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Once Upon a Rhyme #2
Little Bo Sneak
What if Little Bo Peep, had a skill for catching crooks?
Lady Genevieve Rayelle Palleep loves to point out what no one else notices, which makes it a tad difficult to get along with most suitors. While tracking down details may not be beneficial for her life as a lady, it certainly has uses in her more secretive life. Since being recruited as a crown agent as a child, Evie’s talents have never failed to hunt down black market goods, runaway convicts, or anything else one could imagine... That is, until her next mission bears an interesting request.
When eight magic-fused wool cloaks go missing from the black market, the agency doesn’t feel that Evie can handle the task alone. Much to Evie’s regret, she’s assigned her very first partner, an obnoxiously attractive agent by the name of Shepherd. He wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t have to go undercover as courting lovers... or if he wasn’t so perfect.
With her new partner in tow, and a mysterious stack of cloaks ready to be found, Evie is determined to prove she never needed Shep’s help from the start. She’s worked too hard to let another man drag her around like a wandering sheep. Will Evie be able to track down the missing wools? Or will her distrust of her partner leave them both lost?
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
Lady Genevieve Rayelle Palleep loves to point out what no one else notices, which makes it a tad difficult to get along with most suitors. While tracking down details may not be beneficial for her life as a lady, it certainly has uses in her more secretive life. Since being recruited as a crown agent as a child, Evie’s talents have never failed to hunt down black market goods, runaway convicts, or anything else one could imagine... That is, until her next mission bears an interesting request.
When eight magic-fused wool cloaks go missing from the black market, the agency doesn’t feel that Evie can handle the task alone. Much to Evie’s regret, she’s assigned her very first partner, an obnoxiously attractive agent by the name of Shepherd. He wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t have to go undercover as courting lovers... or if he wasn’t so perfect.
With her new partner in tow, and a mysterious stack of cloaks ready to be found, Evie is determined to prove she never needed Shep’s help from the start. She’s worked too hard to let another man drag her around like a wandering sheep. Will Evie be able to track down the missing wools? Or will her distrust of her partner leave them both lost?
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
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 24, 2023
This is such a cute story inspired by the Little Bo Peep nursery rhyme!
Evie was a great character in book one, and I really liked getting to see behind the scenes into her head and motivations. This book explains a bit more of why she wanted to swap places with Lacey in the first book (and it wasn't just the superficial reasons she gave Lacey).
Evie is really a secret agent. And in this book, she needs to work with another secret agent to secure some dangerous items before they fall into the wrong hands (forced proximity, anyone?). The romance was adorable, and I was very invested in seeing these two characters succeed in both their mission and in romance.
This whole series is cute, clean, and adorable.
Evie was a great character in book one, and I really liked getting to see behind the scenes into her head and motivations. This book explains a bit more of why she wanted to swap places with Lacey in the first book (and it wasn't just the superficial reasons she gave Lacey).
Evie is really a secret agent. And in this book, she needs to work with another secret agent to secure some dangerous items before they fall into the wrong hands (forced proximity, anyone?). The romance was adorable, and I was very invested in seeing these two characters succeed in both their mission and in romance.
This whole series is cute, clean, and adorable.
August 15, 2024
I just loved this story!! I mean, I loved book 1, but this one was somehow even better. It has a fairy tale feel to it, with the perfect balance of fun, action, and romance. I loved Evie and Shep, and found their relationship sweet and adorable… Now I admit, the ending got rather intense, and the bad guy was SO bad, but it was a gripping intensity rather than a distressing one. I read the last half of the book in one sitting and absolutely could NOT put it down until I had finished it at 2am.
I desperately want to start book 3, but for sleep’s sake think I’ll force myself to wait until the weekend before picking it up 🤔
Content:
There’s no foul language and only a couple clean kisses. There is some violence but it’s minimal. There’s no mention of faith or God. There is magic, and curses that force physical obedience against the character’s will.
This story ties into book 1, but is separate enough that you could read them independently.
I desperately want to start book 3, but for sleep’s sake think I’ll force myself to wait until the weekend before picking it up 🤔
Content:
There’s no foul language and only a couple clean kisses. There is some violence but it’s minimal. There’s no mention of faith or God. There is magic, and curses that force physical obedience against the character’s will.
This story ties into book 1, but is separate enough that you could read them independently.
July 15, 2023
Evie is smart, creative and sassy and definitely has an eye for detail. She's good at tracking down anything.
Shepherd is intelligent and a master at pretending/playing different roles and making connections with people. He's also protective of his partner. (And one of my favourite MMC's written by the author!)
They need to work together and their cover story is that they are courting. Shepherd especially, has no problem putting up a good and convincing show!
At first, they are not too happy with having a partner and they both, for different reasons, feel the need to prove something. But after a lot of funny banter, some showing off and learning to trust each other, they are slowly evolving to something more than just work partners. I just loved their chemistry!!
The story was funny, exciting and sweet. Some parts were a little predictable (in a positive way!!) but there were also some twists I didn't see coming. I loved the mystery and spy adventure combined with the humor and romance! The writing style is very nice to read and I like the way the author describes things. I loved book 1 in this series and I think I love book 2 even more!
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Thank you so much @abigailmanningauthor for the e-ARC of this lovely book! I enjoyed it very much and this review is purely based on my personal opinion!
Shepherd is intelligent and a master at pretending/playing different roles and making connections with people. He's also protective of his partner. (And one of my favourite MMC's written by the author!)
