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Modern Fairy Tales #2
Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality
When Aurora Wellington is awakened with a kiss, she's shocked to find out that she's been in a coma for over a year. Everything has changed, including her belief in herself. Now she has to heal, face her past, and find out who she really is. When Phil's text causes Rory to crash, he is racked with guilt and prays she'll wake up. After staying by her side in the hospital for over a year, he has found himself in love with her, but when she awakens, she has no idea who he is. He knows the only way she'll heal is if he puts some distance between them. But how can he stay away when her life was the only thing that saved his?
Audible Audio
First published March 1, 2017
102 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Jenni James
76 books1,283 followersCLEAN ROMANCE FOR TEENS:
*The Jane Austen Diaries*
Pride & Popularity (Aug 2011)
Persuaded (Aug. 2012)
Emmalee (Jan 2013)
Mansfield Ranch (Dec 2013)
Northanger Alibi (Feb. 2012)
Sensible & Sensational (July 2015)
Sand & Sun (2016)
The Wilsons
Queen Sydney
*Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection*
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Rumplestiltskin
Cinderella
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
Snow White
The Frog Prince
Twelve Dancing Princesses
Rapunzel
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Return to Neverland
The Forgotten Princess
The Princess With the Golden Touch
Little Red Riding Hood
(and more...)
MIDDLE GRADE READERS:
Prince Tennyson (May 2012)
EARLY READERS:
*Andy & Annie Collection*
A Ghost Story
Greeny Meany
WOMEN'S FICTION:
*Revitalizing Jane Series*
Drowning
Swimming
Crawling
Walking
Running
Soaring
CLEAN ROMANCE FOR ADULTS:
*Eternal Realm Series*
Eternity
Destiny
Divinity
*The Jane Austen Diaries*
Pride & Popularity (Aug 2011)
Persuaded (Aug. 2012)
Emmalee (Jan 2013)
Mansfield Ranch (Dec 2013)
Northanger Alibi (Feb. 2012)
Sensible & Sensational (July 2015)
Sand & Sun (2016)
The Wilsons
Queen Sydney
*Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection*
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Rumplestiltskin
Cinderella
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
Snow White
The Frog Prince
Twelve Dancing Princesses
Rapunzel
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Return to Neverland
The Forgotten Princess
The Princess With the Golden Touch
Little Red Riding Hood
(and more...)
MIDDLE GRADE READERS:
Prince Tennyson (May 2012)
EARLY READERS:
*Andy & Annie Collection*
A Ghost Story
Greeny Meany
WOMEN'S FICTION:
*Revitalizing Jane Series*
Drowning
Swimming
Crawling
Walking
Running
Soaring
CLEAN ROMANCE FOR ADULTS:
*Eternal Realm Series*
Eternity
Destiny
Divinity
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 21, 2016
Wow! So many things to say about this one. First off, I was just as surprised as you with every development. It all started out with this idea of a girl waking up from a year long sleep... and then exploded from there. It was a fascinating journey and one that made me cry more than I'm willing to admit.
These characters have stayed with me since writing it. They are so flawed, yet sweet and grow so much throughout this book. Probably some of the most real characters I've ever written. I hope you fall in love with Aurora (Rory) and Phillip (Phil) like I did. It was an incredible journey.
Love,
Jenni James
The next in the series will be Beauty is the Beast. (Not Cinderella's Type was released early 2016)
These characters have stayed with me since writing it. They are so flawed, yet sweet and grow so much throughout this book. Probably some of the most real characters I've ever written. I hope you fall in love with Aurora (Rory) and Phillip (Phil) like I did. It was an incredible journey.
Love,
Jenni James
The next in the series will be Beauty is the Beast. (Not Cinderella's Type was released early 2016)
October 21, 2020
It feels so good to finish a book again after what feels like so long, even though it was kinda short.
Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality was a fun book. I enjoyed it a lot. Why three stars then? It was kinda cheesy. Ok maybe a lot cheesy. I found myself laughing out loud during a lot of it, and not because it was funny. It also kind of ended abruptly too. But overall it was fun. I'm definitely going to read the third book too!
Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality was a fun book. I enjoyed it a lot. Why three stars then? It was kinda cheesy. Ok maybe a lot cheesy. I found myself laughing out loud during a lot of it, and not because it was funny. It also kind of ended abruptly too. But overall it was fun. I'm definitely going to read the third book too!
