favorite read of the year so far

2025/1/28 Edited to

... Read moreRivals to lovers is a beloved trope in romance literature, often drawing readers into a world of tension and emotional conflict. This year, several standout titles have captured the hearts of YA readers with their unique spins on this theme. Among these reads, the characters often begin with a fierce rivalry, only to discover love blossoming amidst their battles. Themes ranging from enemies competing in high-stakes environments to witty banter and misunderstandings can lead to unexpectedly romantic outcomes. A well-crafted rivals to lovers story showcases character growth, where individuals initially perceived as adversaries evolve into supportive partners, leading to a satisfying narrative arc. Moreover, several new releases in this genre provide fresh perspectives, featuring diverse protagonists and contemporary settings, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Many readers find themselves rooting for the characters as they navigate their tumultuous relationships, adding depth to their reading experience. For those intrigued by this popular theme, consider diving deeper into book recommendations and discussions within online communities. Engaging with forums and book reviewers can enhance your reading journey, introducing you to hidden gems and highly-rated novels that celebrate the enchanting rivals to lovers trope. Happy reading!

Related posts

A collage featuring a book being read on a plane, a stack of romance novels, someone reading in bed, and someone reading on a balcony at sunset, with the title 'CONVINCING YOU TO READ MY FAVORITE BOOKS CUTE ROMANCE EDITION'.
A collage of images related to the book 'Tweet Cute' by Emma Lord, showing food like grilled cheese, a swimming pool, people studying, and city scenes, with the book cover in the center.
The book cover for 'Tweet Cute' by Emma Lord, set against a city backdrop, with arrows pointing to plot elements like 'Enemies to lovers', 'Twitter war', and 'Anonymous texting', accompanied by a book summary.
Convincing You To Read My Favorite Books
These books are so cute! I couldn’t put them down! #books #romancebooks #recommendations #bookrecommendations
Molly

Molly

2492 likes

Favorite books so far
I’m getting back into reading so you know…. Enhancing my divine feminine energy is a must! Learning about my period more knowing God for myself and being gentle with myself! #goddesscomplex #feminineragebook #divine feminine #bookstoread
Maca

Maca

247 likes

My favorite book of the bible! (So far)
#lemon8diarychallenge I’ve read James before and decided it would be the first book I annotated in my new bible!! 😻 Thats all Remember kids, God made you special. And He loves you very much ! 💗🥒🍅 #christian #james #bible #blessed #journalingbible #new #jesus #godbless
Ririri🎀

Ririri🎀

1886 likes

A hand holds several books with the title 'Haunted House Books You NEED To Read' in white text with a red dripping blood effect, set against a black and white checkered blanket.
The book 'We Used To Live Here' by Marcus Kliewer is displayed, with text describing new homeowners, an old owner who won't leave, and crazy things happening.
The book 'Beneath the Stairs' by Jennifer Fawcett is shown, with text highlighting a spooky abandoned house that seems to draw people to kill.
Haunted house books you NEED to read🏚️📚
Here are four must read haunted house thrillers! Each of these has the perfect eerie and creepy vibes for spooky season, and I hope you add them to your thriller TBR pile! We Used To Live here is a 2024 release and is possibly my favorite book of the year so far because it is just so horrifying and
Bethany Taylor

Bethany Taylor

664 likes

Books I plan to read this last quarter of the year
as I searched through the books in my room, I am ready for this next quarter, the last quarter of 2024, so let me make sure I am book fed. These are books I’ve started and never finished, so I plan to finish these books before the end of the year, by - Reading daily - Taking notes on importa
odeevibez

odeevibez

134 likes

My favorite read of 2025 so far
I have been loving this book! If you ever watched “Monster House” as a kid it has semi monster house vibes!! It’s super spooky and an interesting read. I was recommended this on the Books of Horror Facebook group with I totally recommend you join! They have a trade group as well that is equally
Chilochacha

