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Beyond Curious
Annie’s dreading the piano lessons that her grandmother’s will demanded she take…until she meets her teacher, Emily. Far from the elderly cat lady Annie had envisioned, Emily is sexy, blonde and completely irresistible.
Emily has never been with a woman, but Annie attracts her in a way that no one else has. Despite Emily’s initial misgivings, it doesn’t take long for their relationship to move from teacher and student to something much more than either of them expected—something that might lead to the love of a lifetime.
Emily has never been with a woman, but Annie attracts her in a way that no one else has. Despite Emily’s initial misgivings, it doesn’t take long for their relationship to move from teacher and student to something much more than either of them expected—something that might lead to the love of a lifetime.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2010
28 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Paisley Smith
23 books69 followersI’m Paisley Smith! I am a full time freelance writer and can usually be found in front of my computer either writing, chatting, promoting or plotting. It’s a glamorous life…working in one’s pajamas.
I attended college in the Deep South where I obtained a slew of totally useless degrees and developed an unrelenting sense of humor.
My books can be found at Ellora’s Cave , Loose Id, and Cleis Press!
I’m a member of Romance Writers of America.
I attended college in the Deep South where I obtained a slew of totally useless degrees and developed an unrelenting sense of humor.
My books can be found at Ellora’s Cave , Loose Id, and Cleis Press!
I’m a member of Romance Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
October 9, 2019
I missed Horror Week on Goodreads because of this author, yes I am extremely sad about it and even sadder that I can't find my crying emoji and had to ask PL to share hers. Smith is a great author, this is porn with ⅜ plot, 1OO% clitoris bank worthy. So, Ms.Smith, 3⅚ for this.
August 10, 2017
I like Paisley Smith's writing but I didn't find this to be her best work. The "Beguiled" series and "Purr" I found to be a more mature writing style and much better.
That said, this wasn't bad, either. It has a little too much of a porn vibe of jumping right to it without a better lead up...which might be strange to say for short story erotica but I guess I'd say there's more sex than romance here. The word "channel" was used a few too many times but, overall, the erotica was written well.
The cover doesn't match the leads in the book at all. This is a butch/femme coupling...and my brain keeps melding the title so I keep thinking "Bi-curious" which matches, too, since the femme in the story probably identifies that way (though that's ambiguous).
The chemistry is good between the two leads and there's just enough character development to make the growing romance believable.
On the whole, I found this to be a little better than an okay read. 3.33 stars.
That said, this wasn't bad, either. It has a little too much of a porn vibe of jumping right to it without a better lead up...which might be strange to say for short story erotica but I guess I'd say there's more sex than romance here. The word "channel" was used a few too many times but, overall, the erotica was written well.
The cover doesn't match the leads in the book at all. This is a butch/femme coupling...and my brain keeps melding the title so I keep thinking "Bi-curious" which matches, too, since the femme in the story probably identifies that way (though that's ambiguous).
The chemistry is good between the two leads and there's just enough character development to make the growing romance believable.
On the whole, I found this to be a little better than an okay read. 3.33 stars.
June 27, 2020
This was the first book of this genre that I have ever read and all I can say is WOW! I loved this short book. On one hand I am glad it was so short because I couldn't put it down and if it was longer I would have never gotten any sleep, but I also didn't want it to end. :)
January 16, 2010
Get your fans and cold showers ready ladies; Paisley Smith has done it again! This is one really hot story. Not only is this story as sexually delicious as deep fried ice cream, it’s also a beautiful love story. Somehow, Paisley Smith, as before, managed to write a well-rounded short story that from beginning to end left no gaps, lingering questions, and made me feel like these two women will only have eyes for each other forever.
Annie is a 29 year old student going for her veterinary degree. To honor her grandmother’s memory, the only family member who totally accepted her being a lesbian and loving her, she’s decided take the piano lessons her grandmother wished her to.
Annie’s dreading her first lesson and walks up to the old Victorian house thinking for sure the widow Granger is probably some old hag with a hundred cats, but finds herself lost for words and immediately smitten when she sees that her teacher is a woman not much older than herself and drop dead gorgeous.
Emily is a young widow whose husband came from a traditional, wealthy, influential family. She’s still grieving his death by cancer while trying to live up to the family name and reputation by doing all things proper. When she sees Annie for the first time, she finds herself strangely attracted to this unusual but appealing androgynous woman dressed like a man and starts to fantasize about what it would be like to be with a woman.
Over the next few weeks, at every lesson, Annie and Emily get it on in every which way possible both starting with the idea that this is just sex since Emily is not gay and Annie is taking off for school in a few weeks. What really happens is that both their hearts start to open and they have to decide to go for broke or not.
Wow, just wow. I just loved everything about this book. The first thing that got me was the atmosphere that Paisley set up in which the girls first meet. The old Victorian house in the middle of two frat houses, the ambience of old family money with a beautiful young widow. I kept picturing Emily as a Catherine Deneuve character, cool, distant, elegantly beautiful and yet vulnerably sensual. That piqued my interest straight away.
