2025 has been a year that has both flown by and felt like a million years. I like many others have struggled to read at points this year, and also sought refuge and escape in books. I thank God everyday for easily accessible audiobooks which are at times the only way I can actually read anything.
This year is also the year that I finally had to migrate my blog off the platform I used for nearly 20 years. I’m still only starting to get comfortable with this new one. It’s clunky and somewhat boring but at least the post weren’t lost to the ether like so much digital media is.I did a lot of rereading this year. Thank God for Ilona Andrews and Nalini Singh, revisiting their series is like going home, if home is full of action and humor!
These were my favorite reads in 2025:
Archangel’s Ascension by Nalini Singh (UF, Arc out May 6,25, GH 17)
Dual timeline story that straddles hundreds of years to follow Adohan & Illium’s love. All my feelings, joy, grief, humor, & satisfaction!
CWs: murder, PT: stalking, abduction, abuse, SA, abandonment
Murder Crossed Her Mind by Stephen Spotswood (late 1940’s detective series with queer women MCs).
This series keeps getting better and better. I love Will & Pentecost’s prickly relationship, the twisty cases & the world building.
Puerto Rico: A National History by Jorell Meléndez-Badillo (audio ARC, out April 2, 25)
Engrossing history that looks at the forming of national identity in Puerto Rico from the Taino to Bad Bunny & anti-colonial protest movements. https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780691262925-puerto-rico
If you were one of the millions who visited Puerto Rico in person or virtually for Bad Bunny’s concert residency …you should read the history that inspired it.2025 February Mini Reviews
Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn (thriller/ senior assassins). Loved this sequel! Tense mission, great interactions and emotional punches! CWs: murder, violence, grief.
Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite (SF/mystery, queer MC, rom elements, Bk1).
Absolutely adored this book! Queer normative cozy/twisty murder mystery with knitting in space! Just 110% loved the world building & characters. Can’t wait for more!
CWs: murder, grief, betrayal.
The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews (LitRPG?, 40+ WW mc) I read most of the serial during a stressful June and then read it twice in a row upon official release.
I loved it. Loved the MC, her determination and the challenges she faces. This is a new genre for me, and it made me curious to try others.
CWs: violence, murder, grief, abandonment, death of coworkers.
Blind date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs (PNR, connected short stories, audio ALC, pub date: 10/21)
New & expanded stories featuring Asil, a very old and reclusive wolf, who is dared by old concerned friends into a series of blind dates. Fun, dangerous & unexpected.
CWs: violence, grief
Witch of the Wolves by Kaylee Archer (Historical PNR, WW/WM)
Kidnapped by her werewolf father Cordelia must untangle the lies and figure out who to trust and who to fear. Great inner voice & big conflicts.
While the world building seemed trans exclusionary I stuck with it and saw the author challenge the assumptions within the story.
CWs: sexism, threats of SA, violence, murder, queer phobia.
The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer A Mystery by Ragnar Jónasson l(cozyish mystery, ALC).
Although this is second book in the series but I jumped in with this one & enjoyed it all the way to the last chapter where I was not prepared for the cliffhanger ending of one of the storylines! This book is interconnected to many of Jónasson’s other books which makes me eager to read them..
Cw: abuse, stalking, murder, lies.
You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti (Suspense with Rom, WW/WM, serial killers).
FBI profiler and former child prodigy Lauren Snow comes back home to her small WA mountain town when the bodies of young women are found and her uncle suspected. I love falling down a backlist rabbit hole and discovering new to me series and writers. I have read three other Zanetti series while I wait on my library hold for the most recent Lauren Snow book. They are wild, action packed and fun to read.
CWs: murder, anxiety rep, PT: abandonment, bullying, SA.
Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop ( UF, multiple POV, Audio ALC, just released 11/11)
Loved this new series! Fascinating group of characters loosely connected to 13th precinct & their investigations into incidents related to Isle of Wyrd & the uncanny. Themes: xenophobia, bullying, SA & abuse.
And last but not least a book that is highly anticipated and out next May so I won’t spoil anything but to say that if you been reading this series you will absolutely want to read the final book.
Archangels’s Eternity by Nalini Singh (ARC out 5/5/26, final book in urban fantasy series).
No spoilers but it was fab. I devoured this grief tinged but joyous book about growing, changing, loving, forgiving and keeping perspective in immortality.
Cws: grief, medical situations, depression
RomBkLove 
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