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Vindicated

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Motorcycles, Mobsters, and Mayhem author event proudly presents The Mayhem Makers Series .

These standalone novels are brought to you by several bestselling authors specializing in writing twisted chaos. You'll get all the bikers, mobsters, and dark romance your heart can handle.

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Jaden... Seven years of my life gone. I’d like to think it was all worth it. But it’s easy to learn from your mistakes when you aren’t filling your body with poison. Prison taught me not to trust anyone. Ever. That’s a lesson I won’t learn the hard way again. Not even for her. Not when I’m getting a second chance. Harloe... I constantly have to remind myself who he is. What he’s done. That I can’t trust him. Crazy thing is, I do trust him. My job requires me to be calculated and emotionless. To think only with my brain. Not my heart. So why does my heart beat faster when I see him? Why does my brain tell me he’s innocent when I know that isn’t true? I’m a cop. He’s my informant. And no matter how I feel, he doesn’t deserve to be vindicated. **This book contains adult content, adult language, sexual situations, violence, and possible triggers. It is intended for mature readers only.**

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2023

60 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

About the author

J.L. Leslie

60 books689 followers
I am a happily married mother of three (two boys and one girl). I live in a very small town in Alabama. Never lived anywhere else. I’ve been writing since my early twenties, but I couldn’t seem to finish a book. I’ve started self-publishing with the encouragement from my mom. Without her encouragement, I don’t think I would’ve done it. She always supported me and writing is something I’ve always enjoyed doing. As long as I enjoy it, I’ll continue to do it. I’ve learned already that I can’t please everyone. Not all reviews will be good, not all reviews will be bad. I’m the one that has to be happy with my work.

I get my inspiration from life experiences, movies, television, other authors, and music. Music is definitely a big influence on my writing. I can hear a song and it can inspire an entire book for me. I listen to it while I’m driving or before I start writing and it keeps me inspired. I like to put music in my books, even if it’s just one song the characters listen to or hear at some point. Sometimes music has gotten me through the really tough times in my life and that’s why it inspires me.

I like to write fast-paced, steamy romance reads. I like for my males to be alpha-males and my heroines to be strong, but both need to have one weakness- each other. I am an avid reader. I absolutely love romance books!

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Jess.
3,183 reviews26 followers
April 23, 2023
Jaden is being released early from prison to be an informant on his brother’s MC. Yikes! Talk about being in a tough spot. And to make matters worse, he’s falling for his handler! His handler who is with her boss!!! Double yikes!!

No love triangle.
A little cheating, but not really since I don’t believe they are exclusive and neither seems invested invested in the relationship.
No jealous ex for Harloe.
Insta attraction even though neither admits to it.

This author wrote a great story that will have you sucked in pretty quickly. I do wish there was an epilogue, but not a deal breaker.
Profile Image for Patricia Howard.
642 reviews
September 18, 2023
Sweet

Omg I am in love with this story. I love how the couple came together and the way that they fell for each other.

Sweet and straight to the point. That's a quality that I love of J.L. Leslie books. There isn't all the fluff that I have read in other books.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
472 reviews12 followers
May 23, 2023
Enjoyable read

Jaden is in prison and his last appeal by his brothers girlfriend failed. Then in steps a cop, Harloe and if he acts as her informant against his brothers club to find a trafficking ring, he’s free.
I enjoyed the read and liked the characters. I’m looking forward to the next one
Profile Image for JoAnna Edger.
391 reviews
March 23, 2023
This story was sooo good. I love the chemistry between the 2 main characters! They leave the pages on FIRE! Jl leslie never seems to disappoint me! I love her writing style. I love the plots that she comes up with and I’m excited to see what is next for her!

5 stars without a doubt! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Jackie.
363 reviews5 followers
March 14, 2023
J.l.leslie does it again.
Vindicated tells us the story of Jaden Riggers. Jaden gets sent to prison he has served some of his time but he has been offered an early release if he becomes an informant. The upside is he gets out early the downside he has to get inside the biker gang which his brother is a member. I loved the characters it was nice to watch them grow. It's a cracking short story with somethings you don't see coming.
Profile Image for Heather Steele.
543 reviews10 followers
April 30, 2023
Love this book. Jaden and Harloe try to fend off their attraction as Jaden us Harloes informant. Trying to bring down a human trafficking ring while trying to keep their feelings out of it. In the end the culprit was a surprise.
50 reviews6 followers
June 9, 2023
Jaden
Jaden Riggers was living a decent life before he gave his trust to the wrong person. A drug fueled bad decision, has left him jobless, single, and serving a prison sentence for robbery.

