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The Things That Make Me Give In
A university professor doles out lessons that one particular student won't ever forget. A nurse can't get enough of her patient's steamy stories but is on the brink of going one step too far. Friends trapped in mundane conversations find that giving in to something dirtier can lead to unexpected places. Girls who go after what they want no matter what the cost, boys who like to flash their dark sides, voyeurism for beginners, and cheating lovers—all are found in this journey through the facets of female desire. This contemporary collection of explicit and ever intriguing short stories is sure to seduce by both obsessions that go one step too far and dark desires that remove all inhibitions. Each story takes a journey into all the things that make a girl give in.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
13 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Stein
112 books2,149 followersCharlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks. For more on Charlotte, visit: www.charlottestein.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 11, 2011
I feel unsure how to do justice here to how impressed I was by The Things That Make Me Give In. That said, I would certainly like to do my best.
This short story collection by Charlotte Stein seems to me the epitome of beautiful, literary writing that happens to encompass sex and sexuality (making it simply reflective of life/reality—not that all literary writing has to have sex in it, but an ardent attempt to avoid such subject matter because of externally postulated standards about "literary" writing to me seems less realistic and respectful of authentic artistic endeavor). There is really a story in each of these stories, a journey with a character or characters that leaves someone changed or shows a connection or demonstrates an internal exploration brought out or at least demonstrated by the sexual endeavor, connection, or behavior of a character or characters. It is simply a breathtaking work.
There were some stories I loved especially for the heat/arousal factor, that turned me on the most, and there were some I loved for the connection or beauty of relationship or character(s). In the former category my favorites included "Because I Made You So," "Her Father Disapproves," "Sometime Soon," and "Different on the Inside." In the latter category they included "For You" (which I found so moving that after reading it I felt compelled to put the book down for a while to let the story soak in), "Dirty Disgusting You," and "All Ways."
There was, of course, overlap between these two elements (indeed, in most of the stories I experienced both of them; the list above simply encompasses those I found to be my particular favorites), and the story that was possibly my overall favorite in the collection was the one in which for me, both of these modes of appeal were at their climax: the utterly sexually arousing as well as intensely moving "Just Be Good."
Shortly into reading The Things That Make Me Give In, I found myself thinking upon finishing a story, "That one was one of my favorites," only to find that I loved the next story as much or even more. I truly, highly recommend this book, and I commend the author on a beautifully executed erotic work of art.
This short story collection by Charlotte Stein seems to me the epitome of beautiful, literary writing that happens to encompass sex and sexuality (making it simply reflective of life/reality—not that all literary writing has to have sex in it, but an ardent attempt to avoid such subject matter because of externally postulated standards about "literary" writing to me seems less realistic and respectful of authentic artistic endeavor). There is really a story in each of these stories, a journey with a character or characters that leaves someone changed or shows a connection or demonstrates an internal exploration brought out or at least demonstrated by the sexual endeavor, connection, or behavior of a character or characters. It is simply a breathtaking work.
There were some stories I loved especially for the heat/arousal factor, that turned me on the most, and there were some I loved for the connection or beauty of relationship or character(s). In the former category my favorites included "Because I Made You So," "Her Father Disapproves," "Sometime Soon," and "Different on the Inside." In the latter category they included "For You" (which I found so moving that after reading it I felt compelled to put the book down for a while to let the story soak in), "Dirty Disgusting You," and "All Ways."
There was, of course, overlap between these two elements (indeed, in most of the stories I experienced both of them; the list above simply encompasses those I found to be my particular favorites), and the story that was possibly my overall favorite in the collection was the one in which for me, both of these modes of appeal were at their climax: the utterly sexually arousing as well as intensely moving "Just Be Good."
Shortly into reading The Things That Make Me Give In, I found myself thinking upon finishing a story, "That one was one of my favorites," only to find that I loved the next story as much or even more. I truly, highly recommend this book, and I commend the author on a beautifully executed erotic work of art.
December 17, 2015
HAVE MERCY
August 6, 2011
Envy. It's one of the hazards of reviewing work in one's own genre. Every so often you encounter a book so wonderful that you can't help wishing you'd written it yourself. If you're not careful, it can spoil your whole day.
The Things That Make Me Give In is one of those books. Charlotte Stein has penned a collection of imaginative, intense and extremely nasty erotic tales which manage to stimulate the senses without neglecting the intellect. I'd love to claim it as my own. This book, though, belongs uniquely to Charlotte, because I believe it's a brazen exploration of her personal fantasies (and perhaps her experiences). Usually I refer more formally to authors in my reviews, but this volume demands a more intimate tone. In this book, Charlotte bares all.
She has a distinctive voice, brash, energetic, self-deprecating, introspective, full of sentence fragments and body parts. Her stories rush forward, born along on the current of an inner monologue. Not every tale is first person (though many of them are), but they might as well be. We're in the head of the main character (in every case but one a woman) who is simultaneously analyzing everything and oozing for some action.
The voice is cheeky, fresh and a bit wild. The stories vary, but the voice is consistent. This is perhaps, the book's main weakness. In some ways it feels more like a novel than a collection of stories. The woman whose mind we inhabit differs superficially from one story to the next, but somehow I had the sense that she was really a single character, a single woman, whom I'm fairly convinced is Charlotte herself.
This woman likes big men, sometimes more than one at a time. She's turned on by power games, whether she's on the top or the bottom. She pretends to be innocent but is willing to do just about anything if someone teases her enough. She loves to be fucked hard and deluged in come. She's drawn to strangeness, otherness, feeling kinship with people who are “Different on the Inside”, to cite the title of one tale.
