somnia's Topics (552)

If you're not yet jaded by all the shoujo tropes, this'll be a fine read. If you're aware of the cliches there'll be nothing here for you. There is no suspense beyond the usual fief managing girlboss perils + a bunch of other tropes (child care, side char picking up the FL's fish, etc) on top of that. The worldbuilding doesn't add anything new, neither do the characters. ML's sad boy brokenhearted vibe was refreshing but he gets over that so quick and just becomes ok. The story started feeling very whatever for me the moment that the Duke shows up and it becomes clear that the novelty ends at FL picking up after what og FL neglected. I don't find FL all that interesting either because despite being a widow (which is rare) she's just another kind and competent lady with the typical vague korean office lady background, that nowadays is an instant -5 cha for me.
That is to say, if you can't see the things I'm seeing here: good for you.

5 points for realism for making the main man in power be a psychotic egoist with mommy issues

I like how the time travel was integrated into the story. It's very cute to see FL and ML's reaction to first meeting the butler together go from "WE AINT DATING" to "yes that's my wife, moving on". The author avoided making the time shenanigans feel like a gimmick through Edwin's ghost dad.
In hindsight the revelations they're having now make me wonder wtf Edwin was even doing those first 8 or so regressions. Especially after it's shown that he did have doubts as a kid.
But yea overall I like the story. The main appeal is the romance here and I had some good yearning crying sessions. The who's-the-mastermind mystery is a bit predictable sometimes but there was enough tension to keep me interested over all.
The story has some heavy cliches, but imo this is one of those cases where they're done well bc the characters are consistent and got dimension.

Dude gave himself an instant debuff by cutting all that hair off. He left his majestic king of the merfolk vibes behind for average hot anime man looks. That's one hell of a brutal downgrade in my book.

A rogue street rat FL, delightful.
I really dig the chemistry that's building up with ML. Both of them are harshing the vibes with some of their comments, but they are building up to this cat and mouse dynamic where they try to stay ahead + clearly being good for each other despite their very fucking stark differences.

Ever since Niciana went rogue I wasn't feeling the character arcs anymore. The whole ship just started sinking.
It's like I fell out of love with someone and all of the sudden every move they make annoys me. I felt nothing when Niciana died and rolled my eyes constantly while they were on their lil adventure ass journey. Had literally 0 sympathy for her even though I usually die for an emotionally complex villain.
Idk if it was obvious to anyone else but asap I clocked that this Rose girl was the Empress' reincarnation. Bc why the fuck else would they take this random child peasant with them on a supposed lethal mission. I feel underwhelmed tbh.

I hope that twat died in pain. Karma did good by nuking his health.

OK so now we have three options:
Either he's delulu and gonna act like he never got rejected, accept it and move on, OR start calling her a whore.
My instinct is telling me the author will keep milking those sweet 2nd ML tears and make him ignore the rejection, spiraling into an antagonist that stands between FL and ML. But who knows-

Note to self: continue reading when the comment section starts raving and screaming

Also, just now realizing how on the nose Warren's name is.

Without actually seeing what's been keeping ML so deadly busy that excuse feels like nothing, empty words. Like homie couldn't even find the time to eat lunch with his fiance, actually answer why.
His stupidity/obliviousness doesn't excuse the neglect. Idk what type of relationships the author has been in but I suggest reevaluating those standards.