Fated Mates – 08.10: The Best Romance Novels of 2025

Hosts: Sarah MacLean & Jennifer Prokop
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

Sarah MacLean and Jennifer Prokop, co-hosts of Fated Mates, return with their beloved “Best Romance Novels of the Year” episode, this time spotlighting 2025’s top romance reads. This annual episode is both a celebration and a trusted resource, highlighting ten standout books—five favorites from each host. The discussion is rich with personal insights, the hosts’ signature humor, and thoughtful commentary on trends and tropes in romance, reflecting on both reader and industry perspectives. The episode is structured to be useful for new listeners and seasoned devotees alike, offering recommendations, context, and deliciously detailed takes on each title.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Purpose and Philosophy Behind “Best Of” Lists

Timestamps: 02:14 – 11:28

• Not About “Objective” Bests
  The hosts explain these are not empirically “the best” romance novels, but rather “bangers” they personally loved (02:55). The list is subjective, curated, and reflects their mood, taste, and what resonated over the year (03:30).

  “These are books that we really loved reading ourselves and that we think you will love reading.” —Jennifer (02:57)

  “These lists are so subjective, but also, just because you’re not on a list doesn’t mean you didn’t write a great book.” —Sarah (07:36)

• Process
  The list is built throughout the year, starting with 20–25 books and narrowing as reading evolves. There’s attention to representation and keeping the list varied, including indie and traditionally published works (07:36–08:02).

• Inclusivity and Community
  They encourage listeners to share favorites and suggestions, stressing that missing out on a list doesn’t diminish a book’s worth. Listeners are invited to add to the conversation across their social media handles and website (08:02–08:14).

• Recency Bias & December Releases
  Discussion around how year-end lists can overlook early-year or December titles. The hosts elaborate on their method for including late-year releases (09:21–10:03).

2. The Annual Best-Of Book Box

Timestamps: 11:46 – 14:28

• Partner Bookstore
  Each year, an indie bookstore assembles a box with (most) listed titles. This supports indie businesses and becomes a gift opportunity for listeners and their communities.

• Gifting & Accessibility
  Sarah shares her tradition of wrapping the books and placing them in her Little Free Library (12:53).

  “People get a little surprise gift in there and so I do that usually with these best of the year books.” —Sarah (12:56)

3. The Top Romance Novels of 2025

Each title discussed in depth, often with spoilers, analysis, and memorable moments. Below are key notes from these discussions.

Rosie Danan’s Fan Service

Timestamps: 17:25 – 26:12

• Premise:
  A witty, sexy paranormal romance blending werewolf lore with fandom culture. Alex, a vet tech and former fandom moderator, is approached by TV’s original “werewolf guy” when supernatural events take over his life.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Playful, original take on modern paranormal; balances sexiness, heart, and humor (24:49).
• Memorable Quote:

  “He basically is like seducing her in a Dunkin Donuts. It’s amazing.” —Sarah (22:18)

Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi

Timestamps: 26:12 – 34:14

• Premise:
  Explores big ideas—good and evil, forgiveness, change—through a plot involving Lucifer, matriarchal family lines, and a hellgate artifact in a heady, queer, polyamorous paranormal setting.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Lush writing, complex themes, bold polyamory, and a heroine’s journey to understanding her inhuman legacy (31:50, 33:13).
• Memorable Quote:

  “This was a book that was grappling with so many big ideas…What else could you do if you were going to make Lucifer your hero?” —Jennifer (31:50) “You have made the classic blunder essentially of thinking that being an angel means you’re good.” —Michael (Lucifer’s adversary), via Jennifer (33:14)

Lorraine Heath’s Tempest of Desire

Timestamps: 36:40 – 47:00

• Premise:
  A romantic, emotionally lush historical between a reclusive Viscount and London’s most famous courtesan, thrown together by fate and a literal storm. Intense, intimate, and deeply character-driven.
• Why It Stands Out:
  “Bananas” historical plotting meets deep, simmering feelings. Delivers romance with a capital R and big, cinematic moments (39:44).
• Memorable Quotes:

  “He looks up to the sky and he says, ‘my kingdom for a woman.’ And there is a crash of lightning. And he looks down…and there…is a woman.” —Sarah (39:52) “But you have other lips I could kiss. …Pardon me, Langdon.” —Sarah (46:09)

Some Kind of Famous by Ava Wilder

Timestamps: 50:00 – 57:13

• Premise:
  A former music prodigy with a troubled past and a small-town contractor build friendship and romance as they each navigate trauma, pride, and the balance of power in their relationship.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Realistic portrayal of healing, class differences, and the difficulty of self-forgiveness. Both leads’ journeys matter (57:00).
• Memorable Insights:

  “Both of these characters are really on a journey, and they have to figure out who they are before they can be together. And that used to be something that happened all the time…” —Jennifer (57:00)

Louisa Darling’s Scoundrel, Take Me Away

Timestamps: 57:38 – 67:01

• Premise:
  An “amnesia and highwayman” historical with a twist: the heroine falls for both a highwayman and a duke, unaware they are the same man. Amnesia allows for three phases of falling in love.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Fresh, clever spin on classic tropes, delivering maturity, humor, and “jealous of himself” dynamics.
• Memorable Moment:

  “Problem is, you guys, when the Duke wakes up…boom. Amnesia.” —Sarah (64:35)

