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Best Books of 2025 So Far: My God Tier Reads

Updated: May 26

I’ve read over 160 books so far in 2025 (yes I know it’s only May ... and yes I do actually sleep) so when I say these are the best books of 2025 so far? I mean these are god tier to me.


If you're into unhinged FMCs, morally grey monsters, magical worlds, or just some damn good escapism then this list is for you. Each book has a quick summary below, plus the tropes I lived for.


If you're nosy for more, you can click through to my full reviews on Goodreads, which I have linked at the end of each summary.


Click the book title to jump to the book or scroll down to read each one (these are listed in the order I read them):


Open book, cup of coffee, and flowers on a cozy beige blanket. Lit candle and roses in the background create a warm, relaxing atmosphere.


Marrow by Trisha Wolfe


Blue flowers and butterflies adorn a ribcage on a black background. Large blue text reads "MARROW." Names "Trisha Wolfe, Brynne Weaver" below.

Two rival serial killers with a shared obsession and too much chemistry for comfort. Jack is a cold, calculating killer hiding behind a forensic career. Kyrie is the wildcard he didn’t see coming. Their games get messy - in all the best ways.


Tropes: 

  • Rival serial killers

  • Enemies to lovers

  • Grumpy & sunshine

  • Pierced MMC

  • Age gap


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Shadowed Heart by Candace Wondrak


Blonde woman with glowing eyes and ornate skeleton mask, vibrant purple and blue hues. Text: "Shadowed Heart" by Candace Wondrak.

Lola is a vigilante serial killer who becomes the captive (and possibly the chaos-loving queen) of a crime family after she offs the wrong guy. This one’s bloody, sexy, and batshit crazy ... in the best way.


Tropes:

  • Dark romance

  • Reverse harem

  • Serial killer FMC

  • Revenge


Check out my Goodreads review here.



A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair


A woman in a hood with braided hair stares intensely. Red leaves surround her. Text reads "Melissa Blair," "A Broken Blade," "The Halfling Saga."

Keera is the King’s top assassin but when she’s sent after a mysterious rebel, her loyalties start to unravel. With a fae realm, hidden truths, and a sapphic slow burn, this is a brutal and beautiful ride.


Tropes: 

  • Fantasy romance

  • Morally grey FMC

  • Enemies to lovers

  • Slow burn

  • Political intrigue


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Kingdom of Faewood by Krista Street


Book cover titled "Kingdom of Faewood" with antlers, blue and green foliage. Text reads "Fae of Woodlands & Wild 1," and author Krista Street.

A fae with rare powers gets kidnapped by a masked outlaw who promises her freedom ... for a price. Cue magical realms, forbidden truths, and a "touch her and die" love interest.


Tropes: 

  • Fantasy romance

  • Forced proximity

  • Morally grey MMC

  • Grumpy x sunshine

  • Touch her and die


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Seduction of a Psychopomp by Elsie Winters


Hooded figure and a blonde woman embrace amid ravens on a green background. Text: "Seduction of a Psychopomp" by Elsie Winters.

A woman about to die strikes a deal to marry Death himself. Her new reaper husband is shy, sexy, and completely clueless about romance. This one’s soft, sweet, and surprisingly steamy.


Tropes: 

  • Paranormal romance

  • Arranged marriage

  • Caretaking

  • Dual POV

  • Shy MMC

  • Cozy vibes


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Nightshade by Autumn Woods


Book cover with the title "Nightshade" by Autumn Woods. Gothic window, flowers, and text "An Academic Romance" in a dark, moody setting.

Dark academia with mafia vibes. A girl looking for revenge at a haunted Scottish uni crosses paths with the son of the man she suspects killed her parents. Enemies to lovers with knives and secrets.


Tropes: 

  • Dark academia

  • Romantic suspense

  • Mystery

  • Enemies to lovers


Check out my Goodreads review here.



A Legacy of Light by Amy Reading


Ornate silver pendant with green gem, surrounded by swirling smoke and leaves, set against a dark green background. Text reads: "A Legacy of the Light, Amy Reading."

Thrown into a hidden Seelie realm, Elsie finds herself at the heart of a magical war and caught in the orbit of a dreamy crown prince. Inspired by Scottish folklore and dripping in slow burn tension.


Tropes: 

  • Romantic fantasy

  • Scottish folklore

  • Friends to lovers

  • Found family

  • Slow burn


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Spark the Flames by Ivy Asher


Book cover with a dragon silhouette over a cityscape, surrounded by clouds and flames on a pink and gold background. Text reads "Spark the Flames: Secret of the Syphon" by Ivy Asher.

A dragon shifter with a tragic past is dragged back to the city that destroyed her world. She’s not just there to survive, she’s there for revenge. And she’s not alone anymore.


Tropes: 

  • High fantasy romance

  • Dragon shifters

  • Enemies to lovers

  • Tragic backstory

  • Found family


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Of Light & Freedom by Rachel Fallon


Fantasy book cover with colorful dragons in a starry sky, above a golden palace. Text: "The Star Queen Chronicles, Of Light and Freedom, Rachel Fallon."

Book two of a rich fantasy series. Asteria’s powers are growing and chaos is rising. With a dragon-shifting shadow daddy and kingdoms at war, this one has high stakes and high spice.


Tropes: 

  • High fantasy romance

  • Fated mates

  • Political intrigue

  • Dragon & fae

  • Slave rebellion


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry


Floral vines encircle the title "Shield of Sparrows" on a dark green background. Text above reads "Fear the monsters we make." Moony atmosphere.

A reluctant princess turned runaway bride joins forces with a monster hunter. There’s magic, myths, cursed realms ... and a love story blooming in the ashes of rebellion.


Tropes: 

  • Romantasy

  • Enemies to lovers

  • Arranged marriage

  • Magic and myths

  • Slow burn


Check out my Goodreads review here.



What Blooms from Death by SM Gaither


Book cover with a castle in a mystical landscape, surrounded by swirling patterns. Text: "What Blooms From Death" by S.M. Gaither. Dark, magical theme.

A necromancer princess and a cursed Light King trapped in the underworld must work together to break a deadly curse. It's broody, it's magical, and it gave me feels.


Tropes: 

  • Romantasy

  • Enemies to lovers

  • Opposites attract

  • Kickass FMC

  • Slow burn

  • Revenge


Check out my Goodreads review here.



Deadwood by Karley Brenna


A mysterious book cover for "Deadwood" shows a magical bottle entwined with branches. Text reads "Magic is alive, and sometimes it bites."

Auria has spent her life locked away and used as a pawn by her tyrant father. But when a forced engagement leads her into the outlaw town of Deadwood, she discovers the legends of fae and dragons are real ... and so is the danger. Especially when the one man her father fears most seems to have his sights set on her.


Tropes:

  • Fantasy Romance

  • Forced Marriage

  • Grumpy Dragons

  • Wild West Vibes

  • Found Family



Thoughts On My Best Books of 2025 (so far anyway)?


Which ones have you read? And which ones am I missing that I need to get on my list immediately?


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© 2024 by Maria Foy | Happy Mum Happy Child. All Rights Reserved.

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