2025 Year in Review

by Donna Huber

Can you believe we are at the end of 2025? This year seemed to pass at a normal pace for me, not too fast and not too slow. I personally read a lot this year. Susan, MK, and I reviewed a lot of books. If I'm counting right, we did 377 posts - not all of these were reviews, but many of them contained multiple books reviewed. Whether you are a new reader of Girl Who Reads or maybe you missed a few posts along the way, I've rounded up our most popular reviews and other posts of 2025.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Some Bright Nowhere by Ann Packer ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

The bestselling, beloved author returns with her first novel in over a decade, an intimate and profoundly moving look at a long marriage and the ways in which a startling request can change a couple’s understanding of who they are, together and apart.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Eleven-year-old Miv is panicking. Life has been complicated since her mom got sick, and now her dad is talking about wanting to move their family away from the town Miv has lived in her whole life—because of the murders. Young women are dying, everyone is afraid, and no one knows who the culprit might be.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Daughter of Genoa by Kat Devereaux ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

A thrilling adventure set in the war-torn 1940s and inspired by true events, about a young woman who risks everything to help Jewish Italians flee the fascists, and falls in love with the brave aviator behind a daring secret rescue operation.  

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Instant Kitchen Meal Prep Cookbook by Coco Morante ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

I don't usually review cookbooks, but I wanted to use my Instapot (pressure cooker) and air fryer more. If your New Year's resolution is to cook at home more, create healthy meals for your family, or do meal prepping, then this is the book for you.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Day I Lost You by Ruth Mancini ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

A twisty thriller about a missing child and three adults whose shared secrets and hidden history could prove deadly.

“I need to report a crime. My baby has been stolen.”

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Merry Christmas! and Christmas Books I Still Hope to Read

by Donna Huber

It's Christmas! Did you get to read a lot of Christmas books this month? I would love to know what you read and which were your favorites. I'm almost finished with my last Christmas book that I had in my review pile for 2025, A Christmas Witness by Charles Todd. I'm still waiting for a few holds of Christmas books to come in at the library.

If you still want to read more Christmas books, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. 

Take a Closer Look at How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

by Donna Huber

Each year during the 25 Days of Christmas Reading, I like to dig deep into a literary Christmas favorite. The first year, I took a close look at A Christmas Carol. Last year, I learned some cool facts about the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This year, I decided to see what I could dig up on the children's classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.

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Christmas Hope series by Donna VanLiere

by Donna Huber

Many years ago, I had read one Christmas book by Donna VanLiere but I didn't realize it was part of a series. Them, MK reviewed one of her Christmas books and I discovered there was a whole series. I've been able to get a couple of the audiobooks through the library, and at a book sale recently, I picked up a couple of more. If you are looking for sweet stories about friends, family, and community, then this is the series to read. They are all relatively short, making them easy to squeeze in between all the holiday craziness.They can also be read as standalone novels.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McPherson, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McPherson family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate—if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Couple of Holiday Women's Fiction Books to Relax With

by Donna Huber

We are days away from Christmas! Have you finished everything on your list? If so, it's time to relax with a good holiday book.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Have Yourself a Mary Kay Andrews Christmas

by Susan Roberts

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors.  You can always depend on her books to bring a smile to your face and a happily ever after ending.  All of her Christmas books have been added to my Kindle to read in the next three weeks.  Here are highlights of her seven Christmas books.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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Legend by Karina Halle ~ a Review

by MK French

Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod Crane, and Brom Bones are working together to figure out the mystery of the Headless Horsemen and why Kat's family wants her to marry Brom and have his baby so badly. The three are entangled together, and can't help but feel the increasing feelings between them.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

5 Christian Christmas Romance Novels

by Donna Huber

If you are looking for clean holiday romance novels that also celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, here are 5 novels to read. 

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The World at Home by Ginny Kubitz Moyer ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

A coming-of-age story about a young woman discovering love, loss, and the power of her own creativity in World War II San Francisco.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Best Selling Holiday Fiction

by Donna Huber

We are a week away from Christmas! If you haven't started your Christmas reading, you need to get on that. Here are some of the best-selling ebooks in holiday fiction.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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The Queen Who Came in from the Cold by S.J. Bennett ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

1961, England.

The Queen is spending a night on board the royal train with her entourage and her sister, Princess Margaret. But before they reach their destination, an unreliable witness claims to have seen a brutal murder from one of the carriages.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Scary Ghost Stories and Tales of Christmases Long, Long Ago

By Donna Huber

The other day, I heard the song It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I listen to this song every year, but this year, the line "scary ghost stories" struck me. In Victorian times, it was customary for ghost stories to be shared around the fire during the holidays. The most famous, of course, being A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The song was written in 1963, so perhaps the tradition of ghost stories continued much longer into the 20th century. Though the Victorians shared any type of ghost story, not necessarily about Christmas, here are a few holiday-themed scary ghost stories for your Christmas reading.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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Books for Movie Buffs and Gamers

by MK French

As readers, we always want others around us to enjoy books too. Perhaps you have someone on your list that you want to be a reader but they haven't shown much interest in books. Sometimes, helping them find a book that ties in with something else they enjoy can start them on their reading journey. If you have a movie buff or a gamer on your list, these books would make great gifts.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Silent Night, Deadly Night by Armando Muñoz ~ a Review

by MK French

In 1971, five-year-old Billy Chapman watched a man dressed as Santa Claus kill his parents. Raised by a sadistic Catholic nun with his little brother, Billy is determined to live a normal life. In 1984, he was forced to dress as Santa Claus for the holidays to make ends meet. Still dressed as Santa, he snaps and goes on a rampage, punishing all those he deems naughty.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Books for Pet Lovers

by Donna Huber

Have you finished your holiday shopping? If not, and you have pet lovers on your list, these books would be perfect for them.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Family Fun and Reindeer Games

by Donna Huber

Kids will soon be home for the holidays. You don't want to be the parents in the song "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." (You know the lyric: "And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again".) If you have really young children, check out the list of current and classic Christmas books. If your kids are a little older, here are some fun books for the whole family to join in reindeer games.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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New Books in A Yuletide Creek Series by Kimberly Thomas

by Susan Roberts

Kimberly Thomas has new books in her holiday series that takes place in Yuletide Creek - a small town that really knows how to celebrate the Christmas season.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for honest reviews.

2 Mysteries to End the Year With

by MK French

Are you ready to settle in for a long winter's nap? These two mysteries are great for a cold, winter night. So grab a blanket and settle in with a book!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Crime and Christmas - 3 Christmas Crime Novels to Read

by Donna Huber

I used to think that Christmas books were only romances, but then I read a Christmas thriller, and I was hooked. I usually have a few Christmas mysteries on my reading list. If you want to try a little crime with your Christmas reading, check out these free reads*.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

5 Current and Classic Children Christmas Books

by Donna Huber

Do you have a favorite Christmas book from when you were a kid? Or perhaps you found a new favorite while reading with your children. I reviewed a new children's book for Christmas, plus I've rounded up some of my favorite classics. Whether you are looking for books to share with your kids or just want to skip down memory lane, check out this list.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Strength of Water by Karin K. Jensen ~ a Review

by MK French

King Ying grew up in 1920s Detroit with her parents and sisters, helping out with their laundry. The increasing debts during the Great Depression meant her father sent her and her siblings to his mother in a remote village in Guangdong Province of China. There, the family battled extreme poverty, hunger, and lack of education as the Japanese invaded and the Sino-Japanese War broke out. She managed to return to America and struggled to build a life for herself there.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

by Donna Huber

I live in the deep south, where we are more likely to be wearing short-sleeve shirts and sandals at Christmas time. In the 40 years I've lived in the south, I think we've only had a white Christmas a couple of times. (AI says the only year in the past century where my state had measurable snow for Christmas was in 2010). So I tend to lean towards Christmas books with snowy settings. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can read the ebooks for free!

