10 clean fiction books to read in 2025

By Leigh DeLozier (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads)

 

Now that we’re settling into the New Year, what’s on your reading list for 2025? If you’re a fellow fiction lover and are open to suggestions, here are 10 clean fiction books I’m looking forward to reading this year.

 

Coming in 2025

1) Serial Burn by Lynette Eason (romantic suspense)

January 2025 (just released, but I’m still counting it in this group)

She’s out for justice. But the arsonist she’s tracking is out for retribution.

This is the third installment of Lynette’s Lake City Heros series, which follows a group of friends and coworkers who are healthcare heroes, first responders, and the like. I enjoyed the first two books, so expect this one to be just as entertaining. Plus, she always manages to surprise me with a twist or two.

 

2) Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin (World War II historical)

February 2025

To escape the Nazis, she must become a spy. To save the Allied cause, must he betray his heart?

Sarah’s stories always have spunky female characters, beautiful relationships, strong faith story lines, and glimpses into aspects of World War II that intrigue me. I enjoy her books tremendously. And one set in Scotland? Sounds lovely.

 

3) The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter (contemporary romance)

April 2025

Maggie Reynolds is finally ready for love again — until the past shows up in the form of someone who may or may not be the late husband she thought she’d lost.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, and they’re always so much fun! They’re quick reads and always have such cute characters. This would be a perfect vacation read, though I’m not sure I’ll be able to wait that long.

 

4) The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White (World War II historical)

July 2025

Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. Now two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Roseanna has written in multiple genres — Regency, Biblical fiction, contemporary mystery — and does equally well in all of them. This one seems different from her other WWII tales, so I’m looking forward to the shift.

 

5) The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck (contemporary romance)

July 2025

Emery Quinn finds herself at a crossroads between her career and complex family dynamics. Caleb Ransom never expected to see Emery again, the girl who captured his heart sixteen summers ago. Rekindling their friendship leads to a poignant tale of second chances and the enduring power of love.

Whether it’s a princess tale, a timeslip, or a contemporary story, Rachel Hauck books are must-buys for me. This looks like another perfect addition to a summer reading stack.

 

6) Final Approach by Lynette Eason (romantic suspense)

August 2025

An air marshal helps prevent a flight from being hijacked. But as the investigation into the incident gets underway, there’s much more to this story than meets the eye.

Yes, this is the second book on my list by Lynette and the final installment of her Lake City Heroes series. But if the teaser about it is correct — that this is “another edge-of-your-seat thrill ride as she brings her popular Lake City Heroes series to a shocking and satisfying close” — then I’m too full of curiosity to stay away.

 

Already available – so what are you waiting for?

7) Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer (Western-set fairy tale retelling)

Set in the 1800s in Texas, “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Sleeping Beauty” entwine for a romantic fairy tale retelling that explores the power of true love conquering even the darkest of nights. This is the third book in her Texas Ever After series; the first was based on Snow White and the second on Cinderella.

I’ve been a fan of Karen’s books since some of her earliest books. I love how relatable but feisty her characters are and how she slips in funny lines or scenes that make me laugh out loud. If you enjoy Westerns, Karen should be on your list of authors to follow.

 

8) Ignite by Kara Swanson (young adult dystopian)

Can Mara survive long enough to rescue her family — in a frozen world where she’s hunted for the flame in her veins? Fire and ice collide in this thrilling tale of a Phoenix girl born with the power of a dying sun.

Kara’s first two books — Dust and Shadow — are modern day Peter Pan retellings from viewpoints I’d never considered. They were thoroughly entertaining and Ignite promises to be another entertaining (but intense) tale.

 

9) Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills (romantic suspense)

Justice can be elusive. Family secrets can be deadly. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in a volatile crime case filled with unanswered questions. And Carrington Reed is running short on time to piece together clues that will solve the puzzle.

DiAnn is one of the best romantic suspense authors around; her books are automatic buys for me because I enjoy them so much. But once I get a new one, it might sit on the shelf for a while. Why? Because once I begin reading one of DiAnn’s books, I’m immediately drawn in and don’t want to put it down!

 

10) Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham (contemporary romance)

Sometimes love means embracing the good, the bad . . . and even the impossible. In this hilarious, sweet, low-spice rom-com, opposites attract when a princess falls for a flannel-wearing carpenter.

I’ve never read any of Pepper’s books, though she’s written more than 20 contemporary and historical romance novels and novellas. I’ve heard lots of great things about her stories, so thought this could be a fun place to start.

 

What’s on your reading list?

What’s on your to-read list for the year? You can tell that I enjoy reading across multiple genres, so I’m always looking for new authors. Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re looking forward to diving into soon.

 

PS — Next time I’ll share about some nonfiction titles I’m ready to learn from.

What’s on your reading list for 2025? If you love #cleanfiction here are 10 #Christianfiction books worth adding to your list.

Tweet