Five years after the events of Flawed, Brad James is still haunted by the ghosts of his past. Years of running from guilt and shadows have left him broken, and despite the time that has passed, Brad struggles to let go of the darkness that still holds him captive. But when Kalen steps into his life—an unexpected storm—Brad must confront everything he’s been hiding from. Kalen, fierce and unyielding, becomes the one force that won’t let Brad fall apart.
In this gripping final chapter of the Checkmate Duet, Brad’s journey is no longer about running away, but about facing the storm head-on. With Kalen by his side, Brad will have to decide if he’s ready to let go of the pain and guilt or if he will remain trapped in the past that continues to haunt him.
This is a story of survival, healing, and finding love in the midst of chaos.
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 got the ARC for this amazing book, and I'm so glad I did.
After Sarah, I didn’t like Brad at all, so I wasn't sure how he was gonna be redeemed here, but he sure was. It had more to do with Kalen than him at first. In Kalen's pov, we really see how much he cares for Brad and how he sees thru the real Brad.
Brad, was hurting so much, that much was obvious, he had so much guilt, some was justified, he didn't do much for Sarah when she needed him so in a way I was glad he felt ashamed and guilty. But as we learn more about how he was used as much as Sarah was and everything else, he also goes thru my heart broke for him too.
The last few chapters were rough but necessary to truly redeem him and to finally give him the justice both he and Sarah deserved.
I loved Kalen so much. He was relentless. He didn't give up on Brad. Even when it seemed like the end, he stood by him through it all. He was charming and dominant. And I'm so glad Brad had him. If it hadn't been for Kalen, Brad wouldn't have survived all the guilt and the pain he was drowning in.
This duet was rough, raw, and so heartbreaking but so good, and at the end, Brad found the peace Sarah couldn't, and I'm glad he did. He deserved to finally be loved wholeheartedly.
The only thing that I would change, it's Leah and Jake. Those a-holes got off too easy, I would've killed them slowly and painfully for all the damage they did.
Definitely check the trigger warnings, as there are some parts that are very heavy.
I just want to say I think she is a fantastic writer. When I read this I saw absolutely no mistakes and the book flowed very well. I am super proud of her and how far she has come within her writing journey ❤️❤️ The book dives into Brad’s story which I must say ever since reading book 2 I was very intrigued to find out his POV. In a way I wanted to hate Brad (the MMC) but as the book went on I started to gain empathy for him and wanted to understand him more. During his journey, Brad meets his soulmate, who accepts him for who he is… even all of his broken and darkest pieces. She doesn’t want to fix him, she just wants to be there, and watch Brad come “undone” and be the support he needs through it all. The book is an emotional rollercoaster and does deal with very real and triggering events for some, so please read the triggers before diving in .❤️
After reading books 1 and 2 in the series, I really hated Brad. However, this book shined a completely new light on him and actually became my favorite book in the series. I really love A.S. Lhoyes's writing style and the way she brings her characters to life with real emotions and trauma. This was definitely an emotional read that tugs at your heartstrings as Brad learns to process his grief and guilt surrounding Sarah with the help of Kalen. The ending of this book was so powerful and emotionally raw that it really grips you in the best way. Brad and Kalen's story is definitely a captivating and dark tearjerker, so keep a box of tissues around! This book contains dark and mature themes, so be sure to check the trigger warnings.