The 2025 Bookshelved. Awards

Welcome to the 2025 Bookshelved. Awards! This is Amelie speaking! We have 13 categories, two winners in each (one of mine and one from Evelyn), and we get to pick winners out of all the books we have read this year. This is inspired by an episode from another podcast, called Novelbound, which is linked on our Bookshelved Spotify page if any of you would like to go listen. So buckle up, because I have an overview of 26 fantastic books for you to take a look at. If you'd like the full version, go listen to our episode!

Best Kiss

Evelyn - Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

• This was Evelyn's pick for Best Kiss because of the buildup to the scene and the clever way it was written. The couple in this book is the kind where you can't get enough!

• If you're looking for a great queer romance between the son of a US President and a Prince from the UK, loaded with plenty of kiss scenes, then this book is for you.

Amelie - The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith

• This one is definitely not what you'd expect, but we promise that it's an amazing read!

• A big fat trigger warning for this one, as it contains a lot of mature themes. Please read the content warning at the start of the book.

• This was my choice for Best Kiss, not because it was super romantic, but because it was realistic and full of tension. If you like an angsty romance, then this one is a great choice, just make sure that you know what you're getting into!

Best Enemies to Lovers

Evelyn - Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

• This is the 3rd book in the Belladonna Trilogy, by a New York Times Bestselling author.

• Throughout the trilogy, the perspectives switch around to get a feel for all the characters. Although there is romance in the first book, Evelyn says to stick around because the real enemies-to-lovers is in Wisteria, with a couple who were initially side characters.

Amelie - Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni

• This book is not the type of enemies-to-lovers that you'd immediately think of, because it's not a fantasy book. However, it's always good to change it up a bit, and the characters in this book had a lot of depth that made it really fun to read about them and the way they fall for each other.

• We've reviewed this book on the podcast before, so if you've read it, then you can listen to our 5th episode. We go a lot more in-depth there, and hopefully it might be of interest to you!

Best Mystery

Evelyn - Catch Your Death by Ravena Guron

• This was a number one for Evelyn because of the memorable and shocking ending. It's one of those books that is fun from the start, but the last few chapters just make the whole book worth it.

• Catch Your Death is the type of book that allows the readers to really take part in the plot, trying to solve the mystery with various clues you get as the novel goes on, Sherlock Holmes-style.

• This book is lacking in romance, but the engaging writing and well-thought-out plotline mean the book can stand up on its own, not needing a romance to fall back on. This is proof of the amazing writing.

Amelie - The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

• This is one of the best mystery & thriller series that I have ever read. It won this category because the writing is so gripping, and the plot is really well thought through. As an avid mystery reader, I can say with absolute confidence that this book is on the same level as A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, a mystery book that nearly every mystery lover has read and loved.

• The characters in The Naturals are loveable and relatable, and the plot never fails to captivate. This is a very strong recommendation for any amateur FBI agents or detectives out there!

Best Side Character

Evelyn - Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni

• The best side character in this novel is Ember, the main character (Charlie Hart)'s best friend. Evelyn is desperate for a side story with her, thanks to her sunny, hilarious and upbeat personality.

• She's a character who's always smiling, but she has such a deep backstory that doesn't get fully explored in the novel, leaving some of it up to the imagination. Her character has... well, character, and she has depth and an overall likeable demeanour that makes her an amazing side character.

Amelie - The Anatomy of Songs by Megan White

• A classic enemies-to-lovers fantasy, this is the first book in a duology with one of the most amazing side characters I've ever read about. His name is Lhyriel (or Lhy for short), and he is the main character (Kasira Severen)'s ride or die.

• Lhy was easy to fall for, and despite not being the main love interest, he was easily the most charismatic character in the book. He's very well-written, as is the rest of the book. A lot of the time, enemies-to-lovers books all have a similar plotline and worldbuilding, but this book stood out from the crowd in terms of the magic system, and it's definitely worth reading.

