There’s so much hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas, Hanukkah and everything in between. But what happens once those days pass? The lull week between Christmas and New Year’s sets in, and hopefully, that means it’s time to relax. Here at First, our favorite way to unwind is to curl up on the couch with a book. If you’re looking for fun books to read, we’ve rounded up stories that take place on New Year’s Eve. Keep scrolling for our complete list of book recommendations to help you ring in 2025. Happy Reading!
Filled with love and joy, this novel explores how fate leads us to encounters we’d never expect. Minnie Cooper fully believes her New Year’s Eve birthday is unlucky, and it’s all because of Quinn Hamilton—who happened to be born on the same day at the same hospital. He was given the cash prize for being the first baby born in London in 1990, and he stole the name Minnie was supposed to have. With odds like that, it’s no wonder each of her birthdays has been a disaster. When Minnie unexpectedly runs into Quinn on their 30th birthday, she sees that good fortune has followed him to adulthood and she finds herself bumping into him more and more after the New Year. If these two are so different, why do they keep crossing paths? And why does each encounter leave them wanting more?
What readers are saying: “Have you ever had a book that once you finished, you sighed, hugged it and just smiled thinking about how amazing it was? That was me after finishing this book. This book captured my attention on page one and continued to amaze me with each page. This story is beautifully written—reminding you to love yourself, take chances, never take anything or anyone you have for granted and to never judge a person before you get to know their story. I loved this book. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a feel-good, easy read!”
Sadie Thatcher’s life has fallen apart, and she lost her job, apartment and boyfriend in one fell swoop. So, on New Year’s Eve, when a fortune teller offers her a chance to redo her awful year, Sadie can’t help but say yes. However, when she opens her eyes, she’s disappointed to find that nothing has changed after making the wish. To top it off, she shares a midnight kiss with her brother’s best friend, Jacob, which might just be her dumbest move yet. But when she wakes up on January 1 of last year and starts to notice the red flags in her relationship and career, Sadie realizes this redo is exactly what she needs. Plus, she can’t stop running into Jacob and thinking about the kiss they shared—which he has no idea even happened.
What readers are saying: “I adored this book. It’s a great time-travel, second-chance romance, and I couldn’t put it down. Jacob was such a cinnamon roll, and I was immediately obsessed with him. The baking aspect was wonderful, and I wanted to try everything that Sadie made. The ‘found family’ vibes were incredible, and everyone at the Zoe’s was delightful. This book just felt like a warm hug, and I liked that Sadie found herself in addition to the love story. I also really liked that it wasn’t full Groundhog Day. Instead of going through the same day repeatedly, Sadie went through her entire year, which I thought provided her with a lot of growth. This was very cute!”
Frankie and Ezra vowed to never speak to each other again after they broke up at their college graduation. Ten years later, on New Year’s Eve 1999, they find themselves on their college campus for the wedding of mutual friends. Frankie’s on the rise as a music manager and Ezra is about to propose to his girlfriend, so what could go wrong? But when they wake up in bed the following day with Ezra’s grandmother’s ring on Frankie’s finger and no recollection of how they got there, they must put their grievances aside to work through what did happen and what didn’t. Will they realize that maybe they got it wrong the first time around and are really meant to be?
What readers are saying: “This is the kind of story that brings the reader all in, starting with a beginning that makes us cringe in sympathy, growing more engaged as each layer of the present and backstory unfolds. Allison Winn Scotch does an admirable job of weaving the past and present, along with his story and her story, so the reader never gets confused or bored. I loved the setting, the great characters, and the excellent storyline.”
Oona Lockhart has her whole life before her. It’s New Year’s 1982, and she’ll turn 19 at midnight with a big decision: Should she study abroad in London or stay in Brooklyn with her band and her boyfriend? But as the countdown to the New Year begins, Oona faints and never makes it to 19. She wakes up 32 years later at 51, and a stranger greets her. She soon learns that she’ll spend every year at another random age, and so begins Oona Out of Order.
What readers are saying: “This was an interesting story! I loved seeing Oona’s growth as she leaped between the years, never knowing where or when she would end up at the stroke of midnight. The way the details of each year revealed themselves was great. I really enjoyed this book!”
Lucy Stone is known for solving holiday hijinks, and in this installment of Leslie Meier’s beloved series, she and her daughter, Elizabeth, are tasked with solving a New Year’s mystery. The pair are ready to ring in the New Year in style, especially since Elizabeth won mother/daughter winter makeovers in Manhattan from Jolie magazine. The all-expenses paid trip seems like a dream, but it turns out to have some hidden costs—including murder. Things go from bad to worse when self-absorbed fashion editor Nadine Nelson falls mysteriously ill and dies. Will Lucy solve the case before the ball drops?
What readers are saying: “This was one of Lucy Stone’s better adventures! I loved the theme and found it very interesting. Looking forward to the next adventure.”
On New Year’s Eve, 1999, four teens working at a Blockbuster Video are attacked, with only one person left alive. But when, 15 years later, more employees are killed—again, with only one survivor left behind—three lives change forever: that of the first lone survivor, the brother of the man accused and the FBI agent working the case.
What readers are saying: “A well-written story, with likable characters and plenty of plot twists! Everything you want in a psychological thriller! It melded perfectly the events of 15 years ago and the present. Didn’t see the plot twists and the ending coming.”
On the last night of 1937, 25-year-old Katy Kontent finds herself at a second-rate jazz bar in Greenwich Village. When Tinker Grey, a handsome banker, sits down at the table near her, Katy doesn’t realize her life’s about to change. This chance encounter soon propels Katy on a year-long journey into the high society life of the New York elite. Will she survive the upper class or is all that glitter not so gold after all?
What readers are saying: “Mr. Towles is a master storyteller. His writing is magical, and his wit and intelligence are impeccable. What an engrossing tale—chock full of interesting events and characters and a storyline that never stopped moving full steam ahead. I was drawn in on page 1. This is one of those books you keep reading long after you really should have taken care of other things in your life. It was just so difficult to put the book down.”
After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis’ father. To one-up his father, Ellis suggests he and Madeline search for the Loch Ness Monster and ultimately restore his place in his father’s good graces. Joined by their friend Hank, the trio sets off to Scotland amidst the struggles of war. As the men hunt Nessie, Maddie bonds with the local women and finds there’s more to life than her wealthy upbringing led her to believe.
What readers are saying: “Sara Gruen did not fail with this book. Well written, she brings the characters to life. When I read the synopsis of the book I was hesitant – a hunt for the Loch Ness monster? But this was more than that. It was something that I did not want to put down.”
