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nmcannon's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A very quick review because I just read “Crave” by Xan West! [SCREAMS] “Crave” is a fantastic celebration of autistic nonsexual kink. West’s use of the second person to address the speaker’s partner blew my mind. Reading “Crave” feels like seeing sunlight for the first time and made me mourn West's death all over again. Their memory continues to be a blessing.
jugglingpup's review
5.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
Wow.
This is an amazing anthology.
Remember how just a few days ago, I said I would lose my mind if dental dams were used. This book CAME SO CLOSE. Dental dams were mentioned, but they were not used. I had so much hope. So it was one small detail away from perfection.
Seriously. It was that good. The stories met all of my criteria for good erotica. They were full of consent, full of safety (except for the dental dam issue), and there were scenes that emphasized how bodies work. One of my favorite scenes featured an older woman who used lube for any form of penetration, since her body just didn’t get wet like it used to. YES. This detail was just perfection. I loved that an older woman was the star of an erotic story and that her body was treated with respect and it normalized the idea that bodies change as people age.
This anthology has so many stories that emphasize that bodies are different, but that they are attractive. There were many trans women featured. There was a scene with two trans women together that talked about everything from dysphoria to D/s. Trans women are women and I loved that this anthology didn’t shy away from that. The talk over what to call genitalia while trans was highlighted and I was just in heaven. I still wish Cleis would do an anthology of queer trans man erotica. Please hear me Cleis. I have seen what you do with trans women and I want the same thing for trans men. PLEASE!
The stories were for the most part, all kinky. There were varying degrees of kink, but there are no content warnings before stories. The kink ranged from D/s play that could have been fetishistic of trans women (spoiler, it wasn’t) to some knife play. If certain kinks are triggering for you, then this might be an anthology that you have screened for content from someone you trust.
I could rave about this all day. The diversity of the characters alone is enough to make me love it. There are autistic characters. There are trans characters. There are submissive butches. There are dominant femmes. There is butch/butch, femme/femme, and every combination I could imagine. There was even a stone butch in a scene that was respected and the scene was pure kink. There was no sex. The story even specified that there would be no sex early on and it was just perfection. The idea that a play space would be accessible to those who are not sexual with their kinks or not into seeing sex. I just love this anthology. If I wasn’t already a fan of Cleis, I would be now.
I got an ARC of this book.
Wow.
This is an amazing anthology.
Remember how just a few days ago, I said I would lose my mind if dental dams were used. This book CAME SO CLOSE. Dental dams were mentioned, but they were not used. I had so much hope. So it was one small detail away from perfection.
Seriously. It was that good. The stories met all of my criteria for good erotica. They were full of consent, full of safety (except for the dental dam issue), and there were scenes that emphasized how bodies work. One of my favorite scenes featured an older woman who used lube for any form of penetration, since her body just didn’t get wet like it used to. YES. This detail was just perfection. I loved that an older woman was the star of an erotic story and that her body was treated with respect and it normalized the idea that bodies change as people age.
This anthology has so many stories that emphasize that bodies are different, but that they are attractive. There were many trans women featured. There was a scene with two trans women together that talked about everything from dysphoria to D/s. Trans women are women and I loved that this anthology didn’t shy away from that. The talk over what to call genitalia while trans was highlighted and I was just in heaven. I still wish Cleis would do an anthology of queer trans man erotica. Please hear me Cleis. I have seen what you do with trans women and I want the same thing for trans men. PLEASE!
The stories were for the most part, all kinky. There were varying degrees of kink, but there are no content warnings before stories. The kink ranged from D/s play that could have been fetishistic of trans women (spoiler, it wasn’t) to some knife play. If certain kinks are triggering for you, then this might be an anthology that you have screened for content from someone you trust.
I could rave about this all day. The diversity of the characters alone is enough to make me love it. There are autistic characters. There are trans characters. There are submissive butches. There are dominant femmes. There is butch/butch, femme/femme, and every combination I could imagine. There was even a stone butch in a scene that was respected and the scene was pure kink. There was no sex. The story even specified that there would be no sex early on and it was just perfection. The idea that a play space would be accessible to those who are not sexual with their kinks or not into seeing sex. I just love this anthology. If I wasn’t already a fan of Cleis, I would be now.
readingthething's review against another edition
5.0
This review first appeared at readingthething.wordpress.com
CW: References to sexual and kink things.
Me and one of my partners were on a train. I said: “I am reading this book, and it’s so so so cool”. I was a bit loud, and there were many people around us, since we were close to the doors, and the train was about to reach its next stop. It made multiple people look up to me expectantly. “Ok, sorry if this shocks ya’ll, but it’s a lesbian erotica anthology”, I said. Everyone sniggered. A lady in her 60’s said: “Well, have a lot of fun with it”, and my partner mentioned this did definitely not shock him, hehehe.
