I have to be honest. The cover sucked me in on this one. It's gorgeous. And the premise is interesting. Bianca is a noble who knows that duty comes before her heart. She has no magic and a mysterious ailment but she ALWAYS does her duty. For her country, she agrees to a marriage of convenience with the prince of a neighboring country. But their uncomfortable meeting leads to an even more unpleasant wedding. A spell gone aawry leads to a wedding night disaster, and the unlikely pair dashes across the country to find a way to reverse the curse and discover who has betrayed them.

The best part about Behooved is how campy it is. Unlike most romantasy novels, it is humorous and fun and does not take itself seriously, which is a lovely change from tortured teenagers who grimly fight monsters under the eyes of uncaring adults. I enjoyed the twist on the Firebird tale with our hero turning into a horse by day while he is a man by night. The writing was good and the story galloped along at a good pace. Sadly, I felt that the relationship was a bit too instalove for my taste and the plot wrapped up rather too quickly to provide maximum enjoyment.

A fun romp with a few bumps. 4 stars

Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this title.

I thought this was such a cozy romance. Spice was minimal but I loved seeing the attraction between Aric and Bianca bloom after several misunderstandings. I absolutely adored how the two helped each other’s confidence grow. The world building wasn’t too heavy in terms of magical terms and locations so I think this might be a great intro to the romantasy genre. And I had a lot of laughs courtesy of the horsey innuendos 😂

If you enjoy the arranged marriage trope and liked the vibes of books like Shoestring Theory by Mariana Costa and my Lady Jane then you will enjoy Beehoved. The author wrapped things up pretty well in this book but I would be happy to see more of Aric and Bianca if she decided to write a sequel!

A very fun magical adventure! The growing romance between Bianca and Aric was satisfying in the pacing and emotional beats. The mystery of who tried to assassinate Aric was a touch predicable, but the romance made up for it!

A cozy-ish romantasy with a royal arranged marriage that leads to a lot of mutual pining. The romance was very sweet, with a capable woman managing her chronic illness (akin to celiac) paired with a very soft and bookish prince.

The writing is very Disney-esque, and the main character's sheltered perspective makes the book read quite young. But somehow, it matches the overall plot.

It took a while to get through the introductory world-building (which did not have much bearing on the story), but once the plot kicked in, the book ended up being a cute but straightforward romp.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this enchanted fairytale romance. A nerdy, soft-hearted heir apparent with a habit of turning into a white stallion at sunrise, a baddie FMC with a chronic disability and soft edges. The perfect read to snap me out of my reading slump and a highly anticipated read of the year! It definitely lived up to my expectations of being a cutesy fairytale.

Going into this, I expected a silly, lighthearted story. I mean, seriously, riding your husband on your wedding night... because he accidentally turns into a horse? Don’t overthink this one. It’s a rom-com, not a deep dive into emotional motifs, heavy-hitting conflicts or complex world building.

Behooved by M. Stevenson is a refreshingly different fantasy—no grand battles or overpowering magic, but an intimate, character-driven story rich with political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and thoughtful world-building.

The female main character suffers from an unnamed but recognizable celiac disease, which is misunderstood in her world and seen as a sign of weakness. Despite this, she remains fiercely dedicated to her family and her seemingly more "advanced" nation. Meanwhile, the male main character is a bookish, science-minded intellectual from a country more in tune with nature, highlighting the stark contrast between their homelands. Their romance builds gradually, woven into a story of duty and personal strength.

With a mix of quiet tension, steamy moments, plenty of riding, and a deep exploration of resilience, Behooved is a compelling fantasy worth picking up.

Thanks to Bramble for the digital advance review copy!

✨ARC Review✨

✅Magic
✅Arranged marriage
✅Reluctant ruler
✅Betrayal
✅Diversity and Inclusion

If you’re looking for a fun romantasy, Behooved is for you. M. Stevenson’s novel is a blend of humor, romance, adventure and magic.

I loved the FMC Bianca. She is strong, smart, and has a sense of duty. She cares for those around her including her parents who take advantage of her. She is excellent with swords and defending herself.

The MMC Aric is the opposite of Bianca. He is a reluctant ruler who values books over ruling. When we say opposites attract, it is very true for the main characters.

I found the side characters endearing as well especially Tatiana. She loves her sister so much. Also, Tatiana provides comic relief in the book.

I appreciate the representation in this book. We need more stories that represent how diverse people can be.

