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Legends of Neverland #1
Becoming Hook: A Villainous Peter Pan Retelling
A pirate, a pixie, and a plot to foil Peter Pan…
James Hook never meant to become a pirate, and never dreamed that he would turn against his best friend, Peter Pan. Every adventure and eternal youth awaited them… until a pixie exposes a shocking revelation. Tinkerbell’s information forces James into acknowledging that, far from being the benevolent hero he painted himself to be, Peter Pan was kidnapping innocent children.
After accepting the traumatic loss of his hand and of the family he can barely remember, James deserts Pan. In the fight to rescue the Lost Boys, Hook will risk everything, even if that means becoming the most notorious villain in Neverland… or losing the fiery pixie who is stealing his heart.
Can the original Lost Boy vanquish Neverland’s greatest threat?
Becoming Hook is the first book in The Legends of Neverland series, but can be read as its own stand-alone novel. If you enjoy adventure, fairy tales, clean romance, and hard-won happily ever afters, drive into Becoming Hook today!
James Hook never meant to become a pirate, and never dreamed that he would turn against his best friend, Peter Pan. Every adventure and eternal youth awaited them… until a pixie exposes a shocking revelation. Tinkerbell’s information forces James into acknowledging that, far from being the benevolent hero he painted himself to be, Peter Pan was kidnapping innocent children.
After accepting the traumatic loss of his hand and of the family he can barely remember, James deserts Pan. In the fight to rescue the Lost Boys, Hook will risk everything, even if that means becoming the most notorious villain in Neverland… or losing the fiery pixie who is stealing his heart.
Can the original Lost Boy vanquish Neverland’s greatest threat?
Becoming Hook is the first book in The Legends of Neverland series, but can be read as its own stand-alone novel. If you enjoy adventure, fairy tales, clean romance, and hard-won happily ever afters, drive into Becoming Hook today!
318 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2023
730 people are currently reading
9949 people want to read
About the author
Mary Mecham
19 books758 followersMary Mecham writes high stakes, high swoon, no spice romantasy and fairy tale retellings packed full of adventure and romances. Her greatest joy is writing snarky banter and morally grey characters.
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
May 11, 2023
By far my favorite Peter Pan retelling I've ever read!!
May 13, 2023
I had so much fun reading this story. I had been in a bad reading slump for a long time, but this book grabbed my interest, and I devoured it in two days. James and Tink are so cute, and I’m all about stories where Hook is the hero and Pan is the villain. If you’re looking for an adventure with a sweet romance, I very much recommend this book.
May 11, 2023
Jimmy and Peter Pan are best friends. They have numerous adventures together with the other Lost Boys in Neverland, and they never age. But then a pixie reveals the truth to Jimmy: that Peter Pan kidnaps the boys and makes them forget their parents. After Tinkerbell's reveal the former friends become enemies instead, since Jimmy does everything he can to save the boys and take them home again. But for every Lost Boy he and Tinkerbell save Peter just kidnaps another one. Will they ever outsmart Peter Pan?
A retelling where Peter Pan is the villain and James Hook the hero! We get to know how James (Jimmy) lost his hand and unexpectedly became captain of a pirate ship - and thereby got his name. We also get to know why Lost Boys don't age while humans do. We first follow James as a Lost Boy, but after leaving Peter he grows up, just like the boys that chose to go with him.
There are many similarities to the original story, but with the author's own twist to the events and characters. I like what Mecham's done and many times I've had my heart in my throat, wondering what will happen. The only thing I want to complain about is that it gets somewhat repetitive. The fights with Peter Pan all look quite alike and maybe some scenes could have been edited out to tighten the story, but it's probably more a matter of personal taste. I can certainly recommend Becoming Hook to anyone who enjoys retellings in general, and Peter Pan/Captain Hook especially!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
A retelling where Peter Pan is the villain and James Hook the hero! We get to know how James (Jimmy) lost his hand and unexpectedly became captain of a pirate ship - and thereby got his name. We also get to know why Lost Boys don't age while humans do. We first follow James as a Lost Boy, but after leaving Peter he grows up, just like the boys that chose to go with him.
There are many similarities to the original story, but with the author's own twist to the events and characters. I like what Mecham's done and many times I've had my heart in my throat, wondering what will happen. The only thing I want to complain about is that it gets somewhat repetitive. The fights with Peter Pan all look quite alike and maybe some scenes could have been edited out to tighten the story, but it's probably more a matter of personal taste. I can certainly recommend Becoming Hook to anyone who enjoys retellings in general, and Peter Pan/Captain Hook especially!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
December 15, 2023
I wanted to do it, but I couldn't. I didn't like the characters. They felt very fanfiction-y for me and two dimensional. Like the author was leaning too heavily on original content rather than letting the characters be their own people. There was nothing plotwise holding me to the story or keeping me reading. I was starting to get the feeling of dreading coming back to it, like being threatened by the dentist, so I decided I needed to be done. Usually, I enjoy this author's work a fair bit, but this one just wasn't for me. It felt sloppy and lacked drive.
June 28, 2023
A sweet romantic Peter Pan retelling. An origin story of Captain Hook that gives a nod to the disney movie. The story started out slow but really enjoyed the adventure as it kept going. I loved Hook and Tinkerbell.
May 17, 2025
⁺˚⋆｡°☠︎︎₊☠︎︎°｡⋆˚⁺⁺˚⋆｡°☠︎︎₊☠︎︎°｡⋆˚⁺⁺˚⋆｡°☠︎︎₊☠︎︎°｡⋆˚⁺⁺˚
🏴☠️~Genres~🏴☠️
Retelling/Fantasy/Romance/Clean/Friends to lovers
“Better an honest pirate than a thieving Lost Boy.”
