Much thanks to M. Stevenson, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had fun with this book! The blurb says it's a slow burn, and I can maybe see that, but I thought the pace was pretty steady. I loved sweet, nerdy Aric and badass Bianca and their arcs, which might be the most well-written aspect. The plot's trite and predictable, the world building is lacking, the magic could use some exploration and clarification, and the semi-graphic sex didn't suit the tone. Points of the plot are a bit questionable, like the fact that her sister thought turning an assailant into a huge powerful animal was going to keep Bianca UNharmed? I means, horses' ability to kill people has been well documented, especially frightened ones.

But if you can roll with the janky bits and appreciate the characters, this story is a pleasant way to pass some time. I'm not sure if this is meant to be the start of a series, but I'd spend more time with Aric and Bianca without hesitation.

The narrator, Natalie Naudus, did an excellent job. She gave each character a distinctive voice. She has a low, husky, intense quality that might be better suited to erotic romance, but it worked okay here.

Narrator 4/5
Plot 3/5
Characters 4/5

I really loved the characters, especially the book loving mmc and the narrator was perfect for this book, but the plot…
I didn’t feel anything reading it.
There was not a lot of action and it was quite repetitive.

I’m happy I got to listen to the audiobook because I probably would have dnf’d it if I was reading it physically 😣

Can I just say how chronic illness and just living and dealing with it truly needs to be represented more especially in fantasy!! People aren’t just magically perfect and illness free even in a magical world and it makes it feel so relatable! We have our FMC that does suffer but it doesn’t center around it and she lives through it, where it does come up and we learn how she just has learned to live with it and come to accept it isn’t something that makes her a terrible person and weak and finding acceptance. I do love that.

Overall I did love this story, it was such a quick and fun read (thank you for the horse puns 😂) and the narrator absolutely did a perfect job! She was so great, all the voices and all the emotion. I was absolutely sucked into the story. Were there some things I wish it had to make it a 5 star? I do wish it could have been longer in time frame as well as the book itself for one! Not a bad thing to want.

It was absolutely just the right read for if you want a fast paced fantasy adventure with sweet romance and a little spice. It has arranged marriage, magical transformations, just enough spice and sweet romance.

Thank you so much for this advanced copy to read and enjoy, I loved being able to listen to it! 💕

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.

This was definitely one of my highest anticipated reads this year and I was not disappointed. Bianca is sent off to a neighboring kingdom to be wed to mysterious prince Aric after the death of his mother. There is a treaty in place for trade agreements and she’s the bargaining piece. After a terrible journey by ship, falling into the water, and a less than warm welcome she is feeling scorned. She follows through on her duty to be wed, and on their wedding night there is an assassination attempt. Instead of Aric’s death, he is turned into a horse by day and man by night.

Bianca and Aric set off trying to find a cure while also being in hiding. This was laugh out loud hilarious, forced proximity, slow burn, and just a great read! I am greatly looking forward to more of M Stevenson’s work.

Did I just find my new favorite narrator? Natalie Naudus absolutely wowed me in this delightfully sweet, low-brain-power fantasy romance.

I loved the non-hetero normativity was woven into the plot. Great chronic illness rep, and particularly Aric’s treatment of Bianca’s illness, not that it’s a weakness, but also needs tending to. The magic system was easy to understand and the enchanted horse very much have me Princess and the Frog vibes. I loved the stubble way their friendship builds into more, it’s so wholesome. Overall cute, easy read!!

I received this as an audio arc.
I believe the voice actor did a good job and the characters were clear to understand. I tried all speeds up to 3x. 2.5x was understandable but only with concentration, 3x was not understandable.

As to the actual book. The whole thing is just about as silly as it comes and rife with plot holes. There were too many convenient/easy plot points that helped the story along. Imagine going on a quest and just finding what you need at every stop without really having to try.

While, I enjoyed a different type of MMC, I wish the author would have leaned in more. Tall, handsome and lean muscle but the man can’t defend himself and spends all day in a library? If you’re going to make him brains heavy, very clearly not the alpha guy, why make him look like one?
I think it would have been more interesting for him not to look like a typical romance prince

Story: 3⭐️
Spice: 1.5 🌶️
Narration: 4 ⭐️

Truthfully the saving grace to this book was the narration for me. She did a magnificent job!

