Member Reviews
“Auntie Blythe’s advice. “Take matters into your own hands. Understand the power of your own pleasure so no man can use it against you.”
What You’ll Find:
✔️Erotica Anthology
✔️Historical Romance
✔️Some Taboo Scenes
✔️Variety of Representation
✔️Variety of POV’s
Aphrodite In Bloom is filled with all the erotic historical romance stories and scenes you could think of. And many that I suspect you could not. There is truly something for everyone in this anthology. Each story brings it’s own flavour and level of taboo (in some cases).
While not every one was to my taste or liking, overall I enjoyed these short and steamy romance stories. I especially appreciated the theme introduction and trigger warnings prior to each short story, so if something isn’t your cup of tea- you could easily skip it. I did like the variety of representation in this anthology (although can not confirm it’s accuracy) which includes: f/f, m/m and polyamorous relationships as well as transgender and asexual characters.
I also enjoyed the feeling of female empowerment (especially when written in a historical time period) throughout many of these stories though. One of which you’ll find the above quote is from. I felt it spoke to learning your own body and taking charge of your own experiences- which you see in that story. Overall an enjoyable set of short erotic stories with something for everyone.
*Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley for my honest review. This review is given freely and all opinions are my own.
A series of steamy erotic stories that will set your e-reader on fire. I enjoy historical romance novels and these stories do not disappoint. If you like historical romance and erotica, then this combination may be just the thing you are looking for.
This was a great steamy read full or many historical novellas. I really enjoyed it but recommend not reading in public.
A very varied collection of sensual stories all from regency or historical romance. These are hot!
I must say that the cover does not match what the genre of the stories are. If someone did not know any better, they would think these are all modern romance stories and they are not.
Some of the stories are written better than others, some I scanned over because they quickly lost my interest or the writing was not that well done.
But if you are looking for some steamy reads that take place in the historical realm, then prepare to be tantalized!
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review
Aphrodite in Bloom is filled with erotic short stories and who wouldn't love that!? What I didn't know going into the book was that they are historical romance/erotic stories, which was something I haven't read before. I typically don't read a lot of historical romance book, but I really enjoyed these stories! They were quick and HOT.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a series of erotic reads. If you are looking for steamy definitely give this a shot. One thing that I did enjoy was the little brief synopsis before each story. If you do not want to read that particular story you can skip it.
Big thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for a review.
Aphrodite in Bloom is a 12 story anthology that covers a range of steamy situations in a 'Victorian' style of time. The stories contain M/F, M/M, F/F Poly, Group, Trans folx, a touch of BDSM and sex work. Each story is it's own situation and place but I believe from the same world.
There is a lot of consent and allowing people to make their own decisions.
I enjoyed that this is a collection of different relationships because in real life, these relationships are often hid or discussed lightly. Love who you love.
The only thing I wasn't a fan of was that the 'ankle' was mentioned a lot as a revealing part of a woman which, given the time these stories take place, ok, I get it. But a quick reveal of a delicate ankle quickly went into describing playing a game where 5 or more men do incredibly erotic things to MUCH more revealing parts.
Overall, I'm giving 4 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for an E-ARC of this book.
This was a collection of erotic short stories and it was definitely a lot of fun. I feel like I liked the beginning half of stories more than the second half. I liked that all the stories seemed to be set in Duke and Duchess type times, but I would have also enjoyed a few with a modern take. These stories were raunchy, steamy and generally happily ever after. I've never read a collection of stories like this, but I would definitely do it again. I love a good historical type romance with lots of steam and these all delivered. I also liked the variety of characters and love interests. This book included a lot of heterosexual relationships, but also a nice inclusion of gay, lesbian and transgender stories and relationships. Definitely NSFW and each story included content warnings as well which I thought was nice.
I should have realized what I was agreeing to before I selected this ARC. I didn't realize that this was a historical erotic short story collection. I don't read historical romance. Like ever. I’ve tried multiple times. Sometimes, when I’ve read one, I liked it, but a majority of the time I don't enjoy them. However, I found this book to be a pleasant surprise. I actually really enjoyed this anthology a lot. Which really surprised me. I thought it had a great variation, was great writing and they were the perfect length.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Each story was griping and had a satisfying conclusion. Well written, with characters that were interesting.
