Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #Beautiful Art(681)

This was a lovely story. Carnelia (FL) was isekai’d into the role of the villainess who would be executed at the hands of her husband. However, she was nothing like the character from the story and set about to survive by becoming friends with the prince she was forced to wed when they were both 12. And that friendship was what set this story up for a wonderful foundation for a plot of political machinations for the emperors throne and ofc love. I loved the MCs, their strong bonds of friendship turned love are amongst my favourite tropes. The supporting characters were such eye candy and the art overall was impeccable. There were sweetly funny moments like the Prince perpetually having his nose buried in a “How To” book and Carnelia having to fix that. Definitely a story to reread.

Reincarnated Takao, once a knight pledged to protect his Prince, Finley, had died burdened by his failure in his role of sworn knight when Prince Finley was assassinated. Over the following centuries he had reincarnated and crossed paths with the Prince, and now in modern day Japan once again their paths cross. This sweet story tells of their bond that defies boundaries of death and the chance they have to be something more this time. After going through several lifetimes, Takao, a former knight, is currently living as an office worker in modern Japan. After discovering Hikaru, who is the reincarnation of the prince he served and was unable to protect until the end in their past lives, he swore to protect Hikaru in this life by being a hardcore fan. For the sake of protecting Hikaru from a closer position, Takao decided to become his manager. But after Hikaru, who has an aloof personality this time compared to their past lives, showed him a smile directed only to him, Takao starts to feel another type of feeling budding within him!

Two lovely age gap stories between mature men. From the company head and the window washer, to the 39yo virgin BL writer and the young guy from sales, these were beautifully drawn, slow burn stories of unexpected love.

Completed story Yoon Haneul: Modern woman and a pushover, Yoon finds herself isekaied into a novel she had written 10 years earlier. One full of youthful cliches and tropes that made her cringe, and one where she became the villainess. Aila Mertensia: The villainess who existed in the novel to make the heroine shine. Daughter to a powerful duke, now that Yoon is inhabiting this body she is determined to avoid that bloody ending and enjoy her favourite novels. Only it seems that avoiding her role has placed time in an endless loop. And it seems that she isn’t the only one to notice. Killian: Centuries old and a powerful warlock, Killian had been stuck in a repetitive and irritating day and was determined to destroy the one responsible. Tracing that person led him to Alia. In order to help time move on, he decides to help her become the perfect villainess. I really loved the story. The MCs were wonderfully designed and the plot was enjoyable. The ending was a bit fast perhaps, but it wrapped things up pretty well and was very satisfying as far as the MCs future goes. Based on a light novel

Completed story This was a sweet story about young single dad Take, his adorably bratty son Kota, and the new kindergarten sensei, Aota. For ex yankee Take, raising his son alone after his wife left has been full of challenges. But the anxieties of being a good parent were matched by the loneliness he found after old friends drifted away and his partner left with a new man. So when Aota praised him for being strong and doing his best, he broke down in his arms. That vulnerable moment bonded this seemingly mismatched pair and their story was really lovely to read. Falling for each other was natural and the little family really were heartwarming. I loved the art for Take, he had such a cute delinquent look that was still remarkably vulnerable. Loved the story.

Completed story Opinion: Thoroughly loved the relationship between a powerful couple with great communication. Rushed ending was a let down though. Main couple: 10/10 FL: 10/10 - Sienna Argent. Beautiful and powerful. Went from being a hothouse flower to a woman of heart and insight. ML: 10/10 - Kuhn Raad. A formidable man of many faces who was putty in the hands of the woman he loved. Story/Concept: Royal heir/Divine being x Kingmaker/warrior/rogue. The shining heart of this story was the dynamic between the MCs. There was respect for each other and the burdens of their roles and a truly wonderful ability to communicate well. Their problems were all external, each was able to manage independently but together they were something special. They never had a breakdown in their ability to talk things through, and each was sweetly vulnerable to the other yet also strengthened by them. Tropes: Stolen moments. Political intrigue. First time. Protective lover. Ending: VERY rushed, yet sweet and happy. Art: Pretty and full colour. Lost points towards the end was less effort. Smut: Implied only. Romantic overtones. Read novel for real smut. TW's: None.

