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.
Donna’s 2020 Favorites
Press (White House Men #1) by Nora Phoenix
I think we’re all very aware of the goings on at the White House these days, so the idea of reading an m/m romance set right where the Trumpster is currently residing was kind of a thrill. But that aside, I absolutely enjoyed this politically tilted story which snared my attention from the first horrifyingly realistic scene, depicting a bombing at the NYC Pride Parade.
Ruler (Wolves of Royal Paynes #2) by Kiki Burrelli
2020 is the year I delved into the world of mpreg. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to be all that impressed, but the Wolves of Royal Paynes series by Kiki Burrelli easily claims a place on my ‘best of’ list for this year. The four books that make up the series are all well written and overflowing with some of my all-time favourite characters.
The Practical Mage’s Guide to Magic and Mayhem by Dan Ackerman
Once again Dan Ackerman has earned a place on this list with their exceedingly insightful writing. The Practical Mage’s Guide to Magic and Mayhem, while providing the sort of tale the title leads you to expect, also makes the reader hyperaware of all those unconscious biases you probably still hold despite your best intentions. Reading Dan’s books always makes me question the way I think about things.
Illuminate (The Magic Users of Greenford #1) by Lisa Oliver
I was so excited that Lisa Oliver started a new series that was kinda reminiscent of her necromancer series. While she is probably best known for her shifters, I have a weakness for her crime fighting magic users. And I know that people say – review the book not the author – but I’ve always thought Lisa Oliver just seems so darn NICE, and I figure that that has to count for bonus points.
Tracefinder: Choices (Tracefinder #3) by Kaje Harper
Another of my favourite series that grew in 2020. Also, another of my favourite authors! I have yet to read a Kaje Harper book I didn’t enjoy and Brian is one of the most fascinating characters to grace my kindle.
A Sweet Man (Men of Halfway House #7) by Jaime Reese
Men of Halfway House finds its way onto my list every year, and A Sweet Man is maybe my favourite of the whole series so far. (Well actually no, cause Dray and Shaw are probably my all time favourite couple EVER) but these boys come in a close second. While it seems to me that Jaime Reese can succeed in writing anything, it’s her ridiculously, syrup-drenched sweet books that I love the most.
Pieces of You (Missing Pieces #1) by N.R. Walker
OMG, the absolutely ridiculous feels that accompanied this series. If a story can make me cry the author has definitely done something right cause I’m not the most emotional person. This series had me reaching for the Kleenex multiple times.
How to Steal a Thief (Unholy Trifecta #2) by AJ Sherwood
Let’s face it. This author is frickin’ hilarious and can do no wrong. AJ Sherwood is one of the only authors who can actually make me laugh out loud, but can also invent characters and write stories that make you feel all mushy and want to awwww…
Inside (Death Row Chronicles #1) by Nicky James
I know that I’m a little late to the lovin’-Nicky-James-train but I can be stupidly stubborn, so when masses of readers are encouraging others to pick up an author’s books I’m always like – nah, I’m good. However, I also have an addiction for stories based in prisons. So here I find myself, having devoured both of the Death Row Chronicle books, and multiple other Nicky James stories. I can admit when I’m wrong!
Burn (Ignite #3) by Nora Phoenix
I think this is the first year that I’ve had the same author pop up twice on my list, but Nora Phoenix has done just that and with two very different books. If someone had said to me – YA menage apocalyptic trilogy with aliens – I probably would have passed. So why did I start this series? I have no idea, but it was absolutely worth the risk of branching into something a little different from my usual to read this trilogy. It felt almost grand scale Hollywood and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.
I enjoyed the Missing Pieces books, but especially this first one.
I may also take a longer look at Press by Nora Phoenix