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My life has already been mapped out. Every milestone, every important moment, clearly defined and placed into a pretty little box, courtesy of my father and my apparent fiancé.
They want me to be perfect. They want me to fold, over and over, until there’s nothing left of me but what they tell me I should be.
When River, Jenson and Kai stroll into my life, it feels like a detonation. As though my veins are alight with fire. For the first time in my life, I’m awash with feeling.
But then they offer me a deal. It’s indecent. It’s wrong. It goes against everything I’ve ever been told.
But if it’s so wrong… why is being theirs the first time in my life that I’ve felt right?
Briar is a why choose, morally grey re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty. It contains themes not suitable for younger readers.
They want me to be perfect. They want me to fold, over and over, until there’s nothing left of me but what they tell me I should be.
When River, Jenson and Kai stroll into my life, it feels like a detonation. As though my veins are alight with fire. For the first time in my life, I’m awash with feeling.
But then they offer me a deal. It’s indecent. It’s wrong. It goes against everything I’ve ever been told.
But if it’s so wrong… why is being theirs the first time in my life that I’ve felt right?
Briar is a why choose, morally grey re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty. It contains themes not suitable for younger readers.
269 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2025
206 people are currently reading
1201 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Flood
25 books869 followersEvelyn Flood is an Amazon bestselling author of more than fifteen romance books.
She writes in various sub-genres including contemporary romance, fantasy romance and why choose, but you'll always find a main course of angst and a side dish of uncontrollable sobbing in every book she writes.
She's based in South Wales, where she spends most of her time hopping between coffee shops with her laptop in hand and buying a ridiculous amount of notebooks to write all of her ideas down.
Find her on Facebook in her reader group, The Evelyn Flood Collective.
She writes in various sub-genres including contemporary romance, fantasy romance and why choose, but you'll always find a main course of angst and a side dish of uncontrollable sobbing in every book she writes.
She's based in South Wales, where she spends most of her time hopping between coffee shops with her laptop in hand and buying a ridiculous amount of notebooks to write all of her ideas down.
Find her on Facebook in her reader group, The Evelyn Flood Collective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
January 18, 2025
I HAD FUN OKKKKKKKKKKK????
January 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
What started as something new, something fresh and a little taboo to explore for me now feels like something I never knew I needed. I need her. Need her the way I’ve been dreaming about. Briar has infiltrated my sleep, my waking hours, every fucking thought, it feels like.
This is the best one of the series! I loved Wonder. I LOVED Briar! This is a very loose (and twisted) reimagining of Sleeping Beauty, keeping the sleeping damsel and HEA but removing the knight in shining armor. Instead, we get three morally grey and damaged MMCs who are much-improved match-ups for our Briar Rose.
What starts out as a temporary arrangement - three nights, twenty-four hours, becomes so much more.
This is a fast-burn and spicy MFMM why-choose romance that ends in a HEA. Evelyn made somno so hot - drugged sleep, paralyzed but able to feel everything, or wide awake; all the scenes are guaranteed to get your heart racing.
Briar is a standalone in the Forbidden Fairytales series, but you do get some fun cameos from previous books.
Thank you, Evelyn Flood, for the ARC opportunity!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
What started as something new, something fresh and a little taboo to explore for me now feels like something I never knew I needed. I need her. Need her the way I’ve been dreaming about. Briar has infiltrated my sleep, my waking hours, every fucking thought, it feels like.
This is the best one of the series! I loved Wonder. I LOVED Briar! This is a very loose (and twisted) reimagining of Sleeping Beauty, keeping the sleeping damsel and HEA but removing the knight in shining armor. Instead, we get three morally grey and damaged MMCs who are much-improved match-ups for our Briar Rose.
What starts out as a temporary arrangement - three nights, twenty-four hours, becomes so much more.
This is a fast-burn and spicy MFMM why-choose romance that ends in a HEA. Evelyn made somno so hot - drugged sleep, paralyzed but able to feel everything, or wide awake; all the scenes are guaranteed to get your heart racing.
