Welcome to the Love Bytes Reviewers’ Best of 2020
Here at Love Bytes, we reviewed everything from contemporary romance to fantasy, paranormal, historical, adventure, mystery, comedy and everything in between in 2020. Each day for the next few weeks, we will feature one of our reviewer’s top picks from books and audio books published in 2020. With thousands of fantastic new books each year, written by hundreds of creative and talented authors, it’s so difficult to narrow our lists down. We all have many favorite authors not featured here and wish we could acknowledge them all.
Valerie’s 2020 Favorites
In no particular order, except for the first spot
A Guy Walks Into My Bar (Audio and e-book) by Lauren Blakely, narrated by Joe Arden and Shane East
Contemporary Romance – Ah, my absolute favorite of the year! This is an extraordinary study in passion – a desperate, lust-driven, all-consuming, palpable passion that rises off the page. These men need to be together, both in and out of bed. It’s powerful with the kind of sexy borne of two strong alpha males falling in love (I love this dynamic!)
I read the book and listened to the audio, which is an incredibly enhanced experience. This is a duet (not dual) narration with Joe Arden and Shane East, and a full supporting cast of nine additional voice actors. The book was written with Joe and Shane in mind, and their energy and chemistry together come alive in the recording.
Between Enzo and the Universe by Chase Connor
Contemporary Romance – This is the most emotional book I read this year. Chase Connor writes beautiful, lyrical prose that conveys deep despondency and expresses strong yearning and hope. Twenty-year-old Enzo experiences inconceivable grief, loneliness, poverty, and cruelty, but his brief time with Peter changes his life irrevocably.
Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera
Contemporary Romance – Finding Joy is a brilliant love story of soulmates destined to overcome their inner turmoil to be together. Set in Ethiopia, the sense of place is brought alive with Herrera’s evocative imagery and character development. The story has a perfect combination of elements – a narrative that flows effortlessly, relatable characters, well-crafted world development, a slow burn, and a palpable love that unites these men. I was enchanted from the first page to the last, including a fantastic, heart-warming ending.
When We Were Sea and Stars by Elen Chase
Contemporary Romance – This is a stunning and captivating love story. It’s another example where the foreign setting – Italy – is central. It played like a foreign language film in my head, with its dramatic Mediterranean scenery, the colorful residents of a small town in Southern Italy, and an inside look at daily life through the eyes of the Italian author. But it’s the love story that is so achingly beautiful it brought me to tears. James and Roberto are so lovely together it imprinted my heart.
When Death Frees the Devil by L.J. Hayward
Suspense/Acton – In this culmination of the seven book series, Death and the Devil, Ethan is retired and plans to settle into a normal(ish) life with Jack. You’ll encounter high speed motor bike chases, a helicopter crash, hanging off a thirty story balcony, broken bones, ruptured organs, a smelly camel, hot steamy sex, and more stolen vehicles than I can count. And yes, love. L.J. Hayward is a master of the suspense/action-adventure sub-genre. I am going to miss Jack and Ethan terribly.
Fakers (Licking Thicket #1) by Lucy Lennox and May Archer
Romantic Comedy – Fakers is a fantastic, feel-good fake-boyfriend-with-a-twist novel. It gets my funniest, rolling on the floor, most outrageous book of the year award. The humor, the characters, and small-town sensibilities are brilliant. This is the first collaboration by Lennox and Archer and they knocked it out of the park. Their writing styles are seamless. This is about as perfect as a romantic comedy can be. I’ve listened to the audio book, too, which is fantastic.
Semper Fi (Audio) by Keira Andrews, narrated by John Solo
Historical – Semper Fi is an eminently moving story about two young men embarking on military service during World War II. The novel is comprised of two stories in one with two timelines that never converge. One begins in 1942 when they meet on the train en route to Marine boot camp. The second tells the story of post-war life in 1948. They forge a close friendship, and then more, that endures the hardships of war and the years afterward, assimilating back into civilian life.
Fantasy – I don’t read a lot of fantasy but I will read anything by Ms. Walker. Lacuna is a sensational book, captivating from cover to cover. It’s an epic fantasy about a world under attack and two of its rulers falling in love. You’ll find components of magic, alchemy, friendship, cooperation, and a slow dance of love.
Pieces of You/Me/Us (Missing Pieces Series) by N.R. Walker
Contemporary Romance – The Missing Pieces series is hurt/comfort (my favorite trope) at its very best. These books are exquisitely heartbreaking, about love that knows no bounds. Dallas and Justin experience anguish and loss, selflessness, trust, and devotion. N.R. Walker depicts the desolation of losing one’s memory – as well as the devastation for the amnesiac’s loved ones – and finding their way back.
Contemporary/Romantic Comedy – Merry Measure is now one of my very favorite Christmas romances. This is a happy book, a feel good in your soul, no angst book. And although it’s full of classic Lily Morton humor, there’s a laid-back elegance and sophistication to the fictional world and the writing. Arlo and Jack’s love story embraced me in the warmth of family and friends, the dazzling city of Amsterdam at the holidays, and two men who have, from the very first page, a genuine affection for each other that blossoms into a forever love.
**********
I want to make special mention of a book that I just read but was released last year, so not part of my top ten. I’m including it because I want to give a nod to the young adult genre and the importance of it as a resource for youth struggling with their sexual identity during such a tumultuous time in their lives. The subject of mental health for teens is of utmost importance, too. The exceptional Turn the World Upside Down by Nyrae Dawn examines a group of teenagers struggling to grow up while mired in mental illness. It’s a sweet love story, but so much more. It’s about how love can help heal us. How love sometimes can’t reach us. And how sometimes love just isn’t enough. This book is heartbreakingly raw and real. Review
Thank you so much, Valerie. Some of these books sound really interesting, I’ll add them to my tbr pile
Your welcome, susana. I’m glad you enjoyed the list.
[…] on my Ten Best Books of 2020 list; I know with certainty, even though its only 8 weeks into 2021, that Fools will be on this […]