An incredibly cute premise with a sweetheart of a love interest that I wish in the end had played out more strongly than it did. I didn't feel the overall politics were well enough thought out to maintain the romance (it was odd to have a democracy be the source of evil while actually the inherited monarchy was good, really, and we should keep it). This is exactly the sort of romantasy I want as escapism: an almost princess bride fairy tale feeling with a love story that doesn't rely entirely on the man being big and strong and angry, but the execution felt flat.

I had a lot of fun with Behooved, especially with all the horse puns scattered throughout it. And as a horse girlie, I love anything where a horse is one of the MCs.

Both the main characters take a bit to grow on you, but I did end up loving them. Bianca is smart and strong, both mentally and physically as she fights through a chronic illness and against the foes on the book. Aric is also smart, and is very much a book worm who would rather read in the library than go to a ball. Together they end up making a great team.

Right off the bat, the comparisons to “My Lady Jane” are inescapable! Who knew there could be two fantasy novels where the love interest is cursed to turn into a horse by day?? Unfortunately, while this one did have a few high points, I mostly set it down wishing that stupid Amazon hadn’t cancelled the “My Lady Jane” show!

I do think this book is at its best when it was leaning into its romcom elements. The absurdity, the banter, and the swift-moving romance are all best appreciated in line with tropes found romcoms. In these moments, the characters were amusing and the love story sweet, if a bit underdeveloped. On the other hand, I think the book struggled when approached from a fantasy perspective. There simply wasn’t enough “there” there. The magic system was incredibly ill-defined and there were many plot moments where, if you allowed your brain to turn back on, you’d be left scratching your head.

I also struggled to enjoy the main character. While I appreciate the author’s creation of a character who suffers from chronic illness, I think the execution was too heavy handed to be very effective. In the first few chapters, especially, it feels as if this is the only aspect of Bianca’s character that anyone cares about, including Bianca herself! It’s referenced a truly boggling number of times in a very small number of pages. Of course, this is an important part of her life and is a source of friction between her and her parents, who see this only as a weakness. However, I began to feel as if Bianca didn’t have anything else making up her character either, defining herself completely around this one aspect of herself, which seems completely contrary to how one should understand people who live with chronic illnesses.

I also struggled with the romance itself. Alas, the story leans heavily into the miscommunication trope, one of the banes of my existence. The wild leaps of logic were truly baffling at times. For example, on the night of the attack, Aric and Bianca are both attacked. But for some reason Aric goes on to think that Bianca was behind it all? And, as is so often the case with this trope, much of the confusion and animosity between them could have easily been solved with a few very short conversations.

Overall, this was an ok read. Strangely, this is one of those cases where I feel like the book would have been better served to have leaned more fully into the comedy aspects of the story. The attempts at serious fantasy elements or its handling of important themes all became stumbling blocks to my enjoyment of the book. That said, straight romcom readers may enjoy this one more than me! Especially if you don’t care as much about the fantasy portions of the story!

Rating 7: While the book did have some sweet and funny moments, I struggled to enjoy it due to its weaker main character and the heavy use of the miscommunication trope.

Link will go live on May 2 on The Library Ladies

Cozy romantasy about a woman who accidentally turns her new husband into a horse on their wedding night and then must learn to trust and cooperate with him in order to break the spell and keep a kingdom from certain disaster. Great disability rep and sweet, witty writing.

I got through about 6-7 chapters, then skimmed through parts of it, then gave up.

The premise is great. "Princess Bride" levels of humorous and interesting. NetGalley was even able to make it sound interesting enough for me to request it. To be excited to read it, even. This was going to be so fun and I would recommend it to everyone I came in contact with.

L. O. Fucking. L.

Nuclear. Dumpster. Fire.

When I was eleven, I fancied myself a writer. So I wrote a fantasy "novel." The pacing and flow of this book - which was presumably written by an adult who has honed their craft, edited by a professional team, alpha and beta read by many readers, and being marketed by a major publishing house and set to release in a little over a month - was eerily similar to the pace and flow of the rough little novel I wrote when I was barely on the cusp of puberty.

Dear indie authors - Never let TradPub snobs make you feel like your work is inferior. Not when THIS crap is getting pushed through the pipeline.

