They get 5 stars from me! 
Apparently I have reviewed around 78 books this year! I’ll have read slightly more than that and endeavour to review as many as possible but some do slip through the net.
I have loved reading my whole life, it is certainly a form of escapism for me and I thank every single author out there for the time, creativity, lonely hours, self-doubt and perseverance that it takes to not only write a book but then run the gauntlet of getting it published.
I always have at least two books on the go, one on audible that I listen to when I am driving and one that I am physically reading either on kindle or an actual book. With regards to the ebooks/physical books debate I LOVE the look of books, the feel of them, the smell of them, I love having a bookshelf, but, I find it is often easier to read on a kindle – especially with the paper-white technology that stuff is amazing.
For audio books this year I have finally finished the Nikki Galena series by Joy Ellis – and I am up to date with the Eddie Flynn series by Steve Cavanagh which is voiced by the sensational Adam Sims who absolutely brings each book to life and makes me drive slower and slower so I can listen to more!
And, in no particular order, My Top 5 Reads of 2025:
Whistle by Linwood Barclay
Clever, with superb characters.
Adrift by Will Dean
What can I say, the man (Will Dean) is a monster.
Chapter One by Michael Wood
Sublime, utterly, utterly sublime.
Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino
Inspired concept, really enjoyed it.
Room 706 by Ellie Levenson
Taught, full of suspense.
And my most read book review of the year was Nightshade by Michael Connelly which amassed 7.9k views!
I have read and loved many, many more books than I have had the capacity to review this year. Books as ever have got me through some very difficult days and I owe my heart and oftentimes my sanity to being able to be lost in a book so a huge thank you from me to every single author out there.
Also, thanks to NetGalley, what a fabulous resource! And the wonderful people who work tirelessly to pull together blog tours Zooloos, Rachel’s Random Resources to name but two.
I look forward to reading many more wonderful books in 2026 and will endeavour to do better at reviewing all of them – share the book love 
Read and Rated 