Harloe
Women are disappearing without a trace. But when it hits too close to home, Harloe is hellbent on finding out who could be behind this, and putting a stop to it by using whatever means necessary. With no real leads to follow she sets her sights on the Iron Claw MC, who already have a reputation in town for not being ones to mess with.

Infiltrating them would be no easy task. She needs someone close to them that can get on the inside and get first hand knowledge of the clubs 'extracurricular activities'.

She recruits Jaden as her informant since he has a brother who is a full fledge member, by cutting him a deal in exchange for early release.

Faced with a difficult decision, Jaden must decide if becoming an informant, and possibly risking the relationship with his only brother is worth his very freedom.

With a task force at her disposal and an informant with ties on the inside, Harloe gets closer and closer to blowing the case wide open! But will she be ready for what she uncovers ? Or put herself right in the line of danger?

I absolutely loved this book!
Jaden and Harloe are polar opposites and on opposite sides of the law, but they have this insta- attraction to each other that they initially try to deny. Working so closely side by side and needing to put their trust in each other, has put them in a predicament where the lines between cop and informant have become blurred.
There's no denying that they have off the charts sexual chemistry that they quickly give in to, but can they put their warring consciouses aside long enough to put a stop to the disappearances? By catching the culprit and solving the case can Jaden be vindicated? What does this mean for him and Harloe after the dust settles?

Full of drama and suspense, Vindicated is an action packed page turner with twists and turns around every bend that you can't possibly see coming. I had to read it twice before I could put down in words how much I loved this story!

.
Profile Image for Thetta James.
Author 20 books127 followers
June 5, 2023
It's hard to write a review for this book without giving spoilers. Simply put, I love it! Jaden captured my heart from the beginning. There is nothing better than a dirty talking alpha that is loyal, a little hard around the edges, and knows what he wants. Harloe is on the opposite side of the law, but her attraction to Jaden blurs the lines. Their chemistry is explosive and lets face it, it's always hard to deny an instant attraction forged in sexual inuendos that leave you a smutty mess. Angst, passion, fire, mystery, suspense, and drama...this is by far one of my best reads of the year. Well done J.L. Leslie.
Profile Image for Lynn Stifle.
3,817 reviews68 followers
May 5, 2023
Fantastic! The storyline was gripping and flowed smoothly from page to page, the characters are complex, it’s gritty, with twists, suspense, and steamy moments and I couldn’t get enough! Jaden is offered an early release from prison to become an informant for the ever determined police officer, Harloe. I absolutely adored Jaden, I loved the connection between him and Harloe, and the chemistry between these two is palpable. A definite recommended read.
Profile Image for Tammy.
1,834 reviews12 followers
April 22, 2023
Holy what an amazing read this was! Jaden and Harloe make the perfect team together, but wow what opposites these two are, the ex con and the police officer. These two have instant chemistry, you can feel through the pages. Absolutely loved this story line, definitely never disappoint in this authors reads at all.
Profile Image for Ann L.
4,801 reviews39 followers
May 10, 2023
Every time Jaden went for parole he got knocked back until Officer Harloe gets him out on the proviso of helping her find evidence that his brothers club is involved in trafficking, he knows they aren't but she's determined.

This is just a teaser, there's a lot more involved of course and I loved every turn of the page
Profile Image for Marsha.
574 reviews17 followers
May 26, 2023
Vindicated

The Mayhem Makers series is so good. I have gobbled up each book. Harloe is a cop looking for her missing sister. She believes the MC is behind it. She has Jaden released from prison to be her CI. Sparks fly and these two are hot. The ending is surprising but there is a HEA.
Profile Image for Debbie Earley.
2,915 reviews18 followers
June 5, 2023
Harloe & Jaden

I loved everything about this book. From beginning to end I couldn't put it down. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. I want to say so much more, but I can't spoil it. I couldn't have been happier with the ending and I want to see more of them and the mc.
Profile Image for Rhonda Cave.
663 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2023
Good read

