Beauty Sleeping

by Farha Z. Hasan

Safia and Aidan's lives are on an undeniable and inevitable course. Like hamsters on a wheel, they toil through their days and well into their nights, working more hours than anyone should. Safia is an advertising executive at one on New York's most prestegious firms while Aidan is one of the Wall Street guys. Two people. Two separate lives. Both working to drown their heartache. What neither realizes is that the loneliness and mundane nature of each day is about to change. Destiny and fate are real and just fairytale ideals. But love is a mystery and watching over them is a beauty who sleeps but sees all. In a nearby hospital lies this beautiful girl who has slept for many months in a coma. Quiet and unassuming, yet she is the unlikely instrument that will bring Safia and Aidan together. This beauty sleeping touches everyone who passes by her room, and even those like Aidan and Safia who don't. Although neither knows it, this Beauty has a supernatural hold over them. She will seal their fate and bring them together...but if fate is tempted, her power may also keep them apart.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

284 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2017

About the author

Farha Hasan is a writer based out of Boston of South Asian descent. She was born and bred in the South Asian community in Toronto and has a degree in business and a passion for books. Her creativity and her passion for the written word first took her into advertising and then research. A slave to fiction Farha has been reading and writing short stories since she first learned to hold a pencil. The Mother-in-Law Cure is her first Novel.
Instagram: @farha_writing

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beauty Sleeping is the first book in the Make a Wish series and an adult Sleeping Beauty retelling. Laila lays in the hospital in a coma but has a supernatural connection to those that visit her and even some that don't. She needs to somehow bring her Prince Charming to her to wake her from her sleep.

Meanwhile, Safia and Aiden are both overworked and in their separate lives but seem to be on a inevitable course. Destiny and fate are in their paths as the young sleeping girl watches over them both from her hospital room.

Beauty Sleeping started off a tad confusing for me bringing in all the different characters and their different POVs. I wasn't quite sure as the story was introducing everyone who they were and what they would mean to the story for a while since it didn't seem immediately obvious how everyone would connect.

As the story moves on though the touches of supernatural were a nice addition but again with the pacing and writing style it took me a while to link it all together. Perhaps this was all just me but it just seemed to not mesh well together until the second half of the book when you learn more of the details.

Overall, not too bad a story after the slow start to me though. Interesting to make this one into a retelling involving adults and their busy lives and problems.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Scrill]

I received a copy in exchange for a fair review from Weapenry Co-Op via Netgalley.

This was originally posted on Scrill Reviews

I am sorry to say that I DNF at 30%. I don't particularly like to do that, especially from Netgalley. But I just couldn't do it anymore

Beauty Sleeping is the first installment to the Make A Wish series by Hasan and is retelling inspired by Sleeping Beauty. I honestly don't exactly know what is even going on in this book. From what I could tell there is a girl in a coma that can float around and see what is going on in other people's lives.

Plot: Like I said, I have no idea what is happening. The story is jumping around from character to character so much that I am confused. The timeline is also confusing as well. One moment we're at work, another we're in therapy, then at home.

Characters: I feel that at 30% I should know a little bit more about our characters. I'm not sure if Hasan intentionally wrote this way to make the book a little mysterious, but I don't know who the actual main character is. I know there's obviously the girl in the coma. there's a girl who is a designer for an ad company, and then some guy who works on Wall Street. That's all I really know. I mean, I am a third of the way through and I don't even care about the characters enough to keep going, not even considering the confusing plot.

Setting: New York. This could have been worked up so much more! The only major point that this gives any credit to is that our male antagonist works on Wall Street. Otherwise..it could be anywhere. The only depth that we get is when he is at his family house and talks about different foods. Thank God the characters are Indian because they gave some depth to the story and what is going on around them (arranged marriages, family obligation)

So, in the end, I only really got to 30% because I am a xenophile and I typically like books that use culture besides Caucasian America. Unfortunately, there was little that I got from the culture besides a few dishes and apparel references. It wasn't enough to get me past the confusing intro and into any real story...if it existed.

[ralou & her books ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

LINK: https://collectorofbookboyfriends.com...

I am asleep and yet I am not.

To say that I’m thoroughly speechless and spellbound would be an understatement. This book literally casted its fairy tale-y vines all over me and took me under its spells in no time. The words are failing me when it comes to describe accurately the incredible aura this book has. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of it is “ethereal”. From the very first page, I felt like I was up in the air, travelling through the magic world of fairy tales, witches, angels and every other supernatural creature while looking down onto the real world where the materialistic side of the story was developing.

There is power in my touch and magic in my breath.

