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I’m an Omega.I have been many things in my life, but my designation has been my only constant.
And yet, it has brought nothing but torment.

I was bubbly.
Outgoing and silly even.

I may not have had a father or a mother who wanted me, but I had three friends who did.
Three boys whose scents have torn me apart for years.

Then, I became an experiment.
Oppressed and tormented.
The Premium Designation Academy ruined who I was.

Saved and rehabilitated,
I’m now just another omega with issues.
Lots of issues and nobody to turn to.

What’s next?

A dad who never loved me.
A memory demanding my attention.
A past that doesn’t understand me.
A future filled with secrets, criminals, and promises too good to be true.

Who the hell am I going to be now?

Authors
This is book 1 of the Torn Omega Duet. While you do not need to read the first duet to follow along in Amaya’s story, it is highly encouraged so you can better understand the world that is the Collapse of the Premium Designation.
You’ll find MPOV, MM content, and dark themes in this Omegaverse. After years trapped at the Premium Designation Academy, this struggling Omega must find her way in the real world again. With childhood friends turned mates, this story is a second-chance romance filled with trust issues, leaving us with slow-burn vibes. MMFMM. ABOAA (The relationship dynamic is Alpha/Beta/Omega/ Alpha/Alpha).

Trigger
Each book is recommended for those 18+ due to sexual content, referenced physical abuse, past forced imprisonment, referenced drugging, and mentioned omega experimentation. A further detailed list will be included in the forward. This duet is set after the trauma of Amaya attending the Premium Designation Academy, meaning her rocky path to recovery is a large focus in book 1.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2024

207 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

About the author

Y.V. Larson

14 books136 followers

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5 stars
170 (39%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Doom Sunshine.
617 reviews76 followers
December 3, 2024
One of the biggest crimes of this book is the glaring plot hole around the 60-98% mark. But of course he couldn't do that, or we wouldn't have the cliffhanger (that we all saw coming) happen.

Another unfortunate issue with the writing of the book: all of the MMC's were the same, even the father's POV. No distinct personalities and the glimpses we saw of them, were washed away pretty quickly.

The MMC's all agreed that they will have to grovel, but like it was just ringing the doorbell twice a day?

This new generation of writers has spent too much time reading fanfic and doesn't understand the basic term of endearment format: terms of endearment are not capitalized.

Terms used in this book: little mate, Petal, sweet girl, little love.
Profile Image for Laura.
388 reviews83 followers
March 29, 2025
My poor heart breaks for Amaya she has been through hell at the 'academy' she was ripped away from the families that loved her and the guys who she thought would be her pack. She is sold and her life from before is over. All that's in her future is torture and hell. Things aren't much better once she is freed from her hellish nightmare with a father she doesn't know who doesn't know how to help her, so he pushes her away. And over protective Alpha. (Okay he is the light in her darkness) and the pack she thought she'd lost but they don't know how to cope with her reappearing after all this time and how they all struggle to come to terms.with it. We are left on an edge of the seat, nail-biting cliffhanger which leaves me dying.for book 2.
Profile Image for Isabelle.
449 reviews35 followers
December 11, 2024
I enjoyed this overall, but it hasn't stood out as much as I wanted it to. I loved the MH rep, and that it also was something that the MMCs struggled with, not just the FMC.
The part I think I didn't like, or felt was missing, was that too much focus was on chapters going back in time. I would rather have had the characters talk about the past, not a flash back because it then felt not enough time was focused on the characters trying to heal and the relationships grow. Once the FMC moved into her house, the timeline started moving forward and skipping days...so it would just be mentioned that the MMCs are knocking on the door throughout the day but you don't see much of that. I just wanted to not be pulled away from the pain and healing, to then be thrown back in time for a memory, and then pulled back to the present. So admittedly I did start skimming the chapters that went back in time. And there were some parts that didn't quite add up, or make sense for me and felt like they needed more thought.
I also didn't get enough of a connection with the MMCS, as a lot of the POV was on the FMC (or going back to things happening in the past or random POV from the father which I didn't enjoy) and I wanted to feel more of the pain from the MMCS and also learn a bit more of their history. Defintely a Vincent fan so far though!
But overall, it did feel like an easy enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Shanna Ferris.
613 reviews57 followers
November 30, 2024
THAT CLIFFHANGER!!! I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait for the second part of this duet! YV Larson is my favorite dark suspense author! And she always gets me with those cliffhanger! This book follows Amaya after leaving the Premium Designation Academy. Life for Amaya had been far from easy! If you read the first duet you know this book covers very heavy topics that omegas in this world had to endure! Thankfully Amaya has escaped, but is now learning how to navigate life alone and still missing her scent despite being torn apart years ago! But fate can be funny sometimes and in this case it worked out perfectly and she ended up moving right next door to her 3 scent matches she hasn't seen in years and has always struggled with the abandonment she felt from their disappearances. I loved the moment all of them realized she was now leaving next door to them! And all the events that followed her navigating life as a now-free omega! I loved the personalities YV brought into this pack! Each of them were so perfect. And I loved that she gave Amaya someone she could feel safe with immediately! It was perfectly done. I just needed part 2!!!!
Profile Image for ♡ Nicole ♡ (ThroneOfSnark).
195 reviews4 followers
March 28, 2025
I went into this thinking it was a standalone, but it turns out there’s another duology that takes place before this, covering their academy years—and honestly, I feel like I missed a lot of the best backstory. I might have enjoyed that more!