This is my first time reading a J.L. Leslie book. She writes really well. Wow the twists and turns this book takes. Jaden and Harloe should be the last two people who should start a relationship together but they are both attracted to each other. You will.never see it coming. Great ending.
Profile Image for GKP2460 .
4,277 reviews70 followers
April 22, 2023
Jaden and Harloe are as different as night and day but the chemistry between these two can light the pages in fire. The saying "opposites attract" hit it's target with them. Vindicated is an excellent, fast paced, gritty, quick read with plenty of twists and turns to keep us on our toes.
Profile Image for Chantal Baxendale.
390 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2023
I've been waiting for this book for what felt like forever! I've been so engrossed in this saga that I needed to know how it ends and so much is revealed in this book. I loved everything about the journey, from the book cover to the characters and everything in-between. Fantastic story, great read!
Profile Image for Micah Westbrook.
54 reviews
May 12, 2023
Jaden getting outta prison to work for Harlow. They weren’t suppose to fall in love but it’s a story you don’t wanna miss.

Being an informant wasn’t his plan but it’s better than prison. It’s just hard since it’s on his brother’s motorcycle game.
Profile Image for Gina Burkart.
3,548 reviews52 followers
April 23, 2023
The chemistry between these two is 🔥. Jaden and Harloe are the perfect duo that will take you on a ride of 🌶️ and suspense. I loved this story, I was hooked from the very first page.
Profile Image for Lindsey Marie.
73 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2023
Fast paced novel about a man being released early from jail in order to inform on his brother's MC. Of course his handler is a hot cop. 🔥
Profile Image for Stacy Curtice.
232 reviews3 followers
May 12, 2023
Ooh, I love books with unseen twists and this one has a good one. This was a joy to read and I kind of want to read it again!
Profile Image for Melissa Ledet.
2,143 reviews13 followers
June 1, 2023
Great Read

Loved this book. Jaden and Harlo are from different sides of the law. Their chemistry tools off the charts. Love the ending.
Profile Image for Tree Schwartz.
901 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2024
well done

Really good story with great characters. Fast paced, good descriptions, some curveballs. Enjoyed it, nice escape and a quick read.
Profile Image for Krista Calihan.
95 reviews3 followers
May 6, 2023
I absolutely love the chemistry these two have. Jaden and Harloe both have that stubborn attitudes. There is so much going on but you can keep up without having any trouble. Definitely a great book.
Profile Image for Angels.
2,041 reviews17 followers
November 4, 2025
Jaden Riggers had a decent life until a mistake landed him in prison, leaving him jobless and single. Meanwhile, women are disappearing in town, prompting Harloe to investigate the Iron Claw MC, known for their shady
activities'.Harloe recruits Jaden as an informant in exchange for early release.

Jaden faces a tough choice between betraying his brother and gaining freedom. As they work together, their attraction grows, blurring the lines between cop and informant. The story is filled with suspense and drama, with unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged.

The chemistry between Jaden and Harloe adds depth to the plot, raising questions about loyalty and justice. The characters were great, and we loved all the little twists the plot had.

Can they solve the case and find redemption? "Vindicated" is a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
1,263 reviews19 followers
May 5, 2023
Vindicated by J.L. Leslie is part of The Mayhem Makers Series.

So much drama, angst, violence, betrayals with plenty of steamy moments between Jaden and Harloe. Jaden is serving time for a crime he didn't commit and betrayed by his ex and is now given an opportunity to be released from prison on one condition he will have to work with Harloe who is a cop as her informant. Harloe wants to take down the Iron Claws MC who she thinks is trafficking women and is responsible for her sister who is missing. The only problem for Jaden is that his brother Jason is a member of the club and he is conflicted as his brother is the only family he has left. The sexual chemistry between these two begins from the first chapter as Harloe is aggressively bold and at times offensive which only has Jaden drawn to her. Can he do what she asks of him to stay out of prison and also protect his brother? The more time Harloe is pushing her way into Jaden's life with the rules she has set for him, monitoring his apartment, recording his conversations, Jaden is now coming on to her which is leaving Harloe having doubts about him , can Jaden be vindicated? Can it be she is falling hard for the hard-$ss sexy man ? How will all of this play out, will Jaden go against his brother and stop the feelings he is having for her? When Harloe shows up at the clubhouse, Jaden's brother and ol'lady try to form a relationship with her putting Jaden in a terrible position as he doesn't want to lie to his brother especially as he is now a prospect with the club. Jaden decides to do his own investigation to prove to Harloe that the club is innocent. Harloe now thinks she maybe blaming the wrong people, add to the pressure she is getting from her boss who she happens to be sleeping with. Rex wants her to look elsewhere or he will take her off the case. As more women are being taken, Jaden can't make Harloe see that his brother's club is not responsible when he gives her the information he has put together. As these two take things to another level they end up giving into the passion and chemistry that is between them as they begin a relationship that is off the charts hot and steamy. Can Harloe complete her investigation now that she has given her heart to Jaden?

