Cheers ☕️ and welcome back to My Sister’s TBR, the podcast where two sisters overshare about books, life, and the emotional damage fictional characters inflict upon us.
We’re Stacey and Rebecca, and this is our 2025 Year-End Wrap-Up — a very special episode and post for two reasons:
We’re recapping an entire year of reading
We recorded in person, for the first time in way too long
Same room. Same Wi-Fi. Same pot of coffee.
It’s giving holiday special. It’s giving Gilmore Girls. It’s giving grab a mug and get comfy.
This wrap-up means we’re talking about the books we loved, the books that ruined us, and the books we finished out of pure spite
So settle in. This is My Sister’s TBR: The Year in Books Edition.
📊 Reading Goals: Or, “It’s Fine. Everything’s Fine.”
Before we dive into our Top 12s, let’s talk goals — and reality.
Stacey
Reading goal: 84 books
Books read: 91 (and possibly one more before the year ends)
Unhinged. Powerful. A mood reader with eight books on the go at any given moment.
Rebecca
Reading goal: ~35 books
Books read: ~20
Life happened. Moving happened. Stress happened. And you know what? That’s okay.
Friendly reminder (one we’ll repeat forever): reading goals are optional. They exist for fun, not guilt. You can revise them, ignore them, or throw them directly into the sun.
⭐ Our Top 12 Books of the Year
Important note: even our “lowest-ranked” books are still really good. When you read this much, the bottom of the list is still elite.
#12
Rebecca: Regretting You — Colleen Hoover
A reread that still hits emotionally, still flows beautifully, and still proves Colleen Hoover writes in a way that just works. Easy to read, heartfelt, and a solid four-star comfort pick.
Stacey: The Hunger Games (series) — Suzanne Collins
A full series reread that reminded us why this story still holds up. Dystopian, devastating, and painfully relevant — and yes, Sunrise on the Reaping emotionally wrecked us.
#11
Rebecca: The Exception to the Rule — Christina Lauren
A short, email-based romance that somehow delivered full emotional payoff. Cute, clever, and proof that short reads can still earn five stars.
Stacey: If It Makes You Happy — Julie Olivia
Small-town, autumnal, Gilmore-Girls-coded comfort. Cozy, character-driven, and surprisingly immersive.
#10
Rebecca: The Spanish Love Deception — Elena Armas
Enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, elite banter. Entertaining, easy to sink into, and deeply satisfying.
Stacey: Out on a Limb — Hannah Bonam-Young
Inclusive, heartfelt, friends-to-lovers romance with zero bad things to say. An auto-read author status unlocked.
#9
Rebecca: Beach Read — Emily Henry
Writers with writer’s block, emotional depth hiding under rom-com energy, and excellent banter. A classic Emily Henry win.
Stacey: Quicksilver — Callie Hart
Romantasy with rich world-building, true enemies-to-lovers tension, and a standout side character we desperately need more of.
#8
Rebecca: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — J.K. Rowling
A reread that felt like coming home. Cozy, nostalgic, and always five stars.
Stacey: Every Summer After — Carley Fortune
A dual-timeline, deeply nostalgic romance that felt painfully real. Heartbreaking in the best way.
#7
Rebecca: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — J.K. Rowling
Still cozy, but noticeably darker. A reminder of when the series starts to shift.
Stacey: Throne of Glass (the series) — Sarah J. Maas
A slow start that paid off big time. Trauma, magic, and commitment issues — but worth it.
#6
Rebecca: The Intruder — Freida McFadden
A thriller that actually surprised us. Strong twists, dual timelines, and a satisfying read.
Stacey: The Nightingale — Kristin Hannah
Historical fiction that was difficult, devastating, and unforgettable. A five-star read that hurt — respectfully.
#5
Rebecca: Five Brothers — Penelope Douglas
Dark romance, why-choose, no notes just vibes. Penelope Douglas doing what they do best.
Stacey: One Golden Summer — Carley Fortune
Lake life, nostalgia, and a helpful man. A standout contemporary romance that felt warm and immersive.
#4
Rebecca: The Twisted Ones — T. Kingfisher
Unsettling, creepy, and permanently burned into our brains. Horror that lingers long after you finish.
Stacey: The Seven Year Slip — Ashley Poston
Magical realism, grief, love, and timing. Possibly our favorite contemporary romance ever.
#3
Rebecca: How Does It Feel — Jeneane O’Riley
Fae, trials, obsession, and immediate sequel downloading. Addictive and vivid.
Stacey: Rose & Chains — Julie Soto
Dark romantasy with heavy themes, beautiful writing, and characters that still felt deeply familiar. Absolutely stunning.
#2
Rebecca: The Only One Left — Riley Sager
Creepy, atmospheric, and twisty. A thriller that had us flipping back pages in disbelief.
Stacey: House of Flame and Shadow — Sarah J. Maas
Urban fantasy perfection. Emotional payoff, unforgettable characters, and exactly why we love this genre.
🏆 #1 — Our Shared Top Read of the Year
Alchemised — SenLinYu
For the third year in a row, we agree that Dramione wins out.
This book is massive. Dark. Brutal. Beautifully written.
It destroyed us — and we loved every second.
Yes, it’s heavy.
Yes, it requires checking content warnings.
Yes, it absolutely earned the top spot.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to read it: this is it.
🚫 Books That Missed the Mark
Not every book works for every reader, and that’s okay.
Some of our lowest-rated reads this year included:
The Crash
Dating After the End of the World
He Sees You When You’re Sleeping
Sometimes you finish a book because you love it.
Sometimes you finish it out of spite.
Both are valid reading experiences.
💬 Final Thoughts
This year reminded us why we love reading:
to escape
to feel deeply
to connect
and occasionally to emotionally devastate ourselves on purpose
Whether you read 5 books or 95, you’re doing it right.
Thank you for reading with us, listening with us, and screaming about fictional characters with us all year long. We’ll see you next year — with more books, more chaos, and some movie magic!
💚
