Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 35 votes)
5 stars
14(40%)
4 stars
12(34%)
3 stars
9(26%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
35 reviews
July 15,2025
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July 15,2025
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***ARC provided by Netgalley for a fair & unbiased review***


Although I have recently developed a deep affection for the writing of Tobsha Learner, this latest collection of erotic naughtiness failed to hold my attention. Don't misunderstand me; there are numerous erotic elements present. However, there is very little passion. The sex scenes came across as cold and rather matter-of-fact. Despite this, overall, this book was still decent. It had its moments, but it didn't quite reach the level that I had expected based on my previous experiences with Learner's work. I found myself skimming through some of the passages, which is not something I usually do when reading a book that truly engages me. I appreciate the effort that went into creating this compilation, but for me, it just didn't hit the mark.


Giving this one: 2.75 stars.
July 15,2025
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Ok, I didn't have an extreme reaction to it. I didn't love it, nor did I hate it. I'm more of a fan of Sharon Page, Noelle Mack, and Joey W. Hill. I prefer stories that are a bit more in-your-face, the kind that make your blood run hot. When I saw the cover of Quiver (I have the one with two beautiful naked women on it, one in water and one half out), it was very appealing!! So, of course, I decided to give this book a try. Well, as I said, I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. It was very matter-of-fact. Some of the stories had good story lines and could have been developed into full-length books quite nicely. However, others felt like I was reading a sex textbook. This was my first book by Tobsha Learner. Even though it wasn't my favorite book in the world, it was definitely good enough for me to give another one a try.

July 15,2025
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First published in 1998, Tobsha Learner’s Quiver has endured over the nearly twenty years since, attaining the status of a modern erotic classic.

This collection, comprising a dozen exquisitely crafted short stories, flawlessly encapsulates the notion that prior to narrating an outstanding tale about sex, one must first tell an extraordinary story about people.

It is the characters who truly render these stories unforgettable. Take, for instance, the frustrated artist in Man of Sighs, the disaffected porn star in Peel, and the publicly cuckolded symphony conductor with insomnia in Doubt – just to name a few.

The writing is resplendent, multi-layered, and at times disconcerting, yet almost always inspired and undoubtedly inspiring.

Learner's ability to create complex and engaging characters within the context of erotic narratives is a testament to her literary prowess.

Each story in Quiver invites readers to explore the depths of human desire, longing, and the often-tumultuous relationships that result.

Whether it's the emotional turmoil of the characters or the vivid descriptions of their encounters, Learner's prose draws readers in and keeps them captivated from beginning to end.

Overall, Quiver is a remarkable collection that offers both entertainment and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
July 15,2025
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It's not very well written and I found it hard to take most of the stories seriously. The language seems rather simplistic and lacks the depth and sophistication that would engage me on a deeper level. The plotlines also appear to be somewhat predictable, making it difficult to stay interested. Additionally, the characters are not well-developed, lacking in complexity and individuality. As a result, I struggle to form an emotional connection with them. While there may be some redeeming qualities, overall, the writing fails to capture my attention and hold my interest. It seems as though more effort could have been put into the writing process to create a more engaging and enjoyable piece.

July 15,2025
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ARC from NetGalley for honest review


1 Out of 5 STARS with a DNF label


Lawdy, where do I begin? Right from the start, I felt as if I was reading a report about the two characters. It was very cut and dry, lacking any emotion. Even the sex scenes were extremely... mechanical. It was like following a set of steps:


Step 1: Put hand here


Step 2: Now put it there


Step 3: Orgasm


Step 4: The next day


I understand that this is a collection of short stories and not a full-length book, so there would be very limited character development. However, some effort spent on humanizing these people would have been great. As it was, everything felt so robotic. Additionally, I have never been a fan of the "probed" terminology when discussing sex. At one point in a story, the female says she felt the clit of the girl behind her touch her back when it became erect. Uh, are you sure it was a girl? Because that's quite something.


I had high hopes for this collection, but sadly, it just didn't do it for me. **Giggle Snort** No pun intended.

