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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Shannen Kern

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

YES! I absolutely LOVED this different view of Sleeping Beauty and how the author made it their own. I have enjoyed other books by Natalina Reis but was still unprepared for how much I was going to fall for this one. The flow of the story took me a little bit to get used to, but once I found the rhythm there was just no letting go. I love the characters and how deeply invested I became throughout the book. I can’t wait to see what our amazing author has in store for us next!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Ashley Sugar

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

New author for me and I wasn’t disappointed! I love a good friends to lover book. Book was full of twists and i loved the characters! Great retelling of sleeping beauty and I loved every single page! I’ll be reading more books by Natalina! Beautiful read and I highly recommend!

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Jennifer Ramos

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my third Reis book and I just love how she mixes her elements of fantasy with a whirlwind of romance! Love this book just as much! Part sleeping beauty aspects mixed in with dark magic overtaking a kingdom and it is up to Ayo and Yi to figure out how to help the situation. Along with a group of people that they meet and connect with throughout the story, the story takes the reader through secrets and betrayal, rediscovery, and fighting for what you love. If you’re a Reis fan or simply love fantasy type stories, give this one a try! It would be worth it!

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Michelle Marlow

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again we have a MM Romantasy by this author. A wonderful Sleeping Beauty retelling. And goodness do I love retellings. We have our leading man Ayo. He is banished from his kingdom. Along with being banished he has his magic taken. I love the plotline and world building even though it is a standalone. It’s truly an eccentric fun read.

Review by @michellerenee6590

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sleeping Love is a MM fantasy romance story that tells the story of the friendship turned love between Ayo and Yi. Ayo met Yi when orphaned at a young age and the two became best friends. As Ayo got older, he started to learn about his magical powers. When Yi’s father, the king feels that Ayo’s magic becomes a threat to him he strips him of his magic and banishes him to a desolate land. When a curse falls over the kingdom it turns out that Yi is the only one who may be able to break the curse. Ayo is able to wake Yi with a kiss and rekindle their romance, but danger lurks around each corner which puts their relationship at risk.

This book was a bit of an interesting twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty story that drew me in and compelled me to read to the end. The scenes were superbly written, detailed, and make you feel as though you are there at that time and place. The characters of Yi and Ayo were interesting, and it was refreshing to see that the two had forged a friendship and gotten to know one another before it turned to romance. I could not help but root for them to be together and overcome the obstacles that kept insisting on getting in their way. A great story with drama, action, suspense, magic, forbidden romance, curses, friendship, a prince, an evil king, and friends becoming lovers.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Kerry Baker

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting take on a well known fairy tale and it is one I have really enjoyed. I thought the story was well thought out and interesting. It caught my attention straight away. I lived thr characters in this.book. I felt their connection and was drawn to their journey.
This is an author that I have become very familiar with and I really love how all of her books are different. This one is nothing like any of her others but it is just as good. This is a great story that i would highly recommend.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sleeping Love is an MM Romance Fantasy story about a man named Ayo who is banished by his kingdom, but quickly finds himself on a quest to save his love, Prince Yi, and his magic. The Prince and Ayo grew up together as “brothers” but he quickly realized he loved him, but due to the prince’s cruel father, this is a path that could never be. Eventually, the king banishes Ayo, to an awful island that finds a way to kill many of its inhabitants, and steals his magic in hopes to use it for himself. Ayo comes to find out that the kingdom was put under a spell and his prince is in a deep sleep. This spell is hitting many of the realms so that the Mulluk can obtain more power, or that is at least the thought. Ayo is able to wake his prince with “a kiss”, and they begin their journey to save the kingdom and Ayo’s magic. We quickly learn that the prince feels the same way and is in love with Ayo, however, Ayo is questioning so many things because he knows Yi is hiding something. Ayo, Yi, and other comrades make their way to get Ayo’s magic back, learn about Ayo’s past, and try and save the realms.
I liked that the storyline seemed to move along quickly and is a standalone book. There were parts that I thought were odd or unnecessary due to the lack of information provided for it, but overall was a good story. It was full of humor, strength, romance, and adventure. I enjoyed the characters for the most part. Bai Qian, one of the comrades, is a female princess but wants to destroy the female persona for the time. She was a great character – she was badass, royal, strong, smart, and cunning. She was quite funny and enjoyable to read about. As for the main characters, Ayo and Yi, they too were great characters. There were times that Ayo got on my nerves because of his insecurities, but overall, he was a loving, devoted love interest. Yi was more my type of character. While he was royal, he was down-to-earth, loving, honest, and not shy about who he was. The love story uses old tales to show how powerful a kiss can be!