🐊~Characters~🐊
(Jimmy AKA James AKA captain hook) MMC omg he is the nicest pirate ever, and he loves Tink so much. I Abso freaking lutely loved him!
(Tinkerbell "Tink") FMC FEISTY FLIRTY PIXIE
She is so perfect for James. Absolutely loved her!
(Peter pan) VILLAIN didn't like him in the slightest.
(Smee) LOST BOY I liked him.
(Wendy Darling) Gosh she was annoying she was all wide eyed and blushing anytime pan was around.
(John Darling) He was ok.
(Michael Darling) I liked him I guess.
“Do you even remember your family?”
🧚♂️~Quotes~🧚♂️
Jimmy was stuck in Neverland just as the pixies were stuck in cages. They were all prisoners…prisoners of Peter Pan.
“There’s my honorable, responsible pirate.”“I still don’t think you understand what a pirate is, Tink.”
James became even more acutely aware of what it felt like to be sitting next to a beautiful woman, a sensation that both captivated and terrified him,
“Not as ugly as Captain Hook!” quipped Slightly. Several boys laughed, and a knot formed in Tink’s stomach. She wished to give Slightly a swift kick to the backside for criticizing James. They didn’t see how handsome he was.
James’s mind struggled to process. He had no experience whatsoever with romance other than the few times Tinkerbell read him mushy passages from the siren book that she liked so much. Did she want romance…with him? Those certainly were the vibes he was getting, but the logic didn’t compute. No pixie as beautiful and vivacious as Tinkerbell would want to entangle herself with a pirate who bordered on obsessed with his vendetta against Peter Pan.
Tink remained silent for several long moments before she pulled her leg away from James and said with unusual formality, “I’ve clearly made unwanted advances toward you in the past, and I feel like I need to apologize.”“It was never unwanted.” James didn’t hesitate for a moment in his response.
🗡️~What I liked ~🗡️
The cover, The map, the page age dividers, The chapter headings, That pan is the villain, The pixie hollow aspects, The Fact that Tinkerbell reads, The ending so perfect, how James is such a nice pirate.
He had been a fool. Love had made him a fool.
⏱️~What I disliked~⏱️
Nothing this book was perfect!
“Nah, Jimmy the pirate doesn’t sound very ferocious. Call me Captain Hook.”
🦟~Trigger/content warnings~🦟
Blood, Medical treatment, Betrayal, Death, Death of a family member(s), torture, slavery, Animal cruelty/Death (In self defense)
Peter and Jimmy, Jimmy and Peter. You couldn’t have one without the other…until now.
✨~language~✨
None.
🏴☠️~Genres~🏴☠️
Retelling/Fantasy/Romance/Clean/Friends to lovers
“Better an honest pirate than a thieving Lost Boy.”
🐊~Characters~🐊
(Jimmy AKA James AKA captain hook) MMC omg he is the nicest pirate ever, and he loves Tink so much. I Abso freaking lutely loved him!
(Tinkerbell "Tink") FMC FEISTY FLIRTY PIXIE
She is so perfect for James. Absolutely loved her!
(Peter pan) VILLAIN didn't like him in the slightest.
(Smee) LOST BOY I liked him.
(Wendy Darling) Gosh she was annoying she was all wide eyed and blushing anytime pan was around.
(John Darling) He was ok.
(Michael Darling) I liked him I guess.
“Do you even remember your family?”
🧚♂️~Quotes~🧚♂️
Jimmy was stuck in Neverland just as the pixies were stuck in cages. They were all prisoners…prisoners of Peter Pan.
“There’s my honorable, responsible pirate.”“I still don’t think you understand what a pirate is, Tink.”
James became even more acutely aware of what it felt like to be sitting next to a beautiful woman, a sensation that both captivated and terrified him,
“Not as ugly as Captain Hook!” quipped Slightly. Several boys laughed, and a knot formed in Tink’s stomach. She wished to give Slightly a swift kick to the backside for criticizing James. They didn’t see how handsome he was.
James’s mind struggled to process. He had no experience whatsoever with romance other than the few times Tinkerbell read him mushy passages from the siren book that she liked so much. Did she want romance…with him? Those certainly were the vibes he was getting, but the logic didn’t compute. No pixie as beautiful and vivacious as Tinkerbell would want to entangle herself with a pirate who bordered on obsessed with his vendetta against Peter Pan.
Tink remained silent for several long moments before she pulled her leg away from James and said with unusual formality, “I’ve clearly made unwanted advances toward you in the past, and I feel like I need to apologize.”“It was never unwanted.” James didn’t hesitate for a moment in his response.
🗡️~What I liked ~🗡️
The cover, The map, the page age dividers, The chapter headings, That pan is the villain, The pixie hollow aspects, The Fact that Tinkerbell reads, The ending so perfect, how James is such a nice pirate.
He had been a fool. Love had made him a fool.
⏱️~What I disliked~⏱️
Nothing this book was perfect!
“Nah, Jimmy the pirate doesn’t sound very ferocious. Call me Captain Hook.”
🦟~Trigger/content warnings~🦟
Blood, Medical treatment, Betrayal, Death, Death of a family member(s), torture, slavery, Animal cruelty/Death (In self defense)
Peter and Jimmy, Jimmy and Peter. You couldn’t have one without the other…until now.
✨~language~✨
None.
April 1, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
It’s not secret I love the story of Peter Pan. Faults and all, it’s a nostalgic part of my childhood and a beautiful tale in its own way.
