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.
Kat’s Favorites
Doing the “Best Of” list is probably one of the hardest things to do, especially having read over 160 books last year, and condensing it to only 10 or so is super hard. I have been blessed with so many authors that ask for me personally to review their art. And then one of my favorite parts of reviewing is getting to discover a brand new author or author-to-me and getting to read their work. So narrowing down such an extensive list of amazing books is a challenge. That being said here are some of my top books and series that stood out in 2023.
I’m going to start with the series. Many were collections by various authors with the same theme.
Black Cat Circus Series (Multi-Author Series)
This one took me by complete surprise. I discovered all about different types of paranormals I had not read before and truly became enchanted. I literally begged the authors for more please and they have come through. I can’t wait for the next season of this delightful and stimulating series.
Mated at the North Pole (Multi-Author Series)
Some of my all-time MPREG authors joined together in this delightful Christmas fun. Forced vacations, famous reindeer shifters, sweet omegas and adorable babies. What more could you desire?
Forestville Silver Foxes by Nora Phoenix
I love this series and am looking forward to more. It’s not often that I get to have more mature and experienced main characters but the town Forestville, Washington is one very lucky town. What an amazing graduating class that was and the fact they are still very supportive and loving friends really did it for me.
The Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 (Multi-Author Series)
Y’all know that I’m a major Rockstar junkie. And the Road to Rocktoberfest is my jam. This series just keeps getting better and better and I discover old favorite bands that come back year after year along with new-to-me series I just found.
The FBI Files (Books 3-6) by Patricia Logan
We finished out this thought provoking series that featured Max Prince and Dr. Leo Reeves battling some of the most ruthless and dangerous criminals. From both men being separated and fighting alone on book 5 but finally realizing they can’t be without their “one” to the most comical events when they allow Flay and Trey to plan the stag party to beat all bachelor parties ever. And we saw so many of our favorite friends helping them along the way.
We were also gifted some amazing stand-alone or duo books.
Muscle Cub by Slade James
I was beyond overjoyed to have Slade James return to us this year with his newest in the Bear Camp novel. This book dove into the touchy subject of performance anxiety in such a thoughtful and positive way. How younger Austin not only showed patience but understanding was especially touching and sensitive.
When Daddy Hurts by TL Travis
This is definitely not a typical Daddy/boy book but shows how life has to adapt, sometimes in a blink of an eye, especially when tragedy strikes suddenly. Have you box of tissues close at hand when you start this book because you’re going to need them. But this was one of the most touching books I read this year.
Reactant by Aurora Crane
Aurora Crane is the queen of poly for me. I have no idea how she can write these five men so vividly and then have all of them in one of the most intense sex scenes and just know where every man is and each is doing is mind boggling! I wasn’t sure about adding Jericho as their fifth but now I can’t imagine them any other way. Can’t wait for the next book in this amazing series.
Mistletoe Kisses/Christmas Wishes (Dare Me Christmas Duo) by Lee Blair
Lee Blair is my go-to author when I am homesick for my native Oregon home. She perfectly captures small town life in the rural Willamette Valley. This delightful series also lead me to the snow capped hill in Arizona I love to visit. I just can’t get my hands on her books fast enough. And she always makes me laugh with her men’s antics.
Chef Rafe by Sam E. Kramer
I discovered this gifted author with this series and am truly saddened to see my Lonely Heroes come to an end. These honorable men that protect fiercely and love passionately will always be a part of my heart. But ending with Rafael was the perfect after dinner mint to this 11 course meal. And Dallas was just the man to finally capture his hard-earned love.
Swamp Wolf by Layla Dorine
If you have not discovered the Comet Lake Chronicles yet are you in for a shifter treat. Plenty of wolf shifters, motorcycle club and triads to keep you rivières to these books. I love that we finally got the leaders story. And the extra treat of “Lucy” made this story pop!
His Dangerous Omega by Raiven Matthews
I love the Sinclair quints and their omegas. And I’m a huge Wade fan but watching Seb hold his own and earn his rightful place where he has always truly belonged beside Jamie was very interesting. I was having a hard time because I worried that Jamie’s book would be the end to my visits to Sweet Alps, California. Thankful this is just the conclusion to the quints journey to find their fated mates but we have much more to come.
As I said earlier, choosing so few books to list as the best of 2023 was a huge challenge and so many great books had to be left off due to space. But be sure to check out all my reviews to find just the right pick for you. Happy reading! 📚