Customer Reviews

Irresistible: Erotic Romance for Couples

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just when it seems that erotic literature is becoming even more niched, Rachel Kramer Bussel brings it back to the fold with her latest collection, 'Irresistible: Erotic Romance for Couples.' She's a top noche editor and writer, and this group of stories is no different. Well crafted and engaging, the plots unfold and the couples heat up the pages according to the imaginations of some of the genres best writers including Cole Rile, Alyssa Turner and Delilah Night.

I'm not surprised this anthology was put together; with erotica's popularity riding a high momentum, many readers come from mainstream backgrounds want to read about their own lives, or at least imagine the possibilities; whether you are curling up in your favorite chair, reading aloud to your partner, or languishing in a bubble bath and taking mental notes of what you'd like to do when a special someone comes home.

Cleis Press continues to produce top-quality romantic literature, and Bussel continues to be one of my favorite editors, which is why I'm certain Irresistible may not be safe for work, but it's a strong bet for pleasure.

I was so excited to get this book and it didn't disappoint. I have loved Rachel Kramer Bussel's writing since I first discovered her last October. I flipped first to her story, of course. Exposing Calvin is about a sexually adventurous woman and her shy husband. This story felt real to me, partly because I identified with Marnie and partly because it was so erotic. I also enjoyed Renewal, a story of a worn-down mother trying to restore her marriage. If you want to read a book that you can enjoy with your partner or alone, I'd recommend Irresistible.

To be honest, I hate the cover. It looks like a cheesy romance, which it most definitely is not! The book is intended for couples, but the cover made my husband laugh out loud.

Thankfully, the name Rachel Kramer Bussel is on the cover, and I know that name means quality, edgy, provocative erotica. A quick perusal of the Table of Contents reveals familiar names, authors I have read and enjoyed in the past: Janine Ashbless, Kay Jaybee, Donna George Story, the editor herself, Ms. Bussel. Flipping through the About the Authors section I see that all of the authors are veterans of their trade, and my expectations are set high. And it is evident from the first story, "Twice Shy" by Heidi Champa, that this anthology has bite.

Irresistible is an intimate peek into the lives of men and women who are not only lovers, but who love each other. The sex is hot as ever, but the special bond evident in each of the stories makes it all the more satisfying. Ms. Bussel writes in her introduction, "These couples, however long they've been a team, push the envelope by pushing themselves to try something new, even when they're not sure where it will lead them." My husband and I enjoyed sharing these with each other, taking turns reading, and wondering what new adventures will arise as we travel our own road together.

Share these stories with your own lover... reading together is an excellent way to gauge your partner's interests and turn-offs and maybe stir your imagination and inspire you to explore your own fantasies!

*I received a copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review. I have been collecting erotica for over 25 years and thoroughly enjoy the genre.

This book features couples who make their fantasy a reality. This book is deliciously good in a very monogamous kind of way. Some of these stories are about re-kindling the fire. Others stories are of couples that are quite familiar with their lovers. The know how to please each other, no glamorous seduction is necessary. What I found in this book were cut to the chase stories full of sexy kink. Cleis Press publishes this book and it is edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. The book is 206 pages and includes 16 stories by various authors, including the editor. There are a few authors in this collection that I didn't recognize, but all the stories were richly told.

I thoroughly enjoyed the stories in this book. With the exception of two stories, all of them were about established couples. I think this book will appeal to people that are already part of a couple and also serve as inspiration for singles that there is a great sex life to be had beyond the vows. Some of these couple's find the fire needs kindling. Once the wedding is over and the kids have taken over some may think there are no surprises in the marriage bed. This book puts to bed all those myths and features just enough kink to keep it very sexy.

My favorite stories in this book told just enough about the characters to hook me in. Twice Shy was about a little bruise. I loved how she obsessively dwelled on it. The little bruise opened the couple up to exploring pain with pleasure. "Do you want more?" "Yes, More!" Delicious how innocently it begins!

