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Once Upon a Rhyme #1
The Itsy Bitsy Liar
What if the itsy bitsy spider could only weave a web of lies?
Lacey Arachne has been cursed since she was a child to only speak lies and wants nothing more than to keep it unknown. As a common handmaiden, she’s learned how to navigate her twisted words fairly well. But that all changes when her mistress makes her switch places with her in the prince’s bride competition.
Unable to refuse her mistress’s plans, Lacey is forced to play the role of a noble and compete in a competition she has no interest in winning. Well, at least that’s the lie she tells herself after she meets the charming Prince Carlex...
With the punishment for impersonating a noble being death, Lacey must blend in with the other competitors at all costs. But how does a bold-faced liar avoid standing out amongst scrutinizing eyes? Especially when her childhood enemy certainly doesn’t seem keen on letting her go unnoticed... Can Lacey untangle herself from the webs she’s crafted? Or will she be doomed to fall with the coming storm?
Once Upon A Rhyme is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series.
For more information on Once Upon A Rhyme sign up for my free monthly newsletter Abigailmanningauthor.com
Lacey Arachne has been cursed since she was a child to only speak lies and wants nothing more than to keep it unknown. As a common handmaiden, she’s learned how to navigate her twisted words fairly well. But that all changes when her mistress makes her switch places with her in the prince’s bride competition.
Unable to refuse her mistress’s plans, Lacey is forced to play the role of a noble and compete in a competition she has no interest in winning. Well, at least that’s the lie she tells herself after she meets the charming Prince Carlex...
With the punishment for impersonating a noble being death, Lacey must blend in with the other competitors at all costs. But how does a bold-faced liar avoid standing out amongst scrutinizing eyes? Especially when her childhood enemy certainly doesn’t seem keen on letting her go unnoticed... Can Lacey untangle herself from the webs she’s crafted? Or will she be doomed to fall with the coming storm?
Once Upon A Rhyme is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series.
For more information on Once Upon A Rhyme sign up for my free monthly newsletter Abigailmanningauthor.com
371 pages, Paperback
Published February 16, 2023
135 people are currently reading
986 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
April 11, 2023
Props for an original storyline. This one jumped out at me, I was curious how the story would unfold knowing our lead was cursed to always lie. She is physically unable to tell the truth.
I think if I had read this as a young adult, I would have enjoyed it more. I liked the idea for the story, but the execution just fell a little flat for me. I didn’t buy into the romance at all. I also didn’t connect with Lacey like I hoped. Or the other characters.
I appreciated the uniqueness of the story and it kept me reading to see how things would play out. It just ended up not being for me. But I can see how others might really enjoy it!
I also don’t think the cover really matches the tone of the book.
Content Rated G
Very clean romance, mild kissing. No language, mild violence
I think if I had read this as a young adult, I would have enjoyed it more. I liked the idea for the story, but the execution just fell a little flat for me. I didn’t buy into the romance at all. I also didn’t connect with Lacey like I hoped. Or the other characters.
I appreciated the uniqueness of the story and it kept me reading to see how things would play out. It just ended up not being for me. But I can see how others might really enjoy it!
I also don’t think the cover really matches the tone of the book.
Content Rated G
Very clean romance, mild kissing. No language, mild violence
March 25, 2023
This book is so cute and fun! I really liked the twist that the main girl is cursed to only tell lies. The author handles this twist very cleverly! The romance was sweet and utterly adorable!
June 20, 2023
4.5/5 stars
This was my first read by Abigail Manning and I was not disappointed!
It’s not every day you read a retelling of a nursery rhyme, and certainly not one where the main character has to say the opposite of what they think all the time!
I wondered if the story would get confusing at some point but Abigail really managed to preserve a cohesive story that made sense from start to finish.
The content was squeaky clean, just as I love it.
The only downside for me was the relatively sparse but visible grammar mistakes and typos. I just can’t help it, it bothers me, which is why I removed half a point to my rating.
Other than that, I LOVED the Itsy Bitsy Liar and I cannot wait to read my ARC of Little Bo Sneak ;)
This was my first read by Abigail Manning and I was not disappointed!
It’s not every day you read a retelling of a nursery rhyme, and certainly not one where the main character has to say the opposite of what they think all the time!
I wondered if the story would get confusing at some point but Abigail really managed to preserve a cohesive story that made sense from start to finish.
The content was squeaky clean, just as I love it.
The only downside for me was the relatively sparse but visible grammar mistakes and typos. I just can’t help it, it bothers me, which is why I removed half a point to my rating.
Other than that, I LOVED the Itsy Bitsy Liar and I cannot wait to read my ARC of Little Bo Sneak ;)
July 15, 2023
What a unique story! I literally couldn't put this book down! Lacey is such a STRONG character! I love her friendship with Evie, and her love story with Carlex. Some bachelor vibes in there! Definitely a beautiful ending! Another 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star for Abigail!!!! She rocks!
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June 6, 2023The first half was vivid and tense, with the clever plot idea of a character cursed to lie being trapped into a contest where she has to pose as her mistress and could get in a lot of trouble if she's discovered. The resulting banter zings with verbal fencing and a plot tension that made the pages fly by. The contest itself was also entertaining and had potential.
Things go rapidly downhill once the blandly generic Prince appears and instantly realises nobody _understands_ him except Lacey. Book me a boy band star for the movie version. Better, book some soppy boy band music to play over their meeting scenes. Ick. The book rapidly descended into a Cinderella-goes-to-the-palace tropeyness that I feel I've read too many of, menaced by a Mean Girl villain out of Melodrama Central Casting. Nor does Lacey obviously get much character growth or moral choices to make, apart from being clever and determined in the face of opposition, which I suppose is the moral of the underlying nursery rhyme here.
So this is 3 stars from me but rating it officially feels like kicking a puppy and I'm not the target audience anyway. Let them enjoy it as they wish.
Things go rapidly downhill once the blandly generic Prince appears and instantly realises nobody _understands_ him except Lacey. Book me a boy band star for the movie version. Better, book some soppy boy band music to play over their meeting scenes. Ick. The book rapidly descended into a Cinderella-goes-to-the-palace tropeyness that I feel I've read too many of, menaced by a Mean Girl villain out of Melodrama Central Casting. Nor does Lacey obviously get much character growth or moral choices to make, apart from being clever and determined in the face of opposition, which I suppose is the moral of the underlying nursery rhyme here.
So this is 3 stars from me but rating it officially feels like kicking a puppy and I'm not the target audience anyway. Let them enjoy it as they wish.
February 2, 2025
4.5
This is a new favorite. I love the idea of only speaking lies, and then she gets stuck in a princess contest! I LOVE all of the things that pointed towards the original nursery rhyme, spiders and spiderwebs. I have never seen a nursery rhyme retelling before, and this was done very well. There wasn't any language that I remember, and the romance was clean. So, all in all, I loved this book, and if you are interested in a nursery rhyme retelling, I highly recommend it.