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Jules Herbert

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want a read that fills your heart and has you believing in love again then this captivating Fairy tale retelling is for you. As other reviewers have mentioned it is a friends to lovers M/M romantic tale and in my opinion is has so much to offer the reader. This author writes such wonderful characters and creative storylines that I know I will be coming back time again to read her talented writing.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Anastasia Dodson

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a interesting retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Retellings are stories I enjoy because I like to see how authors make a well known story their own. The main characters in this were names Ayo and Yi. They had a sweet MM romance that was very angsty more times than not and just an fyi this story isn’t written in the 1st person so it was a little harder to connect than my normal stories but you got more sides of the story besides just the thoughts of the two mc’s. I thought the characters were good and their overall story was interesting!
Happy Reading!

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Barbara Bohls

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book. It is a more modern take on Sleeping Beauty. When I say modern, I mean it in the form of the love interests in this book and the updated surroundings. The reason I wasn’t sure what to expect is because whether we want to admit it or not we all have preconceived notions when it comes to a retelling or even to using the same plot lines just enough to draw reference. There is magic, love, friendship, and fantasy. This version allows for you to take what you thought you knew about a Sleeping beauty story and have it recreated in your mind to the possibility of what it would have been like if the main characters were both males. This story builds and builds which shows character depth and world building scenarios. The magic that is involved isn’t done to where you need a glossary of terms to understand. This made the book enjoyable for me to read. It was classically done with an amazing twist. I highly suggest reading this book to allow yourself the opportunity to reimagine what Sleeping Beauty could be like. It is a quick read that you will find yourself falling in love with the story as it progresses. I highly recommend reading this if you like a twist on a classic.
Reviewed by: @bbohls

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Gabrielle

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an interesting retelling of a fairytale sleeping beauty. I enjoyed meeting Ayo and Yi and getting to be along for their journey. Magic and Eastern kingdoms take center stage in this story. It was nice to see Asian main characters. Yi and Ayo are both strong characters and must fight hard to find their happy ever after. Their story is a sweet romance filled with a nice mix of cation and emotions. Not only do we get the main story but many of the supporting characters have their say. The plot is good but does drag in some places. The author does a nice job of bringing a new twist to an old tale.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Sheri Schrader

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sleeping Love is a fantasy, MM romance bringing a fresh take to the Cinderella fairy tale. I was wondering if I would fall for this book because it is difficult to bring a fresh take to a tried and true story. This author took the story and added so many unique elements to make it her own. One element I enjoyed was the Eastern influences on the characters, setting, and world-building. Ayo and Yi are a fascinating match. One is royalty, and the other a pauper. I was rooting for them to break barriers and become so much more than friends and not be torn apart by their circumstances. If you love fairy tales, Eastern mythology, fantasy, and more, this book will not be left on your to-be-read pile long. I look forward to reading more from this author soon.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Kerry Carr

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful MM friends to lovers romance. It is also a twist on the story of Sleeping beauty where the spell is only broken my true loves kiss. The author does an amazing job of creating the world and it is full of magic, danger, and longing love. This story has characters that you want to succeed in the form of Ayo and then characters you can stand such as the king.

Ayo had grown up beside the Prince but once his magic start to show the king banished him to an island and took away his magic. Now Ayo is forced to live along and struggle to survive, he is also banned from seeing his friend Prince Yi. That is until a curse is placed over the kingdom and the only person who can save Prince Yi is Ayo.
But that is just the beginning. Once Yi is awoken from the curse the pair move forward looking to get Ayo’s powers back. Together they must overcome enemies old and new while fighting for each other. Bit as secrets and past actions start to come alight will the pair be able to hold on to their new found love or will the past destroy their only chance of happiness
I really enjoyed this story. I felt every struggle and fight that Ayo has had to endure from losing his parents, to being stripped of his magic and exiled away from the one person he loves. I do love how strong and determined his is to fight for his love no matter the consequences or the obstacles in front of them.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Stephanie Robb

