This blog post is all about the books I read in November 2025.

November’s reading stack felt a bit like rummaging through a treasure chest: a little mystery, a little heartbreak, some romance, a twist of fantasy, and a few books that made me stare into the middle distance like I’d just been hit by a plot-shaped gust of wind.
I read nine books this month, ranging from emotional literary fiction to cosy queer fantasy to classic Freida McFadden chaos.
Some surprised me, some frustrated me, and some were so quietly lovely they felt like the turning of a page in real life.
Below is the full roundup with blurbs to help you decide if each book fits your vibe, plus my honest thoughts on what worked (and what didn’t) for me.
And if you’d like to keep up with my reading in realtime, you can follow me on Goodreads here!
RELATED Books I Read in November blog posts to read:
- Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in October 2025
- Reviews of the 6 Books I Read in September 2025
- The Best 15 Cozy Winter Books to Read This Christmas
- Reviews of the 6 Books I Read in August 2025
- Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in July 2025
This blog post is all about the books I read in November.
Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in November 2025
Below are the ratings and reviews of the books I read in November this year.

1. Back in the Saddle by Maggie Eckersley
Caroline escapes Scotland after a brutal divorce, swearing off love for good.
But one whisky-fuelled kiss with Hunter, a charming Oklahoma cowboy, throws her plans off-course.
With his family ranch on the line and her past still raw, neither is looking for a spark… yet their connection refuses to fade.
My Rating: ★★★
This had all the ingredients of a book I usually inhale. Small-town tension, brooding cowboys, ranch dust floating in the air, but something in the execution felt a little under-seasoned.
Sweet and easy to read, but the emotional beats didn’t land as deeply as I hoped.
Still a pleasant weekend read if you love second-chance romance with gentle drama.
RELATED blog post to read: 7 Cowboy Romance Book Series to Dig Your Heels Into

2. Somewhere Beyond the Sea (2) by TJ Klune
Returning to the magical world of Marsyas Island, this sequel follows Arthur, Linus, and the children as they fight to protect their home from political threats and shifting tides in the broader magical world.
It’s a story of chosen family, courage, and the quiet power of love.
My Rating: ★★★★
Tender, warm, and full of that signature TJ Klune glow.
The humour sparkles, the heart is huge, and revisiting these characters felt like stepping back into a safe harbour.
A little slow in parts, but the found-family magic makes up for it. A lovely sequel that deepens the themes without losing the charm.
RELATED blog post to read: 11 of the Best Fantasy Books to Read This Summer

3. A Day Like This by Kelley McNeil
Annie Beyers wakes up after a car accident to a reality where her daughter doesn’t exist, and her old life has vanished.
She embarks on a desperate search for answers, trying to untangle grief, memory, and the question of which reality is truly hers.
My Rating: ★★★
Such an intriguing premise, and the early chapters had me fully hooked.
But the momentum dips, and the emotional payoff didn’t quite match the promise.
Still, the atmosphere is dreamy and disorienting in a way that keeps you turning pages, and the themes of motherhood and identity are handled with care.

4. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Corporate lawyer Dannie has her whole life perfectly planned, until she has a vivid vision of herself five years in the future, living a completely different life with a man she’s never met.
As her carefully built world begins to shift, she’s forced to confront fate, friendship, and love in unexpected ways.
My Rating: ★★★
Emotional, bittersweet, and nothing like the rom-com the cover suggests.
I liked the themes of friendship and the idea of destiny weaving in unexpected directions, but the pacing felt uneven, and the ending didn’t fully hit the notes I wanted.
Still, it delivers some memorable, tender moments.
RELATED blog post to read: 15 New York Books for Those Who Love New York

5. My Policeman by Bethan Roberts
In 1950s Brighton, schoolteacher Marion falls in love with Tom, a policeman who is secretly in a passionate relationship with museum curator Patrick.
What follows is a heartbreaking story of longing, repression, and the cost of choosing safety over truth.
My Rating: ★★★★
Quietly devastating. The writing is elegant and restrained, and the emotional tension builds in a way that feels almost tidal.
It’s not a fast read, but it lingers with you, heavy and aching. Beautifully crafted and deeply human.
I’ll be watching the movie adaptation with Harry Styles as soon as possible.
RELATED blog post to read: 10 Binge-Worthy Books to Read Before They Hit the Big Screen

6. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
When a grieving woman finds herself unexpectedly staying at a seaside wedding resort, she becomes entangled in the celebrations of strangers while wrestling with her own loss.
The story explores renewal, connection, and the strange intimacy of temporary communities.
My Rating: ★★★
There’s something wonderfully offbeat about this book, and I loved the setting and the quirky mix of characters.
But the emotional through-line wavers, and the plot occasionally feels unfocused.
A contemplative, character-driven read, just not one that fully swept me away.

7. Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden
A woman on the run checks into a remote motel, hoping to hide from her violent husband.
But as the night unfolds, secrets between guests and staff explode into a web of chaos, danger, and suspicion.
My Rating: ★★★
Pure Freida McFadden: fast, twisty, slightly unhinged.
This one feels more pulpy than her best work, but still highly readable.
I didn’t love the ending, but the pace makes it perfect for when you want a quick, popcorn thriller without overthinking things.
RELATED blog post to read: The 11 Best Freida McFadden Books You Need to Read Immediately

8. The Naturals (1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Cassie is recruited into a secret FBI program that trains talented teens to solve cold cases.
Living in a house with other brilliant (and sometimes unnerving) teens, she’s drawn into a dangerous investigation that hits closer to home than she expected.
My Rating: ★★★★
Addictive and atmospheric.
It’s YA Criminal Minds with great pacing, clever twists, and a cast you immediately want to spend more time with.
A little trope-y, but in a way that works. I’m definitely continuing the series.
RELATED blog post to read: The Best 15 Book Series Like ACOTAR You Need To Read

9. I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
When a frustrated employee accidentally gains access to her coworkers’ private messages, she goes from invisible office nobody to someone who suddenly knows everything. Truths, secrets, betrayals, and confessions included.
Chaos and clarity ensue.
My Rating: ★★★★
This is sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.
The premise is irresistible, and Natalie Sue balances humour with a quiet exploration of burnout and loneliness.
Short, punchy, laugh-out-loud and perfect if you like contemporary fiction with a bit of bite.
The Books I Read in November
November ended up being a month of mixed vibes with comforting fantasy, twisty mysteries, emotional fiction, and a handful of books that nudged me into reflective territory.
My favourites were Somewhere Beyond the Sea, My Policeman, The Naturals, and I Hope This Finds You Well, but everything on the list brought something interesting to the table.
If you’ve read any of these or are adding one to your TBR, I’d love to hear what you think.
Here’s to December bringing more stories worth curling up with!
RELATED Books I Read in November blog posts to read:
- Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in October 2025
- Reviews of the 6 Books I Read in September 2025
- The Best 15 Cozy Winter Books to Read This Christmas
- Reviews of the 6 Books I Read in August 2025
- Reviews of the 9 Books I Read in July 2025

By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

Leave a Reply