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Rakes and Ruin
Hooked
Peter Pan falls for Captain Hook's daughter...
"Promise me you won't forget me."
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name."
But he did forget.
And she didn't see him again for years.
When she finally met him, he wasn't her Peter any longer: he was a stranger. A pirate. An enemy.
When Wendy Hooke was a little girl, she saved a boy from starvation. The boy, Peter, taught her how to fly. Now the boy is a man, a gorgeous man, and he has forgotten all about her. She watches him take London’s ballrooms by storm, pursued by every designing mama, but Peter doesn’t even glance at her. Because it’s not ‘Peter’ now, it’s Lord Darlington.
Peter Darlington hasn’t forgotten the girl who saved his life. In fact, he can't stop thinking about her. But his life is complicated. Forces stronger than himself, dark, vicious forces, are driving him into a life of danger and daily confrontations with death. He is no longer the teenaged boy who fell in love with Wendy Hooke. And now the webs of his secret gang that fights crime on the streets of London are closing in on the greatest criminal of all time, the Viscount Hooke.
And Wendy…well, she is his daughter.
Hooked is a heart-wrenching love story of enemies-to-lovers to enemies again. It alternates between sparkling adventure, shattering sadness and searing-hot romance. It is inspired by the tale of Peter Pan and the rich lore of Greek mythology, as well as the glorious history of the Greek Revolution of 1821. It is set in the glittering world of Regency London, and so, among all the anguish and kisses, the reader can expect to read all about sharp cheekbones, pirate ships, witty banter, painted ballrooms, fierce ladies and a roguish gentleman or two who are up to no good.
One thing is certain: we are no longer in Jane Austen's Regency London.
Filled with humor, steam, angst and hope, this is Regency as you've never read it before.
Content warning for: Mental health issues, parental harm, criminal behavior (lots of it), an extremely cute but idiotic found family and an overload of pining. For more information about serious issues that might concern you, please contact the author.
Hooked might look like a quick, fun read, but don’t be fooled: it will break your heart into a million pieces.
Information on this edition:
Hooked, a dark Regency romance retelling of a grown up Peter Pan is part of the Retold fairytale retellings collection. It is the first of the three stories included in that book, but here you can read the story by itself. It is a shorter book and a standalone. It is being published separately due to popular demand.
If you prefer, you can find Hooked as well as two more dark fairytale retellings included in one volume titled: Retold.
*Important Note: This book has already been published as part of the Retold: A Regency Fairytale Retellings Collection (Rakes and Ruin) book. This is a separate sole book release of the same book that is included in that collection, with no changes.
"Promise me you won't forget me."
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name."
But he did forget.
And she didn't see him again for years.
When she finally met him, he wasn't her Peter any longer: he was a stranger. A pirate. An enemy.
When Wendy Hooke was a little girl, she saved a boy from starvation. The boy, Peter, taught her how to fly. Now the boy is a man, a gorgeous man, and he has forgotten all about her. She watches him take London’s ballrooms by storm, pursued by every designing mama, but Peter doesn’t even glance at her. Because it’s not ‘Peter’ now, it’s Lord Darlington.
Peter Darlington hasn’t forgotten the girl who saved his life. In fact, he can't stop thinking about her. But his life is complicated. Forces stronger than himself, dark, vicious forces, are driving him into a life of danger and daily confrontations with death. He is no longer the teenaged boy who fell in love with Wendy Hooke. And now the webs of his secret gang that fights crime on the streets of London are closing in on the greatest criminal of all time, the Viscount Hooke.
And Wendy…well, she is his daughter.
Hooked is a heart-wrenching love story of enemies-to-lovers to enemies again. It alternates between sparkling adventure, shattering sadness and searing-hot romance. It is inspired by the tale of Peter Pan and the rich lore of Greek mythology, as well as the glorious history of the Greek Revolution of 1821. It is set in the glittering world of Regency London, and so, among all the anguish and kisses, the reader can expect to read all about sharp cheekbones, pirate ships, witty banter, painted ballrooms, fierce ladies and a roguish gentleman or two who are up to no good.
One thing is certain: we are no longer in Jane Austen's Regency London.
Filled with humor, steam, angst and hope, this is Regency as you've never read it before.
Content warning for: Mental health issues, parental harm, criminal behavior (lots of it), an extremely cute but idiotic found family and an overload of pining. For more information about serious issues that might concern you, please contact the author.
Hooked might look like a quick, fun read, but don’t be fooled: it will break your heart into a million pieces.
Information on this edition:
Hooked, a dark Regency romance retelling of a grown up Peter Pan is part of the Retold fairytale retellings collection. It is the first of the three stories included in that book, but here you can read the story by itself. It is a shorter book and a standalone. It is being published separately due to popular demand.
If you prefer, you can find Hooked as well as two more dark fairytale retellings included in one volume titled: Retold.
*Important Note: This book has already been published as part of the Retold: A Regency Fairytale Retellings Collection (Rakes and Ruin) book. This is a separate sole book release of the same book that is included in that collection, with no changes.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2023
349 people are currently reading
1255 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Frank
38 books550 followers Welcome to the world of M.C. FRANK's books, where characters aren't going to have an easy time of it: They will find themselves in icy-cold dystopian worlds where kissing is forbidden (among other things), or in green forests ruled by evil Sheriffs. If they're in Jane Austen's England, they have to be running away from a traumatic childhood, or if they are in our contemporary world, they're scared they'll die before they have finished high school. That sort of thing.
