For me, given the choice between reading lesbian erotica or gay male erotica, gay male erotica wins hand down every time. Something about reading about two men falling in love (or lust) and doing the dirty deed turns me on. (It also doesn’t hurt that the covers usually depict two very nice chests. Yum).
So why the love for this genre? Is it because I am inherently attracted to men? I think that is part of it.
Lorelei James writes cowboy-themed gay male erotica—very HOT male on male action. Whew. Long Hard Ride offers a nice long cool drink of cowboy lovin’ that will seriously have you thinking about catching the next flight to Oklahoma. Even though it does have an emotional story line and a woman tossed in the mix, it works like no aphrodisiac can for me. The foreplay is also a big turn on; men touching and stroking each others' sculpted chests appeals to me because I can relate to that. (At least I could until Mr. Benson decided that since he won the girl his days of preening were over). With lesbian erotica I cannot relate to the same scene involving women.
I also enjoy men’s gay erotica because it often has a wonderful underlying theme of humor to it. Take LB Gregg, for example; in her book Dudleytown, Alex, the narrator, shares his fantasies about his roommate. His inner monologues are sharp and witty as he laments over his sexy straight roommate and that they are stranded in a haunted town—together.
My number one reason is lack of deep, dark emotional angst. Often when erotica involves a female, there is some sort of dark issue in her past that must be resolved in order for the relationship to progress. Often, the focus shifts to the issue and we spend an awfully long time working on that, and not enough time on the relationship. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t just want meaningless sex. But I also don’t want a storyline that drags me into the abyss with the heroine.
When I asked the question “Why do straight woman love gay men?” on Twitter, these were some of the responses I received:
myhouseofbooks says, “Different POV from m/f romances.”
AilsaCF says that, “reading about 2 men 'being' together is hot. I also like the adjustment one/both go through realising they like another man.”
KellyMeding offers, “Because one hot guy is awesome, but two is even better. *grin*”
smexybooks adds, “Because it's double the hairy chest.”
katiebabs suggests, “same reason men like 2 women together?”
So now you know my reasons. And that of others. You have also probably realized I’m a tad shallow. I can live with that. So tell me...what are some of your reasons for reading gay male erotica? And which are your favorites?
Tori Benson, Smexybooks and at Twitter.
