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Under The Oak Tree - Novel #3

Under the Oak Tree, Vol. 3

Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26
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Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after – but this is no fairytale. The updated and official translation of Under the Oak Tree, the #1 webnovel on MANTA, continues in this third volume.

The day that Lady Maximilian has been dreading is after an arduous journey to Livadon, she must stay behind at a monastery while her husband, the renowned Sir Riftan, rides off to war with the Remdragon Knights. Fretting for their loved ones, Maxi and the other noblewomen in the monastery keep themselves busy tending to villagers in need at the local shelter.


But Maxi's patience quickly runs thin as she fears the worst. Desperate to see Riftan, she escapes the monastery and makes her way to the battlefield. Little does she know that the brutality of war is not the only danger awaiting her. As she confronts her painful past, the tumultuous present, and an uncertain future, Maxi faces the greatest obstacles of her life – and the gravest threats to her relationship with Riftan thus far.

This volume collects chapters 135-193 of the original webnovel by Suji Kim.

Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2025

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Suji Kim

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Lissa Hawley.
1,392 reviews29 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 5, 2026
Oh my heart. Why is this series so good? I'm in a terrible slump and still I devoured this in less than a day. The gorgeous editions these books are getting just say it all.

My heart hurts for Maxi. She goes through so much. After the ending, I absolutely cannot wait for the next book.

This is the series for everyone who keeps asking for a heroine who isn't the strongest and the bravest and the best. But is still the HEROINE.

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Raikeehime.
169 reviews14 followers
February 16, 2026
This volume picks up right as Riftan leaves for war. Maxi, unable to bear the anxiety of not knowing if he’s safe, sneaks out of the temple and disguises herself to follow him. Of course, Riftan finds out. And of course… he is absolutely livid.

Before they can even properly deal with that, an attack breaks out and Maxi’s life is once again in danger after depleting her magic. She’s taken to the king’s castle, only to fall into the hands of her abusive father. This time, though, Riftan sees the abuse with his own eyes. And when I say he lost his mind, I mean it. He almost killed the Duke (i wished he did). The duke then plots to bring Riftan to trial with his knighthood, his land, and everything at stake. Maxi, in the middle of all this chaos, makes the hardest choice of all: she decides to enter the Mage Tower, knowing it means years away from Riftan.

I was crying at 6 a.m. over this book.

Riftan’s protectiveness over Maxi in this volume is on another level. He has always loved her fiercely, but here we see what that love looks like when it’s fueled by rage and guilt. Once he finally learns the full truth about Maxi’s past, every bruise, every humiliation she hid from him because of her trauma and insecurities, it doesn’t make him see her as weak. It makes him love her even more. He already placed her above everything else. Now? There’s nothing he wouldn’t do. He would wage war for her without hesitation.

“𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙣𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙎𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜? 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜?”

What I love most is how both Maxi and Riftan are still flawed, still messy, but they’re slowly learning to be honest with each other. Maxi choosing the Mage Tower wasn’t weakness, it was strength. It was her deciding to become someone who can stand beside Riftan, not hide behind him. And Riftan… he’s still obsessive, still wants to carry the world alone to shield her from pain. That overprotectiveness is both his greatest love and his biggest flaw. It borders on self-destruction. But I can’t hate him for it. He loves with his whole being. And there's so much more behind the reason why he doesn't want to leave Maxi's side.

The writing doesn’t spoon-feed emotions. It lets you sit with them. And I felt everything. The anxiety. The anger. The yearning. The heartbreak.

“𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙙. 𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙙… 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

The last few pages absolutely ruined me.
I need Book 4 immediately. I am not okay.
Profile Image for Kay.
57 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 24, 2026
After receiving an ARC of Under the Oak Tree: Volume 2, I was incredibly excited to continue the story with the next book: Under the Oak Tree: Volume 3.

This novel picks up with Riftan leaving for war. Maxi accompanies him for some of the journey, but they part ways at a monastery in Livadon so that Maxi is safe from active combat. Maxi, however, decides she cannot abide waiting idly at the monastery and disguises herself in order to travel to the front lines as a healer. However, once there, she is forced to confront the realities of war, as well as troubles from the past.

