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cheesehead_reader's review
4.0
I read this because of a prompt in a Reading Challenge (it was a suggestion for BEST OF...) I was honestly surprised by it. You can tell that these stories were written by women for women. Instead of the gang-bang and "daddy does the babysitter", you get empowered women or empowering women. There is something here for every woman whether you're straight, lesbian... whether you are white or BIPOC, whether you want some steamy sex or kink. And maybe not every story will be for everyone but you will definitely find something you like. I know I did.
zippyh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
persephoneautumn's review
4.0
This book is loaded with a number of authors, writing hot and steamy short stories. I originally received this as a prize via Alessandra Torre. Her short, The Dressing Room, was loaded with all the great moments you always find in her work.
mommasaystoread's review
3.0
A fun collection of steamy bits with a little something for everyone. There's not much in the way of depth to these quick tales, but they all do have one thing in common. They're all scorching hot. This isn't an anthology I would normally pick up, and to read them all straight through is a bit much and would become just one more steamy scene in an ocean of steamy scenes. However, taken as they are intended, and reading one or two at a time, they're perfect for a little "me" time.
madmads126's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pryngols's review
3.0
Big thanks to NetGalley and Cleis Press for giving me a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. I loved the interesting and diverse characters. Here we can see all kinds of women of different age, background and sexual preferences. There is certainly at least one story that will appeal to everyone from this steamy collection.
One thing I look for in erotica that is written by and for women is the promotion of self-awareness, body positivity and sexuality. This book certainly accomplished all that. Full review here: https://princessandpages.wordpress.com/2018/12/15/book-review-best-womens-erotica-of-the-year-volume-4-earc/
One thing I look for in erotica that is written by and for women is the promotion of self-awareness, body positivity and sexuality. This book certainly accomplished all that. Full review here: https://princessandpages.wordpress.com/2018/12/15/book-review-best-womens-erotica-of-the-year-volume-4-earc/
leahkarge's review
4.0
This anthology is a great collection of short stories full of diversity and sexy fun!
Read the full review on my blog.
Read the full review on my blog.
treetx's review
4.0
Oh my good gracious! Sexy, steamy, and hot! These stories will melt the pages and get you fired up!!!
kcsunshine25's review
4.0
When Forrest Gump said life is like a box of chocolates he could also have been describing this book.
There is something for everyone. Well everyone who likes a bit of kink!
There is something for everyone. Well everyone who likes a bit of kink!
loveinpanels's review
4.0
The latest volume of Cleis's Best Women's Erotica of the Year series is big and bold and immensely satisfying. This collection is as diverse as it is exciting - familiar and new, kinky and sweet, fierce and tender - and filled with women from across the spectrum of life's experiences. It's a good thing the book is long, because each story leaves you hungry for more.
There's a lot of f/f mixed in with the m/f and groups. *cheers*
The theme is "Outsiders," which is a loose guideline and every author interpreted it a bit differently. Here's the line-up (as of my advance copy) and my thoughts on a few of the stories:
Take the Shot, by Mica Kennedy - This is about a teacher who's doing a favor for her photographer sister by posing for some "sensual photos." Her partner for the shoot? Her much-younger teaching assistant. There's that touch of the forbidden, but its mostly a story about a woman of a certain age getting made up for a photo shoot, feeling herself, and then having a sexy man feel her, too. It's just the right balance of sweet and heat. This is the first story I've read by Mica and it was fabulous.
The Dressing Room, by Alessandra Torre - In this story, a woman is in a dressing room, trying on clothes, when she overhears a couple going at it in the stall next door. Soon she's pleasuring herself, joining in from outside. Really hot.
Mark, by Rosie Beth Randall - An m/f D/s relationship with an interesting car ride.
O Captain, My Captain, by Calliope Bloom - Halloween sex party on a boat with an f/f/m grouping and disability rep. Then the ship's female Captain joins in...
The Jump, by Rebecca Chase - Skydiving!
On Display, by Louise Lagris - 2nd person, but it works.
The Pick-Me-Up, by Suleikha Snyder - Starts in a bar, ends in a bed... with a hope for more.
Belonging, by Tamsen Parker - F/f in a kink club.
With Honors, by Sofia Quintero - Single mom with teen kids ends the semester with her sexy professor... with a bang. (Sorry, I had to.)
