Top Ten Tuesday is a listicle created by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was created from a love of lists, books and creating bookish friends. Each Tuesday she assigns a new topic for others to join in with. Here is where you can learn more information about Top Ten Tuesday. Ad/Affiliate – Some of these books have affiliate links, you can read my disclaimer here.
I didn’t read as many books as I normally do in 2025 as I was really busy with work, and I had a bit of a reading slump! However, in the second half of the year, I utilised the library more and found some good books. As I only read 22 books this year, sharing my top 10 feels a bit unbalanced so instead I will be sharing my top 5 favourite books of 2025.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
StoryGraph synopsis:
Ageing and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
What I Thought:
I read this book back in February and enjoyed it so much that I read it within 24 hours! It was so well written, and such an engaging story that had be captured from beginning to end.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
StoryGraph synopsis:
Lila wrote a bestseller about keeping your marriage alive, before discovering her ex was playing happy families with another woman. A woman she sees everyday at school pick-up.
Bill, her stepdad, moved in after Lila’s mum died. He’s kind, old-fashioned and driving her absolutely nuts.
Celie, Lila’s eldest, hates school. Hates it so much she’s stopped going. Her mother’s fine with that – because she doesn’t know yet.
Violet is nine and sings age-inappropriate rap songs, laughs at fart jokes and Lila dearly hopes she’ll never, ever change.
And Truant the dog, who has just bitten the American actor who’s suddenly landed on the Kennedys’ doorstep.
This is Gene – Lila’s estranged father, and no one’s idea of a role model. He walked out on Lila and her mum years ago – and wherever he goes domestic discord follows.
Because Gene’s presence changes things in unexpected ways. Soon the girls discover a kindred spirit in a man always chasing life’s joy. Bill even loosens up. And Lila finds herself, astonishingly, dating.
What I Thought:
I always love reading Jojo Moyes’ books and find it hard to put them down. This book was the same, and whilst there were quite a few characters to keep up with I didn’t ever feel lost. The character’s lives were so intertwined that it worked well, and it was great to read them develop as the story went on.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Expectation by Anna Hope
StoryGraph synopsis:
What happened to the women we were supposed to become?
Hannah, Cate and Lissa are young, vibrant and inseparable. Living on the edge of a common in East London, their shared world is ablaze with art and activism, romance and revelry – and the promise of everything to come. They are electric. They are the best of friends.
Ten years on, they are not where they hoped to be. Amidst flailing careers and faltering marriages, each hungers for what the others have. And each wrestles with the same question: what does it take to lead a meaningful life?
What I Thought:
Another book I really enjoyed was Expectation by Anna Hope. The story focuses on three young women, who ten years on, are in completely different points of their lives. It had emotional storylines but ones that are important, and I’d especially recommend to anyone in their 20s.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
StoryGraph synopsis:
When Margaret Ives, the famously reclusive heiress, invites eternal optimist Alice Scott to the balmy Little Crescent Island, Alice knows this is it: her big break. And even more rare: a chance to impress her family with a Serious Publication.
The catch? Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud, Hayden Anderson, is sure of the same thing.
The proposal? A one-month trial period to unearth the truth behind one of the most scandalous families of the 20th Century, after which she’ll choose who’ll tell her story.
The problem? Margaret is only giving each of them tantalising pieces. Pieces they can’t put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.
And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story – just like the tale Margaret’s spinning – could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad … depending on who’s telling it.
What I Thought:
This was my favourite book of 2025, which is no surprise as I am a huge fan of Emily Henry’s books! It was a very similar storyline to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in that you sort of read Margaret’s life story as Alice and Hayden are interviewing her through their eyes rather than hers. What I loved even more in this book was that there was more than one story going on through the book.
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Continue reading: My favourite books of 2025
Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas
StoryGraph synopsis:
Jemima Jones is driving home to her family’s magical hill-top farm for Christmas…
And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima must pull on her winter wellies and get stuck in.
Amid the chaos of chasing after escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming, retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa’s helper.
With a sprinkle of festive cheer and a dash of goodwill, might the community pull together to help save the farm in time for Christmas?
What I Thought:
Christmas at Hollybush Farm was the perfect cosy book to end the year with. I got through it rapidly, and although I could sense the romance coming between the main character, it was nice to see other relationships develop as well. The book has got me craving one of the infamous jacket potatoes!
My rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Other notable books I enjoyed:
There were a few other books I enjoyed but weren’t quite 5 stars!
- Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez – This was the first book I’d read by Jimenez, and I’ve already got another reserved from the library.
- Letters From the Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop – I loved how gentle and relaxing this book was to read, especially when the characters were picking out stationery to use.
- The Butterfly Isles by Patrick Barkham – I’ve been dipping in and out of this books for a couple of years and finally managed to finish it in 2025! I loved reading Barkham’s journey to seeing all of the UK butterfly species.
Shop all the books I read in 2025 below
What were your favourite books of 2025?
Caroline ♡
I really want to read that Taylor Jenkins Reid as I loved one of her other books, ‘Malibu Rising’. I like the sound of the other books you’ve read in 2025 also!
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I have read 3 of these books and enjoyed them all. I love to see other reader’s choices!
I’m glad you liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo so much. A couple of years ago I heard a rumour that there was a film version of it in the works. Here’s hoping it happens.