Thank you NetGalley and Inklore for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I admit I’ve never read the manhwa for this series, so I went into this completely unfamiliar with the material. The story is easy enough to follow and though I had no prior experience with the series I didn’t think there’d be any reinvention of the wheel here, so I wasn’t really looking for something totally unique. Romantasy—and romance more broadly—has always been a tricky genre for me to read, and I often prefer my romance to either be in the B or C plot or just implied. What can I say, I prefer crumbs! So I’m not too surprised that I spent a lot of time confused as to why I should care about Maxi and Riftan getting together, or why I should even bother to like Riftan. I’m all for unhealthy romances and relationships, I just found him to be dreadfully uninteresting and Maxi’s tendencies to be a doormat were hard for me to read, mostly because I found it annoying. I’m sure throughout the course of the series she grows as a character, but her constant stuttering mostly just managed to piss me off.

The magic and worldbuilding was interesting, but so much of this was just sex. Which is fine, there’s nothing wrong with a story with a lot of smut in it, especially if the smut doubles as character work, but I kind of felt like an unwilling bystander to rather uninteresting sex (I am personally not super into alpha dom man/blushing virgin woman, so that’s a matter of taste than any critique about the content itself). For whatever it’s worth, if rape between the main character in the love interest is a deal breaker for you, then there’s probably little this novel can do for you in terms of convincing you to give it a try otherwise. Since it’s fiction I am always interested in seeing how the author works past that, but honestly I just found this to be bland and annoying and I didn’t think anything interesting was happening. The vibes of the world were great and I quite liked Ruth, but ultimately the tropes being utilized here aren’t ones I typically enjoy. It didn’t help that I thought the first half of the novel felt much rougher than the second half, but who knows. Maybe I’ll try the manhwa.

Ultimately: I’m absolutely positive there’s an audience for this book. I am absolutely not that audience.

I was hoping that this book would fall more into modern fantasy tropes, but felt kind of disappointed by this story. Maxi was flat, and the romance felt very formulaic. I thought that the world building is what really stood out, which kept me reading until the end, and has me interested to read more as more volumes are published.

wow. I loved this! I don't think I would have bought this without a rec from a coworker. I cannot wait for the next volume to come out soon! I'm invested. <3
Loved the characters. This one just read like butter. I need the second one right now!

While the story is good, I was frequently annoyed with Maxi's inability to just say what she was thinking. While her background and life experience give some context for this, it often felt as if she was willing to speak up for herself with everyone except for Riftan. The story itself has enough intriguing aspects to make me read the next volume even though I'm hoping for more character growth and development.

I love this story so much. The relationship is so beautifully crafted and the story is well written and plays like a movie in my head. I adore it

OH MY HEART. Under the Oak Tree completely shattered me and healed me all at once!!!

This isn’t just a romantasy — it’s an emotional masterpiece wrapped in medieval magic, political tension, and a deeply personal journey of healing. I did not expect to be hit so hard emotionally, but WOW. Maxi’s story?? It wrecked me in the most beautiful way.

She’s such a soft, anxious soul who’s been silenced and controlled her whole life, and watching her start to reclaim her voice (literally and figuratively) had me sobbing. Her growth, her pain, her courage… it all felt so real. I just wanted to wrap her in a blanket and tell her she’s enough a thousand times.

The writing is so immersive and tender — it doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. It honors Maxi’s trauma while also giving her the space to grow and find her strength. And the world?? The setting?? Gorgeous. It felt like reading a dark, emotional fairytale — only this time, the princess saves herself.

And YES, the romance is spicy and swoony, but what really got me was the emotional intimacy — the quiet moments, the longing, the healing through love and self-discovery. It’s beautiful and raw and deeply empowering.

I genuinely felt seen while reading this. Maxi’s journey made me cry more than once, and I’ll be thinking about her for a long time.

5/5 stars. 100/10 recommend.
This book is a warm hug and a good cry all rolled into one.

PS: Maxi is everything. Protect her at all costs.
PPS: Volume 2 can’t come fast enough.
PPPS: I’m emotionally unwell and loving it.

Go read it and prepare to FEEL.
Under the Oak Tree = pure magic, pure heart.

I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! This book to me was just okay. I feel like the plot was a bit lacking, however I am so happy Maxi got away from her terrible father. I loved the representation of her stuttering disability. Starting out with the SA scene was a lot but there were warnings for it so I felt prepared. I definitely think Rifton was a good match for her after getting to know him more. At the beginning I was really nervous with the SA and how short his temper was, but I am glad he turned it around. I am not sure if I will be reading the second one just because I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters.

This is a must-read book I don't want to give any spoilers, but you won't regret getting this book, you won't put it down till you're done reading the whole this.

Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 by Suji Kim is a beautifully written fantasy romance that captivates readers with its heartfelt storytelling, rich world-building, and deeply emotional character development. This novel introduces us to Maxi, a timid and insecure noblewoman, and Riftan, her formidable knight husband, in a tale that balances tender romance with elements of medieval intrigue.

From the beginning, Maxi is portrayed as a fragile and stammering young woman, deeply affected by years of emotional abuse from her father. Her arranged marriage to Riftan is abrupt and, due to unforeseen circumstances, he leaves for war immediately after their wedding night. When he returns three years later, their relationship is rekindled, allowing the novel to explore themes of trust, self-worth, and love.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character development. Maxi’s growth from a fearful, self-doubting woman to someone who begins to find her voice is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Riftan, though initially distant and brooding, reveals layers of devotion and tenderness that make him an irresistible romantic lead. Their interactions are filled with longing, tension, and passion, which keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Suji Kim’s writing is immersive, painting a vivid medieval setting that enhances the emotional depth of the story. The author’s attention to detail in describing the landscapes, castles, and social hierarchy of the world adds a layer of authenticity that transports readers into Maxi and Riftan’s journey.

While the pacing may feel slow at times, especially for those expecting immediate action, it perfectly suits the slow-burn romance that unfolds between the protagonists. Some readers may find Maxi’s insecurities frustrating, but her journey is realistic and deeply personal, making her transformation all the more rewarding.

Overall, Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 is an enchanting read for lovers of slow-burn romance, character-driven storytelling, and medieval fantasy. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you eager to follow Maxi and Riftan’s journey in the next volume. Highly recommended for fans of historical romance and epic love stories!

*Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.*

4.5 Stars

I absolutely adored reading Under the Oak Tree (Comic Version) from Manta when the series was first serialized. The art was gorgeous! (Always a huge factor for me.) Plus I was really interested in Maxi’s progression from downtrodden daughter to slowly gaining confidence and becoming close to those around her. She’s just so cute it’s hard not to root for her happiness!

When I saw Random House was coming out with Under the Oak Tree as a light novel, I was super excited but also nervous if I would like the text as much as the comic. Honestly, in certain ways I appreciated the text even more. I had an easier time understanding and empathizing with Maxi’s reactions when immersed in her point of view. She was a bit sassier too, especially in her interactions with Ruth, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Despite an extraordinarily rough start between them and a few deliberate miscommunications for plot, watching Maxi and Riftan’s relationship unfold as they got closer was sweet. They’re both deeply flawed people trying to move beyond the traumas of their past and come to rely on each other as a refuge and escape from the pressures of their positions. Riftan may be an obnoxious hot head 95% of the time, but even he can say the most adoring things; “The first moment I saw you, I knew you would ruin me” for example. Many of the scenes between Maxi and Riftan were very tender and cute couple moments. The spice was also very good and frequent after they trusted each other a bit more.

My two insignificant gripes are; there were too many characters on the page that we didn’t get to know so it was hard to keep track of them all, and the book felt like it ended between one of Maxi’s thoughts and the next without warning. There wasn’t even a cliffhanger, it was like she dropped off in the middle of a monologue.

If you’re like me and hooked on the comic version of Under the Oak Tree, I highly recommend reading the light novel as well. Most scenes are beat for beat what happens in the comic, but the word building and characters are well expanded on. Or if you want a low-stakes sweet fantasy romance with a couple darker plot elements and lots of inner turmoil, Under the Oak Tree is a fantastic suggestion! Also, who could refuse such an absolute stunner of a cover? I hope the series keeps the same cover artist throughout the books.

*The Fine Print: Under the Oak Tree will not be for everyone. Most of the physical and verbal abuse described in the book are from memories; except for the opening scene. While the physical intimacy scenes between Riftan and Maxi get better, the first few are not totally consensual with Maxi being confused and bewildered by what is happening. I highly recommend checking the tags or tw on Storygraph before reading if you may be sensitive to these or other elements.

The story itself self seems interesting but I couldn't get passed the sex scenes and how many times it didn't seem very consensual.

Do yourself a favor and read this one. OH EM GEE I love this story so much!!! I read the webtoon first and was so excited to see this. The character growth in this story is top tier!

I absolutely loved Under the Oak Tree, Volume One!

This beautifully written fantasy romance pulls you in with its emotional depth and slow-burn love story. The novel follows Maxi, a noblewoman who’s been mistreated her whole life, and her husband, Riftan, a once-lowborn knight who becomes a legendary war hero. Their marriage starts off awkward and distant, especially after Riftan leaves for war right after their wedding night. When he returns three years later, Maxi must find her place beside him and prove her worth—not just to him, but to herself.

What really hooked me was Maxi’s journey. She’s insecure and fragile at first, but you can’t help but root for her as she slowly gains confidence. Her relationship with Riftan is intense—full of misunderstandings, longing, and quiet moments of tenderness that make their romance feel so real. Riftan himself is the perfect mix of brooding and protective, and watching their connection grow is incredibly satisfying.

Suji Kim’s writing brings the world to life, making you feel every emotion and struggle alongside Maxi. If you love character-driven stories with rich world-building and slow-burn romance, this one is a must-read and I can’t wait for Volume Two!

I went into Under the Oak Tree expecting more fantasy, but what really got me was Maxi’s journey. Watching her grow from a sheltered, abused woman into someone learning her own worth was everything ❤️.

The romance? Meh—Riftan’s an ass.
I just don't like him. I know he has baggage but ugh.

If you're here for self-discovery over swoons, it’s worth the ride.

Very graphic opening scene. It was better an a webnovel. The translation over to a book, was a bit rough. The world building was definitely from the medieval times mixed with with fantasy. The characters were portrayed as a a sheltered, innocent FMC, while the MMC came off s an Alpha with terrible communication skills. The book was a mixed bag for me. I don't think I would be recommending this to my readers who haven't read manga/ webnovels.

Too sexy and smutty for me. LOL I felt wrong reading it and was blushing hard the whole time but was definitely on the verge of erotica.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inklore for the ARC. FYI, I dropped this after the first chapter.

A big warning for marital rape and sexual assault from the very beginning of this. Not much usually gets me, I usually give everything a good shot and really like horror, extreme horror even! But getting that scene in a book billed as a romantasy put a really nasty taste in my mouth. And I hate to say it, but Maxi comes off as really pathetic for a main character. A victim of circumstances, she struggles to communicate anything. Maybe this would be cute in other contexts, but when her husband of convenience constantly gets offended as he forces himself on her, it's really hard to watch. I really can't bring myself to read more of this, and I wish that the subject was better forewarned in the summary.

I found this really hard to read. I put it down twice before I picked it up again. The flow of it is weird and I didn't find it enjoyable to read at all. Maybe it's better in it's original form? I don't know, but unfortunately it didn't work for me.

While the cover art for this book is beautiful, I wasn't as impressed with the content of the book. This is an adaptation of the webtoon of the same name, which I haven't read, but I probably won't continue this series any further. I thought that the stuttering was WAAAAAYYY too over the top, and was very poor representation for readers who do have a stutter in real life. I also did not like the romance between Maxi and Riftan, if you can call it that. The first interaction between them is a rape scene poorly dressed up as "romantic", and this dynamic continues throughout the book. I would not recommend this to readers, because of the amount of gross sexual assault content that is portrayed as "dark romance", it that.

I wanted to like this and while the spicy scenes were entertaining and not corny or cheesy, the rest left much to be desired. The characters are trying to figure out their marriage, but there's frustrating lack of communication. There are some issues with consent but it is "normal" for Korean based stories, which created a moment of rage for me.