Where the Devil Don't Go

by Onley James

Sam is known by many names: Samiel, Samyaza...Lucifer. But Sam isn’t the devil. He’s simply a demon, attempting to earn peace by slaughtering the demonic offspring he created.

It’s in slaying one of those offspring that Sam finds Christopher, who’s been enslaved for so long he’s forgotten how to be human. He doesn’t look human, not anymore, not after the barbaric things he’s endured at the hands of his captor. But even then, Christopher never suspected his master was anything but a normal mortal man.

When Sam’s mission puts him in Christopher’s path, Christopher isn’t horrified by the literal demon before him—not even when Sam tells him he has to die. Instead, intrigued by Sam, Christopher offers his body in exchange for his life. An offer Sam finds himself accepting.

Their joining is an abomination. Humans and monsters aren’t meant to mate. But together, they work. Sam feeds on others’ pain, and Christopher needs to hurt to get off. They’re a perfect match made in hell…until Sam is left with only one name between him and the death he’s craved for millennia. Now, he has a decision to make. Stay and start a war…

Or finish what he started and leave Christopher alone in a world that’s forgotten him.


Where the Devil Don't Go is a compilation of chapters originally released in serial format and is complete at 70,000 words with a HEA and no cliffhangers. Where the Devil Don't Go is a scorching hot paranormal read featuring a lost and damaged boy looking to serve and a smoking hot demon more than willing to spend his last days giving them both what they want.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, BDSM, LGBT, Demons

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2022

About the author

Onley James lives in North Carolina with her daughter, her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and a menagerie of animals, both good and evil. James splits her time between writing m/m romance and mainlining dangerous levels of caffeine and attempting to maintain her ever-slipping sanity.

When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do while avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television and doom scrolling on social media. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.

Stay up to date: www.onleyjames.com/newsletter

Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onley...

Want more: linktr.ee/OnleyJames

Reviews

[len ❀ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book taught me that apparently you can stretch the anus up to 7 inches. i didn’t know this, so obviously i had to look up if this was true and came across this article comparing it to fitting two raccoons up your ass...


how two of those creatures would fit up there, i don't know.

[Nark · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf @ 60ish %.
the only thing not boring in this book was the smut.
also... why in the fresh hell would you ever call a demon SAM of all names.💀 moving on...

[⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ cal · Rating 1 out of 5]

the sex is hot but the story's not. hate how this story was marketed as a demonic paranormal romance but at the end of the day nothing in here felt... demonic to me. i need more demon shit. i need more lore. i feel like onley james should maybe take a break from writing for quite a while, to do some stretching, to go out for a nature walk.... and to fucking think on what they can offer to their readers. because this thing? lackluster and unimaginative. the year is 2022 and boring authors like this one is still getting away with it. if, however, they chose to completely switch to full blown erotica, i would be all over it. the hot sex was the only thing that kept me going in this book. imagine bedding the lucifer of all things.... and you call him sam. girl shut the fucccckkk up. these high ratings are tripping me up. you guys are wild i fucking swear.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The smut I needed today!
The scenes are so steamy and there is a daddy involved 🔥🔥🔥
Moreover there is a whole plot full of sexy demons and action.

[D.L. Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

It took me a while but I finally figured out what this reminds me of. The Cat and Bones series by Jeaniene Frost. So many colorful characters and darkness laced with humor. Not to mention all the steam I adore. Love it!

There were some issues that no doubt stem from it originally being a serial book that the author released in chapters. A few in depth scenes were repeated almost verbatim. It also seems when she writes bdsm a lot of the same words are used repeatedly.

Otherwise this is the kind of story I love. It made me laugh, it made me cry. I was head over heels for both Christopher and Sam, plus the addition of the other demons, Lily and Kezial. In fact I would’ve liked a lot more of Sariel and his daughters, they were too cute.

Don’t even get started on the punishing steam, holy fucking smokes! It was the best thing about this book which is good because there was a lot. But I never grew tired of it, I was always salivating for more.

Plus the emotional growth of both characters was beautiful to envision. From Christopher breaking out of his shell to Sam becoming more and more attached to the house plant, i.e. the human.

Overall this was everything I want in a PNR. I’ll always be down in Ms. James would like to give me another.

[Enay QueerBooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swoon /5 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Angst /5 🥺🥺🥺🥺
Steam /5 ♨️♨️♨️♨️♨️
Plot /5 🧐🧐🧐🧐
LOLs /5 🤭🤭

Thoroughly enjoyed it, and I don’t usually read monsters/demons fantasy. Lots of super-steamy scenes between demon dominant Daddy Sam, and submissive, pain & praise-kink-loving human Christopher. The angst in the plot, around the deepening connection between them despite the impossible prospect of a future, is more heartache than anticipated, and I was all in for it. To see the HEA, when both of them had tough lives, was great, and balanced the erotica with more romance.

Check out & follow me on my Instagram, Facebook and Bookbub pages, all of the same name!

[Miriah · Rating 1 out of 5]

What the fuck is this 😅

[Lindsay]

dnf @27%

Not enough demon vibes. Pure erotica. --- all of which can be a good thing but I am not into daddy kink and that just took me out of the story. I love a good Dom/sub dynamic but calling someone daddy just makes it weird for me.

BUT I think this book could definitely appeal to other people and I am not looking to write off Onley James as an author I still want to try.

[Iman (hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was fantasy romance but I got straight up bdsm erotica. No complains about that.

I have other complains though: how is this so fucking BORING? the connection between characters weren’t there and there were certain conversations feels so off I hated that. The plot was also disappointing. It felt stucked. And where’s the big bad demon I was promised? Sam is just a soft “daddy” acting like a stupid bitch who’s confused about everything related to humans. UGH! Nothing angsty and nerve wrecking. At all. I thought maybe this erotica (that I didn’t expect) could at least draw me in but nope. Welp, maybe the author didn’t even care about writing a good plot. Or a good book. I was really disappointed because come on, it’s Onley James. But whatever, I really don’t care much about the story except the sex. And I wasn’t even looking forward to that, so it was plain.

I am truly sorry to my friend Hasfia for recommending this by 17% in. What was I thinking…

[Megan [Semi-Hiatus] · Rating 2 out of 5]

MM Romance
Erotica
2.5 Stars ⭐️


Had I not read this in this author’s newsletter, I would have rated it much lower. This was a weekly serial or supposed to be but sometimes episodes wouldn’t be released for 3+ weeks and then it was never finished. Finding out this was going to be turned into a book excited me because I just wanted to know what happened as we never got an ending. Reading this in a newsletter was different than reading it now though. Because the episodes were so many weeks apart, I couldn’t always remember all the little details and since all I cared about was the couple, I liked it. However, as a book this sucks because it appears as though OJ just slapped this together without reading it first. There are so many errors like in one chapter we learn Christopher’s backstory but then in the next chapter, Sam is asking him again and Chris tells him a totally different story. This happened a lot and took me out of the book.

Then we have the sex scenes. They were hot or at least they had the potential to be. I get that Christopher likes pain but fuck he needed more than lube to get that cock inside him. Sounded painful 😖 and not in a fun way.

The only thing I really wanted to know about was the ending and it was way too easy. That’s it? Really??? The world building was awful too but then this was just a newsletter serial and not meant to be a masterpiece but still.…

[Grace]

DNF ~39%

Not rating because I suspect this would probably end up a two-star read for me, but I just don't have the stamina to find out. This was released as a serial, so I can forgive the somewhat choppy nature, but the story just wasn't working for me.

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of content I open an Onley James book to read. I came out for a ridiculous storyline that has sex scenes that makes my jaw fall on the floor and this is exactly what I got. Onley James will forever write some of the best sex scenes I have ever read, and this one is no different. This one is just pure sexy fun and I'm so here for it.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did you know the human anus can stretch up to 7 inches? I sure did not know that. Oddly enough, the day after I read this book I got to use that fun factoid in a real life conversation. And after I was fact checked, it turns out that is, in fact, true! Although I'm too horrified to attempt to visually confirm so I'll just trust the internet on this one.

The set up for this book was bleak, though the abuse the hero Christopher has faced for years is mainly in the past. When the story opens he is trapped in a cage he's lived in for years after being abused by his once-lover, now-captor. Turns out the captor was an incubus and that's how he hooked Christopher as a teen, and why Christopher was always eager for his punishments. Christopher has been abused and mutilated but in the face of the demon Samyaza aka Sam, he is suddenly fierce. He doesn't want to die, and he asks to serve him instead.

Enter, a demon/human relationship.

Onley is so good at writing dark books with some levity. This one didn't work for me as well as others from her, maybe just because of the subject matter. My least favorite book from the Necessary Evils series was Headcase because it dealt with sadism, so it makes sense that this book - where Christopher enjoys pain as well - wouldn't tickle my fancy either. There's a lot of pain kinks, and while there's a daddy kink which I usually enjoy, this one didn't hit the spot. Maybe because the demon hero Sam doesn't really know what a daddy kink is?

Also, this was a serial originally released through her newsletter. I never read it from her newsletter because I prefer to read things all at once, but in some places it felt a tad disjointed. Other reviewers mentioned dialogue/parts were repeated in different chapters.

The added context/world building in this book was pretty interesting - their interpretation of Lucifer, falling from heaven, etc. But it was almost too much for such a short book, to me.

The ending (what ends up happening) isn't *exactly* what I wanted but definitely worked with the book.

I'll read anything Onley writes!

[Andi]

DNF @ 35%. I just can't get into it. It's definitely my mood. Might try again one day.

[Cristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want to say that I always rate books I read based on how I personally enjoyed reading it and I just really did not enjoy this book.  I think in this case that I never should have read this book because it obviously was not for me but I read it anyways.  I picked up this book because I absolutely love the authors Necessary Evils series and I guess I was expecting this book to have a similar vibe but it does not in the slightest and I think if I would have read the description rather than just simply diving in, I would have realized that.  Just because this book was not for me doesn't mean others might like it, I mean if you like pain kinks or daddy kinks and demons mixed in then definitely give this book a shot.  But for me, the whole daddy thing was so uncomfortable that I could even enjoy the sex scenes.  I hated that Christopher called Sam daddy and also hated that Sam called Christopher pet it's just not my things.  There are other things that I like reading in my smut that others may not like but this was a no for me.  It was too much since it was every sex scene and maybe I could get past it if it was in one or two but not every sex scene.  There were also a few moments where I felt the scenes were repetitive which I just find kind of weird, like something was explained in one scene and then explained again in a later scene as if it hadn't been brought up before.  Overall, I kind of regret reading it but it definitely helped me realize that you don't have to enjoy every book an author writes.  Sometimes it's okay to prefer certain works from an author over others and you don't have to read everything an author writes just because you enjoyed one of their series.  I will definitely be more careful about reading descriptions before I dive right into a book and I don't end up regretting what I read again.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Sam and Christopher together and their relationship was equal parts sweet and kinky.

The only reason I gave this 4 stars is because it could do with a little bit more polishing. It was originally released as a serial in Onley James's newsletter and there were a couple of repetitive scenes - which is logical when the chapters are released periodically - but, in a full-length novel, there was no need for them.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

I have been so excited for this since James announced she would publishing what was previously a serial. Overall, I really enjoyed it. The main issue I had was some significant editing errors that make it obvious this was originally written at different times. There were some scenes where dialogue was repeated and stories were retold from previous chapters, and yet the characters acted like they'd never heard it before. For some of these retellings, there are even inconsistencies with details and names etc. It was jarring but I believe unintentional, so hopefully it can be revised a little at some point. I would have given this 3 stars, but the angst of the last 3rd just won me over. It was dramatic and emotional in the best way and I was gripped by it. That combined with the beautiful epilogue pushed my rating up favorably. Onley James is one of my favorite MM romance authors for a reason and this just reinforces that.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

Where the Devil Don't Go is a monster erotica by Onley James about a demon and a human submissive.


"You're mine. Mine to pleasure, mine to punish, mine to torment and torture as I see fit. Understand?"
Christopher felt himself shiver not from fear but from anticipation. "Yes, Daddy."

Oh goodness, where to begin. Human Christopher has a heartbreaking backstory. After growing up with physical and emotional parental abuse, at the age of 15 he's taken advantage by the nephilim. He's a submissive who has never been in a healthy dom/sub relationship. His life has led him to have extreme social anxiety and no self-worth. It's ironic that the first time he's actually cared for and respected is by a demon. Sam gives him the sexual pain he caves and the after care he deserves. Speaking of demon Sam, I don't have a many of comments on him. He doesn't know how to interact with humans, so he's given the run down of do and don'ts by one of his siblings. For a big bad demon who was pretty sweet with Christopher. Together their relationship is a whole lot of intense sex.

If protecting him meant setting the world on fire, he'd do it. He'd f*cking do it. And God help them all.

Plot wise, the story wasn't anything too impressive, it even got repetitive more than a few times. If I had to read one more time about what Azazel did I was going to scream or the fact that Chris tells Sam about his mother and birth father and then a few pages has retells him as if the first time didn't happen. Just a few inconsistences that took away from my enjoyment.

