Great anthology. Loved all three stories and each author made sure we got a lot of spice with the romance. I actually like these authors and tend to read whatever each has written. Even though Renee' Roman writes under the pseudonym of Piper James she's still an author I would read on the regular. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and I look forward to what's next from these authors.

3 separate spicy stories, each slightly different and all actually quite enjoyable. I took a risk with this one as I am not usually the biggest fan of smut/heavily spicy books but this was actually pretty good!

Overall Rating
Story:📖📖📖📖
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

So, obviously since this is a culmination of stories I’m going to rate each of the stories individually and write a review for all three. So, here goes.

Passionate Pursuance By: Ronica Black
Story: 📖📖
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Alright, this one was okay. Now, don’t get me wrong there were moments where the dialogue was a bit much or just got to be a bit cringy but the spice of the scenes made up for it. I will say if the dialogue in some of those scenes were shortened I’d definitely rate this one higher.

If you’re looking for a sexy cat and mouse chase it’s a fun read.

Redemption By: Renee Roman
Story:📖📖📖📖
Spice:🌶️🌶️

I think everyone can relate to Dee and Max’s story. When it comes to Dee’s insecurities about her body I think everyone has been in that position where we don’t quite love ourselves as much as we could. And with Max, trying your best to fight for your love and win back your partner. When you can put yourself in the place of these characters it makes the story all the more captivating because you feel with and for them. While there is spice there isn’t quite as much as there was in Passionate Pursuance. But I enjoyed this one just a bit more.

Exclusive Content By: Piper Jordan
Story: 📖📖📖📖
Spice: 🍓🍓🍓

Lols. Is all I can say. I think I’m going to steal a few tips and tricks from Lauren in this savvy little tale. This one was definitely fun. Unsuspecting and quite sexy.

I loved learning more about the masquerade itself and all the other activations Elizabeth offered during Decadence. Addison, our FMC, did a great job of waltzing us throughout the mansion.

Now I’m trying by to be fair with this rating since I’m essentially reviewing three different books. I did enjoy the stories so I’m averaging out my rating as best I can but all in all it’s a win!

OH! And yes I totally agree with some of the other reviewers should DEFINITELY have a standalone book for Ms. Elizabeth Hathaway.

I’m not really a fan of short stories but these three stories are worth checking out. All three stories take place at an invitation only masquerade party called Decadence. Decadence is a much talked about event and receiving an invitation to this party is sure to bring you an evening you won’t forget or regret. Of the three, my favorite is the last story, since this has a special character that has an appearance in the other two stories. I liked how all characters met (the first two stories had connections outside the event), interacted with others and each other and spent their masked evening. The steamy scenes are detailed and leaves you wanting more.. Many thanks to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

This is 3 separate stories about a masquerade ball and the spice is unmatched! This was so good and so exciting! The short stories were so quick to read but so enjoyable too! It started off with a bang and there was no slow intro to the stories. Very good and very spicy!!

Three short stories. Each following a woman and her attendance at Decadence. A masquerade ball where women if all shapes & sizes are celebrated. A party to end all parties. We follow each woman and her experience at the party. I will say I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters. The only story I actually enjoyed was the first one. The second was okay, but not my cup of tea. The third I couldn't even get into the begining. I am not saying these stories were written poorly. They just were not for me. I can't pinpoint what it was about the stories that made me dislike it tho. I can't even say I disliked it. I just wasn't in to it. The spice is definitely there. I think for me it was just the overall theme of the book. 🤷‍♀️

I did receive a copy of this book as an ARC from netgalley in exchange for my review.

This is a very hot and steamy erotic book with 3 different but interlinked stories in "the masquerade ". Although these are short stories they are great developed and made me questioned if I would be capable of ever going to a party like this, do they even exist in real life?

My only issue with this type of books is that each instalment finishes when you start to know the characters.

