
play along here
It’s time for my annual round-up of books releasing this year that I want to read! But, as I am a mood reader, it is also 100% open to change!!
1. We Are Watching by Alison Gaylin

release date: 28 January 2025
genre: thriller
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
Stalking, conspiracy theories, and the threat of an apocalypse… what more can someone want from a thriller?!
I read the author’s The Collective a few years ago and LOVED it, so I’m excited for this one!
2. So I Lied by Chelsea Ichaso
release date: 28 January 2025
genre: thriller
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
Another thriller, this one set in Wales. Three women embark on a bachelorette trip, and soon too many secrets begin to unravel everything.
I read They’re Watching You by the same author last year, and it was so good, so this one is a must!

3. Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le

release date: 4 March 2025
genre: contemporary
demographic: new adult
amazon | barnes & noble
This is set in California, within a Vietnamese-American community. Like its companion novel (the YA A Phở Love Story, which I LOVED), it looks at the dynamic of the two cultures, the struggle of assimilation to American culture while maintaining that of Vietnam. This is an own-voices story that I can’t wait to read.
4. We Were Warned by Chelsea Ichaso
release date: 4 March 2025
genre: thriller
demographic: young adult
amazon | barnes & noble
A second by Chelsea Ichaso, and yes, another thriller! A real-life murder in the past has created the inevitable urban legend about a long-since abandoned beach resort. Now, Eden begrudgingly goes to an overnight part at the resort, but she isn’t sure if she should be scared of the legend… or the bullies who have tormented her for years who will also be there.

5. Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn

release date: 11 March 2025
genre: thriller
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
Think the movie franchise RED, but with badass, older women assassins. What more could you want?
This is the second book of the Killers of a Certain Age series, following the first of the same name. I read that book when it came out and LOVED it!
6. The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh
release date: 1 April 2025
genre: contemporary
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
This is another own-voices book set in the California Vietnamese-American community. The story is that of a father and his daughters, as well as the dynamics of love, legacy, and straddling the line between two cultures.
I read the author’s debut novel, The Fortunes of Jaded Women, a couple years ago, and absolutely adored it, so I have high hopes for this one!

7. Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods

release date: 18 February 2025
genre: fairytale retelling, historical fantasy
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
It is a historical fantasy that weaves bits of both The Little Mermaid and Cinderella into the story. February cannot come soon enough for me!
After reading After the Woods by the same author last year, I knew I had to get my hands on this one!
8. The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes
release date: 11 March 2025
genre: magical realism
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
This is a layered book, about finding balance as much as it is about self-discovery. There’s a beautiful aspect of magic, as well as a strong family dynamic. And some romance, too!
I read this author for the first time last year, with another magical realism book, The Enchanted Hacienda. Like this new book, that one had a female-centric magic that felt so empowering! This is one of my favorite genres, and the author did it so well in that novel. So I can’t wait to get to this one.

9. The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North

release date: 13 May 2025
genre: thriller
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
After witnessing a horrible crime as a child, and narrowly missing becoming a victim hiself of a serial killer, Dan has devoted his life to being a criminal profiler. Then his own father dies under mysterious circumstances, and he is determinded to discover the truth. No matter what.
I read The Shadows a few years ago, and I love this author’s style of writing atmospheric thrillers!
10. Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
release date: 24 June 2025
genre: thriller
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
Three women and two mysterious men. An unexpected death and a husband with secrets. What could possibly go wrong?
I’ve read almost everything Jewell has written, and I absolutely love getting lost in her books!

11. My Friend by Fredrick Backman

release date: 20 May 2025
genre: contemporary
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
Twenty-five years earlier, three teenagers spent a summer escaping their daily lives by hanging out at an abandoned pier together. An artist immortalized the three of them, painting them as tiny figures at the end of the pier. Years pass, and the painting becomes internationally famous. Eventually, it lands in the hands of a young aspiring artist, Louisa, who embarks on a journey to find out more about the three figures, and the real people that they are.
I would read pretty much anything Backman writes. I love, love, love this author. There is something about his writing, in that sparse style Swedish authors are known for, that is so engaging.
12. The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang
release date: 21 January 2025
genre: magical realism
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
According to local legend, there is an abandoned house on the outskirts of Rainbow Town. It’s said that if you send a letter about your misfortunes, you could be given a ticket that will grant you access to the market. And that’s where, if you so choose, your life can be completely changed. But one catch… you have but one week to make your choice or disappear into the market forever.
This is a debut novel, and it sounds delicious!

13. Gryphon’s Valor by Mercedes Lackey

release date: 24 June 2025
genre: fantasy
demographic: adult
amazon | barnes & noble
This is the second book in the newest series in the decades-spanning, and multi-series, Valdemar saga by Mercedes Lackey. The series is actually from the viewpoint of a gryphon rather than that of a human, which is interesting and fun. Kelvren made a near-fatal sacrifice to save Valdemar and her allies, and it came with unexpected consequences. One of which was an unintended diplomatic crisis, and the other was a ticking time bomb… which is literally Kelvren himself.
Not much is known about the plot of this next book, but I’ve already preordered it! I’ve been obsessed with Lackey and this saga since the very first book released in 1987, when I was a wee child just shy of 17. I’ve literally been reading and rereading ALL the books and short stories constantly since that first book. I’m never NOT reading one of them!
I don’t know any of those! Enjoy the reads.
I am familiar with Lackey, but not the others. I tend to avoid things that might be bloody or gory, so thrillers aren’t a strong read for me. I love fantasy, though, and cozy mysteries and women’s fiction.
My goal reading goal is 19 for 2025
Thanks for letting me know about Kills Well with Others. I thoroughly enjoyed Killers of a Certain Age.
Thankfully I had Backman’s book already on my tbr.. else i would have added 13 books more to it (because of that one, i only added 12 books to my tbr after going through your list!!!)
my post is here – https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/playing-along-with-thursday-thirteen/