Being Anne’s Books of the Year 2025 #books #fiction #romance #historicalfiction #bookclubfiction #FavouriteBooks2025

Hope everyone had a really lovely Christmas – I did! – and, while wishing you a Happy New Year, it’s finally time to share my Books of the Year for 2025. Pulling the list together is a task I always rather enjoy – it gives me the opportunity to look back over the year, re-read my many reviews, and to remember how very much I’ve enjoyed every single book. I’ve read 137 this year – including 13 audiobooks (separate post to follow soon). And there are a small number that would have been included in my list if I’d managed to get myself in gear and share reviews – my two month absence made it just impossible to catch up, and I’m really sorry about that, but I will mention them in a postscript.

As always, I haven’t included any books that were part of a series –  T A Williams’ Armstrong and Oscar cosy mysteries just get better and better, as does Maggie Christensen’s Pelican Crossing series, and I’ve also had to leave out books by Jessica Redland, Sharon Booth and Sue Moorcroft (among quite a number of others…) that were most definitely favourites this year. I’ve also, very reluctantly, had to omit Time’s Tyranny by Linda Gillard – definitely one of my favourite books this year, but a sequel, with a third book underway that will make The Wyngrave Women a trilogy. And just one more I’d like to mention – Anna Stuart’s The English Wife, the story of Clementine Churchill, and the first of her Inspirational WW2 stories (and I equally enjoyed the second, The President’s Wife…)

This year though I have decided to include one Christmas book, because I just couldn’t bring myself to leave it out – but I have applied my usual rule that each selected author can only have one entry. Last year I chose 24 books – this year (and it’s been difficult!) I’ve chosen just 16 (I was trying so hard for a dozen, but just couldn’t reduce the list any further – I’ve already shed a tear or two already over those that didn’t make the final list). But that most certainly doesn’t mean there were fewer strong contenders or books I thought were wonderful – I’ve just been a little stricter with myself this year! They’re in the order I read them, with extracts from my reviews. and if you click on the titles you’ll be able to read my full reviews again… all the reviews include purchase details so that you can easily add them to your reading list…

An Almost Perfect Summer by Jill Mansell

“This book is very much an ensemble piece, with a number of unfolding storylines – all beautifully intertwined – and a collection of wonderfully drawn characters who entirely won my heart. Some of their stories were emotional, others’ experiences were rage inducing, others were extremely funny – and there’s a strong thread of humour throughout – but I became entirely caught up in their lives, and honestly loved every moment. There are a few surprises too – while some people are just as awful as you expect them to be, there are times when it’s good to be reminded that you really shouldn’t judge people by appearances. Every single storyline has an entirely satisfying ending – quite a feat, but something the author always does so very well. And alongside all the various dramas, new starts and secrets uncovered, there’s plenty of romance too – perfectly handled, and all I wanted it to be. An escape from life’s realities, immersive and effortless to read, and so very uplifting with its moments of joy and many friendships. I really think this might be her best book yet – I really loved it.”

And I’m very much looking forward to reading and reviewing Jill’s next book, Just One Look At You, as part of the blog tour starting next month…

A Mother’s Last Wish by Jo Bartlett

“If this was – at times – a challenging book to read, it must have been an incredibly difficult one to write. And I thought it was an absolute triumph – written from the heart, drawing on her own real-life experience, making the reader feel so very deeply for the individuals at the book’s centre. It might not be the book for everyone – especially if they have their own struggles, because it might just be too painful. But the book really is so much more than that – if I found myself sobbing helplessly at times, the perfectly judged ending left me hopeful for some happiness in everyone’s future. Extraordinary writing, and an entirely unforgettable read – and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.”

