I'm a day late, and new authors seems more do-able than all bookish discoveries--plus, I think these were my most important bookish discoveries in 2025 anyway. Happy (late) Top Ten Tuesday!
- Jessica Topper and Amanda Usen--Grouping them together since I've only read their joint Matzo Ballers Hanukkah romance series. Technically, I finished the first book on December 31, 2024, but I read three of them in 2025 (and one already in 2026!), so I think it's fair to count them as new-to-me approximately as of 2025. I just love their joyful, sexy, Jewish brand of Hanukkah romance: they're both incredibly funny and compelling writers who create complex and interesting characters from the get-go. I will definitely continue reading the Matzo Baller series and probably check out some of their other books as well.
- J. Penner--I became absolutely obsessed with their Adenashire cozy fantasy books in 2025! They are definitely now on the must-read list for me. I started getting into cozy fantasy in 2023-2024, but it was definitely one of my main genres of 2025!
- Jenny Sandiford--I think she was absolutely recommended to me because of J. Penner's books! I also loved her (slightly less) cozy fantasy series, the Tales of Midwinter Haven books. These are super cozy from the winter settings with lots of tea and baking, but they have higher/scarier stakes and villains than the Adenashire books. Still an auto-read for me though; she's an absolute genius with setting and tone and of course I love the characters too.
- Abigail Scott--This was a review book from LibraryThing, and the Emelia Walsh cozy mystery series totally delivered! I love the idea of a Professional Bridesmaid, Emmy is a great detective-type character, and the closed door mystery conceit with minimal gore is so comforting and satisfying. I'm already reading the next one!
- K. Valentin--Ok, another LibraryThing review--I loved An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder but it was way more gory than anything I would normally read and I only got through it because of the humor. That said, I definitely think Valentin's one of the best authors I read in 2025 and I would consider continuing this series because it's just so funny and I fell in love with the characters.
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