Finding retellings has been a bit difficult, particularly as I see plenty of ones with Hook x Wendy (which just feels icky) or ones with content I would never read.
This one I found thoroughly enjoyable. What of young James was a Lost Boy who escaped an evil Peter Pan, rescued Tinkerbell, and then set out to save the other Lost Boys or die trying? Basically, what if Hook is only a villain because we only got Peter’s side of the story? Sign me up! James & Tink as best friends-to-lovers was very sweetly done. The changed role of Smee honestly blew my mind, and I loved it.
Something I picked up from Mecham’s other novels is her brilliant grasp on jaw-dropping plot twists. If you’ve read The Midnight Blizzard or Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice you know what I’m talking about—if not, go read them immediately. I didn’t feel that same level of surprise here, but I was going to riot if things didn’t turn out a certain way, haha.
Perfect for Peter Pan lovers and lovers of no-spice yet epic upper-YA fantasy!
Content: kissing only, somewhat passionately but not physically descriptive; brief mention of James noticing Tink has curves
It’s not secret I love the story of Peter Pan. Faults and all, it’s a nostalgic part of my childhood and a beautiful tale in its own way.
Finding retellings has been a bit difficult, particularly as I see plenty of ones with Hook x Wendy (which just feels icky) or ones with content I would never read.
This one I found thoroughly enjoyable. What of young James was a Lost Boy who escaped an evil Peter Pan, rescued Tinkerbell, and then set out to save the other Lost Boys or die trying? Basically, what if Hook is only a villain because we only got Peter’s side of the story? Sign me up! James & Tink as best friends-to-lovers was very sweetly done. The changed role of Smee honestly blew my mind, and I loved it.
Something I picked up from Mecham’s other novels is her brilliant grasp on jaw-dropping plot twists. If you’ve read The Midnight Blizzard or Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice you know what I’m talking about—if not, go read them immediately. I didn’t feel that same level of surprise here, but I was going to riot if things didn’t turn out a certain way, haha.
Perfect for Peter Pan lovers and lovers of no-spice yet epic upper-YA fantasy!
Content: kissing only, somewhat passionately but not physically descriptive; brief mention of James noticing Tink has curves
Want to read
September 28, 2025"Never thought he'd turn against his best friend Peter pan" UMMM ESCUSE ME:??!?!?!!?!??! Last I checked HOOK WASNT FRIENDS WITH PETER PAN BUT LIKE EEKKKKKK I LOVE THAT..... Adds to my to-read shelf
January 15, 2024
I loved this so much.
Oh my goshhh you need to read this!! If you like once upon a time and have seen the season there in neverland you will love this!!! James and Tink are such lovable characters and you can't help but fall in love with them and there story❤️
So so magical! I loved James.. he was so inspiring he never gave up on his cause to stop Pan even if it took years!! Also tinker bell was perfect I loved her, i loved how she spied on Pan🤣 how beautiful her pixie dust was described, her sense of humor and how much her and James loved each other!
It was really cool in the first part of the story to see James little by little figure out how awful Pan really is ( a lot of it thanks to Tink) and it hurt him that he participated in harming pixies and mermaids ( he didn't really know what he was doing though)😢 but seeing him get braver and stronger throughout the story is really cool.
That ending where Tink almost died had me crying😢 and then James screaming that he loves her! They saved each other and gave each other hope😢😢🥲 There wedding was amazing I loved that her dress was gold!
Peter Pan was awful the things he did to pixies and mermaids🤢. I do wish that we had his pov at least once to know how he became this way? So hateful and ig we get a little bit of it but its from Tinks perspective I hate him and I hope he gets what he deserves but ig we won't fully know what happens to him until book two...
Overall this is 5 stars so magical, romantic and perfect story of fighting for good over evil!
Oh my goshhh you need to read this!! If you like once upon a time and have seen the season there in neverland you will love this!!! James and Tink are such lovable characters and you can't help but fall in love with them and there story❤️
So so magical! I loved James.. he was so inspiring he never gave up on his cause to stop Pan even if it took years!! Also tinker bell was perfect I loved her, i loved how she spied on Pan🤣 how beautiful her pixie dust was described, her sense of humor and how much her and James loved each other!
It was really cool in the first part of the story to see James little by little figure out how awful Pan really is ( a lot of it thanks to Tink) and it hurt him that he participated in harming pixies and mermaids ( he didn't really know what he was doing though)😢 but seeing him get braver and stronger throughout the story is really cool.
That ending where Tink almost died had me crying😢 and then James screaming that he loves her! They saved each other and gave each other hope😢😢🥲 There wedding was amazing I loved that her dress was gold!
Peter Pan was awful the things he did to pixies and mermaids🤢. I do wish that we had his pov at least once to know how he became this way? So hateful and ig we get a little bit of it but its from Tinks perspective I hate him and I hope he gets what he deserves but ig we won't fully know what happens to him until book two...
Overall this is 5 stars so magical, romantic and perfect story of fighting for good over evil!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2023
This book "Hooked" me from the start!!
This is going to sound weird, but as soon as the author started describing the disgusting home the lost boys lived in, I knew I was going to love this book. The attention to detail was mind-blowing and so beautifully interwoven into the writing.
As for the actual story... Where do I begin! The characters are so deep and lovable. I instantly feel in love with Hook ❤️ Peter was the perfect boyish villain! He didn't feel too mature for being eternally young, but also didn't come across as under-intimidating (is that a word? It is now!)