Briar is a standalone in the Forbidden Fairytales series, but you do get some fun cameos from previous books.
Thank you, Evelyn Flood, for the ARC opportunity!
November 18, 2025
Briar was such an intriguing FMC and the fact she took what semblance of control she could while being manipulated by her father and remained innocent was a nice read as she never came across as clingy or needy
Her relationship with the guys was nice and that she wouldn’t do anything including texting them back till all three were on the same page
Nov 25
I actually forgot I'd read this i liked seeing Alyss and the boys pop up but briar was a brilliant FMC portrayed fragile but is anything but
Also loved that signing was represented and how she made sure everyone was on the same page
Her relationship with the guys was nice and that she wouldn’t do anything including texting them back till all three were on the same page
Nov 25
I actually forgot I'd read this i liked seeing Alyss and the boys pop up but briar was a brilliant FMC portrayed fragile but is anything but
Also loved that signing was represented and how she made sure everyone was on the same page
January 18, 2025
A sleeping beauty retelling indeed…
January 20, 2025
4.7 rounded up because I’ve always been an aurora girl
January 10, 2025
Sleepy beauty meets mafia-esque men plus somno? Say less I’m in.
I can’t lie, I absolutely devoured this. It was such a fun retelling, I loved the changes from the original story, but also all the little nods to it as well.
Briar is such a sweetheart, and to say her men are besotted, would be an understatement. Jensen, Kai, and River really are her perfect matches. It may take a little bit for them all to get there, but this was such a fun read! Definitely check trigger warnings, but otherwise, enjoy! I’m excited to see what’s next in this series.
I can’t lie, I absolutely devoured this. It was such a fun retelling, I loved the changes from the original story, but also all the little nods to it as well.
Briar is such a sweetheart, and to say her men are besotted, would be an understatement. Jensen, Kai, and River really are her perfect matches. It may take a little bit for them all to get there, but this was such a fun read! Definitely check trigger warnings, but otherwise, enjoy! I’m excited to see what’s next in this series.
January 10, 2025
Thank you so much for the ARC! I finished this in one sitting. I was glued to my screen and my poor husband wouldn't leave me alone. These poor characters were damaged but found solitude in eachother. I liked the romance and the world. The 3 heros have a lot of issues and figured sharing one girl while she's asleep will help them. They draw up a contract to find a girl that would fit the bill. As soon as they meet her they were immediately enthralled. The only reason why it's not 5 starts is because of the somnophilia, I was unaware that this book centered around this.
However, I couldn't enjoy this because of that. Not my cup of tea. They get Briar to take a pill especially made for her to knock her out for 8 hours and then take their turns. The next time she takes a pill where shes still conscious but paralyzed. I was going to be upset if the only sex scenes were of her being unconscious or not a participant. We two small scenes in the end though. Overall, this was an interesting read.
However, I couldn't enjoy this because of that. Not my cup of tea. They get Briar to take a pill especially made for her to knock her out for 8 hours and then take their turns. The next time she takes a pill where shes still conscious but paralyzed. I was going to be upset if the only sex scenes were of her being unconscious or not a participant. We two small scenes in the end though. Overall, this was an interesting read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
Twisted and smutty
I'm not a fan of smut but I enjoyed the heck out of this book.
'Survival instincts of a panda' will forever live rent free in my head.
The h lives a sheltered life, controlled, manipulated and gaslighted by her doting father who is trying to force her into an arranged marriage to a controlling, abusive pos.
Luckily for Briar, she meets the 3 leaders of a gang with a bunch of issues who are instantly drawn to her.
The premise of sleeping beauty stays true here. The h is put to sleep while the guys do unmentionable things to her, but all with her consent.
I was a little weirded out by it, but the characters are still loveable. I would totally squeeze the stuffing out of Kai.
One of my favorite characters here was weirdly enough a side character. I would love it if Dove had her own story. She was so fun!
I'm not a fan of smut but I enjoyed the heck out of this book.
