Broken

Evergreen Academy #2

by Ruby Vincent

Ils m'ont brisée.
Ryder, Maverick, Ezra et Jaxson ne pensaient pas que je reviendrais pour ma deuxième année.
Les chevaliers cruellement froids d'Evergreen croyaient que la Marque suffirait à se débarrasser de moi... à me faire taire.
Mais maintenant, j'ai une toute nouvelle raison de rester. Ces quatre-là vont connaître une douleur bien pire que celle que j'ai endurée.
Ils m'ont déchirée jusqu'à ce qu'il ne reste plus rien... et maintenant, je vais leur rendre la pareille.

Genres: Romance, High School, Contemporary, Dark, Dark Romance, New Adult, Enemies To Lovers

240 pages, ebook

First published August 15, 2019

About the author

Ruby Vincent is a published author with many novels under her belt but now she's taking a fun foray into contemporary romance. She loves saucy heroines, bold alpha males, and weaving a tale where both get their happy ever after.

Reviews

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valentina turns the tables on her bullies and the school.



The story in this book as good as the first in the series, maybe even better since a lot of the questions got answered. Many, though not all of the secrets came out. Though there are still a few mysteries left. He thing I liked most about this book is that the heroine, Val, decides to go on the offensive. Though I had hoped for a bit more romance, but I think that will come in the next book.

Valentina always withstood the bullies and from the very first knew that she was not going to give up and quit school because it was her way out of the slums and the way she will support her family in the future. Though the Knights did break her about as much as they possibly could at the end of book one which was also the end of her Freshman year.

Nobody at school expects her to return, but Val is not only returning, but returning with a warning that she is coming for the Knights and the Diamonds. The Diamonds are the top girls in the school. Val also has a few others on her list including the school itself since the teachers and administrators ignored the bullying that went on since she was marked.

The mysterious spades are also on her list. The spades are the group that marked her in the first place and everyone at the school from the Headmaster to the teachers, the Knights and the entire student body is so afraid of being marked along with her that they either bully her whether they want to or not or ignore the bullying that goes on in the school.

I really liked the story, though as of yet there hasn’t been much romance. Val had a bit of a crush at the beginning of the first book on a few of the boys and some attraction and kissing in this book but not much more than that. Through I really liked the ending and I just love how tough Val was in this entire book!

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[Valkyrie ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s something about a well done RH bully romance in an academy setting that I can’t resist.

[benevolent bastard · Rating 5 out of 5]

After those boys have been hounding and bullying the heroine she’s gotten revenge against them all! I love it!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet retribution!!!!

That vengeance was so good I needed a cigarette after! I was right and damn did it feel so great to be right. I still can’t forgive or trust the guys. Not to mention anyone else at the school. Hopefully guilt doesn’t destroy our heroine.

[Art of Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg if you guys haven’t started this series yet then you absolutely have to! Ruby Vincent is actually a new author to me and yesterday i saw marked in my suggestions and read the blurb and since I absolutely love bully romances i had to get it!
I literally devoured marked which is book 1 in the series and let me tell you I’m super pumped that i got to get an ARC of Broken!!

If you thought book 1 was crazy damn book 2 is going freaking amazing right now! I’m literally devouring this one as well!!
Like seriously Ruby has got this bully romance thing to perfection!
My girl Val is on a warpath and I’m seriously loving every moment of it!!

Holyyyy hellll that was a god damn huge hit bombshell!! This book is seriously holy hell amazing!!!
Just finished and this was amazing! The amount of drama had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I literally devoured it when i started and i cannot wait for book 3!!

If you haven’t started this series yet then I highly recommend it! A definite 5⭐️ read!

[Skye Minnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Just incredible!

I love a series when each book is better than the one before. This is definitely the case in this series. It was intense and I am guessing and hoping the next book will be more of the same. It wasn't like some of the bullying books I have read where the things they pull and get away with are just soo over the top and completely unbelievable. This also had such a great flow to it. I loved it!! 100⭐️✨🌟⭐️🌠🌠🌠

[Danique van Dijk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this? This is what I’m talking about Vincent. Hell yes.

