Best Adult Fiction Books of 2025

Updated December 11, 2025
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The academy
Hilderbrand, Elin
'Discovering the secret world of American boarding schools for both teaching staff and pupils was endlessly entertaining. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read the sequel!' JILL MANSELL NOW A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! ...

Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter have found new scenery to write in: Tiffin Academy, an exclusive college-prep/boarding school. Readers spend a year in the school, digging into student drama and teacher drama... Much like Hilderbrand's other books, it's a hefty read at over 500 pages. This shouldn't be a deterrent though - I loved settling in each evening with the story and knowing I could read for an hour and still have plenty more to go. With all the drama it was still very much a comfort read.

Katie (Children’s Librarian, Franklin Branch)

Alchemised
SenLinYu
\"What is it you think you're protecting in that brain of yours? The war is over. Holdfast is dead. The Eternal Flame extinguished. There's no one left for you to save.\" Once a promising alchemist, Helena Marino is now a prisoner-of war and of her own mind. Her...

"Yes, it's super long.  Yes, it has a whole list of content warnings.  But it's definitely worth it to lose yourself in this story of war, alchemy and dark romance."

Lori (Circulation Manager, Trafalgar Branch)

"In this riveting dark fantasy debut, a woman with missing memories fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy".

Nicole (Library Assistant, Clark Pleasant Branch)

"If you like angst, alchemy, and great storytelling, you’ll find yourself instantly immersed in Helena’s world. You won’t even realize how long this book is! You can find the content warnings at the back of the book – please read with care."

Brittany (Children’s Services, Trafalgar Branch)

Broken country : a novel
Hall, Clare Leslie

"A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love."

Nicole (Library Assistant, Clark Pleasant Branch)

Human rites : a novel
Dawson, Juno
THE COVEN IS BACK in HUMAN RITES, the spectacular, hotly anticipated conclusion to Juno Dawson's SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE bestselling HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL COVEN series. The Coven is reunited but broken... Niamh is back from the dead ... but she hasn't come back alone. Elle mourns a...

"The last in the Her Majesty's Royal Coven series. Will the witches be able to fight back the forces of evil?"

Megan (Adult Reference Librarian, White River Branch)

Katabasis : a novel
Kuang, R. F.
Paper Book
Prepare for one hell of a journey... 'A big, bold fantasy romp' GUARDIAN 'R.F. Kuang is making magic' ELLE '[A] truly original and spellbinding hero's-journey story' VOGUE 'I devoured it' RED Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek. The story of a hero's...

"Get in losers, we're going to hell.  Pick this up if you like all things dark academia."

Lori (Circulation Manager, Trafalgar Branch)

The Killer Question
Hallett, Janice

"Who knew pub quizzes could be so deadly? Told through emails, text messages, and quiz categories, you’ll be racing to the end to figure out just how far some will go to be a winner."

Brittany (Children’s Services, Trafalgar Branch)

King Sorrow
Hill, Joe

"The book centers on a group of friends: Allie, Donna, Van, Gwen, Colin, and Arthur. Arthur’s mother is in prison and in danger, and the only way to keep her safe is a proverbial deal with the devil. The friends band together to find a solution to the problem but as we know, harm begets harm. Their solution is a dragon, who agrees to do their bidding. If you know anything about dragons, you know that you must be extremely careful when talking to them – they love to exploit a loophole."

Katie (Children’s Librarian, Franklin Branch)

Murder in the dressing room
Stars, Holly
By day, shy accountant Joe hides behind their desk and plays by the rules. By night, Joe takes to the stage as Misty Divine, a star of the London drag scene. But when Misty's mentor, Lady Lady, is found dead in her dressing room, Misty finds herself under the spotlight for all the wrong...

“Misty Divine is a fabulous drag queen and amateur sleuth. When her beloved mentor and boss, Lady Lady, is found poisoned to death after a performance at her nightclub; Misty takes it upon herself to track down the killer. Filled with more than just laughs, this mystery has some good twists and some truly heartfelt moments. For fans of witty and diverse cozy mysteries.”

Erin (Adult and Teen Services Librarian, Clark Pleasant Branch)

My friends : a novel
Backman, Fredrik
#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger's life twenty-five years later. Most...

"Fredrik Backman's "My Friends" explores friendship, grief, and art, with philosophical insights and a focus on the struggles of teenagers and adults."

Nicole (Library Assistant, Clark Pleasant Branch)

Strange houses
Uketsu

“Reminiscent of House of Leaves with it’s ominous and mysterious vibe, Strange Houses had me immediately intrigued from the first page and guessing all the way until the final chapter.”

Elysia (Library Assistant, White River Branch)

Tea You at the Altar
Thorne, Rebecca
The Princess Bride meets Travis Baldree in Tea You at the Altar, the third cosy fantasy in Rebecca Thorne's bestselling Tomes & Tea series. Our sapphic adventurers must navigate the ultimate maelstrom - their own wedding!Kianthe and Reyna are ready to finally walk down the aisle, and in just seven...

"A great romance and fantasy combo with a touch of comedy."

Anna (Circulation Assistant, Franklin Branch)

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)
Sutanto, Jesse Q.
Paper Book
Vera Wong is back and as meddling as ever in this follow-up to the hit Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.... Ever since a man was found dead in Vera's teahouse, life has been good. For Vera that is. She's surrounded by loved ones, her shop is bustling, and best...

Narrator: Eunice Wong, audiobook version in Libby "Ever since a man was found dead in Vera's teahouse, life has been good. For Vera that is. Vera wishes more dead bodies would pop up in her shop, but one mustn't be ungrateful, even if one is slightly...bored. After another body is fished out of Mission Bay, the police can't seem to actually identify him. Vera is determined to solve his murder even if nobody knows who he is."

Tiffany (Collection Services Manager, Franklin Branch)

Victorian psycho : a novel
Feito, Virginia
Paper Book
'Jane Eyre meets American Psycho. Gloriously outrageous, sensationally unhinged' SUNDAY TIMES 'Simmering with rage, propulsive and laugh-out-loud funny' CATRIONA WARD 'Weird and wonderful' LUCY MANGAN, GUARDIAN Winifred Notty arrives at Ensor House prepared to...

"When Winifred Notty accepts the position of governess to two children, the whole family is about to be served their just desserts at the holiday dinner. A darkly humorous and quirky holiday tale that is not for the faint of heart."

Elyssa (Adult Librarian, Trafalgar Branch)

When the moon hits your eye
Scalzi, John
One day, suddenly and without explanation, the moon turns into a ball of cheese. For some, it's an opportunity. For others, it's time to question their life choices. How can the world stay the same in the face of such absurdity and uncertainty? Astronauts and...

"A alternately funny and poignant series of vignettes of the first full lunar cycle after the moon turns to cheese, showing its impact on astronauts, politicians, clergy, cheese shop employees, high school kids, and a billionaire who really wants to land on the cheese moon."

Andrea (Shelver, White River Branch)


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