Welcome to the Love Bytes Reviewers’ Best of 2021
Another year has passed in which books have brought all of us a much needed escape and sense of comfort. Our Love Bytes team reviewed approximately 1,300 LGBTQ+ books in 2021, from contemporary romance to fantasy, paranormal, historical, adventure, mystery, comedy and everything in between. Each day for the next few weeks, we will feature one of our reviewers’ top picks from books and audiobooks published in 2021. These lists highlight how diverse our tastes in reading are, and offer something for everyone. 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.
Anabela.m’s 2021 Favorites
It’s hard to make a list with just a few best reads of 2021, because many of my favorite authors published wonderful stories this year and I was also introduced to new writers who made a huge impression. The following are just a small number of the books that stayed with me after reading them.
the boy who loved Wicked by C.P. Harris
A teacher/student and possibly taboo situation was handled beautifully in this book, with the main characters who were written wonderfully, in layers and pieces that made them unique and unforgettable. The author renders a compelling narrative that offered me the whole gamut of emotions, a stunning, real and troubled, love story, and a hard won happy ending.
Salvation (Darkest Skies #3) by Garrett Leigh
Making the reader hate a character in one book and fall in love with him the next is hard, but Garrett Leigh managed with flying colors in Salvation. This is Dante’s redemption story, his journey to build a new life for himself, together with Sid. It’s angsty, slow and touching, with shadows and sunshine, illness and comfort, and the most uplifting ending.
Curse of the Dark Prince (Prince’s Assassin #3) by Ariana Nash
The whole Prince’s Assassin series is a thrilling, intense reading experience. The world building is fabulous, with an expanded magic system and fantasy elements. The conclusive installment, Curse of the Dark Prince, had a breathtaking fast pace and masterfully done suspense. I was nervous about the ending all through the book, hoping that Niko and Vasili would make it alive. It’s a soul wrenching romance until close to the last pages, and my heart sang when all the pieces fell together.
Take My Body (Curse Bound #2) by K.A. Merikan
Body swap isn’t something one reads very often about, and K.A. Merikan’s rendition is unique, wacky and compelling. It was a profoundly existential, because by swapping bodies, Caspian and Gunnar lived through new struggles on top of their own, new responsibilities and new ways to see things and communicate. The whole point of the story is that the protagonists had to learn to love themselves and eventually each other. Not an easy read, but entirely inspiring and moving.
Not So Sincerely, Yours (For Him #2) by A.M. Johnson
This book simply made me happy. It begins with a slight enemies to lovers vibe, because Anders and Ethan get off on a rocky start. Both had baggage and past hurts, and I loved that they were always honest and open, both when they antagonized each other and in their moments of heart to heart conversations. Their connection was perfectly captured and genuine, and I consider this romance a must read just for the smiles it always kept on my face.
Kraken My Heart (Sucker For Love Mysteries #2) by K.L. Heirs
Kraken My Heart made it on my favorite list for a lot of reasons. The action takes place on Xenon, an alternate universe and the world the author has created is complex and detailed, from beliefs to creatures and surroundings. Ted, a human, was literally pushed into Xenon, where he was accused of murder and met king Krell of the Asra. With a good amount of mystery, a hefty dose of fantasy and magic, a lot of romance and heat, and plenty of ridiculousness, the book made me laugh from beginning to end, while intrigued by the mystery and charmed by the relationship between Ted and Grell.
Double Trouble (Lost and Found #1) by Barbara Elsborg
Faeries, werewolves and other fantasy creatures are introduced in this fabulous book. Jonah and Raffety embark on a perilous journey, all because Raffety is “special”. With thrilling scenes, magic, humor, silly banter, angst, revelations, a touching romance and a surprising twist at the end, Double Trouble took me on an amazing and unforgettable adventure.
To Hold a Hidden Pearl (Rossingley #1) by Fearne Hill
I was taken by surprise by how complex and compelling this book turned out to be. Both Jay and Lucien experienced deep pains, for different reasons. The author guided one toward the other, revealing layers upon layers of their personalities. It was slow and heartbreaking, a tale of finding comfort, support and love when you least expect it. Filled with an exquisite British humor and all the feels, this book was a specia treat that introduced me to the wonderful place that is Rossingley.
There have been so, so many others that I’m sorry for not mentioning. Aside the ones in the list, I want to also thank authors like V.L Locey, K.C Wells, Felice Stevens, R.J. Scott, Reese Knightley, Alice Winters, Shannon West, Colette Davison, etc. for writing stories to lose myself in and for giving me the chance to meet characters that welcomed me into their lives and who became friends.