The Devil of Arden

by R.H. Linehan

An exquisitely-written new romantasy that melds Robin Hood folklore with Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to create a lush world full of danger, romance, whimsy, and magyk!

Once upon a time, a girl made a bargain with a monster...

Raised inside idyllic Locksley Abbey, Marina wants only a few stolen moments with her childhood sweetheart, and a thriving garden...where she can bury a terrible secret. As a desperate child, she made a bargain with the Forest of Arden’s most infamous faerie trickster. For ten years, she has dreaded the day he calls in her debt, and disguised her bartered magyk gift. When unexpected attention from the fanatical Sheriff of Nottingham leaves Marina with a freshly broken heart, and puts her beloved Abbey in danger, she is left with only one the Devil himself.

Trapped in a dream-like forest with the Fair Folk from her storybooks, Marina quickly learns that nothing in the Arden is truly what it seems, including herself. Although echoes of her old life keep her suspended between worlds, the call of the Arden Court quickly becomes impossible to resist, as does the Devil determined to keep her there. Marina might be the only one capable of defending both her homes–from each other and from within. But if she hopes to hold back the gathering darkness, she must heal wounds caused not by magyk or steel, but by immeasurable love…and incalculable grief.

This is Book I in The Arden Duology!

Content Warnings can be found in the front of the ebook preview.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

The Devil of Arden (Book 1) releasing May 1st!
- Robin Hood meets A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Ulvvori Chronicles, Books 1-3 available now!
- Book 1: The Midwinter Queen
- Book 2: Scars & Sketches
- Book 3: The Oracle King

Book 4 (The Wildcat & the Wolf), coming soon!

Come follow along with me on IG or Facebook :)

Reviews

[MyLostSock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author

As i am the first 3 star review i will explain my choice now. I was craving a story about more folklorish faeries who cannot lie and trick everyone around them. So when i got this ARC i was really exited and wanted to love this story. Unfortunately it was not really my taste.


So the good:
- i love that we have a person of colour as our main protagonist
- i like the idea of a magical Robin Hood inspired fantasy setting
- I liked the choice of poems for every act
- i liked the trigger warning of „men being stupid“
- the writing was standing out from other fantasy books with a few nods to Shakespeare
- The Art (especially the coverart on the last page? perfect!) - also great that the author is against AI ❤️

What irked me is that i never really got into the story. It felt very similiar to most romantasy stories, that i could predict everything. All the typical tropes. Even when there was danger the plot stopped to have the main characters have sex…. a pet peeve of mine. I also felt that the characters fell flat for me. Most of the time i couldn‘t understand where they were coming from and it felt too contrived for me.

Since i do not want to spoil i‘ll leave it here. I think it is a taste thing: If you are a Romantasy lover, that loves spice, this book is perfect for you. It does create it‘s own world in a way and i can see why people like it.
I feel a little bad being the first 3 star review in all the 5 stars but a 3 for me does not mean bad - it means ok and i wouldn’t want to spike my rating just for receiving an arc.

[Jamey [Longhollow.Lore] · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️’s

I lived here. In Arden, in Locksley, beside Marina.

This story gives you time to settle into its world, to grow comfortable among the gardens, the forests, the folklore, and the people within it. There’s something incredibly heartwarming about that, and honestly? I was happy to stay.

We meet Marina and Will first, sweethearts built on friendship, stolen moments, and quiet affection. Their love feels innocent in a way that makes everything that follows hit even harder.

Because eventually, debts come due.

The storybook bargain at the heart of this tale slowly unfolds, pulling Marina deeper into the Fair Folk, the Forest of Arden, and the dangerous magyk woven through both worlds.

The magical elements feel inseparable from the townsfolk themselves. The forest breathes alongside them. What threatens one threatens the other.

Beneath the whimsy and fairytale atmosphere is a story about growth, grief, expectation, and acceptance. About learning to face the parts of ourselves we bury away. Our gifts, vulnerabilities, histories, and the darkness we carry.

This may feel like a storybook tale, but it has bite.

And I’m more than ready to return to Arden.

Special thanks to author R.H. Linehan for the ARC of this title, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sydnie Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: I really had no expectations going into this but even from the prologue, I was hooked. I truly have no notes. It was written beautifully and I was promised banter … and I got it. I would recommend for all my romantasy girls

If this doesn’t get the hype it deserves after release, I will be mad

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via the author)

4.25 stars

I am a sucker for a retelling and this one did not disappoint. I thought the balance of whimsy with high stakes was well done. I loved the banter and slow burn between Marina and Devil. I loved the cast of characters and Sir Toby! The ending had me going oh no and uhhhhhhhhh. I can't wait for the next one!

[soffi · Rating 2 out of 5]

arc provided by the author.

what I liked:

* decidedly Black character descriptions that do not leave any room for white washing
* devil's dialogue, he does have some sexy lines in the beginning
* poetry
* jon! I almost found him more interesting than devil and wouldn't mind a spin-off just about his story
* the setting aka living in tree tops
* contraception that isnt ~~moon brew~~
* gorgeous artwork


what didn't work for me:

* predictability / formulaic romantasy
* just a small pet peeve but: "mayhem" seems a bit forced as a nickname for trope's sake when "mothling" felt so sweet and uniquely personal as reference to their childhood encounter; mayhem felt too similar to fourth wing's violet / violence for me
* dubious consent; maybe i am too sensitive on the topic but the first time they get intimate it is mentioned before that may is way more drunk + overwhelmed by magyk than devil is
* didnt love the ~real men have cocks~ comment but i understand it was meant to be used as a bridge into a flirty retort
* devil's entire personality being created only to love and serve may; to me it came across as uncomfortable and sad to think that he's just this vessel of obsession. I didn't really see any reason for his love other than he was made to. it is also heartbreaking that he has been stalking her entire life because he simply has no other reason for living, has nothing else to occupy him, has no way to comprehend existing if not for her. this reminded me of android love-bots in scifi that are only programmed for one thing without the option of free will; like in the film ex machina for example. (again, dubious consent, made me feel icky)

*
it doesn't feel great being the first one to give two stars but I also didn't feel comfortable pushing for a higher rating just because this was an arc review.
I think the concept held great potential, but maybe just wasn't realised in a way that entirely clicked with me. I just couldn't get fully immersed into the story but it has many solid aspects of a classic romantasy.

