Rhyme or Treason

by Sarah Beran

Hey diddle, diddle, let me give you a

How do a chronically ill secretary and a straight-as-an-arrow bodyguard plan a heist?

Without rhyme or treason.


No one applies for secretarial jobs for the thrills and excitement. And while I love an organized, color-coded schedule as much as (okay, probably more than) the next person, I knew that serving as the mayor’s administrative assistant would mean long days of answering phone calls, scheduling meetings, and dealing with cantankerous constituents. Still, for a supernatural with my…condition…the desk job is ideal.

Until someone decides they want to get to the mayor—who also happens to be the Fae King—and they’re going to do it through me. But, hey, now instead of diddling away time behind a desk, I’m finding ways to entertain Dish, the very handsome, very stoic, very human bodyguard that the mayor assigned me, and convincing him that the best way to get to the bottom of things is to let me play bait.

Why? Because these people have gotten their hands on information that could have disastrous consequences for the supernatural community, and I want it back—if for no other reason than I’m not exactly over the moon at the idea of the flood of concerned phone calls and emails I’ll have to answer. The plan is

In the game of cat and mouse, I’ll be the cat…and I’m going to play them like a fiddle.

Rhyme or Treason is the first book in Behind the Rhymes, an urban fantasy trilogy with humor, snark, quirky side characters, and clean, no-spice romance, and inspired by classic nursery rhymes. Though each installment follows a different couple, the complete story arc is best enjoyed by reading the books in order.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Adult, Fairy Tale Retellings

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Sarah lives in sunny southern California with her husband, two small children, and dog Pippin. An elementary music teacher by day, when she is not writing or devouring books she spends her free time running, making music, or playing make believe.

Reviews

[Smasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content:

Profanity: None.

Violence: Mild. It's magic violence mostly. Spells slamming people around, or choking others (like Vader and the force), etc.

Sexual: Mild. The main couple notice each other's physical features (broad shoulders etc.) There is hand-holding, the guy carries the girl a few times, head on shoulder, hugs, etc. There are a couple non-descriptive kisses, keeping it sweet but not spicy.



What the adorableness!

I've been having trouble finding books that grab me lately, but this one held on and before I knew it I was done and slightly bereaved.

This is a cozy urban fantasy featuring Wyn, a chronically ill secretary with a supernatural side, and Beckett Cavendish (Dish), a human ex special forces turned body-guard.

This was such an easy fun read. The characters were infinitely likeable, including the side characters! Wyn is a sunshine extrovert who is a magnet for everyone she meets. Dish is stoic, serious, and loyal with a teasing side that Wyn brings out.

The story revolves around Dish being brought into a small town to guard Wyn, the mayor's secretary, after an attempted kidnapping. They think it was just a money grab at first, but then a second attempt is made...and a whole other side of the town Dish has just entered gets thrown in his face when he gets walloped by magic.

It's so amusing to see Wyn introduce Dish to supernatural society, and to see him take it all in stride with only a few bumps. The jokes in this had me grinning and got a few out loud snorts. Seriously, it is one of those warm-fuzzy, can't-stop-smiling types of reads. I am so ready for the next book, which features one of Wyn's roommates. Sad face I have to wait until the end of the year! But worth it!

The only thing that I didn't care for was the speed of the reveal of Dish's trauma. He spilled that issue pretty dang fast and without much struggle. It felt a bit implausible. But didn't overly detract from my massive enjoyment of the story.

If you need a cozy, funny, supernatural body-guard romance, this is your book.

SO cute.

[Madisyn Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story with adorable MCs, equally adorable side characters (Brooks is a riot), and an enjoyable take on supernatural "creatures". I'm looking forward to Book Two.

[S.H. Dontell · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was STUPIDLY ADORABLE I'M OBSESSED
Truly, this was such a fun book. I've read one Sarah Beran book (long, long ago), but was still unprepared for the sheer delight that awaited me. A fun, well thought out retelling of a nursery rhyme, a romance that definitely had me swooning, best friends who were the best wing women and shippers of all time. Such FUN characters and a unique plot and SO. MANY. PUNS.
And I simply cannot emphasize how cute the romance was. Wyn was so funny, and Dish was just. Dang it they got me. They're one of those ships that fits a very specific niche for me. I had such a fun time reading this, and I cant wait to explore more books by Sarah Beran!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute! I don't read very many urban fantasies, but this was fun. I loved the puns that Sarah puts in all her books. And I thought the idea for this book was super creative - to bring the nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle into play through the plot of a book. Now I need to talk with all my book club friends about how she made it play out, because I still have a few questions about some of the nursery rhyme phrases. I'm excited for the future books in the series.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more!

