Welcome to the Love Bytes Reviewers’ Best of 2023
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 2023, 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 2023. 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.
True’s 2023 Favorites
Finding Mr. Fabulous by Con Riley
My first 5+++ of 2023. What a masterly written story! Rex / Mr. Fabulous and Devesh Singh-Smith’s journey is a must must-read. (Like all Con Riley’s work tbh)
Goosebumps, tears, smiles, a squeezing heart, it was such a deeply moving story. Con Riley excels again with Mr. Fabulous. How on earth does she do this? One word: fabulous!!
The Art of Husbandry (Mackenzie Country #1) by Jay Hogan
The author has outdone herself again! What a superb story.
The story is heartfelt, emotional, and downright superb. The main characters stole my heart, they made me laugh and cry. There’s time made for grief, fun, seriousness, every possible emotion, meaningful conversations, meddling people, in short, all the feelings! 5+++ stars.
Curse of the Winter Kingdom by A.J. Nicky
I’m speechless, what a great read!! I was flabbergasted by the clearness, the buildup, all the feels, the characters, and the fantasy, it was superbly written! Applause! 5+++ stars.
I don’t want to give away too much about the course of this story but if you know me, when I’m excited about a book I want to shout it out. The fantasy was genius, and the characters were exquisitely created, what more hyperbole can I put down, just read it yourself and be amazed!
This was such a strongly written story, I was sad when it ended. A phenomenal story!
He’s the One (Fate We Make #1) by Barbara Elsborg
What a wonderful read. A rich full story, with amazingly developed characters, not only the main, but all involved. This author always shows how every individual is special in their way, personal qualities, big hearts, and unique characteristics.
There are some intriguing secondary characters.
When I got to understand the trauma, I just went quiet, very still, my heart hurt so much for them. I was flabbergasted.
Overall a grand story, with depth, rich characters, and a clever plot.
Cloud White (Nailed It #3) by Fearne Hill
Dang, the blurb alone gave me already goosebumps and a lump in my throat.
I’m not sure how to express my love for this story, what it gave me, or how it’s amazingly heartfelt written. I tried to keep it short, but I think I failed. The writing was exquisite I wanted to highlight so many lines and scenes, now that would be spoiling, wouldn’t it? The combination of heartbreaking matters, heartwarming, and many humorous moments was grand!! 5+++ stars.
Whispers of the Past Lives by Ivan Novic
I want to start by saying this story goes beyond everything I expected, it is a MUST-READ, a monumental story, even though it wrecked me.
Without a doubt a 5+++ read.
The story burst at the seams, full of overflowing rich lines, and lyrics, at times my heart burst, and sometimes I had to put the book away, it isn’t a one-sit read, it’s too intense for that. Sometimes I even forced myself to read airy, so intense it was. The author did an amazing job putting all those thoughts and feelings on paper, I am in awe. I could feel it all. There is love coming from a deep well, as is the hurt.
The Mechanics of Lust (Mackenzie Country #2) by Jay Hogan
Oh gosh, I don’t know where to start, goosebumps from head to toe throughout this story, I’m not sure how this author does it, but I got so emotional reading this outstanding story. It’s so… complete, and real, I was so deep into this story, that I forgot I was in a book instead of the Mackenzie Country. Dang, I wish I was there! 5+++ stars.
Dirty Sexy Stupid Love (The Rourke Stories) by Sophia Soames
What a sublime read. Brilliant!
Gosh, what a wonderful story, so beautifully heartfelt, read yourself how the author created this emotional, enthralling read. Owen and Harry are two amazing characters, with more than wonderfully developed characteristics. Owen is one big loving hug bear and Harry’s thick walls are crumbling, he can’t keep them up, it would destroy him, and Owen wouldn’t let him btw. Gosh, they say the best things! A special spotlight on Eddie and Joe, sweet caring real friends. My heart, this read was everything, it gave me goosebumps, and made me laugh, smile, and cry!!
Series: Apex Predator; Prowl; and Hide With Me (Game Changers #11-13) by Cara Dee
This series is grand! ALL the characters are grand!! The BDSM world is grand! The writing is grand!!
You understand a must-read series!
#10 – It’s getting harder and harder to choose the last one. There are more titles and names I want to highlight.
To honor the ones I can’t list because of the space, I’ll reserve this last place for those I can’t name. I hope you know who you are!