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com
Website: mcfrankauthor.com
Twitter: @mcfrank_author
Instagram: @mcfrank_author
Tumblr: @litlereddoll
Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
Goodreads: M.C. Frank
Youtube: M.C. Frank
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
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July 7, 2024DNF at 24% page 61. Unfortunately the first chapter didn't grip me and make me feel a connection towards the characters who are Wendy and Peter. Then it jumps to her asking to be recruited and then it jumps to her being one of them so fast. I'm really not sure what's going on and where we are at this point as I'm lost. Not worth continuing at this stage.
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February 19, 2024
I just don’t understand why Peter cried so much?
March 11, 2023
2.5 stars ✨
Thank you M.C. Frank for allowing me early access to read Hooked as an ARC in return for my honest review. 🫶
As far as Peter Pan retellings go, I think this was definitely a unique twist - Peter falls for Hook’s daughter (who is also Wendy) in a regency magicless setting. This is a quick read and I think that worked against the story being told. The characters and the love story were so surface-level that I didn’t feel anything during the reading experience other than maybe a ‘Thats cute’ near the beginning. I didn’t know these characters so I didn’t care what happened to them. I have a suspicion that the onus is on the reader in this scenario to muster up a connection based on nostalgia rather than starting from scratch, to save an original ensemble being created.
I was especially looking forward to Hooked as it had been described as enemies to lovers to enemies again which got me hyped! The issue here was that there was no depth to Peter and Wendy’s relationship (again, maybe because of the length of the book) so I wasn’t rooting for them. Also that ‘back to enemies’ lasted a whole of five seconds. 😫
There were a few really great, authentic pieces of dialogue and overall I think the writing was succinct, the right amount of descriptive and easy to understand. Again, I think the concept of this retelling was one-of-a-kind but there were too many eggs in one basket and not enough pages to execute it in.
I would recommend Hooked to teenage readers or retelling fiends in general. 📚
Thank you M.C. Frank for allowing me early access to read Hooked as an ARC in return for my honest review. 🫶
As far as Peter Pan retellings go, I think this was definitely a unique twist - Peter falls for Hook’s daughter (who is also Wendy) in a regency magicless setting. This is a quick read and I think that worked against the story being told. The characters and the love story were so surface-level that I didn’t feel anything during the reading experience other than maybe a ‘Thats cute’ near the beginning. I didn’t know these characters so I didn’t care what happened to them. I have a suspicion that the onus is on the reader in this scenario to muster up a connection based on nostalgia rather than starting from scratch, to save an original ensemble being created.
I was especially looking forward to Hooked as it had been described as enemies to lovers to enemies again which got me hyped! The issue here was that there was no depth to Peter and Wendy’s relationship (again, maybe because of the length of the book) so I wasn’t rooting for them. Also that ‘back to enemies’ lasted a whole of five seconds. 😫
There were a few really great, authentic pieces of dialogue and overall I think the writing was succinct, the right amount of descriptive and easy to understand. Again, I think the concept of this retelling was one-of-a-kind but there were too many eggs in one basket and not enough pages to execute it in.
I would recommend Hooked to teenage readers or retelling fiends in general. 📚
June 26, 2024
why was everyone crying literally all the time???
also SO many typos and grammatical errors
this hurt my english degree to read
also SO many typos and grammatical errors
this hurt my english degree to read
July 11, 2023
I just didn't like it.
The author describes her books like the following: They might look like quick, fun reads, but don’t be fooled: these stories are going to break your heart into a million pieces.. This was short but not fun, as promised, but it also failed to break my heart or even touch it. It just sounded like someone tried so hard to make everything the most dramatic as possible but the plot itself was very non-sensical (and almost non-existent) and there really was no reason to care about the characters except that the writer loved them, even if she failed to explain or show why.
The few redeeming parts of this book were a scene where a characters cries for one of the antagonists that had no redeeming qualities and there is a comment on why crying for someone who only made you suffer is why you are not one of the "bad guys" and, also, I can appreciate the fact that the author was trying to show that "everyone, no matter how rich or powerful, can find their way back into life and away from brokenness. [...] [Even the author has] been broken irreparably, many times over, but what do you know? It turns out [she] was not irreparable, after all. No one is.", even if the book ultimately failed to show it (or any other message).
Another thought: Peter was crying in at least half the scenes in this book. At first I could accept it, after a while it just made me roll my eyes.
In conclusion, this book was very lacking both in the plot and the characters, and not even the mood it set could overcame 237 pages of words that had, in practice, no meaning. Maybe it was because it was too short for what the author was trying to do.
The author describes her books like the following: They might look like quick, fun reads, but don’t be fooled: these stories are going to break your heart into a million pieces.. This was short but not fun, as promised, but it also failed to break my heart or even touch it. It just sounded like someone tried so hard to make everything the most dramatic as possible but the plot itself was very non-sensical (and almost non-existent) and there really was no reason to care about the characters except that the writer loved them, even if she failed to explain or show why.
The few redeeming parts of this book were a scene where a characters cries for one of the antagonists that had no redeeming qualities and there is a comment on why crying for someone who only made you suffer is why you are not one of the "bad guys" and, also, I can appreciate the fact that the author was trying to show that "everyone, no matter how rich or powerful, can find their way back into life and away from brokenness. [...] [Even the author has] been broken irreparably, many times over, but what do you know? It turns out [she] was not irreparable, after all. No one is.", even if the book ultimately failed to show it (or any other message).