This is a new favorite. I love the idea of only speaking lies, and then she gets stuck in a princess contest! I LOVE all of the things that pointed towards the original nursery rhyme, spiders and spiderwebs. I have never seen a nursery rhyme retelling before, and this was done very well. There wasn't any language that I remember, and the romance was clean. So, all in all, I loved this book, and if you are interested in a nursery rhyme retelling, I highly recommend it.
January 26, 2025
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I've read so far by Abigail Manning, so I figured it would be worthwhile to check out her Once Upon a Rhyme series, which takes popular nursery rhymes and weaves them into fairy tales. The first book, The Itsy Bitsy Liar, is inspired by "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," but it contains no spiders. Instead, it is an exciting princess story that combines elements of "Cinderella," The Princess and the Pauper, and "The Brave Little Tailor." It exceeded all my expectations and provides a powerful commentary on honesty with an adorable fairy tale romance.
Lacey Arachne leads a rough life. Her father was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. To prevent her from talking, the jealous daughter of the real criminal used magic to curse Lacey so she could only speak in lies. This made it nearly impossible for Lacey to find work. Every polite or humble thing she said would come off as rude and dissenting. Therefore, it was a godsend when she befriended a noble lady named Evie and worked as her handmaid. Despite not knowing about the curse, Evie saw the best in Lacey and respected her as a hard worker, if not a little sarcastic. When Evie's parents decided to enter her in a competition to win the hand of a prince, she thought it would be great fun to switch places with Lacey, and Lacey couldn't say otherwise.
I've reviewed several other books about princesses competing to marry a prince, but none were quite like this. Lacey had to win several intelligence tests despite only being able to speak in lies. This created a huge handicap for her, which may have been impossible to overcome if it hadn't been for winning over Prince Carlex early on in the competition. Right after the first test, he knew that she was the one he wanted to marry. He met with her several times in private and, upon learning about her curse, provided her with temporary magical remedies that would allow her to advance to the final round and potentially become his queen.
I can't think of a single thing I didn't like about this book. It was captivating to read about the various methods Lacey had to use to twist her lies so they wouldn't make her look bad, especially when she was naturally an honest person. It was also fascinating to see how the people who knew about her curse her responded to the lies, such as her mother saying "I hate you too, dear" at the beginning of the book and Evie poking fun at some of her dissenting responses despite knowing what she actually meant. Carlex's devotion to helping her despite knowing about the curse and how difficult it could make their lives if she became queen was touching as well.
The Itsy Bitsy Liar exceeded my expectations at every turn. Abigail Manning's unique blend of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Cinderella," and other classic tales results in a story that is both familiar and fresh. With its themes of honesty, kindness, and devotion, this book is a true delight. Lacey's journey from cursed outcast to beloved queen is inspiring and heartwarming, and her romance with Prince Carlex is sweet and satisfying. I highly recommend The Itsy Bitsy Liar to fans of fairy tale retellings, princess stories, and clean romance – and I'm eager to read other books in the Once Upon a Rhyme series!
Lacey Arachne leads a rough life. Her father was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. To prevent her from talking, the jealous daughter of the real criminal used magic to curse Lacey so she could only speak in lies. This made it nearly impossible for Lacey to find work. Every polite or humble thing she said would come off as rude and dissenting. Therefore, it was a godsend when she befriended a noble lady named Evie and worked as her handmaid. Despite not knowing about the curse, Evie saw the best in Lacey and respected her as a hard worker, if not a little sarcastic. When Evie's parents decided to enter her in a competition to win the hand of a prince, she thought it would be great fun to switch places with Lacey, and Lacey couldn't say otherwise.
I've reviewed several other books about princesses competing to marry a prince, but none were quite like this. Lacey had to win several intelligence tests despite only being able to speak in lies. This created a huge handicap for her, which may have been impossible to overcome if it hadn't been for winning over Prince Carlex early on in the competition. Right after the first test, he knew that she was the one he wanted to marry. He met with her several times in private and, upon learning about her curse, provided her with temporary magical remedies that would allow her to advance to the final round and potentially become his queen.
I can't think of a single thing I didn't like about this book. It was captivating to read about the various methods Lacey had to use to twist her lies so they wouldn't make her look bad, especially when she was naturally an honest person. It was also fascinating to see how the people who knew about her curse her responded to the lies, such as her mother saying "I hate you too, dear" at the beginning of the book and Evie poking fun at some of her dissenting responses despite knowing what she actually meant. Carlex's devotion to helping her despite knowing about the curse and how difficult it could make their lives if she became queen was touching as well.
The Itsy Bitsy Liar exceeded my expectations at every turn. Abigail Manning's unique blend of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Cinderella," and other classic tales results in a story that is both familiar and fresh. With its themes of honesty, kindness, and devotion, this book is a true delight. Lacey's journey from cursed outcast to beloved queen is inspiring and heartwarming, and her romance with Prince Carlex is sweet and satisfying. I highly recommend The Itsy Bitsy Liar to fans of fairy tale retellings, princess stories, and clean romance – and I'm eager to read other books in the Once Upon a Rhyme series!
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May 2, 2025I made it to the 30 percent mark, but didn’t want to continue. The story idea seems really fun, but the writing just isn’t my cup of tea. I am moving on to book two, though.
February 28, 2023
Every time I finish a book by Abigail Manning, I think there’s no possible way she could top it…and then she goes and does exactly that!
This book was amazing from start to finish. The beautiful, immersive, descriptive writing, the characters that you love and that you love to hate, and, above all, the CREATIVITY. Every time I found a new reference or homage to the nursery rhyme I smiled just a bit wider.
When it comes to the characters, Lacey and Carlex are such an adorable couple. I loved their dynamic and the way their relationship progressed. It was such a thrill to see how Lacey’s curse would play out in its development.
And while we’re talking characters, Manning has an incredible talent for bringing life to her side characters as well. I want an Evie in my life.
This story has everything—romance, competition, intrigue, a little of action, and lots of swoony moments—all spun together so expertly you won’t even realize you’ve been caught it its web until you put the book down after the final chapter.
This book was amazing from start to finish. The beautiful, immersive, descriptive writing, the characters that you love and that you love to hate, and, above all, the CREATIVITY. Every time I found a new reference or homage to the nursery rhyme I smiled just a bit wider.
When it comes to the characters, Lacey and Carlex are such an adorable couple. I loved their dynamic and the way their relationship progressed. It was such a thrill to see how Lacey’s curse would play out in its development.
And while we’re talking characters, Manning has an incredible talent for bringing life to her side characters as well. I want an Evie in my life.
This story has everything—romance, competition, intrigue, a little of action, and lots of swoony moments—all spun together so expertly you won’t even realize you’ve been caught it its web until you put the book down after the final chapter.
August 19, 2023
This book! I loved, loved, absolutely loved this book!
Okay, I don’t want to go into insane detail or I would be here all day, so I’ll make bullet points of everything great about it.