The writing was easy to follow, and I moved through it faster than most books lately, but the characters were a mixed bag. I liked Vincent, but the rest of the guys had very similar personalities. Emmett and Sam, despite being childhood favorites, ended up feeling unnecessary. Also, the spice? Didn’t come in until the last 10%, and even then, it was glossed over.

I think Omegaverse just doesn’t work for me in novel form—I’ve liked manga and manhwa versions, but this didn’t hit the same way. Amaya’s baby talk and mannerisms pulled me out of the story, and the ending left me frustrated. None of it made sense.

I wanted to like this, and I appreciated some aspects, but overall, it felt predictable and repetitive. I am curious about what happens next, but not enough to pick up book two.
Profile Image for Amy.
44 reviews3 followers
February 23, 2025
i was lucky enough to be considered and given an ARC for this book. this is my first book by y.v larson and let me tell you. it did not disappoint me.

this book is based off omegaverse dynamics and it is book 1 of the duet.

first and foremost, please please please check trigger warnings, y.v makes it clear on what triggers to look out for and prioritizes mental health above all.

now, going into this book blind i had no idea what it was about, i loved the fact she gave us a background on her previous book that’s interconnected with this series.

this story follows Amaya and her struggle to normality after being abused. shes been beaten, starved, and mentally damaged that she thinks there’s no way from coming back to her old self.

little does she know that her pack is what she really needs to surpass this and give her the motivation to heal at her own pace. Vincent, Sam, Oli, and Emmett is everything she knows she needs and wants but is still struggling to accept.

i cannot wait to read book 2 and see what happens. it is left with a cliffhanger and anxious to know what happens next.
Profile Image for Destiny Imperati.
1,040 reviews38 followers
March 3, 2025
ARC Review ✨️

♡Amaya♡

Amaya is an omega and attends an academy where she is treated less than the Alpha and Betas. Then she's released, and she has to learn how to live in the real world again. After facing endless hours of trauma, she finds comfort in knowing she'll find her mates. Unfortunately, things aren't the same at all when they reunite.

This author is new to me, and my goodness, I'm obsessed with her way of writing! I always love stepping into an omega universe, but this one was amazing! It was super dark🖤🙌 and all the way around the best!

The characters were easy to connect with and love! My heart broke for them so many times 😭 The multiple POVs added a multitude of depth to the story, and I really ended up enjoying that! I can't wait to dive into book two!

Tropes:
🖤Dark themes
🖤Slow burn
🖤Second chance romance
🖤Omegaverse

Thanks so much to the author and Sunnybabe PR for the ARC!
Profile Image for Miriam.
248 reviews
March 4, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book! I’ve been in such an Omegaverse mood, and this hit the spot.

I loved the back and forth timelines. The memories made the emotions in the current timeline more effective, and they made me care for the characters even more.

This is definitely a bit of a darker read. There are so many rough emotions and decisions. But I loved seeing the characters grow, and I’m lovingggg the groveling!