Completed Story Opinion: I loved it so much I bought my own copy. Main couple: 10/10 FL: 10/10 - Blondina. An atrocious name, thankfully she was mostly called Bridey in the story. Half blood princess x commoner, raised in poverty and abuse. Vulnerable yet poised. Gentle but with an inner strength. Very likeable. ML: 10/10 -Divine Beast Amon Akir. Black leopard. Very protective and possessive. Makes for an adorable kitten. Bridey’s first in his heart and soul. Story/Concept: Forgotten princess x Divine beast. I loved how we followed Bridey and Amon from being children spending time together to adults in love with each other. Their bond was strong almost to the point of being exclusive of others, but as the story progressed new friendships and strengthened family bonds came into their lives. Conflict was external, they communicated well and worked through any potential misunderstandings well. There is a clear feeling of being fated mates and little doubt that each was good for the other. Tropes: Reincarnation romance. Shoujo. Beastmen. Deities. Possessive lover. Sibling rivalry. Ending: Happy. Plenty of lovely side stories. Art: Lovely, colourful. Smut: Implied. TW's: Child abuse. Animal cruelty.

CW: Drugs, murder, promiscuity, suicide references, dub con This story goes straight to my favourites pile. Both Noah and Mason/Haley were wonderfully complex characters, each with a backstory that had elements of heartbreak and which had much to do with who they were in the present day. I loved the sadistic behemoth Noah. He was such a mix of frightening power and fragile vulnerability all wrapped up in a beautiful physical shell. His PTSD and long term mental health struggles were a believable backdrop for his dangerous personality. And for all he was seriously obsessed and possessive he tried very hard to ensure that he didn’t give in to his darkest urges. As for Mason/Haley, I loved his expressions, and the art of his character with blue eyes and black hair. His protective side, his fierce independence, and his reactions to the money offered in his acting roles lol. Together, they were a favourite pairing and I loved their story! Available on Tapas Based on a novel

Completed Opinion: Cute, sweet, and fluffy (pun intended) Main couple: 8/10 FL: 8/10 - Lady Zernoa de Rhanterra/Larissa. Raised poor, was sold to the Duke de Rhanterra to replace his daughter and capture the crown prince. Protective of her family, she starts to find joy when she rescues a cute rabbit. ML: 8/10 -Grand Duke Hadelrune de Strelitz/Rune. “Cursed” by a fairy to be a rabbit and find love. A renowned soldier and avoider of women and rabbits he can’t dodge his fate to be a cute cottontail with a thumping heck of a protective kick. Genuinely supportive and kind to Larissa. Story/Concept: A sweet idea that enabled the pair to cross social boundaries in an unique manner. Rabbit rune was endearing and by the time the FL met his human version they had already become very close. Tropes: Shoujo. Historical. Curse. Beast form. Royalty. Nobility. Identity charade. Ending: Happy. A few loose ends, a little rushed. Art: Pretty and colourful. Adult male characters had very large eyes and youthful features, they all looked like kids playing dress up though they did improve a little as story progressed. Smut: None. TW's: Suicide. Child abuse. Drugs.

Completed Story Opinion: A nice story, let down in a couple of areas but the sisterly bond was great. Main couple: 7/10 FL: 7/10 - Countess Charlotte De Perol. Childhood full of physical abuse and neglect. Becomes a powerful woman and has a sweet sister relationship. ML: 8/10 - Arthur, Duke of Cardiff. One of the last magi, capable of wielding the infernal flame. General of the Kings armies. Actually a very sweet guy who didn’t get enough story time with more pages dedicated to the king (who held him in a form of obligated servitude). Unable to live his life for himself. Story/Concept: One of the most refreshing aspects of this story was the sister bond between FL and her mercenary sister Kara. The story suited the title “Cheerful Countess Sisters” more than “Countess and the Blade” because little of the story had time between FL & ML and he was a magi more than a knight. There were let downs for me but the main one would be the amount of story dedicated to the king. He was responsible for a lifetime of misery for the ML because his need for power was his priority over their close brotherly bond and he never faced any consequences for that. In fact, with the exception of having the FL love him, his life was pretty perfect and given his cruelty (which the author attempted to balance with his love of the FL) and petty selfishness. He was also in the story a LOT more than the ML. Tropes: Shoujo. Historical. Royalty. Nobility. Sisterhood. Ending: Happy. Side stories were ok. Art: Pretty and colourful. TW's: Child abuse.