Far From Sherwood Forest

Far From #3

by River Hale

Robin

My time as an outlaw in Sherwood Forest was meant to end the day I chose to lay down the hood. Instead, it was ripped away from me as Little John and I were hurled into an unfamiliar world. Together, we adapted and built new lives.

Five years later, the past finds me again. Henry, the Sheriff I once fought and then abandoned, is back, and his hatred burns even hotter than before.

Beneath it, I feel the spark of something more dangerous. The fire between us was once rivalry. Now, it’s desire. I can’t fight it, so I guess I’ll let it burn me alive.

Henry

For years, I hunted Robin Hood. He was a thief and my obsession, the thorn in my side. Then the world shifted beneath us, and I was alone. No crown to serve. No purpose. That loneliness hollowed me out until nothing remained, not even the Sheriff.

After five years, hatred should have been enough. Revenge should have been sweet. But with every taste of his defiance, his smile, the way he dares me without fear, it all starts to feel like a lie.

Hatred drove me to find him. Desire lured me deeper. I don’t know which one will destroy me first.


The books in the Far From series are contemporary fantasy, dark romance retellings that all take place mostly far from the locations of the original tales. They are complete standalones and contain trigger warnings and always a HEA. Specific content warnings can be found on the author’s website.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Fantasy, Retellings, Romance, LGBT, Urban Fantasy

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2025

About the author

River Hale is a pseudonym, created because her mother once told her that she'll read everything she ever writes. She's a writer with a tea addiction and a love for everything dark, twisted, haunted, and beautiful. She's written and published more appropriate books that her mother is allowed to read under her real name, but she'll always have a special place in her heart for dark romance.

Reviews

[patrícia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review: Far from Sherwood Forest, Far From #3 series by River Hale
3.5⭐⭐⭐

Tropes & tags
💚 Dark MM Romance
🏹 Robin Hood Retelling
💚 Enemies to Lovers
🏹 Double Bi-Awakening
💚 Grumpy/Sunshine
🏹 Hurt/Comfort
💚 Broken Man
🏹 Primal Play
💚 Pining
🏹 Touch-starved MC

River Hale’s retellings are always a must for me. I adored Neverland and Camelot, but Far From Sherwood Forest didn’t land as strongly. It’s still a queer Robin Hood retelling (which I love!), though this one felt less dark than her previous books.

Robin and Henry (the Sheriff of Nottingham) have undeniable chemistry. The attraction is there from the start and the author captures it beautifully—when these two are together, the tension and heat are spectacular. Their intimacy is some of the best I’ve read from River, and it’s easily the strongest part of the book, even if it does feel like it comes out of nowhere at first. Their intimacy and sexual awakening was fast, but so furiously HOT (filthy dirt, JFC) that I couldn’t look away.

But the story around them didn’t fully work for me. The “enemies” part of their relationship felt more told than shown. We know they had a long history before this book, but we don’t actually see much of it—just a few flashbacks. Given that they’re supposed to have been separated for years, I struggled to understand their dynamic in the present. The push-and-pull also felt unbalanced: Henry resisted too much while Robin gave in a little too fast, which left their relationship progression feeling uneven.

The time-travel element was another area that felt thin. We don’t really see them adjusting to the modern world—they seem to accept everything instantly, already know how to navigate it, and even pick up on details like sex education while somehow skipping over their own place in history. I missed that sense of discovery and adaptation.

Plot-wise, there were moments that felt rushed or underdeveloped, and the ending wrapped up a little too quickly compared to the slower pacing earlier. Both Robin and Henry also came across as a bit whiny at times, and Robin’s constant forgiveness (no matter the offense) made conflicts resolve too easily. It left me feeling less invested in their journey than I wanted to be.

That said, River’s writing remains strong, and when she leans into character chemistry, it’s magnetic. Even if the overall story didn’t wow me the way Neverland and Camelot did, I still had a good time reading. I’m rounding this one to 3.5★.