🎭 The story 🎭
Another year, more problems. But this time around, these problems aren’t necessarily for Val. Because she’s coming for the people who wronged her, and they don’t stand a bloody chance.

YES. Girl, THIS is what I’m talking about!!!!!! I loved it. I loved it so damn much! I can actually scream about this for hours; but I’m so glad that the story went like this. Like I said, in Breakbattle Academy I was struggling with the amount of revenge, because my psycho self needed more. But Val? She knows what’s business. I. Can’t. Breathe.

I was so scared that it still wouldn’t go the way I wanted, since she started off with taking Airi down, and I was scared she’d only take out her revenge on the girls. But hell no, she didn’t. And her revenge was borderline psycho and I’M SO HERE FOR IT. Seriously, first the violin - which had me laughing like a lunatic - and then the way she broke her OWN NOSE?! I am still crying from laughing, this chick is bad ass.

The plottwists were – again – not surprising to me. From the prologue in the last book onwards, I immediately thought she’d been raped by Ryder's father – or apparently not his father lol – and killed him. I was definitely right lol. I didn’t expect that he raped her more than once though, I feel really bad for her. Who does that to such a young child?! And I didn’t really realize she’d have to had given birth when she was 14, damn girl, you’re even stronger than I thought. But the Scarlett thing was kinda surprising to me. I did think she was too good to be true, but I definitely didn’t expect her to be a pedophile!! Damn, that was intense. The ending was a bit random for me though, Scarlett just fell and they were all like ‘oh no problem whatsoever Val, we’ll protect you’, without freaking out at all. I’m glad they support her, of course, but they could’ve at least freaked out a little lol. We also finally got her dancing, so I’m glad about that too!

There were some mistakes in the writing in this one too, but definitely less than in the last one.

🎭 The characters 🎭
So yeah I should talk about the characters next.

😈Val Like I said, she was so badass. I was rooting for her so hard, and I loved how she didn’t soften up throughout the whole revenge scenario. I. Loved. It. I was laughing like a lunatic throughout this entire book, I love Val so much. She’s absolutely mental and I’m so here for it. But the Jaxson thing was a bit weird to me; she was surprised that her actions would hurt the label? Honny, she leaked loads of songs; of course the label would be threatened with ruination lol. But seriously, I loved this girl so much. I was also finally ready to forgive Sofia, I love their friendship and interactions so much! I also really need to say that I love Val’s mom. Nothing else, just that I love her.

♞The boys yes so that smiley is a knight, get it? And also a Natalie reference I guess ehehe I bloody love them all. Because of the revenge, I was ready to accept and forgive them; because I felt like they really did get what they deserved (if not more than they deserved loooool). Maverick was again the first one to capture my heart - the way he made her something (I can’t believe she destroyed it on accident though, my gosh I felt bad for him :( ) Although it might even be Jaxson who captured it first, the way she was talking about him when he was naked had me actually freaking crying, I can’t believe the ways in which she called him small, I am crying again xD

“One more thing. What did you do to my boy?”
“Have to be more specific. Everyone is your boy and your girl.”
“Only one person is my girl.”

*Happy sigh* I might love this guy. I don’t really know what kind of accent etc. I should picture him with though, since he says ‘mama’ and stuff like that xD What does he look and sound like?! And him calling Ryder ‘Eugene’ Shea, I’m crying again xD After that, the others soon followed. Ryder is still a bit meh, I do like him, but I feel like we haven’t seen enough of him for me to actually really like him. I don’t dislike him anymore though, I really understand his motives and I feel bad for him, like really bad. Poor thing, all of them. I don't feel bad about the revenge though, they had that coming ehehe. I’m also very glad about the fact that they realized it was what they deserved too. Can’t wait to see what the next book will bring for my knights ah!!

🎭 Overall conclusion 🎭
Honestly, my overall conclusion is probably just me screaming. I loved this, but I think I said that enough. I like it even more than Breakbattle Academy, because the revenge was bordering on crazy and I completely loved it. Can’t wait for the next one, to see where the story will go.

