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Sleeping Handsome #1
Sleeping Handsome
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
This is a novelette length modern fairy tale.
Paige should have never agreed to do her best friend’s semester English project. Community service sucks. Especially when you have a major social life. But it’s that or possible expulsion from school. Reading to a boy in a coma is just plain creepy, but her English teacher somehow thinks her acting skills make it the perfect community service match.
But when she finds the boy’s journal hidden among his books, things turn from creepy to interesting. Very interesting. The boy who looked like death slowly comes alive as she reads his own words to him. And each day Paige is wishing more and more he would wake up.
*And a warning for those sensitive to profanity, this story contains some.
This is a novelette length modern fairy tale.
Paige should have never agreed to do her best friend’s semester English project. Community service sucks. Especially when you have a major social life. But it’s that or possible expulsion from school. Reading to a boy in a coma is just plain creepy, but her English teacher somehow thinks her acting skills make it the perfect community service match.
But when she finds the boy’s journal hidden among his books, things turn from creepy to interesting. Very interesting. The boy who looked like death slowly comes alive as she reads his own words to him. And each day Paige is wishing more and more he would wake up.
*And a warning for those sensitive to profanity, this story contains some.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2011
46 people are currently reading
1079 people want to read
About the author
Jean Haus
13 books530 followersWhen Jean Haus isn't writing, she's usually reading. Anything from young adult to historical fiction as long as there’s at least a bit of romance, she'll load it on her Kindle. She also loves to cook. And someday she will create the world’s best potsticker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
July 2, 2012
I have a deep, serious LOVE this book. As soon as I finished it I found myself going back to re-read the ending.
March 14, 2012
I want more!!!
this book lefts me hanging and wanting more!
the story just revolves around the reading and lying half dead..
but the story is still great and unique.
I just want it to be longer..
This could be better!
this book lefts me hanging and wanting more!
the story just revolves around the reading and lying half dead..
but the story is still great and unique.
I just want it to be longer..
This could be better!
June 6, 2012
This is an inspiring, innocent, and honest love story. The kind of story that will tug and pull at your heart strings long after the last page. Being such a short story readers will crave more of this wonderfully talented author's style. Paige is a young girl that has traded popularity for something real. Years she has spent bending to her, so called, friend's every whim. Just her luck, the most recent event has proven to cost her more than she was willing to give. To avoid expulsion she has agreed to community service in exchange for her teacher agreeing to look the otherway about her current situation. Only she never anticipated her community service would involve daily readings to a young man only a year older than herself that has been comtatose for the past couple months. His mother is determined to try every means neccessary to bring her son back. After researching studies proving patients with regular interaction had higher recovery rates; she set out to make it happen. This is where Paige finds herself in a very uncomfortable situation of daily visits for the sole purpose of reading to Zach while his mother is at work. What begins as a job soon turns into Paige's favorite passtime. This is a very awkward transition where Paige is very overwhelmed by the machines and the unconcious boy laying in the bed, but as time shifts and her time grows she finds her comfort growing. After reading through several books she comes across Zach's private journal hidden within the bookshelf. After much diliberation she decides to read his journal, and learn more about the boy which she has grown fond of. This was such a truly incredible book, but the fact is nothing really happened in the story. Every single day, Paige reports to Zach's bedroom where he lays on a hospital bed, and machines make sure that his body continuing to work as normal. So, she just talks about her life, or what they are reading in his journal, or what type of person she thinks he was, anything and everything and she just keeps talking. As they journey through Zach's past everything begins shifting for Paige where she used to be so uncomfortable and uneasy; she now finds herself drawn to this boy that she really doesn't know. Paige knows that he probably can not hear anything she says, but interacts with him by commenting and analyzing everything. She even begins discovering their common traits, and making changes in her own life as a result. As this relationship (for lack of a better word) grows she finds herself overlooking Zach's current state and noticing him as a person. It was as if the journal gave him life, and allowed her to meet the person. Then oe day, it all falls apart when Paige is visiting Zach's, and his Mother informs her that the family needs to move forward; and her assist will no long be necessary. As Paige returns to Zach's room for her one last moment with the boy she has come to care so deeply for it is a heart wrenching and earth shattering moment. This was a wonderful and inspiring story about truth and honesty. I loved every minute, and my only complaint is that it is over. Paige and Zach are incredible characters for an equally incredible story. Anyone looking for a deep and thoughtful story should take a chance on this short story. BookWhisperer Recommended Read.
