What I Read in November 2025

Two great books this month, one even made me cry. Both fall into the coming-of-age category but approach it in completely different ways: one set in the glossy, cutthroat world of early-2000s fashion media, and the other about late-college friendships. Let’s get into it.

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Workhorse by Caroline Palmer

This was a long one (500+ pages), but I enjoyed it. If you liked Devil Wears Prada, you’ll like this. It’s set at The fashion magazing in the early 2000’s and is told from the point of view of Clo - a twenty something “workhorse” from Philadelphia trying to navigate her way in the fashion industry.

In this world, there are two types of girls:
Workhorses those without money, connections, or legacy who hustle ten times harder for half as much.
Showhorses pedigreed, wealthy, well-educated, socially connected, and effortlessly welcomed into every room.

Clo wants to be a showhorse, desperately. She worships/envies Davis Lawrence, her coworker and showhorse, and ingratiates herself into her world. While striving to be accepted, she makes MANY questionable decisions. We watch as Clo slowly makes her way up the ranks, doing things she’s not proud of, but has convinced herself its the only way she will get to where she wants to be.

I liked the book, even though I didn’t like Clo. There were many times in the book I was screaming in my head at her to not do what she’s about to do. But, I think that’s what makes the book so good. You’re invested. You want Clo to succeed, but also want her to make better decisions. And you can’t put the book down because you need to know how it all ends. It’s a coming of age story set in the cut throat world of media.

Heart the Lover by Lily King

I bought this one on a whim and WOW! It’s incredible. The writing, the story, the emotion. Heart the Lover has it all.

Set during senior year of college, the narrator meets two top students in her 17th Century English Lit class. They befriend her, take her under their wing and affectionately name her “Jordan”. She’s soon spending all her time with them, having her world opened up to all the possibilities of friendship, love, learning, and life.

As the year progresses, she finds herself in an emotional battle between the two of them and the decisions she makes at the end of the year will change her life forever.

I don’t want to share too much because the journey is beautiful, relatable, funny, and sad. It’s another coming of age story that reminds us of our first loves, heartbreaks, friendships built that last a lifetime, and the realization that the decisions we make at this age can alter our lives forever.

It’s a quick read and I think it might be my favorite of the year!