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful fairytale retelling, filled with love, magic, fantasy and friendship. This queer take on Sleeping Beauty as a prince and commoner fall in love will really warm your heart. The author has a great storytelling ability with fantastic world building and character development.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Amelia Stansell

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yo is a prince and Ayo is an orphan. The two became best friends over time fell in love. Yi’s father doesn’t like Ayo because he know of his feelings for Yi. Ayo is accused of treason and stripped of his magic. Meanwhile, Yi and everyone else is put under a sleeping spell. Ayo is the only one that can save everyone. It is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Tonya Merritt

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this remake of Sleeping Beauty, you’ll fall in love with the characters. Ayo and Yi are the perfect romantic couple. Is a kiss just a kiss or is it love? This story has action, adventure, friendships, and of course love. It takes a few chapters to get into the story and then you are hooked.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Allison Davis

Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting take on a sleeping beauty retelling. This book has friends to lovers romance, forbidden love, fate, action, drama and more. Everything happens very quick in this books, you’re reading their journey and next thing you know they are there. This also happens with tasks, the author will mention something that needs happen for the story to continue but it’s not actually written about. We just know it happens and that’s it.

Outside of some of the details this was a good take on sleeping beauty!

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Michelle Troyer

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by this author. It’s a very good book and can’t wait to read the next one since this left you with a cliffhanger. It keep my interest all the way through that I didn’t want to put it down. What Kyle and Lyle endure growing up to where they are now is heart breaking. However the strong feeling between them will keep them together this time. Great book!

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Foxy Tails by Natalina Reis – Review by Moriah Venable

Foxy TailsFoxy Tails by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Huli is a nine tailed fox demon that is hunted because of that and does what he must to survive.

Xiao Ying returns home to a family of healers to find them all murdered and vows to avenge them. This causes him to seek evidence he needs and not letting anything stand in his way until he meets a certain nine tailed demon.

After reading Afflicted Love, this was in a different genre of M/M novels. I really needed that after such an emotional read.

I enjoyed the different POVs but I loved the story in general. There were some funny moments but the romance, of course, is what hooked me the most. I wanted to know how Huli and Xiao Ying would get to that point and how the confession would go. How the journey would bring them close together.

It was fun read and I may read it again.

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Moriah Venable

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kyle and Lyle are two boys who become fast friends after seeing Lyle being picked on. Kyle moves to help before he even realizes what he is doing.

He even changes his name so people don’t associate with his meth addicted dad and to start a new life for himself and becomes a brother to Lyle, he looks after and takes care of him.

Years later, Kyle and Lyle feelings change for each other. While Kyle has accepted himself, Lyle is in denial which leads him to propose to his girlfriend, Tracey, causing a rift between them.

Four years go by and the two are brought back together when the man they called Dad passes away.

Past emotions stir and Lyle’s feelings for his brother, that he tried to deny, reveal themselves.

I went into thinking it would be a quick M/M story. I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this story was going to give me. That ending! I need the next book right now. I hope someone doesn’t lose their memory and Kyle and Lyle have to find a way back to each other.

As bad as I feel for Kyle, with all the beatings he endured, I was proud and happy when he started to love himself more and picked himself.

I really hope we get the sequel soon. This is my first novel by this author but it won’t be my last.

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Foxy Tails by Natalina Reis – Review by Faith Jackson

Foxy TailsFoxy Tails by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love when a story can come together and make their chemistry matches but the characters fight the chemistry. This is just a story where it’s a fun read. From the setting to the characters, this story is original and inspiring. Filled with entertainment, you won’t regret this story!

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Manda Kelly

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Usually, MM books aren’t something I get invested in, but this book had me begging for more. Autumn has a way of writing a world where you feel like you’re watching the story take place around you. I didn’t want to leave the world. The obvious love these two share for each other is undeniable. No matter how they try to fight it, it’s there. They’ve been through hell and back, and it’s a battle to make it to where they end up. You wont regret reading this book. I promise.