[Meg (fantasybook.adventurer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨The Devil of Arden✨

Oh my goodness, I saw that this was a midsummer nights dream meets Robin Hood with epic banter and I immediately signed up! And I’m so glad I did! I’m sold on this duet and dying for book two!

In TDOA, we follow the singular POV of our FMC, May, who is an orphan raised by the local Abbey. As a young child, she asks the Devil of the Arden for a healing gift and agrees to the bargain that at some point she will return to him to heal something of great importance. As everything within Nottingham begins to go wrong, such as her boyfriend being forced into an arranged marriage and her home under threat, May is so bereft she calls upon her bargain. It is once she’s whisked away into the Arden wood that May unravels her past, her present, and her purpose. Not only does she find answers she’s always sought, but she finds a family, a home, and even a love that is unconventional, but deep and devoted.

We experience so many emotions through this book and, while they are emotional and moving, Linehan balances them so well with banter and whimsy. May is sassy and brave and I’m excited to see what happens after the ending’s revelation. The found family is so precious, but I love Devil most of all. His utter devotion, commitment, unhinged obsessiveness, and ability to still be so lovable despite how he’s treated just melted my heart. I am hoping for so much for him!

Tropes you may find in TDOA are fae bargains and creatures, midsummer nights dream meets Robin Hood, hidden identities and powers, medium spice, nicknames, hair tucks, obsessed and completely devoted winged MMC, he falls first and sooo hard, unique magics, and a cliffhanger.

Thank you so much for this gifted arc. I am sooo eager for book two and will be impatiently waiting!

[The Apron Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: 5 stars, truly an emotional, gripping, yet whimsical rollercoaster of a book! I went into this ARC read with no expectations, and i was truly floored. The book immediately held my attention, jumps right into the world building, introducing characters and rules of society.

The FMC, May, was written so well. She's fierce and has baggage but can really feel her humanity and pure soul through the words of this book. All the characters have depth and made me fall in love with all of them.

The banter and chemistry between FMC (May) and MMC (Devil) is perfect and will have you kicking your feet. the dialogue was amazing, and creative, really felt like it portrayed the character personalities

The plot was complex but easy to follow along. I found myself truly emotionally invested in the dangers of what the characters were facing.

Lastly, the book was fast paced, had great character depth, multiple jaw dropping moments, and a perfect book 1 to the biology. Could not recommend this book enough!

[Laila Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I don’t know what I was expecting but this blew me away. I am in love with the world R.H. Linehan has created! The Arden, the Hollow, the Abbey, her reimagined Nottingham, and all of the beloved Fae folk!!! And Devil *swoon*. I just do not believe there would ever be anything he could do to upset me. Move over May! 😂 I cannot wait for book 2!! We need it expeditiously, please my lady! 🙏🏻

I received this ARC free for an honest review.

[Katie Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 / 5 ⭐️

if you love romance-first fantasy, this is for you!!!

thank you r.h. linehan for allowing me to read an advanced copy!

ARC Review: i had a fun time with this one! definitely entertaining, even if a few elements didn’t fully land for me. loveddd the banter, and loved seeing lgbtq+ representation and diverse characters!

also worth noting that the author is very lovely and funny ("men being stupid" tw made me laugh lmaoo) and is also anti-ai - love to see it!!

like i said, this definitely leans more romance than fantasy, so i'd recommend it to romantasy readers who prioritize character and relationship development over high-stakes conflict. the premise is engaging and i genuinely liked the characters! there's a solid amt of time spent building them out, as well as the central relationship, which made things feel grounded and easy to invest in.

the romance was a highlight for sure. i really loved the dynamic between the fmc and the mmc - super fun banter, the pacing doesn't feel rushed, and i really liked that there were some tender, quieter moments that make their connection feel more real than in a lot of other similar books. there *is* a power imbalance between them, which *is* discussed, but i'm hoping it gets explored more deeply in the sequel.

where the book didn't fully click for me was in the fantasy and conflict elements. the political intrigue felt a bit underdeveloped towards the end, and some of the motivations came across as unclear or overly simplistic. similarly, the main magical conflict was very cool, if a bit predictable, but didn't quite deliver on the level of depth or impact i was hoping for.

the ending builds toward something that feels like it should/will be high-stakes, but for me, the tension didn't fully pay off in the way i expected. it's still an "omg!" sort of conclusion, just not one that hit with the emotional/narrative weight i was anticipating.

overall, this was an enjoyable read!! lots of strong romantic elements and engaging characters, even if the broader political/fantasy stakes were lighter than i'd prefer. i think it'll definitely resonate with readers who love romance-forward fantasy and character-driven stories. if you like woodland faerie fantasy vibes, great banter, and mmc worshipping the ground fmc walks on, you should read this!!!

[ReedRyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 🌟/5
A Midsummer Nights Dream x Robin Hood retelling that does not shy away from the Shakespeare's Bardiness, nor the cruelty inflicted on the people of Nottingham. Marina of Locksley and The Devil of the Arden(the forest) find each other in a time of need, beginning a series of events that culminate in several explosive, fraught scenes earning every second of payoff.
I was DEVASTATED to have missed "duology" on the title page 😭😭😭
The book contains songs of the forest, and of Locksley, adding texture to the world against the majesty and beauty of the magical Arden Forest.
Each character felt so real in the context of their place in the story creating a tapestry of love and loss that runs the gamut from young love to familial yearning.
Through it all, Marina sticks to her guns, knowing her self worth, and believing in herself. Wonderfully feminist, fighting against powerful magic users and abusive people in power.
There is so much beauty here that when something goes wrong it hurts all the more to see something taken from us the readers AND the wonderfully vibrant community it effects.
It makes me want to read shakespeare again. Or at least listen to a dramatic reading.
A must read for anyone who half remembers A midsummer Nights Dream, but it hits just as hard if you've never heard of it. If you saw robin hood as a fox and thought "smash", this book is for you 😇

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, now that I am emotionally compromised, I don't really know how to go on with the rest of my day.

