What do you think?
Rate this book
Little Black Dress
James Patterson’s BookShots. Short, fast-paced, high-impact entertainment.
Can a little black dress change everything in her life?
Magazine editor Jane Avery spends her nights alone with Netflix and Oreos – until the Dress turns her loose. Suddenly she's surrendering to dark desires, and New York City has become her erotic playground. But what began as a fantasy will go too far... and her next conquest could be her last.
Can a little black dress change everything in her life?
Magazine editor Jane Avery spends her nights alone with Netflix and Oreos – until the Dress turns her loose. Suddenly she's surrendering to dark desires, and New York City has become her erotic playground. But what began as a fantasy will go too far... and her next conquest could be her last.
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2016
516 people are currently reading
2031 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 632 reviews
July 10, 2016
A terrible book.
These "Bookshots" are a great concept -- books you can read in an hour or two, on an airplane or in an evening.
However, save your money on this one. It's just relentlessly bad. It's actually a watered-down 50 Shades clone.
Here are just a few ways it sucks:
-- The book jacket and copy make it seem like a thriller, which it's not. It's a piece of wish fulfillment for shallow women and should be marketed as such (i.e., a romance).
-- Every man in the book is good-looking, well-built, unattached, free of STDs, smart, funny, interesting and wealthy.
-- The main character is a complete drip, and a boring one.
-- Virtually every page is riddled with cliches.
Avoid!
These "Bookshots" are a great concept -- books you can read in an hour or two, on an airplane or in an evening.
However, save your money on this one. It's just relentlessly bad. It's actually a watered-down 50 Shades clone.
Here are just a few ways it sucks:
-- The book jacket and copy make it seem like a thriller, which it's not. It's a piece of wish fulfillment for shallow women and should be marketed as such (i.e., a romance).
-- Every man in the book is good-looking, well-built, unattached, free of STDs, smart, funny, interesting and wealthy.
-- The main character is a complete drip, and a boring one.
-- Virtually every page is riddled with cliches.
Avoid!
July 9, 2016
Patterson continues his literary experimenting, bringing Emily Raymond along for the ride. In this BookShot, Patterson ventures outside the genres for which he is known, waltzing onto a more romance/erotica pathway. More on this concept below and my sentiments on its success. Jane Avery is living the typical a 35 year old divorcée life, at least in her eyes; a slave to her work whose social time is filled with cookies and binge watching television. When she purchases a dress, black and slinky in nature, she finds herself filled with new confidence. While the dress does not possess any magical power, per se, Avery is pulled into a level of confidence she lacked up to that point. This confidence is primarily that of no strings attached sexual encounters with men, most of whom she has never met and all of whom will not get a second chance to unzip her. Patterson and Raymond layer this concept with parachuted visits that Avery makes to her therapist, who is unknowingly fuelling her nymphomania. Avery's confidence reaches a climactic point when she visits a sex club and finds herself drawn to a man whose intrigue matches his prowess. However, Avery is eventually left to wonder if she will be able to continue her sexual gratification of meteoric proportions on her own, without the aforementioned dress as her crutch. Definitely an interesting and unique take for Patterson fans, though those familiar with Raymond may expect this on a regular basis.
