If you grew up loving Barbie in Swan Lake, The Princess Bride, or more recently My Lady Jane then this book is for you! This book is kinda silly and as expected there are many jokes and puns about her husband turning into a horse BUT it was also so fricken good and really hit me in the feels! Bianca, is the celiac representation we didn't know we were getting but were so happy to see, she is strong but struggles every day because she doesn't know what is wrong with her body and why she is so weak. There is no magical fix by the end just the knowledge that it's something she's eating and she's going to have to figure it out but has support, loved this! She was so brave and wonderful (a little cringy and clumsy at time), her and Aric were cuties, they start as enemies to lovers and you feel the hate on both ends but their romance built up very well. This book is a cozy fantasy with all the best tropes, forced marriage, one bed, enthusiastic consent! It was a little predictable but I would definitely read another book by M. Stevenson! Also, that cover is incredible!

Finally, a true horse girl fantasy!

Behooved is a lot of fun, from the cheeky title to the intriguing narrative that delivers on some solid forced proximity between the main pairing.

I just wish that the "antagonist" tied better into the narrative as a whole. It felt like the romance was so rich and well-communicated but when it slipped back into the plot in the last quarter I found myself a little bored.

This novel has a fantastic premise but is somewhat lacking in execution. Given the setup of political machinations at the beginning I had expected something complex and twisty, but the plot and the tone were pretty straightforward and less sophisticated than that. More cozy than I expected, but then there were sex scenes, which felt kind of at-odds with the vibe of the book, which very much felt more like a YA novel. There was kind of a mismatch between what the book felt like it wanted to be and what actually came out. I didn’t think it was bad, per se, just that it didn’t live up to its potential. There was actually quite a bit to like about it. I liked the relationship between Aric and Bianca and the way it developed. And the plot, for all it was not what I expected, was well paced and fairly enjoyable. And while this book fell short of the mark for me, I’m very interested to see what the author does next.

Representation: Main character with chronic illness, bisexual main character and other LGBTQ+ characters, POC characters

bianca has been raised knowing her worth is in her duty to her people. so, when her parents explain she is to be married to the neighboring kingdom’s young heir to avoid war, she agrees. being betrothed to prince aric is worse than she imagined, though, as he seems to want nothing to do with her, despite being the one to arrange the marriage in the first place. to make matters worse, on their wedding night, a failed assassination attempt leads to aric turning into a horse. now, the two have to set aside their differences to figure out how to stop a second attempt on aric’s life—and how to turn him back to a human.

i was expecting to like this book, but not to love it as much as i did! bianca was chronically ill, and as a girlie attempting to figure out her own body, i absolutely loved how this aspect of her identity was portrayed. with her family’s reactions to her chronic illness and not having magic, she’s always felt like a burden on others. in fact, she’s determined to hide her chronic illness from aric for as long as she can so that he doesn’t call things off. she carries this mindset on their journey, but aric is quick to help her see a different perspective: “strength isn’t about what your body can do…it’s about how you respond to adversity.” i was having a bad health day and when i heard this line, it felt truly magical. i loved how their relationship progressed; seeing them go from not wanting anything to do with each other to loving each other was beautiful!

Listen. This is unhinged. So many horse jokes, so little time. I'm into it. It's hilarious. Don't think to hard about it. This is Romantasy, friends, and the romance comes first. There is spice and all your favorite tropes including only one stable stall. I enjoyed it very much, and you could too unless you get hung up on little things like how bad her parents are really or can you trust an assassin after they tried to kill your husband. This is a 3.5 star in rounding up because I read this quickly once I got past the world-building (LGBTQIA+ rep! Chronic illness rep! Oligarchy over Monarchy! Oh wait, no, that last one is sus. Nevermind that. Carry on.)
Thanks to NetGalley, Bramble, and Macmillan Audio for these advanced copies!