I was hesitate at first to read this book: it ticks off so many boxes of my special interests. I've been burned before. But I gave it a shot and MAN AM I GLAD I DID. This book had me laughing. This book had me crying. This book had me swooning. And it is one of the rare books where I closed the back cover and felt the strongest pull to open the front cover and begin reading all over again.

This book manages to incorporate references to Shakespeare's plays and the legends of Robin Hood while being a completely authentic and new story. It subverts some tropes and plays perfectly into others. And - most importantly - it doesn't end on on the most frustrating cliffhanger of all time like many duologies.

I think I will be counting down the days until the second half releases. I will attempt to be patient. I will not be good at it.

[Erin | the.gremlin.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil of Arden by indie author R.H. Linehan is an addictive fantasy romance inspired by Robin Hood and A Midsummer Night’s Dream that will make you laugh, swoon and riot. It’s cheeky banter at its finest with a yearning so intense it’d move Shakespeare to write sonnets.

I went into this blind and absolutely adored every moment. You don’t have to be a fan of retellings or even familiar with its sources of inspiration in order to appreciate how incredible this story is! It’s whimsical with purpose and pulls readers into a world divided by race, magic, prejudice and grief.

The Devil of Arden is the first book in a duology and releases May 1st! Fantasy romance fans of fae bargains, hidden identities, he falls first and hard, FMCs stepping into their power, unhinged and utterly devoted MMCs, light & shadow magic, banter and slow burn to open door spice should add this to their TBR as soon as possible!

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hear me out!

Disney’s Robin Hood, Midsummer Nights Dream, Peter Pan, Thumbelina, Princess Bride and very specifically, Queen Clarion and Lord Milori.

Toss ingredients in a blender, add a few raccoons in one moth colored trench coat and TA-DA!

But seriously, Rae is one of my auto buy authors and every time she puts out a new book it’s somehow better than the last. 10/10 highly recommend 👏👏

Rae, cuz I know you’ll see this, I LOVE YOU PLEASE DON’T EVER STOP TORTURING ME WITH YOUR STORIES 😘😘
(Now go check your DM’s, cuz I’m coming in screaming about [spoiler, spoiler, spoiler] and I’m bringing GIFs)

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of an ARC copy.

I loved this book so much! The way the author was able to seamlessly weave together Robin Hood tales and Shakespeare was amazing. The worldbuilding and descriptions of scenery made me feel transported into the Arden myself.

The descriptions of grief, loss, and wounds that scar but never truly heal made my heart hurt. And the ending was truly unexpected. Really hope we get a happy resolution there because I am 100% team Devil, I fear.

Can't wait for book two!

[Phoebe Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to the author for an ARC! It's always a privilege to get to read a book before the official publication date.
(There are slight spoilers below!)

Unfortunately I don't think I got the same hype for the book as many others have. There was too much going on; it was Robin Hood, A Midsummer Night's Dream AND Greek mythology, and for me, it was simply unnecessary to have all that. That being said...

I really enjoyed the how diverse and descriptive the Arden and its people were! I loved that the Fair Folk were probably a bit odd to look at being part animal or a hybrid, loved the way the people in the Hollow shared meals and were a community, and descriptions of locations were truly beautiful sounding.

I did find that while it definitely has its upsides, there was also a lot that I found often seen in other books; a menacing nickname that the male protagonist gives the female lead that doesn't suit her, she's the long lost special, and she has to dump her loser boyfriend (though I will admit it was nice that he wasn't a bad guy, more so just weak willed), and a lot of the characters felt very similar to other characters in the same genre.
I had trouble with the magic system as well, how light and shadows can create all those things, etc, (I can extend my imagination, they can teleport through the lines of magic in the Arden, sure!).
I think that it would have been a benefit if we saw Devil/Puck/Robin actually being a menace. He's constantly having people say how terrible he is, how he's chaos, but we don't really see that aside from a couple lines at the beginning about some of his bargains.

All in all, this book wasn't bad, I'd say it would be a great pallet cleanser, and again, the world is written beautifully, but this one just wasn't for me. If you loved it, awesome!

[Alyssa Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
So, the good:
That mmc!!!!! AHHWOOGA
developing the Arden/forest and describing the characters really well put me straight into this world.

wouldn't call it enemies to lovers. "It’s always been you"

not so good
"cozy fantasy" UNTIL IT'S NOT
No real "hook"/ sense of urgency
The fmc's anger seemed misplaced
The only info we get is from the fmc asking questions.

[Couby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for advanced reader copy provided by the author.

Wow… I have no words to describe what I am feeling right now as I write this right after finishing the book. This was such a beautifully written book that mixes Midsummer Night’s Dream with Robin Hood. BUT WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT ENDING??? 😭 I need book 2 ASAP.

This story follows Marina (May) who made a bargain with the Devil, a fay of the Arden known to grant wishes for a price. But May lives in a world that despises fay magyk so she needs to hide the healing magyk she gained from the bargain and she has stayed far away from the Arden. Years later, Devil comes back to reclaim what he’s owed and May is once again thrust into the Arden, where she embarks on a journey of self discovery and the true reasons behind the long standing war between the humans and the fay.

