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 2020 “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.

 

KAT

As 2019 drew to a close and we begin a new decade I have reflected on what changes have happened in these last ten years. At this point ten years ago I was deep in negotiations as a union presidents with all those pressures. 4 ½ years ago I retired and a month later my life took another major change when I met Dan at Rainbow Con. That meeting has taken me on an entirely different path than I ever imagined. I was an avid reader and had newly discovered the gay romance genre. From that meeting I was convinced to try reviewing. I had always tried to leave a small review when I liked a book an author had written. I equated it to “leaving a tip” to my favorite hairdresser or waitress. I had never imagined it as a new “career” however that is how I equate it to. A career is not defined by money to me so being a volunteer can be a career also. One that I take very seriously. These wonderful authors trust us with their works. It is an honor and a privilege that I take very seriously each time I sit down and read and review their art. Thank you to each of the authors that entrusted me with their books.

 

Here is my personal best of 2019. They are in alphabetical order and I’m not saying one is grander that the others I read but each of these books touched me in some special way.

 

After the Final Curtain (Social Sinner #5) by T.L. Travis

 This book is the final book in the Social Sinners series. I love when authors give us a novella that shows us what’s happen in the characters we have become invested in instead of just a epilogue of a few pages. Ms. Travis did a get job of hooking us with each of these young men and their story of growth and coming into their own and this book was a true treat to finish what I thought I wasn’t ready to leave yet.

 

Fall Again (The Rock Gods #10) by Ann Lister

I absolutely love this series and what an enjoyment it was to return to the couple that started it all out for me. I’m a huge series fan because I get to keep in contact with men I’ve loved and learn about those around them. This series is an extra special series that has taken me around the world with the Black Ice and Ivory Tower family. I’ve laughed with them and cried with them and they have all stolen my heart.

 

Irresistible Omegas Series by Nora Phoenix

I can’t single out one particular book in this series because it’s a running, continuous story but I love them all. If anyone would have told me that I would fall in love with a shifter, mpreg storyline I would have told you you were crazy. However I was convinced to try it based on the fact that Nora Phoenix wrote it so I gave it a try and have fallen madly in love with this Pack!

 

Picking Up the Pieces by Annabella Michaels

 I will warn you that this one is going to rip your heart apart. The brutality of Paul’s murder was tough. The grief of his partner and his family was gut-wrenching. But the love and acceptance of everyone was heart-warming and sincere. This is a great stand-alone novel that starts as bittersweet but moves through the process of healing to a wonderful happily (as it can be when you lose a loved one) ever after.

 

Pixie (Ballsy Boys #5) by Nora Phoenix and K.M. Neuhold

Let’s just put it out there…I have loved this entire series but have been waiting forever for a Pixie story and what is up between him and Bear! The only part I didn’t like was it was ending my time with my favorite Porn Stars! Thankfully there’s a new spin-off series and I am hoping that we get to keep in touch with some of our boys in the future.

 

Spies and Allies (Death and Destruction #9) by Patricia Logan

This was a hard one because I knew that I was going to have to say good bye to Thayne and Jarrett and I knew that that was going to be a hard pill to swallow. Luckily for us readers Patty Logan makes it a habit of bringing back some of our favorite characters to make appearances in her new, spin-off series. I think she has just as hard of a time as I do to saying good bye to these guys. They are so wonderfully written that they have become real to me.

 

Touching Vida~Vince (The Dominion of Brothers Series #7) by Talon P.S. and Tarian P.S.

The Dominion of Brothers is the series that introduced me to gay romance and ultimately lead me to Rainbow Con in the first place and Love Bytes. The fierce connection these men have with each other and the love and protection they provide for those that are dear to them makes for some intense and powerful books. We have seen Vida/Vince in the background and I had been watching and waits for their story. This one now unlocked part of the mystery and I can’t wait for more.