“Defective” is a post-apocalyptic omegaverse sapphic story of Cleo, an omega in hiding, whose only concern is surviving, and Tori, the alpha leader of a farm who is trying her best in her role.

While this is an omegaverse, I need to warn the reader that this is a very closed door romance. They barely kiss and I got an asexual vibe from Cleo (and that’s awesome). She clearly sees Tori for the first time and her scent is immediately appealing to her, but Cleo does not understand why. She’s got so much trauma for her own pack and Tori is a terrible person from the beginning, that it is understandable that intercourse is not her focus, but while in heat, it is clear they don’t do a lot. The story suggests they may have touched, but nothing more.

The plot mainly focuses on Cleo and her hiding in an alpha instead of her omega, since omegas in her pack are constantly being bred and Cleo does not wish that fate for her. Jenny helps Cleo understand that not all omegas and not all packs are as horrible and ruthless as hers. The book also has some art that helps us see the characters and Jenny is as nice and approachable. Unlike Cleo, she wishes to have kids, and she’s in a happy relationship.

I enjoyed the slow development of Tori and Cleo’s romance. Tori’s lemony scent calmed Cleo, and it was heartwarming to see Cleo, who had previously focused only on survival and trusted no one but herself, lower her guard and overcome her fears with Tori’s help. This was one of the reasons why I suspected Cleo was asexual, she loved Tori and cared for her but in the end she didn’t feel any desire for her even during her heat. Cleo could identify as a lesbian and asexual. I also suspected that Cleo’s trauma from witnessing her pack’s treatment of Omegas made certain intimate touches repulsive to her.

The worldbuild is quite solid and while sometimes a lot can be happening, it is clear the elders are the villains of the packs. It is clear that Ivy wanted to focus more on Cleo rather than the romance, so the first few chapters are establishing the world and Cleo as the main character. While written in the 3rd person, Cleo’s perspective is the one that the author focused on and it is clear from the beginning this is Cleo’s journey through a post-apocalyptic and destroyed world.

“Defective” is a solid omegaverse with a lot of important themes such as survival, feeling lost and wanting to belong somewhere.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the advance reader copy.
I enjoyed reading this and was glad I had the opportunity to. I think the author took a genre that doesn't change a lot and made something new and interesting.
Our main character has very little to no filter and it provides a fun dialogue throughout the story.
I think for a debut this was well done.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this E-Arc! All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading this book and found the premise both interesting and refreshing. This is probably one of the most unique Omega-verse books I’ve read! We have a post apocalyptic world, with ecological terrors, dystopian packs and a girl trying to survive through it all. Cleo has gone through trauma before story start and is affected deeply by it (I believe anxiety, PTSD and OCD are represented). I appreciated the story telling not playing it up but instead letting us the reader see her reacting and what her reality looked like.

My heart ached for Cleo as we find out more of how she thinks of the world and her place in it. I was so happy to see her grow and change her outlook while gaining a better understanding of who she was. I loved the rest of the characters in the pack and they all seemed so interesting! I wish we could’ve gotten more opportunities to get to know them. My only gripe is the last 10% of the book where we had a small …let’s say detour and I found it very abrupt. I understand why it was necessary but it was jarring.

Side note the illustrations were beautiful and I loved looking at them and all the details! They really added to the reading experience thank you!

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me access to this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cleo an Omega pretending to be an Alpha in order survive life in the tower. An apocalypse sweeps through the world mutating the humans into having secondary genders, Omegas being able to breed, and the Alphas who do the breeding.
Cleo, in an attempt to gain protection from her pack by being useful, volunteers on a mission to steal supplies from a farmland pack who was supposedly rich in food stuffs.
Two other Alphas go with her and in a twisted form of events, Cleo gets caught by the Farm inhabitants and held hostage while the other Alphas abandoned her without a backwards glance.

