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.

Sadonna’s 2021 Favorites

Forever (Hunt&Cam4Ever #8)  by Adira August

This final book in this series was just so so so so good. In March, I wrote “I feel confident that this book will be in my top 10 of 2021, even though it’s early in the year  ”  It’ nice to be right sometimes 😉  I loved everything about it – even though there are some pretty painful moments.   What’s so powerful about this series is how strong the characters are in the face of so much adversity.  Both of these characters have been through a lot in their respective personal lives before they were a couple.  Hunt and Cam are definitely one of my favorite couples of all time and I love them so very much.  Thankfully new books are coming in new series that will keep us satisfied with more Hunt and Cam in 2022.

His Haven (His #3)  by Con Riley

In April I wrote “This story!  I know it’s only April, but I’m confident that this is definitely going to be in my top 10 books of the year   I really don’t know how I could love this story more.”   I stand by it – and further recommend all the books in this series and the next spinoff series, Learning to Love.  Con Riley has become an autobuy author for me because her characters and stories are just so good.  Just go read her books because they are perfection!

Stud – Audiobook (Four Bears Construction #5)  by K.M. Neuhold (author) & Tim Paige and Liam DiCosimo (narrators)

I adored this whole series, but I was really excited for West and Sawyer’s years long friends to lovers story.  There are SOOOO many hilarious moments in this story.  West is such a great guy and his pining for Sawyer over the years is slightly heartbreaking. When Sawyer finally admits his feelings for West, well it’s definitely worth the wait 😀 Tim Paige and Liam DiCosimo have quickly become a favorite narrating duo.  They each voice their chapters and hit the perfect notes of humor, affection, love and friendship between these two characters in particular.  I’m so happy they have been able to do this whole series!

Peregrine – Audiobook (Forbidden Desires Spinoff #4)  by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly (authors) & Michael Ferraiuolo (narrator)

Oh Perry! How do I love you!  Let me count the ways!!   Peregrine Drake is one of my absolute favorite characters of all time.  This whole series – and particularly the audios are fantastic.  Michael Ferraiuolo.  What can I say about Michael that hasn’t been said before?  PERFECTION!  This story is so so beautiful and becomes that much more heartbreaking/poignant in Michael’s more than capable hands.  Michael paints a beautiful picture of Perry and Sebastian’s love story with his narration.  I cannot recommend this book and this entire series more highly.  It’s just brilliant – from the first word to the last.

Fandom – Audiobook (Famous #3)  by Eden Finley (author) & Iggy Toma (narrator)

Oh Eden Finley, you got me!  I didn’t expect this one to get to me so much.  It’s rare that I cry while listening to a book, but this one accomplished it and I was surprised and shocked at the plot twist here.  Unexpected doesn’t begin to cover it. This is one of my favorite friends to lovers stories ever.  Iggy Toma did a masterful job with this narration.  I was alternately elated and devastated in this story.  The grief and loss portrayed here and the profound sadness and inability to deal with the world at large were so well performed. One of my very rare 5-heart ratings so of course it had to be on my best of list.

Madison Square Murders (Memento Mori #1) by C.S. Poe

In September I knew this book would be in my top books of the year.  For anyone familiar with Poe’s writing, you will find a lot that is familiar here.  We have a hero with an extremely rare condition that has a lot to do with why he is so good at his job. There are some lovely Easter Eggs from Poe’s other series that I think readers will also enjoy. The case, the mystery, the characters are all so well done!  I hope we don’t have to wait long for the next book 😉

Not For Sale  by Crystal Lacy

This year Crystal Lacy became an autobuy author for me. There were a couple more of her books that could have easily made this list. I think she just keeps getting better and better.  Snappy dialogue, adorable characters, the hot and smexy times are just so sweet and delicious and engaging.  This book also contains one of probably the most unusual “meet cutes” yet.  Jace’s character is just so perfect and his sense of humor, his self-deprecating charm, his brain-melt because of Theo were just so perfect.  I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud at something he thought, did or said.  Possibly my favorite character yet   Try it, you’ll like it!

Single Dad Sundays:  A Dadchat Compilation – Audiobook (Single Dad Support Group #7)  by Piper Scott (Author) and Michael Ferraiuolo (Narrator)

Yet another entry from the delightful Piper Scott on my list.  These hilarious conversations between the Single Dads and the members of Piper’s FB fangroup are not to be missed by any fans of the series! 2021 sucked, so you’ll notice a lot of humor on the list this year 😀  I cannot even describe how many times I laughed out loud.  I am a HUGE fan of this whole series.  This compilation of the Sunday chats is just so completely sweet and funny and most of all, hilarious!  Michael Ferraiuolo does his usual fantastic job of narrating and this is one of the most fun audios I’ve listened to.

Seasons:  PsyCop Briefs, Volume 2 by Jordan Castillo Price

This is the latest offering in a favorite series and I was thrilled to get it this year 🙂 One of JCP’s trademarks is the lovely little tidbits of Chicago and it’s places and feel.  I love how Chicago is almost another character in this series  This compilation of stories reminded me of all the things that make this series great:  humor, tenderness, finding your person, found family, overcoming trauma and more  I just adore Victor Bayne and he makes me laugh repeatedly.  These interludes also show it’s clear exactly how meant for each other Vic and Jacob are. The selection of timeframes and stories give fans lots of secondary character visits- some more welcome than others 😉  I’ll never got tired of these characters.

Late for Christmas  by Amy Lane