February 22, 2018
This is a super cute short that I read in 1.5 hours. Although you have to get over the fact that the MC was falling in love with a coma patient. When you actually stop to think about it, its rather creepy. Just try not to think about it. :p
Almost every scene takes place in Zach's bedroom, except one scene in the kitchen talking to his mother, and one final scene at the end, so no time is wasted getting right into the story and getting to know Zach. It starts out with Paige in his bedroom, on her first day reading to Zach for community service. At first she is extremely creeped out by the idea and doesnt even want to approach the bed, but she enjoys reading so she just zones out. But then she finds Zach's journal among his books and decides to read that to him instead, hoping it will trigger something familiar in his mind and help him wake up. She talks to Zach all the time as if she were actually having a conversation, and comments on the things in his life he wrote about in his journal. She admires his courage and applies what she learns from him to her own life. He inspired her to be a better person. Each chapter is another visit from Paige, except the last chapter, which is at Paige's school and there is a wonderful ending. You can probably guess how it ends. :P It was still super cute.
Almost every scene takes place in Zach's bedroom, except one scene in the kitchen talking to his mother, and one final scene at the end, so no time is wasted getting right into the story and getting to know Zach. It starts out with Paige in his bedroom, on her first day reading to Zach for community service. At first she is extremely creeped out by the idea and doesnt even want to approach the bed, but she enjoys reading so she just zones out. But then she finds Zach's journal among his books and decides to read that to him instead, hoping it will trigger something familiar in his mind and help him wake up. She talks to Zach all the time as if she were actually having a conversation, and comments on the things in his life he wrote about in his journal. She admires his courage and applies what she learns from him to her own life. He inspired her to be a better person. Each chapter is another visit from Paige, except the last chapter, which is at Paige's school and there is a wonderful ending. You can probably guess how it ends. :P It was still super cute.
March 22, 2012
This was such a good book I recommend it to everyone I know The story comes down to knowing what you want in your life and not letting anyone stand in your way not being afraid to be yourself and go for your dreams and to treat people with kindness and realizing telling the truth isnt always easy but its what is fair and should be done I absolutley loved the end I dont want to spoil it for anyone but it was wonderful so glad I say this book on the free forum and gave it a try :)This is a modern day sleeping beauty with the roles reversed loved it and will definatly be checking out more books written by this author well done:)
July 11, 2013
Sleeping Handsome is from the point of view of Paige, the spoiled teenager. Paige is essentially a doormat to her troubled and equally spoiled friend whose name I can't remember because she's really not important. When I say troubled I don't mean inner city kid who doesn't believe in themselves. I mean the girl will probably kill someone because they picked her up late, shake her boobs (which are compared to a Kardashian's) and every guy in the world will fall over themselves trying to prove her innocent. Paige and Friend deserve each other.
It starts off terrible. "I walk into a room that smells like medicine and sounds like death between the whoosh of air and a constant beep."
Haus, Jean (2011-12-20). Sleeping Handsome (Kindle Locations 12-13). . Kindle Edition.
In what way is death the sound of air whooshing (go buy a thesaurus for cripes' sake) and constant beeping? Is coma guy beeping? I can't recall his name because the writer makes sure the reader doesn't care about the characters. Author lady does make sure you read all about the color of Paige's lip gloss, her tan skin, her chipped nails, her backstabbing and manipulative Friend, the coffee she picked up on the way,and her Mommy issues. The name of the book should have been first world problems and how you deserve expulsion but the principal cuts you some slack for an unknown reason. The accessories on Paige's wrist contribute nothing to the story. The word whoosh is used 9 times, bitch used 9 times, something is nervously twisted 9 times (see the trend here?).
Eventually Paige decides to invade Coma's privacy by reading his journals after insulting his taste in literature. But not before we read more about toxic relationship with AMANDA. FRIEND'S NAME IS AMANDA I JUST REMEMBERED. Anyway, borderline eating disorder, sunglasses, a missed nail appointment, and a party where Paige, Amanda, and some girl named Kelly that we're supposed to care about plan on being bitchy to every female in sight for no reason. "Even the cheerleaders bow to us."
