Every year I tell myself it can’t possibly be worse
than the last, and yet somehow, it is. If 2024 felt like a sharp reminder of
life’s challenges, 2025 was a constant wave of obstacles, testing me every
single day. And yet, amidst the struggles, it was also a year full of
surprises, both online and offline. From romance novels dominating social media
feeds to debut authors breaking through, this year captured my attention in
ways I didn’t expect.
This post is going to be part personal reflection,
part book wrap-up. I’ve never been one to shy away from sharing my struggles,
online, on LinkedIn, or even in person, and this year it feels important to do
so. So, let’s start with the personal growth, and then move into the books that
shaped my 2025.
I graduated with a law degree and became an unpaid
secondary carer for my mother for almost five years. If anyone were to write an
autobiography about my life, this period would likely be its greatest
achievement. Even in her chronic illness, she would sometimes fuss over me and
tell me to stop spending so much time taking care of her and focus on my own
life. Each time, it ended with her tear-filled eyes and me gently reminding her
that I was not wasting my time. I was caring for her of my own choice, just as
she had always cared for me.
As the youngest of three siblings, it made sense
that I took on this responsibility when I had the fewest obligations, while my
older siblings worked and helped in every way they could. I was simply in the
best position to support her. During this time, I continued building my
knowledge of publishing and actively applied for roles, but then my greatest
fear became reality. On May 4th, 2025, my mother passed away, leaving a space
that could never be filled.
We had known for some time that her time was
limited, but that week, when we were told she only had days left to live, it
confirmed the reality in the most painful way. It was the hardest conversation
I have ever had, and it is one I revisit in my thoughts every night.
You think you know love for your parents, but its
full weight only hits you when one of them is gone. I never imagined a day when
my mother would not be there to see me achieve my dream job in publishing. I am
still working toward that goal, and yet I know she will not be there to witness
it. I never thought she would miss my wedding day, or that one day I would have
to tell my children that their grandmother is no longer here.
Even more shocking has been how people change after
loss. Those I once turned to for comfort have sometimes revealed intentions I
could never have expected. I am learning to navigate the world with grief as a
constant companion, carrying heartache that few can truly understand. I am
endlessly grateful for my father, who has been my steadfast anchor. I pray he
lives a long life, and that he gets to see all the moments my mother did not
have time to witness.
Grief is heavier than I ever imagined. Seven months
on, it still feels at times as though I never knew her at all. Trying to find a
job, untangle old relationships that now feel unfamiliar, and simply breathe
has been a daily struggle. Facing the world while carrying this loss is
exhausting. Waking up with knots of anxiety in my stomach, questioning why life
feels so long, and battling emotions that no one else sees has been the quiet
reality of my 2025.
I know this storm will pass. Storms move, they do
not linger forever, yet I can’t help but feel like mine has been here far too
long. I understand that this feeling will never fully disappear, but I also
know that life will gradually become easier to breathe through. I will get that
job, I will meet someone, and I will find that chosen family of my own once
again. I just do not know when, and not knowing when or how is one of the
hardest things to bear. As humans, we crave control over our lives, and letting
go of that certainty is never easy.
In my personal life, these are the lessons I have
learned and the truths I now hold. I have learned not to rely completely on
anyone, not to carry expectations of others, and to offer help thoughtfully and
within my own boundaries.
What I want for my life is simple but meaningful. I
want to work in my dream job, of course, within a healthy and supportive
environment. I want to meet someone who brings peace rather than conflict, and
I want enough financial stability to live without constant worry. I do not seek
extravagance or luxury; I simply want a life of calm, balance, and fulfilment. Maturity
is realizing that this, in fact, is luxury.
Books have been a source of support for me, whether
they are religious, fictional, or educational. Simply knowing I can escape into
a story, any story, has been a comfort, even if only for a few moments. With
that in mind, let’s turn to lighter moments and celebrate the books that
brought joy this year!
For obvious reasons, I did not make my way through
many new releases this year. A few books were brand new, a handful were
comforting re-reads that I fell in love with all over again and wrote about in
an earlier post, and the rest were older titles that were new discoveries for
me. With that in mind, let’s start sifting through everything I did read and
revisit the stories that stayed with me.
When it comes to the new books I read this year, my
top four, in no particular order, would have to be King of Envy by Ana
Huang, Wild Side by Elsie Silver, Deep End by Ali Hazelwood, and The
Defender by Ana Huang. Each of these books stood out for different reasons,
whether it was the characters, the storylines, or the way they made me feel as
a reader. I have already shared detailed reviews for each on my blog, so I will
not repeat myself here, but these were the books that stayed with me long after
I turned the final page, the stories that I found myself thinking about again
and again, and the titles that reminded me why I love diving into a good book.
