Customer Reviews

The Pleasure Dial: An Erotocomedic Novel of Old-Time Radio

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Fans of Jeremy Edwards' erotic tales are sure to enjoy this expertly-paced romp through the glamorous world of 1930's Hollywood. You'll find Edwards' signature witty repartee, an unfettered celebration of sensual pleasure, and plenty of clever twists in a story that evokes the screwball comedies of the golden age. As always the female characters are especially memorable. Comedy writer Mariel Fenton drives the plot and takes New Yorker Artie Plask in hand in more ways than one. Budding radio star Elyse Hefferman reminds me of an ethereal Mae West, supremely confident in her desires--if only we could all be as carefree and unapologetically erotic! Mariel observes that "the best entertainment in Hollywood occurs behind closed doors"--and this comic glimpse into the bedroom adventures of the show business elite proves her absolutely right.

Jeremy Edwards has, in two novels and countless shorter pieces, managed to earn himself a spot as a master of erotocomedic fiction. The light, carefree but deeply affectionate way in which his characters interact with each other has become his trademark, and I'm hooked on it.

See, here's the thing: Jeremy can write sex. Delectable, naughty, and unbelievably arousing sex. He does it often. The Pleasure Dial is full of it. Despite how lust-inspiring his sex scenes are, though, I found myself rushing through (but never skipping, heavens no!) the sex scenes to find out what wacky, hilarious, delightful thing his characters were going to do next.

He writes clever, intelligent, highly sexual characters who are turned on by other clever and intelligent characters. There is this one lovely scene in which the protagonists go to visit a friend's home and have a hard time manoeuvring because of all the overstuffed bookshelves that line every wall. Most gratifyingly, good old Artie gets as turned on by seeing this as I do reading the description!

This is shorter than most of my reviews, and partly that's because I don't want to ruin a single thing for you, just go out and get a copy for yourself!

5/5 sexy cloche hats (and an extra feather for luck.)

The Pleasure Dial was such an enjoyable read that I felt a bit sorry when I finished it! Set in Hollywood during the Golden Age of Radio, the novel never wavers in its vibrant, lively pacing and flawlessly entertaining storyline. I frequently found myself caught between laughing out loud and beaming with delight at the charm and wit that abounds in the prose, from the dialogue to the description to the narrator's internal musings. (This book also includes the phrase "freelance sex goddess," which may be one the most fabulous new phrases I have encountered in recent memory--as well as the most delightful and appealing job title I have ever seen.)

The Pleasure Dial was the kind of book I found myself recalling when I was away from it with a feeling of warmth and anticipation at the idea of reading more. Truly, it was such a joyful story that the very prospect of getting back to it made me smile. The moment I finished The Pleasure Dial, I missed not only its cast and crew of characters but also the sublime mixture of contentment and excitement I'd grown used to in anticipating my next reading session.

It's hard for me to imagine anyone who appreciates sparkling, witty depictions of sex and connection--combined with simply enchanting storytelling--not enjoying this book. On the contrary, I suspect many would find it, as I did, a pure delight, and I could not recommend it more highly.

Here's the thing, folks. There are two authors of modern erotica that I like. Jeremy Edwards is one of them. Yeah, the sex is hot. It's really hot, and yet it's not the best thing about this book.

The characters are hilarious, smart and totally likeable (except one, but you'll figure that out on your own.) The dialogue bursts with wit. The story is clever and perfectly paced. My husband didn't know I was reading something erotic because he kept hearing me laugh out loud.

If you know someone who likes P.G. Wodehouse AND Anais Nin, you'll want to get this for them.