Review: If Only by Cherise Sinclair

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

If Only

Book Info

Released: November 5, 2013
Series: Masters of the Shadowlands #8
Pages: 543

Whenever a reader asks for a BDSM recommendation, I respond with only one name: Cherise Sinclair. In her books, you will find devastatingly alluring characters, raw emotion, intense suspense and a story that will keep you locked in its sinful embrace. IF ONLY is one of my favourite reads this year. ~ Under the Covers

I feel like I’ve waited years for Sally and the Feds’ book but trust me when I say the wait is worth it! There was a lot of anticipation, nervousness and excitement as I jumped headlong into this book. Writing a long series and having all the characters interact with one another makes readers very, very eager. The author has built a family and readers have come to expect certain things from the characters. But as I read the opening scene of this book, a sense of familiarity and comfort returned as I remembered why I adore this series so much.

Sally has always had that spitfire attitude, that spark that a lot of the other submissive don’t show off much. Her book has that spark. There are pranks thrown at the Mistress Anne and the Feds, there are the snarky comebacks, there is her wit, and the overall sense of vibrancy that Sally’s character brings to the story. Because of that, I think this book is one of my favorites in the series. I laughed out loud, I grinned like a fool, I cursed and I teared up as well. Sinclair strikes the perfect balance of vulnerability/insecurity and sassiness in Sally’s character that it just made me love her more.

Furthermore, the sex slavery theme isn’t new in this series. But what is interesting is the way Sinclair puts Sally in the action. As a smart hacker, Sally has all the tools right at her fingertips and she uses it to her advantage when she obtains information that can save several women from being kidnapped. I have to give a hand to Sinclair for coming up with that. It’s a smart, effective tactic that makes Sally’s character shine.

The Feds are two of the toughest and the scariest Doms in the Shadowlands. Just reading about them made me nervous, but honest to God, I didn’t expect them to be so sweet either! As Sinclair builds this romance from the ground up, she has a very hard task on her hands. Two men – Doms, I may add (That’s not very common) and a sassy submissive. That doesn’t always work, but Sinclair makes it so that readers are invested in the story and the characters.

Both Vance and Galen have their own issues to overcome. It makes this book long, but one of the things I love about Sinclair’s writing is that she gives her characters wonderful internal conflict and WORKS IT OUT. She doesn’t rush that process and in the end, you can definitely feel that the character has worked out their problems, as well as fallen deeply in love. As a result, IF ONLY is a beautifully written story of overcoming guilt.

But wait! There’s more! Sinclair brings in the whole crew and some MAJOR advancements are detailed in this book. Loyal fans have A LOT to be happy about. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to get there. Sinclair showcases some of the ups and downs of past characters. Some of their stories broke my heart, but I feel like it’s worth it in the end.

If you’re a fan, then you already know this, but Sinclair can come up with some crazy interesting ways to have sex! She’ll push you in this one, as you’ll find out and some little tricks are just plain hilarious (the music make-up sex scene comes to mind). 

IF ONLY surpassed my expectations with blinding colors. It’s uncommon to find an author so consistently good at what she writes. Whenever a reader asks for a BDSM recommendation, I respond with only one name: Cherise Sinclair. In her books, you will find devastatingly alluring characters, raw emotion, intense suspense and a story that will keep you locked in its sinful embrace. IF ONLY is one of my favourite reads this year.

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Annie

Blogger/Reviewer at Under the Covers Book Blog

I’m an obsessive makeup junkie and a compulsive reader. I like to call Under the Covers Book Blog my stomping ground, but when I’m not talking about books with my girls, I write New Adult Dystopian and Contemporary Romance under the pen name Ana Jolene (http://www.anajolene.com). I also work as a virtual assistant for authors. You also can find me as a reviewer and columnist for FreshFiction.com.

When it comes to books I’m pretty adventurous. I read everything from Paranormal Romance to Urban Fantasy, New Adult, BDSM, LGBT fiction, Cozy Mysteries and even YA. If it’s got the littlest trace of romance in it, then I’ll probably read it. That being said, my all-time favorite authors are J.R. Ward and Karen Marie Moning.

When I’m not submerged in a good book, you can find me musing about makeup and planners or dreaming about Kpop boys and beaches. Until then, check out my reviews and let’s talk books!

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