There's a lot I don't understand.
1. Black licorice and candy corn
2. Tom Brady's choice of hairstylist
3. What I'm supposed to be doing with my life
4. The purpose of bugs that fly, hop and/or move
Most recently added to the list: homo-erotica.
Now, before the mobs assemble for my lynching, let me explain.
For the last several months, I've had my head buried in the clouds. And by "clouds" I mean lots of really trashy and delightfully fun erotic novels.
I. Just. Can't. Stop.
And in that time I think (thought) I've been pretty open-minded. BDSM, ménage, fantasy, paranormal. Bring it.
Then came the day I stumbled across a M/M erotic novel. I was reading the excerpt. I thought it was about a man and a woman. It sounded really good. Then I realized it was about two dudes.
And I felt like I had just stepped into the men's restroom by accident. Like oops! I don't think I belong in here! And I quietly tiptoed back out.
So maybe I'm not as open-minded as I thought because I assumed those books would be read by, you know, other dudes. Gay dudes. Erotica for everyone, I say. But it quickly became apparent that I was off. These books were being read by women! STRAIGHT women!
I was caught a little off guard. I admit it. I mean, I got nothin' against the gays, but this... this threw me for a loop. I just wasn't expecting it. I shook it off. To each his own and all that.
And then! Then I read a book review on Goodreads. It was a straight book. And the woman who wrote the review stated "books like these are the reason why I only read M/M erotica anymore."
And I was all "whaaa?" And it seems that ever since then I've run into this phenomenon around every corner. So many female readers and even some of my favorite authors have shown this preference and I'm left wondering... why? 'Cause, quite frankly, I just can't wrap my brain around it. Straight women who prefer to read male on male bump and grind romantica action? Really?
So. What I need is someone to enlighten me. What is it about these books that is so appealing? And, please, don't misunderstand. I find nothing at all wrong with this. I just don't get it. It's really just a matter of curiosity. (Do I sound nervous like I'm afraid I might be offending someone? 'Cause I totally am.)
Showing posts with label Erotica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Erotica. Show all posts
Kinky Neighbors by Jasmine Haynes
Alternate post title: When good books go wrong.
Warning: this post may or may not contain spoilers, but I find myself unable (and unwilling) to care. THAT'S HOW STRONG MY EMOTIONS ARE AFTER FINISHING.
Warning #2: I may or may not abuse the Caps Lock key and/or exclamation points in this post.
I was not going to post about this book. Hell, I wasn't even going to READ this book. But it was getting all sorts of positive reviews and I had thoroughly enjoyed Past Midnight by the same author and, well, I was hoping it would be something else than EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS: a book about two couples, friends, who decide to all (as in ALL FOUR OF THEM) become sexually involved, spend a month living out their fantasies, then deal with the clusterfuck that ensues.
Kinky Neighbors left me reeling. And very, very angsty. I stayed up and finished it in one night. It was compelling like a train wreck. I could not look away, even though I was borderline horrified the entire time. There was the part of me (the happily-ever-after love-conquers-all part) that really hoped that these couples-- these couples that had been married for so many years, that professed to love each other so much-- would realize what they had in each other, stay together, fall more in love than ever.
There was the other part of me that was happy it ended exactly the way it did. Because there was still a falling into love and a happily-ever-after and the right people did end up together. But getting to that point? Effing heartbreaking. The manipulation, the secrecy, the doubts and betrayal... oh, it was painful to read. It left me quite sad and actually kind of angry. So many times throughout the book I found myself wanting to Just. Stop. Reading. (I'm glad I saw it through.) (I think.)
While the book was about all four characters, the focus was on Drew and Alexis. They were great. They were such good, decent people; both loving and wanting to make their partners happy. Watching each of their several-years-long marriages fall apart was devastating. I was rooting for them the entire way even as I wanted to scream "Stop! Don't! THIS CAN'T END WELL!" and I only wish the ending had been longer. I needed more time to revel in and comfort myself with Alexis and Drew's love for each other. I DIDN'T GET ENOUGH TIME! It was all angst and sex and heartache TIMES ONE THOUSAND then BAM! Happy ending. The end.
(I should be grateful I got that at least.)
This is one of those books that I'm dying to talk about with someone. (Which is probably why I decided to post about it after all.) So, if I haven't spoiled it (I probably have) and you want to read it (you might not) then let me know when you're done so we can have a total gabfest about it later.
Warning: this post may or may not contain spoilers, but I find myself unable (and unwilling) to care. THAT'S HOW STRONG MY EMOTIONS ARE AFTER FINISHING.
Warning #2: I may or may not abuse the Caps Lock key and/or exclamation points in this post.
I was not going to post about this book. Hell, I wasn't even going to READ this book. But it was getting all sorts of positive reviews and I had thoroughly enjoyed Past Midnight by the same author and, well, I was hoping it would be something else than EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS: a book about two couples, friends, who decide to all (as in ALL FOUR OF THEM) become sexually involved, spend a month living out their fantasies, then deal with the clusterfuck that ensues.
Two couples, two very hot wives, two husbands who don’t mind a little swapping... The Mitchells and the Harts have been next door neighbors and friends for the past year. They have loads in common; double incomes, professional careers, no kids...and a kinky streak. Now they’re about to become very good friends...with kinky benefits. The sex between them all is hot, naughty, and unbearably exciting. It isn’t merely swapping partners and moving to another room; it’s true foursome sex, same room, same bed, all four involved. For Drew and Cat Mitchell and Logan and Alexis Hart, it’s about barreling through boundaries none of them have ever crossed before, doing kinky things they’ve only fantasized about. But when they begin to exchange not just sex but emotional connection, the problems start; a little jealousy, feeling left out, wanting more from the wrong partner. Can two couples really share everything without losing it all?
Kinky Neighbors left me reeling. And very, very angsty. I stayed up and finished it in one night. It was compelling like a train wreck. I could not look away, even though I was borderline horrified the entire time. There was the part of me (the happily-ever-after love-conquers-all part) that really hoped that these couples-- these couples that had been married for so many years, that professed to love each other so much-- would realize what they had in each other, stay together, fall more in love than ever.
There was the other part of me that was happy it ended exactly the way it did. Because there was still a falling into love and a happily-ever-after and the right people did end up together. But getting to that point? Effing heartbreaking. The manipulation, the secrecy, the doubts and betrayal... oh, it was painful to read. It left me quite sad and actually kind of angry. So many times throughout the book I found myself wanting to Just. Stop. Reading. (I'm glad I saw it through.) (I think.)
While the book was about all four characters, the focus was on Drew and Alexis. They were great. They were such good, decent people; both loving and wanting to make their partners happy. Watching each of their several-years-long marriages fall apart was devastating. I was rooting for them the entire way even as I wanted to scream "Stop! Don't! THIS CAN'T END WELL!" and I only wish the ending had been longer. I needed more time to revel in and comfort myself with Alexis and Drew's love for each other. I DIDN'T GET ENOUGH TIME! It was all angst and sex and heartache TIMES ONE THOUSAND then BAM! Happy ending. The end.
(I should be grateful I got that at least.)
This is one of those books that I'm dying to talk about with someone. (Which is probably why I decided to post about it after all.) So, if I haven't spoiled it (I probably have) and you want to read it (you might not) then let me know when you're done so we can have a total gabfest about it later.
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