Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 6

by Rachel Kramer Bussel (Editor), Shelly Bell (Contributor), Naima Simone (Contributor)

If you're looking for your next sexy read, Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 6 is sure to heat things up. These 20 adventure-themed stories will take you around the globe as you meet characters eager to indulge their sensual sides.
 
From competing on a reality show and getting "Inked on My Skin" by an extremely sexy tattoo artist to exploring a "Cabinet of Curiosities," these characters say yes to their most daring desires. Whether a single mom having a hot vacation fling, a vegetarian lusting after a hunky butcher, a couple visiting a kinky escape room, or a divorcee hitting up a motorcycle club and going on an "Easy Ride," these erotic tales bare all. Women who've been told they're "too much," by an ex or the world, discover the joy of asking for more and more and more--and getting it.
 
Enjoy women's sexual fantasies come to life, from fetishes to kinks to a very arousing way to use an instruction manual. With stories by popular erotic romance authors Shelly Bell, Zoey Castile, Jeanette Grey, Mia Hopkins, Katrina Jackson, Elizabeth SaFleur, Naima Simone, Olivia Waite and Elia Winters, and newcomers to the genre, the latest volume of pansexual sex tales in this bestselling series will make your heart race with excitement.

Genres: Erotica, Anthologies, Romance, Fiction, BDSM, Short Stories, Smut

268 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2020

About the author

I'm the editor of the Best Women's Erotica of the Year series and over 70 anthologies including The Big Book of Orgasms and Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica. I've also written a wide range of erotica about everything from French fries to fishnets. I write about books, culture, sexuality and relationships, teach erotica writing workshops and consult with erotica authors and sex writers to help them advance their careers. I read a wide range of genres, from erotica to romance to mystery to memoir to graphic novels and anything that strikes my fancy. See my website for my newsletter with book giveaways and writing samples.

Reviews

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 6
Author: Various
Genre: Erotica
Type: Short stories
POV: Various
Rating:




Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 6 is a collection of 20 erotic stories with the central theme of adventure. I read 10 of them with a good variety of stories, but I was hoping there would be more eroticism and diversity in the sexual dynamic. Below is my brief review of each story:



Knowing that he was watching me and enjoying what I was giving him gave me a thrill, a sense of power.

Cooling Off by Brit Ingram | 4 stars
Sexual dynamic: Solo
Weeks of being on the frontline of a forest fire had taken its toll on an emergency ops crew. She found an alternative way to find a release she desperately needed. I enjoyed the thrill of this method in getting off.



The sight of Jennie’s head between Meghan’s open, shaking thighs is almost too much for him. He cannot hold back, though he wants Meghan to peak first.

Spring Fling by Kyra Valentine | 3.5 Stars
Sexual dynamic: FFM
A couple amped up their tryst by adding a new person to the equation. Even though the story was a bit bland, I liked the relationship and sexual dynamics in this one.



It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, both the intense vulnerability of his arousal and his body quivering with restraint. When I pull my foot away, his head bows forward with a breathless gasp.

Calyx by Margot Pierce | 4.25 Stars
Sexual dynamic: F/m
Two consenting adults indulging in their deepest desires. I loved how the characters used sex to free themselves from society’s expectations.



A quick suckle on her own two fingers and then Phoebe was pressing them into the hot pulse of Harriet’s cunt. Harriet’s own hands scrabbled at Phoebe’s shoulders, her hips still working, her lips whispering hoarse pleas in broken tones.

Cabinet of Curiosity by Olivia Waite | 4 Stars
Sexual dynamic: FF
Two widows missing the comfort of physical contacts made use of what’s in front of them. This one is historical and I liked it.



He was shoving that hard-as-coral shaft of his inside me. I briefly felt his soft skin against my wet lips and then gasped as he thrust himself deep inside me.

Blues by Amy Glances | 4 Stars
Sexual dynamic: MF
A mermaid yearning for a different kind of sexual experience took the matter into her own hands, uh, legs. This was an amusing take on a beloved fairytale.



He sighs deeply as she finishes reading, his chest resting on her back, while his legs shake with his post-orgasm twitches.

The Instruction Manual by Alexis Wilder | 4 Stars
Sexual dynamic: MF
A couple spicing up their sex life by taking on their secret fantasy. I haven’t read this type of kink before so it was something different.



“I just feel like tonight is gonna be extra special. Maybe it’s all the electricity.”