Characters are reduced to "She has [color] eyes and [color] hair with olive skin" and "He has [color] eyes and [color] hair with olive skin." Somehow, everyone has olive skin (um, yay diversity? I guess?) Every character has the same flat personality, and they only speak in exposition like they're in a bad Shyamalan movie. Servants know about SOOPER DOOPER TOP SECRET AND CIVILIZATION IMPACTING EVENTS five minutes after the main character gets it dropped on her like a bomb out of nowhere, and the reason the servants know is because "Tee, hee - servants gossip." Dialogue is just there to move the plot forward and it might as well be delivered with that cringey "As you know..." preamble. There is no sense of who these characters are, why they're important, and why I should care. During the dance scene at the ball, I totally missed that she changed dance partners - they were all the same!

The random sprinkling of "modern" terms was too jarring. The prose would be going along like it's trying to evoke a medieval/high fantasy tone, and then the MC will suddenly use terms like "horse's ass" or "puking." Did this person suddenly travel from the 1980s?

Also, a pommel on the saddle is NOT the saddle horn. The pommel is the raised part on the front of a saddle below the horn (if you're using a Western saddle. An English saddle has no horn). If a character is gripping a pommel with two hands, they're about to be thrown off, whether they like it or not. I don't care if this bisexual plank of wood has an allergic reaction to touching her horsey husband, she is going to grab onto his mane or SOMETHING.

(Excuse me, but I grew up around horses and details like this are like nails on a chalkboard. If you can't get something this basic right in a book WHERE THE POSEIDON-DAMNED MMC TURNS INTO A HORSE, there's no hope).

I know this was published by Tor and their standards for character development are in the gutter, but I REALLY want to emphasize that sexuality and celiac disease are NOT a substitute for actually writing interesting characters. I hope whoever's eleven-year-old niece you cribbed this manuscript from and added in "spice" to market it to adults is getting some big-time compensation for this tire fire.

I have to be honest. The cover sucked me in on this one. It's gorgeous. And the premise is interesting. Bianca is a noble who knows that duty comes before her heart. She has no magic and a mysterious ailment but she ALWAYS does her duty. For her country, she agrees to a marriage of convenience with the prince of a neighboring country. But their uncomfortable meeting leads to an even more unpleasant wedding. A spell gone aawry leads to a wedding night disaster, and the unlikely pair dashes across the country to find a way to reverse the curse and discover who has betrayed them.

The best part about Behooved is how campy it is. Unlike most romantasy novels, it is humorous and fun and does not take itself seriously, which is a lovely change from tortured teenagers who grimly fight monsters under the eyes of uncaring adults. I enjoyed the twist on the Firebird tale with our hero turning into a horse by day while he is a man by night. The writing was good and the story galloped along at a good pace. Sadly, I felt that the relationship was a bit too instalove for my taste and the plot wrapped up rather too quickly to provide maximum enjoyment.

A fun romp with a few bumps. 4 stars

Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this title.

I thought this was such a cozy romance. Spice was minimal but I loved seeing the attraction between Aric and Bianca bloom after several misunderstandings. I absolutely adored how the two helped each other’s confidence grow. The world building wasn’t too heavy in terms of magical terms and locations so I think this might be a great intro to the romantasy genre. And I had a lot of laughs courtesy of the horsey innuendos 😂

If you enjoy the arranged marriage trope and liked the vibes of books like Shoestring Theory by Mariana Costa and my Lady Jane then you will enjoy Beehoved. The author wrapped things up pretty well in this book but I would be happy to see more of Aric and Bianca if she decided to write a sequel!

A very fun magical adventure! The growing romance between Bianca and Aric was satisfying in the pacing and emotional beats. The mystery of who tried to assassinate Aric was a touch predicable, but the romance made up for it!

A cozy-ish romantasy with a royal arranged marriage that leads to a lot of mutual pining. The romance was very sweet, with a capable woman managing her chronic illness (akin to celiac) paired with a very soft and bookish prince.

The writing is very Disney-esque, and the main character's sheltered perspective makes the book read quite young. But somehow, it matches the overall plot.