Continuing where the second novel left off, I noted that Maxi, as before, continues to grow but her growth in this novel far surpasses the first two. Her growing confidence in herself allows her to face her fears and do things she never would have been able to in the first novel, such as secretly following Riftan to war. She also shows agency in this novel, something that was really lacking (though for good reason) initially. She stands by her choice to go to the front lines and action once she is there even when faced with anger by those around her, which was incredibly satisfying. Earlier in her story, I would have easily seen her folding in that moment and accepting being sent away. Her growth as a heroine has been beautiful, incredibly emotional, and very real. Maxi, despite how much change she has experienced, still feels very realistic given her traumas; each moment of confidence feels earned, as opposed to given.

Riftan is also a fantastic character I have enjoyed following in this series. He is imperfect, messy, and deeply overprotective, but it’s hard to fault him - he’s anxious, angry, and a bit mean because of how much he yearns for Maxi, which is beautiful in its own way. And after the ending, diabolical cliffhanger it was, I sympathize with him quite a bit.

I came into this arc expecting to enjoy it, as I have enjoyed the previous installments, but this one really knocked it out of the park. This is my favourite installment so far and I’ll be anxiously awaiting Volume 4.

✨ 4.5 stars! ✨

Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Inklore for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Bookphenomena (Micky) .
2,950 reviews546 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 9, 2026
I. Am. Bereft.

That ending has finished me off, as if the story itself wasn't rich, heartbreaking, tragic, warm and many things in between. I feel like each installment of this series in novel format is a real-time experience where time moves realistically through the moments and I feel completely alongside Maxi and Riftan.

We joined these two finishing the journey they started in volume two and arriving and bedding in for a long series of battles with the 'monsters'. Maxi and Riftan had periods of separation and being together, thank goodness for the promise of and the realisation of those together periods, because I needed those pages of togetherness. And yet, when they were apart, we saw Maxi develop in characterisation, maturity and experience. She worked as a healer and she worked menial tasks. For this high-born lady, that was something hard for her, but she humbly applied herself. I adore her.

When these two were reunited, it was peppered with difficulty. Maxi had some seriously risky decision-making but her intentions were selfless and noble. Riftan was a reluctant forgiver and he was still prone to locking down with silence. These two forever seem to hold their feelings back verbally while communicating much through intimacy.

The side characters seem to be painted more deeply as we get to know them more and no one has a softer spot in my heart than Ruth. I felt he earned this soft spot even more in volume three.

This series has often left the reader at a cliff edge between installments but this one has felt to be the hardest. It was a heart-rending ending and I am utterly concerned for where they will begin, journey and end from herein.

I remain completely captivated by this series, this couple, their dynamic and the story. I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,488 reviews119 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 11, 2026
The story continues! Maxi may have convinced Riftan to let her accompany him and his knights, but it doesn’t mean he will take her to war. She is forced to stay behind at a monastery while she waits for Riftan to come back from war against the monsters that plagued the land. But staying still is the last thing Maxi wants. And she gets the opportunity to help and possibly catch a glimpse of Riftan when her and another noblewoman disguise themselves as female clerics to help the wounded. She is closer to the action than she thought she would be and danger for her may be closer than she thinks. Especially since if she isn’t careful Riftan will spot her. For me, this caught me up to where the comic of this story is currently at and beyond! So much happens in this book. A lot of action and a lot of revelations. I couldn’t put it down, having to know what was going to happen next with these characters. But here was my biggest question when I reached the end… was this truly the end? It’s a bit vague in the sense nothing is advertised as it, but since these volumes pick up with the next chapter and this one has an epilogue, it may be that we have reached the end. And end that does conclude rather well but also leaves us wanting more considering where we left off with Riftan and Maxi. I needed an epilogue after the epilogue! A better peek at the future after everything we saw happened. But I will say, Maxi’s journey really took off in this story. She has so much more fight in this book and we see that in several very important places, especially the end. But again, I love a good satisfying happily ever after for our characters and I needed more than we got. Overall though, I really did love this series. It was an interesting world to be in and if this isn’t the end, then I can’t wait for more. But if we have truly reached the end, it’s been a great journey.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Visionary Druid.
706 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 15, 2026
Lady Maximillian “Maxi” Calypse has survived the grueling journey to Livadon. She watches as her husband and his knights continue onward to the battlefield without her. With no news of Riftan, Maxi impersonates a cleric, so she can travel to the combat zone. She is ill prepared for the cruel realities of war or the circumstances of her actions. When her past threatens the future, Maxi has a difficult choice to make. Can she help Riftan overcome their latest obstacle? And what sacrifice will Maxi have to make?