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc! 🤍

Behooved by M. Stevenson was such a fun and easy read and it’s definitely not one to take too seriously. if you love classic fantasy tropes like arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, only one bed (you know the drill), you’ll probably enjoy this one too.

that said, it also featured one of my least favorite tropes: miscommunication. i found myself wanting to yell at the characters to please. just. talk. to. each. other. more than once. even with that, i found myself really enjoying the ride. (pun intended)

the magic system and world had a whimsical vibe that i loved, and while i do wish the author had gone a bit more in depth with both of them, what we did see was super fun. this definitely felt like a vibes over logic kind of book, as some things didn’t always make the most sense, but if you go into it expecting a fun escape rather than heavy worldbuilding, i think you’ll have a great time.

i also really appreciated the chronic illness rep (which you don’t see nearly enough in fantasy), and i liked the two main characters quite a bit, even when they made… questionable decisions. i adored the tender moments between them.

if you're looking for a cozy, tropey romantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Behooved is a great pick. 🦄🔮🗡️

This was such a cute fantasy rom com! It will definitely be perfect to recommend to patrons who were sad the My Lady Jane tv series was cancelled.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group/Bramble for providing me with this ARC.

Behooved is a grown horse girl’s dream come true in novel form. The story follows Bianca Lilliana as she journeys to a neighboring country to wed their heir to the throne, Aric. This marriage will secure an alliance between their two nations. Bianca and Aric immediately get off on the wrong foot, which soon magically becomes a hoof—at least in Aric’s case—when an assassination attempt gone wrong turns Bianca’s new husband into a white horse and she is framed for his disappearance and murder.

“Virtue of Mercy. I was married to a horse.”

Hilarity ensues as Bianca and her new, er, horseband go on the run in an attempt to find a cure for the magical spell that turns Aric into a horse at night. Along the way, Behooved bursts with nearly every romantic trope imaginable. The two newlyweds (who are clearly meant to be both enemies-to-lovers and maybe even grumpy and sunshine, if one squints) are forced to share only one bed in every inn they encounter, and must pretend to be a happily married couple (fake dating) to avoid discovery. Readers who love these tropes will find plenty to delight in, but I found the execution a bit lacking.

For instance, the enemies-to-lovers arc is a little hard to believe, as the two have agreed to wed for the good of their countries. Aric and Bianca only share a single dance and a rejected breakfast invitation before they’re married and forced to call a truce to cure Aric and clear Bianca’s name. There’s just not enough time spent establishing their relationship or their characters. It’s obvious that Bianca is meant to be the long-suffering, dutiful daughter, and Aric the socially inept recluse—but without more interaction, a man choosing to read at a ball after dancing with his betrothed doesn’t feel like enough of a basis to form an entire judgment of his character. Yet that’s exactly what Bianca, a twenty-something-year-old woman, decides she should do.

It's this lack of nuance that makes the characters read more like teenagers than the young adults they’re supposed to be. It doesn’t help that they seem more like archetypes than fully developed people. Admittedly, what little development they do receive was perplexing. How did a noblewoman receive training in swordplay, especially when she has a chronic illness that labels her as weak even by her own family's standards? And how did the male heir to a throne manage to avoid similar training? Behooved implies this is simply a cultural difference between the countries, but I didn’t find it convincing.

This is most likely due to the fact that the world-building is practically nonexistent. For instance, Bianca is constantly swearing “by the seas” or “by the virtues,” yet there’s little—if any—explanation of where these curses originate. Are they religious? Is her country’s economy based on some form of maritime trade? I was also confused when she claimed there was no royalty in her country, yet she was deemed worthy (as a member of a noble house) to marry a future king and become a queen.

“I hadn’t exactly missed the man, but being married to a horse was awkward at best. If Aric was human again, we could return to the castle. Clear my name. Find the assassin, and consequently who had sent them.”

With weak character development and thin world-building, Behooved reads more like a YA novel with detailed spice than an actual adult romantasy. The characters begin developing feelings for each other fairly early on. I’m a huge fan of slow burn/yearning, so it felt too fast for my taste. Unfortunately, I just couldn't feel their chemistry either. The curse setup echoes The Swan Princess, except in Behooved, Aric conveniently turns human at night. Romantic? Maybe. Convenient for sex scenes? Definitely. I also had trouble with the first spicy scene, which takes place right after Bianca is mortally injured. She’s supposed to be recovering from serious wounds—and she’s chronically ill—but apparently this is the moment she chooses to act on her sudden desire for her husband?