Another thought: Peter was crying in at least half the scenes in this book. At first I could accept it, after a while it just made me roll my eyes.
In conclusion, this book was very lacking both in the plot and the characters, and not even the mood it set could overcame 237 pages of words that had, in practice, no meaning. Maybe it was because it was too short for what the author was trying to do.
March 12, 2023
Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved this retelling! I always love retellings of the classics and this one was so unique and such a good read!
Thank you so much for the opportunity
Thank you so much for the opportunity
August 18, 2024
Why IS he always crying tho
January 8, 2025
The story itself has massive promise. I can see how the plot is mapped out. There are so many grammatical errors that it was hard to understand at times. it seemed unnecessary to repeat almost the entire first chapter toward the end of the book. it almost felt like a young writer or someone's first book
August 4, 2024
Hmm I love Peter Pan retelling but I didn't really vibe with this one. Heartbreaking story but it just wasn't told the best for me...
March 11, 2023
"Promise me you won't forget me."
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name." But he did forget.
Hooked is a dark re-imagined retelling of Peter Pan. While I expected this to be a quick read at 145 pages, it was very heavy and I found myself reading a little more slowly to appreciate the story. Hooked was both beautiful and heartbreaking and I found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn’t actively reading it.
I would have loved for this story to be longer so that there was more time to dig a little deeper into the characters and the criminal underworld, but I still was able to connect with and fall in love with the characters. This was my first reading of author M.C. Frank, but I love her writing style and am eager to read more of her works soon. The cover is absolutely stunning and I would love to purchase a physical copy to keep on my bookshelf.
Thank you to M.C. Frank for providing a copy of this ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name." But he did forget.
Hooked is a dark re-imagined retelling of Peter Pan. While I expected this to be a quick read at 145 pages, it was very heavy and I found myself reading a little more slowly to appreciate the story. Hooked was both beautiful and heartbreaking and I found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn’t actively reading it.
I would have loved for this story to be longer so that there was more time to dig a little deeper into the characters and the criminal underworld, but I still was able to connect with and fall in love with the characters. This was my first reading of author M.C. Frank, but I love her writing style and am eager to read more of her works soon. The cover is absolutely stunning and I would love to purchase a physical copy to keep on my bookshelf.
Thank you to M.C. Frank for providing a copy of this ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
March 30, 2023
This was a fun quick read. Although it was set during the regency era the writing was not of that time this making it easy to read. The descriptions of each setting was beautifully done.
Peter was the boy to saved her. Gave her life then never came back. He broke her the same way he gave her life
Wendy was always wishing she was elsewhere, that she would be saved. Peter comes flying into her life and left his mark.
It was an enjoyable shorty story.
Peter was the boy to saved her. Gave her life then never came back. He broke her the same way he gave her life
Wendy was always wishing she was elsewhere, that she would be saved. Peter comes flying into her life and left his mark.
It was an enjoyable shorty story.
March 16, 2023
I was instantly lost in The Nothing Land of this retelling of Peter Pan… hooked, if you will at first paragraph. M.C.’s writing is so beautifully scripted; it was like reading a fairytale from my childhood but with a mixture of all of my favorite things. Peter Pan. Greek Mythology. Regency London. Enemies to lovers.
I was especially thrilled to see the spin on The Lost Boys, one of which is “Hades” who gets his own Retold story. This was my first read from this author and I cannot wait to get my hands on M.C.’s physical books! I just know I will love them all!
Thank you to M.C. Frank for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was especially thrilled to see the spin on The Lost Boys, one of which is “Hades” who gets his own Retold story. This was my first read from this author and I cannot wait to get my hands on M.C.’s physical books! I just know I will love them all!
Thank you to M.C. Frank for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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December 7, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/24/2023)! 🎁
March 7, 2023
*"First and foremost, thank you to author M.C. Frank for providing me with an arc and allowing me the opportunity to read your book**
⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️/4
Hooked is a Peter Pan retelling set in the regency era. Told in third person point of view, it follows Wendy, Peter, and the band of Lost Boys as they navigate the hardships of childhood. One day, Peter stops showing up, leaving Wendy to believe he has forgotten about her. Fast forward five years, and Wendy is a member of London society, out for her second season. She receives word of a handsome, eligible Lord Darlington.... AKA Peter. Did he really forget about her, or is there a more sinister reason behind his departure?
Review:
I'll be the first to admit that I am a mood reader, and I don't necessarily feel like I was in the mood for this particular book. I currently have another book I'm reading, but I had to set that aside in order to get a review done in time for this book's release. The cover is absolutely stunning, and the book blurb is so enticing, but for me, it fell a little flat. I would say the part describing Wendy's childhood was done well, but I still felt like I needed more. I didn't get that connection between the characters, and I wish there would have been more in-depth interactions. And while this is set in the regency era, there was none of the fantasy elements from the original Peter Pan, which is kind of what I was expecting. The author references a lot of things from the original story, such as mermaids, crocodiles, being able to fly, and more, but they are all just analogies to regular things. Anyways, after Peter leaves Wendy, it almost immediately jumps to the present, where 5 years has past. She is in her second season in London, and hears a rumor that leads her to believe Peter is there. Within the same chapter, he shows up and has "forgotten" her. From there, things just take a whirlwind pace, and not necessarily in a good way. There was no real understanding of Wendy's sadness at Peter leaving her, because even though 5 years passed, in the book, he showed up in the very next chapter (or maybe 2-3 later, but still not enough time). I wanted things to be fleshed out more. This is a short book, so I was able to read it quickly, but I wish it was longer, so I could develop those connections to the story. It was a good, quick read, and a did a good job of being a Peter Pan retelling. I don't think I'd pick it up to read again, but it did offer me a few days escape into the book.
⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️/4
Hooked is a Peter Pan retelling set in the regency era. Told in third person point of view, it follows Wendy, Peter, and the band of Lost Boys as they navigate the hardships of childhood. One day, Peter stops showing up, leaving Wendy to believe he has forgotten about her. Fast forward five years, and Wendy is a member of London society, out for her second season. She receives word of a handsome, eligible Lord Darlington.... AKA Peter. Did he really forget about her, or is there a more sinister reason behind his departure?
Review:
I'll be the first to admit that I am a mood reader, and I don't necessarily feel like I was in the mood for this particular book. I currently have another book I'm reading, but I had to set that aside in order to get a review done in time for this book's release. The cover is absolutely stunning, and the book blurb is so enticing, but for me, it fell a little flat. I would say the part describing Wendy's childhood was done well, but I still felt like I needed more. I didn't get that connection between the characters, and I wish there would have been more in-depth interactions. And while this is set in the regency era, there was none of the fantasy elements from the original Peter Pan, which is kind of what I was expecting. The author references a lot of things from the original story, such as mermaids, crocodiles, being able to fly, and more, but they are all just analogies to regular things. Anyways, after Peter leaves Wendy, it almost immediately jumps to the present, where 5 years has past. She is in her second season in London, and hears a rumor that leads her to believe Peter is there. Within the same chapter, he shows up and has "forgotten" her. From there, things just take a whirlwind pace, and not necessarily in a good way. There was no real understanding of Wendy's sadness at Peter leaving her, because even though 5 years passed, in the book, he showed up in the very next chapter (or maybe 2-3 later, but still not enough time). I wanted things to be fleshed out more. This is a short book, so I was able to read it quickly, but I wish it was longer, so I could develop those connections to the story. It was a good, quick read, and a did a good job of being a Peter Pan retelling. I don't think I'd pick it up to read again, but it did offer me a few days escape into the book.
March 15, 2023
Angsty retelling of Peter and Wendy's story
I first came across this story in the Retold, Regency Fairytale Collection, where the author promises the stories will “break your heart into a million pieces”. Peter and Wendy’s story delivers a unique retelling of the classic fairytale set in Regency England.
What I love about this book is the beautiful cover, great world-building, and imaginative mash-up of genres, with themes of child abuse, abandonment, loss, friendship, and elements of romance. Kudos to the author for excellent writing with touches of humour sprinkled in to lighten the darkness of the story. That is why I rated it highly.
Because this is a mash-up of genres, the underdeveloped romance between Peter and Wendy left me disappointed. Not because the story is on the short side, but because we spent too much time in their childhood. And this is not a traditional enemies-to-lovers romance, but a story with some romance. Both of them remain childish and show little character growth as it rushes to the end. For that reason, I prefer the story as part of a collection rather than a standalone.
And while I appreciate characters who are in touch with their emotions, there are just too many tears shed between the two of them, and the story threatens to descend into melodrama. My heart felt for them during their awful childhood, but I, sadly, found it hard to connect with both of them as adults and a romantic couple and started reading faster to get to the end.
Overall, this story is not for those looking for lighthearted reading but will appeal most to YA readers.
I first came across this story in the Retold, Regency Fairytale Collection, where the author promises the stories will “break your heart into a million pieces”. Peter and Wendy’s story delivers a unique retelling of the classic fairytale set in Regency England.
What I love about this book is the beautiful cover, great world-building, and imaginative mash-up of genres, with themes of child abuse, abandonment, loss, friendship, and elements of romance. Kudos to the author for excellent writing with touches of humour sprinkled in to lighten the darkness of the story. That is why I rated it highly.
Because this is a mash-up of genres, the underdeveloped romance between Peter and Wendy left me disappointed. Not because the story is on the short side, but because we spent too much time in their childhood. And this is not a traditional enemies-to-lovers romance, but a story with some romance. Both of them remain childish and show little character growth as it rushes to the end. For that reason, I prefer the story as part of a collection rather than a standalone.
And while I appreciate characters who are in touch with their emotions, there are just too many tears shed between the two of them, and the story threatens to descend into melodrama. My heart felt for them during their awful childhood, but I, sadly, found it hard to connect with both of them as adults and a romantic couple and started reading faster to get to the end.
Overall, this story is not for those looking for lighthearted reading but will appeal most to YA readers.
April 30, 2025
A clean, dark retelling
When i saw the cover, i got a certain picture in my head what would happen. I was so off!
A dark and sad story about Wendy and her childhood, how she suffered through violence, how she met Peter and the sorrow she had and has to endure.
The focus in this book is on Wendy and Peter, how their friendship turns into more, with the brothers and lost boys being more in the background.
I give this book 3 stars out of 5 stars because i did not enjoy how certain happenings was written. For example the dance, where it is described how she was in one mans arms only to suddenly be in "x" arms, followed by "x" begging her to dance with him. She was already dancing with him so for me this does not makes sense.
Another thing was that the description of what was happening sometimes was missing a word or written in a way i did not understand, and that affected my reading and lower the score. I also did not enjoy that the author has made Peter so fragile and weepy. I would rather have seen him more dominant.