Maxi continues to show such amazing character growth. She no longer wants to be that pathetic, timid woman hiding behind Riftan. Maxi wants to share his burdens and troubles. I admire the bravado it took for her to follow him to the battlefield. Maxi knew that she would enrage Riftan by defying his orders. To me, it felt like she came into her own there.

It hurt to see all of Maxi’s progress and hard work nearly destroyed because of her father. Riftan’s behavior did not help matters either. However, I like that Maxi persevered. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment. I hope Maxi’s newest journey will instill confidence in her. That she can be the person she desperately wants to be.

This installment does touch on some sensitive and triggering subject matters. Physical and emotional (or mental) abuse and miscarriage being the main ones. The author does warn about this at the start of the book.
Profile Image for Carla.
57 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 4, 2026
Man, am I not obsessed with this series. I didn't make it this far by any means while reading the webtoon but... Good god, I need book four out like... yesterday at the latest.
This book just does things to me, and things are slowly getting to the point where and when you know the dam is going to break and then tears will pour because it's either goint to break your heart or be debastaitingly haunting.
This book was... Wow, not only am I know questing for our lovely squires to get themselves some sweet, gentle, loving lady to fancy ('cuase honestly, the poor boys deserve someone to pamper and woo as seems to be their pastime) but also ready as never before to get Maxi to get the big words out and kick some ass (literally, metaphorically, dunno, don't care). And well, then again, I just know things are getting real. Ready as they come for book four (can't help it, i don't know how this ends and don't want to spoil it) to be on Netgalley nor can I wait for the day the Amazon delivery guy will bring this book to my house 'cause of course it's going to join its siblings on my selves and my list of special editions as well.
Profile Image for Anaïs George.
135 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 10, 2026
Thank you for the ARC of Under the Oak Tree

The pick up Maxi and Riftan's journey. Maxi doesn't want to just be a wife for Riftan, she wants to help and be here for him. She also wants to use her knowledge in magic and plants to save/heal others. This journey to find her husband whelps maxi growing even more as a woman. She finds balance and confidence in helping others. The difference between the first and third book is truly amazing.

This book is filled with angst too, even tho we know Riftan wants to protect her, it's sickening how the "miscommunication" works. They do talk, just not enough. They have the same conversation and yet, both hear or understand something else.

I really want to see where this is going, still a pleasure to read every time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Beesbooks02 .
214 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 25, 2026
I think this series will always hold a special place in my heart, Maxi is such a strong character that in a way i really connect with, her progress throughout the novels and the comic is inspiring.
Riftan, will probably always be on my book boyfriend list. I love how protective he is but at the same time, I want him to see the value in Maxi and see what she is capable of.
This series just keeps getting better and better, i don't want it to end but I'm praying that there is a happy ending for all.
Profile Image for Trending Romance.
3 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 4, 2026
Riftan and Maxi's journey still makes me swoon. Their marriage continues to evolve as they face challenges, monsters, and as Maxi continues to find her voice. This 3rd volume is filled with romance, adventure, and angst. The ending with shatter you and leave you wanting more! (and there is SO MUCH MORE TO COME!).

Rating: ⭐x 5
Spice Level:🌶️x 4
Profile Image for lindsay (libraryoflinz).
494 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 19, 2026
4 stars

thank you to Inklore Books for the e-ARC!

this is vol 3 of the webnovel (which has an associated manhwa, for those interested). this novel as a whole is about trauma recovery and growing towards self confidence while also being an arranged marriage trope storm. it’s a guilty pleasure I don’t feel guilty about.

I REALLY enjoyed getting to see Maxi come into her own a bit in this book, exercising her agency (did she know what that was in earlier volumes? debatable). she has a backbone! and it makes the moments where she backs down all the more poignant or distressing. excellent growth that is driving the story forward.

on the other hand, the pacing is a bit whack is this volume, and the early part does drag a bit. it’s definitely in waiting-for-things-to-happen mode for too long. but, from about a third in onwards, the story has momentum. and its picks up A Lot toward the end.
Profile Image for Heather Allen.
64 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 24, 2026
I love this story! I love the main characters and their journey to love each other and learn about themselves. It all starts off with a princess that gets married off to a prince because she is mute or so they think. I started reading this as a webnovel and adore the continuation into novels! I mean who doesn't love that cover art! Thank you for the ARC Suji Kim and Netgalley!
Profile Image for Roo.
565 reviews16 followers
February 24, 2026
Y’all this book is 10/10 and I will hear nothing else on the matter! I have absolutely devoured the series and I can not wait to give a read to the comic version again!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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