10 Books I'm Excited About in 2025
I didn’t start reading heavily again until November 2024, so I feel like I missed out on the excitement of anticipating new releases. Most of my current TBR is packed with books that have been out for a while—ones I’ve been itching to get to but never made time for. Now that I’m back in my reading groove, I’m keeping my eyes peeled for 2025 releases, and let me tell you, there are some incredible books on the horizon.
This list is a mix of genres that reflect my eclectic reading taste. There are thrillers filled with twists and turns, from psychological mind-benders like Tell Me What You Did to survivalist suspense like Close Your Eyes and Count to 10. I’ve also got books with intricate revenge plots (With a Vengeance), juicy family secrets (A Girl Like Us), and morally ambiguous characters (Witness 8).
And because I love stepping out of my comfort zone, I’m diving into some intriguing premises like supernatural reincarnation in Our Infinite Fates, mysterious disappearances in The Staircase in the Woods, and a fascinating body-swap twist in I Am Not Jessica Chen. Throw in a time travel story (The Third Rule of Time Travel) and a group of amateur sleuths tackling a chilling mystery (This Book Will Bury Me), and I feel like my reading year is shaping up to be unforgettable.
Whether you’re into pulse-pounding thrillers, richly layered mysteries, or imaginative premises with a touch of fantasy, there’s something here for everyone. These are the books I’m counting down the days to in 2025. Let’s take a closer look!
Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson
Expected Release Date: January 28, 2025
Synopsis:
Poe Webb, host of a wildly popular true crime podcast, has a knack for getting people to confess their crimes on air. It’s all anonymous—usually. But everything changes when a strange man claims he murdered Poe’s mother years ago. There’s just one problem: Poe knows that can’t be true because she killed her mother’s murderer herself. As the truth unravels, Poe must grapple with the question: are murderers always the bad guys?
What Excites Me:
The true crime podcast element has me hooked. I love the idea of people confessing their darkest secrets anonymously, and the moral question of whether murderers are always bad adds a complex layer. Plus, I’m dying to see how this book’s unique premise plays out!
Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger
Expected Release Date: February 18, 2025
Synopsis:
Daredevil and social media star Maverick Dillan invites a group of strangers to participate in the ultimate game of hide-and-seek on a remote island. But when a deadly storm rolls in and contestants start disappearing, single mother Adele realizes the game has turned into a fight for survival. As the stakes rise and the line between virtual and real blurs, Adele must outwit the other players and uncover the sinister truth behind the island.
What Excites Me:
The eerie, high-stakes survival game premise feels terrifyingly gripping, and as a mom myself, Adele’s determination hits home. Survival thrillers usually give me anxiety, but this one sounds like it’s worth the ride!
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
Expected Release Date: June 10, 2025
Synopsis:
Set in 1954, Anna Matheson has lured six people onto a luxury train under false pretenses, each of them responsible for the destruction of her family. Her plan? Confront them, force their confessions, and turn them over to authorities waiting at the train's destination. But when one of the passengers turns up dead, Anna realizes there’s another person on board with their own deadly agenda. Racing against the clock, Anna must stop the killer while grappling with the question of justice versus revenge.
What Excites Me:
This reminds me so much of Revenge, one of my favorite shows! I love a well-crafted revenge story, and the confined luxury train setting adds an extra layer of tension and drama.
A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin
Expected Release Date: February 11, 2025
Synopsis:
Maya Miller, a former reality TV star turned party girl, has just married into the wealthy, powerful Sterling family. But when her husband’s cousin is murdered, Maya becomes both the next heir to the family fortune and the prime suspect. Trapped in the Sterlings’ sprawling estate, Maya must navigate family secrets and uncover the truth about the murder while hiding her own skeletons.
What Excites Me:
The rich family secrets trope is one of my favorites, and Maya’s reality TV star background makes her such a compelling protagonist. I can’t wait to dive into the drama and twists this story promises!
Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh
Expected Release Date: March 25, 2025
Synopsis:
Ruby Johnson, once part of Manhattan’s elite, is now a maid who sees the darkest secrets of the rich and powerful. When she witnesses a murder, Ruby decides to manipulate the truth for her own gain. Enter Eddie Flynn, a street-smart defense attorney tasked with saving an innocent man from a wrongful conviction. As Eddie digs deeper, he discovers Ruby’s plans are far more dangerous than anyone anticipated.
What Excites Me:
Morally ambiguous characters always make for intriguing reads, and as someone who loves anything involving lawyers and courtrooms, this legal thriller is right up my alley.
This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead
Expected Release Date: March 25, 2025
Synopsis:
College student Jane Sharp finds solace in a group of amateur sleuths after her father’s death. When a series of shocking murders captures the nation’s attention, Jane and her friends race to solve the case. But as they dig deeper, they realize the killer may be more dangerous and cunning than they ever imagined—and their involvement might make them the next targets.
What Excites Me:
I love stories where amateur sleuths band together to solve a mystery, especially when mistakes and missteps bring a human element to the investigation. This one sounds chilling and unputdownable!
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
Expected Release Date: April 29, 2025
Synopsis:
A group of high school friends stumbles upon a mysterious staircase in the woods during a camping trip. When one of them climbs it and disappears, the staircase vanishes too. Twenty years later, it reappears, drawing the friends back together to uncover the truth about their missing friend and the staircase’s sinister nature.
What Excites Me:
This premise is so intriguing! I’m curious to see if the staircase ties into supernatural or magical elements—it feels like it could go in so many fascinating directions.
Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven
Expected Release Date: March 4, 2025
Synopsis:
Evelyn has lived countless lives, but in each one, she’s been murdered before her eighteenth birthday by Arden, a supernatural being connected to her soul. In her current life, Evelyn is determined to break the cycle, save her sick sister, and stop Arden once and for all—even if she risks falling in love with him in the process.
What Excites Me:
The reincarnation and curse elements sound so unique and emotional. I don’t typically read fantasy, but this premise is too intriguing to pass up.
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
Expected Release Date: January 28, 2025
Synopsis:
Jenna Chen, rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to, wishes she could be more like her perfect cousin Jessica. When her wish comes true and she wakes up in Jessica’s body, Jenna realizes that perfection comes with its own dark secrets—and that her own identity is at risk of being erased forever.
What Excites Me:
This gives me major Freaky Friday and Disney Channel vibes! It sounds like such a fun, nostalgic read with an emotional core about identity and family.
The Third Rule of Time Travel by Philip Fracassi
Expected Release Date: March 18, 2025
Synopsis:
Scientist Beth Darlow invents a machine that allows people to relive moments from their past without altering them. But after her husband’s death, Beth discovers that just observing the past can cause the present to warp in unexpected ways. As her timeline unravels, Beth must confront her grief and solve the mysteries of her own life before it’s too late.
What Excites Me:
Time travel is one of my favorite tropes, and the rules of this time machine sound so intriguing. If done well, this could be an emotional and mind-bending story!