~Lacey. She was an incredible and well-written heroine. She had strength, resilience, wit, wiles, but was also caring, loving, and so selfless. She had a curse on her, but even with it, her personality shown through because she was stronger than the curse.
It was so easy following along with her on her journey with dangers, perils, suspense, friendship, and romance.
~Carlex. What an absolute sweetheart he was! I’m so glad the author went with a kind and sort of shy prince over one who was suave or brooding. Carlex was so tender and affectionate toward Lacey and wore his heart on his sleeve, but only around her.
He wasn’t weak-willed by any means either. He was just and clever and intelligent—knowing or quickly realizing what was going on around him as he sought to understand.
~The side characters. The ones you love, the ones you hate, the ones you think are bad but aren’t, and the ones you want to like but don’t know if you can.
The antagonist too was perfectly hateful and one you couldn’t wait to see taken down.
~Evie. She was a Grade A best friend and wingwoman to Lacey. Her spunk and uninhibited remarks were hilarious too.
~The elements of true love and sacrifice. Carlex was willing to let Lacey go if she didn’t return his feelings, and when she did, he fought for her.
At first, Lacey tried to distance herself from the competition and from Carlex, but then as she began to care for the prince, and realized the danger he and the kingdom were in, she stayed and faced everything despite being one step away from certain death herself.
Lacey and Carlex were so sweet with each other, taking each other’s feelings and needs into account and always putting the other first. What a beautiful love story it was.
~The writing was so vivid and kept you glued to the page. Each individual character had their own voice, the battle between Lacey’s honest thoughts and her cursed words was handled really well, and it was so intriguing to see how the challenges of the competition played out and how or if Lacey would win them.
~The ending was fast-paced (like the whole story was), but everything wrapped up with a happy ending, leaving no loose ends but potential for future books and nursery rhymes, and you close the book not thinking it was too long or needing more, because it was the perfect length (although, I already want to go back and read it again).
~Also, I loved how the author didn’t miss this chance to have the “itsy bitsy spider” climb up the water spout!
So very, very happy I read this one!
Okay, I don’t want to go into insane detail or I would be here all day, so I’ll make bullet points of everything great about it.
~Lacey. She was an incredible and well-written heroine. She had strength, resilience, wit, wiles, but was also caring, loving, and so selfless. She had a curse on her, but even with it, her personality shown through because she was stronger than the curse.
It was so easy following along with her on her journey with dangers, perils, suspense, friendship, and romance.
~Carlex. What an absolute sweetheart he was! I’m so glad the author went with a kind and sort of shy prince over one who was suave or brooding. Carlex was so tender and affectionate toward Lacey and wore his heart on his sleeve, but only around her.
He wasn’t weak-willed by any means either. He was just and clever and intelligent—knowing or quickly realizing what was going on around him as he sought to understand.
~The side characters. The ones you love, the ones you hate, the ones you think are bad but aren’t, and the ones you want to like but don’t know if you can.
The antagonist too was perfectly hateful and one you couldn’t wait to see taken down.
~Evie. She was a Grade A best friend and wingwoman to Lacey. Her spunk and uninhibited remarks were hilarious too.
~The elements of true love and sacrifice. Carlex was willing to let Lacey go if she didn’t return his feelings, and when she did, he fought for her.
At first, Lacey tried to distance herself from the competition and from Carlex, but then as she began to care for the prince, and realized the danger he and the kingdom were in, she stayed and faced everything despite being one step away from certain death herself.
Lacey and Carlex were so sweet with each other, taking each other’s feelings and needs into account and always putting the other first. What a beautiful love story it was.
~The writing was so vivid and kept you glued to the page. Each individual character had their own voice, the battle between Lacey’s honest thoughts and her cursed words was handled really well, and it was so intriguing to see how the challenges of the competition played out and how or if Lacey would win them.
~The ending was fast-paced (like the whole story was), but everything wrapped up with a happy ending, leaving no loose ends but potential for future books and nursery rhymes, and you close the book not thinking it was too long or needing more, because it was the perfect length (although, I already want to go back and read it again).
~Also, I loved how the author didn’t miss this chance to have the “itsy bitsy spider” climb up the water spout!
So very, very happy I read this one!
October 5, 2025
Feels like if the Selection met Ella Enchanted, and I didn't realize that was a vibe I needed to read... But it was!
Lacey makes for an intriguing FMC, and her curse to only speak lies gets her tangles into quite a mess, even if it does work out for the best. She tries hard and struggles through lying, never allowing the reader to believe it's "okay", but also knows how to work it to her advantage at times.
As for the Prince Carlex, he wasn't exactly a favorite compared (especially compared to the love interest in the second Once Upon a Rhyme book), but he was great nonetheless! He was sweet but willing to cheat in the situation, mainly to aid Lacey.
Now, my personal favorite, Evie! I didn't think at the beginning that I would like her, but, alas, she grew on me. Her friendship with Lacey is fun, and she does what she can to help them through this scenario of her making. I adored hearing the rest of her story in Little Bo Sneak (which I read this morning, so sorry for all the comparisons to it).
The biggest fault in my opinion was simply the swiftness of the romance. It felt a bit fake, but it all worked out in the end.
The competition was engaging (particularly the last two events...), and I look forward to maybe hearing more about some of the other girls in the future! Because while this was my first Abigail Manning read, I plan to finish out Once Upon a Rhyme :)
Lacey makes for an intriguing FMC, and her curse to only speak lies gets her tangles into quite a mess, even if it does work out for the best. She tries hard and struggles through lying, never allowing the reader to believe it's "okay", but also knows how to work it to her advantage at times.
As for the Prince Carlex, he wasn't exactly a favorite compared (especially compared to the love interest in the second Once Upon a Rhyme book), but he was great nonetheless! He was sweet but willing to cheat in the situation, mainly to aid Lacey.
Now, my personal favorite, Evie! I didn't think at the beginning that I would like her, but, alas, she grew on me. Her friendship with Lacey is fun, and she does what she can to help them through this scenario of her making. I adored hearing the rest of her story in Little Bo Sneak (which I read this morning, so sorry for all the comparisons to it).
The biggest fault in my opinion was simply the swiftness of the romance. It felt a bit fake, but it all worked out in the end.
The competition was engaging (particularly the last two events...), and I look forward to maybe hearing more about some of the other girls in the future! Because while this was my first Abigail Manning read, I plan to finish out Once Upon a Rhyme :)
March 2, 2023
a very entertaining story about the power of honesty
The FMC’s lying curse is about the most unique thing I’ve read of in retellings, and I enjoyed how she shows her skill and strategic mind throughout the story. I also usually don’t like bridal competitions… but one on intelligence was a welcome and refreshing change.
My only issue — which makes this review 4.5 stars — is how long it takes Lacey to acknowledge her own skill — it feels as though I spent most of the book struggling with her feelings of inadequacy. Perhaps a gentler building of confidence would have made her growth feel a little more organic. Still, though, I enjoyed it.
