I remember when I was young the year 2000 seemed like this magical date that was so, so far away. I calculated how old I would be then, really old according to younger me, now we’re heading into 2025. I don’t know that younger me thought that far ahead, but here we are and I’m grateful for that. 

Because I was unwell for at least half of 2023 I didn’t do my Books of the Year last year. I didn’t read as many fiction books this year either. I actually read more non-fiction in 2024 but I rarely review them. This time, at the end of 2024, I decided to have an amalgamation of my 2023 and 2024 favourite reads or listens. 

This list means a few things to me, personally. It’s appreciation of books that spoke to me in some way. Maybe they came into my line of sight at a time I needed them. Some of these books on my list will have had a lot of reader reach, others not as much. The number of people having reviewed or rated a book means little to me. I am mostly attracted to a book by the blurb, the cover, the vibe or mood the book gives me. If there are any reviews I’ll check out a few of them, and not just the most ‘popular’ reviews. I like to narrow down potential books of interest, even a 1 star review can pique my curiosity. I’ll read something where someone has added quotes or reasons why they didn’t like a book and I think, ‘that actually sounds like something I’ve been looking for.’ I’m not in KU so I buy the vast majority of the books I read. I need to know that there is a strong likelihood that I’m going to enjoy a book.

Thank you to the authors for your time and effort. To the narrators of audiobooks, you make things pop. Also to the subscribers and my fellow reviewers and review readers, I hope that I hook you up with a new book. Usually there are two of us to check out our books of any given year, but Cindi has had one hectic year. I look forward to you being back next year, my friend. 

All the book titles in my best of 23/24 link to a review. The author’s name links to a site for their books. If it was an audiobook, and there are a few on here, the narrators get the same, a link to their site. Speaking of narrators, can some of my favourite authors please get audiobooks happening? My eyes are begging you.   

Thank you to the readers who stop by this blog space (primarily) devoted to reviews of gay romance, or mm, queer fiction as well, very occasionally other fiction. Thank you for reading our reviews. In checking out this best of list, I hope you find a book you like the sound of.

Have a happy and healthy 2025, because nothing beats happiness and good health, except maybe happiness and good health with a terrific book in hand. 

Cheers,
~Kazza

My favourites in no order for 2023 and 2024 are-

2023 The Odd Throuple – Jess Whitecroft

Jess Whitecroft is such a fantastic and diverse writer. This is another of her quirky stories that I gravitated towards. The Odd Throuple indeed. It takes all types, and everyone has their own way of being and also being in relationship. Whether that’s someone waving their prosthetic leg about after they get pranged into. Maybe not disclosing they know someone because, ‘would it look weird that I’ve already met them when you’re introducing them to me like I don’t know them?’ These things and so much more make this book another Whitecroft gem.

2023 Prince and Pawn (Perilous Courts, #3) – Tavia Lark

This romantasy book can be read as a standalone but the first two books are so good, I recommend starting at the beginning, Prince and Assassin – probably my favorite two characters, Whisper and Prince Julian, are in this book. Then work your way through. There was an edgier sexual vibe to Prince and Pawn. The MCs like sado-masochist sexy times. It was interesting because Prince Audric is the oldest, more serious, duty-bound brother of House Sandrelle. He’s marrying to shore up his family’s coffers for a venture. But it becomes all about the prince falling for the other brother, putting a fly in the ointment, and I was here for it. This fantasy world is very good. 

2023 (Audiobook) Pen Pal – J.T Geissinger. Narrators Troy Duran and Tara Langella

I heard Troy Duran narrating a little snippet of this book on his Facebook page and had to hear it all. He has such a deep and unique voice, I was in. I grabbed the audiobook. It helped that the blurb sounded interesting as well. Writing too much about this book is to give away the essence of it. So I’ll just say that Geissinger is a seriously good writer and this is a seriously good story made even better by Duran and Langella’s excellent narration. I love to step outside my usual reading zone and will be doing more of that over the next 12 months.

2023 Cloud Nine (Nailed It! #2)- Fearne Hill

You can absolutely read this as a standalone. The best disability rep in any book I’ve read is in Cloud Nine. Fearne Hill tackles subject material that could go pear shaped in lesser hands than hers. It’s nice to see people of all abilities find happiness and their HEA in the romance genre. It’s nice to not see it used as a throw away mention or as tokenism. Tristan is deaf and has cerebral palsy but he never lets that get in the way of living life. Dominic is Lysander’s brother (book #1). He’s a tad brash and has left America to let something cool down while attending his brother’s wedding in London. He gets off to a really bad start with Tristan, his soon-to-be brother-in-law. Tristan doesn’t want to be coddled and he doesn’t want others anger to be his. He does things on his terms. This was a cracker of a book.

2023 (Audiobook) Inevitable Disclosure (Valor and Doyle, #4) – Nicky James. Narrator Nick J Russo

I have this on here because Inevitable Disclosure, book number4, was released as an audiobook in 2023 and is part of 4 audiobooks I reviewed in one review. It definitely needs to be read as part of a series. Detectives. Crime. Missing persons. Procedural mixed with budding romance to full blown romance. From frenemies to lovers, including Aslan loving a scowly faced Quaid. And Valor family problems. There is a really solid balance between working cases and building a relationship in this series. There is heartache and difficult times and times where Valor and Doyle’s relationship is a wonderful place to be. Other times, well, they’re always nothing but interesting. I’ve listened to this series in order. Inevitable Disclosure isn’t a standalone. The series is very good though. It’s no hardship to start at the beginning.