I am quite firmly a fantasy lover, but urban fantasy has always been difficult to get into. This book absolutely flowed like a dream, with an incredible balance of fantasy and reality, characters who made sense and a plot that unfolded delightfully. It gave me both swoony moments and the puns I came for. A must read!

[Candice Jaehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

....the Dish ran away with the Spoon...

I loved it. Sweet and not drawn out. I'm looking forward to more in the series.

[AndieRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gracious! I love this book so much! It’s definitely KM Shea-esque, but at the same time wholly Sarah Beran. The nursery rhyme strand is so clever.

[Mildly Mad Hatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot and can’t wait for the next one. The main girl annoyed me at times but other than that it was really good. I loved the nursery rhyme and how it played into the story.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

-this is the first of a trilogy and can be read as a stand-alone

*though some threads of the story continue into the next book; however it’ll also follow a different couple

-this is told from Wyn & Beckett’s (a.k.a. Dish) points of view

-a character has chronic anemia

-a character was injured in the line of duty & holds onto a mistake that led to it (past event)

Review:

If you’ve read Sarah Beran’s books before, you’ll recognize & enjoy the humor she infused every step of the way in this book! And definitely think about/look back to the “Hey! Diddle, Diddle” rhyme as the story goes on to catch the more subtle nods to the rhyme!

I loved learning about Sarah Beran’s urban fantasy world and the various non human species within it! It was so much fun having bits and pieces about Wyn & her friends being given to us at various points in the story. Just when I thought I had them figured out, something would be clarified and I’d have to rewrite what I thought I knew in my head. 😅 I also loved that Dish was thrown into Wyn’s magical world without having a clue until it was right in front of his face! 😂 He had a lot of catching up to do if he wanted to keep Wyn safe at every moment.

I can’t wait to see what will happen in the other books in the trilogy and if who I think will be getting together really will or not!

Summary:

Wyn is the secretary to the mayor which puts her in the line of fire for any miffed citizens looking to make their complaints known. However, she certainly didn’t expect for someone to decide to kidnap her. But this is no ordinary complaint looking to be recognized. No, the people behind her kidnapping appear to have a much bigger plan in mind. So Wyn will bide her time with a her new human bodyguard and hope to not be pulled into the issue again. But if things continue to heat up, her bodyguard is definitely going to be thrown in the fire, and there isn’t a way to warn him without making Wyn sound completely crazy…

Beckett needed a job after being discharged from the military and his friend suggested applying to be some woman’s bodyguard. Though what he expects for the job and what he gets are two completely different things. Like what kind of interview is interested in his thoughts on bowling? But a job’s a job, and keeping someone safe is what Beckett will do at any cost. But when the line between keeping the job separate from relationships blurs, Beckett finds that maybe keeping others at a distance isn’t going to be as easy as he thought…

[Olivia Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

In all of the blocks of my carefully planned, color- coded schedule, I had neglected to designate a color for "get kidnapped." This was an oversight that, while understandable, certainly did not prepare me for the turn my day had suddenly taken.

The first line had me hooked from the beginning.
I finished this a few days ago and I forgot to leave a review so here it is. 😂

Going into this book, it was enjoyable but I didn't think it would be more than a three star. 🤣It turned out to be a 4.5 ⭐

All the puns and jokes were great! And I love that Lord of The Rings and The Princess Bride got mentioned or even quoted!

