I'll Read What She's Reading
Episode: 5 STAR READS OF 2025
Date: December 31, 2025
Hosts: Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy
Episode Overview
This New Year’s Eve episode is a celebration and reflection on the hosts' absolute favorite ("five star") reads of 2025. Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy reveal which books earned their highest marks this year, what makes a book "five stars," and dig into memorable reading experiences. The conversation blends heartfelt recommendations with their signature unfiltered banter, offering a blend of critical insight and chaotic, relatable book chat.
How Many Five Star Reads Did Everyone Have? (00:12 - 02:13)
- The hosts each try to guess the number of five star reads their co-hosts achieved in 2025.
- Final tallies:
- Kennedy: 15
- Reggie: 14 (includes rereads)
- Mikayla: 9
- Surprise at how many five star reads they ended up with, given initial expectations.
Notable Quote:
“Let me just say I had more than I thought. I had more than I thought.”
— Kennedy (00:48)
What Makes a Book a "Five Star" Read? (02:33 - 04:45)
- Emotional impact and strong characters are top factors for the hosts.
- Reggie admits: "Would I read it again? If I feel like I would read it again, then I would give it five stars.” (03:42)
- The group references how their criteria have changed over time, and past interviews have influenced their thinking about plot, character, and emotional resonance.
Diving into the Hosts’ 2025 Five Star Reads
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (02:33 - 04:54)
- Loved for its emotional impact, despite flaws in plot and world-building.
- Reggie: “Was it a perfect book? No... but the emotional reaction Rebecca got from me, it deserved the five star stamp of approval.” (02:33)
- Mikayla withheld a fifth star due to plot and world-building issues, especially for a third book in a series.
Lightbringer by Pierce Brown (05:21 - 06:22)
- Kennedy’s first five star of the year. Everything "clicked" for her.
- “Sometimes you read Red Rising and it hurts your brain. But for some reason I didn't have to think reading that book, it all just made sense.” (05:43)
- Mikayla discusses reading the series over several months, ultimately enjoying a "binge" but wouldn't recommend reading it so quickly.
Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (06:58 - 08:15)
- Kennedy praises the closure and reveals at the end of the Mistborn trilogy.
- “Everything tied together so nicely... It was just epic.” (06:58)
- Advises patience for Sanderson's series for full payoff.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (08:31 - 08:54)
- No explanation needed; all are in agreement it’s a five star read.
- “Do you need me to even say anything about it? ... Five stars. Suzanne Collins, Sunrise on the Reaping.” — Reggie (08:37)
All Roads Lead Here by Mariana Zapata (08:54 - 10:18)
- Mikayla moved her original 4.5 star rating up to five.
- Loved the believable, non-cheesy romance and realistic character interaction.
- “I feel like the conversations were very realistic... not Hallmark-esque.” — Mikayla (09:18)
- Reggie and Kennedy agree Mr. Rhodes is a favorite Mariana Zapata love interest.
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros (10:25 - 11:33)
- A deep, emotional romance read for both Reggie and Kennedy.
- “My review says I would not recommend this book to anyone, but I gave it five stars. And people are like, you’re being sarcastic.” — Reggie (10:50)
- Excitement (and mild wariness) about upcoming film adaptations.
Fearless (13:05 - 14:39)
- Not a perfect book, but intense emotional experience and bingeability factor made it five stars.
- Nostalgia for the series’ characters, even though the hosts are aware their opinions might change on a re-read.
Golden Summer (14:43 - 15:55)
- Kennedy and Mikayla both praise setting, emotional resonance, and the character of Charlie.
- “Everything about that book was just perfect for me.” — Kennedy (15:20)
- Reflect on shared reading experiences and upcoming screen adaptations.
Bear Town & The Winners by Fredrik Backman (19:00 - 19:18)
- Kennedy: “Just emotional. I love those characters so much. They felt like family.”
The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O’Keefe (19:44 - 21:55)
- Reggie highlights it as an underrated sci-fi romance, great as a Red Rising alternative.
- “If you like Romantasy, but you’ve been scared to read Red Rising, I feel like The Blighted Stars is a good little segue...” (21:02)
- Jokingly calls the genre "science friction" (per Matt Denman) (21:51)
Shield of Sparrows (22:19 - 23:34)
- Mikayla upgrades it to five stars thanks to lasting impact and excitement for the upcoming sequel.
- “I think when I originally... I said like 4.5. But I think how much I think about it and how excited I am for the next book... Solid five stars.” (22:36)
- Hosts recall a viral TikTok reaction with literal jaw-dropping surprise at the plot.
