Behooved by M. Stevenson (May 20, 2025) Huge thanks to @macmillan.audio for the #gifted advanced listening copy of this wildly fun, fast-paced romantasy! #macaudio2025
Bianca may be from a magical family, but she has no powers of her own – making her an ideal candidate for an arranged marriage meant to preserve alliances. So when her parents hand her a contract to marry Aric, the infuriating heir to a rival kingdom, she signs… and is promptly swept into a royal mess. Her betrothed? A brooding jerk. Their first meeting? A disaster. But when a magical curse goes sideways and danger forces them on the run, their reluctant partnership turns into something far more complicated – and far more swoony.
I devoured this book. Equal parts spicy fairytale and coming-of-age adventure, Behooved is romantic, hilarious in the best way, and full of heart. Fans of enemies-to-lovers, magical political intrigue, and reluctant royal pairings will find a lot to love here. Bianca and Aric both grow tremendously as they fight not only curses and assassins but also the weight of expectation. This was a total “Bookstagram made me do it” read – and I’m so glad it did!
🎧 Audiobook Notes 🎧 Natalie Naudus delivers an excellent performance, perfectly capturing Bianca’s dry humor and Aric’s reluctant charm. She nails the story’s emotional beats while keeping the banter sharp and engaging. (10h 27m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: Between 🌶️ and 🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 