'Survival instincts of a panda' will forever live rent free in my head.
The h lives a sheltered life, controlled, manipulated and gaslighted by her doting father who is trying to force her into an arranged marriage to a controlling, abusive pos.
Luckily for Briar, she meets the 3 leaders of a gang with a bunch of issues who are instantly drawn to her.
The premise of sleeping beauty stays true here. The h is put to sleep while the guys do unmentionable things to her, but all with her consent.
I was a little weirded out by it, but the characters are still loveable. I would totally squeeze the stuffing out of Kai.
One of my favorite characters here was weirdly enough a side character. I would love it if Dove had her own story. She was so fun!
January 26, 2025
4.2 stars, finished it a while back but hadn't had the time to update. I know myself so well that as soon as Bookstagram recommended me a retelling and said it was Why Choose, there wasn’t a single doubt in my mind—I downloaded it immediately.
The setting? Loved it. The characters? Also loved them. Usually, in these types of books, either the FMC is super annoying or one of the MMCs is absolutely insufferable, but honestly, they worked really well together.
Obviously, knowing it was a retelling of Sleeping Beauty had me intrigued—like, how the hell do you mix that with a Why Choose? And when I found out, I almost skipped the book. I kinda draw the line at intercourse when one of the people involved is unconscious—it’s not really my vibe. But I stayed put. They had an agreement, the before aspect was very respectful, and she had the final decision the whole time. The guys all had their respective reasons for wanting that kind of arrangement, and I just knew that all the formalities would fly out the window the second they had her. It was predictable, so it didn’t turn into a hard limit for me.
In the end, it was a pretty good book—short, concise, and with very likeable characters.
The setting? Loved it. The characters? Also loved them. Usually, in these types of books, either the FMC is super annoying or one of the MMCs is absolutely insufferable, but honestly, they worked really well together.
Obviously, knowing it was a retelling of Sleeping Beauty had me intrigued—like, how the hell do you mix that with a Why Choose? And when I found out, I almost skipped the book. I kinda draw the line at intercourse when one of the people involved is unconscious—it’s not really my vibe. But I stayed put. They had an agreement, the before aspect was very respectful, and she had the final decision the whole time. The guys all had their respective reasons for wanting that kind of arrangement, and I just knew that all the formalities would fly out the window the second they had her. It was predictable, so it didn’t turn into a hard limit for me.
In the end, it was a pretty good book—short, concise, and with very likeable characters.
January 16, 2025
I LOVED the first two in this series (if you haven't read them go check them out. They made it in my top 10 favorite books EVER.) I skipped Wonder because it didn't really appeal to me... and I think reading that one might have made this one better because there is so much that is intertwined which was a bummer for me.
As far as the retelling goes this one just felt too different. The first two were so good because of the spin on the originals but this one really didn't have any similarities. (Again, bummer because Sleeping beauty is one of my favorites.) This one felt very much s3x story driven, rather than doing a spin. Which is okay because that aspect of it was unique and interesting. But it was also frustrating because there was soooo much buildup for it and then the first big scene really lacked for me... and then the second big scene was really good but it's like... the whole book is leading up to that and then the book is over.
TLDR; It's not bad. But it's not only of my favorites.
As far as the retelling goes this one just felt too different. The first two were so good because of the spin on the originals but this one really didn't have any similarities. (Again, bummer because Sleeping beauty is one of my favorites.) This one felt very much s3x story driven, rather than doing a spin. Which is okay because that aspect of it was unique and interesting. But it was also frustrating because there was soooo much buildup for it and then the first big scene really lacked for me... and then the second big scene was really good but it's like... the whole book is leading up to that and then the book is over.
TLDR; It's not bad. But it's not only of my favorites.
October 19, 2025
2.5 ⭐️'s
🌶🌶
This was an absolute laugh-out-loud experience. Evelyn Flood wrote characters who had strong developments, both emotionally and physically, throughout the book, which added real heart to the story. I loved all the characters, Briar, Jenson, River, and Kai. They were brilliant, and they all had their own unique personalities, which shined all the way through the story.
