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.

CHRIS

Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews

My choice on this one basically came down to: I really loved these characters. There is nothing that on the surface makes this story all that unique, but there is this something inside of it that made it special and well worth remembering for me. It was a book that left me feeling utterly satisfied by the end, and knowing that I just read a really great fucking story.

 

Life Underwater by Matthew J. Metzger

 Metzger is a favorite author of mine. Had one of his books not shown up on my top ten this year I would have fainted in shock. Yet with each new book of his I am astounded by how he crafts stories that feel as personal and real to me as a memory…of things I’ve never done or places I have never been. This story was mesmerizing and not at all what I expected…and yet everything I was looking for.

The Wayward Prince (Mind + Machine #2) by Hanna Dare

 For all that I adore scifi I have found it hard over the years to actually find the kind that I love (i.e. not the super-depressing we-are-all-doomed kind). So you have no idea how ecstatic I was when I found out there was going to be another book in this series. I can’t explain how refreshing the world building in this series is. It is nothing wholly unique, yet put together in a way that feels new and exciting. Also…it is lovely to read a scifi story where it doen’t feel like humanity is doomed to be gigantic evil assholes for the rest of eternity.

Sweet Clematis (Being(s) in Love #9) by R. Cooper

If you are ever in the need of a good cathartic cry, then boy do I have the series for you. This book is utterly heartbreaking, completely sweet, and a perfect way to indulge yourself in some top-tear angst-porn.

The California Dashwoods by Lisa Henry

You guys have no idea how hard it was to choose between this and the other Jane Austen adaption I read this year. And it mostly came down to the fact that I just like Sense and Sensability a tiny bit more than Persuasion. This was a truly excellent adaption of S&S, and I was left as in love with this new version as I was the original.

The Wanderer (Chronicles of the Riftlands #1) by Rowan McAllister

If you would have told me before I read this book that it would be my favorite fantasy story of the year I would have not believed you. But…it is. It really is. There is not a whole lot of plot here, and I should have found it annoying how much of it was set up for this grander story the series promises to be, but at the end of the day I fell in love with this book, the characters, the world, and the promise of more.

Shaker of Earth (SPECTR series #2 book #5) by Jordan L. Hawk

Talk about giving me everything I wanted…while also leaving me desperate for more. I don’t think it is any secret that I LOVE this series, but I can’t help but fanboy over each new entry. The series 2 finale was one hell of a kicker, though, and I am left utterly relieved that at least this time I know that Gray, Caleb, and John will be back in Series 3 sometime soon (hopefully).

Lock Nut (The Plumber’s Mate Mysteries #5) by JL Merrow

I didn’t get to read very many mystery stories this year (at least ones that were not rereads of my favorites) but even if I did I don’t think this would have had much of a fight on its hands. There is just something so very soothing and enjoyable about this series.

 

The Henchmen of Zenda by KJ Charles

Narrowly beating out herself for this spot (with the also great Band Sinister), K.J. Charles totally takes the cake with my “historical” selection this year. I can’t help but heap all the praise on this slightly odd, but utterly wonderful throwback to romances of yesteryear.

One Giant Leap (audio) by Kay Simone

Ok, I know this audio book came out last year, but I didn’t get a chance to listen to it till 2018 so I’m jamming it into my best of 2018 list as my audio book selection. Partly because I didn’t get to listen to a whole lot of audio books this year, but mainly because I had so much fun listening to this. I adored the story when it first came out, but this audio version made it even better.