OWNER & REVIEWER

DANIELLE

Hi, I am Danielle also know as Dani 😉 almost 50 years old. I live in the Netherlands with my husband and my daughter. I started out reading m/m fanfiction and rolled into the Original m/m genre. I am owner of this blog and you can reach me on the different mail addresses of the blog. I love to read , have been reading my whole life, always a book with me where ever I went and since I started reading M/M I am totally hooked . I read different kind of books but I do have to say I prefer contemporary and I love cowboys/ farmers/ military and sportsman.  I also appreciate a good bdsm or a shifter story . I am addicted to my kindle and I take it with me everywhere I go . I always have to much to read and I adore a good series. I like my stories sexy and hot but I can appreciate a sweet, NA or bdsm story at times.

CURRENT REVIEWERS

ANNA LYNN

Hi, I am Anna Lynn, a 56 (almost 57) year old single Mom from the Philippines. I have three children, 2 boys and a girl (middle one). My youngest is still in school, I had my first born when I was 29 years old. My husband was a Circus Performer whom I met when I worked for the circus company he was travelling with at the time. Unfortunately he died in 2009 in his own country. I have raised my three children with my family’s help. It is a struggle but I wouldn’t change anything for the world, my children are my life!

I have always been a reader. I started early because my mom was a voracious reader as well. I started with the usual books, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, eventually I started reading my mother’s Mills and Boons, etc. In the early part of 2015, I started reading fanfics in the M/M genre and never looked back. When I found out that there were Author’s groups in FB, I started joining. I love this community, I am continuously learning about it. When Love Bytes was looking for reviewers, I expressed my intention to join and have been here ever since. I have been slightly off the last 2 years or so, just overcome with some personal stuff but I will be here as long as they want me. I love what I do, I love reading stories penned by authors I respect and love.

What I love most about the M/M genre is the passion, it makes me wish that if the whole world could be just as accepting and loving we can all be fine and thriving, no one will be having a hard time, no suffering and there will be happiness all around.

CHERYL

Hi, I’m Cheryl, aka Nephy. I started writing when I was about fourteen and avidly reading way before that. About ten years ago, two gay friends who were visiting suggested I write a gay scene or two? I took them up on it and loved it. I started posting on Gay Authors and got hooked, mainly because of the community and the amazing author/reader relationship. It was once calculated that I have around four million words posted on that site. While some of my early works are dire, I love the site and the support I got there.

Gay authors did two very important things for me. First, it taught me that gay youth are vulnerable and highly unrepresented. They are crying out for characters they can identify with, that have the happy endings they crave for themselves. These are the people I write for. Secondly, it gave me the courage and support to take my writing out into the world. The rest is history.

I live in Wales with a selection of animals and my eighteen-year-old son—who is responsible for most of the animals. Both of my children are autistic, as am I and it’s been quite a challenge to bring them up, especially given that for the last eight years I’ve been on my own. My escape, and obsessions are both reading and writing. In what seemed like a natural progression, I started to review for a well known and respected blog that sadly no longer exists. Fortunately, I was able to hop on board with Love Bytes and have found a happy home among such a friendly family. I hope to be here, reading and reviewing for a long time to come.

 CINDY

Hi, I’m Cindy. I’m a crazy Canadian mom in her mid 40’s who’s still waiting to feel like a grown-up. How did I end up doing book reviews? I was asked by a friend to give it a try and somehow wound up with a permanent gig. I love reading more than anything but my daughter, and getting asked to read books and then be opinionated? It’s the perfect set up for me! I’m also a writer and so I’m very careful and thorough in my reviews. I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of a scathing review so I make sure that any criticism that I have is honest and hopefully constructive in nature. I won’t blow smoke up your butt if I don’t like it, but I will try damn hard to find something positive to say about everything I read. I don’t believe mean is funny so you will never see me looking to humiliate anyone with a review I write. I hope you find my reviews interesting and articulate as well as informative. It’s what we’re here for. I think most people who read reviews are counting on reviews to help them decide if a book is worth their time and hard-earned money so I take it very seriously, but I do try to have a little fun while I’m doing it! Now, if I could just get a paying job doing this….

JAY

Hello!  I’m Jay,  in my *cough* 40’s living in the New York City area (meaning I live in NJ & work in NYC). Grew up in Las Vegas and have also lived in Southern California and Ohio. I’ve been working in marketing for 20+ years. I’m also a classically trained cellist, pianist, and composer, though I took a trip on the wild side being a rock cellist in a band for several years.

