A review by magnafeana
Come Back To Me by Sirena Song

  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

  •  Found On: KU
  •  Available On: KU
  •  Audio: N
  •  Genre(s): why choose (polyam MFMM), contemporary romance, erotic romance, non-shifter omegaverse romance, second chance romance
  •  Demographic: NA
  •  Page Count: 394
  •  Tropes: rejected mates, hurt/comfort, familial toxicity/abuse/betrayal, second chance, friends to one-sided enemies to lovers
  •  POV: multiple
  •  Reproduction: 
    Y
  •  Third Act Conflict:
    External
  •  Intimacy: sexual w/penetration (graphic – plentiful), sensual (major), emotional (minor)
  •  Standalone: Y
  •  Connected to Other Works: Y
  •  Other Notes:
    sibling betrayal, medical plot contrivances, anal sex, knotting, heat, rut, nesting, purring, slick, masturbation, OWD (minor), OMD (minor and major w/FMC’s brother), ohana means family, FMC leaves, book follows through the MCs growing up, lack of grovel (MMCs use inuendos and force and rope in the unsupportive family, unsupportive best friend, FMC is a virgin, breakdown (FMC and MMC), family vagues apologies, small town meddling
  •  Personal Rating: 2 ⭐️|1  ♨️| 1 🌶
 
CHARACTERS
 
Lizzy. Dreamer turned cynical. Independent with age. Rejected Mate Syndrome. 2.75 ⭐️
 
Rhett. Shared a kiss with FMC and then bailed in being honest to his mates. Not much to say. 2 ⭐️
 
Jacob. Tough love parents. Loyal to FMC’s brother. Rejected FMC. Most emotional and forceful Prime alpha. 2.75 ⭐️
 
Mateo. Sofia (bestie of FMC) brother. Sexual. 2 ⭐️
 
 
SUMMARY
 
 
In this sweetverse, what should have been Lizzy’s childhood sweethearts recognizing her as their mate turns into a sour rejection thanks to their loyalty to her brother, which has her cut ties and go to Omega Academy. Just one problem: all that sweet stuff Jacob, Mateo, and Rhett did for her as a child was considered courtship and now she’s a rejected omega trying to navigate independence. When Lizzy’s time is up at school, everyone wants her to forget the past and think of her brother Landon’s future bonded to the men Lizzy knows are her mates.
 
And now…they know she’s their mate too.
 
The cat’s out of the bag. Lizzy’s claim all those years in childhood had credence, and everyone let Landon lead them astray. With Lizzy getting sicker in her body and stronger in resentment and sadness, everyone decides they know what’s best for her and forces her to move in with the mates who neglected her. But not everyone comes together as seamlessly as people want.
 
Lizzy needs time. These alphas need to understand the truth of their actions. And Landon and everyone who sat aside needs to take accountability for the betrayal they cost four hurting souls.

 
OVERALL
 
This was a good read until it wasn’t.
 
Lizzy’s family is more concerned with “what will the neighbors think?” and “family forgives” than advocating for the safety, health, and well-being of their daughter—including vaguing apologies for their behavior in this. Her alleged best friend also thinks using force and stressing her friend out is worth it if her friend gets the D and her brother is happy. And, here we are again. An omega’s first heat with her pack is used to invite a pregnancy that has no reason to be happy right now, and, when there should’ve been more serious moments and grovel, humor and sex jokes replace it ad nauseam.
 
Great.
 
The only plus for me and why this was rated a 2 is that Lizzy wants time, and she gets it. She doesn’t stay in the same room as her pack. Instead, she sleeps alone in the nest. Her breakdown and wanting to talk about everything they put her through? Loved it.
 
Another plus? The OW wasn’t a massive dog. She came and went. Good for her.
 
WHAT WOULD HAVE INCREASED MY RATING
 
Let’s knock out toxic families for one.
 
I hate this with a burning passion, where the families and friends infantilize the MC and make decisions on their behalf and ignore their emotions and history—and the MC rolls over and lets it happen. So off the bat? If the family is going to be toxic, Lizzy decides to cut them off. Family thinks she won’t, but she does, and she warns Sofia is next if she tries acting a fool. Lizzy then gets a cheap place near her place of work instead. Now her family is uncertain what to do as Lizzy went no-contact, and Landon is being blasé about it. Sofia is the one to bring up to the family about what she believes Landon did. This is where pieces start clicking.
 
Lizzy is sick, and maybe she’s hospitalized and forgot to take her family off her emergency contacts. Her family is apologizing and understands Lizzy now. They want her home, but they’re defending her from Landon and even the pack.
 
There is no forcing her and cornering her to live with the pack.
 
Maybe  Lizzy occasionally decides to spend time at the house, but she emphasizes she needs time. Her heat comes, but she spends it alone or something. Or if she does spend it with the pack, she makes it clear about birth control and not wanting to bring children into the mess.
 
The Landon plot can still happen, sure. But man, just nixing the toxic family and the meddling town and all the “force her to live with them” would’ve bumped my rating.