Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Flawed Fates #1

Save A Life, Tell A Lie

Rate this book
Stalker or vampire?
The choice is yours, but if you make the wrong one…
You die.

He’s spent months watching my every move. Stalking me from the shadows, waiting for the right moment.
When he strikes, I’m not ready.
I’m surrounded by strangers, and far from anyone who might have cared, or at the very least, noticed if I suddenly disappeared.
He’s closing the distance, leaving me with a terrifying choice: take my chances with my stalker, or seek help from a monster more powerful than him. Making the wrong choice could cost me my life.
Risking it all, I throw myself at an extraordinarily handsome stranger. A stranger who just happens to be a vampire. He also happens to be the crown prince of vampires, and he’s disgusted by humans.
I haven’t even been bitten yet, and my life already sucks.
It’s too late to rethink my plan, and I’m out of options. I beg the stranger to claim he knows me.
Instead, the vampire claims me.
But my stalker isn’t ready to admit defeat, and the vampire I sought refuge with isn’t willing to let me go.
A stalker. A vampire. A choice that might end my life.


SLTL is a new series focused on Journee and her vampire mate (yes, this series has only one guy! Don’t worry, he’s drool-worthy). This story has it all: a stalker, coming into power, vampire royalty, a protective mate, humor, heat, and eventually a HEA. For my naughty readers, this book is a medium burn that’s worth the wait… and you better be ready, because once they get started, things really get spicy! Journee's vampire mate falls in love with her the moment he meets her and will do anything to protect what is his.

Note: Please be sure to read the full sensitivity note before diving into this story. With a violent, obsessed stalker and a protective vampire prince with a beast-like form, some scenes are a bit wild and include darker elements (such as physical violence during an attack scene).

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2023

432 people are currently reading
759 people want to read

About the author

Sedona Ashe

41 books928 followers
Sedona Ashe lives in a tiny town in Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains. She enjoys reading and writing stories filled with powerful paranormal females, and sexy supernatural men. Sedona has a tea collection of over 300 teas from around the world, which her husband claims has become an obsession. When she isn't writing, she enjoys hiking, free diving, and photography. She shares her home with three kids, four pups, five cats, an arctic fox, chickens, a crazy turkey, and way too many reptiles!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
691 (41%)
4 stars
527 (31%)
3 stars
321 (19%)
2 stars
101 (6%)
1 star
34 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
Profile Image for Carrie.
231 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2023
I’m obviously the odd woman out here, because I don’t understand all the 5 stars. I started out really intrigued, even though the FMC seemed a bit dim. But as it went on, and I learned more and more, I just couldn’t put up with her anymore. She has a very serious stalker. She didn’t ever call the police because she thought she needed proof. Then we learn that he’s broken into her locked home, car and locker at work and left gifts, along with a note saying something like “soon, my dear”. What do you call that?! Proof! The stalker chased her with a knife less than 24 hours previously, but because she’s mad at Zyon, she makes her vampire body guard leave. We know the stalker can get into her locked apartment, yet she goes back anyway, and stays there alone, and then is surprised when he shows up and attacks her. I just can’t fathom such a lack of self-preservation! Or logic. And then, the final straw for me, was sex while still actively bleeding and swelling from the attack. He wants to heal her head because she’s swelling so quickly and then… they just don’t bother and screw instead. Her vision is impaired because of the severity of the injury… And they just do it anyway. And also, there’s her throat, which was squeezed so violently that she can barely speak now but we just leave that too to screw. Much of it was repetitive (hello, internal alarm bells ringing every three minutes), but the immaturity of the main character was just too much for me. Maybe I’ve aged out of this genre. 🤷‍♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dew.
762 reviews63 followers
February 9, 2023
uninspired

The protagonist is named “Journee” and she is a microscopic manic pixie dream girl. However will she survive? She is so smol and helpless, she needs a big strong man to save her.
Profile Image for ⋆˚ leyla ✿˖°.
327 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2025
‘You picked me to save you because I’m a bigger monster than him, didn’t you?’
UM YEAH. BIG BIG MONSTER wink wink!!!

