I requested this thinking it was the graphic novel version, but that was my bad. This is the novelized adaptation of the web comic story. I am not alone in feeling like this book was quite long and dragged for what it was, and worked better as a comic. I don't mind dubious consent/non consent so that wasn't my issue. This just wasn't what I wanted.

***I received a copy of this as an ARC via Netgalley for my honest review ***

- Arranged marriage - Steamy - Can't keep his hands of her - Knight/damsel - single POV -

Maxi is a young sheltered woman with speech impediment who was married off to a knight, Riftan, the day before he was sent off by orders of the king. Now, three years later, he has returned a hero to take her home with him. Riftan is completely infatuated with Maxi, but she is struggling to believe his affection towards her because her entire life she had been made to feel like a shame upon the family by her father because of her stutter.

In Under The Oak Tree Volume 1, we see Maxi's signs to feel worthy of being Riftan's affection, all while finding her place as the Lady of Calypse castle. This was a relaxing read with the just right amount of spice. I appreciated the representation of the FMCs' struggle with her speech impediment and how she is striving to be better despite her past experiences with others ridiculing her. It also seems to follow the same storyline of the MANTA series of which it originated. I have already pre-ordered Volume 2 to see how Lady Maxi and Sit Riftan's story continues!

This is a tough one for me. On the one hand, I can see how this book could be engaging. It leans very hard on the specific Cinderella/Griselda fairy tale of a kind young woman, horribly abused by her caregivers (in this case, her father), who is still kind, dutiful, and generous, and ends up with a husband who loves and appreciates her. Maxi is basically a doormat who ends up getting everything she deserves. So, I see the appeal. I note that it is a webnovel that came directly to novelization without editing. It does still feel like a serial novel, with a short arc for each chapter rather than a long story arc for the full novel. (This also explains the explicit sex scenes present in every chapter.)

I would almost recommend this for a young reader of romance except that the sex scenes almost all include dubious consent: Maxi says "no" and "wait," pushes her husband away, and he continues anyway. I understand that this is not because she really wants to say no, but rather because she doesn't understand what he is asking of her; but it's also not a great example (IMO) for a young reader.

Please note that I stopped reading around 50% of the way through, but since each chapter felt like a serial, I think I am able to review based on that reading.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I was so excited for the chance to read this! I've seen ads for the web-comic and often wished the whole thing was free to read online. Unfortunately I couldn't finish the novelization of Under the Oak Tree. I really struggled with the abuse suffered by the heroine at the hands of her father, and the explicit disregard (putting it mildly) she was shown by her "husband" was hardly better. She was coerced into the marriage, threatened into submitting to her husband's sexual expectations, ignored and overridden when she tries to communicate, and pigeon-holed into the role the men around her wanted her to fill. Now, again, I didn't finish the story, I barely got a few chapters in. I hope this story is setting her up to overcome the horrible circumstance she finds herself in, but I doubt it. The heroine felt far too passive and accepting of her treatment, which is how many individuals cope with a lifetime of abuse and trauma. The crux of why I couldn't continue reading the story was because it really felt like her relationship with her husband was being romanticized, that maybe it's problematic in the beginning but they'll love each other and make it okay, and maybe it will be, but I couldn't stomach their dynamics in the meantime. Alternatively, maybe this is someone's kink and what people want in a romance, but it wasn't for me.

DNF in the first few pages on due to graphic rape of the FMC by the MMC/love interest. so sorry but I seriously can't read a book that romanticizes rape. idk where this is going but honestly, i just cant accept her falling in love with her rapist...

Just an FYI—this book deals with heavier topics like abuse, and the author really puts Maxi through a lot. It’s also a historical fantasy, and there are scenes involving ‘marital duties’ where Maxi feels like she can’t refuse.

This might be the book that uses the ‘miscommunication’ trope the most, and it’s honestly frustrating at times.

As for the writing/translation/editing—it’s fine! I can’t even imagine the amount of work that goes into translating a historical fantasy, especially figuring out how to translate empire or kingdom names into English… talk about a labor of love. So, no real issues there—it was pretty solid.

What I’ve noticed with a lot of Korean webnovels is that the writing tends to be more curt and to the point—there’s definitely more telling than showing. Again, this is a translated webnovel, not a traditionally published novel. It’s more like reading an original story on Wattpad (I think?).

So, if you’re expecting an epic historical fantasy, you might be disappointed. However, if you’re looking for an easy read with a lot of hurt/comfort and watching Maxi slowly gain confidence after years of abuse, this could be exactly what you’re after.

I think a lot can be forgiven when it’s presented in the form of a beautifully colored manhwa, but unfortunately, those flaws become painfully obvious when you’re reading the book. The visual appeal in the manhwa can mask some of the weaker plot points or character issues, but without that distraction, they stand out more in the novel.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. However, on the bright side, Inklore recently announced new licenses for a few books/manhwas that I love, and I’ll be 100% all over them as soon as they’re released!