However, the pacing felt a little rushed, and a lot of the emotions got lost in the pacing - another few chapters could have given it the depth it deserved. Still, it was a witty and enjoyable read that definitely left me wanting more.
Tropes:
◇Why choose
◇Morally grey love interests
◇Sleeping Beauty retelling
◇Breaking free from control
◇Found family
◇Forbidden romance
🌶🌶
This was an absolute laugh-out-loud experience. Evelyn Flood wrote characters who had strong developments, both emotionally and physically, throughout the book, which added real heart to the story. I loved all the characters, Briar, Jenson, River, and Kai. They were brilliant, and they all had their own unique personalities, which shined all the way through the story.
However, the pacing felt a little rushed, and a lot of the emotions got lost in the pacing - another few chapters could have given it the depth it deserved. Still, it was a witty and enjoyable read that definitely left me wanting more.
Tropes:
◇Why choose
◇Morally grey love interests
◇Sleeping Beauty retelling
◇Breaking free from control
◇Found family
◇Forbidden romance
December 18, 2025
This one was…. Definitely something! Unfortunately i just didn’t vibe with it the way i did with wonder and glass. Like I get the whole sleeping beauty angle…. I get it but I still think that was a super odd way to go about it😭😭 points again for entertainment. I really like Kai tho and points for Alyss cameo.
Ps we really glossed over that sis spoke 4 languages and her dad didn’t try to recruit her to the law firm or think she could do anything besides an arranged marriage?
Ps we really glossed over that sis spoke 4 languages and her dad didn’t try to recruit her to the law firm or think she could do anything besides an arranged marriage?
March 2, 2025
Had no idea going on but this was weird in a kinda good way. Not my cup of tea but so readable. It’s gonna squick some people out. I liked the MMC and the FMC. Glad it was just a standalone though and they didn’t drag it out.
January 12, 2025
Deliciously dark
Oooh I loved this. It was a very different take on Sleeping Beauty, that’s for certain! I always love how Ms Flood deals with past trauma and healing. The characters here were so delicious to read about - I enjoyed every POV. The disability rep (ASL) was great too…and the heat…whew! Definitely won’t be for everyone, but the way this was written made me comfortable with things I wouldn’t normally be okay with. Top work (again)!
Oooh I loved this. It was a very different take on Sleeping Beauty, that’s for certain! I always love how Ms Flood deals with past trauma and healing. The characters here were so delicious to read about - I enjoyed every POV. The disability rep (ASL) was great too…and the heat…whew! Definitely won’t be for everyone, but the way this was written made me comfortable with things I wouldn’t normally be okay with. Top work (again)!
January 26, 2025
Amazing!
I absolutely loved this retelling! The characters were lovely and deep. The interesting take on the sleeping beauty fairy tale. A great read
I absolutely loved this retelling! The characters were lovely and deep. The interesting take on the sleeping beauty fairy tale. A great read
February 8, 2025
Evelyn outdid herself with this one!!! I DEVOURED this book in one day. If you want something quick and steamy, download this rn!
February 16, 2025
I read the reviews and it seems like me and you guys read a different book.
Loved it, cried with it and favorited it.
Loved it, cried with it and favorited it.
March 11, 2025
Well this sleeping beauty retelling is like...fifty shades of grey with somnofilia but in why choose form... It had everything to be so so great but for me I needed it to be so much more spicy.
June 16, 2025
I don’t have anything to add, your honor.
June 17, 2025
4,5/5 ⭐ 3/5🌶️
Surprisingly good!!!! There was more consent, care and respect in this book alone than in the last 10 dark romances I've read 🫠
Surprisingly good!!!! There was more consent, care and respect in this book alone than in the last 10 dark romances I've read 🫠
January 31, 2025
Wow wow wow! I’m obsessed with this series and Evelyn’s writing in general but, I think this is my favorite in this Fairytale series so far!
