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

Each season brings hundreds of new book releases, and I eagerly look forward to discovering the ones I’m most excited to read. Must-Read Women’s Fiction Publishing in Winter 2025! is the second in a four-part series showcasing the books that have captured my interest this season. Without further ado, let me share the romance reads that caught my eye! Click on the book’s cover to add it to your Goodreads shelf.

The Must-Read Women’s Fiction Publishing in Winter 2025 List:

Publishing The Week of January 7:

Oona Kelly Webster, a striking redhead with a loving family and a career she adores, faces an unraveling life when her husband, Charles, reveals he’s leaving her for a younger male lover. Devastated but determined, Oona travels alone to France, where she rents a house called La Belle Florence, only to face further heartbreak when her job is eliminated due to a company merger. In the months that follow, Oona begins to heal in the peaceful village, finding solace in the simple beauty of her surroundings, a rescued white dog, and the warmth of her neighbour, a charismatic Trinidadian actor she eventually recognises as famous. As their bond deepens, Oona grapples with the risks of opening her heart again. Never Say Never is a moving tale of second chances and the courage to embrace change.

Publishing The Week of January 14:

When Kyle McCray returns to Potsdam, New York, after his father’s debilitating stroke, he’s met with hostility from those he abandoned two and a half years earlier, including his wife, Casey, a beloved teacher. Intending to lie low and leave again, Kyle gradually confronts the pain his sudden departure caused. When he’s offered a chance to coach the struggling middle school hockey team, he begins to rediscover purpose and connection, even considering staying in town—if he and Casey can reconcile their past. What Happened to the McCrays? is a heartfelt story of love, hope, and the journey toward healing after a failed marriage.

More or Less Maddy is a powerful novel about Maddy Banks, a young woman whose life is upended when she’s diagnosed with bipolar disorder during her freshman year at NYU. Struggling with family expectations, a recent breakup, and academic pressures, Maddy experiences a devastating low followed by a manic high that leads to her diagnosis. As she navigates the impact of bipolar disorder on her identity, relationships, and dreams, she ultimately rejects the confines of a “normal” life in favour of pursuing stand-up comedy. With deep empathy and insight, Lisa Genova delivers a moving story that humanises complex mental health challenges.

In this poignant and uplifting novel, Sophie and Tom, who first fell in love during a magical student trip to Paris, vowed to return every summer to their special place on the Pont du Carrousel. But five years after a life-altering event tore them apart, Sophie travels to Paris alone to meet Tom at midnight, carrying a revelation that will change everything. A story of love, loss, and second chances, this emotional tale is perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Kristin Hannah, and The Notebook.

Publishing The Week of February 4:

In this tender and insightful novel, longtime couple Kim and Grant escape a harsh Midwestern winter for the sunny allure of Palm Springs, hoping to navigate the challenges of late middle age. While Kim embraces the social vibrancy of their quirky condo community, Grant struggles to adapt, deepening Kim’s doubts about their future. When Grant goes missing on a hike, Kim confronts the possibility that he’s truly lost—or that he’s chosen to leave her for good. Against the glamour of Palm Springs, this poignant story explores the transitions of midlife, the complexities of lifelong commitment, and the redemptive power of rediscovering both ourselves and each other.

Publishing The Week of February 11:

Lila Kennedy’s life is a whirlwind of chaos. With a broken marriage, two rebellious daughters, a crumbling house, and an elderly stepfather who has quietly moved in, she’s already stretched thin. Her career is faltering, and her love life is nothing short of messy. So when her estranged father—a man she’s barely seen since he left for Hollywood 35 years ago—suddenly shows up on her doorstep, it feels like the final blow. But as unexpected bonds form, Lila begins to discover that even the family you thought you’d never forgive can teach you surprising lessons about love and the true meaning of family.

Publishing The Week of February 18:

Set in 1962 at the dawn of the jet age, this captivating novel follows Judy Goodman and Beverly Caldwell as they embark on new lives as Pan Am stewardesses, escaping their pasts and chasing dreams. Judy flees an oppressive marriage in small-town Pennsylvania, while Beverly leaves behind the constraints of New York high society to forge her own path. Immersed in the glamour and challenges of the airline world, the two women form a deep bond, encounter love and danger, and travel to far-flung destinations. Along the way, they must confront life-altering secrets that could change everything.

Publishing The Week of March 4:

Grieving the loss of her best friend, Lou, Lenny feels completely adrift, avoiding her parents, her old apartment, and the “live again” list Lou left for her. Her only stability comes from babysitting for Reese, an overworked single mum, and her lively daughter, Ainsley—though Ainsley’s grumpy uncle, Miles, complicates things. Despite his brusque exterior, Miles understands grief and offers Lenny a deal: he’ll help her tackle her “live again” list if she helps him reconnect with Ainsley and mend his strained relationship with Reese. As they spend more time together, Lenny begins to realize that losing everything might just be the first step toward healing—and finding love again.

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So there you have it! Must-Read Women’s Fiction Publishing in Winter 2025! Did I help you find a book or two to add to your reading list? Let me know in the comments!

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I hope you have a wonderful day!