As someone with multiple chronic illnesses, I was excited (but cautiously optimistic) to see a fantasy novel with a chronically ill main character. In the afterword, the author shares that she wanted to represent a heroine who, like her (she has Celiac disease), lives with a chronic condition. I love that this representation comes from an author with firsthand experience, but for most of the book I was worried about where the portrayal was headed.

“‘Did she tell you what the poison was?’
‘No. But she said you and I could figure it out.’ Aric reached for my hand. ‘Then we will. It might take time. But I promise we’ll find the answer.’”
Because Bianca’s condition is unnamed, undiagnosed, and only managed through tonics, I feared the book was setting up for one of my least favorite tropes ever: the magical cure. About three-quarters of the way through, a greenwitch (a healer with magical powers) says Bianca is poisoning herself, and that her husband is clever enough to figure it out. After reading the author’s note, I realized this was a metaphor for gluten "poisoning," but while reading, it felt uncomfortably close to a magical cure because of how it was presented.

As someone who struggled to get diagnoses for most of my life, it felt dismissive—even in a fantasy novel—that a character could say, “Don’t worry. Your husband will figure it out,” and everyone just went with it. What’s worse is that Bianca wholeheartedly believes this—despite barely knowing her new husband and who sometimes doesn’t even have thumbs because of the horse curse. His only real skill? He likes to read. I’m not saying Aric couldn’t discover a treatment eventually, but it felt flippant considering Bianca’s noble upbringing, which allowed her access to medical testing and care that the less fortunate wouldn't. This easily believed solution is another kind of moment that makes the book feel much more YA than adult.

That said, Behooved is a really fun concept. The beginning is fast-paced and engaging. The stakes get high quickly, which is both a strength and a weakness—it doesn’t give readers enough time to settle in with the characters or grow attached to them. Though it didn’t quite work for me—a recovering horse-a-holic—readers drawn to whimsical romantasy, magical mishaps, and well-worn tropes will still find it a feel-good, low-stakes escape. Behooved has all the ingredients for an engaging romp, but weak world-building and rushed romance keep it from reaching full gallop.

I loveeeeeed this, it was so cute and fun. 10/10 banter. I also really appreciated the chronic illness representation! It had a little bit of a YA feel to the writing style, but it was definitely an adult book with spice. Overall really enjoyed this and would recommend it!

Thank you to Bramble for the eARC.

My BFF told me about this book months ago. She goes “he turns into a horse and the FMC rides him to escape.” One, my thoughts were dirty and two, I knew I needed to read it.

This book had things I love: enemies-to-lovers, an awkward, nerdy MMC, a magical world without too much world building, humor, chronic illness representation, and a bad guy that gets his comeuppance.

I really fell for Bianca and Aric and I just felt like I was rooting for them. Watching them both get over their mistrust and slowly begin to fall for each other was just heartwarming. My first from this author but hopefully not my last!

I fell off the treadmill reading this. I don’t think you can give a much better endorsement for how absorbing a book is than that. This is the adult version of all the books I loved as a kid/teen, with some great disability/chronic illness and queer representation.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone boo me while you throw tomatoes my way. I missed finishing this one before it came out.

Now, onto the review:

Between this and another stand-alone romantasy I read recently, I’m starting to wonder if stand-alone fantasy/romantasy isn't for me. 😅

This was fine, overall. Just enough fantasy/world-building to be interesting, but not so much that it felt like too much crammed into a single novel. If the author ever wishes to return to this world, there is still plenty to explore.

With the magic system, specifically, though, things felt a little…underwhelming? Like I feel like I had enough of an understanding to get by, but there were still things I didn’t understand? Like I understood that there was supposed to be these clear differences between Bianca’s home country and the magic they use and how they use it, versus Aric and his country. Adept magic vs wild/blood magic. What felt weird/underdeveloped was the black and white comparisons that were made as the story went on. Like the more Bianca saw of Gildenheim’s magic, the more she, for lack of a better term, villainized the magic in her home country Damaria. I'm sure that won't matter to most people, but I personally don't know if I would so quickly change my outlook on my home countries ways. Like I said earlier, maybe there's more to explore there, should the author choose to do so. Overall, the magic was vague enough to serve the story without getting into overwhelming specifics, imo.

