BEHOOVED is a DELIGHT. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this one (the mmc is a horse!) but I shouldn't have been worried. I don't usually like when books hinge on something that could be resolved if people would just talk to each other and though it seems like that's where this book is going, it is so much more (and better!) than that. Bianca and Aric had such wonderful, distinct voices and the magic system was really fun and kept my attention. I also really enjoyed how she wrapped up the book with nothing being easy to solve and the characters really had to work for it. It was a great time and I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fantasy romance with a big twist.

A fun fantasy with a mistaken betrayal, a prince turned into a horse, and a young woman trying to save her country. Bianca and Prince Aric have an arranged marriage to help unite their countries. Unfortunately, not everyone wants this unification, so when their first night goes horrible, they have to figure out how to escape from danger together and solve the mystery of who is behind all the sabotage. Theirs is a slow-burn romance that was enjoyable to follow as their characters' growth slowly transformed with them outside their comfort zones. A fun plot with likable characters, Behooved was a quick read that kept my attention throughout.

This will come as no surprise to some of you, but Behooved by ML Stevenson reminds me of Ladyhawke—yes, for the obvious reason—and it’s a fun, worthy bookish companion to that 80’s dark fantasy film. (Companion in the sense that they hang out at the same inns, not in the sense that it’s actually related to the Donner film.) Also, this book is not dark at all! I’ve seen this book described as cozy fantasy, but y’all: “cozy” as a term is becoming overused in the fantasy space. This book is definitely on that epic quest tale level with the main characters trying to break a horsifying curse, avoid assassination, prevent the throne from being stolen, foil international tampering with sovereign affairs, AND save the environment (no pressure). That said, it did have some cozy elements to the storytelling in that there was a slow-moving roadtrip and some intimate overnight stays. Things I loved: chronic illness rep in an MC, egalitarian gender roles, a bookish king-to-be, a sword-wielding duchess, golden scars, and whatever a wyrdwolf is. Bottom line: if you read the cover copy, there were no real surprises in this story, but that’s not a bad thing—and perhaps that makes it more of a cozy read than not.

This was so good! I was so surprised by this. I saw someone talk about this on TikTok and I immediately asked for the ARC and it was totally worth it. This was so great. Pick this up.

4.5 stars

I didn’t really know how much I needed Behooved in my life until I started reading it. I mean, I knew I needed something to fill the hole left by My Lady Jane (book and TV show—which was rudely cancelled after one season!) and Behooved definitely did the job! From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the witty banter, magic system, and writing style.

Now, having read the book, I really miss the characters and their world. This is a constant struggle for me…I read a book quickly because I enjoy it, then by the end, I’m kicking myself for not savouring it more. The characters—main and supporting—were all really fun to read about, and I found myself genuinely rooting for them.

The world and magic system were both easy to understand (and I think they would be pretty straightforward even for those new to the fantasy genre). The quest aspect of the plot also made my little fantasy veteran heart happy. It had that classic adventure feel, with just enough twists to keep things interesting without ever feeling overcomplicated.

This is definitely an author I’ll be keeping on my radar. Also, did you see the gorgeous cover and lovely sprayed edges?! I’m a sucker for a beautiful edition, and this one looks fantastic. Now I’ll just be over here hoping for more books set in this world (or at least another equally fun standalone from M. Stevenson!).

In Behooved by M. Stevenson, the author has created a refreshing romantasy with a slow burn romance and a chronically ill heroine. I really connected to the main character of Bianca especially as she deals regularly with a chronic illness. I also enjoyed the fantasy aspects of the story, how the magic works in the world and the dilemma that Aric and Bianca are forced to deal with. It is a charming way to create romance between the pair.
One of the other aspects is how the communication between the two is handled. From the start, they fail to communicate well and that adds a messiness to their interactions. Bianca struggles with trusting others, especially with her condition and I love the way Aric wins her over with kindness and respect for her abilities. The pair are engaging and dynamic characters and that created a real page turner with the relationship being the key to the intrigue and dilemma with realistic details.
If you would like a refreshing Romantasy with a chronically ill character and realistic details, this book is for you. The dynamic characters will captivate you and the magic will intrigue you, especially in the realistic way every detail is handled. I loved every bit of the story.

