This is short... like, maybe 75 pages, but it's a solid introduction to the series. Just a heads-up, this first book, A Prince's Touch by Julie Mannino, doesn't exactly have a fairytale ending. From what I gather reading the summary of the second book – which picks up right where this one leaves off with the same characters – that one's a hefty 400 pages or so. All in all, A Prince's Touch was a promising start, and I'm definitely curious to see where Julie Mannino takes the story next! If you'r...

This story began so adorably, so full of sweetness, and then it morphed into a setup for *A Prince's Touch*, which is where it kind of lost me. I really enjoyed Oriel and Aspen, and the sweet, innocent way their friendship began. I loved how Aspen believed the only thing anyone could ever want from him was sex, but Oriel just wanted to spend time with him. I loved seeing their friendship blossom into love and affection. It was all so lovely, and then the ending took a rather interesting turn. I'...

WTFWhat an absolutely horrid ending. You get completely invested in these two amazing characters only for the ABSOLUTE WORST POSSIBLE THING TO HAPPEN. I am absolutely furious with myself and with Julie Mannino. I would’ve preferred one of the characters to die some horrible death rather than what happened in "A Prince's Touch." And it just ends. When I immediately grabbed the second book to see what the description says (praying to God it gets resolved) it only gets worse. If you're looking for ...

Has all innocence fled the room? Because Julie Mannino's *A Prince's Touch* just incinerated whatever naiveté I had left. Consider this less a book review and more a scorched-earth assessment of my former, more innocent self. If you're looking for sweet romance, look elsewhere. But if you crave a story that's as addictive as it is morally questionable, then buckle up. This isn't just a book; it's an experience – a fiery, unforgettable experience that will leave you questioning everything you tho...

This wasn’t a storybook world where the orphan got to marry the person of their dreams and live happily ever after. — AspenWarnings: From the author's note: "This novella contains material intended for mature readers, including sex workers, light bondage, mentions of parent death, angst, rich/poor, class difference, friends to lovers, and lovers to enemies."For aspec books: In the interest of full disclosure, this is an almost automatic 5🌟 book for me. Any book that features an aro/ace protago...

Wooow, I can't wait for June 18th to get here now that Julie Mannino's "A Prince's Touch" is almost here!

Okay, let's talk about Oriel Keeper from Julie Mannino's *A Prince's Touch*. I stumbled across this book while searching for new fantasy romances to dive into and honestly? Oriel grabbed me from the start. The quiet strength, the way he navigates a world that doesn't quite *get* him...it's all so compelling. Julie Mannino has crafted such a beautifully nuanced character. He isn't some cardboard cutout of a prince; he's a person with vulnerabilities, with a unique perspective, and with a genuin...

A simple romance between a street worker and a prince—what could possibly go wrong? While it's set in a fantasy kingdom, that element doesn't really factor in. As a story, it highlights how we inject our preconceived notions about class into relationships, often to everyone's detriment. Julie Mannino's *A Prince's Touch* is well-written with compelling characters. A solid fantasy romance book review read!

Yes, yes, YES! More ace representation, please! I absolutely loved Oriel (the demisexual character) and the way he and Aspen connected. That beach scene was just too cute for words. Seriously, my heart is overflowing with fluff. I wanted to give Zima a kick because, even though he was completely right and had the experience to prove it, he just couldn't see how things could have turned out differently. The ending really packed a punch, and now I'm dying for book two! Also, the fairy realm is u...

Damn, that was bleak. Holy shit.