I loved the little snippets of poetry we get throughout; whether it’s from a famous poet, a children’s bedtime story, or words of warning passed down through the generations. The writing was SO lyrical and deep. The way the author wrote the love story between May and Devil was just magical. Instead of “I love you’s” we get “I would die a thousand deaths to see you safe and happy…but I would also suffer an eternity of torments to spend just one night in your arms.” And this is coming from someone who CANNOT LIE. Like… where can I find myself someone like this?? The banter was also PEAK! May and Devil has got some SASS. It worked so well for the enemies to lovers trope. The spice also felt natural and didn’t seem forced at all. And not to mention the food descriptions in this book! I can’t remember the last time I drooled over a food description in a book… but I did in this one. Multiple times.

This is also the first time I’ve annotated a book as I read! That’s how much is going on in the writing, the plot line, the character development… you name it. Maybe it’s the fact that this is inspired by a Shakespeare play, but the themes and motifs were so well written. I kinda felt like I was reading a Shakespeare play in English class (in the best possible way).

Marina (May) is our insect loving queen. I found that quite unique; a nice spin on the animal loving Disney princess! I had no idea what half the insects mentioned were but after some quick googling (I left out the spider… for obvious reasons) I realized there are so many beautiful insects in this world! I found her character a teensy bit annoying at first but I also don’t blame her. If I was thrust into a magical fairy world and be expected to accept it… I’d be throwing hands too. But I loved her character development. She learns to accept all aspects of herself, even the darker parts that she tried to hide before, while staying true to her values of trying her best to protect the innocent.

Devil (Puck, Robin) was also not what I was expecting. While he is a handsome, tall, sassy man, he was so bright and… dare I say innocent? He has such a child-like energy to him and he always seems to be such a ray of sunshine. But don’t get me wrong, he does have rizz and there is spice in this book 👀. And he has wings 👀👀.

The other characters of the Hollow were also so unique and based off of traditional faerie lore. Aliens, Larch, and Jon were the ultimate friends and I loved them so much! I honestly couldn’t really bring myself to hate that many characters (except a few) because they all show such exceptional character growth.

Ultimately, this was a fantastic read with amazing writing and world-building. I would definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of traditional faerie folklore, Robin Hood, and Midsummer Night’s Dream!

[Micca B aka gigglybookgeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil of Arden by R.H. Linehan is absolutely amazing! Take a mash up of Robin Hood (also a mash up of all the Robin Hoods, now that I think about it), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, mythology, and your favorite fae book.

It starts with an epic dedication. Make sure you read the content warnings in the front of the book (you can also see them in the ebook preview), especially that last one (there are serious topics, but the last one hits).

Great Banter, including nicknames, so here are a few of my favorites used for various people:
Bat Boy
Devil
Unwanted Prince
Mayhem
Captain Cockroach
Mothling
Menace

The comedy woven through this book is great. At one point I saw some of the banter as very Johnny Depp as the mad hatter or as Loki. That “I would 💀, revive you, just to 💀 you again” enemies to lovers, orange cat vs black cat energy in the book is spot on. There is also grief and anger, anger, dread, and betrayal that will have you feeling traumatized.

Oh gosh. I guess I should talk a but more about what the book is about. Marina grew up in Locksley Abbey, after being left there as an infant. She loves to work in the garden, but also has a secret. She is a talented healer thanks to the “blessing by The Daughter”…well, actually it is thanks to a bargain she made as a child with the infamous faerie in Arden woods. The bargain was worth it to this point, but lately the Sheriff of Nottingham has been watching everyone closely for any use of magyk. It doesn’t help that the jackhole Sheriff doesn’t like that she is close with his son. What would a weird orphan girl that loves bugs, digging in the dirt, and a gift that seems suspicious have to offer his son?! Nothing! So, not only are eyes on her, it has put more critical eyes on her beloved sisters and the abbey.

When The Devil of Arden calls in the favor, she must live amongst the Fair Folk until her party of the deal is met. It is not as simple ask she thinks. Not only does she have to deal with an absolute maniac, her entire world is about to get very complicated and turned upside down. As she desends into what feels like a constant cycle of chaos, can she also learn to let go and enjoy the pleasures that can be found in Arden? Can she protect those that raised her and those she has grown to care about?

The different types of magyc are so interesting, and I really loved the way everyone’s works a bit differently. There is romance that is a slow burn. Sometimes flames. No, I mean literal flames. Overall I would say it is about 2.5 on the spice scale, but the spice that is there is hoooooottttt!!!

The book also has LGBTQIA+ rep, mixed family units, diversity, and also shows learning to move past your own internal biases.

Oh, it’s a duology. So, do you if you think the book is going to end how you want it to? LOL Nope. So, that meme with the poor kid being interviewed about being excited about starting school, and he laughs, cries, laughs, cries? Yeah. Contribute to the tear jar. Just, also add in needing to spray yourself down with some cold water as well. This book releases on May 1st, so I now am trying to figure out if I need to find the fae to make a deal to travel forward in time to get to book 2…

Thank you to R.H. Linehan for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team. There were no expectations for reviews, but perhaps for book 2 I might look to see if group therapy is included. My review is my honest opinion and my thoughts are all my own.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion*

R.H. Linehan is as brilliant an author as any reader can hope to come across.

The worldbuilding displayed in The Devil of Arden is rich and layered in deep creativity and diversity. Every character in this world, including the background characters, are uniquely crafted in personality, appearance, and the way they fit into the story— creating a truly magical world for this story to take place in.

From the start of the prologue, this book dragged me in and caught my attention, not letting me go even now that I’ve finished. It starts with showing you the beautiful foundational relationships that surround the fmc and have influenced her sense of self. Then it takes you through her journey of discomfort as she outgrows what she has always known herself to be, and later her journey of self confidence as she finds comfort in who she has chosen for herself to become.

The Devil of Arden walks through themes of love, grief, strength, and self discovery through each of the three acts. The pacing for each part of the fmc’s journey finds the perfect balance between letting you enjoy each moment on its own, while also keeping the story moving to prevent it from falling stagnant or feeling rushed.

