In the dark and twisted aftermath of His Revenge, where innocence is shattered and nothing is as it seems, FLAWED draws you deeper into a world where love is as dangerous as it is intoxicating.
FLAWED: A Checkmate Duet Novella
FLAWED is a story of love and obsession, where the path to healing is littered with secrets, lies, and a darkness that refuses to be banished. Prepare to be captivated by a tale that will leave you breathless and craving more.
Book Description:
Sarah is a woman haunted by her past, living in the shadows of her former self. Her life, once filled with hope, has been reduced to a series of survival tactics—each day a battle against the demons that refuse to let her go.
“I don’t know who I am anymore. The girl I used to be died long before I escaped that place.”
But when Atlas—a man as mysterious as he is powerful—enters her life, Sarah is forced to confront the darkness that lies within both of them. Atlas sees beyond her brokenness, drawn to the strength she hides beneath layers of pain and fear. He’s determined to put her back together, but the line between fixing and controlling is dangerously thin.
“Her broken pieces fit perfectly with mine, like we were meant to find each other in the wreckage of our lives.”
In this gripping sequel, Sarah and Atlas’s story unfolds in a whirlwind of passion, danger, and forbidden desires. As they navigate their way through a world where trust is a luxury and betrayal is a constant threat, they’ll discover that sometimes, the darkest paths lead to the most unexpected places.
Tropes in FLAWED:
• Dark Romance: A complex and tumultuous relationship where love and danger are deeply intertwined. • Enemies to Lovers: A love that blooms from deep-seated animosity. • Redemption Arc: Both characters seek redemption from their haunted pasts. • Damaged Heroine: Sarah’s traumatic past shapes her every action and decision. • Alpha Male: Atlas is strong, dominant, and fiercely protective, with a shadowy past. • Captivity: Emotional and physical captivity play crucial roles in the narrative. • Trauma Healing: A journey through deep-seated trauma toward healing and connection. • Forbidden Love: A love that defies societal norms and expectations.
• Mystery/Thriller Elements: A suspenseful plot filled with twists and dark secrets.
Trigger Warnings: +18 This book contains explicit content, including dark romance, violence, psychological trauma, emotional distress, and themes of captivity. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
Author of raw, emotionally charged dark romance and the captivating Obsidia duology.
A.S. Lhoyes is known for crafting gripping stories that delve into the darker sides of love, power, and survival. With the Checkmate Duet Series and the Obsidia duology, she creates worlds filled with tension, layered characters, and themes that linger long after the final page.
Her latest project invites readers deeper into the dystopian world of Obsidia, where control clashes with rebellion and love becomes both a strength and a risk. Combining vivid world-building with raw emotions, her stories are perfect for fans of intense romantasy.
When she’s not writing, A.S. Lhoyes enjoys reading dark romance, exploring sci-fi fantasy worlds, and diving into creative projects. By day, she’s an HVAC expert, but her true passion lies in telling stories that leave an impact.
I am honestly at a loss of words, wasn’t really expecting the ending to end how it did , but in my opinion I feel like it ended how it should have, sometimes people can’t escape the darkness…..anyways … this book starts off with a bang for sure . Jumps right into Sarah’s( FMC ) life of darkness. She’s been used and abused multiple times over and over again not just physically but emotionally as well. You can feel Sarah’s pain , you can feel the darkness she describes in detail multiple times during the book…..thankfully she meets a man ( MMC) Atlas who loves her unconditionally, darkness and all , because he also suffers from darkness in his past. Atlas is a gentle giant , big bad biker with a heart of gold. Atlas tries to help Sarah to show her life can be more than what has happened to both of them in their pasts !!! Anyway, I don’t want to go into too much detail in fear I will spoil the book!!! If you love Motorcycle Clubs , an emotional rollercoaster, intense scenes and some spice … check this book out !!!!! PLEASE PLEASE read the trigger warnings !!! Some of the scenarios in this book can be extremely triggering for someone who has been In Sarah’s position even though it’s a fictional character - real life situations are definitely in this book!
WOW! This was such an amazing continuation to the Checkmate Duet series. Sarah's story was so emotional and pulled on all my heartstrings. This book is full of deep mature themes that brings so much depth to Sarah's character and made me see her in a completely different light compared to Book 1 in the series. I really loved Sarah's character. Her strength, resilience and growth when facing such traumatic events over the course of the story was incredibly moving. Atlas is officially my favorite male character in the entire Checkmate Duet series. His powerful and protective demeanor is captivating and his MC brings a sense of brotherhood to the plotline. The ending absolutely shattered my soul and left me in tears! This book is DARK and contains very mature themes. Be sure to read the trigger warnings prior.
THIS BOOK IS OUTSTANDING! THE WAY THIS BOOK HELD MY HEART WAS NOT SOMETHING I EXPECTED BUT I KNOW THIS BOOK WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER! IT IS HANDS DOWN ONE OF MY TOP 3 READS OF MY LIFE! | FINISHED THIS BOOK IN ONE SITTING, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. WORDS DON'T COME CLOSE TO HOW THIS BOOK MADE ME FEEL. SARAH, MY DARLING GIRL! SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH HELL AND BACK AND IS SUCH A FIGHTER AND THE WAY ATLAS DOTES ON HER IS SOMETHING ELSE. THE CHEMISTRY THESE TWO HAD WAS AMAZING AND IT FELT EVERY EMOTION THEY DID. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK ONE I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Uhh... I don't even know where to begin. So when i applied for this ARC I didn't even know what to expect, I have never encountered this author before. But, damn, this book took me completely by surprize. This is not just a simple love story about two people trying to be together. No, this is a story about surviving, about overcoming horrible things in life while trying to find your significant other. Sarah for me was the star of the book. We see her being this sunshine person, hope bottled in one person. And then her whole life crumbles, she is betrayed by her most trusted person, terrible things happen to her. But then she meets Atlas. Oh, Atlas, my baby. I want to protect him so bad. The way he was so caring and understanding with Sarah was everything. He vowed to protect her forever, to love her like she was his next breath. I loved his character so much, I think they were the perfect match. This book took out some emotions that I didn't even know I had,it was beautiful, heartbreaking, but healing at the same time. The author really made justice for people who went through those things. She showed everything in a real manner without sugarcoating, but also having this poetic, romantic writing style. This book will forever have a special place in my heart, it was one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read in my entire life. And the ending of the side characters??? I was shocked!! THIS BOOK IS OUT ON OCTOBER 26, AND TRUST ME, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT. Also, don't forget to check TW because this book deals with a lot of heavy subjects.
( Thank you, A.S. Lhoyes for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
It's a fantastic book. It was an absolute tragedy. Poor Sarah had to endure so much in life. Even when she thought she was finally free, she was a captive of her mind.
Her soul was shattered, and even Atlas couldn't save her, as much as she tried. This was raw and heartbreaking, and I cried for Sarah and Atlas. Her letter to Atlas completely broke me. I hope Atlas finds peace because he deserves it. This book had me in my feelings for sure, I was mad, content, pissed off, and happy, I think I felt every emotion in this book.
Sarah will be in my mind for a long time....Great job, I loved the book even though it was heartbreaking 😢
Flawed- A.S. LHoyes My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ She has done it again, absolutely smashed this book! I will not spoil it but this book was a very emotional read and can be deeply upsetting for some readers, so please read with care and please read the trigger warnings 🤍 (I personally did cry). This book explores Sarah’s story, and man did she have a story to tell. Her story is one of extreme trauma, loss and love as well and the book explores the effect this took on her mentally. She is such a strong character even after everything that happened in the book. Without giving too much away, the MMC Atlas was her light in the darkness, and would do anything for her, and I adored his character. He wouldn’t let the bullies win, he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her- he really was a hero in this story! Overall I loved this book. It was beautifully written with so much raw emotion, very fast paced and a very captivating read. A.S LHoyes- you will always be an author I will automatically buy from, your work is amazing and I’m so proud of you 🖤
Flawed is a haunting dive into love, obsession, and the battle against one's inner demons. The story follows Sarah, a woman trying to reclaim her life from the shadows of her past. Her existence has turned into a daily struggle, where safety feels like an illusion. When Atlas enters the picture, things get intense—he's drawn to Sarah’s hidden strength, but their connection blurs the lines between healing and control.
Lhoyes crafts a gripping narrative filled with secrets and raw emotion. The dynamic between Sarah and Atlas is electric, yet fraught with danger and desire. Their journey through trust and betrayal is as captivating as it is heartbreaking. The themes of resilience and the struggle to find light in the darkness resonate deeply.
This story was so tragic and heartbreaking! If you like dark romance and don't have many triggers this one is for you!
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Flawed is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Sarah’s journey is a whirlwind of pain, healing, and deep emotional scars, but let’s be honest—Atlas is the reason you’ll be up all night devouring this book. He’s everything. 🥵
Atlas isn’t your typical knight in shining armor. He’s dark, damaged, and oh-so-brooding, but in the most delicious way possible. He’s the kind of hero who doesn’t just save the day—he makes you question why you’ve ever settled for less in a romance hero. His chemistry with Sarah is electric. Every scene with them together had my heart pounding and my mind screaming for more. 😈🔥
But this isn’t just a romance. It’s raw, gritty, and full of tension that will have you flipping pages like your life depends on it. Sarah’s pain is real, her struggles heartbreaking, and her connection with Atlas is the only thing that seems capable of pulling her back from the edge. Their push-pull dynamic is addictive.
If you love dark romance with deep emotional twists, intense chemistry, and a hero who is absolutely everything, Flawed needs to be on your TBR. Trust me—you won’t regret falling headfirst into this one. 🔥