The men in this book are so perfect for Briar in every way. I love how they fall for her through their own struggles. That sometimes it just takes the right person to save you from yourself. Honestly, I loved the ASL representation, the trauma representation, and the non-linear healing representation.
Everything about this read was perfect for me! Oh and Kai is my favorite 🥹
Blurb:
ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ʜᴀꜱ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴍᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ. ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴍɪʟᴇꜱᴛᴏɴᴇ, ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ɪᴍᴘᴏʀᴛᴀɴᴛ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ, ᴄʟᴇᴀʀʟʏ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇᴅ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʙᴏx, ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛᴇꜱʏ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏ ᴀᴘᴘᴀʀᴇɴᴛ ꜰɪᴀɴᴄé.
ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴏʟᴅ, ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴏᴠᴇʀ, ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’ꜱ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʟᴇꜰᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴍᴇ ɪ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ.
ᴡʜᴇɴ ʀɪᴠᴇʀ, ᴊᴇɴꜱᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴋᴀɪ ꜱᴛʀᴏʟʟ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ, ɪᴛ ꜰᴇᴇʟꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴛᴏɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ᴍʏ ᴠᴇɪɴꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟɪɢʜᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜰɪʀᴇ. ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ, ɪ’ᴍ ᴀᴡᴀꜱʜ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ.
ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴏꜰꜰᴇʀ ᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴀʟ. ɪᴛ’ꜱ ɪɴᴅᴇᴄᴇɴᴛ. ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ. ɪᴛ ɢᴏᴇꜱ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʟ’ᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴛᴏʟᴅ.
ʙᴜᴛ ɪꜰ ɪᴛ’ꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ... ᴡʜʏ ɪꜱ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ’ᴠᴇ ꜰᴇʟᴛ ʀɪɢʜᴛ?
Storyline: 10/10
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
Song: Rain- Sleep Token
June 11, 2025
I understand smut filled books with no plot, and I understand plot filled books with barely any smut - this was neither - there was hardly any sex and what sex there was, wasn’t detailed and might as well be fade to black, and there was no plot, what was the point of the book? It didn’t go anywhere, it could have been longer and more detailed but it if it was any shorter then it might as well be non existent.
It was certainly a sleeping beauty retelling, in the least sleeping beauty likeness possible - I guess she was beautiful and she was ‘sleeping’ but I if I wasn’t told it was a retelling, I’d of never of thought it.
It was certainly a sleeping beauty retelling, in the least sleeping beauty likeness possible - I guess she was beautiful and she was ‘sleeping’ but I if I wasn’t told it was a retelling, I’d of never of thought it.
May 15, 2025
Man idk. Read it & judge for yourselves. I liked the MCs though
January 13, 2025
Evelyn you beautiful creature, you did it again! I didn't think that anything would really top Wonder for me and well, here we are.
Let's talk about it. Briar is the dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty and while there are no dragons to slay, this book is filled with monsters. Sweet Briar Rose has spent her entire life having her choices made for her and when we meet her, she is over that ish. When she is offered the chance to make a decision for herself and spend three nights of pure, no-strings-attached *fun* with River, Jensen, and Kai - she snatches that ish up and honestly who can blame her? (not me) She quickly learns that there is a catch to this deal but she isn't deterred. She welcomes the idea as long as she can watch... and baby she does.
Jensen, River, and Kai are *chefs kiss* everything you want in morally gray mmc's. Their history is dark and broke my heart a bit but don't worry friends, Evelyn helps them (us) to heal. I love this found family and I am glad they find each other.
The writing? Beautiful. The story? Dark but oh-so-sweet. Evelyn always delivers and this is another absolute hit imho. So... stop reading this and snatch up Briar!
Let's talk about it. Briar is the dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty and while there are no dragons to slay, this book is filled with monsters. Sweet Briar Rose has spent her entire life having her choices made for her and when we meet her, she is over that ish. When she is offered the chance to make a decision for herself and spend three nights of pure, no-strings-attached *fun* with River, Jensen, and Kai - she snatches that ish up and honestly who can blame her? (not me) She quickly learns that there is a catch to this deal but she isn't deterred. She welcomes the idea as long as she can watch... and baby she does.