Though there’s many beautifully developed and still-developing relationships throughout the span of this book, the main one is with the mmc, Devil. This relationship is full of mischief, banter, and chaos. It is absolutely swoon worthy, with equally amazing moments of desire, tenderness, and devotion layered in. The romance is just as uniquely crafted as the characters, and is well rounded in a way that makes you continuously fall deeper in love with each of the main characters as you watch them fall deeper in love with each other.

This romantasy falls more heavily on romance than it does on in-depth political intrigue. Though there’s high stakes, it fell second to the developing romance and the developing relationships with other characters. (Not in a bad way! Just a factor to consider when it comes to personal preference!)

Throughout the beautiful display of fantasy-style elements, the author also incorporates such respect and homage to the pillars of classical literature. The lyric, prose, and references throughout this book show a true love and gift of writing. I consider myself to be a very picky reader, who finds it hard to truly love a book, but The Devil of Arden has managed to tick all of my boxes.

The only thing I feel could have been better is the pacing at the very ending of the book, when we see the ‘conclusion’ of the book’s main conflict. I feel like I would’ve liked to see a bit more development in this one area, as it felt a little “too easy” after the extensive lengths taken to get there. I’m hoping to see more of the after effects of this conclusion in the next book, and hope to see it further developed in a way that feels more natural.

All in all, I adored every moment of reading this book, and I can’t wait to have a copy on my shelf. I look forward to part two of this duology, and look forward to the damage that R.H. Linehan will do to my pockets and my heart moving forward.

Grateful to have such an amazing experience for my first ARC.

[Sarah Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil of Arden - R.H. Linehan

I loved this so much and the ending left me desperate for part two!

5/5

Disney's Robin Hood is one of my all time favourite films and I remember being disappointed as a child when I discovered that the ‘real’ Robin Hood was a man and not a fox. Retellings featuring humans have always seemed just a bit lacking in comparison. Turns out what I needed was a fantasy Robin Hood/Shakespeare crossover with a dusting of Faerie lore and Greek mythology. Here, the main character is neither man nor fox, but one of the Fair Folk, and R.H. Linehan has ingeniously combined the legends of Robin Hood with a retelling of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to create something truly special.

Marina (May) is an orphan raised at Nottingham’s Locksley Abbey and grows up hearing tales of the Fair Folk and the mysterious ‘Devil of Arden’ who live in the neighboring forest. To save someone she loves she ends up making a pact with the Devil in return for healing powers. Ten years later, the Devil comes to claim her and takes her back to the Arden and the Faerie court ruled by Oberon and Titania. May soon finds herself at home in the Arden but discovers that not everything is as it seems. She must come to terms with her true connection to the forest and with her feelings for her stubborn, reckless Devil.

May is a wonderful main character - funny, feisty and powerful - and the plot explores her internal struggle as she tries to reconcile her old and new lives and work out who she is when she is free to decide for herself. Devil is a beguiling mixture of Robin Hood, Puck and Loki with a bit of Peter Pan thrown in, and I missed him every time he disappeared from the page. I’ll put it out there and say he’s the most entertaining incarnation of Robin Hood since 1973. Their relationship is a romantic slow burn with plenty of banter, insults and yearning (and some spice too), and I can’t wait to see what happens next!


It's so beautifully written with vivid descriptions of the forest, faerie revels and magyk. The world building was richly imagined and totally convincing. The detailed descriptions of the food and costumes were a particular delight! The setting is somewhere between the Greece of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and an alternative version of Medieval England. Characters and plot elements from Robin Hood and Shakespeare are woven together seamlessly and it feels like a natural melding of the two worlds whilst at the same time being something completely original.

There was a brilliant cast of side characters too, including appearances from various of the Merry Men (and women) with several nods to the Disney film - no spoilers but Jon was just perfect :D Some other personal favourites were wise Aliena (a gender swapped Alan a-Dale), the beautiful Tinkerbell-esque Prim, and a three headed dog called Sir Toby Belch (a touch of comedy genius from the author).

This was an absolute treat and one of my favourite reads so far this year.

Thank you to the author for sending me an advance copy and accompanying character graphics.

Read if you love:
Shakespeare retellings
Folklore
Disney’s Robin Hood
Romantasy - e.g. The Cruel Prince, The Knight and the Moth
Traditional faerie lore
Greek mythology retellings
Fairytales

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing Robin Hood retelling with Shakespeare sprinkled through!

I loved watching Marina experience the different types of family, with the found family she started with to actually meeting her grandparents. Seeing each of their reactions to finally meeting her was so polar opposite and enlightening to each of their mental states in the twenty years since the great tragedy of their lives, loving their daughter and Marina's mother.

The banter between Marina and Devil was so so good. They both give as good as they get. Devil starts very teasing and moves towards sultry as he is able to sense Marina opening up to him. I also love how she describes him as not the typical handsome MMC. It really shows how they fall for each other and not their looks. We learn that Devil was created to protect Marina, and brings new meaning that he was literally made for her, whatever she needs him to be (almost brings to mind imprinting from Twilight). Those declarations of love, absolutely swoon-worthy!

I absolutely loved watching Marina discover her magic beyond the healing gift that Devil gave her when she made her bargain. The wonder I could imagine when she finally had wings, very reminiscent of Thumbelina! Which makes the betrayal seem to hurt so much worse.

We have the underlying conflict with the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince Johan overtaxing the people and capturing anyone suspected of making fay bargains, expanding to anyone suspected of being touched by magic. Not to mention the Rot that's overtaking the Arden. And during the height of this conflict, Marina and Devil determine that if they bond together it may give her the power she needs to beat back the rot. And of course in making this bond they also finally get busy and give in to their desires. However, we also finally learn one of the true reasons why King Oberon and nearly everyone told Marina to be careful around Devil. He was not completely truthful in letting Marina know what would happen when they sealed their bond, and now their souls are bound together. The absolute betrayal Marina feels is understandable, given that she is likely going to live a much longer life than the typical human and is now stuck with someone that she is questioning her trust in.