Beauty Sleeping is a the first installment of the Make A Wish series. Plus, it’s a book that’s purely belongs to the magic world. From it’s title, to the name of the series, to its very story. In this first “spell”, the story is centered around Sleeping Beauty’s fairy tale but, trust me, the only thing that keeps from it is the idea of her and kind of the Set. Everything else has very little to do with the fairy tale. The way Hasan does this beyond magnificent and captivating retelling of the known fairy tale is exciting. As for the three main characters – Safia, Aidan and “Sleeping Beauty” -, they form an irresistible and intriguing love triangle that you never know how it will end. The unique romance they bring into the story is something that stayed with me and I cherish it as one of the most unforgettable ones.

She was the answer to a question he was too scared to ask.

Its Prologue and its <Epilogue are the two points where the story has reached the very finest. The Prologue is written in that perfect way which makes you feel instantly the book’s ethereal vibe and its Epilogue is where you get happy-dizzy from all the events happening at the same time and, with the last sentence, the true story begins and you are hanging from a silver thread. But besides that, the story has two more major major beautiful points. The first is the freaking twisted character of Sleeping Beauty. You remember what the actual fairy tale’s character was like, right? Well, you better forget all about her because this book’s Sleeping Beauty couldn’t be more further from the original. And the second one is putting a West story into the East world. The way Farha nails to combine the Indian culture and thinking with the idea of a European fairy tale is enough to make one of the greatest authors out there.

To say that I was and AM impressed with Farha Hasan’s writing skills would definitely be another understatement that I don’t want to do. She delivered one of the beautiful and MUST books of the Contemporary Literature. It’s captivating and magnificent how it sews the mutli-culture, the magic world and the real world into an unusual total. And NO, I’m not overdoing it. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK! I definitely consider myself one of the lucky readers who had the chance to experience it.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and a half stars.

“Although engaged in a quiet slumber, they went about their daily lives; walking but unaware of their destination, speaking but unaware of their words, acting but unaware of the performance.”

The first book in the Make a Wish series is Hasan’s, ‘Beauty Sleeping’ and is inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Always up for retellings, I have to admit to struggling with this book. The writing is quite good but I was just confused and not too sure at times exactly what was going on.

Laila is in a coma in hospital but has this special ability with those around her. She, of course, needs to attract her Prince Charming in order for her to awake from her slumber. Aside from that, there is Safia and Aiden whom Laila is watching over. Part of the problem, I feel, is the swapping between points of view, big slabs of narration in the third person which did not fully engage the reader with the story. I became unclear about the different characters, and because of this was unsure, and had to go back and reread to work out which POV I was currently involved in. I never fully got into the story because of this and, although it’s a sweet, enchanting tale with the ‘happily ever after’, sadly, I never fully was engaged.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

But, this only makes her feel trapped, grates on her nerves. How do people focus on one feeling at a time? There is never just one. Safia has become accustomed to either emptiness or a flood. How do people pull them apart, disentangle one silk thread from the other?”

Something about ‘either emptiness or a flood’ when it comes to our emotional state was such a lovely way to phrase it. Beauty Sleeping is the first in the Make A Wish series, fairy-tales for adults. It took a while for me to separate the characters in my head, confusing until I could find a quiet spot where I could read undisturbed. I enjoy all things supernatural and magical, with our sleeping beauty being a patient in a coma, Laila runs the story and seems to have abilities and control. Somehow fates are linked in this tale and guilt is a cloak some wear but why? How is Laila, trapped in a dead sleep in all appearances but fully alive in truth at the heart of two could be lovers? Just who is really sleeping through their lives, with their careers? Who is the girl Aiden keeps dreaming about?

Both Aiden and Safia are hard-workers that are stuck, going through the motions of life in the business world. Sofia, an executive with an advertising firm and Aiden a Wall Street success. But both are damaged, both are heartbroken. Life has mystery in store for them, and fate is brewing a special treat and somehow Laila the main ingredient. Laila, whose beauty overwhelms anyone who stumbles upon it.

Sometimes going between the characters confused me and the ending left me a little adrift. I really enjoyed The Mother-In-Law Cure by Farha Hasan, and in fact recommend it. Certainly with Beauty Sleeping the author has modernized the tale and that is no easy feat. The spin of our sleeping beauty having more purpose in her life and every character’s is a great bend, she isn’t so useless after all. She isn’t simply beauty unaware, as in the original tale. What a curse though, to be both aware and trapped- relying on others actions, even if you can influence them. I am torn because there are elements I loved and the narration. I wonder if she could have just stuck with one character’s perspective if it would have translated more clearly. It’s a lovely tale, and unique so don’t be put off. The cover is gorgeous, and Hasan is a talented writer. If you enjoy magical realism she is one to watch.

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[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book on NetGalley and it the cover looked so pretty that it intrigued me enough to read the blurb.