I would totally recommend, and I look forward to future books set in this world.
The FMC’s lying curse is about the most unique thing I’ve read of in retellings, and I enjoyed how she shows her skill and strategic mind throughout the story. I also usually don’t like bridal competitions… but one on intelligence was a welcome and refreshing change.
My only issue — which makes this review 4.5 stars — is how long it takes Lacey to acknowledge her own skill — it feels as though I spent most of the book struggling with her feelings of inadequacy. Perhaps a gentler building of confidence would have made her growth feel a little more organic. Still, though, I enjoyed it.
I would totally recommend, and I look forward to future books set in this world.
May 24, 2023
why didn’t she just write
Okay, this was really fun. You’ve got
-a princess competition
-secret identities
-a curse that makes the girl only speak in lord
What’s not to love?!
My only problem is that I don’t understand why she didn’t just write stuff. I don’t think the curse affected her ability to write the truth, just speak it, so it seems like she could have bypassed a lot of this mess by getting a chalkboard. Maybe those don’t exist in this world?
The writing could have been a bit more polished, but overall a very enjoyable HEA
Okay, this was really fun. You’ve got
-a princess competition
-secret identities
-a curse that makes the girl only speak in lord
What’s not to love?!
My only problem is that I don’t understand why she didn’t just write stuff. I don’t think the curse affected her ability to write the truth, just speak it, so it seems like she could have bypassed a lot of this mess by getting a chalkboard. Maybe those don’t exist in this world?
The writing could have been a bit more polished, but overall a very enjoyable HEA
October 25, 2024
This was everything I look for in a fairytale romance! It was full of intrigue, romance, suspense, and cute laugh-out-loud moments. It was so immersive and swoony, and I teared up at many places in the story. I've always enjoyed Abigail Manning's books, but I didn't expect a story inspired by The Itsy Bitsy Spider about a girl cursed to lie to become my new favorite! Really, I am looking forward to reading this one again, and now I can't wait for all the Once Upon a Rhyme books!
February 28, 2023
I loved this book!!! It was like The Bachelor meets the reverse of Liar Liar. Good, Clean, Romance ❤️
Lacey has been cursed to only tell lies. So when her best friend and ‘Lady’ she works for asks her to switch places in the bridal competition for Prince Carlex’s hand in marriage what else can she say but yes! Though in the beginning she’s just trying to get by without anyone discovering lies. Once she spends time with Carlex and she starts developing feelings of her own for him, she has to decide if she really wants to win the competition or if she’s lost in her own web of lies.
Lacey has been cursed to only tell lies. So when her best friend and ‘Lady’ she works for asks her to switch places in the bridal competition for Prince Carlex’s hand in marriage what else can she say but yes! Though in the beginning she’s just trying to get by without anyone discovering lies. Once she spends time with Carlex and she starts developing feelings of her own for him, she has to decide if she really wants to win the competition or if she’s lost in her own web of lies.
February 6, 2023
What if you could only tell lies? What if your childhood bestie became an enemy who was determined to set you up to be imprisoned? What if you had to helplessly watch as your father was set up for a crime he didn’t commit and taken away to be thrown in prison?
What if years later, you fall in love and find yourself unable to share how you truly feel?
Find the answers to these and other questions as you read Itsy Bitsy Liar written by Abigail Manning.
If you’d enjoy escaping to a world of ball gowns, princes & princesses then you will fall in love with this story!
What if years later, you fall in love and find yourself unable to share how you truly feel?
Find the answers to these and other questions as you read Itsy Bitsy Liar written by Abigail Manning.
If you’d enjoy escaping to a world of ball gowns, princes & princesses then you will fall in love with this story!
March 1, 2023
A fun story
Can you imagine being cursed to only speak lies, forever, and not be able to explain it? Now make this the heroine of the story and a fun adventure is bound to happen. I enjoyed reading this and am eager to read more. A fantastic read.
Can you imagine being cursed to only speak lies, forever, and not be able to explain it? Now make this the heroine of the story and a fun adventure is bound to happen. I enjoyed reading this and am eager to read more. A fantastic read.
March 2, 2023
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down! I will be reading the next book in this really wonderful series!
February 18, 2023
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Lacey’s point of view
– there are mentions of metaphorical webs
Review:
I couldn’t put this story down! I loved how Abigail Manning took the Itsy Bitsy Spider rhyme and mixed it with a The Selection -like story of her own! The tasks were interesting to read about and how Lacey thought to complete them! I loved that while Lacey was skilled at managing her lies to get her points across, sometimes she just couldn’t get everything properly across to who she was speaking to and/or she wouldn’t think her replies out and end up accepting something she was trying to avoid. I absolutely adored Evie (Lacey’s friend & mistress) and how she tried to help & defend Lacey once she realized the full scope of Lacey’s distress. And Prince Carlex was adorable with his shy demeanor when he first met Lacey and how he treated her beyond that time. Some of my favorite scenes/moments included: Evie, Evie’s fierce protection of her friend, Carlex, times spent with Carlex (especially their walk with the falling flower petals), the competition tasks, the last couple of scenes in the book, and when the king accepts Lacey.
Summary:
Lacey has been cursed to only be able to speak lies since she was a child. Only a few people know of her curse after an incident left her and her mother ridiculed and without jobs. Now, Lacey is a handmaiden who is able to work with her lies in a way that makes her seem normal, if a bit odd. But when her mistress believes one of Lacey’s lies in a conversation, it leads to them switching places for a competition that Lacey wants no part of. One that ends with a noble lady winning the hand of the prince. With her life on the line if she is discovered, Lacey weaves a web of lies while trying her best to not hurt those around her and out her mistress’s innocent plot. But when Lacey begins to fall for the prince, she has more to lose than just her life. Will she be able to extricate herself from the web she’s weaved or will her lies lead to her downfall? With her childhood enemy also in attendance, it’s only a matter of time before Lacey finds out…
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Lacey’s point of view
– there are mentions of metaphorical webs
Review:
I couldn’t put this story down! I loved how Abigail Manning took the Itsy Bitsy Spider rhyme and mixed it with a The Selection -like story of her own! The tasks were interesting to read about and how Lacey thought to complete them! I loved that while Lacey was skilled at managing her lies to get her points across, sometimes she just couldn’t get everything properly across to who she was speaking to and/or she wouldn’t think her replies out and end up accepting something she was trying to avoid. I absolutely adored Evie (Lacey’s friend & mistress) and how she tried to help & defend Lacey once she realized the full scope of Lacey’s distress. And Prince Carlex was adorable with his shy demeanor when he first met Lacey and how he treated her beyond that time. Some of my favorite scenes/moments included: Evie, Evie’s fierce protection of her friend, Carlex, times spent with Carlex (especially their walk with the falling flower petals), the competition tasks, the last couple of scenes in the book, and when the king accepts Lacey.