I do think I might’ve found my favourite book I’ve read in 2020 already, because it is really that amazingly good. It’s been edited by Sinclair Sexsmith who I have been following on and of for about a decade now. They write about queer sex, kink, gender, and relationships, and have a lot of experience in the world of lesbian/queer erotica, which made them an excellent choice as editor. Seeing as I have quite some overlap in interest- and identity-wise with Sinclair, it should not be surprising I found so many stories in this anthology that tickled my fancy.
What made it so amazing for me, was that this was erotica I could see myself in. People with bodies like mine, identities like mine, pronouns like mine. Multiple times I read a story and ended up not only aroused but with tears in my eyes. Like the story where one of the people has chronic pain, and how her partner and her navigate this. The story about the threesome where one person is a trans woman, one a cis woman and one is non-binary (if I remember this correctly). The story in which a cis women gets together with someone who is coded as non-binary (using neopronouns), in which the specific kind of genitals xy have are not even mentioned.
If you’re queer, and even slightly into kink: Go. Read. This. Buy it now, or get (or request) it at your local bookshop or library. Put it on your kindle or bedside table, and take the plunge into this lovely set of amazing erotic stories. I already gifted a copy to one of my datefriends, and she won’t be the last I’ll be gifting this book to this year.
CW: References to sexual and kink things.
Me and one of my partners were on a train. I said: “I am reading this book, and it’s so so so cool”. I was a bit loud, and there were many people around us, since we were close to the doors, and the train was about to reach its next stop. It made multiple people look up to me expectantly. “Ok, sorry if this shocks ya’ll, but it’s a lesbian erotica anthology”, I said. Everyone sniggered. A lady in her 60’s said: “Well, have a lot of fun with it”, and my partner mentioned this did definitely not shock him, hehehe.
I do think I might’ve found my favourite book I’ve read in 2020 already, because it is really that amazingly good. It’s been edited by Sinclair Sexsmith who I have been following on and of for about a decade now. They write about queer sex, kink, gender, and relationships, and have a lot of experience in the world of lesbian/queer erotica, which made them an excellent choice as editor. Seeing as I have quite some overlap in interest- and identity-wise with Sinclair, it should not be surprising I found so many stories in this anthology that tickled my fancy.
What made it so amazing for me, was that this was erotica I could see myself in. People with bodies like mine, identities like mine, pronouns like mine. Multiple times I read a story and ended up not only aroused but with tears in my eyes. Like the story where one of the people has chronic pain, and how her partner and her navigate this. The story about the threesome where one person is a trans woman, one a cis woman and one is non-binary (if I remember this correctly). The story in which a cis women gets together with someone who is coded as non-binary (using neopronouns), in which the specific kind of genitals xy have are not even mentioned.
If you’re queer, and even slightly into kink: Go. Read. This. Buy it now, or get (or request) it at your local bookshop or library. Put it on your kindle or bedside table, and take the plunge into this lovely set of amazing erotic stories. I already gifted a copy to one of my datefriends, and she won’t be the last I’ll be gifting this book to this year.
aluhealz's review
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this collection. There were a couple of stories I genuinely enjoyed, but more that I was somewhat indifferent to. I liked that there was a diverse mix of stories, al different types of people from different walks of life. Most of the stories though followed a similar pattern.
This was not a collection that suited my tastes entirely and a couple of them were not written as well as others, but it was a nice mix of mostly BDSM kink stories.
This was not a collection that suited my tastes entirely and a couple of them were not written as well as others, but it was a nice mix of mostly BDSM kink stories.
judeinthestars's review
4.0
I’m a little out of my league with this anthology so I’m not going to review in details. Let’s just say it was interesting, troubling and enlightening. And hot, of course. I enjoyed the diversity of characters – trans women, older women, non-binary characters, characters on the autistic spectrum… – and situations. One of the stories is all kink and no sex, and it’s nice to see that kind of action included too.
My favourite story, the one that touched me the most, is Pleasure with Her Pain by Ada Lowell, in which one of the characters suffers from fibromyalgia. I loved how her lover finds ways to give her relief from the pain from the chronic illness so she can get back to the pleasurable pain their play used to bring her.
I wrote above how much I loved the inclusivity, another feeling I got was how these stories are essentially about intimacy and how each character relates to their own body (some learning to love them, others already – or still – very at ease with themselves). My main regret is the lack of trigger warnings. With such a variety of stories, you don’t know what you’re getting into when you start on a new one, and it might be a problem for some readers. Despite this, consent is always clear, trust is paramount, as is safety, and there’s a lot more love than I expected to encounter.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
My favourite story, the one that touched me the most, is Pleasure with Her Pain by Ada Lowell, in which one of the characters suffers from fibromyalgia. I loved how her lover finds ways to give her relief from the pain from the chronic illness so she can get back to the pleasurable pain their play used to bring her.