Chilochacha

298 likes

A stack of thriller books, including 'The Housemaid' series, 'Never Lie', 'The Silent Patient', and 'Kill Joy', with text overlays 'My 2025 reads!' and 'Books I've Read So Far This Year'.
Four books from 'The Housemaid' series by Freida McFadden, including 'The Housemaid', 'The Housemaid Is Watching', 'The Housemaid's Secret', and 'The Housemaid's Wedding'.
The book 'The Locked Door' by Freida McFadden, featuring a red door on the cover and a discount sticker.
Books I’ve Read So FarThis Year 📚✂️⛓️‍💥
Thrillers, twists, and page-turners—here’s my take on these reads! 📖 The Housemaid Series – ⭐ 4.5 Kept me on the edge of my seat! I wish there were more books in this series. 🕵️‍♂️ Never Lie – ⭐ 5 My favorite book so far! The plot twist completely shocked me. Will definitely reread. 🚪 Yo
HaileyMarie

HaileyMarie

348 likes

An open book rests on a white bedspread, with the title overlay '5 books i would read again'. The image includes Lemon8 branding and the user handle '@gannasumar'.
A hand with light green nail polish holds the physical book 'The Perfect Marriage' by Jeneva Rose, featuring a cover with two rings and blood splatters. A rating of '5/5' is displayed.
A hand with light green nail polish holds the physical book 'Local Woman Missing' by Mary Kubica, featuring a cover with a forest and cloudy sky. A rating of '4/5' is displayed.
5 BOOKS I WOULD READ AGAIN!✨
a year into my book journey and these are just a few of my favorite books that I’ve read so far 😇 • The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose • Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica • Don’t Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanders • The Locked Door by Freida McFadden • The Inmate by Freida McFadden I have m
ganna sumar

ganna sumar

1197 likes

Have you read these?
All the books I’ve read so far this year. My tbr is crazy long and I keep adding more 😩 but I’m determined to get through it by the end of the year. #recentread #favoritereads #blackauthor #urbanromance #urbanfictionbooks
Euleasia

Euleasia

268 likes

MUST READ: romance books edition 📖🩷
The 4 romance books I’ve read this year that I would read over and over again: 1. Hello Stranger by Katherine Center 2. Betrothed or Breakaway by Leah Brunner 3. The Odd Limits Rule by Sarah Adams 4. Unhonymooners by Christian Lauren Most of these are also my favorite authors that I woul
Ashlie

Ashlie

146 likes

A hand holds a stack of books against a colorful crocheted blanket. Large pink text overlays read "EVERY BOOK I'VE READ IN JANUARY (SO FAR)". The image also features the user's handle and Lemon8 logo.
A review of 'Starling House' by Alix E. Harrow, rated 3.75 stars. The book is described as fantasy, gothic, and kind of horror, with 320 pages. The review mentions high hopes, beautiful prose, and atmospheric quality.
A review of 'Graveyard Shift' by M.L. Rio, rated 4 stars. This 108-page novella is categorized as horror, mystery, and thriller. The review praises the ending and recommends it for botanical horror fans.
jan. reads! (& if i think u should read them 2 👀)
I started reading on January 4 and I’ve already made it through seven books! I know that seems like a lot and you’re probably thinking “…does she even have a life??” Though the answer to that is no, a lot of these books have been pretty short so i was able to read them quickly. And don’t compar
molly

molly

88 likes

A shelf filled with books, with a text overlay that reads 'Spiciest Books I've Read This year'. The image has a Lemon8 watermark.
A hand holds the book 'Things We Never Got Over' by Lucy Score, featuring a light blue cover with white daisies and dark blue text. It is labeled a 'NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'.
A hand holds the book 'Things We Hide From The Light' by Lucy Score, featuring a light pink cover with pink text and small white flowers. It is labeled a '#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'.
Spiciest Books I’ve Read This Year
Al right y’all, don’t come for me because I don’t read a ton of super spicy books. That won’t always be the case, but these are the spiciest books I’ve read so far this year. I know I have some others on my TBR that are a bit spicier than even these and I am excited to get to them! Things We Ne
Aurora Kretsch

Aurora Kretsch

524 likes

My favorite books of 2025 (so far)
I am not having many 5 star reads this year but I did luck out with some amazing reads so far. These books are my everything and I’m so happy to have been able to read them. What are your favorites so far? Do we have any in common? #books #reading #alihazelwood #indiebooks #indiea
Spookyrevioos

