Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin (A.K.A. Andrew Shaffer)

Title: Fifty Shames of Earl Grey: A Parody by Fanny Merkin (a.k.a. Andrew Schaffer)
Publisher: Perseus Books Group
Imprint: Da Capo Press
Genre: Parody, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Length: 226 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Young, arrogant tycoon Earl Grey seduces the naïve coed Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and staggering amounts of money, but will she be able to get past his fifty shames, including shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, bondage with handcuffs, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)? Or will his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge?

The Review:

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fannie Merkin (a.k.a. Andrew Schaffer) is an absolutely hysterical parody of the popular Fifty Shades of Grey erotic novel by E.L. James. If you are a fan of parody movies such as Hot Shots, Scary Movie, etc, then you are going to LOVE this hilarious book.

In Fifty Shames of Earl Gray, Anna Steal is the too stupid to live virgin college student who falls in love with gazillionaire business tycoon Earl Grey. Sweet talking, gorgeous, rich Earl Grey quickly sweeps our naive heroine off her feet and into his world of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick) and role playing. Bedazzled by his dashing acts of heroism (and despite his very creepy video surveillance), Anna is quickly besotted by the sadistic yet incredibly gorgeous and fabulously wealthy business magnate.

I confess. I have not read the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey but I had absolutely no problem laughing at the absurd and over the top antics of Earl and Anna. Anna’s naiveté is so eye rollingly ridiculous you cannot help but laugh uncontrollably as she falls instantly in love and lust with sparkly Earl.

Earl is the typical romance hero who comes from a suitably horrible background that he overcomes to become a ludicrously wealthy businessman. His shames range from the innocuous (shopping at Wal-Mart) to the kinky (LARPing with his craigslist pickups).

Fifty Shames of Earl Gray is a deliciously entertaining novel that I enjoyed tremendously. It is definitely not to be taken seriously, and I think that it pokes fun at more than just Fifty Shades of Grey. I have read many other romance novels that contain many of the same ingredients that Fannie Merkin (a.k.a. Andrew Schaffer) so skillfully satirizes.

If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh until you cry, then you need to pick up a copy of Fifty Shames of Earl Gray. It is a rollicking good time that you do not want to miss.