Cherished by Sara York

Cherished_cvr-2Title:  Cherished

Author: Sara York 

Genre:   Light BDSM, Contemporary Romance (warning, forced penetration, abuse)

Length:  Novel (157 pages)

Publisher:  Wilde City Press (September 18th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Explicit

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Scotty Fuller is a man who demands order. His job as a librarian gives him the solace he needs, and a BDSM club provides him with the kind of entertainment he craves. That is until a cute young college student threatens to unglue his carefully pieced-together life and rip open old wounds.

Wesley Reese is a shy college student with a problem: he’s crushing on the librarian. On a dare, he asks the handsome older man on a date, but dating Scotty requires more from Wesley than he can give. When the bondage restraints come out, Wesley knows he’s in too deep.

Will he change for love? Will he lose himself forever? Or will each man finally be… Cherished?

Product Link:  http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/cherished/#.UkYpSb4o45t

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Scotty is an accidental dominant. He lives the lifestyle because he demands respect and control, and the only place he’s ever found it is within the BDSM lifestyle. He is not cruel though, he believes in protecting the integrity of the lifestyle as well as the submissives. Wesley is an Art student that is crushing big time on Scotty. He finally approaches him and asks him out on a dare. He’s not exactly a submissive, but he would do just about anything for Scotty.

Wesley quickly breaks through nearly every barrier Scotty has built, finding his way to his heart. Scotty wages an inner battles between his heart and mind, afraid to give up the control his dominate side provides and let Wesley into his heart. The last guy he trusted betrayed him. His life has been a misery of misplaced trust and betrayal. Can he truly give himself to Wesley and not be broken, again?

Scotty and Wesley are complete opposites who could have a chance at happiness if they can find a balance of love, trust, and compromise. Each one struggles with the possibility of a relationship at different times throughout the story, and for differing reasons. Sex is never really an issue, aside from Scotty trying his damnedest to exert his control as a Dom at the start, but learning somewhere along the way, he’s just as happy to submit.

This was a very powerful read, I know that is a strong word, but it’s the only one that comes to mind at the moment. York managed to find a balance between the pain and grief inflicted upon her characters, leveling out that content with love and passion. Scotty is assured in his role as a Dom, being the caring boyfriend is new and dangerous territory for him. Wesley isn’t a virgin, but his inexperience mixed with his strong personality make it difficult for him to completely be a sub. Where do they find their balance; can they?

The violence in the story is appalling, possibly because I can see the reality in it. If you are a fan of BDSM and stories with a struggle that finds a conclusion, then this would be a book for you. There is some nasty, steamy, passionate sex peppered throughout as well. Bonus!