best 2015

Wow, I just want to say thanks to Jay for giving me the chance to review some great books here on her site. I’m a huge fan of M/M romances, and I’ve explored some really interesting stories I may not have picked up otherwise.

Now, I haven’t reviewed all of these books on Jay’s site, because SOME of the reviewers (JAY!) have a quicker trigger finger than I do…but they’ve all been featured here, and been beloved by my fellows. So…

Scrap72lgNumber five: SCRAP by Jo Myles

This was such an endearing odd couple romance that had great dialogue, emotional depth and was super sexy. I have a soft heart for British romances, probably why I read so many, and Dare and Grant’s unlikely love story still makes me swoony. I liked that the characters were well-rounded, and had real issues to deal with, personally.

 

Cover art by Reese Dante

Number four: Tricks by Rick R. Reed

This one spooked me right out. That edge of menace that clung to the story! Man, I still get chills. Another odd-couple: an accountant and a go-go dancing former hustler. Arliss is a nobody and expendable to some. Not Sean, however, who accepts Arliss’s checkered past with grace, mostly. Well, until Arliss wants to make a porn movie. Then everything goes topsy-turvy. Expect to get freaked out. Well, I did.

 

Kick at the DarknessNumber three: Kick at the Darkness by Keira Andrews

I didn’t review this, but I couldn’t resist picking it up on my own. Zombie apocalypse romance? Yep. I didn’t even get sassy about the mad scientist trope. (Disclaimer I may be an angry scientist, but I’m never “mad”) Parker and Adam are unlikely survivors of a virus that’s wiped out, well, everyone? Mostly. I guess it pays to be an antisocial college student. Jay gave it a well-deserved five-star rating.

 

Dinner at Fiorello's by Rick R. ReedToss up on number two: Dinner at Fiorello’s by Rick R. Reed

Henry and Vito have a quiet, satisfying romance. Henry is a bound for college, and the life his father has picked out for him, but it’s not what he wants, and he soon finds himself homeless. He’s working at a small, family-owned, Italian restaurant and captivated by the burly, but equally quiet, head chef, Vito. Vito’s had a lot of tragedy, and he’s unsure how to get past it—if he even can. Henry’s an unwelcome breath of fresh air, at first. I really got connected to Henry, and was so on-board with his pursuit of Vito.

 

The Marrying Kind by Jay NorthcoteSharing the number two spot is: The Marrying Kind by Jay Northcote

Owen and Nathan are getting married. Or, are they? I do love books that delve into established relationships. As proper British men, they struggle along with wedding plans that have become overwhelming. There are difficulties that must be overcome, meddling parents, job woes, and jitters. I really enjoyed how real this all felt. It could have gone cartoony and slapstick, but I liked that it stayed soulful and honest. Really gave Owen the chance to conquer his fears and claim his man.

 

Carry the OceanAnd my fave book of 2015—in any genre—is: Carry the Ocean by Heidi Cullinan

I actually read this before answering Jay’s call for new reviewers, so I didn’t have to battle Jay for it. Thank goodness, because I would have lost. She adored the book, as did I.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and BEGGED Heidi to add me to her blog tour because I loved it so much. Emmet’s a highly-functional autistic college freshman, and Jeremey is the clinically-depressed neighbor Emmet wants to date. These young men have left a part of themselves in me, I think. I have two nephews on “the spectrum” and have personally suffered depression (with varying results) for a long time. Their story of overcoming their emotional and physical challenges to find love together…wow. I still tear up thinking about it. I’ve gone back to re-read this more than once. Each time I’m blown away by the level of empathy I experience for two people I never suspected would captivate me. Carry The Ocean is a book that can be enjoyed by ANY reader, really. I’m gushing, I know. Hey, it’s my FAVE book of the year, and that’s saying something. I read 370+ books in 2015…

veronica sig