This wasn't the book for me.

I liked somethings, mainly the chronic illness rep and the bi rep, and it was entertaining and well written. Sadly, I found the mc irritating and thought Aric could do better.

(I'm also less inclined to care about m/f relationships in general, so there is that)

3.4⭐️

Thank you to Hodderscape and NetGallet for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, whimsical read, and I did think the characters were very cute and wholesome. The miscommunication aspects were handled pretty well (and this is from someone who greatly dislikes that specific trope), and it did also have one of my favourite tropes - one bed.

However, the instalove was a bit too instant (especially given that Aric was a horse half the time, haha). I’m not sure whether this might have been better served as a duology to allow for some extra depth, as it felt a bit rushed at points.

Still, overall this was an enjoyable read and recommended if you’re looking for a lighthearted, funny romantasy.

Thank you Netgalley, Hodderscape and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A woman forced into an arrange political marriage with a yet-to-be-crowned king from another country hailed to be a tyrant who apparently killed his mother, with pinches of her cursing him into becoming a horse after a failed attempted assassination on their wedding night and a good dose of humor, sarcasm and gentleness from the horse-guy and here you have it.

Behooved is a sweet standalone debut from M. Stevenson where the heroine doesn't always need saving (not always, but she can fare alone well- mostly) and an unusual sweet male lead that will make the whole book a whole lot better.

Bianca Liliana, Duchess of House Liliana, Flower of Damaria, is a woman of duty and honor. She would do nothing for her family and country with a medical condition that at times incapacitate her from even getting up, making her seem as the weak link, inferior if competing with her oldest sister Tatiana. Prince Aric of Gildenheim on the other hand wants nothing to with the political mess that the two countries are plotting and would rather live his whole life with his nose buried between books (honestly Aric I get you). Together they honestly make such a sweet couple it's impossible not to love them find stability and peace with the other.

There where quite some times were my mind dabbled in confusion, for example: when Bianca was told she was going to marry Aric and that her departure was set for the next week I don't understand why nobody had her learn the basic etiquette of Gildenheim, especially since the was bound to become the queen of the country, not saying she had to become better than a Gildenheim noble, but at least know the basics in terms of history (both social and historical).
Another part was (at least for me) was how time and distance was handled throwing the book. We know it took more or less 2 weeks with a ship to get to the capital, while for Bianca and Aric it took more or less again another week to reach the border between the two countries? Idk it felt strange.
And for last, when one of the masterminds was arrested, they decided to simple let it go with a device that could easily being him back, again idk but at the same time I feel like it was too simple? Naive, maybe even to just let him go like that without a guard taking him, assuring he was outside and the going back with the device.

Taking this small little rant out it was still an enjoyable book to read, hopefully we'll get some character spin-off books and maybe even a cute map to go with them.

3.5 ⭐️(The rating got higher thanks to Aric being Aric) 1.5🌶️

This took so long to read for some reason, but this is utterly brilliant? And hilarious? This is so silly and fun and wacky, and it totally endeared me. I really loved how the author naturally incorporated chronic illness representation, based on their own chronic illness as discussed in the author's note. It's rare to see that kind of representation in fantasy novels, so I loved it in here. The worldbuilding was well done and this felt like such a fully developed story and world, given it's only 350 pages and a standalone. My favourite part about this book? He is literally a HORSE for half of it (he turns into a horse by day???) and yet the romance is heartfelt and beautiful and believable. Did I mention he turns into a horse? Genius. The only reason this isn't 5 stars is that I feel like because of how long it took me to read it, I wasn't fully immersed in the story. I will 100% be remedying that with a reread in the future.

This was cute and had an absolutely perfect premise. Our protagonist Bianca has to move to a neighbouring country and marry its king-to-be to prevent war between their nations, and neither of them is happy about it. To make it all even worse there's an assassination attempt that ends up with the prince, Arik, being turned into a horse. Sounds whimsical and fun and it really is! The writing is beautiful, both Bianca and Arik are likeable characters.

It didn't give me everything I hoped for though in the end. Once again, the romance is just way too cheesy and instalovey for me - and it started out actually great with enemies-to-lovers tension between them, but alas, it's another romantasy that doesn't believe in romantic feelings developing organically throughout the story but has to do the whole "but actually I wanted you from the very start" thing. Considering the way their relationship starts it just doesn't make sense. I'm on my knees begging authors to please just allow two characters to not fall instantly in lust or love with each other when the situation really, r e a l l y doesn't allow for it. Also them going from zero to "you are the love of my life actually" takes place over a handful of days. But alas, comes with the genre I guess, it simply doesn't make the relationship very convincing.
Other than that the two of them are actually very adorable. They do read like YA characters though, which almost makes the sex scenes come off as a bit jarring, but while they read young and naive they are actually in their twenties.
There are side characters, but I didn't really care for either of them and they aren't really fleshed out. The stakes are said to be high but feel very low, with a lot of plot convenience making sure the heroes end up winning. The world building takes a backseat to the romance plot and there really isn't much there, but I didn't expect anything more so I didn't mind. Just don't think about it too much and let the whimsy take you on a journey in this book. The Big Bad is painfully obvious because there's just not a very big cast of named characters around, and none of the twists will surprise you in any way.

