52 Fridays: A Polyamorous, Queer, Kinky, Tantric Love Story

Part episodic erotica with a focus on lesbian BDSM, part fictionalized memoir, and part polyamory guidebook, this account of a year’s worth of exploratory dates from reality TV star and tantric teacher McClure (Sex Shamans) encapsulates a plethora of fantasies within a tale of personal growth. Performance artist Raven is initially unsettled by her boyfriend Damien’s decision to break up with her to focus on his budding relationship with Violet, a jealous newcomer to polyamory. But after Violet pushes to get to know Raven better, the two of them end up in an intense, boundary-pushing relationship of their own, eventually bringing Raven’s husband, Nick; Damien; and Damien’s other girlfriend, Autumn, into the social and sexual mix as well. McClure keeps the myriad sex scenes imaginative and interesting through a focus on elaborate role-play, verbal fantasies, and ritual frameworks. Despite the larger arc, many chapters peel off easily as sexy short reads. McClure manages a good interplay between the erotic and the emotional while intertwining free love, hot sex, and spirituality with only a modest amount of self-congratulation. Erotica fans will enjoy. (Sept.)