I know it's against NetGalley's rules, but I will be rating this book without finishing it. The book begins with two scenes of the male main character raping and sexually assaulting the female main character. And he is the love interest. The author portrays this situation as romantic, even though it is far past the bounds of "dubious conset" or the benefit of the doubt. This is disgusting. The book is marketing as having "mature themes," but I don't think that is a sufficient warning for the content, nor can I ethically support romanticized portrayals or rape and sexual assault. That is why I feel it necessary to review this book, even though I didn't finish it.

The same review is posted to my Goodreads.

An enjoyable low stakes cozy fantasy with a good bit of spice. There’s not a lot of world building, you get a bit of backstory at the beginning, spice out the starting gate and it’s an ongoing story. There’s not really a substantial plot line. It was still an interesting story even though it’s just an ongoing day to day life of Maxi as she settles into her new role as a wife of an esteemed knight. The love story is very endearing, possessive & don’t touch her or you die. There’s no cliffhanger, the story just ends. From what I understand this is volume 1 of a completed story & it was originally a web novel/webtoon/manga. The physical book is absolutely stunning. With gorgeous artwork.

I originally came across this story as a webtoon and had read part of it. I was intrigued to see what the novelization would be like. It reads and feels very much like the webtoon - a bit stilted and you can also feel the panels as you are reading it. I will probably keep reading it as the next volumes are published.

e-ARC from NetGalley.

This story in one sentence: I want to love you whole.

I love the webtoon and I really like this. Maxi and Riftan are such broken, beautiful people, and the love they have for one another is so touching. Neither feels worthy, but both will pour their everything into the other just the same.

This is the only kind of miscommunication that makes sense. They barely know one another. Her speech impediment makes it difficult to communicate. His harsh background makes it equally challenging to express himself.

This isn't a plot-centered book. It's about these characters - individually and as a couple. They have such a journey ahead of them - one of pain and fear and a slowly growing understanding - and I can't wait to watch it happen.

The moment when that tiny shift in perspective changes everything will be so delicious.

Could've done without Ruth's magical monologues, though. They gave me a literal headache.

This is not the fight form of Under the Oak Tree that I have encountered. I read the Manhwa prior to this and I loved it! So when I was given the opportunity to read the novel I was so excited for the chance. I was not disappointed! The book does a really good job of balancing the setting with the internal dialogue and I love being able to hear more from Maxi than was given in the Manhwa. I totally plan on getting this for my library when it gets published and I will continue to talk about how great all forms of this story is! Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this!

I’ve read the webtoon and followed along with this series since it appeared on Manta years ago. When I saw there was a physical book version out, I knew I had to read it! The details in the writing comes close to the webtoon version and I love that is did not sway from the original storyline. Riftan and Maximillian have my heart! Cant wait for the Book 2!

While I enjoyed this for the most part, I feel like my experience with this book was hindered by its first impression. I read a couple of chapters of the PG webtoon (didn’t even know there was a PG version until the novelization!) a long time ago, and I was just disgusted by the opening scene where Maxi recalls the night she lost her virginity. She remembers it as an assault, and it’s not really properly addressed and rather brushed off as miscommunication since she’s so soft spoken. I know that in the time period it’s set in, this kind of stuff was “normal”, but it just left a bad impression of the ML on me that continued to linger for the rest of the story.

Under the Oak Tree follows Lady Maximilian, a sheltered noblewoman with a stutter, as she is thrust into an arranged marriage with Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight manipulated by her father. Riftan leaves immediately after their wedding, returning three years later as a war hero determined to claim her as his wife despite Maxi’s insecurities and their strained past. As Maxi adjusts to her new life and the unexpected passion Riftan stirs within her, she begins a journey of self-discovery and resilience.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this novel early on, as the first quarter of the story left me deeply uncomfortable. The depiction of Maxi’s infantilization and Riftan’s aggressive, non-consensual behavior was troubling, particularly as the narrative framed these moments as romantic groundwork for their relationship. This portrayal overshadowed any potential for character growth or a meaningful love story.

While the premise hinted at themes of empowerment and resilience, the execution made it difficult to continue. Readers who are sensitive to power imbalances or non-consensual dynamics in romance should approach this book with caution.

