In a reading slump? Here are the best new books coming out in 2025

The Examiner by Janice Hallett is a gripping mystery that blends dark humour and artistic chaos. At Royal Hastings University, six students enrol in a year-long art course that quickly descends into disarray. From the enigmatic Alyson and sharp-tongued Jem to the inept Patrick and overly confident Cameron, the group’s clashing personalities spark conflicts that escalate into sabotage, scandal, and a disastrous road trip.

Their final project—a collaborative art installation for a local manufacturer—takes a sinister turn when an external examiner suspects one of the students was murdered during the course. As he digs into the fractured dynamics and tangled secrets, the truth hinges on meticulous scrutiny of the evidence. Was it artistic passion gone awry, or cold-blooded murder?

In classic Hallett style, The Examiner is a cleverly constructed whodunit where every clue counts, and the clock is ticking for readers to solve the puzzle.

The Favourites by Layne Fargo is a dazzling and deeply emotional reimagining of Wuthering Heights, set against the glittering yet cutthroat world of elite figure skating. Katarina Shaw has loved skating more than anything—even more than Heath Rocha, her fiery and troubled partner on and off the ice. As childhood outcasts turned champion ice dancers, Kat and Heath mesmerized the world with their raw chemistry and rebellious artistry until a shocking event at the Olympics shattered their bond forever.

Now, ten years later, an unauthorized documentary threatens to reignite public fascination with their infamous partnership and scandalous fallout. Though Kat initially resists reopening old wounds, she can’t resist the pull to reclaim her story. Through her personal account of ambition, heartbreak, and her volatile connection with Heath—interwoven with juicy excerpts from the documentary—Kat reveals the haunting truths behind the headlines.

With its intoxicating blend of passion, ambition, and betrayal, The Favourites is an electrifying tale of love and obsession that explores the high stakes of chasing greatness—and the sacrifices it demands.

So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne is a darkly comedic and suspenseful exploration of friendship, envy, and the pressures of modern womanhood. Nicki, Lauren, Charlotte, and Steffi have shared years of friendship, but now their lives couldn’t be more different. When Charlotte insists on throwing an over-the-top baby shower for the reluctant and very pregnant Nicki, long-buried tensions boil over under the heat of a sweltering summer day.

As resentment, jealousy, and unspoken truths surface, the party takes a dramatic turn, ending in a fire that leaves everyone pointing fingers. Is the culprit Steffi, fiercely content with her child-free life but tired of her friends’ judgment? Charlotte, consumed by envy as she struggles with infertility? Lauren, grappling with the harsh realities of motherhood? Or could it even be Nicki herself, who never wanted the shower in the first place?

Told through the lens of a police investigation and the women’s unravelling friendships, So Thrilled For You is a sharp, twisty, and ultimately shocking tale of how envy and expectation can ignite even the closest bonds.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is the pulse-pounding continuation of the globally beloved Fourth Wing and Iron Flame series. After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail faces the harsh reality that the time for preparation is over. The battle has begun, and enemies lurk both outside the Aretian wards and within Navarre’s ranks. Trust is a luxury Violet can no longer afford.

As the wards weaken, Violet must venture into uncharted territories to rally allies for Navarre’s survival. It’s a journey fraught with danger, one that will test her intellect, strength, and resolve like never before. She’ll stop at nothing to protect the people and dragons she loves, even if it means harbouring a secret powerful enough to destroy everything she holds dear.

With an impending storm threatening devastation and stakes higher than ever, Violet knows one thing for sure: they need an army, magic, and the elusive truth only she can uncover. But in a world where every choice comes with a cost, survival is not guaranteed.

The Bad Bridesmaid by Rachael Johns is a hilarious and heartfelt romantic comedy about love, family, and the chaos of weddings. Winifred Darling—Fred to her friends—is a serial dater and self-proclaimed expert in avoiding heartbreak. With her book 21 Rules for Not Catching Feelings on the verge of release, Fred is less than thrilled to be the maid of honour at her mother’s sixth wedding. Determined to stop the nuptials, she teams up with Leo, the charmingly rebellious son of the groom, to execute “Operation Break-Up.”

Their shared mission to sabotage the wedding takes unexpected turns as Fred and Leo find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Suddenly, Fred’s no-nonsense rules about romance are put to the test, and she’s forced to confront the messy, magical truth about love.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of an island wedding, The Bad Bridesmaid is a delightful tale of second chances, unexpected connections, and realizing that the best love stories often break all the rules.