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang (23:39 - 24:57)
- Kennedy’s favorite in the Poppy War trilogy, praised for not shying away from war’s brutality and for strong plot twists.
(Rereads) Throne of Glass — Crown of Midnight & Kingdom of Ash (25:05 - 26:16)
- Reggie awards five stars on rereads, acknowledging previous mixed feelings but increased appreciation.
- Side discussion about publication order and dramatization project delays.
Moon Luna by Kelly McNeil (26:44 - 27:23)
- Kennedy and Reggie note its BookTok popularity, with praise for its refreshing, non-cheesy approach to rockstar romance.
- “That should be a TV show. No, that should be a movie.” — Kennedy (27:10)
Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang (27:28 - 29:58)
- Kennedy initially gave 4.5, bumped up due to lasting thoughts about the book, especially the unique, powerful mom character and emotional punch.
- Acknowledges tough start with world-building but advises patience.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (29:59 - 32:25)
- Reggie gushes about the writing, themes, and immersive metaphors.
- “Within the first 20 pages, I was invested and I was a mess.” (30:25–30:47)
- Kennedy notes it should “absolutely be a movie.”
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (33:38 - 34:18)
- All three hosts give “can’t say much for spoiler reasons,” but rave about the experience and cast of characters, particularly Isaiah Rhodes.
- Brief sidebar on the Windy City series and romance genre representation.
Play Along and Windy City Series by Liz Tomforde (34:19 - 39:12)
- Discuss the collective obsession and personal relatability of the romance and sports themes.
- Anecdotes about access issues with audiobooks (Libby, Hoopla, Spotify), breaking down different hosts' love for specific couples and tropes.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Reread) (41:27 - 42:10)
- Kennedy wraps up her year with a classic.
- Tied to a family trip to Universal Studios; personal stories about house sorting and the unique wand-selection process at Ollivanders.
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen (43:13 - 44:59)
- Mikayla gave it 4.5, but rounds up, citing the book’s fun, unique medieval-inspired world, fast pace, and memorable banter.
- “I just thought it was really fresh and unique... similar-ish vibes to Throne of Glass.”
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (46:23 - 47:52)
- Kennedy highlights the emotional resonance and quotability of Backman’s writing, noting a romantic quote she used for her anniversary.
- “He’s like one of those old grumpy people that you just want to give a hug.” (47:18)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On being less critical in 2026:
“If you had a really good reading experience and you talk really highly of it and you recommend it to everyone, you probably should rate it five stars.”
— Mikayla (48:40) -
On what kind of reads they crave next:
“I need like a new series, like... the Windy City series. I need something like that again.”
— Reggie (49:16) -
On reading goals and pressure:
“I went through this phase where I was trying to get through books as fast as I possibly could... So we’re going into 2026 with good vibes.”
— Kennedy (50:24)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:12 — Tallying five star reads
- 02:33 — What makes a book five stars?
- 03:56 — Onyx Storm discussion
- 05:21 — Lightbringer praise
- 06:58 — Hero of Ages reflections
- 08:31 — Sunrise on the Reaping
- 08:54 — All Roads Lead Here
- 10:25 — The Last Letter
- 13:05 — Fearless
- 14:43 — Golden Summer
- 19:00 — Bear Town & The Winners
- 19:44 — The Blighted Stars
- 22:19 — Shield of Sparrows
- 23:39 — The Dragon Republic
- 25:05 — Throne of Glass (rereads)
- 26:44 — Moon Luna
- 27:28 — Sword of Kaigen
- 29:59 — Atmosphere
- 33:38 — The Book of Doors
- 34:19 — Play Along/Windy City Series
- 41:27 — Harry Potter (reread)
- 43:13 — The Bridge Kingdom
- 46:23 — A Man Called Ove
- 48:10 - end — Reflections on reading tastes, goals, and looking ahead
Recurring Themes
- Emotional connection trumps technical perfection for five star status.
- Evolving criteria for what makes a "best" book: hosts' standards change as their reading lives grow.
- Joy in reading is found not just in books, but in community and conversation.
- Excitement and skepticism about book-to-film/TV adaptations—hope for more quality romance and fantasy on screen.
Final Thoughts
The hosts close on a hopeful note, vowing to be less critical and read more for fun in 2026, and inviting listeners to send recommendations for the next bingeable romance series. With plenty of inside jokes, asides about their personal lives, and reflections on why they love reading, this episode is a warm snapshot of book friendship and community.