Flawed

The Collective #2.5

by Jade Royal

Him

After a horrible breakup, Donovan swore off women and focused on his dream of building a web design empire. Family and one-night stands had to be enough to cure his broken heart or at least distract him from the pain. All love wanted to do was string you along and make false promises. Who needs that? All was well without that. Then he saw HER.

Her

Kayleena is called home from college because things are falling apart without her. She only has one semester left at school before she’s done but it doesn’t look to be in her near future. Covered in flour and icing, she never expected to see HIM. She’d put enough distance between them so that she would never have to deal with being just friends. Her heart has always craved forever with him, but he proposed to another. Now he’s back in her life and dead set on them being friends. Will she have the power to walk away again or should she settle for his friendship?

Are you ready to find out what all the buzz is about?

We’ve set the stage, created the characters, and fashioned a world full of twists and turns. Now it’s your turn to sit back and immerse yourself in this incredible series. Each episode weaves the characters and storylines of our standalone novels together to give you an epic crossover series.

No one is safe as corrupt politicians and dirty cops rule the street. A child’s death puts targets on the backs of those in law enforcement and sets two cities ablaze with riots. When the police chief’s daughter is kidnapped amid the chaos, will the Collective solve the case and rescue her in time?

Featured authors in order of appearance-
Absolution—B.R. Bradley
Ensnared—Leona Windwalker
Gravity—J.L. Leslie
Swayed—Erin Trejo
Flawed—Jade Royal
Trust—Riley Edwards
Angst—Samantha A. Cole
Redemption—Ellie Masters

292 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2025

About the author

When the voices begin to speak, Jade Royal sits down in her lab to write the tale. The story unfolds with each keystroke as she listens to her instincts bring the words to life. For as long as she can remember, Jade has always expressed her creative nature artistically, especially by writing. She refers to herself as “Slave to the Pen” because it’s difficult for her to resist the call to write.

Jade resides in Cincinnati, Ohio where she was born and raised. She has many siblings and is very family oriented. She spends Sunday evenings eating dinner with them keeping the bond between family nice and strong.
Jade Royal is the author of the series Limits of Love. The series focuses on love, romance, and the eroticism of the two combined. The first book was released in December of 2016.

As an author, Jade hopes to pull in her readers to experience a community of stories that they can relate to on various levels. The emotional roller coaster that is bestowed will hopefully make her readers stalk her words and provide literate entertainment.

For more information on Jade Royal, follow her on her website and social media avenues.

Reviews

[JustALady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and well written. This was my first book by this author and I was afraid I wouldn’t understand this story as I have not read the others. I did not have that problem at all. However now I will have to go get the other books. Definitely recommend!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have truly enjoyed the stories I have read from Season two of the Collective and this author who is new to me did not disappoint. We're introduced to Donovan as a lascivious web designer but this side is so much better, well if you're into Doms that is. Well, Kayleena knows Donovan from way back when so when he suddenly appears in her life again she's over the moon. Of course it can't be that easy. These two have tons to contend with and of course San Francisco has it's own issues too. You'll see some familiar names and connect them in the story. Enjoy some action and dominance, a little spanking never hurt anyone. Love this author's style.

The stories this season are standalone reads but there are characters and a standard theme of riots and unrest. I have read a number of the books and have not been disappointed. It makes me want to go back and find out what I missed in season one.

