We read a lot of books this year, mostly fantasy romance and contemporary romance, with some historical fiction, thrillers, LitRPGs, and sci-fi mixed in. Being data oriented and having an enormous love for spreadsheets, we decided to break down every single book we’ve read this year, including our very own Bookish Goblin “awards,” to tell you all about what worked and what didn’t work for us in 2025.
Please keep in mind, these rankings are based fully on vibes and not a thorough literary analysis. And as always, just because something worked for us doesn’t mean it will work for you, and vice versa.
Bookish Goblin 2025 Tier List
Above is our complete tier list, judging by our Bookish Goblin rating system. Some of these are ARCs, and they will all be called out below, but all opinions are our own nonetheless! We really enjoyed a lot of great books this year, discovering new genres (hello Dungeon Crawler Carl) and diving even deeper into some of the series we already knew we loved.
Brain Chemistry Altering – Our Favorite Books of the Year
The best of the best. The books we can’t stop thinking about. Books that damaged us so deeply we lost sleep reading them, thinking about them, and wondering when they will ever let our thoughts or souls go.
These are our favorite books of the year.
Spectacular Things
Description
Mia and Cricket have always been close. The gifted daughters of a young single mother, the “Lowe girls” are well-known in their small Maine hometown. Each sister has a role to fill: The responsible and academically minded Mia assumes the position of caregiver far too young, while Cricket, a bouncing ball of energy and talent, seems born for soccer stardom. But the cost of achieving athletic greatness comes at a steep price.
As Mia and Cricket grow up, they must grapple with the legacy of their mother’s secret past while navigating their own precarious future. Can Mia allow herself to fall in love at the risk of repeating a terrible history? Will Cricket’s relentless chase of a lifelong goal drive away her sister? When does loyalty become self-sabotage?
Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein is my favorite book of the year. This historical fiction novel follows the Lowe girls, a single mom who raised her two daughters by herself, instilling them with positivity and a focused ambition of becoming soccer stars. The book mainly follows Mia and Cricket, the two sisters.
This is such a profound story about generational trauma, the resilience of a single mom, and the power of sisterhood, not to mention it’s a love letter to all eldest daughters out there. It is the most heartwarming, thought-provoking story of a family that made me sob both happy and ugly tears, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I read it.
I truly cannot believe this book is not more talked about and is not on every single year in reviews. It left such a dent in me, I won’t be able to replace the way it made me feel any time soon.
You can read our full summary and review of Spectacular Things here.
Broken Country
Description
“The farmer is dead. He is dead and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”
When her brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart all those years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son Bobby, who died a few years earlier.
As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel and Leo’s lives, tensions around the village rise, and jealousy rears its ugly head. Beth and her gentle and kind husband Frank are happily married, but they have their fair share of secrets, and their relationship relies on the past staying buried. And when the truth begins to come out, events spiral out of control, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice—between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.
A sweeping, sexy love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is a historical fiction novel taking place in the English countryside in the 1960s. It’s part murder mystery, part historical fiction, and part cozy historical drama.
Told in two parts, through flashbacks and the present day, Beth, Frank, and Gabriel’s story is charming, heartwarming, and just overall immersive. The story starts with a trial where we don’t know who died or who killed them, but we slowly find out bits and pieces of how we got to this point through the dual timelines, which eventually converge.
It’s so raw and brave, and a beautiful story about grief and overcoming a huge loss as a family. I haven’t stopped thinking about Broken Country since I’ve read it, and some of the brave choices it made still make me wonder to this day.
You can read our full summary and review of Broken Country here.
Wild Reverence
Description
Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods often kill each other to steal power and alliances break as quickly as they are forged, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry words and letters through the realms, but she holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest of allies to ensure her survival. And to complicate matters . . . there is a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met in the waking world.
Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life―begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. When his request went unanswered, Vincent moved on, becoming the hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda. That is, until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him.
As Fate would have it, Matilda and Vincent were destined to find each other beyond dreams. There may be a chance for Matilda to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, but at immense sacrifice. She will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: to be vulnerable, and to allow herself to finally be loved.
Disclaimer: Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new favorite book of the year. I’m in awe. I’m starstruck. I have the worst book hangover of the year.
Wild Reverence had me in a chokehold from the very first page. I am such a sucker for a well-written mythology fantasy, and it turns out a great story sprinkled with some epic yearning is all it takes to captivate me. I’m not complaining.
The magic system is elaborate, and the mythology feels rooted in Greek tradition but stands on its own. Not a single side character is just there for no reason. Every plot point leads to something important.
I’m in awe of the cast. Matilda and Vincent are incredible. She’s soft, cunning, and quietly fierce. He’s protective, strong, and the man pines. Every side character was so well-written, I would read entire novels about them.
The pacing was fast. So much plot. Even 500+ pages didn’t feel like enough. The ending? Haunting, emotional, and perfect. I finished it and stared at a wall.
