It’s that time of year again people. The time where we, the voracious and obsessive readers of LGBTQ 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 2019 “To Read” list, but first, let’s share some of our favourite books from the year just gone.

Over the next few 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.

One commenter from each of these posts will win a $5 store credit with Dreamspinner Press.

LISA

 

Devil Take Me by Various Authors

I thought the theme was intriguing. Except for Ginn Hale who was a new-to-me author, I’ve really liked the previous work from the other authors involved in the project. I liked how each story had its own interpretation of the prompt – ranging from romantic comedy to quite dark and gritty.

 

How to Blow it With a Billionaire (audio) by Alexis Hall

I’ve loved everything I’ve read so far by Alexis Hall. They have a way of telling a story that makes me feel completely immersed in the world they’re describing. Although this installment in the series ends without either a HEA or HFN and a cliffhanger, I felt like it was completely organic to the MCs’ relationship. I also loved how Arden was completely comfortable with his kinks. Narrator Joel Leslie did an outstanding job bringing the characters to life.

Southern Most Murder by C.S. Poe

This story had a really strong sense of place and the mystery caught and held my attention. I love how C.S. Poe makes her characters seem real and relatable.

Squared Away (Out of Uniform #5 – audio) by Annabeth Albert

I have a weakness for active duty or former military personnel. Each of the books in Annabeth Albert’s Out of Uniform series features a different couple who face different obstacles in their relationship as well as including a variety of sexualities in the LGBTQ+ spectrum. In Squared Away, the MCs both have to work together to do what’s best for their siblings’ orphaned children. I loved Greg Boudreaux’s performance for the audio.

Sin and Tonic (Sinners #6) by Rhys Ford

I love the adventures of the Morgan family and although I’m sad the series is now complete, I felt like all the loose threads were tied up and previous questions answered.

Bobbie Green (Johnnies #5) by Amy Lane

Amy Lane has a way of creating characters who’ve been kicked in the teeth by life yet still manage to work through their pain to find love. Bobby Green is the latest in her Johnnies series following a group of porn models.

Love in Spades (Four Kings Security #1 – audio) by Charlie Cochet

This story has the feel of an action/adventure movie similar to The Bodyguard. It felt a lot like the contemporary version of THIRDS with the mystery and Charlie Cochet’s trademark humor. Narrator Greg Boudreaux is amazing with the way he makes the listener feel like they’re right there with the characters.

Incubus Honeymoon (Arcana Imperii #1) by August Li

I think this might have been the first time I’ve read some of August Li’s work (not the last though). I really enjoyed the action/adventure movie feel to the story and thought Li did a fantastic job with the world building.

 

Roped In (Clean Slate Ranch #2 – audio) by A.M. Arthur

Colt Woods was a secondary character in Wild Trail who gets his own story in the second installment of the Clean Slate Ranch series by A.M. Arthur. I enjoyed getting to know the guys from Clean Slate better as well as seeing Colt get his second chance with Avery. Narration by Greg Boudreaux was perfect.

Saddle Up (Clean Slate Ranch #3 – audio) by A.M. Arthur

Third installment of the Clean Slate Ranch series by A.M. Arthur featuring more secondary characters from both Wild Trail and Roped In. This time the MCs are Reyes Caldero and Miles Arlington. I liked seeing Miles find the strength to stand up to his abusive ex as well as seeing Reyes work through troubling things from his past. The voice acting work from Greg Boudreaux was as amazing as I’d expect from someone with his talent.