Welcome to the Love Bytes Reviewers’ Best of 2025
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 2025, 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 2025. 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.
“Cheryl K’s” favorites
It was hard for me to narrow down my list this year, but these are at the top of the list. I’ve listed some of my favorite reads and listens below – please note that these are not in any particular order. I hope you enjoy my eclectic choices. 😊
The Dino Whisperer & The Last Relics by DK Sutton – Buy Link
As shifter books go, this series is top notch. It has all the things I love – shifters, dinosaurs, and fated mates. In this series, we do have a different couple for each book, but these should be read in order, as there is a multi-story arc. This series really satisfied my geeky need for dinosaur shifters. I especially enjoyed all the sassy dialogue and intense action.
The Fall by Tal Bauer – Buy Link
Tal’s long awaited return to publishing is a true masterpiece. We are instantly absorbed into the heavily angst filled world of Torey and Blair and their journey. A wonderful hockey based story, the twists and turns in the storyline are not to missed. Be prepared – This is a Tal Bauer book, and high angst is the name of the game.
The Haunted Hotel 2: The Legend of Lovers Hollow (Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits) by Vawn Cassidy – Buy Link
What a wonderful spin off of the Dead Serious series. As this is the second book in the Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits series, you need to read the first book, as book two is a continuation of that book. I just love the paranormal world and this one hits all my buttons. Ghosts and more ghosts – good and evil ones, oh my. Oh and we have ghost inspector to mess with the hotels ghostly residents.
Footprints on My Heart by RJ Peterson – Buy Link
Paranormal stories can be hit or miss with me, and I must exclaim from the rooftops that this book is a great combination of sweet romance and ghostly interaction. What most might consider as a couple romance, this one is in my opinion a bit of a poly story. It’s creatively written to include our new couple of Beckett and Travis, becomes a poly relationship when our ghostly first partner – Karson comes into the picture to nudge his love – Beckett to move on with his life.
Gave Situation by Louisa Masters – Buy Link
What can I say about this book… It was my favorite book Louisa has ever written. As I wrote in my review of this book – Lord of the Rings with Zombies. From the world building , character development to the prose, I couldn’t get enough of this book.
Dead Wrong & Better Off Dead (The Second Awakening) by Alexander C. Eberhart – Buy Link
What a fantastic series. This one is an urban fantasy that includes a dreamy poly relationship. With some of my favorite paranormal themes, I truly love this series. We have witches and demons, necromancers, and more. A brilliantly crafted group of main characters, whose chemistry we really get to see take off in book two. Of course, the sexy times are pretty off the charts hot.
The Last Picks Series (Book 5 – 9) by Gregory Ashe Narrated by Andrew Gibson – Buy Link (series)
I love this cozy, slow burn mystery series from Gregory Ashe. At this time books 1-9 are out on audio and I am eagerly anticipating the release of the next books in the series. Andrew Gibson is the perfect narrator for this series. His ability to combine snark, sarcasm, mysteriousness and even some character whining is just awesome.
The Devil Card (Hidden Gotham #3) by Chris Holcombe Narrated by Joel Leslie – Buy Link
I’m all in on a historic murder mystery. Set in New York during the roaring 20’s, Chris Holcombe created a highly detailed world for his Hidden Gotham series. Which books 1& 2 should be listened to prior to listening to this one. Speaking of listening to this series, can I just say that Joel just embodies these characters. To the point, I forget it’s Joel whose narrating and I am so absorbed in the story telling.
Roaring Twenties Magic Books 1-3 by Allie Therin Narrated by Joel Froomkin – Buy Link
Yes, I had a thing for the roaring 20’s this year. And possibly Joel’s narrations as well. This one takes us to London, America and beyond. Allie creates a wonderfully woven paranormal world, where magic is the backdrop for this mystery audio box set. As I’ve come to expect, Joel brings his uncanny talent for dialects to this box set. His ability to go from a variety of English accents to Spanish , to American is a true joy for the senses. I truly enjoy his uncanny ability for accent work and this series really showcased not only his vocal talents, but Allie’s story telling as well.