The One Before the One by Emma Cooper

“I loved this book – and although some might look askance at the idea of time travel and having the opportunity to relive your experiences, it’s so perfectly handled that it needed very little suspension of disbelief. But as well as the highly original premise, the storytelling is just wonderful, with real emotional depth, perfect pacing – and more than a touch of misdirection that took my breath away. There’s (also a) very convincing romance (both past and present) with just the right emotional touch, individuals I really took to my heart, the most supportive friendships, a few serious issues so sensitively handled, even some lovely touches of humour. It’s gripping and immersive, drawing the reader into her characters’ lives and relationships, as Liv searches for the clues with the benefit of hindsight and tries desperately to influence the outcome. The different timelines are so cleverly handled… And when I finally set the book aside after its perfectly crafted and uplifting ending – one of those satisfied sigh moments – I could only reflect on how very much I’d enjoyed it. A really special book…”

If You Could See Me Now by Samantha Tonge

“There’s far more to the story than I can share in a review, serious issues that come as a real surprise, rooted in Violet’s difficult childhood that we sometimes revisit in flashback. And… the full story is a particularly emotional one, with its very real and serious issues handled with considerable insight and exceptional sensitivity. The pacing of the whole book – especially the timing of the reveal – is quite perfect, and if your sympathy for Violet has sometimes wavered as she changed her life in so many ways, it’s certainly more than restored when the true facts begin to emerge. This really is a book you need to experience – it’s an entirely compelling read, and I’m sure you’ll find Violet’s story as impossible to set aside as I did. It does have plenty of lighter moments, but its emotional depth is stunning – I thought it was quite wonderful…”

I could equally have included Will You Stay Another Day – but I’ve played by the rules!

The Best Days of Our Lives by Helen Rolfe

“I found the closeness between the cousins particularly special – and a pattern for the support and friendship their mothers might be able to share if they can get past the feud that tore them apart. It’s an emotional story at times, but there’s humour and lightness too, even a few laugh-out-loud moments. And the romance fits really well into the story – nicely accompanied by memories of teenage years with all their awkwardness and embarrassment. It’s almost possible to forget about Mallory’s situation, the news she must share, and the heartbreak to follow – but it’s always there, waiting in the shadows, realistically handled, sometimes making life difficult, but never weighing down the story as reuniting the sisters takes centre stage. The whole book is the very definition of heartwarming – actually, let me add “uplifting” too – although it did move me to tears at times. The story is so beautifully told, with individuals at its heart who were entirely real and who I really cared about, the bonds of family so perfectly captured. It really moved me – and the ending really couldn’t have been any more perfect.”

Helen’s really lovely Christmas book, So This Is Christmas, equally deserved a place…

The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer

“This book is so much more than its highly original premise – that notion of a parallel world, hinging on a moment, that shapes its story. It’s also a wonderful blend of historical fiction, the world before and during the First World War impeccably recreated, a particularly authentic coming of age story, a pitch perfect and moving romance, and completely unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I found this book absolutely stunning – it only left my hands when I really needed to sleep, and the author’s imagination continues to astound me… (The) timelines (are) so cleverly managed, all delivered through a story that totally engrossed me from its beginning to its uplifting and emotional ending. With individuals I took to my heart navigating a situation that never felt anything other than real in every detail… this was a book I entirely loved.”

I also really loved The Peculiar Incident at Thistlewick House – but this one just had the edge!

The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn

“This was a particularly emotional read, perfectly paced and quite beautifully written, the different relationships especially well drawn – the friendships between the three very real women at the book’s heart slowly blossom and become increasingly supportive, they share their personal stories and open up about the challenges in their lives, face up to their mistakes and the possibilities of starting afresh, and find strength and inspiration in each other. There are plenty of surprises along the way, moments of joy and more than a touch of heartache, difficult decisions to be made, times when everything might fall apart – and I felt totally invested throughout in their stories and the possibility of happiness in their futures. There’s an exceptional sense of place throughout – plenty of opportunities to see the beauty of the volcanic island visited by tourists in their droves, drawn in the most vivid and well-researched detail… Everything combined to make this a book I really loved – the lives of its characters a pleasure to feel part of as I was completely drawn into their stories, the uplifting ending everything I could have asked for.”

