Yes, I have been reading THAT BOOK. The one everyone is talking about. The really, really rude one.

I was in two minds whether to read it or not because I am always wary of anything which is surrounded by that much hype, and usually for good reason. However, I love to read, all kinds of books appeal to me and I wanted to be able to chat to my friends about it and have a giggle with them.
I have never heard of the author, I read somewhere that the idea for the books started after the author had read the Twilight trilogy and I have to admit that there is a similar feel about the relationship between the two main characters, the intensity of their attraction, and the fact that he is beautiful and she is too, but she feels that she is plain like Bella. No vampires though.

Ana Steele is a student who travels to Seattle to interview a wealthy businessman because her friend Kate is unwell and cannot go. The man in question is brooding, charismatic tycoon Christian Grey who seems to be intrigued by Ana even though the interview is a disaster.
So begins an unconventional courtship, a little like a game hunt with Ana as the helpless gazelle and Christian the panting Lion, all curly mane and testosterone.
Despite her misgivings, Ana finds herself drawn to this mysterious man who is so determined to possess her and make her his newest muse.
To this inexperienced young girl, Christian has a powerful pull. He showers her with expensive gifts and flies her around in his private helicopter and she fancies the pants off him. But, as with all that seems too good to be true, Mr Grey has a very, very dark side. Has Ana got the stomach for the way in which Christian likes to roll?

I won't spoil it for anyone who has been living in a cave for the last few months and hasn't read it yet, but I will say that men all over the world are probably bracing themselves for the onslaught of lust heading their way once their better halves have been exposed to this book. Some journalists are predicting a baby boom next year, resulting in so called "Shades of Grey babies".

Personally I found the quality of the writing lacking in finesse, especially some of the cringe-worthy dialogue. In this respect it really did resemble bad porn. The sexy stuff is frequent and graphic and may not be to everyone's taste but the delectable Mr Grey is intriguing and the story has enough mileage to keep you guessing. There are a further two books in the series which, after a brief scuffle in W H Smiths, I managed to get my hands on, so expect parts two and three of this review shortly.