✨ Thank you to River Hale for the ARC. This is my honest review. ✨

⚠️Author TWs
Violence between MCs
Gun violence
Kidnapping
Death of family members
Death of a past romantic partner
Murder
Grief
Abandonment
Religious trauma
Self-harm (self-flagellation)
Past suicidal ideation
Death of a pet
Profanity
Graphic sex
Light BDSM
Primal play
Pain play

❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: No
OM/OW Drama:No
Sharing: No
Third-Act Breakup:Apart for 5 years in the modern world, but with no relationship between them. Temporary (a few weeks) from push-and-pull after hooking up.
Role Dynamics: Versatile
POV: 1st person dual)
Format: Series
Ending: HEA
Angst Level: Low
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Some miscommunication
Pining: Mild mutual, more like a lusty crush

[Renae Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far from Sherwood Forest is an entertaining reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale, and in this exciting twist, it features an enemies-to-lovers trope between Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham. This was a pairing that I was extremely curious and intrigued by. They have a long, complicated history between one another, so seeing the unraveling of this intense hatred was fascinating.

I love the aspect of both Robin and Henry thrown together in modern day, mixing with their years of animosity. Having Henry and Robin forced to interact creates fantastic tension that I could not get enough of. I also enjoyed the slow building of these feelings for one another. Watching both Robin and Henry slowly realize the true nature of their hidden feelings was wonderfully muddled and confusing for both.

Overall, this is a highly entertaining read that is captivating, intense, and wholly original in its storyline. Both Henry and Robin experience a ton of character growth throughout this story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I cannot wait to see what this author decides next in this series.

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***

[kaye taz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: ebook

another amazing addition to this super fun and sexy series. i continue to adore the mix of fantasy and contemporary in these books, and seeing a different side to characters we already know and love.

robin and henry were explosive together. the feud, the revenge plot, the slow building up of feelings… they were just everything. i especially loved seeing henry’s walls slowly come down as he let robin in more and more.

the spice in this series is insane, and i really enjoyed the primal play between these two. robin hood being chased by the sheriff of nottingham through the woods? yes. please.

i also really loved the plot and the side characters in this book.

overall, this is definitely my favorite book of the series so far and i cannot wait to see what’s next.


*i received a free, advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If it’s not glaringly obvious, I’m becoming obsessed. My attraction to him hit me so hard and fast that I didn’t have time to question it. My other feelings for him? Well, those are creeping up slower. I could probably put a stop to them before I can’t control them at all."

River Hale is a must-read author for me and given I absolutely adored the first two books in her Far From stand-alone series, Far From Neverland and Far From Camelot, it will come as no surprise that I absolutely inhaled Far From Sherwood Forest!

This one is Robin and Henry's 'Robin Hood' re-telling, and it was another 5 star read for me.

What To Expect:

🏹MM romance
💚Fantasy/time travel
🏹Dark themes
💚Double bi-awakening
🏹Enemies to lovers
💚Found family
🏹Grumpy/sunshine
💚Hurt/comfort
🏹All the angst
💚Hot and steamy first times
🏹HEA

Loved it! 🌟

[Kim Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️!

Once in a land far, far away..

Let's be honest: who doesn't love Robin Hood's story? I always thought he was a superhero, of course in his own special way, but still 🤭

Robin and Henry are opposites in so many ways it's honestly hard to keep track. Where Robin is a sunshine, Henry is the biggest grump. And this is definitely one of my favorite combinations 🥰

There is so much going on in this beautiful story, so many plots you definitely did not see coming, and I absolutely loved it.

The chemistry between those two is undeniable and so strong, I nearly felt it through my kindle.

If you are looking for an adventurous book with a grumpy, but very touch starved MC, lots of twists and turns and insanely hot spicy times, I recommend to read this asap 😍

[Rachel Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS. Each book in this series is just as good as the previous, and the writing the stories, the characters - Ah! So good!!

This focuses on Robin Hood and the Sherif of Nottingham - who are both brought forward to our present day time by magic. We all know the story of Robin Hood and his merry band of men (Little John is with him too) and stealing from the rich to give the poor. I love the blend of the fairy tale fantasy with the modern day and how it fleshes out these two men as deep characters.

Fast forward 5 years later and we see how these men have adapted to being in 2025 on their own. Henry, the sherif, has been determined to find Robin and get his revenge. This is definitely a great enemies to lovers romance, with a touch-starved grump, and a world-weary hero finding solace with each other. I just absolutely loved it.

We learn why they were brought to our time and what they must do, and as the two spend more time together, they find comfort with each other. Plus, some very steamy primal moments lol. These two definitely enjoy the chase.

I could read about these two forever! There are so many great moments between them, and I LOVED the epilogue with their HEAs!