This did feel to me like a true "romantasy", in the sense that the romance took center stage and the fantasy elements were the set dressing. And, while it may not sound like it, I mean that as a compliment in this instance, mostly. I, frankly, really enjoyed the set up of Aric being turned into a horse during the day. And I’m all for the confessions that Aric and Bianca shared, but given that the vast majority of this book takes place over the course of like two weeks max, it all felt a little unearned, again imo. Not quite insta-love levels, but still.

I have to admit that I wasn’t crazy about Bianca when the story first started. She was fine until she got to Gildenheim, then she just kind of…turned into a spoiled brat for a little bit? I understand that, given the rumors about her betrothed that she’d be a little defensive and on edge, but she perceived everything he did and didn’t do as some kind of insult, and it felt like the author was reaching on Bianca’s side of things to make the misunderstanding between her and Aric happen when they flee the assassin. For example: when she gets to her rooms, there are 3 books in there in her native language, one on her country’s war history, an out-of-date pamphlet on her country's fashion, and a third book I don’t remember. She thinks the war history is a threat and takes the style pamphlet as an insult to her. Like, girl, maybe it was a kind gesture and that’s all they have in their library in your native language. For all you know this man is in mourning while taking over a whole country, cut him some slack.

As for Aric, no notes. I love him, and from what we get of him (seeing as the whole book is in Bianca's POV, which is fine) he didn't seem nearly as unreasonable as Bianca had been at the start.

In the pros column, I enjoyed this book’s sense of humor, especially the horse puns scattered throughout. And I’m not too proud to admit when I simply enjoy a book. I didn’t love it, it didn’t change my life, but I didn’t hate it either. Was it predictable? To me, yeah. But was it fun? Also, yes.

In conclusion: give this a shot if you like light (cozy?) fantasy with a heaping helping of romance.

Such a cute story, remincent of a couple favourite movies of mine (lady hawk, the polar bear king).
The characters are loveable and take you on a fun adventure.

Honestly, this was exactly the kind of cozy fantasy romance I wanted after a heavy week — humorous, plenty of action and adventure, with some comforting tropes built in (road trip, only one bed). If you’re still sad about My Lady Jane being cancelled, this one is for you.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Behooved is pure magic—equal parts whimsical, heartfelt, and refreshingly original. If you’re a fan of My Lady Jane and love a cozy fantasy with bite, banter, and a bit of spice, this one absolutely belongs on your shelf.

At first glance, the premise sounds like a fairytale fever dream: a chronically ill duchess forced into a political marriage with a cursed king who turns into a literal white stallion by day. But what unfolds is so much more than a quirky setup. It’s a slow-burn romance and a thoughtful, character-driven adventure that quietly knocks you off your feet.

Aric, the cursed bookworm king, is the kind of soft, introverted hero you can’t help but fall for—his awkwardness at parties and quiet strength made me feel seen in ways I wasn’t expecting. And Bianca? She’s incredible. Fierce, pragmatic, deeply human. The way her chronic illness is represented with nuance, care, and honesty, elevates this story beyond a simple fairytale. It becomes a celebration of the fact that strength comes not from the absence of struggle, but from moving forward through it.

Their chemistry is top-tier grumpy x grumpy gold, with just the right amount of tension, tenderness, and heat. The “one bed” trope? Nailed it. And the spice? Perfectly balanced, never overwhelming the story, but woven in with meaning and impact.

The supporting cast deserves a standing ovation too—lesbian lady knights, hilariously blunt siblings, and loyal friends who actually feel like real people. Everyone has a purpose, a motivation, and a voice. Marya, Tatiana, Catalina… I’m genuinely hoping we get spinoffs because I wasn’t ready to let any of them go.

