John Boase’s eclectic collection of short, sexy stories offers something to fulfill many different appetites. Subjects range from threesomes to group sex, voyeurism, cheating wives, sex parties, BDSM and sex in public places. These stories are not about romance; there are no hearts, flowers and love letters. They are about sexual exploration and fulfillment, presented by Boase as (mostly) true accounts. To paraphrase the author, they are intended for celebration, not titillation.
Whether Boase intended it or not, however, many of the stories are titillating: frank, descriptive chronicles of fantasy-fulfilling moments. The writing is not typical of erotica but a more straightforward account of events. There is little emotion in most of the stories, so even though the sexual situations, settings and number of participants vary from story to story, there is a bit of “tab-A”-fits-into–“slot B”-and-the-players-are-satisfied sensibility that becomes repetitious.
Despite such drawbacks, the book has its high points. First is the theme of sexual freedom and fulfillment. The players are exploring their sexuality in the pursuit of pleasure, unafraid of taboos or judgment. Second, the stories feel “real,” not of perfect gods and goddesses engaging in perfect romantic encounters but of real sex between real people.
Third, there is often an undercurrent of humor. Most notable is a short section called “Believe These or Not,” a few very short stories that, though they fall in the middle of the book, can be equated to a movie’s gag reel. “The Budgie,” perhaps the least sexual of all the stories in Threesome, is positively hilarious.
Last, the author includes two lovely, lyrical sexual sonnets (so-called but much longer than the standard 14 lines), each with a different but engaging narrative.
Threesome is wholeheartedly honest and unapologetically sexy. Aside from the drawbacks mentioned, it makes for a good read for “literotica” fans who enjoy short, edgy stories that push their boundaries and capture a fantasy or two.
Also available as an ebook and audiobook.