They need to work together and their cover story is that they are courting. Shepherd especially, has no problem putting up a good and convincing show!
At first, they are not too happy with having a partner and they both, for different reasons, feel the need to prove something. But after a lot of funny banter, some showing off and learning to trust each other, they are slowly evolving to something more than just work partners. I just loved their chemistry!!
The story was funny, exciting and sweet. Some parts were a little predictable (in a positive way!!) but there were also some twists I didn't see coming. I loved the mystery and spy adventure combined with the humor and romance! The writing style is very nice to read and I like the way the author describes things. I loved book 1 in this series and I think I love book 2 even more!
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Thank you so much @abigailmanningauthor for the e-ARC of this lovely book! I enjoyed it very much and this review is purely based on my personal opinion!
July 10, 2023
Oh. My. Goodness.
I knew after reading Itsy Bitsy Liar that I needed Evie’s story. This book did not disappoint.
Evie is such a wonderful mix of snark, smarts, and strength. Despite her confidence, there are still moments of hidden sensitivity, and I loved how her arc played out, and that her relationship with Shep enhanced her character, rather than forcing her to become less.
Speaking of Shep, that boy is probably one of my favorites that Manning has written. The banter and chemistry between the two of them is utterly delightful.
The plot is creative, with subtle and not-so-subtle nods to the nursery rhyme woven throughout. The romance is sweet, the action enthralling, and the characters captivating.
In other words, people should be flocking to read this book, and you should too!
I knew after reading Itsy Bitsy Liar that I needed Evie’s story. This book did not disappoint.
Evie is such a wonderful mix of snark, smarts, and strength. Despite her confidence, there are still moments of hidden sensitivity, and I loved how her arc played out, and that her relationship with Shep enhanced her character, rather than forcing her to become less.
Speaking of Shep, that boy is probably one of my favorites that Manning has written. The banter and chemistry between the two of them is utterly delightful.
The plot is creative, with subtle and not-so-subtle nods to the nursery rhyme woven throughout. The romance is sweet, the action enthralling, and the characters captivating.
In other words, people should be flocking to read this book, and you should too!
July 18, 2023
I had a bit of a set back due to asthma problems and leaving my kindle at another place.
This book was amazing. It held onto me through the story. The banter back and forth. The TWIST. The ending was so good
And the epilogue setting the stage for the next book. Amazing.
I definitely recommend this book
It had the cute moments where you wanna throw your book and if I wasn’t reading on my kindle I would’ve.
One of my favorite books that I’ve read for far this year
And the fact that this book was amazing without the use of anything sexual made it even better. This was pure writing skill. Not filling any space with smut. Amazing job.
This book was amazing. It held onto me through the story. The banter back and forth. The TWIST. The ending was so good
And the epilogue setting the stage for the next book. Amazing.
I definitely recommend this book
It had the cute moments where you wanna throw your book and if I wasn’t reading on my kindle I would’ve.
One of my favorite books that I’ve read for far this year
And the fact that this book was amazing without the use of anything sexual made it even better. This was pure writing skill. Not filling any space with smut. Amazing job.
July 14, 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!
October 2, 2024
What a unique story! Little Bo Peep is fierce! The romance and adventure was perfect. The MCs chemistry was amazing!
July 24, 2023
5/5 stars
Abigail Manning’s style has enraptured me once more in this lovely retelling of Little Bo Peep. There was spy action, adventure, curses and romance in this little book that left me wanting for more…
A must-read for fans of retellings!
I received an ARC from the author. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Abigail Manning’s style has enraptured me once more in this lovely retelling of Little Bo Peep. There was spy action, adventure, curses and romance in this little book that left me wanting for more…
A must-read for fans of retellings!
I received an ARC from the author. This is an honest and unbiased review.
July 11, 2023
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. It's the second book of the author's that I've read and has only made my want to continue reading her books stronger. This is book 2 in the Once Upon A Rhyme Series and can be read as a standalone, though Evie first appears in The Itsy Bitsy Liar and I recommend it as well. The book's blurb let's you know what to expect. It's a great Little Bo Peep retelling told through Evie's pov.
While Evie has been raised as a proper lady, she knows that her purpose is to be more than simply being a wife for someone to show off. After all, it's her attention to details that allowed her to be discovered when she was a child and proved that she had the talents to be a spy. After some time of not being assigned a mission, she isn't thrilled learning that she will have to work with a partner for her new mission. Shep is far too flirtatious, and handsome, for Evie's liking and she is fiercely intent on showing him how capable she is on her own. As they spend time working together as partners, the truth about Shep's past helps her to realize that she is good enough on her own but she can learn to be better with him. I already liked Evie since we met her in The Itsy Bitsy Liar and I loved her in her own book! She's my kind of protagonist. She was clever and confident in her abilities but she wasn't condescending. I liked how, once she knew Shep wasn't there to watch over her, she trusted him and wanted to learn from him. Also, her inner thoughts as she tried fighting against her growing feelings for Shep made me chuckle. But, possibly my favorite thing about her was how she found herself in troublesome situations yet she never gave up thinking about a way to get out of them.