Jensen, River, and Kai are *chefs kiss* everything you want in morally gray mmc's. Their history is dark and broke my heart a bit but don't worry friends, Evelyn helps them (us) to heal. I love this found family and I am glad they find each other.
The writing? Beautiful. The story? Dark but oh-so-sweet. Evelyn always delivers and this is another absolute hit imho. So... stop reading this and snatch up Briar!
January 14, 2025
Super entertaining!
I seriously enjoyed this book so much, I was hooked from the first few chapters and just could not put it down. This was such an interesting sleeping beauty reimagining! I had no clue what Somno even was so this was really fun, different, and interesting to learn about (even if it’s not something I am personally into). The author did a great job of having really clear consent between the characters when using this kink which I really appreciated.
All of the main characters were so lovable! Evelyn Flood writes characters that are so easy to care about and connect with. I think my favorite was Kai because come on who doesn’t love a big, tough, scarred and tattooed MMC who communicates using sign language and is basically a big teddy bear?!
My only complaint about the book was that I wanted there to be more of it, I was sad when it was over! There is some traumatic things discussed in the characters past so please look over the triggers page before starting this one.
I seriously enjoyed this book so much, I was hooked from the first few chapters and just could not put it down. This was such an interesting sleeping beauty reimagining! I had no clue what Somno even was so this was really fun, different, and interesting to learn about (even if it’s not something I am personally into). The author did a great job of having really clear consent between the characters when using this kink which I really appreciated.
All of the main characters were so lovable! Evelyn Flood writes characters that are so easy to care about and connect with. I think my favorite was Kai because come on who doesn’t love a big, tough, scarred and tattooed MMC who communicates using sign language and is basically a big teddy bear?!
My only complaint about the book was that I wanted there to be more of it, I was sad when it was over! There is some traumatic things discussed in the characters past so please look over the triggers page before starting this one.
July 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - this series just keeps getting better!
Briar is a powerful, morally grey reimagining of Sleeping Beauty that had me completely captivated. Briar’s internal struggle against her life being planned out by others, especially her controlling father and fiancé, is so relatable, and her transformation from obedient daughter to someone who dares to break free is thrilling. The trio of River, Jenson, and Kai adds an intense layer of forbidden allure. The chemistry between them and Briar is electric, but what I really loved was how this book explored themes of autonomy and desire - how Briar’s darkest, most intense needs are met in a world that wants her to be perfect. There’s a deliciously dark undercurrent to this one, and the way it builds on Briar’s emotional and physical growth is just magnetic. The stakes are high, the romance scorching, and the ending left me wanting more of this hauntingly beautiful world.
Briar is a powerful, morally grey reimagining of Sleeping Beauty that had me completely captivated. Briar’s internal struggle against her life being planned out by others, especially her controlling father and fiancé, is so relatable, and her transformation from obedient daughter to someone who dares to break free is thrilling. The trio of River, Jenson, and Kai adds an intense layer of forbidden allure. The chemistry between them and Briar is electric, but what I really loved was how this book explored themes of autonomy and desire - how Briar’s darkest, most intense needs are met in a world that wants her to be perfect. There’s a deliciously dark undercurrent to this one, and the way it builds on Briar’s emotional and physical growth is just magnetic. The stakes are high, the romance scorching, and the ending left me wanting more of this hauntingly beautiful world.
January 4, 2026
🌶️🌶️
Briar is a taboo retelling of Sleeping Beauty
At 26 vears old, Briar Rose is still living with her father in a very sheltered and controlled life.
She meets Jensen, River, and Kai who are ooking for a temporary "situation" to help them deal with their own individual issues.
Briar accepts their conditions as it is the only semblance of choice she has ever had in her
life. What follows is a spicy and emotional journey into finding themselves and each other.