The queer-normative world is a breath of fresh air—seamless, inclusive, and lovingly done. You don’t realize how much you’ve been craving this kind of representation until M. Stevenson hands it to you with grace and zero fanfare. And while the world-building is rich and imaginative, the tone remains cozy, even during moments of darkness. It’s an adventure with warmth, humor, and heart.

At just over 300 pages, it’s a fast read, but one that lingers. This story made me laugh, ache, swoon, and reflect. It reminded me that anyone can be a hero.

So if you like your fairytales with sass, softness, slow-burn romance, and social commentary wrapped up in a cursed-horse-shaped bow? Behooved will charm the hooves off you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A Cozy, Magical Rom-Com with Laugh-Out-Loud Banter

Behooved is a fun and light-hearted standalone fantasy romance that had me laughing out loud—especially in the beginning! The banter was absolutely hilarious, and the audiobook brought it to life even more. I signed up for this ARC because the plot sounded delightfully ridiculous in the best way, and it definitely delivered on the humor.

Big thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this early! I really enjoyed the magical elements woven into the story, though it’s worth noting that this isn’t an epic fantasy with a deep, complex magic system. It’s more of a cozy, feel-good tale, perfect for readers looking for charm over world-building depth.

I loved watching Bianca and the prince grow individually and together. Their romance was sweet, and their journey to discover inner strength (and each other!) was heartwarming. While it didn’t quite reach favorite status for me, Behooved was still an enjoyable read filled with charm, whimsy, and a lot of laughs.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was SO FUN. I really really loved this book. The overall concept was so SILLY in such a good way. When this man turned into a whole ass horse I LOST IT. Such a fun thing to throw into a whole arranged marriage trope, and it gave a new way for the characters to get to know each other. I love that the MMC isn't portrayed as this big beefy strong man who is overly strong and stuff idk. Men need to struggle lifting things in books more haha. The FMC was too whiney for me though; like you are constantly talking down on yourself babes, but at the same time being stuck up about your rank when first meeting the guy. Idk I'd love to see more development on the FMC. However, the chronic illness included was BRILLIANT, and we need more authors to put that in books. Also, THAT COVER??? PERFECTION.

The concept for this was fantastic and I loved it. Animorphs but make it sexy. Who hasn't wanted a husband that's also sometimes a horse? I guess?? This was a great lighthearted romantasy read, that still maintained tone and pacing throughout. Though it was lighter overall, there was still a lot of character development and meaningful dialogue. This was just great!

"Behooved" was the perfect lighthearted and cozy romantasy to read during a busy month. I loved how it balanced keeping things relatively light and fun without sacrificing major character growth and emotional development.

I adored both main characters in "Behooved" and loved experiencing their story. I do not have Celiac disease, but as someone with frequent tummy troubles I adored the inclusion of chronic illness representation here. I hope Bianca figures out that she has a gluten intolerance. Both her and Aric were so incredibly sweet, and I loved seeing them grow together.

I love a romantasy with a silly goofy tone, but I think "Behooved" did a great job at keeping things cozy without the story being slapstick. There are definitely stakes in the story, both personal and farther reaching, but while the plot kept things moving at a relatively quick pace you really got to sit with these characters and their world. And what a fun world at that. I know this is a standalone, but I would certainly read more about this world and its characters.

With all the trappings of a classic fairytale story, this one was really a lot of fun.

He's a half hoooooorse (half man)

4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bramble for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

Behooved is a romantasy with a twist in the tale, reminiscent of the movie Ladyhawke. Bianca journeys to a neighboring kingdom determined to do her duty and keep the peace between the countries even though she is battling a mysterious and largely invisible illness that she has been told all her life makes her lesser. Upon her arrival, her fiancé is as rude and unpleasant to her as she had feared. Still she is determined to do her duty and be worthwhile. When the couple is attacked on their wedding night by an assassin Bianca activates a protection spell but it goes horribly awry. Aric, her husband, has been turned into a horse! The couple reluctantly flees together, hoping that the spell can be reversed. And as the sun sets, he is once again a human. However, he is once again a horse at sunrise. Time is not on their side as they race to find a cure, learning to love each other for their good qualities and working through their misunderstandings as well.