Tinkerbell was darling! She was such a great match for Hook and I loved all their interactions together! The story was fresh and kept me on my toes with some twists that had me bouncing in my seat. I am not a lover of Peter Pan stories usually... But this one changed that for me! I loved every minute of it and hope to reread it soon 🥰
This is going to sound weird, but as soon as the author started describing the disgusting home the lost boys lived in, I knew I was going to love this book. The attention to detail was mind-blowing and so beautifully interwoven into the writing.
As for the actual story... Where do I begin! The characters are so deep and lovable. I instantly feel in love with Hook ❤️ Peter was the perfect boyish villain! He didn't feel too mature for being eternally young, but also didn't come across as under-intimidating (is that a word? It is now!)
Tinkerbell was darling! She was such a great match for Hook and I loved all their interactions together! The story was fresh and kept me on my toes with some twists that had me bouncing in my seat. I am not a lover of Peter Pan stories usually... But this one changed that for me! I loved every minute of it and hope to reread it soon 🥰
June 1, 2023
4.5 stars
Becoming Hook was an amazing book!
This was my first read by author Mary Mecham and I fell in love with her writing style!
It took me a while to get into the story at first, as I found the first chapters a little childish (but.. you know… it’s from the perspective of a child so… that’s a given) but it was largely compensated by the rest of the book! From part 2 onwards, I could not put the book down and lost a few hours of sleep in it!!
The book gripped me for a large amount of time and the action flowed naturally. The story was unusual but very appealing and I loved the many elements of the original story that were included in the story and remodelled to serve the plot. Excellent!!
Content Warning: noticing, Male MC notices Female MC’s curves and mentions how she’s beautiful and his heart races when he touches her skin. Some kisses, non descriptive but « passionate ». Overall tame but I would still recommend it more to adults.
Becoming Hook was an amazing book!
This was my first read by author Mary Mecham and I fell in love with her writing style!
It took me a while to get into the story at first, as I found the first chapters a little childish (but.. you know… it’s from the perspective of a child so… that’s a given) but it was largely compensated by the rest of the book! From part 2 onwards, I could not put the book down and lost a few hours of sleep in it!!
The book gripped me for a large amount of time and the action flowed naturally. The story was unusual but very appealing and I loved the many elements of the original story that were included in the story and remodelled to serve the plot. Excellent!!
Content Warning: noticing, Male MC notices Female MC’s curves and mentions how she’s beautiful and his heart races when he touches her skin. Some kisses, non descriptive but « passionate ». Overall tame but I would still recommend it more to adults.
June 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this book so much! It was a great read, definitely recommend if you like fairy tale retellings with clean romance! ❤️
September 10, 2024
I laughed, I cried, it moved me Bob
Okay no really though.
James Hook and Tinkerbell are so perfect for each other and this whole book is such an emotional rollercoaster.
I love the real life themes of seeking redemption and restitution. Of being brave and taking up a cause that needs advocating, of fighting against evil which others call good.
This book was seriously deep.
Then add in the fact that one of the characters struggles with mental health issues and taking care of themselves when stressed and this book basically became a therapy session.
So therapy session plus magic, mythical creatures, fairy dust, a swoony kiss or two, and an epic ending and you have a perfect book.
I said it.
It's perfection.
And that ending 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Now go read it.
💋Swoony kisses only
⚠️Peter Pan kidnaps and drugs boys, James Hook looses a hand, mental health struggles, and fighting and emotional hardship. But all in THE BEST WAY
Okay no really though.
James Hook and Tinkerbell are so perfect for each other and this whole book is such an emotional rollercoaster.
I love the real life themes of seeking redemption and restitution. Of being brave and taking up a cause that needs advocating, of fighting against evil which others call good.
This book was seriously deep.
Then add in the fact that one of the characters struggles with mental health issues and taking care of themselves when stressed and this book basically became a therapy session.
So therapy session plus magic, mythical creatures, fairy dust, a swoony kiss or two, and an epic ending and you have a perfect book.
I said it.
It's perfection.
And that ending 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Now go read it.
💋Swoony kisses only
⚠️Peter Pan kidnaps and drugs boys, James Hook looses a hand, mental health struggles, and fighting and emotional hardship. But all in THE BEST WAY
March 28, 2023
Bear with me everyone, this is my first review. Also no major spoilers so you can go ahead and read :)
I received Becoming Hook after signing up for an Advanced Reader's Copy, but honestly even if I hadn't, I'd have picked this one up because really? A fairy tale retelling?? With Captain Hook as the good guy??? Sign me up!
Especially because my entire mental image of him is permanently set to Killian from Once Upon a Time :)
"There are battles worth fighting for. There are hills worth dying on. This is one of them."
I enjoyed this book a lot! It's fast-paced and short, so it makes for a fun and quick read. The plot was engaging and a definite fun twist on the original story of Peter Pan! I especially loved the romance between Hook and Tinkerbell because AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
I received Becoming Hook after signing up for an Advanced Reader's Copy, but honestly even if I hadn't, I'd have picked this one up because really? A fairy tale retelling?? With Captain Hook as the good guy??? Sign me up!
Especially because my entire mental image of him is permanently set to Killian from Once Upon a Time :)
"There are battles worth fighting for. There are hills worth dying on. This is one of them."
I enjoyed this book a lot! It's fast-paced and short, so it makes for a fun and quick read. The plot was engaging and a definite fun twist on the original story of Peter Pan! I especially loved the romance between Hook and Tinkerbell because AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
"We all are the writers of our own stories"
"Well, I'd rather my story not be a romance novel"
When I tell you Tink was CARRYING the relationship at the beginning...