Summary:
Lacey has been cursed to only be able to speak lies since she was a child. Only a few people know of her curse after an incident left her and her mother ridiculed and without jobs. Now, Lacey is a handmaiden who is able to work with her lies in a way that makes her seem normal, if a bit odd. But when her mistress believes one of Lacey’s lies in a conversation, it leads to them switching places for a competition that Lacey wants no part of. One that ends with a noble lady winning the hand of the prince. With her life on the line if she is discovered, Lacey weaves a web of lies while trying her best to not hurt those around her and out her mistress’s innocent plot. But when Lacey begins to fall for the prince, she has more to lose than just her life. Will she be able to extricate herself from the web she’s weaved or will her lies lead to her downfall? With her childhood enemy also in attendance, it’s only a matter of time before Lacey finds out…
May 29, 2023
Nice idea, but...
It's a cute story with a very cute hook. That said, it is absolutely riddled with poor word choices, and it is desperately overwritten. The story (and author!) would both benefit greatly from a good editor with a solid grasp of the English language. The constant repetition of a few descriptors becomes annoying very quickly.
Overall, it is a quick read with some engaging characters, and it might be fun to see more of them in the next books.
It's a cute story with a very cute hook. That said, it is absolutely riddled with poor word choices, and it is desperately overwritten. The story (and author!) would both benefit greatly from a good editor with a solid grasp of the English language. The constant repetition of a few descriptors becomes annoying very quickly.
Overall, it is a quick read with some engaging characters, and it might be fun to see more of them in the next books.
June 16, 2023
Content:
Language: None.
Violence: Mild. Mostly bruises and blisters and bumps.
Sexual: Mild. innocent touches, hand caresses, chaste kissing and hugs.
CW: There are some pretty intense moments of pure cruelty inflicted on the heroine. They are emotionally traumatic and minimally physical. The nature may upset sensitive readers. For example: (moderate spoiler)
I was intrigued the minute I saw that this book was about a cursed girl who could only tell lies. I've seen the opposite in books, but never cursed to lie. So, I was all set for a fun word-smithing adventure.
It was disappointing. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, but I was expecting more? There are lots of different types of lies. Lies of omission, or leading someone to believe a lie by what you leave unsaid, by gesture or tone. But this basically made the cursed liar say the exact opposite of the truth, therefore it was ridiculously easy to tell she was lying and cursed to do so. She uses questions to get around it partially because a question is technically neither truth nor lie. But I was expecting a protagonist who knew how to work around her curse (that she's lived with for over a decade) with the aplomb of the craftiest minds. It could be argued that the curse wouldn't let her wiggle around it at all, but that was never stated.
Once I knew what to expect of the curse, I was able to enjoy it for what it was, so it wasn't a big drawback at all. Just a mini sigh of lost opportunity for me. (Plus I legit can't imagine how an author would pull that off, because it would be ridiculously hard).
The thing that actually bothered me was the setup. And this is totally just my preferences coming into play. They had "The Bachelor" contest going on here. I so so so hate that trope. It's so demeaning and I have never enjoyed how it forces the characters into certain attitudes of cattiness and treating a person like a prize. So, I admit, I grit my teeth through the entire contest.
And this book had two characters that had my eyes bulging at how incredibly horribly cruel their actions were toward the heroine. I did not enjoy that. It was almost gratuitous how they reacted, and I found their reasoning weak. Felt very tension-driven so I didn't care for it.
I did like Evie the firebrand, and Carlex the cinnamon-roll prince. The book as a whole was fun to read, and I'll read more from the author, but it's not my favorite within this genre.
Language: None.
Violence: Mild. Mostly bruises and blisters and bumps.
Sexual: Mild. innocent touches, hand caresses, chaste kissing and hugs.
CW: There are some pretty intense moments of pure cruelty inflicted on the heroine. They are emotionally traumatic and minimally physical. The nature may upset sensitive readers. For example: (moderate spoiler)
I was intrigued the minute I saw that this book was about a cursed girl who could only tell lies. I've seen the opposite in books, but never cursed to lie. So, I was all set for a fun word-smithing adventure.
It was disappointing. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, but I was expecting more? There are lots of different types of lies. Lies of omission, or leading someone to believe a lie by what you leave unsaid, by gesture or tone. But this basically made the cursed liar say the exact opposite of the truth, therefore it was ridiculously easy to tell she was lying and cursed to do so. She uses questions to get around it partially because a question is technically neither truth nor lie. But I was expecting a protagonist who knew how to work around her curse (that she's lived with for over a decade) with the aplomb of the craftiest minds. It could be argued that the curse wouldn't let her wiggle around it at all, but that was never stated.
Once I knew what to expect of the curse, I was able to enjoy it for what it was, so it wasn't a big drawback at all. Just a mini sigh of lost opportunity for me. (Plus I legit can't imagine how an author would pull that off, because it would be ridiculously hard).
The thing that actually bothered me was the setup. And this is totally just my preferences coming into play. They had "The Bachelor" contest going on here. I so so so hate that trope. It's so demeaning and I have never enjoyed how it forces the characters into certain attitudes of cattiness and treating a person like a prize. So, I admit, I grit my teeth through the entire contest.
And this book had two characters that had my eyes bulging at how incredibly horribly cruel their actions were toward the heroine. I did not enjoy that. It was almost gratuitous how they reacted, and I found their reasoning weak. Felt very tension-driven so I didn't care for it.
I did like Evie the firebrand, and Carlex the cinnamon-roll prince. The book as a whole was fun to read, and I'll read more from the author, but it's not my favorite within this genre.
January 10, 2023
As a fan of Abigails books, I was excited to read her new series. To say her mind is an amazing tool doesn't do her justice. I am in awe at her ability to tell this tale in the way she has done. This is an incredible book and I highly recommend it to everyone. This is not my normal genre, but I couldn't stop reading! I loved everything about it and can't wait to read whatever she has next.
September 19, 2025
This did not take me 11 days to read. I got busy. :)
Very cute story that had me on the edge of my seat for most of it. My heart fluttered with anxiety each time Lacey faced another obstacle.
Carlex was a great hero. He was caring, attentive, understanding, and strong. Lacey was a great heroine. She was clever, witty, strong, and so much more.
Cursed to lie her whole life, Lacey learned to weave them into gorgeous webs that could ensnare even the most devious! Such a fun, clean (like squeaky clean) read.
Second book by Abigail and clearly not the last. What a talented author! I'm not really about nursery rhymes but I saw this one in Barnes & Noble and was taken by the cover! So, glad the content was as lovely as the cover! I most likely will continue the series given how amazing this one was! But they unfortunately will have to be at the end of an extensive TBR. Unless I cheat...
Rereading as a part of my plan to "finish series" this year!
Even better than I remembered! On to book 2!
Very cute story that had me on the edge of my seat for most of it. My heart fluttered with anxiety each time Lacey faced another obstacle.