Quote👇

“To quote one of my favorite movies, ‘You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.’”😁😁

Dish was so sweet!! 😭😭💕
I can't help it! I love the bodyguard trope even though I haven't read that many books with it. I will always love the protective guys. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROTECTIVE AND CONTROLLING OR TOXIC! And Booktok needs to know the difference! 😤😤(OK, short rant over🙂‍↕️)

Quote 👇

While I normally took great pride in being able to look after myself, I’m woman enough to admit that the sight of a strong, handsome man promising to take care of me did funny things to my insides.😏

The transition between friends to lovers was wonderful and both characters could laugh together but also have serious moments.
Here are some more of my favorite quotes. 💜💜💜

More Quotes👇

“You Fae have an interesting sense of humor.” “Thank you. It’s forged in the fires of social exile and looming paranoia. We would carry it to Mordor and cast it into Mount Doom, but then how would we cope?”

“The date would have been a lot more fun if it had been you. Would you take me on a date sometime?” “Sure thing, Spoon.” I clicked the buckle into place, then, telling myself that I was just checking to see if she had a fever, pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Whatever you want.” Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked up at me, so vulnerable and trusting that for a moment all I could do was stand there, caught in her gaze. “You have nice eyes, Dish.”😭😭💕

Dish placed his mug next to mine, and I had to sternly tell myself not to think about how cute and homey they were together. ☺️☺️

All you need to do is pick me up and run. “I’m here,” I manage to choke out in response to Brooks’ message. “I’ve got her.” And I ran.

😭😭😭This was a great book! I have more quotes but this is already a long review. 😂😂Just give it a try!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a YA or teen fantasy mystery romance, this book is a good read

Rating: 4⭐️

Rhyme or Treason (Behind the Rhymes Book 1) by Sarah Beran was a sweet urban fantasy mystery romance. It’s a no spice, bordering YA romance novel.

There’s some interesting elements in it and ones that I find too “Twilight cuteness “ for me to personally enjoy.

Beran used children’s nursery rhymes as both a reference and cute little reader Easter egg list for the book and series. Whether you feel that adds or distracts from the story will depend on your preference for the book.

Here the part of the rhyme goes:
Hey, diddle diddle
The cat and the fiddle…

I’m sure you can fill in the rest.

With nicknames like Dish for the MNC bodyguard and Spoon for the FMC fae woman who’s in need of him, you can get a feel for the type of sweet dynamic that the author is building.

The writer has some interesting ideas and elements here, especially as pertains to vampires and their natural history. It’s an unusual take. But, for me, that scientific approach is lessened by the addition of rainbow sparkles and so much twinkling.

It’s the same throughout the book. A serious and thoughtful discussion of survivor guilt and a resourceful paranormal woman character with a debilitating illness is woven with scenes of rainbow fae sparkling power. And scenes that are extremely cute or propels Wyn, by her own admission, into certain dangerous situations. Definitely SMH moments.

There’s not a lot of world building, so we don’t know why all these paranormals have settled on Earth.

And while this couple has a HFN ending, there’s a much that’s left open ended as far as storylines go. Which isn’t entirely satisfactory.

That will feed over into the next novel for those interested in following up on the story.

Honestly, this is not the book for me. It’s too young. Had the rhyme played out differently, with a clever twist and perhaps fed into the mystery, and the relationships , especially given the supposed age of the characters, felt more layered, then maybe.

But as a YA or teen fantasy mystery romance, this book is a good read.

Behind the Rhymes (2 book series):

Rhyme or Treason #1
(P)rhyme Numbers #2 - Dec 21,2026

[Bethany Aich · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I didn’t read Rhyme or Treason in one sitting, it was pretty close. It is Beran’s first foray into Urban Fantasy, but thankfully won’t be her last. With her signature puns and humour, she delivers an amusing book with twists on the stereotypical fantasy characters that make perfect sense but that I didn’t see coming.

Unlike some authors, who make their UF more romance-heavy than their other books, if you are comfortable with Beran’s backlist, you will be very happy with this. It has typical swoon with none of the heat, and the kiss(es) are super sweet.

Violence-wise, I would make sure to either read with a younger reader or make sure the reader is 13. It’s not graphic or exceptionally violent, but there are some things that happen… ; )

[Aspen P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyme and Treason was such a fun and clever read. I absolutely loved the puns and humor woven throughout the story—they added so much charm and kept the tone light even during higher-stakes moments. The twist on the Seelie and Unseelie courts felt fresh, and the interpretation of what a vampire is was one of the most unique takes I’ve read in a long time.

