Behooved

By M. Stevenson

Book Overview

DELUXE EDITION--a beautiful paperback edition featuring gorgeous pink sprayed edges.

A charming slow-burn fantasy featuring a duty-bound noblewoman with a chronic illness, a prince who would rather be in a library than on a throne, and a magical ride through a world of cozy enchantment

Bianca knows her duty comes before her heart. So when the threat of war looms, she agrees to marry the neighboring kingdom's heir. But not all royal weddings are a fairytale, and Prince Aric, Bianca's betrothed, is cold, aloof, and seems to hate her on sight.

To make matters worse, on their wedding night, an assassination attempt goes awry--leaving Aric magically transformed into a horse. Bianca does what any bride in this situation would do: she mounts her new husband and rides away to safety.

Sunset returns Aric to human form, but they soon discover the assassination attempt is part of a larger plot against the throne. Worse, Bianca has been framed for Aric's murder, and she's now saddled with a husband who is a horse by day and a frustratingly attractive man by night.

As an unexpected romance begins galloping away with their hearts, Bianca and Aric must rely on each other to unravel the curse and save the throne.

"Behooved is bewitchingly charming, a romantic fairy-tale adventure that will sweep you off your feet (or hooves) "--Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250375088
• ISBN13: 9781250375087
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Bramble
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining!

Well, I really do like the cover, so eye catching and pretty. And I do like how Bianca, though she does have a chronic illness (which is explained in the author's note at the end) is still capable and strong in spite of it. I will say also, that despite the magic Tatiana has, it does not make sense to give your sister a magic locket that turns her attacker into a horse. It makes for a funny story because it hits Aric instead of the assassin, but I mean otherwise, it would be so much easier for a horse to trample and kill Bianca. So that threw me for a bit. Though I did enjoy some of her other spells, like the spittoon. Tatiana definitely does not solve problems in the usually way! I would call this story a simple tale (because it is so easy to guess the villain as there are only a few people introduced), but it is entertaining with lots of jokes (and hilarious bird messengers!) learning to communicate instead of basing everything on rumors you hear, and breaking with tradition to help people and keep safe places for the magical creatures (instead of chopping all the trees down for lumber and expansion). Aric and Bianca do make a good couple, once everything gets straightened out and I do hope they can turn their kingdom into a happy magical safe place (and good riddance to her parents! Bianca is definitely not a weak link and deserves better than she had with them). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.