The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag, 2025
30 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: blogging, Book tag, Book Tags, book-blog, Books, reading, Reviewing, The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag
I don’t think I’ve completed this tag before but I’ve seen a couple of bloggers recently posting and I liked the prompts so decided to give it a shot.
I’m not sure who created this tag so if you’re in the ‘know’ give me a shout so I can credit them.
Without further ado:
1. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2025:
The Rush by Beth Lewis. This book could also have fit ‘the biggest surprise’ prompt. I had such a good time with this book. It’s beautifully written and highly evocative.
2. BEST SEQUEL OF 2025 SO FAR:
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett. This was the final chapter in the series and was a perfect ending. I highly recommend this series.
3. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO:
Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean – this is one of my June review books that I can’t wait to pick up but unfortunately my reading has been much slower than I anticipated, mainly as a result of more socialising and being very busy with visitors. This will be, later than I would like but, my next read.
4. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF THE SECOND HALF OF 2025:
The Blackfire Blade by James Logan. I absolutely loved The Silverblood Promise and it was in my top ten reads for 2024 so I’m really excited about this one.
5. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2025:
I’ve had quite a few books that I’ve had to set aside this year, which could simply be a mood thing. The book that does spring to mind for this prompt is Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou. To be totally honest I still feel like I want to give this another try though and see how I get on, even more so as I read at least half already.
6. BIGGEST SURPRISE:
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito – I haven’t posted my review for this one yet but it’s one grisly gothic story.
7. FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU):
Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. I absolutely loved Greenteeth. I practically inhaled it.
8. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH:
Nothing springs to mind unfortunately!
9. NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER:
I think the two central characters from the Emily Wilde series (above) – Emily and Wendell – are definitely up there.
10. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY:
None so far.
11. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY:
Vianne by Joanne Harris. Such a beautiful story, I couldn’t put it down.
12. FAVOURITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION OF 2025 YOU’VE SEEN:
Mmm, this is ridiculous but I don’t think I’ve seen any adaptations this year – what have I been doing? I’m sure I’ll think of something as soon as I post this.
13. FAVOURITE POST/REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN THIS YEAR:
Grave Empire by Richard Swan – simply because this was another excellent book that I can’t recommend enough.
14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU BOUGHT OR RECEIVED THIS YEAR:
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – I love the cover for this. I haven’t read it yet but I’m excited to pick it up.
15. BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THIS YEAR:
So many books on my shelves for the remainder of this year. I’m not going to list them all here because I’m going to be posting ‘my most anticipated reads’ very soon.
I’m not tagging anyone. Take this as an open invitation to take part if you so wish.









I’m doing this tag soon, its one of my favorites. I’ve loved several of these too, and I cant wait for The Blackfire Blade!
I was so happy when I saw The Blackfire Blade, I swear I danced a little happy dance.
Lynn 😀
Looks like a good year of reading so far.
It’s nice to see Emily and Wendell mentioned as your favourite characters, I could read about their adventures all day and not get bored.
The Rush sounds fascinating, I really need to try and read it at some point.
The Knight and the Moth does have a lovely cover. I hope the story is just as good. It seems to be getting good reviews from what I’ve seen so far.
So far I’m really enjoying The Knight and the Moth so I hope that continues. And yes, I could read more Emily and Wendell – all day long.
Lynn 😀
The Blackfire Blade is high on my TBR!! I would love to go back and catch up on Peter McLean’s books. Priest of Lies was fantastic.
Oddly enough – I never read the third book in the Priest of Lies series which is ridiculous as I really loved it – I did have a review copy but the formatting was all over so I waited for it to be published and bought a copy, determined to complete the story – but of course I’d become rooted in another bunch of review books and so moved on. I need to go back and complete it – especially as Paved With Good Intentions was so good and I loved returning to the writing and the world.
Lynn 😀
I love seeing everybody’s answers to this tag and its wonderful seeing how much you loved the Emily Wilde finale. I’ve seen pretty mixed things about it but like you I adored it. I’ll have to watch out for your review of Paved With Good Intentions as I haven’t heard of it before. I’m sorry to hear you struggled with Sour Cherry too, I remember the premise intriguing me but I haven’t gotten around to trying it. I’m reading Victorian Psycho soon (my library copy is in transit so hopefully it’ll arrive before I go and pick the others up) so I’ll save your review for once I’ve read the book so we can compare notes. Also I feel like the years been short on adaptations (or I’m also drawing a blank as I can only think of Bridget Jones and that’s because someone else mentioned it 😂).
Ooh enjoy The Knight & The Moth. It sounds so good and I’m planning to treat myself to a copy soon 😍 and I’ll be watching out for your anticipated reads post.
I am really enjoying The Knight and the Moth so can’t wait to see how it concludes. Yes, adaptations have been a bit thin on the ground – or I’m totally out of the loop – probably that tbh.
Lynn 😀
I’m glad you’re enjoying it 🥰 if you are I’m totally out of the loop too 😂 although I may discover some as I’m planning to make a TBR of books I need to read before their adaptations come out, I’m determined to try and not see those first as much as I have in the past.
I keep seeing Victorian Psycho listed as a surprising one.
The tag was created by Chami and Ely Jayne.
Thanks – I’ll update this post.
Victorian Psycho – I can see it splitting opinion, I loved it, it has this really gentle feel to the story telling voice and yet its anything but gentle. Shockingly violent. Like somebody smiling at you whilst they’re stabbing you!
Lynn 😀
Lol at that description, “Like somebody smiling at you whilst they’re stabbing you.”
It’s already that time of the year! I see a lot of good books on here that I’ve loved in 2025 so far. Hard to believe it’s half over.
I know its a cliche but I can’t believe how quickly this year is going. I need to slow things down somehow.
Lynn 😀