Most-Read Books on Goodreads Right Now: This Week's Top Picks

Jessica George, author of Maame, returns with a nuanced look at friendship—a welcome trend in contemporary fiction. Remy scored instant success with her debut novel about her three best friends, but now faces creative drought and the realization that those friendships have quietly dissolved. Meanwhile, Simone, a kindergarten teacher juggling her career and side gig, has little bandwidth for connection. When they collide in a bookstore, each may offer what the other desperately needs—if they can navigate the secrets standing between them. —Erica Ezeifedi

L. D. Lewis delivers a queer dark fantasy debut that reimagines The Little Mermaid generations after the happily-ever-after. Yemi, Arielle's granddaughter, stands poised to inherit the throne of Ixia following her father's assassination—until a violent coup sends her family into exile. Seeking vengeance, Yemi turns to Ursula the sea-witch, who recognizes in the displaced princess the perfect instrument for her own retribution. —Liberty Hardy

Alice Feeney's latest thriller arrived with built-in momentum: the TV adaptation of her novel His & Hers premiered in January, just weeks before this book's release. The premise is pure psychological suspense: a woman returns home to discover her key won't work, and the stranger who answers the door insists she's married to the woman's husband. Billed as a "mind-bending marriage thriller," it drew nearly 15,000 Goodreads readers this week and holds a 4.1 average rating.

Virginia Evans' debut has become 2025's unexpected phenomenon, building momentum purely through reader recommendations. Katie Couric recently selected it as the inaugural pick for her new book club. The novel follows a lifelong letter writer who, when a figure from her past responds, must confront a painful chapter and find a path toward forgiveness. This week alone, nearly 19,000 Goodreads users read it, and it maintains a 4.5 average rating.

McFadden's newest thriller centers on an advice columnist who has spent years counseling women through troubled marriages—from emotionally distant partners to outright abusive relationships. But when she's unexpectedly laid off and discovers her own husband has been hiding things from her, she realizes it's time to practice what she preaches and pursue her own form of justice. The book drew nearly 19,000 Goodreads readers this week and holds a solid 4.0 average rating.

Bestselling romance novelist Abby Jimenez scored big with her 2024 release Just for the Summer, and now she's back with the second installment in her Say You'll Remember Me series. This one explores a classic love triangle: Larissa is stuck in a failing relationship with Mike, while Chris—Mike's best friend—harbors secret feelings for her but refuses to act on them for fear of destroying their tight-knit circle. The Night We Met attracted 25,000 Goodreads readers this week and currently sits at a 4.2 average rating.

Andy Weir's 2021 sci-fi novel is experiencing a major resurgence thanks to the Ryan Gosling-led film adaptation now in theaters. Fans of The Martian will find familiar territory here: another meticulously researched tale of survival in the void of space. The protagonist, Ryland Grace, is a middle school science teacher and former molecular biologist who finds himself humanity's sole chance at survival. Nearly 38,000 Goodreads users picked it up this week, and it boasts an impressive 4.5 average rating.