June 16, 2019
One of my favorite tropes is renditions of fairytales, and Jenni James is one of my favorite authors as I first discovered her via her Austen tales. Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality takes us into the life of Aurora Wellington, who has been in a coma for over a year. Lying in a hospital bed, she is awoken by a kiss. The thing is though that she has no idea who the kisser is; she doesn't recognize him at all. Does she have a boyfriend? How can this be when she has never been kissed before to her knowledge? We learn that Aurora was in a car crash and has amnesia for a few months leading up to the accident. This means she doesn't remember Philip - the guy who kissed her. He has been visiting her every day for a year as he feels responsible for her accident. Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality is about Aurora's journey back to life and finding herself and eventually ending up with the guy of her dreams.
Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality was a fun fairytale rendition and perfect for teens aged 13+
Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality was a fun fairytale rendition and perfect for teens aged 13+
October 17, 2018
Honestly, I'm so confused. Let me tell you a story of how I ended up here: I found this book on kindle unlimited for free and even though it was a sequel I could tell it wasnt linked to the first. I was really interested in the whole 'waking up from a coma after a year' thing, so I was like why not give this book a try.
Wow, did I make a mistake. Not only did this book BARELY even talk about her recovery (it literally skipped 5 months after 3 chapters and never mentioned any of the extensive rehab she would need) , it was extremely unrealistic (she literally only limped for like 2 chapters and got over her PTSD of driving after one car ride). To make matters even worse the love story was EXTREMELY CORNY (gag) and the writing was awful (who starts a chapter with "I got the job at the library!" like I'm being Facebook messenger by a friend and not reading an actual thought out book).
The only positive is that I could read an hour and get through 50 % of the pages so yay for easy help towards my reading goal.
Recommend for those out of touch with how reality works, have no interest and how being in a traumatic accident with a year long coma would effect someone, and love corny insta-love.
Wow, did I make a mistake. Not only did this book BARELY even talk about her recovery (it literally skipped 5 months after 3 chapters and never mentioned any of the extensive rehab she would need) , it was extremely unrealistic (she literally only limped for like 2 chapters and got over her PTSD of driving after one car ride). To make matters even worse the love story was EXTREMELY CORNY (gag) and the writing was awful (who starts a chapter with "I got the job at the library!" like I'm being Facebook messenger by a friend and not reading an actual thought out book).
The only positive is that I could read an hour and get through 50 % of the pages so yay for easy help towards my reading goal.
Recommend for those out of touch with how reality works, have no interest and how being in a traumatic accident with a year long coma would effect someone, and love corny insta-love.
September 26, 2016
A Modern Sleeping Beauty
I love how Jenni James took the story of Sleeping Beauty and modernized it. Aurora Wellington was awoken with a kiss after being in a coma for a year, following a car accident. Phil has been visiting her in the hospital since he feels responsible since she was texting him while driving, and crashed her car.
Despite the fact that they were texting, Rory and Phil hadn't actually met yet. So Rory is waking up to a stranger, who her family now knows better than she does.
I loved watching Rory and Phil's relationship develop. They both helped each other be better people. I also loved The way Rory just said whatever popped into her mind, not in a rude way, but in a very open way. Their relationship was sweet, and I'm imagining that they got married a few years later.
I look forward to more fairytales (and Jane Austen books) from Jenni James,
I love how Jenni James took the story of Sleeping Beauty and modernized it. Aurora Wellington was awoken with a kiss after being in a coma for a year, following a car accident. Phil has been visiting her in the hospital since he feels responsible since she was texting him while driving, and crashed her car.
Despite the fact that they were texting, Rory and Phil hadn't actually met yet. So Rory is waking up to a stranger, who her family now knows better than she does.
I loved watching Rory and Phil's relationship develop. They both helped each other be better people. I also loved The way Rory just said whatever popped into her mind, not in a rude way, but in a very open way. Their relationship was sweet, and I'm imagining that they got married a few years later.