Set in the glittering yet decaying world of Belle Haven’s elite, Somebody Down There Likes Me is a gripping tale of wealth, corruption, and buried secrets. As the Gulch family’s empire teeters on the brink of collapse, Kick is reluctantly drawn back into the privileged world she once fled, while her brother Lincoln schemes to cement his own power. Their parents, Honey and Fax, scramble to maintain their illusion of control as years of fraud and crime catch up with them.

But as the past resurfaces, so does the mystery of Kick’s missing friend—forcing the Gulches to confront the devastating cost of their silence. Dark, razor-sharp, and intoxicating, Somebody Down There Likes Me is a searing portrait of privilege, deception, and the twisted bonds of family loyalty.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes is a poignant and uplifting story about family, forgiveness, and finding strength in unexpected places. Lila Kennedy’s life is in shambles: her marriage has crumbled, her rebellious daughters are testing her patience, her dilapidated house is a ticking time bomb, and her once-bright writing career is in freefall. To top it off, her elderly stepfather has quietly settled into her home, adding to the chaos.

When her estranged father—a man who abandoned the family decades ago to chase Hollywood dreams—suddenly reappears, Lila is convinced it’s just one more disaster to handle. But as the past and present collide, Lila begins to discover that even the most fractured families can hold unexpected wisdom and love.

With Moyes’ signature blend of humour and heart, We All Live Here explores the complexities of family bonds and the transformative power of second chances.

Yearning for another ice hockey romance after Icebreaker? Queen of the steamy rom-com Tessa Bailey has the answer, and this time it’s all about professional hockey player Sig and manic pixie dream girl Chloe.

A steamy chance encounter turns awkward after the pair discover their parents are engaged – because let’s be honest, ‘future step-siblings’ kind of complicates things. Despite knowing nothing more than a friendship can exist between the two, the chemistry is undeniable in Dream Girl Drama as their relationship continues amid developing family drama.

“The fiercest, most powerful adult debut of 2025,” is quite the sell, but Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is making headlines for all the right reasons as it hits shelves in 2025.

In Hungerstone, a gothic reimagining of Carmilla, Lenore’s life as the wife of a powerful steel magnate is unravelling. When a tragic accident introduces the enigmatic Carmilla into her world, Lenore is drawn to her in ways she never expected—just as young women in the nearby villages begin to waste away.

As she prepares for her husband’s grand hunting party, Lenore must navigate her growing desires, the eerie decay of their remote estate, and a darkness that threatens to consume her entirely. S

et against the wild beauty of the Peak District and the relentless hunger of the Industrial Revolution, Hungerstone is a haunting tale of longing, power, and the dangers of unchecked desire.

Twenty years ago, a brutal murder shut down Fairport Village for good. Now, as the abandoned resort is set to be demolished, one final party turns deadly.

Eden Stafford has spent her life hearing the legends—anyone who enters Fairport Village is cursed to die. But she’s never believed in ghosts, only in the cruelty of her classmates, especially Caleb Durham and his clique. When another student turns up dead during the party, Eden knows it’s no accident. And when a faceless threat starts hunting down the survivors, she and her tormentors must work together to uncover the truth.

But can she really trust them? Or is she next?

From the Nobel Prize-winning author Abdulrazak Gurnah comes a powerful tale of love, betrayal, and the search for belonging in postcolonial East Africa.

Set in the 1990s in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, Theft follows three young people, Karim, Fauzia, and Badar, as they navigate the complexities of friendship, ambition, and social divides.

When an unjust accusation shatters Badar’s fragile place in the world, the trio’s loyalty is tested in ways that will shape their futures forever.

Step aboard the HMS Fairweather, a luxurious interstellar liner where minds are safely stored, bodies are replaceable, and murder should be impossible…until it isn’t.

When Detective Dorothy Gentleman wakes up in a borrowed body just as a fellow passenger is found dead, she’s thrust into a mystery far more sinister than the usual onboard schemes. With minds disappearing from the Library and a potential mastermind lurking in the shadows, Dorothy must untangle a web of secrets spanning centuries.

Blending classic cozy mystery charm with sharp sci-fi twists, Murder by Memory is perfect for fans of Becky Chambers, Dorothy Sayers, and locked-room whodunits with a cosmic twist.

Samantha knows there’s no such thing as the perfect guy…but Xavier Rush comes dangerously close. A devastatingly handsome veterinarian with Greek god looks and a soft spot for kittens? Yes, please. That is, until he opens his mouth and ruins everything. But when one unforgettable date changes everything, Samantha is forced to push him away—her family is in crisis, and love is the last thing she has time for.

Xavier should move on, but forgetting Samantha is impossible. And maybe, just maybe, one perfect night doesn’t have to be the end of their story.

