MID YEAR BOOK TAG
Disclaimer I read books based on preferences which take into account my faith and personal convictions. Please check any of my recommendations against your own convictions and read responsibly.
Wow, reader friends… can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025?! Time is flying, but the best part about being at the midpoint of the year? It means it’s time for one of my favorite traditions in the online book world—the Mid-Year Book Tag! If you’re new to it, this fun tag is basically a way to reflect on the reading year so far by answering a series of questions that highlight your favorite (and not-so-favorite) reads, characters, authors, and surprises—and trust me, there’s a lot to cover. But before we dive into it all, let’s take a quick look at my mid-year reading stats!
So far in 2025, my most-read genre has been Romance—with 25 books and counting! This is such a fun (and surprising!) shift from last year, when I was fully deep in my thriller era. Who knew I’d trade in plot twists for slow burns and swoony moments? Honestly, I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by. And somehow, I’m already 80% of the way to my 2025 reading goal. My original goal was 75 books and I’m happy to report, I will hit that. Which has me thinking… should I shoot for the moon and bump it up to 100? We’ll see what the second half of the year brings!
But enough about stats—let’s freakout together and jump in to my Mid-Year Book Tag!
“BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2025”
Okay, let’s be real—choosing just one favorite book is nearly impossible. Normally, I’d pick a favorite for each genre, but this year is different. While I’ve read so many solid books, one has continued to rise above the rest and plant itself firmly in my heart…"Better Than the Movies" by Lynn Painter.
Yes—my very first read of 2025, and also my first five-star read of the year. It set the bar and six months later, it’s still holds. The amount of feel-good joy and young love light-heartedness this book delivers is truly unmatched. Wes and Liz completely stole my heart, and I’m still thinking about them—which honestly says everything you need to know.
“BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2025”
Believe it or not, I actually haven’t read many sequels this year—but out of the few I have read, the standout is easily: “The Perfect Divorce” by Jeneva Rose. That’s saying a lot, especially considering I’ve read two of the most anticipated fantasy sequels of the year (more on that soon). While it didn’t quite surpass the original, “The Perfect Marriage,” it was still a very solid follow-up. Fast-paced, twisty, and full of the same semi-unreliable narrator antics I loved in book one. I appreciated how it tied in pieces from the first book without feeling repetitive, and it totally kept me on the edge until the very end.
“NEW RELEASES YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO”
There have been so many amazing new releases this year! In fact, nearly half of the books I’ve read in 2025 have been brand new releases. That said, here are a few I’m absolutely making sure I read before the year wraps up. These span all of my favorite genres:
Romance: “Sounds Like Love” by Ashley Poston
Thriller: “Don’t Let Him In” by Lisa Jewell
Fantasy: “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins
Nonfiction: “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins
“MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE 2ND HALF OF THE YEAR”
I’m counting down the days—I cannot wait for these upcoming releases! Stacey Willingham is one of my favorite thriller authors. I devoured her entire backlist last year and was hooked by every single one. Her next release, “Forget Me Not”, drops this August and I’m already anticipating a five-star read. Alyson Stoner was one of my favorites on Disney Channel growing up, and seeing how she’s turned her platform toward advocating for child performers is something I deeply respect. Her upcoming memoir, “Semi-Well Adjusted”, should be compelling as she shares her personal journey navigating the industry as a child star—and I have no doubt it will be impactful.
“BIGGEST SURPRISE”
My biggest surprise this year wasn’t a single book... it was how I read. I finally gave audiobooks a chance in 2025—and I’m officially converted! I used to think I’d hate them or that I wouldn’t be able to engage with the story as deeply. But plot twist: they’ve quickly become one of my favorite ways to read. Audiobooks have completely changed my reading game. They’re now my go-to format for memoirs and most non-fiction titles.
“BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT”
Unfortunately, 2025 hasn’t been without its letdowns, and the one that hurt the most? “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros. Coming into the year, the Empyrean series was the fantasy series for me—absolute favorite. But wow... how did we get here? I will simply never forgive Rebecca Yarros for making me read an entire book only to land on... basically the same exact ending as the second book. It felt like a whole lot of buildup with very little payoff. And now? We have to wait until 2027 for the fourth book?! I mean, will I even still be interested by then? I fear I may not.
“FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU)”
Three cheers for Carley Fortune! There’s truly nothing better than discovering a new author who completely captures your heart, and this year, Carley Fortune did exactly that. My first introduction to her was through “Every Summer After” followed up by “One Golden Summer”. Her ability to write authentic characters, engaging dialogue, and dreamy, nostalgic summer settings is unmatched. She writes love stories that feel effortless and genuine—never overdone, never dragging. I’ve officially added the rest of her backlist to my 2025 TBR and can't wait to spend more time in her beautiful stories before the year ends!
“FAVORITE MAIN MALE CHARACTER”
We love a good MMC—truly, they can make or break a story. And this year, one absolutely stood out: Hutch from “The Love Haters” by Katherine Center. There’s just something about a man in uniform, right? Hutch perfectly blends that grounded, steady spirit with intentionality and care for the people he loves. His actions always speak louder than words, which made every small moment between him and Katie feel so genuine and heartfelt. Add in that perfect grumpy sunshine dynamic and his character absolutely blossomed.
“FAVORITE FEMALE MAIN CHARACTER”
This year, my favorite new FMC is, without question, Alice Everly from “One Golden Summer” by Carley Fortune. Alice’s journey is such a special one—she starts off reserved and a little unsure, but watching her grow into someone who boldly follows her heart is truly moving. There’s a relatable courage in the way she learns to step into the fullness of who she is. Her story feels like one of a close friend—you cheer her on, feel her pain, and celebrate her victories.
“BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY”
I have read quite a few emotional books this year. While no book had me full-on ugly crying (yet), a couple definitely pulled at my heartstrings and left me misty-eyed. Two that stood out above the rest are “Nora Goes Off Script” by Annabel Monaghan and “One Golden Summer” by Carley Fortune. “Nora Goes Off Script” is a tender story about love and family—beautifully capturing how unexpected seasons of life can still bring joy. “One Golden Summer” is a story about opening yourself up—to love, to life, to possibility. Watching the characters love bravely and face personal fears felt so real. Between these two stories, it’s the emotional relationships that sneak up on you—leaving you quietly wiping away tears in the end.
“BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY”
I had the best time reading “The Love Haters” by Katherine Center! From start to finish, it was the kind of story that made me feel light and just really happy. I found myself smiling at so many moments, whether it was the vibrant setting of Key West, the lovable characters like Rue and Hutch, or the heartfelt journey of our FMC as she slowly learns to truly love herself. There’s something special about a book that delivers both charm and substance. And this one held just the right balance of heartfelt moments and joyful energy—leaving me feeling pure, genuine delight.
“MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT SO FAR THIS YEAR”
This year, two books completely stole my heart from the moment I opened the covers:
“One Golden Summer” by Carley Fortune and “Summer in the City” by Alex Aster—both in their Barnes & Noble special editions. “One Golden Summer” is truly a piece of art. The inside flaps are adorned with delicate watercolor illustrations that perfectly match the summer-at-the-lake vibe of the story. And that glittery sheen on the cover? It sparkles subtly and is absolutely beautiful. Then there’s “Summer in the City,” which is just so fun. The hardback design is stunning on its own, but the added touches are what make it pop—like the bright sprayed edges that perfectly reflect the playful tone of the book. Plus, the inside map of all the NYC spots the characters visit? It’s such a cute detail that totally adds to the summer-in-the-city playfulness.
“BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR”
My physical TBR? Still pretty stacked. But as we head into the back half of the year, there are a few books standing out to me—practically begging to be read. These four in particular were all Book of the Month picks from last year, and while they may have missed their 2024 moment, they’re sitting at the top of my TBR for the rest of 2025.
“The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore
“The Paradise Problem” by Christina Lauren
“The Wedding People” by Alison Espach
“The Love of my Afterlife” by Kirsty Greenwood
“BOOKS YOU WANT TO REREAD THIS YEAR”
Honestly, who doesn’t need an Emily Henry re-read in their life? I know I sure do. “Happy Place” and “Funny Story” were not only some of my favorite Emily Henry books (I gave them both five stars), but they were also among the first romance novels I picked up when I started venturing into the genre last year. Now that I’ve read so many more romance books, I’m curious to see if these still hold up as five-star reads for me. Would I love them the same way now? Would I notice different nuances in the characters or writing? Only one way to find out... Also, let’s be real—I just want to be in an Emily Henry story—falling for the characters all over again.