I can’t wait to read the next book and see where it all goes!

Read this if you like:
Omegaverse
MMFMM
Hurt/Comfort
Angst
Groveling

Thank you so much to Sunny Babe PR and Y. V. Larson for sending me a copy for an honest review. 💖
Profile Image for sky.
332 reviews32 followers
April 4, 2025
my tagged shelves can be spoilers.

This is a fast pace, omegaverse why choose romance set in a dystopian type world. Thanks to a Premiere Boarding School, omegas have been treated less than human and emotional, mentally, and physically abused just because of their designation. Alphas and Betas who also went to the school experience a different abuse where they were taught (brainwashed) into horrid thinking, luckily some of them faught the shitty lessons.

This book starts shortly after the school’s vile practices have been exposed and the students rescued and placed in rehab/psych centers to recover. I haven’t read the previous books but I didn’t feel confused at all — the author does a good job at giving a short recap as Amaya leaves the school and then rehab. And through her bonding with new Alpha Vincent and reconnecting with her past best friends (and scent mates), we learn a lot about what she’s been through.

I really loved Amaya as the fmc — she’s an omega struggling with lots of trauma and shock (back in the “real world”, finding out her dad never abandoned her, and coming face to face with three guys she’d never thought she see again). Even with all the turmoil, she’s still a little bratty and sassy and I really liked how she didn’t hide her anger over everything.

The one who stole the show for me though was easily Vincent! An alpha who stalks his mate to make sure she’s ok then attaches himself to her at the first moment of duress! He’s so freaking attentive and loving and I swooned so much!!! I love how protective he is and how safe Amaya feels with him!

As for our second chance guys — Sam (alpha), Emmet (alpha), and Oliver (beta) — ya they have a lot of groveling to do to get back into Amaya’s (and mine!) good graces! Especially Sam! Even with that, I do still feel for the three of them and liked how they are really trying and following Vincent’s lead and letting Amaya set the pace.

I can’t wait to start book 2 because this one definitely ended on a cliffhanger! I can already tell Amaya is going to have to go through some more trauma before she gets her HEA with her four mates but oh man I nervous!

Other things I loved with this book — Kate being a great bff for Amaya, Paul (a dad just trying to give it his all!), the suspense of what dangerous are coming, the pack relationship rebuilding between Sam, Emmet, & Oli, and that the dynamic features mm relationships as well!

Definitely recommend this for fans of omegaverse, why choose, second chance, quick burn, suspense, groveling, and protective and obsessive mmc’s!

Thank you to the author and SunnyBabe PR for copy of this book! Review is my own honest opinion!
Profile Image for Annalee (annalees_reading).
141 reviews3 followers
March 4, 2025
This MMFMM omegaverse romance is one of the best I've read. I often find myself disappointed by a poorly exploited universe or relationships between characters that are not well defined. Here Amaya is true to herself and is not defined only by her male counterparts. I admit to being disappointed by her rather erased role in the couple and her place as a woman. I would finally like to read an omegaverse romance with a character who fights and who is not described as weak. Nevertheless, I devoured this book and the suspense makes me wait impatiently for the sequel, hoping to see the characters evolve and assert themselves.
Profile Image for The Romantic Rush Blog.
2,657 reviews965 followers
March 8, 2025

The premise for this book is so intriguing- and really what drew me in. I'm a fan of omegaverse of the more sweet and cozy variety, so I was excited to dig into one with more dark themes. The dystopian vibes, the nefarious and systematic mistreatment of omegas and the brainwashing of alphas and betas, and all the traumas that go along with it- I knew this would be an emotional and heavy read. The story picks up after the take down of a this premium designation plot, with those victimized by it now trying to heal and find a path forward in an unsteady climate. The take down of the omega school seems to take place in a prior set of books, and this was my first YV Larson book and I felt pretty appropriately caught up (and the introduction context helped too). It's a great premise- one with a lot of complexity and emotional notes to explore.

Our heroine Amaya is one of the recovering abused omegas - once a "student" in the vile school system that systematically abused her designation, and now in a recovery center. But how does one really recover from the emotional and physical traumas endured- it's a long journey. I really liked her as a heroine - and I think YV gives her really great layers. She's struggling, hurt, traumatized, so she's got some real vulnerability, some fear of her omega powerlessness. But she's also still got a lot of spirit and fire, and plenty of righteous anger she's learning to channel.

