BEST WOMEN'S EROTICA OF THE YEAR, VOLUME 11 - anthology

I don't know what happened, but something happened with this book! I generally use a couple of different websites to request an advanced reading copy (ARC) of a book prior to its being published. You can generally see where I get my ARCs at the end of my reviews. Having generally enjoyed the previous volume of this series, I requested, and was granted access to, this edition, Volume 11. I loaded the PDF onto my Kobo reader and as it moved up into my reading queue, gave it my time and attention.

Finished with the reading, I've gone to post my review and, as I typically do, went to Goodreads to grab the cover image to post on the review. And the book isn't there. I checked Edelweiss, the site from which I requested the book, and there's a status update: Cancelled. And a Google search indicates that the book has not been released anywhere, with one author posting on their blog: "I’ve been informed directly that the book my next story was planned to be in, Best Women’s Erotica of the Year Volume 11, is no longer set to be published." Beyond this, I've not been able to find any statement or reason given for the cancellation of the book.

However, I requested the book, with the promise to post a review and I was given a copy of the book, so I feel I still need to post my review, even though the book doesn't seem to be available and likely won't be available to the general public.

One of the things that struck me while reading this was how good the writing generally was.  I have read some self-published erotica novellas and short stories through the Kindle Unlimited program and typically found those works to be pretty poorly written - their purpose to titillate and arouse. The stories here may also titillate and arouse, but they are stories about people, first and foremost, in relationships or seeking relationships or leaving relationships, and how sex (in some form) defines what they are doing or their needs. What makes these stories fall into a 'erotica' category more than other fiction, would be the graphic language used to describe body parts and sexual congress.

This volume seemed to deal with technology and the future of sexual interactions, which I found quite topical. 

The first story that really stood out for me was Lacie Ray's "The Spa Treatment". A sexual toy shouldn't need instructions, right? But it may be well worth taking the time to read and follow the directions.

"Unveiling Desires" by Laker Faith Login (a college student from Uganda) takes a look at the future of sex as more and more people turn to the internet for help with matters that seem quite personal. But ultimately it's still the  human-to-human connection that matters.

Niska Morrow's "Yes, You May" was a well-written story. I included some kinks that I personally don't understand, but the writing was such that I really enjoyed the story.

"The Atavist" by Fifi Wren imagines a future in which people use real-life filters to alter their physical appearance and it takes a sub-culture to engage in 'filter-free' intimacy. This doesn't seem like it's very far in the future, sadly.

With all the futuristic ideas in this collection, it makes sense to end it with J. N. Zachary's "Nothing Beats the Real Thing" - another reminder of what really matters in sexual intimacy.

Overall, this was an impressive collection of short erotica - the sort of collection that actually adds legitimacy to the genre - and it's too bad that it's been cancelled.  I hope this book will become available at some future time.

This collection contains the following:

Introduction: The Future of Sex - editors Ashley Calvano and Rene Sears
"One Hundred Percent" • Gracie Ash 
"Love in the Time of Transhumanism" • Tallulah Buckfast
"Virtual Connection" • Leah Sage
"Through Your Eyes" • A.J. Harris
"A Living Fantasy" • Anne T. Thyssen 
"Anonymous Interactions Fertility Clinic" • Angeline Lush
"Shell" • Selina Shaw
"Antarctic Revelation" • Veronique Veritas
"The Spa Treatment" • Lacie Ray
"Telethesia" • M.P. Clifton
"Unveiling Desires" • Laker Faith Login
"Dear Chatbot" • Lexxsexdoc
"Yes, You May" • Niska Morrow 
"The Atavist" • Fifi Wren 
"Delicious AI" • Rian Adara 
"Numbers Game" • Christian Pan 
"Selenium" • Gwendolyn J. Bean
"Nothing Beats the Real Thing" • J.N. Zachary

Looking for a good book? Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 11 might just be the best book that you won't get a chance to read. 

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

* * * * * *

Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 11

editors: Ashley Calvano and Rene Sears 

publisher: Cleis Press 

ISBN: 9781627783408

paperback, 275 pages 

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