The Bookbinder and the Thief
On sale
9th February 2027
Price: £22
Genre
A charming fantasy romance featuring a cheerful thief and a cautious librarian who can’t help getting attached – literally!
She didn’t plan to fall in love. Now she’s stuck with him.
Bookbinder Alessa spends the night with a handsome stranger after leaving her stifling marriage – she’ll never have to see him again, so there’s no chance of getting attached.
Until Alessa interrupts a theft, and an alchemical accident leaves her magically glued to the culprit: none other than her one-night stand, Evander. Alessa is now quite literally stuck with him – and the only way to break the spell binding them together is to steal a book of magic from a ruthless noble family. Even worse, Evander is a wanted fugitive with a bounty on his head, and since they’re now inseparable, if he’s caught, they’ll both be arrested.
Desperate to get unglued, Alessa agrees to help Evander, as long as he ensures she doesn’t take the blame. But as the journey – and the binding spell – draw them closer, their connection becomes more than just magical. And as she uncovers the reason Evander is on the run, Alessa must confront the realization that the man she thought was her opposite in every way might be someone she just can’t let go.
She didn’t plan to fall in love. Now she’s stuck with him.
Bookbinder Alessa spends the night with a handsome stranger after leaving her stifling marriage – she’ll never have to see him again, so there’s no chance of getting attached.
Until Alessa interrupts a theft, and an alchemical accident leaves her magically glued to the culprit: none other than her one-night stand, Evander. Alessa is now quite literally stuck with him – and the only way to break the spell binding them together is to steal a book of magic from a ruthless noble family. Even worse, Evander is a wanted fugitive with a bounty on his head, and since they’re now inseparable, if he’s caught, they’ll both be arrested.
Desperate to get unglued, Alessa agrees to help Evander, as long as he ensures she doesn’t take the blame. But as the journey – and the binding spell – draw them closer, their connection becomes more than just magical. And as she uncovers the reason Evander is on the run, Alessa must confront the realization that the man she thought was her opposite in every way might be someone she just can’t let go.
Reviews
Praise for BEHOOVED
Behooved is bewitchingly charming, a romantic fairytale adventure that will sweep you off your feet (or hooves)!
Arranged marriages, mischievous magic, and families lost and found. This quirky, charming fantasy romp is so much fun. A cozy fantasy romance to cuddle up with. A delightful debut
Behooved is a refreshing, enchanting journey of self-discovery - but also, for the horse girls in all of us, a witty romp of a fairy tale romance that will have readers chomping at the bit
It's impossible to rein in my enthusiasm for Behooved. This romantic fairy-tale adventure-full of meddling magic, witty banter, and my new favorite stubborn, stabby heroine-captured my heart from the start
Sprawlingly adventurous and packed with heartwarming romance and magic, Behooved is a captivating tale of duty, love, and breaking free - a book for everyone who's ever been told they're not enough. I devoured it with unbridled delight!
Behooved is a whimsical subverted fairytale that throws reluctant allies-to-lovers together in an action-packed journey across a magical landscape. I absolutely loved watching Bianca and Aric battling their perceived shortcomings, and finding strength in each other-and themselves. Full of charm, romance, and swashbuckling adventure, this debut is so much fun!
Cinematic and engaging, sparkling and joyous. You'll fall in love just like I did. This was a ridiculous amount of fun
Wildly fun and completely charming, this story hits all the high notes of humor, sincerity, and a beautiful romance
Enchanting from start to finish. With a captivating plot, a delightful love interest, and an all-too-relatable heroine learning to believe in herself again, readers will be delighted by The Bookbinder and the Thief. The delicate blend of romance and fantasy had me devouring this in a single sitting, wishing for more. M. Stevenson is an auto-buy author for me. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
The Bookbinder and the Thief has everything: relatable characters, tragic backstories, a sentient (and grouchy) library catalogue, a fascinating magic system and tons and tons of heart. I loved every minute of it
Sweet and sexy and gloriously fun, with fabulous worldbuilding and a swoonworthy romance between a prickly, wounded heroine and a sunshiney hero who sees exactly how amazing she truly is. A perfect comfort read!
A richly imagined fantasy filled with adventure and romance. Stevenson deftly balances hilarious shenanigans, deep emotions, and magical details with an expert hand, creating an enthralling story that proves it's never too late to start again
Whimsically wonderful and earnestly heartfelt, The Bookbinder & The Thief had me attached from page one and didn't let go until I'd read it cover to cover. With its bookish and brave heroine and a charming rogue with a heart of gold on a quest to start a new chapter in their lives, it's the perfect romantic adventure that shows us that the best kinds of happy endings aren't reserved for our favourite books, but can be found in the stories we write for ourselves
Thrilling, sexy, romantic and hilarious, The Bookbinder & The Thief is a daydream wrapped up-or perhaps I should say bound up-in the most perfect package: part screwball comedy, part deeply moving love story, and all heart. And did I mention the cantankerous talking book? I loved every page!