Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #Author(4)

Secretary to a demanding CEO and budding author Eom Boran, is the FL with an intense dislike for her boss. Kwon Sehu is successful, talented and handsome. He is also bossy, with frighteningly high standards and did I mention demanding? When Kwon’s nephew wanted to meet the author of his favourite book he put out every effort to find the reluctant author who was hiding right under his nose. Only what would happen when he realises that the villain in the book is based on him? I thought that this story was sweet. The FL was no damsel seeking a man. She was a professional woman who justifiably disliked her boss. But as they got to know each other better he showed his vulnerable side and greater understanding of each other led slowly (for her) to love. I thought the ending was particularly satisfying. This is a recommended read.

A well written story of a young man trapped by circumstance. When Yukito’s mother died he was left in the care of his author step father. A man twisted enough to sexually abuse and control his son for years. Yukito grows to become protective of his abuser, even having sex with other men and using his body to manipulate them in order to keep his step father safe. That is until he meets a taxi driver who sees too much and who won’t be manipulated. If ever anyone deserves someone to value and respect them it’s Yukito and oddly enough it’s this near stranger who knows too much but who hides his own true self. This was not a happy story, but it does have a lovely HEA and a healthy love that flourishes at the end.

This was a great story that centred around the cheerful and naive Kotaro. This college student had spent his childhood raising 3 rambunctious and adorable triplet brothers following the death of his father. His mom was nice, but a workaholic and as the oldest brother with a natural caretaker streaker a mile wide Kotaro busily cooked, cleaned and cared for his family. When Kotaro was asked to help his mothers relative as a housekeeper, he was thrilled to be able to see again the kind older boy he met as a child. Someone whose impactful first meeting had always comforted him that he had a big brother out there. But the 32yo Ayumi was nothing like he remembered. The reclusive writer was unshaven and unkempt, his house a mess and his diet deplorable. And his expressionless face had a gaze that followed him increasingly. Obviously this man needed Kotaro! And so these two seemingly mismatched men started down the path to love. Understanding Kotaro’s history and nature do a lot for this story because the mangaka used them effectively for character motivation, from his flaws (eg taking on too much, not wanting to bother others with problems he felt were his responsibility, naïveté) to his warm nature and positive outlook that drew others to him. I loved all the supporting characters (especially the triplets) because they weren’t one dimensional. They were all complex in their own ways and really helped to make this a special story.

Completed story. The Dom/Sub universe is one of my favourite settings when done well and this mangaka did a great job highlighting that these relationships are based on trust and communication, being safe to let your nature free and not being subject to abuse and coercion. The warmth of this Dom Moriya, his tender after care and attention to his sub, he is a perfect partner especially for an abused sub like Miki Kuroda.