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.

DONNA

Gremlins are Malfunctioning by Susan Laine

This book impressed me because I thought the writing was very clever. While it was a fun, interesting plot, the underlying political messages were strongly presented in a way that couldn’t be ignored.

Living on Air by Susan Mac Nicol

This was an absolutely gut wrenching read about a survivor of childhood sexual abuse that was set against the backdrop of a travelling circus. I loved the contrast between the glitzy glamour of performances and the reality of a hard life always on the move.

 

Somewhere Over Lorain Road by Bud Gundy

Not my usual reading fare, and it dealt the murders of young children, but this book was probably my very favourite book of the year. I really appreciate when the author manages to keep me guessing as to who the killer is. This book was a devastating testament to the strength of family love.

Boy Shattered by Eli Easton

Eli Easton is known for her well-written books, but Boy Shattered was more than that. I thought this was a brave book to write, tackling an extremely controversial topic such as gun control and depicting a no-holds-barred school shooting scene. It was confrontational and might be too much for some readers, but I believe it was exceptionally well done.

 

Sound of Silence by Mia Kerick and Raine O’Tierney

It’s no secret I’m a fan of Mia Kerick, and I think this was my favourite of her books this year. I love the care the authors took when creating their characters. Even when in their teens, they present with depths and strengths that allow adult readers to relate to them, or even be in awe of their convictions. At the same time, I have no trouble believing that these young adults could actually exist.

Consorting with Dragons by Sera Trevor

While I’ve really hit the paranormal books this year, I’m not usually a fan of dragons. However this book was my top pick of the year when to comes to elaborate fantasy world building. I could read this story over and over again.

A Few Good Fish (Fish Out of Water #3) by Amy Lane

Hands down my favourite series by Amy Lane, when combined with Ace and Sonny from Racing for the Sun, how could I not give this book a place on my list. All of my best Amy Lane men together!! It’s a no brainer.

Refuge (Fight for Survival #1) by H.L Day

This is one of the most original stories that I’ve read this year and it began my obsessive binge read of any apocalyptic m/m books I could get my hands on. Now I need to patiently wait for the sequal…

 

In the Requiem (Metahuman Files #5) by Hayley Turner

The conclusion to the Metahuman series, one of my very fave series. The author delivered all I could have wanted for our main men and all of their friends, and she did it in such a spectacularly violent fashion.

Kelpie Blue (Out of Underhill #1) by Mell Eight

I think I liked this story so much because it was completely unexpected. The blurb was kind of vague but intriguing enough to catch my attention and what it delivered was a young adult tale about a naughty water horse who becomes fascinated with the boy who was suppose to be his snack. I can’t wait for the rest of this series.