As for hobbies, besides reading and my music, I watch way too much TV, do a good amount of traveling for fun, and dabble in cake decorating.  Just ask and I’ll show you some of the fun cakes I’ve created over the years.

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. I was one of those children that would hang out under a tree reading a book all day. After plowing through most of the classics, I began to start reading a few gay fiction books, but I thought my options were thin, and then I started reading some gateway books that led to M/M. My dive in to the genre proper only started in late 2016. I just love that there are so many stories I can relate to personally. In 2017, I was recruited to write reviews for Sinfully less than a year before it was decided to close the site for further reviews.  I’d caught the bug and was happy that Dani asked me to join the Love Bytes team to continue on my journey of reading and recommending great books.

KAT

Hi…I’m Kat and really new to this reviewer gig! I am 60 years old…I know…really freaking old…but am young in spirit and heart so when you meet me most don’t believe I am “that” old! I live in Oregon half time and Hawaii half time. I am a Wife of 37 years, Mother of three (35/32/25) and a Proud Grandmother of 5! I am a very avid reader and am so honored and humbled to have been asked to join this amazing group of reviewers! I stumbled upon M/M as part of a book series I was reading and have been hooked every since. I tend to be a sexy contemporary romance reader but am trying to stretch my reading parameters. You will never see me without either my iPhone or iPad with me and I will most probably be stuck with my nose in it reading my newest discovery. I love a great series the most! I love getting to know the characters and look forward to my next “visit” with them. I do really love novellas in a series because the are like an old-time Christmas letter “catching you up” on what is happening in my favorite’s lives. Best moment was recently when I was talking to a young man in Palm Springs waiting for my family to return. He asked me what I do and I explained that I had recently become a reviewer for Love Bytes and he went all fan-boy on me and brought over his husband to meet me because he had just read my review for Crossroads and loved it!!! He kept saying he couldn’t believe he was meeting me in person! I felt like a celebrity!!! It was so awesome that I had made a difference!

LARISSA

SADONNA

Hi I’m Sadonna. Just like Madonna, but with an S 🙂 . Yes, that’s my actual legal name. I used to hate it when I was a kid, but then I learned to embrace it!I’m 56 (when the heck did that happen??) and I work as a consultant in HRIT so I travel most weeks.

I’m a long-time voracious reader who read nearly every book in my grammar school library and left the public library with stacks of books each week. My sister was always mad that I wouldn’t play with her because I was reading. As an adult, for years I read pretty much historical and literary fiction (history major in college) and nonfiction. I was introduced to m/m in 2010 when I saw one of my friends had Special Forces on her Goodreads feed. Now close to 3000 books and counting later, I still blame her and Aleks Voinov (and I have told him so 🙂 ). I currently have over 11000 books in my Calibre library as wellas over 1300 physical books in my house. So I guess you could say I have a problem.

Besides reading, I love to travel all over the US and the world – 15 countries and counting. I’m a big art lover and I spend a lot of time in art museums whenever I travel. I used to say I could live in bookstores and art museums, but it seems bookstores are practically becoming museums now! I also love the opera both live and at the movie theaters and have seen some gorgeous productions in Chicago, the Met and Covent Garden. I dream of Vienna and La Scala someday! I also like to go to the theater and see live music whenever possible. I’ve reviewed for a couple of other blogs in the past and am so happy to be joining the team here at Love Bytes!

SUE

TAYLIN

I am British, in my 50’s, married, have two children and have been an avid reader all my life enjoying a wide variety of genres. I also write and review.

My real name is Yvonne, but I write under the pseudonym Taylin Clavelli and review as Taylin as it is a darn site sexier than my real name. As an author, I had my first story accepted by Dreamspinnrs Press in 2012. Since then I have been through the editing process several times for short stories and novels. Wider hobbies include Taekwondo (I’m a 2nd Degree Black Belt) and am an experienced horse rider. In my day job, I work front of house at a Hotel whose estate can be dated back to before William The Conqueror, where I am also part of their history team. The past fascinates me, especially British and Egyptian history. There is more to my years on earth, but am writing a short Bio here, not a life story.

In 2015 the wonderful people at Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews introduced me to reviewing, and I haven’t looked back. I will always consider the guys and gals at Sinfully my family. When they decided to call it a day, Debra Edwards introduced me to Dani who kindly accepted me onto the team. Having been through the editing process, I am familiar with the do’s and don’ts of writing. I also pre-read for a few people where my speciality is finding plot holes and story flow.

