My 25 Most Anticipated Books of 2025
Happy New Year Book friends!
It’s that time of year, the time when we book lovers start anticipating what to add to our TBR’s for the upcoming year. I am sure by now that you have seen at least one most anticipated books of 2025 list, but I’m about to add another.
This list isn’t full of the buzziest books for 2025( although, there are quite a few on here), but it’s my own personal most anticipated books of 2025 list. Up until June.
This list has something for everyone: fantasy, women’s lit, Non-Fiction, YA, mystery, sci-fi, memoir and of course romance.
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January
1/7
James Golden, devastated by the loss of her twin brother, Johnny, returns to their small hometown to settle his affairs. Haunted by their shared past and a mysterious connection that refuses to fade, she begins to uncover unsettling secrets about Johnny’s life and the events leading up to his tragic death. As James grapples with grief and confronts her own long-buried feelings for Johnny’s best friend, she must decide which truths to reveal and which to keep hidden, forever altering her understanding of her brother and herself.
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1/14
Zelu, a disabled Nigerian writer struggling with career and personal setbacks, finds solace in writing “Rusted Robots,” a sci-fi epic unlike anything she’s created before. Unexpectedly, the novel becomes a sensation, catapulting Zelu into literary stardom. However, this newfound fame forces her to confront the complexities of her identity, the meaning of success, and the unintended consequences of her creation as “Rusted Robots” begins to influence the very future it depicts.
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1/14
In 1862, Sarah Bonetta Forbes, a former African princess enslaved by the British, seeks revenge against the Crown. She infiltrates Victorian high society, manipulating Queen Victoria’s inner circle and forming alliances with a dangerous criminal. Her plan involves exploiting the affections of Prince Albert, but Queen Victoria counters with a marriage proposal, threatening Sally’s freedom. As the stakes rise and her wedding day nears, Sally must choose between her desire for vengeance and the possibility of a life beyond the shadow of the Crown, a choice that may cost her everything, including her heart.
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1/28
Ten-year-old Ebby witnessed her brother’s murder and the destruction of a precious heirloom, a centuries-old jar passed down from an enslaved ancestor. The unsolved crime continues to haunt her, especially when her public romance implodes, thrusting her family back into the media spotlight. Ebby escapes to France, only to find her past following her. As she grapples with grief and the loss of the jar, she begins to suspect it held more than just family history – perhaps even the key to her own future
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1/21
Violet Sorrengail, a dragon rider facing imminent war, must venture beyond her war college to forge alliances and find the strength to protect her people. Betrayal and deception abound as she navigates treacherous terrain and faces unforeseen dangers. To save her dragons, her family, and her home, Violet must uncover a crucial secret, even if it means risking everything. A fierce and epic battle awaits, where survival hangs in the balance.
Note this is book 3 in a series best read in order. Learn more here about the Empyran series.
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1/28
Perry’s Black in Blues explores the profound connection between Blackness and the color blue. From the indigo dyes of West Africa to the blues music born from pain and joy, Perry weaves a tapestry of history, art, and personal reflection. She examines how blue embodies both hope and melancholy, reflecting the complexities of the Black experience. Through this exploration, Perry transcends political discourse, offering a deeply moving and insightful meditation on race and identity.
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February
2/4
Scarlett Vandermeer, a Stanford diver recovering from injury, focuses on academics and her Olympic dream, dismissing relationships. Lukas Blomqvist, a world-champion swimmer, is driven by discipline and winning. Seemingly opposites, they form an unexpected arrangement: a casual, mutually beneficial fling. As the Olympic pressure mounts, their connection deepens, blurring the lines of their agreement. Scarlett discovers that avoiding Lukas is impossible, and her heart may be in deeper water than she anticipated.
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2/11
In 1959, Freda Gilroy arrives at Fisk University, eager to embrace her family’s legacy. However, the realities of Jim Crow South force her to confront social injustice, leading to difficult choices between personal ambition and the fight for civil rights. Decades later, her daughter Tulip, a successful PR professional, faces similar dilemmas in 1992 Chicago, grappling with the weight of history and the urgent need for social change. Both women must navigate the complexities of their personal lives and their responsibility to their community, ultimately deciding how much they are willing to sacrifice for justice.
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2/11
In 1999 New York, childhood friends Sal and Charo navigate their dreams. Sal, a science nerd haunted by his past in Santo Domingo, seeks escape in a new city. Charo, unexpectedly a mother, struggles with a controlling partner and a mundane life. When Sal finds love in the city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, their lives intertwine with a new community. This unexpected connection forces them to confront their pasts, desires, and the evolving nature of their friendship, pushing them to redefine their futures
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2/4
In 1919, Jessie Redmon Fauset, a brilliant young teacher, joins The Crisis magazine as literary editor, becoming the first Black woman to hold such a prestigious position. There, she discovers and mentors literary giants like Langston Hughes and Nella Larsen, shaping the Harlem Renaissance. However, her affair with the magazine’s founder, W. E. B. Du Bois, threatens her career and reputation. As she navigates the complexities of her personal life and professional ambitions, Jessie must confront the challenges of love, ambition, and the enduring legacy of her groundbreaking work.
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March
3/4
The 3rd book in the Legendborn Cycle…
Bree Matthews, exiled from the Legendborn Order, has made a dangerous bargain with the Shadow King for power. Meanwhile, the Order faces internal strife and a series of mysterious attacks. As the threat escalates, Bree discovers that escaping her destiny and the consequences of her past is impossible.