Inflated Ego by Evie Bennet | 3 Stars
Sexual dynamic: MF
Two coworkers enjoying their playtime involving an unconventional toy. This one lost me a little. I got the scene, but I felt detached from both the story and the characters.



His fingers parted me, and then he gently tasted me with the tip of his tongue before laving my entire slit up and down and settling in for what I would call a major session of expert oral sex.

Magia by D. L. King | 3.75 Stars
Sexual dynamic: MF
A woman took a walk into the desert to find out what’s beyond the border and had once in a lifetime experience. This one was a bit short, and I was hoping for more of the magical realism aspect of the story.



She wanted to touch them, she wanted to lick them, she wanted to feel them slap against her, too.

Cream by Saskia Vogel | 3.5 Stars
Sexual dynamic: MF
A woman had a sexual epiphany that would lead her life in a different direction. I liked how she took care of her own pleasure and rediscovered a once-neglected part of her partner.



She closed her eyes and disappeared into a place where she was nothing but twisting fingers and wet and nerves and swollen flesh and … If she came, would the punishment be so bad?

The Escape Room by Elizabeth SaFleur | 3.75 Stars
Sexual dynamic: M/f
A birthday treat for a married couple that took their relationship to another level. This one was less erotic compared to the others but I liked the connection between the characters.






For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ★ Cooling Off by Brit Ingram
In the midst of a wildfire and trying to blow off some steam, the penetrating gaze of a hot firefighter makes getting caught worth it.

3 ★ Spring Fling by Kyra Valentine
Jennie and Ewan accept Meghan into their sexual adventures leading to a stronger bond.
threesome adventure.

4.25 ★ Calyx by Margot Pierce
Claire’s passion has always been art and to sexually dominate a man. When she agrees to meet Matteo, they both learn there’s no reason to hide their kinks any longer.

4 ★ Cabinet of Curiosities by Olivia Waite
Phoebe Attleborough is tasked to visit her old friend, Lady Harriet Kenwick, the countess of Moth, but Phoebe has her own mission and isn’t willing to lose another opportunity.

4 ★ Blues by Amy Glances
A bit of a rebel mermaid, but she becomes entranced by a certain pirate and does something she never thought she would do. I loved the ending.

4 ★ The Instruction Manual by Alexis Wilder
Bree and Nick have been married for ten years. When Nick approached her about indulging in his desire, Bree was unsure at first, but learned how to be exactly what he wanted. This was an interesting type of kink and it left me intrigued, for sure.

3.5 ★ Inflated Egos by Evie Bennet
Carla has a fascination with certain inflatables and finally indulges.

3.5 ★ Magia by D.L. King
After hearing about the magia for years, Anita ventures into the desert to dispel or prove such a being exists.

3.5 ★ Cream by Saskia Vogel
Jacinda’s daytime activity has kept her primed for her husband for years, but she realizes her fantasy has changed.

4 ★ The Escape Room by Elizabeth SaFleur
Happily married, Bret wants to play a game with his wife, Ava. Trapped in the escape room, Ava must guess clues to get the coveted prize.



*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[b.andherbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to this anthology at the end of the year, and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel just may have put out my all-time fav so far. With an amazing collection of stories from authors I already love with some new names that are now on my short list to watch, Volume 6 is a triumph! Mia Hopkins, wow it felt good to be back in your writing!

[Shelly Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it December yet?

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This certainly isn't my usual genre but I thought it could be a fun read. It was an okay compilation for me with fairly good writing quality but most of the themes didn't do a lot for me personally. There's a good mix of plots but it's heavy on the typical m/f, "boring life leads to steamy sex" type of theme. Yes, there's mermaid sex, but it's just a woman who happens to be a mermaid when she's in the water (and the steamy stuff is on land). One story honestly creeped me out and had the opposite of the intended effect, with a vegetarian woman sloppily and lustily eating a sausage (no, a real sausage, and yes, just eating it) at home alone. It's been made by the burly immigrant butcher whom she always watches through the store window as he aggressively cuts up animals for meat, which gets her all hot and bothered. WTH? Just no thank you. Still, there is a variety and there are sure to be at least a few for most readers. All in all, the writing quality itself tends to be good and they often check the boxes for weird tidbits, though most of them were a bit forgettable for me.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

[Jhen]

Received an E-ARC from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this collection.
Of course, I have my favourites and so I will discuss my top 3.