I'm not too shocked at the unimpressive story arc when this can be shelved as erotica. The book is basically sex scene after sex scene with some story sprinkles in between. Christopher is a sub with a pain kink and a praise kink. There's both no prep intercourse and anal beads/toys to get ready for Christopher to take Sam's monster dick. They have a dom/sub relationship with and Daddy/Boy titles, dirty talk and the breeding kink thrown in there also. Yes to all the after care, that always make me happy in kink books.

Overall, Where the Devil Don't Go by Onley James is an enjoyable monster erotica. With likable characters, extreme heat, dom/sub dynamics, pain kink, and a happily ever after.

[Romantically Inclined Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I needed. Delicious, smutty, Daddy demon dom paired with a kind, gentle, terrified little human. I really enjoyed the world Onley is creating here and I'm super intrigued by all the potential with these side characters and conflicts. Per usual, Onley does a really amazing job of creating a low-angst relationship in circumstances that should create the most angsty relationship ever. I don't know how she does it, but I appreciate it!

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is kinda fun, and different. Can say that I didn't hate!

[Natalie H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jan 2025
Kindle edition

Read for a group challenge week 2. Oof I did not enjoy this one at all. This was the last book I had to read by this author and it left me feeling like I'd left the yucky chocolates last in the tin again. I didn't get anything from Chris or Sam, it was mostly smut, accidental daddy kink and enemies waiting on the side lines, the worst one being Ari. Sam was all my way or the high way. Chris was happy to do anything for Sam. It turned out to be a skim read just before the halfway mark and a painful one at that. This one wasn't for me.

[Aimora]

38.1%

[Katrine Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun lore exploration of the celestial and the infernal along with what I love about Onley (i.e. M|M spicy reads). And as always, her HEA's never disappointment. Onto the next Onley James!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. 3.5/4

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring overall but also needed at least one more round of editing the book as a whole because it had continuity issues I’ve seen in serials before.

[Kelli D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok

I found this book just ok. I was a little bummed Sam healed Christopher within the first few pages and made him beautiful. What the devil can't fall for a guy with scars?
Plus it was almost like 2 people wrote this book and forgot which one had which conversation
***Semi spoilers on minor details****


Christopher has been captive for 6yrs or 8?
He doesn't know who his Dad is and he is a product of rape or he was around u til he was 6mths old and use to own the ice cream shop where his mom worked but ended up in jail for raping his mom.
And that was a conversation Christopher had to have 2xs with Sam who seemed genuinely upset the 2nd time he found out Christopher was a product of a rape...but not the first go around....
There was also 2 conversations about who exactly Sam was and what he is called.
Things any proof reader would have called out.

And ugh, that ending was sooooo generic and blah...not this "these" authors best work to be honest.
I also found Christopher to be pretty fragile, I was hoping he'd find more of a backbone. Sam was alright, although for a demon he was pretty goodie two shoes.

[Devoted❤️Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find your peace

“Sam was hungry, and Christopher was his favorite prey.” What is about monsters that we know we should run screaming from when we see them that make the sexiest, spiciest reads? It must the magic of an Onley James book filled with all the angst, morally gray characters, and enough kink to have you set for life. I love Sam and Christopher and all their dichotomies: demon and human, pleasure and pain, hurt and comfort. Watching Sam navigate his way around human emotions was everything and seeing Christopher blossom was my peace. I adore these two and love, absolutely love, how on the surface they shouldn’t work, but when you look closer—and gah, I couldn’t ever get close enough to these two—you see that not only are they perfect but they’re perfectly made to be together.

[Kasey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was… eh.

Pages and pages and pages of lecturing about the history of God, angels and demons. And not like a new interesting take, but just the basic stuff that is explained in every supernatural show/movie/book that angels are in.

The conversations just went round and round in circles about the same shit. It was so unbelievably repetitive and boring. A book about a daddy demon fucking his sub should never be described as boring.

Maybe I’m just getting over this authors books. The psychopath series was great at the start, but now every book seems like a copy and paste of the previous one (mostly noticeable in the super quick formulaic sex scenes that over before you can blink). I thought this being a series seperate from that one would give me something fresh, but I guess not.

[Bittiefish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan. Needed serious edits. I didn't like either of the characters. They were both too flat. The demon was supposed to be this wrath demon but you'd never know it. The sex scenes were hot but that's not why I read books. I was just bored the whole time. The ending was kinda blah. Not for me. I'll probably avoid any paranormal written by this author.

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out strong but needs an editor to an almost shocking degree. I’m not just talking about typos and stuff but full scenes that don’t make sense compared to each other. Bummer because the story itself is cute