In “Because I Made You So”, she's a student lusting helplessly for her stern professor. In “Her Father Disapproves”, she's the girl next door, teasing the junior accountant her father has invited to a summer getaway. “Just Be Good” puts her in the role of the juvenile delinquent, challenging the town sheriff to put her in handcuffs. In “Yes/”, she agrees to do whatever her partner orders; in the paired tale “/Yes”, she's the one giving the orders. In neither case does she get exactly what she expects.
The sex in The Things That Make Me Give In is visceral and messy, but it's never just sex. There's always a subtext, always the analysis. Talking is another kind of fucking (the whole point of her bittersweet tale “Phoned In”). Charlotte understands the feedback loop between mind and body; she can't turn off her mind even when someone is trying to fuck her brains out.
Given all the fucking and sucking and coming in this collection, I find it interesting that my favorite tale involves no physical sex at all – only stories about sex. “For You”, one of the darker contributions in the book, is narrated by a nurse caring for a cardiac patient who is waiting for a transplant heart. Dwelling in the shadow of death, he concocts lascivious fables of irresistible desire for his caretaker. His words leave her damp and twitching as they bear him away to the surgery which he might not survive.
This story could, of course, represent the entire book in a nutshell.
[A version of this review originally appeared at Erotica Revealed - http://www.eroticarevealed.com]
The Things That Make Me Give In is one of those books. Charlotte Stein has penned a collection of imaginative, intense and extremely nasty erotic tales which manage to stimulate the senses without neglecting the intellect. I'd love to claim it as my own. This book, though, belongs uniquely to Charlotte, because I believe it's a brazen exploration of her personal fantasies (and perhaps her experiences). Usually I refer more formally to authors in my reviews, but this volume demands a more intimate tone. In this book, Charlotte bares all.
She has a distinctive voice, brash, energetic, self-deprecating, introspective, full of sentence fragments and body parts. Her stories rush forward, born along on the current of an inner monologue. Not every tale is first person (though many of them are), but they might as well be. We're in the head of the main character (in every case but one a woman) who is simultaneously analyzing everything and oozing for some action.
The voice is cheeky, fresh and a bit wild. The stories vary, but the voice is consistent. This is perhaps, the book's main weakness. In some ways it feels more like a novel than a collection of stories. The woman whose mind we inhabit differs superficially from one story to the next, but somehow I had the sense that she was really a single character, a single woman, whom I'm fairly convinced is Charlotte herself.
This woman likes big men, sometimes more than one at a time. She's turned on by power games, whether she's on the top or the bottom. She pretends to be innocent but is willing to do just about anything if someone teases her enough. She loves to be fucked hard and deluged in come. She's drawn to strangeness, otherness, feeling kinship with people who are “Different on the Inside”, to cite the title of one tale.
In “Because I Made You So”, she's a student lusting helplessly for her stern professor. In “Her Father Disapproves”, she's the girl next door, teasing the junior accountant her father has invited to a summer getaway. “Just Be Good” puts her in the role of the juvenile delinquent, challenging the town sheriff to put her in handcuffs. In “Yes/”, she agrees to do whatever her partner orders; in the paired tale “/Yes”, she's the one giving the orders. In neither case does she get exactly what she expects.
The sex in The Things That Make Me Give In is visceral and messy, but it's never just sex. There's always a subtext, always the analysis. Talking is another kind of fucking (the whole point of her bittersweet tale “Phoned In”). Charlotte understands the feedback loop between mind and body; she can't turn off her mind even when someone is trying to fuck her brains out.
Given all the fucking and sucking and coming in this collection, I find it interesting that my favorite tale involves no physical sex at all – only stories about sex. “For You”, one of the darker contributions in the book, is narrated by a nurse caring for a cardiac patient who is waiting for a transplant heart. Dwelling in the shadow of death, he concocts lascivious fables of irresistible desire for his caretaker. His words leave her damp and twitching as they bear him away to the surgery which he might not survive.
This story could, of course, represent the entire book in a nutshell.
[A version of this review originally appeared at Erotica Revealed - http://www.eroticarevealed.com]
April 19, 2010
I love Charlotte Stein. I've been stalking her blog this weekend and stayed up laughing at her sense of humour and terminology both of which I can relate to but she's like the ten times better version of me. She's written a book here that basically celebrates sex. And real sex. You have stories about men who are so scruffy they have rice krispies stuck to their clothing and you read about those who part their hair so tightly- it's these things which celebrate masculinity, it's not just about rippling muscles and facial hair, it goes further than that so this is an honest AND sexy book for women. Not that a man wouldn't enjoy this. The terms used are non bashful and raw- that's what I want to read and she writes so beautifully that it's Erotic Romance, it doesn't need to spelled out, I can see the romance there. My favourites are Yes about the dorky, creamy, funny hero and Different On The Inside , the book is just erotic, no grand scenes of male or female domination, "just" those acts. "I was just waiting for you to be that little different you know? Different on the inside."
March 15, 2014
If you love Stein, you'll love this anthology.
At first i thought it was a re-hash of her kinks included in her other novellas. But it wasn't. A few stories were along the same lines.
I love the British-ness of these eroticas. They are realistic, have dry humour and told in a way that makes you feel if you're in the heroines mind. I also like the fact that they don't act like a porno, are not cheesy and somehow this author can write sooo many different unique sex scenes.
My fave stories in this one was 'Dirty Discusting You' and 'Just Be Good'.
At first i thought it was a re-hash of her kinks included in her other novellas. But it wasn't. A few stories were along the same lines.
I love the British-ness of these eroticas. They are realistic, have dry humour and told in a way that makes you feel if you're in the heroines mind. I also like the fact that they don't act like a porno, are not cheesy and somehow this author can write sooo many different unique sex scenes.
My fave stories in this one was 'Dirty Discusting You' and 'Just Be Good'.