Honestly, I can read the "Farm From" books from River forever and ever, I cannot wait to see what the next one will be!

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review, my thoughts are my own.

[Hannah Crewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gaaah I love the Far From series and I am so pleased I was able to ARC read this one! The slow burn was burning, the spice was spicy and the actual story?? Well that had me hooked from start to finish!! I never thought I’d be able to picture Robin Hood & the Sheriff together but YESSS perfection!

[F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queer retelling of Robin Hood. What do you want more? 😆 This author is a MUST. I loved her other two retellings (Neverland and Camelot), but they were certainly less dark than this one. In "Far from Sherwood Forest", Robin and the sheriff of Nottingham, Henry, compete for the one who has the darkest desires.

The chemistry between the protagonists is spectacular. The author always manages to make you feel the attraction between the two of them and their initial tension, when they first begin to feel something for each other despite not getting along.

So, nothing bad to say about the main couple. Even the angst they both carry, together and individually, made me love them. The characters have been very well built.

The general plot, however, is a little forced in my opinion, and the ending seemed to me a little too quick, compared to the pacing of the narration for the rest of the book. I still gave 4 stars because I liked it very much, but I changed the rating up to 5 and 4.5 for Neverland and Camelot 🫣

Anyway, I can't wait to read other retellings and any other story the author will publish.

*I was given an ARC for my honest opinion.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 zaokrąglone do 4 gwiazdek

Relacja bohaterów i tempo jej rozwoju bardzo mi odpowiadała. Wręcz czułam konflikt pomiędzy Robinem i Henrym. Uwielbiam sposób, w jaki autorka opisuje pożądanie, ale też niepewność, która mu towarzyszy.

Nie kupiła mnie jednak fabuła - strasznie naciągana była. I co gorsze, nie miała ładu i składu. Mam wrażenie, że autorce zabrakło pomysłu, jak połączyć dwa światy - Sherwood i współczesność. Przez to bardziej skupiła się na rozwoju związku (plus), zapominając o treści (minus).

Ale i tak z przyjemnością sięgnę po inne tomy z tego uniwersum, jeśli powstaną.

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You had me at Robin Hood retelling, & didn’t steer me wrong 🙌🏽 A GREAT addition to the Far From series.

FRTC.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, in my opinion, the best installment of this series so far.

From the beginning, it just fired on all cylinders and didn't let up.

In this MM fairytale retelling, Robin Hood loved Marian, but a few weeks after she dies, while the Sheriff of Nottingham, Henry, is chasing him and his Merry Men through the woods, he, Henry and John (Little John, that is) get sent by some magical person or entity to our modern world.

Just as all 3 get there, John knocks Henry out and he and Robin get away.

Then we jump 5 years into the future, and all three have settled into life in our modern world. Only, Henry was left alone for 2 of those - absolutely, completely alone, isolated with only his horse that came with him from the Sherwood forrest for company - until she dies at the end of that two years.

But then a woman, Ivy, shows up, and while Henry is in the darkest time of his life, she pulls him out of it and gets him acclimated to our world.

Meanwhile John and Robin found a job on a ranch and have settled into the world nicely.

For the past 3 years, Henry has been searching for Robin and had no such luck, until he sees him in a magazine and gets his tech whiz friend, Ivy, to find where he lives...

Henry is on a path of revenge at first, understandably so.

Robin tries to fight him, but some strange starts to happen in their encounters - attraction.

Both of these men loved Marian, and yet...over the course of this book they start to fall in love with each other instead.

The chemistry was great and I loved this twist. I've seen several iterations of Robin Hood and he and Marian are sweet and good together in them, but this MM and in this new take, Robin and Henry are meant to be and I love it. Sorry, Marian 😭

Henry is the big, dark and silent - as well as angry - type who doesn't really like anyone. But underneath that armor is a vulnerability to him only Robin starts to see - and appreciate and love. And Henry is so tired of being alone, of being lonely even if he hates a majority of people. And he truly just wants to be loved, and Robin is sweet, kind, an optimist, and has a good heart.

He might have screwed up here and there, was an 'outlaw' and all that, but he's a good person, and there's a lightness to him that brings out lightness in Henry, however little it may be 😘

I didn't tire of this at all, it never dragged, I was invested in these two the whole time - everything just clicked where the first two struggled here or there. They were still solid reads overall, but this one was even better.