But no, they were so innocent. So pure. They were SO. CUTE.
The book was clean, too, which is infinitely appreciated given that I'm fasting; I'm going to put this one up on my Instagram page as a certified Halal Book Rec because it's literally perfect for it. Find me on Instagram @thisishids if you so please.
For tropes, I'd call this more of a friends-to-lovers because the enemy-ship didn't last very long.
So all in all, I think this was a solid read - and it's the first in a standalone series, so I can't wait! You can bet I'll be carrying on with Legends of Neverland (not least because that's such a cool name???)
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick but sweet read with a plot that alternatively makes you swoon or want to pull your hair out because the villain drives you up the WALL. But you know. In the way villains are supposed to
5 stars for a fun time!
Read
October 28, 2023Endless childhood might sound like a dream, but upon closer examination, maybe it's a nightmare.
When the first Lost Boy of Neverland stops drinking his pixie dust laced milk, he starts to examine his life with new eyes. It takes him a while to realize the pixie dust grants the Lost Boys endless youth. Without it, he's growing up. And with age comes perspective and responsibility.
Horrified to realize Peter Pan's kidnapping is stealing children from their families, Jimmie sheds his childh name and assumes the title James Hook. With the help of the first pixie he ever freed, Tinkerbell, he makes it his mission to oppose Peter Pan and return the Lost Boys to London.
My Thoughts
The premise of this book is impeccable. I wanted to read it as soon as I read the blurb.
The execution fell a bit short for me. Much of the story feels like it's being summarized rather than truly told, which made it hard for me to truly immerse myself in the narrative. I felt like I was skating over the top, observing incredible depths of possibility, but not quite sinking into it. This improved at the half way point and again around 75%.
Despite my complaints, I'm kind of curious what James and Tink discover as they venture beyond Neverland, so maybe I'll be back for book two.
Content
There was no profanity, though there are several mentions of characters swearing or considering making a rude gesture.
There is also no mention of religion.
The pirates and Lost Boys get into many fights, but these are pretty PG.
The romance in the story consists of James being baffled by what to do with his growing feelings for Tink, culminating in a very enthusiastic first kiss that turns into a first kissing session. There are no physical romantic displays beyond kissing, holding hands, Hook carrying Tink a few times, etc. It's also worth noting... Tinkerbell can grow to human size. She's not tiny all the time.
When the first Lost Boy of Neverland stops drinking his pixie dust laced milk, he starts to examine his life with new eyes. It takes him a while to realize the pixie dust grants the Lost Boys endless youth. Without it, he's growing up. And with age comes perspective and responsibility.
Horrified to realize Peter Pan's kidnapping is stealing children from their families, Jimmie sheds his childh name and assumes the title James Hook. With the help of the first pixie he ever freed, Tinkerbell, he makes it his mission to oppose Peter Pan and return the Lost Boys to London.
My Thoughts
The premise of this book is impeccable. I wanted to read it as soon as I read the blurb.
The execution fell a bit short for me. Much of the story feels like it's being summarized rather than truly told, which made it hard for me to truly immerse myself in the narrative. I felt like I was skating over the top, observing incredible depths of possibility, but not quite sinking into it. This improved at the half way point and again around 75%.
Despite my complaints, I'm kind of curious what James and Tink discover as they venture beyond Neverland, so maybe I'll be back for book two.
Content
There was no profanity, though there are several mentions of characters swearing or considering making a rude gesture.
There is also no mention of religion.
The pirates and Lost Boys get into many fights, but these are pretty PG.
The romance in the story consists of James being baffled by what to do with his growing feelings for Tink, culminating in a very enthusiastic first kiss that turns into a first kissing session. There are no physical romantic displays beyond kissing, holding hands, Hook carrying Tink a few times, etc. It's also worth noting... Tinkerbell can grow to human size. She's not tiny all the time.
March 31, 2025
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. ⭐️
This was my first time reading Mary Mecham's work, and I was not disappointed. I was literally hooked (get it 😉) from the very first page, and I just binged the last 60% of the book since last night.
In this Peter Pan retelling, things may look a bit different than you remember in Neverland...Captain Hook is the hero, who falls in love with Tinkerbell, and together they fight the evil Peter Pan who has been kidnapping and drugging children (by putting pixie dust in their milk). This retelling was so creative, and fun to read! I love how the characters and moments from the classic tale and the Disney movie were incorporated, it was fun to spot them. The romance between Hook and Tink was sweet, and I loved the ending (but no spoilers! 🤭).
Also, it was clean! The only content to be aware of: some pretty tame violence, kidnapping, drugging (pixie dust in milk), and some tragic backstories and plots.
Romantic content: clean, barely detailed kisses only, some noticing and thoughts of wanting to touch each other (nothing inappropriate).
If you're looking for an engaging fairytale retelling, this one is a fun choice!
This was my first time reading Mary Mecham's work, and I was not disappointed. I was literally hooked (get it 😉) from the very first page, and I just binged the last 60% of the book since last night.
In this Peter Pan retelling, things may look a bit different than you remember in Neverland...Captain Hook is the hero, who falls in love with Tinkerbell, and together they fight the evil Peter Pan who has been kidnapping and drugging children (by putting pixie dust in their milk). This retelling was so creative, and fun to read! I love how the characters and moments from the classic tale and the Disney movie were incorporated, it was fun to spot them. The romance between Hook and Tink was sweet, and I loved the ending (but no spoilers! 🤭).
Also, it was clean! The only content to be aware of: some pretty tame violence, kidnapping, drugging (pixie dust in milk), and some tragic backstories and plots.