Jaden is now conflicted by the insta- love connection he has for Harloe, feels he has no choice but to confess to his brother Jason and Blaze, President of the club that he is an informant for Harloe who is a cop and she thinks the club is responsible for women going missing. Once Harloe is brought in to meet Blaze she discovers they are not involved and that they were also looking for her sister when she left the club. Now the Iron Claw MC will work alongside Harloe to find the leader of who is trafficking women. The more Harloe starts to investigate she will be shocked by her discovery. So much drama, suspense, betrayal, violence and murder will occur when the real culprits who are close to Harloe and Jaden are behind everything putting both of them in danger. When Jaden is taken and tortured by someone close to him, with the help from Harloe who put a tracker on him they learn where he is being held. Now we have a daring rescue ending in violence, truths are revealed when Harloe learns she was played all along by someone she trusted who killed her sister and during the turmoil, Jaden is shot. So many twists and turns in this story as finally the leader and his accomplices involved in trafficking women are taken down. While Jaden is taken to the hospital, Harloe is left behind to file her report of what occurred and is given a once in a life opportunity but makes it clear she is in a relationship with Jaden and will not stop seeing him. Once Harloe and Jaden reunite at the hospital, these two commit to each other, Jaden is excited for Harloe's news as he tells her that he realizes she is it the one for him as she made him believe in love again. Can the biker and cop make it work? J.L. Leslie has given her readers a exceptional romance story that is part of the Mayhem Makers Series, the storyline was exciting, thrilling and a real page turner. This is a must read and I highly recommend this story to all fans of J.L. Leslie!
Profile Image for Rebel Devlin.
220 reviews6 followers
December 24, 2023
Vindicated is J.L. Leslie's book in the Mayhem Makers series. It is a short read and full of drama. I really like J.L.'s books but I couldn't truly like this one like the others for some reason. It could have been because of how short it was or the basis of the story itself I'm not sure.
Jaden has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and after serving 7 years Harloe visits him in jail. She's an officer running a special task force to take down a trafficking ring and has made up her mind that Jaden's brother's club the Iron Claw MC is involved. Harloe won't take no for an answer so Jaden has no choice. There's an instant attraction to each other but they both have relationship issues to deal with. Jaden keeps seeing his ex who cheated on him with her own cousin and Harloe is sleeping with her boss. Jaden gets more determined to help his brother the more Harloe questions everything about her life and this case.
I gave this a 3-star rating and a 2-spicy rating because of the unexpected twists that were thrown in that Jaden and Harloe had to face. The MC members seemed like great characters but we didn't get to know them enough. I really feel like if the story was longer and elaborated more in parts I would have enjoyed it more.
Profile Image for M Will.
963 reviews14 followers
May 5, 2023
Another win for this author. I do enjoy a good MC book. There is always gritty characters with a shady back story, compelling drama, some violence, a mystery and always some twists and turns with lots of steam. This book delivers. I absolutely love Jaden's character. Slightly bitter and serving his time for his misdeeds, he's thrust into being an informant for the determined and delightfully aggressive Harloe. Pushed together to help solve a crime, the push and pull between these diametrically opposed characters was explosive to read. I loved it. The story moved quickly and I practically inhaled this book in one setting.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lynn Stifle.
3,817 reviews68 followers
May 5, 2023
Fantastic! The storyline was gripping and flowed smoothly from page to page, the characters are complex, it’s gritty, with twists, suspense, and steamy moments and I couldn’t get enough! Jaden is offered an early release from prison to become an informant for the ever determined police officer, Harloe. I absolutely adored Jaden, I loved the connection between him and Harloe, and the chemistry between these two is palpable. A definite recommended read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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