Otherwise this is a very unusual kind of retelling childhood story. I did not think it would be a clean romance, but i did enjoy the kissing scenes and very much the ending. The story in itself is actually good, and the author did a really good job writing the short novella in a way that it evoke strong feelings for the different scenarios through out the book.
I can recommend this book to those who may enjoy a retelling of childhood stories that has a darker twist,no smut and a happy ending.
When i saw the cover, i got a certain picture in my head what would happen. I was so off!
A dark and sad story about Wendy and her childhood, how she suffered through violence, how she met Peter and the sorrow she had and has to endure.
The focus in this book is on Wendy and Peter, how their friendship turns into more, with the brothers and lost boys being more in the background.
I give this book 3 stars out of 5 stars because i did not enjoy how certain happenings was written. For example the dance, where it is described how she was in one mans arms only to suddenly be in "x" arms, followed by "x" begging her to dance with him. She was already dancing with him so for me this does not makes sense.
Another thing was that the description of what was happening sometimes was missing a word or written in a way i did not understand, and that affected my reading and lower the score. I also did not enjoy that the author has made Peter so fragile and weepy. I would rather have seen him more dominant.
Otherwise this is a very unusual kind of retelling childhood story. I did not think it would be a clean romance, but i did enjoy the kissing scenes and very much the ending. The story in itself is actually good, and the author did a really good job writing the short novella in a way that it evoke strong feelings for the different scenarios through out the book.
I can recommend this book to those who may enjoy a retelling of childhood stories that has a darker twist,no smut and a happy ending.
March 14, 2023
This is the first book of a series that is a retelling of the fairytale Peter Pan. It is told in third person POV and focuses on Wendy and her life growing up and when she gets older. This book has a lot of things that could be triggering, so if needed, check the warning first before reading.
I have read a few different retellings of fairytales by different authors before, but not a Peter Pan one. This was an interesting one. I am glad that Wendy finally found her courage and her HEA with Peter, she definitely deserved it after all that she went through in her childhood and young adult life.
I would have like to see some of Peter’s adventures when he disappeared from Wendy’s life. In the blurb it says that Wendy and Peter were enemies-to lovers to enemies again, but I didn’t really feel like they were enemies-to lovers in the beginning. I feel like in the beginning it was just a lonely girl that got the crap scared out of her by a boy she didn’t know. Also she didn’t know his mental state by the way he was talking, and then she had to save him. This caused a budding friendship that evolved and then he disappeared causing the “enemies” feeling on Wendy’s part.
This is the first time I’ve read a book by this author, and even though this book didn’t completely capture my heart, I would read more of her books.
I received an advanced reader’s copy via StoryOrigin. These words, thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
I have read a few different retellings of fairytales by different authors before, but not a Peter Pan one. This was an interesting one. I am glad that Wendy finally found her courage and her HEA with Peter, she definitely deserved it after all that she went through in her childhood and young adult life.
I would have like to see some of Peter’s adventures when he disappeared from Wendy’s life. In the blurb it says that Wendy and Peter were enemies-to lovers to enemies again, but I didn’t really feel like they were enemies-to lovers in the beginning. I feel like in the beginning it was just a lonely girl that got the crap scared out of her by a boy she didn’t know. Also she didn’t know his mental state by the way he was talking, and then she had to save him. This caused a budding friendship that evolved and then he disappeared causing the “enemies” feeling on Wendy’s part.
This is the first time I’ve read a book by this author, and even though this book didn’t completely capture my heart, I would read more of her books.
I received an advanced reader’s copy via StoryOrigin. These words, thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
March 16, 2023
A quick read, but could’ve been longer. I understood the goal of the story, but the execution, could’ve been better. From the beginning, the world building felt choppy and that theme of choppiness continued until the last scene of the story. It was as if the author had many ideas on where/when and how the backstory and world building should take place, but was trying to reach a minimum word count and elaborated on nothing. Wendy Hooke’s childhood was explained in a way that made-sense, but didn’t at the same time. The appearance of Peter in Wendy’s life was random, the disposition of Peter’s character had me confused whether the author was trying to paint him as a weak man, or a manly-man. I couldn’t quite figure out the angle the author was aiming for, which had me take an immediate dislike for Peter even if he were supposed to be the hero of this telling. The story itself, was not horrible. Especially due to how fast a read it was. It had a decent plot and conclusion, although it took weird twists and turns of events to get there. I did enjoy the feel of Hooke, as if it were written as old literature. I could tell the author studies the likes of Jane Austen and wanted to emulate. This book would be perfect to pick up/download if one was looking for a quick and easy read, and loves a Peter Pan re-telling with a very mild (although awkward) romance.
March 26, 2023
TW: child abuse & kidnapping
I’m so thankful for this ARC! I’ve been “hooked” (get it? I’ll see myself out) on fairytale retellings lately and I’ve been looking for just a Peter and Wendy one!
I couldn’t put it down. I went ahead and also got it on kindle after my ARC because it was THAT good. Lol
The third person/past tense is so refreshing! I love both because I get lost easily in the story. It’s my favorite way to tell a story.
I love M.C Frank’s style of writing. It’s the kind of writing that made me want to be an author. It’s beautiful, romantic, magical! A whimsical way with words that make you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
This story is set in Regency England and I love the little twists that differ from the original, especially that Wendy is Hook’s daughter!
I love the childhood to adulthood trope and the chemistry between Peter and Wendy. Peter is very much so “don’t touch her” vibes. Peter isn’t afraid to show his emotions and I love that. We love vulnerable men. I love a slow burn and I love how much build up we get to their relationship. So, so good. My only wish is that it was longer.