Carlex was a great hero. He was caring, attentive, understanding, and strong. Lacey was a great heroine. She was clever, witty, strong, and so much more.
Cursed to lie her whole life, Lacey learned to weave them into gorgeous webs that could ensnare even the most devious! Such a fun, clean (like squeaky clean) read.
Second book by Abigail and clearly not the last. What a talented author! I'm not really about nursery rhymes but I saw this one in Barnes & Noble and was taken by the cover! So, glad the content was as lovely as the cover! I most likely will continue the series given how amazing this one was! But they unfortunately will have to be at the end of an extensive TBR. Unless I cheat...
Rereading as a part of my plan to "finish series" this year!
Even better than I remembered! On to book 2!
June 26, 2023
I am really glad that I gave this author a second chance, and that i took that chance on such an odd attempt at a retelling…of itsy bitsy spider?!
A reverse goose girl, where the nobel wants her handmaiden to take her place, mixed with a Cinderella, and all wrapped up in the retelling of a nursery rhyme - seriously mixed up vibes that ended up being astounding.
It took me a few chapters to get into it, mostly because i was hyper focused on the lying part, but then, the story progressed and was super Swoony, and a really evil villain that you just want to smack, and wow! What an ending!
A reverse goose girl, where the nobel wants her handmaiden to take her place, mixed with a Cinderella, and all wrapped up in the retelling of a nursery rhyme - seriously mixed up vibes that ended up being astounding.
It took me a few chapters to get into it, mostly because i was hyper focused on the lying part, but then, the story progressed and was super Swoony, and a really evil villain that you just want to smack, and wow! What an ending!
May 16, 2023
This book was a cute read, and the premise of the MC being incapable of telling the truth was really intriguing. That being said, there were several instances where I found myself wishing the MC had used her unique predicament more creatively. The potential for clever, misleading conversation seemed to be largely unexploited, which was a bit of a letdown for me.
The romance was, for lack of a better word, sweet. The book seems to be geared towards the younger end of the YA spectrum, and while it's not a bad read per se, I just didn't find it compelling enough to finish. It left me yearning for something a bit more.
The romance was, for lack of a better word, sweet. The book seems to be geared towards the younger end of the YA spectrum, and while it's not a bad read per se, I just didn't find it compelling enough to finish. It left me yearning for something a bit more.
July 17, 2024
This was a great read! It’s cute and sweet, and perfect if you’re in the mood for a light and fun story. It definitely has a fairy tale feel, complete with a charming prince and princess competition… Perhaps the romance is a tad rushed, with some parts borderline unrealistic, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and remained fully engaged throughout.
Content:
There’s no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is super clean. There is no mention of faith or God. There is magic and the MC is cursed.
Content:
There’s no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is super clean. There is no mention of faith or God. There is magic and the MC is cursed.
April 19, 2025
The Itsy Bitsy Liar intrigued me from the minute I saw it on Abigail Manning's book list. I've seen plenty of fairytale retellings but no nursery rhyme ones. Plus, the cover and summary made me think Abigail would give her story an edgy, almost Gothic tone that would intrigue me even though the book itself is marked as teen or YA. So, off I dove into this "itsy bitsy" retelling that packs a big punch in the world of fantasy fiction.
Itsy Bitsy Liar is not as Gothic as I anticipated, meaning it doesn't have elements of mystery or horror. But Abigail's plot and characters have a definite edge I loved. Lacey Arachne could've been a perfect, innocent victim, as many cursed heroines are. Yet she struggles realistically and mightily against the frustrations of her curse. She has moments where she admits lying, or twisting words, benefits her or makes her feel powerful. And she's brilliant, not in the traditional academic way or the "street smarts" way, but in a determined, gritty, sometimes spiteful, practical way. She forces the curse to work for her and partly because of it, partly because of who she truly is, she constantly thinks outside the box. Lacey is absolutely worth spending a novel with.
The other characters are rather two- or one-dimensional in comparison. In a way though, that's okay for the type of story this is. Even though most of them lack Lacey's hidden depths, they are either worth rooting for or at least interesting. I loved how some of them, Carlex in particular, took the plot in directions I never expected. In fact, once you get past the name (sorry, is this a person or a cleaning product; I said what I said), you find Carlex is gallant and chivalrous, but the furthest thing from a wimp. He's a hero with the kind of understated masculinity I love and don't see enough.
And here is where I get to brag on Abigail's plot, because in many ways it blew me away. It wasn't as seamless as some of her others, which I'll get to momentarily. But for the most part, Abigail amazed me with the care and effort she put into crafting a whole novel around a humanized "Itsy Bitsy Spider." Making Lacey an expert weaver, giving her the lying curse, *then* sticking her in a royal bride competition, which neither she nor the prince wanted? Yes, please! And then to have that plot weave, twist, and turn as it did...oh, I am aching to spoil, but I will refrain. All I'll say is, every time I thought I knew what a character would do, they either did the opposite or took a third option, leaving me shocked, delighted, or both.
Besides that, Abigail does have some "popping" scenes here I can go into. The prologue will rip your heart out, obviously. Beyond that, there's:
-Lacey's performance at the first two events (I cheered at her cleverness)
-Carlex's gift of the necklace (oh, he's such a prince in every sense of the word, I just *can't*)
-A poignant flashback scene between Lacey and Jezebel (yeah, she's an obvious villain but I enjoyed rooting against her)
-And like I said, some wonderful plot twists
Finally, I'd like to offer Abigail some bonus points for her themes of lies vs. truth and appearance vs. reality. These could've been heavy-handed, but because of how relatable Lacey and her curse are, they come across as real problems real people face. Abigail and her characters extol honesty and condemn deceit while still examining the technicalities of both and offering justice and mercy. And for me, the best part of Lacey's story was how she quietly fought the curse, fought for truth, while still having little or no choice in the matter. Considering the curse caused her physical pain and other repercussions, that's no small feat.
This novel does have some, ahem, itsy-bitsy problems. First, as I often notice, Abigail Manning needs a better editor, at least with her Kindle editions. Words are misused or misspelled throughout, and I noticed some misplaced punctuation.
A bigger problem with this one though, was lack of dimension. As great a heroine as Lacey Arachne is, I personally thought her curse defined her. That's arguably okay because breaking free is what her story is about, but--I also wanted to see more of her weaving gift. I wanted to see who she was when she could be herself, when she didn't have to talk and manipulate, when she could let the truth out. What did she like or dislike? What were her real opinions? Where would deeper introspection take her?
The same is true for Carlex, in that he's a wonderful prince, and I get that he wants to be more than that. In a lot of ways, he is. But--yeah, I've seen the jaded prince forced to choose a bride a number of times. To quote Marianne in Sense and Sensibility, what were his "tastes, his passions, his pursuits?" Did he have a particular distaste for deceit, or was he always okay with it (i.e., was he used to people deceiving him)? I even wanted this kind of characterization for Jezebel, of all people! I mean, come on, all you have to do is read her name and you know she's evil (because even if you haven't read the Old Testament, the name has seeped into pop culture). But what else?
