Ratings Guide (The Unabridged Version)

If you are looking for a full definition (i.e. the unabridged version) of the criteria used to give a Star and Sensuality rating to a story that's been reviewed/rated at Seductive Musings, then you're in the right place!

Star Rating Definitions

Sensuality Rating Definitions

p.s. the abridged version (i.e. the short & sweet version) of the ratings system can be found in the left side of the blog for quick reference.

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Star Ratings:

• 5 Stars:  True Love,  a passionate and enduring love...in other words I loved loved loved this book!  To get a 5 star rating it has to evoke emotion from me (i.e. makes me laugh, cry, or fall in love with the characters/story).  It is perfect in every way!  I wouldn't want to change anything about it.  A book that I could read again and again .

• 4 Stars:  In Love.  It had the potential for being a great romance.  There were elements to the story that I loved, but there was something about it...either the plot or the characters that I wish would have been slightly different.  Well worth your time and money.  A great read, but maybe not a re-read.

• 3 Stars:  In Like.  I would consider this an average romance.  Not great, but good.  Had some things that I really enjoyed, but had just as many things that didn't work for me for a variety of reasons.  Still worth your time to read, especially if part of an established series, but you may want to borrow it from a friend or your local library instead of buying.

• 2 Stars:  In Dislike  A book that received two stars for me isn't going to be that much different than a book that received one star.  There were many things that didn't work for me...almost to the point of distraction, but it had to have a few things that compelled me to finish reading the book.  If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't read it.

• 1 Star:  In Despair  I'm sorry to say that the news isn't good.  I actually cringe that the thought of giving a book one star considering the amount of time and love the author put into writing the book, but despite my despair over the rating, I feel that there is no other choice.  It just is what it is...not good.  Not good at all.  Sorry :(

• DNF:  Don't Call Me, I'll Call You.  For a variety of reasons my reading relationship with this book just didn't work out the first time around. It's not that it's over per se....we're just taking a break from each other with the option to renew at a later date.  A DNF doesn't necessarily mean a 1 or 2 star read, because the jury is still out on this one.

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Sensuality Ratings

• 1  =Shy:  A physical relationship between the hero and heroine is possibly only alluded to, but more than likely NO physical intimacies occur between the couple until after  "The End" (ie it's not in the book)

• 2 =Sweet: Will involve kisses, possibly a few love scenes, but for the most part there is nothing explicit, just sweet and romantic. It will have very few physical intimacies and most, if not all, may be behind closed doors

• 3 =Sensual:  There are several love scenes, but they are not overly graphic in either detail or language, but may be sensually intimate.  The love scenes are integral to the plot of the story and involves only a two person couple, and more than likely no kinks or toys.

• 4 =Steamy:  There are frequent and possibly explicit love scenes, in both detail and language, that are guaranteed to raise the temperature a bit...or a lot :)  These books may also involve a variety of love play including menage and toys, but nothing objectionable for a seasoned romance reader

• 5 =Erotic(a):  This book is extremely explicit and contains many graphic loves scenes.  It  may also involve sexual play that some may deem questionable.  For instance may include Menage, BDSM, toys or other kinky fetishes that some may find objectionable.  Definitely not for a novice romance reader.

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