I truly love the first 50% of this book. It kept my attention, it was fun, I laughed out loud a few times but after that it just dragged out. I was just really hoping more from this book so, I’m a little disappointed. Just don’t go into this with high hopes. It’s very silly.

✔️chronic illness rep
✔️Arranged Marriage
✔️Scrappy FMC
✔️Courts and political intrigue Scrappy FMC
✔️Softy MMC
✔️Cursed to become a horse during the day

If you are a fan of Apprentice to the Villain, minus the gore and like something that is high stakes but cozy, awkward and funny banter, just all around goofy time. Then you will like this.

Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for granting me an ARC to review honestly.

⭐️3.5 stars!

-The cover—-gorgeous!
-My lady Jane vibes, yes please!
-Chronically ill rep: felt seen
-Barbie swan lake, but make the prince a horse, gimmie!

I love how fast paced this book was! We get into the plot early on, and it has the promise of some good tropes and a fun, fantastical read! Anything with a quest has my attention, especially if it has forced proximity, but the plot felt a bit disconnected from the characters’ journey as I tended to forget what their quest actually was. The world sounds really interesting with different kinds of magic, potions, and people. I’d like to get to know a bit more of it and have more description of the scenery to really pull you in and add to mind movies. There were some enjoyable moments between the two MCs with their banter and wry smirks, but an expansion of the characters romance would’ve made me like them more as it felt a bit like insta love despite them not caring much for each other at first. There’s not really much to build a foundation on other than a physical attraction to each other, which is really the only thing that’s described and mentioned when they have intimate moments and I would’ve like to see more of a bond between them and more emotional intimacy. I also wanted a bit more of their inner monologues and internal struggles in a show rather than tell way and how it affects their decisions and relationships. I loved the chronic illness rep and how Bianca struggles with believing in her strength due to the invisible restraints on her body that keep her from operating how she wants it to. Aric really believes in Bianca, is really understanding, sweet, and kind, placing a confidence and hope in her that she doesn’t always see in herself. Near the end, she does mention how it’s time to prove Aric right about her being strong, and I wish it would’ve been for her to prove to herself because she is full of self doubt, but we don’t get enough of this being shown and would’ve made her feel a bit more real.
Overall, this was a fun and fast paced read with a great premise and representation that I think a lot of people will really love!

This cover and synopsis caught my attention. As a horse girl, I needed to read this story. I enjoyed all the horse puns throughout. The relationship between the main characters progressed really well. I loved that they could communicate when he was in horse form. I really liked Aric's character, he's such a cinnamon roll mmc. I wish I had gotten a better sense of what Bianca's condition was. It could have been anything so I just sorta forgot about it after awhile because I wasn't getting any real insight. I also thought that for these characters being older they felt very early 20s. I wasn't a fan of the audio narration, but it did help get through the story easier. . It did take me awhile to become invested in the story, probably around 30%. All in all this was a fine story just nothing very memorable for me. Three stars

A silly little fantasy. Cute, slow burn.
This seemed like a low stakes fantasy but it was so adorable and easy to follow along in the journey. The narration was really good.

This was a such enjoyable read!! Although, the plot was super simple & predictable- I was entertained, like there was so many funny moments & even moments that had me blushinggg. I loved a lot of the side characters too, like they fr added that flavor to the story to make it so worthwhile, but the MCs alone are so funnnn 😭😭😭 The premise had me dying.
Overall, such a funny read. If you want a light Romantasy that’ll have you laughing & kicking your feet up- This is it 🤍
The narrator did an amazing job as well, I was sold.

“6?! And how were you planning to read them? Your eyes are on the side of your head!!”

^This caught me off guard & had me lmfaoooo. Like it’s not that he can’t read as a horse, but the eyes on the side of his head? Pls ☠️ I never even thought about that before, but now it’s all I think about.

“He was on his knees, but I was the one at his mercy.” - SCREAMINGGG.

“I love you, including the parts you don’t love yourself. I will love them for you, if you’ll let me”
- SWOOOOOOOON CIIIITY, 1 WAY TICKET PLS.

