March 2025: 5 Star Reads

I feel lucky to have read so many great books this month! This month I read 28 books, 11 from my shelves and 12 as audio books. Here are the ones I loved. The complete list of books I read in March 2025 is listed at the end of this post.

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

“When a librarian moves to a quaint Irish village where her favorite novelist lives, the last thing she expects is to fall for the author’s prickly son… until their story becomes one for the books.” Do I need to say anymore? Book lovers, librarians, romance readers, you will love this cozy romance that has just a few spicy scenes. I listened to this and loved it. It’s book two in the Summer Reading series, but can be read as a standalone. Book one is great too (Summer Reading). 

Booked for Murder by PJ Nelson

This is a southern cozy debut mystery that I absolutely loved! Madeline Brimley is our main character and she left her small hometown in Enigma, Georgia many years ago for college and then a career as a stage actress. Just as Madeline is thinking of leaving her acting career, she receives word that her beloved, eccentric Aunt Rose has passed away and left Madeline her bookstore.I couldn’t put this down. Madeline is brave and sometimes a little impulsive, and the mystery she must resolve has twists and turns and red herrings throughout. Wonderful side characters, a great setting and some laugh out loud humor made me such an enjoyable read.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Whoa. This book is brutal and beautiful and depressing and so good. I listened to this and couldn’t put it down, even though parts are horrifying. I had to read a bunch of romance books after this book to clear my mind! 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Very late to this party, but I just loved this. I couldn’t put it down. Am I the last person in the world who hasn’t read this? If you’re late like me, go ahead and grab it. So good. 

The Vanderbeekers Ever After by Karina Yan Glaser

Pure middle grade gold. I love this series with my whole heart. I had preordered it as soon as I knew about it, but then when it came I couldn’t read it because the idea of no more Vanderbeekers…I just couldn’t. BUT, I decided to read this on our recent trip to NYC and it was simply lovely. This series will always have a home on my forever bookshelf. So many heart eyes.

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin

“A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of the books that bring them together.” Once I started reading this wonderful story, I could not put it down and ignored all my chores just to sit in my chair and read. And I hugged the book when I finished. Wonderful characters, a gripping plot and well-researched details brought this story to life. A beautiful story that reminds us all that books and stories have great power. So well done.

No. 10 Doyers Street by Radha Vatsal

Set in New York City in 1907, this is a historical mystery inspired by real events and people. It is absolutely fascinating, richly told with vivid descriptions. While the story opens with the mystery surrounding the shooting in Chinatown, the story that unfolds is not a typical whodunit mystery, but it is page-turning. I finished this in a day and a half, and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about the characters, story and setting. In her author’s note, Radha notes that this book took six years to create and while I’m sure that was a journey in and of itself, this is a true gift to readers. 

Murder at the Polo Club by CJ Archer

Book seven in the Cleopatra Fox historical mystery series. AND: YESSSSSS!!! No spoilers here, but I am very happy with how this one ended. Solid mystery, wonderful characters, and a lovely romance – I love this historical mystery series (set in 1899 London). Excellent on audio!

All the books read in March 2025:

Murder at Merivale Manor Ella Strike

Dead Until Dark Charlaine Harris

Bye Bye Blackbird Elizabeth Crowens

A Killer in King’s Cove Inoa Whishaw

A Letter to the Luminous Deep Sylvie Cathrall

A Grave Situation Joy Patrick

Flora & Ulysses Kate DiCamillo

Antiques and Adversity in the Azores Victoria Tait

A Side Dish of Death T.C. LoTempio

Murder in Covent Garden Anita Davison

The Riverside Maid AnneMarie Brear

Puck & Prejudice Lia Reilly

Big Name Fan Ruthie Knox

The Crescent Moon Tearoom Stacy Sivinski

Forget Me Not Julie Soto

A Rip Through Time Kelley Armstron

The Rule Book Sarah Adams

Murder at Mill Ponds House Michelle Salter

Deep End Ali Hazewood

No. 10 Doyers Street Radha Vatsal

Murder at the Polo Club CJ Archer

Love at First Book Jenn McKinlay

Murder on the Steel Pier Rosie Genova

Booked for Murder PJ Nelson

Sunrise on the Reaping Suzanne Collins

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Vanderbeekers Ever After Karina Yan Glaser

The Booklover’s Library Madeline Martin



3 responses to “March 2025: 5 Star Reads”

  1. Adding The Booklover’s Library to my list. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. […] Booklover’s Library (A five star read I absolutely adored) Madeline […]

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About Me

Welcome! I started my career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now I’m a stay at home mom. While my career might have changed, my love of reading has been a constant since I was in 4th grade, and I read over 200 books a year. I love talking about books and connecting readers of all ages with just the right book. Thanks for reading!