Some things that I thought could have been improved:
- I wanted to see more of Varin’s and Bianca and Tatiana’s parents’ motivations.
- What was causing Bianca’s illness that the greenwitch alluded to?
- The beginning dragged a little. I wished it gave more time for Bianca and Aric to develop their feelings for each other.

Absolutely love this book! I was skeptical at first but I highly recommend this book. I will say the spicy parts were very... different.. than what I expected but not complaining at ALL.

Reading the plot of the book had me a little nervous but this actually ended up being very cute, maybe I do like enemies to lovers after this. I do wish the FMC didn't complain so much about how much of a liability she is but I still appreciated the representation.

The blurb, and the conceit (the prince is now a horse! hijinks ensue!), caught my eye, but if I hadn't been reading this as an ARC, I would have DNF'd. I hoped it would be funnier and more engaging, but Bianca's dutiful nature was dull and Aric didn't bring much personality to the table either. Or the trough, I guess. Aside from the disability rep (which I appreciated), this felt derivative and boring. A cast of potentially interesting side characters was largely wasted. It skews YA in style and vibes, which doesn't really fit the material, and most of the politics and magic stuff, which could have been a good foil to the super basic romance plot, was just hand-waved. Overall, just disappointing.

Behooved is a fun and cozy romantasy that delivers a unique blend of political intrigue, magical curses, and an enemies-to-lovers romance—with a bit of horseplay along the way. If you’re in the mood for a cozy fantasy, this one is for you!

In M. Stevenson’s Behooved, protagonist Bianca does not get off on the right foot with her betrothed, King Aric. Supposedly he was the one to insist on a marriage alliance, but when she arrives, Aric seems to want nothing to do with her. If that wasn’t enough, their marriage night ends with a talking horse in the bedroom—instead of a groom!

This book was not quite how I’d imagined it from the description, but it is full of humor and fun, and was quite the enjoyable read.

M. Stevenson’s Behooved is a debut that gallops into romantasy with a unique premise, a touch of humor, and strong queer-normative and disability representation (Celiac Disease). While sometimes labeled as cozy fantasy, I’d call it cozy-adjacent at best—once Aric turns into a horse, the tone shifts closer to cozy territory, but the stakes remain a bit too high, and Bianca’s serious, often prickly nature keeps the book from settling into that warm, comforting space.

The novel takes a while to hit its stride, with the first quarter dragging due to pacing rather than plot. During this stretch, Bianca is deeply concerned with how others perceive her, and much of her frustration stems from minor slights that don’t feel particularly pressing within the book’s world. However, once her new husband transforms into a horse on their wedding night the story kicks into gear, offering a fun  twist and vibe shift that makes for an entertaining read.

Stevenson’s prose leans formal, which lends the book a distinct, almost fairy-tale-like feel, though it may not be for everyone. Some named characters serve clear roles but don’t develop much beyond them. That said, the novel excels in its queer-normative world, witty banter, and offbeat magical premise.

For a debut from an author without a formal writing background, this is an impressive first outing. While it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, Behooved will likely appeal to romantasy readers who enjoy grumpy protagonists, sharp humor, and a magical plot with a twist and a nuzzle. If you can overlook some pacing hiccups and enjoy a weekend romp in the stable—with a few extra hurdles along the way—this one is worth saddling up for.⭐️⭐️⭐️3.4/5 starsBehooved will release on May 20, 2025 and is available for pre-order at ethical retailers like Bookshop.org.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble, an imprint of Tor Publishing Group, for the eARC in exchange for an honest professional review.

Bianca feels trapped in her role as the second-born daughter to a prominent family. She knows her duty to her family and her country comes first though, and when the neighboring kingdom threatens war with a marriage alliance as the only answer, she's willing to move away from everything she's known to prove to her parents that despite the illness that has defined most of her life she can serve a purpose. Nothing's as it seems though, when she makes it to Gildenheim's shores and her betrothed doesn't seem at all interested in the bride he requested. An assasin on their wedding night causes Bianca to accidentally turn her new husband into a horse, forcing them to journey through the countryside as they unravel the mysteries of the magic binding him and the political machinations that would use them as pawns.

I'll be honest, the premise of this story wasn't what drew me in. Actually, I found it a little silly, however, I was surprised at how it played out in that it wasn't caricature. Despite the world building and lore, the story didn't feel dense or bogged down. In fact, it felt like a light read. The author's "self-insert" by giving her an chronic illness in no way makes her an incapable heroine. If anything, my sympathy for her character was more due to her desire to gain her parents approval and subsequent clining to duty. Bianca proves to be a strong heroine that uses the talents she has as she gains the confidence to go after what she wants.

