I have a deep love for this story. The world and the plot are deceptive, when you start off it all feels simple, like an easy happily ever after. But Suji Kim makes you work for the small happy moments. This isn't the poor noblewoman finally being saved from all her torments by a knight in magical armor, but a woman who has experienced trauma and has deep insecurities who is trying to heal without even realizing it. And poor Riftan, he just wants her to be happy, but he doesn't understand that in his forcing opulence and leisure on his wife, he is broadening the gap between them. I think this is the first time that I have read something where the miscommunication goes on for 2 entire books and I am not frustrated. Because it makes sense, and more importantly, it is written well. I hope that Maxi and Riftan keep learning to trust each other. And I demand more Riftan backstory!

I have been a HUGE fan of the web comic on Manta for a couple of years now, so it’s wonderful that there is a really pretty physical book I can put on my shelf and show off.

A stunning, successful sequel. In this second book, we see Maxi, still struggling with her insecurity, slowly start coming into her own. While she still has a ways to go, progress is definitely being made. This emotional fantasy has a slow start, but will leave you wanting more.

Wonderfully adaptation of the webtoon,and a way to fully immerse in the world you already know and love

Under the Oak Tree is a novelization of the Under the Oak Tree webcomic by Suji Kim. In Volume 1, the story focuses on a young noble lady, Maximillian, and her growth as a new wife to the most reputable and fearsome knight in the kingdom, Sir Riftan. Faced with challenges in the previous book, we saw Maxi slowly begin to accept herself and her new role in an ancient, monster-infested world.

Volume 2 continues very much in the same way with similar pacing. Maxi has flourished in her new role as Lady and adapted to her new life with Riftan and the knights. We meet a few new faces as well and Maxi continues to learn more about herself and how she best fits in with Riftan's world.

Maxi's growth also continues in Volume 2 and where we saw her start to make significant changes to growing her self-confidence in Volume 1, Volume 2 is where she really starts to stand on her own as both a lady and a prospective mage.

I'm still not keen on Riftan as a love interest as some of his controlling actions and words I would consider going way too far to the point he is disrespectful to his comrades and his wife but I am relieved to see Riftan is on a growth journey of his own and slowly starting to realize his desperate overprotectiveness is not always appropriate--especially when it comes to Maxi. He sees her as a delicate rosebud but he has yet to learn that roses have thorns. I especially enjoy the parts that reveal that Riftan can sometimes be just as naive as Maxi. Especially as Riftan often chides Maxi for her recklessness, as if he had a paternal role but during these moments they serve as a reminder of his naivety and youth as well.

Again, much like the first book, the real charm here is watching Maxi's character growth. Watching her confidence and willpower boom in comparison to where she first started has been a real treat. It's not difficult to root for her success or happiness, she is such a sweet character and her relationships with other characters really show just how capable she is and how worthy she is to get everything she wants.

Note: Volume 2 picks up immediately where Volume 1 left off at Chapter 12 rather abruptly so it is my recommendation to go back and reread Chapter 11 prior to starting Volume 2.

3.75

thank you to inklore for the e-ARC.

I overall enjoyed this volume of the novel, and I’m still loving the setting/characters/etc. it’s just that, in a webnovel that gets divided into volumes, sometimes the volume-level pacing isn’t amazing. this volume has a lot of repetitive arcs of our two MCs not communicating their feelings but being protective behind the other’s back. over and over. there was some growth for Maxi, but not a ton outside of her magic learning.

some cute moments, and even some interesting dynamics with other characters, I’m just overall a bit bored with the pace of how things are progressing. I’ll keep reading, but I hope things pick up in the next volume.

Diving into Under the Oak Tree: Volume 2 felt like stepping into a winter thaw, where cold isolation finally begins to fade into warmth and hard won trust. Maxi’s life at Calypse Castle is slowly blooming: she’s finding her voice, tending the gardens, and yes, starting to feel that unfamiliar spark called hope. The story unfolds with a steady intimacy that pulled me in, especially as the way Riftan looks at her becomes less wary and more full of something deeper.

The writing style continues to balance emotional clarity with understated elegance. Maxi’s growth, her magic blooming, her confidence building, her relationship with Riftan softening and deepening, it all feels earned. When Princess Agnes shows up unexpectedly, it threw emotional and political ripples that felt perfectly timed. The tension didn’t just rely on jealousy; it was about loyalty, self worth, and the complexity of past expectations, all underscored with that quietly lyrical prose I’ve come to love.

