If 2024 had a reading mood, mine would be best described as soft and cozy by day, dark and twisty by night. My final three books of the year took me from emotional small-town romance to psychological mind games and finally into a full-blown crime thriller that kept me flipping pages past midnight.
This 2025 Book Reviews post is my honest, lifestyle-style wrap-up of the last stories that lived on my nightstand — Happy Place by Emily Henry, Never Lie by Freida McFadden, and Violets Are Blue by James Patterson. If you’re building your TBR for 2026, read on to find out what I thought of these books and which I recommend. if these books appeal to you.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
First up on my 2025 book reviews is my first Emily Henry novel – Happy Place. I bought this book way back in 2023, would you believe? I only got around to finally picking it up last year. What made me buy this book? I like romance books, for one thing. And second, Emily Henry is a popular author, much talked about in book communities. I didn’t have many expectations from this book, though.
What’s the Story?
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.
They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best? (GoodReads)
What I Thought of the Book
I thought the plot was predictable. Early on in the pages, I had an inkling that what they thought was a secret was not so much of a secret after all, and the whole thing was a setup. Why did they break up? The book reveals the sad story behind what Harriet and Wyn went through as a couple through a series of flashbacks. By the end of the trip, they had resolved their issues, and the readers are given a happy ending. I didn’t like the ending, though. Harriet was a people-pleaser all her life. And so we have a character who didn’t know what she really wanted. Except for Wyn. She wanted to be with Wyn, and so that’s how it ends. In a modern world, being given a heroine whose world centers on the guy is a major disappointment. I expected better. I would have preferred an ending where Harriet starts over again by herself. She would’ve been a braver character with a non-traditional ending.
There were moments were the book made me cry or feel things. But for me, it wasn’t enough to win me over. I struggled to finish this book.
Overall Veerdict
I rated this 3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. Do I recommend it? In my opinion, skip this book! But since this is just my first Emily Henry novel, I’m still willing to give her other books a chance.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
The second book in my 2025 book reviews is Never Lie. You most likely have heard of Freida McFadden, whose novel, The Housemaid, was a bestseller, and for good reasons! This is another psychological thriller, and the second standalone book I’ve read by this author. The first was The Coworker—check out my review!
Unlike the Emily Henry book, I had high expectations for this one. It came highly recommended by BookTokers.
What’s the Story?
Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams.
But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end.
In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance.
Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels.
And then Tricia reaches the final cassette.
The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth. (GoodReads)
What I Thought of the Book
I liked this book and highly enjoyed reading it. I thought the story was so twisted! And what made it even better is that when I thought the book’s plot was predictable, it proved me wrong. It kept me guessing what would happen, which had me turning the pages until the very end.
I liked it better than The Coworker too.
Overall Verdict
Freida McFadden delivered with this book! It’s a highly engaging read and definitely worthy of the raves it’s getting! I’d say, if you’re looking for an exciting psychological thriller to read, this should be on top of your list! I gave this a 5-out-of-5-star rating on GoodReads.
Violets are Blue by James Patterson
In the mood for a good crime thriller? For me, James Patterson’s name equates to that! Especially his Alex Cross novels. And for the last book of my 2025 book reviews list, I’m talking about an Alex Cross novel. This is a continuation of Patterson’s novel Roses are Red, which I read back in 2024.
I searched high and low for Violets are Blue. And finally, I found it in Biblio One Ayala! I was so excited to find out what happens next to Cross and the master villain, The Mastermind.
What’s the Story?
Alex Cross has never believed in vampires. But when two joggers are found slain in a manner that suggests a macabre ritual, he has to reconsider. Someone believes in vampires enough to have committed a series of bizarre murders that appear to be the work of one. Local police are horrified, and even the FBI is baffled.
Cross takes on the case and plunges into a netherworld of secret clubs and role-players, a world full of poseurs and playactors, and someone demented enough to have crossed the line from dark ritual to real blood. At the same time, a lethal super-criminal from Cross’s past known as the Mastermind is stalking him, taunting him, and threatening everything he holds dear. Cross has never been closer to defeat, or in greater danger. In a shocking conclusion, Alex Cross must survive a deadly confrontation-only to discover at last the awful secret of the Mastermind. (GoodReads)
What I Thought of the Book
I haven’t read an Alex Cross novel that I didn’t enjoy so far. This was a great read!
Overall VerdictLet’s Talk Books
What was your last read of 2024? Romance, thriller, or something totally different? I’m always building my next cozy reading stack — and I love stealing book recommendations.
Put it in your 2026 TBR list! Need I say more? I rated this 5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads.
Let’s Talk Books
So those are the 3 books that made it to my 2025 book reviews. Hopefully you found something that interests you as well!
What was your last read of 2025? Romance, thriller, or something totally different? I’m always on the lookout for books to read, even though my TBR shelf is growing full!