Katrina Jackson is an amazing erotic storyteller and so I was very pleased that she was included in this volume. "Easy Ride" was excellent.
I also loved Elia Winters contribution to this. Her f/f pairing in "Sweater Weather" was the only one in this book and I do hope that the next volume will include more queer pairings.
Brit Ingram's story "Cooling Off" did the exact opposite which was the intention.

Special mention also to Alexis Wilder's "The Instruction Manual", Mia Hopkins' "The Eighth Wonder", Abuja Varghese's "The Conference" and Margot Pierce's "Calyx"

Almost all the stories appealed to me in some way but i love truly loved the first three I mentioned and there was only ONE that really did nothing for me.

All in all it was a hot pleasant read.

[Emmalita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t entirely consider that I would be writing a review of erotica for the Cannonball Read audience when I requested Rachel Kramer Bussel’s Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 6 from NetGalley. I just thought about how much I wanted to read it. I got a copy of this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t generally review erotica because to do so in a meaningful way would get rather more revelatory than I usually do. With an anthology though, I can maintain a little more distance.

Rachel Kramer Bussel is a very good editor. Every one of the stories in the anthology is well done, even the ones I didn’t like. I would say of the 20 stories in the anthology there were a few I loved, most that were well done but didn’t stick with me, and a couple that made me say, “next, please.” None of them made me wonder why they were there. The theme for this anthology was adventure and each of the stories explored that in different ways.

Three of the stories I particularly liked were about women reclaiming themselves. In Mia Hopkin’s “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” a newly divorced single mother goes on vacation with her sister and her child to a Disney-esque park. After mutually eye fucking a tour boat guide, she steals some time to be alone. The encounter she has with the tour guide isn’t at about an emotional connection and there’s no sense that there will be any pining in the future. It’s about physical desire and autonomy. It’s the flourish at the top of the page to show she’s starting a new chapter.

Tysha, in Katrina Jackson’s “Easy Ride” is coming off a messy divorce. Her ex-husband made her feel like she had to be smaller to fit into his life. Now free and in a new city with a new job, she goes looking for adventure at a motorcycle club bar. The ending here is more ambiguous about what her ride means. Whatever happens in the future, Tysha won’t diminish herself again.

Olivia Waite’s “Cabinet of Curiosities” is both a breaking away from being made small and a start to a romantic relationship. Two widows explore toys when one refuses to be the tool of her controlling brother. Phoebe and Harriet find sexual freedom with each other, a thing not easily granted to women (not even today).

Whether these women are having sex with a stranger, a friend, a lover, or a spouse, they are taking a risk and exploring beyond their usual boundaries.

The Best Women’s Erotica series is a great source for finding new authors. I’ve read a couple of the collections and trust Rachel Kramer Bussel to pick good stories. Even if i don’t like one of the stories, I can see why it was chosen.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It's not what I typically read but since Avon keeps refusing me more romantic options, I decided to give it a go. I think it is rather hard to rate a short story anthology because it's bound to be rather heterogeneous. I will say that it is varied enough and that I did enjoy some of the stories (they are different enough that it's hard for all of them to be everyone's cup of tea) and I think that is the whole point of a 'best of'. If you are looking to see what kind of erotica tickles your pickle, this one is for you.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a great collection of short erotica stories. This compilation has something for everyone. Kink, sapphic, role play, sweet and sensual? Definitely something for all of these flavors. I picked it up because Katrina Jackson is featured and she’s one of my favorite authors, but other authors such as Elia Winters, Naima Simone, Mia Hopkins, and Elizabeth Safleur (plus a few others) did not disappoint. A few of the stories were a little out there for me, but I enjoyed majority of them. Would definitely recommend.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collection of twenty erotic stories. If this is your thing you will enjoy it. I like that they are quick reads. Enjoyable

[Sarah Packard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy these Best Women’s Erotica collections as they truly contain a little something for everyone, and Vol. 6 is no exception! A wide variety of takes on the “adventure” theme this time, including some truly creative and original ones like the surprisingly moving “Inked On My Skin,” which made tattooing both hot AF and beautifully romantic! Another favorite was the f/f period piece that reminded me that corseted, aristocratic lesbians of yesteryear can still get down and dirty...