They go to a high school where a 6 year old BMW is, like, RLY OLD GUISE. A high school where Amanda-self-destruct tells her friends that the "better not be late" picking her up for some party. It feels like I'm listing things I don't like about the book....
And I'm not even halfway through it.
This e read was a waste of time. SPOILER ALERT: Coma boy wakes up and surprises Paige in her school play (of course she has the lead. she's, like, popular) and tells her he loves her. How? I don't know. Maybe putting on make up and complaining about her privileged life while she was supposed to be reading his favorite books made him wake up and want to slap her. Maybe because she constantly undermines his reasons for contemplating suicide by comparing them to her social life. "but, like, I want to be popular so I'll put myself through all this crap even though I can clearly see how pointless it is. It's not as serious as my parents ,like, forcing me into a future I don't want, you pasty comatose man you, but they're the same? y'know? because I have to make everything about me even when it isn't". Admitting your reasons are shallow and selfish don't make it okay, honey boo boo child.
She stands up to Amanda in the end by threatening to self-destruct's innermost secrets. (Amanda needs a therapist. how can a 17 year old girl be this catty?) The more Paige interrupts Coma's life story by pointing out her own petty problems, the more she admires him. In fact, she doesn't want him to wake up because he's HERS. I cannot make this up, it's in the book. A high school senior has claimed a comatose guy who just so happens to be tall dark and handsome. OH THE CONVENIENCE BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT PAIGE WAS LOOKING FOR A MAN. Give me a break. This girl couldn't be creepier. She's so creepy that she once again admits her flaws (show don't tell is not something that was used here) and runs out of the room because she can't even LOOK AT HIM, when he's done nothing wrong. The more the story goes on, the more I think Amanda and Paige should just run away together, never to be seen again.
Paige is a terrible character. She's a brat, generic, as bland as a cardboard box, inconsiderate, weak, and doesn't care about the consequences that she brings on herself. The reader doesn't care about her or the rest of the characters and the paper thin plot. Do not waste your time with this book. Oh, and she also falls in love with him. But from the way she interjects her vapid problems while reading about his life, it would make more sense for Paige to fall in love with herself.
ZACH. COMA'S NAME IS ZACH.
It starts off terrible. "I walk into a room that smells like medicine and sounds like death between the whoosh of air and a constant beep."
Haus, Jean (2011-12-20). Sleeping Handsome (Kindle Locations 12-13). . Kindle Edition.
In what way is death the sound of air whooshing (go buy a thesaurus for cripes' sake) and constant beeping? Is coma guy beeping? I can't recall his name because the writer makes sure the reader doesn't care about the characters. Author lady does make sure you read all about the color of Paige's lip gloss, her tan skin, her chipped nails, her backstabbing and manipulative Friend, the coffee she picked up on the way,and her Mommy issues. The name of the book should have been first world problems and how you deserve expulsion but the principal cuts you some slack for an unknown reason. The accessories on Paige's wrist contribute nothing to the story. The word whoosh is used 9 times, bitch used 9 times, something is nervously twisted 9 times (see the trend here?).
Eventually Paige decides to invade Coma's privacy by reading his journals after insulting his taste in literature. But not before we read more about toxic relationship with AMANDA. FRIEND'S NAME IS AMANDA I JUST REMEMBERED. Anyway, borderline eating disorder, sunglasses, a missed nail appointment, and a party where Paige, Amanda, and some girl named Kelly that we're supposed to care about plan on being bitchy to every female in sight for no reason. "Even the cheerleaders bow to us."
They go to a high school where a 6 year old BMW is, like, RLY OLD GUISE. A high school where Amanda-self-destruct tells her friends that the "better not be late" picking her up for some party. It feels like I'm listing things I don't like about the book....
And I'm not even halfway through it.
This e read was a waste of time. SPOILER ALERT: Coma boy wakes up and surprises Paige in her school play (of course she has the lead. she's, like, popular) and tells her he loves her. How? I don't know. Maybe putting on make up and complaining about her privileged life while she was supposed to be reading his favorite books made him wake up and want to slap her. Maybe because she constantly undermines his reasons for contemplating suicide by comparing them to her social life. "but, like, I want to be popular so I'll put myself through all this crap even though I can clearly see how pointless it is. It's not as serious as my parents ,like, forcing me into a future I don't want, you pasty comatose man you, but they're the same? y'know? because I have to make everything about me even when it isn't". Admitting your reasons are shallow and selfish don't make it okay, honey boo boo child.
