All is not as it seems in Neverland. As for Peter & Hook, well I know the secret most don’t. The real truth behind the myth. The hidden wonder you’ve never known disguised as the notorious legend.
I know the nightmare that brings Hook to his knees. The concealed facts which bring out nothing but his ruthless darkness.
I know the inescapable reality that one day changed Peter Pan forever. I witnessed Peter’s inevitable fall from grace. His loss of innocence. A destiny he one day couldn’t fly away from.
All you’ve ever been told is a lie. A hoax. A pixie trick.
I know the truth because - I’m their ruin. I’m their demise. I’m the end of what was & the beginning of what’s to come.
My name is Wendy Moira Angela Darling.
I’m the inescapable fate they couldn’t defeat. The chosen one who inevitably forces their surrender. And I’m the reason for losing Neverland.
Started off slow in my opinion, and was a little bit confusing on where the timeline was in their lives. Going back and forth between present day and the past.
Overall, great book! I'm a sucker for a Peter Pan retelling. This one was a mild-ish dark romance with betrayal, fated mates, lies, jealousy....the works!!!!
This book is a little tough for me. It was really good in some parts and a bit confusing in others. I like the idea of Peter and Hook being the same person. I felt like Hook could have been a bit more dark but overall I liked his character. I liked Wendy too. Their whole romance storyline was really good. It was just the other elements and characters that were a little confusing to me. I had to go back and reread some parts because I was confused by the timeline or just confused in general. Overall, if you enjoy Peter Pan retellings then I think it’s worth the read. There’s a second book coming out so keep that in mind because the ending isn’t really much of an ending.
I was excited to receive this as an ARC, however that excitement was cut short.
Before the story starts there is an introduction that states: ‘This is a second-edition of the original Losing Neverland previously published under the pen name Evelyn Montgomery.’
From my understanding the original contained triggers, explicit language (f-words and c-words throughout) and sexual content, this version was rewritten to remove all of this. I’m happy this was removed as I prefer cleaner story’s but read more like this was just deleted without any thought for consistency. It felt choppy and disjointed with large chunks just not making much sense.
Another let down was that Peter and Wendy are supposed to be seventeen, they act more like twelve year olds, especially Peter who is very juvenile in action and dialogue.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the enchanting world of *Losing Neverland* by Brittany Montgomery, readers are transported into a captivating dark fantasy retelling of Peter Pan. As I delved into this novel, I found myself utterly enthralled, unable to put it down until the very last page.
One of the most enticing elements of *Losing Neverland* is its clever infusion of beloved tropes. Fated mates, an ever-present sense of betrayal, and the thrilling "touch her and die" concept weave together to create a narrative tapestry that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. These familiar elements are expertly reimagined, adding depth and intrigue to the story.
Beyond the tropes, the novel is a thrilling adventure through a world brimming with magic and inhabited by enigmatic fae. The multi-point-of-view storytelling enriches the narrative, providing readers with diverse perspectives that enhance their connection to the characters and their intricate relationships.
Montgomery's writing beautifully captures the essence of Neverland while giving it a darker, more complex twist. The world-building is vivid and immersive, allowing readers to lose themselves in the depths of this enchanting realm.
The characters are a particular highlight of the story. They are well-developed, each with their own layers of complexity and inner turmoil. This depth makes their interactions and choices all the more intriguing, adding emotional weight to the story.
While *Losing Neverland* is undeniably a dark romance, it doesn't shy away from exploring the moral and emotional consequences of the characters' actions. It grapples with the complexities of love, betrayal, and the blurred lines between hero and villain.
In summary, *Losing Neverland* by Brittany Montgomery is a spellbinding dark fantasy retelling of Peter Pan. Its skillful incorporation of tropes, immersive world-building, multi-point-of-view storytelling, and complex characters make it an unputdownable read. If you're looking for a thrilling adventure with a touch of darkness and a dash of romance, this novel is a must-read. Montgomery's reimagining of Neverland will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page.
3.5 ⭐️ I was honored to receive a copy of this book from NetGalley and Brittnay Montgomery in exchange for an honest review.
First off, the premise of this book excited me so much! I’m a sucker for a Peter Pan retelling and while I’ve read several books about how Hook became the villain he is, I’ve never seen one where Peter Pan slowly becomes the “dark side of Neverland” James Hook himself.
While the plot gives some refreshingly new twists and turns, both new and old characters with some unique motives, the story stands out most as a love story between Peter and Wendy. The two fight the world, each other, and their selves, in order to figure out what it takes to be together. Their actions are not perfect, and they constantly talk in circles around each other (a bit too much for my personal taste), but you can tell just how much they truly need each other for survival.
Annoyingly, I think Tink is my favorite for just how unapologetically she goes for what she wants. She shows all her emotions and has no regrets for the darkness that overtakes her. I am very interested to see just how far she will take things and how much of herself she is willing to risk to get the win.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was a good, solid story. There were times I was confused and didn't think the information was set up clearly. At times I had to stop and re-read things. The timelines overall were my most challenging part. Part 1 was a bit boring and repetitive - I think the book could be shortened. Yet, I still enjoyed the overall story. Part 2 of the book I think saved the overall rating.