I struggled with this one. The forced sexual encounters, the choppy writing, the long drawn out story. I had really high hopes, but this just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Hi I received this Arc from netgalley!

Okay the beginning is a little slow but overall a great read! I love the tension and character growth we get to see throughout the book. I also love how Riftan helps her grow into the person she wishes to be and how he loves her unconditionally through all her faults. I can't wait to read the next part of this story.!

Under the Oak Tree by Suji Kim, is a novel based on a Korean webcomic by the same name. It follows Maximillian (yes, really), or Maxi for short, a noblewoman in a nondescript medieval fantasy world sold off into an unwanted marriage by an abusive father who is ashamed of her disability. Like other reimagining's its strongest audience will likely be fans of the original series but it is worth the read if you find the summary intriguing (not to mention the stunning cover and beautiful special 1st edition 😍). It's a slice of life story with a cute romance for fans that enjoy character focus over heavy plot. Having no familiarity with the original series, I found the story struggled to get off its feet but by the end I found the characters endearing. Expect spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Other Thoughts: Maxi is carrying a lot of trauma but her naivety & insecurity was over the top for me, especially since our entire perspective on the world was through her eyes. I would have preferred more details on Riftan's background, what their world is like, and the magic system earlier on rather than so much time spent on Maxi warming up to her surroundings. It felt like the entire 1st volume was solely set up for Volume 2 which is no big in a webcomic but I would have liked to see a climax of action. The ending felt incomplete. The MMC is a gruff, battle hardened hero. His treatment of the staff in his employ is off-putting. Not a book boyfriend for me personally but his encouragement of Maxi as she learns her independence and self worth is sweet and there is plenty to root for in their romance.

Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 by Suji Kim is a slow-burn fantasy romance about a troubled marriage that slowly starts to show signs of growth. While the world-building is rich and the characters are well-developed, especially Maximilian, the story felt a bit too slow for me. The romance takes its time to build, and I found the pacing a little draggy at times.

While fans of slow-burn romance and emotional character growth will probably enjoy it, this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. The slow pace and lack of action didn’t hold my attention, but I can see why others might like it.

I love this series so much! I started with the manhwa and I was so excited to see the novel getting published. Maxi is one of my favorite main characters, she has such a tragic backstory but seeing her grow and become more confident is such a good feeling. I also really like Riftan, his strength and bravery is amazing. I feel like once you get past the beginning and the misunderstandings, the story really picks up and it is so good!!!!!!

I remember reading this on Webtoon ages ago and I loved it. When I saw this offered on NetGalley I was so excited to see how this would translate from a comic to a book. Unfortunately, this is where it all fell flat for me. I feel that the writing style does not translate over from a comic to a traditional book. The excessive use of “…” and how Maxi’s stutter is written out l-l-l-like th-this can be draining to have to read over and over again. I do like Maxi and Riftan’s story but I prefer the comic.

Maxi is a noble woman. Her father is very powerful. However, to look at her you would never know she comes from a wealthy family. She doesn't wear fine clothes or jewels. Maxi has a stutter and is deemed an embarrassment and so she is hidden from society. Her father is not a kind man and believes he can beat the stutter out of her.
So, when she is married off to Sir Riftan, she's afraid to hope her life could be better.

This was a tough one to rate. While I enjoyed the story and the characters, there was so much sex in this book that it took away from the story. A little is fine, but this was way too much. I did like the story enough to continue the series, but I think I will just skip those parts.

I'm definitely rooting for Maxi and I'm excited to see her continue to grow as a character.

Under the Oak Tree by Suji Kim offers a heartfelt and poignant journey of self-discovery, love, and redemption. The novel centers on Lady Maximilian (Maxi), a woman who has spent her life in the shadow of her powerful father’s expectations and her own insecurities, including a stutter that has kept her isolated from the outside world. Her marriage to Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight, is forced upon her, and the couple’s early relationship is fraught with tension, misunderstandings, and emotional distance.