And we have her mates- and this is where it gets even more complicated. Her new bond alpha Vincent, but three other men from her past. Friends. Scent mates. And, men who have caused her some pain. Vincent gives me everything I love from the sweet omegaverse books I'm used to. He's protective and patient and so considerate. He's the safety and security- both physical and psychological, that a broken omega needs. Complete dreamboat, the balm for Amaya's pain...but also a great guide for the others trying to reconnect with her. Sam, Emmett, and Oliver still have a lot of making up to do.

Overall, I did enjoy this story, but I will say I struggled with the constant timeline pivots. It really broke up the pace for me a bit- we have a lot of flashbacks (some we need to see/experience, others perhaps could have been recounted in the present) and in the future time jumps here or there. It does end on a cliffhanger, so I felt there were a few things not fully addressed but it's not yet the complete story-so hoping all the pieces come together in the next part of the duet. Mostly, I feel like I needed more chemistry and emotional development with Amaya and the guys, so I'm hoping we get to dig deeper in that as they continue to evolve relationships in book 2. <3.5 overall>

Omegaverse
Trauma/Dark Themes
MMFMM
Hurt/Comfort
Angst
Groveling
Second Chance
Profile Image for Mars Rads.
482 reviews11 followers
December 4, 2024
4.75 stars

There are so many different ways that an omegaverse can go. Some are happy. Some are in a world where the omega is worshipped. And then there are some that are dark and have an omega that is so damaged that the pack tries everything to bring them back from the edge. That’s what this book is. I really want to go back and read the Invisible Omega Duet so that I can get a better understanding of how horrible the Academy is because it has crushed the FMC in this book. I really enjoyed the way that this book laid out Amaya’s past and present. Getting small pieces of her past so that we could really understand what she had with the Jenkins pack gave you an idea of just how broken Amaya was. From the beginning, I could feel myself getting angry at how the complete lack of communication caused so many problems for everyone involved. But it was this emotion that kept me reading.

Every character in this book has been hurt and and is dealing with the trauma that they have been served in their lives. Amaya was a victim of the abusive and cruel Academy. They beat certain behaviors into her brain and even going to rehabilitation, she is a broken shell of who she was before. She is dealing with the father that she thought abandoned her and the pack that thought that she abandoned them. She is a fighter and doing her best to live her life despite what the Academy drilled into her brain. The Jenkins pack seems to be a very put together, successful pack, but they are also destroyed by the day Amaya left. Because of a lie her mother told, they are destroyed instead of angry. By a twist of fate, she is brought back into their lives and what can be cleared by a simple conversation again causes pain and anger, threatening their future. If all of this wasn’t bad enough, there is another alpha that knows he is supposed to be with Amaya, even before he ever laid eyes on her.

There is so much angst and hurt in this story that it pulled me in. I really wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen between everyone. And with the cliffhanger at the end, I really can’t wait for book two in the duet to release. There is a decent amount of spice in this book, but it’s the emotions that kept me reading. This was a great omegaverse and something that is completely different from the typical omegaverse stories.
Profile Image for Lindsey Adams.
1,100 reviews22 followers
December 18, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

YV Larson was recommended to me by a trusted book friend. So of course, I didn’t hesitate to begin reading her books. As I knew I would, I loved her writing and am so happy she was recommended to me. I don’t know if she is an author I would have picked up on my own. She writes beautifully and pulled me in. This book is book 3 in an interconnected series, but book 1 in the duet. I will definitely be reading the first 2 and book 4. I felt so many emotions while reading Amaya’s story.

Amaya struggles with abandonment and has gone through her fair share of it. Being an omega has caused a lot of heartache for her. When she leaves the Premium Designation Academy life changes a lot. She is no stranger to life being hard, but still, this girl goes through so much. I wanted to reach through and hug her. Yet, the universe keeps playing jokes. She ends up, accidentally, moving next to 3 of her childhood friends, who end up being scented mates. These 3 boys left her too and now she is unsure how to move forward.

