5 Of The Best Fiction Books Of 2025, According To Reviews

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2025 is coming to a close, and looking back, we're thankful for the great fiction released from January to December. From mysteries to romances and more, many of our favorite authors have churned out the most delightful tales, with some featured on Reese's Book Club, which had some of the highest (and lowest) rated picks of 2025. When it comes to choosing your next read, inviting covers are always a good reason to pick up a book, but if you're wondering whether they're worth your time, that's when reviews come in handy. If the majority of readers are rating a book at least four stars, we think it's definitely worth delving into.

While celebrity memoirs make perfect gifts for the holidays, there's nothing like getting lost in a spellbinding work of fiction. However, with so many books to choose from, it's hard to pick just one to commit to. That's why we've selected five of 2025's top-reviewed novels. These were so highly rated, they became the MVPs of literature this year.

The much-anticipated "Hunger Games" installment dropped on March 18, and it didn't disappoint. "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins was hands down one of the most highly acclaimed fiction books of 2025, with more than one million ratings between Amazon and Goodreads. This time, the story centers around a young Haymitch Abernathy, who has to fight for his life in the 50th Hunger Games. If you've loved the previous "Hunger Games" books, this fifth installment of the series will take you right back into the heart of the Capitol, battling to the death in the arena.

Readers raved about the telling of Abernathy's younger days, with one sharing on Goodreads, "I honestly have no words to describe this masterpiece. It was honestly so good, like it's been days since I finished it, and I'm still hungover from this book." Another wrote so eloquently, "Some books entertain. Some books haunt. This one? It devours! This book isn't just about survival; it's about what survival takes from you. The way it rips pieces from people, leaving them breathing but never whole." If you thought Katniss Everdeen's story was haunting, you'll be mesmerized by the horrors Abernathy faced and how he became the man readers saw in the first three "Hunger Games" books.

"Atmosphere" is one of Taylor Jenkins Reid's most beloved books, and for good reason. Released in June, the novel follows physics and astronomy expert Joan Goodwin, who gets the chance to be part of the first group of women to go to space. "Atmosphere" is not just about a mission to launch, but also delves into forbidden love as Goodwin works to hide her sexual identity to keep her place in the program. There's also a theme of found motherhood as Goodwin becomes a caretaker for her niece, whom her sister neglects.

Readers connected with the main character, and one reviewer wrote on Amazon, "Atmosphere was everything I hoped it would be, and far beyond possible expectations. I'd been eagerly waiting because as a queer woman who grew up during the Space Shuttle era and has always been a bit obsessed with NASA and the Shuttle program, it sounded like this was the perfect novel for me. And I was so right." Another commented, "The romantic relationship featured in this book was poignant, tender, and soul-stirring ... The bravery and courage it took for them to love openly, even from behind closed doors, against impossible odds, was an inspiration."

"Broken Country" is one of those riveting stories that will leave readers with a book hangover, and it'll be well worth it. The Reese's Book Club March 2025 pick is full of tragedy, a love triangle, and a dramatic court case that ends with a shocking twist. Written by Clare Leslie Hall, the book begins during the 1950s in a rural English town, where teens Beth and Gabriel fall in love. Circumstances drive them apart, and they end up marrying their respective spouses and having children. A decade later, when Gabriel comes back, old feelings resurface, but traumatic events loom over their relationship.

"This book is so good," Reese Witherspoon gushed on Facebook. She continued, "There's a murder. And you don't know who it is until the very end, and it's shocking. And you cannot believe the ending. I totally didn't guess it. I love this book so much." Readers shared the same sentiment, giving "Broken Country" an average 4.4-star rating across Goodreads and Amazon. "From cover to cover, this was an amazing story. Short chapters, beautiful writing, an engaging and consuming story that will have you flipping the pages into the wee hours [of] the morning to find out what exactly happened on this farm," one fan shared on Goodreads. If the reviews are any indication, Hall's "Broken Country" definitely deserves to be hailed as one of 2025's best fiction books.

Our list wouldn't be complete without a touching romance, which is exactly what "One Golden Summer" is. Carley Fortune's books are usually well-received as it is, but her May 2025 novel was a mega-hit, with more than 420,000 ratings on Amazon and Goodreads combined. While boy-meets-girl stories can be a bit predictable and formulaic, Fortune does a wonderful job creating lovable, deep characters, surrounded by a gorgeous lakeside setting that makes readers feel transported. Readers fell in love with Alice and Charlie's romance, rooting for their happy ending, and you'll have to pick up the book to find out if they got theirs.

Fans of Fortune will recognize Charlie from her previous book, "Every Summer After," where he's the older brother of the main character's love interest. The timeline jumps 15 years, and he's just as charming as ever. One reader noted, "Omg I LOVEEEDDD reading Charlie's story! Watching him grow and mature from 'Every Summer After' to now?? Chef's kiss, 10/10, no crumbs left!" Another praised Fortune's descriptive writing and mused, "I wanted to dive into the pages and spend my own summer at the lake cottage in Barry's Bay. 'One Golden Summer' is everything a feel-good romance should be — nostalgic, emotionally rich, and brimming with warmth."

"My Friends" by Fredrik Backman is simply titled, yet the book is so layered and thoughtfully written that it had readers hooked. Set in Sweden, the story revolves around four friends with troubling backgrounds who become safe havens for each other. They band together to help one member of the group, Kimkim, pursue his talents in art. Although he becomes a successful, renowned artist, his demons become life-threatening, but in a full-circle moment, Kimkim ends up helping another struggling teen reach her dreams.

To appreciate "My Friends," one must simply dive in. A reviewer wrote on Goodreads, "My best advice? Don't just read it and marvel at Backman's brilliance. Instead, prepare to wipe your tears after finishing, and if you're lucky enough to have people in your life like the characters in this book, call your best friends — the ones who helped shape you — and tell them, 'I love you and I trust you.'" Another commented on the author's prose, predicting, "Future generations will read Backman's books and discuss them in class, and really talk about what his words mean, just as we do with Brontë, Austen, and many other classic authors. I have no doubt."

Because countless fiction books were published in 2025, we searched for the most popular and highest-rated ones, judging them by their reviews. We took into account how many readers rated the book, as well as the average score, then ultimately selected the five high enough to take up a spot on our list. Aside from "Sunrise on the Reaping," we made sure to select standalone books that don't require readers to start from the beginning of a series, since jumping in at the middle would be confusing without the backstory. Still, Suzanne Collins' novel can be read and understood on its own, given that it doesn't follow Katniss Everdeen's trilogy. Our five picks also encompass different genres, such as romance, mystery-thrillers, and dystopian fiction, so there's something for everybody. We're sure at least one of our selections will intrigue you, so take out your TBR list and jot down your next soon-to-be-favorite read.