She stands up to Amanda in the end by threatening to self-destruct's innermost secrets. (Amanda needs a therapist. how can a 17 year old girl be this catty?) The more Paige interrupts Coma's life story by pointing out her own petty problems, the more she admires him. In fact, she doesn't want him to wake up because he's HERS. I cannot make this up, it's in the book. A high school senior has claimed a comatose guy who just so happens to be tall dark and handsome. OH THE CONVENIENCE BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT PAIGE WAS LOOKING FOR A MAN. Give me a break. This girl couldn't be creepier. She's so creepy that she once again admits her flaws (show don't tell is not something that was used here) and runs out of the room because she can't even LOOK AT HIM, when he's done nothing wrong. The more the story goes on, the more I think Amanda and Paige should just run away together, never to be seen again.
Paige is a terrible character. She's a brat, generic, as bland as a cardboard box, inconsiderate, weak, and doesn't care about the consequences that she brings on herself. The reader doesn't care about her or the rest of the characters and the paper thin plot. Do not waste your time with this book. Oh, and she also falls in love with him. But from the way she interjects her vapid problems while reading about his life, it would make more sense for Paige to fall in love with herself.
ZACH. COMA'S NAME IS ZACH.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2012
I had a really hard time getting into this book because the lead was so abrasive. She was selfish, whiny, arrogant, and all the other personality traits of the girl in high school we all didn't like. I knew that the author intended her to be this way in the beginning so she could grow more toward the end of the book, it's a very common tactic, but I don't think I even remotely cared for her until the very end.
You either have a villain turning into a hero worth reading or a villain turning into someone slightly less annoying with this tactic, there's very little room in between. Unfortunately in this case, it was the latter. There wasn't enough growth from start to finish and she had me itching to stop reading.
As for the male lead, he was far too perfect for my tastes, was also pretty whiny, but this was his journal entries so I shrugged it off.
A few other notes... There were a few mistakes regarding punctuation in this book that were distracting. The lead female seemed to get whacked with the stupid stick (looked very much "I made her too perfect...let's give her a flaw!") a few chapters in, which was jarring, and then it faded as if the flaw was forgotten after a few more chapters.
The outside relationships in the plot line were great, though. I could relate to both characters and their issues with their families and friends. Jealousy of a younger sibling, I have that. An overbearing father who wants you to stay on the path he chooses for you, I definitely have that. A pseudo-friend who is mostly there so you aren't alone, I've had those.
Overall it's a book that could have been better if the characters were more down to earth and able to relate to readers. The writing style was nice, the plot was a fun twist on the fairy tale, and the twists were worth reading.
You either have a villain turning into a hero worth reading or a villain turning into someone slightly less annoying with this tactic, there's very little room in between. Unfortunately in this case, it was the latter. There wasn't enough growth from start to finish and she had me itching to stop reading.
As for the male lead, he was far too perfect for my tastes, was also pretty whiny, but this was his journal entries so I shrugged it off.
A few other notes... There were a few mistakes regarding punctuation in this book that were distracting. The lead female seemed to get whacked with the stupid stick (looked very much "I made her too perfect...let's give her a flaw!") a few chapters in, which was jarring, and then it faded as if the flaw was forgotten after a few more chapters.
The outside relationships in the plot line were great, though. I could relate to both characters and their issues with their families and friends. Jealousy of a younger sibling, I have that. An overbearing father who wants you to stay on the path he chooses for you, I definitely have that. A pseudo-friend who is mostly there so you aren't alone, I've had those.
Overall it's a book that could have been better if the characters were more down to earth and able to relate to readers. The writing style was nice, the plot was a fun twist on the fairy tale, and the twists were worth reading.
