Format: Ebook

Rating: 3.25

My Review- This story was a self-published novel and graphic novel but the first time I saw it was on a webtoon and I liked the story was interesting when I found it was getting picked up both the books, I heard the book so better the the webtoon. I was blessed to get an arc and I did like it better than the webtoon but only half of the book, you have a girl who is treated badly by her dad and is forced into marriage. She meets him on the wedding day and leaves her the next day to fight in a battle that lasts a long time. He comebacks and they try to get to know each other I just don't like how he treats her in the beginning and assumes things about her. It did get better and can't wait to see what happens with them.

I loved reading about their love story and watch them overcome hardships. And watch the MF develop into her new role.it was refreshing to see the MM show his love for the MF and see his story develop.

Lady Maximilian was married to the knight Riftan Calypse three years ago, but they only spent one confusing, unpleasant one night together since he had to ride off to battle. Now Rifton returns as a hero, and the king has offered a princess to him. Maxi’s both terrified to lose Riftan but, when he greets her with passion, just as terrified to stay as his wife.

I think I enjoyed this? Alright, hear me out. We’re inundated with Western-inspired fantasies and Western portrayals of the East. Here, we have a Western fantasy as seen through a Korean lens. It’s frankly delightful. The names are charmingly random. The food is described in exact detail. It’s very slice-of-life. And we have the certainty from the beginning that Maxi, while her trauma is turned up to 11, is on a road to self-discovery and true love. It’s predictable, but in a way I kind of needed right now.

My major complaints are the highly dub-con sex scenes (especially one at the beginning of the book that really doesn’t set the stage well, yikes– but note that the book does have a note from the author warning of possible triggers) and the anti-climatic ending (the latter because there seem to be 10+ volumes of this story).

Throughout the book, I thought this might be better suited to a comic, so it was satisfying to find out that it was originally a manhwa. I scanned the first couple of episodes of the manhwa, and I think the comic medium is superior. I’m especially baffled by the choice to make the sex scenes so much more dub-con and explicit than in the comic.

I ended up DNF’ing this at 44%. The writing was good but I just couldn’t connect to the characters and the plot wasn’t keeping me engaged. It was very well written, and I enjoyed that Maxi had challenges with her stutter, but I just kept waiting for something more exciting to happen and it didn’t. I think others would really enjoy this book, but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.

I was drawn into this one by the cover and the plot sounded very enticing. However it did leave much to be desired. It wasn't completely terrible, and it did have its moments, just maybe wasn't for me. There are a few instances of the FMC being forced into sex, and while it does show some historical accuracy in that facet, I feel like those scenes could have been glossed over just by stating how she was forced because "they had to consummate their marriage on their wedding night or it was invalidated because of how laws were at the time". I probably would have enjoyed the book a bit more if those scenes were less, but even then there's not really much substance to this one in my opinion.

I received this as an ebook ARC from Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

I read this when it first came out as a Webcomic on Manta and really liked it. After reading the book, I still think I prefer the webcomic version. One thing I enjoyed about the novel over the webcomic, is the depth that the novel was able to provide. It gave a further understanding of Maxi and the world itself. The biggest thing I didn’t like about the novel was honestly Riftan as a character. I often found him harsh, demanding and in general kind of a jerk to Maxi, except during spicy scenes. The spice was nice, but felt like it was all the characters had keeping them together. I might read the next novel just to see how it portrays their relationship moving forward.

I adored this! This will need all the freaking hype. I devoured every word. The story was amazing and I loved the characters!

Under the Oak Tree is the novel version of the popular webcomic. The story follows Maxi, a noblewoman who grew up with a speech impediment that embarrased her father Duke Croyso. He would frequently beat her while trying to correct her stutter. 3 years ago, Duke Croyso married Maxi off to Riftan Calypse a knight who then left on a 3 year campaign. Upon his return, he comes to get Maxi and take her back to his lands. He appears to be furious at her for not going there to manage his land. At firat, Maxi is terrified of Riftan, but she soon begins to see how much he takes care of her. All the while, Maxi is terrified of Riftan learning that she is not the nobelwoman that he believes, but instead the rejected daughter of the duke. In her new castle and in a new land, Maxi begins to be truly happy for the first time, but she constantly longs to be the perfect wife and useful. Riftan seems content to just spoil her and have her do nothing, vut Maxi wants to help and soon begins learning magic. Their relationship is filled with each other doubting that they are good enough for the other.

Under the Oak Tree was such a good story! The worldbuilding was rich and the characters were so interesting. Maxi's growth throughout the series is the best part. From the beginning, you absolutely want her to find a place where she can belong. The story is all about her finding her place at Calypse castle and with Riftan and his knights. Their relationship is so sweet and very steamy. Riftan adores and dotes on Maxi, but is overly protective. For the first time in her life, Maxi feels that she can offer something and be useful, but Riftan justs wants her to be pampered and spoiled. This causes tension within their relationship as well. If you want a romance with a quiet main character who begins to overcome her issues, found family, an overprotective male main character, steamy and sweet romance, and an addictive, hard to put down story, then this is perfect for you! I will definitely be anxiously awaiting the next volume.