This, however, is a very mild to slightly moderate issue. If I'm as honest as possible--and unlike Lacey, I kind of have the "opposite curse" where I almost can't lie--I'd bump Itsy Bitsy Liar up to a 4.5-4.7. Either way, I'd say snap it up no matter your age or genre preferences because you'll love it--and that's the unrefined truth.
Itsy Bitsy Liar is not as Gothic as I anticipated, meaning it doesn't have elements of mystery or horror. But Abigail's plot and characters have a definite edge I loved. Lacey Arachne could've been a perfect, innocent victim, as many cursed heroines are. Yet she struggles realistically and mightily against the frustrations of her curse. She has moments where she admits lying, or twisting words, benefits her or makes her feel powerful. And she's brilliant, not in the traditional academic way or the "street smarts" way, but in a determined, gritty, sometimes spiteful, practical way. She forces the curse to work for her and partly because of it, partly because of who she truly is, she constantly thinks outside the box. Lacey is absolutely worth spending a novel with.
The other characters are rather two- or one-dimensional in comparison. In a way though, that's okay for the type of story this is. Even though most of them lack Lacey's hidden depths, they are either worth rooting for or at least interesting. I loved how some of them, Carlex in particular, took the plot in directions I never expected. In fact, once you get past the name (sorry, is this a person or a cleaning product; I said what I said), you find Carlex is gallant and chivalrous, but the furthest thing from a wimp. He's a hero with the kind of understated masculinity I love and don't see enough.
And here is where I get to brag on Abigail's plot, because in many ways it blew me away. It wasn't as seamless as some of her others, which I'll get to momentarily. But for the most part, Abigail amazed me with the care and effort she put into crafting a whole novel around a humanized "Itsy Bitsy Spider." Making Lacey an expert weaver, giving her the lying curse, *then* sticking her in a royal bride competition, which neither she nor the prince wanted? Yes, please! And then to have that plot weave, twist, and turn as it did...oh, I am aching to spoil, but I will refrain. All I'll say is, every time I thought I knew what a character would do, they either did the opposite or took a third option, leaving me shocked, delighted, or both.
Besides that, Abigail does have some "popping" scenes here I can go into. The prologue will rip your heart out, obviously. Beyond that, there's:
-Lacey's performance at the first two events (I cheered at her cleverness)
-Carlex's gift of the necklace (oh, he's such a prince in every sense of the word, I just *can't*)
-A poignant flashback scene between Lacey and Jezebel (yeah, she's an obvious villain but I enjoyed rooting against her)
-And like I said, some wonderful plot twists
Finally, I'd like to offer Abigail some bonus points for her themes of lies vs. truth and appearance vs. reality. These could've been heavy-handed, but because of how relatable Lacey and her curse are, they come across as real problems real people face. Abigail and her characters extol honesty and condemn deceit while still examining the technicalities of both and offering justice and mercy. And for me, the best part of Lacey's story was how she quietly fought the curse, fought for truth, while still having little or no choice in the matter. Considering the curse caused her physical pain and other repercussions, that's no small feat.
This novel does have some, ahem, itsy-bitsy problems. First, as I often notice, Abigail Manning needs a better editor, at least with her Kindle editions. Words are misused or misspelled throughout, and I noticed some misplaced punctuation.
A bigger problem with this one though, was lack of dimension. As great a heroine as Lacey Arachne is, I personally thought her curse defined her. That's arguably okay because breaking free is what her story is about, but--I also wanted to see more of her weaving gift. I wanted to see who she was when she could be herself, when she didn't have to talk and manipulate, when she could let the truth out. What did she like or dislike? What were her real opinions? Where would deeper introspection take her?
The same is true for Carlex, in that he's a wonderful prince, and I get that he wants to be more than that. In a lot of ways, he is. But--yeah, I've seen the jaded prince forced to choose a bride a number of times. To quote Marianne in Sense and Sensibility, what were his "tastes, his passions, his pursuits?" Did he have a particular distaste for deceit, or was he always okay with it (i.e., was he used to people deceiving him)? I even wanted this kind of characterization for Jezebel, of all people! I mean, come on, all you have to do is read her name and you know she's evil (because even if you haven't read the Old Testament, the name has seeped into pop culture). But what else?
This, however, is a very mild to slightly moderate issue. If I'm as honest as possible--and unlike Lacey, I kind of have the "opposite curse" where I almost can't lie--I'd bump Itsy Bitsy Liar up to a 4.5-4.7. Either way, I'd say snap it up no matter your age or genre preferences because you'll love it--and that's the unrefined truth.
July 10, 2023
This is the first book of the author's that I've read and I certainly will read more from her! It's the first book in the Once Upon A Rhyme Series and can be read as a standalone, though book 2 follows one of the characters that I'm sure you will want to read more about. The book's blurb is straightforward. It's a great Itsy Bitsy Spider retelling told through Lacey's pov.
Although Lacey is cursed to tell ties, she's made the best out of her situation. She may not be able to get around lying all the time but she doesn't let that make her feel defeated. When she has no choice but to take part in the prince's bride competition, she has a plan to stick to - though it's quickly challenged when she's reunited with her childhood enemy and catches the eye of Prince Carlex. Naturally, I felt bad for Lacey for being trapped by her curse and, like others, at first I did wonder why she couldn't simply write down the truth but it's subtly implied that the curse wouldn't allow her to do so.That also applies for lies of omission and other things some readers would've liked to see. Though it made me nervous for her, I kind of like the fact that Lacey's situation seemed hopeless because it made me that much more curious wondering how she would be victorious over her curse. &, as the story went on, I loved the way that Lacey became determined & used her curse to her advantage.
I guess for some the romance could be insta love with the way Carlex becomes interested in her after their first meeting. However, his curiosity was piqued by Lacey's ability to see him as a person & not as his title. &, as the competition went on, his interest in her only grew because of her clever side. He was kind & considerate towards Lacey so of course she returned his sentiments, even if she didn't want to. Because of her identity & curse, their romance was slightly forbidden. I loved the tiny bit of angst that was a result of that but I loved their interactions even more once Carlex learned the truth. Their romance is clean & sweet. For more sensitive readers, there are a few scenes with others being cruel & hurting Lacey but it's nothing too violent when compared to other YA stories. Aside from Lacey's curse & the romance, I loved reading about her friendship with Evie & am happy that book 2 is about her. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It had me hooked from the start & was a fun retelling. I'm happy that this was my introduction to the author's storytelling & am looking forward to continuing this series!
Although Lacey is cursed to tell ties, she's made the best out of her situation. She may not be able to get around lying all the time but she doesn't let that make her feel defeated. When she has no choice but to take part in the prince's bride competition, she has a plan to stick to - though it's quickly challenged when she's reunited with her childhood enemy and catches the eye of Prince Carlex. Naturally, I felt bad for Lacey for being trapped by her curse and, like others, at first I did wonder why she couldn't simply write down the truth but it's subtly implied that the curse wouldn't allow her to do so.
