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.
Cheryl’s 2021 Favorites
Unseen (Rath and Rune #2) by Jordan L. Hawke
Not only was this the best book I’ve read this year but it’s nearing the top of my all-time favourites list. I have completely invested in Seb and Ves and am, against all odds, in love with Noct. I am so happy he found his place. Now, all he has to do is accept it. This series is odd in all the best ways and is another product of this author’s boundless imagination.
Secret Simon (A Haven Hart Novel) by Davidson King
I have been a fan of this series since it began, and although Simon was never my favourite character he comes into his own in this book. I love how his view of life is shaped by his background and that his less-than-legal upbringing was able to bring Rush the only things that could save him. And, of course, there was Snow!!
Invincible Me (Stories of the Seasons #3) by Addison Lloyd
This is a beautiful enemies-to-lovers story in a school setting. It was a perfect little gem and it had me running the gamut of emotion between laughing and crying, berating and applauding. Square within the Young Adult genre it is an exploration of awakening passion without sex getting in the way.
Charisma Check (Roll For Love #2) by Charlie Novak
I can’t write a Best of without mentioning Edward. OMG what a character! I am so utterly in love with him, but terrified at the same time. The author slowly peeled away all of his many layers, leaving him exposed and vulnerable and breathtakingly beautiful. Rather like the book really. I don’t envy Izzy having to live with him, but the whole series are connected and wonderful romances with some table-top gaming, a lot of cosplay and an entire cast of amazing characters. It’s a can’t miss for me.
Burn That Bridge by J.R. Gray
One of those books that really makes you stop and think. It takes you out of your shoes and puts you in someone else’s, then forces you to walk a mile. The story is fully rounded and not focused just on the fact that DJ is trans. There is a remarkably real supporting cast and a lot of lightness and humour in what could have been a dark story. Perhaps not the most gritty reality kind of peep into the life of a trans schoolboy, but a very thought-provoking and entertaining one.