I didn't even find myself minding that it took so long to return to Sherwood Forest, to their world - they never felt like they belonged there anyway, and just a quick trip to stop the villain, Prince John, brought closure for both of them and wrapped up their old life in that world perfectly. I never felt this itch like we were dragging out their time in our modern world like perhaps it felt in the first two books.

The plot flowed well, the characters were interesting, and the romance was well done. The sex was a good amount and never felt like too much or too little.

Definitely, this was my favorite of the series.

I absolutely cannot wait for whatever this author gives us next, and whatever MM fantasy story retelling we'll get next. I'm sure it's going to be just as much as this was.

Until then! ❤️

My Ratings for the Far From Series:

🔆 Far From Neverland: 4 stars (my review)
🔆 Far From Camelot: 4 stars (my review)
🔆 Far From Sherwood Forest: 5 stars

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Queenbeereads_sugarandspice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much, I demolished it all in one day. It was gave me serious Once Upon a Time vibes. I’ll admit I haven’t read the previous books in the series but I’ll certainly be adding them to be tbr now.
 
Robin is such a fantastic character. He’s given so much of his life to Robin Hood, but after everything’s that’s happened, he’s keen to step away from the hood, and when he’s thrown into a new world with John and Henry, he gets the chance to be his own person. He’s accepting and forgiving, and just an all-round good egg. But Henry brings out a different side to Robin, and he’s always thrived on the chase and challenge that the other man gives him.
 
Henry is the ultimate grumpster in their grumpy/sunshine dynamic. He’s a proper, gruff bear of man who keeps everyone at arm’s length, but you can’t help feeling sympathetic towards him because he’s endured a lot, and he’s his own worst enemy. He focuses on hating Robin because it’s familiar territory for him, but I loved watching the other man break down his barriers slowly but surely, and those moments of brief vulnerability were so meaningful. Henry’s so darn pig-headed, and snarly and grouchy, but I was completely fascinated by him. He needs someone he can rely on and trust and Robin is the perfect person for that. He gets Henry to open up and I relished every smile and laugh Robin wormed out of the big man.
 
There's something so compelling about Robin and Henry’s relationship. It feels as though they’ve been engaged in an extreme game of chase. They’ve pushed and taunted each other for years until – in a different place as different versions of themselves – all the tension explodes in the most delicious of ways. I loved those primal scenes – so full of high emotion and passion, with the underlying confusion about what it means. And the subsequent pining – ooh, I do enjoy some good pining, and Robin really does this well.
 
And did anyone else hear a raspy, sexy whisper in their heads every time Henry called Robin “little thief” or was it just me? *shiver* I adored watching Robin give up control to Henry after he’d always been the leader as Robin Hood – he submits so naturally and needily – and the caring way Henry looks after him shows the softer side of him I was longing to see.
 
Robin Hood is the one who’s renowned for saving people, but apparently Robin Locksley does the same in a much smaller, but no less significant, way.

[ljreads_13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book swept me away into a world of fairytales, the way the rest of this series did.

This one held something even more special for me. I’ve always loved a good enemies-to-lovers arc, and this story gave me everything I was looking for and so much more. The fire and passion between Robin and Henry leapt off the page, and watching that intensity transform into something pure, tender, and almost sacred was absolutely breathtaking.

Their connection felt inevitable and impossible all at once, and it made their journey even more powerful to experience.

And oh, the spice—phenomenal.

That constant tension of are we fighting or are we about to tear each other’s clothes off? mentality ran through the whole book, and I adored every single moment of it.

It was sexy, passionate, and carried this red-hot, dangerous energy that made the romance even more compelling. (Henry’s a bitter.😉)

Every kiss, every fight, every moment of surrender was soaked in emotion, and I couldn’t get enough.

Robin and Henry’s story is going to stay with me for a long time. They both had such different destinies ahead of them, and yet they chose to take life into their own hands despite everything they’d endured. That choice, that refusal to let their pasts define them, made their love story shine even brighter.

And sweet, sweet Henry—my poor, tortured, lonely boy. His bitterness and pain were palpable, and reading about how he nearly gave up completely only made his growth and eventual healing more moving.

Watching him open his heart, despite everything he carried, was a gift.❤️❤️

River writes with such raw emotion, and every book feels like stepping into something unforgettable. This one was no exception—I laughed, I ached, I swooned, and I burned alongside these characters. Robin and Henry’s love was as messy as it was beautiful, and it’s a story I know will linger with me long after the last page.