No comments, I like hurt comfort, vampires, and the plot of an actual bad stalker.
This book was just, lackluster. Not horrible though!
Profile Image for Sarah D.
1,127 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2023
The story was good enough to keep me reading, but the writing was so-so. The dialogue felt stilted and and the overall writing didn’t flow well. I kept waiting for something to happen that would really engage me.

And things do happen in this book, but it never really manages to develop the characters or clue you into what’s going on.

Journee is sort of useless and dumb. Predictably, we find out she’s secretly special. But by the end of the first book, even her specialness is just hinted at.

Zyon is a 300 year old bore. He’s also secretly special. By the end of the first book, that’s all we really know about him. He really likes Journee, which is unusual because he normally dislikes women. He’s about to star in the Bachelor for Vampires, but the book never progresses to that point.
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,088 reviews119 followers
February 24, 2023
Hot monster!

Oh my, Short but amazing! I absolutely loved this read. Crazy lunatic stalker. (Check). hot protective Vampire prince with hidden monster (check). Smut/hot monster bumpings? (Check!) Fanning self. Trigger warning, this stalker is definitely unhinged and there is a part of the read with some serious assault/almost s.a. please be advised. But the entire storyline had me hooked. I am buzzing to read what's next for these two. And learning what our H is and capable of.
Profile Image for Brittany Duszczyszyn.
1,110 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2025
Journee female protagonist, has a stalker.
The stalker was following her home from work and she ran through the streets looking for help. Then the stalker caught up with her and she ran into the arms of
Zion Vampire with long white hair, she had never met him before but she pretended they were an item & kissed him. Then she announced that they were engaged and her stalker came up to them upset then Zion told him that she is his soul mate.

He brought her back home to his house, he’s a 300 year old prince & his 600 year old grandmother is Queen of the vampires. His grandmother is not happy he’s apparently soul bonded to

she went back to her apartment and Adner the stalker broke in and broke her wrist & assaulted her (he wanted to check her naked body for a vampire bite).
Zion came to save her, he wrapped a cloth around her face so she wouldn’t look at him, apparently he turned into a large vampire monster 👿 apparently the stalker died and was thrown in the alley outside her window (but he escaped) Adner is a Vampire hunter & called Zion “the abomination”

Zion & Journee mated when he got her back to the castle in his monster form.

Adner and the other hunters now know the prince is the abomination their books talked about and they are going to make a plan to kill him. They also said that Journee is something special and they are wondering why she hasn’t “sparked” yet? If she also a vampire hunter but not come into her powers yet? Or is she something else?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ROMEOISNOTFUNNY.
795 reviews13 followers
July 8, 2025
I enjoyed this more than I expected to. It had a roller coaster of emotions. From heat/fun to disgust/fear

It's a first to read a book with a stalker who isn't morally grey and the toxic behaviour being endearing in an unhinged way. This stalker has all the vibes you hope to never come across. I feel so bad for Journey, the fear anxiety and horror are written well enough to echo in me. Sadly I read some comments which ended up victim shaming her. Yes she's fictional, but would you say the same things to a real woman, would you question why she didn't go to the police when the stalker left gifts and that could be used as proof... if I were her, it probably wouldn't occur to me either, she's in constant flight to survive mode! Logical and hindsight thinking isn't easy at the best of times!

Anyway rant over, back to the book. There is more to the plot than a soul bond. There's acceptance, unknown heritage, duty and threats. Oh and monster smut, just a bit in this book as it's medium burn. But also hot!

While there are plot holes, the characters for me are entertaining and Jo and Zyon are cosy, the bond making the relationship speed up tenfold and their acceptance making me hope for a HEA. Even if the ending of book 1 suggests otherwise 😬

Written in POV of the FMC, MMC and stalker. A vampire human soul bond spicy medium burn book. 3.7 stars
Profile Image for Sonya.
1,270 reviews58 followers
January 31, 2023
I enjoyed Journee and Zyon's story. Imagine fearing for your life and running into the very thing you feared for safety. This story was a different take on Vampires. Journee was hilarious because although she feared vampires she never imagined running into the arms of one for protection from a stalker. As if that wasn't crazy enough she never imagined being Mated to a Powerful Vampire Prince.

