Broken Illusions

Ashryn Barker #2

by Laura Greenwood

What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?

Everything was going so well for me before I became a vampire. Now, I've got a target on my back, and my main ally is a vampire who still hates me.

Why did it have to be Bram sent on a mission with me?

My name is Ashryn Barker, and I'm now what I once hunted.

A paranormal reverse harem.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Fantasy

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

Book two of the Ashryn Barker trilogy and things are really getting good now. Ashryn is sent on her fist mission as a vampire. The catch is it is with a vamp that hates as well as being the headquarters of the hunters. What follows is almost surreal as Ashryn tries to figure what is really going on between the two groups, who she can really trust, and what road her love life will be taking. It is almost too much for the poor girl. Again I laughed, shook my head, and rooted Ashryn on as the story unfolded. The finale is going to be great. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.

[Jeanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This feels less like a trilogy & more like a serial. Cliffhanger ending.

[JadeShea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the series has Ashryn and Bram being hunted by hunters. These two must do what they can in order to finish their mission and get home safely. Along the way, their relationship starts to change some as well. This makes things more complicated for Ashryn, but also more interesting.

This books was okay overall. I was hoping it would be great, but it wasn't. However, it wasn't bad either. I didn't like how some of the things changed from the first book to this one. Like the item they were looking for was completely different all of a sudden. Other than that, I like it.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once a fierce vampire hunter, Ashryn is now a hunted vampire. She and Bram are on a mission for Dimitri and trying to escape hunters along the way. After hiding in close quarters for the day they make it to the guild to complete their mission. It becomes more complicated and dangerous with each new revelation.

This is another entertaining novella. Plenty of new information. Ashryn is a worthy lead female. She's starting to come into her own as a vampire, acknowledging the fact that vampires aren't all bad and that hunters aren't all good. She has been brainwashed and manipulated her entire life but now she knows. She will make amends. I loved her evolving relationship with Bram. As her life as a vampire becomes more clear, her attraction to the vampires becomes more confusing. Bram, Dimitri, Eric, Remus; I look forward to more.

[Nathalie Bookwurm · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Broken Illusions by Laura Greenwood is an absolute must-read!
From the very first page, I was pulled into a world full of magic, mystery, and powerful emotions 🔮🔥. The main character is strong and captivating, the story is packed with tension and unexpected twists, and the romantic elements add that perfect extra touch 💔❤️. Laura Greenwood knows exactly how to keep you hooked right through to the very last page. Impossible to put down! 📖✨

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Illusions by Laura Greenwood.
This was a fantastic read. Loved bram didn't like him at first but he grew on me. Loved the part where she and bram were together in the metal box. 5*.

[Georgina Greenwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was wrong this is worse than the first

[Avid · Rating 1 out of 5]

These "novels" are so short that nothing really gets answered. This series could have been one solid, well-developed full-length novel, but instead it is three random novellas with unsatisfied potential.

Plot: Newly turned vampire/ ex-vampire hunter seems to be betrayed by her new vampire family. She gets sent out on a mission with Bram. They get caught. I'm still not exactly sure how. The description is lacking in details. There's an awful lot of discussion between the characters without any illustration about what they're *doing*. So it's like they're just standing in the middle of the street talking about being a vampire, and then boom, they're captured. [insert eye roll here]

Characters: Not well-illustrated. We still know very little about them, and there's no real improvement in this novel. Readers don't get motivations or background, just bits and pieces. Bram may be the best illustrated out of all of them, but readers still never learn what happened with his wife. Ever. Don't go looking for that info in book 3 either. It's not there. I care nothing for these characters. They aren't sympathetic or compelling. The world-building continues to need major improvement; it's still non-existent.

Romance: Same as in first novel - weird. it's clear there's an attraction between female MC and the four guys. It's not clear why. That's it. Mostly PG-13.