Thank you so much to the author for the advanced reader copy. I’m so grateful to be able to share my thoughts and tell you just how deeply this story touched me.

[Layy 📚✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had the honor and privilege to receive this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Let’s get into my thoughts.

😮‍💨 listennnnnnn, this was the darkest book in the series and it did NOT disappoint. I truly didn’t know much about the story of Robin Hood so this was a nice surprise.

We follow Robin and Henry through their journey of self-discovery, learning to love after loss, trauma and trust. Henry (Sheriff of Nottingham) was such a complex character. There were a lot of dark aspects and themes around his character that broke my heart, but at the same time, had me rooting so hard for him. I loved how self-reflection and realization that his being alone was not only other’s fault, but his own as well. Henry learns to accept love, learns to accept (slowly) that someone else can care for him, learns to accept touch and slowly learns to trust that he doesn’t have to be alone anymore. Henry stole my heart in a way I never expected and it made me feel alllllll the feelings.

Robin has many more layers to him than I anticipated. Our poor, little thief, always hiding behind a mask and putting on a show for others. Robin’s discovery looked a tad bit different from Henry’s but it was a journey nonetheless. Learning to love after loss and learning to rediscover oneself is never easy. It takes courage and the right kind of determination.

As a couple, they complimented each other so well!! They both took and gave what they each needed from each other. Our Henry has a deliciously filthy mouth 🥵, while our Robin is a little bit of a masochist lol. The author did such a good job at showing that side of them, while also showing the softer, tender sides that healed both of them in many ways. Like Henry said, I know Marian dying was sad, but I just can’t see Robin as anyone else’s but HIS lol.

This book was such an emotional, wild journey filled with magic, mystery, family, healing and spice. I loved everything about this book and I truly hope that author has another retelling up her sleeve. I’ve enjoyed this series immensely.

I wish River Hale the best on her upcoming debut. Pick up this book; you won’t regret it 💚.

[Shyandmoodreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Ahhhh, I seriously LOVE this world that River Hale has created! 😍 I mean Robin & Henry were simultaneously explosive together AND so sweet 🥹. I loved how easily Robin just fell into his relationship with Henry, and even though Henry fought it with his hate (we all know there's a fine line between love and hate 😏) he was such a soft broken and lost cinnamon roll under that prickly exterior 🥹😭🫶.

I cannot express in words how much I adored these men, they had my heart in a vice grip from the first chapter 💜. I can't even tell you which one is my favourite 🤣 Robin is so hopeful, he radiates life and sunshine and honestly is a bundle of warmth. Thankfully this is exactly what our Henry needs, even when he fights it tooth and nail 🥵, and trust those fight scenes are 🔥💥😈.

Plus the spice, ohhhhhh the spice! Primal play is a winner for me 💯 Robin and Henry did it SO right and I was melted in the ground afterwards 🫠.

If you love a good fairytale retelling, particularly our bad boy Robin then look no further! It's dark, it's gritty, it's humorous. It pulls on your emotions, breaking your heart while also building it back up again 😘.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved the story of Robin Hood. I was one of those girls who loved the fox Robin Hood from Disney. That movie is one that I remember fondly watching when I felt sick. Then when I got older I read the story and couldn't get enough. There was just something magical about Robin Hood and the Merry Men.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book and I was not disappointed. I fell in love with the very angsty story of Robin Hood and Henry, the Sheriff. I can't tell you how many tears I cried and how my heart ached.

There was magic and lots of chasing through the woods. There was also some spicy scenes that took place in the woods more than they took place anywhere else. I was unable to put this book down and I will definitely be going back to discover the other two couples in this series. However, I have a feeling that these two will be my favorite.

[mm_smut_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among the series "Far from", this is my favourite one. I was a bit skeptical about it because the last one wasn't it for me, but this one was a little gem.
Henry's suffering made me shed a tear or two and the way he healed through his feelings for Robin was so pure and romantic. I had a bit of beef with Robin in the beginning for what he did to Henry but you can't hate a sunshine like him. Even the grumpy and "have no friends" Henry couldn't resist bathing in his rays.

