Don't Be Shy Volume 1&2

Don't Be Shy #1-2

by Astrid Ohletz, Jae (Editor)

Sultry, sensual, kinky erotica with a smart, sexy twist: these twenty-five lesbian erotica stories that first appeared in Don't Be Shy Volumes 1 and 2 are now available in one compendium. A woman talks her girlfriend into an arduous mountain hike, only to reveal a naughty al fresco birthday surprise when they reach the peak; a tempestuous opera diva finally makes her longsuffering servant remember why she continues in her mistress's employ; in the shadow of a rocket launch, a bed-and-breakfast owner reaches new heights of sexual satisfaction from a guest she almost turned away; a woman takes a risk with a compelling stranger in a dive bar and is rewarded with an unforgettable night with an experienced dom. Celebrate the pleasures of the female flesh without having to check your mind at the door. Come, don't be shy, take a peek inside-you won't regret it.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Erotica, Anthologies, LGBT

382 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2015

About the author

Astrid Ohletz has an education as a library assistant but worked as a legal secretary for one of the partners of a large, international law firm for more than ten years before she became a publisher, establishing Ylva Verlag and its international pendant, Ylva Publishing, in 2011 and 2012. Publishing combines her love of books with her understanding of legal and economic issues. Being able to publish books where subtext is maintext is a dream come true for Astrid.

In her free time, she writes stories under the pseudonym Emma Weimann.

Reviews

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was offered for free on either YLVAs website or Amazon a few weeks back... I've slowly been reading a story or two here and there. Phew they are hot!!

And plenty.

Lots of known and unknown writing artists inside weaving their magic.

An excellent assortment of erotic stories.

[Sophie❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually loved all 26 or so stories. Some sexy reads. If you are prone to blushing when things get hot then don't read this in public. Excellent!

[Tessa Barding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating a compilation/anthology is always difficult, I think, especially if it’s a compilation of erotic short stories. “I’d never thought you’d read THAT”, you know. But in all honesty, I’m past caring. Yes, of course I enjoy my dose of sexy. I’m not dead, you know. So yes, I’ve read “Don’t be shy” and nope, I’m not embarrassed to admit it ;-)

While I hugely enjoy the m/m genre and have read lots there, it’s about time to explore the f/f niche as well. Sadly, it seems nowhere near as popular and I wonder why that is. One look into the Ylva Publishers’ catalogue and you’ll see there’s all kinds of stories that feature a whole bunch of interesting women, in fact, I’m despairing where to start. You see, when you’re new to a genre, the trickiest bit is finding authors whose style and stories you like and a compilation is a great way to start. “Don’t be shy” flings lots of very talented authors your way and damn will I be busy reading their stuff over the next couple of months!

I don’t want to rate each and every story. There are some I liked, others I loved, and others that didn’t get to me at all. I don’t get the whole BDSM kink, for example. Mind you, I’m not judging, it’s just that I found it’s not for me. Not even secretly and under the blankets. Nope. So I’d rate the BDSM stories 1 star which might make others shy away from looking at them and that wouldn’t be fair. There is not a single story in here that is not well written and tastefully presented, whether it caters to your personal preferences or not. The range goes from “aaawwww so cute” to “GOSHDANGITFUCKTHATSHOT”, and you will all find stories you’ll love.

So if you’re wondering whether a compilation of lesbian erotic stories is worth picking up: yes it is. If you’re wondering whether or not you’ll be turned on, even if you’re a straight woman: yes you will be. If you’re wondering whether girl on girl can be as hot as boy on boy: yes oh yes. Sexy women come in all shapes and shades, just as sexy men. Sexy is not found in toned abs or a mane of hair and it’s not exclusive to one gender, either.

So don’t be shy. Pick it up and ENJOY!

Five out of five stars for the sheer variety of stories and the quality of the writers. Well done, Ylva.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing collection of erotica. Every story, and I mean ALL OF THEM, are very well written. Which really was impressive to me. The stories cover a wide spectrum of sex. Some are sweet, some a little kinky, and a few heavier on the BDSM side. What they all have in common...seriously hot, sexy times.

My favorite is The Duplex by LM Perrin. I always love when a writer can inject some real vulnerability into a sexy short story. It’s not an easy feat.

Highly, highly recommend.

4.5 stars

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the 25 short stories are different but all of them feature at least two women. I liked that the stories were with all kinds of different variations and there is a story for everybody.

I received a ARC from Ylva

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comincio dal dire che è stata una delle autrici a regalarmi il libro, ma non sono comunque di parte perché il libro è una raccolta di 25 racconti scritti di altrettante persone diverse.
Dico anche che io di solito non leggo erotica, a parte nelle fanfiction, perché non mi attira. Di solito le storie sono tutte uguali.
Con questa raccolta mi sono dovuta ricredere, comunque. La qualità dei racconti è alta, e il distacco creato dagli stili diversi di scrittura e dai tipi diversi di storie (che pur sempre erano erotica) mi ha permesso di non annoiarmi e di non abbandonare il libro. Si alternavano pov in terza persona a pov in prima persona, e in un caso la protagonista si riferiva all'altra persona con "you", facendomi entrare ancora di più nella storia.
Mi è piaciuto anche il fatto che non ci fosse solo sesso ("vaniglia" o BDSM che fosse), ma anche molto romanticismo, nei vari racconti.
Una cosa che mi ha più o meno dato "fastidio" è il fatto che il sesso fosse molto, ma molto esplicito. Forse questa cosa non da problemi agli altri, ma a me si, perché non ci sono abituata al di fuori del contesto delle fanfiction... E faccio fatica a leggere anche quelle.
Detto questo, le coppie delle 25 storie erano tutte diverse, avevano modi di approcciarsi diversi. A volte erano gruppi, e le donne presenti erano tutte diverse tra loro per comportamento, etnia, ciò che dava loro piacere e cosa no.
In mezzo alle storie vi erano anche dei disegni di varie coppie, in bianco e nero. Secondo me e' una cosa molto carina, che permette di staccare momentaneamente dalle storie, che magari dopo un po' che le leggi ti vengono a noia.
Ci sono ovviamente storie che mi sono piaciute molto più di altre e devo dire che leggerei altre storie di queste autrici, in particolare Lila Bruce, May Dawney, N. R. Dunham, Harper Bliss...

review postata anche su thereadingpal.blogspot.it

[Ela The Queer Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a big collection of erotic short stories - all featuring at least two women. Each story is a little different from the next and they span from rather romantic love-making to kinky sex, sometimes in a relationship, sometimes between strangers.

I really liked how varied these stories were and regardless of your taste in f/f erotica, I'm sure there will be at least one erotic adventure in here you will like. Very much.

And as a little treat there are some drawings to look at, too.

Disclaimer: I was provided by Ylva-Verlag with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, take the plunge you won't be disappointed. What the heck, the cover is tasteful also! There is something for everyone. Great collection edited by Ohletz and Jae. 5 stars.

[T.J. Dallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice selection! Twenty five hot and sizzling stories from various authors! Lots to love but my absolute favourites included Best Idea Ever, Insomnia, Fit for Forty, The Longest Night, Sound Bites, Birthday Girl, and The Souvenir.

[Sia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the stories were entertaining. There were a couple that I just couldn't get into or they just didn't make any sense to me.

[Lesbian Romance Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wide variety of short-stories.

[zoagli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read half a dozen stories, but none held my interest for more than a few pages. I can’t say the book is bad, but I can’t say I like it either.

[isa Simonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great anthologies of erotic short stories, well written, all tasteful, and all delicious...
Had the book for free on Amazon