you Lisa! They look fun!
Thank you!
I was just thinking that I hope the end-of-year lists come soon and here you are! I haven’t read any of the books on your list but am waiting for Zomromcom to come down in price. I do enjoy Olivia Dade. I think Jen DeLuca is great too. Thanks for the list!
I did not like Zomromcom because I just do not like the zombie apocalypse books. I like Olivia Dade a lot, so I tried. I am reading her other book that was published just a few weeks ago, and it works much better for me.
But the title is genius!
She had about three incredible releases for me this year; Dade’s a machine, so’s DeLuca, who I think is terribly underrated.
I do so love these lists!
same
Three of these are on my huge TBR – Let’s Call Her Barbie, Their Double Lives, and Miss Caroline Bingley: Private Investigator. Looking forward to reading them sometimes soon.
Hope you enjoy them all!
There are so many that look fun, especially Jen Deluca’s Ghost Business. This reminds me I need to check it out!
Hope you will!