2025 was that reading year for me…the kind where books completely take over your life, your thoughts, and your sleep schedule. For the following books or series, I was fully invested, emotionally attached, and probably ignoring real-life responsibilities. These were the standouts, the books I couldn’t stop thinking about and absolutely had to talk about.

This list includes some of the best fantasy romance books of 2025, along with a standout STEM romance, ranging from addictive romantasy to spicy, can’t-put-down reads.

(I’ll be linking my Goodreads + affiliate links for each if you want to check them out)

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

 

Quicksilver was a solid five-star read for me. Dark, addictive, and right up my alley. I flew through it and was fully locked in with the story and vibes.

That said, Brimstone didn’t quite hit the same for me. Still good, but more of a 4-star follow-up in my opinion. Quicksilver, though? Absolutely worth the hype.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

I mean… it’s Ali Hazelwood. I love anything she writes. As a computer science major who loves STEM, her books feel like they were written for me.

The Love Hypothesis is smart, funny, slow-burn, and comforting in the best way. Academic settings, STEM girlies, fake dating—what more could you want? An easy five stars and a forever comfort read.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Yes, I finished ACOTAR in 24 hours. No regrets.

This series is iconic for a reason. The world-building, the romance, the escalation…I was immediately obsessed. Whether it’s your first time reading or a reread, it’s the kind of book that completely consumes you until the last page and has you immediately starting the next book.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

OMG. The Fourth Wing series had me in a chokehold. I read (ahem…listened to ) all of them within two weeks because I physically could not stop.

The dramatized audiobook versions are amazing!

Dragons, tension, stakes, chaos, Fourth Wing is intense, addictive, and impossible to put down. I was hooked from the beginning and stayed obsessed the entire time. Easily one of my biggest reading highs of the year. I was able to convince my husband and a few friends to read this series!

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

This one took me a little bit to get into, I won’t lie. The beginning was a slower build for me, but once it clicked? I was all in.

By the end, I absolutely loved Shield of Sparrows, and now I’m counting down the days until Rites of Starling is released. It ended up being such a rewarding read and completely earned its five stars.

Final Thoughts

From fantasy worlds that wrecked my sleep schedule to STEM romances that felt way too relatable, these books defined my 2025 reading year. If you love immersive stories, emotional investment, and books that make you say “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m.— these are it.

If you want more book recs, ratings, or real-time reactions, you can check out my Goodreads account here!

What was your favorite book you read during 2025? Comment below and share your recommendations.