Then there’s Annie who knows what she wants, doesn’t care what people think and she dresses and looks androgynous. The contrast between the two women is very dynamic. Again, something very appealing to me.
Annie’s also a bit of a dom and an alpha. As the sexual relationship develops between her and Emily and she feels a mix of hesitancy and attraction from Emily she starts acting like this:
Brazenly, Annie’s eyes held hers as she stepped over the threshold and pushed the door closed behind her. “Take your panties off.”
[At first, Emily thought she had not heard her correctly. “Pardon me?”
“Take ’em off,” Annie said, unsmiling.
Emily swallowed thickly. She gaped.:]
“I want you to teach my lesson without any panties on,” Annie said, and blithely moved toward the piano.
Damn but that is so hot. What’s really nice about the way this book is written is that it creates an interesting power dynamic in which the women don’t go the way of being egalitarian. Clearly Annie is in control of the sexual encounters but isn’t overbearing. She acts with just the right amount of assertiveness to keep the tension and excitement up, while still being soft enough that Emily feels OK to explore. And Emily is so turned on for the first time in her life that she gets off on it, doing things she never would have thought she’d ever do, totally in awe of discovering amazing sex for the first time.
This, of course, is a story about a lesbian and a woman who’s never been with a woman before, so there are some issues that come up for the characters about their intense attraction and budding love.
I thought the development of Emily’s feelings over the weeks is so beautifully done. She questions herself, if she’s really a lesbian, and what that would mean to her and her uptight in-laws if she openly has a relationship with Annie. And there are a few instances in which her immediate reaction to going public with their relationship is fear and resistance, which I thought only natural. But she also doesn’t deny herself what she really feels and I liked that.
Even though hurt at those flinch reactions of Emily, Annie always come back with an I love you and am not leaving attitude, which wakes Emily up making her realize how much she’s loved and wanted and how deeply she loves Annie. I totally love Annie’s energy here as her desire and frustration mounts:
[“Goddammit,” Annie said and tossed her rolled-up piano book to the floor. She stalked across the carpet, hauled Emily against her and before Emily could utter a sound, Annie’s mouth claimed hers.:]
The best part of this story is that at its core, it’s a love story. Yes, it starts out with incredible sexual chemistry and the book has a fair amount of sex in it, but when the women start falling love it’s so clear and profound; I felt these two women really adore each other outside of the sexual realm.
Like the last two stories I’ve read of Paisley Smith’s, the pacing, character portrayals and general plot came together so smoothly. And of course, the sexual scenarios are so intense and juicy. For me, at this point, Paisley Smith can’t write fast enough. I want more!
Annie is a 29 year old student going for her veterinary degree. To honor her grandmother’s memory, the only family member who totally accepted her being a lesbian and loving her, she’s decided take the piano lessons her grandmother wished her to.
Annie’s dreading her first lesson and walks up to the old Victorian house thinking for sure the widow Granger is probably some old hag with a hundred cats, but finds herself lost for words and immediately smitten when she sees that her teacher is a woman not much older than herself and drop dead gorgeous.
Emily is a young widow whose husband came from a traditional, wealthy, influential family. She’s still grieving his death by cancer while trying to live up to the family name and reputation by doing all things proper. When she sees Annie for the first time, she finds herself strangely attracted to this unusual but appealing androgynous woman dressed like a man and starts to fantasize about what it would be like to be with a woman.
Over the next few weeks, at every lesson, Annie and Emily get it on in every which way possible both starting with the idea that this is just sex since Emily is not gay and Annie is taking off for school in a few weeks. What really happens is that both their hearts start to open and they have to decide to go for broke or not.
Wow, just wow. I just loved everything about this book. The first thing that got me was the atmosphere that Paisley set up in which the girls first meet. The old Victorian house in the middle of two frat houses, the ambience of old family money with a beautiful young widow. I kept picturing Emily as a Catherine Deneuve character, cool, distant, elegantly beautiful and yet vulnerably sensual. That piqued my interest straight away.
Then there’s Annie who knows what she wants, doesn’t care what people think and she dresses and looks androgynous. The contrast between the two women is very dynamic. Again, something very appealing to me.
Annie’s also a bit of a dom and an alpha. As the sexual relationship develops between her and Emily and she feels a mix of hesitancy and attraction from Emily she starts acting like this:
Brazenly, Annie’s eyes held hers as she stepped over the threshold and pushed the door closed behind her. “Take your panties off.”
[At first, Emily thought she had not heard her correctly. “Pardon me?”
“Take ’em off,” Annie said, unsmiling.
Emily swallowed thickly. She gaped.:]
“I want you to teach my lesson without any panties on,” Annie said, and blithely moved toward the piano.
Damn but that is so hot. What’s really nice about the way this book is written is that it creates an interesting power dynamic in which the women don’t go the way of being egalitarian. Clearly Annie is in control of the sexual encounters but isn’t overbearing. She acts with just the right amount of assertiveness to keep the tension and excitement up, while still being soft enough that Emily feels OK to explore. And Emily is so turned on for the first time in her life that she gets off on it, doing things she never would have thought she’d ever do, totally in awe of discovering amazing sex for the first time.