5 stars for me! Check this new release out on kindle unlimited now ❤️
I’m so thankful for this ARC! I’ve been “hooked” (get it? I’ll see myself out) on fairytale retellings lately and I’ve been looking for just a Peter and Wendy one!
I couldn’t put it down. I went ahead and also got it on kindle after my ARC because it was THAT good. Lol
The third person/past tense is so refreshing! I love both because I get lost easily in the story. It’s my favorite way to tell a story.
I love M.C Frank’s style of writing. It’s the kind of writing that made me want to be an author. It’s beautiful, romantic, magical! A whimsical way with words that make you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
This story is set in Regency England and I love the little twists that differ from the original, especially that Wendy is Hook’s daughter!
I love the childhood to adulthood trope and the chemistry between Peter and Wendy. Peter is very much so “don’t touch her” vibes. Peter isn’t afraid to show his emotions and I love that. We love vulnerable men. I love a slow burn and I love how much build up we get to their relationship. So, so good. My only wish is that it was longer.
5 stars for me! Check this new release out on kindle unlimited now ❤️
March 4, 2023
Hooked: Peter Pan falls for Captain Hook's daughter
♤ Arc Review ♤
With a gorgeous cover, this book promised a lot. And delivered some of that. It was such a pleasure to meet Wendy Hooke and Peter Darlington, especially in the part about the past. The moment when the two got to know each other was so unexpected and the author made it funny, too. Wendy and Peter enjoyed bickering and saying things one to another.
Two teenagers who matured far too soon formed an invisible bond and were joined by others, The Lost Ones. Wendy and Peter became sort of parents to the children and the found family trope melt my heart, I was so happy for them and at the same time, with all the danger that surrounded them I was scared for them, I didn't want any of them to get hurt.
For me, this book felt like going back to childhood and reading about teenagers who wanted to fight the bad so that the world became a better place, it was adventurous and funny and the romance part was sweet and inocent.
I wanted more from the present, from the moment when Peter returned and the end to not be so rushed, but I was happy that Peter won and we had a happy ending.
♤ Arc Review ♤
With a gorgeous cover, this book promised a lot. And delivered some of that. It was such a pleasure to meet Wendy Hooke and Peter Darlington, especially in the part about the past. The moment when the two got to know each other was so unexpected and the author made it funny, too. Wendy and Peter enjoyed bickering and saying things one to another.
Two teenagers who matured far too soon formed an invisible bond and were joined by others, The Lost Ones. Wendy and Peter became sort of parents to the children and the found family trope melt my heart, I was so happy for them and at the same time, with all the danger that surrounded them I was scared for them, I didn't want any of them to get hurt.
For me, this book felt like going back to childhood and reading about teenagers who wanted to fight the bad so that the world became a better place, it was adventurous and funny and the romance part was sweet and inocent.
I wanted more from the present, from the moment when Peter returned and the end to not be so rushed, but I was happy that Peter won and we had a happy ending.
March 5, 2023
! ARC review
First things first. I have to say: this cover is amazing. I love the design and how it promise the reader a very good fairytale retelling.
Before the story begins this ARC tells me:
Hooked might look like a quick, fun read, but don’t be fooled: it will break your heart into a million pieces.
The copy has 145 pages, so I thought it would be a quick and fun read. It’s written from third person perspective, which I find harder to read. It appears it wasn’t a quick read as I thought it would be. Sure, I read it in very few time, but the story was heavier then expected.
The story tells us about Wendy and Peter and we’re reading about their past: Wendy being 15 years old, Peter being 17. The way Wendy think/talk/do is very mature. More mature then I would expect from a 15 year old. This made it harder for me to connect with the characters in the beginning.
I like al the little references to the real Peter Pan story like the crocodile and the Captain. Because of these little thing I’m getting dragged to the ‘real’ fairytale. The regency era where the story was put in matches so well with the childhood version.
First things first. I have to say: this cover is amazing. I love the design and how it promise the reader a very good fairytale retelling.
Before the story begins this ARC tells me:
Hooked might look like a quick, fun read, but don’t be fooled: it will break your heart into a million pieces.
The copy has 145 pages, so I thought it would be a quick and fun read. It’s written from third person perspective, which I find harder to read. It appears it wasn’t a quick read as I thought it would be. Sure, I read it in very few time, but the story was heavier then expected.
The story tells us about Wendy and Peter and we’re reading about their past: Wendy being 15 years old, Peter being 17. The way Wendy think/talk/do is very mature. More mature then I would expect from a 15 year old. This made it harder for me to connect with the characters in the beginning.
I like al the little references to the real Peter Pan story like the crocodile and the Captain. Because of these little thing I’m getting dragged to the ‘real’ fairytale. The regency era where the story was put in matches so well with the childhood version.
March 14, 2023
✨ A big thank you to M.C. Frank for the ARC copy of this book! ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The stunning cover and the promise of a Bridgerton-esque retelling of one of my favorite stories had me interested from the start! Add in that in this retelling Wendy was Captain Hook’s daughter, and I was immediately sold.
The first half had me nostalgic for the story I grew up with, introducing the characters in a way that was somehow both new and familiar. While there’s no magic in Regency era London there are still a lot of nods to the original story. The first half had me hooked, all puns intended.