The primal play was amazing. After Rina Kent's books I haven't read other books with such a good description of primal play, but River made it exquisitely

[Lore · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review : Far from Sherwood Forest by River Hale (all the opinions expressed are genuine and authentic)
Release date : September 26th

I loved both of these boys and the connection the author managed to create so much 🥹🩷 Is Robin Hood my favorite outlaw of all times ? Yes, he is ! Did I loved the Sheriff just as much ? Surely I did ! Am I an absolute sucker for hurt / comfort , especially between ex rivals ? Absolutely !

Rivals from day one, Robin and Henry are thrown into a world they never saw coming. Survival isn’t just about escaping danger : it’s about facing old grudges, revenge, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

The tension between these two? Chefs kiss ! It had me holding my breath, and the author’s writing is as sharp and captivating as Robin’s aim.

If you love dark romance vibes, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a little bit of mystery, this one’s an absolute must-read.

“I’m so fucking in love with you.Not halfway, not in pieces. I meant it when I said I’m all in, Henry, and that includes my heart too.

[The_heaven_of_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

J'aime trop cette saga 🥹😍

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 🌟
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶️
Heroes: Robin and Henry

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysterious void is shifting again & this time we’re in Sherwood Forest with the legendary Robin Hood and fearful Sheriff of Nottingham.

And, now they are in the modern world, with old feuds still lingering.

Only all that high tension is leading to something more…soon they will lay themselves bare in more ways than one.

Can enemies really become…lovers?

If I was still a religious man, he’d make me want to sin.

Straight away you are pulled into a heated chase from Robin Hood with little John & the Sheriff Henry, with the mysterious void taking them all into the modern day world. The story then jumps 5 years which I think helps the storyline move forward and having the main characters split off from each other. You do have flashbacks throughout the storyline, although it would have been good to add more of them adapting more and especially with Robin & little John.

The Sheriff Henry, gives off the strong as an ox, arrogant and couldn’t careless attitude but, really deep down he’s hiding his true emotions. You can see what he’s gone through, what has been drilled into his head and the effects of that now years later as he struggles to cope with his feelings that develop towards Robin.

Robin Hood is an easy fun loving character with a cheery side, there is more to him also and dealing with the past also. But, being in the modern world is filling a gap inside of him and once he crosses dirtpaths with he once sworn emery…all bets are off.

“What’s the matter, Sheriff? Haven’t you always dreamed of bringing me to my knees and punishing me?”

Alongside Henry & Robin's flizzing connection of ‘will they won’t they’, the mystery continues and the past they thought they both left behind is pulling them back to finish unsolved business. Only this time are they willing to sacrifice this new bond or will one arrow cut too deeply?

It’s a creative storyline from influences from the original storyline like the rest of the standalones within this world. The emotions really do run deep in this one and enjoyment that each character brings lightens up the darker side.

If I’m not careful, the little thief is going to steal me fucking heart.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is River Hales's "Far From Sherwood Forest." It is the third and final novel in the Far From series.

["Robin
My time as an outlaw in Sherwood Forest was meant to end the day I chose to lay down the hood. Instead, it was ripped away from me as Little John and I were hurled into an unfamiliar world. Together, we adapted and built new lives.
Five years later, the past finds me again. Henry, the Sheriff I once fought and then abandoned, is back, and his hatred burns even hotter than before.
Beneath it, I feel the spark of something more dangerous. The fire between us was once rivalry. Now, it’s desire. I can’t fight it, so I guess I’ll let it burn me alive.

Henry
For years, I hunted Robin Hood. He was a thief and my obsession, the thorn in my side. Then the world shifted beneath us, and I was alone. No crown to serve. No purpose. That loneliness hollowed me out until nothing remained, not even the Sheriff.
After five years, hatred should have been enough. Revenge should have been sweet. But with every taste of his defiance, his smile, the way he dares me without fear, it all starts to feel like a lie.
Hatred drove me to find him. Desire lured me deeper. I don’t know which one will destroy me first."]

TBRs, ARCs, and life prevented me from reading this the day it came out. And now, after finally reading it, I gotta say, I'm even more upset with myself.

This dynamic was similar to “Far From Neverland”, where one cannot exist without the other. And where one has to team up with the other to save the day (spoiler alert?).

They were mean but not always on purpose. They were careful and vulnerable and loving, always on purpose. Though it took them a while to bridge that gap.

Trigger Warnings: violence between MCs, gun violence, kidnapping, deaths of family members and a past romantic partner, murder, grief, abandonment, religious trauma, self-harm (self-flagellation), past suicidal ideation, death of a pet, and more.