While I liked some stories more than others, almost all had something good to offer, and overall it was a titillating read...however, taking one star off because I intensely disliked one story sooo much, “Meat Cute” (groan). I should’ve known that as a vegetarian I should probably skip this one, but I was curious...unfortunately, it was as terrible as I’d feared from the brief description in the Introduction! Managed to both turn and piss me off completely!! Not simply because of the gross-out factor for me personally, but because it reinforces the most old, tired and offensive stereotypes about vegetarians: that we are somehow pleasure-denying ascetic monks who just need the right meat dish to reawaken our senses. Oh please! Vegetarians are among the sexiest, most sensual, decadent and hedonistic creatures I know, and so too can be our cuisine!!

Moreover, the protagonist is supposedly a vegetarian since age 12 and for *ethical* reasons - both same as me - yet suddenly ONE attractive butcher guy makes her instantly decide to not only try meat again, but start sexualizing it and fantasizing and planning about all the mass quantities of meat she’s gonna eat from now on? :( Getting turned on by someone literally slicing up carcasses is NEVER going to be my thing, I don’t care how hot they are...unrealistic as hell. (At least say she went veg for some other reason, otherwise what the heck kinda conscience is that?!)

Anyway, that story completely took me out of the nice sexy mindframe the rest of the book had gotten me in, to the point where I was nauseated and angry and had to put it down for a while before I could read any further. The effect was like suddenly having my arousal buzz interrupted by a story eroticizing animal cruelty or a necrophiliac mortician or something...yuck! I am extremely non-judgmental when it comes to all things sexual, but involving animal corpses takes me right out of it. Thank God that was one of the shorter stories, at least!! It oddly didn’t even have an actual erotic encounter in it, just a woman alone basically orgasming just from eating meat. Wtf?

I just wish the collection hadn’t been marred by that one jarring wrong note!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspected/hoped that this book would be the one to get me out of my reading slump and while it did help a bit, what it definitely did do was leave me wanting more. These stories were exactly the escape I’ve been needing.

Every time I sat down to read I couldn’t help but get caught up in each story. The best thing about the theme of this one is that there’s no one set path on what it can mean, so each story brings it’s own thing and there’s something for everyone whatever you might be looking for. Of course there is one thing they all have in common; and that’s main characters coming out of their comfort zone or what they’ve been led to believe is ‘the norm.”
And that will always be my favorite thing about all these anthologies, the adventures that each other takes their characters and their readers on by just taking them out of the usual humdrum that’s expected and exploring things that one might not ever imagine.

[Ryan - Sweet Red Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was solid enough that I plan on catching up on the previous installments and continuing with the series. Unsurprisingly, my favorites were by authors that I'm already familiar with, but what was surprising is how many of the stories I felt were 4 and 5 wine glass worthy. I don't think I read a single one that was below a 3 wine glass rating for me - and I plan on exploring the works of each individual authors to see what else they have to offer. There was such a good and diverse variety of themes and characters and kinks and types of couples; I found something to enjoy in each tale. My faves, however, were:

Inked on My Skin by Naima Simone
Calyx by Margot Pierce
Easy Ride by Katrina Jackson
Far Side of the World by Zoey Castille
The Escape Room by Elizabeth Safleur

4 out of 5 wine glasses

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect for those times when a girl needs just a little smut in her life. I read this book slowly almost over the course of a year, dipping in when I didn’t have enough time (or patience) to read an entire erotic romance novel. The tropes and set ups varied widely, enough so that if I wasn’t feeling one story, I surely would feel the next. Granted the majority of the stories were traditional female/male couples, but there were some lovely female/female stories, one poly story, and even one story involving the obscene lust of a vegetarian for a homemade sausage from a handsome butcher. And there were some of the best first paragraphs ever! (Hint: the roommate’s suitcase isn’t full of sweaters.). I enjoyed reading this anthology so much that I already have Volume 7 on pre-order, even though it won’t be released for another two months.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hot, steamy, delicious assortment of stories from all walks of life! I enjoyed the fact that most of the stories were about more mature women that have been around the block once or twice! It is a quick and fast read ...I managed to finish it in one sitting! There were some stories that were more memorable than others ...but the theme in most of them were women found themselves in a totally unpredictable situation where they could explore a side of their sexuality that was not open to them ever before or had became dormant. I found that quite refreshing! I would give this book a solid 4-1/4 stars!

