Jess has always been curious about being with another woman. Soon after her husband Ben gives her the go-ahead to join a swingers' website, Jess meets another couple interested in a little girl-on-girl swap. Tina is drop-dead gorgeous and her husband Bradley is equally hot. With Ben's blessing, Jess is soon experiencing wholly new pleasures at the hands of another woman; pleasures wrought by soft fingers, a feminine tongue...a sexy strap-on. But sex is rarely just physical. As Jess delves deeper into this taboo lifestyle, she wonders how newfound feelings for Tina will affect her relationship with her husband. Jess quickly discovers she's not as prepared as she thought for some aspects of her newly defined sexuality--including the fact her darkest, most secret fantasy might finally be fulfilled.
I’m Paisley Smith! I am a full time freelance writer and can usually be found in front of my computer either writing, chatting, promoting or plotting. It’s a glamorous life…working in one’s pajamas.
I attended college in the Deep South where I obtained a slew of totally useless degrees and developed an unrelenting sense of humor.
My books can be found at Ellora’s Cave , Loose Id, and Cleis Press!
This is one of the most erotic books I think I have ever read. I can't really get into any detail without spoiling it, but I will just say that as a man who has been married to an amazing woman for 33 years this story seemed like it was written specifically for me! I don't know how Paisley does it. Her lesbian stories are amazing and then the stories like this one and Birthday Girl are just beyond incredible from my perspective.
Anyone who’s read my reviews on LVLM knows that I’m a fan of Paisley Smith. She writes about bisexual characters, which are pretty rare in the romance world and I enjoy her writing style quite a lot. Fortunately, Soft Swap was another hit for me.
Let’s start with the characters. They are all easy going types who don’t angst too much about what’s going on with their partner’s needs or desires to experiment. This was a plus for me. Of course, since this story is told in 1st person by Jess, we get into her head for most of this story. And really, it’s anyway all about her in that the other characters are there to support her fantasy and desire.
Jess and Ben decide to get with another couple to amp up their sex life and to explore some of Jess’ fantasies. Jess has always dreamed about being with a woman and Ben finds this kind of hot. Before I go further here because I know many readers of f/f dislike the whole chick being with a chick to turn the guy on scenario, I can tell you, this isn’t it. While Ben does love the idea and finds it a turn on to watch Jess get it on with Tina, he never goes into that territory of it being about him. It was just a nice side effect of Jess’ fantasy for him and he stayed very respectful to her in that.
Tina and Bradley have been swapping with other couples for a while, and while Tina has been with and enjoys women, it seems to be more of a fun thing to do for her than a need.
They all readily jump in when it comes time to get it on, but there were ground rules. I liked this. This becomes important because certain boundaries get explored, including Jess’ desire to be with Tina without the men, and it kept the story more about Jess’ desire to explore with Tina, but with Ben’s and Bradley's blessings.
One of the downsides for me in this story was that Jess’ character sort of mind fucks about who or what she is, a common thing in first experience bisexual stories. Is she gay, is she bi, does she just want to have sex only with a woman sometimes, does she want a full on romantic/sexual relationship with a woman, does this mean that she doesn’t love her husband anymore, etc.
For me this sometimes goes too much into realistic territory, like I’m reading someone’s real diary or hearing about a real experience in which a person is working out very real issues that I imagine do come up for someone who wants to a.) explore sex with someone other than their partner and b.) explore with someone of their own sex for the first time.
On the one hand I respect that this aspect is brought into this kind of story, on the other, I tend to enjoy stories of this kind when the characters just enjoy their fantasies and go for it without too much angst-ing. Fortunately, there is enough fantasy around this whole thing that I didn’t get too wrapped up in her inner dialogue. And Jess does recognize that she's over thinking things, which did mitigate some of me neg feeling around it.
For those who are wondering, while Jess has a really good time with Tina and finds that she has some feelings for her, she’s very clear that she loves Ben and there’s no way that this whole turn of events means that she has to choose Ben or Tina. She comes to love Ben even more that he allowed her to go with her fantasy and this solidifies their relationship even more.
The sex. Wow, yes, there’s lots of sex in this short story. And it’s hot sex. Spicy, hot, juicy sex. It’s why I will label it erotica. However, it’s not written as a bunch of bodies just getting it on. Paisley Smith managed to infuse a lot of warmth, some tenderness, and a dose of respectfulness into the sex scenes. This is what made this story a bit more than the usual erotica for me. There’s also a slight amount of D/s dynamic in those scenes which kept them from getting too sugary sweet or vanilla.