“BOOKS YOU’VE BEEN PUTTING OFF”
Here’s the deal—my husband has been itching for me to read the Harry Potter series since the end of last year. And honestly? I do want to read them. I really do! But have you seen the size of those last four books? Trying to squeeze them in between all my other must-reads has been a real challenge. That said, I’m finally going to make it happen. I’m committing to finishing the series by the end of 2025 (stick around to see if I actually do). My strategy? One book a month. That should give me enough breathing room to stay on top of my other reading goals and still finish the iconic series.
“A BOOK YOU ENJOYED WITH MIXED REVIEWS”
Now here’s a book with mix reviews indeed. “This Book Will Bury Me” by Ashley Winstead has received mostly negative reviews, putting me in the minority of readers who actually appreciated it. Let me be clear—I didn’t love that the plot was inspired by a real-life, horrific crime. That’s always a tough line to walk. But what I did find compelling were the themes the author chose to explore. She dives deep into society’s obsession with true crime and our collective urge—especially in the digital age—to insert ourselves into these tragedies as amateur detectives. These are uncomfortable but necessary topics to examine, and I felt the book handled them with the right balance of sensitivity and honesty. It didn’t shy away from hard truths or the ethical gray areas of turning trauma into entertainment.
“SERIES YOU WANT TO FINISH BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR”
There are two series that have been sitting at the top of my reading list, and I’m eager to dive into both before the end of the year! The exciting part? Each one is a three-book series—totally doable to complete before the year is up. First up is the Lightlark Series by Alex Aster. This fantasy series has been on my radar for a while, and with the fourth book releasing in December, now feels like the perfect time to finally jump in and binge the first three. The second is the Skyland Series by Kennedy Ryan. This interconnected romance series follows three different African American characters, and it’s written by a female, Black author. I’ve only heard glowing reviews about this series, and I can’t wait to experience it!
“5 STAR PREDICTIONS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR”
Okay, I know I’m setting myself up for potential heartbreak by trying to predict my future five-star reads—because let’s be honest, it rarely works out the way I hope. But still, I can’t help myself. Here are a few books I’m really hoping will be 5 stars... or at least become new favorites by the end of the year:
“God of the Woods” by Liz Moore
“Lightlark” by Alex Aster
“Semi-Well Adjusted” by Alyson Stoner
“Forget Me Not” by Stacy Willingham
“Don’t Let Him In” by Lisa Jewell
You’ll notice a strong thriller presence here—and that’s no accident. I haven’t read many thrillers this year that have truly wowed me, and I’m crossing my fingers that one of these will be the twisty, edge-of-my-seat story that revives my love for the genre.
“HOW MANY DNF’S HAVE YOU HAD THIS YEAR”
So far this year, I did not finish a total of 7 books—and honestly, I have no regrets. I usually DNF for one of two reasons: if the content goes against my faith convictions or if I just find the story boring or don’t connect with the characters. Here’s how my seven DNF’s break down:
DNF’d for content that didn’t align with my faith:
“Pretty Girls” by Karin Slaughter
“Julie Chan Is Dead” by Liann Zhang
“Till Summer Do Us Part” by Meghan Quinn
If you’re a Christian girlie looking to avoid certain types of content, I wouldn’t recommend these three. Just not a good fit for my personal, reading convictions.
DNF’d for being a snooze or not connecting:
“Famous Last Words” by Gillian McAllister
“We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart
“One in a Millennial” by Kate Kennedy
“Problematic Summer Romance” by Ali Hazelwood
These weren’t bad per se, they just didn’t grab me—and that’s okay! Not every book is meant for every reader.
“HOW MANY 5 STAR READS HAVE YOU HAD THIS YEAR”
So far this year, I’ve only handed out seven five-star ratings—which honestly feels a little low. I’ve read a lot of solid books, but very few that gave me that five-star feeling. You know the one—the emotional connection, the can’t-put-it-down, the characters you think about for days. Yeah, those have been rare this year. Here are the lucky 7 that earned five-stars from me:
Romance: “One Golden Summer” by Carley Fortune and “Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter
Thriller: “This Book Will Bury Me” by Ashley Winstead and “You Deserve to Know” by Aggie Blum Thompson
Memoir: “Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey and “The House of My Mother” by Shari Franke
Nonfiction: “The Benefit of the Doubt” by Craig Groeschel
Clearly, the five-star reads are few and far between this year. I’m hoping the second half of 2025 comes through with more standout reads that blow me away and leave a lasting impression!