Review by @Manda Kelly 2023

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Ashley McMillon

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The author brings you right into the heart of the story right away as we meet Kyle and Lyle and learn of how immediately intense the connection is between them. Honestly my thoughts of their home lives were so sad in that they grew up in such extremely tragic situations. But in the midst of everything, they have each other as brothers. As the story unfolds, we learn that the bond between them is much more than brothers. I was intrigued by their connection and the way they tried to hide it even though it was evident. This was a really well written book! I highly recommend!

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Robin Rankin

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Afflicted Love

Once again Ms. Sand delivered a book I didn’t want to end for so many different reasons.

Soul mates can come into your life at any time and Lyle and Kyle’s story shows that. They meet at a very tough time and ended up being the one bright spot in the others life as they got older and life continued to kick them.

There was a lot of back and forth in their relationship, but with their upbringing and the history I can understand to a point.

Absolutely worth the time spent and cannot wait until the next book is released, hope I don’t have to wait too long to find out what happens next.

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Shannen Kern

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am blown away by Afflicted Love! I hadn’t read anything by Autumn Sand before, and to say that they exceeded my expectations would be an understatement. I knew I would enjoy this from the synopsis, but it really knocked me off my feet. The raw emotion and fervor throughout the book are unbelievable. I haven’t read an author that can create and sustain such chemistry in a very long time. It is a dark MM romance, and you want to check out the triggers just in case you want to steer away from some things, but I thoroughly enjoyed this rollercoaster of torturous emotions. The flow pulls you in immediately and makes you think you’re right alongside Kyle and Lyle. I am so ready for the second book already!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Foxy Tails by Natalina Reis – Review by Faith Jackson

Foxy TailsFoxy Tails by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love when a story can come together and make their chemistry matches but the characters fight the chemistry. This is just a story where it’s a fun read. From the setting to the characters, this story is original and inspiring. Filled with entertainment, you won’t regret this story!

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Michelle Marlow

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Please please please please check the trigger warnings. There are some parts in here that are very tough. Your mental health is worth more.

Okay, with that out of the way, this is a MM contemporary romance. With a dark twist as well. We are met with Kyle and Elijah, who has renamed himself Lyle, to try and get away from his past. Neither of these boys have much in their lives. But what they do have is each other. Or well had each other, until they didn’t. Until one has to call the other due to life circumstances. Kyle is a bad boy rockstar while Lyle is your typical vanilla man working as a doctor. This story will break your heart and then pick the pieces up again and continue to do so through out the story. I do wish we saw more of the rockstar side of this romance as that is why I picked it up. However, I will be continuing with this because that……cliffhanger…oh my heart.

Reviews by @michellerenee6590
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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Katrina Evanochko

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I both liked this book and struggled with parts of it. Kyle and Lyle have known each other since they were kids and support each other through some horrific things. Both are pretty damaged and deal with that damage in different ways. The story is compelling, but while I could see why Lyle made most of the decisions he made, I did not find him easy to connect with nor very likable. Kyle was a bit easier for me to connect within some ways. The cliffhanger ending was completely unexpected. I look forward to the continuation of their story.

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Tausha Treadway

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand. This is such a fun, quick read that will literally leave you hanging. Its the story of Lyle and Kyle who have gotten to know one another and have a lot in common. They both come from pretty traumatic childhoods. The more time they spend together the more they have feelings for one another. Kyle doesn’t have a problem with it. He’s proud to be in love with Lyle but Lyle is not so sure. He’s not sure how he feels about his feelings. They end up having a pretty toxic relationship together and in the end one truly gets their heart broken but can it be fixed. Can Lyle come to terms with being gay and can he prove to Kyle he has it all together and won’t hurt him any more? Read this fast paced short read that will leave you wanting more. Can’t wait for the next installment.

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Shadel Ayerbe

Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Afflicted love by autumn sand is the first book in the serious and it is a m/m dark romance

This book was excellent. There is a huge variety of feeling and attention to detail in a book that only took me an hour and a half to read, including hunger, fury, despair, love, and hate.

I’m looking forward to book 2 in the Rhythm & Heart series after reading Afflicted Love. This is a Kyle and Lyle M/M romance. The two met when they were young lads who were having a hard time because they both came from violent households.i am quite interested in how things turn out for these two.

Every page was exciting and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. The story really brings excitement into your life. I couldn’t put the book down.

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