My one issue would be with the evolution of Bianca's feelings for Aric. The story is told in first person, so the reader is privy to her inner thoughts, and yet it caught me by surprise when she admits to the depth of attraction she feels to Aric. She'd certainly mentioned him she found him physically attractive, and we can see how she comes to see him in a new light, but claiming she "wanted him from the moment she laid eyes on him" felt untrue.

Overall, a fun romp of romantasy with a dash of world building that leaves itself open for more stories within the world. I'd read it again, but not immediately. Absorbing, but not un-put-down-able. 3.5/5

First, thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

Second, I loved this book. It’s just a generally fun book! Knowing the premise, I couldn’t help but laugh at the foreshadowing horse puns early in the story. The humor and ticking clock kept the pacing moving well.

I fell in love with Aric. I have a soft spot for a nerdy, introverted prince 🥰 Without giving too much away, I also strongly identified with how he feels at a party 😅 And books are also my favorite weapon, both in a fight and in connecting with people.

Bianca is also a wonderful character. Her strength is undeniable. I love the theme that overcoming a weakness to accomplish something is actually a sign that you are stronger than the person who accomplished the same thing without having the weakness to overcome.

And I can’t close this out without making reference to the representation in this book. The queer normative world was refreshing in a way that I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t realize it was something I needed until M. Stevenson so expertly gave it to me. The disability rep, though, is what sets this book apart. Not just because disability rep is so rare, but because it highlights that there are so many different kinds of heroes and anyone, ANYONE, can be a hero and lead the quest we all dreamed of going on as kids.

So in short, this is a fast, fun read with many important messages you don’t even realize you’re getting because it shows people just as they are, living their lives, and kicking a** 😊

Suppose you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a marriage of convenience collided headfirst with a magical curse, then this book is your next must-read. The book has humor, mystery, and a slow-burn romance that is satisfying and sweet. It is a delightful escape into a world of cozy enchantment. Bianca, who has a secret chronic illness, must marry Prince Aric. She has a less-than-happy reception when she arrives in his kingdom. But just as she’s preparing for a life of stiff royal obligations, an assassination attempt throws everything off course literally. The botched attack turns Aric into a horse by day and back to himself as night. Bianca, accused of harming the prince, must flee with her horse husband. They must find the assassin to clear her name and break the curse, all while avoiding dangerous foes. It is an absolutely adorable and humorous ride.

What truly sets this book apart is its cozy tone. It balances adventure and danger with lighthearted wit. The forced proximity leads to some fantastic banter, which will have you giggling, and the slow-burning affection is charming. Bianca’s resilience and sharp wit shine, and Aric’s bookish, brooding nature make him an endearing hero. The book has a YA writing style, so there are a few missing elements, which is common in YA books, but it was still fun and silly. I recommend it to readers who like a low-stakes, cozy rom-com fantasy.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group, Bramble, for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.

I loved this book so much! It brought back so many memories of reading fantasy novels as a child. You truly go on a journey with these characters and the story feels at once familiar and fresh. I appreciated the sprinkling of spice the author added that took a comfort story into the modern realm where all the books are just a tad spicy. I loved these characters and I couldn’t put the book down until I knew how it would end. Well worth the read for any fantasy lover.

I wanted to read this book because it had elements of the plot of "My Lady Jane," and what I got was honestly so much better than I had anticipated. Bianca (the main character) has a chronic condition and I absolutely love seeing disabled characters in fantasy novels because representation is so important. This book gives you a fun fantasy romance, a badass disabled character, defiance of typical gender norms for both men and women, abounding queerness (Bianca is bi or pan and there are other queer characters), and a just a general good time!

This is a beautiful love story that entranced me from start to finish. While it seemed very similar to a different book that made me a bit hesitant, its unique charm was very loud and shown through beautifully. The chronic pain representation was so accurately descripted. As someone with chronic pain, I felt it was properly represented and something I never expected to find in a fantasy book.

A quirky story that doesn't take itself too seriously, Behooved filled the void that was left by the cancellation of My Lady Jane. If you’re going in expecting a typical fantasy book, this won’t be for you. But, if you’re looking for a low stakes happy, yet unconventional, fun time, I think this is the perfect cleanse.