Because of Evie's initial feelings at being partnered with Shep, their romance is that of dislike to like. While Shep knew how to turn up his charm and definitely didn't mind using it on Evie, he wasn't arrogant about it nor did he take advantage of their situation. He played the role of flirt well and enjoyed getting a reaction from Evie but he followed her lead. He was there to back her up when she needed him but he didn't view her as someone who needed saving. He appreciated her strengths. So, while Shep's flirty words and looks were attractive to Evie, it was his acknowledgement of her self and worth that made her open her heart to him before she realized it. Being on a mission and pretending to be courting made their romance a clean, slow burn but their banter before they admit their true feelings makes every second of waiting enjoyable and worth it. Aside from their romance, the story itself was intriguing. Evie and Shep being spies was fun to read about. &, although there is some fighting that they do as they complete their mission, it's nothing violent. While maybe you can guess a thing or two about what's going to happen, there are some surprising twists. I also loved how the author incorporated aspects of the original retelling while adding some subtle and clever nods. This is only the second book of the author's that I've read but I have a feeling it's going to be my favorite. I can say it is a favorite of the year and I'm excited for the next book of the series!
While Evie has been raised as a proper lady, she knows that her purpose is to be more than simply being a wife for someone to show off. After all, it's her attention to details that allowed her to be discovered when she was a child and proved that she had the talents to be a spy. After some time of not being assigned a mission, she isn't thrilled learning that she will have to work with a partner for her new mission. Shep is far too flirtatious, and handsome, for Evie's liking and she is fiercely intent on showing him how capable she is on her own. As they spend time working together as partners, the truth about Shep's past helps her to realize that she is good enough on her own but she can learn to be better with him. I already liked Evie since we met her in The Itsy Bitsy Liar and I loved her in her own book! She's my kind of protagonist. She was clever and confident in her abilities but she wasn't condescending. I liked how, once she knew Shep wasn't there to watch over her, she trusted him and wanted to learn from him. Also, her inner thoughts as she tried fighting against her growing feelings for Shep made me chuckle. But, possibly my favorite thing about her was how she found herself in troublesome situations yet she never gave up thinking about a way to get out of them.
Because of Evie's initial feelings at being partnered with Shep, their romance is that of dislike to like. While Shep knew how to turn up his charm and definitely didn't mind using it on Evie, he wasn't arrogant about it nor did he take advantage of their situation. He played the role of flirt well and enjoyed getting a reaction from Evie but he followed her lead. He was there to back her up when she needed him but he didn't view her as someone who needed saving. He appreciated her strengths. So, while Shep's flirty words and looks were attractive to Evie, it was his acknowledgement of her self and worth that made her open her heart to him before she realized it. Being on a mission and pretending to be courting made their romance a clean, slow burn but their banter before they admit their true feelings makes every second of waiting enjoyable and worth it. Aside from their romance, the story itself was intriguing. Evie and Shep being spies was fun to read about. &, although there is some fighting that they do as they complete their mission, it's nothing violent. While maybe you can guess a thing or two about what's going to happen, there are some surprising twists. I also loved how the author incorporated aspects of the original retelling while adding some subtle and clever nods. This is only the second book of the author's that I've read but I have a feeling it's going to be my favorite. I can say it is a favorite of the year and I'm excited for the next book of the series!
December 21, 2023
4.5/5 Stars - Stayed up way too late reading it.
I adored Hush A Bye Lady, and once I finished it, I was immediately drawn in by this Little Bo Peep retelling about fantasy spies fake dating.
I've never actually read a Little Bo Peep retelling (the closest thing to it would be that episode of Once Upon A Time where an evil Little Bo was tagging people or something), but I really liked how Manning included elements from the nursery rhyme. I thought it was done in a way that was fun but not cheesy. It vaguely reminds me of a YA version of Ever After High but with no school elements to it. It's a weird comparison, but it makes sense in my head (Maybe it would just be good for fans of Ever After High).
The main character, Evie, is a spy who keeps her true life hidden from her parents. She's the type of girl who is less dainty than she looks and constantly scaring off suitors. This type of character is kind of hit-or-miss with me, but I actually loved Evie. She was done in a way that was believable and didn't feel like a jab at classical femininity or like she was "not like other girls." Instead, Evie had a pleasant amount of femininity while still having an understandable disdain for ruffles (and boring suitors).
As an item, Evie and Shep are a lot of fun to read. Their banter and competition are quite compelling, and his protectiveness is a major bonus (I loved the tavern scene). I also really liked Evie's internal dialogue, as she's having to pretend to date a guy whom she's secretly crushing on. It was midnight-silent-squeal-so-as-to-not-wake-the-family worthy.
I will say that, in hindsight, the romantic timeline seemed a bit fast. It's not insta-love, by any means, but unless I'm mistaken, the book takes place over a span of roughly a week, and (minor spoilers!) the two are in a pretty committed relationship by the end of it. While I was still super invested in their relationship, there were a couple of times when I questioned how they could bond that quickly (Maybe it's a parallel thing, since, for their cover story, they have to convince Evie's parents that they're in love after only courting for a few days).
The only other thing that kind of bugged me is very minor, but some of the phrases used in Little Bo Sneak feel kind of modern for a fantasy world (cool, heck, awesome, etc.). Maybe this is just because I'm used to full-on medieval fantasy, but these words really stuck out to me as I read. However, my aversion to these words was quickly overpowered by my investment in the story.
