For today’s post I want to share my favorite books of 2025 with neurodivergent characters. I included books that include a main or important side character that are neurodivergent. And I actually have quite the variety of neurodivergence in this post, which was fun to see how many different types of neurodivergent characters I read about this year.
I am linking this one up with Books of My Heart their top ten list posts.
My Top 9 Books with Neurodivergent Characters of 2025
Storm and Sea by Tereza Kane
One of the main characters in this book is dyslexic and while it wasn’t a very important part of the story, I liked seeing how this was part of the character. This one has some excellent mental health representation too with a bipolar main character.
You can read my review for this book here.
Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams
This one has a prominent side character who is autistic and I thought it was well written.
You can read my review for this book here.
Dragons & Dumplings And Princesses & Pastries by Laura Greenwood
Main character Evie in this series is neurodivergent. I really liked how the author described her and there are many scenes involving her sensory sensitivities, her trouble understanding people when they aren’t direct or understanding social constructs and more. Her being neurodivergent is a big part of her personality and the plot and I really like it.
You can read my review for this book here.
Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly
This was a re-read and I enjoyed it even more than the first time. Now that I know Alexi is autistic (he gets diagnosed late in the book) it was fun seeing more of those traits throughout the book.
You can read my review for this book here.
The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace
This was the second book in this series and I really enjoyed reading more about Jo. I really like Jo as a main character and I could relate to her. I thought her being autistic was well written.
You can read my review for this book here.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
I really loved this book. It has two autistic characters Luke and his little sister Posy, I loved how these two characters illustrated how every autistic character is different as well as showing the difference between a masking and non-masking autistic character. Luke learned to mask at a young age. He learned he had to hide who is as people won’t accept him if he doesn’t and that resonated so much with me. I really felt for him and seeing him eventually realize he has found his home and he can relax and be himself was just wonderful. And seeing Posy not have to hide or learn how to mask as Luke was there for her and brought her to a safe place was just so heartwarming and touching to read about.
You can read my review for this book here.
Not a Free Ion by Elinor Wilder
The female main character is autistic and the male main character has sensory processing differences and rejection sensitive dysphoria. I could really relate to both characters and I really liked how their neurodivergence was part of the story.
You can read my review for this book here.
The Onion Came First by Elinor Wilder
Annelie, the female main character, is dyslexic and gifted. And the male main character has some autistic traits like sensory sensitivity and trouble with social communication as well as C-PTSD. I really liked reading about both these characters, they felt so relatable and real are their neurodivergence was well written. I think some of the side characters are neurodivergent as well, although this isn’t specified yet except for Emma and Connor who were the main characters from the prequel.
You can read my review for this book here.
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