Spookyrevioos

534 likes

A hand with neon green nail polish gives a thumbs-up over a stack of books, including 'Queen of Shadows,' 'Project Hail Mary,' and 'The Poppy War.' The text 'mid year reading recap' is overlaid.
A grid of books read in January, including 'Crooked Kingdom,' 'Dark Matter,' 'The Silent Patient,' 'The Cruel Prince,' 'The Wicked King,' 'The Queen of Nothing,' 'Ruthless Vows,' 'A Court of Silver Flames,' 'Project Hail Mary,' and 'The Cloisters,' each with star ratings.
A grid of books read in February, featuring 'Sharp Objects,' 'The Writing Retreat,' and multiple books from the 'Throne of Glass' series by Sarah J. Maas, each with star ratings.
all 42 books i’ve read so far this year
I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read 50 books. Six months in and I’ve already read 42!! I have read so many FANTASTIC books this year. February and June are tied for my favorite reading months—February because hello, Throne of Glass!! I devoured that series in a little less than th
molly

molly

31 likes

six of my favorite books this year!
I am so thrilled with the favorites I’ve found this year. I’ve read 58 books so far and these are my favorites from each month. I love this challenge because it allows you to break up all of the books you read and be really decisive about favorites. All of these are written honestly, have vivid,
dakota bossard

dakota bossard

116 likes

books I intend to read next year 🍓
#reading📚 #letschat I am a certified bookworm and LOVE all kinds of books. My absolute favorite read this year had to be Love in Color by my girl Bolu Babalola 🩷 She has another book published that I have my eye on! Of all the hobbies I have (and don’t have lol), I’m glad I have a liking
🍓~Danielle~🍓

🍓~Danielle~🍓

1107 likes

5 books to read to your baby their 1st year📚❤️
Reading to our babies from birth is so important for their develop. These are 5 of my favorite books to read to my babies their first year: 📕1. Great & Small Bible Animals Book with flaps about bible verses relating to animals & the cutest part is that on each page there’s a parent &
Dania Toddler Mom & UGC

Dania Toddler Mom & UGC

80 likes

An open book and a white mug with a dark beverage rest on a white blanket, with text overlay 'MY TOP 3 favorite thriller authors SWIPE'. This image introduces a post about favorite thriller authors.
A hand holds Megan Miranda's book 'Such a Quiet Place', featuring an aerial view of a house surrounded by trees. The image highlights the author Megan Miranda and a four-star rating.
A hand holds Freida McFadden's book 'The Coworker', which depicts an elevator door with blood splatter and a red high heel. The image features the author Freida McFadden and a four-star rating.
MUST READ AUTHORS!! 📖💕
over the past year I have found that thriller/mystery books are the only books I gravitate towards!! decided I would share my top three authors over the past year and why I love their books so much 😇 megan miranda — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ the author perfectly encapsulates the true meaning of mystery and susp
ganna sumar

ganna sumar

178 likes

The cover of Stephen King's novel 'Holly' features a dark, ominous house with illuminated windows against a red and dark sky. The title 'HOLLY' is prominently displayed in gold letters at the bottom, with 'A NOVEL' below it, and 'STEPHEN KING' at the top.
Next read of the year
Holly by Stephen king and already like it so far #Lemon8Diary #lemon8bookclub #stephenking #horrorbooks #kidnapped #professor
Katie Burdick

Katie Burdick

53 likes

My favorite books so far
I’m love a good book don’t you? Here are my top 7 books I’ve read thus far #favoriteread #blackauthors #booktok #bookrecommendations
Maca