I really liked this book. It's one of those stories that makes you feel like you're the main character, and by that, I mean that when Evie said Shep was giving her unrealistic expectations, I knew exactly how she felt. I will definitely be reading book one in the series, The Itsy Bitsty Liar, at my earliest convenience. And, as soon as it comes out, I'm grabbing Do You Know The Muffin Scam (These are nursery rhymes with black market dealings, you guys. I've got to read them!).
I adored Hush A Bye Lady, and once I finished it, I was immediately drawn in by this Little Bo Peep retelling about fantasy spies fake dating.
I've never actually read a Little Bo Peep retelling (the closest thing to it would be that episode of Once Upon A Time where an evil Little Bo was tagging people or something), but I really liked how Manning included elements from the nursery rhyme. I thought it was done in a way that was fun but not cheesy. It vaguely reminds me of a YA version of Ever After High but with no school elements to it. It's a weird comparison, but it makes sense in my head (Maybe it would just be good for fans of Ever After High).
The main character, Evie, is a spy who keeps her true life hidden from her parents. She's the type of girl who is less dainty than she looks and constantly scaring off suitors. This type of character is kind of hit-or-miss with me, but I actually loved Evie. She was done in a way that was believable and didn't feel like a jab at classical femininity or like she was "not like other girls." Instead, Evie had a pleasant amount of femininity while still having an understandable disdain for ruffles (and boring suitors).
As an item, Evie and Shep are a lot of fun to read. Their banter and competition are quite compelling, and his protectiveness is a major bonus (I loved the tavern scene). I also really liked Evie's internal dialogue, as she's having to pretend to date a guy whom she's secretly crushing on. It was midnight-silent-squeal-so-as-to-not-wake-the-family worthy.
I will say that, in hindsight, the romantic timeline seemed a bit fast. It's not insta-love, by any means, but unless I'm mistaken, the book takes place over a span of roughly a week, and (minor spoilers!) the two are in a pretty committed relationship by the end of it. While I was still super invested in their relationship, there were a couple of times when I questioned how they could bond that quickly (Maybe it's a parallel thing, since, for their cover story, they have to convince Evie's parents that they're in love after only courting for a few days).
The only other thing that kind of bugged me is very minor, but some of the phrases used in Little Bo Sneak feel kind of modern for a fantasy world (cool, heck, awesome, etc.). Maybe this is just because I'm used to full-on medieval fantasy, but these words really stuck out to me as I read. However, my aversion to these words was quickly overpowered by my investment in the story.
I really liked this book. It's one of those stories that makes you feel like you're the main character, and by that, I mean that when Evie said Shep was giving her unrealistic expectations, I knew exactly how she felt. I will definitely be reading book one in the series, The Itsy Bitsty Liar, at my earliest convenience. And, as soon as it comes out, I'm grabbing Do You Know The Muffin Scam (These are nursery rhymes with black market dealings, you guys. I've got to read them!).
July 11, 2023
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Evie‘s point of view
– there is some fantasy violence (knives) & a few mild injuries with a little bit of blood
Review:
I got about 30% into the book before deciding I’d be wanting a physical copy of this book! I loved getting even more of Evie in this book and learning new things about her that I never knew about in The Itsy Bitsy Liar 😍. (There were a few things mentioned from the first book & it’s main character, but overall I don’t believe that you need to read the first book to read this one.) I loved this hidden side of Evie (being a spy for the crown 🤭) and seeing her use her skills against all her unwanted suitors 😂. I loved getting to know Shep and seeing him with Evie! They were so perfect together and I loved every single interaction they had! Between the fake relationships they had to pretend to be in when the situation called for it and them strategizing & getting ready for their fight against the smugglers there was so much to enjoy! Some of my favorite scenes/moments in this book included: teaching each other new skills, fighting smugglers, tracking the smugglers, insulting the suitor, outwitting opponents, and the end scene (between our main characters).
Summary:
Evie (known as Genevieve by her hovering mother) is meant to be a simpering girl looking for a husband to care for her. At least, that’s what her mother wants her to be doing, but Evie wants no part of that for more than one reason. Between the snooty men that come to call on her and her position as a secret agent for the crown, Evie doesn’t have the time or desire to entertain a man, especially if he thinks he’s better than her.
Needless to say, Evie is excited to receive a task for her secret work until she meets the person she’s to work with. Shepherd appears to be without a flaw and a great agent who Evie is sure is coming along to babysit her. Especially when they need to pretend to be courting in order to get away from her family. Determined to prove that she doesn’t need a watcher and can be even better than Shepherd, Evie goes into the mission with her all. But when the miscreants keep getting away with their loot, Evie needs to lean on the one person she doesn’t want to. But not everything is as it seems, and her heart is getting ideas it has no business having for her partner…
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Evie‘s point of view
– there is some fantasy violence (knives) & a few mild injuries with a little bit of blood
Review:
I got about 30% into the book before deciding I’d be wanting a physical copy of this book! I loved getting even more of Evie in this book and learning new things about her that I never knew about in The Itsy Bitsy Liar 😍. (There were a few things mentioned from the first book & it’s main character, but overall I don’t believe that you need to read the first book to read this one.) I loved this hidden side of Evie (being a spy for the crown 🤭) and seeing her use her skills against all her unwanted suitors 😂. I loved getting to know Shep and seeing him with Evie! They were so perfect together and I loved every single interaction they had! Between the fake relationships they had to pretend to be in when the situation called for it and them strategizing & getting ready for their fight against the smugglers there was so much to enjoy! Some of my favorite scenes/moments in this book included: teaching each other new skills, fighting smugglers, tracking the smugglers, insulting the suitor, outwitting opponents, and the end scene (between our main characters).