Best Lore

Evelyn - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

• Yes, the one we've all been waiting for! The book that reached the No. 1 spot on the Amazon and New York Times Bestseller lists, and is a worldwide favourite among readers.

• This is Evelyn's pick because the lore runs so deep throughout the book, and the world-building is cleverly integrated into the story without info-dumping on the reader. It's famous for a reason, folks! Not just because there are dragons in it.

Amelie - Darkly by Marisha Pessl

• It's hard to have interesting and convoluted lore in a book that's not a fantasy, but Darkly does it really well. The story revolves around a board game company, with secretive, out-there mystery board games that are played in real life. The concept of these games is so intriguing that it makes the book hard to put down.

• The novel is a thriller, and the plotline and lore are something that only a true artist could've thought up, and it's a definite recommendation if you're a fan of secret society-type mystery novels.

Best Fantasy

Evelyn - Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer

• This is the last book in a trilogy, and Evelyn says it's significantly better than the first two. A YA romantasy, Brigid Kemmerer does a fantastic job of concluding her bestselling series.

• There's a twist at the end that makes this book our winner, so hold on to your hats while this fantasy lures you into its fantastic plotline!

Amelie - The Blood Traitor by Lynette Noni

• This is the 3rd book in The Prison Healer trilogy, and my favourite in the series.

• I love to read fantasy books that stand out, with a different plotline or different characters, and Lynette Noni succeeds with this in every book she writes. The Prison Healer is great, but stick around because The Blood Traitor is the most captivating fantasy novel I've read this year!

Best Cover

Evelyn - The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

• This one is a little bit different, because Evelyn did not like this book at all! However, we do have to give credit where credit is due, because the cover is warm, cozy, autumnal and well designed.

Amelie - When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

• It's hard to create a book cover that truly reflects the content of the book, but When The Moon Hatched has done this perfectly, with a lovely, silver design that reminds you of the night sky.

Best Book Boyfriend

Evelyn - A Curse of True Love by Stephanie Garber

• This one's a classic — Jacks, aka the Prince of Hearts, from the Once Upon a Broken Heart series, specifically book 3, A Curse of True Love.

• Funny, charismatic, and an all-around loveable guy, and he's quite popular on the internet, so there must be something good about him, right?

Amelie - The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

• Armand from The House Saphir is my favourite book boyfriend of 2025. His character quirks, hobbies, looks and personality make him the winner of Best Book Boyfriend.

• We've reviewed this book on the podcast too, so if you've read The House Saphir then go have a listen, because we discuss the novel (and very hot characters) in more depth.

Best Villain

Evelyn - The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

• Monsieur Le Bleu is the villain from The House Saphir, and he's Evelyn's pick because of the interesting (but scary) way he is portrayed.

• For a villain that doesn't get much of his own dialogue, we still understand him quite well, and he still seems terrifying, despite not being... well, alive.

Amelie - One Of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus

• Yes, ANOTHER book that's the 3rd in a trilogy. (Sorry guys, can't help it!) The villains are really well written, and yes, there's more than one.

• The way that the author can hide an antagonist in plain sight is a testament to her great writing, and the main villain, Jake, is a big, looming presence throughout the whole story that gives the story a sense of urgency.

Best Couple

Evelyn - The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

• This is a friends-to-lovers story, filled with humour, and yes, fake dating. The book is silly and funny, and definitely worth a read.

• Bree Camden is fake-dating the star quarterback, Nathan Donelson, who also happens to be her best friend. But she's hopelessly in love, and this fun, enjoyable book leaves the readers wondering, "Is it ever too late to leave the friend zone?" It's a classic sports romance that will brighten your day.

Amelie - Whisper by Lynette Noni

• Despite not being an ACTUAL couple (yet), the two love interests in Whisper have some of the best chemistry I've read. The main character is only known as Jane Doe for the beginning of this book, because she doesn't talk, and we don't know why. Her fragmented backstory is revealed well, and the love interest captures the hearts of the readers with little to no effort.