Romantic content: clean, barely detailed kisses only, some noticing and thoughts of wanting to touch each other (nothing inappropriate).
If you're looking for an engaging fairytale retelling, this one is a fun choice!
January 5, 2025
4 Stars
Kindle Unlimited
I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Peter Pan. Peter Pan is the villain, and Captain Hook is the hero! It was unique enough to keep me interested but kept the elements that made it "Neverland". My only complaint would be that I wanted the battle scenes to be more epic! They were good but definitely not epic! But overall, a really good read. I will be continuing the series!
Kindle Unlimited
I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Peter Pan. Peter Pan is the villain, and Captain Hook is the hero! It was unique enough to keep me interested but kept the elements that made it "Neverland". My only complaint would be that I wanted the battle scenes to be more epic! They were good but definitely not epic! But overall, a really good read. I will be continuing the series!
July 27, 2025
Such a creative retelling of Peter Pan! Captured my attention immediately and kept my interest throughout. Needless to say, I was hooked😜
August 20, 2025
A really fun Peter Pan retelling I quite enjoyed it. Though there’s some action, it’s a slower more relaxed read. I look forward to continuing with the series!
October 17, 2025
My hat is off. This is an incredibly well thought out retelling, and I most assuredly enjoyed it. The book opened extremely fast, in my opinion, but I think that allowed for it to be a very decent length. The author's writing kind of reminded me of mine, which was really cool to notice. Peter Pan retellings make me a bit nervous because I love the story so much, but this was really good!
May 1, 2023
Be careful! Even though this book can’t *actually* take you to Neverland, if you’re like me, when you come up for air after reading it you might realize that more time has passed than you realized. This book is one of those that grabs you and pulls you in, immersing you completely in the world and the characters.
The world-building in this story is phenomenal. Mecham has written a Neverland that is both familiar and nostalgic and completely fresh and new at the same time. The scenery, the magic, the sights and smells and sounds—all of it is so expertly woven into the narrative that descriptions never feel stilted or out of place.
And the characters. Oh my goodness, the characters. One of the strengths of Mecham’s writing is her ability to craft characters with depth and believable development. She does dialogue SO WELL, and the banter between Hook and Tink might be some of my favorite that she’s ever done. Tinkerbell is a delightful combination of spunk, stubbornness, and heart, and the perfect foil to Hook. Captain Hook in this retelling is complicated and deep and swoony and so completely relatable in his growth and struggles. I love the backstory and fresh take we get on this villainous character.
I was so sad when this book was over, but so greatly look forward to the next in the series!!
The world-building in this story is phenomenal. Mecham has written a Neverland that is both familiar and nostalgic and completely fresh and new at the same time. The scenery, the magic, the sights and smells and sounds—all of it is so expertly woven into the narrative that descriptions never feel stilted or out of place.
And the characters. Oh my goodness, the characters. One of the strengths of Mecham’s writing is her ability to craft characters with depth and believable development. She does dialogue SO WELL, and the banter between Hook and Tink might be some of my favorite that she’s ever done. Tinkerbell is a delightful combination of spunk, stubbornness, and heart, and the perfect foil to Hook. Captain Hook in this retelling is complicated and deep and swoony and so completely relatable in his growth and struggles. I love the backstory and fresh take we get on this villainous character.
I was so sad when this book was over, but so greatly look forward to the next in the series!!
January 13, 2024
I had so much fun with this book! This is my favorite fairytale retelling to date! I don't much care for the original Peter Pan fairy tale (waayyyy to much trouble can come from a bunch of unsupervised boys) but this version with Pan as the villian as Hook as the hero actually made a lot of sense!
You can see the roots of the OG story and how the "real story" could have gotten misconstrued over time. All of the characters are present, but maybe not in the way you would think; for example, Tinkerbell is allies with Hook.
There is also a sweet romance between Hook and Tinkerbell. (Tinkerbell, along with other pixies, has the ability to grow into human size.) Their romance is a friends to lovers trope as Hook is terrified of loosing Tink if he admits his feelings for her; he reasons there's no way she could ever love a human with a past like his.
This book has everything you could want in a fairytale retelling. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
Christian faith rating: 0/3 clean fiction
You can see the roots of the OG story and how the "real story" could have gotten misconstrued over time. All of the characters are present, but maybe not in the way you would think; for example, Tinkerbell is allies with Hook.
There is also a sweet romance between Hook and Tinkerbell. (Tinkerbell, along with other pixies, has the ability to grow into human size.) Their romance is a friends to lovers trope as Hook is terrified of loosing Tink if he admits his feelings for her; he reasons there's no way she could ever love a human with a past like his.
This book has everything you could want in a fairytale retelling. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
Christian faith rating: 0/3 clean fiction
May 1, 2023
I will never look at Peter Pan and Hook the same! Never!
This book has Once Upon a Time vibes with an unexpected hero and a touch of romance that will melt your heart.
I have to be honest. It took me much too long to finish this book. Not because of bad writing or plot issues or any other such thing. But I simply put the book down over and over and over again because I was either furious or so upset by the twist in plot that I needed a breath.
The entire time I read this ARC I was texting a fellow booklover telling her that she simply had to read it. I have to honestly say I hope that print copies are available at time of release or shortly there after - this is a book that deserve a spot on my shelf; and it has to be one of my favourite fairy tale re-tellings to date.
This book has Once Upon a Time vibes with an unexpected hero and a touch of romance that will melt your heart.
I have to be honest. It took me much too long to finish this book. Not because of bad writing or plot issues or any other such thing. But I simply put the book down over and over and over again because I was either furious or so upset by the twist in plot that I needed a breath.
