2025 Anticipated Reads Recap

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There is officially only two months left in the year, which means it’s time to start looking back and reflecting on how many great books we’ve read this year . . . or, y’know, vice versa? All the good books you have yet to read, because 2025 has been a burning dumpster fire of a year? Either way.

I didn’t go into this year with too many anticipated reads. An overflowing TBR? Sure. Of course. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have that. Given how busy I’ve been lately, though, I hadn’t expected to actually read that many new releases, so I tried to temper my expectations. That being said, let’s see how well these books have lived up to them, shall we?

2025 Anticipated Reads

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards – ★★★★✰
I’ve been enjoying Sara Raasch’s work lately, so I had been looking forward to this one, and I’m glad it lived up to my expectations! Despite it being smutty (and my feelings on that), I’m a huge sucker for enemies-to-lovers, especially when it’s filled with banter and humor, which were in abundance in this book! Also, extra bonus points for the depiction of close platonic, vulnerable male friendship!

Tell Me Something Good – ★★★★★
I’m a tad bit biased on this one, because I do know the author (at least in passing). Then again, my friends will be the first to tell you that I don’t pull my punches with them! I went in not knowing at all what to expect from this book, even though I was looking forward to it, but I absolutely loved it. It gave me all sorts of Fredrik Backman vibes in terms of all the plot twists and the way the story unfolds slowly and eventually fits together like a puzzle piece. You have to earn it, though.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping [On A Dead Man] – ★★★★★
There’s not much to say about this one. I loved the first one. Of course I wanted to reach the second one. Vera is a national treasure and needs to be protected at all costs. She’s the grandmother none of us deserve but all of us need. I think I enjoyed this one even more than the first book, which is saying something, not only for Vera’s larger-than-life personality, but the way she quietly saves the people around her just by being there for them. We all could stand to be a little more like Vera. Maybe minus involving ourselves in gruesome murders, though.

My Friends – ★★★★★
I will forever and always look forward to Fredrik Backman releases. He remains my favorite author. So probably it’s no surprise that this one lived up to my expectations. I will say that it starts off kind of slow, though I’ve gotten used to that and learned to just trust the process. I definitely cried at a couple intervals, because it’s so beautiful. Like some of his other books, this one is written about broken people who find their happily ever after, even if it doesn’t look quite like what popular society says a happily ever after should look.

The Let Them Theory – ★★★✰✰
This book kind of exploded on the scene at the beginning of the year. I had never heard of Mel Robbins before this, but I bought this book with several other librarians who all wanted to read it. The book was interesting, I thought, and a great reminder of the things we can control vs. the things we can’t . . . but it wasn’t revolutionary. In fact, the basic foundation of the Let Them theory is just . . . Stoicism. Which I absolutely love, and I already own many Stoic books. If I had to choose again, I would just go back to the source and read those, rather than reading this book again.

Go Luck Yourself – ★★★★✰
The second Sara Raasch book that I was highly anticipating this year, because I enjoyed the first one so much! I think I actually liked this one better? The sibling bond is so stinking cute, and being able to see the first couple get to start on their happily ever after is great. Plus, I just loved the characters in this! Like I said, enemies-to-lovers is my favorite go-to, and the banter and humor in this series is just top notch.

All of Us Murderers – ★★★★✰
K.J. Charles is becoming another go-to author for me, which feels weird, because historical romance is not at all something I ever thought I would enjoy. Apparently, make it queer and I eat it up. Go figure. This one was comped to Knives Out, so I had some high hopes going in. Ultimately, I don’t think this book was quite what I had expected, but I enjoyed it either way. I do love me some grey characters. Plus, there’s ADHD rep with the protagonist, which I loved!

What Fury Brings – ★★★✰✰
I was so excited for this adult debut, having enjoyed some of the author’s YA works, but this one just didn’t work as well for me. I was so torn between wanting to love it and enjoying the enemies-to-lovers banter but finding so many things about the plot and characters problematic. Part of that is sort of the point of the story and narrative, but I had a hard time reconciling that while reading. I think I’ll still continue reading the author’s work going forward, but I’ll maybe temper my expectations more going forward.

Accomplice to the Villain – ★★★★★
I don’t even know what else to say about this. It’s one of my favorite series, so of course I was anticipating it. Obviously, it lived up to my expectations. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one! The squad is one that I absolutely love and want to join, please and thank you. The mystery that’s spanned multiple books is really starting to heat up. Also, the snark and banter is absolutely *chef’s kiss*. The only complaint I have about this series is that I tried to listen to the audiobook to remind myself what was going on, and it was absolutely terrible.

Upcoming Anticipated Releases

The year isn’t quite over yet, which means there are still some of my anticipated reads yet to be released! The 2025 releases so far have been knocking it out of the park, so we’ll have to see if these will continue that trend!

Witches of Dubious Origin
Librarians + witches? I don’t know what exactly that equals, but whatever it is, I want it. I’m also a fan of mysterious, potentially dangerous books. I also wouldn’t complain if one “accidentally” found its way to my desk, even. 😉

The White Octopus Hotel
I’m so unsure about this one, because if the author isn’t a strong writer, this could go horribly wrong. But it also sounds like it could be soooo good if done right! Based on the Goodreads rating, I’m erring on the side that the author knocks this out of the park, and I am here for it. It sounds utterly unique and cozy, and I cannot wait to give it a try.

Hazelthorn
I have enjoyed C.G. Drews’ work for years, and while body horror isn’t a thing I love, I would read a grocery list that she wrote because her writing is just that beautiful.

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
Not only is that cover super cute and cozy, but I love the idea of a reformed villain trying to get on with their life. I have a feeling I’m going to relate to the grumpy alchemist. (Spoiler alert: am I the grumpy alchemist?!) Also, the town is called Dragon’s Rest. This is clearly a sign.

The Bookshop Below
Booksellers are kind of like librarians . . . right? That’s what I’m going with. I love the idea of there being a dark underbelly to bookselling. Because nerdy people can be dark and dangerous, okay? Dismiss all these harmful tropes of us being cuddly, adorable teddy bears! xD

The Wolf and His King
I do not know the tale of Bisclavret the werewolf, but this one is comped to some other historical books I’ve enjoyed. I’m also super geeky and really enjoy myths and legends, and I’ve been loving retellings of these, too. Also, not gonna lie . . . I’m a sucker for books with wolves. I had a thing for wolves even before I had a thing for dragons. So I’m excited to give this one a try!

Snake-Eater
T. Kingfisher release. This should be pretty self-explanatory. Also one of my favorite authors, so I will always and forever be excited for their upcoming releases! This one sounds amazing, but I’ll be honest . . . even if it didn’t, I would still read it, because I haven’t read a bad book from this author yet.

The Library of Fates
Another book about librarians! This is feeling sort of like a trend, yeah? I’m definitely biased here, but I will always read books about interesting (and magical) libraries. This is another one that has a magic book. It kind of makes me wonder when people will learn to avoid magical tomes? (Hint: Never. And thank goodness, because that would make these books so boring!)

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