March 6, 2012
I might be a bit long in the tooth for YA stories, especially those that are re-written fairy tales, but I still love the ones that are truly great stories that just happen to have characters who are young--which is true of this one. I have a great fondness of coming-of-age stories, because adolescence is the critical and dangerous time of life when our personalities are still fluid enough to allow major changes in who we are (and for many people the final time.) The choices young people make in their late teens may determine if they grow into a full, functional, well-rounded adults with character, integrity, and a true sense of self or get frozen into an as-if stereotype that they have adopted instead and lock themselves into being incomplete, insecure, and dysfunctional persons who allow others to define them. The two main characters in this story are balanced on that very edge of those very dramatic, vital, and scary decisions, with potentially serious and even deadly consequences that will have to be faced if they choose to grow a backbone. My only complaint about this novella is the ending, but I can't say why without spoilers. So if I had some problems with the ending, why am I giving the book 5-stars. Simple, because the story leading up to that ending was worth 6-stars.
August 1, 2012
Paige gets caught cheating at school and her punishment is reading to a boy who has been in a coma for 4 months. What starts off as creepy situation turns into something much more rewarding. Paige finds that she can truly be herself as she reads and talks to Zach. But when she finds his hidden journal she learns he also is something much more than a lifeless boy. And it doesn’t take long for her to fall for the sleeping handsome.
My friend Gloria from Globug and Hootie Need a Book Blog recommended this book one day when it was free. So of course if she recommends something, I don’t doubt her. I started reading it a couple weeks ago between books on my phone. But a review came up that I had to finish so Sleeping Handsome got shelved. Today I decided to dive again while my girls were at karate. And I was so glad I did. This book is a very short, quick read…but so worth it. I found it to be funny, sweet, and hard to put down.
Sleeping Handsome is just the book for those looking for a cute read in between books. Got an afternoon with nothing to do? Check this book out and you will finish it with a smile on your face. Looking forward to more books by Jean Haus.
My friend Gloria from Globug and Hootie Need a Book Blog recommended this book one day when it was free. So of course if she recommends something, I don’t doubt her. I started reading it a couple weeks ago between books on my phone. But a review came up that I had to finish so Sleeping Handsome got shelved. Today I decided to dive again while my girls were at karate. And I was so glad I did. This book is a very short, quick read…but so worth it. I found it to be funny, sweet, and hard to put down.
Sleeping Handsome is just the book for those looking for a cute read in between books. Got an afternoon with nothing to do? Check this book out and you will finish it with a smile on your face. Looking forward to more books by Jean Haus.
May 11, 2012
Paige is a high school student who gets in trouble over an assignment. To make it up she ends up doing community service, something that will help her drama lessons. Her community service so happens to be watching Zach, this handsome teenager who is in a coma after falling off a cliff. First of all, I did not like Paige; she seemed arrogant and self-centered. She was excessively worried about being popular and she was always complaining about her so-called friend. Once she starts staying with Zach everyday and reading his journal aloud to him, she starts to change. This was a great short story, and the ending was sweet. The "sleeping beauty" plot was just romantic.
This is free on Amazon check it out!
http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Handso...
This is free on Amazon check it out!
http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Handso...
April 7, 2012
How is this book not a movie???!! OMG, I laughed, cried & my heart strings were tugging throughout the whole book. Even though it is a quick, short read. It packed a wallop of a punch! Hoping there's a book 2. Awesome book!! Loved it!!
January 3, 2014
When I picked this up I was expecting sweet and innocent. What I got was so much better. The story ought to be weird, but the author is both brave and subtle. Somehow she pulls it off. Paige gets to know Zach by reading his journal. Apparently it is possible to get into a fight with a stranger in a coma. Zach's journal helps Paige sort out her own confused teenage emotions. The pair have both had their struggles with hiding their true selves because they wanted to fit in.
Paige is rich and neglected. She lives a care-free but listless life. Her love for her little sister rounded off her character nicely. Also, the author has fun making Paige mess up her idioms, “green with venom, or was that envy?”
Paige is part of the bitch crowd. She's in a trio of girls whom she calls friends but they don't even like each other. They're in it for the power. “Even the cheerleaders bow to us.”
Paige is a more than a little freaked out at her community service job. Reading to a boy in a coma is uncomfortable for her. To humanise him, she talks to him and finds herself in a strange sort of therapy release. Being able to express herself to someone, no matter how unresponsive, relaxes her.