#farfromneverland #farfromcamelot #farfromsherwoodforest #farfrom #farfromseries #riverhale #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Robin Hood and his Merry Men through Sherwood Forest isn’t anything new for the Sheriff. But when Henry, Robin, and Little John find themselves literally thrown in a new world, none are prepared for it. And neither is Henry when he wakes finding Robin and John left him behind. Now years later, Henry has finally tracked down Robin for revenge. Revenge of their past and revenge for leaving him completely alone. But destroying Robin begins to slowly shift when this connection between them shifts to something unexpected. Now Henry can’t decide if he wants to kill him or make Robin his. Robin doesn’t understand what happened to them exactly and why they are in this new world, but him and John have done their best to adapt. And then Henry comes back into their lives and Robin learns just how badly he messed up by leaving Henry alone. It doesn’t take him long to realize he wants Henry to be his. But with so much push and pull, there is only so much hope Robin can hold on to. I really loved this story! It was so different than what I was expecting. These fairy tales characters are literally thrown out of their own world into just modern day. They have learned to adapt but they haven’t forgotten where they came from. I also loved Henry and Robin’s relationship as it developed throughout the story. There was always something there but now they have a chance to explore it. Their pasts are painful and you can’t help but hurt for them and want them to be happy. Especially Henry! Overall, great story and now I’m definitely going to check out the other books in this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Library_of_a_Trashpanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
Robin Hood retelling
Mm romance
Enemies to Lovers
Primal Play
Touch Starved
Hurt/Comfort
Grumpy/Sunshine
Touch-Starved MC

1️⃣ **Overall Rating:** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

2️⃣ **Overview/Synopsis:**: We all know the classic Robin Hood story. What if you take that story, add dimension travel, a crazy forest spirit, national parks and some thief/sheriff role play. Then you have this incredible story!

3️⃣ **Favorite Character:**: Robin Hood. Who doesn’t love a snarky archer whose life is dedicated to helping the people.

4️⃣ **Most Memorable Scene:**: The first primal scene. You’ll know the one 😜

5️⃣ **Favorite Quote or Line:**: “Caught you, little thief,” I whisper roughly in his ear.

6️⃣ **Overall Review Summary:**: This is a great twist on a classic story. There’s the Prince John and King Richard drama. We have the Merry Men of Sherwood and the Thief himself Robin the Hood. And of course the morally questionable Sheriff of Nottingham.

This is definitely fast paced. We get the appropriate amount of back story before we jump right into the ‘I hate you/I wanna hate fu*k you’ vibes. And they are some amazing vibes.

I absolutely love that the story takes place in pretty much RMNP and that the Sheriff is a Park Ranger and Robin is a rancher/wildlife tour guide. Like it’s amazingly perfect. I would have never thought of that. 😂

There is definitely some serious issues addressed in this, and some very emotional moments, which I loved seeing with characters who wouldn’t typically be. It was written well and you can put yourself in their shoes to really feel the lingering effects it has on their character.

The romance is done so well. I too want to discover my crush/bi-awakening while chasing my nemesis through the woods. *chefs kiss* you’ll know it when you read it.

[Ashley Rose Dead.inside_but_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Dark Robin Hood retelling. There are some very heavy topics throughout including dealing with grief, self harm and suicide. Please check all the TWs before heading in. The plot itself is not super dark but our guys have alot to over come, and of course they get their HEA 💚

(Spoiler Free Obtuse Review Incoming)
Sheriff Henry and Robin Hood have been fighting for many years. During their current battle though the winds change and they are dumped into our time by an unknown force. Still in fight mode Henry goes after Robin only to be knocked out By Little John who got swept up in everything and dumped here as well. While Henry is out Robin and John flee into this new world leaving Henry to wake up alone and lost.
Guys Henry goes through it. The only thing to keep him company in this new world is his rage. He has one focus, find and finish Robin. Now John and Robin haven't had it made either but they did have each other to lean on. Flash forward 5 years Henry finally gets his first lead on where Robin went and boom he is off. When these 2 come face to face again in a new setting they have to look at where this rivalry really started from and face some truths that are hard to hear/confront. They had to learn forgiveness and acceptance. Whew these 2 went through so much, but came out the other side ok and together 🥹
Henry is just this Big Grumpy Bear of a man...but I just loved him so much..I just wanted to hug him and snuggle him and force all the love on him. My heart just ached and broke into pieces for him. The HEA was very heard earned but these two deserve every second of it.