I will admit, I have no experience with Emily Raymond or anything that she may have penned. I do not dive into the "his pulsing member" genre and will not be scouring websites to sign up for newest releases anytime soon. That said, the story was effective for what it was; not too smutty and yet nowhere near as sleuth-based as James Patterson tends to be. Jane Avery sought sex and she found it until she had an epiphany, short and sweet. The story was decent, its characters helped push it along (though this genre does not seem to thrive on strong characters other than the protagonist). That Patterson would put his name to this type of story does not sully him, but it does go to show that he will slap his name on most anything to sell it, which benefits the co-author in some form. That said, I am completely unsure why Patterson cannot stick to working with authors who fit into the genres of writing for which he has been popular for a while. Alas, I am but a small-time reviewer and not some filthy rich man whose prime can sometimes be said to have sailed when he churned out fluff. I do hope he returns to the BookShot family with something a little more substantive, at least that bears his name.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson and Madam Raymond for this story, though I think our latter author could and should have peddled this piece under her own name alone.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I will admit, I have no experience with Emily Raymond or anything that she may have penned. I do not dive into the "his pulsing member" genre and will not be scouring websites to sign up for newest releases anytime soon. That said, the story was effective for what it was; not too smutty and yet nowhere near as sleuth-based as James Patterson tends to be. Jane Avery sought sex and she found it until she had an epiphany, short and sweet. The story was decent, its characters helped push it along (though this genre does not seem to thrive on strong characters other than the protagonist). That Patterson would put his name to this type of story does not sully him, but it does go to show that he will slap his name on most anything to sell it, which benefits the co-author in some form. That said, I am completely unsure why Patterson cannot stick to working with authors who fit into the genres of writing for which he has been popular for a while. Alas, I am but a small-time reviewer and not some filthy rich man whose prime can sometimes be said to have sailed when he churned out fluff. I do hope he returns to the BookShot family with something a little more substantive, at least that bears his name.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson and Madam Raymond for this story, though I think our latter author could and should have peddled this piece under her own name alone.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 25, 2016
There did not seem to be any point or plot to this book whatsoever. Very disappointed. Probably the worst James Patterson I've read, and the worst book so far this year!
July 13, 2016
This is so bad - can I give negative stars? I was so excited for bookshots and ordered a handful. This is the first one I picked up and it's pure crap. I tend to write notes in my books as I go and about midway I made this notation; S.M.U.T. Stupidly Mundane & Utterly Tedious. Thank god it was only about 100 pages, there's no way anyone could tolerate more.
November 25, 2016
Little Black Dress is a very adult short-story written by James Patterson and Emily Raymond. This adult contemporary romance/borderline erotica is written under James Patterson's BOOKSHOTS imprint (fast reads for fast times). I am somewhat surprised to see such a low overall goodreads rating (2 stars) for this title because I absolutely loved it! Different strokes for different folks, right? Little Black Dress features just that...a little black dress that emboldens a divorcee to take control of her sexuality. She says who, when, where, and what (well except for one scene), and she finds this process surprisingly therapeutic. Many reviews refer to this story as "trashy" but I don't think so. Not when you know just how empowering and liberating being the aggressor can be. At 144 pages/2 hours, 25 minutes via audio, this is a quick and easy read, as the BOOKSHOTS selections are intended to be. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
"If life hands you a compliment, take it."
My favorite quote:
"If life hands you a compliment, take it."
July 7, 2016
I was really disappointed in this book. Paterson usually has books with some meat. This only had mild mannered divorcee turn into a naughty nympho. Lucky it was a short library book so I hadn't invested much into it.
December 7, 2018
This was a complete departure for James Patterson. No action, cops, or spies, but rather the prowess of a little black dress. I wonder what his contributions were other than his name. I think JP should stick to what he is good at and as for his co author, Emily Raymond, she has a curious new follower.
Jane is 30ish and stuck in a rut watching tv and mindlessly eating. One day she's out shopping and splurges on a little black dress. That was just what she needed to get out of her mundane routine. It's almost as if this dress has transformed her sexually. She's brave and daring without limits. When and if she draws the line finishes this quick read nicely.
Jane is 30ish and stuck in a rut watching tv and mindlessly eating. One day she's out shopping and splurges on a little black dress. That was just what she needed to get out of her mundane routine. It's almost as if this dress has transformed her sexually. She's brave and daring without limits. When and if she draws the line finishes this quick read nicely.
July 10, 2016
Total crap
July 23, 2016
Let me sum up bookshots for you. Story, Story, Story, Story, Oh crap it's page 100 better wrap this up, The End.
July 6, 2016
Complete waste
Really boring don't waste your money if you like Patterson wait for the Alex Cross or Private full length novels to be released
Really boring don't waste your money if you like Patterson wait for the Alex Cross or Private full length novels to be released
August 18, 2016
Little Black Dress
I was really enjoying all of James Patterson's BookShot's books so far but this one has left a lot to be desired. It was pretty lame with not much of a plot, really no plot at all. I sure hope that the bookshot books don't go the way of his other books.