Rebecca Ross’s prose feels like an epic ballad. It’s poetic and approachable. I’ve never become an insta-buy reader of an author so fast. I could not stop reading this. It was SO GOOD.
I can’t believe I haven’t read Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, an error I’m remedying immediately.
This is hands-down one of my favorite books of the year. An absolute, unshakable yes from me.
You can read our review and summary of Wild Reverence in these posts!
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Description
The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.
You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.
Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.
Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.
Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”
My brain chemistry is forever altered in this one! It’s my first LitRPG, and I’m not sure if this genre clicks for me or if this is just a spectacular book, but Dungeon Crawler Carl is unlike anything you’ve ever read!
The world ends, and aliens make you compete in a reality game show where you have to crawl floors of dungeons. There are goblins. There are mobs. There are NPCs. There’s a talking cat. Seriously this is the most fun, irreverent adventure where a lot of thought and love has gone into and you cannot go wrong with Dungeon Crawler Carl.
You can read our full summary and review of Dungeon Crawler Carl here.
Sunrise on the Reaping
Description
As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.
As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
Hunger Games franchise has been emotionally destroying me since high school and Sunrise on the Reaping is no exception. The way Haymitch’s story had me a in a chokehold and left me a blubbering, sobbing mess is unreal. Suzanne Collins continues to write exceptional novels with well grounded characters and spectacular story that makes us think and feel. If you enjoy trials style books and was a Hunger Games fan from get to, you cannot go wrong with Sunrise on the Reaping.
We have a ton of Sunrise on the Reaping coverage so check them out here!
The Empyrean Series – Onyx Storm
What can I say about The Empyrean series that hasn’t already been said. I read Fourth Wing maybe ten times, and restarted my reread of Iron Flame in early January in preparation for Onyx Storm. I know Iron Flame gets mixed reviews, but I love a romantasy series with deep fantasy worldbuilding, so I felt right at home.
The way Rebecca Yarros writes war, love, and history is incredible. How can such strong storytelling go wrong when it’s built on a bedrock of dragons anyway?
I found Onyx Storm to be the best installment of the series yet, with Xaden and Violet facing their worst challenges so far, while RY subtly tackles some real world issues like addiction and the idea that love is sometimes not enough. This site is, and will always be, an Empyrean fan site, and we’ll continue covering anything and everything we can until we turn the very last page. I cannot wait for the next installment (my guess is it’ll be named Silver Reign or Silver Dream, stay tuned).
We also have a ton of posts about The Empyrean series, so check them out below.
Bride Duology
Bride duology was my first ever Ali Hazelwood, and it’s still my favorite work from her. It might just be that it was my first experience reading a STEM FMC paired with a grumpy, broody MMC who is down bad from the start, or maybe her witty banter and funny exchanges are just scratching that special spot in my brain. But Misery and Lowe, followed by Koen and Serena, have been my favorite couples in the Ali verse, and it probably has something to do with the fact that this duology is a great mix of Omegaverse and paranormal romance that completely hooked me.
If you’re into MMCs pining for the FMC while the FMC is completely oblivious, and you’ve been wanting to get into Omegaverse but didn’t know where to start, this is a great entry point to both the genre and the Ali verse in general.
Not In Love Duology
It’s no secret that we eat everything Ali Hazelwood writes up. She has the whole down bad man meets quirky girl who doesn’t know he’s down bad thing figured out, all wrapped in clever, STEM focused setups. I’m not sure why it took me so long to get into the Not in Love Duology, because it gets a bad rep for no good reason.
I personally found Rue and Eli charming, and Conor and Maya breathtaking. Both Not in Love and Problematic Summer Romance are peak Ali, full of witty banter, yearning, and scenes that’ll make you kick your feet, giggle, and squirm. They both made it to the top of our rankings this year.
Until I Get You
Description
My reputation at Fairview University preceded me. I was the projected number-one pick in the NHL draft and the fan favorite at the rink. People wanted to be me or be with me.
Except for Lyla James Marichal.
She didn’t look at me like I was her next meal. She eyed me with disdain.
Instead of vying for my attention, she ignored me and pushed me away.
She was completely unattainable, and I became obsessed with her.
When I finally got her, it felt like I was on top of the world. I was going to help the team win another championship, going into the draft, and had Lyla by my side.
And then, without warning, she left me.
Vanished.
It took me three bitter, angry, long years to find her, but I did, and now she owes me a lot more than just an explanation.
Three years ago, she ruined my life.
Now, I was going to become her worst nightmare.
Until I Get You by Clare Contreras is a reread in 2025 that continues to be a six star read for me. In this dark hockey romance, Lyla and Lachlan meet in college, but Lyla disappears after a devastating accident. Lachlan spends the next three years searching for her, and when he finally finds her, he makes her marry him so he can get his inheritance.
I’m not sure why this book has me in such a tight chokehold. Maybe it’s the chemistry between Lyla and Lachlan, or the suspense of who the attacker is (please check your trigger warnings). But I think it’s the way Lachlan pines through time and trauma, and how he is relentless in his pursuit of her, that has me so deeply attached to this novel. This one’s definitely a darker romance than what I normally read, but it’s still a book I pick up time and again. Give this a shot if the triggers don’t bother you, the yearning is the standard I judge books by.