For whatever reason, I went into this story thinking it was about werewolves. The worshipping of the Moon, the term Luna, Alpha, Omega etc.. but it is indeed not a Werewolf story. It would be if it was everything except for the shifting part. There's no shifting.
I liked this for the most part, I did find it to be repetitive and monotonous in the middle but I found the rest of the story to be interesting enough.
I appreciate the PTSD, Anxiety and OCD representation within, it was not subtle and something people forget that these can get really really bad if the person experiencing them doesn't feel like they are in a safe space.
Cleo does make a stupid decision at the end imo, but it all worked out.
When Cleo went into heat, that has got to be one of the Sweetest scenes I have read in awhile, it made me misty eyed at how cute and adorable they were.
I would recommend this and I can't wait to actually buy my own copy.

I love the tropes that this book is based around, and I really love that it extends so far beyond those tropes. This is a very solid, well written piece of fiction that I really enjoyed reading. It was dark in some areas and the portrayal of Cleo's mental illnesses was so well thought-out and believable that I am blown away. The story is so good. I also love the illustrations. Amazing. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars rounded up

This book was an absolute delight! Cleo has a very clear voice, and all of the characters were really compelling. I really loved how Cleo’s mental health struggles were portrayed. It didn’t feel like her OCD and PTSD were sugarcoated, but they also didn’t feel played up for shock value. I also really appreciated how much of an emphasis there was on healthy communication in the farm pack as a whole.

The only thing that stopped this book from being a full 5 stars for me, is that I don’t really love the omegaverse lore in this book. In Defective, all female alphas and male omegas are infertile (betas don’t exist). Now, I don’t particularly care for pregnancy tropes, and I do think it makes sense in the lore of the world (plus it’s really important for Cleo); however, I think one of the fun things about omegaverse is the fact that it’s extremely bioessentialist without actually relating to real life biological sex. Admittedly, this is my first omegaverse book (I have read some fics previously) so maybe this is standard in the book community. With that being said, while I didn’t love this specific choice in the lore, I do think the lore of both the omegaverse and the post-apocalyptic world were very interesting and well written!

Overall, a stellar debut and I will definitely be checking out Ivy Lovell’s next work (which I believe is an m/m friends to lovers spy romance!!).

The thing that I enjoyed most about this book is that it's a self published debut sapphic/queer novel by a young author. As an early 40s reader, it was interesting insight about how younger folks are viewing many of the political and social issues affecting us all.

**What the book is:**
🔘A post-apocolyptic FF Omegaverse story about an Omega named Cleo and a farm pack led by an Alpha named Tori with a very strong and satisfying theme of **found family**.
🔘A well written and nicely edited book with a sweet sapphic **first love**
🔘A debut that could easily be used as the first in a series of novels that dives more into world building, the other packs, and side characters.
🔘A book that read more like YA to me because much of the narrative seemed to be missing a maturity that one might expect folks in a post-apocalyptic dystopian society to possess.

Thank you netgally and BooksGoSocial for letting me read this in return for an honest review.

I loved this book! A sapphic omegaverse book about a girl getting caught stealing and slowly feeling more at home at the pack (and don’t forget falling in love with the packs alpha)

This book hit me right in all the feels. I really liked reading about how Cleo built a friendship with every one in the pack. How Jenny was the first one she really felt safe with and how she slowly let Tori in afterwards. The conversation she had with Soren also felt really special, I didn’t think they would end on friendly terms

What also felt very special is how everyone did their best to accommodate Cleo the best they could. How they made her food differently so the different foods aren’t touching. How they stopped using alarm clocks because Cleo can’t stand the loud noice.

I would have loved to see more of Lukas, him and Kael were very babygirl and I love them for that

Lastly, the artwork inside this book is absolutely stunning!!!!

Defective is a sapphic, post-apocalyptic, trauma-filled romantasy. It was interesting being inside Cleo's mind as she deals with OCD, PTSD, and anxiety in this strange and dangerous world. The writing is lighthearted though, even though the situations Cleo has to go through will probably make you cry!