The entire time I read this ARC I was texting a fellow booklover telling her that she simply had to read it. I have to honestly say I hope that print copies are available at time of release or shortly there after - this is a book that deserve a spot on my shelf; and it has to be one of my favourite fairy tale re-tellings to date.
October 26, 2024
I started out thinking I would like this book. Part 1 was good, but part 2 started to lose me, and part 3 had me fighting a DNF. I did make it through, but I definitely won’t be continuing on with the series. There was something about the book that kept me from enjoying it. It seemed to drag on and on. I suppose there was action, but it wasn’t engaging action. There was almost a monotony to it, an ongoing repetition of defeats and angst. I like the twist on the Peter Pan story, just not the execution of it.
Content:
There’s no foul language or sex. The romance is clean with only a few kisses. There is violence, but it’s not excessive. There is magic. There’s no mention of faith or God.
Content:
There’s no foul language or sex. The romance is clean with only a few kisses. There is violence, but it’s not excessive. There is magic. There’s no mention of faith or God.
April 12, 2024
Such a fun Peter Pan retelling!
September 14, 2024
I believe this is my new favorite Peter Pan retelling. Once I started reading, I could hardly make myself put it down, finishing it over the course of one day (not one sitting - only because of work)!
This was such a fun journey, with so many neat tie-ins to both the original tale of Peter Pan and the Disney version. Names such as Captain James Hook, Tinkerbell, and Smee were familiar, as were some of the names of the Lost Boys. Tiger Lily also made an appearance, but I loved the approach that the author took with some of the characters, using them in the story but giving them a new twist. I LOVED finding out some of the twists with Smee and his descendants as well. The name Terrance being mentioned in relation to Tinkerbell also made me smile at one point (the animated Tinkerbell movies, anyone?)
And even though so much of the world was familiar, the new details that the author focused on were so welcome. I enjoyed the dynamics of time working differently on Neverland versus "London" and the pressure that that aspect put on the characters, as well as the ability that the pixies had to grow and shrink. The brief parts with sirens/mermaids was also fascinating, as were the story problems that came up with their blood, and the pixies blood. In general, the new world-building was done so well, even with a world I was already pretty familiar with.
I do have some story questions that weren't answered, but I assume that they're explained more in the next books (i.e. where did Hook's ship come from? What are they doing with Peter? etc.) I'll keep reading in the series to see.
I liked Jimmy/Captain Hook from the start. I'm a sucker for a good villain-is-actually-the-hero retelling and this is one of my favorites now. Although I would have liked to see a bit more of his life with Peter before his change of heart, I loved the backstory that was provided, and found the glimpses of his life that we received fascinating. He was a character I could root for and respect, and I'm so glad he has gotten his own happy ending - even if he makes questionable decisions sometimes. I could also very much relate to his "workaholic-ness", haha.
Tinkerbell wasn't as vivid a character for me. For some reason, I just couldn't relate or connect with her as much, but I still enjoyed her place in the story. She was fiery and resourceful and clearly did care about Hook. Their relationship was really sweet - a bit insta-love in a couple of places, I thought (I wonder why five years of nothing between them went by and then all of a sudden BAM they're in love) - but I didn't really mind. It was a cute dynamic and I was rooting for them.
And Peter. Oh my, Peter. It made me so sad to see what he was like here, but it also made sense. His actions and personality fit perfectly with the story, and even though he is the WORST, he's very well-written and vivid. I am interested to see what happens with him later on in the series because I think he's too powerful a character to just be thrown away after one book.
My only qualms were that the romance made me a tad bit uncomfortable at one place in particular (nothing inappropriate at all, just a bit more touchy-feely than I usually read), and some of the writing itself could have been polished more. But neither were big enough issues to hinder my enjoyment of the story, and I know it's largely personal preference.
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this and am going to continue on in the series. Mecham has such a refreshing take on fairy tale retellings and I have yet to read one of her books that I haven't really enjoyed. Especially as many of her themes are ones that I hold close in my life.
So if you enjoy fairy tale retellings with sweet romance, interesting characters, fun spins on familiar classics, and a bit of banter, you might love this one! Especially if you're a fan of Disney's Peter Pan and/or Disney's Tinkerbell movies. I'd probably recommend 14+ for this one.
Content to be aware of: some kisses (tame but passionate), a woman wraps her legs around a man's waist while kissing him, brief mentions of a woman's curves and finding her attractive, a hand is cut off, mental health struggles/depression, kidnapping, "drugging" with Pixie dust, violence in battles, a character recounts her people being tortured and "experimented on", loss.
This was such a fun journey, with so many neat tie-ins to both the original tale of Peter Pan and the Disney version. Names such as Captain James Hook, Tinkerbell, and Smee were familiar, as were some of the names of the Lost Boys. Tiger Lily also made an appearance, but I loved the approach that the author took with some of the characters, using them in the story but giving them a new twist. I LOVED finding out some of the twists with Smee and his descendants as well. The name Terrance being mentioned in relation to Tinkerbell also made me smile at one point (the animated Tinkerbell movies, anyone?)
And even though so much of the world was familiar, the new details that the author focused on were so welcome. I enjoyed the dynamics of time working differently on Neverland versus "London" and the pressure that that aspect put on the characters, as well as the ability that the pixies had to grow and shrink. The brief parts with sirens/mermaids was also fascinating, as were the story problems that came up with their blood, and the pixies blood. In general, the new world-building was done so well, even with a world I was already pretty familiar with.