E.H. Lupton’s Home from the War

Timestamps: 69:01 – 75:13

• Premise:
  Queer historical set in 1970s Wisconsin with a magical twist. A Vietnam veteran grapples with PTSD and magical foresight as he connects with a neurologist, weaving in questions about technology and trauma.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Unique take on “historical” set after Vietnam, melds magical realism, family, queer love, and the scars of war.
• Notable Discussion:

  “What does it really mean to be with someone who is gonna force you to let down your guard and really, I don’t know, like, be something different than you thought you could ever be with each other.” —Jennifer (85:02)

Elizabeth Stevens’ The Bone King and the Starling

Timestamps: 75:13 – 84:57

• Premise:
  A dark Viking romance featuring a Black enslaved heroine and an intensely violent king who claims her as queen. Explores the cost of violence in both character and society.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Gritty, bold, and grapples with issues of violence, community, and the complexities of healing from a brutal world (80:29–82:15).
• Memorable Quote:

  “He is no longer even aware of [his violence]…And he wants to be my husband. He wants to share my bed and raise my children…somehow never fear that he might turn that madness on me, the violence on me.” —Sarah (80:30)

Maisey Yates’ Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside

Timestamps: 85:02 – 90:54

• Premise:
  The twelfth book in the Four Corners Ranch series. Two characters, both shaped by family trauma and haunted by responsibility, work together to build a better future for their town and tentatively for each other.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Instead of opposites attract, here are two people remarkably alike—prideful, independent, responsible—finding a way to let each other in.
• Notable Insight:

  “How do you make it work when we are the same?” —Jennifer (88:00)

Alice Murphy’s A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in Love

Timestamps: 90:54 – 99:05

• Premise:
  Dual timeline novel spanning Gilded Age vaudeville and present-day New York. Main storyline follows plus-sized vaudeville star Evelyn and a theater mogul; contemporary track sees a romance between a historian and the mogul’s grandson.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Rich community, lush historical detail, strong body positivity. The historical storyline is poignant and moving (95:58).
• Memorable Insight:

  “She delivers two happily ever afters that look very different than what you might expect. …If Possession…were sexy, this is where we would be.” —Sarah (98:54)

Jenny Holiday’s Into the Woods

Timestamps: 99:09 – 105:12

• Premise:
  A dance teacher and a rock musician, both at personal crossroads, join a summer arts camp for teens in the woods, pursue a no-strings affair, and rediscover their love for art and for themselves.
• Why It Stands Out:
  Tackles the healing power of art, midlife reinventions, and the journey to self-acceptance. Both leads grow meaningfully.
• Memorable Quotes:

  “You still have things to discover about yourself. No matter how old you are, you still have art to make, you still have friends to make, you still have lovers to find.” —Jennifer (105:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Opener: “All right, Hulk Sarah.” — Jennifer, after Sarah recounts accidentally ripping the handle off a car door (00:43)
• Category Summary:

  “My group of five could be sponsored by, like, tequila, let’s fight and fuck.” — Jennifer (03:39)

• Reflection: “If you go back to the beginning, you will find terrific books from the jump.” — Sarah (06:45)
• On Romance Now:

  “Sometimes I think we are losing romance from romance in a lot of books these days.” — Sarah (38:07)

• Periodical Insight:

  “There’s a kind of trend toward people who are already fixed in romance—who are just sort of, like, quietly, like, vibing toward love because they’ve already, like, repaired themselves.” — Sarah (58:00)

• Community Call:

  “We would love to hear your favorite books of the year…Tell us what about them really made you happy.” — Sarah (105:36)

• Final Encouragement:

  “We hope that your year was filled with great books. We hope that if it was, you’ll share them with us.” — Sarah (110:23)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00 – 04:04 | Opener, banter, Hulk moment, intros
• 04:06 – 11:28 | Philosophy and process behind “best of” lists
• 11:46 – 15:09 | Best-of book box & gifting discussion
• 17:25 – 26:12 | Rosie Danan, “Fan Service”
• 26:12 – 34:14 | Akwaeke Emezi, “Son of the Morning”
• 36:40 – 47:00 | Lorraine Heath, “Tempest of Desire”
• 50:00 – 57:13 | Ava Wilder, “Some Kind of Famous”
• 57:38 – 67:01 | Louisa Darling, “Scoundrel, Take Me Away”
• 69:01 – 75:13 | E.H. Lupton, “Home from the War”
• 75:13 – 84:57 | Elizabeth Stevens, “The Bone King and the Starling”
• 85:02 – 90:54 | Maisey Yates, “Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside”
• 90:54 – 99:05 | Alice Murphy, “A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in Love”
• 99:09 – 105:12 | Jenny Holiday, “Into the Woods”
• 105:12 – End | Reflections, how to access book box, listener engagement, upcoming episodes

Final Thoughts

The 2025 best-of list is a testament to romance’s capacity for reflection and transformation, spanning lush historicals, polyamorous paranormals, and contemporary explorations of art and healing. A thread uniting Sarah and Jen’s lists is the power of community, the enduring appeal of imperfect protagonists, and the genre’s constant wrestling with both tenderness and trauma. For readers seeking the beating heart of romance, and for those ready to argue about what “best” means, this episode is an indispensable, big-hearted touchstone.

Find more details and the full list at: fatedmates.net/bestof

Join the conversation:

• @fatedmatespod on Instagram and Threads
• Fated Mates website comments section
• Discord for Patreon members

Order the book box or individual titles:

• Pocketbooks (8 of 10 books in print; others available in ebook/audio)