Summary:
Evie (known as Genevieve by her hovering mother) is meant to be a simpering girl looking for a husband to care for her. At least, that’s what her mother wants her to be doing, but Evie wants no part of that for more than one reason. Between the snooty men that come to call on her and her position as a secret agent for the crown, Evie doesn’t have the time or desire to entertain a man, especially if he thinks he’s better than her.
Needless to say, Evie is excited to receive a task for her secret work until she meets the person she’s to work with. Shepherd appears to be without a flaw and a great agent who Evie is sure is coming along to babysit her. Especially when they need to pretend to be courting in order to get away from her family. Determined to prove that she doesn’t need a watcher and can be even better than Shepherd, Evie goes into the mission with her all. But when the miscreants keep getting away with their loot, Evie needs to lean on the one person she doesn’t want to. But not everything is as it seems, and her heart is getting ideas it has no business having for her partner…
June 13, 2023
Thank you Abigail for the ARC opportunity
4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
Little Bo Sneak follows our clever Lady from the Itsy bitsy liar, Lacey’s friend, Lady Genevieve Palleep or Evie. As a spy for royal agency of her kingdom, Evie is a master tracker and an intelligent yet mischievous girl. After wondering when she would again be free of her lady life for an adventure, she gets recruited to help stop a black market product deal and bring back missing shipment of magical cloaks. However, her dreams of finally going on an adventure were dropped when she was assigned a partner, who she thought was to be her “babysitter”, Shepherd. A handsome, charming and a way too suave flirt, Evie didn’t trust him.
I truly enjoyed Evie’s character and it was thrilling how she was portrayed as a strong and diligent girl and because there was a charming spy with her, her skills suddenly became inefficient or not impressive as is in so many other novels where the guy gets every praise even though the girl is supposed to be good as well, but is undermined to shine more light on the guy. That was not the case and I loved her stubborn will and how she grew as a character and started appreciating her life better and how she learned to trust Shep and realized her worth better.
Shep was perfect for Evie and I enjoyed their banter filled chemistry and romance. It was so sweet and amazing to read.
The story was good, the world building wasn’t overly cooked or undercooked. However, I did think that the famous Wolfe, was in the end behaving like a literal child. He suddenly lost all his cleverness and just became too greedy and became hasty. And when he was captured he was literally wailing and flailing like a child not given candy. Maybe I wanted him to be a bit more dark like he was told to be. But overall, I enjoyed the story and ever since her mention the first book, I’m thrilled to know that the blood princess’s book is next and I think I’m way more excited for that. Also Brietta. I wonder if/when she’ll get a story as well.
I received an ARC and these are my own thoughts about the book!
4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
Little Bo Sneak follows our clever Lady from the Itsy bitsy liar, Lacey’s friend, Lady Genevieve Palleep or Evie. As a spy for royal agency of her kingdom, Evie is a master tracker and an intelligent yet mischievous girl. After wondering when she would again be free of her lady life for an adventure, she gets recruited to help stop a black market product deal and bring back missing shipment of magical cloaks. However, her dreams of finally going on an adventure were dropped when she was assigned a partner, who she thought was to be her “babysitter”, Shepherd. A handsome, charming and a way too suave flirt, Evie didn’t trust him.
I truly enjoyed Evie’s character and it was thrilling how she was portrayed as a strong and diligent girl and because there was a charming spy with her, her skills suddenly became inefficient or not impressive as is in so many other novels where the guy gets every praise even though the girl is supposed to be good as well, but is undermined to shine more light on the guy. That was not the case and I loved her stubborn will and how she grew as a character and started appreciating her life better and how she learned to trust Shep and realized her worth better.
Shep was perfect for Evie and I enjoyed their banter filled chemistry and romance. It was so sweet and amazing to read.
The story was good, the world building wasn’t overly cooked or undercooked. However, I did think that the famous Wolfe, was in the end behaving like a literal child. He suddenly lost all his cleverness and just became too greedy and became hasty. And when he was captured he was literally wailing and flailing like a child not given candy. Maybe I wanted him to be a bit more dark like he was told to be. But overall, I enjoyed the story and ever since her mention the first book, I’m thrilled to know that the blood princess’s book is next and I think I’m way more excited for that. Also Brietta. I wonder if/when she’ll get a story as well.
I received an ARC and these are my own thoughts about the book!
September 28, 2024
A captivating romantic YA spy fantasy
5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of this second audiobook in the Once Upon a Rhyme series, and I very much enjoyed Evie’s lively, fun spy adventure. She is the best friend of the heroine in the first book. This wonderful romantic YA fantasy series is best read in order because of spoilers for the Book 1. The romance is clean with just a little kissing and no bad language. There is some PG-13 violence such as punching and secret agent action. FYI, Evie is 10 years old in the prologue and 18 years old in the rest of the book; that confused me in the prologue.
Lady Evie Pelip is a minor noblewoman in a fantasy world where magic stones can be used for good or evil. Since she was 10 years old, Evie has used her remarkable intelligence and keen powers of observation as a part-time secret agent for the crown, unbeknownst to her parents. I love Evie’s personality and clever ways of getting things done. After she turns 18, she and her new partner are sent on a dangerous mission, and they slowly fall in love. Exciting espionage adventure and a great ending! The only stupid thing in the whole book was having two people share one horse for no reason other than as a romantic plot device.