The Woman Who Met Herself by Laura Pearson

“The whole story is quite beautifully told, as you share the lives of both women, get to know them so well, and really hope that the things they discover, their newly found friendship, and the changes they make will bring them both happiness. They’re both extraordinarily real, women you soon feel you know really well, so easy to identify with when you’re a similar age – and I certainly found plenty I recognised in Ruth’s visits to her mother with her occasional heart-rending moments of clarity and understanding. The whole story’s gently told, and there are so many moments to bring a smile or a tear – the author’s emotional touch is just perfect… secrets and family complications, a few real surprises, more than a touch of heartbreak, a bit of stepping into the unknown, grasping opportunities when they offer themselves, even a touch of romance – and I loved every single moment. The book’s premise might be unusual, but the author has built around it a gorgeous, uplifting and life-affirming story that will remain with me for some time.”

This was a difficult choice, because I’ve read (and entirely loved) four books from Laura this year – the others were The Life She Could Have Lived (short review included in my post-cruise round up), The Many Futures of Maddy Hart, and The Last List of Mabel Beaumont (very short review included in my pre-cruise round up!) – and every one of them could have been on the list…

The Women at Ocean’s End by Faith Hogan

“‘Captivating’ isn’t a word I often use, but it totally sums up how I felt about this book – it’s a powerful story, beautifully crafted, told with exceptional warmth, with a vividly drawn setting and a very special house that becomes another character in the story, tremendously uplifting, and I loved every single moment. The author’s writing has never been better – the perfect descriptions, the very real and touching relationships, the authenticity of every emotional touch – with a story I found exceptionally engaging, very moving, and which will linger in the memory for some considerable time to come. Just wonderful.”

River of Stars by Georgina Moore

“This was a totally absorbing story, quite beautifully told – with the most stunning setting, so vividly captured and described. And… it’s a story that really stayed with me, often in my thoughts – and its strong characters very much nestled in my heart… The writing is stunning, the descriptions of the unique setting transporting, the emotional impact of every action never far from the surface – it’s not a story you simply read, it’s a story you feel, and there are times when it really hurts. But it’s not all emotion – the story itself is absolutely compelling, with moments of particular drama, and with real uncertainty about its outcome. The romantic content is exceptional – a connection shaped by the past, desperately tangled in the present, tinged with acute pain, but with moments of absolute joy and hope for a happier future. But I equally loved the focus on family, those relationships that were so astutely and sensitively handled, and felt so very real in every way – along with the deep hurt their fracture could cause. This was an enthralling read from beginning to end, all-consuming and completely unforgettable…”

The Secrets of Harbour House by Liz Fenwick

“This is dual time writing at its very best, with an ease about every transition – both narratives are strong, and I was never reluctant to move from one timeline to the other. There are clear parallels between the stories – the primary male characters in both are equally well drawn, and certainly almost as odious as each other – and the way they converge towards the book’s end is quite perfectly handled. And there are layers of deeply buried secrets to be uncovered, which make for a particularly compelling read. I also very much liked the depth of detail – wholly accessible – about the art world and the operations of present day auction houses, quite fascinating and so impeccably researched and brought to life. But it was the wonderful storytelling and that depth of emotion that turned a book I enjoyed into a book I really loved, filled with moments that deeply moved me and will long linger in the memory – totally captivating.”

The Emerald Shawl by Louise Douglas

“Oh my goodness, what a read – such a well-drawn historical setting, an intrepid and very sympathetic heroine in Nelly, a whole cast of characters I so enjoyed, and a real gothic chill throughout. And such a gripping story, wonderfully told – I honestly loved every moment…. Although things can get a bit disturbing at times – graveyards at night tend to be that way, and perhaps more wisely avoided – the whole story manages to be tremendous fun too, the pace never easing with every new discovery. And I really loved the plotting, the way the different threads of the story were slowly pulled together by its unexpected end – storytelling at its very best (and) everything I love about the author’s writing. If historical and gothic are something that whet your appetite, with a substantial slice of excitement and danger, this is a book you’re going to love – and its emotional touches are equally perfectly handled.”