Zyon detests humans but all of that changed the night Journee ran into his unsuspecting arms. Realizing this human beauty was in danger Zyon didn't hesitate to claim her for himself.

I had my suspicions about Journee's stalker Abner as well as my suspicions about Journee. I'm so glad I was correct in both assumptions and can't wait for Book 2 to see how everything will come full circle.
Profile Image for Laverne.
344 reviews3 followers
February 1, 2023
DNF. Awful writing and immature, annoying characters.
258 reviews3 followers
February 14, 2023
A different take on vampires. For starters, they are born, not made.

Journee has a crazy stalker chasing her through town with a knife. In a last hope effort, she throws herself at a vampire for protection, claiming he's her fiance. He plays along, claiming she's his true mate. He also happens to be royalty.

Zyon vows to protect her from the psycho and takes her to his castle.

This had a lot of potential, but it was a very short read with a lot of info crammed into it, which didn't flow naturally.
I also get fated mates, but their story developed too quickly for me.
I enjoy the characters, and while it was very predictable, I had a good time
I'll probably be back to read the rest when it comes out, if I don't forget...
Profile Image for Heather.
392 reviews46 followers
March 3, 2023
I'm really starting to believe that there's something wrong with me and my approach to fantasy romance fiction. Despite the 3-star rating, this book wasn't unenjoyable, but it was conceptually silly and I'm running into that a lot here lately which, like I said, leads me to believe that there's something wrong with me and my expectations going into what I'm reading. So I'm going to nitpick unapologetically so I can explain why I feel this way.
I went into this book blind, not even re-reading the synopsis so I had no preconceived notions. The story starts out mid-panic as she is trying to get away from her stalker. I LOVED this. This kind of thing pulls me right in, right away, and I don't even have to convince myself to keep going to get to the "exciting parts", so kudos to the author for that approach. But this took me into some weird territory. She admits that her stalker is attractive and that he's been doing this for months on end so she's "familiar" with his presence, but she has an undeniable fear towards him. Aside from the knife she says he has-- which come on, I don't care if they are celebrating, that would strike bystanders as odd... we don't really know what his intentions are because they've never interacted. So she decides to throw herself at this unknown, yet attractive guy and instead of asking for help or giving any indication like please play along, she just starts spouting off that she's missed him and kisses him. This makes no sense to me. Then she quite suddenly refers to him as a vampire in her inner monologue. After referring to him and his friends as a group of guys on end, vampire comes out of nowhere and I literally took note of it thinking that it was a mistake by the author because it was so off putting. But nope, apparently they know they're vampires and it's a widely known thing amongst humans that vampires exist. Then she goes on to explain she's always kept away from them and was afraid of them, so naturally it makes perfect sense for her to throw herself into the arms of one when trying to escape someone else she deems as a threat. I know the author is trying to allude to some kind of real bond/fated mates kinda thing that they share, but it just comes across as weird rather than some kind of magical pull that she could not resist. Then there's a lot of insta-love stuff that comes across as cheesy and then 99% of our FMC's preceding interactions with characters that are practically strangers to her take place entirely too casually. It all just felt so unreal which I know is strange to say in reference to fantasy, but I guess I enjoy events and emotions having a logical sequence even when they're outside my own reality.
The author clearly has talent. Her writing has a natural flow that makes it easy to read and entices you to keep reading, but the concepts used as a whole are a jumbled mess. I don't know how else to describe it, but it's almost like when the bare ingredients of a recipe are top quality and delicious in nature, yet are brought together to make the most unappetizing dish.
Anyway, like I said, maybe it's just me and I'm the problem, but I do know that there are works out there that are part of the fantasy romance genre that I deem utter perfection. Where every magical element unfolds in intricate ways that make perfect sense. All that aside, if you don't mind cheesy acts of devotion paired with a quick paced, high action plot, then this may be the book for you. If you're looking for something with a little more substance and a well-crafted, mind-blowing plot, then you might want to skip this one.
Profile Image for Carrie.
2,509 reviews18 followers
November 7, 2025
I blindly picked this book up because it was included in my audible membership and I was out of credits. It had good reviews and was in paranormal romance, so I figured what’s the harm. It has a few interesting twists on what you’d expect, so I think it exceeded my expectations here.

