The Best Reads Released In The First Half Of 2025 That Are Perfect For Your Book Club

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Each new year brings the promise of tantalizing books to get lost in, and the first half of 2025 has already brought us plenty of releases that fit the bill for this experience. Whether you're into fantasy, romance, or a good mystery-thriller, there's no shortage of page-turners that came out between the months of January and June. Earlier this year, fans of Emily Henry were treated to her highly anticipated release "Great Big Beautiful World," while the fifth installment of "The Hunger Games" series, "Sunrise On The Reaping" caused a stir on social media.

As the chilly months thaw, it's time to think about beach reads, and we chose a few that are perfect for immersing yourself in while on vacation. We're just six months into the year, and there are already so many good books that have hit the shelves, but we've narrowed them down to four of the best that will make you the most popular member of your book club.

One would never guess that "Homeseeking" is Karissa Chen's debut novel, as she weaves such a spellbinding tale of love, heartbreak, and finding family again over multiple generations. The story follows Suchi and Haiwen, who grew up together in Shanghai in the 1930s but got separated years later during the civil unrest between the Communists and Nationalists. Suchi ends up as a refugee in Hong Kong with her sister Sulan, while Haiwen joins the military and is stationed in Taiwan. Over the years, the former sweethearts' fates pull them in different directions, with Suchi desperately trying to escape her abusive marriage, but a chance meeting brings her and Haiwen back together.

"Homeseeking" was Good Morning America's January book club pick, and Chen shared during a visit to the show that her tale was inspired by an old picture of her grandfather crying by his mom's resting place. It turned out that he had escaped China after the civil war, and from that image, Chen's story was born. The saga has so many different layers, and is told through the eyes of both Suchi and Haiwen, who have gone through so many hardships over seven decades, so you and your book club members will have plenty to discuss.

"Broken Country" by Clare Leslie Hall was March's literary fiction pick for Reese's Book Club, and for good reason. If you love some romance, heartbreak, mystery, and thrills, this novel has got it all. Set on a farm in England, the story jumps back and forth between the 1950s and '60s. The opening scenes set the stage for a murder, for which the heroine, Beth, is questioned. Throughout the story, the reader discovers that Beth is caught in a love triangle between her husband, Frank, and a former lover named Gabriel. When her past collides with her present, Beth must face old wounds and a devastating loss that uncovered a long-buried secret.

If you're looking for a feel-good read, "Broken Country" is not it. However, you're going to feel all the feels with this pick, as one reader described on Goodreads, "The tone. The plot. The storytelling. 5 stars. My heart shattered." Another reviewer wrote, "I think this book has already broken me into a million pieces — in the best possible way! It carries a melodramatic tone but is heartbreakingly powerful, deeply penetrating your emotions." In short, "Broken Country" is one where you'll put down the book and still think about it for days to come.

An epic romance with a reference to a Taylor Swift song? "Say You Remember Me" by Abby Jiminez is the romance book we all need for 2025. Unlike other tales with a slow burn, Jiminez's novel starts with the protagonist, Samantha, falling in love with Xavier after their first date, but there's a plot twist. She's off to California to help take care of her mom, so she asks Xavier to forget their short, albeit perfect, time together. Between family obligations and work stress, Samantha tries to make her long-distance relationship with Xavier work, but a sacrifice must be made for their love to last.

While "Say You Remember Me" isn't heart-pounding or super steamy, it's perfect for your summer 2025 beach read, as it's easy to read and you'll put down the book with a smile on your face. A fan described on Amazon, "This is a strictly romance novel and honestly not spicy at all ... it's built around Samantha and Xavier as they try to navigate their feelings for each other being thousands of miles apart. That's it. You would think that it would get boring, but nope. Abby Jimenez is obviously the queen of writing romance and it was just so beautiful." With 4.3 stars, Jiminez's book clearly resonated with readers, and the relatable storyline makes this one a winner.

The one fantasy romance book that you'll want to read in 2025 is "Shield of Sparrows" by Devney Perry. Just the cover alone will entice you to pick it up, and once you do, you'll get hooked on the tale of palace intrigue, magic, and monsters. The heroine Odessa is not your typical princess — she wants nothing to do with her royal life, but she suddenly finds herself married to a prince from another kingdom. She follows her new husband, Zavier, and a domineering figure called the Guardian to Turah, where she discovers love and a power within herself that she had never imagined before.

While many readers enjoyed Perry's world-building, which is key for fantasy novels, some found the pacing of "Shield of Sparrows" to be a bit slow. Still, fans of the book enjoyed the simmering romance between Odessa and the Guardian, and one shared on Goodreads, "I was totally hooked by the dark, dangerous world, the slow-burn romance (SO GOOD), and the creepy monsters lurking around every corner. The worldbuilding was rich without being too much, and the tension between the characters? Chef's kiss." Another reader wrote of the cliffhanger ending, "I didn't know what (or if) there was going to be a big reveal at the end and I DEFINITELY did not predict it (which is hard to do for me)!! Loved and can't wait for the next one!"

With so many books published during the first half of 2025, it was admittedly difficult to narrow them down to just a handful. However, while going down the list of Goodreads' most popular books this year, we chose ones with the highest ratings and did a deep dive into reviews shared on the site, as well as Amazon. The four that we chose got mostly favorable commentary, with comments stating that readers loved the characters, storyline, and felt satisfied with the ending. We also made sure to choose a variety of genres, with romance, fantasy, and historical fiction thrown into the mix, as there should be something for everybody when it comes to choosing book club reads.