Jillian Yetter gave a fantastic performance. Her voice sounds appropriately youthful for Evie, and her male voices are totally believable and pleasant as well. She has a lovely musical quality to her voice that is a joy to hear. She really brought the story to life and made every character sound distinctive.
I requested and received a free audio copy via the publisher, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review. #TheFlockVIPReviewTeam #NorthernLakeAudio
5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of this second audiobook in the Once Upon a Rhyme series, and I very much enjoyed Evie’s lively, fun spy adventure. She is the best friend of the heroine in the first book. This wonderful romantic YA fantasy series is best read in order because of spoilers for the Book 1. The romance is clean with just a little kissing and no bad language. There is some PG-13 violence such as punching and secret agent action. FYI, Evie is 10 years old in the prologue and 18 years old in the rest of the book; that confused me in the prologue.
Lady Evie Pelip is a minor noblewoman in a fantasy world where magic stones can be used for good or evil. Since she was 10 years old, Evie has used her remarkable intelligence and keen powers of observation as a part-time secret agent for the crown, unbeknownst to her parents. I love Evie’s personality and clever ways of getting things done. After she turns 18, she and her new partner are sent on a dangerous mission, and they slowly fall in love. Exciting espionage adventure and a great ending! The only stupid thing in the whole book was having two people share one horse for no reason other than as a romantic plot device.
Jillian Yetter gave a fantastic performance. Her voice sounds appropriately youthful for Evie, and her male voices are totally believable and pleasant as well. She has a lovely musical quality to her voice that is a joy to hear. She really brought the story to life and made every character sound distinctive.
I requested and received a free audio copy via the publisher, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review. #TheFlockVIPReviewTeam #NorthernLakeAudio
July 2, 2023
An exciting take on the Little Bo Peep nursery rhyme.
We got to follow Lacey's friend Evie this time round and her adventure was so different from Lacey's.
Evie was a wonderfully headstrong character, cunning and intelligent with confidence in her skills which is well deserved. Her stubbornness and pride can get her into trouble but she's always willing to admit when she's made a mistake and wastes no time in correcting it.
Shep has his demons which make him determined to prove himself a capable and loyal spy to his country. His skills perfectly compliment Evie's and his dedication to always have his partner's back makes them a brilliant team.
We got hints and peeks at some of the other kingdoms outside Reclusia (Ebonair, Sarnold, and Bellatring), I am looking forward to seeing more of these kingdoms in future books. Ever since Itsy Bitsy Liar I was wondering if Amirah would get her own story and I'm glad it seems like it will be in the next book.
I was intrigued by Lady Brietta - I'm really hoping that she will be getting her own book in this series.
We got to follow Lacey's friend Evie this time round and her adventure was so different from Lacey's.
Evie was a wonderfully headstrong character, cunning and intelligent with confidence in her skills which is well deserved. Her stubbornness and pride can get her into trouble but she's always willing to admit when she's made a mistake and wastes no time in correcting it.
Shep has his demons which make him determined to prove himself a capable and loyal spy to his country. His skills perfectly compliment Evie's and his dedication to always have his partner's back makes them a brilliant team.
We got hints and peeks at some of the other kingdoms outside Reclusia (Ebonair, Sarnold, and Bellatring), I am looking forward to seeing more of these kingdoms in future books. Ever since Itsy Bitsy Liar I was wondering if Amirah would get her own story and I'm glad it seems like it will be in the next book.
I was intrigued by Lady Brietta - I'm really hoping that she will be getting her own book in this series.
August 3, 2023
Summary: Evie is living a double life. Her family thinks she should be courting noble bachelors while she would much rather chase down crooks for the kingdom’s secret spy network. Both worlds collide when she is asked to chase after some magic-infused woolen cloaks with a new partner (who happens to be hot and is willing to play the part of a wealthy suitor to get her parents off her back).
Where oh where have the woolen cloaks gone???
Pros: I loved Evie in the first book, and I was so excited to read more of her of her story. Again, we have a lot of clever nods to the nursery rhyme and a good arc/theme for her character. There is also another curse that comes into play, and her relationship with her boy is just awesome how it builds (from rivals to romance).
Cons: Nothing big. In fact, the formatting and smaller editing issues I noticed in the first book didn’t seem to be an issue with this one at all (or at least, I didn’t notice them as much).
Conclusion: Loved it. Excited to see more of this series! Read it if you like clean/sweet romance, and retellings with lots of clever twists. :)
Where oh where have the woolen cloaks gone???
Pros: I loved Evie in the first book, and I was so excited to read more of her of her story. Again, we have a lot of clever nods to the nursery rhyme and a good arc/theme for her character. There is also another curse that comes into play, and her relationship with her boy is just awesome how it builds (from rivals to romance).
Cons: Nothing big. In fact, the formatting and smaller editing issues I noticed in the first book didn’t seem to be an issue with this one at all (or at least, I didn’t notice them as much).
Conclusion: Loved it. Excited to see more of this series! Read it if you like clean/sweet romance, and retellings with lots of clever twists. :)
August 25, 2024
Little Bo Sneak is the second book in the Once Upon a Rhyme series, where the author takes a fairy tale and puts a creative twist on the story we all know. Little Bo Peep is the focus of this one, but instead of Bo being a sheep herder, she is a spy. Evie is a great character, mixing snark, smarts, and strength. The banter between her and Shep is utterly delightfully sweet, combined with some fantastic banter. The Plot is creative, with subtle and not-so-subtle nods to the nursery rhyme woven throughout the story. Once Upon a Rhyme series is an innovative take on fairy tale retellings, and each one builds upon the other but stands alone as its own story.