Some more predictions:
- I didn’t see a body, so I don’t really believe Scarlett is dead. I do think it’d be bullshit if she was still alive though.
- Neomi will make another appearance; I feel like she isn’t a spade or anything, I just feel like she was sleeping with someone on the staff or something like that, and that’s why she wasn’t there? I feel like she might be sleeping with the headmaster, but I’m not too sure. I would definitely hate it if she turned out to be a Spade argh.
- The hacker person ‘Alex’ will be revealed. If not, I’m not going to lie – I might be a bit disappointed.
- Hmm, I just realized the boys know who her father is – according to the last book – so maybe she’ll find out about him too if her and the boys become closer? CAN’T WAIT!

[TheDailyKaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book two in this high school bully romance series. Must be read in order. Slow burn. Triggers present.

I have to say I’m still on the fence about this series. I really do like our main female character. She has a dark past riddled with tragedy, but all this has done is lit a fire under her a$$ to make something of herself and her future. In the first book we are introduced to all of our characters and the academy, mainly the four knights who rule the school and the secret organization “the spades” behind them. We see our girl witness something she shouldn’t have and now she’s “marked” and the entire school turns on her. Does this get our girl to turn and tuck tail? Heck no. She shows her backbone and takes all the ridicule. That’s why I like her. She’s not letting anyone run her out of there. In this book, we are in year two of her high school career, we have finally found out the true motivations behind why she won’t give up in her pursuit to graduate from this academy. This book, she also starts getting her revenge on the knights and the others who made her life hell. And get revenge she does. The main character is what is saving this series for me so far, because honestly I haven’t seen much to like about the guys. We do see them have a turn in their relationships in this book, but still, they’ve done a lot of crap to each other, and knowing her past makes what they’ve done to her so much worse. So hopefully they start redeeming themselves in the next book. Their is the added effect of the mystery of who the spades are and how far they are going to take this that got me hooked. I love a good mystery, butttt I have to say, I’ve read several academy books now where there is a secret organization that ends up going after our main female character. So that’s a little typical and not a new element to me. Even though I’m not too sure how I want to rate this series yet, I have to admit I am hooked and want to know what happens next, so I will continue this series.

My biggest pet peeve is how the characters are portrayed so young. I understand this is a high school themed book, but the way the characters are portrayed, I just can’t wrap my head around these being 15 year olds. To me, it would have been more believable if they were at least closer to graduating and 18/19 years old.

[Amanda Anderson (Beauty.and.the.bookies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I thought I loved book 1, that was nothing. Book 2 was even better. Val had alot more courage. She had alot more fire and backbone. She started her revenge on the boys but at the same time they also started winning her back.
This story is so addicting. I cant wait to read more and more and more. I love all these guys and Val!

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was damn flipping good and everything I was hoping for after the enraging but unputdownable madness that was book one. I wanted revenge and I got my revenge. Was it enough for my dark heart? Probably not but the heroine stooped to their level and I couldn’t care less about her doing so. Lots of secrets are out and the heroine really impressed me this time after being stepped all over and gone was the doormat from book one. Valentina is bloodthirsty and out for revenge and boy was it sweet. I think she spent her time wisely planning her year and now with another cliffy (though in my opinion not as bad as the first) things are setting off in a whole other direction. I don’t trust or forgive a single one of the four men yet but dare I say there is hope on the horizon? Perhaps they no longer have to be enemies? While the romance is still not a real role in the book I’m curious how it will come about. I still hate the heroine and her uncontrollable hormones. After some of the things they did to her I don’t know how her body could even enjoy the sight of them let alone get all worked up. 😡🤢🤓 Once again I loved and hated the book and can’t wait to keep reading. I’m noticing a pattern for this author and I gotta admit she always sucks me the hell in till the outside world no longer exists. It’s like a toxic relationship and I just can’t give it up. No matter how livid I am at the characters or even if I hate certain scenes at times, I'm hooked, addicted and so eager to see how it all will end. I think had I not been accustomed to this writer before book one I may have given in, there was little motivation for me to like the heroine but I knew she’d turn things around and boy did she. Valentina has went though some shit in her life and while she’s let it get her down before, she’s done. She’s had it and she’s coming for them 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Alisha Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evergreen Academy is now a completed series (4 book series). It’s a Academy/Bully slow burn RH. Loads of suspense, a “who done it” theme and let’s not forget the romance (ya know horny teenagers and all).

