Book of the Year 2025 – Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Goodreads 4.21 1,438,780 ratings / 184,822 reviews
A breathtaking culmination of fire, dragons, and heart, Onyx Storm is Rebecca Yarros at her Empyrean best. Violet Sorrengail has survived her training at Basgiath War College—but now the war has come to her world. Facing betrayals from within, enemies from without, and secrets so dangerous they threaten everything she loves, Violet must risk everything to save her dragons, her home, and the man she loves. Razor-sharp romance, epic battles, and soul-wrenching stakes make Onyx Storm not just a fantasy—it’s a storm you’ll feel in your bones. A must read war-torn romantasy.
Book-Critic Score: 4.9/5
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Author of the Year 2025 – Rebecca Yarros
Rebecca Yarros didn’t just break the mold this year — she obliterated it. Her Empyrean trilogy reached new heights when Onyx Storm (Book of the Year above) sold ≈ 2.7 million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling adult novel in the past two decades. With 1.3 million copies moving at BookScan-tracked outlets alone (including nearly 179,000 in the standard edition), Yarros proved that romantasy is not just trend—it’s a movement. Her smash success has not only driven sales but elevated expectations for what a fantasy romance can be in 2025.
See above for more details on Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.
Best New Author 2025 – JR Roberts
With his debut novel The Man on the Steps, JR Roberts has announced himself as a fresh, powerful voice in contemporary romance. Set against the backdrop of Chicago, this moving love story follows Lysander, a grieving widower on the edge of despair, and Bria, a compassionate woman scarred by her own loss, as they slowly discover healing and fiery passion in each other. Roberts weaves intimacy and heartbreak with tenderness and authenticity, transforming themes of grief, resilience, and second chances into a romance that lingers long after the final page. A stunning debut, The Man on the Steps marks the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career.
The Man on the Steps:
Book-Critic Score 4.9/5 stars.
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Romance Novel of the Year 2025- Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Goodreads 3.99 503,605 ratings / 79,642 reviews
Set on a dreamy, fictional island in Georgia, this novel paints a lush, emotionally resonant romance between Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, two very different writers brought together by their quest to tell the truth behind a reclusive heiress’s mysterious past. With Henry’s signature warmth, sharp wit, and complicated questions of legacy, identity, and love, this one doesn’t just make your heart flutter—it makes you think.
Book-Critic Score 4.8/5 stars.
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Fantasy Novel of the Year 2025 – Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal, #1) by Rachel Schneider
Goodreads 4.26 87,222 ratings / 17,207 reviews
Rachel Schneider burst onto the fantasy scene with Metal Slinger, the explosive first book in her Fire & Metal series. Blending gritty elemental magic with pulse-pounding battles and a heroine forged in fire, Schneider delivers a world where loyalty and power clash at every turn. With its high-stakes action, morally complex characters, and a magic system as sharp as steel, Metal Slinger captured the imaginations of fantasy readers in 2025 and set the stage for an unforgettable new saga.
Book-Critic Score 4.4/5 stars.
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Sci-Fi Novel of the Year 2025 – The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune
Goodreads 4.11 32,115 ratings / 5,409 reviews
With The Bones Beneath My Skin, T.J. Klune delivers a haunting and heartfelt blend of science fiction and human connection. Set against the mystery of an alien girl with extraordinary powers and the man tasked with protecting her, the novel explores what it means to be chosen, to belong, and to love in the face of the unknown. Klune balances wonder and danger with his trademark tenderness, crafting a story that is both cosmic in scope and intimate at its core. A luminous addition to the genre, The Bones Beneath My Skin is the sci-fi novel that defined 2025.
Book Critic Score 4.8/5 stars
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Mystery Book of the Year 2025 – King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
Goodreads 4.1 28,704 ratings / 5,418 reviews
S.A. Cosby’s King of Ashes stands out as a powerhouse in mystery and crime fiction this year, blending family drama, vengeance, and Southern noir into a novel that grips you from the first page. When Roman Carruthers returns to his hometown after his father’s crippling accident, he’s drawn into a web of danger, deception, and debts—both financial and moral. With Cosby’s razor-sharp prose, keen eye for character, and mastery of tension, King of Ashes has earned its place on bestseller lists and in readers’ must-read piles. A thrilling, heartbreaking tale of loyalty tested and power seized—this one defines what a mystery novel can be in 2025.
Book-Critic Score 4.7/5 stars
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Self-Help Book of the Year 2025 – It Begins With You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life by Jillian Turecki
Goodreads 4.34 4,255 ratings / 368 reviews
From the first page, Jillian Turecki challenges us to look inward — to the heart of what love really means. In her debut book It Begins with You, she lays out nine hard truths about love, self-acceptance, and intimacy, blending psychological insight, somatic practices, and real-world case stories to help readers heal, grow, and shape more meaningful relationships. Turecki’s voice—compassionate, direct, and unflinchingly honest—cuts through the fluff. Whether you’re recovering, seeking deeper connection, or simply trying to understand why relationships hurt, this book does more than motivate: it gives tools. It’s not just about loving others—it’s about knowing yourself first, speaking truth, and finally becoming the person who can receive love well. A standout guide in 2025 for anyone ready to do the inner work.
Book-Critic Score 4.6/5
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Editor’s Choice Award 2025 – The Man on the Steps by JR Roberts
Goodreads 4.6 28 ratings / 7 reviews
Sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that slip quietly into readers’ lives and leave an unforgettable mark. The Man on the Steps is one of those books. In his heartfelt debut, JR Roberts takes us to the streets of Chicago, where Lysander—a grieving widower on the edge of despair—crosses paths with Bria, a compassionate woman scarred by her own loss. What begins with quiet gestures on a set of steps grows into a transformative journey of healing, hope, and love reborn. Tender, deeply human, and beautifully written, this under-the-radar gem earns its place as our Editor’s Choice Award of 2025.
Book-Critic Score 4.9/5
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