5 Must-Read Backlist Books to Keep You Cozy During Winter 2025 #bookrecommendations

Each year, I come across dozens of books that I eagerly add to my reading list, only to forget about them later. Some have even lingered on my Libby wish list for years! Determined to finally tackle my backlist, I’ve started assigning these overlooked gems to specific seasons. All of the books featured here were published in 2024 or earlier, and these handpicked choices are my 5 Must-Read Backlist Books to Keep You Cozy During Winter 2025. This is the fourth of my four part series of books that have captured my interest this season. Click on the book’s cover to add it to your Goodreads shelf.

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis:

In 1956 New York City, nineteen-year-old Marion achieves her dream of becoming a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, a dazzling yet demanding life of precision dancing in the iconic theatre. However, her world is shaken when a bomb explodes in the theatre, part of a string of attacks by the elusive “Big Apple Bomber,” who has terrorised the city for years. With public pressure mounting and police stumped, Marion urges the use of psychological profiling to track the perpetrator. As she becomes deeply involved in the investigation, Marion realises she must risk everything—including her career and loved ones—to help stop the bomber, even if it means stepping out of the shadows and taking a bold stand.

A Wedding in Lake Como by Jennifer Probst:

In this romantic novel by Jennifer Probst, a destination wedding on the stunning shores of Lake Como reunites best friends Ava, Madison, and Chelsea, forcing them to confront the secrets that fractured their bond. Ava, preparing for her lavish wedding, is plagued by past mistakes; Madison, a successful fashion influencer, faces a career-threatening scandal; and Chelsea, who built the family she always dreamed of, struggles with unfulfilled professional ambitions. As they revisit their transformative college trip to Lake Como, Madison’s encounter with a former sweetheart stirs old emotions, giving the three women one last chance to mend their friendship and rediscover themselves.

The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain:

When their close friend Noelle unexpectedly takes her own life, Tara and Emerson are left reeling, with only an unfinished letter as a clue to her shocking decision. Known as a passionate midwife and a devoted friend, Noelle seemed to embrace life, but as her friends delve deeper, they uncover hidden truths about the woman they thought they knew. Through love and betrayal, compassion and deceit, Noelle’s story intertwines with a desperate stranger, forcing Tara and Emerson to confront the heartbreaking secret that changed everything.

Eddie Winston Is Looking For Love by Marianne Cronin:

Eddie Winston, a 90-year-old gentleman and romantic, spends his days volunteering at a charity shop, preserving tokens of love from the donations he sorts. Despite having lived a full life, Eddie has never been kissed. When he meets Bella, a 24-year-old grieving the loss of her partner, she becomes determined to help him find love at last. Together, they embark on an unexpected adventure filled with friendship and kindness, proving that it’s never too late for love and that those we cherish are never truly forgotten.

Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins:

Out of the Clear Blue Sky is a funny and surprising novel about second chances and the lies we tell ourselves. Lillie Silva’s world is turned upside down when her husband abruptly leaves her for another woman just as their son heads off to college. Shocked but not heartbroken, Lillie channels her fury into some rogue antics—like crashing her ex’s wedding dressed as the angel of death—and begins navigating life on her own for the first time. Along the way, she reconnects with her glamorous yet estranged sister, finds an unlikely friend in Ben Hallowell, a man tied to her past, and offers guidance to Ophelia, her ex-husband’s lost and lonely niece. With humour and heart, Lillie discovers that sometimes the most unexpected moments lead to a perfect new chapter.

---

So there you have it! 5 Must-Read Backlist Books to Keep You Cozy During Winter 2025 ! Did I help you find a book or two to add to your reading list? Let me know in the comments!

As always, I hope that you have a wonderful day.

You Might Also Enjoy:

Must-Read Romances Publishing in Winter 2025!

Must-Read Women’s Fiction Publishing in Winter 2025!

Must-Read Fiction Publishing in Winter 2025!