A swoon-worthy, heartfelt romance about second chances, timing, and a love worth fighting for.

Love on the Air by Ash London is a sparkling enemies-to-lovers rom-com set in the fast-paced, drama-filled world of commercial radio. Alex York, a rising star in the industry, is used to running the show—until a career misstep sends her fleeing to a tropical island with no plan and dwindling funds.

When a dream breakfast radio gig lures her back, Alex vows to stay focused and unshakeable. But that’s easier said than done when her charming yet infuriating new boss and a slew of radio drama threaten to derail her carefully laid plans. Between clashes with her old-school CEO, sparring with a rival network nemesis, and navigating the world of celebrity musicians, Alex finds herself in the middle of a love story she never saw coming.

Filled with wit, heart, and a behind-the-scenes look at radio’s glitzy chaos, Love on the Air is a delightful tale of ambition, resilience, and unexpected romance.

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary is a witty and heartwarming romance that takes “lost at sea” to a whole new level. Lexi is in the mood for a carefree fling, while Zeke is a hopeless romantic looking for something real. A chance encounter at a pub leads to an electrifying one-night stand aboard a houseboat. But their morning-after awkwardness takes a turn when they discover the boat has drifted into the open sea.

With limited supplies and rising tensions, Lexi and Zeke are forced to work together to survive their unplanned maritime adventure. As the days stretch on, their connection deepens, and they begin to confront their fears, hopes, and the possibility of something more.

Will they make it back to dry land in one piece? And if they do, will their relationship survive the journey? Swept Away is an unforgettable story of love, survival, and finding yourself when you’re truly adrift.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and literary intrigue. Eternal optimist Alice Scott sees her invitation to Little Crescent Island by the elusive heiress Margaret Ives as the chance to prove herself—and secure her family’s admiration. But she isn’t the only one. Human thundercloud and Pulitzer winner Hayden Anderson has the same goal, setting the stage for a fierce (and increasingly flirtatious) rivalry.

Margaret’s proposal? A one-month trial where Alice and Hayden uncover her family’s scandalous history, with the winner earning the right to tell the story. The twist? Margaret is only offering fragments of the truth, bound by strict NDAs that leave Alice and Hayden piecing together a puzzle they can’t share. As the tension between them grows, so does the spark, complicating everything.

With razor-sharp wit and an undercurrent of yearning, Great Big Beautiful Life explores the power of storytelling, the secrets we keep, and the thin line between competition and connection. Will Alice and Hayden uncover the truth—and each other—in time?

When Marnie Sellick stumbles into a job at the coveted beauty brand rytuał cosmetica, it feels like her luck has finally turned. The products are flawless, the office is dripping in millennial pink perfection — and the brand’s magnetic founder, Luna Peters, has taken Marnie under her wing.

But beneath the glossy surface, something sinister is stirring. Luna’s influence over her all-female staff borders on obsession, and the infamous Friday Night Drinks hide more than just cocktails and company gossip.

As Marnie is drawn deeper into Luna’s world, she begins to question where ambition ends and devotion begins. Is she chasing success — or being lured into something much darker?

Sloane Caraway is a liar.

They’re just little lies — harmless, she tells herself. A new job title here, a better backstory there. Small tweaks to make her life seem a little shinier, a little more like the one she’s always wanted.

But one impulsive lie, claiming to be a nurse to comfort a stranger’s child, lands her a dream job as nanny to the Lockharts: Jay, Violet, and their seemingly perfect life in a brownstone straight out of a magazine. Summers on a private island, designer clothes, exclusive schools… Sloane wants it all, and she’ll lie her way to keep it.

But perfection comes at a price. The Lockharts have secrets of their own — and the closer Sloane gets, the more dangerous her game becomes.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a breathtaking journey into the lives of six astronauts training during the 1980s space shuttle era. Joan Goodwin, a brilliant astrophysics professor, joins the prestigious Johnson Space Center program, where she finds herself surrounded by an eclectic and inspiring cohort: daring Top Gun pilots Hank Redmond and John Griffin, determined mission specialist Lydia Danes, warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald, and enigmatic aeronautical engineer Vanessa Ford.

As Joan prepares for her first mission, she unexpectedly discovers a consuming passion for space exploration and a love that challenges her deepest beliefs about her purpose in the universe. But in December 1984, during mission STS-LR9, a single moment changes everything, leaving Joan to grapple with her ambitions, relationships, and the price of living beyond limits.

With Reid’s signature ability to evoke iconic eras and craft deeply human stories, Atmosphere is an emotional and transcendent exploration of love, courage, and the power of reaching for the stars—both literally and figuratively.