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 1,000 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.

Taylin’s  favorites

The Red Dragon of Oxford by Joy Lynn Fielding – Buy Link

The Red Dragon of Oxford was the book that lit up my love for this series, of which there are currently three installments. It is a British story in a quintessentially British institution, Oxford Uni, with the gorgeous addition of Dragons and skullduggery. The tale enchanted me, and by the end, I was smitten, wanting more. The narrative contains the renowned Oxford with its traditions, dos, and don’ts – snobbery and all. Outside the university, there is the life and hierarchy that dragon families must follow within the ranks and wider afield. There’s also, academia, jealousy, revelations, kidnapping, and some steadfast hearts.

Mark is a determined human from humble beginnings – a hard worker with an inner fire to match a dragon. However, the star of the show is Rufus. He is a caring soul who values books. This element will resonate with every author, reader and academic. Being a red dragon, he is frowned upon by some members of his aristocratic family, whose preference is money. The relationship between Mark and Rufus is a slow burn, which was suitable for the couple. Nevertheless, when the physical aspect of the relationship develops – it is hot.

Full Disclosure by Elle Keaton – Buy Link

While working on several cases for West Coast Forensics, Niall receives a call with news of his long-lost mother. While Niall chases answers and relatives, Mat’s responsibilities keep him on the island, investigating the discovery of a body that has him chasing clues while wishing he was with Niall. Both cases provide revelations, action, and require serious detective work alongside the red tape, and hoops law enforcement officers must jump through to get information. Also, at a particularly poignant moment a few of the island’s character residents make a brief appearance. It was a scene that had me welling up.

Seeing a slightly thawed Niall without losing his more stoic side was lovely. Proof of his husband’s influence. Their marriage is tightly unshakable, and their bond shines like a beacon. The wariness of the early days is replaced by total trust. Fenrir and Hel ensure their humans are doing the right thing, too – adding a few scenes that make this series so wonderful.

A Clutch of Guilty Wishes by JD Sampson – Buy Link

A Clutch of Guilty Wishes is a Dash and Eli romantic mystery, and murder is afoot. It gave me everything I like in a tale. The book cover instantly set the story image (1935 Hollywood), and that tone accompanies the opening chapters, connecting the reader to the era and scene. I was taken body and soul into a world, the story, and the characters. It’s a place of parties, glitz, glitter, ‘hello darling’s’, wannabes, fading stars, haves, and have-nots. Regardless of secrets – reputations and jailtime are on the line. The nuances and double meanings behind the banter were a delight, and the imagery was a clever mixture of words, and borrowed landscape creating a picture with the use of familiar stars in their infancy adding depth to the illusion. Eli, and Dash are superb protagonists alongside a stellar cast.

Behind this seemingly laid-back story, plenty is happening – a series of interviews designed to coax out truth, secrets, and connections, alongside action-filled scenes that had my heart thudding. Also, the minefield of family – who to trust/not, who is an ass/not? All is wrapped up in a detective story that kept me guessing until the Hollywood variation on a Poirot-style conclusion.

And Nothing But The Truth by  Charlie Cochrane – Buy Link

Get ready to become one of the investigating team in this beautifully British detective story– there’s a murder to solve and no stone will be left unturned. It is a tale of how two adoptive histories can turn out so different, and while one shouldn’t talk ill of the dead – those in the coffin aren’t always angels either.

The story drew me in, and I was alongside the team, following the thought process and theorizing while silently having my own ideas. Because, let’s face it, everyone tries to see a missed loophole in every detective story. Briefing segments filtered facts from gossip, and I found piecing together a person’s life – fascinating. When complete, these people I knew nothing about had faces and histories I had feelings for.

Superb imagery included ideas being floated while munching the dog, and the icing on the cake was the many Britishisms like, ‘not a sausage’, ‘bugger all else’, ‘cheeky sod’, ‘stonking, etc. – I smiled every time I read them and was proud to read everything familiar to me in a quality story.