Ms. Haus did an excellent job with this book. Even the ending, for such a strange premise was well written.
Paige is rich and neglected. She lives a care-free but listless life. Her love for her little sister rounded off her character nicely. Also, the author has fun making Paige mess up her idioms, “green with venom, or was that envy?”
Paige is part of the bitch crowd. She's in a trio of girls whom she calls friends but they don't even like each other. They're in it for the power. “Even the cheerleaders bow to us.”
Paige is a more than a little freaked out at her community service job. Reading to a boy in a coma is uncomfortable for her. To humanise him, she talks to him and finds herself in a strange sort of therapy release. Being able to express herself to someone, no matter how unresponsive, relaxes her.
Ms. Haus did an excellent job with this book. Even the ending, for such a strange premise was well written.
June 29, 2012
This was a super short, quick and happy ending type of read for me. I liked the main character Paige. The way she examined herself and learned that she could be a better person she just needed a little extra push from a boy in a coma.
While Zach is in a coma, Paige is ordered to read to him. When she finds his personal journal on his shelf she begins reading it to him and realizes that they have a lot in common. They both are not satisfied with their lives and feel as if they are in a prison trying to scratch their way out, but they are too afraid.
Through reading Zach’s words aloud to him Paige starts to grow that backbone that Zach talks about in his journal and she frees herself from all the non good things in her life and begins to do the things she's always wanted to do. At the same time just like sleeping beauty she kisses him on that last day and he wakes up, but she's rushed out of the room. Does he remember her, will they be together? You'll have to read the book to find out.
Overall it was a good quick read and even though the ending seemed a little rushed I wouldn't mind seeing this story told through Zach’s point of view. I think it would make for a much longer story and interesting at that.
While Zach is in a coma, Paige is ordered to read to him. When she finds his personal journal on his shelf she begins reading it to him and realizes that they have a lot in common. They both are not satisfied with their lives and feel as if they are in a prison trying to scratch their way out, but they are too afraid.
Through reading Zach’s words aloud to him Paige starts to grow that backbone that Zach talks about in his journal and she frees herself from all the non good things in her life and begins to do the things she's always wanted to do. At the same time just like sleeping beauty she kisses him on that last day and he wakes up, but she's rushed out of the room. Does he remember her, will they be together? You'll have to read the book to find out.
Overall it was a good quick read and even though the ending seemed a little rushed I wouldn't mind seeing this story told through Zach’s point of view. I think it would make for a much longer story and interesting at that.
September 10, 2013
This book is short, lovely and sweet. I got the book for my Kindle because it reminds me of my favorite movie “While You Were Sleeping”, wherein Sandra Bullock’s character saved a man’s (her longtime crush) life from a speeding train – but unfortunately, he went into a coma.
Paige is a sweet, sensible girl with the normal issues of a teenager. She visits a hospital as part of her community service, where she reads books to patients who suffer from coma.
Her path crossed with a sleeping Zach, and she has inevitably forged a beautiful friendship with him even if he’s still unconscious. She can talk to him about anything, and somehow it became therapeutic for her especially if she feels bad about something.
In one particular book she’s reading, she began to learn more about the boy in the hospital bed. In the same way, he has somehow taught her to realize things or like she began to see life through his eyes. As days go by, she found herself caring more about him… it became hard for her to let go.
This is a touching story of hope, faith and second chances. And the true miracle that happened in this book is friendship and possibility… the possibility of falling in love.
March 16, 2012
I like two things about this book: how it starts and the reason behind Zach's fall.
Zach is in a coma after falling off a cliff. Paige is the girl who has to read to him so as to avoid expulsion after doing her friends' project.
Paige is not for it at first but she starts reading Zach's journal and hopes that one day he'd wake up, when his family decides to pull the plug she kisses him and tells him she's grown to love him-and he wakes up. If you ask me that is so like Snowhite and the Seven Dwarfs!
I did not like that part of the story because it was like a whoosh! and the guy wakes up-it was like the plot was completely fast tracked no doubt about that.
The story is good though because you never know how much parents puch their kids to live their dreams.
It does have a happy ending and three months after Paige is seen out of Zach's room, he looks for her with a bunch of daisies in his hand asking if she still feels the way she did about him and if she'd like to go out on a date with him.