One place I hesitated was early on, I missed just a bit more momentum. Maxi’s internal work is deeply satisfying, but I wished for a slightly stronger hook in the first few chapters to fully anchor me, especially knowing there was so much emotional richness ahead.
While the first volume introduced the fractured marriage, the arranged tensions, and the slow burn between Maxi and Riftan, Volume 2 is where that relationship shifts gears, where hope edges into their lives, gardens begin to bloom, and Maxi’s worth begins to root in more than mere survival. It feels quieter but richer; less about raw insecurity and more about fragile strength. The arrival of Princess Agnes brings new stakes, balancing personal healing with political ripples, raising the tension in deliciously human ways.

This is a lovely, emotionally grounded continuation of the story, one that gives Maxi room to grow and Riftan room to soften. It earns four stars because the emotional payoff is strong, even if the opening could use just a hint more spark. Once I settled in, I stayed completely invested.

ARC REVIEW -

Thank God for character growth 😮‍💨 seeing Maxi out of the castle and growing and coming to be herself and how she’s interacting with Riftan and how he also is growing and becoming more than one dimensional minded was much awaited. Seeing them and their love grow and be more intimate was satisfying 🥹

Conoscevo già la storia per aver letto il manwha, il romanzo mi ha dato molta più introspezione nei personaggi.
È stata un'immersione totale nella storia e mi è piaciuta la crescita di Maxi!

Lady Maximilian “Maxi” Calypse – nee Croyso – has been flourishing in her new surroundings. She strives to be a good and competent Lady of the Castle for Riftan. Maxi works diligently to speak without a stutter and to practice her healing magic. However, an unexpected visit from Princess Agnes may undermine all her progress. Maxi even worries that the army of monsters plaguing the realm will take her husband on another campaign. Can Maxi’s magical ability be beneficial to Riftan? Or will his overprotectiveness strain their relationship?

Maxi has shown incredible growth in this installment. She is still timid. And her confidence in her abilities and herself wavers. But she is slowly learning to overcome those fears and her self-doubts. I admire her determination in standing up to Riftan. Maxi no longer wants to remain in the gilded cage he erected for her. She instead wants to be an equal, a helpmate to lessen the day-to-day burdens Riftan carries.

Sadly, I have not yet read the first volume of the novel. I have, however, read the first book of the comic. I remember loving the storyline and the characters involved. Wounded or tortured hero and heroines are my favorites. I like seeing such characters overcome their shortcomings and difficulties. And Maxi is doing just that. She is pushing past her limits.

The novel does delve more into Maxi’s point of view. Her insecurities. Her fears. Her determinations. I just wish the author switched to Riftan’s point of view.

I am now fully invested in this story, both the novel AND the web comic. I cannot wait for the next installments of both.

Under the Oak Tree is a story I first read as a webcomic, so this story is a soft spot for me and I was excited to continue reading the second installment of the novelization.

The previous novel left off in the winter, leaving this one to pick up at the turn from Maxi’s first winter at Anatol to spring. Though Maxi is learning to grow her confidence in herself and her relationship with Riftan, she is challenged by the arrival of Princess Agnes, a renowned sorceress who traveled with Riftan during the Dragon Campaign.

This installment of the novelization felt very different from the first: there is a lot more emotional growth for the main characters and Maxi really begins to come into herself. There is less emphasis on spice and more on the inner feelings of the characters and how these feelings influence them to do the things they do - something that was sorely needed after the previous novel where Maxi and Riftan were prone to never really talking through their feelings. I appreciated how the novel shows, rather than tells, Maxi’s confidence develop as she strains against Riftan’s overprotectiveness. In addition, the steady pacing allows for this natural growth of emotional depth without the development feeling rushed. I expected this part of the story to read slowly but I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I read through it. Though there was less action, the plot was just as absorbing as the prior novel.

If there is anything to criticize, it would be that the worldbuilding is a bit glossed over in several areas. Though Princess Agnes’ visit takes up the bulk of the plot in this novel, the political influences behind her visit are very lightly covered despite its importance in Riftan’s fate. Overall however, this was an enjoyable return to a comfortable story with improvements from the first novel and I will eagerly look forward to the third.

✨ 4 stars! ✨

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Inklore for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Under the Oak Tree Vol. 2

I absolutely *devoured* this read! Could not put it down for a second! The growth in these characters is phenomenal! I absolutely love seeing them come into their own! I haven't seen a story like this in a long while, and to say I'm obsessed would be an understatement! I was initially pitched Under the Oak Tree Vol. 1 by a friend as "A book where her husband *really* loves her," and to say that I was not fully intrigued would be a lie

You will fall headfirst into this world and have a challenging time pulling yourself out of it!

Sincerely,

A fan of Suji Kims writing

5 stars

Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 was one of my favorite reads of 2024. I could not get enough of Maxi and Riftan. I went and read through the entire app and everything I could get my hands on. So naturally Under the Oak Tree: Volume 2 is my most anticipated read of 2025. Let. Me. Tell. You. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

Suji Kim picks up immediately where we left off and continues to be told in third person POV. We see Maxi continuing to find her confidence in her speech and in her role. Watching Maxi continue to build and trust others makes my heart so happy. Riftan is and will forever be my baby. These two still needed to work on their communication and trust, but trauma isn't healed overnight and trust isn't build without healing the traumas of the past.

Now we wait on the edge of our seat in all the anticipation for volume 3.

I am obsessed with this story. I have been following Under the Oak Tree for years! The fact that it is now officially published makes my heart so happy! Plus, the graphic novel version is beautiful. My only complaint is that I wished this novel had a very brief synopsis of what happened in the first one. It took me a while to remember what was all happening.

Under the Oak Tree Volume 2 carries forward the fragile yet deeply touching romance between Lady Maximilian ("Maxi") and the war-scarred Sir Riftan as their life together finally transitions from strained tranquility to genuine mutual understanding. Maxi finds herself emerging from the winter of self-doubt as spring brings newfound confidence, soft hope, and the tentative promise of healing.

What I adored most about this volume is the evolution of Maxi’s voice and magic—she’s not just surviving in Calypse Castle anymore; she’s beginning to thrive. The scenes where she gardens, breaks into the castle’s neglected corners, and quietly contemplates her worth as she looks at Riftan across their bedroom are so intimate and emotionally grounded—they made me believe in her worthiness of love.

Volume 2 also deepens the emotional stakes by introducing Princess Agnes, a brilliant and impossibly poised sorceress who once could have been Riftan’s wife. Her arrival adds an urgent, uncomfortable tension—Maxi’s fear that Riftan might choose someone else, and Riftan’s complex, unwritten feelings—push both characters to confront what they truly mean to each other.

The pacing here strikes a beautiful balance—steady without dragging, emotional without swamping the story. Maxi’s inner growth is heartfelt, and Riftan’s gradual thaw reveals a softness that feels earned, not rushed. Seeing Maxi take the reins in helping to create a new magical device with the sorcerer Ruth showcases her capability in a way that’s both empowering and sweet.

Still, it’s not without its minor ripples. Some plot points—like the political implications of Agnes’s visit or the deeper lore of Anatol—felt touched upon rather than fully explored. While that keeps the focus on character development, readers craving a bit more worldbuilding or intrigue may find themselves wanting just a little more depth beyond the emotional core.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Under the Oak Tree: Volume 2 is a gently triumphant second act: a story of quiet resilience, blossoming love, and the courage it takes to believe in stability and belonging. With its tender character arcs and emotional clarity, it earns its four stars and leaves me eagerly waiting for the next chapter in Maxi and Riftan’s journey.

📚 ARC Review 📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Volume 2 of Under the Oak Tree delves into growth, vulnerability, and the slow-burning intimacy that comes with it.

Maxi begins to find strength in magic, voice, and her role as Lady of Calypse, shedding her self-doubt. She is no longer just surviving, but daring to hope, and that internal transformation makes this book a compelling arc. Riftan’s stoic devotion simmers beneath every gesture and glance. When their relationship only begins to balance, Princess Agnes’s arrival throws that balance off course, and the emotional stakes soar. Agness is a powerful sorceress and romantic rival. She stirs up politics in the court and unresolved tensions from the Dragon Campaign. Maxi is forced to confront her insecurities upon her arrival and claim her peace.

Some Tropes:
Slow Burn
Jealousy Triangle
Healing Through Love
Found Family
Hidden Power
Trauma Recovery

This book completely swept me away. The emotional growth in this volume really hit hard, and I loved watching the characters deepen and change as their story unfolded. The writing felt immersive and so full of heart, with just the right balance of romance, tension, and worldbuilding to keep me glued to the pages. At times the pacing slowed a little, but honestly it just gave me more time to sit with the characters and soak up the atmosphere. If you’re into epic, emotional fantasy romance that tugs at your heart and keeps you invested, this series is a must read.

Significantly less spicy than the first novel but in a good way, Riftan was too horny and Maxi was the weakest woman alive. In the second installment, Maxi grows a backbone and Riftan holds his urges in check, so both are more palatable. I'm really enjoying the magic learning and just about every time Ruth shows up, he seems the most real of all the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Maxi has some real growth as a character and a person in this volume, starting to speak up for herself a little more. Riftan has some good moments, although occasionally, his overprotectiveness has him acting like a bit of a jerk. But he got better, showing growth for him as well.

My biggest quibble with this is the way the horses are portrayed. Horses cannot gallop for hours on end, especially as part of a military force. Some research into this aspect would have been helpful. (They also don't pant like dogs in the heat)

volume 2 was just as good as volume 1 and just as pretty. I can't wait for the next one!
Maxi and Riftan's story is ramping up and dragging you in!