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jugglingpup's review
3.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book from Cleis Press.
Now this is the queer smut I wanted. This is not just cis woman with cis woman. This is trans women with whoever they want and non-binary people. There are polyam situations that made me really excited, it seems so rare that the polyam stuff isn’t just unicorn hunting, so seeing it in a healthy stable set up was nice.
There were some stories that were just a big no from me. There was one about energy sex, which cool in concept, but the way the story handled it was a no. It was a pretty unhealthy polyam situation (don’t ask, don’t tell. Only sex) because of the high level of jealousy. The wife calls the partner and is screaming at her on the phone. Somehow that ends in energy sex? No. That is a red flag and a big no. There was another story that was also a big no for the same reason. One of the characters got her partner all hot and bothered by flirting with another woman. Jealousy is not hot. Please stop trying to make jealousy hot. Another red flag was the story with the one penis policy. I really, really didn’t want to deal with transphobia in my smut. I get enough of it in my real life.
There was one story that was really iffy. There was an egg who was trying to figure out where they were in the trans world. It was so difficult for them that they relied on alcohol. The character literally joins AA at the end of the story. There was an issue with that character letting someone she met a few moments before tie her up, which is dangerous. She then accepted hormones from her without knowing how things work and without a doctor to help her figure out a safe dosage. The sex was yes, everything around it was a huge no. I know how difficult it is to need hormones and have to wait. I know how many hoops there are to jump through. I was fifteen when I started and this was before puberty blockers were allowed. I had to read endocrinology journals to impress the endocrinologist and get around a therapist who bragged about how she never approved anyone under 18 for hormones (I have my letter from her. She misgendered me and talked about my haircut. She made me take an IQ test). Black market hormones and sharing hormones can be really dangerous.
This collection has more use of rubber gloves and lube than I remember in any other erotica. It is amazing how well the authors did at safety for penetration. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rubber glove in a story before. There were still issues with only one or two stories having barriers for oral sex, but that was still more barriers than I’m used to seeing.
So this collection really wasn’t as good as last years for me. There were too many glaring red flags. I don’t want to risk being triggered to read erotica. The stories that were good were amazing. The stories that had red flags were so, so full of red flags. The good ones were some of the best I ever read. The bad ones were not the worst I had ever read (thanks Anne Rice for your transphobic and intersexphobic erotica cash grab fourth novel).
I got an ARC of this book from Cleis Press.
Now this is the queer smut I wanted. This is not just cis woman with cis woman. This is trans women with whoever they want and non-binary people. There are polyam situations that made me really excited, it seems so rare that the polyam stuff isn’t just unicorn hunting, so seeing it in a healthy stable set up was nice.
There were some stories that were just a big no from me. There was one about energy sex, which cool in concept, but the way the story handled it was a no. It was a pretty unhealthy polyam situation (don’t ask, don’t tell. Only sex) because of the high level of jealousy. The wife calls the partner and is screaming at her on the phone. Somehow that ends in energy sex? No. That is a red flag and a big no. There was another story that was also a big no for the same reason. One of the characters got her partner all hot and bothered by flirting with another woman. Jealousy is not hot. Please stop trying to make jealousy hot. Another red flag was the story with the one penis policy. I really, really didn’t want to deal with transphobia in my smut. I get enough of it in my real life.
There was one story that was really iffy. There was an egg who was trying to figure out where they were in the trans world. It was so difficult for them that they relied on alcohol. The character literally joins AA at the end of the story. There was an issue with that character letting someone she met a few moments before tie her up, which is dangerous. She then accepted hormones from her without knowing how things work and without a doctor to help her figure out a safe dosage. The sex was yes, everything around it was a huge no. I know how difficult it is to need hormones and have to wait. I know how many hoops there are to jump through. I was fifteen when I started and this was before puberty blockers were allowed. I had to read endocrinology journals to impress the endocrinologist and get around a therapist who bragged about how she never approved anyone under 18 for hormones (I have my letter from her. She misgendered me and talked about my haircut. She made me take an IQ test). Black market hormones and sharing hormones can be really dangerous.
This collection has more use of rubber gloves and lube than I remember in any other erotica. It is amazing how well the authors did at safety for penetration. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rubber glove in a story before. There were still issues with only one or two stories having barriers for oral sex, but that was still more barriers than I’m used to seeing.