I guess for some the romance could be insta love with the way Carlex becomes interested in her after their first meeting. However, his curiosity was piqued by Lacey's ability to see him as a person & not as his title. &, as the competition went on, his interest in her only grew because of her clever side. He was kind & considerate towards Lacey so of course she returned his sentiments, even if she didn't want to. Because of her identity & curse, their romance was slightly forbidden. I loved the tiny bit of angst that was a result of that but I loved their interactions even more once Carlex learned the truth. Their romance is clean & sweet. For more sensitive readers, there are a few scenes with others being cruel & hurting Lacey but it's nothing too violent when compared to other YA stories. Aside from Lacey's curse & the romance, I loved reading about her friendship with Evie & am happy that book 2 is about her. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It had me hooked from the start & was a fun retelling. I'm happy that this was my introduction to the author's storytelling & am looking forward to continuing this series!
March 29, 2024
This deserves to be the next YA bestseller. So fun & clever!
Audiobook version: 5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
This is my new favorite YA audiobook. I loved everything about this YA fantasy adventure romance. I was completely riveted and entertained for the entire book. This novel is set in a fairy tale world of Renaissance-level technology in which gems are magical and can be used to curse people. Lacey is a 17-year-old commoner who was cursed when she was 5 by an evil duke who framed her father for theft. Lacey is cursed to never speak the truth, so she gets into quite the pickle when her noble friend Evie gets Lacey to take her place in an intelligence competition to marry the prince.
I love that the competition is nonviolent and the story is so clever. Not much angst, and there’s a little humor. Unpredictable plot twists too. This story has a happily ever after, and future books in the series will have different characters. The entire story is told from Lacey’s first person perspective. The minor characters of Evie and the prince are very likeable and multi-dimensional. I can’t wait to listen to more books by this new-to-me author, especially if they have the same amazing narrator. I highly recommend this book to all fans of YA romance or YA fantasy who would like a competition storyline where the teens and young adults are not trying to kill or maim each other.
Jillian Yetter gave a fantastic, perfect performance. Her voice sounds appropriately youthful for Lacey and the other young women, and her male voices are totally believable and pleasant as well. She has a lovely musical quality to her voice and just the right amount of perkiness and nervousness for Lacey at different parts of the story. She really brought the story to life and made every character sound distinctive. Jillian Yetter really impressed me with this performance, and I already bought some more of her work.
I requested and received a free audio copy via the publisher, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review. #TheFlockVIPReviewTeam #NorthernLakeAudio
Audiobook version: 5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
This is my new favorite YA audiobook. I loved everything about this YA fantasy adventure romance. I was completely riveted and entertained for the entire book. This novel is set in a fairy tale world of Renaissance-level technology in which gems are magical and can be used to curse people. Lacey is a 17-year-old commoner who was cursed when she was 5 by an evil duke who framed her father for theft. Lacey is cursed to never speak the truth, so she gets into quite the pickle when her noble friend Evie gets Lacey to take her place in an intelligence competition to marry the prince.
I love that the competition is nonviolent and the story is so clever. Not much angst, and there’s a little humor. Unpredictable plot twists too. This story has a happily ever after, and future books in the series will have different characters. The entire story is told from Lacey’s first person perspective. The minor characters of Evie and the prince are very likeable and multi-dimensional. I can’t wait to listen to more books by this new-to-me author, especially if they have the same amazing narrator. I highly recommend this book to all fans of YA romance or YA fantasy who would like a competition storyline where the teens and young adults are not trying to kill or maim each other.
Jillian Yetter gave a fantastic, perfect performance. Her voice sounds appropriately youthful for Lacey and the other young women, and her male voices are totally believable and pleasant as well. She has a lovely musical quality to her voice and just the right amount of perkiness and nervousness for Lacey at different parts of the story. She really brought the story to life and made every character sound distinctive. Jillian Yetter really impressed me with this performance, and I already bought some more of her work.
I requested and received a free audio copy via the publisher, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review. #TheFlockVIPReviewTeam #NorthernLakeAudio
February 25, 2023
Abigail Manning has taken elements that I love from other stories: The Goose Girl and The Selection, and seamlessly blended them with elements of the Itsy Bitsy Spider (or Incy Wincy Spider as we say in the UK) nursery rhyme to create a brand new original tale.
I loved Lacey. She is honest - maybe not in words but always in her actions. She had an instant connection with Carlex which eventually bloomed into a love that gave her the courage to fight for him. She may've been ashamed of her curse when we first meet her, but the prince helps her realise that she is actually valued for her inner strength and cleverness, both qualities she may not have if she hadn't lived the life she'd been dealt. By the end of the story Lacy has grown in confidence and is able to see her own worth.
I also adored Carlex. Despite being the crown prince he is actually not someone who stands out in terms of appearance or a loud personality. He maintains a mask and is easily over looked. That's why it's so important to him that Lacy is able to truly see all of him. In return he fights for Lacy and what she wants, whether it is to escape or to win, regardless of his own feelings for her.
I love that when Lacey's identity is revealed, he doesn't fly off the handle or over react. Instead he thinks back over their previous interactions and is able to determine how she truly felt towards him based on the lies she told. His kindness and unwavering support of Lacey is what makes them such a perfectly matched pair.
I also like how Abigail sprinkled in several hints of future characters, stories, and kingdoms we may get to see in the future books in the series. Hopefully we'll get to learn more about Lyra and Amirah, plus I hope Evie is able to get her own happy ending after being such a steadfast friend to Lacy. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Once Upon a Rhyme.
I loved Lacey. She is honest - maybe not in words but always in her actions. She had an instant connection with Carlex which eventually bloomed into a love that gave her the courage to fight for him. She may've been ashamed of her curse when we first meet her, but the prince helps her realise that she is actually valued for her inner strength and cleverness, both qualities she may not have if she hadn't lived the life she'd been dealt. By the end of the story Lacy has grown in confidence and is able to see her own worth.
I also adored Carlex. Despite being the crown prince he is actually not someone who stands out in terms of appearance or a loud personality. He maintains a mask and is easily over looked. That's why it's so important to him that Lacy is able to truly see all of him. In return he fights for Lacy and what she wants, whether it is to escape or to win, regardless of his own feelings for her.
I love that when Lacey's identity is revealed, he doesn't fly off the handle or over react. Instead he thinks back over their previous interactions and is able to determine how she truly felt towards him based on the lies she told. His kindness and unwavering support of Lacey is what makes them such a perfectly matched pair.
I also like how Abigail sprinkled in several hints of future characters, stories, and kingdoms we may get to see in the future books in the series. Hopefully we'll get to learn more about Lyra and Amirah, plus I hope Evie is able to get her own happy ending after being such a steadfast friend to Lacy. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Once Upon a Rhyme.
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