Original and Entertaining!

This was my first Abigail Manning's book, and won't be my last. This is the first book in the Once Upon a Rhyme, a series of interconnected standalone romances. Lacey and Carlex's story is original, complex and entertaining. Prince Carlex is handsome and supportive. Lacey is beautiful, strong and smart. They are perfect together. The world building is fascinating. I liked this sweet, clean and cute romance. I liked Lacey and Evie's friendship. Jillian Yetter did a great job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to listening to Evie's story in Little Bo Sneak, the next book in the series. #PFPAudio

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The itsy bitsy spider 🕷

This was a very sweet book. I dont think i would have realized it wad written with the Itsy Bitsy Spider in mind if I hadn't read the blurb but it did feel very fairy-talish. The main character, Lacey, was very cute and sweet. I found her very likeable. actually, most of the characters I found to be very likeable. I also thought the narrator did a fantastic job. I am definitely interested in trying out book 2!! ❤️

#PinkFlamingo. #TheFlock

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Had me intrigued quickly

This story had me intrigued quickly. I honestly wasn't sure what path it would take, but I was captivated wondering how Lacey was going to fair in this bride competition. The movie 'Ever After'...well don't get me wrong it isn't that story but early on that movie flashed through my mind as it's been years since I've seen it...so if you're also a fan of it this story may definitely be for you given that. I was hanging on to every word as twists transpired and evil girls made their moves, wondering when the lie was going to blow up in Lacey's face, and how her and Carlex were going to survive the implosion, as it was so very clear they belonged together. Never fear they get their HEA, although it was definitely dicey there for a bit! I am definitely interested in other books in the series. Jillian Yetter was a new to me narrator and I enjoyed her narration of this book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Very Intriguing!

This ended up being a really good story. The beginning is kinda slow as they get everything set up and we get to know her situation. Ad the story moved along I became more intrigued in her situation. I liked the idea of this situation where she can only lie and her true feelings are kept hidden. It takes a bit to figure out what she really means when talking but really made me think while listening. I loved the different trials they had to go through. Very inventive! The narration by Jillian Yetter is well done.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

interesting

This story is charming and entertaining. The FMC is cursed with only to tell lies. It can be confusing to remember and keep tracks of them. The Challenges, lies, the secondary characters and witty banter makes this an enjoyable listen.
This story is clean, sweet, no vulgarity. I look forward to more stories by Abigail Manning.
Jillian Yetter narration is very entertaining.
#the flock on tour

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

This deserves to be the next YA bestseller. So fun & clever!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Interesting choice for a retelling

I was skeptical an Itsy Bitsy Spider retelling, especially one where the main character can only lie, would pan out. I was so wrong. I love Lacy. She's put in an impossible situation from childhood, but she doesn't let it make her bitter. I was super curious how the romance would progress. It was natural and sweet. Carlex was a great prince, shy but super loyal. I was rooting for them to work it all out. I hope we see a story with Evie, who was a great best friend, even if a bit short-sighted. I will definitely be reading more from this author. The narrator told the story well. I hope to hear her in future books.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

The Itsy Bitsy Liar

This is the first book in the Once upon a Rhyme series. I really enjoyed this book. Lacey was cursed with only speaking lies as a young girl. It was very interesting how everything played out. Jillian Yetter did a great job narrating this book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Brilliant!

This is the first book I've read/listened to by Abigail Manning. I absolutely loved it! It was brilliant writing. The storyline was unique and the characters were easy to like. Well, most of them. This is a sweet, fairytale romance that now I consider a favorite of mine. I will listen to this again.

Jillian Yetter is an excellent narrator! She is new to me, and I loved how she voiced the male and female characters. She brought this book to life with an emotional performance that had it running like a movie in my head.

#NorthernLakeAudio
#TheFlockonTour

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great Listen!

Lacey and Prince Carlex.

Loved it. The narrators did a good job. This gave me a little Cinderella vibe as she is a hand maiden whose mistress plays the fairy godmother and tells her to take her place in a competition to become the prince's bride. Unable to tell the truth from a curse cast on her when she was young says yes but really meant no. Right away the Prince is fascinated with her. This also gave me an Ella Enchanted vibe too even though in the movie she had to obey but in this story she is cursed to lie and there are certain stones that make her weak. I enjoyed listening to this story and was entertained to listen to how she maneuvered through the competition and deal with a bully she knew when she was a child.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!