A stranded soldier. A determined daughter. Can they come together to save Neverland?
I've been a good girl my whole life, twisting myself to meet everyone's expectations. But after my last adventure in the Dreamworld, I've realized that saving my beloved island is up to me. I found the key that will restore Neverland, but I don't have the magic to use it. Dare I ask the darkly handsome Captain Hook to help me? I want to, but something tells me he can't be trusted.
My entire life has been spent in service—first to help my family after my father's desertion, then serving Queen and country as a royal bodyguard. Now I'm marooned on a lost island full of pirates and faeries who have no care for the danger back in Istoire. Wendy says she has a way to get me home, but the more I work with her, the more I wonder if I really want to go back to my old life.
A budding relationship is fractured when loyalties drive Wendy and Hook apart. Will they be able to heal and work together to save Neverland? Or will the damage between them doom it for all time?
Neverland Returns is Book 8 in the Istoire Awakens series. It is a clean, fantasy-romance inspired by the beloved story, Peter & Wendy, and is best enjoyed when read in order.
In the eighth book of the Istoire Awakens series,, Rebecca once again created a beautiful and imaginative retelling that is unique enough to stand out. This book feels more like a continuation of the previous book, and so I’d recommend reading Lost in the The Looking Glass before this one. Of course, I’d recommend reading the whole series because it’s truly delightful for those interested in clean and wholesome fantasy romance.
There were a few elements that made this book feel a little less polished compared to the rest of the series. There were certain events that progressed a little too quickly, so I didn’t get as strong of a picture as I would like, or I needed to reread a line or two to make sure I understood it all. I also think a little more explanation would have helped the character development, particularly for the antagonists. For example, I don’t fully understand why the High Pixie was trying to stop the protagonists.
Additionally, though I enjoyed the romance, I had a little more difficulty connecting to this relationship. Wendy’s continued focus on a perceived betrayal by Hook, especially after she discovers his true intentions, felt like a betrayal in itself of Hook’s honor. I also thought a couple of extra scenes to show their budding romance would have given it a more natural flow, as it moved a little too quickly at times. For these reasons I’m dropping my rating to a four star.
Overall, this is a great fantasy romance. Rebecca does a beautiful job writing romance scenes, the magic is unique and fascinating, and the storyline is quite intriguing. Though a few areas could be improved, I would strongly recommend this story and the series as a whole, and I’m truly excited to see the continuation in the plot.
A wonderful retelling of "Peter Pan" that has become one of my favorite books by this author! Unlike the rest of them, however, this one requires having read some others in the series, specifically "Lost in the Looking Glass." For those who have been reading the series, this book is especially exciting because it finally has a happy ending for Hook! Wendy, who met and rescued Captain Hook while in the Dreamworld, has two projects that only the injured and recovering Hook can help her with. Hook knows his duty is to his queen and homeland, but does that duty end when he's no longer in the same world or can he let his guard down and devote his life to another? Can they, with the help of a crew of outcasts, rescue their world and possibly Hook's, too?