Ok, let’s talk about Vincent! He scented her at the Academy and knew there was something different about her. He was a bit of sunshine in her dark world. He is someone who she can trust and lean on for support. The other mates, Oliver, Emmett, and Sam bring light into her world as well, but she isn’t positive she can trust them again.

YV has written a beautiful, but tragic, story. I can’t wait for book2 in this duet and book 4 in the series. I want to see more of Amaya grow into herself and realize how strong she truly is.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
💕Second Chance Romance
🔥Scent Matches
💕Why Choose
🔥Omegaverse
💕PTSD/Mental Health Representation
🔥Rejected Mates (Perceived)
Profile Image for FloofyMooseReads.
597 reviews97 followers
February 9, 2025
This is the first book of the Torn Omega duet, which is part of the Collapse of the Premium Designation series. There are spicy scenes, as well as numerous very dark elements to this story so please read the trigger warnings. I received an advance review copy and my thoughts are my own.

Tropes and themes include:
✨Omegaverse
✨Why choose (MMFMM)
✨Slowburn
✨Groveling
✨Second chance romance
✨Heats/knots
✨Hurt/comfort
✨Scent matches

Rating: 4/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
Nickname: Little Mate

The Lovely: I loved the characters in this story, especially Amaya (FMC) and Vincent (one of the MMCs). Their relationship is so sweet - he seems to understand her better than anyone else, even though he’s known her the least amount of time. I like how he pushes her to make her own decisions but also supports her when she struggles to do so.

The Mundane: The pacing of this story felt unnaturally slow to me. I think part of this was due to the amount of flashbacks that occur. While I liked the time spent with the characters it was slow enough that I felt it was noticeable/distracting.

Recommendation: This book is heavy and emotional as the FMC feels alone and is struggling to adapt to life post-academy. I was expecting a cliffhanger, but not how the cliffhanger came about. This was full of tension and I’m absolutely anxious as to how this situation, as well as that of the pack, will be resolved. The second book of the duet is expected to be released in March of 2025.
Profile Image for Erica.
118 reviews3 followers
December 3, 2024
I’m in love. With this story and these characters. This is another heartfelt duet that’s on the darker side. Amaya our MFC attended the same corrupt academy that experiments and hurts omegas and praises Alphas and Betas. She’s now being released and needs to learn to navigate the real world again. What kept her sane inside was remembering her scent matched mates from childhood and getting back to them. But once she’s reunited, she realizes so much has changed since she’s been gone and some, not for the better. She’s strong and resilient and witty and full of love. And as chance would have it, she also discovers a 4th scent match. The MMCs in this duet are strong, sexy, complicated and they each have so much depth. This book was all about them navigating this huge change in the worlds they all thought they knew and rediscovering each other and helping to heal what’s been broken. This book has a lot of emotion, heart, spice, romance, betrayal, forgiveness, action, suspense, friendship and so much more. It does end on a cliffie but it just made me want more. The storytelling is amazing and I felt like I was right there with all of them seeing what they saw and hearing what they heard. I cried with them and laughed with them. And they all balance each other so well. I can’t recommend it enough! It’s darker so check potential tr!ggers.
Profile Image for Nora Ellen (Nbbookery).
690 reviews19 followers
March 5, 2025
Amaya is free from the Academy that turned her inside out and forced her to repress everything about being an omega. Life on the outside isn't a dream come true either, as she feels like a burden to her newly found father and her one friend. Haunted by the ghosts of the life and almost-pack she once had, Amaya is finally starting to repair her rips after meeting a new scent match. But fate is cruel when a move puts her almost-pack as her new neighbors. With the danger to omegas still lingering, Amaya and her scent matches are destined for a rough journey that may end badly.

Amaya had had enough of being told what to do for a lifetime. She's finally free, and despite the challenges of free will, she's making the best of it in small doses. I loved Vincent. He is the ultimate alpha; he swooped in to save the day, gives all the comfort and safety, and doesn't make decisions for Amaya. His unique habits of defering to her and supporting her choices make him an amazing partner. The other three mates, who are slowly working their way back into Amaya's good graces, are growing on me, too. I still think there needs to be more groveli, though. I would love to see how their pack dynamic settles down, but I have to wait until the next story because that cliffhanger! This duet promises to be a doozy!
Profile Image for Lili.
165 reviews4 followers
February 25, 2025
So there’s this academy that is literally hell and Amaya was sadly trapped there for a long time.
When she and everyone else are saved, she’s no longer who she once was and has to figure out the real world again.