I look forward to more fairytales (and Jane Austen books) from Jenni James,
May 16, 2018
Sweet sweet story
Such a sweet retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I absolutely adored the hero, Phil, and how dedicated he was to Rory and doing what was best for her no matter what. Rory, heroine, was a courageous young lady who was strong and brave through great adversity. Even though it was a short read it really drew me in. Highly recommend for young and old who love to read about true loves kiss:)
Such a sweet retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I absolutely adored the hero, Phil, and how dedicated he was to Rory and doing what was best for her no matter what. Rory, heroine, was a courageous young lady who was strong and brave through great adversity. Even though it was a short read it really drew me in. Highly recommend for young and old who love to read about true loves kiss:)
December 6, 2017
Cute reimaging
Rory is awoken from her year long coma by a stranger's kiss. Her family knows him and she can't remember anything about him. But as time passes and they become better acquainted. Rory and Phil's love story blossoms.I
Super cute retelling of a classic take of Sleeping Beauty.
Rory is awoken from her year long coma by a stranger's kiss. Her family knows him and she can't remember anything about him. But as time passes and they become better acquainted. Rory and Phil's love story blossoms.I
Super cute retelling of a classic take of Sleeping Beauty.
September 11, 2016
Loved it! Fast, sweet, and perfect. The only beef I had with it is that it ended! GAH! NO! I do have to laugh though. I was in an accident involving a vehicle on ice and no seat belt. After a head trauma I ran to get help from home on pure adrenalin. THen after my friend who has epilepsy was fine and her sister was fine, I let go. In fact I would have ended up on a coma had the e.m.t. lady in the ambulance not smacked my face I would have been. I have thanked her my whole life. The point is I received amnesia. I relearned how to walk, write, deal with my dad in a wheel chair all over again, and my mom's hair (too long of a story.) I even had a boyfriend at the time. He came in my room with flowers and I just kept backing up in the bed the closer he got. He asked me if I remembered him and I shook my head only slightly because it caused pain. He said, "I'm your boyfriend." I know I looked at him skeptically because I felt my eyebrows raise. THe first and only thing that came out of my mouth was, "why?" LOL! THat relationship did not turn out as sweet as this one did. I loved it.
January 29, 2017
Sweet modern rewrite of sleeping beauty. Aurora's knight in shining armor was Phil. Phil was the guy she was texting and getting to know just before the texting distracted her and she ran off the road and flipped the car into a ravine. She ends up in a coma for a year, phil visiting everyday. She wakes to his first kiss.
October 15, 2016
Fun little romance
This was a clean romance a la Sleeping Beauty. She's Aurora and is in a coma thanks to texting while driving. He's Philip and helps her wake up and function again.
This was a clean romance a la Sleeping Beauty. She's Aurora and is in a coma thanks to texting while driving. He's Philip and helps her wake up and function again.
July 12, 2022
Lacked real depth
I'm usually all in favor of fairy tale retells because they are so creative. And the premise of this one was creative and good, but it was way too cheesy for my taste. I debated about whether or not to finish it. It was a quick read, though, so that helped. Most of the dialogue was super cringey and awkward. What therapist asks for details in how your boyfriend kisses you? And who tells someone they are a wimp because they don't want to attempt driving yet after nearly dying in a car accident? And the non profit came together unrealistically easy. Maybe it was because of the dialogue, but conversations that were supposed to be deep never felt more than surface. It stood in the way of me focusing on the themes of moving on from where you currently are, forgiving yourself, and no texting while driving. Definitely not for me!
I really like the cover.
I'm usually all in favor of fairy tale retells because they are so creative. And the premise of this one was creative and good, but it was way too cheesy for my taste. I debated about whether or not to finish it. It was a quick read, though, so that helped. Most of the dialogue was super cringey and awkward. What therapist asks for details in how your boyfriend kisses you? And who tells someone they are a wimp because they don't want to attempt driving yet after nearly dying in a car accident? And the non profit came together unrealistically easy. Maybe it was because of the dialogue, but conversations that were supposed to be deep never felt more than surface. It stood in the way of me focusing on the themes of moving on from where you currently are, forgiving yourself, and no texting while driving. Definitely not for me!
I really like the cover.
October 9, 2018
3.5⭐️ — Very good — Worth reading!
This modern Sleepy Beauty retelling, deals to what happens when Aurora, wakes up from a comma after receiving a true love kiss... but wait, when did she fall in love to her Prince Charming Phil?
The book is well written and romantic. But I didn’t really get excited since characters had no big obstacles to test their feelings through story, so the book turns out as a cute love story for young teens. The only real issue, although not less important, but not really thrilling, is that they’ve got to deal with their own guilty and fears.
📚 Good reading! 📚
This modern Sleepy Beauty retelling, deals to what happens when Aurora, wakes up from a comma after receiving a true love kiss... but wait, when did she fall in love to her Prince Charming Phil?