Safia and Aiden’s lives are on an undeniable and inevitable course. Like hamsters on a wheel, they toil through their days and well into the nights, working more hours than anyone should.
Safia is an advertising executive at one of New York’s most prestigious firms while Aiden is one of the Wall Street guys. Two people. Two separate lives. Both working to drown their heartaches.

What neither realizes is that the loneliness and mundane nature of each day is about to change. Destiny and fate are real and not just fairytale ideals. But love is a mystery and watching over both of them is a beauty who sleeps but sees all.

In a nearby hospital lies this beautiful girl who has slept for many months in a coma. Quiet and unassuming, yet she is the unlikely instrument that will bring Safia and Aiden together. This beauty sleeping touches everyone who passes by her room, and even those like Aiden and Safia who don’t. Although neither knows it, this Beauty has a supernatural hold over them.

She will seal their fate and bring them together…but if fate is tempted, her power may also keep them apart.
The blurb in itself intrigued me so I requested a gift copy of it. I have to admit I really struggled with it. The reason for this is because it was written in the third person but a narration of a third person if that makes sense.

Trying not to spoiler but I'm going to have to give a little away to explain my meaning. Laila is in a coma and she's the one who is narrating the book. Her narration is what's going on at the time she is experiencing it. It's quite confusing when I'm used to reading the third person as things that have happened or are going to happen in the future.

In any case it took me a while to get into it and I'm still not sure if I fully understand it, however it was a sweet magical modern day fairytale in the sense that the main characters get their HEA.

I enjoyed the attention to detail and the characterisation. I enjoyed the teeny eerie element to it and the similarity to Sleeping Beauty. In this case the beauty being the beauty in the coma.

I'm not going to say I loved it because I didn't but I also didn't hate it. The author is very talented and I will definitely watch out for other novels by her in the future.

Happy Reading :-)

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully original story and what promises to be the first of a great new urban fantasy series. Sleeping Beauty, as a classic fairytale, was never one of my favourite fairytales as I didn't really feel an emotional connection to any of the characters, but this novel changes all; not only does it put a new twist on the classic fairytale but it allows the reader to experience the story through each of the main characters. As a weaver spins her wheel, so to does the author spin together the stories of very different lives that fate has linked together. Keep reading and you'll find that those threads fit together to create a unique "fairytale" fit for our modern age. An original new novel, well worth reading to the end. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

[Kristyn Stimach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written and I did end up liking it. The only reason I'm giving it three stars is because it was a little confusing to read with it jumping from the different characters perspectives.

[Raza Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of the book is Beauty Sleeping and sleep is the primary motif throughout the book. The book opening is a scene out of a fairy tale. Laila, whose name means night beauty has pricked her finger on the spinning wheel but instead of a castle she lies asleep in a hospital and is a coma patient, and yet she is very much alive. She has a magical effect on the staff of the hospital and an even stronger pull over two individuals whose fate is linked to hers.

Aidan is a Wall Street guy, unsure of who he is, or what he wants in his life. All he knows is that he's been dreaming about the same girl every night. Sadia is an executive at a New York Ad agency toiling away, practically paralyzed with guilt afraid to wake-up and be who she's meant to be. Sadia has a secret, one that connects her to Laila that she has kept buried for a long time. If there is one thing that Laila want's its to wake-up and she has the power to manipulate anyone she wants to get it.

Skillfully written Beauty Sleeping is a literary fairy tale that creates another world within our own and shows us the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty in an entirely new context.

[Kelly Stepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beauty Sleeping is a darker, more realistic twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty that gives narrative to the everyday choices leading up to those quintessential events so typical of classical fairy tales. The first half of the book progressed fairly slow for me but the latter half kept a good pace. The ending was kind of abrupt and felt unresolved, however, trying to riddle out the possibilities was actually one of the things I liked best about the book. Since this is first in series, the follow-up book will likely answer these questions too. It's the kind of story that sticks with you and makes you think as opposed to wrapping the ending up in a nice little bow. I liked that the story is told from several perspectives including Sleeping Beauty's but I'd like to see the author be more selective with her tangents and details so they don't distract the reader and prevent it from reaching its full suspense potential.

[Jesus]

An oneiric reverie, this is a work of beauty. Capitals introducing chapters are almost illuminated, the swashes swirl perfectly. A lucid dream may be the best way to describe it. Farha is a friend of mine.

[Khoula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very unique book!
Strong writing at the sentence level, which I always appreciate. Great writing, fast paced storyline, and fantastic character development.I enjoyed it enough to be eager for the next in the series!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a love story I give it four out of five, but I am deducting a point for the slightly meandering narration by Laila that repeated phrases so often as to become ever so slightly tedious and the missed opportunity to make this a more magical read.