In the second half Peter and Wendy meet up again in the height of the courting season and it seems that he’s forgotten her. This is where I started to fall off a little. The second half of the story had so much potential but it felt rushed. It didn’t have the tension that I expect out of a lot of Regency era stories.
Overall it was still a quick and enjoyable read, I just wanted MORE - more character development of them as adults, more time for the story to breathe and the tension to build, more tension in general.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The stunning cover and the promise of a Bridgerton-esque retelling of one of my favorite stories had me interested from the start! Add in that in this retelling Wendy was Captain Hook’s daughter, and I was immediately sold.
The first half had me nostalgic for the story I grew up with, introducing the characters in a way that was somehow both new and familiar. While there’s no magic in Regency era London there are still a lot of nods to the original story. The first half had me hooked, all puns intended.
In the second half Peter and Wendy meet up again in the height of the courting season and it seems that he’s forgotten her. This is where I started to fall off a little. The second half of the story had so much potential but it felt rushed. It didn’t have the tension that I expect out of a lot of Regency era stories.
Overall it was still a quick and enjoyable read, I just wanted MORE - more character development of them as adults, more time for the story to breathe and the tension to build, more tension in general.
March 16, 2023
I was Hooked indeed by this gorgeous and refreshing retelling of Peter Pan sets in regency era. I think there are two parts of the story, first is when Peter and Wendy in their teenage years --being the parents role of the lost boys group-- and when Peter and Wendy has grown up to be in their 20s something. It's so amazing to see how highly responsible and protective Peter towards his lost boys and Wendy, knowing it's love from the start but have to held it for a long time.. and how attentive and brave Wendy is, especially when she's with Peter. Their conversation seems floating seamlessly, showing their great chemistry. It's also refreshing to see how the old story is being melted to fit the regency era. I've come to love and grew fond of the Peter, Wendy, and the lost boys adventures when they're kids.
I love the twist of this story, although it's something we can see it coming (and stated in the blurb already!). The execution and the writing was so good. I also really love that we got to see how a romantic poet hopelessly in love Peter Darlington actually is. It has been a quick precious one-two hours read that satisfied me.
I received the advanced copy of this book through StoryOrigin and leave the review voluntarily
I love the twist of this story, although it's something we can see it coming (and stated in the blurb already!). The execution and the writing was so good. I also really love that we got to see how a romantic poet hopelessly in love Peter Darlington actually is. It has been a quick precious one-two hours read that satisfied me.
I received the advanced copy of this book through StoryOrigin and leave the review voluntarily
March 16, 2023
Thank you M.C. Frank for the opportunity to ARC
"Promise me you won't forget me."
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name."
But he did forget.
5 year passed before Wendy saw Peter again and by then he was a shadow of the person she once knew, a stranger. He wasn't the one who taught her to fly, who she saved from starving to death and helped protect his lost boys, he was a gorgeous man who didn't remember her. He's a lord now, why would he remember her? Except he did and it drove him insane, he'd never forgotten her and he wanted nothing more than to be with her but he was so close to catching his enemy the Captain. Unfortunately the Captain was closer than he throught, Captain Hooke was Wendy's father.
I'm a big fan of a retelling especially when I can follow the events from the original story, seeing Peter meet Wendy and teaching her to fly, they went to 'neverland' and they were friends.
If you're looking for an easy read that has a familiar feel with darker details then this is the story for you.
"Promise me you won't forget me."
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name."
But he did forget.
5 year passed before Wendy saw Peter again and by then he was a shadow of the person she once knew, a stranger. He wasn't the one who taught her to fly, who she saved from starving to death and helped protect his lost boys, he was a gorgeous man who didn't remember her. He's a lord now, why would he remember her? Except he did and it drove him insane, he'd never forgotten her and he wanted nothing more than to be with her but he was so close to catching his enemy the Captain. Unfortunately the Captain was closer than he throught, Captain Hooke was Wendy's father.
I'm a big fan of a retelling especially when I can follow the events from the original story, seeing Peter meet Wendy and teaching her to fly, they went to 'neverland' and they were friends.
If you're looking for an easy read that has a familiar feel with darker details then this is the story for you.
April 2, 2023
I love a good retelling and having grown up with Peter Pan, I had high hopes for this book. It was a good, quick read but I was left wanted more. The book is very short, only 145 pages, but it just wasn’t long enough to be able to develop the story or the characters fully as I found I didn’t really care about them as much as I should have.
The book starts with Wendy and Peter as children and it shows their friendship blossoming. It eludes to a hint of romance but, in my opinion, not enough for the level of hatred that Wendy showed upon their reunion.
I did think that the reunion happened too quickly and that they made up too quickly but that it mainly to do with the length of the book. If the author took the story and developed it more and made it into a full length novel, this book could have so much potential.
In saying that, it was a good quick read which was enjoyable for what it was.
Thank you to M.C. Frank for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review ❤️
3 ⭐️
The book starts with Wendy and Peter as children and it shows their friendship blossoming. It eludes to a hint of romance but, in my opinion, not enough for the level of hatred that Wendy showed upon their reunion.
I did think that the reunion happened too quickly and that they made up too quickly but that it mainly to do with the length of the book. If the author took the story and developed it more and made it into a full length novel, this book could have so much potential.
In saying that, it was a good quick read which was enjoyable for what it was.
