This review will be posted to Goodreads on October 29, 2024.

This was such a cozy read! I’m so glad that the cover sucked me in!

First, this is definitely an adult novel. Based on the cover art I was expecting something a bit more YA, but straight out of the gate it was evident this is written for 18+.

This book follows the story of a young girl who is married off to a knight after being cooped up in a castle for most of her life and been neglected and abused by her father. It gave me very cozy cinnamon roll vibes to watch our main character come out of her shell and begin to enjoy life and find her talents. I enjoyed the slow, day-to-day pace of her exploring her new home, learning new skills, and making friends. This book is great for people who read to unwind, rather than for thrill or suspense.
This certainly wasn’t the most gripping novel I’ve ever read, but I do really enjoy the cozy, slow stories of people finding their way in a new life.
My only complaint about this novel is that the main character has a stutter, and I was sorta hoping she would grow out of it by the middle of the story at least, which she didn’t. Hopefully she will be able to overcome it within the next book; reading her stuttering is tedious.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading the next one!


Note to the Publisher:
It would be really helpful if you added a symbol when the scene changes within a chapter. It was a bit jarring sometimes with only an extra empty line.

I already was a fan of this story through the webtoon story but in this novel format, it really opened up my eyes.
I read so many things that I totally missed in the illustrated version. This novel also gave me details and descriptions that you don’t see in the webtoon. Overall, i loved how it was translated into novel form without changing the deep emotions and thoughts that Maxi has during her time as a married woman. Also, Riftan seemed like a completely different character to me in this. We get a little bit more emotion from here, i think. Something that I totally overlooked in the webtoon. I love this story and I will very much look forward to the next volume and I will totally buy this book when it releases. That cover and those stenciled edges are everything, represents the story so well!

Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged.

Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.

I was sooooo excited to see that this story was made into a novel after being a fan of the Webtoon for a long time (still reading that as well).
The author made it possible for me to really visualize the characters that she had previously portrayed in a graphic novel and I thought it was so amazing to be able to have that image in my head as I read.

Maximilian (Maxi) is the unloved older daughter of the Duke of Croyso. All her life she was made to see herself as less than and worthless due to her speech impediment. She lacks confidence and is unaware of so much due to how her father treated her throughout her childhood. She always came second to her sister, because she was perfect and didn't lack according to their father.

Upon wedding Riftan one of the most fearless and strong and well-renowned knights of the realm she was forced to stay home by her father not knowing better and not knowing that her husband wanted her at his home. After 3 years of fighting, he comes back to take her home with him and to start their lives together. Maxi fears that he will hate her just as her father has all her life, but is surprised to find out that he thinks that she was a cherished daughter of the duke and knew only wealth. Therefore he showers her with riches even though he could care less for them himself. He wants her to have the best and to never feel like she stooped lower than she should've by marrying him.
Slowly with his love, she begins to grow into a strong confident woman who is loved by him and his people.

Throughout the first volume, Maxi slowly begins to learn what is required of her as the wife of Riftan and the lady of their castle. She gains the trust of the maidservants and learns to use her knowledge to assist the Mage Ruth in all things healing and magic.

I totally recommend this story for those who love a good little spicy romance mixed with magic and old knight tales.

3.5 stars.
I originally went into this book blind.
I totally judged it by the cover and thought it was going to be YA. I was WRONG.
Check your triggers before reading this one though. the beginning was a little crazy.
I did like the story for the rest of the book and would continue reading the rest of the series when it comes out.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine: Inklore for giving me the opportunity to read the book for an honest review!

To be honest I read the manga on Manta and was so overjoyed when I saw it would be released in this form. I’m absolutely in love with this story. The fantasy world is so rich and the romance between Maxi and Riftan is so steamy but also so so sweet. I’m obsessed with their story and watching Maxi begin to gain her confidence is so heartwarming and I can’t wait for more volumes! The books look absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to add them to my bookshelf!

When I saw this book and read the synopsis. I was hooked and had to read it. I look a good comic and this one being turned into a novel was amazing. I was hooked from the very first line and a really did not want to put this one down. While the characters are kind of out there in ways, it is important to remember that this is a fictional book and everything is fake. I loved this one and cannot wait to read volume 2. 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy of Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 by Suji Kim in exchange for my honest and free review.

I have complicated feelings about this one, but ultimately it passed through the very rough beginning and become more engaging. The content warnings are no joke, so please heed. Overall I enjoyed it and will likely read the second volume when it is published. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

I’ve read a part of the webtoon version of this before and I absolutely loved it! So I was excited to be able to get the chance to read this ARC. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine: Inklore! The story is heavy on the romance with more of a focus on character development, but it is more of a slow gradual growth, so there’s very little action in the plot throughout the book. The supporting characters were likeable and added depth to the story, especially Ruth. His scenes with Maxi were delightful! For me, I do think it works better as a webtoon, as you get a better understanding of the characters and the scene transitions-it’s kind of abrupt at some parts in the novel. Overall, I thought this was a cozy and enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC!

Under the Oak Tree was originally a web-coming, from my understanding. It serves up all the tropes, with a historical fantasy setting, an abused rich noblewoman, and a husband who from the start, fiercely cares and loves his wife, despite all the misunderstandings between them. I could see this book being a successful webcomic, as it relies on the tropes for the reader to follow the plot and continue reading - and I will be honest, I bet with good art and the amount of steam the book has right from the get-go, this would be a fun read.

As a book...not so much. The writing is incredibly simplistic, with not much actual...writing? I don't know how best to explain that. Our main character has a stutter that has only worsened under her father's negative admonishments, and so while the backstory makes sense, she's an incredibly frustrating character. This has all those makings of a good pining and misunderstanding trope - I can feel it in my little romance heart -- but is just executed so poorly that I had to DNF partway through. I'm also personally not the biggest fan of steam that is written about purely with vague references, and this book was chock-ful of that. That being said, I would give the webcomic a chance, but as a standalone novel, this book doesn't work.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Romantasy heavy on the romance which is never a bad thing for me. The spice was unexpected but appreciated. Pleasantly surprised by this book.

I'll first admit that I was drawn to this book by its very pretty cover. Secondly, I have to say that I usually don't like books that are heavy romance with little adventure, or action in their plot, so this book was a departure for me. For readers who like a romance, with some explicit content, a sweet female main character and her gallant knight who saves her from a cruel parent and siblings and whisks her away to his castle while he protects the lands, this is the fantasy that they've been looking for. I prefer my main characters, if they start off with self-doubts, to come into their own, find their strengths and go off to fight the monsters and defend the lands with their knight, or even to become the gallant knight themselves. Occasionally, I like to try and read books outside of my usual genres but if I don't enjoy them so much, I will admit that the fault is not necessarily in the story but that it isn't my style. So for those that like romance-heavy fantasy-lite, you might find what you are looking for Under the Oak Tree.
I received advanced access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine: Inklore) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I cannot with this book. I tried. I couldn't connect with the story, the characters, or the writing style.

The cover is gorgeous. The book was fun too, but I could not stand Maxi’s stuttering. It drove me crazy!

The start of this novel may be challenging for some readers (content warning), but at its core, it is about a young woman discovering her self-worth and learning to believe in herself. Having read the webtoon version, I noticed many similarities between the two, though this book includes a significant amount of steamy romance that caught me off guard!

I feel like I definitely took a chance on this one, and I was pleasantly surprised. I will probably continue the series.

thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a free review
I loved the webtoon of this and I'm so glad i got approved for this! gotta love a good marriage of convenience trope with grumpy x sunshine/sweet