Journee (did not realize that’s how you spell it because I audiobooked) is being stalked. This new world exists where vampires rule over humans from castles but somehow crime is not obliterated. She doesn’t want to go to the cops or alert anyone to her increasingly creepy stalker who has been breaking into her place and leaving gifts. When she sees him waiting at her car, she bolts and ends up making some terrible decisions that end up with her forcing Zyon to pretend to be her fiancé.

Zyon is prince of the vampires, but Journee appears to be unaware of that fact. She knows he’s a vampire and somehow knows he will protect her from her stalker. He does, but her throwing herself into his arms triggers some sort of vampire mate instinct that has him officially claiming her as his. Not official enough to put his grandmother off a big matchmaking thing later, but still binding.

These two have sizzle and we eventually get to big bad monster stuff, but there is a lot of awkward before then. Journee appears terrified and hiccup-ridden when around vampires, which makes her new situation pretty terrible. Zyon has also already committed to this matchmaker thing which will come to bite them (haha) in the next book. The way this book ends is silly and sexy and also kind of obvious. I don’t love being in bad guy POV, but it was probably necessary for storytelling in this one.
Profile Image for Jack-Jack.
357 reviews
August 1, 2023
The hyper instalove trope dispelled my enthusiasm, it truly ruins the story.

Reminder for me:
143 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2023
too short

I liked the start of this story, and that is what this is - a start. I like the dual POV but it felt like other characters or timelines were “paused” when we switched, like all the balls fell to the ground until the author picked them up again next chapter. I wanted to know what was happening in the greater book world and side characters more. I wanted something that built out the world a bit more horizontally, like what are the best friends doing? What about the queen? We didn’t have a whole lot of book to lay out all the basics and building blocks, we jussssttt got the possible main plot points by the last page but I wanted a bit more development before the cliffhanger. So, short read, and I want more. So I guess the author succeeded but I’ll need more building in the next books.
Profile Image for Rachel-Leigh LaBuschagne.
Author 1 book3 followers
October 13, 2025
I’ve really enjoyed the way that this book started. It was really gripping. You want to understand this dynamic of who this girl is running from. The story did get more in-depth into the mindset of the stalker. As well as the completely ordinary life of our female main character. This incident changed her life forever. Now some might find the whole storyline a cliche to an extent. But let’s be honest who doesn’t love romantic cliches. I’ve done correctly make me wait into a storyline quite beautifully. I also enjoyed the secondary character in the story. And I honestly hope we see more of him and maybe even get his own storyline. There were unique parts of the story that I hadn’t read before in any other book. But I enjoyed the fact that vampires were unknown species within the human world. And that these vampires weren’t just hiding but almost seen as celebrities.
7 reviews
February 1, 2023
Another winning beginning

I don't leave reviews often, yet to the victor go the spoils.
The author has a wondrous way of sucking you into their new world. This book doesn't fail at new world building. If anything it was hard to be completely drawn in and start to panic knowing I was 73% done😀
I do not fear a cliffhanger and if your familiar with the author it's all worth the wait.. I love a strong sassy FMC and that's just what I got. I don't want to spoil anyone's journey with brief descriptions and synopsis's. I want the reader to embrace every twist turn and revelation themselves. I truly enjoy this author and her ability to weave humor in unique moments 😃 Happy reading.
Profile Image for Booksfordays40.
290 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2023
I really like Journee- we don’t know much about her. Other than, she moved to the city, doesn’t have many friends, and is from a small town. She’s avoided Vampires her whole life, not from any personal experience, but from the danger she feels they represent. Fate has other plans for her. I really like the chemistry between Journee and Zyon- he never expected her, and she has no idea that she may be something more. And Zyon is more than he seems too, which, is rather delicious I have to say. I can’t wait to see what Journee is like when she comes into power, or what that is like. This book was a treat, action, chemistry with some humor thrown in. Easy to read in an evening. I look forward to what’s next!!
Profile Image for Laura.
2,157 reviews19 followers
April 27, 2023
This was ok. There was a little too much happening and not enough at the same time. Journee has a stalker and one night he escalates his pursuit and she desperately gets a vampire to say they are together. Zyon doubles down and says they are mates and all sorts of issues come from that.

