A distilled, potent, curated, intensely romantic relationship might not always be possible in life, but it's certainly a staple of classic and modern romantic stories. The exquisite romances in today's episode happen through love letters, physical disguise, and boyfriends for the night--or the moment. They're sexy, passionate and all about the heart's deepest desires that emerge only when love is in disguise.
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"Companionship is a big deal for a lot of people, even before the pandemic," says sex worker Chel, who offers the girlfriend experience with "nerdy girl-next-door chitchat and role-play ranging from sweet and steamy to kinky and even dark." She's featured in a fascinating recent profile by erotica writer Guy White.
Novelist and writer Suzanna Lundale tweets some of the most amazing VSS (Very Short Stories).
Movies
Steve Martin turns Roxanne into the most heartfelt, vulnerable, funny and clever story about a lovable man who believes he's unlovable.
The movie musical featuring Peter Dinklage as Cyrano is directed by Joe Wright, who directed the 2005 Pride and Prejudice I was gushing about in my previous episode.
There's a reason Shakespeare in Love won a bunch of Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
It was supposed to be all business: we know how this trope goes! The Wedding Date gets tied up a little too neatly at the end, even for a romcom, but it's charming.
The Girlfriend Experience is titillating, fascinating and terrifying. Riley Keough stars as law student & high-end escort Christine Reade in a performance you'll never forget.
The Extra Man is a quirky movie about an aging NY escort who takes a young aspiring playwright under his wing. Worth watching for the performances of Paul Dano and Kevin Kline alone.
Victor/Victoria is an original love in disguise movie, and it's a delight from beginning to end.
Easy was featured in my Sex Positivity episode — it's one of my favorite TV shows of the last 10 years.
Books
After Stella hires hot escort Michael, she not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all of the other things he's making her feel in The Kiss Quotient.
The Boyfriend Experience is sexy, smart and delicious.
Curio, the story of American ex-pat museum curator Caroly and Didier, the Parisian escort she hires, is one of my favorite romances I've read so far this year. Beautifully written and totally seductive, it has an intriguing twist before you get to the happy ever after.
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