Audiobook Review: The narrator makes this story so worth listening to. She tells the story with the right tones for the various creative moments in the story. I like the bit of twang her voice has, and I added her to my list of favorite narrators.
Audiobook Review: The narrator makes this story so worth listening to. She tells the story with the right tones for the various creative moments in the story. I like the bit of twang her voice has, and I added her to my list of favorite narrators.
July 31, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.25/5⭐️
This book was so good! This is the second book I have read from the author and I’m so exited to continue reading her other books next. This book can be read as a standalone and is the second book of the Once upon a Rhyme series. I truly enjoyed Evie’s character, I loved how stubborn she was and how she continued to grow character. She’s was also an amazing character and I think he complemented Evie so well, they had so much chemistry and their romance was so sweet. The story was also amazing and the world building was nicely done. This was such and amazing read for me and I simply cannot wait to continue this series and see what other stories Abigail Mannings creates next. I absolutely recommend this book if you are searching for a good retelling.
4.25/5⭐️
This book was so good! This is the second book I have read from the author and I’m so exited to continue reading her other books next. This book can be read as a standalone and is the second book of the Once upon a Rhyme series. I truly enjoyed Evie’s character, I loved how stubborn she was and how she continued to grow character. She’s was also an amazing character and I think he complemented Evie so well, they had so much chemistry and their romance was so sweet. The story was also amazing and the world building was nicely done. This was such and amazing read for me and I simply cannot wait to continue this series and see what other stories Abigail Mannings creates next. I absolutely recommend this book if you are searching for a good retelling.
August 13, 2024
Little Bo Sneak is the second book in the Once Upon A Rhyme series. This book is about Lady Genevieve (Evie) and Shephard (Shep). This book is told from Evie's point of view. We meet Evie in the first book, but this could be read as a standalone.
Evie does these secret missions that her family doesn't know about. On one of these missions, she is to work with Shep. She has never worked with anyone before and doesn't understand why this time has to be different. They are to retrieve some magic cloaks and return them.
As they work together they start to have feelings for each other. Will they find the cloaks before it's too late? Will they be able to work with each other? Will they get their happy ending?
I liked this book a lot, and am excited to continue on in the series.
Evie does these secret missions that her family doesn't know about. On one of these missions, she is to work with Shep. She has never worked with anyone before and doesn't understand why this time has to be different. They are to retrieve some magic cloaks and return them.
As they work together they start to have feelings for each other. Will they find the cloaks before it's too late? Will they be able to work with each other? Will they get their happy ending?
I liked this book a lot, and am excited to continue on in the series.
July 11, 2023
This is book two in the Once Upon a Rhyme series. As the title suggests this is a Little Bo Peep retelling, but this is not like the nursery rhyme. Our Bo has a skill for tracking the things people don't want found. Especially if you are up to no good. Evie feels she has proven herself a most capable spy and is a little put off by her latest assignment because it calls for a partner. Evie feels that Shep is there only to judge her and make her seem inadequate. Evie wants to use this mission to prove she doesn't need a babysitter. While Shep has his own reasons for needing this mission to be a success. These two embark on a journey that is humorous, dangerous, and endearing.
June 16, 2023
I loved The Itsy Bitsy Liar and this second book did not disappoint. The classic bo beep character isn’t some ditsy sherperdess who freaks out after losing her sheep. Instead she is smart, fearless and determined secret agent whose job is to protect her kingdom. I also enjoyed the forced partners turned romance action between her and MC. Not to mention the epilogue teasing what will come in the next books in the series. Im conclusion, this is a book is must read for any fan of both retelling and nursery rhymes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2023
HOLY SWOON!!!
This book had me riveted from the very beginning. I was a little worried going in that book 2 wouldn't live up to the hype since book 1 of Once Upon a Rhyme (Itsy Bitsy Liar) was just so phenomenal, but I needn't have worried!
This was a much swoonier, more romantic book (still clean!) and in classic Abigail Manning fashion, had an amazing twist that I didn't see coming until it slapped me in the face.
I think after I finished this book, I just stared at the wall for half an hour thinking about how amazing it was. Serious new favorite for me.
This book had me riveted from the very beginning. I was a little worried going in that book 2 wouldn't live up to the hype since book 1 of Once Upon a Rhyme (Itsy Bitsy Liar) was just so phenomenal, but I needn't have worried!
This was a much swoonier, more romantic book (still clean!) and in classic Abigail Manning fashion, had an amazing twist that I didn't see coming until it slapped me in the face.
I think after I finished this book, I just stared at the wall for half an hour thinking about how amazing it was. Serious new favorite for me.
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August 24, 2023I knew exactly where to find what I was searching for...
This book was perfect! After reading an extremely emotional book I needed so badly to read something with humor. The light banter and one-upping in this brought laughter after the tears. Also I loved discovering all the rhyme references throughout! Thank you, Abigail for bringing light into my day! P.S. Just an idea for a short story collection: More adventures! No spoilers but the observation scenes were perfect! Reminds me of a classic mystery series, you know the one...