There are several sub-stories of Journee and Zyon being unique snowflakes and a previously beleived to be extinct group of hunters. That was all well and good but things just kind of flew by, there wasn't a ton of development. Also, the blurb led me to believe Zyon was going to be a shades of gray character but he was like ridiculously nice, so that was weird. But this wasn't bad and I may see what happens next.
Profile Image for Laurel.
458 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2023
Save me! This story was EVERYTHING I never knew I wanted. Sedona Ashe knocked this one out of the park. This story is from multiple POV's and you get every detail from every angle. I love Journee and her witty banter. She is so adorable with secrets hidden about her she is even unaware of. How can she not fall for the Vampire Prince Zyon and want to ride him in all his glory?!? He is delicious and together I fell into instalove with them both. You get a thrilling story, smexy time medium to fast burn because it is fire, on top of all characters (even the side ones) you will adore. Run to read this and then wait like the rest of us to read book 2!!
Profile Image for Angela Parker.
585 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2023
This is a fantastic quirky story. Our FMC Journee is being stalked by a menacing hulk of a guy and literally fears for her life. Reading this you can feel her terror and her burning desire to escape. Any woman living alone needs to feel secure in her own home and Abner takes this from her, he truly is a terrifying man.
To be so terrified that she would choose a vampire rather than Abner speaks volumes to how scared of him she is. Zyon is a far nicer man even if he is a vampire. Love the unexpected start to their relationship.
There’s an intriguing twist at the end of the book, looking forward to seeing what happens next, a great first book to yet another quirky series from Sedona.
Profile Image for Sara Gomez.
173 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2023
Save a Life, Tell a Lie

First Sedona Ashe has provided us with another must read. Unfortunately she leaves us on a cliffhanger and rite when things were getting heated.

Journee has a stalker that has turned her life upside down and made her afraid of her own shadow. One day as she just finished closing the store she works for she sees him leaning on her car waiting for her. She does what any sane person would do, she snuck out the back door and was hopeful to make it to her apartment. Along the way she slips from his grasp and runs straight to the arms of someone she hoped would play along that they were engaged.

Grab your copy today and happy reading.
Profile Image for Cristina.
162 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2023
Omg......this book is sooooo amazing I was so shocked and sad it ended! I need more!! This is a m/f vampire romance where we follow Journee and she struggles with a stalker and what to do. She decides her best option to survive may lie in yhe one monster greater than her stalker. What happens when Journee meets Zyon? Will she survive Abner? This was an AMAZING book with wonderful characters and a steamy fast paced world that sucks you in immediately. I can't wait for book 2 and to see what happens next!
23 reviews
January 31, 2023
OMG. I had no idea what this book was about going into it. All I knew was there was a new book by Sedona Ashe and I needed it in my life. It has plenty of suspense and lighthearted moments. I am already not so patiently waiting for the next book. I am normally not a fan of vampires at all but this story somehow managed to stay true to most vampire tendencies without creeping me out. Give this one a try, it is a good quick read with good world building.
63 reviews
February 7, 2023
Great read

I love how it started off right away. I literally could not put this book down. Journee's character is hilarious. I love the chemistry between her and Zyon. I'm super excited for book 2 to see what happens with the stalker/hunter and the queen. Also to see how their relationship develops further with learning more about her at the end of book 1. Definitely a must read. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Debs.
1,169 reviews4 followers
February 11, 2023
Fab short story

I enjoyed this short story about Journee and the vampire prince. She knew that she was being stalked. At first he was part of the shadows but recently he has stepped out of them and is no longer hiding. He has also been in her work place and also her house; leaving her gifts. This particular night though, she doesn't think she is going to make it home alive as he has a knife. 🔥read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.