I've been exposed to RH Linehan's writing in her previous series, and I absolutely fell in love with it more in this story! Her writing is just so magical, which just elevates this magical world even more. I will admit that I forgot that this was the beginning of a duology, so the ending really got me! I truly can't wait to return to the Arden and see how everything comes out!

If you love an adult romantasy with a black cat FMC and an orange cat MMC, toe curling banter, maximum yearning, traditional faerie lore (wings), and elements of Greek mythology, then you need to check out The Devil of Arden!

I received an advanced review copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.

[leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy recieved from the author.


I will never not be drawn in by a book that promises a fae bargain, the fact that this is a midsummer nights dream meets robin hood just made me so much more intrigued and I was not disappointed!

First of all, the writing is beyond beautiful and poetic. There were times I had to stop for a second to swoon or to just take some time to fully appreciate what I had read. The settings in this world that the author has crafted, the arden itself in particular, are vividly descriptive and so gorgeously atmospheric that they bloomed to life almost instantly in my mind and I was 100% immersed in the story from the very first page.

The story is dreamy, whimsical and funny but perfectly balanced with rageful and truly heartbreaking moments. The depictions of grief, loss, guilt and anger and the consequences that come with holding on to these feelings for too long felt honest and raw and was beautifully handled in a way that made my heart hurt so much for some of these characters.

May is possibly my favourite fmc that I've come across in a long, long time. She's selfless, caring and fierce, wickedly funny with that sharp tongue of hers and very much determined to face any threat no matter how scared she is. My heart breaks for her with everything she has to go through and how much she just wants to be loved. I adored her and she deserves the entire world.

Now onto the Devil... this mmc won me over embarrassingly fast it's not even funny. He's got a flare for the dramatic, he's quick witted and silver tongued, the man is horrendously devoted, totally obsessed and comes out with the most yearning filled romantic lines I've ever witnessed, all whilst being an absolute menace to almost everyone else. Of course I was instantly hooked!

The side characters in this book are also incredibly well developed and I swear nearly all of them are so loveable, I didn't expect to be so fond of so many! Even one who I thought was going to be horrible ended up being pretty endearing. There are lovely elements of different found families, a family that is broken but trying, romantic relationships that crumble but the friendship remains beautiful and strong and so much more.

The entirety of this book was perfect to me, I only ever put it down because I needed sleep and now that I've finished reading I'm so tempted to go back and read it all over again!

I laughed, fumed, cried and even threw my phone in shock and secondhand horror at one part (not the ending, that just left me staring at the wall in silence for half an hour.) I absolutely recommend this book.

[Stephanie Schaper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author - for the ARC and for writing this book! This book I would say is truly unique from other romantasy books. This may be due to the influences of Robin Hood, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and mythology, but I think it was truly refreshing to read. It read like a cozy fantasy, especially at first. I think the writing style itself was also unique, it was honestly beautiful to read.
The world of Arden itself also sounded so beautiful. I really liked the atmosphere of the book - it was super enchanting to read about and I really felt like I was there along with May. It all felt very whimsical. All the diversity was also so super cool in this book, props to the author because I really loved seeing all the representation. I know others have mentioned this as well but the trigger warning for men being stupid also definitely made me laugh out loud. That was all super refreshing and great.
May was an interesting FMC, I liked how she was a bit more rough and tough compared to others. She really stood firm in her beliefs and I appreciated how she didn’t let Will walk all over her in the first part of the book - she told him what she expected of him and when he didn’t deliver, she was strong and resolute in her reasoning. That being said, I did like how Will wasn’t actually evil, a little pathetic sure but it was nice to see he really was just a regular (albeit a pushover) guy. It was all very…interesting, to say the least.
I really enjoyed the banter and the buildup between May and the Devil. Also, may I just say, we love a man who is devoted. That part was really refreshing, and the spice? Definitely very enjoyable!
There were a few comments I have about the book, though. At times the pacing did feel a little awkward at times and the beginning felt like a lot to get through. It took me a little bit to get into reading this book at first because the lore felt a little daunting to be honest. I did push through - and I am glad I did overall, but it was something noteworthy to me. The ending as well was a shocker, but also felt a little rushed. I would have liked a little more development to make the ending feel a little more deserved, but that being said, that is not the ending to the series. I’m very ready to keep reading on in the second book! I think everything will probably make a lot more sense in book 2 and as I said, this is a very beautifully written book!

[Kinisawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is aimed at all lovers of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest, Midsummer Night's Dream, Fae magic, strong female lead and sly male lead.

Tropes:
🏹 Robin Hood inspired retelling meets:
🧚🏼‍♀️Midsummer Night's Dream
🏹 He's created for her
🧚🏼‍♀️She's fighting her destiny
🏹 Family vs. Friends
🧚🏼‍♀️Fae magic
and more ❤️

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Time read: 05.06.'26 - 11.06.'26
Spice lvl: 🌶️🌶️

Characters:
Marina (shortly May) - FMC: a young orphan who grew up in Locksley Abbey. She ventures to the Arden forest in order to save the life of a person dear to her by making a bargain with The Devil of Arden, and receiving a gift of healing, for which she, in the future, has to return a favour to The Devil, to heal someone of high importance (no questions asked). She lives ten years happily, secretly in love with her best friend, until he is forced to marry a girl of his parents' wishes. She asks to be taken to the forest, and her favour is to be paid, yet before May can do so, she will find out more than she had awaited.

The Devil of Arden - MMC: A most infamous faerie trickster skilled with words, twisting them to bend the rules of fae truth-telling. He is the one who makes the deal with May, giving her the gift of healing, and coming for her once she calls upon the favour. He stands by her, is loyal to her, and protects her from everyone and anyone. Though as any fae, his actions always end up serving him in first place.