Safe for Work was another one of my favorites. It starts out with a dirty text. Lucky for these two they work for the same company and he's the boss. The thrill of making her all business husband pay attention and give her what she needs for lunch are fun and flirty. Sounds like something I would do.

The story Renewal was really sweet. It stars a mother of two who let herself go and a guy trying hard to be a good dad and provider. The woman sets up a date to remember for her over-worked husband and a renewal to their sex life. This story had some sex flash-back type scenes. It is very well written.

This book is full of great sex stories creatively romantic and includes some BDSM and anal play.

My first introduction to Rachel Kramer Bussel was a result of research I was doing for a writing project where I needed inspiration for sexual prose. Since then I have become a fan reading for pleasure and entertainment. Irresistible is just another job well done by Rachel with her talent to collect realistic experiences and compile them in one book.

For years I have stayed away from this genre, assuming it was far out and unrealistic, placing it among the volumes of dream "letters" by men with frivolous escapades into the unrealistic and absurd. I also thought the other end of the spectrum was silly soap opera type romances written by women living in their own dream world. I was completely wrong on both accounts.

Irresistible is a fantastic anthology containing a variety of stories designed for couples with notable offerings by Hedi Champa, Kerenna Colcroft, and Rachel Kramer Bussel herself, just to name a few. Once you have devoured this anthology I am sure you will do as I and continue on to past works by Rachel.

I'm a fan of several of Rachel Kramer Bussel's previous anthologies, and Irresistible is now among my favorites. ("Twice Shy", "Warrior", "Hypocrites", and "Exposing Calvin" are my favorite stories, although I'm pretty sure that each story in the book will be somebody's favorite. All of the stories are well written, and each the authors have different writing styles, which makes for an interesting collection.) To me, it seems like most of the characters in Irresistible's stories were fleshed out so that you can really get a sense of who they are and what motivates them in their relationships beyond the purely "physical" parts (which isn't always possible if a short-story is too short). I think some of the stories here were chosen specifically because they are a bit longer, which makes it possible to really get inside the characters' heads. That makes the stories even more compelling, in my opinion. It's a fun, hot read... and I recommend it. (My only "complaint" at all [if you could even call it a complaint] was the book's release date; February 14th. If it had been released a little earlier, it would've made great little "adult" Valentine's gifts... but oh well.)

When I first received a copy of Irresistible from Rachel Kramer Bussel, I couldn't wait to crack it open. The first two tales blew my mind, but I realized something was different. While most of the stories presented in any of Bussel's anthologies are hot and wild, I realized it wasn't the sort of book you read alone. The subtitle alone, should've given me the warning by the way.

However, I still read on without my significant other - something I do not advise others to do. So it might be my situation that made the book fall short on expectations so I'm not going to hold it against the stories - hence the four stars rather than my original three-star feeling. The collection is one of the best, but maybe you should consider reading it with your lover and not go into it solo.

Another home run. The fun of this collection is that it focuses specifically on monogamous couples who still find the love of their life alluring and exciting. I see my wife in many of these stories as I find her as titilating and arousing as when we were dating. I will definitly be reading them to her in front of the fireplace. Thank you, Rachel Kramer Bussel.

At last, an erotic book for couples imaginative and inventive enough to WANT an exciting monogamous relationship.
These stories celebrate coupling with kink, fun and robust throbbing zest thrown in to keep things interesting. I SO want to include excerpts here to lure you into this lair of lust, but I'm not sure Amazon would approve! Fall against a pillow with your lover, abandon all that has gone before and become bedroom warriors with this wonderfully inspiring book.

You said "A mind opens best when it is open like a parachute" and that is what this book does. Sharing the fantasies of the couples in the book made me try a few and yes it was magical.. it brought too much into my relationship... this piece of book has been so far one of the best romantic yet erotic novel i have seen.. We (My girlfriend & me) both loved it a lot.. Kudos to the author Rachel Kramer for writing this book.. i would recommend every couple to grab this book and add sparkles to their relationship...