Thank you to M.C. Frank for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review ❤️
3 ⭐️
November 21, 2024
Hooked is a Peter Pan retelling where Wendy is Captain Hook's daughter. This is a quick read, coming in at 145 pages and I loved it. The first half of the book is focused on Peter and Wendy's childhood. They sneak around, get into trouble, and help the lost boys of The Hurst Boarding School for Young Boys. Until Peter leaves one night and says he will come back for her. That was his first lie.
Now it is five years later, Wendy and Peter are all grown up now. Wendy is left with a hole in her heart that Peter... Lord Darlington... left all those years ago and she must act like she does not care. Especially when Lord Darlington is acting like he has no idea who Wendy even is. That is his second lie.
This book is full of mischief, fun, adventure, deceit, and pure evil. The only reason I gave this book 4/5 was because I found myself questioning a few things in the beginning that never seemed to get resolved. (That does not ruin the book though and I may have just missed something somewhere!)
Now it is five years later, Wendy and Peter are all grown up now. Wendy is left with a hole in her heart that Peter... Lord Darlington... left all those years ago and she must act like she does not care. Especially when Lord Darlington is acting like he has no idea who Wendy even is. That is his second lie.
This book is full of mischief, fun, adventure, deceit, and pure evil. The only reason I gave this book 4/5 was because I found myself questioning a few things in the beginning that never seemed to get resolved. (That does not ruin the book though and I may have just missed something somewhere!)
March 5, 2023
Hooked - @mcfrank_author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Peter Pan falls for Captain Hook's daughter...
"Promise me you won't forget me."
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name."
But he did forget.
And she didn't see him again for years.
When she finally met him, he wasn't her Peter any longer: he was a stranger. A pirate. An enemy.
REVIEW
I love a twisted fairytale story and loved this take on Peter Pan with incorporating a criminal underworld with reference throughout too everything we love about the old classic.
I would of loved more of an insight into Peter and Wendy’s romantic relationship and more into the criminal underworld. However I finished this in a couple of hours as I was “hooked” this hasn’t been released yet and I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to read this early. This is definitely one to order when it gets released later this month.
I actually would love a paper copy as I just love the cover of this one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Peter Pan falls for Captain Hook's daughter...
"Promise me you won't forget me."
"Are you daft? I'd sooner forget my own name."
But he did forget.
And she didn't see him again for years.
When she finally met him, he wasn't her Peter any longer: he was a stranger. A pirate. An enemy.
REVIEW
I love a twisted fairytale story and loved this take on Peter Pan with incorporating a criminal underworld with reference throughout too everything we love about the old classic.
I would of loved more of an insight into Peter and Wendy’s romantic relationship and more into the criminal underworld. However I finished this in a couple of hours as I was “hooked” this hasn’t been released yet and I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to read this early. This is definitely one to order when it gets released later this month.
I actually would love a paper copy as I just love the cover of this one!
March 16, 2023
I had the honor and privilege to read Hooked early by the author. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity!
A retelling of the classic Peter Pan and Wendy set in the regency era. This one-of-a-kind retelling of Peter Pan and Wendy was very unique, the romance and adventure continued beautifully throughout the story. Instead of starting in childhood this retelling begins during adolescence and continues to early adulthood. The timeline of events felt more relatable; meeting your first love, something we can all relate to. The love between Peter and Wendy pulled at my heartstrings in a nostalgic way. Being able to follow their love through the twists and turns felt very organic.
The additional of the lost boys in a new and unexpected way really impacted the characters uniquely compared to that of the original; something I truly enjoyed and piqued my interest.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable short read that I fully intend on reading again.
A retelling of the classic Peter Pan and Wendy set in the regency era. This one-of-a-kind retelling of Peter Pan and Wendy was very unique, the romance and adventure continued beautifully throughout the story. Instead of starting in childhood this retelling begins during adolescence and continues to early adulthood. The timeline of events felt more relatable; meeting your first love, something we can all relate to. The love between Peter and Wendy pulled at my heartstrings in a nostalgic way. Being able to follow their love through the twists and turns felt very organic.
The additional of the lost boys in a new and unexpected way really impacted the characters uniquely compared to that of the original; something I truly enjoyed and piqued my interest.
Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable short read that I fully intend on reading again.
March 21, 2023
Hooked
Wendy saved Peter from starving when they were younger and they became nearly inseparable...until he left. For years she didn't understand what happened, and then Peter came back, grown and taking London by storm. And he's forgotten Wendy, or so she thought. The pair have an inseparable connection, and despite the secrets Peter holds, they may still have a future together.
Even though I have read this story in the Retold collection, I still couldn't help falling in love with Peter and Wendy. I adored their characters and love that the bad guy in all of this (Captain/Viscount Hooke) is Wendy's father. The author twisted several details around from the original version and I loved how unique they managed to make this book. I was also a huge fan of the character interactions with each, not just Peter and Wendy, but Vaughn and Hades as well.
Overall rating
5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
.5 🌶
Wendy saved Peter from starving when they were younger and they became nearly inseparable...until he left. For years she didn't understand what happened, and then Peter came back, grown and taking London by storm. And he's forgotten Wendy, or so she thought. The pair have an inseparable connection, and despite the secrets Peter holds, they may still have a future together.
Even though I have read this story in the Retold collection, I still couldn't help falling in love with Peter and Wendy. I adored their characters and love that the bad guy in all of this (Captain/Viscount Hooke) is Wendy's father. The author twisted several details around from the original version and I loved how unique they managed to make this book. I was also a huge fan of the character interactions with each, not just Peter and Wendy, but Vaughn and Hades as well.
Overall rating
5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
.5 🌶
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