I loved this historical erotica anthology, there is something for everyone, from a story with a transgender female discovering her true self in historical england and finding the man who loves her for who she is to a lesbian couple finding love.
There are same sex relationships, bdsm relationships and the more traditional erotica between heterosexuals.
It is an amazing feat to create a short story that is complete, with the relationship developing naturally and not to feel rushed and the author accomplished this with each of the nine short stories.
This book is one I will definitely re-read this again, truly a great read.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book wasn’t something that I enjoyed because the stories just seemed way too long. If people enjoy longer stories, then this is perfect for them. But I don’t suggest it for people who enjoy shorter ones.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure, I can be quite picky when it comes to erotica. This anthology did not disappoint! The representation was well done in my opinion, the characters were intriguing and very three dimensional which can be hard to pull off for erotica, and the sex scenes were so well written and creative.
The icing on the cake for me was the amount of respect given to the reader. Every story is preceded by a content warning which I had never seen before, and hope is embraced by the romance and erotica genre. Honestly, bravo for that.
There was only one story I wasn't a huge fan of, and was so out of place among the rest of the anthology that I'm surprised it made it into the collection. This was also the only story for me that felt like it had any toxicity in it. Hints of stalking that was framed as being romantic, echoes of gaslighting, and a stereotypical portrayal of an LGBTQIAP+ character, made the whole section unpleasant to read despite the well done prose.
While it didn't ruin the collection for me as a whole, it is what leaves this as a 4 out of 5. Otherwise this set is perfection.
As said, the representation in this was outstanding, there is even an aromantic asexual protaginist in one of the stories which I don't recall ever seeing in erotica. Really, just great representation all around, and nothing ever felt exploitative.
There was so much female empowerment in this book that it was refreshing. Nothing ever came off as pandering or tropey or for the male gaze. This is what I expect from erotica and now the bar is so high!
The only thing I wish there was more of, is men with men couples. There is one story that features two men in a relationship as the full protagonists, and it was probably the sweetest story in the anthology and definitely my favorite.
No scene in this book felt out of place or without purpose, and nothing felt like it was trying to meet a quota or shoehorn in an experience.
Be sure to check this out for a genuine and diverse experience! It was fun to read, I hope there's more from this creator soon!
This book was very well-written and seemed to be very well thought out. I enjoyed how each chapter/section follows a different character/story/plot, as it made for a very interested and engaging read. It reminded me a great deal of "Bridgerton," as these stories seemed to be set in the same general time/place. I certainly look forward to reading these stories again!
Well, this book is tantalising for certain, it's filled with short stories for every taste (I mean it, there's everything).
It has been some time since I've read historical romance/erotica, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the setting of this stories. It's been a great entertainment for my nights the last few weeks.
Totally recommend!
What a mind blowing , sensual and satisfying novel. This novel emcompasses the very essence of erotica and aims to please a variety of audiences and their tastes. It invites you to open your mind to the countless possibilities of erotic scenarios which the reader could also take on board for their own potential bedroom antics.
I found this novel to be entertaining and quite pleasing in terms of ticking all the boxes for novels of its genre.
It certainly leads you to imagine and visualise the different scenarios which are contained within the stories written throughout this novel.
I highly recommend it.
To the author and the publisher, I commend this novel with the highest acclamation. Well done on all accounts.
Whoo! What a wonderful and diverse collection of steamy novels. Really enjoyed reading this one. Each story is supported by a great plot and has its own set of trigger warnings at the beginning, which I greatly appreciate. The stories are very interesting and I am sad they are short. I could read every story as its own book. Make sure you have a glass of water nearby because this is hot!
This was a decent one and if you are looking something steamy and short reads, this book is for you!
I think that this book had some really entertaining stories. I found some better than others, but overall a good read. If a person is looking for some smut but doesn't want to read a large book, then this is perfect for them. Plus I love books that are set in past England.
Aphrodite in Bloom is an erotic anthology with individuals with a variety of tastes and proclivities. There are twelve stories with a variety of themes to meet the fantasies of many individuals. The stories vary from a virgin receiving a special gift at a masked ball to a Duke that proposes to erase all debts of a man for one night with his wife,. This erotic anthology should have a story to meet everyone's desires. I recommend this book.