It took a while to get through the introductory world-building (which did not have much bearing on the story), but once the plot kicked in, the book ended up being a cute but straightforward romp.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this enchanted fairytale romance. A nerdy, soft-hearted heir apparent with a habit of turning into a white stallion at sunrise, a baddie FMC with a chronic disability and soft edges. The perfect read to snap me out of my reading slump and a highly anticipated read of the year! It definitely lived up to my expectations of being a cutesy fairytale.

Going into this, I expected a silly, lighthearted story. I mean, seriously, riding your husband on your wedding night... because he accidentally turns into a horse? Don’t overthink this one. It’s a rom-com, not a deep dive into emotional motifs, heavy-hitting conflicts or complex world building.

Behooved by M. Stevenson is a refreshingly different fantasy—no grand battles or overpowering magic, but an intimate, character-driven story rich with political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and thoughtful world-building.

The female main character suffers from an unnamed but recognizable celiac disease, which is misunderstood in her world and seen as a sign of weakness. Despite this, she remains fiercely dedicated to her family and her seemingly more "advanced" nation. Meanwhile, the male main character is a bookish, science-minded intellectual from a country more in tune with nature, highlighting the stark contrast between their homelands. Their romance builds gradually, woven into a story of duty and personal strength.

With a mix of quiet tension, steamy moments, plenty of riding, and a deep exploration of resilience, Behooved is a compelling fantasy worth picking up.

Thanks to Bramble for the digital advance review copy!

✨ARC Review✨

✅Magic
✅Arranged marriage
✅Reluctant ruler
✅Betrayal
✅Diversity and Inclusion

If you’re looking for a fun romantasy, Behooved is for you. M. Stevenson’s novel is a blend of humor, romance, adventure and magic.

I loved the FMC Bianca. She is strong, smart, and has a sense of duty. She cares for those around her including her parents who take advantage of her. She is excellent with swords and defending herself.

The MMC Aric is the opposite of Bianca. He is a reluctant ruler who values books over ruling. When we say opposites attract, it is very true for the main characters.

I found the side characters endearing as well especially Tatiana. She loves her sister so much. Also, Tatiana provides comic relief in the book.

I appreciate the representation in this book. We need more stories that represent how diverse people can be.

Some things that I thought could have been improved:
- I wanted to see more of Varin’s and Bianca and Tatiana’s parents’ motivations.
- What was causing Bianca’s illness that the greenwitch alluded to?
- The beginning dragged a little. I wished it gave more time for Bianca and Aric to develop their feelings for each other.

Absolutely love this book! I was skeptical at first but I highly recommend this book. I will say the spicy parts were very... different.. than what I expected but not complaining at ALL.

Reading the plot of the book had me a little nervous but this actually ended up being very cute, maybe I do like enemies to lovers after this. I do wish the FMC didn't complain so much about how much of a liability she is but I still appreciated the representation.

The blurb, and the conceit (the prince is now a horse! hijinks ensue!), caught my eye, but if I hadn't been reading this as an ARC, I would have DNF'd. I hoped it would be funnier and more engaging, but Bianca's dutiful nature was dull and Aric didn't bring much personality to the table either. Or the trough, I guess. Aside from the disability rep (which I appreciated), this felt derivative and boring. A cast of potentially interesting side characters was largely wasted. It skews YA in style and vibes, which doesn't really fit the material, and most of the politics and magic stuff, which could have been a good foil to the super basic romance plot, was just hand-waved. Overall, just disappointing.

Behooved is a fun and cozy romantasy that delivers a unique blend of political intrigue, magical curses, and an enemies-to-lovers romance—with a bit of horseplay along the way. If you’re in the mood for a cozy fantasy, this one is for you!

In M. Stevenson’s Behooved, protagonist Bianca does not get off on the right foot with her betrothed, King Aric. Supposedly he was the one to insist on a marriage alliance, but when she arrives, Aric seems to want nothing to do with her. If that wasn’t enough, their marriage night ends with a talking horse in the bedroom—instead of a groom!

This book was not quite how I’d imagined it from the description, but it is full of humor and fun, and was quite the enjoyable read.

M. Stevenson’s Behooved is a debut that gallops into romantasy with a unique premise, a touch of humor, and strong queer-normative and disability representation (Celiac Disease). While sometimes labeled as cozy fantasy, I’d call it cozy-adjacent at best—once Aric turns into a horse, the tone shifts closer to cozy territory, but the stakes remain a bit too high, and Bianca’s serious, often prickly nature keeps the book from settling into that warm, comforting space.

