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wickedregal's review
3.0
**given as an ARC from YLVA publishing for honest review**
So first and foremost... this is, for the most part, dominance erotica. That is clearly present in the first two short stories. The first story, 'Severina', I honestly found it awkward to read at first, not for the writing style but subject matter. While I get that erotica tends to lean toward the more taboo of things, this just screamed sexual harassment to the extreme and made me uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, there are times I have come across the whole boss/employee dynamic and enjoyed it but this one just pushed it too far for me.
The second story, 'Illumination', again delved into the tabooness... this time a head nun. This story was intriguing and well versed. Definitely had a twist toward the end I did not see coming, which made it all the more provacative.
The third, 'A Literary Lesson', takes poetry as a performing art to a whole new level. And when Charlotte says "and no more than one minute per audience question", she takes that very seriously. I'm just gonna leave it at that. ;)
The fourth in this collection, 'The World Turned Upside Down", I think is easily my favorite out of all of them. Set in a little burlesque tavern in pre-war Berlin, it is of two lovers and the uncertainty of what the future holds with the unrest of a war looming. While there were erotic scenes involved, this story was more heartwrenching and beautiful to me due to the world in which it was presented in and the choices the main character is presented with.
Lastly, 'Making Up', turned out to be a soap opera within itself, about a makeup artist working on a soap opera set. I found it ridiculous but in a good way. Overly dramatic at the end, I swear I could hear dramatic soap opera music in my head when I read the last part. Haha It was actually really great and good way to end the book, almost like a cliffhanger to make readers wanting more.
Which was actually how most of the stories in this went, to be honest. You get to the end and it kind of just leaves you going, "Wait. Wait. Wait. Get back here and tell me what happens!"
Overall it was an interesting read.
So first and foremost... this is, for the most part, dominance erotica. That is clearly present in the first two short stories. The first story, 'Severina', I honestly found it awkward to read at first, not for the writing style but subject matter. While I get that erotica tends to lean toward the more taboo of things, this just screamed sexual harassment to the extreme and made me uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, there are times I have come across the whole boss/employee dynamic and enjoyed it but this one just pushed it too far for me.
The second story, 'Illumination', again delved into the tabooness... this time a head nun. This story was intriguing and well versed. Definitely had a twist toward the end I did not see coming, which made it all the more provacative.
The third, 'A Literary Lesson', takes poetry as a performing art to a whole new level. And when Charlotte says "and no more than one minute per audience question", she takes that very seriously. I'm just gonna leave it at that. ;)
The fourth in this collection, 'The World Turned Upside Down", I think is easily my favorite out of all of them. Set in a little burlesque tavern in pre-war Berlin, it is of two lovers and the uncertainty of what the future holds with the unrest of a war looming. While there were erotic scenes involved, this story was more heartwrenching and beautiful to me due to the world in which it was presented in and the choices the main character is presented with.
Lastly, 'Making Up', turned out to be a soap opera within itself, about a makeup artist working on a soap opera set. I found it ridiculous but in a good way. Overly dramatic at the end, I swear I could hear dramatic soap opera music in my head when I read the last part. Haha It was actually really great and good way to end the book, almost like a cliffhanger to make readers wanting more.
Which was actually how most of the stories in this went, to be honest. You get to the end and it kind of just leaves you going, "Wait. Wait. Wait. Get back here and tell me what happens!"
Overall it was an interesting read.
vixdag's review
3.0
This is a very interesting compilation of erotic short stories. The common thread is:
A woman who likes to be in charge until she can’t, because she is overwhelmed by passionate needs sparked by the young woman she is dominating.
Let me start out by saying that I am not a fan of anthologies. I am going to keep that in mind so as not to color my opinion as much as possible. I gave it three stars which seems low, but three stars does mean "I liked it". It is a collection that is easily read in one sitting.
What I liked about this collection is that each story was very unique. In fact, two of the stories could be considered as “historical fiction”. One is set in pre-war World War II Germany and one is set in what feels like the Middle Ages (I am not an expert on history).
Each story is well written and three of them feature the “melting the ice-queen” trope. My favorite story revolves around the antics that go on behind the scenes of a cheesy soap opera. The comedic undertones and over the top situations keep it light and sexy.
I was given an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest opinion.
A woman who likes to be in charge until she can’t, because she is overwhelmed by passionate needs sparked by the young woman she is dominating.
Let me start out by saying that I am not a fan of anthologies. I am going to keep that in mind so as not to color my opinion as much as possible. I gave it three stars which seems low, but three stars does mean "I liked it". It is a collection that is easily read in one sitting.
What I liked about this collection is that each story was very unique. In fact, two of the stories could be considered as “historical fiction”. One is set in pre-war World War II Germany and one is set in what feels like the Middle Ages (I am not an expert on history).
Each story is well written and three of them feature the “melting the ice-queen” trope. My favorite story revolves around the antics that go on behind the scenes of a cheesy soap opera. The comedic undertones and over the top situations keep it light and sexy.
I was given an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest opinion.
babsreads's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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