I only was familiar with Ronica Black so looking forward to read more from the other 2 authors

Decadence
Ronica Black
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy. My reviews are my unbiased opinion.
This book is composed of three short stories.
Decadence is a Masquerade Ball in Las Vegas. This isn’t your normal ball; it is by invitation only.
Passionate Pursuance, written by Ronica Black:
Emory Bennet is in Las Vegas for some much-needed relaxation and to meet Cadence. He and the sexy woman have been talking online. Cadence invites Emory to Decadence.
Redemption, written by Renee Roman:
Max Woodbury and Dee Talson were in a relationship which ended badly. She wants Dee back in her life. With help Max surprises Dee at Decadence.
Exclusive Content, written by Piper Jordan.
Addison Miller receives an invitation to Decadence; she wants to interview Elizabeth Hathaway, the socialite that sponsors the ball. Addison learns the story behind to ball as she discovers more about Elizabeth.
Often erotic books feel like sex is the focus of the book and nothing else is important. The authors in Decadence took this project seriously and did a superb job writing the book and fleshing out the characters. The plots are hot. Decadence is a sexy place for Cadence and Emory to meet. Decadence is the perfect location for Max and Dee to work things out. My favorite short story in this book was the first one but all three work well together. Hot, steamy, fun short stories, who could want more.

It’s not a secret that I like my spice. Reading it as much as writing it. The hotter the better. So when I saw this new anthology from Bold Strokes on NetGalley, I was READY. Decadence – as the title would suggest – is a smouldering hot read. There’s something for everyone. Sex acts you know and love – and a few you might have never imagined possible.

Decadence is a night of erotic adventure for sapphic women. This invitation-only Masquerade Ball is carefully curated by Elizabeth Hathaway, an enigmatic socialite with a knack for bringing women together.

Back in ye olde fanfiction days we’d tag our smut as “lemons”, or – less euphemistically – PWP (porn without plot). And while Decadence rates pretty high on the citrus scale, perhaps even achieving a rare grapefruit rating, there is definitely a plot here. Each of the three stories works well as a standalone. And, befitting of a sex party, they’re all interconnected. Decadence is a compelling anthology in more ways than one.

In Ronica Black’s story, Passionate Pursuance, overworked cop Emory is keen to unwind with her gorgeous new girlfriend. She and Cadence met online, and this weekend will be their first time together, so Emory wants to make it special. With Elizabeth’s help she plans a series of sexual adventures for Cadence. With every one comes a clue to help Cadence find her lady in the masquerade. And the clues aren’t the only things coming, if you catch my drift.

Fittingly, Redemption – the second story in the collection – is the second chance romance by Renee Roman. Max Woodbury has deep regrets about how her last relationship ended. She’s still head-over-heels in love with Dee Talson. But Dee won’t answer Max’s messages or take her calls because, thanks to an awful misunderstanding, she’s certain Max cheated. Dee blames herself for Max’s perceived affair – but the adventure of Decadence builds her confidence, and gives Max an opportunity to prove herself.

Along the way we pick up more details about the mysterious Elizabeth. But it’s journalist Addison Miller who gets to the bottom of things in Exclusive Content, by Piper Jordan. Addison makes the most of her invitation to Decadence in more ways than one, interviewing Elizabeth while she’s there. But there’s so much more to the mysterious host than meets the eye.

And Decadence is a fun read. Bold Strokes have brought together an exciting range of authors, and they’ve collaborated to create something truly unique. These stories are intensely sexy, emotionally engaging, and properly exciting. Plus, there’s an air of mystery and suspense to Decadence which elevates all the feelings it evokes. If you’re into sapphic erotica, this is well worth reading.

However, there are a few moments of cringe which may douse readers’ libidos. For example:

“Cadence could feel the firm dildo stroking her insides like a sword of fire.”
– Ronica Black, Passionate Pursuance

Um… leaving aside the question of which woman on earth could possibly dream of being penetrated by a sword, vaginal burning is actually a symptom of sexually transmitted infection. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea, to be specific. Which isn’t a particularly sexy thought. When choosing similes during sex scenes, those connotations are best avoided.

Then there’s the purple prose.