Technical: Editing still seems to be non-existent. Subject-verb disagreements, run-on sentences, straight up incorrect words used. E.g., "You feel asleep." was repeated even before "fell" was finally used correctly. "None existence" instead of "non-existent". etc. Often the sentences didn't make sense because key words were missing or there was a jumble of mis-matched words. Inconsistencies and contradictions continue in this novel. Over narration continues with repetitive ruminations.

Overall: I did not like this novel, either. This series continues to annoy me, but because these novellas are so short, I'm pressing on to see how the series ends.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

To fully understand this first book in what I hope will be a long series, you need to read the book one, Shattered Illusions. It's short and free and gives the backstory about how the heroine of this series, Ashryn, was turned from vampire hunter to vampire as well as her first days in this shocking new role. It is a quick read, but I imagine readers would be lost in this book without it.

Ashryn is a fun narrator to follow around. The way her mind works is a delight to watch. She's sassy, sarcastic, and is out of her depth at times dealing with her thoughts and emotions about her new circumstance. In this book, she and another vampire--one who was most displeased that she was turned because of her past profession--are forced to rely on each other during a mission to her old guild. Will they survive this? Will his hate soften? Just what does the future have in store for them?

If you're familiar with the Seven Wardens series by Skye MacKinnon, you might find similarities between that series and the start of this one--except that this one's about vampires and that one was about mythical Scottish creatures. I sense a similarity in the strength of the heroines, the relatively short but dramatic story, and the intriguing men that both seem to gather to them.

The book had the common issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage that seem to afflict most books these days, but I wasn't particularly distracted as I genuinely did enjoy watching the events of the story unfold and the turn of Ashryn’s mind.

I look forward to the continued adventures of Ashryn and her new cohort.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chyina Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young vampire hunter being betrayed and turned into a vampire herself. There is so much one could do with this. Ashryn is a hunter, one of the best and everyone in the guild knows it but when she gets a special mission it is still a surprise. No one is supposed to go on missions alone. But she goes anyway. She has the power of being able to see through the lies of others, she should've known something was wrong when her boss was wearing sunglasses indoors but Ashryn wants to prove herself anyway. Ten vamps in a house. Should be easy. Should be.

Oddly enough, the protagonist was the least interesting character in the book. The vampires all have unique personalities that make you want to learn more about them, How did thy get to be where they are now while Ashryn doesn't question anything, she just goes along with everything and her voice is never really shaped.

The ending was a bit ridiculous, it wasn't just a cliffhanger but it felt completely random, as though the author had gotten bored and decided it was time to end the book without even explaining half of the questions posed throughout the course of the work.

[Tash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
After a great opening book , introducing to Ashryn and whose entire world which was changed in a second . She becoming the prey that she once hunted and opened up her eyes to a whole different world of thinking.
Broken Illusions returns where things left off and things have only just gotten more interesting. With Ashryn now is a vamp on a mission with a guy she doesn’t know what to feel. She isn’t letting up with the guys in her life who offer very different perspectives about her new life and expectations . Interesting information comes into play this novel and the direction that this series goes is not totally unexpected . In fact , it made for a great choice as allowed Greenwood to build what readers expected on her own terms.
Imagination comes into play once again as this is an action drive series and whilst Ashryn gets into some tricky situations that readers will take pleasure in .Ashryn’s story is ongoing and readers will be pleased to know that the series is really talking shape and the lines are becoming clear




For more of my reviews, visit Thoughts by Tash.And drop by the blog's Facebook page

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine has now become one of the things she hunted.

This is book two in the series and it picks up where book one left off. While each book tends to contain a complete "mission" if you will, here it is rather important that you understand how she got where she is now. I definitely recommend reading these stories in order.

I have to admit that I got off to a rough start with this series, finding the heroine a little immature and flighty in the first book. But I have gotten over it and am really enjoying the story and the characters now. We continue to get more details on the world, the characters and the conflicts and it has made the entirety much more engaging to me. I found I had a hard time putting this one down and moved straight on to the next.

Very well written and easy to read, I highly recommend this book and series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashryn Barker was a vampire hunter, until something went very wrong and she became the thing she used to hunt. Now she’s running through a forest, on her first mission, with a man who hates her – despite the protective looks Bram keeps giving her since they escaped. With sunrise quickly coming, they don’t have many options.

Now being one of the vampires, Ashryn is finding out disturbing things about the Vampire Hunter Guild and seeing things in a new perspective. She is also learning how to get along with her vampire team of Remus, Bram, Eric and Dimitri.

I liked the humor in this book that made it a fun, enjoyable read. The characters are well defined and likable, familiar in some cases since this is the second book in the Trilogy. The twists and turns keep things exciting and the reader will love the surprises along the way! Definitely recommended!

[Brianna Belbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing sequel! Ashryn and Bram go on a mission to recover a knife from the Hunter’s Guild that she used to belong to. While on the mission, her and Bram open up and learn more about each other. She continues to learn more about the vampire community and realizes the majority of what she was taught were lies. I loved the relationship growth between Ashryn, Bram, and Dimitri. This book once again was fast paced and action packed with more twist, turns, secrets, and lies. I can’t wait to see how this trilogy concludes!
Charlotte did another fantastic job with the narration! She continues to bring Ashryn’s personality to life with her performance and keep me entertained.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
@AudiobookObsession

[Leslie Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ashryn Barker series is a fantastic series. In this book Ashryn is accepting her new reality and the men there to help her along the way. Everything is not what it seems, either. Secrets in the Guild and in the vampire camp are a constant worry. With her power, she does have a bit of an advantage. I loved the way she got Bram to talk to her while they were hiding from the hunters. It did wonders for his attitude towards her. Just when she thinks she's learned the truth about all the lies she had been taught from 6, she learns something new. Her whole world is not what she thought, but she has four vampires ready and willing to help her cope. I will have a hard time waiting on the next book. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story
Ashryn and Bram find them selves in the hands of the hunters. The Hunter Commander decides their fate. Turning them loose just before dawn and allowing his hunters to hunt them down. Luckily, Ashryn know a hiding place. The close quarters forces them to talk things out, and explore their attraction. When night falls, they head back to the hunter bunker determined to fulfill their mission. They are in for a shock when Dmitri and Eric show up. Secrets are revealed. Then hunters must be taken down.
Great story. A light easy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Will be adding to my wish list.

[Ketty · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Vampire vs Vampire hunters
- Ex-hunter turned Vampire
- Broody men
- Growth for the fmc
- Still building to the Reverse Harem/Why choose
- Another Cliffhanger

Spice Level: 🌶

We pick up right where we left off, on a other mission that vaguely feels like another trap. But this time Ashryn is stuck with asshole Bram...literally.

We finally get a peak at the why choose aspects of this series, we get a steamy kissing scene with Bram, an interrupted kiss with Dimitri and snuggles with Remus. But as suspected in previous review this is a lit as hot and bothered as it gets. Just throwing that out there early just in case.

I liked this one much better than the first one (spoiler alert for next review) and the next. There is lots of action and character building in this one. We see Ashryn embracing her new lot in life, growing as a person and learning to be herself and not the mindless soldier the Guild had made her to be.

We also get to learn Dimitri's secret (I called it in book one but shh) which spurs the mission Ashryn and Bram were sent on...a ceremonial knife that will hurt the Guild should they not have it.

This was a fun read.

[Cassandra Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to see further development of Ashryn's personality and story in this book. Continuing on from Shattered Illusions, we pick up right where we left off as she fights her way back to where she now belongs.

We see further development of her relationships with Bram and Dimitri, with hints at the one with Eric. Still no super hot and heavy moments, which is one of relief as the MC still needs to find her way and accept her own life.