[Kelly cowee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Jade Royal. I liked this book. I thought in the beginning it was slow paced. When I got to the middle it started picking up the pace. The ending was the best. I should have seen that coming. Kayleena was in college, but when she got a phone call about her brother Kevin missing, she went home. The family bakery was a mess and Kayleena was going to get it back up and running. That's when she found out her brother was stealing money from one of her bank accounts. He even stole money from bad guys and they wanted their money back. That's also when a long time family friend came to see her. Donovan just got out of a bad relationship and wanted to start seeing Kayleena. They hit it off very well. Her missing brother still on her mind. In the end Kayleena got what she wanted at the expense of her brother who faked his death. Her brother on the other hand got what he had coming to him.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters and plot were engaging and interesting but the story needed some tightening up. I couldn't quite get the direction of the book in the beginning and then it switched focus and lost the initial thread only to come back to it later. Also, the friction between Kayleena and Donovan, for me personally, required a more substantial reason why they weren't quite working. The mixed signals explanation didn't really pose a big enough obstacle after they both realize there's a mutual attraction. Then, add in the mysterious brother who creates a huge mess but is virtually forgotten for most of the book and it just seemed like elements were added in and discarded and picked up later without a continuous thread. I did enjoy the story and characters and I was invested enough to want to know how they turn out but the book overall just needed a bit more work.

[Ruth Kabeche · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great things about multi-author series like The Collective is that you get to read not only amazing books, but meet new authors. Jade Royal is new to me and I enjoyed the read.

I know each book is a standalone in the series, but I just couldn't get into this one as much as the others. The writing is really good, but I felt it was a bit rushed. I feel that the book loses a little of its direction with Kayleena and Donovan being the focus, and then her brother comes in. It just didn't flow for me. I had some issues with the back and forth Kayleena and Donovan have when I didn't really feel they had big obstacles to overcome (when comparing them to other characters in the series). Granted, I finished the book because I wanted to know how everything ended, so it is a good read.

**Definitely read the series in order it is the way to go**

[Ida Jolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flawed

I really enjoyed this book by Jade. Was impressed by Kayleena and her attitude, her strength, her will power to do what she set her mind to, and her sassiness. Donovan was lucky to she didn’t tear his a$$ up with that stunt in Vegas, but she always had a crush on him, so I am glad they worked that out. It’s a sad thing her brother did her so wrong and caused so many problems to others and caused a few deaths because of his selfish and stupid actions. But the book was really well written, I couldn’t put it down till I finished it tonight. Jade knows I like love stories and I really was impressed with Kayleena, she stood up for herself. Thanks Jade, I did enjoy it. ❤️❤️

[Penny Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I enjoy anything with Jade Royal name on it. The story starts with Donavan running into Kayleena and he wants to be friends again. They both have had feelings for each other but they didn’t act on them and then she just disappeared from his life. Now years later he will not let her go so easily . Will Kevin her brother with all his problems make their reunion short lived or does Kayleena have a guardian Angel. Must read to see what happens! I loved this story and am looking forward to more in the future. Thank you Jade Royal for writing such interesting characters.

[Mawgan Dipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started out in my opinion as two lost souls trying to find their way back to the other. Friends forever but fate brought their lives back to a place where they finally opened up to their feelings.
Throughout the book the back story of kaylenna's brother was pushing to be heard and in the end almost destroyed the girl she was, but with donovan trying to deal with his past could accept he could have a future? I enjoyed this book but felt it was a slow burner and didn't book you until the end with the possibility of Kevin's story to come out.

[Low-La · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complimentary copy given by author for an honest review. Thank you J.R.
*** 3.5 stars****
This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this read. This story was about Kayleena and Donovan and how they came to be a couple. Both Kayleena and Donovan have a history but it's the circumstances that bring them together, including the twists and turns. This one started off slow but slowly worked it's way to a good ending. There are others stories to this series written by different authors which I will look for.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sitting here trying to find the words to write this review and the first thing that comes to mind is "I certainly hope there will be a series from this!" The storyline flows easily. Although, Kayleena and Donovan are the main characters in this story, there are other characters that will hold your interest and make you want to follow their tale as well. There were twists and turns along this plot that were surprising in their unfolding, and some that left me wondering what would happened after they came out. This was a great read and so worthy of a 5 star review and recommendation.

[Heather Chaotic Creatives · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok 1st off I hate giving low reviews on any book. This book was not bad just not my cup of tea. I really don't know what to say in this review. I felt like the book was all over the place it did not flow well at all. I didn't know what I was going to read from 1 page to the next. I'm usually ok with stories like that as long as they all come together at some point. The ending felt rushed when it came to pull the storylines together, I felt like the author was in a hurry and rushed through it.

