Irrestible edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel 
ISBN-10:1573447625
ISBN-13: 978-1573447621
Story Rating: 2 out of 5 paddles
Sting Factor (kink): 2 out of 5
This book is a compilation of 16 very short stories, some more erotic than others, and as expected in such an anthology, some much better than others. Since there are fewer than 200 pages in the book, it is obvious how short these pieces really are.
Because there are so many stories, I’m not going to review each separate story, but will pick out of a few that represent the whole.
The only two stories with BDSM content are Renewal by Delilah Night and The Netherlands by Justine Elyot. Renewal involves a woman who has found her husband estranged after her two children are born, and takes steps to reignite the passion in their marriage. The Netherlands is about a sub who ventures out into activities with people other than her master for the first time. The problem with both these stories, as with most of the stories in the book, is that there is no time for character development. We don’t know these people and the brevity of the works keeps us from knowing them. It is more like reading letters to one of the pornographic magazines than erotica.
There are a few exceptions. Warrior, by Kate Pearce, gives us a peak into the life of a female soldier fighting in the dessert. And The Pact, by Elizabeth Coldwell, provides much more detail about the two people involved and much less detail about their sexual activity. These are the two most “feel good” stories in the bunch.
On the other hand, Hypocrites, by Alyssa Turner is distinctly unsatisfying either in character development or sexual heat as it presents a politician’s wife’s view of her husband’s (and her) indiscretions. Six Eyes, Two Ears by Kris Adams is a bizarre tale of an African tribal leader, his wives and his lovers.
While there were some hot stories in the mix, overall, I found the book lacking in character development, in audience connection, and in plot details.
Reviewed by Karen