Defective is a character driven story that focuses on Cleo, an omega with ocd pretending to be an alpha. While romance isn't at the forefront, it explores mental health deeply, going into her ptsd, ocd, anxiety in a considerate way. For those who like expansive worlds without info dumping may enjoy this post-apocalyptic setting, as well as the strong POV exploring how Cleo's ocd affects her perception of reality. From the cracks in the ground forming patterns to the compartmentalization of every aspect of her life.

I feel like typically ocd is represented as character + mental health, but here it feels like it was truly incorporated as her normal, her reality.

Thank you netgalley for this arc!

Defective was an awesome read, complete with pretty artwork and a flowery writing style that maybe took a while to get used to, but ultimately made me love this story even more.
The mix of genres, omegaverse, sapphic and post-apocalyptic setting, along with the artwork made this a very unique experience.
I did feel the romance maybe a little lacking, but the rest was honestly spectacular, and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

This was my first sapphic book I have read and I definitely enjoyed it.
Thia book started as an omega disguised as an alpha from the city. She goes on a quest to steal from another pack, unfortunately it fails and she is caught and imprisoned. She meets tori and eventually starts working on the farm to pay off her debt. She gets closer to Tori and it goes from their.
I truly still don't understand why Tori took her medication??
The way Cleo had thought and acted was truly heartbreaking, she even had to sort everything in category (Foods, Clothes, Etc..).
I loved and enjoyed this book from start to finish and happy to say I was never bored.
I loved Jenny as the side character and how she helped cleo through times of despair like cleaning her wounds on her wrists and helping her make a nest out of toris clothes👀.
I liked the writing style and it makes me want to definitely read Ivy's next books in the future!
I'm happy I got to experience this book considering it was a very fun read and heartbreaking all in one.
I loved how there relationship developed in the end and was so surprised to find there was illustrations because the art is truly beautiful.

"Defective" by Ivy Lovell is a sapphic post-apocalyptic Omegaverse novel, which centers on Cleo, an Omega masquerading as an Alpha, who is apprehended while stealing from a farm. To atone for her theft, she consents to work on the farm under the supervision of Tori, the Pack Alpha. This arrangement challenges Cleo's concealed identity and compels her to confront her past traumas.

Set against a dystopian backdrop, the novel delves into themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of identity. Lovell's portrayal of Cleo's internal struggles offers readers a profound exploration of personal growth amidst adversity. The dynamics between Cleo and Tori are intricately woven, providing a compelling study of trust and vulnerability.

For those interested in a narrative that intertwines romance, personal growth, and a richly imagined dystopian world, "Defective" promises to be a noteworthy addition to the genre.

I am grateful the three pages of trigger warnings are listed in the book but I would have preferred if all of them were listed in the blurb as well. There are only about 6 listed in the blurb, and many that are listed in the book instead I cannot do. I did not realize quite how dark this book is as the colors on the cover and the cover itself seemed more lighthearted. I cannot pick up this book at this time due to the triggers listed.

Captivity, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, PTSD, injuries, systematic loss of reproductive rights, dehumanization, nightmares, disassociation, and more.

Only about 4 of these are mentioned in the blurb. I was grateful this book is formatted so I could see it on my ereader, but I am not the reader for this book right now.

Thank you for allowing me to receive a free eARC of this book. I am leaving this honest feedback voluntarily.

Omegaverse? Sapphic romance? Apocalyptic setting??? All of these are reasons why I wanted to read this book. It was a bit of a mixed experience for me.

The writing is clunky. Even in the very first scene it felt like the sentences needed tightening up. There's a silly tone to the narration that I find disruptive, especially in those first few scenes. It mellows out when Cleo gets caught by Tori but I almost DNF'd this book before the 10% mark because of narrative choices early on.