In the end, this is cute, has a great premise and gets a bonus point for its bisexual heroine who's also suffering from a chronic illness - even though she did get on my nerves at times. I also just genuinely enjoyed that the girl this time around is the stronger one who knows how to fight whereas her love interest is a giant book nerd. Love that for them. Generally just a great little palate cleanser that I had fun with despite its flaws.

I wanted so badly to love this. I put it down for a bit to try and cleanse myself out of a reading slump and I just don’t have it in me to pick it back up. Maybe in the future I will be able to give it another shot. I was semi interested before I lost it all… so maybe there is hole still.

Behooved by M. Stevenson is a delightfully offbeat romp through fairytale tropes with a wink and a whinny. I’m giving it a solid four stars—not because it’s flawless, but because it’s so unapologetically itself that you can’t help but cheer it on.

The story kicks off with a classic arranged marriage setup, but quickly gallops into absurdity when Prince Aric is magically transformed into a horse on his wedding night. Yes, a horse. And yes, his new bride Bianca does exactly what you’re hoping—she mounts up and rides off into the sunset. What follows is a charming, pun-laced adventure full of political intrigue, magical mishaps, and a slow-burn romance that’s as sweet as it is unexpected.

Bianca is a standout heroine: sword-savvy, chronically ill, and refreshingly competent. Aric, the bookish prince with a soft heart and a sharp tongue, is the perfect foil. Their dynamic is full of banter and begrudging affection, and watching them grow into their roles—both as partners and as protectors of the realm—is immensely satisfying.

The worldbuilding is light, and the magic system could’ve used a bit more depth, but honestly? That’s not what this book is here for. It’s here to make you laugh, swoon, and maybe tear up a little when you least expect it. The only real hitch in the reins is that the central mystery wraps up a bit too neatly—but by then, you’re so charmed it barely matters.

If you’re in the mood for a trope-twisting romantasy with a heart of gold and a mane full of puns, Behooved will absolutely carry you away.

DNF @50%
Okayish start, extra boring rest — super slow paced, lost the charm quickly along the way. The MCs don't even make an attempt to save it either

This was a really enjoyable read!

I adored the FMC and was entirely entertained throughout. I found the premise of the MMC turning into a Horse hilarious, and I was not disappointed by the reaction of our FMC lol I really enjoyed the atmosphere this book created and once finished, felt fulfilled and smiley.

Definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys Romantasy and fairy tales like the swan princess etc (but in reverse lol )

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

Well, color me enchanted! I had zero idea what I was walking into with Behooved—but wow, I devoured it like my favorite dessert.

We follow Bianca, a fierce Duchess on the cusp of becoming queen… until a magical mishap throws her whole world into chaos. Suddenly, it’s not crowns and court politics she’s worried about—it’s survival.

This story? Utterly addictive. Between the magic, danger, and a heroine you can’t help but root for, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Plus, the disability rep? Chef’s kiss. Thoughtful, powerful, and seamlessly woven into the plot.

If you’re into whimsical danger, royal stakes, and stories that sneak up on your heart—Behooved is your next must-read.

It's funny, I mean come on, a princess cursed to be horse by day and himself by night...hilarious, original and I definitely could not wait to read it. It's characters are great and the mystery is inviting and curious. I really enjoyed this read. Found it cute, romantic and badass at the same time. I'm not going to give too much away just that you should definitely read it now.

Well, it was okayishliy written and very hors-ey but all in all a cute romantasy version of The Emperors new Groove.

If you are a horse girl, go for it.

While the storytelling was whimsical and the characters felt refreshing, I just wanted more from this fantasy: a more intricate mystery, a greater sense of adventure and a romance where the chemistry was undeniable. Unfortunately, nothing really demanded my full attention or got me emotionally invested. The plot followed very familiar beats and it felt YA even though the characters were in their late 20s.

Would I recommend?... It wasn't mind-blowing but I think so, particularly if you're looking for something to fill the void of My Lady Jane.

Read for:
- fantasy romance
- marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- chronic illness and queer representation

Behooved leans into the rom-com side of romantasy with a lovely balance of fantasy tropes, light and fluffy romance, and fun, giggly comedy, creating a unique, light, and fluffy vibe for storytelling. I'd pitch the vibe as somewhere between How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Shrek, and the Swan Princess. Her writing style draws you into a cozy, light-hearted story that's a deliciously quirky fantasy full of magical mayhem and playful humor, embracing the fun absurdity that weaves its way through the narrative. I can't tell you how much my sides hurt with the giggles I got with the imagery of riding off into the night with your husband (literally riding him as he's magically transformed into a horse).

