"I am not into BDSM stories, but I have to say that I really loved this one." "I couldn't put it down and wanted more with every turn of the page." "The story quickly grabbed me and kept me turning, page after page, one blushing interlude to the next. I was somewhat shocked and deliciously inspired, much to my husband's delight." So goes just a few of the hundreds of glowing Amazon reviews for Fifty Shades of Grey, a novel that's shocked the literary world by becoming an overnight viral sensation.

Why is this story from a relatively unknown author burning up the e-book bestselling lists? Well, because it's also burning up readers' pants. Apparently there's something about this BDSM-flavored romance that's making people feel funny . . . you know, like when they climb the rope in gym class.

Fifty Shades of Grey has become a very hot topic lately, with some suggesting it's become a cult hit among mothers, who reportedly simply refer to it as 'The Book'. The Book has also been called 'Twilight for grown-ups,' despite the lack of sparkly vampires. What Fifty Shades of Grey lacks in supernatural romance, however, it more than makes up for that loss with some much-appreciated raunchiness.

The basic story is that a fabulously handsome 27-year-old billionaire named Mr. Grey seduces an equally gorgeous young graduate named Anastasia Steele, eventually enveloping her in a world of BDSM-flavored sex games. Whether women are getting turned on by the power differential, the notion of a wealthy hero, the submission fantasy, or just the idea of non-vanilla sex, Mr. Grey and Anastasia have become the most talked-about fictional characters since Bella and Edward.

In fact, the book has sold so many digital copies based on word-of-mouth recommendations, Twitter gossip, and blog coverage, publishing house Vintage Books just signed a seven-figure deal to publish all three titles (yes, of COURSE it's a trilogy).

If you're wondering which of your female friends has become devoted to this so-called "mommy porn" (what does that even MEAN? Like it's somehow laughable to enjoy erotica after having kids?) book, just take a peek at her husband's tie—reportedly, New York men's clothing stores can't keep up with the recent demand for grey ties, Mr. Grey's signature fashion accessory.

As for me, I must be moving in the wrong mommy circles, because I never heard of Fifty Shades of Grey before today. But I'm not even going to lie: I'm totally going to buy it ... in e-book version, of course, so no one can see the cover.

Go ahead, confess: have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? Does the hotness live up to the hype?

Image via Amazon