It’s that time of year again people. The time where 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 2017 “To Read” list, but first, let’s share some of our favourite books from the year just gone.
Over the two weeks 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.
There is a wonderful giveaway attached to these Best Of posts!
One winner will win a $25 DSP credit.
One winner will win a $10 Amazon giftcard
One winner wins a month of free advertising on Love Bytes (this prize is allowed to be gifted)
DONNA
Of Gods And Monsters: Hades by Wulf Francu Godgluck
This book was not my usual reading fare at all. It was raw and dirty and pushed all of my boundaries and I loved every damn sentence written. When I needed to make this list, Hades was the first book that came to mind. It is definitely my top pick of 2016.
Don’t Twunk With My Heart by Renae Kaye
From my review – ” Renae Kaye creates complex characters, without making them obscenely angsty. Characters whom others see as weak, or lesser, but they prove that they are strong. None of them are perfect, and I love that these men didn’t need to overcome their fears to demonstrate that strength, they just learned to deal with their limitations.”
Bryan Ellis delivered a truly insightful look into the mind of a severely depressed and suicidal young man. I was blown away by the intensity packed into these pages. And of course, there was a perfect side serving of romance to balance the darker emotions.
Nick might be my favourite character all year. His thoughts are just a brilliant mess of hilarity and horniness. This book kept me thoroughly entertained from the first word to the last and was an obvious pick for my “best of” list.
The Night Screams by Devon McCormack
Somehow this book combined a horrendously tortured/raped teen with a fairytale-esque YA romance, a wedding , a funeral, and some homophobic violence and damn if the author didn’t make it work. I was certainly impressed.
I loved the immersion into a completely different culture that this story delivered. The characters had amazing depth and it was great that the author continued their story after the “ride off into the sunset” moment. Because I always want to know…what happens next.
This is the first book in what became one of my favourite series this year. Normally I’m not overly impressed with big alpha men who meet their smaller helpless partners while saving their lives, but… Damn, even I couldn’t resist this one!
Snakes Among Sweet Flowers by Jason Huffman-Black
I think everyone likes a romance between a criminal and a cop, and this story was a shining example of that particular storyline this year. The attention to detail as the author created the awesome town of Hog Mountain around us was flawlessly executed.
Jaime Reese has yet to produce a book that has failed to impress. I believe she is one of the most talented storytellers in the genre and as always her release this year earned a spot on this top-reads-list.
The Butterfly Finale by Viano Oniomoh
This story was pure magic! I’m not a big fantasy fan but the blurb of this book called to me, and the author’s excitement poured from the pages. This was one for the magic loving child inside all of us.
Oh dear. I’m cheating by adding an eleventh book to my list, but I just finished this one before Christmas and it really must be included. For a story that is fairly slow paced it easily kept me riveted from cover to cover. And that ending…my god, it was just perfection!
Absolution, absolutely the best. Thanks for your list of best reads. Some more books to read.
Quite a list, this! Those by Bryan Ellis and Viano Oniomoh are new to me. Thank you for sharing this so I got a couple of new titles to contemplate to.
Devon McCormack’s The Night Screams is one of my best reads ever. I love that book so much!
Adulting 101 is one of my recommended reads if you’re in a funk & you want to get it out of your system. It’s really entertaining. Nick as you mentioned is a funny & horny guy. LOL!
Thanks for the list, Donna! I’m now intrigued of Bryan Ellis’s The Red Thread & Robert Winter’s September. I’ll definitely read those. <3
Have only read Lisa Henry from your list but definitely enjoyed it
I jeep seeing good reviews for Adulting 101, I think I need to move that up my list. I have Absolution and Don’t Twunk With My Heart waiting for me on my e-reader. Last year was a slow reading uear for me, so I’m very behind. There’s a bunch of books on this list I missed too, so thank you for bringing them to my attention.
I’ve read so many good things about September by Robert Winter that I have to get it. I love to meet new authors. Great list, by the way.
Great reads and some beautiful covers especially “Snakes Among Sweet Flowers” and “The Butterfly Finale”
Thanks for sharing your list! I have read several of them. I keep seeing Robert Winter’s book mentioned as a great book, so am going to need to read that one.
Love the series by Renae Kaye.
September was one of my fav books from last year. I also really enjoyed Snake among sweet flowers. Thanks for sharing your list.
Really varied list–the Lisa Henry book sounds especially good!
Great picks and I have read several already. Blood and Milk! I read it months ago and it still sticks with me. A really unusual and fascinating story and I learned some thins I didn’t know that I needed to know about another culture. Outstanding and one of my favorites of the year, too.
Wow! Just read all of the 5 star reviews on “September” and I immmediately had to buy it.
For a debut author and book they were amazing!
Well put together list. Thanks for sharing. I discovered N.R. Walker last year and there has yet to be a book that disappoints me.
Haven’t read “Absolution” yet, but have it on my to-read list.
I’m reading September by Robert Winter right now, and loving it! Great list, Donna!!
I really enjoyed Adulting 101 and Snakes Among Sweet Flowers. I need to check out Sloane Kennedy’s Protectors series. Heard lots of good things about it.
Love your list, i read and loved some of your favorites and i have a few on my reader waiting to be read 😉 I loved September by Robert Winter it is one of my favorite books of 2016 🙂
I already read ‘Absolution’ by Sloane Kennedy and ‘A Mended Man’ by Jaime Reese. I loved both of them! These are two wonderful authors!
I’m currently reading ‘September’ by Robert Winter. This is a wonderful couple romance that I hope ends as well as it begins! I’m looking forward to reading more by Mr. Winter!
I’ve only read Absolution from this list although several are on my kindle
Love Jaime Reese, but haven’t read any of the others. They all look good.
Thanks for your top picks. I love books that take me into different cultures, so I’ll have to check out Blood and Milk.