I highly recommend Soft Swap if you’re looking for an erotic story that feature f/f/m, with a good feeling. It’s well a written and fun fantasy.
Wow. This was a fast-paced, well-crafted erotic novella that should appeal to readers who enjoy f/f bisexual fantasies as a marital spice.
The most appealing quality about "Soft Swap" is its intimate voice. The farther I read, the more I "heard" and "saw" Jess, the protagonist. I felt like a good friend was chatting with me over coffee, regaling me with her sexual adventure and how it impacted her life. Normally I'm not crazy about first person POV because it often reads as affected or artifical. I didn't feel that way about "Soft Swap." I could easily imagine a close friend either talking to or writing a letter to another friend in this tone. Jess's voice "drew me in" and kept me reading.
Jess is a likeable protagonist with whom readers can empathize. Although she nurtures f/f fantasies and experiences powerful attraction to Tina, she genuinely cherishes her husband, Ben, and the life they've made together. While she and Ben agree together Jess will explore her f/f curiosity, both experience concerns as to how Jess's discoveries might change things.
Paisley Smith conveys volcanic chemistry between Jess and her new lover, Tina. The two women are very sensual together and develop a credible casual friendship. The book's settup clarifies from the beginning both women are committed to their respective spouses and their involvement with each other is mainly friendship and sexual gratification. Jess has never enjoyed a female lover before. Tina is a bit more worldly and a happy teacher. The two ladies enjoy various experiences with each other and with their husbands. The erotica focuses mainly on Jess's sexual discovery with Tina, and their story is lushly written, a graceful contrast to equally stirring m/f erotica between Jess and Ben. The writing demonsrates the dichotomy between what Jess enjoys with her husband and what she enjoys with Tina ... and it's understandable why she might really like both and have a tough time choosing one as "better" than the other.
One moment in the book struck me as a tad corny. Shortly after Jess and Tina's first encounter (happily witnessed by both their husbands) Jess admits her emotional attraction for Tina to Ben. Ben's response is "Wow. Are you saying you might be bisexual?"
I did a double take and a triple take after reading that. Jess has shared her f/f fantasies with Ben during their own lovemaking. Supposedly they've done a lot of communicating about fulfilling her fantasy before Jess made arrangements to meet Tina. Ben has just watched the women make love to each other. Several times. Quite passionately. And later he worries his wife is bisexual? I kept looking for the "punchline" but it never materialized. This dialogue "threw me out of the read," albeit briefly.
I really liked this book and I recommend it to lovers of light, uncomplicated f/f bisexual erotica. Definitely worth your time.
Reviewed by Stephanie O Ebook provided by publisher for review
Wow. Having picked up the occasional Erotica book, one thing they tend to always have in common has been there were always multiple men to one woman. This one gives the reader a great glimpse into multiple women as partners. This book really gets to the heart of things and shows how a trusting relationship can grow between two people where sex is involved. There is actually a story here to be told, and not just porn in words.
Jess and Ben have a great life together, but Jess has really started thinking what it would be like to be with another woman. After speaking with Ben it’s decided they will join a Swingers website and see what happens. This is where they meet Tina and Bradley. As Jess and Ben go through the steps of this new lifestyle, Jess begins to questions everything. What if she is truly a lesbian, what if she falls out of love with Ben and in love with a woman, what if . . . ? Trusting in her, Ben gives her the freedom she needs to explore that side of herself. What she discoveries in the end . . . well, you’ll just have to read to find out. Also, a word to the wise . . . keep a fan and cold drink nearby, you’re going to need it. This is a very HOT read.
Paisley Smith delivers her trademark appreciation for the sensuality between women, but I found this book less satisfying than some of her others. I had a lot of trouble buying the main character's feelings about the men in this book. I kept seeing the main character as a lesbian married to a man who is trying desperately to convince herself that she is bisexual. This came at a time in my life when that impression really depressed me. Perhaps my own issues interfered, but the love scenes between the women seemed sincere to me while those between the main character and her husband seemed forced. I still enjoyed this book and Smith's writing, but I prefer her lesbian romances.
A quality erotic story. My partner and I have been experimenting along these lines, so it was fun to read an erotic story similar to our own adventures. I enjoyed the book, especially the protagonist's mental conflict with whether or not she should enjoy herself. I thought the sex scenes were hot, but they felt a bit rushed. I would have enjoyed a bit more time taken with these and a bit more detail. But it could just be that I am a voyeur! ;-)
This was a quick sexy read, that appealed to me on so many levels I can't began to say. I have often wondered how these types of scenario's would play out IRL and think the author did a great job making it realistic. Even though it was a short story it was full of emotion. I really liked it.