~Childhood friends & now mates
~A new mate
~ Dealing with Nightmares
~Etc.

One thing after another is thrown at Amaya, and my heart hurts so much for her. She just couldn't catch a break, but thankfully, she has a great friend and her new mate. Vincent is swoon-worthy and loves Amaya a great deal.

Most of the book focuses on Amaya and Vincent, but you also get the perspectives of the other guys, although they don’t interact with each other until much later in the story. Additionally, there are flashbacks of Amaya and the guys' lives when they were younger, which I appreciate because they provide background information and help develop the connection between Amaya, Emmett, Oliver, and Samuel.

Just when it seems like everything is falling into place, something bad happens, and we are left with a CLIFFHANGER! I really hate cliffhangers! 🥲

Overall, I found the pace of the story to be fast but easy to follow. When I say "pace," I'm referring to the events, not intimacy-wise.

The characters and their emotions drew me in, and I enjoyed the story a lot.
Profile Image for Sachin Karnik.
Author 2 books6 followers
March 2, 2025
Dive into the dark and compelling world of "Who We Were" by Y.V. Larson, where trauma and resilience intertwine in an unforgettable Omegaverse tale.

"Who We Were" by Y.V. Larson is a gripping entry into the Omegaverse genre, introducing readers to Amaya, an Omega who has endured significant trauma. The narrative delves into her journey of recovery and self-discovery after being rescued from the oppressive Premium Designation Academy. The story is rich with themes of trust, resilience, and second-chance romance, all set against a backdrop of dark and intense moments.

Larson's writing is immersive, drawing readers into Amaya's world and the complexities of her relationships with her childhood friends turned mates. The multiple points of view add depth to the characters, making their struggles and triumphs feel personal and relatable. The slow-burn romance and the intricate dynamics of the Alpha/Beta/Omega hierarchy are well-executed, providing a fresh take on familiar tropes.

Ready to embark on an emotional journey of redemption and healing? Just immerse yourself in this heart-wrenching tale today!

#WhoWeWere #YVLarson #Omegaverse #BookReview #BookRecommendations #ReadingCommunity #Bookish #BookLovers #Fiction #MustRead



Profile Image for Jjs_booknook.
149 reviews
December 8, 2024
Amazing!!!

This book was so much better than I had hoped. I love a good hurt/comfort and it did not disappoint. I loved Amaya and her alpha Vincent. He is so sweet, protective, and caring. Doing everything he can to help her heal while also letting her still have her choices. I even like Oliver and how he just fits with them. The other alphas are still iffy but I’m sure will make up for it in the next book!! Which I cannot wait for especially after that cliffy. I just want her to have her happy ending that she deserves!!
Amaya is an omega that has just escaped from being impr*soned and tort*red. Having to navigate the outside world and learning to be an omega again is not easy especially while trying to navigate a strained relationship with the father she thought abandoned her. After a run in with her childhood mate goes very bad and puts her in a tailspin she meets her new alpha Vincent who will do whatever it takes to help her and be the best mate he can be. But once her childhood mates find out the truth about why she’s been gone and come to grovel, can she find it in her heart to let them back into her life?
Profile Image for Mariette De kock.
139 reviews13 followers
February 28, 2025
Who We Were by Y.V. Larson is the first book in The Torn Omega duet. This is a dark Omegaverse romance and I loved it!!

The book follows Amaya and 5 other characters. Amaya is an Omega. She was bubbly, outgoing and silly with three boys who was her best friends (three of the other POVs). Then she became part of an experiment where she was oppressed and tormented. Now she is saved and rehabilitated but with anxiety and no idea how to life in the real world.

I couldn’t put this book down so I ended up reading it in one sitting. The suspense of what happened, what is going to happen, how long till it is going to happened. I just had to know and it was so good. I loved all the characters and their dynamics but I am rooting more for the boys. I did get a bit confused about the dominance hierarchy in the different chapters but it was still so good. There was spice but most of it faded into black. The book ended on a cliffhanger by luckily we don’t have to wait too long.

I can’t wait to read Who we are. The second book in the duet. It is coming out on 4 March 2025.

Thank you Sunny Babe PR and Y.V. Larson for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review .
Profile Image for Kimberlea Richardson.
640 reviews14 followers
December 11, 2024
Learning How To Find Herself

WOW 🤯 I didn’t think the next duet in this series would be quite as emotionally painful as the first was, but with Y.V. writing it, I shouldn’t have been surprised at all lol. Please read the 1st duet before you read this. No, it’s not strictly necessary, but everything that happens with the academy, as well as the fallout, needs to be experienced by reading that 1st duet so that you can fully appreciate all the Amaya is dealing with in her story. I loved the second chance aspect of the story, and I enjoyed the added MM dynamic in the storyline. Y.V. is so good at writing MM content 🙌🏻 Watching Amaya struggle with all that she had suffered through at the academy, along with all the lasting side affects, was just heartbreaking. I know that all of her pain is just going to make her happy ending that much sweeter, and especially after that cliffhanger (which Y.V. also excels at 😝), I really need that HEA sooner rather than later lol. Hopefully it won’t be too long, but I do know it’ll be worth the wait ❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for Andrea.
244 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2025
The Collapse of the Premium Designation Series is made up of 2 duets. This is book #1 of the second duet. While you do not need to read the first duet to follow along in Amaya’s story, it is highly encouraged so you can better understand the world that is the Collapse of the Premium Designation.
** Please note I did not read the first Duet

3.5 ⭐️
1 🌶️

I am glad that I started with this book of the Duet, it helped to set the world, especially since this was my first “omega-verse” book/series.

This book is short with a nice quick pace. Since I knew how book 2 starts (I got to 25% before deciding to read book 1) I was surprised at the pacing of the book for how it would reach the ending so quickly.
A heavy miscommunication/misunderstanding trope that is addressed pretty quickly once everyone is aware of what truly happened.
This is a slow burn with some explicit language and one or two explicit scenes.

I am very much intrigued by the relationships developed in this story and looking forward to reading the second book of the series!
Profile Image for Courtney.
266 reviews18 followers
March 4, 2025
⭐️: 4.5/5

After years of abuse and neglect at the Premium Designation Academy. Having attended the OPS Rehabilitation Center she is now ready to be released into the outside work under the care and support of her support member and friend. Amaya is still feeling alone even with all her support, but a new alpha and some from her past may just change that.

🖤 Why Choose (MMMFM)
🖤 Omegaverse
🖤 FMC with Past Truama
🖤 Hurt & Comfort
🖤 Sevond Chance
🖤 Mental Health Rep

I could absolutely not out this down. I am a fiend for a hurt and comfort omegaverse and this didn’t disappoint. I could not even begin to tell you how much I love a bad boy with the heart of a golden retriever, needless to say Vincent is everything you could need in that department. That does not discount the love that I have for Oli, because 🥹 if I could hung a book character it would be him! The cliffhanger was pure evil, but here I am waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book!
Profile Image for Sam.
110 reviews3 followers
February 26, 2025
Thank you to Sunny Babe PR for this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Who We Were follows Amaya, an omega and former victim of the Premium Designation Academy. After the Academy collapses, she is sent to live with her father—a man who never knew she existed until now. As Amaya struggles to process her trauma and build a relationship with her father, she also finds herself drawn to a new scent match while unexpectedly reconnecting with her former scent matches, who happen to be her neighbors.

This was an interesting take on an omegaverse story. The author notes that you don’t need to read the first series, but it’s recommended—and I kind of wish I had. If you’re not a fan of miscommunication tropes, this might not be for you, as it plays a big role early on.

While I enjoyed the story, I struggled with Amaya’s character. Her trauma from the Academy is understandable, but she tends to spiral before listening to reason, often jumping to conclusions that lead to unnecessary miscommunication. However, I did appreciate the flashbacks, which provided context for her relationships with her mates before she was taken to the Academy—though some, particularly those from their pre-teen years, felt a bit unnecessary.