December 31, 2016
Super hot short stories from my very favourite erotica writer Charlotte Stein. Some worked better than others, but this whole book was a delight, with the possible exception of the eponymous story which was a little too cerebral for me. Stein is, as ever, a master of words and sex and, if anything, I think her unique immersive style works better in these short stories than in the long form she's turned to of late.
April 20, 2015
This was a crazy-hot collection of erotic short stories. I'm impressed with both the quality of writing as well as the actual smut. Seriously good stuff going on here.
July 15, 2015
Super hot, nasty smut that gets the job done, but the stories themselves were only mildly entertaining, some more than others.
January 13, 2015
Drafting this up as we read because...well who knows how long until we finish. To explain, I have a friend who reads to me. Sometimes we have the time to go through an entire book, but mostly we don't. Which is why I typically pick books with shorts.
Because I Made You So - nice start. As we all know I love dirty talk and the use of cunt & cock...well his voice thickens. Surprisingly neither of us ever crushed on a teacher.
Spying - not surprisingly we both adored this. I'd read something longer & similar by Stein. If I hadn't I'd have been wanting more, for them to finally be together. Where it ended he said he wished after the "almost her" left she should have just went over there.
Lessons: Didn't work for us for a variety of reasons. Was she a tutor or a teacher? We weren't sure of the ages. Dumb jocks don't do it for me.
Yes/ - Not bad but not my favorite. I wish we’d had the perspective of the male in this one since she was pushing his limits. I also don’t particularly go for stranger/rape fantasies so the start wasn’t my thing. I do like the concept though switching back & forth between who is taking charge & determining what will be done. Also pushing limits. His thoughts “this reminds me of you”….
Dirty Disgusting You – Nope not for me. Not everyone’s the same. Some people are monogamous while others are not. If you’re not the type I think you should be honest & find someone who is accepting. People will surprise you, sometimes all you have to do is ask. All this anguish she has about being caught turned me off.
Her Father Disapproves - We get to “mons” & he goes “who the fuck says mons, have you ever said it?”….no not ever, maybe it’s a British people thing.
I liked this, I love how Stein builds it up. I liked the “we shouldn’t be doing this” tension in this one. I also liked how the girl was the aggressor. Great ending.
For You – This one toyed with me. When it ended I was like “wait what”. I’m not sure if I liked it or not.
Just Be Good – I started out not really into this, but in the end liked it a lot. “It’s your older guy fetish” he says. Probably, thinking about it he’s probably right. At her age I was pushing someone much older than myself to do “horrible things” to me. I do tend to try and “corrupt” people & they do tend to try & keep me safe & make me better.
Phoned In – Oh we LOVED this one. For various reasons, first we too live probably about 30 miles apart, we never see each other in person (we used to but know it’s now a bad idea), we also only talk by phone. He switches Olive to my name…I caught it but don’t say anything. His voice when he reads the line “Pix, do you like my voice” so good I could almost come…I laugh later when I realize it’s actually from the book & he didn’t just really ask.
I’ve never read to him (he’s never asked)…I always pick the books, he reads, always smut. This one though… after reading it to me he asked me to read it to him. It was almost too much…oh reading this one was the best. We took baths after (separately of course). Better than porn…
/Yes – At first we were unsure of the lag between this and the initial story Yes/. We initially thought we’d go back and read them one right after the other but after thinking about how for them a week had passed we thought it best to have the delay. I adored this, Todd was masterful in getting exactly what he wanted. He liked to be directed but based on the rules he was supposed to be taking charge. If he told her he wouldn’t have been getting what he wanted exactly. The Hubs and I actually do this so I could imagine it. When there is a wait it is excruciating. When it’s not your turn it’s nice to have a wait so you can imagine how it will be. All couples should do this, keeps it from getting stale & overly predictable. That and insanely filthy phone sex is where it’s at….
Sometime Soon – How to get a girlfriend 101. We adored this. I love dirty talk & was (am?) awkward with relationships. He brought up the time he tried to give me a drawer to put my stuff in & took me to Walmart to buy ornaments for the Christmas tree he bought me and then didn’t see me for a month. Yup that’s why we only do this now…
Different On The Inside – Why did this guy have a vest on under his shirt? We both agree we hate dinner parties with other couples, there is no one in our couple friends I would do, all too dull. He of course names two women & one guy. I ask for pictures (he sends Facebook links). All look doable but I don’t know them. He doesn’t believe any would be into tying up. He asked me about my first time, he’s heard this but wants to hear it again. We laugh about his first time (me of course) & he readily admits he could have gotten untied if he had wanted to. We like the ending of this, would like to have seen where it went. He thinks they both are together but become normal & boring. I tell him he lives a sad, sad life. I tell him they get new friends & stay fun & exciting…
All Ways – We don’t talk about this one. I tell him I’ll call him back that I want to eat since I haven’t eaten all day. I want to ask if he’s different. He’s deployed three times since we were together, he has diagnosed PTSD. I don’t ask…of course he’s different. He has nightmares, I know we did a road trip once right after he got back from the second one, during his divorce he said it was the PTSD, she thought he came back & didn’t connect. This story makes me sad…
Toby Hood Tastes Candy – Started this & then skipped it. Kind of a take on “Little Red Riding Hood” but with a guy. Not our thing.
The Things That Make Me Give In – Brilliant.
Because I Made You So - nice start. As we all know I love dirty talk and the use of cunt & cock...well his voice thickens. Surprisingly neither of us ever crushed on a teacher.
Spying - not surprisingly we both adored this. I'd read something longer & similar by Stein. If I hadn't I'd have been wanting more, for them to finally be together. Where it ended he said he wished after the "almost her" left she should have just went over there.
Lessons: Didn't work for us for a variety of reasons. Was she a tutor or a teacher? We weren't sure of the ages. Dumb jocks don't do it for me.
Yes/ - Not bad but not my favorite. I wish we’d had the perspective of the male in this one since she was pushing his limits. I also don’t particularly go for stranger/rape fantasies so the start wasn’t my thing. I do like the concept though switching back & forth between who is taking charge & determining what will be done. Also pushing limits. His thoughts “this reminds me of you”….
Dirty Disgusting You – Nope not for me. Not everyone’s the same. Some people are monogamous while others are not. If you’re not the type I think you should be honest & find someone who is accepting. People will surprise you, sometimes all you have to do is ask. All this anguish she has about being caught turned me off.
Her Father Disapproves - We get to “mons” & he goes “who the fuck says mons, have you ever said it?”….no not ever, maybe it’s a British people thing.
I liked this, I love how Stein builds it up. I liked the “we shouldn’t be doing this” tension in this one. I also liked how the girl was the aggressor. Great ending.
For You – This one toyed with me. When it ended I was like “wait what”. I’m not sure if I liked it or not.
Just Be Good – I started out not really into this, but in the end liked it a lot. “It’s your older guy fetish” he says. Probably, thinking about it he’s probably right. At her age I was pushing someone much older than myself to do “horrible things” to me. I do tend to try and “corrupt” people & they do tend to try & keep me safe & make me better.
Phoned In – Oh we LOVED this one. For various reasons, first we too live probably about 30 miles apart, we never see each other in person (we used to but know it’s now a bad idea), we also only talk by phone. He switches Olive to my name…I caught it but don’t say anything. His voice when he reads the line “Pix, do you like my voice” so good I could almost come…I laugh later when I realize it’s actually from the book & he didn’t just really ask.
I’ve never read to him (he’s never asked)…I always pick the books, he reads, always smut. This one though… after reading it to me he asked me to read it to him. It was almost too much…oh reading this one was the best. We took baths after (separately of course). Better than porn…
/Yes – At first we were unsure of the lag between this and the initial story Yes/. We initially thought we’d go back and read them one right after the other but after thinking about how for them a week had passed we thought it best to have the delay. I adored this, Todd was masterful in getting exactly what he wanted. He liked to be directed but based on the rules he was supposed to be taking charge. If he told her he wouldn’t have been getting what he wanted exactly. The Hubs and I actually do this so I could imagine it. When there is a wait it is excruciating. When it’s not your turn it’s nice to have a wait so you can imagine how it will be. All couples should do this, keeps it from getting stale & overly predictable. That and insanely filthy phone sex is where it’s at….
Sometime Soon – How to get a girlfriend 101. We adored this. I love dirty talk & was (am?) awkward with relationships. He brought up the time he tried to give me a drawer to put my stuff in & took me to Walmart to buy ornaments for the Christmas tree he bought me and then didn’t see me for a month. Yup that’s why we only do this now…
Different On The Inside – Why did this guy have a vest on under his shirt? We both agree we hate dinner parties with other couples, there is no one in our couple friends I would do, all too dull. He of course names two women & one guy. I ask for pictures (he sends Facebook links). All look doable but I don’t know them. He doesn’t believe any would be into tying up. He asked me about my first time, he’s heard this but wants to hear it again. We laugh about his first time (me of course) & he readily admits he could have gotten untied if he had wanted to. We like the ending of this, would like to have seen where it went. He thinks they both are together but become normal & boring. I tell him he lives a sad, sad life. I tell him they get new friends & stay fun & exciting…
All Ways – We don’t talk about this one. I tell him I’ll call him back that I want to eat since I haven’t eaten all day. I want to ask if he’s different. He’s deployed three times since we were together, he has diagnosed PTSD. I don’t ask…of course he’s different. He has nightmares, I know we did a road trip once right after he got back from the second one, during his divorce he said it was the PTSD, she thought he came back & didn’t connect. This story makes me sad…
Toby Hood Tastes Candy – Started this & then skipped it. Kind of a take on “Little Red Riding Hood” but with a guy. Not our thing.
The Things That Make Me Give In – Brilliant.
October 18, 2017
Because I Made You So *****
Oh my god, this story was so hot! Like the premise sounded interesting from the get go. A male professor teaching a class on the romance novel? Uh okay? And then he's staid so there's that extra layer. This story was really hot and that ending really had me wanting more. I wonder if her upcoming novel The Professor is based on this story because if so sign me up!
Spying ****
A little birdy told me not to put all my business on social media so I won't. But the premise of this story was fairly interesting to this girl. Again very hot but the ending though? I wasn't really feel it, you know? I wanted them to meet up! I'm a romantic okay!
Lessons *** 1/2
The beginning of this story creeped me out. I wasn't quite sure what was going on. It wasn't until the end that I realized it was roleplay. That said despite the beginning, the story was really hot. But the beginning kinda made me feel weird, but it kinda didn't you know?
Yes **** 1/2
Now it was clear in this story that it was roleplay and I was much more comfortable. And omg that end. So dirty. And I love that the next story title has dirty in it!
Dirty Disgusting You ****1/2
It's surprising I have no qualms about adultery stories since I was cheated on but alas. So I enjoyed this story. I also liked that the heroine was uptight. I love uptight heroines! The end was sweet as well. I didn't rate this five stars because while I liked it, I didn't LOVE it.
Her Father Disapproves *****
For the ending. Glorious
For You ***
This story was nice. It was kind of sultry, but not really hot. All I can say is that is was nice. Nice is usually good, but I don't look for nice when I'm reading erotica.
Just Be Good **** 1/2
I said it before, Ms. Stein's writing has a way of making me reconsider my fetishes. I've never really had a thing for cops, but reading this story makes me want to see out cop erotica. Is there such a thing? Yes, there is such a thing. I saw two separate cop erotica anthologies on amazon. Must get.
Phoned In ****
Thinking back this one kind of reminded me of Spying. Both of the lovers are separated. I think I rated this one higher because of the endings respectively. The only thing I would have liked better about this story if it was about cyber sex instead of phone sex. Phone sex seems a little old school.
/Yes **** 1/2
This was the companion story to Yes/ I had been looking forward to reading it to see what happened. I think what I like best about this story is the message it sends: It's okay to open yourself up to someone emotionally as well as physically.
Sometime Soon ****
Rednecks aren't so bad. Not all of them are bigots. I know a couple (Remember I live in the Deep South) and generally they're good people. But with that in mind I don't usually lust after them. But see this is Stein writing this story and you know what I've said about her ability in this area. I really liked the ending of this story and I would love it if she came up with a full book based on this story.
Different on the Inside *** 1/2
I love repressed heroines, in all genres, but especially in erotica.
All Ways ****
I think what I liked about this story is that it took something very realistic like a veteran coming home from war and made it work in erotica. I think this story could have went wrong, but I really enjoyed it!
Toby Hood Tastes Candy **** 1/2
I loved this one because Ms. Stein took her regular theme of a repressed heroine and made it the hero! I love that. You know I don't see the hero repressed as much in either general romance or erotica so it was a real pleasure to see. And this story made me think of Little Red Riding Hood.
The Things That Make Me Given In *** 1/2
I loved the ending lines of this story, but it was kind of confusing. But again I love the message of it.
So I've review all of the stories in this collection. I have to get it to Ms. Stein, she knows how to write short fiction. I've read a full novel, two novella, and this book of short stories by her and I don't really see a difference. Sometimes I feel cheated with short stories, but she is really good at capturing a lot in a little space. I'm giving this book four and half stars!
Oh my god, this story was so hot! Like the premise sounded interesting from the get go. A male professor teaching a class on the romance novel? Uh okay? And then he's staid so there's that extra layer. This story was really hot and that ending really had me wanting more. I wonder if her upcoming novel The Professor is based on this story because if so sign me up!
Spying ****
A little birdy told me not to put all my business on social media so I won't. But the premise of this story was fairly interesting to this girl. Again very hot but the ending though? I wasn't really feel it, you know? I wanted them to meet up! I'm a romantic okay!
Lessons *** 1/2
The beginning of this story creeped me out. I wasn't quite sure what was going on. It wasn't until the end that I realized it was roleplay. That said despite the beginning, the story was really hot. But the beginning kinda made me feel weird, but it kinda didn't you know?
Yes **** 1/2
Now it was clear in this story that it was roleplay and I was much more comfortable. And omg that end. So dirty. And I love that the next story title has dirty in it!
Dirty Disgusting You ****1/2
It's surprising I have no qualms about adultery stories since I was cheated on but alas. So I enjoyed this story. I also liked that the heroine was uptight. I love uptight heroines! The end was sweet as well. I didn't rate this five stars because while I liked it, I didn't LOVE it.
Her Father Disapproves *****
For the ending. Glorious
For You ***
This story was nice. It was kind of sultry, but not really hot. All I can say is that is was nice. Nice is usually good, but I don't look for nice when I'm reading erotica.
Just Be Good **** 1/2
I said it before, Ms. Stein's writing has a way of making me reconsider my fetishes. I've never really had a thing for cops, but reading this story makes me want to see out cop erotica. Is there such a thing? Yes, there is such a thing. I saw two separate cop erotica anthologies on amazon. Must get.
Phoned In ****
Thinking back this one kind of reminded me of Spying. Both of the lovers are separated. I think I rated this one higher because of the endings respectively. The only thing I would have liked better about this story if it was about cyber sex instead of phone sex. Phone sex seems a little old school.
/Yes **** 1/2
This was the companion story to Yes/ I had been looking forward to reading it to see what happened. I think what I like best about this story is the message it sends: It's okay to open yourself up to someone emotionally as well as physically.
Sometime Soon ****
Rednecks aren't so bad. Not all of them are bigots. I know a couple (Remember I live in the Deep South) and generally they're good people. But with that in mind I don't usually lust after them. But see this is Stein writing this story and you know what I've said about her ability in this area. I really liked the ending of this story and I would love it if she came up with a full book based on this story.
Different on the Inside *** 1/2
I love repressed heroines, in all genres, but especially in erotica.
All Ways ****
I think what I liked about this story is that it took something very realistic like a veteran coming home from war and made it work in erotica. I think this story could have went wrong, but I really enjoyed it!
Toby Hood Tastes Candy **** 1/2
I loved this one because Ms. Stein took her regular theme of a repressed heroine and made it the hero! I love that. You know I don't see the hero repressed as much in either general romance or erotica so it was a real pleasure to see. And this story made me think of Little Red Riding Hood.
The Things That Make Me Given In *** 1/2
I loved the ending lines of this story, but it was kind of confusing. But again I love the message of it.
So I've review all of the stories in this collection. I have to get it to Ms. Stein, she knows how to write short fiction. I've read a full novel, two novella, and this book of short stories by her and I don't really see a difference. Sometimes I feel cheated with short stories, but she is really good at capturing a lot in a little space. I'm giving this book four and half stars!
Read
September 6, 2013Oh Charlotte Stein, how I love reading anything you write! I don't know exactly how I'd classify this one. It's a large collection of short stories. Do I recommend it to first time Charlotte Stein readers? Or maybe just the seasoned ones who want more? I'm not sure. On the one hand, I don't think it shows the true star-power of Charlotte Stein's writing, but it does give readers a small taste of all the different kinds of stories that she writes. I loved reading it, but it was a little different than her other books.
Each story was unique. Some were romantic. Some were just about sex. Some seemed like early drafts of a scene that later turned into it's own book. They were all about 20-30 pages I think (reading on Kindle it's hard to judge that sort of thing).