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I meant to parse this out for myself, a couple of stories a day. But I actually just couldn’t put it down. Empowering, feminist, sexy, and provocative. Nuanced and tender, bold and fierce, these stories ran the gamut of human complexities, exploring sex and emotions in all their glorious depths. From a married couple exploring kink to just bringing the heat back into their marriage to second chances to even a mermaid, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. Standouts included Naima Simone’s INKED ON MY SKIN, Margot Pierce’s CALYX, Katrina Jackson’s EASY RIDE, ADULT TIME by Jeanette Grey, and THE ESCAPE ROOM by Elizabeth SaFleur. But really, they were all uniquely engaging and I really enjoyed them all.

[Kayla Lords · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy in exchange for a review. I enjoy erotic anthologies in general because they get right to the point (the heat, of course) and if I don’t love a story that much, I can move along. I think the stories in the first half were stronger (and more interesting to read) than the second half but I really enjoyed the theme of “adventure” across all the stories because it’s open to so much interpretation. My favorite stories were Inked on My Skin, Easy Ride, New Year’s Chance, and the Escape Room. While reading I got turned on, enjoyed characters, reconnected with a lost libido, and even cried (at erotic memories dredged up) — and what more can you ask from an erotic anthology?

[Tripip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This compilation of short stories whet the appetite for some new to me authors. While there were many stories that I liked and some not so much, each were well done with interesting storylines and solid characters. The overall theme of this collection had to do with adventure and each story did explore this with different sexual scenerios and/or kinks (although nothing hard core). If you like steam in your reading, this collection may uncover new erotic romance writers for you to try.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful collection of short sexy stories. I’m not sure where Rachel Kramer Bussel finds all these talented authors but I love that she does. Such a diverse collection. If you’re looking for some steamy quick reads this collection is for you. Definitely recommend.

[sinag · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wanted to like this anthology book, but sadly I can't. I go into this book wanting to read PWP and I got disappointed because most of the stories here have a plot of some kind? And the sole story that I like, the one I wanted to have a longer entry, just ended right after the banging. I also don't like the plot of some of the stories and most are just too long for my taste, I just don't care anymore. I know other people might love this collection, it just didn't deliver what I expected from it.

[Sarah A-F]

disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for review consideration. All of the opinions presented below are my own.

dnf @ 55%

erotica can be hit-or-miss for me and unfortunately this one missed. i wasn't super impressed with the writing in most of these stories. i don't think they were bad necessarily, just not my style. i also think the intended audience is a little bit older than i am, so this just wasn't a good fit overall. if you're interested, i'd still give this anthology a shot! and if you're more middle-aged this may work better for you.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for Inked on My Skin by Naima Simone.
She is one of my go to authors that never disappoints so I was very excited to read her submission for this anthology. And as always, I was not disappointed at all! This story is sexy, full of angst. It is a powerful, fantastic read.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the stories in this ARC I received from Netgalley. They were short and to the point, but some of them were more romance than erotica, in my opinion.

[Kelly Kemmerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raunchy escape from the daily responsibilities. A Wickedly written collection that is sure to appeal to all your senses.

[The Quille and Lampe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Think: So before we go into this delightful box of luscious, toe-curling tales, I should catch you up. I thought there was nothing as stressful as being a teacher but turned out I was wrong. There is nothing as stressful as moving apartments in the midst of a winter-induced Fibromyalgia flare. A flare that feels its okay to invite is mother disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis to the party. Now, add that to doing this during my winter break and I reached stressful + more stress. The new year started very busily and excruciating for me but hey, I had books to soothe me at night and distract me from the new, weird pain in my lower back that trickles down my legs and makes my toes curl and not in the fun way. The central nervous system really is in the spine, isn’t it? And I didn’t have a Ben to even guide me through it. Tut tut. I deserve some candy. Moving on. This review is long overdue and it’s been haunting me so without further ado, let’s dive in!

This collection taught me new things as I came across differing kinks, some familiar but never really interested in them. Others totally new enough to send me researching (oooh, hoomewooork!). You already know I have always envied people who can have casual sex for its ease and ability to slake a thirst without unnecessary baggage but alas, I’m still hoping to learn it. These tales put a new spin on so many things and had me panting! From established couples to one night stands and all in between that turned sex into a primal power capable of slaying even our worst demons. They give women power, turning them into goddesses deserving of love and total ravishment. I felt a ping for each of these tales and it was so hard choosing which to highlight in my review. Let’s see if those I chose do it for you because they did for me.

