Top 15 Books of 2025: Comfort Reads During My Healing Journey
I’ve done a lot of reading this past year. I thought I’d share my Top 15 books of 2025, which include many fiction novels and inspirational books on faith and healing. I was going through chemotherapy treatments and recovery from major surgery, so I needed lots of distraction, and getting lost in books is my favorite way to reduce stress. The daily devotional books helped me through the hard days. I know you’ll enjoy these selections if you like books you can’t put down. Here they are in no particular order.
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Books That I Couldn’t Put Down in 2025
If you love to escape into a good book, here are the ones that let me forget my worries for a few moments and get carried away by gripping stories that kept me turning pages into the wee hours. I read most of my books on my Paperwhite Kindle, and on my sleepless nights, I can read without turning on a light and waking Brad. I also have a Kindle Unlimited Subscription so that I can borrow most of my books for free each month. It’s 11.99 a month and well worth the cost to borrow up to 10 books. They have been running a limited-time holiday special at $0.99 for 3 months. In addition to the free books, I have found that many books not included in the unlimited plan can be purchased at a lower price when you are a member.
First Lie Wins – Ashley Elston
Although I said these are in no particular order, First Lie Wins was by far the book that I couldn’t put down. I read it in one afternoon while recovering from surgery. I couldn’t stop reading until I knew what was really going on. Because it’s so involved and I read it so fast, trying to get to the conclusion, I reread it a few weeks later.
“Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence, a tight group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.”
“This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss, and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.” —Reese Witherspoon.
The English Masterpiece – Katherine Reay
I saw this book recommended by another blogger, and when I read the synopsis, it didn’t resonate with me. However, it was on my Kindle Unlimited plan, so I decided to give it a try. The English Masterpiece was my surprise read of the year. I loved it and have recommended it since.
“Set in the art world of 1970s London, The English Masterpiece is a fast-paced read to the end, full of glamour and secrets, tensions and lies, as one young woman races against the clock to uncover the truth about a Picasso masterpiece. “
Get Your Copy of The English Masterpiece
Heartfelt Books of 2025
These next few selections touched my heart this past year.
When Never Comes – Barbara Davis
After reading this book, I wanted more from Barbara Davis, and another of her books made my top 15 list. This story is very touching and full of heart.
“Author Barbara Davis deftly explores an emotionally charged landscape of pain, loss, and despair―and the risk one woman will take in the hope of loving again.“
When We Believed In Mermaids – Barbara O’Neal
This is another emotionally charged book that I couldn’t put down until I knew what had happened to Josie’s sister.
“An emotional new tale of two sisters, an ocean of lies, and a search for the truth.” “Her sister has been dead for fifteen years when she sees her on the TV news…“
See More Details About When We Believed in Mermaids
Every Precious and Fragile Thing _ Barbara Davis
The second book by Barbara Davis is a heart-wrenching story of misunderstandings between mother and daughter, culminating in a startling twist at the end.
“A mother and daughter try desperately to reconcile just as a decades-old secret threatens to shatter their relationship forever.”
Get Your Copy of Every Precious and Fragile Thing
The Lost Bookshop – Evie Woods
This was a quirky, magical, fun read you won’t be able to put down. “A love story, one with books and booklovers at its heart. A warm, wonderful novel that sweeps up the reader into an absorbing, magical tale.”
See more details at The Lost Bookshop
Psychological Thrillers
If you love a good psychological thriller, here are my favorites of the year. They will keep you turning the page until the end.
The Last Mrs. Parrish – Liv Constantine
This is another of Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club Picks and one of my favorite books of 2025. It’s gripping and twisted, but you’ll love it.
“A mesmerizing debut about a coolly manipulative woman and a wealthy “golden couple,” from a stunning new voice in psychological suspense.“
Get Your Copy of The Last Mrs. Parrish
The Break – Katie Sise
This thriller took me completely by surprise as the story unfolded. You suspect everyone until the truth is revealed.
“Can she trust the people she loves? Can she trust herself? A new mother is pushed to the edge in this provocative thriller!”
Wife Mother Liar – Sue Watson
I never saw the twist coming in this psychological thriller. After reading this novel, I was researching more books by Sue Watson.
“Tense, twisty, surprising and totally addictive… It will get your heart racing and make your jaw drop. It had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.”
What She Saw – Mary Burton
Another edge-of-your-seat, page-turner!
“An investigative reporter returns to the scene of a decades-old crime to put her own unsettled past to rest in this chilling suspense novel.”
One of The Great Books of All Time
The Forgotten Garden – Kate Morton
I’ve read this novel more than once. The story is so full of amazing characters and so sweeping and dramatic that you’ll want to read it over and over.
“An amazing story that transports the reader from the back alleys of poverty of pre-World War I London to the shores of colonial Australia, where so many made a fresh start, and back to the windswept coast of Cornwall, England, past and present“
See more details at The Forgotten Garden
Books Of Inspiration and Healing
As I struggled with the knowledge that I had ovarian cancer, then the recovery from chemotherapy treatments and a major surgery, I found books of inspiration so helpful. Here are my favorites that helped me stay positive and focused on God’s healing power.
On Fire – John O’Leary
Everyone should read this book. The story is heartbreaking, yet the courage, faith, and lessons learned are deeply inspiring.
“A 7-step plan for living a life on fire, filled with hope and possibility—from an inspirational speaker who survived a near-fatal fire at the age of nine and now runs a successful business inspiring people all around the world.“
Jesus Calling – Sarah Young
I began my healing with daily scriptures and prayer. Then I was gifted Jesus Calling, and these daily devotions felt as if they were written just for me. After many sleepless nights, feeling as though I’d never recover, I was rewarded with daily words of faith and encouragement from this little book.
You can’t go wrong with Jesus Calling for your daily devotions.
Healed of Cancer – Dodie Osteen
This story of faith and the power of prayer will amaze you. It gave me such hope, and I loved the inclusion of healing prayers.
A small book but powerful story of survival you need to read – Healed of Cancer
My Beautiful Broken Shell – Carol Hamblet Adams
As I’ve struggled with the side effects of Chemotherapy and especially my surgery, I became discouraged about my loss of strength and felt I’d never be the same again. The truth is, I won’t. A friend gave me My Beautiful Broken Shell as a reminder that although I will never be the same as I was before cancer, there is still plenty to celebrate. A very uplifting reminder that we are all special and worthy.
Get this easy to read book – My Beautiful Broken Shell
Books are my escape, and I love getting lost in a good story. I hope you enjoy the 15 Best Books I Read In 2025 as much as I did. If you’d like to join Kindle Unlimited, click here for the details. My favorite e-reader is the Kindle Paperwhite for basic reading.
Enjoy!
Thank you so much for the list, Rachel. I pray for your complete healing and happiness this new year and every year. Sending you lots of gentle hugs and love.
Miche,
Thank you so much. I hope you have the best new year. Thank you for your support.