Daughter of the Tarot by Clare Marchant

“I was entirely immersed in this book from its opening pages – the very best dual time writing, and a tale that entirely gripped me to the very last page. The storylines are wonderfully wrapped around each other, equally compelling and involving – and the pacing of the whole story, with its seamless shifts between past and present, is so perfectly handled. The historical setting is vividly drawn, very atmospheric, bringing the period to life – and the connecting thread of the tarot cards is absolutely fascinating. Both Portia and Bea are beautifully drawn, very real and wholly sympathetic – and I enjoyed too the romantic elements to both their stories. There are some particularly well written moments of drama that had me on the edge of my seat – but plenty of emotional moments too, all handled with the perfect touch. There are a number of recurring themes – reality and illusion, interpreting the truth – and… I really loved the way they were mirrored in both stories, everything perfectly balanced. I’m so impressed by the author’s writing – this was a book I really loved…”

The Garden of Shared Stories by Clare Swatman

“The author’s wonderful writing makes the suspension of disbelief extremely easy – two main (and very sympathetic) characters, Emma and Nick, who live 20 years apart, meeting on a bandstand in the park that has a depth of meaning for them both. They’ve both been through grief and loss, neither of them looking for a new relationship, but through their pre-arranged visits they slowly find themselves falling in love… It’s an exceptionally powerful romance – their love for each other is something so special you can really feel it – but it’s impossible to see how there could ever be a happy ending… There’s a real tension throughout – and the overarching question whether interfering with the passage of time can ever be acceptable. But the author – always a safe pair of hands – handles it all so perfectly that I believed in every twist and turn of their unconventional love story. And my goodness, I fell in love with them both – two damaged people having found hope and joy in such an impossible situation…It’s an all-consuming love story unlike any other I’ve ever read – and I adored every single moment.”

This was always my number one from an author whose books I always love – but Five Things I Love About You came a very close second…

The Monday Night Heartbreak Club by Jane Lovering

“As always with the author’s books, there’s plenty of laughter – the cast of quirky characters is just wonderful… But there are some tremendously touching moments too – there were several times when Fee’s hopelessness absolutely broke my heart. There’s also a really touching developing romance – some tangible support for Fee when she needs it so much, but although the loveliest man he certainly has his own rather different personal challenges too. And this is a book with some rather darker edges – in particular a significant moment that took me entirely by surprise, quite shocking and exceptionally well handled. With the most wonderful friendships, a focus on the possibility of changing your life and recognising your own worth, that gentle love story running through it, and a group of very real individuals I grew to love, I adored this book. The balance of light and darkness is perfect, as are all the emotional touches – a story that really touched my heart…”

It really wouldn’t be a Books of the Year post without a book from Jane – and, if it wasn’t for my rules, Once Upon a Thyme could well have made the list too…

One December Morning by Emma Davies

“The way (this story) unfolded was one of the loveliest pieces of writing I’ve read in a long time. There’s a touch of magic, an experience that might or might not have happened, beautifully handled – and the story continues as Peg becomes pivotal in the lives of Henry and his family, the experience changing all their lives and bringing happiness in the most unexpected ways. The characters are wonderfully developed – very real people in every way, both good and not so good – and the dynamics of families explored. Lives are transformed, through acts of extraordinary kindness – and Peg and Henry find that the initial spark between them that they both felt might be able to find a way to develop… That one central relationship, developing slowly, was one I really believed in – finding joy, and the possibility of new beginnings – while gently helping provide a fresh start for others who need it just as much… Tremendously uplifting, deeply moving, beautifully written, a story I adored and that will stay with me for some time…”

Yes, it is a Christmas read – but it’d be equally wonderful whenever you read it. And I could also very easily have included Emma’s other book this year, The Midnight Bakery…

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And that postscript I mentioned – four books I failed to review, with links to their Amazon pages so you can find out more? Two of them were book club choices, which I rarely review, but far too good not to mention – Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River, and The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr. And the two others were read ahead of my long Autumn break, both books I really loved, but I left it far too long to be able to write meaningful reviews – Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James, and The Best of Intentions by Caroline Scott (and sincere apologies to both authors…).

Apologies to all the wonderful authors whose books I couldn’t include – but I’m sure you’ll already know from my reviews how much pleasure they brought me. As well as thanks to all the authors whose books I’ve enjoyed (and, of course, their publishers), I must thank everyone who has continued to support me throughout another fantastic year of reading and reviewing – tour organisers, fellow bloggers, readers and friends. Happy New Year everyone – and happy reading!