So this collection really wasn’t as good as last years for me. There were too many glaring red flags. I don’t want to risk being triggered to read erotica. The stories that were good were amazing. The stories that had red flags were so, so full of red flags. The good ones were some of the best I ever read. The bad ones were not the worst I had ever read (thanks Anne Rice for your transphobic and intersexphobic erotica cash grab fourth novel).
wolfeyreads's review
4.0
In this newest volume, The Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year vol 5, queer characters can love, comfort, and move fluidly without apology or judgement. They simply exist.
It is a gift to see a spectrum of genders and sexualities in erotica. Sexsmith puts together writers who bring trans, nonbinary, lesbian, polyamorous, asexual, those with disabilities, and other queer marginalized folx to expose and explore their deepest and darkest desires in one safe space.
Find the rest of this review at https://shianedjacocks.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/the-best-lesbian-erotica-of-the-year-vol-5-edited-by-sinclair-sexsmith/.
It is a gift to see a spectrum of genders and sexualities in erotica. Sexsmith puts together writers who bring trans, nonbinary, lesbian, polyamorous, asexual, those with disabilities, and other queer marginalized folx to expose and explore their deepest and darkest desires in one safe space.
Find the rest of this review at https://shianedjacocks.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/the-best-lesbian-erotica-of-the-year-vol-5-edited-by-sinclair-sexsmith/.
dingokitty14's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
judeinthestars's review
3.0
I read this anthology a while ago but had trouble deciding what to write about it. The thing with anthologies is that the editor needs to find the right balance and I don’t think they did with this one. My problem isn’t with the quality of writing or the pace of the stories, I have no doubt about consent (which is so important to me, as I’ve written before), but I need more balance between pain – physical or other – and pleasure.
I won’t go into details, just highlight some of the stories I liked. I was looking forward to Mary P. Burns’ story, for example, as hers was one of my favourites last year (Leviathan, under the name of Catherine Collinsworth). This year’s, Strand of Pearls, was different but good too. The Summer of Strap-Ons and Sodomy by Rain DeGrey is joyful and exuberant. Max and the Things I Couldn’t Say by Heart is surprisingly tender.
Erotica is really a matter of tastes, so what didn’t work for me might work for you. But I need to feel safe to enjoy erotica and I can’t worry about whatever triggers. I like, however, that every year, this anthology explores boundaries and I’m aware we don’t all have the same no-nos. It makes bringing stories together complicated.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I won’t go into details, just highlight some of the stories I liked. I was looking forward to Mary P. Burns’ story, for example, as hers was one of my favourites last year (Leviathan, under the name of Catherine Collinsworth). This year’s, Strand of Pearls, was different but good too. The Summer of Strap-Ons and Sodomy by Rain DeGrey is joyful and exuberant. Max and the Things I Couldn’t Say by Heart is surprisingly tender.
Erotica is really a matter of tastes, so what didn’t work for me might work for you. But I need to feel safe to enjoy erotica and I can’t worry about whatever triggers. I like, however, that every year, this anthology explores boundaries and I’m aware we don’t all have the same no-nos. It makes bringing stories together complicated.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
neurodivengeance's review
4.0
Mostly great - really appreciated the amount of kink & power play in this & especially liked the pieces by Sinclair Sexsmith, Michelle Osgood, June Amelia Rose, Mary P. Burns, Kathleen P. Lamothe & K.J. Drake. The last story by Amy Butcher contains a really bizarre anti-autistic medical model reference though & that was a massive boner killer for me. Not bad enough for me not to give it a high rating overall coz the rest was so good, but can we not position autistics as incapable of feeling when we’re really not? K thx.
[edited to add] The good news is I reached out to Sinclair Sexsmith to share this feedback & they were super receptive & accountable, it’s legit the best apology I’ve ever received for anything. They’ve had this feedback from others too & taken lots of steps to prevent this kind of thing happening in future, which is great. Onwards and upwards :)
[edited to add] The good news is I reached out to Sinclair Sexsmith to share this feedback & they were super receptive & accountable, it’s legit the best apology I’ve ever received for anything. They’ve had this feedback from others too & taken lots of steps to prevent this kind of thing happening in future, which is great. Onwards and upwards :)
mxphoebesviewpoint's review
5.0
This is my second year reviewing Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year published by Cleis Press.What makes this year different from last year’s Volume is the language. The language is different in a way that I actually don’t have words for.