I personally did not enjoy it. I see that is was translated. I didn't know this going into reading this. I found this story to be uninteresting and seemed to sound like something I had read before.

I first encountered Under the Oak Tree through the manhua adaptation on Manta, where timid Maxi and towering Riftan became instant favorites, and so reading the light novel (the vaunted *source material*) was an exciting return to the series. Maxi so sincerely wants to belong in her new home, and I love to root for her growing confidence and the different connections she makes with the people in Anatol, where she has just moved to her husband’s castle. Of course, I also have a soft spot for the rambunctious but well-meaning knights who are always bustling about, and the cranky mage lurking in the library.

This first volume feels more focused on the characters than the plot. There’s murmurs of political intrigue, and a few monster fights, but it’s mostly about Maxi adapting to her new circumstances. Definitely be prepared for the first installment of a serial story, rather than a fully developed arc.

If I hadn’t read the webcomic, I don’t think I’d have been as immersed. Perhaps its something to do with the fact of translation, but there’s a subtlety that’s lost and everything is described very on-the-nose in a way that’s very different from how the webcomic beautifully communicates emotions and tension. A crook of the brow, a gentle fall of light - it's these little things that bring a scene to life beyond the skeleton of dialogue.

Still, the hardcover is a beautiful edition, and I’m looking forward to this story reaching a whole new audience.

Note - The lead characters frequently engage in, to use Maxi’s words, marital relations. This is described on page, in contrast to the comic adaptation which remains non-explicit, to the dismay of many an online comment section.

I, like many others who experienced this story already online, am overjoyed that this is getting traditionally published. As someone who read this a few years ago when it started as a webnovel and the webtoon and was completely engrossed in it, also enjoyed this first volume. I feel like this will not be loved by all and there will be someone who won’t read past the first few chapters.
While I loved this, I get why some people would not. As always, do your research and check trigger warnings before you read a book if you are sensitive with specific topics. There is some SA/non consensual marital rape situations / verbal abuse, in the beginning and throughout this first book. It’s also based in a fantasy world that has kings, queens, dukes, knights, dragons, mythical creatures and where Dukes and Kings are marrying their daughters off in trade of services from others. Maxi was abused by her father and has a stutter that now drastically affects her adult life so throw in some childhood trauma too.
Maxi and Riftan have a huge communication issue and a lot of sex scenes. We see a lot of character growth in Maxi but she still has so much self doubt and there’s still a lot more to learn about these characters.
I did take a star away because I feel like it’s left unfinished when it ends. It just ends in a weird part, where it’s not really a cliff hanger but you know there’s more to come. I look forward to the next volume though and this made me want to go re read the rest.

Whew, this one was difficult for me. I never read the Manhwa version, but knew it was very popular. That, in addition to the gorgeous cover, led me to reading this book. The book starts off with arranged marriage between Maxi (a shy, timid girl with a speech impediment) and Riften (a skilled knight). The night of their wedding, he proceeds to consummate their marriage. This scene was very unpleasant for me, Maxi knew literally nothing about sex, and was even confused as to why her clothes had to come off. Starting the book off with rape from a child-like POV wasn’t my cup of tea, but within the context of the story the consummation was expected, so I gave it another chance. It kept happening, even as Maxi protested. I can’t get behind a male love interest who ignores consent, and continuously berates her without letting her speak. I DNF’d the book at 39% after many uncomfortable scenes, irritating communication issues between the two main characters, and virtually no character development that I sensed.

This book wasn’t for me, and that okay! The Manhwa is well-loved, so if you’re a fan of that I would check this out! If you like any of the following tropes, you also might enjoy this novel:
• Arranged Marriage
• Marriage of convenience
• Angst caused by misunderstanding
• Fantasy/Medieval setting
• Dubious consent (at best)
• Traditional gender roles
• Protective/possessive MMC
• Disability awareness and visibility
• Smut

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC, this review is given freely and is of my own opinion. :)

This was really cute and whimsical. I’m
Looking forward to seeing what else comes of this one. Definitely recommend if you enjoy fairytales and manga type stories.

I discovered Under The Oak Tree years ago and am very excited to see it is getting traditionally published in English! For those unfamiliar with the story, Maximilian, the daughter of Duke Croyso, spent her life hidden away and abused by her father due to her stutter. Her father forces her to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight, who then leaves for three years on a war campaign the day after their wedding. Riftan returns a war hero, and despite rumors that he is offered a marriage proposal to a beautiful princess, he returns to Maxi. She is stunned when Riftan says that he still wants her as his wife and will honor that vow, taking her with him to his home, and leading Maxi to a new life and adventure.
Although I am a fan, I struggled with Riftan initially and his treatment of Maxi. The sexual relationship between them seems very forced upon Maxi who struggles with the intimacy a lot. There is also miscommunication between the two that is frustrating, with Riftan unaware of Maxi’s trauma and past and misinterpreting her quite a bit.
As this is only Volume One, there is still a lot of story and character development to look forward to!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin House Publishing Group - Ballantine l Inklore for this ARC!