This really is the year of FANTASTIC debuts!! I absolutely loved this romantasy involving a political marriage of convenience between two royals who finds themselves on the run. There's excellent chronic illness rep (her), a blood curse (him), forced proximity, a bookish MMC and relatable feelings of inadequacy on both their parts for feeling like they aren't the royals their families want them to be. AMAZING on audio narrated by my very fav, Natalie Naudus and just a standout love story that I adored from start to finish!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Another great romantasy with just the right amount of action, adventure, suspense, mystery, magic, and romance. It was also nice to see a standalone novel with a well thought out plot and world. The two main characters were 3 dimensional and worth rooting for. It was also refreshing to see a main character struggling with a chronic illness and both working through it and being accepted as equal despite it. I really enjoyed everything about this book and I look forward to more by this author!

Behooved by M. Stevenson is a tender kind of magic—the sort that doesn’t roar with battle cries or blaze with explosive power, but blooms gently in the vulnerable spaces where two people dare to be seen.

Bianca begins this story not as a heroine of great conquests, but as a woman bound by duty, her life weighed down by expectation and the shackles of chronic illness. Her marriage to Aric is born of obligation, an attempt to prove she is more than the weakness everyone assumes of her. Yet, in the most delightfully absurd twist of fate, she accidentally turns her new husband into a horse. An act that strips them both of their masks. There is something beautifully ironic about it. In losing his human form, Aric is finally allowed to be most fully himself.

And Aric… what a remarkable creation he is. In a world that mistakes kindness for fragility, Aric is a rebellion carved in gentleness. He is bookish and thoughtful, a man who listens with his whole being. Where others would try to fix Bianca, to shape her into something more palatable, he simply sees her—scars, jagged edges, and all. He tells her, “Caring means you are strong. It means you’re brave enough to feel,” and it is not just a reassurance, but a declaration of love. His tenderness is radical, a foil to the kind of masculinity that equates empathy with weakness.

Their love is not instant. It grows in careful increments with softened laughter, hesitant confessions and stolen moments that feel like sunrise. Stevenson’s prose captures this with exquisite grace: “He softened like dawn breaking over the sky. Talking of things you loved could do that to a person.” Each page feels like watching two guarded souls slowly unfurl, learning that strength is not measured by duty or endurance, but by the courage to be fully, vulnerably human.

Both Bianca and Aric are haunted by the same ache: a lifelong sense of never being enough. She has been told love is secondary to duty; he has been told his gentleness is weakness. But together they learn a truth that feels both hard-won and deeply romantic—real love does not demand perfection. It cradles the best and the worst in equal measure. As Bianca reflects, “Yet while believing the worst of me he’d also sworn to protect me and care for me? And he meant it?” That is the heart of this story: love as radical acceptance.

By the end, Bianca sheds the skin of who she was told to be. She chooses love, not as rebellion, but as reclamation: “I would no longer take the safe road that behooved me.”

Behooved is, at its core, a love story for anyone who has ever felt too much or not enough, who has ever been told their empathy is a flaw. It is tender, patient, and deeply triumphant—a testament to the power of being fully known and loved anyway.

Thank you to Tor, NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was unfortunately not doing it for me. I was very excited to read it but ultimately ended up feeling a bit let down by it. The premise was one that I was excited for. You're telling me he shifts into a horse because of magic gone wild and it's an arranged marriage situation??? It felt like it was going to be right up my alley. But the jokes felt a little too corny for my liking and it continuously pulled me out of the story.

Bianca is a highly-ranked Damarian noblewoman betrothed by her parents to Aric, the new king of rival nation Gildenheim for a strategic political marriage. Their meeting doesn’t go well. Aric is cold and dismissive, giving Bianca doubts about his willingness to marry her, but they both follow through on the wedding. On their wedding night, a masked assassin attempts to kill Aric, and Bianca saves his life using a magic pendant her sister gives her, invoking a spell that turns him into a horse during the day and a man by night. They flee together for their lives, learning to depend on each other and developing feelings that go far beyond their original marriage of inconvenience.
Behooved is an enjoyable fantasy romance with a lead character who deals with a chronic ailment she has hidden because her parents have taught her to see it as her weakness. They taught her that no one would love her for herself. As Aric and her spend time together in hiding, she realizes that his cold demeanor hides a gentle, kind nature, offering her understanding and caring she has found nowhere else. Bianca is well-fleshed out and shows great character evolution over the novel, learning to trust herself and that she can allow herself to love Aric. Aric is delightfully bookish and analytical, but he is also very sweet in a way that Bianca has never experienced.
The romantic development is organic and very well done as Bianca and Aric grow to love and desire each other. The love scenes are sensual and further the story nicely. Magic is a prominent element of the story but it is not well-explained. More development of the magic system and fleshing out the worldbuilding would have enhanced this book in the best way, as what is delivered is intriguing and makes the reader want more.
Behooved is a book for readers who enjoy a slow build to love between characters who are forced together due to their circumstances. This is a good book for readers who are looking to get into romantasy novels.