Between all of these stories, there's just about every kind of kinky sex you can think of. It doesn't have as much of Charlotte Stein's unique turn of phrase that I'm used to from some of her other works. But most of these stories included her signature: messed up people trying to work things out, which mostly involves sex.
I think in the end, this wouldn't be my first choice in a re-read if I were picking a whole book, but if I were only thinking about reading for 20-30 minutes and really wanted a super, sex-filled story, I could probably pick any one of the stories in this book and be satisfied.
Each story was unique. Some were romantic. Some were just about sex. Some seemed like early drafts of a scene that later turned into it's own book. They were all about 20-30 pages I think (reading on Kindle it's hard to judge that sort of thing).
Between all of these stories, there's just about every kind of kinky sex you can think of. It doesn't have as much of Charlotte Stein's unique turn of phrase that I'm used to from some of her other works. But most of these stories included her signature: messed up people trying to work things out, which mostly involves sex.
I think in the end, this wouldn't be my first choice in a re-read if I were picking a whole book, but if I were only thinking about reading for 20-30 minutes and really wanted a super, sex-filled story, I could probably pick any one of the stories in this book and be satisfied.
February 25, 2017
He shivers and says, 'I know, I know,' and unaccountably it's those words that make tears prick behind my eyes. Fucking hilarious that it happens while I'm holding lube and a butt plug in my hands.
Stein is just so good with the weird, the emotional, and the fucking hilarious. And especially in short story format.
Book Riot's 2017 Read Harder Challenge: 22. Read a collection of stories by a woman.
June 26, 2015
Well, this one definitely delivers on the smut (hence the four stars) but I only found half the stories entertaining (hence why it's not five stars). My favorites would have to be "Yes/", "/Yes", and "All Ways".
February 14, 2011
Very, very hot erotica. My current fave to go back to again and again.
November 18, 2012
Man, am I glad I stopped after each story to make notes. So here goes.
Because I Made You So: Dear god, that was marvellous. And all of a sudden I realised it was Giles I was picturing. Oh gawd, marvellousness. Lit theory, romance novels, semi-public sex, and teacher kink. So yum!
Spying: Wow. That second story is so very much the prototype for Deep Desires. Utterly fascinating to see how much she's developed and enrichened and amalgamated so much emotional depth to the initial sexual scenario. The desperation of the short story is so sharp, jagged and I wonder if I'm imagining the sadness at the core of it, below the apparent casualness of the ending. No, I can't be. The touch through the separation --- no, that IS so poignant and heart aching.
Lessons: Hrm. Another prototype. But this one is disturbing me in terms of consent. I don't like how passive this girl is and there's really no emotional context for this at all. Hrm. Maybe that's the pay-off. Ha! I should have known Charlotte would be cleverer than that! The total twist at the end, the towering femdom of it and the total subversion of that college cliche of jocks making sex slaves of dumb girl. Hee hee.
Yes/: Oh that was just all kinds of marvellous and delicious and just lovely. Love love love those Stein beta heroes. And ooh, when I glance down the table of contents, I see there's a sequel in /Yes. Awesome!
Dirty Disgusting You: Is that the guy from Cold Feet? What - nooo, Coupling! The -- Richard, was it? The loser best friend sounds awfully like him and I'm totally charmed enough I don't even care that it's adultery. Awww, that just melted me into total adoring happiness. Such a lovely ending!
Her Father Disapproves: Dear god, I think that may be my favourite so far. Loved the reality of it --- the car, the porch, the resistance. And too the cheeky playful novelty of how she teases him with the jumper and tshirt. For some reason, I was totally imagining the house of On Golden Pond. So totally rereading this.
For You: I'm keeping The Fall story til the end so I can read it at home without interruption.
Just Be Good: An oddly potent story. Really loved her fire and snarl but I confess I'm still a little confused about her exact machinations and motivations and the nature of her relationship with Wade. Hrmmm. Thought-provoking.
Phoned In: The fact that the characters were called Roy and Olive and that he was tall and gangly and had his hands in his pockets all the time and apparently a phobia about touching placed this story smack bang in Pushing Daisies for me. Even if the bit about uni at the end didn't quite make that true. But god, it was soooo very lovely and REAL and heartwarming and beautifully hot.
/Yes: Not quite as hot as I expected but so very sweet. Yeah, it's funny how I always prefer the men in Stein stories to be the subs. So much yummier that way.
Sometime Soon: Legally Alabama Congeniality, bahahahahahaha! I do love how it's never just sex for the guys, never at the end. Makes me all warm and fuzzy, it's always the perfect touch.
Different On The Inside: Some really wonderful phrases in this, and I wanted much more of their relationship, the talking and the laughing, to see her open up her personality to him and he respect and nourish her.
There is something distinctly not like other people about him, as though his centre is made of dark, sordid things. His centre is made of forbidden fruit, and he's always looking at people as though he's wondering if they want to take a bite.
...
The plot of her life isn't like that. The plot of her life has a lot of focus on Scrabble.
For You: I knew before I started this collection just by total random coincidence that this was a story inspired by the movie The Fall. And because I love that movie so painfully much, I knew I needed total quiet and solitude to absorb this one. Omigod, that was so beautiful and so sad and so vividly written. Again some lovely phrases. And I could totally hear the stories in Lee Pace's voice. The descriptions were spot on from the movie. and oh oh oh god those final paragraphs. So many layers of perfection I'm rendered inarticulate. Definitely going to have to reread.
But then he laughed and told me that he can't excite himself even when he tries and, besides, that's not the point of the exciting part of the tales.
The point is this: that all tales come to love, in the end.
...
I suppose it's all very flowery and purple and silly, really. But I won't lie and say I don't want to hear a man tell me things like that every day of my life.