The Dixon Rule
Description
The second in the steamy, hilarious Campus Diaries series by New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy, set in the same world as Off Campus and Briar U.
“I told them I had a girlfriend.”
I start to laugh. “This is the greatest day of my life.”
“Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.”
Diana Dixon has a lot going on this summer. She’s rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition, juggling two jobs, and dealing with an ex-boyfriend who can’t take the hint it’s over. Yet despite all that, she still has plenty of time and energy to tell Shane Lindley to screw off.
Shane just moved into her apartment building and seems dedicated to sleeping his way through her entire cheerleading squad. Sure, he’s a tall, gorgeous hockey player, but he’s messing with her turf. This calls for some ground rules: no parties in her apartment, leave her teammates alone, and―most importantly―leave her alone.
What Diana doesn’t realize is that Shane’s sick of hookups and tired of being on the rebound after his long-term girlfriend called it quits. He wants a relationship. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he pretends he has one to make her jealous…and who better to play the girlfriend role than his sassy new neighbor?
Despite Diana’s reluctance to break her rule, a fake relationship is the perfect solution for her own ex issues, and soon she can’t deny something is sizzling between her and Shane. Something hot and completely unexpected.
And it might just be getting a little too real.
LOVED THIS. I’M FERAL ABOUT IT. I didn’t think I was going to like it so much, because how many hockey couples can one author write in the same universe and still have it feel different enough? NOPE. I was wrong. It exceeded my expectations beyond belief and then some.
I’m not going to lie to you. Diana starts off as annoying AF. She’s kind of a mix of an “I’m not like the other girls pick me girl” and the girl that sits at the front of the class the entire time. She tries hard. She’s intense. But the more you read it, you realize… you’re annoyed by her because she’s someone you know. Someone you recognize. She might even be you. So you st
And Shane is amazing from the get-go. Like yes, most of these hockey guys are hot, but Shane is amazing. He’s a relationship guy. He’s funny. He has an amazing relationship with his family. He lets down girls he’s not interested in easily. He commits. The man wants kids in his early twenties. SIGN ME UP.
If you read my reviews, you know I was deeply disappointed by Ali Hazelwood’s Deep End for a variety of reasons, but number one being the caricaturizing power exchange relationship. In my humble opinion, The Dixon Rule does what Deep End tries to do effortlessly and perfectly.
Only Between Us
Description
The highly anticipated sequel to the “achingly tender and deliciously sexy” (Jillian Meadows, author of Give Me Butterflies) Only in Your Dreams is a steamy, whip-smart sports romance about a former pro football star who agrees to fake date the fan-favorite ex of another high-profile NFL player so they can both save what’s most dear to them while fighting their growing feelings for each other.
After a death-defying injury sidelined him for two seasons, Brooks Attwood’s pro football comeback has hit a major snag. Naughty photos from a post-break-up bender have leaked, and they’re killing his chances with the Rebels—his old team, and the only one he wants to play on.
As he trains with the hope of being signed before the first kickoff of the season, Brooks’s plans to keep a low profile are suddenly upended when his selfie with a fiery fan goes viral, and tabloids mistake them as the football world’s newest It couple.
Turns out, Siena Pippen is the ex-girlfriend of the “face” of the League. And she wants nothing more to do with that world after being with her nightmare ex. While she and Brooks are busy blaming each other for the media circus surrounding them, NFL teams are suddenly scrambling to sign a housebroken Brooks. Meanwhile, Siena realizes that all this buzz could be the Hail Mary her family’s struggling business needs.
Together, Brooks and Siena hatch a ignore the will to kill each other and pretend to be madly in love—at least, until Brooks signs with a team. But the longer they pretend, the less fake their fauxmance begins to feel…and Brooks becomes as determined to convince Siena they’re truly meant to be as he is to land a spot on the Rebels’ roster.
I received an advance reader copy of Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Only Between Us is a cute football romance following Brooks, an NFL wide receiver recovering from a serious concussion, and Siena, a free spirit who agrees to fake date him for mutual benefit. What starts as a scheme quickly turns into something soft, funny, and genuinely addictive.
If you’re a sucker for Golden Retriever boyfriends, run, don’t walk. Brooks is my favorite Golden Retriever boyfriend of the year, with his charming attitude mixed with his loud devotion to Siena, and he’s just charming, attractive, and has the dirtiest mouth. If you like good romcoms with approachable characters, you really can’t go wrong with Only Between Us.
This is a seriously underrated novel, and Ellie K. Wilde should be right up there with every other popular contemporary romance author as an insta-buy.
Phew that was a lot of books! We’re updating this post as we go but wanted to share what we have already dotted down, so check back again for frequent updates about our introspection of 2025.
What was your favorite book of 2025? Do you disagree with any of our rankings? Let us know in the comments!
Leave a Comment