Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #Regression(2)

This was a surprisingly sweet story centred around the Ernst family. The FL, Harley had regressed on the cusp of her marriage to when she had first been rescued from the streets to become the ward of the Duke of Ernst. Reliving the challenges of essentially replacing a daughter with her new adult perspective was enlightening but so much more so with her relationship with the 3 brothers who had tormented her the first time round. Now, as the reader follows along, we can see the pain and hurt in the family who struggle with the loss of a daughter or sister, and the complexities of grief as Harley uses her adult understanding to have a better relationship. I found the story to be very sweet. It was a mix of typical tropes like a villainess used to make the FL shine and show off things like her newly acquired poise and inner strength, and yet there was also something new with the bonds and burdens of family (especially a family of power and wealth). I liked the ML and the dynamic he has with the FL. Overall this was a slow paced but lovely story.

Completed story Opinion: Disappointing. Decided to drop after 12 chapters, but still a spark of interest so I skipped to ch75 and read to end. Main couple: 6/10 FL: 3/10 - Idris. Bland. No backbone, spent her time cowering or blushing. Illegitimate daughter of a noble and maid she had no skills to be wife of a powerful leader. ML: 7/10 - Khalid, Archduke of Caltes. Red eyes, half demon, demon skills. Protective. Pushover for his wife. Not always believable as a strong man. Story/Concept: Concept of being assassinated and sent back in time after her husband finished her off was interesting. But then it was let down by inconsistencies, eg the “strong” FL who wanted to live returns and is as much a doormat, cowering, blushing misfit as before. The only reason she had a better life was because Khalid set out to make it so. I didn’t feel chemistry between MCs and failed to find the FL a sympathetic character to cheer on. Tropes: Damsel in distress. Time regression. Demons. Magic. Protective lover. Blushing. Past trauma. Ending: Ok. Art: Disappointing especially her fashion. Smut: Implied only. TW's: Blood, murder.