Book Review: Behooved by M. Stevenson
June 26, 2026
We follow the story of Bianca, a duty-bound noblewoman with a chronic illness that has always been in her way. She wants nothing more than to be able to live up to her parents impossible standards and have some magic in her like her spunky, brilliant older sister. But instead she has no talents other than doing what she’s told, and even that doesn’t seem to be good enough for them. When she is faced with a difficult situation, the possible of saving her nation through marrying a neighboring kingdoms soon-to-be king, she doesn’t question it. She goes to a new country, a new culture, a new language, so war will not be waged. When she makes it to her wedding night, though, there is an assassin attempt on her, less than happy, new husband, resulting in her turning him into a horse (no thanks to her sister’s protection charm) and the whole kingdom assuming she married him for the crown and a war. Will she be able to turn her husband back into a man? Will she be able to convince her people she didn’t murder him? Will she ever be strong enough for any of this? And why is her horse husband actually kind of the man of her dreams?
Comical, heartfelt, and a little too steamy, this book has it all, and I still wasn’t sold. I think the characters were well rounded. I think the story is funny and unique (in spite of recently watching My Lady Jane -which i am very displeased is canceled ) I just felt like it was missing a little something. Bianca’s trauma was brought up over and over, which is fine, but we never really got any deeper. It felt like “but I’m not strong enough” “oh yes you are!” Over and over again. I wanted a little more unpacking. Or a little less mention of it. I’m not sure. But it annoyed me. It was a lot. So we’re the sex scenes. I don’t mean to be a prude but I like when things are left to the imagination. They’re much less…gross. And last critique is how utterly dense Bianca was about her husband loving her. He had all but said it and she was still “I’m too flawed. He would never want someone with celiac!” Yes he does and girl it’s treatable. Which he has told you. Anyway. I suggest it, but it wasn’t my favorite.