This is the first series (or books) I’ve read from Ruby Vincent and I really enjoyed it.

This series follows Val, our heroine, who is from the poorer side of the track, where she is accepted into the most prestigious school in the world. She witnessed something she shouldn’t and becomes target to some of the most heinous bullying ever. All the friends she made turned on her and left her on her own to face the Knights and eventually the Spades. Val being who she is and needing to pave a bright future for her and her family doesn’t let the bullying deter her and she fights back.

Val’s love interests, like every story, don’t realise what they have until challenged by the spitfire that is Val now there is a lot of instant attraction but love does take time and over the four books it blossoms. The guys are hot by the way and the labors they endure to apologise are cute and very thoughtful.

I loved the twist and turns in each book and I can honestly say that I didn’t guess who Ace ended up being. It’s fantastic that even uncovering somethings that the main rouse was hidden until the very end ... awesome!

🚨triggers 🚨 there are some topics that may be too raw for some readers such as: rape, assault and other abuse bare in mind before reading.

[Tania J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

This almost follows the same formula as Bad, Bad Bluebloods. As I mentioned previously while reviewing Marked, these books are almost identical to The Rich Boys of Burberry Prep series. Again, these books are still really addicting and they get you hooked. I was reading this on little to no sleep because I couldn't wait to see how it would end.

[❤️Melanie G.📖💛 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so yummy I devoured it in 1 day. The drama, secrets, schemings, deceit and overall strength from the characters draws you in and swallows you whole. Great read and excited to see what happens in the next book.

[Amara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a chance on this series and so glad I did. It's fabulous. Slow burn RH, enemies/bullies to lovers, intrigue, and a FMC that's worthy of those guys. This review is for the whole series. Love it. Recommend for fans of Bully Academy RH genre.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things really amped up in this book! Valentina is prepared this year for the bullying and she's fighting back. I'm sad that people are still treating her so horribly, but happy that she's getting revenge on those who hurt her the most.

Val really put together great plans and did not hold back at all. Some of the things she did had more consequences than she planned, but they all played out nicely and made me happy. We also get a lot of answers in this book and wow it's crazy! After the ending of this one, I had to jump straight into the third book!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good book by Ruby Vincent.

This is book 2 in the series and picks up right where the first one left off.

In this book we finally find out what actually happened to Valentina, and by who. Which is something I was NOT expecting at all. I really enjoyed the revenge plots. My only issue is how easily they all seemed to forgive each other for the terrible things they did. I also didn't really care for the ending. I feel like someone that is involved in a decades old secret society wouldn't have just fallen over the edge like that. The whole last chapter should have been more detailed and drawn out a bit.

On to book three, I can't wait to see where this is going now.

[Taylor Chitwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had a decent amount of promise…but are you kidding me? This girl needs to grow a self esteem. I can’t even believe how quickly she forgave and let go of everything and how she excused it all. I wanted to slap some sense into her and then push Ryder off a cliff

[Maida (Medley of Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4 HEARTS!

[Marta Varela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Sarah M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

So in this second book the FMC is returning to her own personal hell ready to play.

Although I am proud of her for taking everyone who hurt her down….. I am very mad that she just forgave the MMCs like all they did was spill her ice cream sundae. It was kind of infuriating to be honest.

Please review for trigger warnings, they aren’t as bad this book but there are instances of bullying, mentions of SA, and alludes to teenage sex.

[Jennifer Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhh! I LOVE this series so far!

I think I love it so much because it’s believable. No supernatural(that’s not my jam,) no characters that are in high school but are acting like they’re grown(for the most part.) No over the top ‘you can’t be for real’ storyline.

Val is my girl! The storyline is so good! And I never seen the bit coming about who Adam’s father is and what happened!

Let’s be honest. Even though Ryder is the “leader” of the knights. Jaxson is my FAVORITE!

Can’t wait for the 3rd book!