All Ways: Kestrel. Hooded birds. This, this is dangerous. The spiritual risk of it. And yes, the healing balm of catharsis. War trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, whatever it's called, Gulf War Syndrome, shellshock, prisoner of war abuse. No, just the unutterable trauma of being a killing machine. This story had thorns. Chilling and so brave.
Toby Hood Tastes Candy: Honestly, I wasn't really impressed with this one aside from the clever mythical subversion --- bare hungry pussy, love the hidden teeth of that --- and a few marvellous sentences.
Her lips around him look as red as the roses outside, and he imagines the stain they'll leave behind --- though one that will only be visible in the light. He sees himself back at his apartment, peeling off his clothes to reveal the bedraggled mess he hadn't realised he'd become.
But my god, that final title story. So honest and powerful and vulnerable and wonderful. I did start to chafe for all the deliberate lacunae --- god, I love that word, such a wanker --- but then suddenly realised how we were being told what happened as she told of each subsequent relationship. This story occupies a delicious edge between fiction and confession and all the more hair-raising and intriguing for the ambiguity. But my god, it broke my heart. And then made me want to cheer and flail limbs for the final clear self-reveal. "It's just me. I'm the one who makes me give in. It always and ever shall be: just me." Yessssss! So fucking true! W000t!
In conclusion: a bloody marvellous collection of short stories. And this is coming from a reader who has only been satisfied by Agatha Christie short stories. Every other collection has left me cold and wondering what the hell the point of those twenty or so minutes was. Yes, even Michael Chabon! Argh.
Really, what I loved best about this was the fact that final story brings all of them together, illustrates the best and truest thing about erotica. The female empowerment, the human empowerment of sexuality and sexual confession. So glad I bought this. (And also so glad I didn't let anyone else read it before me. Ha.)
Because I Made You So: Dear god, that was marvellous. And all of a sudden I realised it was Giles I was picturing. Oh gawd, marvellousness. Lit theory, romance novels, semi-public sex, and teacher kink. So yum!
Spying: Wow. That second story is so very much the prototype for Deep Desires. Utterly fascinating to see how much she's developed and enrichened and amalgamated so much emotional depth to the initial sexual scenario. The desperation of the short story is so sharp, jagged and I wonder if I'm imagining the sadness at the core of it, below the apparent casualness of the ending. No, I can't be. The touch through the separation --- no, that IS so poignant and heart aching.
Lessons: Hrm. Another prototype. But this one is disturbing me in terms of consent. I don't like how passive this girl is and there's really no emotional context for this at all. Hrm. Maybe that's the pay-off. Ha! I should have known Charlotte would be cleverer than that! The total twist at the end, the towering femdom of it and the total subversion of that college cliche of jocks making sex slaves of dumb girl. Hee hee.
Yes/: Oh that was just all kinds of marvellous and delicious and just lovely. Love love love those Stein beta heroes. And ooh, when I glance down the table of contents, I see there's a sequel in /Yes. Awesome!
Dirty Disgusting You: Is that the guy from Cold Feet? What - nooo, Coupling! The -- Richard, was it? The loser best friend sounds awfully like him and I'm totally charmed enough I don't even care that it's adultery. Awww, that just melted me into total adoring happiness. Such a lovely ending!
Her Father Disapproves: Dear god, I think that may be my favourite so far. Loved the reality of it --- the car, the porch, the resistance. And too the cheeky playful novelty of how she teases him with the jumper and tshirt. For some reason, I was totally imagining the house of On Golden Pond. So totally rereading this.
For You: I'm keeping The Fall story til the end so I can read it at home without interruption.
Just Be Good: An oddly potent story. Really loved her fire and snarl but I confess I'm still a little confused about her exact machinations and motivations and the nature of her relationship with Wade. Hrmmm. Thought-provoking.
Phoned In: The fact that the characters were called Roy and Olive and that he was tall and gangly and had his hands in his pockets all the time and apparently a phobia about touching placed this story smack bang in Pushing Daisies for me. Even if the bit about uni at the end didn't quite make that true. But god, it was soooo very lovely and REAL and heartwarming and beautifully hot.
/Yes: Not quite as hot as I expected but so very sweet. Yeah, it's funny how I always prefer the men in Stein stories to be the subs. So much yummier that way.
Sometime Soon: Legally Alabama Congeniality, bahahahahahaha! I do love how it's never just sex for the guys, never at the end. Makes me all warm and fuzzy, it's always the perfect touch.
Different On The Inside: Some really wonderful phrases in this, and I wanted much more of their relationship, the talking and the laughing, to see her open up her personality to him and he respect and nourish her.
There is something distinctly not like other people about him, as though his centre is made of dark, sordid things. His centre is made of forbidden fruit, and he's always looking at people as though he's wondering if they want to take a bite.
...
The plot of her life isn't like that. The plot of her life has a lot of focus on Scrabble.
For You: I knew before I started this collection just by total random coincidence that this was a story inspired by the movie The Fall. And because I love that movie so painfully much, I knew I needed total quiet and solitude to absorb this one. Omigod, that was so beautiful and so sad and so vividly written. Again some lovely phrases. And I could totally hear the stories in Lee Pace's voice. The descriptions were spot on from the movie. and oh oh oh god those final paragraphs. So many layers of perfection I'm rendered inarticulate. Definitely going to have to reread.
But then he laughed and told me that he can't excite himself even when he tries and, besides, that's not the point of the exciting part of the tales.
The point is this: that all tales come to love, in the end.
...
I suppose it's all very flowery and purple and silly, really. But I won't lie and say I don't want to hear a man tell me things like that every day of my life.
All Ways: Kestrel. Hooded birds. This, this is dangerous. The spiritual risk of it. And yes, the healing balm of catharsis. War trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, whatever it's called, Gulf War Syndrome, shellshock, prisoner of war abuse. No, just the unutterable trauma of being a killing machine. This story had thorns. Chilling and so brave.