Breathe, by Patricia Elzie - F/f with tickling.
Aftershock, by Jo Henny Wolf - A woman tries to find her way to her long-distance boyfriend who she was planning to visit in Mexico when an earthquake hits. Sexy flashbacks, plus a happy reunion.
Her Invisible Prison, by Jocelyn Dex - The title refers to agoraphobia, therapy for which is somehow intensely sexy.
The Invitation, by Regina Kammer - Historical! A widow in her fifties and a young artist.
Protest of Passion, by Eliza David - Two people on opposite sides of a protest find common ground.
Words with Benefits, by Tamara Lush - WORDS WITH FRIENDS + TINDER
Essential Qualities, by Alyssa Cole - Sexytimes with a robot
Eight Seconds, by Madeline Moore - Can you tell this takes place at a rodeo?
Seven Sweets and Seven Sours, by Megan Hart - F/f with two women saying goodbye as one leaves the Amish community in which they both live.
Baby Doll, by Sienna Saint-Cyr - A Daddy/Little Girl dynamic
Beautiful Dirty Wonderful, by R.M. Wood - A husband gives his wife the thing she's always wanted: a whole bunch of men at once.
And that's it! This is a diverse collection of erotica (not romance) that will keep you and/or a partner warm all winter.
We talked to Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel a few months ago, if you want to read more about these anthologies and her work!
Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher for review
There's a lot of f/f mixed in with the m/f and groups. *cheers*
The theme is "Outsiders," which is a loose guideline and every author interpreted it a bit differently. Here's the line-up (as of my advance copy) and my thoughts on a few of the stories:
Take the Shot, by Mica Kennedy - This is about a teacher who's doing a favor for her photographer sister by posing for some "sensual photos." Her partner for the shoot? Her much-younger teaching assistant. There's that touch of the forbidden, but its mostly a story about a woman of a certain age getting made up for a photo shoot, feeling herself, and then having a sexy man feel her, too. It's just the right balance of sweet and heat. This is the first story I've read by Mica and it was fabulous.
The Dressing Room, by Alessandra Torre - In this story, a woman is in a dressing room, trying on clothes, when she overhears a couple going at it in the stall next door. Soon she's pleasuring herself, joining in from outside. Really hot.
Mark, by Rosie Beth Randall - An m/f D/s relationship with an interesting car ride.
O Captain, My Captain, by Calliope Bloom - Halloween sex party on a boat with an f/f/m grouping and disability rep. Then the ship's female Captain joins in...
The Jump, by Rebecca Chase - Skydiving!
On Display, by Louise Lagris - 2nd person, but it works.
The Pick-Me-Up, by Suleikha Snyder - Starts in a bar, ends in a bed... with a hope for more.
Belonging, by Tamsen Parker - F/f in a kink club.
With Honors, by Sofia Quintero - Single mom with teen kids ends the semester with her sexy professor... with a bang. (Sorry, I had to.)
Breathe, by Patricia Elzie - F/f with tickling.
Aftershock, by Jo Henny Wolf - A woman tries to find her way to her long-distance boyfriend who she was planning to visit in Mexico when an earthquake hits. Sexy flashbacks, plus a happy reunion.
Her Invisible Prison, by Jocelyn Dex - The title refers to agoraphobia, therapy for which is somehow intensely sexy.
The Invitation, by Regina Kammer - Historical! A widow in her fifties and a young artist.
Protest of Passion, by Eliza David - Two people on opposite sides of a protest find common ground.
Words with Benefits, by Tamara Lush - WORDS WITH FRIENDS + TINDER
Essential Qualities, by Alyssa Cole - Sexytimes with a robot
Eight Seconds, by Madeline Moore - Can you tell this takes place at a rodeo?
Seven Sweets and Seven Sours, by Megan Hart - F/f with two women saying goodbye as one leaves the Amish community in which they both live.
Baby Doll, by Sienna Saint-Cyr - A Daddy/Little Girl dynamic
Beautiful Dirty Wonderful, by R.M. Wood - A husband gives his wife the thing she's always wanted: a whole bunch of men at once.
And that's it! This is a diverse collection of erotica (not romance) that will keep you and/or a partner warm all winter.
We talked to Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel a few months ago, if you want to read more about these anthologies and her work!
Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher for review