From the releases that were not new to the book
community but were new discoveries for me this year, a few truly stood out and
reminded me why I love reading in the first place. This little collection
became my unofficial Ali Hazelwood re-run, filled with familiar charm,
comforting tropes, and a sense of ease that I really needed. I finally got
around to The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, which felt just as warm
and clever as I had remembered wanting it to be the first time, then finally
picked up Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R. Miller, a dark and
atmospheric story that hooked me far more than I expected. I followed that with
God of Ruin by Rina Kent, a book that pulled me into its world so
quickly I forgot everything else for a while, and ended with Love
Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood, a story that felt like the perfect balance
of humour, heart, and comfort.
Then we have my re-read discoveries, which
blissfully include The Deception Trilogy by Rina Kent, Ghosted by
J. M. Darhower, and God of Wrath by Rina Kent. Returning to these
stories felt like revisiting old friends, each one bringing back the emotions
and excitement I remembered while also revealing new details and moments that I
had missed the first time. A lot of these were featured in my last post you can
find here Zero to Hero, Hero to Zero .These re-reads reminded me why I fell in love
with these books in the first place and why certain stories have a lasting
place in my heart.
And finally, we have the books I disliked, those
that did not live up to my expectations, or the ones I DNFed, which is not too
bad considering the year. This list includes Sinners Atone by Somme
Sketcher, Phantom by H. D. Carlton, Sweet Venom by Rina Kent, and
Wild Card by Elsie Silver. While these books were not for me, each
reading experience still offered something to reflect on, whether it was a
lesson in pacing, character development, or simply understanding my own tastes
as a reader. By far, the most disappointing read for me was Wild Card.
Reading a lot does not automatically make a book
worthy of a post, and reading a little does not make the experience any less
significant. Who is to decide what counts as too much or too little? Looking
back, I have not had the busiest year in terms of reading, yet I have been
fully occupied with other parts of life, as you may have gathered from the
start of this blog. Even with a lighter reading year, the books I did engage
with left a lasting impact, reminding me that quality, reflection, and connection
matter far more than sheer quantity.
Next year looks set to be a busy one for the book
community, full of new releases, special editions, and exciting adaptations. I
am on the edge of my seat for The Love Hypothesis movie, and after all
the behind-the-scenes snippets and teasers, I have a feeling it is going to be
fantastic. I am also very excited for anything Ana Huang-related, with King
of Gluttony coming in late April and The Keeper arriving in late
October. Beyond those anticipated releases, I am equally looking forward to the
unexpected reads I am sure I will stumble across throughout the year. I’m
currently reading my way into 2026 with my first psychological thriller called The
Housemaid by Frieda McFadden after seeing clips of the movie on my socials
which look both scandalous and salivating. Familiar to many but oh so very new
to me.
This year I have noticed some truly amazing
literature, and it never ceases to blow me away how talented these authors are.
Building entire worlds, creating characters and relationships, and then seeing
how the book community brings them to life is remarkable. It is fascinating how
words alone can evoke such powerful emotions, and it is something truly worth
studying. It is funny because in school I never enjoyed English Literature or
English Language, and now here I am, hoping to work in publishing while running
two book blogs. Granted, my focus is on subrights and publicity, but it is
still deeply connected to the world of books, which makes it all the more
rewarding.
I am ready for my career
to take off. 2024 and 2025 were wake-up calls like no other. In 2024, I faced
the truths, in 2025, I endured and observed them, and in 2026, I am coming back
stronger, sharper, and unstoppable. I may not know exactly how it will happen,
but I know it will, and I am ready to make it happen.
Keep to yourself, avoid idle talk, and just
breathe. The world is a tough place right now, and with so much negativity
around, it can feel like doing good is too little to make a difference. Even
so, every small act of kindness matters, and holding on to that is what helps
us navigate these times.
The last question I leave you with this year is
this: Which story taught you something about life, love, or resilience in 2025?
And with that, what felt like a decade has passed
in the span of a single year, and 2025 is finally coming to an end, or has,
depending on where you are reading this from.
Thank you to everyone who’s been on this
book-reviewing journey since I started this blog. I am excited to bring you
more book reviews and hopefully some great celebratory updates.
Thank you to everyone who has joined this blog
since its launch two years ago. I look forward to sharing more reflections on
publishing, the books that move us, and perhaps a career milestone or two in
2026.
For a similar year-end reflection, feel free to visit my sister blog, and my Contact
page is a good place to see where else I’ve been closing out the year.
Wishing you a Happy New Year — see you in 2026.
Vivian
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