It’s that time of year again people. The time when we, the voracious and obsessive readers of LGBT romance, look back and reflect on what an amazing year of books it’s been. If you’re anything like us then you’re already compiling your 2016 “To Read” list, but first, let’s share some of our favourite books from the year just gone.

During seven days we’ll be posting our top reads of the year. Please feel free to tell us your own favourites, or simply comment on our choices.

Love Bytes is giving away 2 x $10 AllRomance Giftcards to two readers. Just tell us your favourites and why in one of these posts over the next week!

Amber and Danielle are here for the final day

Day Seven

 AMBER

Death’s Ink Black Shadow #6 by John Wiltshire: Nikolas and Benjamin are without a doubt one of my top 5 couples in this genre, maybe every genre. This 6th installment was jam packed full of violence, suspense, intrigue, mystery, death, and destruction. What I find absolutely amazing, however, is while all these suspenseful things are happening this author is still able to bring it all back to Nikolas and Benjamin and this crazy, amazing, powerful love connection they have.

In the Middle of Somewhere #1 by Roan Parrish: This story was EVERYTHING this year. I’ve reread it so many times. These characters were so full and rich. The town sucked you in. You wanted nothing but for Daniel to find piece with Rex and with his brothers…this is another one where I’m waiting patiently (not patiently for the next one…”

The Love of Wicked Men: Season One by Brandon Shire: I’ve never read serialized fiction before and this series was more than I ever could have hoped for. This author had me on the edge of my seat in every single episode. Ensuring that I would come back for more. And I did…6 times to be exact and I’m waiting patiently (not patiently for Season Two….)

Everything Changes by Melanie Hansen: This was 1 of my 2 favorite books this year by debut authors. It’s amazing to me that people have these unbelievable stories in their heads. Carey and Jase are another instance of reunited friends who end up as lovers and then more. The writing, characters, and plot have moved me and stuck with me throughout the year. Amazing story.

Road Trip by AF Henley: I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m really obsessed with AF Henley as an author. I love everything this author puts to paper. But when an author can get me interested in things I’ve never found interesting before, i.e. cars, then that’s a damn genius author. This book was perfection…these characters had everything going against them but they made it work. This author writes MAGIC!!!

Forging the Future by Mary Calmes: I was introduced and fell in love with Logan and Jin years ago. I melted and bled with each book that Mary Calmes produced. These men, their families, friends, and inner circle feel imprinted in my soul. True to Mary Calmes form this story sinks its teeth in you from the beginning and doesn’t let go. Emotionally, it wrung me out. I cried, I cried so hard I felt my heart shatter. This author can break you in a few key strokes but its uncanny how she can build you back up again into something even stronger.

In the Absence of Light by Adrienne Wilder: Taken right from my review: There is something so painfully beautiful about Adrienne Wilder stories. There is no question about the fact that I absolutely adore this author’s writing style. She’s able to take these controversial issues, issues that regularly don’t touch your life, and make them incredibly personal to you. I know going into every story of hers that I will be raked over the coals, emotionally. I know that I will feel every emotion under the sun including some emotions I never even knew I had. I love knowing when I pick up and Adrienne Wilder book, I will feel things that I don’t feel on a regular basis. This book was no exception.

HIM by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy: I honestly don’t know what it was about this story. The surface gay for you aspect, the two dedicated athletes having feelings for each other, or the need to know what happens to these two men…but holy hell this whole book had me from the beginning. And what I came to realize was that my appreciation for this story had everything to do with how well written it was…these authors(BOTH new to me) absolutely KILLED this story. There was no fluff here…no superficial attraction….everything about these two men was all emotion, real emotion…so much so that you actually feel it….I’m stunned…I’ve re-read this story several times because I wanted to make sure and it only amplifies how friggin good it really is….

Rock Solid by Riley Hart: This incredible story has made me feel so many things that it’s hard for me to put it all into words. Ironically, I feel like I’ve become an addict to this type of pain and angst within a Riley Hart story. I absolutely adore the emotional roller coaster this author sends me on. It’s intoxicating and euphoric. Her writing is a drug that I’m undeniably addicted to. Damaged men, check. Angst, check. Passion, check. Riley Hart, check check. “Nuff said.”

Afterglow (Up-ending Tad: A Journey of Erotic Discovery #6) by Kora Knight: This whole series was so uncharacteristically emotional. What I felt reading about these two men just wasn’t supposed to happen. Then the ending….the ENDING…this book just wrapped it all up in the most perfect HEA…you don’t expect what happens and what you feel when you read about Tad and Scott…that’s what’s so unbelievable and memorable about this series.

DANIELLE

Crossroads by Riley Hart: What is not to love about this book it is fantastic and everything a good books needs to be. I read it in my summer holiday and didn’t put it down before I was done.

Beyond the Surface by Felice Stevens: I fell completely head over heals for this book, the man and the series. Fantastic read! (As also the second book “Betting on Forever”is)

Jinxed by Sandrine Gasq – Dion: Fabulous book in the her new rock star series. Where the first one (Fret) was good. This one was fabulous.

Promises by A.E Via: Being a fan of the nothing special series . this kind of spin off couldn’t have been better it brought me as a reader everything I could wish for after the end of that series. Cannot wait for more in this new series.

Whiskers of a Chance by Tempeste O’Riley: This was the surprise of the year for me . I picked it up because I was looking for some shifter contemporary and it absolutely just pushed my buttons. Am anxiously waiting for the next one.

Forging the Future by Mary Calmes: What is there to say about this ,The Final Change of Heart . That given made me sad but this end is perfect as it is. And I mean Jin & Logan do I need to say more…Mary Calmes at her best.

Against the Wall (First and Forever #7) by Alexa Land: I read the whole First and Forever series this year so it was hard to make a choice. For me Christian and his story touched me to my core into my soul and will always in a way stand out where I also am totally in love with the rest of this series. It is the series I recommend to my friends a must read for a series lover.

Please Remember Me by Jacob Z. Flores: Awwww that is what I still think when I only see this title. So fragile, so beautiful, so real and recognizable for different reasons. Jacob Flores at his best and that is saying something, as I am a fan of his work.

Fire and Ice by Andrew Grey: I cannot have no Andrew Grey on my list. Plain and simple, because I read them all. It is a safe bet for me. All his books are good but some are even better. This book has that little bit extra that makes it better then normal better (if that makes sense 😀 ).

Fighting His Fire (Rock Gods #6) by Ann Lister: When I found this author and her Rock Gods series it blew me away This is music, rock, erotica, friendship, attraction, writing to superb level. Where all the books are must reads this latest one for me was very special with a fantastically matched couple and what they were going true.

Note by Dani: And because I can I am adding secretly another one a book I finally got myself to read crossing the year so to speak and that should be here without a doubt. Because this is as good as M/M writing can get.

Carry the Ocean (The Roosevelt book #1) by Heidi Cullinan

 

 

We hope you enjoyed sharing our 2015 highlights and we’re looking forward to reading with you in 2016.

Love from,

The Love Bytes Team xxx