• bianca, fulfilling her duty to her family, agrees to a marriage-of-convenience to the heir to the throne of the neighbouring kingdom, despite the fact that prince aric doesn’t seem to want anything to do with her. when a wedding night plot to kill him goes awry, and ends up with aric turning into a literal horse with bianca as the main suspect, the unlikely duo must work together to reverse the curse & clear their names.
• i went into this book with pretty low expectations, and was very pleasantly surprised with how fun this story turned out to be! we love a murder plot investigation, and the whole “king turns into horse at night” part just added to the fun!
• this one’s for the horse girls who never got over their dreams of marrying a horse one day, and spent all their spare time reading ‘saddle club’ & ‘pine hollow’ books.

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

This was a cute, whimsical story with lots of banter and a grumpy MMC that may or may not be a horse for nearly half of the book. This is great for when you need a quick grumpy/sunshine read. Though the characters are in their mid to late 20s this does still read like it’s YA with minimal spice. It gives Disney movie vibes that I enjoyed, and I do believe this is a standalone with the way it wraps up at the end.

I recently had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version of Behooved by M. Stevenson, narrated by Natalie Naudus. This enchanting romantasy combines elements of magic, adventure, and a slow-burn romance that captivates from start to finish. 

Narration by Natalie Naudus

Natalie Naudus delivers an exceptional performance, bringing depth and personality to each character. Her nuanced portrayal enhances the listening experience, making the characters’ emotions and the story’s humor resonate effectively. Listeners familiar with her previous work will appreciate her consistent ability to embody diverse characters authentically.

Storyline and Characters

The narrative follows Bianca, a noblewoman with a chronic illness, who enters into an arranged marriage with Prince Aric to prevent war between their kingdoms. An assassination attempt on their wedding night results in Aric being cursed to transform into a horse by day and revert to human form by night. Together, they embark on a quest to break the curse, navigating political intrigue and developing a deepening relationship along the way. 

Stevenson’s portrayal of Bianca is commendable; she is a strong, relatable heroine whose chronic illness is depicted with sensitivity and realism. Aric’s character evolves from a reserved prince to a more open and endearing partner, with his bookish nature adding charm to his personality. Their evolving relationship is portrayed with authenticity, making their romance both believable and engaging.

Critiques

While the story is engaging, some listeners might find the initial pacing a bit slow as the narrative sets up the complex world and character dynamics. However, once the central conflict emerges, the plot gains momentum and maintains interest throughout. Additionally, while the humor adds a lighthearted touch, there are moments where it might feel slightly overplayed, potentially detracting from the more serious aspects of the story.

Conclusion

Overall, Behooved is a delightful audiobook that offers a fresh take on the romantasy genre. Natalie Naudus’s skilled narration enhances M. Stevenson’s engaging storytelling, resulting in an immersive and enjoyable listening experience. Fans of romantic fantasy with elements of adventure and humor will find this audiobook a worthwhile addition to their collection.

Behooved was SUCH a good time! I absolutely love so many things about this story, but none more than the fact that it never takes itself too seriously. The premise is admittedly a bit ridiculous—An arranged marriage between two people who absolutely CANNOT stand each other—one of whom just so happens to turn into a horse when the sun comes up—and that’s exactly what makes it so much fun. The author fully owns the absurdity and runs with it, packing the plot with humor, heart, and so many horse puns, you might need a saddle just to keep up. Chef’s kiss.

This book is cozy and whimsical— it reminded me of the uniquely wonderful, offbeat charm that packs such a huge punch in The Princess Bride as well as the regrettably axed My Lady Jane series on Prime (though I’m sure that particular comparison is a bit obvious, and perhaps a touch on the nose).

It’s the kind of story where you’re in on the joke from the start, and the absurdity is just part of the fun. It’s whimsical, witty, and never misses a beat—and honestly, that’s what makes it such a delightful read

I can’t recommend this one enough! It’s a delightful, lighthearted read that also manages to shine a well-deserved spotlight on communities too often sidelined in the fantasy genre. Enter Bianca—our bisexual, chronically-ill heroine who tackles challenges like it’s her damn day job, all while defending her adorably nonviolent, bookworm husband like the absolute champion that she is.

The perfect blend of humor, heart, and representation makes this a must-read. If you love witty, fun stories that don’t take themselves too seriously but still have something to say, Behooved is your next literary adventure, trust me.