• I'm totally terrified for the second book, because I know there's something incoming for this not-couple, but at the moment they're amazing, and I've just gotta hang tight.

Best Plot Twist

Evelyn - Whisper by Lynette Noni

• Thought this book sounded familiar? Not only is this a Best Couple winner, but also the Best Plot Twist. And not just one twist either.

• The twists are integrated so seamlessly into the story. None of them feel forced or unbelievable, and they all build up to a climax. It's the kind of book that you don't realise is twisty while reading, but when you step back, you realise that there was a small one on every second page, and it's 100% worth reading.

Amelie - No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally

• This book has the best — and most unexpected — plot twist that I've ever read about. I read this until 1 am on my Kindle at a music camp, and sacrificing my sleep was more than worth it. This book shocked me to my core, and I couldn't put it down, meaning I finished it in just a day or two.

• One of the things that made me admire this book is the fact that the entire story only really takes place in one night, the majority of it in a car. That sounds so boring on the surface, but it's pulled off amazingly and unbelievably. This book is SO underrated.

Best Realistic Fiction

Evelyn - Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood

• This book is a romance novel, but that's not the only central focus. It's a cute, fun, upbeat story, with plenty of banter between characters.

• It's a coming-of-age story that's a good alternative to some of the heavier books on this list, and the backstories are captivating, and the characters are loveable.

Amelie - Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• When I started reading this book, I was sceptical of the format it was written in. Instead of being a regular novel style, it's in the form of an interview, with the character that's speaking's name before the text. I thought that it might be hard to get into, but boy, how wrong I was.

• This book was so realistic and entertaining that it had friends of mine asking, "Is Daisy Jones and the Six a real 70's band?" No friends, it's not. But I really wish it were. Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of the cleverest authors I have ever read, and I really hope you guys go and read at least one of her books.

Runner-up for Best Book

Evelyn - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

• This book shows all the stories of different characters without changing perspectives, which is very hard for an author to do, and even harder for them to do it well. The Night Circus spans over 20 years (crazy, I know), and right at the end, you realise how spectacular the writing actually is.

• This book is popular for a reason, friends, and it's been translated into 37 languages! Following two battling magicians at a circus (wow, really?), this book is not one that you'd ever regret reading.

Amelie - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Another realistic fiction, this book is AMAZING! It's an iconic story of an old celebrity revealing her life story, and I promise you, it's a lot deeper than it seems. As a fan of realistic stories and a tiny bit of queer fiction, this book very nearly got the number one spot for 2025!

• The recount of Evelyn Hugo's life is set throughout the Hollywood Golden Age, meaning the 1950's right up until the modern day. And Taylor sure does her research, because everything was accurate and engaging, depicting those decades perfectly. PLEASE go read this book!

Best Book, 2025!!!

Evelyn - Heartless by Marissa Meyer

• This book catered to Evelyn's tastes perfectly. It's a fairytale retelling; the story of the Queen of Hearts, from Alice in Wonderland, and how she came to be the evil queen that she is.

• This book takes something that seems to be a perfect world and makes it darker than you first thought, adding a creative depth to the lore and world-building.

• If there is only one book you're willing to read, let it be this one! It's full of depth, suspense and wonder.

Amelie - Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

• This is a DESPERATE PLEA to read this book! Despite having 798 pages, I read this book in LESS than 24 hours! The plot and characters are SO AMAZING, I physically couldn't put it down. No kidding. It follows two Irish teenagers, who are made for each other, despite having secrets and hidden traumas that no one else knows about.

• The little thing that sold me was the Irish culture woven into this book, in the way the people talk (and swear), the clothing worn, the sports played and the names of characters. Yes, I share a last name with the main character, Shannon Lynch. And yes, this book is 6 out of 5 stars.

• Another trigger warning here, because there's plenty of mature language and very dark themes that are suited to older readers. Please read the content warning at the beginning of the book.

Well, that's it, folks! Thanks for reading, and if you want a more in-depth review of these books, go listen to our 2025 Bookshelved. Awards Episode on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See you next time!