2024 Salt (Island Love, #1)- Fearne Hill

If I was ordering this list based on favourite book of the year this would be there along with In His Corner. Fearne Hill is up to bat again, I have Cloud Nine already on this list for 2023. I love her writing. It’s superb, this series is wonderful, and she is one of a number of British authors I think are under appreciated for the high quality of their writing. Her covers are also beautiful. This book has a lot of what I love. Good, realistic mental health rep. A manual, time-honoured, also idyllic, work life in France meets a numbers-only London corporate world with a disorder mixed in. Kindness. Strength of character. Friendship. Pragmatism. Difficulties. Genuine, mature love. It has it all. The backdrop was so real you could taste it. The MCs had my attention from the outset. Charles and Florian are forever part of my heart after having read their story. Definitely book of the year reading. 

2024 In His Corner (Reset, #1) – H L Day

Close to my favourite book of 2024, along with Salt (^ above.) I was sceptical reading this because cooking or restaurants are not my thing. However, I like the author. This book has a bit of grit to it that I wasn’t expecting. I ended up rivetted to it from the outset, whether that was to curse Hayden for a while for being a self-centred twat, or to cheer loudly for Levi, or to say, ‘no, Levi!’ And then sound out a loud cheer when Levi and Hayden were truly together. Great growth, excellent chemistry, strong writing solidify this is as a book of the year read.

2024 Fresh Ink – John T Fuller

A story that gives the reader a different perspective on something that is tried and true that I don’t want to talk about any further because the author takes you along for a ride of discovery. There is some PNR and supernatural to this book and it revolves around a tattoo parlour and the family who run it and who they kind of take under their wing as a walking canvas, so to speak…. You need to read it. This was unique and I loved it for that.

2024 The Family Man (The Mind Hacker, #1) – A J Rose

A good series start, The Family Man is about an FBI Behaviour Analysis Unit that heads up a serial killer case in this book. If you like romance and murder or crime books then this is a good one. Tracey is a new recruit to the BAU and has his hands full with The Family Man killer. Will he like this career trajectory? It’s not for everyone because they handle the worst cases. Jon Anderson is Tracey’s immediate superior and they happen to form a personal relationship, which is not allowed. The case in this book was really good. I liked the development of the MCs. The other team members are likeable as well. The second book in this series is already out and is also good reading.  

2024 The Royal Curse (Twilight Mages, #1)- Eliot Grayson

This is an erotic romance set in a fantasy world of gods’ thrice cursed mages and the consequences of being one for Prince Nikola. He wants to attend a conclave where inroads about his condition may well be discussed. But his mother protects Nikola and won’t allow it… until a very capable and helpful royal guard. Andreas is to head up Prince Nikola’s guard. He’s to be his personal guard for the journey to the conclave. Nikola is brattish. Andreas is the strong, acts of service type. Together this pair smoked up everything in sight, and honestly, everyone deserves their very own Andreas – *heart eyes.   

2024 No Business Like Snow Business – Lisa Henry & J A Rock 

These days I’m not always the best Christmassy reader and this year felt a bit more flat and bah humbug to me for a lot of personal reasons, but along came Lisa Henry and J A Rock, a dynamic writing duo, and they made me enjoy myself. This story made me happy. It had a little cozy mystery going on. Loved that. I genuinely laughed out loud, also said “awwwww” out loud as well – clearly seasonal feelings had me in their grip. Then I cheered for the MCs to have a Christmas miracle. Harvey and Sterling, the year-round Christmas town of Christmas Falls, such a joy! 

2024 Saving Mr Bell – H L Day

I did say in In His Corner (^ above) that I liked Day’s writing. Another Christmassy read. I’m positively turning into an elf! How can kidnapping someone, sorry, borrowing someone, be such a delight? Because H L Day put a lot of fun and sassy dialogue into this story. Arlo and Rudolph. Loved them. And, I mean, come on, just the name Rudolph is a beg, steal, or borrow name for a fabulous Christmas story. And this book was just that. Fabulous!

2024 Salt & Vinegar – Clare London

This is a shorter novella at 55 pages but it packs a punch for the size. London is very good at short storytelling. There is such an artform to not underdeveloping the characters or their situations. Being able to say so much is so few words, and Salt & Vinegar delivers a lovely balance. Joe and Steven, two ordinary names for two ordinary guys with a story to tell that revolved around a chippy. London manages to capture feelings of first connection and also pathos regarding a sadly common problem. One that has shame attached to it. Loved it!   

2024 Audiobook. Burning the Midnight Oil (Copper Lake, #3) – Ashley James. Narrators Nick J Russo and Greg Salinas

While this is book #3 in a series it can absolutely be listened to or read as a complete standalone. I’d never read or listened to anything by the author prior. This was a great introduction to James. A real diamond. I believe the narration elevated the whole experience. It was total perfection. I love Nick J Russo, I think he’s narrated every audiobook I have on this list except for one, but Greg Salinas was new to me. What a combo! They embodied the characters that James created and sounded exactly like what I believed Grady and Boone would sound like. There’s a lot of passion and a complicated relationship between these MCs. It worked and added extra pathos and spice to the mix.