Zach is in a coma after falling off a cliff. Paige is the girl who has to read to him so as to avoid expulsion after doing her friends' project.
Paige is not for it at first but she starts reading Zach's journal and hopes that one day he'd wake up, when his family decides to pull the plug she kisses him and tells him she's grown to love him-and he wakes up. If you ask me that is so like Snowhite and the Seven Dwarfs!
I did not like that part of the story because it was like a whoosh! and the guy wakes up-it was like the plot was completely fast tracked no doubt about that.
The story is good though because you never know how much parents puch their kids to live their dreams.
It does have a happy ending and three months after Paige is seen out of Zach's room, he looks for her with a bunch of daisies in his hand asking if she still feels the way she did about him and if she'd like to go out on a date with him.
August 5, 2016
I give this short story a 3.5.
Our female protagonist Paige is a bit shallow at the beginning of the story, but she has a good heart and shows character growth by the time we reach the ending. Zach is our sweet male protagonist. Just look at the cover: handsome, vulnerable and alone.
Paige helps a friend cheat on a project at school and earns herself community service to make amends. Because she excels in drama, she's been asked to read to a young man in a coma. When she starts reading to Zach, she is uncomfortable with the machinery and idea he's just a body laying in the bed.
Then Paige finds Zach's personal diary and begins reading that aloud. With each entry, she learns more about Zach. His sense of humor, inner strength and courage help her face issues in her own life. Over time, she begins to care about him as a person and finally falls in love with him.
This was a great premise. The story is a sweet, a little rushed, and a bit predictable...but I enjoyed the book and recommend it for anyone looking for a short, heartfelt story!
Our female protagonist Paige is a bit shallow at the beginning of the story, but she has a good heart and shows character growth by the time we reach the ending. Zach is our sweet male protagonist. Just look at the cover: handsome, vulnerable and alone.
Paige helps a friend cheat on a project at school and earns herself community service to make amends. Because she excels in drama, she's been asked to read to a young man in a coma. When she starts reading to Zach, she is uncomfortable with the machinery and idea he's just a body laying in the bed.
Then Paige finds Zach's personal diary and begins reading that aloud. With each entry, she learns more about Zach. His sense of humor, inner strength and courage help her face issues in her own life. Over time, she begins to care about him as a person and finally falls in love with him.
This was a great premise. The story is a sweet, a little rushed, and a bit predictable...but I enjoyed the book and recommend it for anyone looking for a short, heartfelt story!
December 19, 2012
I loved this story, and the cover. I came across this book on Amazon as I had written a book about a teenage boy with amnesia and customers had purchased both books. The cover attracted me and so did the blurb. I'm so glad I bought it because I couldn't put it down until I finished it. The characters were fabulous and believable.
A teenage girl is punished for cheating at school and has to do community work. Her punishment is to read to a teenage boy, who is in a coma and being cared for by his parents. His parents have to work and the girl is left alone with the comatose boy. As she reads to him, she doesn't really believe he can hear her, so she tells him everything about herself as well as reading his journal. There are great lessons in this story for teens and their parents and I highly recommend it to both. I loved the ending, but wished that part had more. I was so enjoying the ending I wanted it to go on a little longer. I'll check to see if there's a sequel. I can't wait to read more from this author.
A teenage girl is punished for cheating at school and has to do community work. Her punishment is to read to a teenage boy, who is in a coma and being cared for by his parents. His parents have to work and the girl is left alone with the comatose boy. As she reads to him, she doesn't really believe he can hear her, so she tells him everything about herself as well as reading his journal. There are great lessons in this story for teens and their parents and I highly recommend it to both. I loved the ending, but wished that part had more. I was so enjoying the ending I wanted it to go on a little longer. I'll check to see if there's a sequel. I can't wait to read more from this author.
April 17, 2012
I was first attracted to this book because the premise sounded very interesting. The book/novella mostly lived up to my expectations. I would enjoy reading an expanded version of the story with more background behind the main character, perhaps just an account of the few days leading up to her community service, and definitely some more resolution at the end concerning Zach and his father.
Overall, the story was cute and entertaining. Some aspects seemed unnecessary or added in only at the last minute. For instance, it is never entirely clear . This is not a greatest of the great novels but it is a fun, quick read with charm of its own. If possible, I would have given it 3.5 stars and I think an expanded version would definitely merit 4.