New Years Chance – Shelly Bell: A teenage fantasy comes to life in the best way as crushes unserved come to fruition in an utterly delicious way, made even more so by the maturity of the couple and the end that had me chuckling. You can’t walk away from a fantasy like this. This here is how you ring in the new year. Hnm, I wonder what I need to do to ensure that I ring in 2023 properly.

Inked on my Skin – Naima Simone: This tale started out quite innocently and had me blinking to hold back the waterworks. A survivor’s tale wrapped in one of my favourite things. Then took said favorite thing and thrust it in a lust so immediate, I was as breathless as they were. The admissions torn from Esau’s throat lodged in mine until I found it hard to swallow. Best part? It was so real I felt I could see the sweat on them.

The 8th wonder of the world – Mia Hopkins: This tale had me cheering on the female lead! I held my breath as she stepped out of her comfort zone, then held my breath some more as she uses a method my mum taught me to will herself into the person she needs to be to break her habits. All while I hoped she wouldn’t lose her courage. Then her man floored me when the first thing he asked is what she liked. Nuff said.

Calyx- Margot Pierce: A very apt case of who wan die don jam who wan kill (the person seeking death has found the person seeking to kill), this one was a beautiful unravelling. You know, the kind that makes you gasp in surprise at what you found inside an otherwise plain paper bag. Calyx took my breath away with her self possessionand utter domination that was something she’d been denied for far too long. A domination that was oddly sweet and oh so romantic. Best part was an intimate encounter with a fetish I have often just laughed off. I wasn’t laughing by the end of this tale. No, Ma’am. Too busy fanning myself. Is it hot in here or what?

Cabinet Of Curiosities – Olivia Waite: As a woman who I was convinced would be a pushover (shows that you should never judge a book by its cover) goes against society and family to take her place beside a woman she’s always loved, my heart laughed and hollered with every page. This, ladies, gentlemen and those of you yet to make up your minds,is how you tell the world to kiss your ass! Which also reminds me that I really do need to become rich. You’ll just have to find out why. And, I know I have a thing for vintage and antiques but really those frothy and lacy yet oh so proper night gowns in those sweet and soft colours make my hands itch to unwrap them because they make the body underneath a present. Okay, stop drooling. From the size gap to the house to the Lady, everything about this tale was aimed to hit me and hit, it did.

Blues- Amy Glances: A re-telling of the mermaid tale with a twist, this one had me thinking on the crush I had on the Little Mermaid since the first time I saw her. Wait. I can’t be the first queer person to realise their queerness from watching Disney. I mean, I knew I loved thick, lush,soft curves fom falling in love with the full-figured muse in Hercules. But, this is a much more deliciously adult version of Ariel’s spicy sister. Yet, the part that really hooked me and kept this tale in my mind was her sailor’s parting shot. I’d pay to find out what she herself thought of it. There’s a problem though – how am I ever supposed to see mermaids as gorgeous yet terrifying when they can be this lust drunk?

The Conference – Ahuja Varghese: I dont know about you but I’m betting every single working woman has had a fantasy like this. Some of us have even craved it and I got it sprawled across these pages. My kind of woman unleashed to be confident in her sexual needs and the kind of partner that you know you’ll never forget capped with the sweetness of the chance that lust and attraction will lead to much much more. Perfect erotica!

The Instruction Manual – Alexis Wilder: This tale stayed with me for introducing me to a new kink and using an instruction manual in a way I never expected. Another problem arose – How do I read any instruction manual now without dirty thoughts? Ah, I just saw the ghost of my innocence fade to nothing.

Bonus Tale: Meat Cute – Jane Bauer: (The English teacher in me is cringing about starting a sentence with because but it fits! ) Because I am a meat lover with the firm belief that humans were meant to be omnivores (this doesn’t mean vegans or vegetarians are wrong. If it works for you and it ain’t broken, why change it?), I had to add this. The bond between carnal pleasure and the desire for flesh, the primal quality found in a woman who buried her carnality along with her appetite made this intensely sexy in a way that I still can’t decipher. Must be the meat, right?

Sweater Weather – Elia WInters: And finally, my best for last. One of my favorite fantasies spread out for the world to see. Ouch. And, no, no details. Remember I’m practicing how to sip the tears of my readers all genteel like, extended pinky and all? Read it!

Verdict: An emotionally powerful collection that turns desire into strength like you never knew it was, showing that accepting your inner sex idol brings a freedom that will change you forever!

[Inflight Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK TOUR HAPPENING NOW. Come join this amazing erotica romance anthology book tour. Best Women’s Erotica Vol 6 is just what it should be. I am obsessed with each new collection and this volume does not disappoint.

It kicks off with a bang with Shelly Bell’s New Year’s Chance, a perfect choice as an introduction. It was so sensual and flaming hot even Lucifer may need some oven mitts.

Spring Fling: I enjoyed the naughty dialogue and the hot and sweaty playtime with the sexy trio.

The Eight Wonder of the World: perfect encounter between strangers while taking a break from a family’s vacations.

Blues: my first mermaid story complete with the sea witch who is not evil at all. Apparently that princess was lying. wink wink

Seven stories in at 50% comes complete with toe-curling, sheet-pulling and table grabbing hot sex. Some stories give too much back-story tipping into romance however that is not a bad thing. It does make you want to skip ahead to the naughty bits, however.

The stories include chance encounters, multiple partners, old high school crushes, mermaids, married couples, perfect strangers, lesbian liaisons, wild one-night stands, mermaids, pirates. And this is just the first half of the book. I still have more stories to wiggle through.

Keep your eye out for my favorites:

New Year’s Chance

Spring Fling

The Eight Wonder of the World

Calyx

Blues

If you want erotica storytelling this collection is for you. Grab your favorite beverage and if you find yourself squirming in your seat while reading, don’t worry – its required. #BestWomensErotica

For more book recs follow on IG at https://www.instagram.com/p/CIq619iAB5R/ and https://www.instagram.com/booksandhas...

Advanced Review Copy provided by publisher and A Novel Take PR

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erotica isn’t my typical choice of genre, but I decided to branch out a bit with this one and found that this was an excellent intro into the erotica genre! There is something for everyone here! With twenty stories, all by different authors, each story is unique and interesting. While some of them didn’t work for me, I still enjoyed reading each story and even learned about some new kinks (detachment kink?) and/or got a new perspective on some old staples. I really enjoyed reading about people who are comfortable and confident in various sexual lifestyles.

These stories were also better written than I expected them to be. I really appreciated that each story had an actual plot, which can be hard to do in just a few pages.

My favorite story was Inked on my Skin by Naima Simone. I was actually really bummed that it was only a short story! I could easily read a full length novel built from that premise.

All in all, this was a fun book and I’d recommend it to old and new erotica readers!

I received an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am continually amazed at the skill of writers who can build a world and take me on a journey in a story that 20 or 30 pages long. This volume is filled with stories like that.

As someone who is often disappointed that novellas aren't novels, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this volume, but it turned out that it was great. Sure, not every story was my cup of tea, but there were enough of my go-to authors that I was willing to give it a try. And it gave me a chance to try new-to-me authors in an efficient way!

The stories that worked best for me were those that took the time to build out a bit more of the world and the back story. "Cabinet of Curiosities" by Olivia Waite, "Calyx" by Margot Pierce, and "Easy Ride" by Katrina Jackson all stand out to me as having that potential for a future, which is an important component for me.

There was a lot of hotness in this volume, and I liked the 5-20 minute reads.

I received an ARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Allyson Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the world around us, the Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Vol. 6 is the perfect anthology to get lost in as each story encompasses on female empowerment. I believe there is a story in this book for all women and that each woman who reads this anthology can find a relationship, a meaning or a message within the context from the author.

This anthology includes novellas from all different sub-genera's including but not limited too; BDSM, same-sex, role-play, etc. These authors know how to play on your senses and heighten them. Also, one of the best things about reading this anthology was to wet the taste buds of new authors that I might not have known too well.

3 Stars as even though I did enjoy some of the stories very much, I felt like I skimmed with more stories than I actually read.

*ARC provided by Cleis Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest and trustworthy review.

[NotAmanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book contains 20 separate short stories written from the perspective of the women in the stories.
The stories vary between present day and a more historical time, most having a current timeline.
Most of the stories were enjoyable, a few were a little less than what I find interesting but to each their own.

It's a fairly quick read, each chapter its own story so it's easy to put down and come back to.

Clearly from the title, this book is for adults and is specifically short story erotica without much of a storyline.

I gave 4 stars because there were a few cringy scenes that were just a bit too much. Otherwise I enjoyed it!