I do have some story questions that weren't answered, but I assume that they're explained more in the next books (i.e. where did Hook's ship come from? What are they doing with Peter? etc.) I'll keep reading in the series to see.
I liked Jimmy/Captain Hook from the start. I'm a sucker for a good villain-is-actually-the-hero retelling and this is one of my favorites now. Although I would have liked to see a bit more of his life with Peter before his change of heart, I loved the backstory that was provided, and found the glimpses of his life that we received fascinating. He was a character I could root for and respect, and I'm so glad he has gotten his own happy ending - even if he makes questionable decisions sometimes. I could also very much relate to his "workaholic-ness", haha.
Tinkerbell wasn't as vivid a character for me. For some reason, I just couldn't relate or connect with her as much, but I still enjoyed her place in the story. She was fiery and resourceful and clearly did care about Hook. Their relationship was really sweet - a bit insta-love in a couple of places, I thought (I wonder why five years of nothing between them went by and then all of a sudden BAM they're in love) - but I didn't really mind. It was a cute dynamic and I was rooting for them.
And Peter. Oh my, Peter. It made me so sad to see what he was like here, but it also made sense. His actions and personality fit perfectly with the story, and even though he is the WORST, he's very well-written and vivid. I am interested to see what happens with him later on in the series because I think he's too powerful a character to just be thrown away after one book.
My only qualms were that the romance made me a tad bit uncomfortable at one place in particular (nothing inappropriate at all, just a bit more touchy-feely than I usually read), and some of the writing itself could have been polished more. But neither were big enough issues to hinder my enjoyment of the story, and I know it's largely personal preference.
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this and am going to continue on in the series. Mecham has such a refreshing take on fairy tale retellings and I have yet to read one of her books that I haven't really enjoyed. Especially as many of her themes are ones that I hold close in my life.
So if you enjoy fairy tale retellings with sweet romance, interesting characters, fun spins on familiar classics, and a bit of banter, you might love this one! Especially if you're a fan of Disney's Peter Pan and/or Disney's Tinkerbell movies. I'd probably recommend 14+ for this one.
Content to be aware of: some kisses (tame but passionate), a woman wraps her legs around a man's waist while kissing him, brief mentions of a woman's curves and finding her attractive, a hand is cut off, mental health struggles/depression, kidnapping, "drugging" with Pixie dust, violence in battles, a character recounts her people being tortured and "experimented on", loss.
May 26, 2024
No one should ever have had to see or experience what Tinkerbell had, and James Hook knew from that point on, he would fight until his last breath to bring Peter Pan down. Taking a break would never be an option—no matter what it cost him personally, no matter if it required James to become the greatest villain in all of Neverland’s history. Peter Pan had to be stopped.
Growing up, let’s face it, I thought Peter Pan was the hero. Now as a grown-up, I know him to be a villain.
Better an honest pirate than a thieving Lost Boy
Better an honest pirate than a thieving Lost Boy
Jimmy was the first Lost Boy, the best friend and right hand man to Peter Pan. Then he woke up to realize what Peter really was… a cruel boy who kidnapped innocent boys from their homes. He was a monster to the pixies whom he caged and stole their dust to stock pile it, rarely to be shared. One night, when Jimmy was trying to save Tinkerbell, Peter cuts off his hand. Jimmy becomes the infamous villain Neverland knows in order to stop Peter and to save the Lost Boys.
I liked what the author did with the story. I love what she did with the world building. What she added to this classic child’s tale. I liked the villain she made out of Peter and the hero that is Captain Hook.
The romance between Hook and Tinkerbell is cute. A best friends to lovers trope.
I have the second book on my kindle now. I think I am going to read another book first before jumping into it.
_____
Rtc
Growing up, let’s face it, I thought Peter Pan was the hero. Now as a grown-up, I know him to be a villain.
Better an honest pirate than a thieving Lost Boy
Better an honest pirate than a thieving Lost Boy
Jimmy was the first Lost Boy, the best friend and right hand man to Peter Pan. Then he woke up to realize what Peter really was… a cruel boy who kidnapped innocent boys from their homes. He was a monster to the pixies whom he caged and stole their dust to stock pile it, rarely to be shared. One night, when Jimmy was trying to save Tinkerbell, Peter cuts off his hand. Jimmy becomes the infamous villain Neverland knows in order to stop Peter and to save the Lost Boys.
I liked what the author did with the story. I love what she did with the world building. What she added to this classic child’s tale. I liked the villain she made out of Peter and the hero that is Captain Hook.
The romance between Hook and Tinkerbell is cute. A best friends to lovers trope.
I have the second book on my kindle now. I think I am going to read another book first before jumping into it.
_____
Rtc
July 28, 2023
For decades Hook has been the villain in my book but that has just been turned on its head... Mary Mecham has done an excellent job weaving a tale of danger and adventure, with a touch of romance, that excites the imagination and breathes new life into an old story. The original elements are all there but with a twist that makes this story all the author's own. I really enjoyed this book and I am really looking forward to the next...
August 1, 2025
This was actually so cute. Eleven year old me would have been over the moon. I’d love to read an older version of a book like this with more drawn out characters and plot and length if anyone has/knows of any recommendations but this was so cute and if you’re in the mood for a quick cute but still exciting nostalgic read this will definitely meet the spot.
September 17, 2024
This book was fabulous! The best Peter Pan retelling I've read to date. It keeps some from the original tale, and adds some new flair. However, the differences Mecham does all work so well. The story just lined up perfectly. I love seeing Captain Hook in a new light, and having Tink has his love interest. Tink is fierce! ❤️ Swoonworthy love. 5 stars!
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