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Murder on a Frosty Night by Verity Bright ~ a Review & Recipe

by Donna Huber

Wrapping presents and singing at midnight mass on a frosty night… Lady Swift is determined to enjoy Christmas at home this year, until another body turns up!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 New Christmas Romances to Relax With

by Susan Roberts

The Christmas season can get pretty hectic for all of us. Nothing is more relaxing this time of the year than a Christmas romance with a happily ever after ending.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for honest reviews.

3 Horror Novels You Won't Want to Put Down

by MK French

I know this time of year is all about being Merry and Bright, but with the cold, dark weather, you might be looking for something equally dark and cold. Maybe grab a plate of sugar cookies, as these horror novels will keep you glued to the pages. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Ho-ho-horror! Christmas horror short stories

by Donna Huber

I'm not a horror fan at all, but I find it interesting that there are Christmas horror stories. I kind of understand it because a few years ago, I read a terrific Christmas serial killer thriller. I saw these 3 Christmas horror books on the free list and thought I would share them if you are looking for a Christmas horror story. If you would rather just read a horror novel without Christmas, MK has 3 awesome horror novels to recommend later today.

If you are looking for more Christmas reading recommendations, be sure to check out all our 25 Days of Christmas Reading posst for reading lists, free ebooks, and other festive goodies every day until Christmas.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Come Home for Christmas by Matthew West ~ a Review & Excerpt

by Donna Huber

Come Home for Christmas invites listeners to enter the Christmas season with the intention of returning their hearts to God. In the midst of what can be the busiest and most stressful holiday season, each chapter points the listener to the kingdom realities that God invites each of us to participate in through the birth of Jesus. Matthew West's humor, Bible-teaching, and storytelling challenge us to embrace this season of Christmas as the homecoming that God intends for it to be.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Ten Christmases Without You by Jenny Hale ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

It’s Emmy Brewer’s tenth Christmas since she lost her mom, and without her, Emmy is floundering. Her job is pointless, and she struggles to find direction and passion. So when her sister invites Emmy’s childhood crush and former neighbor, Charlie Russell, to their family Christmas and he shows up, given her state, Emmy is anything but excited.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

All I Want for Christmas is a Hitman by Katie Reus ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Scout isn’t sure what to do with the stranger who showed up on her farm carrying a bag of cash and weapons—so she orders her llama to knock him out. But when her nasty neighbor shows up trying to cause trouble, the stranger takes over and keeps her safe so she figures she can trust him enough. If only he wasn’t so sexy and distracting…

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Days at the Torunka Café by Satoshi Yagisawa ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Tucked away on a narrow side street in Tokyo is the Torunka Café, a neighborhood nook where the passersby are as likely to be local cats as tourists. Its regulars include Chinatsu Yukimura, a mysterious young woman who always leaves behind a napkin folded into the shape of a ballerina; Hiroyuki Yumata, a middle-aged man who’s returned to the neighborhood searching for the happy life he once gave up; and Shizuku, the café owner’s teenage daughter, who is still coming to terms with her sister’s death as she falls in love for the first time.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Day 4 - Free Holiday Romance Novels

by Donna Huber

It is almost the weekend and the perfect time to snuggle under a blanket, in front of a fire, or with a hot beverage (or all 3) and a good book. Here are a few holiday romance ebooks that are free to read (at the time of this posting).

Don't miss out on our 25 Days of Christmas Reading where we feature reading lists, free ebooks, and other festive goodies every day until Christmas.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

2 New Fantasy Novels to Read Before the End of the Year

by MK French

We are in the final month of the year, and while things are starting to wind down, we still have a few new books to read. If you are looking to ring out the year with a little more fantasy, check out these two novels.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Day 3 - Cozy Crime-filled Christmas Reads

by Donna Huber

If you have followed me for very long, you know I'm not really a fan of romance novels. I do make an exception during the holidays, but I still can't binge-read solely holiday romances. So I like to have a few Christmas mysteries on hand for a change of pace. If you are an Amazon Prime member, these two ebooks are free to read, otherwise, they are just 99 cents!

