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.
Kat’s favorites
As I approach my 10th year of having the privilege of reviewing for Love Bytes and reflect on the opportunities all these wonderful authors have given me. With the over 1,000 books I have enjoyed reading and reviewing, I count my blessings that Dani took a chance on this old lady who had just retired and enjoyed reading. I have always thought of reviews as giving a tip to an author like you do your waiter or hairdresser. Thank you to all the authors that have entrusted me with their art and all the supportive readers who take the time to read my reviews. It has and continues to be a honor I do not take lightly.
Black Cat Circus: Pearl of Fate – Buy Link
This series is a continuation of last year’s extremely successful multi-author series. Although, if you didn’t know, it you would think that it was just one writer writing all of the books. I have never read a multi-author series that was so in sync with each other. Each book has interconnecting characters that makes this circus a found family that is home. I am simply in awe of how well crafted each book is and how they complete the circle.
Cohesion (Chain Reaction #3) by Aurora Crane – Buy Link
I need to state that this is definitely not a stand alone. You really need to read this entire series in order. Each book picks up where the last one left off. And this is the conclusion to all five men’s story and the criminals that they are after. You will be thankful that you picked up this series. I absolutely love this series and am sad it’s come to an end.
Pitch Perfect by Ann Lister – Buy Link
Ann Lister’s books don’t hold back the punches and this one definitely had them. This book just worked for me. And I loved that this book focused more on the behind-the-scenes of that are the hardest part of the rock world. The creating of the music that we all expect from our idols can come easily or gut-wrenchingly hard and we will never know how much a struggle they are on them. Ann continues to open our eyes to what it takes to put out that music. How it impacts their lives in ways you can’t even comprehend.
Strike a Chord (Chaotic Abyss #1) by TL Travis – Buy Link
I couldn’t wait to read this book. And I love that we are getting to interact with all the guys from Social Sinners, Maiden Voyage and Embrace the Fear as they help mentor this brand new band into their circle.. Rock on guys and I will be right there fan-girling y’all!
The Senator (Power Players #1) by Sam E. Kraemer – Buy Link
O.M.G! This one came out of nowhere! It’s so riveting and captivating that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. What an intriguing and well written story of the back scenes of Washington DC and the secrets it possesses. I absolutely loved this book! I can’t wait for more of this wonderful new series.
His Gentle Omega (Sweet Alps Mates #7) by Raiven Matthews – Buy Link
I didn’t know if I was ready for this one because I know it closes out a series that is dear to me but Raiven Matthews knock it out of the ball park with this finale! I knew this would be hard because of the content and abuse and that it was the conclusion of an era. I still remember taking a chance on this brand new author and reading her first wonderful book in this series. So yes, this is a tad bit bittersweet in that this series is coming to an end for me. These wonderful characters have become real. But hold on to your heart because The Sweet Alps Alphas and their amazing Omega Mates are sure to steal yours just like they did mine and I wouldn’t change it for anything! Great end to a fantastic series!
Bonded Hearts series by Zarina Aston – Buy Link
Oh goodness. Epic Journey is what I think of when I think of this fantastic and riveting series. Dragon shifters, the last of the unicorns, a human mage with very unique and strong healing powers and time jumping in a truly fantastic fantasy series. True mates and siblings connected The Powers. This is a saga that will grab hold of you and you can’t set your book down. Be prepared…these are very long books filled with so much adventure and twists and turns. But these men and the ones that love and support them will capture your heart and you will also become one of their loyal subjects.
Missing Chord by Kaje Harper – Buy Link
One of the best things about getting to read and do reviews is that, every once in awhile, you get a book that impacts you so greatly that you not only slow down and savor the book. You share how it is impacting, you as you read it, with your friends. You make changes in your life because of the message it sent. This book did that. Griffin and Lee’s story needs to be heard and learned from. It’s that impactful and important!
Desert Ice Hockey series by Christie Gordon – Buy Link
I went into this series because I was such a fan of Christie Gordon her Rock U series and wanted closure for one of the guys. What I didn’t expect was for her to turn me into a MM Hockey fangirl. I am a sport fan but I was never attracted to hockey. I am looking forward to actually attending a hockey games. This series and The Squad changed my mind and opened my heart to these amazing young men that took life by the horns and made it work for them together.
Forestville Silver Foxes series by Nora Phoenix – Buy Link
I truly have enjoyed this series. But what’s not to love. Gorgeous Silver Fox men that have reached an age in their lives where their priorities are changing and new priorities, namely love and commitment with their one and only for the rest of their lives. I have truly loved watching these life long friends find the man that they never knew they needed and how they change their lives to make sure they are together forever. This series has connections to Nora’s The Foster Brothers that I loved too.
U.S. Marshals I.S.R. (Interspecies Response) by Patricia Logan – Buy Link
If you told me that I would fall for two guys that go around making sure that shifters are playing nice and being good I would have laughed at you. Until a couple years ago I didn’t even do sci-if, shifters or fantasy. But that changed and now I’m hooked and am up for more and more. Patty Logan is one of those authors that changed me and I couldn’t be happier. In this series be prepared for so sexy moments. Some scary and dangerous ones too. Oh, and in usual Patricia Logan style, some that will have you bursting in laughter. Because you can count on them in these stories.