Book 1 primarily focuses on Amaya and Vincent’s relationship, along with her former scent matches working to regain her trust. There is some groveling (which I always love), but I’m hoping for even more in the next book. And with that cliffhanger ending, I’m especially eager to see how Amaya survives what’s coming next!
Profile Image for Taylor VanSickle.
36 reviews19 followers
February 23, 2025
This is Book 1 of 2 in The Torn Duet series. Amaya is an omega that experienced trauma at the hands of leaders at the academy. There are a lot of triggers in this book, so please read through them. I really enjoyed the story line and liked seeing mental health being discussed by multiple characters. I really enjoyed the chapters being from multiple points of view. It made the storyline well rounded to see different perspectives. The ending of the book has me waiting impatiently for Book 2 to come out. This was my first Omegaverse romance so it took me a little bit to understand the hierarchy of the characters. I believe there are a couple books that are part of another series involving these characters or the situation they experienced that could’ve given me a little more background to understand where the storyline started, but overall I enjoyed this book! 4/5 stars!
Profile Image for Lanae (findmeonsmutlane).
788 reviews23 followers
February 24, 2025
I ate this up. The angst. The emotions. I couldn't put it down. I was heartbroken and begging for everyone to reconcile.

I liked all the POV's. I liked the relationship with the dad. It was tugging on my heart strings.

BUT on the topic of the dad, it did feel a little lazy writing that he was so wrapped up in these omega kidnappings and dangers but waited so long to call and check on his daughter. You would think the INSTANT he heard he would be warning Vincent. Installing security at her house. Something. I know it adds to the plot and the ending of the book. But that could have been written better.

This is the first time I've read an omega in heat where only one alpha participated, and a partial beta participation. I really liked the concept. It was great seeing alphas hold some self control!

The cliffhanger killed me and now I am desperate for the next book.
Profile Image for plantbookie.
269 reviews19 followers
March 2, 2025
Dark and emotional.

Amaya went through unimaginable pain and suffering at the academy. She had no idea how to live now that she had freedom. I hope to see her do more things she loves in the next book and discover herself more.

Vincent was the breath of hope Amaya needed. She was drowning in her new life, especially after being rejected by one of the guys (again). That man has a lot of groveling to do in the next book. Honestly all the guys do, but especially him.

I liked that there were multiple POV’s , including Amaya’s dad. I’m interested to see how Vincent, Emmett, Oliver, and Samuel get along in the next book.

Ends on a cliffhanger!

💕 Thank you Sunny Babe PR for a copy of this book 💕

⛓️ Post academy
❤️‍🩹 Mental health rep
⛓️ Second chance romance
❤️‍🩹 Hurt / comfort
⛓️ Post academy
❤️‍🩹 Omegaverse
⛓️ Why choose - MMMFM
Profile Image for Sarah D.
1,161 reviews6 followers
May 15, 2025
This was pretty good. The pacing is a bit slow, and the alphas don’t really have different personalities. The main thing I knocked a star off for though, was the cliffhanger.

Why would Vincent leave Amaya alone to get ice cream when there are three guys two doors down? Why didn’t those guys just shower at her house? Oliver and Emmett wanted to go have sex, wouldn’t that be the perfect moment for Sam to guard her?

Why didn’t Paul warn them about traffickers?

Why didn’t Amaya notice that the bad guy alphas (two) weren’t Vincent walking through the door? They literally get close enough to kiss. Why did she lose access to her sense of smell, sight, and hearing?

The author had to basically throw logic to the wind to make this cliffhanger work, and it seems silly, because there are plenty of ways for Amaya to get kidnapped that would make sense.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
496 reviews15 followers
February 5, 2025
3.5⭐️

This was an interesting take for an omega verse story.
From being sold by her own mother to the academy of hell, to freedom...Amaya is struggling to simply exist. Struggling with the everyday things that used to be all control for her in the academy.
Believing she's all alone, unwanted. She doesn't realize the truth about her Alphas and beta or her father.
But you follow Amaya as she struggles to live in the real world again. With the help of her newest Alpha.

I did feel for Amaya, but unfortunately I couldn't connect with her character. She went through a lot in the academy.
Her Alphas and Beta were interesting. Samuel, Oliver, Emmett, and Vincent. My favorites were Vincent and Oliver.

The ending though left on such a wild cliffhanger. I do want to know what happens next.
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