Steamy and Addictive 5-Star Reads of 2025
Tropes, Feels, and Why These Books Stole My Heart
Every December, I look back on my reading year and ask myself one simple question: which books truly stayed with me? Not just the good ones, but the stories that kept me up far too late, made me laugh or swoon, or left me so absorbed that I felt a little devastated after turning the final page.
I don’t hand out five stars lightly. I can’t always explain what makes a book worthy of that rating, it’s more of an intuitive knowing, the kind of story that leaves a mark on your soul. There are plenty of fantastic three- and four-star reads, but a five-star book just hits different.
While these were all five-star reads for me, that doesn’t mean they’ll land the same way for every reader, and that’s okay. Reading is deeply personal. Still, I truly believe each of these stories has something special to offer, and I think you’ll enjoy them regardless of where your personal rating lands.
This year, I had ten such reads, all wildly different, all unforgettable in their own ways. You’ve already seen many of my full reviews linked below, so in this post, I’m just revisiting the books that earned a permanent place in my heart.
Grab a cozy drink, and let’s dive in.
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1. Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Tropes that made me obsessed:
Enemies-to-lovers
Arranged & political marriage
Reluctant royalty & hidden strength
Warrior princess evolution
Cursed kingdom & monsters
Slow-burn romance & broody protector
This one combined high-stakes battle scenes with that simmering tension I live for. Its the kind where every glance feels like an event and every monster attack makes you clutch the book harder. The fantasy worldbuilding and emotional journey of the heroine from pawn to player gave me ALL the fodder I needed for long-term obsession.
2. The Awakening of Gods by Morgan Kielisch
Tropes:
Chosen one / mistaken heir
Quest with trials by gods
Enemies-to-lovers potential
Fantasy adventure meets court politics
Morgan Kielisch’s novel gave me classic romantasy heroine finds-her-power vibes with a twist. A sister who trained for her whole life and yet the gods had OTHER plans. A ticking-clock for the other sister to prep for impossible trials and the complicated pull toward Prince Aiden made this feel like an emotional marathon I never wanted to end. And book two in the series is already out!
3. Eleutheria by Ruth Cantu
Tropes:
Enemies-to-lovers with banter
Fated conflict & reluctant alliances
Compulsion magic / internal battles
Rich worldbuilding with witches & goblins
A debut that nailed the tension. Alys was not here to be cute. She was there to fight, snark, and push back, and her gradual thawing toward Maddox combined with the compulsion magic plot gave this book a slow-burn heart-stopper feel. Book 1.5 told from Maddox’s POV comes out soon and book 2 comes out in 2026.
4. A Curse of Shadows and Ice by Catharina Maura
Tropes:
Beauty and the Beast retelling
Enemies-to-lovers / forced marriage
Cursed hero & forbidden magic
Slow-burn to passion
This was dark fairytale magic with a stubborn princess and a cursed emperor who kept me intrigued page after page. If you’re here for romantasy with emotional grounding, this one hits the sweet spot.
5. Hollow by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Tropes that pulled me in:
Enemies-to-lovers banter
Quest with haunting mythology
Haunted woods & children’s chilling mystery
Morally-gray protector
Dark atmosphere meets heart
This book wasn’t just story, it was a mood. The haunting exploration of the woods, the chilling song of the children, and the big frightening love interest had me reading like my life depended on it. Book 2 comes out in 2026.
6. The Silversmith by LJ Claren
Tropes:
Dark romantasy aesthetic
Magic & craftsmanship fusion
Forbidden flirtations
Mystery & atmospheric vibe
This one felt like walking into a world where every object had a meaning and every glance was loaded with promise. The way Claren blended worldbuilding with tension kept me reading late into the night.
7. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
(No individual review post — but a 5-star for me!)
Tropes:
Enemies-to-lovers & slow burn
Dragon riders & war college
High stakes survival
Forced proximity
Quest to survive conscription day
Touch of fated magic and romance
This was the vibe read of the year. Even without a dedicated post, I knew it had to be included. I know I’m late to the Empyrean party but I finally took the plunge. The dragons, danger, and that epic romantasy tension made it an unforgettable standout this year. You know what I’m talking about.
8. Summer in the City by Alex Aster
Tropes:
Enemies-to-lovers (classic adult romance)
Second chance at love
Big city feels & heartfelt growth
Palate cleanser with feels
I’ve been struggling lately with contemporary romances, preferring the dynamic fantasy worlds instead. But, sometimes the strongest book is the one that feels good. This one’s warm, swoony, and gave me exactly what I needed after so much dark romantasy.
9. On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn
Tropes:
Enemies-to-lovers
Forced betrothal / political engagement
Dark academia & magical academy
Vampires & dragon riders
Powerful, underestimated heroine
Slow-burn tension & icy MMC
This one pulled me in fast and never let go. Between the gothic academy setting, the high-stakes power plays, and a romance that simmers instead of rushing, I was completely consumed. Medra’s journey being hunted, underestimated, and quietly powerful, paired with that agonizing slow burn left me emotionally wrecked in the best way. Add in the cliffhanger ending, and yes, I immediately started book two. Book 3 comes out in spring 2026.
10. Once Upon a Song by Nadine Wells
Tropes:
Atmospheric gothic romance
Paranormal mystery
Slow-burn, subtle romance
Fairytale-inspired, wintry setting
This one was moody, haunting, and completely immersive. The eerie hotel setting, the mystery and quiet emotional tension made it a slower, atmospheric read, but one that lingered with me long after I finished. A standout 5-star experience. This was an ARC read for me so it hasn’t been released yet but it comes out in January 2026.
Why These Books Earned Five Stars for Me
Looking back on my reading year, what really separates a five-star read from the rest isn’t just what happens on the page, it’s how the story lingers. These books didn’t fade once I closed the cover. They followed me into late-night thoughts, dreams, sparked rereads of favorite scenes, and left me emotionally attached long after the final chapter.
Each of these stories fully committed to its world, its characters, and its emotional payoff. The writing pulled me in, the stakes mattered, and the romances unfolded in ways that felt earned rather than rushed. Whether it was a heroine stepping into her power, a slow-burn romance that made every glance feel charged, or an atmosphere so rich I could practically feel it pressing in around me, these books made me feel something.
That’s why they’re five stars for me. Not because they checked boxes, but because they delivered immersion, tension, heart, and that elusive magic that makes you forget the real world for a while. Which is why I love reading so much.
Which books gave you that feeling this year? Tell me in the comments or over on TikTok. I’m always looking to add more unforgettable reads to my list.
