Series: Directions
Volume: 3/3Publisher: Self-published
Genre/s: m/m romance mpreg
Length: 25 000 words
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✰
Victor Docimo didn't have the easiest childhood, but because of it he learned one thing – how to never treat his Omega. So when he met Charles Warren, he made every effort to be an ideal mate. Even now, after more than twenty-six years of living together, Victor is doing everything he can to make his Omega happy. However, there is something that, despite the passage of time, little by little destroys his efforts. And that is the fact that despite the plans to have a big family, Fate allowed them only to have one child and took away their chances to have more. Charles never forgot his unfulfilled dream about multiple children, and now having more free time in his hands, tormented by grim thoughts, he slowly begins to lose faith in himself and that he is able to give his Alpha everything he needs. Seeing Victor with a young Omega clearly interested in him, is simply too much for Charles. The bond between the mates, weakened for years, disappears completely, leaving them both at crossroads.
Reading the description of "Back To You" for the first time, I knew at once that this is a story that I simply must read. Not because I like dramas or tear squeezers, because I prefer to stay away from them, but because it has become clear to me that the topics presented here would be unique, very important and definitely rare in omegaverse novels. I have found the proof confirming my guesses on the first pages of this short novella. Domestic violence. This problem has already been mentioned in the first volume of the series, but in this part Jena Wade developed it. Some of you probably will ask, what's so special about it, since many novels mention Alphas using their physical advantage over Omegas. The thing is that in the world of "Directions" we have the fated mates, seemingly perfectly matched, almost created for each other, who nearly can not live without each other. In that case, one would expect that if Alpha and Omega were destined for each other, their relationship will be wonderful, happy and full of physical, mental and life fulfillment. And often that's how it is in the novels we read. However, "Back To You" shows the other, dark side of this inevitable bond between two people. In the case of Victor's parents, "happily ever after" turned out to be just a fairy tale, and the real life was full of violence, tears and pain. The pathological relationship, which is difficult to break out of in a normal situation, in this story is marked by an even greater drama, because the wall that prevents the abused person to leave their abuser is not only mental, but also physical. Think about it yourself, how often do you read about that problem in the omegaverse novels?
Infertility is another rarely discussed topic, which Jena Wade refers to in "Back To You". Since books of the omegaverse genre are characterized by the fact that they focus on the ability to reproduce and give birth to children, it is not surprising that the vast majority of them concentrate on this aspect of the universe presented in them. The thing is that giving birth is also related to the lack of this ability, and in the omegaverse stories this problem is most often avoided. That is why it is so important that it appeared in this novella. It's true that in "Directions" the author was not completely merciless to her characters and Charles is a happy father of one child, but it doesn't make his drama of subsequent infertility less severe. Especially since the man had always dreamed of a large family and his beautiful dreams shared with his beloved were shattered to pieces within an instant. What is equally important, Jena Wade showed what effect on the Omega, and in particular on his psyche, can infertility have, drew a clear difference between Omega's and Alpha's reactions to this problem and presented some of the consequences of this issue. So I think that as for a novella with a little over 100 pages, she coped well with the challenge of this topic.
And finally, the main problem that the characters of this story have to face and at the same time its third great advantage – the broken bond. I have the impression that writers rarely use this fictional theme, so, as for me, in the case of "Back To You" it immediately became a huge pro. First of all, it brings a breath of fresh air and an element of uncertainty to "Directions" universe. The reader sees that even the bond between fated mates is not permanent, as it might seem. Secondly, it emphasizes that "happily ever after" is not at all sure, even if two people really love each other. What's more, with the help of the broken bond, the author managed to show that even after many years of a happy relationship, still loving partners can move away from each other to such an extent that their paths start to diverge. However, this is not all, because this motif was also presented as a consequence of infertility, and thus a dramatic and mentally debilitating experience that Charles could not cope with despite many years. So you can see at once that Jena Wade took the problem of the broken bond very seriously and thought it over well, thanks to which she managed to present it in such a way that the reader can really be moved.
