Sleeps In Sunbeams's manga / #Nobility(13)

An Omegaverse set in a variant of 1700’s France with the nobility comprised of alpha and powerful alliances negotiated with the influential families of omegas. Amidst this opulent sphere of the elite come the rumblings of dissatisfaction and the winds of change. Wealthy scion of a powerful family, Maurice (alpha) refuses all attempts at pairing with an omega. His heart is set on his foster brother (beta) but for such an unconventional love the world needs to change. This story was cleverly created with a brilliant artistic depiction of the elegant fashions of the time; long sleeves topped with lace, flowing curls, elegant jackets and beautiful characters. A recommended read.

A reborn noble in an otome game with the memories of her past self, Karen was engaged to a prince and had a dark fate in store when the heroine arrived. Her childhood friend Hansel was a cursed child, alienated by his colouring and marking. In adulthood, Hansel becomes the princes attendant and keeps a cool distance from his engaged childhood friend. The rest of the story follows Karen and Hansel falling for each other as the prince is readily swayed from his fiancée by Alice. There are some good lovemaking scenes and a happy ending, but it feels like there was much that was unexplored (eg what made a cursed marking cursed? It seemed to have no impact other than social rejection).

Rune is transmigrated to France in the era of Marie Antoinette where she is saved by a green eyed man on a white horse. However, this guy has plans for the petite Rune that involves hands on training. And lips on..and more. The story was an okay read, it’s just that the ML was a manipulative pimp for most of the story, one who was willing to let a girl be gifted to a sleezebag for social clout. That made him rather unlikeable for me, though there was some hope in the ending for a happier relationship.

There are more romantic, soft smut isekai style stories in this second multi author volume, one a continuation of one of the volume 1 stories “The Villainess Can’t Escape”. I really enjoyed the escapism and variety, with a trap and a yandere, magic users and royalty.

Nora was about to die saving a cat. She didn’t want to die but her impulsive rescue ended with her drowning… and then waking in another world. One where cats walked on two legs. And one where humans were treated as pets. Captured by a young master named Caesar, Nora was about to turn this world on its fuzzy ears and fall in love. I really liked the story. Nora was a great FL. She had faith in those she liked, was bold enough to declare her feelings openly, and was optimistic in her outlook. I liked the ending, it seemed pretty obvious that she found her way back.

Completed story: Eve has been reincarnated 4 times. In each of her lives, she had never made it past her 25th birthday and arrived before Yeoram, God of the Underworld with time still owed on her life. This time she has had enough, and demands to migrate into a new body that met her requirements rather than going through another childhood. So now she is Lady Lukina Evetha Rodlyn, beloved daughter of Duke Rodlyn, engaged to the second prince of the nation, and life should be good. Except someone had murdered the body she was now residing in, her fiancé was a little too close to her best friend, the third prince may not be the trustworthy childhood friend she thought, and on top of all that, she had to work on herself. This is just the start of what could be the life where she can finally fall in love and be happy, or just another fast track to the underworld.

Completed story. This isekai was an absolute hoot. The transmigrated heroine, Latte, was adorable. She was a FL that shone for her inner monologue, her antics and knack for facing danger, her crazy and dark side that emerged in the right situations, and her kindness that balanced things out. She really was the dorky heroine described in the title. I liked the three fish and especially the one who fell for her. An excellent story by this author. So many fun and funny moments.

These really are a hoard of one shot Villainess stories that make for a great, quick escape.

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.