Welcome to the Love Bytes Reviewers’ Best of 2024
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 2024, from contemporary romance to fantasy, paranormal, historical, adventure, mystery, comedy, and everything in between. Each day for the next weeks, we will feature one of our reviewers’ top picks from books and audiobooks published in 2024. 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.
Ro’s favorites
It was hard to narrow it down to ten, I read some great books this year! But some really struck a chord with me.
The Amazing Alpha Tau Romeo and Juliet Project by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey – Buy Link
This is part of a series but is my favorite one. Charlie and Tanner are so different and yet so perfect for each other but of course life doesn’t let them have that HEA for free – they have to work for it.
Salish Sea Society Series by Leigh Jarrett – Buy Link
This is a series of four absolutely loyal and amazing friends who call themselves the Salish Sea Society. Each of them is different yet the friendship is so solid, totally ride-or-die. I loved getting to see each one get a someone to love in addition to the love shared amongst the friends.
Something Borrowed Lily Morton (Confetti Hitched series) – Buy Link
Lily Morton is an auto-buy author for me, but in Something Borrowed we get to meet Stan, who is an incredibly lovable character. Rafferty was a favorite of mine in the first Confetti Hitched (Confetti Hearts) as a BFF of Joe but he soars even higher in his own story.
First Dates and Birthday Cakes Isabel Murray – Buy Link
This was a funny, rom-com type story that made me smile and even laugh out loud. Ben is turning 40 and his attempts to not “be old” are just funny. The worst day of his life turns into his best. Also, I want a BFF like Ravi!
The Uncanny Aviator by Jenya Keefe – Buy Link
This one made the list because it is a genre I don’t usually read but it captivated me from the start, particularly Cay and his sister, Kell. Adrio (the husband) pissed me off to no end and there were times I wanted to slap him. Even the mystery of the Uncanny Aviator and his “why” made me keep reading. A worthwhile departure from my norm.
My Darcy – Lily Morton – Buy Link
Again, Lily Morton, in a novella combining two of my favorite things – friends to lovers and Jane Austen!
Resisting You – E.M. Lindsey (Words We Never Said series) – Buy Link
Enemies to lovers, another fave trope, and I was eagerly awaiting this one after meeting Frey in the first book of the series, Knowing You. Frey is so much more than he appears at first glance, and it takes a true connection for someone to see it.
Love Language Jax Calder – Buy Link
This is a very short about two snarking office mates and it made me laugh.
The Player Lily Morton – Buy Link
Short and sweet, a best friends story with a little bit of a backstory making things difficult. I was pulling for these two!