Okay, I am not girly, I am not swoony, I hate falling into a fad, I hate doing what everyone else is doing. And yet, I have just read the Fifty Shades Of Grey trilogy and am now doing what everyone else is doing: swooning, feeling all 'girly' about it, and God help me, fantasising I had a tortured, mecurial sex-god billionaire who'll give me my own publishing corporation, thousands of pounds worth of clothes and shoes (and I am NOT a clothes and shoes girl), the big penthouse with the cook and the staff (I want that anyway), and (cough, cough) a playroom. 
 At some point when I've got more time, I'll be writing a proper review of this trilogy, but in the meantime, if anyone has been thinking about reading it, I do recommend it. Despite all the explicit sex scenes and the BDSM element (none of which are hard-core) this is actually a series about romance, trust and unconditional love ... and of course, the 'happily ever after'. 
 I don't consider this series to be erotica, although those that don't read erotica might. No, it's not 'realistic' (although some of it could be if you were in the right position ... more coughing...) - it's Mills and Boons for the 21st Century ... but also quite different from Mills and Boons, and SO much more snazzy! It's sensual, angsty, very hot, humorous, and character driven. It's a fantastic escapist read for anyone who loves romance. 
 At the moment, I've only left a review for this first book, but having read all three, I give book one 4 stars, book two 5 stars, book three 4 stars, and the series as a whole 5 stars.