Years ago, I started reading Under the Oak Tree on Manta. When I saw there was a novel to go with it, I jumped at the chance to read it. It's amazing! The characters, plot, spice all highly rank for me. I can't wait to be able to read volume 2.

Maxi and Riftan are married at her father’s demand the night before Riftan is shipped off to war against a fierce dragon. Three years later, each is convinced the other wasn’t happy by the marriage decision and they stumble through was it means to actually be married and living together now that the dragon has been defeated. Slowly Maxi comes to realize that there’s more to life than the cruel conditions she lived under in her father’s house and that she’s more than just what her speech impediment has shrunken her to be under her father’s hostile hand.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a medieval-type fantasy so this was a refreshing breath of air reading wise. While I do wish some of the characters were more flushed out and Riftan and Maxi’s bond was explored in a little more depth, I recognize that this was only the first volume and there is more of the source material to be adapted. Hopefully it’ll expand more as the adaption keeps going.

2.5 stars rounded up.

I think there are a lot of people that will love this book, esp. based on the success of the webnovel and webcomic. But for me it missed the mark. This is definitely more of a romance within a fantasy setting than a romantasy. The fantasy elements are so minimal that they essentially just serve as the setting. There is very little plot and the book just ends, no climax, no buildup, no cliffhanger. It felt like a very flat read. I am not a fan of miscommunication and they is the basis of most of the conflict in this story. I also could not get over the lack of consent in the spicy scenes. Maxi is completely ignored as she says no and wait in almost every intimate scene. I've seen others comment that he redeems himself, but if he does, it's not in this book.

The print version looks absolutely stunning. The cover art is beautiful and it has an awesome sprayed edge.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing an eARC of this book.

Under the oak tree volume 1 the novel

Maxi is a young woman who is forced by the duke, her father, to marry. The day after her wedding, her husband has to go to war and everyone begins to say that he will come with a new wife. To the surprise of many, Riftan comes back after three years of being in war and comes to consume his marriage with Maxi. Maxi was never paid so much attention, she was the ugly and strange one of the family that no one wants to spend time with, always being bought with her sister Rosetta, the duke's darling. The beginning takes place on Maxi and Ritfan's trip back to Anatol where Ritfan will give Maxi the duty of decorating their castle.

Okay. I have to clarify that my sister loves this story and when I saw that a novel was coming out I knew it was my opportunity to finally read it. And I regret seeing it started. Maxi has been in an abusive environment since she was very little and when she changes to another environment she is still in the same environment but with another person and being abused in a different way, nothing changed.

Riftan is horrible, I didn't like it at all. He is possessive, toxic and doesn't let Maxi finish or start talking. These characters have a pretty toxic relationship and they cover it up when he saves her. From the beginning Maxi tells him that she doesn't want him to touch her and that's the only thing he does. I find the way the description of those scenes is very unpleasant, they are not easy to read. He makes Maxi see that everything they do is normal for a marriage.

Thanks to Netgalley for send me this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC of this novel.

I've been a fan of the webcomic of this series on Manta for a while now, so I was super excited to read this. And I am glad to see the translation feels more fluid than some of the translations online, making it an enjoyable experience (not that it wasn't before, it just feels more refined). In all I really like this story: rising from uncertain circumstances, just enough miscommunication to be realistic but not to the point of frustration, emotional MMC - it's nice. The novel ends during the start of a more relationship contentious plotline, which is meh, but I'll live. I haven't finished this story online and will hold off I think because I'm not sure I like where the story is headed, but I'm sure I'll get over it once I decide to binge the finished comic or the rest of this novel series publishes lol.

Pros:

🌳Super cute romance with uh, an undeniably sexual chemistry haha

🌳MC has a speech impairment and quite a bit of trauma, but the storyline never goes into "get her fixed" montage. She goes on with life working on herself in bits and tiny pieces as she slowly learns to trust the world.

🌳Great fantasy world that's not too complex. Old faithfull Swords & Sorcery concepts.

Cons:

🌳The use of euphemistic language in the sex scenes. I know this can't really be helped considering the author/audience/translation. But it still made me chuckle a couple times.

🌳 When will they ~communicate~!!

"Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1" by Suji Kim is the american published version of the sensational webnovel on Manta. The chapters have been condensed from the online version, so the chapter numbers do not line up with the webnovel version. It also includes new art and gorgeous sprayed edges for first printings.