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3/4
Sara returns home from a conference only to be detained by the Risk Assessment Administration. Their algorithm, analyzing her dreams, predicts she’ll harm her husband. Held in a “retention center” with other women accused of crimes based on their dreams, Sara faces an ever-shifting set of rules that prolong her captivity. Months blur as she fights to prove her innocence. The arrival of a new resident disrupts the facility, forcing Sara to confront the companies that control her fate and question the extent to which technology can truly predict our actions and define our identities.
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3/18
In Stephen Graham Jones’s chilling novel, a 1912 diary unearthed in a church wall reveals a decades-long massacre of the Blackfeet people. Told through the haunting voice of Good Stab, a Blackfeet man recounting his life in a series of interviews, the story unfolds as a chilling tale of revenge against those who wronged his ancestors. This is an American Indian revenge story that explores themes of historical trauma and the enduring power of the past.
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3/25
Pregnant and alone in a post-earthquake Portland, Annie faces a terrifying journey home. With no phone, money, or way to contact her husband, she navigates a city in chaos, encountering both the worst and the best of humanity. As she walks, Annie reflects on her failing marriage and the anxieties of impending motherhood, determined to rebuild her life if she can only survive.
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April
4/1
Samantha falls for Xavier, a stunning vet, despite his initial foot-in-mouth disease. Their first date is magical, but Samantha must end it due to a family crisis. Devastated, she begs him to forget her and cherish the memory. However, their connection proves too strong to ignore. Samantha realizes that true love might not be about perfection, but about creating a life worth remembering, even amidst challenges.
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4/8
Avery, a reserved and successful woman in her late twenties, yearns for a more adventurous life. Seeking guidance, she enlists the help of the charismatic and flirtatious Taylor to teach her the art of seduction. Their weekly lessons unexpectedly spark an undeniable attraction, pushing both women to confront their desires and insecurities. As their feelings deepen, they must navigate the complexities of their newfound connection and the fear of losing something precious before it truly begins.
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4/22
“Matriarch” by Tina Knowles-Lawson is a captivating memoir that chronicles her extraordinary life journey. From her childhood in 1950s Galveston to becoming the matriarch of a globally renowned family, Tina shares her triumphs and tribulations with honesty and grace. This intimate and revealing story explores themes of family, love, loss, and perseverance, offering a glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman who raised superstar children while forging her own path to success and self-discovery.
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4/22
Alice, an aspiring writer, and Hayden, a renowned biographer, compete to write the life story of the reclusive heiress Margaret Ives. Confined to a secluded island for a month, they must charm Margaret while navigating their own attraction and the enigmatic pieces of the heiress’s past. As their professional rivalry intensifies, they discover Margaret’s story is as complex and unpredictable as their own burgeoning relationship, with the truth hinging on who ultimately gains her trust.
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4/22
In 1865, freedmen Harrison and Tirzah are separated by circumstance and prejudice. Their descendants carry the weight of this heartbreak through generations, facing racism and societal barriers. In 2019, Ardelia and Oliver, descendants of Harrison and Tirzah respectively, fall in love. As they navigate their own relationship, they uncover the hidden histories of their families, confronting the legacy of the past and the enduring power of love and loss across time.
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May
5/13
Margaret’s idyllic childhood is shattered by a family secret. Years later, as a divorced mother herself, she grapples with the echoes of her past – the pain, the secrets, and the enduring love for her family. Navigating motherhood, co-parenting, and a new relationship, Margaret must confront the complexities of her own upbringing and find a way to break free from the patterns of the past, embracing the possibilities of the present.
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5/13
Hendrix Barry, a successful businesswoman with a fulfilling life, believes romance is a distraction. However, she’s captivated by Maverick Bell, a charismatic tech mogul who challenges her carefully constructed world. Their forbidden attraction ignites a passionate affair, forcing Hendrix to confront her desire for a deeper connection and question the limits she’s placed on her own happiness.
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5/6
Alice, a photographer who prefers to observe from the sidelines, returns to the lake where she spent a transformative summer as a teenager. There, she reunites with her grandmother and unexpectedly encounters Charlie, the subject of a famous photograph she took years ago. As their paths intertwine, Alice finds herself drawn to Charlie’s charm and the carefree spirit of their shared past. However, she must confront her fears of intimacy and vulnerability as she navigates a burgeoning romance and rediscovers the joy of simply being present in the moment.
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JUNE
6/3
Joan Goodwin, a renowned astrophysicist, unexpectedly answers the call to become one of NASA’s first female astronauts. At the Johnson Space Center, she forms strong bonds with her fellow candidates: pilots, scientists, and engineers, each with their own dreams and secrets. As they train for the unknown, Joan discovers a newfound passion and begins to question her place in the universe. Her journey takes a devastating turn during the STS-LR9 mission in December 1984.
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6/10
Roman Carruthers returns home after his father’s car accident to find his family in crisis. His brother, Dante, is in debt to dangerous criminals, and his sister, Neveah, struggles to keep their crematorium afloat. When Roman discovers his father’s accident was not an accident, he must use his financial acumen and unconventional methods to protect his family. As the danger escalates, Roman finds himself drawn into a dangerous game, willing to risk everything to save his siblings, even if it means sacrificing his own safety.
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6/24
Adela, a sixteen-year-old pregnant teen, is exiled by her parents to her grandmother’s home in Padua Beach, Florida. There, she encounters a vibrant community of young mothers – Emory, Simone, and others – who are navigating motherhood, societal judgment, and the complexities of growing up. Despite facing poverty, prejudice, and personal struggles, these “Girls” find strength in their shared experiences, forging bonds of sisterhood as they strive to build a better future for themselves and their children.
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Did you add any of these books to your 2025 TBR? Books will be added throughtout the year so save this post for later!