I was really enjoying all of James Patterson's BookShot's books so far but this one has left a lot to be desired. It was pretty lame with not much of a plot, really no plot at all. I sure hope that the bookshot books don't go the way of his other books.
November 13, 2024
4 Stars for Little Black Dress (audiobook) by James Patterson and Emily Raymond read by Helen Wick.
Who knew that that a little black dress could make such of a difference. From staying at home bored to lots of interesting one time friends and nearly creating a scandal.
Who knew that that a little black dress could make such of a difference. From staying at home bored to lots of interesting one time friends and nearly creating a scandal.
August 10, 2016
I wanted to try JPat. Maybe this wasn't the best choice to dip into. I did not like this book and literally kept my face in a frown throughout most of it. I probably will have frown lines etched on my face for the rest of my life thanks to this "story" (which, btw, didn't really have a story). Ick.
August 3, 2020
I gotta say this quickly became one of books that i will reread over and over again, is it one of my favorites... probably not. But still a really good read. This book shot is definitely a different type of book for Mr. Patterson to write. There was no action, no cops, or even spies. It is not a thriller or a action packed book. However a simple wonderful book about the magical powers of an amazing black dress. Every woman understand the magical powers of that one simple black dress that we all dream to have.
A Magazine editor who is currently bored with her ongoing relationship with her nextflix. One day she fineds an amazing simple black dress that leads her to her dark desires. The story takes place in New York City where all her dark desires may be met. Does she allow her self to indulge in her dark desires? Does she take it to far? Lets find out how far the magical black dress take her...
A Magazine editor who is currently bored with her ongoing relationship with her nextflix. One day she fineds an amazing simple black dress that leads her to her dark desires. The story takes place in New York City where all her dark desires may be met. Does she allow her self to indulge in her dark desires? Does she take it to far? Lets find out how far the magical black dress take her...
July 31, 2016
I did not like this book. To me, it was silly . The character was extremely silly, I had a hard time finishing and this was a short read. I put it down several times before finally finishing. I usually enjoy James Patterson books, but this one was not good. I think I'll stick to Alex Cross and the Women's murder club series.
July 6, 2016
Not a fan of the bookshots but had this been longer I'd have quit reading. Definitely not a typical Patterson book.
August 7, 2016
This is not the type of book I normally read at all, so I'll try to be unbiased here as possible. This is a hundred page novella about Jane, a single woman in NYC with a nice job and lifestyle who buys a black dress on the fly and suddenly has an insatiable sexual appetite. She starts having sex with random guys she meets in public (no hookup apps for this high class gal).
Right off the bat, it's apparent that the author(s?) of this book clearly don't think it's normal to have regular sex with random people, none of the sex scenes come off as fun or satisfying, in fact during almost all of them Jane has these battles in her head of if she is doing the right thing. It's really uncomfortable to read actually.
The dress of the title is barely mentioned except in passing, it's almost like she didn't need it all to kickstart her sex drive (a logical conclusion that the authors never acknowledge at all). Her character, the characters she meets (the guys are all stereotypical hunks), and the sex she has, it's all so bland and uninspired. I can't see who this book would really appeal to because it's not a romance, it's not erotic, and it's not really much of anything. You yourself could probably make a better story up with the premise than the authors did.
Right off the bat, it's apparent that the author(s?) of this book clearly don't think it's normal to have regular sex with random people, none of the sex scenes come off as fun or satisfying, in fact during almost all of them Jane has these battles in her head of if she is doing the right thing. It's really uncomfortable to read actually.
The dress of the title is barely mentioned except in passing, it's almost like she didn't need it all to kickstart her sex drive (a logical conclusion that the authors never acknowledge at all). Her character, the characters she meets (the guys are all stereotypical hunks), and the sex she has, it's all so bland and uninspired. I can't see who this book would really appeal to because it's not a romance, it's not erotic, and it's not really much of anything. You yourself could probably make a better story up with the premise than the authors did.