[Debbie Krouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Jade Royal book I enjoyed the two Donovan and Kayleena, one coming out of a bad relationship the other finding out her brother has stolen from her and close the bakery down Kayleena goes back home and starts the rebuilding The two have history and its the start of them coming together. I liked how the book was written but would of like to to see more heat from both characters.I will give her other books a read and see where they take me

[Meleaha Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donovan and Kayleena were friends when they were young. The problem was Kayleena was on love with Donovan and he never knew. She left town to go to college, so she could better take care of the bakery she owns with her brother.
When Kayleena gets the call to come home, she knows something is wrong. She comes home and finds her brother missing and things are horribly wrong. After a chance meeting, she and Donovan rekindle their friendship, which turns to more. Can they save each other?

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

The past comes back to break Donovan out of his misery when he meets up with an old crush Kayleena. But Kayleena needs to get her head above water when her brother steals money from the family bakery and leaves Kayleena to pick up the pieces. With a story filled with danger, intrigue and a marriage in Vegas this book was a great addition to the collection.

[Lisa Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the story line and the characters were wonderful and very strong and a lot of fun along with intense situations. Donovan and Kayleena are so good together along with her best friend Angel who has my complete attention and I want to know more. The writing and the plot did keep my interest and it was easy to read with a very strong female lead and a very sexy Donovan.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read with intriguing characters.

My first read by the author and it did not disappoint. The twist and turns with Kayleena and Donovan journey kept me entertained. Although they are the main characters, I was more intrigued with Angel’s character and that kept me interested with the story. Overall a good read that you should one click today.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

This is my first book by this author and I am not sure how I feel about it. Some parts I really enjoyed it but others were just not for me. It is not a bad book by no means but just not really for me. It had quite a slow start but picked up the pace later on. I think I might try another book from her and see how I like it.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Jade Royal and I read it because it was part of the Collective series. While each book is a stand alone, it is better to read them in order and the story weaves it way through each book. I enjoyed it.

[Deborah Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this well written book. Strong female lead, alpha male love interest. And the side characters, like her brofher, have flaws and big personalities too. Angst, danger, romance, sweet heat of a read. Recommended adult.

[LISA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from Jade and I really enjoyed it. Its a very slow burn romance with some kink. The characters are well developed and believable and the story keeps you engaged. Will look for more from this author.

[Ashley Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Jade Royal book and I really enjoyed it. I loved the dynamic between the main characters. This story is fun to read and had humor,drama, and it was sexy. I definitely would love to check out the rest of the series

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. I want to read the rest of this series if it’s as good as this book. Loved Donovan from the start. Kayleena seemed to good to be true. I’m interested in reading other work from this author.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read!

Donovan and Kayleena were best friends growing up. They reconnect years later at Kayleena’s bakery and her secret crush has not gone away. This is a quick read full of hot dominate steamy scenes and a bad brother involved in something equally as bad.

[Julie Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

This was a really good read. I liked more than some of the previous books in the collective series. These books center almost around a specific time frame in SF. I look forward to reading more of Jade Royal books.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Flawed. I really enjoyed this read. What a page turning, nail biting book. Jade Royal did a great job bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this book.

[Mona williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow another awesome book! he had his heart broken so he used women for his pleasure. than he meets her and boy do things heat up. must read this book!

[Chasing The Words Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stay tuned for my review...
Still trying to process all 8 books.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waited until I finished the entire series to comment. This was my first multi-author series.

Overall, The series was not what I expected. I thought each book would play off each other and tell more of a complete story. I did not find that to be the case in most of the books and felt that there was absolutely no reason to read all of the books so just choose the authors or plots that you like.

This book review: I liked it but again only as a standalone book and not part of the series because I can't even remember how it was played into the overall series plot.

[Tish · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first by this author and I really enjoyed it, I will definitely read her again. It was a bit of a slow starter but once it picked up I didn't want to put it down.