This story was enjoyable, but it felt a little long and drawn out. It was very low stakes with more character development between Maxi and Riftan than plot. I don’t know if it was necessary to have been more familiar with the web comic before reading this, but I feel like things kind of ended abruptly. If you’re looking for something different and easy to read between other series, then this could be a good one to try out. It has lots of spice , but also a lot of miscommunication.

I’ve been excited to read this novel ever since I stumbled across the webcomic version. It was a delight to read and I can't wait to read the next book!

I absolutely loved the manhwa of this so to read it as a light novel was chefs kiss. Maxi and Riftan just kill me in the best way possible.

The relationship between Riftan and Maxi carried this whole book. Luckily, the majority of the book is focused around them, but anything else that happens plotwise did not keep my interest that much.

I know it's against NetGalley's rules, but I will be rating this book without finishing it. The book begins with two scenes of the male main character raping and sexually assaulting the female main character. And he is the love interest. The author portrays this situation as romantic, even though it is far past the bounds of "dubious conset" or the benefit of the doubt. This is disgusting. The book is marketing as having "mature themes," but I don't think that is a sufficient warning for the content, nor can I ethically support romanticized portrayals or rape and sexual assault. That is why I feel it necessary to review this book, even though I didn't finish it.

The same review is posted to my Goodreads.

An enjoyable low stakes cozy fantasy with a good bit of spice. There’s not a lot of world building, you get a bit of backstory at the beginning, spice out the starting gate and it’s an ongoing story. There’s not really a substantial plot line. It was still an interesting story even though it’s just an ongoing day to day life of Maxi as she settles into her new role as a wife of an esteemed knight. The love story is very endearing, possessive & don’t touch her or you die. There’s no cliffhanger, the story just ends. From what I understand this is volume 1 of a completed story & it was originally a web novel/webtoon/manga. The physical book is absolutely stunning. With gorgeous artwork.

I originally came across this story as a webtoon and had read part of it. I was intrigued to see what the novelization would be like. It reads and feels very much like the webtoon - a bit stilted and you can also feel the panels as you are reading it. I will probably keep reading it as the next volumes are published.

e-ARC from NetGalley.

This story in one sentence: I want to love you whole.

I love the webtoon and I really like this. Maxi and Riftan are such broken, beautiful people, and the love they have for one another is so touching. Neither feels worthy, but both will pour their everything into the other just the same.

This is the only kind of miscommunication that makes sense. They barely know one another. Her speech impediment makes it difficult to communicate. His harsh background makes it equally challenging to express himself.

This isn't a plot-centered book. It's about these characters - individually and as a couple. They have such a journey ahead of them - one of pain and fear and a slowly growing understanding - and I can't wait to watch it happen.

The moment when that tiny shift in perspective changes everything will be so delicious.

Could've done without Ruth's magical monologues, though. They gave me a literal headache.

This is not the fight form of Under the Oak Tree that I have encountered. I read the Manhwa prior to this and I loved it! So when I was given the opportunity to read the novel I was so excited for the chance. I was not disappointed! The book does a really good job of balancing the setting with the internal dialogue and I love being able to hear more from Maxi than was given in the Manhwa. I totally plan on getting this for my library when it gets published and I will continue to talk about how great all forms of this story is! Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this!

I’ve read the webtoon and followed along with this series since it appeared on Manta years ago. When I saw there was a physical book version out, I knew I had to read it! The details in the writing comes close to the webtoon version and I love that is did not sway from the original storyline. Riftan and Maximillian have my heart! Cant wait for the Book 2!

While I enjoyed this for the most part, I feel like my experience with this book was hindered by its first impression. I read a couple of chapters of the PG webtoon (didn’t even know there was a PG version until the novelization!) a long time ago, and I was just disgusted by the opening scene where Maxi recalls the night she lost her virginity. She remembers it as an assault, and it’s not really properly addressed and rather brushed off as miscommunication since she’s so soft spoken. I know that in the time period it’s set in, this kind of stuff was “normal”, but it just left a bad impression of the ML on me that continued to linger for the rest of the story.

Under the Oak Tree follows Lady Maximilian, a sheltered noblewoman with a stutter, as she is thrust into an arranged marriage with Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight manipulated by her father. Riftan leaves immediately after their wedding, returning three years later as a war hero determined to claim her as his wife despite Maxi’s insecurities and their strained past. As Maxi adjusts to her new life and the unexpected passion Riftan stirs within her, she begins a journey of self-discovery and resilience.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this novel early on, as the first quarter of the story left me deeply uncomfortable. The depiction of Maxi’s infantilization and Riftan’s aggressive, non-consensual behavior was troubling, particularly as the narrative framed these moments as romantic groundwork for their relationship. This portrayal overshadowed any potential for character growth or a meaningful love story.

While the premise hinted at themes of empowerment and resilience, the execution made it difficult to continue. Readers who are sensitive to power imbalances or non-consensual dynamics in romance should approach this book with caution.