Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

It makes me so happy to see these really amazing webcomics getting published. Under the Oak Tree is one of my favorites, and this book is absolutely gorgeous!

Maxi is a shy, naive princess who has been abused by her father for years due to her stutter. She enters into an arranged marriage with very little information about being married, her new husband, and the world in general. This comic is the beginning of her story as she learns more about the world and about the mysterious man she has married. Riftan is a warrior - serious and stoic on his campaigns, but is so soft for his new wife. There is a fierce loyalty and protectiveness he carries for her and it shows in his actions.

I can't wait to see more of this series with this gorgeous cover art!

So, first off, this cover is stunning! This is a medieval fantasy story about Maxi. Maxi has a stutter and has been abused and mistreated her whole life due to a stutter. She ends up in a forced marriage with a knight, who is about to go on a campaign.

I wish there was some more depth to this story and the characters. Because the storyline was interesting. I thought it was good that Maxi continued to put herself a little bit out of her comfort zone, even with others being less than stellar.

* TW: This story does have scenes that I consider dubious consent.

Thanks for the ARC read!

This fantasy is great for readers who like strong men and stronger spice in their reads! I may not be the target audience, but I know that Romantasy is a rapidly-growing genre and this will find it’s way on the right reader’s shelf!

2.5/5

Unfortunately I did not really like this book. It was a bit slow, and hard to get into. I felt like I was having to really push myself to get through it because there wasn’t much of a plot. It did start to get more interesting in the second half of the book. I’m hoping that means future books might be a little faster paced.

I did like seeing a FMC with a disability. The part of the book I did like was seeing her grow. I liked seeing her become more confident and assertive.

The main issue I had was the romance. I just really had an issue with the way it started and couldn’t seem to get past it. I didn’t really like the MMC , and I was expecting him to redeem himself more. However, this is book one so there is room for growth. I didn’t dislike him quite as much by the end of the book, and there were some sweet moments. Most of the romance seemed very pushed. Especially since she seemed so child like.

There was a LOT of miscommunication that still was not resolved by the end which kept frustrating me.

While I had issues and didn’t really love this, my interest is a bit peaked to see what happens next. I’d love to see more growth from the FMC. I might could get past some of the issues I have as well if there was more growth in the MMC, improvement of the romance, and some of the miscommunication resolved.

Ultimately, I’m not sure if I will read volume 2 or not yet.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**ARC REVIEW** Thank you NetGalley.

I was confused on where the story was going or supposed to go. The plot wasn’t there for me.

You are greeted with a whimsical fantasy. It has strong elements for the beginning of world building as well as the storyline and has a great start to the character development, I was wishing for more depth but still greatly enjoyed them.

You have a shy female lead who has suffered from a stutter, making her stand out from everyone else. She is very innocent and unsure about life as a whole. She has a history of abuse from her father and doesn’t trust easy due to it. Finding it difficult to believe the kindness is real.

Our male lead is the gruff, rough around the edges type. However, he has a kindness that’s unexpected. He is protective in nature and does have hints of possessive qualities with regards to her.

These two complement each other very well, two halves of the same coin.

Big thanks to NetGalley for this eARC!

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book. As someone who has read a good bit of the web comic, this felt way more in depth and...adult than what I was used to, but in a good way!


Riftan gives off the typical grizzly bear persona with the Remdragons and soft cuddly teddy bear with Maxi. Having been apart for as long as they were, not to mention only having spent a single night together before he left for the dragon campaign, I'm surprised that he is as invested in her as he is. I'm looking forward to reading more and I can't wait to find out what happens next!!

Overall, this book was a 10/10 ⭐️ for me.
10/10🌶️ Spice
10/10 💜Romance
10/10 🌎 World Building

I LOVED the graphic novel of this. I wasn't crazy about the actual novel though. The writing wasn't doing it for me. The graphic novel though is absolutely incredible and I will be continuing when the second volume comes out in May 2025!

Unfortunately, I am DNFing this ARC.

There is a brief message at the beginning of the E-book mentioning that there will be contant in the book that may be disturbing to some viewers, and to practice precaution when reading for one's mental health. It also mentions "explicit sexual content" in the same message, but there are no details in any regard to any of these sensitive subjects being alluded to.

Although I am not one to be deterred because of certain themes and events in books, this unfortunately has deterred me from continuing. I don't believe it to be fair or beneficial to readers to read such a vague message at the beginning of the book, only to get less than 10 pages in before a father is verbally and physically assaulting his daughter who has a stutter, as well as two seperate rape scenes (one as a flashback) within only pages of each other. Although I am not an author myself, I have read many ARCs and almost all of them have detailed, appropriate content/trigger warning lists, especially when the content is described as vividly as this. Whether or not there will be a more detailed content warning list in the published book, starting a book out with such potentially triggering scenes without proper warning I believe is only going to harm readers when starting their reading.