I thought this was a good palate cleaner between some of the heavier books I have been reading lately
Briar is clueless in a funny way due to her sheltered life (and has the survival instincts of a panda). The guys all have their issues, out will do anything for Briar
The spice is good and not overdone. The plot is decent but definitely not the focus of the book
Briar is a taboo retelling of Sleeping Beauty
At 26 vears old, Briar Rose is still living with her father in a very sheltered and controlled life.
She meets Jensen, River, and Kai who are ooking for a temporary "situation" to help them deal with their own individual issues.
Briar accepts their conditions as it is the only semblance of choice she has ever had in her
life. What follows is a spicy and emotional journey into finding themselves and each other.
I thought this was a good palate cleaner between some of the heavier books I have been reading lately
Briar is clueless in a funny way due to her sheltered life (and has the survival instincts of a panda). The guys all have their issues, out will do anything for Briar
The spice is good and not overdone. The plot is decent but definitely not the focus of the book
January 18, 2025
I actually ended up liking this a lot! Still novella pacing so insta-love and all that, but I thought all the page time was used really efficiently and coherently. The heroine is an empath Mary Sue but to a likeable degree, and the heroes each have their own personality and charm, with the least defined probably being River. Jenson, the hero who's reluctant, is never too mean in my opinion, and his "big blow-up" was actually justified.
This also has a really nice HEA, with the only loose end being but I guess it can be left up to the reader to decide what kind of fate he deserves :)
This also has a really nice HEA, with the only loose end being but I guess it can be left up to the reader to decide what kind of fate he deserves :)
January 26, 2025
Steamy sleeping beauty retelling – sign me up! I love this author’s forbidden fairytale
series, and this one was no exception. This was a fun, fast-burn romance. Filled with
the author’s trademark brilliant characters, this time we get 3 morally grey heroes
and a wonderful FMC finding her power. I loved that there was disability rep in here
(there is a mute MMC) and felt that this was addressed sensitively. I do wish it was
double the length, but that just shows how much I enjoyed it!
This does include consensual somnophilia and why choose, so please be aware
before reading.
Thank you to Evelyn for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
series, and this one was no exception. This was a fun, fast-burn romance. Filled with
the author’s trademark brilliant characters, this time we get 3 morally grey heroes
and a wonderful FMC finding her power. I loved that there was disability rep in here
(there is a mute MMC) and felt that this was addressed sensitively. I do wish it was
double the length, but that just shows how much I enjoyed it!
This does include consensual somnophilia and why choose, so please be aware
before reading.
Thank you to Evelyn for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 15, 2025
Evelyn Flood! Looks like you'll be receiving my therapy bill soon.
THIS BOOK RUINED ME! I’m officially lifted out of my body and ready to embark on the journey to a new planet. The way I devoured this story I am CLEARLY not from here. IT WAS EVERYTHING. The characters, the storyline, the excitement, the spice, the conclusion! I'll definitely be dreaming about this book tonight. I loved it! From the very first sentence to the final one.
In this contemporary, spicy retelling of Sleeping Beauty, the female main character gets to enjoy not one, not two, but THREE male main characters, all while she's, well... fast asleep. But fret not, in the morning she'll be sure to watch it all play back on video! (As per her request) 🙈🙊🙃
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
FMC: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MMCs: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story/plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10/10 across the board.
THIS BOOK RUINED ME! I’m officially lifted out of my body and ready to embark on the journey to a new planet. The way I devoured this story I am CLEARLY not from here. IT WAS EVERYTHING. The characters, the storyline, the excitement, the spice, the conclusion! I'll definitely be dreaming about this book tonight. I loved it! From the very first sentence to the final one.
In this contemporary, spicy retelling of Sleeping Beauty, the female main character gets to enjoy not one, not two, but THREE male main characters, all while she's, well... fast asleep. But fret not, in the morning she'll be sure to watch it all play back on video! (As per her request) 🙈🙊🙃
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
FMC: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MMCs: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story/plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10/10 across the board.
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