TRUE

Hey, I’m True 🌈 LoveisLove, or just True, from the Netherlands, Europe. I’m an avid reader. When I started reading my first LGBTQ book, it was like coming home. I finally found the books I was looking for, so now I only read LGBTQ+ stories. About 275 per year. Every free moment I read. Sometimes I just can’t stop and read (too) far into the night. Totally blame the author 😉

When I was a little kid I started to write stories, later on, poems. I’m an utmost introvert and I’m so happy with social media, for me
an opportunity to communicate and express myself behind a keyboard.

I have favorite genres but when well written I read everything. Some of my favorites: Dark romance, BDSM, kink, taboo, dystopian,
erotica, omegaverse, mpreg, vampires, fantasy, paranormal. I love me some feisty enemies-to-lovers, opposites, billionaire, D/s
narrative. I hate cliffhangers, can’t help it. I prefer to wait for the whole series.

I love to sing, play and make music, coffee, pizza, Paris, orange as a color, and black clothes. NOH8 is my motto. English is not my native, but I learn every day 🥰

VALERIE

Hello everyone! I’m Valerie, mom of one human and a small herd of four-pawed creatures including two handicapped kittens. I’m an active volunteer with the rescue of dogs, cats, and even elephants. For fun I read, ski, take photographs, eat chocolate peanut butter ice cream, read, nap, and read.

I consider myself fortunate to live in the Washington, DC area, which is so rich in history and culture, yet my favorite thing to do is paddleboating on the Tidal Basin when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom. (Although I’m told I’m a lazy paddler; maybe that’s why everyone groans when I suggest an outing.)

I’m a very easy going gal until someone tries to come between me and my Kindle with unreasonable demands such as cooking (“Honey, we’re getting tired of Spaghetti-Os every night”) and cleaning (“Mom, I ran out of clean underwear last week!”). I’ve loved to read since back when my best buddy was a copy of Go, Dog, Go! I now read MM Romance almost exclusively, having read close to 2,000 books in the genre.

I mostly read contemporary, but enjoy other genres occasionally, too. I have too many favorite authors to list, but I can tell you a few of my most favorite books: Beneath the Stain by Amy Lane, Love Me Whole by Nicky James, A Guy Walks into My Bar by Lauren Blakely, Loving Jay by Renae Kaye, the Roads series by Garrett Leigh, the Marshals and Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes, and almost everything by Lily Morton, Lucy Lennox, and N.R. Walker. Check out my Top Ten Books of 2020 list to get an idea of my taste.

Some favorite themes and tropes: hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, second chances, romantic comedy, YA, mental illness, and slow burn. My perfect book, you ask? Perhaps a homeless, bipolar rent boy, who used to be the frontman of a popular alt metal/rock band like Linkin Park, who is rescued off the streets by his older best friend, an ex-pro hockey playing Navy Seal bodyguard, in a novel filled with plenty of UST, a bit of snark, lots of heat, and a perfect HEA. If you know anything about me, you know I love great epilogues, too.

And hey, thanks for reading my reviews. I absolutely love writing them for you.

GUEST REVIEWERS

MARCELLA 

Hiya! I’m Marcella, I’m 22 years old now, I’m from the Netherlands, and I just finished my first Bachelor’s (English Language and Culture). I have been engulfed in reading since, well, forever. It started with my dad reading to me before bed. Then, I started my own reading adventures with, for example, the Percy Jackson books. After that, I rolled into the life of a fangirl and mostly read fanfics to fill my days and get just that bit extra of the ship I adored or the pairing that didn’t happen. And look where I am now: being allowed to read and review mostly FxF books!

Of all the books I have read so far, I prefer reading the fantasy genre. It is always a great escape to end up in a world with vampires, witches, and magic. Besides fantasy, I also adore the romance genre because the spicier, the better, right? 😉 All jokes aside, I adore reading anything from the genres: romance, comedy, drama, fantasy, and history. The last one is because I am quite a history fan, and who wouldn’t want to be transported back to a time before smartphones and climate crises?

The books here on the website are, of course, focussed on LGBTQIA+ pairings, from which I mostly focus on the FxF books. As a lesbian myself, I enjoy reading the FxF stories over MxM, however, that does not mean I do not thoroughly enjoy the MxM stories as well. FxF is simply closer to home for me, and those books usually have a higher cute fluff count that I adore reading. That doesn’t mean that I shy away from the spice as I definitely also enjoy reading dark romance and BDSM- or kink-themed books.

JEN

Hi, I’m Jen. I’ve been book crazy since I could read, working my way through many genres until finally settling down with MM a good number of years ago. When I’m not reading, I’m working as a legal assistant or working with, raising and showing my horses. I will read just about anything, though my tastes generally run a little more on the darker side. I tend to stay away from sweet romances and anything with children in them. Thankfully, there are other reviewers who are happy to take my share. I’ve been a fan of paranormal from way back, and it has carried over to my love of MM. I love military stories, and stories with damaged characters, as I don’t like my characters to have everything so easily.