The structure of these first three events were all so close together that I was unable to develop any judgement or relationship to the main character, Maxi. Because of this, I found myself feeling nothing but sympathy for this character who we know nothing about other than her very severe stutter and debilitating anxiety. If the goal is to make us feel that way, then I understand, but it it not how I prefer to start reading a new book.

I will admit, I don't know how helpful this feedback will be, considering I didn't make it far enough into the book to give feedback on anything other than the content warning list and the first chapter. But I wanted to submit my feedback nonetheless, because I think such changes would only benefit potential readers. I'm not even someone who has many triggers to content when reading, but that's usually because I've read beforehand that there will be general troubling themes throughout the book without it spoiling the content. I have read many books that demonstrate a lack of understanding or an active distaste for writing detailed warning lists, and to each their own, But often times, ignorant or less experienced authors (even some well-known authors, unfortunately) take advantage of this in order to shock readers with unexpected troubling material, which I find unethical and selfish more often than not. I am in NO WAY implying this was the author's intention, but I want to express my perspective on this so the author can consider it and avoid any potential readers feeling that way about her work. I enjoyed what I read of the prose, and the plot of the book seems very promising! But I can't say much other than that without giving feedback in bad faith since I didn't make it far enough into the book.

I hope this feedback was helpful and clear, and I apologize for not being able to finish the E-ARC sent to me. Unfortunately, the vagueness of the content warning message led to me having a negative experience in the first chapter, and the structure of layering three such potentially triggering events in the first few pages, while also lacking any information or connection to the main character, was just too much for me to desire continuing. Thank you for sending this ARC to me! I hope to read more from this author in the future :)

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Under the Oak Tree, a Romantasy by Kim Suji, explores the messiness that comes from a long life of abuse and how this effects your romantic relationships, especially in how it makes it nigh on impossible to communicate your thoughts, feelings, and desires to your significant other. Maximilian, usually known as Maxi, is the daughter of the rich and powerful Duke Croyso, known for his strictness and authority, but not for his near-constant abuse of Maxi because of her failing to live up to his standards, especially because of a stutter she has. One day, however, she is told she is to marry Sir Riftan, commander of the Remdragon Knights, whom she has never met, only having snuck a few glances at her father's castle. Soon she is married and their wedding is consummated right before Riftan leaves for the dangerous Red Dragon Campaign, from which he returns the greatest hero in the knigdom.

Going into this book, be sure to heed the trigger warnings, they are not to be taken lightly. An adaptation of an existing webtoon with great popularity, this book follows the relationship between Maxi and Riftan, rife with misunderstandings and and miscommunication, but full of devotion bordering on obsession, as they slowly come to know each other living at Riftan's castle on the other side of the continent.

When I say that their relationship is messy and that these two are TERRIBLE at communicating with each other, I mean it, but it makes their genuine love for each other which continues to grow throughout the book all the more interesting, especially as this book does not shy away from darker themes. I will say though that I did know a fair amount about the story before I went into this, as one of my friends is a huge fan of the original webtoon and they are always talking about it, so I knew what was coming as far as the trigger warnings and messier parts of their love go and was prepared, but I can definitely say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I would recommend this to fans of Romantasy who are open to darker themes, readers of the original webtoon, and those looking for a story that doesn't shy away from the messier aspects of living after an abusive childhood.

I've seen ads for the webtoon everywhere, so jumped at the chance to read the novel version, but this may be a case where the visual adaptation is an improvement on the webnovel. The novel is mired down in misunderstandings and represents Maxi and Riftan's relationship as very, very physical and not much else because of that. They don't have an opportunity to learn about each other or grow if neither of them ever talk to each other, and getting trapped in Maxi's narration means that we know that she will never broach the subject herself.

That said, the setup is interesting, and you /want/ to root for them, to see Maxi drawn out of her shell and grow in confidence.

This book was very intriguing and interesting from the very beginning. It drew me in right away and kept me hooked. I have to say, I didn’t expect that ending but it was definitely fitting!

I was obsessed with Under the Oak Tree when it was an internet manga. I did everything I could to find this on the Internet. And I’m so happy that this has been made into as he realized book. You obviously have to know what you’re in for when you pick up this book because it definitely has that manga vibe. But if that is your vibe (which turns out is my vibe.), then I would recommend this to everyone! Maximilian and Riftan are an absolute love story (a tiny bit old fashion love story) but an absolute to die for a love story.