3.5 stars

If you're a fan of forced proximity, miscommunication, and arranged marriage romances with a twist, then you definitely should check out this book.

I really liked both Bianca and Aric and their character journeys. The chronic illness representation in Bianca was, I think, well researched and written, and it was nice to see it done in a way that wasn't negative.

I also enjoyed the miscommunication trope here - it was really well done. It added just enough drama and action to the plot without being over the top, and helped drive the action.

The horse puns were overkill…
I tried so hard to like it, but seriously?!
He hadn’t even turned into a horse yet 🫠😂

Good story, it did feel a little slow at times particularly in the middle where it felt like the story was dragging but I did like the twist at the end. I also liked the representation of having a main character who was strong but also battling a chronic illness which isn't very common as most fantasy stories usually end with heroine being all powerful but this story had a heroine who was far from perfect but still courageous.

Overall, I enjoyed it and would still recommend it to customers as it still had a good plot and good character development.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

When I saw the cover of the book, I was like, "Sign me up!" I love a good fairy tale like story, ever since I was little and that hasn't changed much. This book is like if the book My Lady Jane got the fairy tale treatment. This isn't as quirky as My Lady Jane, but it still had that vibe. This also looked at the themes of duty versus heart, which I really liked.

My only complaint is that the spicy scenes seemed out of place to me, but I'm not a big smut reader in general.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for my honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Fantasy romance is not my usual cup of tea, so I went into this book with low expectations (the main male character is a horse shifter????). To my shock, I had a pretty good time. I would definitely try another book from M. Stevenson

Thank you Bramble & Macmillan audio for the drc and alc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Honestly, this book is hilarious and such a fun read! A cozy romantasy with plenty of humor and banter as Bianca and Aric fight to stay alive, prove Bianca did not kill Aric on their wedding night, reverse the magic that turned Aric into a horse *oops* and figure out who tried to assassinate Aric and the political drama at hand. Some of the dialog and themes are a little repetitive and there's definitely miscommunication at play between our MCs but overall it's a cute, quick adventure with some spice. I love that Aric is really such a soft MMC despite coming off brooding and cold and Bianca is clearly a bad*ss, strong woman who's willing to do what it takes to protect her people, even if that means entering an arranged marriage with a Prince she's never met to prevent a war. It's fast paced with a lot of political intrigue and horse puns, so if you're looking for a good quick read you might want to check this one out! (Also look how pretty the cover is!!!)

I was also able to listen to the audio for this one which was great! The narrator Natalie Naudus does a fantastic job and will keep you engaged throughout the story. I typically listen at around 2x speed and that was perfect for this one.

a good choice if you like:
*arranged marriage
*forced proximity
*chronic illness rep
*bi FMC
*sort of enemies to lovers
*magic & mischief
*only one bed
*miscommunication
*political intrigue
*having a fun time (:

I've seen a lot of reviews saying "save a horse ride your husband" and I cackled each time -- I love that😂

As much as I wanted to like this book, I just did not. The story promised a really fun adventure, and I felt like I was just stuck in the Bianca's head the entire time. I believe this story would have benefited from being in third-person POV to let the action and antics be played up more. The premise of a Prince being a horse by day and man by night sounds like a Princess Bride type of story, but ended up being a lackluster fantasy romance. I did not feel that two main characters had any real chemistry, so the entire romance felt very forced. Overall, this was not the book for me.

This was so fun! It was hilarious and I was laughing at loud several times throughout the book. I loved the world and the take on magic, and how it differed between kingdoms, and the romance was adorable.