Welcome to my continuously updated collection of the absolute best audiobooks of 2025! If you’re looking for your next amazing listen, you’ve come to the right place because I love browsing through and listening to new releases to find those truly special audiobooks that will make your heart soar.
Every month, I add more outstanding audiobook gems to this guide – the ones where the narration and story come together in pure audio perfection. No recommendations make it onto this list unless I’ve personally experienced them and fallen in love.
Right now, you’ll find my favorite discoveries from January, plus a peek at the most exciting releases coming up in the next few months. And let me tell you, there are some absolutely incredible audiobooks headed our way!
Ready to find your next unforgettable listen? Let’s start curating your To Be Listened To list with the best audiobooks of 2025!
January 2025’s Outstanding Listens
The Favorites
By Layne Fargo
Narrated by Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman & 6 more
Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins
The Favorites has been making waves! To me, it tasted more like Literary Fiction than Sports Romance, but nevertheless, this book and the amazing audio production instantly drew me in. I loved how the different voices were arranged for the audio and I dig a complex and difficult heroine like Kat Shaw. Also, if you ever followed professional ice skating, you know that none of the drama in this book is over the top compared to real life!
Perfect for: Listeners who enjoy Romance-adjacent stories, are interested in ice skating, and/or just love BIG DRAMA!
The Afterdark
By E. Latimer
Narrated by Amanda Cordner, Emily Nixon, Thom Nyhuus
Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
The Afterdark was a surprise hit for me. It’s deliciously creepy but in a cozy way! We switch between Holland’s and Evie’s point of view. Holland is very driven and tries to reach her goals at the boarding school. Evie was never supposed to be there. I loved the vibes of this book so much, the friendship, the emotions, the longing… and the forest.
Perfect for: Fans of nature horror (which I found out I am!) and anyone else who enjoys queer, suspenseful Young Adult books!
The Starlight Heir
By Amalie Howard
Narrated by Anais Inara Chase, Ramiz Monsef
Release date: 01-07-25
I mostly picked this up because I’m a fan of Anais Inara Chase audiobooks, but I have also enjoyed anything I’ve read by Amalie Howard so far. And The Starlight Heir blew me away! This is a delicious Romantasy full of court intrigue and I loved the concept of a bladesmith heroine.
Perfect for: Any and all Romantasy fans!
Immortal
By Sue Lynn Tan
Narrated by Natalie Naudus
Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins
Sue Lynn Tan’s Celestial Kingdom is such an amazing world to me and I’m so excited we get to return there in this standalone novel! Liyen is the ruler of her country but she is supposed to follow all the rules. As those rules come directly from the gods, I found it particularly fascinating to find out how Liyen would manage to get what she wants for her people.
Perfect for: My fellow fans of Natalie Naudus narrations, and anyone who thinks “God of War” is an excellent title for a Romance hero! (… because it is)
The Note
By Alafair Burke
Narrated by Catherine Ho
Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
I found The Note to be an intensely captivating listen as we, layer by layer, peel away the facades of these three friends and their relationship(s). This was my first book by Alafair Burke but given her long backlist, I will absolutely change that!
Perfect for: Anyone craving a quick and intense Thriller audiobook!
January Trends:
- Titles starting with “The”
- Complex heroines who don’t gaf about the rules!
- Romantasy!
If you want to know how and where to best pick up these amazing audiobooks, check out my article about Library Extension!
Most Anticipated Audiobooks of 2025
February
Deep End
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Narrated by Thérèse Plummer, Ben Holtzmuller
Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins
Release date: 02-04-25
While I haven’t loved every Ali Hazelwood book I have listened to, many of her audiobooks have given me hours of fantastic entertainment, so I will definitely check out her upcoming College Romance novel!
This Inevitable Ruin
Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 7
Author: Matt Dinniman
Narrated by: Not yet announced, but it will most definitely be Jeff Hays, probably supported by surprise voices.
Release date: 02-11-25
If you love audiobooks, chances are you will love Dungeon Crawler Carl! Jeff Hays does absolutely breathtaking things with his voice, making this fast-paced Fantasy story sound almost like a full-cast production. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com
Author: Kimberly Lemming
Narrated by Hazel Addison
Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 02-18-25
Kimberly Lemming’s Mead Mishaps series was so entertaining! I’m thrilled to see that she got a deal with Penguin Random House.
March
Oathbound
Series: The Legendborn Cycle book 3
Author: Tracy Deonn
Narrated by: TBA
Length: 22 hrs
Release date: 03-04-25
The Legendborn Cycle is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series and the third book is highly anticipated!
Murder by Memory
Author: Olivia Waite
Narrated by Blair Baker
Length 2 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 03-18-25
Olivia Waite has written some of my most favorite Historical Romance novels and it will be exciting to see her venture into what’s described as a Sci-Fi Cozy Mystery. Sounds intriguing!
When the Moon Hits Your Eye
Author: John Scalzi
Narrated by Wil Wheaton
Release date: 03-25-25
I have found the John Scalzi books I have listened to so far to be wildly entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny, and political. I love that mix!
April
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)
Series: A Vera Wong Novel, Book 2
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Narrated by Eunice Wong
Length: 11 hrs
Release date: 04-01-25
The new Vera Wong book is one of my most anticipated books of the year! I adore Eunice Wong’s voice and narration style and Jesse Q. Sutanto novels are always a hit for me.
Say You’ll Remember Me
Author: Abby Jimenez
Narrated by: TBA
Length: 10 hrs
Release date: 04-01-25
Abby Jimenez has this wonderful sense of humor and writes characters that never fail to pull me in and have me root for them.
My Best Friend’s Honeymoon
Author: Meryl Wilsner
Narrated by Blair Baker, Emily Shaw
Release date: 04-29-25
I have listened to every Meryl Wilsner audiobook and loved every single one. This author writes amazing queer Romance and I cannot wait for the next book!
To Be Continued….
Eline Blackman (pronouns: she/they) fell in love with books as a child – with being read to and reading herself. 10 years ago, she bought her first Audible book. It was love at first listen! An average of 250 audiobooks per year has become the new normal and you will rarely see Eline without a wireless earbud. Romance and Fantasy are the go-to genres for this audiobook fan.