This novel feels like a webnovel in that it drags on for long periods without going many places. At the end of the novel, I felt like not a ton of plot had been developed, but it was also over 300 pages long so it also felt endless. It took me a very long time to finish this. I did not read the original webnovel version prior to seeing this appear on NetGalley as an option. The beautiful cover and sprayed edges captivated me enough to request it from the publisher, so I had no prior knowledge of this series before requesting it.

The novel starts off with a bang! Action happens, a little exposition and we are introduced to the main characters, of which there are not too many, something I appreciated. Lady Maxi has been abused and neglected by her father from a very young age, outcast and hidden from much of the public view due to her stutter. She eventually becomes a pawn to her father in negotiating a strategic marriage, as their country is at war. She is bartered off to Sir Riftan, hero of the war and someone who grew up in the village her father overseas. She doesn't really even get to meet him before being married to him, taken to the marriage bed where she is essentially raped (all on page descriptions), and he leaves the next day to return to the warfront. Two years pass, and he comes to pick her up from her father's estate, where any time barely passes before he attempts to rape her again. This is our hero, folks.

I really struggled with this novel. I wanted to like it, see what the fuss was about, but when your hero, who understandably feels he must consummate the marriage that night, does NOT have to rape Maxi as soon as he returns to war, attempts to do so anyway, despite her saying no! There was not consent given, and this is supposed to be romantic. We are supposed to root for these two. Eventually Maxi does develop feelings for him, but during all this time, he continues to sexually assault her, even if she is not comfortable having sex with him. It feels borderline Stockholm syndrome to me, even though she has contact with other people and is given some free reign in terms of figuring out her new role on his estate. He also yells at her a lot in the beginning, thinking her timidness and lack of communication is due to hatred. He barely gives her any time to interact with him before he starts berating her, and this is shortly after he attempted to rape her.

Besides from the lack of meaningful relationship development, the story stagnates after the first third as she tries to figure out her new role on the estate and develops talents in other areas. She has a goal of reviving a dead oak tree on the estate and this is hyper-focused on in the last 1/3 of the novel. To say it was a struggle to finish this is an understatement.

The scenes where there is intimate activity are not particularly well-written. I did not feel a spark from the writing as I have from other authors, but this could be due to how it was translated or how scenes like this are written in South Korea (since this is a translated work). The writing style also left something to be desired. You can tell this is probably an amateur writing as it feels like fanfiction. I'm not surprised this was picked up by a major publisher as this novel is very popular online, but it does disappoint me that nothing seems to have been improved on from the webnovel (I compared the online version and this version) in terms of the writing. The prequal written from Riftan's point-of-view was also not included which really helps the reader to understand why he behaves the way he does and garners empathy from the readers, so he doesn't come off as an angry rapist.

Thank you NetGalley and Inklore for the ARC.

I am a big fan of the manwha this novel is based on so I was excited to read the novelization of the story. This is my first time reading a novelization of a manga/manwha but this to me is good example of how an intriguing story can translate between styles. I will say though, that for me, it was missing a little something that made me love the manwha while I only liked the novelization. However, if you aren’t already a fan of the original then I don’t think you will have the same issue.

This tells the story of Maxi, an isolated Duke’s daughter shunned due to her stutter, and Riftan a nobody knight turned war hero. After leaving for war the morning after their wedding Riftan returns three years later to a wife who is a stranger and the struggle to connect.

Under the Oak Tree offers a captivating mix of fantasy, romance, and self-discovery. The story centers on Maxi, a timid noblewoman who marries Riftan, a stoic knight, in a marriage of convenience. From the start, their relationship is full of tension and emotional distance, but what keeps readers hooked is Maxi’s inspiring transformation from insecure to empowered.

While Riftan is the main lead, it’s Ruth, the clever and supportive mage, who feels more present throughout the story. His role as Maxi’s guide and friend plays a huge part in her growth, and honestly, after reading most of the book, I’m leaning toward shipping Maxi with Ruth instead! His connection with Maxi feels more immediate and genuine compared to the distance Riftan keeps between them. That said, I’m still open to seeing how Riftan and Maxi’s relationship evolves in the next volume.

Suji Kim’s world-building immerses you in a medieval setting filled with knights, castles, and magic. The romance between Maxi and Riftan is a slow burn, full of tension, but Ruth’s steady presence adds another layer to the story. Though the pacing can feel slow at times, the emotional depth and Maxi’s character growth make it all worth it.

If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with rich world-building and a focus on personal growth, Under the Oak Tree is a great choice. It’s not just a love story—it’s about finding your inner strength and learning to believe in yourself.

Thank you as always for giving me a chance to read this in advance @randomhouse and @netgalley super excited for the release day and the next volume!❤️