Book Review: Rachel Kramer Bussel’s Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Vol 4

Rachel Kramer Bussel has done it again. In her newest book, Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 4, she introduces the theme of outsiders and risk, and this collection of diverse erotic stories hits the mark.

This themed lens provides us with a unique backdrop and introduces us to ‘every woman.’ Yes, these are the women not marketed by Hollywood or a PR firm. What I like best about this volume is how each story introduces us to characters who push us, the readers, to consider how individual and complex our experience of sex is. Here are several of the stories that impacted me.

Alessandra Torre allows us to experience the hotness of other people having sex in the dressing room next door. She spurs us on to enjoy the invitation it evokes. A public/private space ignites imagination and lust in “The Dressing Room.”

“Aftershock” by Jo Henny Wolfe addresses the power and depth of sexual connection in the face of a natural catastrophe. Alone, the main character struggles with a language barrier.  The volatile situation allows her to draw on the strength of past coupling to make this enormous risk workable.

Tamara Lush moves us down the road of life development to the mid-life stage in “Words with Benefits.” She introduces hook-ups within the mode of what mid-lifers do for fun but adds the sexy twist. A real component of this story is having “miles on the tires.” Life experience allows a deep connection and one that combines the personal hobbies with hidden and untouched desires.

“Protest of Passion” by Eliza David drops us in the life of two women positioned on opposite sides of an issue and tackling their life passions in different ways. Add attraction to the mix of risky elements in their job and neighborhood and watch lusty sex ignite.

Calliope Bloom uses the backdrop of Halloween costumes and parties to stage outsiders involved in risk. She sets a situation that ups the ante on her main character and moves the story along by providing surprises and choices. “O Captain! My Captain!” hits all the right tones and places.

These stories celebrate strength. Characters are in the middle of risking themselves for what they want, sharing vulnerability yet working through it and moving forward. Sex allows us the opportunity to grow, and these stories represent examples of how that can happen.

Once a sex-educator, always the sex-educator. I recommend this book as part of your bibliotherapy. Readers, you owe it to yourself to see what sex-positive writing can do for your entertainment and enjoyment. Whether in learning mode, fantasy mode or if you need a little psychological edge to get you where you want to go, this book can provide it. Sex is an integral part of life, and these stories represent that with their beauty, simplicity or complexity in relationships highlighting the settings and situations.

And last, the exciting part, you are reading high quality literary erotic fiction. Kudos to Rachel Kramer Bussel for another stellar publication.

Click on this link to buy the book.

Authors: Try Your Hand. BWE Call for Submission.

I’m also working on Book Review Videos. Thoughts. Comments. Here’s my first attempt with Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 4.