Five upcoming 2025 books I can’t wait to read

• Publish date: 3rd July
• Genre: Thriller
• Publisher: Century
• Series/standalone: Standalone
• No. of pages: 400

Blurb: He’s the perfect man. He says he loves you. You think he might even be made for you. Before long he’s moved into your house – and into your heart. And then he leaves for days at a time. You don’t know where he’s gone or who he’s with. And you realise – if you looked back – you’d say to yourself: DON’T LET HIM IN.

I don’t know a great deal about the plot of Don’t Let Him In, outside of the intriguing blurb above. But I don’t need to know anything. I read my first Lisa Jewell book in 2023, and I’ve absolutely loved every one of them since then. I’m about half way through her back catalogue, and so I’ve no doubt I’ll adore this one just as much as all the others.

• Publish date: 28th March
• Genre: Investigative thriller
• Publisher: One More Chapter
• Series/standalone: Book 2 of the Olivia Winter series
• No. of pages: 477

Blurb: When Isaac McFadden is found with the dismembered body of a young man in the boot of his car, it’s an easy conviction for the jury. But, then a notebook is discovered in Isaac’s house, and the police believe they have a serial killer on their hands.

Within the pages of the notebook is a chart written in a code, which DI Linus Sutton believes holds the location of more bodies. Made up of seemingly random words, numbers and symbols, and with a suspect who is refusing to talk, Sutton enlists the help of Forensic Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter.

Having previously survived attacks from two killers, Olivia is the real life ‘final girl’. But can she unlock the code before her luck runs out?

Not enough people talk about how utterly wonderful Michael Wood’s books are. He’s 12 books deep in the Matilda Darke police procedural series, and The Devil’s Code is the second book in his new Dr. Olivia Winter series. While his work tends to delve into some dark places and he’s not afraid to shock his readers, Wood’s books are utterly gripping.

The Mind of a Murderer — the first Olivia Winter book — was a fantastic introduction to a new series, and I’ve absolutely no doubt The Devil’s Code is going to be every bit as thrilling. There’s only one thing with Michael Wood’s books: you can never let yourself get too attached to a character…

• Publish date: 8th April
• Genre: Rom-com
• Publisher: Quercus
• Series/standalone: Standalone
• No. of pages: 448

Blurb: Lexi is looking for no-strings-attached fun with a stranger. She deserves one night for herself, doesn’t she? Zeke is looking for love. But for one night with a woman like Lexi, he’ll break his rules . . .

Sparks fly at the pub, one passionate kiss leads to another and they end up stumbling home to the marina together.

The next morning, hungover and shaken by an amazing night together, Lexi is more than ready for Zeke to leave. There’s just one small problem . . . the houseboat they stayed on has been swept out to sea.

As their supplies start to run dangerously low, and the waves pick up, Zeke and Lexi soon realise there’s much more on the line than their new relationship. How long can they really survive on a drifting houseboat in the North Sea? Will search and rescue find them? And who will they be if they both make it back to dry land?

What a plot! How can you not be won over by the idea of two almost strangers floating away to sea together? There’s a very good reason Beth O’Leary’s book is the only rom-com amongst a sea of thrillers on my list of anticipated 2025 reads: she’s incredible. Everything she’s written so far has been absolutely delectable and I’ve absolutely no doubt that Swept Away will be any different.

If you don’t believe me, go and read The Flatshare. Then The Road Trip. Then The Wake-Up Call. Heck, read them all. Beth is the pinnacle of ‘chick lit’, as much as I hate the term, but her books are cosy, emotional, heartwarming reading at its finest.

• Publish date: 14th August
• Genre: Domestic thriller
• Publisher: Penguin
• Series/standalone: Standalone
• No. of pages: Unknown

Blurb: When Merri and Dev buy a ticket on the last day of a national draw to win the house of their dreams, they never, in a million years, expect to win. Less than a week later, they’re receiving the keys to their new Lake District mansion.

For Dev, it’s a dream come true – no more stressful rent negotiations, or waiting for the landlord to finally fix the damp. Of course he’s delighted to be interviewed about their good luck. But Merri feels a little uneasy. Dev doesn’t realise there’s a reason she’s never wanted to put down roots, always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister died.

At first it’s easy to think she’s imagining the shadowy figures in the lakefront garden. It’s silly to think that someone is watching her through the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…

K. L. Slater is a master of domestic thriller. She writes at an alarming rate, but every book of hers I’ve read manages to be thrilling, unique and utterly unputdownable. I love the plot of The Lucky Winners — those Omaze-style house competitions always seem suspect, so putting one at the centre of a thriller story is just perfect. I can’t wait to read this one and see where it goes. I’ve no doubt that it won’t disappoint.

• Publish date: 13th March
• Genre: Domestic thriller
• Publisher: Penguin
• Series/standalone: Standalone
• No. of pages: 360

Blurb: Do you trust the couple next door? When Lena overhears a conversation between her next-door-neighbours she thinks she must have misheard. After all, the Morgans are a kind, retired couple who have moved to a suburban street in Bristol where nothing ever happens. But it sounded like they were planning a crime.

Her family and friends tell her that she’s made a mistake. Yet Lena can’t stop thinking about it. Because what if they are about to do something terrible? What if she can prevent it? And what if, in doing so, it might help ease her conscience about her own dark past…

I’m cheating a bit here, as I’ve already read The New Neighbours — I was lucky enough to get an ARC from Netgalley. But even if I hadn’t, this book would be one of my most anticipated of the year (I pre-ordered it months ago). I’m a huge fan of Claire Douglas; her books are easy to digest page-turners with just the right amount of thrill and suspense. The New Neighbours is no different: it’s a slow burn but keeps you guessing through every page. Look out for my full review soon.