Overall, the story was cute and entertaining. Some aspects seemed unnecessary or added in only at the last minute. For instance, it is never entirely clear . This is not a greatest of the great novels but it is a fun, quick read with charm of its own. If possible, I would have given it 3.5 stars and I think an expanded version would definitely merit 4.
May 6, 2012
I loved this short story and it left me wanting more. Zach is in a coma. Paige is a teenager who is caught up in being popular and looking down at those she thinks are beneath her. After being caught for cheating, her punishment is to use her drama skills and read to the coma kid. What starts out as a horrible community service project for Paige turns into something more. Paige’s true colors come out and she realizes she isn’t that stuck up after all. This is a unique story. I like the dialogue Paige at first forced herself to have with Zach and how as time went by, she was able to do it so freely. If you like something that pulls on your heartstrings and is romantic, then this is a great story for you. Also, when I received it from Amazon it was free. Check it out.
August 24, 2012
Sleeping Handsome is a short, sweet story about a guy in coma and the girl who wakes him up..
Though it reminds one of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty or Snow white (and I'd have seriously NOT read it if t'was a girl in coma..) but there is something really sweet in this book..
And it wasn't like Paige just waltzes her way in and kisses Zach ,bringing him out of coma..She reads his journal, gets to know him before she could actually fall for him..And reading parts of his journal,you can't help developing a little crush on him yourself..
I liked this book a lot, loved it and was wishing for more..
Though it reminds one of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty or Snow white (and I'd have seriously NOT read it if t'was a girl in coma..) but there is something really sweet in this book..
And it wasn't like Paige just waltzes her way in and kisses Zach ,bringing him out of coma..She reads his journal, gets to know him before she could actually fall for him..And reading parts of his journal,you can't help developing a little crush on him yourself..
I liked this book a lot, loved it and was wishing for more..
March 3, 2012
For a school project (or punishment), Paige agrees to reading to a boy in coma. She thinks it is a bit weird, and when she finds his journal, it is even worse. Curiosity takes over, and she begins to read his own journal to him. Along the way, she finds out more about him, and herself.
This story is one I really could not put down. Though it was extremely annoying from overuse of cuss words, it was a touching story. It may be the sweetest book I have ever read.
<3
This story is one I really could not put down. Though it was extremely annoying from overuse of cuss words, it was a touching story. It may be the sweetest book I have ever read.
<3
April 12, 2012
This story was short and sweet. It was an interesting idea and I think it was well-executed. If it had been made longer I don't think it would have been as enjoyable.
The characters were fairly basic but their situations and how they developed are what made the book interesting. There was also just enough drama to make it exciting but not over the top.
I enjoyed reading this story as it was different and well-written.
The characters were fairly basic but their situations and how they developed are what made the book interesting. There was also just enough drama to make it exciting but not over the top.
I enjoyed reading this story as it was different and well-written.
August 24, 2012
This book was amazing. I laughed and smiled and cried.
Paige has to do community service - reading to a boy in comma. At first she just read books to him and talks to him a little, but than she finds his journal and start to get to know him - the real him. The way he fought his demons gives her strength to do the same with hers. And little by little she falls in love with Zack.
The end was so wonderful - I reread it at least 3 times.
I really enjoyed this story.
Paige has to do community service - reading to a boy in comma. At first she just read books to him and talks to him a little, but than she finds his journal and start to get to know him - the real him. The way he fought his demons gives her strength to do the same with hers. And little by little she falls in love with Zack.
The end was so wonderful - I reread it at least 3 times.
I really enjoyed this story.
March 4, 2012
I really enjoyed this free read from Jean Haus. I loved watching Paige learn about herself through reading Zach's journal, and I especially liked how the end turned out. I just wish it was longer!
June 30, 2012
I LOVED this story!!! I'm so thankful my friend shared it with me. Now I'm sharing with friends and you will want to share it too. The story grabed my heart immediately.
April 16, 2018
What a cute story. I wish i had read this one when i was younger tho. Its so ya
June 11, 2018
loved this book!
January 31, 2020
I really really love this one!
December 21, 2023
This was a sweet fairytale like book
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