Thank you in #Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<i>Thank you to Inklore for a chance to read an arc this book! 🖤 </i>

<i>5⭐️</i> Even better than I remembered it! tropes: arranged marriage, miscommunication, romantasy | high steam | digital

<i> "Riftan had come to occupy the deepest recesses of her heart; he had the power to shatter her, to crush her will to live." </i>

<i> characters </i>
🩶 Maximilian is the daughter of the Duke of Croyso. She is kind but has a stutter and major anxiety that is worsen by her father's abuse. She's really trying her best and I loved her. She has really bad self-esteem and self-worth. She wants nothing more than to be liked and appreciated. But has a hard time believing others can love her as she is.
🩶 Riftan was originally a lowborn knight that became a revered swordmaster. He is so obsessed with Maxi that he doesn't see her sometimes. He is so caring but sometimes too protective.

<i> favorite bits</i>
🖤 I originally read the fan translation but never finished and am so excited it's being officially released in english!
🖤 I love seeing Maxi grow and flourish once she became more comfortable with her new home and had her needs met.
🖤 One of my favorite things about Maxi and Riftan's relationship is that you don't doubt that they care and have feelings for each other but don't truly understand each other but want to. Riftan has made so many assumptions about Maxi so he sees her as someone who should be pampered and protected but doesn't understand how she wants more than that. Maxi views love as something that can only happen if she is useful to others but doesn't understand that she can just be herself and still deserve love. Both of them have this wall up because of their own past and insecurities and I just want them to be happy NOW!!
🖤 I also loved how fleshed out the side characters felt and how they all felt different and interesting. I loved seeing their growth and how Maxi built a relationship with them.

<i> "You’re my wife now,” he said between kisses. “There’s no turning back, whether you like it or not." </i>

<i> final thoughts: </i>
I have two wolves in me. One wants to catch up to the official chapter updates online or wait for volume two be released... I DON'T KNOW 😭😭😭 But I do know I really loved reading this!

Check out my socials <a href="https://linktr.ee/buffyreads here</a> for more reviews!

Under the Oak Tree was whimsical and fun. I would have like a bit more depth at times but really enjoyed it and plan to buy it for out collection.

I would give this around a 4 stars, the first chapter or two is kind of rough to read due to SA, but this happens in the manwha/ comic as well. Outside of that, this is a story about a girl learning to live outside of her family that she was abused and put in the shadows. There are a lot of spicy scenes but it's a about a 3 on the spice scale for me, nothing to insane or graphic overall. I will say it was still an enjoyable read, the cover is gorgeous, and I can't wait to read the second one. I don't think it should be getting as many downvotes as it is now, overall I hope to get this book on my shelf soon. I also can't wait for the comic to be finished and reading that as well, this story is really nice. There are plenty of moments that make you feel supportive of both characters and rooting for them.

I wanted to like this book, I really did. I enjoyed the manga when it first came out so when I saw there was a novel version I wanted to check it out. I don’t know if something was lost in translation or what but I had a hard time with the story. The characters didn’t engage me and my mind kept wondering to other things. I did, however, think the premise of the story was good and will give the next one a try but on a whole this one left me wanting.

I really enjoyed this book. Not quite a 5 start but a good solid 4. It has a good premise a lonely young abused woman trying to find her place in a world where men decide her fate. Despite this she shows a strong will with a determination to be useful and competent. I overall like the main character Maxi. Not always thrilled with her husband and love interest Riftan. At times hes sweet and kind. While others he has a short temper. Riftan is a mystery as we don't know much about him its a little frustrating. I hope future books shed light on him looking forward to reading the series as it continues

I was excited to read Under the Oak Tree because I had heard good things about it, however, there is rape/sexual assault and abuse in the very first chapter. Even with trigger warnings, I would have a difficult time recommending this book because I feel like it glamorizes unhealthy relationships and abuse.

I have been a fan of "Under the Oak Tree" for a LONG time - from the adventures of trying to find official sources, to following the Manta comics as it updated, to being thrilled when it was put on Amazon Kindle to now -- I am so glad to see Suji Kim's beautiful story be brought to the USA, and I cannot wait to hold the official book in my hands. Maxi and Riftan's story is not without its own fraught trials. They both have significant trauma to overcome, and it is a little frustrating being the reader and seeing them not communicate clearly. But knowing the full story like I do, it is beautiful to see the origins (kinda) of their story and how much they truly grow separately and together.

Despite this being a translation, there is something so beautiful and magical about the world and its simplicities along with the magic. I am sure it is just as beautiful, if not more beautiful, in Korean. I love the world building and the side characters add so much richness and dimension to the scenes and are not just "window dressing." I love that the stakes are high and the characters struggle and fail and succeed. I have been singing praises about this story for months, and I cannot wait to continue to do so!