Unfortunately, "Back To You" is not without flaws, at least it has one that needs to be mentioned. And that is a presentation of events from the first volume of the series, when Charles and Victor visit their son. Driving in the car, family dinner and conversations scenes are mostly identical in terms of feelings and thoughts with these in "Up To Code" so the reader sometimes have the impression that he/she could as well skip this passage completely. What's more, it doesn't add anything new to the story presented in "Back To You", it doesn't deepen our knowledge about the characters, nor does it provide us with a better insight into their psyche. I would risk a statement that it is simply a one big repetition for those who know the first part of "Directions". Maybe for people for whom "Back To You" is the only known story in this series the situation looks a little bit better but it's still not enough. In addition, given that we are dealing only with a short novella, I really think that the author could have expanded these repetitive fragments more. Surely, it would make this story better.
In summary, "Back To You" is a very emotional and moving novella that rises some of the topics rarely discussed in novels of the omegaverse genre. Although it is not perfect, I think it is of great value and should be included in the "must read" list of everyone who likes mpreg. I definitely recommend it and certainly I will read it again myself, because many times while reading I had tears in my eyes, and it is a sign that "Back To You" went straight to my heart.
Headcanon: When Charles feels down, he curls up in bed like a cat and lies beside Victor, who for many hours strokes him and kisses him silently until Charles feels better.
Fanfiction idea: During a big family trip to the park of dinosaurs, Charles plays with his grandchildren so well that Victor starts thinking about adopting a child.
AU idea: Charles works in a kindergarten, to which one day Victor brings his son, Aiden, in person. Two men are immediately interested in each other.
Blurb
Victor Docimo loved his mate more than anything, and he’s worked hard to provide Charles with the life that he deserved. He’s strived to be the Alpha that his own Father was not.
Charles spent the last twenty-six years mated to his perfect Alpha. He raised their son and managed their home. He’s tried to provide his Alpha with a family, despite the fact that he can’t have more children. After seeing Victor with another Omega, he begins to wonder if he’s enough.
Now, the two of them must face their greatest challenge yet, something that shouldn’t be possible: a broken bond.
This is a 25K non-shifter mpreg novella featuring a sweet romance, a HEA, and no cliffhanger.
This is the third book in the Directions series, but can be read as a standalone.
Charles spent the last twenty-six years mated to his perfect Alpha. He raised their son and managed their home. He’s tried to provide his Alpha with a family, despite the fact that he can’t have more children. After seeing Victor with another Omega, he begins to wonder if he’s enough.
Now, the two of them must face their greatest challenge yet, something that shouldn’t be possible: a broken bond.
This is a 25K non-shifter mpreg novella featuring a sweet romance, a HEA, and no cliffhanger.
This is the third book in the Directions series, but can be read as a standalone.
Excerpt
I was about to tell my roommate I was heading home, when the air in the room shifted. I became hyper aware of everything around me and, as silly as it sounds, time stood completely still. I searched around the room, looking for what had changed, what was causing this awareness in me that made my skin tingle. Then, I locked eyes with him.
Victor.
Something in the back of my mind whispered his name to me. I knew him. Though I had only seen him one time and spoken to him for less than a minute. He made his way over to me, the crowd parted for him as he moved through the room. I couldn't look away. I couldn't move. I didn't want to look away.
When he finally reached me, he smiled. There was kindness in his eyes, but also a heat and arousal that set my body on fire, and we hadn't even touched yet.
“Charles, right?” he said.
“Mate.” My hand flew to my mouth. I couldn't believe I’d said that aloud. I realized that it was the truth. The man, Victor, standing before me right now was my mate.
He chuckled. “I was hoping you'd notice this time.”
About the Author
Jena began writing in January of 2013 as a New Year's Resolution—and so far she has stuck to it!
She lives in Michigan. By day she works as a web developer, and at night she writes. Born and raised on a farm, she spends most of her free time outdoors, playing in the garden, or ridin She also helps run the family dairy farm.
Giveaway
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