Plot:
After the introduction to Marina's life in the first chapters, we follow our FMC to the Arden forest, where most of the book takes place. May gets to Arden by calling 'the Devil', a fae she struck a bargain with when she was but a child.
Once in the forest, May finds out the troubles the inhabitants of the forest face since a war between two human princes. She is learning about the history and current flow of the events, the different, real version of it, unlike the information they were fed at the abbey. While doing so, she uncovers a secret she was to be spared. A secret that changes her whole life.
With a task in hand, her payback for her healing powers, she has to face her own blood and ties she just uncovered, leaving her battling her heart and head at a point. Only by accepting her past, her blood and her current situation, Marina can face the new challenges with the Devil by her side, finding a way to pay her debt.

Relationships:
Marina faces a change of heart a couple of times throughout the story.
In the beginning, she is in love with Will, her childhood friend, with whom she has envisioned a future. Their planning falls flat once Will's father arranges a marriage for him with a princess instead and Will is unable to stand up to his father, and instead, is trying to find a way of least resistance for all.
During May's stay in the Arden, she becomes closer and closer with the Devil, falling in love with him, even though he's the one in love with her since the beginning. We observe their relationship change several times throughout her stay, all due to the information she is being fed and those she finds out by herself.

Overall:
I enjoyed the book thoroughly and I'd say to anyone who loves fae, bargains, magic systems, Robin Hood and Shakespearean-inspired writings, The Devil of Arden is a book for you.
Not only do we have two well-written main characters with witty and sassy natures, we have an abundance of secondary characters who don't make the story dull. They add to its flow and depth with their own small story lines, braiding the story together and bringing all the details up in their appropriate time.
Spice-wise, we get scenes with just the right amount of description. No obscene details, keeping it light with a couple of details of acts.

[Eternity's Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to R.H Linehan for providing me with an ARC for The Devil of Arden. I am leaving this review for free and it is my own thoughts and opinions on this book.

If I could give this book more than five stars I would. I want to just throw as many as I can at it. This is by far one of the best books I have read this year and one that had me completely hooked from page one. The prose in this book is lyrical and descriptive and I was truly immersed in the world throughout because of this. Though I wouldn't recommend reading on an empty stomach, as the food descriptions will have you salivating.

The cast of characters is wide ranging and a delight to learn about and they helped bring the world to life. Every character felt unique and relevant to the plot, and having the Fae be so folklore accurate only cemented this further. I also particularly loved the different physical descriptions we got of all the characters as it showed how varied everyone was.

Marina, our FMC....there is no adequate way too describe her. She is clever, kind and self sacrificing yet also fierce and has a wildfire to her without it being domineering. She also has self confidence issues and a difficulty grappling with the different parts of herself, and it adds such depth to her character.

Devil, our MMC, is an unhinged and utterly besotted delight. He is sarcastic, witty, and utterly devoted to Marina, bordering on obsessed. But rather than detracting from his personality it only adds to it. Contrasting beautifully with the peeks we get at his insecurities and desperate desire to be wanted as himself.

The romance between Marina and Devil was AMAZING. Usually when you read a book where the MMC is into the FMC right of the bat, it feels like it detracts from the story. But in this book, it just added so much to it, especially because Marina is slower to come around to Devil, more wary. To say I am feral for them is a mild understatement. The banter, the nicknames, the push and pull between them. It was all so well written.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I cannot wait to see how this duology ends.

[brunch bish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy—where do I even start with this one?

First, a genuine thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this. There’s clearly a lot of love and care poured into the story, and overall, I had a really fun time with it.

I’ll start with the positives.

The prose is genuinely beautiful at times, with a lyrical quality that feels reminiscent of Shakespeare in a fresh, modern way. It really helps immerse you in the world. The characters are also well-developed—complex enough that I found myself both loving and loathing them in equal measure, which is always a good sign.

That said, there were a few things that pulled me out of the experience.

This is very much a romantasy, with the romance taking center stage while the fantasy elements sit more in the background. While the romance is engaging and clearly the heart of the story, I found myself wishing the worldbuilding had been explored more. There’s potential for deeper intrigue—especially politically—but it never quite gets the space to fully develop.

I also struggled with some of the character choices, particularly with the FMC. There were moments that felt jarring or out of place enough to break my immersion—one scene in particular completely took me out of the story because it felt so tonally off from everything around it.

Additionally, the handling of the FMC’s ex didn’t fully work for me. The reveal of his sexuality could have been a great layer to his character, but it felt abrupt given how much of the first half of the book focuses on him being fixated on her and trying to win her back. The transition into a new relationship didn’t feel fully earned.

Lastly, the descriptions, while often lovely, tended to run long. Some paragraphs stretched to the point where they took up an entire Kindle page, and it made the pacing feel heavy at times. This might just be a personal preference, but it did make it harder for me to stay engaged consistently.

Overall, I did enjoy this book—it was a fun read with strong prose and compelling characters—but there were definitely elements that made it harder for me to stay fully immersed.

[Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

—4.75 stars—

“I’ll love you until the stars take their leave of the night, and long after. When there is nothing left for me in this life, I will gladly follow you into the darkness.”

A Robin Hood inspired fantasy, tinged with hints of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Devil Of Adren was utterly all consuming in the best way, and i literally couldn’t put it down. Every single part of it was incredible, and (for lack of a better description) it felt like it was written especially for me.

To begin with, one of my favourite things in fantasy books is traditional faerie lore (such as animal features and uncanniness and the inability to lie) and The Devil Of Arden served that up beyond perfectly! The magyk system was so beautifully put together too, and i loved R.H Linehan’s verison of the faerie king and queen, in all their polar opposite splendour. I don’t think i have quite enough words to describe just how much i adored the overall writing as well—from plot to characters, it was so exquisitely done.

