Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Another fantastic new book, series and author! Starting with that great cover, The Itsy Bitsy Liar (Once Upon A Rhyme Book 1) by Abigail Manning is a fabulous read, a fairy tale story with a twist of a cursed young woman who can only tell lies but ends up with the prince, being a beloved Queen who saves the day.
Manning’s characters, especially the young woman, Lacey Arachne, who was cursed to tell only lies as a child to prevent her from telling people her father was framed for a crime. Now an adult, we see how she (and her mother) have adapted to her curse in practice and how she’s been able to get through life with it. She’s intelligent and adaptable. And working as a Lady’s maid.
Through a complex process, she and her Mistress end up together at the castle in a contest for the hand the Prince. But they’ve switched places and Lacy is pretending to be Evie with disastrous consequences.
The story and romance that follows is smartly crafted. It involves one of friendships, communication, plotting and several wonderful twists.
The characters are all very engaging and fully formed. And Evie, a terrific friend and character gets the next story.
I’m thrilled to have found this and to be able to share it.
Beautiful lush covers are everything!
Cover design by Karri Klawitter
Once Upon a Rhythm:
The Itsy Bitsy Liar #1
Little Bo Sneak #2
Hush A Bye Lady #3
Do You Know The Muffin Scam? #4
Baa Baa Black Market #5
Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars #6 – Sept 26,2025
Buy link:
Book 1 of 6: Once Upon A Rhyme
Blurb:
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?
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 