The characters are beautifully crafted, with authentic identities and layered personalities that possess complex flaws, vulnerabilities, and dreams. The representation among the characters is perfectly balanced, creating an inclusive vibe that showcases characters with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ relationships between characters in a world that accepts and normalises their relationships, which is a heartwarming detail in the storytelling.

Bianca's character has a chronic illness based on celiac disease. She's been raised to believe she's not good enough and limited by her condition by the beliefs forced upon her by her parents. She's got a fiery that she keeps hidden, which comes out as she discovers her inner strengths. Aric's a nervous, socially anxious, cinnamon-roll character who feels more at home in the library than on the throne. The relationship between Bianca and Aric is beautifully portrayed. These two come together bound in mistrust as their kingdoms are at war, slowly growing to find common ground, lowering their defences as they share their vulnerabilities, and attraction grows between them.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton, NetGalley, and M. Stevenson for the opportunity to read and review this Book. I loved every moment in this cozy, spun magical world with excellent representation, bags of silliness, magical mayhem, and horse puns galore.

I think the most important thing I can say about this book is that it read like a capital R genre Romance wearing a fantasy aesthetic. By that I mean that the pacing, the narrative focus, and the way I felt like most of the book was conversations between the main characters, with the conversations being about the characters reacting to new information about the other character and having FEELINGS about it. I felt like I was reading a Contemporary Romance in which the love interest sometimes turns into a horse. Is that a bad thing? NO ... if you're a fan of Contemporary Romance, which I am generally not (I am verrrry picky and most genre romance books fall flat for me). So if you're coming to this corner of romantasy because you want the ROMANCE decorated with magical worldbuilding, there's a great chance you're going to like this book. And to give it credit, there was more robust worldbuilding than is often the case. But it was not for me, really.

Shout out to how campy the premise was, though. I enjoyed watching the dude turn into a horse, or back into a human, at inconvenient times lol. And somehow this is the first time I've ever read a book with coeliac representation??? My coeliac ass loves to see it (although the repetition of "my condition" and "flare" got grating. Did you know there are other words that could be used to mix it up a bit? This book didn't.)

This book was great fun! Our two main protagonists, Bianca and Aric, had great chemistry and awesome banter.

The world building of this was really good! I enjoyed learning about the magic and the way it works differently. There was also a good amount of political intrigue in this too that made the book suspenseful and thrilling. I do however think on all these elements there could be *more*, especially with the exploration of magic as I feel this was hardly touched on, so I, hoping for a sequel…

The plot was fun, well paced and well structured. I loved the inclusion of some of my favourite tropes, *cough* only one bed *cough*. One of my favourite parts however must’ve been Aric, fleeing from danger, completely stark naked…

Bianca and Aric were both great characters and I loved how Bianca was more stabby stabby, while Aric was more of a softy. They balanced each other out well. I loved how they worked through their issues together and fell in love. It did feel a bit quick, sure, but then the man did turn in to a horse, so anything’s possible!

Such a fun, easy read with great vibes. It didn’t take itself too seriously, and that was exactly what I was in the mood for.

The banter was charming, the romance was sweet, and the whole thing just felt like a cozy escape. Definitely one to pick up when you need something light and enjoyable.

Happy Release day to @mstevensonbooks and her fun fantasy imagining- 'Behooved'.

I think i can convince you to read this book in only one line:

"Oh. The bed. There was only one."

Just incase that isnt enough, this is one for you if you fancy:

❤️ magical Kingdoms with a rich rivalry
🩷 incredible strength shown through chronic illness rep (based on celiac)
🧡 queernormative characters and world
💛 queer MC (main romance is WLM)
💚 hilarious, fun antics with medium stakes
💙 lots of horse puns 👀
🩵 arranged political marriage gone right
💜 backfiring magic
🤎 whimsical, fairy tale feel
🖤 double crossing politicians
🩶 incorrect first impressions
🤍 different cultural viewpoints on magic

Thanks so much @netgalley and @hodderstoughton @hodderscape for my advance copy 😘 I had a lot of fun!

Behooved is an excellent novel filled with political marriages, a curse to be broken, and twists and turns along the way. The world it is set in is magical in more ways than one, and it was interesting to find out the differences between how magic is used in different locations - something I wish was expanded on more.
The adventure filled most of the story, alongside some excellent character and romantic developments. Overall, it was a lovely easy read with enough surprises to keep me theorising and interested in what was going to happen next!
Solid 4 stars from me!

I enjoyed this book it felt very different and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.