May, the fmc, was utterly wonderful and i loved her from only a few chapters in. As a healer who bargained for her powers, she’s so caring for others (and even the smallest of bugs), but also fierce and defiant and witty. Her growth into her power and responsibilities over the course of the book was so well written, and her insults were unmatched! I love snarky characters so much.

And with May, there always must be her Devil! A clever trickster with a sharp tounge and a tendency for trouble, i loved him as soon as he turned up. I’m beyond obsessed with his undying devotion to May (his beloved Mayhem!), and I fear i have found a new ideal man because that he is so down bad, the he-falls-first trope isn’t even enough to describe it properly!

Finally, I adored May and Devil’s relationship so much i haven’t stopped thinking about it since i finished this book. From their top-tier banter and sharp quips to the soft, loving care they have for each other, it’s needless to say i haven’t kicked my feet and smiled so much while reading in a long time! I also haven’t stopped thinking about the ending, and cannot WAIT for the second book!

[Kyra Taracena · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I would first like to say a very quick, “THANK YOU!!” To the author for letting me receive this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for trusting me to read your heart’s work before it is shown to the world!

I have been in a reading slump because the last two books I have read have been not that great of reads, but this book has happily brought me out of it! It brought back some nostalgia to me of when I was younger and obsessed with Tinkerbell and Pixie Hollow, but with a touch more mischievous characters. The world building was very easy to follow and jump into, the side characters were so easy to love, and there was just so much fun and whimsy to be had reading this book.

One thing that I have a frenemy relationship with though is the concept on the Devil’s creation and his treatment thereafter. For book one, I think that it was an important piece to add because we were able to see how May’s emotions were affected by his treatment but also what pulled them closer. It did feel sometimes a little repetitive, but my hope is that it won’t be such a big thing in book two. I fear that him being called a monster and abomination over and over could get a little long winded.

Overall though, this book was a lovely and lighthearted read that I could very easily see have a movie adaptation. There was some predictability to it, but I didn’t mind it one bit and thoroughly enjoyed the ride that this book brought me on. There was a good 1.5/5 🌶️ when it came to spice, but i mostly enjoyed how it was a part of the plot versus being something just thrown in. I also really thought it was clever how the author handled the “ex boyfriend” situation. It was really refreshing to not have it be “he turned evil and was actually evil all along”.

I cannot thank the author enough for letting me read this book before its debut, and I absolutely cannot wait for book two! I think that everything will be wrapped up beautifully in book two, especially because of the mini cliffhanger that we were left with.

[Skylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from the author.

All of the stars!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Robinhood meets A Midsummer Nights Dream, yes it's as good as it sounds!

This book had me in such a chokehold the whole way through. Rae has really created such an immersive world. She seamlessly blends Shakespearian lore and whimsy into the perfect faerie Romantasy. The vibe of this book was somehow so cozy, despite the political happenings. I also simply cannot write this review without mentioning how excellent the banter is throughout this book!

This book starts with Marina, an orphan raised in Locksley Abbey. She's got her garden, her sisters and her secret boyfriend Will. Speaking of secrets Marina has been hiding some seriously powerful healing magic. How did she get this magic you might ask? Oh just from a fae deal she made as a 12 year old. In a land that strives to erase all things Fae, a fae debt and a potential father in law who is leading the manhunt, it has its challenges... In a moment of feminine rage Marina calls upon the Fae devil to come and collect his debt. She is whisked away to the Arden. A whimsical forest of fae, a cuddly werebear and Faerie wine of course. In the Arden we find that not everything is as the tales will have you believe, there are royal secrets and a threat that has loomed since the birth of the Devil himself.

Let's get into characters, it's actually challenging to write a review about these characters because of the GROWTH! The characters evolve so much over the course of this story. The MFC is strong-willed, with just a general aura of female badassery, and a tendency to make questionable decisions. I loved the Devil, our Cinnamon Roll MCM! So, in love and such a wild card. I really think that the characters overall are really fun and well written. Also, did I mention that I would basically jump in front of a bus for any of our side characters in the Hollow?

This whole book was so immersive, so smart and so funny. I really think anyone who is into fantasy will simply swoon over this book!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you mix Robin Hood with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and season it with Greek mythology, you might just come up with something like The Devil of Arden.

Marina is a ward of Locksley Abbey. With Nottingham on one side, and the Arden Forest on the other, she lives on the border of two worlds - humanity, and the secret world of the Fair Folk.

After making a deal with the being in the forest known sometimes as Robin Hood, sometimes as Puck - but to her, simply as Devil - Marina gained the gift of magyk healing. In return, she must come when summoned to heal one individual.

Ten years later, she is yet to be summoned. The town of Nottingham suffers under the rule of the Sheriff and Prince Johar. Her life inside the Abbey is idyllic and protected - and about to fall apart. As the Sheriff expands his hunt for “heretics”, Marina is a key target. Her only hope is her deal with the Devil.

I was captivated by this amazing romantasy from the beginning of the prologue. The writing is beautiful. The world building is superb. The Easter eggs for fans of Robin Hood, Shakespeare and Greek mythology are top notch.

The idea of combining Robin Hood and Puck into one Fay creature was ingenuous and terrifying. He will make a generous deal with you - but there’s always some form of catch. The book is filled with a beautifully diverse cast.

One of my favourite moments that was just a single sentence and could have easily slipped under the radar was about Marina’s Black hair. When she enters the forest, the creatures there help her to care for her hair, including wrapping it in silk for her at night.

This is a slow burn romance, which begins with Marina in a relationship with someone else. The spice is moderately spicy - open door but not super explicit.

The story deals with grief and rage, toxic relationships, classism, mental health (including self harm and suicidal ideation) and abuse of power.

If you want a new romantasy that is just a joy to read, you need to put The Devil of Arden on the top of your TBR now. Like, right now.