Maca

14 likes

A journal page featuring a hand-drawn sketch of a hand holding a colorful butterfly sticker. Handwritten text is visible on the left page, and the title "my favorite journal pages i've done so far" is at the top.
A journal spread for September 2023, featuring large jellyfish and other marine creature stickers. It includes a small calendar, a notes section, and decorative paper cutouts, labeled "my first attempt at a month cover."
A journal spread dedicated to a "golden bday," filled with birthday-themed stickers like party dogs and "Happy Birthday!" text. It also includes a Hello Kitty sticker and handwritten notes from loved ones.
my favorite journal pages i've done so far
bullet/ junk journal ideas 💡 I read somewhere to just make a journal and fill it with everything and anything you can think of. Sometimes I just write a journal entry, other times I'm just doodling, most times I'm adding stickers. Don't think about it too much, just make it yours.
crunkpineapple

crunkpineapple

99 likes

A stack of three romance books rests on a white surface next to a black and white patterned pillow. The image is titled "EASY READ ROMANCE BOOKS" in pink and blue text, with decorative elements like small flowers, a butterfly, and a rainbow streak.
The book "Love, Theoretically" by Ali Hazelwood is displayed, featuring a couple kissing on the cover. Accompanying text describes it as a STEM romance about Elsie and her client's brother, rated 4.5 stars. Orange starbursts decorate the image.
The book "When in Rome" by Sarah Adams is shown, with an illustration of a couple baking on the cover. Text describes a pop star finding love in a small town, rated 4 stars. Pink flowers adorn the image.
EASY READ ROMANCE BOOKS
Spring and summer are on their wayyyyyy & I get in such a romance mood during this time of year! These books are perfect for a pool or beach day - where you don’t have to think too much about what you’re reading, but you’re still enjoying it! 🩷 Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood So far,
KENNEDY ♡

KENNEDY ♡

156 likes

Nonfiction I’ve Read So Far in 2024
my goal for the year is to read about 25% nonfiction :) #lemon8bookclub #sophinlaw
Lemon8er

Lemon8er

67 likes

A flat lay of several romance novels with an overlay text that reads 'ROMANCE BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BEFORE 2026!'. Visible titles include 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and 'Madwoman'.
The book cover for 'Funny Story' by Emily Henry, featuring two people sitting at a bar. An overlay indicates it's an April 2024 release, described as a roommates-to-lovers, opposites attract romance.
The book cover for 'The Paradise Problem' by Christina Lauren, adorned with tropical flowers. An overlay indicates it's a May 2024 release, described as a marriage of convenience with rich family drama.
Must-Read Romance Novels Before the Year Ends!🥰📚
Ohhh, I love a good romance TBR! Here are some must-read romance books to devour before the end of 2025—whether you’re in the mood for slow-burn, emotional rollercoasters, or fun, swoon-worthy love stories. 2024 & 2025 New Releases You Can’t Miss 💖 Funny Story – Emily Henry (April 2024) →
Joy 📚

Joy 📚

142 likes

Best Read of the Year (so far)
“The same universe that dispassionately takes things away can bring you things you weren’t imaginative enough to dream up.” 📚🍷Funny Story by Emily Henry🍷📚 I could almost feel the reading slump loading when I read the last page. I’m not sure another book will top this one for me. The writing,
Debbie Eaker

Debbie Eaker

2 likes

everything I read in may!
Not only did I have al little vacation in Tulum this month, but I was able to take a full week off work to renovate my apartment and read. It felt so good to get so much reading done, and I feel rested and ready for summer. My favorite books this month by far were All Fours by Miranda July, I a
dakota bossard

dakota bossard

116 likes

Favorite reads of 2023… so far 🌸
As I’m closing in on 11 books so far for the year, these would have to be my favorite I’ve read so far. All 4.5 stars and up in my book 😉 I loooooved the Knockemout series and still think about the characters so often 🫠 My current upcoming reads: ✨ Part Of Your World series ✨ First Lie Win
Laura Sprouse

Laura Sprouse

22 likes

Every book I've readso far this year!
And I'm currently reading Colldie!! 🤗🤗 The Book Escape Book Nook #reading #booknerd #romance #hockeyromance #cowboyromance
𝐉𝐉 ❤︎︎

𝐉𝐉 ❤︎︎

29 likes

My Favorite Books (so far this year)✨📖
I’ve finished 12 books so far this year, and these have been some of my favorites! I’ve always been into urban romance since the Wattpad days, lol. Lately, I’ve been reading more than watching TV, especially since graduating from college, so the Kindle app has become my BFF. Follow for more recomme
Rae ⚡️

Rae ⚡️

7 likes

See more