I received a copy of this book from the author for review consideration.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second Ashryn Barker series book is a great continuation of Ashryn's story, and a brilliant read in itself. I liked the development of relationships we see in here, alongside the action, and that the romantic action remains PG level (no matter what her thoughts might think at times!!). I cannot wait to read book 3 and find out what happens with the action and the relationships next!!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I liked this book more than the first in this series. This book was a little bit longer but had plenty of drama and action. Ashryn is more accepting of her new life and the true nature of the Guild. Braum and her were able to bond during the mission and allowed the reader to get to know him as a character more. The sexual tension was ramped up a bit in this book with Dimitri and Braum. This book helped set up for what is to come in the final book of the trilogy. I still felt like this book was short but not necessarily rushed.

[Deborah Snowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Illusions is the second book of the Ashryn Barker Trilogy and it was great! The book starts off where we left off in the first book with Ashryn & Bram on the run from the vampire hunters. In this book Ashryn is struggling with her past with the Guild and what she has done on their behalf. Bram and Ashryn relationship grows stronger and she is confused about her attractions to the men helping her Bram, Dimitri, Remus and Eric. This is an exciting fast paced short reverse harem. Excited to read the next book! 4.5Stars

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Ashryn Barker series and boy oh boy there are soo many questions that I have that I hope the next book will answer. This book actually allows us to get to know about Ashryn on a deeper level and understand a little bit on why she is the way she is. With plenty of action and a little bit of romance mixed in we are starting to see just how complicated Ashryn's life is. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and interesting

I would recommend this Slow Burn to any reader. The MC is a strong female character and the men surrounding her are pretty interesting. Even with her becoming a vampire and being hunted she still shows her emotional side and eternal turmoil. Cannot wait for book 3 to come out and see where her adventure takes her. Excited for the way she is caring for her man also.

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashryn was a vampire hunter - until she was turned to be a vampire Dimitri sends her, with Bram, a vampire who seems to hate her, to recover a knife from the Hunter's Guild foundation. Secrets will be revealed, will they survive the guild's traps? This book follows seamlessly the first book in this awesome series, and I cant wait to read the third book! Laura Greenwood is an amazing author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Illusions: A Paranormal Reverse Harem by Laura Greenwood is a wonderful story to read. This is book number two in the is wonderful series that I love to read. It is about vampires which I love to read and I can not wait for the next book to come out. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves vampires.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was good to get more details bout how the Guild works and their links to the vampires. Ashryn learns a few things that turn her world upside down and she spends lot of time re-evaluating what she thought she knew.
There was a lot of internal conversations for Ashlyn as she worked through everything she discovered along with her growing feelings about the boys. A big Chung of this book is about Ashryn and Bram which was lovely to see how their relationship develops.

[Linda (ellsky) Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment focused on the growing relationship between Ashryn and Bram, one of the members of her reverse-harem set. Ashryn's power to see someone's deepest secret by looking them in the eye has a lot of potential. The stakes (haha) in this series never really seem that high, and the characters get out of danger relatively easily. Not a favorite, but the author has many other amazing series to read.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two and the action and excitement does not stop Ashryn and Bram learn a lot more about each other, they may actually become friends! She also learns more about the hunters and she does not like what she finds out

With a couple of twists and a great storyline paced well with loveable characters, I am very looking forward to book three

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

RH Vampire Series

RH. 4 Vampires. Sarcastic heroine. Always thinking and her inner dialog is funny. The book starts off where the first one left off; with Bram and Ashryn being set loose from the hunters. After they continue on with there mission from Dimitri. Will be pre-ordering the next book.

[Courtney Borgstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This literally picks up right where we left off. Ashryn and Bram are running for their lives from the elite. When the stumble upon a bunker, they are forced to spend the day together in VERY close quarters. Needless to say, this allows their relationship to develop. I genuinely enjoy Ashryn, and I find her to be a compelling character. Loved it!