The story picks up three years after Riftan leaves their disastrous wedding night, returning as a war hero. He’s been offered a marriage to a princess but still desires Maxi, which sets the stage for a complicated and slow-burning romance. This premise is rich with potential for character growth, and Maxi’s journey toward finding her own voice and inner strength is one of the novel’s most compelling elements. Her transformation from a timid, uncertain woman into someone who can stand up for herself and demand respect is touching.

That said, the book’s pacing can be uneven. The first half, which focuses on the development of the couple's strained relationship, sometimes feels drawn-out. While it’s clear that Maxi and Riftan both carry a lot of emotional baggage, the narrative often lingers too long on their miscommunications and frustrations, which can be frustrating for readers hoping for a faster progression into their eventual understanding of each other. Riftan’s brooding, gruff nature also risks becoming a bit repetitive, and his transformation into a more emotionally open character may feel a bit rushed in contrast to the slow build of Maxi’s character arc.

The fantasy elements, including magic and the backstory surrounding Riftan’s heroic deeds, provide some intrigue, though they are often secondary to the emotional drama between the main characters. The world-building feels underdeveloped at times, and the fantasy setting doesn’t quite live up to the potential suggested by the premise.

Maxi and Riftan’s relationship does eventually take center stage in a more satisfying way, with moments of real emotional depth and chemistry that make the payoff worthwhile. The final act of the novel, when the characters finally confront their feelings and misgivings, is poignant and rewarding.

Overall, Under the Oak Tree offers a heartfelt exploration of self-worth and love, though it could benefit from a faster pace and deeper world-building. Fans of slow-burn romance with a strong emotional core may find it a worthwhile read, though it may not resonate with readers who prefer more action-driven or fantasy-heavy stories. The book sets a solid foundation for the series, and I’m curious to see where Maxi and Riftan’s journey goes next, but this installment left me wanting a bit more.

I was already a fan of this story before I read the official English translation. I am a fan of the WEBTOON and the light novel. Comparing those to the official translation is why I cannot give it 5 stars. The translation is a little rough but the plot is still there. I love the characters and the relationship.

Under the Oak Tree - Suji Kim

I’m not going to lie, I’m not too sure what to do with this review.

Beautiful cover and I’m in my fantasy era, but my head is a little scrambled about if I liked this one or not. This was definitely spice forward so keep that in mind when picking this book.

Here are some of my concerns:
Do I even like these characters?
They were both very insecure and didn’t communicate
Grey area with the spicy scenes that threw me off
More spice than plot -- I like spice don't get me wrong
FMC has a speech impediment (which is completely fine) but it threw me off a bit with the audiobook
Wasn’t fully fantasy - fantasy light

I still think give it a try, but go in knowing what you are stepping into.

#bookreview #netgalley #fantasy #undertheoaktree #beautifulcover #bookstagram #booklover #bookaddict

Thank you NetGalley and Inklore for this ARC Copy!

This was such a cute story, I just loved every minute of it. From the first chapter I expected something completely different from this story but I was so pleasantly surprised once we left her fathers castle. Watching the characters learn and grow was so fun, and this was truly an enjoyable slice of life story with a fair amount of spice. I will definitely be continuing on with the series.

My friend loves loves this. I like the webcomic version (mostly because of the beautiful artwork). However, the novel version is just not for me. First off, kudos on describing all the things that would have been drawn out on the page (Did the book come first or the webcomic?). The author does that part well (hence the rounding up to 3 stars). The smut parts are also decent.

Now, the parts that aren't for me.

There isn't really a plot. Not even a conflict other than what Riftan is upset about this time. The miscommunication trope is overwhelming in this book. The two don't get each other and they reconcile by having sex (good smut though lol). The serious dubcon in the beginning also bothers me. I think there are better smut out there that won't make you uncomfortable.

It is nice seeing Maxi slowly coming out of her shell, but she is a total damsel in distress through and through—a far cry from the ass-kicking FMCs I've been reading. Riftan needs to let Maxi do her thing. Let her live a little other than have sex with you! Maybe she needs a Rhysand to save her from Tamlin hahaha (IYKYK).

Apparently, there is a part 2, but the lack of a plotline doesn't entice you to keep going. This is like a fantasy slice of life except Maxi's life isn't that exciting.