Our team has been super busy over the holiday season, but definitely not too busy for a great book. There’s something we love just as much as discovering new reads, and that’s looking back on the stories that truly stayed with us. You know the ones–the books that kept us up way past bedtime, lingered in our thoughts long after the final page, and became the stories we found ourselves recommending again and again throughout the year.

We’re so excited to share the books that captured our hearts this year. These are the favourites that lived on our nightstands, travelled in our bags, and stuck with us long after the reading was done.

 

Logan: All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

“This book was just such a stunningly powerful read. It genuinely had so much going on, but every bit of it was incredibly well-written. I was regularly overwhelmed with emotion whenever I read another chapter, that it took me a while to read the entire thing, as it deserved an abundance of reflection.”

About the Book

This emotionally rich novel moves between past and present, weaving together themes of love, regret, forgiveness, and survival. In Lahore, Misbah enters an arranged marriage filled with hope that is soon overshadowed by tragedy, pushing her and her husband to seek a new beginning in the United States. Years later in Juniper, California, Salahudin and Noor share a bond that feels unbreakable—until one catastrophic moment shatters everything. As family responsibilities, illness, and buried dreams collide, both must confront the true cost of loyalty and forgiveness. It’s raw, heartbreaking, and the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the final page.

 

Sydney: Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

“The writing style in this book is so incredibly lyrical and beautiful! This book redefines the concept of soulmates, made me cry multiple times, and also shocked me with its twist. It instantly wraps you up in a captivating journey you never want to leave.”

About the Book

Evelyn remembers every past life she’s ever lived, and every time she’s been killed before her eighteenth birthday by Arden, the supernatural being bound to her soul. No matter how their lives unfold, their fates always end the same way. But this time, Evelyn has something she’s never had before: a sister who needs her alive. Determined to break the curse, she sets out to uncover why she’s being hunted and whether it’s possible to change what feels inevitable. Romantic, devastating, and deeply thoughtful, this story explores love, fate, and the courage it takes to fight for a future of your own choosing.

 

Teri: The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

“I don’t know what it was, but something about this book just absolutely captured my heart. I loved all their escapades throughout Europe, the descriptions of art and architecture, and food. This is a romance that truly embodies the idea ‘to be known is to be loved’.”

About the Book

Theo and Kit were once best friends turned lovers who believed they would build a life together around their shared love of food and wine. Four years after their breakup, they unknowingly book the same European food and wine tour and find themselves forced into close quarters across France, Spain, and Italy. To keep things light, they agree to a playful competition to prove they’re over each other, convinced it won’t stir up old feelings. But surrounded by indulgent meals, breathtaking scenery, and unresolved history, emotions quickly resurface. This is a romance full of humour, longing, and the quiet ache of truly being known.

 

Ryan: Wilde’s End by Saxon James

“I loved everything about this book. This is a true enemies-to-lovers story, and the tension between the two main characters is great. Even the side characters are great, and I can't wait to read their stories.”

About the Book

Hudson’s impulsive decision to buy an abandoned town with his brothers brings him face-to-face with Wilde, the fiercely protective man who has devoted his life to the place. Wilde wants the Bellamys gone, Hudson refuses to back down, and the tension between them sparks instantly. As rivalry turns into something deeper, both men must confront what they’re willing to risk for the town and for each other. Packed with sharp banter, stubborn pride, and undeniable chemistry, this enemies-to-lovers romance delivers heart, heat, and a strong found-family vibe.

 

Nicole: Swordcrossed by Freya Marske

“I just loved this book so much! I loved the tension, the characters, I couldn't put it down, and by the time it was over, I just wanted more of the world and the love story!”

About the Book

Mattinesh Jay needs a skilled swordsman to stand as best man at his arranged marriage, knowing a ceremonial sword challenge could destroy his family’s already fragile finances. Enter Luca Piere, a charming con artist with a complicated past and far more depth than Matti expects. Forced to work together, the two become tangled in intrigue, sabotage, and growing attraction as the wedding approaches. When secrets surface, both must decide how many truths they’re willing to face in order to protect what matters most. Cozy, clever, and brimming with tension, this romance is equal parts comfort and excitement.

 

Tristan: The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

“The writing in TJ Klune's books always melts my heart. This book was so much fun because it had road-trip thriller elements, but still maintained Klune's emotional writing style, with characters I couldn't help but love.”

About the Book

Set in 1995, this supernatural road-trip thriller follows Nate Cartwright after his life falls apart. Returning to his family’s cabin in Oregon, he instead finds Alex and a remarkable ten-year-old girl named Artemis Darth Vader, who is far more extraordinary than she appears. As cultists and government forces close in, Nate must choose between staying lost in grief or fighting for a future he never imagined. With suspense, found family, and deep emotional warmth, this story balances heart-pounding danger with tender humanity. It’s thrilling, heartfelt, and unmistakably TJ Klune.

The Bookish Check-In (For Now)

As you can probably tell, our reading tastes are all over the place, and honestly, that’s exactly how we like it. Some of us were sitting with heavy, emotional stories that required pauses and deep breaths between chapters. Others were escaping into romance, banter, or magical worlds that made the days feel a little lighter. 

What we all have in common is that these books found us in the middle of real life: during busy seasons, late nights, quiet mornings, and those little pockets of time where reading feels like a gift we give ourselves.

Sharing our favourite books is one of our favourite ways to connect, because it reminds us that reading doesn’t have to be perfectly planned or neatly scheduled. Sometimes it’s just about finding the story that fits the moment you’re in. 

And if seeing what our favorites were has you itching to start something new of your own, our Ready-to-Ship Book Boxes are always there when the mood strikes.