Toby Hood Tastes Candy: Honestly, I wasn't really impressed with this one aside from the clever mythical subversion --- bare hungry pussy, love the hidden teeth of that --- and a few marvellous sentences.
Her lips around him look as red as the roses outside, and he imagines the stain they'll leave behind --- though one that will only be visible in the light. He sees himself back at his apartment, peeling off his clothes to reveal the bedraggled mess he hadn't realised he'd become.
But my god, that final title story. So honest and powerful and vulnerable and wonderful. I did start to chafe for all the deliberate lacunae --- god, I love that word, such a wanker --- but then suddenly realised how we were being told what happened as she told of each subsequent relationship. This story occupies a delicious edge between fiction and confession and all the more hair-raising and intriguing for the ambiguity. But my god, it broke my heart. And then made me want to cheer and flail limbs for the final clear self-reveal. "It's just me. I'm the one who makes me give in. It always and ever shall be: just me." Yessssss! So fucking true! W000t!
In conclusion: a bloody marvellous collection of short stories. And this is coming from a reader who has only been satisfied by Agatha Christie short stories. Every other collection has left me cold and wondering what the hell the point of those twenty or so minutes was. Yes, even Michael Chabon! Argh.
Really, what I loved best about this was the fact that final story brings all of them together, illustrates the best and truest thing about erotica. The female empowerment, the human empowerment of sexuality and sexual confession. So glad I bought this. (And also so glad I didn't let anyone else read it before me. Ha.)
January 19, 2013
An impressive, well-thought-out anthology of 15 short stories. I loved that the author introduced her characters through their sexual identities and I really loved the fact that this anthology puts a strong focus on the women. It reminded me of what I like best about erotica that caters to a female readership, that it explores and flips a feminist switch for me. Even when playing at more submissive roles, every woman in this collection was in charge of her sexuality, comfortable with it, and "owned it." Short works of this nature aren't for every reader, but I loved that Stein offers variety, exploring many different tones and moods. Happy, sad, funny, melancholy - I never felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again; spaced out in 15 different works.
Full review at: http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspo...
Full review at: http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspo...
August 30, 2011
Taken from http://nikorachan.blogspot.com
With Erotica being a guilty pleasure, this book of short stories had me feeling very guilty, in a good way. With the different stories, everyone is surely going to find something they like with this. All containing enough detail to make the writing vivid, and characters that are strong and realistic, these stories are perfect for a sneaky bit of fun. However, they're not just about the obvious. They have enough background in each story to give you a feel for the characters and their situations. When it gets to the erotic stuff, it's full of stunning detail and i really think anyone who likes this genre, should read this, it's stunning.
With Erotica being a guilty pleasure, this book of short stories had me feeling very guilty, in a good way. With the different stories, everyone is surely going to find something they like with this. All containing enough detail to make the writing vivid, and characters that are strong and realistic, these stories are perfect for a sneaky bit of fun. However, they're not just about the obvious. They have enough background in each story to give you a feel for the characters and their situations. When it gets to the erotic stuff, it's full of stunning detail and i really think anyone who likes this genre, should read this, it's stunning.
August 7, 2015
This book was a gift, literally and figuratively. I won this, plus four other books, in a giveaway the author had, which is basically the best thing to happen in idek how long, but I love Charlotte Stein. This collection is worth reading *just* for the opening story about a professor and his student-- my kryptonite. But the rest of the stories were fantastic as well, ranging from more classic tropes that I love, to the outright weird, but I can't say there was one I didn't enjoy.
May 18, 2016
An eclectic assortment of erotica short stories, some of which I loved and others I was more ambivalent towards. I definitely prefer the full-length stories Stein creates more, but this was a great book to take breaks with during my dissertation-filled semester as each story comprises a chapter and results in a quick, complete reading chunk. Looking forward to reading more of Stein's writing.
October 18, 2012
This book was full of wonderful short stories that were far, far better than the average erotica I find. Really good stuff!!
September 12, 2012
Sublime.
Provocative and intense. Sweet and filthy.
In my humble opinion Charlotte Stein is the master of erotica. She can do no wrong.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Provocative and intense. Sweet and filthy.
In my humble opinion Charlotte Stein is the master of erotica. She can do no wrong.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
January 14, 2013
Perfect! Absolutely filthy and classic Charlotte Stein. I only wish a few of the stories could be made into full length novels I love them so much.
January 11, 2013
Beautifully, wonderfully filthy.
I really like Charlotte Stein's work. I like to think that, if I knew her, I'd like Charlotte Stein too.
I really like Charlotte Stein's work. I like to think that, if I knew her, I'd like Charlotte Stein too.
February 10, 2013
Hawt. That's all. Love Charlotte Stein, she never disappoints.
March 6, 2013
I could not put it down and regret it like a binge eater. Did manage to save one or two for later. Pick your poison, it's bound to be here, told in Ms Stein's wonderful witty loose style.
000_able_and_ready
March 26, 2016.
July 6, 2015
Each chapter is a short story. I didn't really enjoy it. Read it for book club, otherwise would have stopped reading half way through. Not my kind of book.
Read
September 11, 2020The first two books in this collection were very familiar – I feel like they were the inspiration for what became more developed stories at a later point. There were a few of the stories that I enjoyed, the rest were kind of just whatever, didn’t capture my attention or interest. I like her longer work than her short stories, as I prefer a deeper emotional engagement in my romance. Out of her two short story collections that I’ve read, I think I preferred You Already Know.
September 18, 2022
She makes short stories sooo good. ❤️ It’s not an art everyone can do justice to.
December 5, 2023
A solid collection. I liked some better than others.
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