Did you miss Days 1 and 2? Catch up on the 25 Days of Christmas Reading where we feature reading lists, free ebooks, and other festive goodies every day until Christmas.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Life can begin with a single story. You just have to Bring Your Own Book…For three decades, Grace supported her husband Frank’s passion for books, even though her own love for literature paled in comparison. Since his passing, the shelves echo longingly, and Grace's heartache has only grown.​

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

What's on My Christmas Reading List

by Donna Huber

It's Day 2 of the 25 Days of Christmas Reading, and I'm sharing the books on my Christmas reading list. Some are new books out this year that I held off reading until Christmas, others are books I either picked up for free over the years or books I saw at the library. 

I hope you will join us every day for Christmas reading recommendations, free ebooks, or some other festive goodies. If you do miss a day, you can catch up at this link: Christmas Reading. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Hidden Seasons by Tristan Gooley ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

In The Hidden Seasons, Tristan Gooley shows us how to read the clues that the sun, moon, stars, plants, fungi, animals, water and weather give us - but that we continually miss, because we don't know how and where to look.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

It's Time for the 25 Days of Christmas Reading!

by Donna Huber

We are kicking off our 3rd Annual 25 Days of Christmas Reading. Each day, we will feature reading recommendations, free ebooks, or some other festive goodies. If you aren't into reading Christmas books, we will still have reviews of new and recent releases throughout the month. Keep up with all the Christmas Reading posts and check out the past two years as well. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Enigma Trilogy by Kim Idynne ~ a Review

by MK French

Do you like binge-reading a finished series? The holidays can be a good time to lose yourself in a new series, so if this series hasn't made it on your radar, now is the time to pick up all three books.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Lie She Wears by Elle Marr ~ a Review

by MK French

Museum curator Pearl Davis was never close to her mother, Sally, and is surprised by the letter she gets when her mother suddenly dies. In the letter, Sally confesses to murder. At first, it seems like a story, but there are human remains in the garden. Other notes seem to be a warning, and there are more remains that Sally had hidden. Pearl has inherited her mother’s secrets, and they could be the death of her.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

15th Annual Holiday Book Buying Guide

by Donna Huber

Wow - 15 years! I started the very first year of Girl Who Reads, putting together a guide for books to buy the readers on your list. It is the only feature that I still regularly run, as it is a lot of fun to look back at what I've read over the year that I would recommend giving as a gift. It has changed just a little this year. I decided that I would go back to December 2025 to determine the books I would recommend. I always feel bad when I read an awesome book in December, and I've already done my guide. So here are the BEST books I've read since December 2025! 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Most of the books listed here were provided free for an honest review. 

Murder at Midwinter Farm by Helena Dixon ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A frosty country lane, snow-dusted Devon hills as far as the eye can see… and a local farmer vanished without a trace. Can Kitty Underhay solve this chilling mystery?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The French Effect by Patricia Sands ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

A hopeful and heartwarming journey that reminds us it’s never too late for a second chance.

France has a way of changing your mind ... and your heart ...

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Marriage Method by Mimi Matthews ~ a Review

by MK French

The Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine goal: to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women. Newspaper editor Miles Quincy starts to question the school’s intentions, so Penelope “Nell” Trewlove is tasked to distract him. It's supposed to be an easy mission, but Nell finds Miles too fascinating to resist and her visit to London coincides with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters. The two are soon caught in a compromising situation, and agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 Christmas Romance Novels to Kick Off the Holiday Season

by Donna Huber

Have you started on your Christmas reading list? I've seen people on social media requesting recommendations of books to read for Christmas. Before I was a book reviewer, I was strict about not starting Christmas books until after Thanksgiving dinner. But since they start coming out in September, I've been a little more relaxed on that, though I still have a long list of ones to start reading Thursday evening. Whether you are just starting to build your list or you are ready to start the binge reading, you don't want to miss these two books.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.