For the darker side of things, I like a story with good BDSM aspects, as well as many things that most people might generally find uncomfortable reading. I love hot alpha males, especially together, and I tend to steer clear of the twinks. I don’t often enjoy historical, YA or sci-fi, especially m-preg, but everything else is pretty much fair game.

I write my reviews based on how well the story read for me, how it made me feel while reading it, and how badly I want to read a follow up or something else by that particular author. I always try to write fair and constructive reviews and hope that everyone enjoys and appreciates the same.

STEPHEN

Hi, I’m Stephen, Mid 60s gay man. Born and raised in rural Michigan I’ve known that I hated winter longer than I’ve known I liked boys. Moved to Florida right out of college and started the coming out process about that same time. Still have some fond memories of when sex was a sport (the first one I was really good at) and before the HIV virus made everything so deadly serious. Loved Florida but moved to Manhattan when I discovered that I couldn’t really make the kind of living I wanted in the Sunshine State. 20+ years in Manhattan were wonderful. Met some great people and it gave me a chance to explore my true nature. Found that in addition to guys, I loved theater, dance, and gay film. (Also a bit of a workaholic)

In 1993 I was eating lunch at my desk on the 53rd floor of the World Trade Center when the bomb went off in the basement. Oddly one of the seven people killed shared my first and last name. Had to assure my mom I was still alive and kicking twice that time, once when I got home and then again a few days later when the names of those killed were published. By 2001 my office had been moved to the 94th floor of Tower One. Because the plane hit so early in the morning I was just starting my trip into the office when it happened, but I did lose a number of people that worked for me and many, many friends and workmates. Though I continued to work in the area until 2004, it really wasn’t the same.

I took an early retirement and have relocated back to Florida. Been a reader all my life (I’ve read as many as 140 books in a year, though only a portion of those are M/M.) I still remember discovering my first gay novel, Patricia Nell Warren’s The Front Runner one summer during college. Always been a sucker for hard luck stories, romances, and three hanky movies. I’m still searching for more. Among my other favorites to date are Mercedes Lackey’s Last Herald Mage Series, Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, FayJay’s The Student Prince, Harvey Feirstein’s Torch Song Trilogy, J.T. Barnaby’s Aaron, and Mark A. Roeder’s Someone is Watching.

CHERYL K

Hi everyone, I’m Cheryl. I currently live in western Montana. I moved to Montana in 1988 from Chicago to attend the University of Montana, where I was a journalism major.  We moved from southern Ohio when I was two years old to Chicago, because of a job opportunity for my dad.  I spent from the age of 2 to 19 growing up in the suburbs of Chicago.  So, if you do the math – I am 54 now. As much as I loved living there, I am a country girl at heart and wouldn’t live anywhere else – well except maybe Ireland.  I live in rural part of the state with my hubby and our fur kids. We currently have one 14 year old cat, an 8 year old rescue mix and our youngest dog is an almost 2 year old German Shepard.  I am a huge sports fan – Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks and Jacksonville Jaguars are my favorite teams. In addition to my full-time job that pays the mortgage, I have a crafting business that I own with my mother, where we make pet accessories.

I have been a romance fan since I was in high school and loved the bodice rippers stories, but after a while I became bored and frustrated with the male/female stories and started looking for something else.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered male/male stories in 2017.  I’ve always been an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and was thrilled to find new provocative stories to read and enjoy.  My favorite genres are murder/suspense, Mafia romance, mPreg, Paranormal (especially dragons), historical, and anything relating to Drag Queens.  I started reviewing for Dani in 2020, by sheer luck and have loved it ever since.  Some of my favorite books are Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Whisper by Tal Bauer, The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter, Are you there God? It’s me Margaret by Judy Blume and Drag Queen Mysteries by Shane Morton…. I could go on and on with this list.  Check out my year end favorite lists to see all my favorite gay romance books.

From the moment I found this community of people, I have felt at home and knew I had finally found where I belong.  Which means I really love reviewing these books and hope you find them helpful.

PAST REVIEWERS

 BECCA

ANABELA

ROBERTA

SARINA

KIMBERLEY

ALEXANDER

AMBER

ANNIKA

CHRIS

CHRISTIE

DAN

DEE

DENNIS

DONNA

JENNA

JESS

LISA

MARIEKE

MICHELE

PIZZYGIRL

SUSAN

TAMMY

VICKI