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A review by snowwhitehatesapples
Behooved by M. Stevenson
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
I like my romantasy books heavier on fantasy and lighter on pure vibes, tropes and typical characters — which I know is silly of me to expect in the first place, but the new romantasy releases sound so promising that I can’t help hoping. This hope was placed on Behooved too. Alas…it turns out this one is better enjoyed when you read it purely for the romance and vibes.
I’m not saying this book is bad. It simply isn’t fresh enough. There is nothing new with the plot. It’s your typical marriage of convenience, enemies-to-lovers, miscommunications, forced proximity (there’s only one bed!), spice at the most ridiculous times and places, and more. If you’ve consumed enough media of the romance genre, you’ll most likely already have the entire story in your head without having even read the book.
Moreover, it doesn’t help that it was super easy to figure out who was behind the whole assassination plot — like, really? How hard is it supposed to be when only a few characters are named and literally only one would benefit from the whole drama?
Anyway, a saving grace to this templated plotline is definitely the marginally fresher lead characters (look, anytime I don’t have to read a pure doormat or damsel in distress, I breathe a sigh of relief). Bianca, the female lead, has a chronic illness, but that doesn’t stop her from wielding weapons and fighting. Aric, the male lead, is not the most socially graceful. He prefers the company of books, has an RBF, and when he’s nervous or shy, appears as cold as a sheet of ice. Their romance is more physical attraction than slow burn love, but they’re still kinda cute together, I’d give them that.
All my misgivings aside, I do think romance readers looking for a light romantasy would better enjoy Behooved . It’s cute, it’s fun, but it’s also very much a ‘no thoughts, head empty’ read.
I like my romantasy books heavier on fantasy and lighter on pure vibes, tropes and typical characters — which I know is silly of me to expect in the first place, but the new romantasy releases sound so promising that I can’t help hoping. This hope was placed on Behooved too. Alas…it turns out this one is better enjoyed when you read it purely for the romance and vibes.
I’m not saying this book is bad. It simply isn’t fresh enough. There is nothing new with the plot. It’s your typical marriage of convenience, enemies-to-lovers, miscommunications, forced proximity (there’s only one bed!), spice at the most ridiculous times and places, and more. If you’ve consumed enough media of the romance genre, you’ll most likely already have the entire story in your head without having even read the book.
Moreover, it doesn’t help that it was super easy to figure out who was behind the whole assassination plot — like, really? How hard is it supposed to be when only a few characters are named and literally only one would benefit from the whole drama?
Anyway, a saving grace to this templated plotline is definitely the marginally fresher lead characters (look, anytime I don’t have to read a pure doormat or damsel in distress, I breathe a sigh of relief). Bianca, the female lead, has a chronic illness, but that doesn’t stop her from wielding weapons and fighting. Aric, the male lead, is not the most socially graceful. He prefers the company of books, has an RBF, and when he’s nervous or shy, appears as cold as a sheet of ice. Their romance is more physical attraction than slow burn love, but they’re still kinda cute together, I’d give them that.
All my misgivings aside, I do think romance readers looking for a light romantasy would better enjoy Behooved . It’s cute, it’s fun, but it’s also very much a ‘no thoughts, head empty’ read.
Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence