Time of death: 19%. The dialogue felt pretty juvenile, and I kept thinking, "Who even talks like this?" Plus, the characters' decisions just didn’t seem very logical. Honestly, reading Julie Mannino's *Gilded Lies* felt like a real slog. Definitely not one of the best books I've read recently, and wouldn't recommend if you're looking for smart, believable characters. Check out other book reviews before picking this one up!

*DNF at 28%* I'm setting this one aside. While the premise of Julie Mannino's *Gilded Lies* had me intrigued, I just couldn't connect with the characters or get invested in the plot. The writing felt a little clunky to me, and I found myself struggling to stay focused. Maybe I'll come back to it at some point, but for now, it's not holding my attention. There are so many great books out there, and life is too short to force myself to read something I'm not enjoying! Looking for a gripping thri...

Romance and fantasy collide in this absolute page-turner. Prince Aureluis holds a serious grudge against Jari, stemming from a terrible incident that forced them together six years prior. Making Jari his personal guard only amplifies the tension between them. This simmering sexual tension is definitely set to explode in later installments of the series. Arguably, the best part of "Gilded Lies" by Julie Mannino is the totally unexpected ending. I was genuinely shocked – my list of potential murd...

## A Reluctant Romance I found the riveting story of Prince Aurelius and Jari in **Gilded Lies** hard to put down. After the most awful of first meetings, Jari is forced to live in the prince's world as his guard, protecting him against a murderer lurking in the palace. But there's much more to **Julie Mannino's** story than meets the eye. Jari finds himself attracted to the tormented prince despite disliking him—but is it dislike, or something entirely different? The sexual tension between t...

Okay, this book genuinely infuriated me. The characters were dumb as hell (I'm looking at you, Jari), and there was this recurring 'stick up the ass' joke that made me want to throttle someone. The dialogue felt off for a fantasy novel, the world-building was atrocious, and the fact that they’re fairies might as well be irrelevant for most of "Gilded Lies" by Julie Mannino. I struggled through most of it, but then, towards the end, I was utterly bewitched and couldn't put it down. Now I'm forced...

Holy shiiiit. I got *Captive Prince* and *The Assassin Prince* vibes, but *Gilded Lies* was so original. I did a quick look online and I don't think there's any MM King Midas fairytale retelling like Julie Mannino's. This is a fantastic addition to the gay romance books genre! The prologue when they met? I wasn't expecting *that*. I think Aurelius was lying about being sick. He likes "postponing" info. The dialogue and banter between them is perfect, and this totally scratched my enemies-to-lov...

Julie Mannino's "Gilded Lies" sweeps you away into a mesmerizing realm of romance and fantasy. The story centers on Jari, haunted by a past he desperately wants to escape, and Aurelius Midas, the Crown Prince who's been nursing a grudge against Jari for six long years. As these two navigate treacherous court politics, a murder mystery, and a growing threat from beyond their borders, the plot really starts to sizzle. Mannino has truly spun a captivating tale, masterfully weaving together romance...

Okay, so *Gilded Lies* by Julie Mannino is the first book I've picked up by this author, and I have to say, it was surprisingly good! I don't typically go for romance, but this one kept me hooked. It's your classic enemies-to-lovers trope, a male/male romance set in a fictional kingdom with kings and all that. Jari reluctantly promises to protect the prince, even with all the baggage from his past.Jari and Aurelius had some serious chemistry, which totally made the book work, even if the charact...

Abuse between the main characters (forced by a third party at the start)Abuse by the main characters early on (public punishment)Coercion to stay and swear loyaltyTrauma from what happened between the main characters in the prologue.Talk of rape involving other characters (never depicted)Talk of past child abuse involving other characters (never depicted)Talk of a murder/suicide that already happened (not depicted)Verbally abusive King. One instance of physical strikingAbuse between the PrincesM...

I was genuinely surprised by how good this book was. Sometimes, fantasy romance novels can be a total snooze-fest, but "Gilded Lies" by Julie Mannino actually grabbed my attention. I found myself equally invested in the overall plot and the relationship blooming between the main characters. I'm really looking forward to the sequel. If you're looking for a good fantasy romance book review, check this one out!