Subterfuge by Rebecca Cohen – Buy Link

The Dark Earls series is a welcome return to a well-loved revamped Crofton series that has been given a paranormal twist – and what a superb treat it was to read. All the character, soul and heart of the original series remains including recognizable protagonists – but the storylines are completely different. A second tale has also been published which was equally as good, but as Subterfuge was the first, this book gets included on my list.

Ben and Ashley are crackin’ protagonists – men who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it. Stubborn, protective, and brutal in a delightful package. I loved how the vampire world was portrayed – like ordering a pint of human vintage was as easy as ordering a well-aged wine. Then there’s the behind-the-scenes plotting while aware of who the dangerous people are with unexpected twists. The extended cast was delicious, but I’ll leave you to discover those gems for yourselves. However, Sebastian’s appearance was short and sweet but, oh, so memorable. He was the icing on the cake for a beautifully well-rounded novel that had me excited about future books.

Heartwood by Katey Hawthorne – Buy Link

When I saw the book’s length, I groaned, BUT then I began reading and only stopped for sleep, work, and sustenance. I found a complete world adventure in a long, beautifully written book, all wrapped up with a bow at the end. While the tale could have been split into a series, I’m glad it wasn’t because I knew I would get closure by the end.        Worldbuilding was clear vivid and had me in tears more than once. The characters varied from the happy to grumpy, idealistic, brave, Zen, and specialists to the downright evil. Action and adventure were all in there, too.

Hendrik is loyal and has been raised to think of the needs of his charge – choosing is not an option until he is left with nothing but his memories. The future, let alone a happy one, is not a dream he can fathom. Dagan shows Hendrik that life in many forms exists outside the city walls. He can put his hands into the ground and sense life.     This story gave me the emotional ride, action, spice and adventure that left me as one delightfully satisfied reader.

Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper – Buy Link

Magic Escaping is Kaje Harpers’ sequel to Magic Burning. From page one, it was a dramatic, eventful, captivating – a thrilling and emotional ride from beginning to end. And OMG, what dialogue. I have rarely read anything so flawless, either characteristically or situationally. The relationship between Alan and Jason was established in Magic Burning. And between the kidnapping, rescue, love, danger, the elusive Carnival of Mysteries, magic, bad guys, bullets and a whole load of other drama is the beautiful dynamic between the band of friends and familiars that make up the group out to help Alan.

Magic Escaping ticked every element in my ‘I want’ box. Every ‘I’ was dotted, and ‘T’ crossed. For me, this book was a masterpiece and will proudly take a place in my favs of all time.

You Can Save Me by RL Merrill – Buy Link

The story begins with a thought-provoking poem and pulls you in from there.      Dane hails from a time when music, drugs, sex and rock and roll were intermingled. Yet, Dane was on the outskirts looking in and protected from the hard stuff. Hence, he has lots of memories of stars and their musical interactions. On the serious side is his mission. When he emerges from the carnival forty years have passed – he hasn’t aged a day. His journey entails adjusting to his new year of 2019 while a serial killer is out to get the one who got away – Dane.

Walter’s association with Dane began as a child and stayed with him for a lifetime. Upon meeting Dane again, what started as a case turned into more. But, with a serial killer targeting Dane, there’s a conflict between personal and duty. So, what do you do? Bring in those you trust, which adds even more depth to an already stunning concept.

You Can Save Me is a carefully balanced, intricately worked, and amazingly put-together tale of light, dark, paranormal, unhinged killers, violence, dedicated people and a beautiful love story.

For Love by Robin Reardon – Buy Link

For Love is a beautiful, thought-provoking, emotional read that looks at love in its many forms and faiths in a 1980’s setting, while keeping people as the prime feature.

Assisi is a rural town, surrounded by other small towns with issues and occasionally misguided attitudes. Originally a New York City Boy, Rev Spencer has transformed into a country-loving man – hiking and all. Since book one, he has had a spiritual, emotional and physical journey that has been a pleasure to read. His love for his flock, himself and someone special, as well as farther-reaching questions, came to a head when he asked himself whether he could let the person he loves go because it was right for them. No loose ends were left either. If you want a read that is informative, entertaining, and different– this is it.