This book was perfect! After reading an extremely emotional book I needed so badly to read something with humor. The light banter and one-upping in this brought laughter after the tears. Also I loved discovering all the rhyme references throughout! Thank you, Abigail for bringing light into my day! P.S. Just an idea for a short story collection: More adventures! No spoilers but the observation scenes were perfect! Reminds me of a classic mystery series, you know the one...
November 29, 2023
Rated G
This was a fun and quick read. I thought it a bit silly that the FMC is some amazing spy, but still lives at home and is controlled by her parents. It made it hard to take her seriously.
Other than that, the story was entertaining. It moved along at a good pace and kept me on my toes. I had suspicions of several things, but it wasn't blazingly obvious.
I enjoy this authors style of writing and look forward to reading more books from her.
*This book is rated G. There is no swearing, bloody violence, or lude content. There are a couple of chaste kisses.
This was a fun and quick read. I thought it a bit silly that the FMC is some amazing spy, but still lives at home and is controlled by her parents. It made it hard to take her seriously.
Other than that, the story was entertaining. It moved along at a good pace and kept me on my toes. I had suspicions of several things, but it wasn't blazingly obvious.
I enjoy this authors style of writing and look forward to reading more books from her.
*This book is rated G. There is no swearing, bloody violence, or lude content. There are a couple of chaste kisses.
May 9, 2024
This was a very interesting twist to the story of Little Bo Peep, where instead of her trying to find her lost sheep, she finds the criminals and takes them down. I really liked how the story of Itsy Bitsy Liar continues with Genevieve/Evie as the main protagonist instead of on the side like in the first book, and I was impressed with how she used her experiences with Lacey from the first book and uses it against the main antagonist when dealing with a new curse and saves herself and her love interest from their predicament. I am really enjoying the Nursery Rhyme retellings and I hope to see what the rest will be like.
July 6, 2023
I was absolutely intrigued with the idea of stories based on nursery rhymes, and loved the creativity behind the first book in the series. I didn’t connect as well to the characters in that book, but I have to say I was thrilled with the unexpected twist of Evie being a secret spy since she was a child and the connection between her and Shepherd is just so much more intense and interesting than I expected. Loved how it ended and was delighted with a teaser for the next story!
July 16, 2023
Swoon worthy!
Evie was just as brilliant as in the first book and she met her match with Shep, who was pretty dreamy! Her internal dialogue was so much fun to read.
There’s a good balance of action and romance that kept the story interesting and rolling! And the ending was so sweet!
My one complaint is that Evie and Shep seemed to fall pretty fast for each other. I mean, Shep was super dreamy so I kinda get it, lol but I always prefer a bit more of a slow burn.
Content: squeaky clean
Evie was just as brilliant as in the first book and she met her match with Shep, who was pretty dreamy! Her internal dialogue was so much fun to read.
There’s a good balance of action and romance that kept the story interesting and rolling! And the ending was so sweet!
My one complaint is that Evie and Shep seemed to fall pretty fast for each other. I mean, Shep was super dreamy so I kinda get it, lol but I always prefer a bit more of a slow burn.
Content: squeaky clean
July 24, 2023
even better than the first book
This was really good. Evie and Shep are very likeable and their banter is great. It's definitely less cringy sweet compared to Itsy bitsy liar. Wish we had more details on how Evie was trained, because it seemed a little unbelievable that she's such a good spy without proper training. I almost docked a star for that. The play on the nursery rhyme is clever, if a little obviously emphasised.
This was really good. Evie and Shep are very likeable and their banter is great. It's definitely less cringy sweet compared to Itsy bitsy liar. Wish we had more details on how Evie was trained, because it seemed a little unbelievable that she's such a good spy without proper training. I almost docked a star for that. The play on the nursery rhyme is clever, if a little obviously emphasised.
October 28, 2023
What an amazing story! I couldn’t put it down, there was so many unexpected twists and turns that outpoured into an adventurous tale that I didn’t expect! With Evie from the last story being a spy, taking a mission to retrieve eight magically enchanted cloaks, to being partnered with someone, she’s taking on quite the challenge. I love Shepard, the pairing was absolutely phenomenal! I can’t wait for the next book of the series, it’ll be epic!!
March 1, 2024
Magic and Spies
I’m loving this series so much! Evie is a spy for the crown. She’s excited to receive her first field mission, but not excited to be assigned a partner. Evie doesn’t need a babysitter!
I loved Evie and Shep together: the push and pull within their partnership and the banter. This book can be read independently, but Itsy Bitsy Liar was amazing, so I recommend reading it first.
I’m loving this series so much! Evie is a spy for the crown. She’s excited to receive her first field mission, but not excited to be assigned a partner. Evie doesn’t need a babysitter!
I loved Evie and Shep together: the push and pull within their partnership and the banter. This book can be read independently, but Itsy Bitsy Liar was amazing, so I recommend reading it first.
July 11, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has some fantastic banter and so many fun scenes.
Little Bo Sneak book is completely clean romance and violence-wise. There is some fighting, but no death and nothing gruesome. Romance-wise, you will find a couple of kisses, but nothing sensual.
I did receive a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book, but the above opinions are all my own.
Little Bo Sneak book is completely clean romance and violence-wise. There is some fighting, but no death and nothing gruesome. Romance-wise, you will find a couple of kisses, but nothing sensual.
I did receive a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book, but the above opinions are all my own.
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