July 28, 2016
Only the second of the Bookshots books I've read but this one has put me off the whole series. A thirty-something professional woman, who has become addicted to Netflix and Oreos since her divorce, decides its time for a change. She buys a little black dress that bolsters her confidence and opens herself up to having sex with men she picks up, uses, and drops. The back cover copy entices the reader with a lure of a fantasy taken too far. However, what we are treated to is mostly mundane sex, nothing too erotic, and certainly nothing that goes too far.
Our main character, Jane Avery, has conflicting thoughts and emotions and even her shrink doesn't seem able to help. The story really has no plot and could easily have been an episode of Seinfeld. In my humble opinion, not worth the money. Might work better as a longer story where the reader could delve into the psyche of the main character.
I hate to give negative reviews but this time there's no way around it.
Our main character, Jane Avery, has conflicting thoughts and emotions and even her shrink doesn't seem able to help. The story really has no plot and could easily have been an episode of Seinfeld. In my humble opinion, not worth the money. Might work better as a longer story where the reader could delve into the psyche of the main character.
I hate to give negative reviews but this time there's no way around it.
July 31, 2020
I haven’t read that much smut in a while. 🤦🏻♀️ I’m glad this was a book shot. James Patterson should definitely stick to mysteries and thrillers. 🤷🏻♀️
September 1, 2016
From the reviews that others have written about this novel, I really thought that, maybe James Patterson had a stroke or something and went off the deep end in his writing. Thankfully I can report that this isn't the case, not even close. The fact that this novel was so short was the only thing that bothered me. The same epic writing and storytelling is here, only in condensed version. The flow/pace is great and really holds your interest. The subject matter seems to be what bothers people and to this I say: it's a part of life, a part that really needs exploration at times. Plus, if you look at the deeper meaning in the course of the novel, you'll realize, as I did, that the subject matter is just a way of getting to that meaning. I hope you find it. I recommend this book to everyone who likes James Patterson and is a fan of relationship drama. Just watch out for language and the main subject matter.
September 6, 2016
I started reading this title thinking that it was another of James Patterson's short thrillers.
Alas, I should have judged this book by it's cover!
It soon became apparent that this book was more bedroom thrills than thriller!
Essentially it was 114 pages of soft porn without any significant plot. Titilating enough at times, but not one I would recommend.
Alas, I should have judged this book by it's cover!
It soon became apparent that this book was more bedroom thrills than thriller!
Essentially it was 114 pages of soft porn without any significant plot. Titilating enough at times, but not one I would recommend.
September 27, 2016
2.5 stars
I assumed this book was another mystery/thriller, wrong! It was naughty romance, soft porn, erotic category. I wonder if James Patterson read it before he put his name on it. Glad I got this on audio CD from our library and was able to finish it while making dinner and cleaning up.
I assumed this book was another mystery/thriller, wrong! It was naughty romance, soft porn, erotic category. I wonder if James Patterson read it before he put his name on it. Glad I got this on audio CD from our library and was able to finish it while making dinner and cleaning up.
July 11, 2016
Didn't like it
This is the first James Patterson book I didn't like. Too much sex. I'm very disappointed. I didn't even find ish the book.
This is the first James Patterson book I didn't like. Too much sex. I'm very disappointed. I didn't even find ish the book.
December 13, 2018
A fun fast read. It was quite enjoyable despite the reviews I read.
September 22, 2023
Not bad for a quick read but no real plot. Low key 50 shades
August 20, 2025
woman buys little black dress, suddenly becomes sexually liberated! wow. at one point it seemed like she was about to be murdered & honestly it would have made the book more interesting
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2025
My husband who reads James Patterson said "read this one next", so of course I listened.
"Magazine editor Jane Avery spends her nights alone with Netflix and Oreos – until the Dress turns her loose. Suddenly she's surrendering to dark desires, and New York City has become her erotic playground. But what began as a fantasy will go too far... and her next conquest could be her last."