The plot moved at a fast pace and was consistently entertaining, though it did become a bit predictable at times. Even so, the originality of the world-building and the witty writing more than made up for it. Overall, this was an enjoyable, imaginative read that stands out for its humor and creative twists.

[Martha Braebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Beran's books are lighthearted with laugh-out-loud puns and so much humour! This book was incredible, funny, interesting, and I loved the different portrayal of supernaturals. I have read a lot of urban fantasy and this one was actually really interesting and different with the different categories, how Sarah Beran twisted the whole "Seelie" and "Unseelie" court, and how she portrayed Vampires so differently. I loved Dish and I loved Wyn - they were so sweet together! I also really loved Wyn's peppy personality and jokes. This was a delightful light read.

[J. Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

How on EARTH did a retelling of a nursery rhyme end up this GOOD???? I loved this book!!!! Dish and Wyn were so cute, and had fabulous chemistry. Also he was so protective I LOVED it. Speaking of loved, Wyn's roommates were the BEST!!!! I shall side eye THEIR future relationships with great interest

All in all, I need book two, like, yesterday. Also the amount of puns in this book was truly horrifying. Amazing job

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved puns - they were a staple of my childhood fun - and Sarah Beran never disappoints. This book was absolutely hilarious, I love it when authors take a classic, and make it their own.
This book is based on a nursery rhyme, and while at first I was confused how that worked, it does. It makes perfect sense by the end.

The characters were lovable, realistic, and heartwarming. As someone who’s anemic, I found her representation of anemia to be accurate (although more serious than mine, thankfully) and well-thought out.
The magic system is amazing, and the world building logical and orderly.

Contains:
🌶️ kisses, nothing further
⚔️ some fantasy fighting, nothing gory. She does get regular blood transfusions, but coming from someone who hates needles, that’s not a problem for me
🤐 there might have been a few in-world swears, but I don’t recall any
🥰 Dish… IYKYK

[Emily Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Rhyme or Treason!! Dish, Wyn, the adorable romance, the puns (my family kept asking what I was laughing at), the movie references, and the subtle nods to Hey! Diddle, Diddle are just a few reasons why. :)
If you like urban fantasy, clean romance, or just love puns and wordplay (I know I do!) then I would highly recommend this book.

[Lesley Barklay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh I enjoyed this book! I was in a reading slump—starting and stopping over ten books on my Kindle before this book swooped in and saved the day. I love a grumpy-sunshine romance, and this one, with all its puns, captured my heart from page one.

What a fun world. I can't wait to read book 2. I'm adding Sarah Beran to my auto-buy author list.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the moon

I enjoyed this book and its punning characters so much. It is not based on a fairy tale but on a nursery rhyme and Sarah Beram clearly had as nuch fun fitting it all together as I had reading it. I encourage all lovers of fantasy to find out how Wyn and Cavendish and their friends turn all the stereotypes back to front.

[Sandralena Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flirting! The banter! Humorous, delightful urban fantasy romp for fans of K. M. Shea. I don't read vampire books but Beran's version is that the most powerful magic users develop anemia and require blood transfusions at the hospital following such use. That, I can live with.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a creative take on vampirism

I love a good clean vampire book. This one was very creative with a unique take on vampires. I enjoyed the characters and the bantering back and forth. The puns! They were a hoot. An amazing story from a new to me Christian author.

[Melanie Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun story with a great twist on the supernatural. I really liked how the romance played out as well. No Insta love, but an understanding of the depth of a true relationship.

[Hunter]

DNF

I had a hard time connecting with the FMC Wyn, and there was too much describing what people (especially Wyn) was wearing. Beckett’s POV was spoiled for me by him describing Wyn’s makeup and concealer, and her many outfits. It just didn’t fit his character of tough body guard.

[Lindsay Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this delightful book! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The characters and the puns were fun.

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutley loved this one! Wow! What a fun read you won’t want to put down. Loved the nursery rhyme hints and all the puns. Adored Wyn & Beckett together!

[Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.15

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable urban fantasy

I enjoyed this book and am excited to read more from this author. If you like KM Shea, you will enjoy this novel.

[Alicia Bunting · Rating 5 out of 5]

so cute!

I wanted light hearted and sweet. Sarah delivered!
It was nice to have more adventure and puzzles than I was expecting.