And I can't help but feel like the author made a mistake by waiting til *checks notes* chapter 4 to introduce our love interest??? You don't ALWAYS have to introduce the love interest in chapter 1, especially if your book is heavy on plot. But from what I've read, for many good romance novels the relationship IS the plot a lot of the time, you aren't doing the usual Hero's Journey. So if you wait multiple chapters to introduce them, you might be wasting time. Again, I won't say that's true for all romance novels, but I feel like this story doesn't really start until Cleo meets Tori.

This book had tonal issues when it came to the whole captor/captive story beat. Cleo shouldn't have been tied up as long as she was if this was supposed to be a sweet and consensual romance. She's tied up like a dog (Cleo's words!!!!) and she's not wrong. AND YET. People have the audacity to lecture her on needing to tell the pack her needs. Why would she when her needs are being ignored???

Don't get me wrong! I love dark romance. But Defective fails to fully deliver there as well because it doesn't go hard enough. I'm not entirely sure what the author was going for but regardless.... it didn't fully land for me.

Also, to people sensitive to consent issues: Tori doesn't just accidentally throw out Cleo's suppressants, she does it knowing DAMN WELL that Cleo wants them back. Now, for me this doesn't ruin a book. But it does add a complicated layer to everything that I don't think was properly laid out in the trigger warnings. Not only does Cleo never get her suppressants back, but we get some backstory on Tori's perspective, as if this is supposed to somehow make what happened ok. For me it really didn't. Tori is allowed to not take suppressants herself or view it as unhealthy. But it's not up to her to decide for anyone else what they do with their body!!! I could stomach the lecture if it was a darker book, but it's the "I'm doing what's best for you" that bothers me.

And to those who care: there isn't an explicit/open door sex scene. Not a dealbreaker for me but it was definitely a disappointment that I couldn't even enjoy some hot lesbian sex to make up for the frustrating plot.

Despite all my bitching, I enjoyed aspects of this story. I liked the world. I liked some of the characters even though they pissed me off. I just feel like there was potential for it to be SO MUCH MORE, so that made my disappointment harder to handle.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC!

"Defective" by Ivy Lovell delivers post-apocalyptic awesomeness with a gripping plot and strong character development. Tori and Chloe’s journey from enemies to understanding each other feels authentic and emotional. The world-building is immersive, and the unique take on a sapphic Omegaverse story adds depth and originality. This isn’t the kind of story you typically find within the Omegaverse trope, making it a refreshing read. Really hope to see more from this author!

Absolutely adorable! I love the trust built between the two FMCs & the care they give in to throughout the course of the story.

I understand the instinct to protect yourself by keep others at an arms length, just as I get the feeling of not fitting in.

To be loved exactly as you are, and to have an outlet upon which you can return that affection is so lovely; beyond the well-paced storytelling & digestible world building, this is the greatest thread that has led to my love for this story.

Thank you #NetGalley for this digital ARC

Oh, hell yeah, I've been desperate to read a sapphic omega verse book, and this was such a fun one! I really enjoyed how some of those traditional themes were incorporated, but it was also a super original execution. The post-apocalyptic setting, with the way the city operated and the toxic storms, was a really interesting addition and added a lot to the wider story of the way city alphas are abusing their power and omegas are being treated as breeders. It almost felt a little bit handmaiden tale vibes.

The romance was really sweet, and I enjoyed how we got to see Cleo and the pack slowly start trusting each other, it wasn't overnight, which felt realistic. Same with the way the relationship between Tori and Cleo developed slowly and realistically.

I think the plot of the elders was a bit unnecessary and didn't add much - it could have easily just been the pack who made her stay to work off her debt. They felt like an added layer that was unnecessary since they didn't serve any purpose to the plot. Their only real impact was them trying to force Soren and Tori to mate, but they pretty much gave up on that as soon as Cleo asked so.... what was the point? Sure, it stoked some jealousy, but Cleo was already jealous of him anyway, and it didn't prompt her to act, so it seemed a bit unnecessary. Having said that, they were so minor that it didn't matter that they were included.

But overall, it was such a fun read, and now I really need to go find some more sapphic omega verse

Thank you so much to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an arc in exchange for an honest review!