July 15,2025
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How do you even review something like this? It's a real conundrum. Do you base it on Literary Merit (1 star) or Erotic Potential (3 to 4 stars)? I had high hopes that this would be a more intelligent take than the erotica being mass produced these days.



And in some ways, it is. Learner's erotic tales (of which there are twelve) are also strangely clinical. In an attempt to intellectualize sex, some of the sex scenes lack that certain je ne sais quoi that makes them truly sexy. It's all very matter-of-fact: he put his penis here, and she moaned, and they did that. The tales are most definitely not cookie-cutter, and I dare say the subject matter won't be to everyone's taste. We have a woman tied to a dentist's chair, a M/F/F/F scene involving popsicles, sex as revenge, and more.



Bottom line: There's some really strange stuff in here. But in a way, it's refreshing that this book doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's not masquerading as literature or even romance. It's just a collection of smutty short stories. And that's okay.



P.S. Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a free galley of this book and broadening my reading horizons!
July 15,2025
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I found myself completely unable to finish this book in a proper manner. Instead, I resorted to skimming through large portions of it.


This book really should have had a subtitle like "Artsy people who are both insane and have a penchant for a lot of sex."


The characters within the story are nothing but strange, empty collections of extreme idiosyncrasies. The writing style is truly irritating. There are frequent faulty logistical details that, in my opinion, an editor should have easily caught. These details annoyed me to no end. For instance, the description of a character spreading her legs and then pulling off her jeans. What kind of ridiculously loose "elephant-pant" jeans could this person have been wearing?


Basically, I have no intention of picking up another work by Learner. The novel I read by her was equally disappointing to me, and this experience has left me with a rather negative impression of her writing.

July 15,2025
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This was truly a real pleasure to read.

I found each and every one of the stories within it to be extremely exciting. In fact, I am currently reading it for the second time.

The author has done an excellent job of providing great detail throughout the book, which really keeps your interest piqued from start to finish.

This is definitely one of the hottest and most erotic books that I have read to date.

I am already bragging about this wonderful find to all of my friends, eager to share the excitement and pleasure that I have experienced while reading it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thrilling and steamy read that will leave them breathless.
July 15,2025
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The writing in this piece was extremely distant and clinical.

To me, everything seemed to be like the scene-setting notes in a play. It simply described the attributes and actions without any emotional investment or narrative depth.

Virtually no dialogue was present to give the characters more depth than what the point-of-view character observed.

I'm certain that this sort of writing might work well for some people, but it was definitely not to my taste at all.

It lacked the warmth, the human connection, and the engaging storytelling that I typically look for in a piece of writing.

Perhaps if there had been more dialogue, more exploration of the characters' inner thoughts and feelings, it would have been a more enjoyable read for me.

As it stands, however, it felt cold and impersonal, like I was observing a sterile scene from a distance rather than being drawn into a rich and vibrant story.

July 15,2025
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What was that?

Why did I bother?

I just could not get through this one.

It was a mystery that eluded my understanding.

Every attempt I made seemed to be in vain.

I found myself constantly hitting a wall.

Perhaps it was too difficult for me.

Or maybe I was just not approaching it the right way.

But whatever the reason, I was left feeling frustrated and defeated.

I couldn't help but wonder if it was even worth continuing.

Was there any point in bothering with something that seemed so insurmountable?

These thoughts swirled around in my mind, making it hard for me to focus.

Yet, deep down, there was still a glimmer of hope that I might somehow find a way.

Maybe with more time and effort, I could overcome this obstacle.

Only time would tell.

July 15,2025
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A number of interesting interconnected stories were presented, and among them, the one that really caught my fancy was "Ice Cream".

This particular story had a unique charm. It began with a hot summer day when a young child was longing for a delicious ice cream. The description of the scorching sun and the child's anticipation made the scene come alive in my mind.

As the story unfolded, the child embarked on a little adventure to find the perfect ice cream. Along the way, there were various encounters and obstacles that added excitement and depth to the narrative.

The author's use of vivid language and detailed descriptions made it easy for me to picture every moment. By the end of the story, when the child finally got that much-desired ice cream and took a big, satisfying lick, I couldn't help but smile. "Ice Cream" was truly a delightful and engaging story that left a lasting impression on me.
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