I actually started this anthology differently than I have ever started one. I looked at the Table of Contents at the titles of the stories. (gasp!) I slowly scrolled down and the last title jumped out at me so hard it was smacking me in the face. (laugh)
I love the title of Amy Butcher’s story. I quickly went to the last story of the book and Butcher starts the story dreaming in verse. I have never been that cool. Butcher’s story is funny and an ode to every woman who wants to please their partner or be pleased by them. The lamenting of the different types of toys is comical. I kept chuckling over the different types of labels that Butcher uses.
I then went back to my usual randomly selecting a story and I hit on the most beautiful language in Torrent and Tumult: A Bipolar Romance. June Amelia Rose writes so...and here is where I lose my words. Rose is descriptive and eloquent. There is poetry to the writing and it is about such tough subjects as addiction, mental health, ostracism, loneliness, and submission. Rose shares the pain, but the words are so beautiful that the pictures drawn seem at odds with the suffering. I don’t know if any of that made sense, but Rose’s story hit me in the gut it is so beautiful.
Color me illuminated because I did not know that an asexual story could make me sigh when no fun happens. Nicole Field brings asexuality into a new light for me in Three Options. The sensuality of a kiss is vivid. The importance of a kiss and kissing is lost nowadays (my personal opinion), but Field makes me want to go out and grab someone and kiss them for hours. Field actually makes me ache. Then the limitations of foreplay is such a powerful tool. It enforces the parties to focus and is a great D/s tactic. I don’t see it that often and Field utilizes it brilliantly. I love seeing an orientation that someone would not connect with erotica published.
I loved experiencing Kyla’s first time having intimacy as a woman. Kathleen P. Lamothe also asked a question even I have not heard of before (laugh) - I feel so out-of-date. Now I get the color answer that Kyla gives later.
Sinclair Sexsmith says in the Introduction, “I love "fun.” Sexsmith echoes my thoughts exactly about what fun means to me. Sexsmith also says that idea of this volume is to expand the reader’s thoughts as to what is erotic and what is an erotic experience. For me, one of the major stimulators is words. Sexsmith hopes that we find this volume “delicious”. Sexsmith has succeeded, it is so delicious and I want to get drunk on it...everyday.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
This is a heavily edited review, to read the full review please go to my blog.
I actually started this anthology differently than I have ever started one. I looked at the Table of Contents at the titles of the stories. (gasp!) I slowly scrolled down and the last title jumped out at me so hard it was smacking me in the face. (laugh)
I love the title of Amy Butcher’s story. I quickly went to the last story of the book and Butcher starts the story dreaming in verse. I have never been that cool. Butcher’s story is funny and an ode to every woman who wants to please their partner or be pleased by them. The lamenting of the different types of toys is comical. I kept chuckling over the different types of labels that Butcher uses.
I then went back to my usual randomly selecting a story and I hit on the most beautiful language in Torrent and Tumult: A Bipolar Romance. June Amelia Rose writes so...and here is where I lose my words. Rose is descriptive and eloquent. There is poetry to the writing and it is about such tough subjects as addiction, mental health, ostracism, loneliness, and submission. Rose shares the pain, but the words are so beautiful that the pictures drawn seem at odds with the suffering. I don’t know if any of that made sense, but Rose’s story hit me in the gut it is so beautiful.
Color me illuminated because I did not know that an asexual story could make me sigh when no fun happens. Nicole Field brings asexuality into a new light for me in Three Options. The sensuality of a kiss is vivid. The importance of a kiss and kissing is lost nowadays (my personal opinion), but Field makes me want to go out and grab someone and kiss them for hours. Field actually makes me ache. Then the limitations of foreplay is such a powerful tool. It enforces the parties to focus and is a great D/s tactic. I don’t see it that often and Field utilizes it brilliantly. I love seeing an orientation that someone would not connect with erotica published.
I loved experiencing Kyla’s first time having intimacy as a woman. Kathleen P. Lamothe also asked a question even I have not heard of before (laugh) - I feel so out-of-date. Now I get the color answer that Kyla gives later.
Sinclair Sexsmith says in the Introduction, “I love "fun.” Sexsmith echoes my thoughts exactly about what fun means to me. Sexsmith also says that idea of this volume is to expand the reader’s thoughts as to what is erotic and what is an erotic experience. For me, one of the major stimulators is words. Sexsmith hopes that we find this volume “delicious”. Sexsmith has succeeded, it is so delicious and I want to get drunk on it...everyday.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
This is a heavily edited review, to read the full review please go to my blog.
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