Reviewing the First 5 Books I’ve Read in 2025
Let’s review all 5 books I’ve read so far in 2025! It has been a great year for reading so far—I’ve tackled five books across a mix of genres, including romance, fantasy, thrillers, and historical fiction. Since I have my book club today, I wanted to also share my thoughts with all of you! If you love reading too, join me and my book club for our reading list for 2025!
Hey there! Just so you know, some links on this page are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy something, I earn a tiny commission, at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support Tiffy Cooks and keep our kitchen cooking. Thanks for the love!
Celebrating My Birthday with Book Club
This birthday week was special in a lot of ways. I celebrated my birthday with friends and family during our book club night, and it honestly couldn’t have been more perfect. I made Steak Uni Rice Bowls — rich, buttery, and a little indulgent, which felt just right for the occasion. We all gathered around the table, chatting about books, life, and everything in between. It was comforting and warm, exactly what I needed for my first birthday without my dad. Sharing it with the people I love made the night unforgettable. Plus, I’ve been reading some amazing books this year that I’m excited to share with you!
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
Our first book of this year is You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao. This book absolutely destroyed me. It’s an emotional journey about love, loss, and grief, following Julie as she struggles to move on after her boyfriend, Sam, unexpectedly passes away. The twist? She discovers she can still talk to him through the phone.
From the first page to the last, I cried non-stop. The way grief is portrayed in this book is so raw and real. Even though I was emotionally wrecked for days afterward, I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys deeply moving stories. If you’re going through something similar or just love a good cry, this book is for you. But seriously—get some tissues ready.
⭐ 4.5/5 Stars
“An Instant New York Times Bestseller!
If I Stay meets Your Name in Dustin Thao’s You’ve Reached Sam, a heartfelt novel about love and loss and what it means to say goodbye.”
The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas
I’m continuing my Throne of Glass journey, and next up was The Assassin’s Blade. Since I followed the romantic reading order, this was the fourth book I read in the eight-book series. This prequel consists of five mini-stories that provide more backstory on the main character, Celaena.
There’s always a debate about when to read this book, but I personally think reading it after the first three books was perfect. It gave me a deeper appreciation for Celaena’s character while offering a nice break from the main plot. It was absolutely heartbreaking but incredible! I don’t want to spoil anything, but this is one of my favorites in the series so far, and I’m so excited to continue reading the rest!
⭐ 5/5 Stars
“Bloomsbury presents The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas, read by Elizabeth Evans.
The twist of a knife. The birth of a legend.
Step into the world of the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas with this collection of prequel novellas.”
Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley is a sci-fi romance with a unique twist on time travel—it’s about bringing historical figures into the present and having them live alongside modern-day people as part of an experiment.
While it had some slow-burn romance elements, I’d say it leans more toward historical fiction. It was beautifully written, witty, and thought-provoking. If you enjoy books that make you reflect on self-identity and history, this one is for you.
⭐ 4/5 Stars
“This summer’s hottest debut.” —Cosmopolitan • “Witty, sexy escapist fiction [that] packs a substantial punch…Fresh and thrilling.” —Los Angeles Times • “Electric…I loved every second.” —Emily Henry
A time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy, and an ingenious exploration of the nature of power and the potential for love to change it all: Welcome to The Ministry of Time, the exhilarating debut novel by Kaliane Bradley.
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden was our book club pick this month, and since I loved The Housemaid (one of my favorite thrillers!), I was so excited to pick this one up.
This book is a rollercoaster of twists and turns. It’s fast-paced, keeps you guessing, and is the ultimate page-turner—I finished it in under five hours! However, at a certain point, the number of twists became a little too much, making it feel somewhat unbelievable. That said, the final plot twist still caught me off guard!
⭐ 3.85/5 Stars
A new, twisting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Teacher and The Housemaid!
She’s looking for the perfect man. He’s looking for the perfect victim.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Our last book is Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. I originally started this as an audiobook because it’s narrated by Meryl Streep—yes, THE Meryl Streep! I loved her narration, but I ended up switching to reading it because the past-present timeline jumps were a bit confusing in audio form.
This book is the definition of a very, very slow-burn romance, but it’s beautifully written. It’s set during the pandemic, where a mother tells her three daughters about her past love affair with a famous actor. It touches on her life in theater and old Hollywood.
This one is a slow, cozy read—think Gilmore Girls vibes. If you love literary fiction, you’ll adore this, but if you prefer fast-paced reads, this might not be for you.
⭐ 4/5 Stars
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK
In this beautiful and moving novel about family, love, and growing up, Ann Patchett once again proves herself one of America’s finest writers.
“Patchett leads us to a truth that feels like life rather than literature.” —The Guardian
Got Book Recs? Comment Below!
That’s it for my 2025 book wrap-up! Have you read any of these? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments below and your thoughts on what I should read next!
