Have you ever noticed how many astoundingly wonderful books there are to enjoy? Truly, it blows me away! It also makes me realize just how hard it is for a book to be discovered, shared, recommended, land on a bestsellers list, and/or be nominated for an award. Even a book with 20K+ reviews won’t necessarily grab my—or any potential reader’s—attention in the midst of this abundance.
Recognizing this is a perspective shifter, for sure. I feel awestruck and inspired by the stellar books I’ve listened to and read, but recognizing the abundance also makes me appreciate the attention my humble books have received. All of this encourages me to read, listen, and write even more.
What follows are some of my favorite audiobooks and books that I’ve enjoyed in 2025. I left out the ones I think I enjoyed the previous year, like KING OF ASHES by S.A. Cosby, The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros, and REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt.
I hope my list of favorites introduces you to something wonderful and new.
THE PERFECT SON by Freida McFaddan, narrated by Suzie Althens and Daniel Thomas May
THE STILLWATER GIRLS by Minka Kent, narrated by Lauren Ezzo and Melissa Moran
THE KILL CLAUSE (short story) by Lisa Unger, narrated by Vivienne Leheny
WHAT LIES BETWEEN US by John Marrs, narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden
KAUA‘I STORM by Tori Eldridge, narrated by Tori Eldridge
THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware, narrated by Imogen Church
SEDUCTION THEORY by Emily Adrian, narrated by Jennifer Pickens
THE DOLLS HOUSE by Lisa Unger, narrated by Mia Barron and Kimberly Woods
DAISY JONES & THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, and Pablo Schreiber
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, and Robin Miles
CARRIE SOTO IS BACK by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Stacy Gonzalez, Mary Carillo, Patrick Mcenroe, Rob Simmelkjaer, Brendan Wayne, max Meyers, Reynaldo Piniella, Vidish Athavale, Tom Bromheard, Heath Miller, Julia Whelan , Sara Arington
MALIBU RISING by Taylor Jenkins Reid
SMALL THINGS by Wanda M. Morris, narrated by Susannah Jones
A LOVELY LIE, by Jaimie Lynn Hendricks, narrated by Hillary Huber
DEATH ROW (short story) by Frieda McFadden, narrated by Lauryn Allman
THE GREAT MANN by Kyra Davis Lurie, narrated by Ian Hackney
PRETTY GIRLS by Karin Slaughter, narrated by Kathleen Early
YOU DESERVE TO KNOW, by Aggie Blum Thompson, narrated by Alex Picard
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alic Feeney, narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton
LAST SEEN by J.T. Ellison
THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS by Jessamine Chan, narrated by Catharine Ho
DIVERSION by Cindy Goyette
THE COUPLE IN 5B by Lisa Unger
THE FOURTH DAUGHTER by Lyn Liao Butler
THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen, narrated by Hillary Huber
TELL ME WHAT YOU DID by Carter Wilson, narrated by Allyson Ryan and Patrick Zeller
THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl, narrated by Kiiri Sandy
ATMOSPHERE by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Kristen KiMercurio, Julia Whelan, Taylor Jenkins Reid
THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine, narrated by Raquel Beattie, Scott Brick, Suzanne Elise Freeman, Erin Bennett
KISS HER GOODBYE by Lisa Gardner
KING OF ASHES by S.A. Cosby, narrated by Adam Lazarre-White
WARD D by Freida McFadden
THE LIE SHE WEARS by Elle Marr
And if those recommendations weren’t enough, I hope you’ll also check out my Lily Wong Thrillers—THE NINJA DAUGHTER, THE NINJA’S BLADE, THE NINJA BETRAYED, THE NINJA’S OATH—and my first Ranger Makalani Pahukula Mystery, KAUA‘I STORM. I have fabulous audiobooks for the first three Lily Wong Thrillers. The series can be read in order or enjoyed as standalone novels.
Hint: If you’d like a vicarious trip to Hong Kong with family drama, triads, and a hint of romance, try THE NINJA BETRAYED. If you want an exciting adventure, steamy relationships, and epic fight scenes set in Shanghai and Osaka—Best Thriller Books said my battle royale could make Quentin Tarrantino blush! —check out THE NINJA’S OATH.
I’m especially proud of the KAUA‘I STORM audiobook because it’s narrated by me!
Fun Fact: Brilliance Audio has also hired me to narrate HAWAI‘I RAGE (coming May 19, 2025).
You can find links to all of them on my website, including bookstores that may still have signed copies. My book club pages have gobs of videos, photos, discussion questions, and recipes to enjoy.
Tori’s Website with Lily Wong Thrillers
Tori’s Lily Wong Thrillers Book Club Page
Tori’s KAUA‘I STORM Book Club Page
Mahalo for reading my muse-letters and supporting my free Substack blog. I have really enjoyed connecting with all of you in this way. I look forward to more connections in the new year.
And if you’re looking for interesting Substack blogs to follow, I invite you to check out my subscriptions. It’s always a pleasure when their posts appear in my inbox. I hope seeing mine appear in yours makes you smile. 😊
Here’s my hubby and me with our adorable mo‘opuna wishing all of you laughter, peace, and joy!
Me ke aloha,
Tori 🌺
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