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The Effing List

Book 15 in the series:Masters of the Shadowlands

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'The Effing List' in the 'Masters of the Shadowlands' series by Cherise Sinclair follows the story of Valerie, a woman who decides to leave her husband and start a new life after realizing their desires are not aligned. She meets Ghost, a retired Special Forces Colonel and a dominant Master at Shadowlands, who helps her navigate through her past and find happiness. The book intertwines their developing relationship with scenes of other characters' lives, updates on the Shadowlands club, and the challenges faced by the original club members as they try to fix the disarray in the club.

The writing style in 'The Effing List' is engaging and immersive, with a focus on character development and emotional depth. The plot delves into themes of self-discovery, overcoming past traumas, and finding love and acceptance in unexpected places. The author, Cherise Sinclair, weaves a story that not only explores the dynamics of BDSM relationships but also highlights the importance of communication, support, and growth in both personal and romantic relationships.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, showcasing personal growth and deep connections, with a focus on an older couple navigating life's challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by a blend of humor, action, and emotional insight, creating an engaging narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The story focuses on the evolving relationship between a retired colonel and a divorced professor, set against the backdrop of a BDSM community, highlighting personal growth and connections.

Setting:

The setting is centered around a BDSM club and a college, emphasizing community dynamics and personal relationships.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady, allowing for character exploration, though some feel side plots may slow down the main storyline.

Notes:

The Effing List is the fifteenth book in Cherise Sinclair's popular Masters of the Shadowlands series.
The main characters are Ghost, a retired Special Forces Colonel and BDSM master, and Valerie, a recently divorced professor.
Valerie is in her 50s and has two adult children and a grandchild.
Ghost helps Valerie regain her confidence after her difficult divorce.
The story explores themes of personal growth and the characters' struggles with their pasts.
The novel features both BDSM elements and a focus on the emotional development of mature characters.
The Shadowlands club is facing challenges due to a temporary manager and the absence of its original masters.
Valerie has to navigate her relationship with her ex-husband and children while finding happiness with Ghost.
This book highlights the importance of female friendships and support among characters in the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include references to divorce, emotional blackmail, and themes of past trauma.

Has Romance?

The novel contains a significant amount of romantic elements and development between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

I love that I can dive into a Masters of The Shadowlands book and get lost and come out feeling warm, safe, and floaty. Just like being in "sub space". Marie's Tempting Reads

Let's liven up our marriage. It'll be fun.

Then her husband brought two slaves into the house.

And that was the end of that.

Divorce achieved, Valerie is working on her goals.

Friends: has a new one. Fitness: little muscles! Finances: in the black.

Friskiness? Total. Effing. Fail.

So she attends the notorious Shadowlands club's open house. There, a sadistic Dom-a fellow professor-teaches her that she loves pain with her pleasure. He wants to show her more.

Despite the razor edges of his hard face and the authority in his every word, he's careful and caring. He listens, and how tempting is that?

But she knows better. Her heart is off-limits.

Retired Special Forces colonel, Ghost has been a widower for long enough.

Although he's ready to love again, the generous, caring woman he desires has scars from her past. However, he has hard-won skills, enough to show Valerie there can be a new F on her list-fulfillment.

Life looks good. Until his past surfaces, shattering his new life and the love he'd hoped to win.

-

If you haven't read this series, you're missing out. Sinclair writes the best Doms. Period.

Under the Covers Book Blog

Ratings (1)

Loved It (1)

Reader Stats (3):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (1)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
2 weeks

+ returning to these characters’ lives, in and out of the club

+ everyone is present at some point throughout (this making it the worst place to start the series)

+ H/h are middle-aged, h just turned 50

+ H with prosthetic yet without “I’m less than” issues to be overcome

+ babies!

+ paving the road for Saxon’s story next - yes?

+/- is it possible for two people to just be TOO perfect for each other??

- super vigilant, psychic-like Z let the club be managed by that guy? Really? Nah, doesn’t fit, at all (my biggest negative of the bunch; We know Z pretty well at this point in the series and this wasn’t him — at all)

- villains were so OTT, almost to the point of ridiculous

- quick resolution to problem that took up a lot of the story

Because of my first positive (+) and my YIPEE! response upon discovering, by happenstance, Ms. Sinclair had released another MoS installment, I’m going with 4-stars. Although, I’ve no doubt many of the fans of this series may share most, if not all of my negatives (-) and rate lower.

Still, if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy all the “we are family” (ya gotta sing it for the full effect) moments throughout. Even when they pull ya away from the H/h at times.

 
 
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