The book is well written and romantic. But I didn’t really get excited since characters had no big obstacles to test their feelings through story, so the book turns out as a cute love story for young teens. The only real issue, although not less important, but not really thrilling, is that they’ve got to deal with their own guilty and fears.
📚 Good reading! 📚
April 21, 2019
I actually read this recently in two days, and it is so good! I couldn’t put this book down! Jenni James never fails to entertain and warm my heart with her stories. The characters are so drawn-out that you sympathize with them and hope for their victories. The romance is absolutely sweet. Rory’s mom can be slightly annoying but she has good intentions. Phil is such a good guy and is flawed but lovable. He’s not perfect, which makes him so realistic.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and sweet stories. Especially fairy tale retellings!
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and sweet stories. Especially fairy tale retellings!
December 4, 2020
3.5 except for the great concept
Sleeping beauty is always a hard one to write. I don't think I've read a retelling I love (and i didn't love the original either). The coma thing works, which is why I'm rounding up to 4 stars. But as a story, it's a typical rushed novella romance. Solid average (hence the 3 stars)
Sleeping beauty is always a hard one to write. I don't think I've read a retelling I love (and i didn't love the original either). The coma thing works, which is why I'm rounding up to 4 stars. But as a story, it's a typical rushed novella romance. Solid average (hence the 3 stars)
July 11, 2021
Sweet take on Sleeping Beauty
This was a quick YA read with a new take on Sleeping Beauty. The beginning was pretty good and I liked how the author wrote about Phil’s growth. I felt like there could have been more character depth with Rory, but it was a nice book for middle school or high school age kids.
This was a quick YA read with a new take on Sleeping Beauty. The beginning was pretty good and I liked how the author wrote about Phil’s growth. I felt like there could have been more character depth with Rory, but it was a nice book for middle school or high school age kids.
April 10, 2024
refreshing
What a refreshing clean romance! This is a contemporary version that sticks pretty close to Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, and is appropriate for teens too. I love the spin on how she becomes sleeping beauty, and the similar names helps to keep everyone straight. I’m definitely going to read more from this author!
What a refreshing clean romance! This is a contemporary version that sticks pretty close to Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, and is appropriate for teens too. I love the spin on how she becomes sleeping beauty, and the similar names helps to keep everyone straight. I’m definitely going to read more from this author!
April 21, 2025
While I don’t think that the main guy in the story should have felt guilty that he was the reason that one of his parents died from cancer (that didn’t make sense), this story was cute, clean, and heartwarming. Jenni James is talented, and this book is up to the standards of both her YA Jane Austen series and her romantic comedy Jane Austen series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2018
This Sleeping Beauty story takes off where the original ended, with the kiss. I love the twist and watching the relationship develop. I loved the things Rory learned about herself and what gave her fulfilment at the end. A beautiful story of learning and growing with a perfect prince!
August 4, 2018
3.5
I'm not sure what it was about this book but I just didn't connect with it very well. Everything was find with it, just didn't float my boat this time around. My daughter thought it was super cute though.
Moral Note: Clean
I'm not sure what it was about this book but I just didn't connect with it very well. Everything was find with it, just didn't float my boat this time around. My daughter thought it was super cute though.
Moral Note: Clean
February 27, 2020
Not at all what you think when you imagine this story, not like Disney. I liked the twists to the story and how sleeping beauty is brave and does hard things with her prince, instead of him just saving her.
October 14, 2024
I think my only problem with this book is that there wasn’t much conflict or real character development. It just kind of felt too great, you know? The guy is insecure, but relationship never really has any tension.
February 27, 2017
Good story with an even better message - don't text and drive! Well written. Sweet. Clean.
August 29, 2017
Cute! What I liked was the devotion of her young man.
December 29, 2017
Good and cute but not my favorite of this series. Still, it's a heartwarming story :)
January 11, 2018
I would give this a 2.5 Star rating. The story was fun. I just didn’t like the writing style.
January 15, 2018
This was Awesome!
April 16, 2018
Cute, if more than a bit unrealistic.
July 17, 2018
Not that big a deal, but entertaining enough.Sweet,definitely fairytale stuff.
August 10, 2018
Another fun, quick, heart-warming read!
November 10, 2018
Cute and fun book. Nothing too substantial, but an easy and entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews