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.
Sadonna’s favorites
To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders – Buy Link
This is probably my favorite best friends to lovers book ever. Every single thing about it is perfect. I had serious book hangover with this book. The emotional punch packed into the lives of these gorgeous characters is absolutely brilliant. Also, can we just talk about that unbelievable cover? In this case the beauty of the story really matched the beauty of the cover art. My favorite book, cover and audio of the year.
Wildflowers by Mel Bossa – Buy Link
I was really happy when I saw that Mel Bossa had a new book – it’s been too long! This is such a bittersweet story – but such a good though heartbreaking emotional arc. I definitely cried reading this story which doesn’t happen very often. Ultimately this story is uplifting and hopeful and a beautiful second chances love story. This author writes wonderful secondary characters who were beautifully and realistically portrayed. Cory’s job helping people with immigration issues was so timely. There is so much healing here – for most of the characters – and there is also beauty in the face of tragedy. Honestly one of the best books I’ve read from this author – and there have been quite a few so that is saying something.
After the Storm by Nell Iris – Buy Link
Nell Iris, the veritable queen of the short story manages to pull at the heart strings in another beautiful story of love, loss, recovery and love again. Anyone who has watched a family/couple fall apart after the loss of a child (and it’s far too common) will glimpse that reality here and will marvel at the hopeful arc despite seemingly unbearable pain in this absolute treasure.
Please Come to Boston by Gary Goldstein – Buy Link
In some ways, this doesn’t necessarily qualify as a romance since there isn’t an HEA. It’s more bittersweet coming of age that starts with going away to college in the 70s. A lot of the story really focuses on the path not taken. I loved the way the author incorporated music into this story too. First concerts, first albums, lots of firsts for a lot of people in those formative years. For younger readers, this book very clearly conveys how different the world was back then and how much we all owe the brave souls of the era who lived their truth – or at least a version of it – so that the world we live in today isn’t so judgmental much more authentic for many. This a a really well-written book about the overwhelming prospect of becoming an adult and figuring out what that even means. It’s a coming-of-age story that definitely tugs at the heartstrings and sheds light on what it means to grow up and into oneself.
Man of his Dreams by Kim Fielding – Buy Link
Yet another fantastic story from Kim Fielding that was so engaging. It’s a delightful tale of a writer moving on with just a suitcase to a new place in order to finish a book on deadline and finding so much more than he ever expected. New Orleans is full of fascinating places, people, food, history, etc. The details of the history of the city, the houses, the music and how intertwined they all are is just a pleasure to watch unfold in this story. Beautifully written romance set in one of the most interesting and gorgeous places in the world.
Salt (Island Love #1) by Fearne Hill – Buy Link
Fearne Hill covers a LOT of heavy subjects here – mental health, depression, caring for someone with dementia, etc. Charles and Florian in this story do not have an easy path and there are stumbles along the way. Take care that that there are several triggers here – including depression and treatment, mental breakdown, suicidal ideations, dealing with the death of a parent, caring for someone suffering from dementia and all that entails. That being said, this is a very beautiful story that is ultimately hopeful and satisfying.
The Pretenders of Copper County by May Archer – Buy Link
I was so happy to see a new book from May Archer in the same world as the Love in O’Leary series. Chris is the sweetest, most naive, adorable, sometimes clueless and sheltered guy. The first quarter of the story is a bunch of hilarious misunderstandings and crossed wires of Chris and his protector/kidnapper Reed that had me laughing out loud. Through it all, Reed can’t help but be charmed by and feel protective of Chris. The fake honeymoon cover story has Chris hamming it up and Reed becomes pretty possessive , especially around all the hunky men of O’Leary. Such a fun story and kick-off a great new series.
Raven: Part Two by Piper Scott & Virginia Kelly and Michael Ferraiuolo – Buy Link
After a long wait, this was the best ending to hope for with the Drakes. Poor Bertram forced into service of the Dragon Council is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. I was most mad at Grimbold for taking so long to listen. I was also thrilled to see the Drake mates take things into their own hands. I love seeing Sorin finally get a handle on this magic and his pain and his mental health. I particularly enjoyed getting to revisit all the Drake brothers, their mates and their children.
Michael Ferraiuolo has been the vocal soul of this series for years now. The same gruff dragons. The same entertaining mates with such distinct personalities/quirks/accents. This series is nothing short of brilliant and I’m so sad it’s over. I foresee many a relisten 
All that Matters by Felice Stevens and Kale Williams – Buy Link
Honestly this is a delightful and swoon worthy romance in one of my favorite places, New York City. I loved Nico from the get-go. I cannot tell you how many people have tried to sell me the hop on-off bus tours Someday I would love to do it and hopefully get a guide like Nico 
Ford is such a sweetheart who has been roughly treated by life and he deserves something good. Thankfully that good thing is Nico – and his family. This might just be my favorite Felice Stevens/Kale Williams audio book. He enjoys his job and clearly loves his city. He also loves his mother Mr. Williams portrayal of Nico is so heartfelt. Sometime good things happen to good people. Also the epilogue was *chef’s kiss*. 
The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-gotten Gains by Alice Winters and Michael Ferraiuolo – Buy Link
Yet another adventure/caper for Jackson and Leland And of course there are lots of songs, car chases, gun battles, exotic dance numbers and an epic battle on the water that no one would see coming Michael Ferraiuolo outdid himself on this one and that’s saying something The singing, the rap, and a stripper scene raise this one to a new level of hilarious. I was laughing so hard I was crying at some points in this story. Alice and Michael are a marriage made in heaven and I hope this series goes on forever!