[Kasumatata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and surprises

After finishing'Marked', I immediately picked up Broken and finished it in one sitting. I like the mystery and suspense surrounding Evergreen and their 'Deck of Cards'. The Knights, The Diamonds, The Spades,... are on Val's revenge list and I am rather pleased to read that she is actually pretty smart when covering her tracks. This book is fastpaced and never drags.

[R.A. Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing continuation on from the last book. Things progress even further for Val and she has just had enough of their shit. Chemistry continues to build between her and the Knights and we get more insight into her relationship with Adam which I just love! Once again this book is excellently written, making it so easy for you to imagine the world of Evergreen Academy, empathise with Val and get totally hooked on her budding romances with the Knights. Another excellent book by Ruby Vincent

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these books!

Great spin on the bully romance. Valentina is awesome. On to the next one.

If the bully romance does it for you, this is a must read series.

[Sasha190040 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentina is one badass heroine. This book is so good.

[Bayan Sh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kid you not, I almost DNFed the first book, and then I suddenly found myself backtracking my comments about reverse harem and sharing lovers and finished all four books! Lol

This book was quite problematic, when you think of the fact that it was about high school students who are facing attempted murder, abuse, bullying, and are engaging in numerous sexual activities, and above all casually covering up how they have CHILDREN! Okay, one baby, who wasn't planned, but still.... Yes, high schoolers.

That said, this book was so action packed, drama packed, tension and excitement packed, that I couldn't let it go.
I'd read something similar, in the form of bully falls in love with victim and shares lover with friends, before, but it was so cringy for me, I couldn't keep reading, with this, I was so quick to pick up the next book you wouldn't even believe it, lol.

**This review will be posted for all books, it felt like one story divided too many times, general rating is three stars, general liking for the writing style, the plot, and the twists and turns of the book.
**Warning, this book talks about sex, rape, abuse, murder, attempted murder, violence, and bullying.

[Myndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I've stumbled into with this series, all I can say is, I'm SO freaking hooked. I've been drawn in so completely and I will not rest until I see it to the very end.

The bullies thought they won, but Val is too strong and has come too far to let them chase her away. The biggest shock for me, was the ending, but also finding out who is behind the Spades! Like, what? I love that Val has come clean about her past to some people and she has friends (for lack of a better word) in whom she can confide and hopefully trust. I will also admit to getting a somewhat sick sense of satisfaction in the antics of her revenge against those who wronged her in book one.

Knowing what we know now only makes me more eager for book three and finding out how the story will move forward now that there are secrets that these 5 characters share. I think victims of bullies or abuse, if not triggered, could find this book and series kind of cathartic in the reading of it. And, of course, the fans of bully romance and dark romance will find this series riveting.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! This series was a really solid one, despite some over the top moments, but it had great characters and I loved Val in this one.

There have been “revenge” books in series that just didn’t click for me, as the heroine never actually gets a good enough revenge, but I will say Val exceeded expectations. In this messed up Evergreen world, she really puts up a fight.

Though there isn’t too much development with the guys that far romantically, we get to know them a little more. I still don’t know much about them individually though.

I am super glad she had her talk with Ryder and he finally knows the truth. I’m also shocked at the truth of why this all started. Like I said, the revenge definitely worked for me, and it was as hardcore as I needed it to be. I wouldn’t have stuck around Evergreen, personally, but I’m glad Valentina was strong.

[Aplis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I said that I wanted a bully romance with the heroine actually doing something in retaliation, this book is what I meant.

The guys are downright horrible to her and her revenge for everyone involved was just "chef's kiss"! Was her revenge as bad as what everyone did to her? Maybe not..but damnnnn she materialised an iron rod backbone out of nowhere in this book. But also here I am pissed that she gave into one of the guys way too fast towards the end. If you're writing four books, might as well have the angst building for at least half of the series.

[Duchessbookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

FINALLY A BULLY ROMANCE, WHERE THE GIRL ACTUALLY TAKES MAJOR REVENGE AND NOT JUST FALLING IN LOVE AND GIVING UP

I appreciate this so much and typically I am not a bully romance fan.

Again, not a lot of romance. Certainly not really a RH..yet anyway.

Did I guess some of the secrets since the first book? Yes. But was this such a good book? yes yes yes.