I wrote above how much I loved the inclusivity, another feeling I got was how these stories are essentially about intimacy and how each character relates to their own body (some learning to love them, others already – or still – very at ease with themselves). My main regret is the lack of trigger warnings. With such a variety of stories, you don’t know what you’re getting into when you start on a new one, and it might be a problem for some readers. Despite this, consent is always clear, trust is paramount, as is safety, and there’s a lot more love than I expected to encounter.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
genej101's review
1.0
It's not. I see it won awards and don't understand why. I've seen this done by other authors in much better ways. I liked that it was diverse and included many points of view, a couple of the stories were pretty good, but I was indifferent to most. I see others feel differently, the essence of freedom.
mxphoebesviewpoint's review
5.0
Stories so hot you cannot read them all at once...sizzling.
Do you know what I love about erotica anthologies? I never just open the first page and start reading. I flip through the book and just randomly start at a story. This time I started with a fabulous story by Dorothy Freed called “Adventure in Palm Springs”. Freed gives us hope that when we get older that desire will still call us and fire the blood. It all starts with a scarf, a stroke of the arm, and a chance on desire. A belief that we can have more. My heart is stirring just sitting here typing this remembering the story and that is how good Freed is and that is just the first story I read.
The Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year Volume 4 (Cleis Press, 9781627782951, 2019) edited by Sinclair Sexsmith is returning just in time for the holidays! Cozy up by the fire with a glass of wine and some hot erotic this season! This time around, Sexsmith has concocted the perfect mix of erotic tales! It’s inclusive. It's raunchy. It pushes the limits and goes beyond the traditional lesbian erotica tropes.
Written by a refreshing group of individuals of various genders and sexualities, this arousing anthology explores identities and stories beyond the usual lesbian erotica. A diverse group of multi-talented authors explore a myriad of erotic delights: from fruit to silk scarves to spanking to whips, from the cozy home to the leather dungeon to the wrong side of the tracks. Award-winning editor Sinclair Sexsmith has put together a collection of varied sensual textures and flavors, but they all explore what it feels like to step fully into one’s own power, and feel deeply into one’s own body.
“Brunch Service” will never be the same again after you read Tobi Hill-Meyer’s story. Holy sugar. I want more of this story. I want to know what happens after the party between Celia and Lora. Hill-Meyer utilizes this short story to illuminate some of the issues transwomen have and at the same time illustrate sexual happiness. I was quite happy to be there (laugh).
The funny thing is the story that I identified the most with is the first story in the anthology. Grace goes to a pansexual speed dating event in “Do Tell” by Foster Joy. Grace meets different types of people and we hear her thoughts on each individual. Grace picks a transwoman for Round Two and it is a very good time indeed. I wish we had this type of event in my area because I would go to it in a heartbeat! I probably would have picked Anastacia too.
If stories that explore diverse identities written by a refreshing group of individuals of various genders and sexualities are what you seek, you will find it in Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year, Volume 4. ✶✶✶✶✶
I received an ARC of this book from Cleis Press and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Do you know what I love about erotica anthologies? I never just open the first page and start reading. I flip through the book and just randomly start at a story. This time I started with a fabulous story by Dorothy Freed called “Adventure in Palm Springs”. Freed gives us hope that when we get older that desire will still call us and fire the blood. It all starts with a scarf, a stroke of the arm, and a chance on desire. A belief that we can have more. My heart is stirring just sitting here typing this remembering the story and that is how good Freed is and that is just the first story I read.
The Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year Volume 4 (Cleis Press, 9781627782951, 2019) edited by Sinclair Sexsmith is returning just in time for the holidays! Cozy up by the fire with a glass of wine and some hot erotic this season! This time around, Sexsmith has concocted the perfect mix of erotic tales! It’s inclusive. It's raunchy. It pushes the limits and goes beyond the traditional lesbian erotica tropes.
Written by a refreshing group of individuals of various genders and sexualities, this arousing anthology explores identities and stories beyond the usual lesbian erotica. A diverse group of multi-talented authors explore a myriad of erotic delights: from fruit to silk scarves to spanking to whips, from the cozy home to the leather dungeon to the wrong side of the tracks. Award-winning editor Sinclair Sexsmith has put together a collection of varied sensual textures and flavors, but they all explore what it feels like to step fully into one’s own power, and feel deeply into one’s own body.
“Brunch Service” will never be the same again after you read Tobi Hill-Meyer’s story. Holy sugar. I want more of this story. I want to know what happens after the party between Celia and Lora. Hill-Meyer utilizes this short story to illuminate some of the issues transwomen have and at the same time illustrate sexual happiness. I was quite happy to be there (laugh).
The funny thing is the story that I identified the most with is the first story in the anthology. Grace goes to a pansexual speed dating event in “Do Tell” by Foster Joy. Grace meets different types of people and we hear her thoughts on each individual. Grace picks a transwoman for Round Two and it is a very good time indeed. I wish we had this type of event in my area because I would go to it in a heartbeat! I probably would have picked Anastacia too.
If stories that explore diverse identities written by a refreshing group of individuals of various genders and sexualities are what you seek, you will find it in Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year, Volume 4. ✶✶✶✶✶
I received an ARC of this book from Cleis Press and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
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