This, of course, is a story about a lesbian and a woman who’s never been with a woman before, so there are some issues that come up for the characters about their intense attraction and budding love.
I thought the development of Emily’s feelings over the weeks is so beautifully done. She questions herself, if she’s really a lesbian, and what that would mean to her and her uptight in-laws if she openly has a relationship with Annie. And there are a few instances in which her immediate reaction to going public with their relationship is fear and resistance, which I thought only natural. But she also doesn’t deny herself what she really feels and I liked that.
Even though hurt at those flinch reactions of Emily, Annie always come back with an I love you and am not leaving attitude, which wakes Emily up making her realize how much she’s loved and wanted and how deeply she loves Annie. I totally love Annie’s energy here as her desire and frustration mounts:
[“Goddammit,” Annie said and tossed her rolled-up piano book to the floor. She stalked across the carpet, hauled Emily against her and before Emily could utter a sound, Annie’s mouth claimed hers.:]
The best part of this story is that at its core, it’s a love story. Yes, it starts out with incredible sexual chemistry and the book has a fair amount of sex in it, but when the women start falling love it’s so clear and profound; I felt these two women really adore each other outside of the sexual realm.
Like the last two stories I’ve read of Paisley Smith’s, the pacing, character portrayals and general plot came together so smoothly. And of course, the sexual scenarios are so intense and juicy. For me, at this point, Paisley Smith can’t write fast enough. I want more!
December 22, 2010
Makes you want to take piano lessons.
April 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and author.
I loved the fact that there was a 'catch-Up' to this story. So glad they over came their issues and stayed together.
I loved the fact that there was a 'catch-Up' to this story. So glad they over came their issues and stayed together.
November 30, 2024
Would be a better read, had the author developed the story more, wrote a full length novel verse a short story.
February 27, 2025
A young widow who is teaching piano out of her house ends up falling for her 29 year old student. The student is super dominate and falls in love back. There’s one weird scene where the widow’s brother-in-law bursts in on them and won’t leave because he’s pissed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2012
I hated the cover at first sight, but I was also beyond curious so I decided to give it a read. Then, as I read, I realized that the cover is incredibly misleading! One of the women in the story is described as masculine and I honestly can't decide which one of the two "sex bombs" in the cover is her. The other was an older woman with class... so yeah, the cover sucks. The story itself was interesting, but a little rushed due to the length of the story, in the end, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best thing I've read either.
February 12, 2012
A widow who teaches piano lessons. A vet student whose grandmother left her a piano with instructions to take lessons. They meet and are attracted. Problems ensue when Emily, the widow, is unsure if she wants to go public with their relationship. I enjoyed Emily and Annie. Both of their POVs are told. Annie knows what she wants but Emily has to question her past and what her feelings are. Believable love scenes. Good read.
October 22, 2016
Loved this story
Being a heterosexual male I was a little apprehensive about reading this story.
Well what a surprise, being a bit of a romantic I loved it, it was tender and told in a way to make me think about the whole situation and problems of gay couples. This was told I felt in a beautiful way and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Being a heterosexual male I was a little apprehensive about reading this story.
Well what a surprise, being a bit of a romantic I loved it, it was tender and told in a way to make me think about the whole situation and problems of gay couples. This was told I felt in a beautiful way and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 28, 2019
OLDER AND YOUNGER WOMEN MAKE WONDERFUL PARTNERS 👭💖!
Emily, older partner, and Annie, younger partner, made the MOST SENSUAL, EROTIC AND INTIMATE COUPLE TOGETHER!
The SEX is MIND-BLOWING and they naturally COMPLETELY FALL IN LOVE 💘!
PAISLEY GIVES US PLENTY OF INTIMATE BEDROOM SEX AND SHOWS THEIR LOVE 💖 ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST PAGE!!!
ENJOY!
Emily, older partner, and Annie, younger partner, made the MOST SENSUAL, EROTIC AND INTIMATE COUPLE TOGETHER!
The SEX is MIND-BLOWING and they naturally COMPLETELY FALL IN LOVE 💘!
PAISLEY GIVES US PLENTY OF INTIMATE BEDROOM SEX AND SHOWS THEIR LOVE 💖 ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST PAGE!!!
ENJOY!
September 7, 2015
I thought this was going to be more romantic with sex scenes in there too but it's like 90% sex (I mean, it's hot & well written) and yet somehow they fall in love.
Maybe that's how it works, idk. It's not a bad story but I guess I like more romance with my raunchy stuff.
Maybe that's how it works, idk. It's not a bad story but I guess I like more romance with my raunchy stuff.
May 27, 2012
BEYOND CURIOUS is a quick read that doesn't feel like there's too much crammed in. The plot is strong enough, and there is plenty of sex.
October 21, 2015
Stunk
This was written by a woman? All of the sexual terms were male and degrading. Don't waste your time on this.
This was written by a woman? All of the sexual terms were male and degrading. Don't waste your time on this.
January 7, 2017
no surprises, very predictable
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews