2025 has been an interesting year. I’ve read more this year than I have since 2020, which is surprising because I’ve been traveling the entirety of 2025, and half of 2024, until the first week of December. A few of my books in 2025 were written by new-to-me authors, though I still read my old favorites as well. I read genres I swore I’d never read, and even an author I had on my ‘never read again’ list. I also listened to my very first audiobooks, though none of those were in the gay romance/erotica genre. I’ve listened to and read horror, and even a true crime book with a bit of paranormal thrown in. While I couldn’t read every book I wanted to this year, the ones I did read are some of my new favorites.

Every year since On Top Down Under started I’ve numbered my #1 favorite book but listed all the others randomly. Before I started typing this, I’d made the decision to not pull one out as my favorite of the year, as each one could easily be #1. That changed as I skimmed over my reviews. I decided to add a favorite, and as in past years, list the others in complete random order.

One author has two books from the same series, so I listed them together. There’s also a book on this list that was published in 2024 that I can’t not mention.

I’m also normally one to read mostly sweet romances, but I crossed over to the dark side a few times in 2025. I have to say that it was really nice stepping away from my norm for a little while.

A huge thank you to all the authors who never fail to keep us entertained, and for our followers who keep us doing what we do. A special thank you to Kazza, my blog partner, my sister from another mister, and the best friend I could ever hope to have. I never would’ve dreamed when we started this gig that we’d still be doing it in 2025. Much love, my friend.

My number 1 book of the year is…

Pretty Mess by Lily Morton

Published August 17, 2025

Contemporary, Age Gap, Gay Romance, Opposites Attract, Rent Boy – Kind of

I have a love/hate relationship with this author’s books. I’ve loved some. Others, not so much. It’s the ‘not so much’ that had me unofficially adding Lily Morton to my ‘never again’ list. Pretty Mess kept showing up everywhere. It was all over Goodreads, and it was a recommendation on Amazon. I very hesitantly took a chance, and I’m so glad I did. I mean, look at the cover. Never let it be said that I’m not a cover whore who will totally read a book based on the cover alone. 😉

This is an outstanding book. Wes and Mac are as different as night and day, and their love story was able to develop over time. Not the sex. The sex started almost immediately. The romance, however, took time to develop. I absolutely loved it, and I’m so glad I took a chance again on this author. Had I not, I’d have missed out on one hell of a great book.

The rest of my favorite books of 2025…

Blood and Bonds by Marian Black

Published November 4, 2025

A year ago, you couldn’t have paid me to read a mafia book. A quick read of The Silencer by Cora Rose changed that, and I found myself seeking them out quite a bit. I saw Blood and Bonds on a Facebook ad, signed up for the author’s e-newsletter, and got this as a freebie. It’s also available in paperback on Amazon. Marian Black is a brand new author to me, and after reading Giovanni and Dom’s story, I’ll definitely be reading more. A really good age gap, enemies-to-lovers, and forced marriage book.

Jealous Of The Clouds by Rick R. Reed

Published on October 25, 2025

I knew when I saw this book the first time that I would be reading it. Rick is one of the few authors whose books I add to my TBR without even having to read the blurb. If he writes it, it’s a good bet that I’m going to read it. Jealous of the Clouds is a thriller with a hint of romance. It’s also a damn good mystery that keeps you guessing throughout.

The characters were all interesting, the mystery was a definite who-dunnit, and the ending was perfect. Another amazing book by Rick R. Reed. Whether it’s horror, romance, or a good thriller, I’m never not sucked in.

Royal Crush by by E.M. Lindsey

Published on April 15, 2025

Camillo and Aleric coming together was really nice to watch. They went from enemies to lovers fairly quickly, but it wasn’t just that. They were falling in love with each other. It was really sweet as they tried to navigate their feelings with everything else going on around them.

I applaud the author for how she wrote Camillo’s disability. While I wouldn’t say the book went into too much graphic detail, it did give the reader an inside view of what he went through on a daily basis, and how he and Aleric came together as a couple. The reader was also given the hard truths about what some child actors go through. A really good book.

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Ferocious (IOU, #6), Leslie McAdam

Published March 28, 2025

This was my first book by this author, and I did something I really don’t like to do. I read the last book in a series when I’d not read any of the others. I’ve since read them all, so I was able to see how Charlie and Rowan were introduced. One has a 10-year goal list. The other has a vengeance list. What could possibly go wrong? 😉

This may be part of the IOU series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. A great read.