[Giulia’s bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC
This book was an emotional journey for these characters, and River always delivers with this series, pulling me into a new and old world where magic and fantasy come back to reality.

In all of this, Henry was MY man. I was absolutely enraptured, enamoured, in love, infatuated and I completely melted for this grumpy bear. He is the epitome of beautiful brokenness. Underneath his (falsely) impenetrable exterior lies a man struggling with the darkness, the trauma and his past. You can feel the weight of his struggles, the way he keeps everyone at arm's length, and the pain that makes him his own worst enemy.
It was magical to witness his walls slowly crumble, allowing his vulnerability and his true self to finally shine but without losing what really makes him, him.

Seeing Henry allow himself to heal and open up to Robin was the sweetest thing and it felt like a freedom was finally granted.
And Robin… He’s sunshine, he’s loyalty and he’s hope all tied into one beautiful masterpiece. And both of them together were fireeeee! (And all the pining and the ABSOLUTE TREAT of primal play? Oh yes baby, come to mamaaaaaa!)

So as usual, River blew it out of the park with the story and THE FREAKING COVER! I’M OBSESSED.

[Nova Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

River Hale has done it again!! Seriously, I don't know how they always manage to take something outside of my usual preferred genre and turn it into some of my favorites. I'm not the biggest fantasy person. Or fairytale? I guess since these are retellings. Either way, I love the way River writes. I think River does a really good job of mixing modern elements with the fairytale ones. That, and I got major Once upon a time vibes. And that's one of my favorite shows. I loved the first two books in the series. This one is no different. It may actually be my favorite of the three.

Robin and Henry - the sheriff - hate each other. Or I guess Henry hates Robin. We start with the two getting pulled from the Sherwood Forest and dropped into the real world. Parting ways, it's not until five years later they come face to face once again. And Henry? He's only gotten angrier. He wants one thing from Robin, and that's revenge. Except he loses that need for revenge along the time... Replacing the feeling with something else entirely. Something he doesn't want to feel, especially for Robin of all people. But it seems he's powerless to stop it...

[Books_withtish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review- Out 26th sept Far From Sherwood Forest by @riverhaleauthor “ You’ll always be my little thief” The Sheriff and Robin hood have always been a story about pushing and pulling and to turn it into a mm retelling well it was a fabulous. After Maid Marian is killed, Robin and little John are still causing mischief and the sheriff ( Henry) is still trying to catch Hood until they end up in a mysterious place ( to us it’s modern day 😂) After leaving the Henry unconscious Robin and John head off and we fast forward five years… Now I absolutely loved Henry, his whole character, the hurt and pain he carries it really cuts deep. He searches for Robin for along time and is out for revenge. Robin fits into the new world so quickly because all he wanted was to drop the image of being the Hood and he worms his way into Henry’s heart eventually. The tension between them is insanely hot and let me@tell you Henry has a filthy mouth! If you love a little Robin Hood retelling , dark mm romance, enemies to lovers, bi awakenings, touched starved MC, pining, hurt/comfort & primal play then this is the book for you… Thankyou for the arc River it was a pleasure to read 🏷️ @books_withtish

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨️
Far From Sherwood Forest
By River Hale

“You’re fucking mine now, little thief.”
“I’m yours, Sheriff."

5/5⭐️
3/5 🌶

Tropes/kinks
🏹Grumpy/Sunshine
🏹Enemies to Lovers
🏹Broken boy Man
🏹Hurt/Comfort
🏹Primal play
🏹Double Bi-awakening
🏹Touch starved MC
🏹Pining
🏹Rimming

I'm not sure how I wasnt aware of an MM series based on fairytales existed... but alas I'm here now and OBSESSED.


A double bi-awakening just hits the spot.
Right away the enemies to lovers is visceral. Both MMCs despise each other. I dont want to spoil anything so you'll have to read to find out why 🤭

At one point the tension and pain was so intense I had tears in my eyes and the next moment it breaks with “Is that what you need to finally shut up, Robin? Something stuffed in your mouth?”
🥵 my god. Henry's dirty talk had me feral and Robin's antagonizing was delicious.

The premise was great and was very close to original story. I loved it and had a great time- didnt want it to end honestly. 🥹