With a description like that, of course my romance loving heart was intrigued. While this book was fun (think Samantha from Sex in the City), it wasn't a romance. Jane is a girl, with a little black dress, finally discovering what she loves so much about her sensuality.
"Magazine editor Jane Avery spends her nights alone with Netflix and Oreos – until the Dress turns her loose. Suddenly she's surrendering to dark desires, and New York City has become her erotic playground. But what began as a fantasy will go too far... and her next conquest could be her last."
With a description like that, of course my romance loving heart was intrigued. While this book was fun (think Samantha from Sex in the City), it wasn't a romance. Jane is a girl, with a little black dress, finally discovering what she loves so much about her sensuality.
June 6, 2025
i’ve re-read this book numerous times, what can i say? a woman who’s understanding what she wants and taking action? with great greek food??? 10/10 yes give it to me.
every girl needs a LBD. solid advice.
(5/5)⭐️
every girl needs a LBD. solid advice.
(5/5)⭐️
August 9, 2016
Jane Avery is a magazine editor whose social life (not to mention sex life) is sorely lacking. When she purchases a little black dress, she finds herself being far more daring than normal, and her sex life picks up exponentially. But is her newly liberated self proving to be a danger to herself as she places herself in increasingly wild situations with strangers?
This is a book in Patterson's new line of "Bookshots" - very short novels that can be read in one sitting. Don't think, though, that "Little Black Dress" is a James Patterson thriller; it is aimed at romance readers and should have been released under the subline "Bookshots Flames," which are romance novelettes.
Even so, "Little Black Dress" is not a romance. It's attempting to be an erotic novelette, but there isn't really anything titillating about it. I realize that it's a challenge to get character development and plot development crammed into such a short book, but it's been done before and done well. This is not one of those times. I've read 10-page short stories written more tightly than this book. I read the entire book because it was so short, but I didn't like it. It didn't engage me, and I was annoyed that it was a mishmash of short unconnected sexcapades, with the sexcapades not even entertaining. When I finished the book, I couldn't figure out what was the point of Patterson's creating this new Bookshots series. If all the Bookshots novelettes are going to be this empty and pointless and rambling, why bother? Ugh.
This is a book in Patterson's new line of "Bookshots" - very short novels that can be read in one sitting. Don't think, though, that "Little Black Dress" is a James Patterson thriller; it is aimed at romance readers and should have been released under the subline "Bookshots Flames," which are romance novelettes.
Even so, "Little Black Dress" is not a romance. It's attempting to be an erotic novelette, but there isn't really anything titillating about it. I realize that it's a challenge to get character development and plot development crammed into such a short book, but it's been done before and done well. This is not one of those times. I've read 10-page short stories written more tightly than this book. I read the entire book because it was so short, but I didn't like it. It didn't engage me, and I was annoyed that it was a mishmash of short unconnected sexcapades, with the sexcapades not even entertaining. When I finished the book, I couldn't figure out what was the point of Patterson's creating this new Bookshots series. If all the Bookshots novelettes are going to be this empty and pointless and rambling, why bother? Ugh.
September 1, 2016
Deciding to keep an open mind I read Little Black Dress even after being disappointed with the first Patterson bookshot I read, Cross Kill.
Little Black Dress doesn't quite know what it wants to be. Not really erotica, not a mystery and can't be called psychological suspense. When editor Jane Avery, normally a quiet, non-party-girl type buys a terrific black dress, the dress, and the person she becomes when she wears it, changes her life. Well, almost changes it. Jane goes from one episode to another, none of her encounters leaving her truly satisfied. Quite like the ending and the rest of the story--unsatisfying.
Little Black Dress doesn't quite know what it wants to be. Not really erotica, not a mystery and can't be called psychological suspense. When editor Jane Avery, normally a quiet, non-party-girl type buys a terrific black dress, the dress, and the person she becomes when she wears it, changes her life. Well, almost changes it. Jane goes from one episode to another, none of her encounters leaving her truly satisfied. Quite like the ending and the rest of the story--unsatisfying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 632 reviews