Just Play Along by Beau Savage

Published August 12, 2025

Just Play Along is one of the non-romance thrillers I read in 2025. It was weird, totally off-the-wall, had some pretty intense characters, but it was brilliant. This is one of the few thrillers I’ve read where I didn’t figure out certain situations before they happened, nor did I predict the ending. That’s pretty rare for me, so this book definitely deserves to be on this list.

Beau Savage is a new author to me. I hope to read more of his books in 2026.

Audiobook: Chasing Evil by Robert Hilland and John Edward

Published September 2, 2025

Chasing Evil is another non-romance book. It’s true crime with more than a hint of paranormal.

A true crime junkie, I’ve seen former FBI agent Robert Hilland on several true crime shows over the years. Imagine my surprise when I learned that a lot of his investigations had medium John Edward secretly working in the background. I’ve followed John Edward for years. Do I believe in what he does? Not sure, but I can definitely say that if you read (or listen to) this book, you’ll be questioning things even if you’re the biggest skeptic.

I chose to listen to the audiobook instead of reading the e-book or hardcover because it was narrated by Robert Hilland and John Edward. I loved being inside their heads. A great book.

Possession (Constantine Brothers, #1) by Rina Saint

Published March 28, 2025

Possession is by far the darkest book I read this year. It’s extremely violent, but in the middle of it all is a love story. A bit of a warped love story, but a love story just the same. I cringed a few times while reading this, and I admit to getting more than a little misty-eyed more than once. Roman was a beast – his word, not mine – but he loved Lucas with everything he was.

This is definitely not for everybody. It’s dark, it’s brutal, and it has a lot of things that would definitely trigger some readers.

Covenant (The Firm, #1) by Cora Rose and Lark Taylor

Published May 23, 2025

This is the first of two books on this list by Cora Rose. It has a secret society, a second chance romance, lots and lots of secrets, and two men who have to work really hard to find their happily-ever-after. It’s a bit dark, and I admit that a couple of things seriously irked me, but in the end, it was a fantastic read.

I think this is my first by Lark Taylor, though I do see the author’s books everywhere. If I’m remembering correctly, Cora Rose has also used some of her characters in some of her other books I’ve read.

Hawk (Three Bears Tactical, #1) and Gator (Three Bears Tactical, #2) by Jacki James

Hawk published May 7, 2025 and Gator published November 5, 2025

I have been a fan of Jacki James for years now. She’s been on my auto-buy list since I read the River Gorge books. I love when she puts out new series. Hawk and Gator are the first two books in the Three Bears Tactical series. Each one is as good as the other.

There are big and sexy Daddies, some not-quite-the-norm boys, and even a loud and very opinionated bird named Trixie. There’s also a slew of great secondary characters who will have their own stories someday. I’ll be reading them as soon as they’re published.

Special Mention

I did not do a books-of-the-year post in 2024. I’d only read 12 books the whole year due to health issues, and there simply wasn’t enough of what I’d call favorites to make a post. Had I read the book below when it was published, it very likely would’ve been my #1 book of the year. Unfortunately, I didn’t read it until 2025. Even so, I can’t not add it to this list, especially since I’ve reread it several times over the past few months.

The Silencer (Unexpectedly Twisted, #1) by Cora Rose

Published April 21, 2024

There are a million and one reasons why I should not have liked this book. One, I’d sworn off all mafia type books years ago. Two, Kazza is the one who normally reads dark books, not me. Three, it’s extremely violent and beyond unrealistic.

Even so, I absolutely loved it. I loved Anthony, the bad-ass mafia boss. I loved Tatum, Anthony’s son’s friend who can’t stay out of trouble for anything. I loved Angel, Anthony’s innocent son who I found myself wanting to hug every time he was on page. And I loved a lot of the secondary characters – not Luca – who helped Tatum keep Anthony on his toes. My favorite part was watching Anthony go from being the strong mafia guy to being willing to die for his man.

There’s a whole lot of violence, quite a bit of exhibitionism, and even a couple of TSTL moments by Tatum. It was perfect.

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A huge thank you to all the authors! I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.