2025 has already delivered some unforgettable fiction, from high-stakes fantasies to deeply moving contemporary novels. Whether you’re looking for a heart-wrenching family saga, an edge-of-your-seat thriller, or a sweeping romance, this list has something for every reader.
Here are the top 10 must-read fiction books of 2025 (so far)—all packed with compelling characters, immersive storytelling, and unmissable moments.
1. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Fantasy / Romance
Rebecca Yarros is back with another explosive entry in The Empyrean series. Onyx Storm picks up where Iron Flame left off, throwing Violet Sorrengail into even more danger, deception, and dragon-fueled warfare.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ High-stakes fantasy with intricate world-building
✅ A swoon-worthy romance
✅ Political intrigue and shocking betrayals
If you loved Fourth Wing, this is a must-read sequel.
Read Onyx Storm on Audible. (Affiliate link)
2. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Adichie delivers another masterpiece with Dream Count, a multi-layered novel exploring the intertwined lives of four women navigating love, ambition, and cultural identity.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Stunning prose and emotional depth
✅ Thought-provoking themes of immigration and belonging
✅ Characters that stay with you long after the final page
If you’re a fan of literary fiction that makes you feel, this one’s for you.
Get Dream Count on Audible. (Affiliate link)
3. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
Genre: Literary Fiction / Family Drama
Anne Tyler masterfully captures the messy, beautiful reality of family life in this intimate, slice-of-life novel about a mother-of-the-bride navigating complicated relationships in the days leading up to her daughter’s wedding.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Relatable characters and realistic family dynamics
✅ A heartwarming, humorous exploration of love and connection
✅ Tyler’s signature storytelling—effortless and deeply moving
Perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Elizabeth Strout.
Listen to Three Days in June on Audible. (Affiliate link)
4. We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
Genre: Women’s Fiction / Contemporary Fiction
A beautifully told story about second chances, We All Live Here follows Lila Kennedy as she struggles to rebuild her life after a failed marriage—only to have her estranged father return, forcing her to confront old wounds.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Heartfelt and emotionally resonant
✅ Themes of forgiveness and family healing
✅ Jojo Moyes’ signature storytelling magic
A great pick for fans of Me Before You.
Read We All Live Here on Audible. (Affiliate link)
5. Isola by Allegra Goodman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Inspired by real events, Isola is an unforgettable historical novel about a young woman stranded on a deserted island in the 16th century. Survival, forbidden love, and fate intertwine in this breathtaking story.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Rich historical details and atmospheric writing
✅ A powerful female protagonist
✅ Themes of survival and resilience
If you enjoyed Circe or The Island of Missing Trees, this one is for you.
Get Isola on Audible. (Affiliate link)
6. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
Genre: Family Saga / Historical Fiction
A multi-generational epic, Good Dirt unearths family secrets and explores the emotional legacy passed down through generations.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Beautiful, lyrical writing
✅ A powerful family narrative
✅ Deeply emotional and layered
A perfect read for fans of The Vanishing Half.
Listen to Good Dirt on Audible. (Affiliate link)
7. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Genre: Psychological Thriller
In this gripping thriller, a writer’s wife disappears—only for him to spot her in the crowd a year later. But is it really her, or just someone who looks exactly like her?
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Twisty and full of suspense
✅ Dark secrets and unreliable narrators
✅ A shocking ending you won’t see coming
If you loved Gone Girl or The Silent Patient, you’ll devour this.
Get Beautiful Ugly on Audible. (Affiliate link)
8. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Genre: Romance / Contemporary Fiction
Emily Henry delivers another swoon-worthy romance about two rival writers who unexpectedly fall for each other while chasing the same dream.
Why You’ll Love It:
✅ Sharp, witty dialogue
✅ A lovable, slow-burn romance
✅ The perfect balance of humor and heart
If you adore Book Lovers and People We Meet on Vacation, this is a must-read.
Read Great Big Beautiful Life on Audible. (Affiliate link)
9. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Genre: Literary Fiction
A deeply poetic, emotionally raw novel about identity, grief, and human connection. Vuong’s writing is as breathtaking as ever.
Get The Emperor of Gladness on Audible. (Affiliate link)
10. When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi
Genre: Sci-Fi / Satire
A hilarious and thought-provoking look at what happens when the moon suddenly transforms into… cheese? Scalzi blends humor and high-concept sci-fi in a way only he can.
Listen to When the Moon Hits Your Eye on Audible. (Affiliate link)
Which of these 2025 books are you adding to your reading list? Let me know in the comments!
Bound to Books 
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