“Her orgasm closed on her like a runaway locomotive. Redemption kept slowly fucking her holes and using her talented mouth while wave after wave coursed through her, leaving her powerless to do anything but sink into the sensation. The screams she spewed were deep, sorrow-drenched sounds, coming from the part of her brain that was barely functioning.”
– Renee Roman, Redemption

The emotion of this scene is cancelled out by the melodrama of the descriptions. Also, again, nobody really wants to think about “spewing” during sexy time. That image is not hot. Neither is “fucking her holes.” The language choices are at times questionable. But let’s be real, nobody is picking this book up in the pursuit of literature. And it fully delivers on the quality spice!

Plus, the characterisation is consistently fascinating. I spent the entire book wanting to know more about Elizabeth, who is an incredibly alluring presence. And Dee’s insecurities, after she believes Max cheated and begins to blame herself… that vulnerability made me feel incredibly protective towards her. It’s impossible not to get swept up in these stories.

I'll admit I was skeptical about 3 different stories about the same event - so often those become very repetitive. But each of these stories could easily stand alone on its own! They were short but still full of detail and well written with a plot all their own. This was a great read.

Three lesbian erotic stories set in the same universe. The writing isn't great but the stories are steamy. Finished for the steam, not the writing.

Definitely decadent and definitely hot! I loved the story of the masquerade ball but all the stories lacked a bit of depth for me, tantalising hints of a back story but just not enough.

Short story compilations run the risk of being generally variable in terms of the quality of their stories. But in this case, for me, the three stories have been of the same level, although all three are not very interesting. Not for reasons of prudishness on my part, I knew what I was going to find, but none of the three stories have surprised me, nor have they particularly stimulated me, they have left me quite indifferent. So overall, without going into details, it hasn't lived up to my expectations at all.

I hope others can find here what I couldn't.

This was a nice summer read. The subject matter was intriguing and the sex club setting which was the common theme running through the three stories had been depicted well throughout. The first story was the least interesting one for me, with the second one being a bit more engaging and the last one being the most enjoyable. Will recommend to erotica readers.

This was my first novel in this genre and I was not disappointed. Whilst not a long read it was certainly spicy. I liked the characters and that there were several storylines around one event. I would read this author again..
Thanks to Bold stroke books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting stories.

I'm not really into short stories, so I tend to avoid them. But, the cover and blurb captured my attention.
The book, to my surprise, was really good! And steamy 😉

What can I say?.. Lots of sparks, lots of sex

I'm not going to go into detail about what each short story is about because in all honesty, you should just read them and make your own decision on which one you like the most.

One thing I would like to say to the authors. Please write a novel with Elizabeth Hathaway as the main character! I need to know more.

3.6 out 5

Three interesting erotic novellas, all with descriptive sex scenes. My favorite of the three was Exclusive Content by Piper Jordan. It had more of a story and a mystery element that kept my attention to the end. Passionate Pursuance by Ronica Black was good as well. I, unfortunately, couldn’t get into Redemption by Renee Roman, and I abandoned it about halfway through. The sex scenes in Exclusive Content and Passionate Pursuance ran too long for my taste. They started out great, but toward the end, it felt like a chore to get through them. A special thanks to Bold Strokes Books for access to an advance copy of Decadence.

It's a nice trio of steamy short stories. Some of it drags on a bit but generally speaking it's pretty good.

This book is three passionate, steamy, erotic short stories. “Passionate Pursuance” by Ronica Black, “Redemption” by Renee Roman and “Exclusive Content” by Piper Jordan.

They are set in Decadence, Las Vegas's most exclusive and tantalizing invitation-only Masquerade Ball. It was intriguing to see how the setting and how they'd all play out together. I thought it was very well executed. I also think that this helped with the flow of the book, rather then it just cutting off into three abrupt endings of each story.

Anyone seeking a quick, steamy read will find themselves immersed in the delicious world of Decadence. With its blend of stimulating encounters and engaging plotlines, it engages the sensual and gives the reader a fun experience that it definitely lives up to and leaving the reader absolutely longing for more.

These books tell three different erotic stories which are not my usual read but turned out to be quite intriguing and entertaining. I recommend. 4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bold strokes Books for this ARC copy.