The novel takes a while to hit its stride, with the first quarter dragging due to pacing rather than plot. During this stretch, Bianca is deeply concerned with how others perceive her, and much of her frustration stems from minor slights that don’t feel particularly pressing within the book’s world. However, once her new husband transforms into a horse on their wedding night the story kicks into gear, offering a fun  twist and vibe shift that makes for an entertaining read.

Stevenson’s prose leans formal, which lends the book a distinct, almost fairy-tale-like feel, though it may not be for everyone. Some named characters serve clear roles but don’t develop much beyond them. That said, the novel excels in its queer-normative world, witty banter, and offbeat magical premise.

For a debut from an author without a formal writing background, this is an impressive first outing. While it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, Behooved will likely appeal to romantasy readers who enjoy grumpy protagonists, sharp humor, and a magical plot with a twist and a nuzzle. If you can overlook some pacing hiccups and enjoy a weekend romp in the stable—with a few extra hurdles along the way—this one is worth saddling up for.⭐️⭐️⭐️3.4/5 starsBehooved will release on May 20, 2025 and is available for pre-order at ethical retailers like Bookshop.org.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble, an imprint of Tor Publishing Group, for the eARC in exchange for an honest professional review.

Bianca feels trapped in her role as the second-born daughter to a prominent family. She knows her duty to her family and her country comes first though, and when the neighboring kingdom threatens war with a marriage alliance as the only answer, she's willing to move away from everything she's known to prove to her parents that despite the illness that has defined most of her life she can serve a purpose. Nothing's as it seems though, when she makes it to Gildenheim's shores and her betrothed doesn't seem at all interested in the bride he requested. An assasin on their wedding night causes Bianca to accidentally turn her new husband into a horse, forcing them to journey through the countryside as they unravel the mysteries of the magic binding him and the political machinations that would use them as pawns.

I'll be honest, the premise of this story wasn't what drew me in. Actually, I found it a little silly, however, I was surprised at how it played out in that it wasn't caricature. Despite the world building and lore, the story didn't feel dense or bogged down. In fact, it felt like a light read. The author's "self-insert" by giving her an chronic illness in no way makes her an incapable heroine. If anything, my sympathy for her character was more due to her desire to gain her parents approval and subsequent clining to duty. Bianca proves to be a strong heroine that uses the talents she has as she gains the confidence to go after what she wants.

My one issue would be with the evolution of Bianca's feelings for Aric. The story is told in first person, so the reader is privy to her inner thoughts, and yet it caught me by surprise when she admits to the depth of attraction she feels to Aric. She'd certainly mentioned him she found him physically attractive, and we can see how she comes to see him in a new light, but claiming she "wanted him from the moment she laid eyes on him" felt untrue.

Overall, a fun romp of romantasy with a dash of world building that leaves itself open for more stories within the world. I'd read it again, but not immediately. Absorbing, but not un-put-down-able. 3.5/5

First, thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

Second, I loved this book. It’s just a generally fun book! Knowing the premise, I couldn’t help but laugh at the foreshadowing horse puns early in the story. The humor and ticking clock kept the pacing moving well.

I fell in love with Aric. I have a soft spot for a nerdy, introverted prince 🥰 Without giving too much away, I also strongly identified with how he feels at a party 😅 And books are also my favorite weapon, both in a fight and in connecting with people.

Bianca is also a wonderful character. Her strength is undeniable. I love the theme that overcoming a weakness to accomplish something is actually a sign that you are stronger than the person who accomplished the same thing without having the weakness to overcome.

And I can’t close this out without making reference to the representation in this book. The queer normative world was refreshing in a way that I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t realize it was something I needed until M. Stevenson so expertly gave it to me. The disability rep, though, is what sets this book apart. Not just because disability rep is so rare, but because it highlights that there are so many different kinds of heroes and anyone, ANYONE, can be a hero and lead the quest we all dreamed of going on as kids.

So in short, this is a fast, fun read with many important messages you don’t even realize you’re getting because it shows people just as they are, living their lives, and kicking a** 😊