Now - I wish I read the first book to compare- but apparently this was re-written to remove triggers and sexual content to be more of a YA book. However, there are still triggering events- right in the beginning actually haha. And a lot of toxic relationship themes that I personally don't think fit into a YA genre. It was still giving some dark romance.
There was good character building, the world building was my favorite - as a big Neverland/Peter Pan fan I was very happy with this.
Had many quotable moments as well, which is bonus points for me !
With thanks to the author, and Brittany Montogmery and Evelyn Montgmery Books for an ARC and the opportunity to offer my honest thoughts.
This twisty Peter Pan origin story spans the past and present of their entwined lives and is told via multiple POVs (Peter/Jas, Wendy and Tink). I enjoyed the created backstory linking Peter and Wendy. The movement through time was nicely done. It allowed the reader to see the character motivations flesh out and evolve with the different influences on them.
This is a rewrite of an earlier work by the same author but without a pen name. I haven't read the original work and I may yet seek it out to see where the changes have been made. The flow feels off at times and some character decisions and actions feel ‘tamed’. The inner talk without action between the main protagonists led the story to drag in places.
The relationship between Peter and Wendy is an example of this drag. I saw the romance but I didn't feel the romance or chemistry consistently. Much of their independent internal dialogue went around and around. All I wanted to do was sit them down with a pot of tea, no distractions and either talk it out or fk it out.
I loved this comingling of Peter Pan and Jas Hook. The devolution of Peter to Jas gave nods to a journey through trauma psychosis and back to sanity. I would have loved to see Jas even darker rather than framed in mania of thought and action.
I loved and would like to recognise the mature aged cast. Yes the characters as we recognise them are teenagers. But this story lets Wendy as a mature woman to be anxious, to want to love, be loved and to be strong.
The manipulation and machinations wrought by Tink were an evil twist on her characters well known jealousy and delusions of grandeur.
The ending fell a little flat but, the next instalment will focus on ‘the bad guys’ Tinker Bell and Jake, and I think it will be a strong conclusion.
ARC REVIEW Stars: 4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spicy: 3 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (without being explicit)
A not too dark romance Peter Pan retelling!
I was HOOKED! (Get it?) This book was really what I would’ve wanted Peter Pan to be. It’s enough pull from the original to feel familiar but with such perfect tweaks and unique additions that it’s unmatched. It’s definitely “touch her and you d*e” vibes. I absolutely swoon for Peters dual personalities. The amount of swoon worthy Peter quotes I have highlighted that I come back to reread make me melt! I really liked Wendy (FMC). But those Tinker Bell chapters I was so excited about. Her character was so much what I would’ve expected and more. The multiple POV made it impossible to put down. AND I GASPED OUT LOUD JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST- blown away!
Also the dedication was enough to convince me to read!
A Favorite line: “The strongest kind of magic is one you feel.” - John (in context this part had me in my feelings so deep!)
Man oh man did Brittany did her thing with retelling of Peter Pan!!! I couldn’t put it down! 5 stars hands down! Her ability to twist this story into something that is dark and real is out of this world! There were so many twists and turns that you didn’t see coming! Right out the gate she had a twist! Once you pick this up you won’t be able to look at the story of Peter Pan in the same light! You certainly won’t be able to look at Wendy or Tinker bell in the same light either! She out did herself with this one!! I love every minute of it!
I love a retelling and I thought this was well done. 4.5⭐️ As a child I fell hard for Peter Pan and couldn’t wait to see where this was going to take me. It starts with a present day event that sent a chill through me and I was immediately hooked. The main characters have chemistry and I love how the author wrote the romance. This had drama, suspense and a couple of shocking delicious twists. I would recommend for anyone who loves retellings. Thanks Brittany Montgomery via NetGalley.
If you love retellings this is one that you will want to grab, especially if you are a fan of paranormal, fantasy, and plot twists! This book has Jekyll and Hyde personality traits and I'm here for it! I absolutely loved this book. This is the second edition with new chapters, and extended ending. From the moment I started reading this book I was sucked in and didn't want to put it down. I would definitely recommend this book to others!
I had the absolute pleasure of being able to read the rerelease of this book. I absolutely loved the first version but this version is pure magic! I absolutely loved the story told this way. Thank you so much for the chance to read this story again in a whole new way!
I f you want an amazing, steamy fantasy? If you loved Peter Pan and Wendy, then this book is for you! I loved the adventure and the emotions in this book! I am so glad that I got an ARC of this book!
Arc reader. I have read both edition and I have to say edition Two is much better. It explain the story so much better and the ending bring it over to book 2. It is dark and a Peter pan retelling. It full of spice and make you question the story you once knew. Can't wait for book 2.
What if Peter Pan and Hook were the same person? This re-imagining of the classic story is just that.
There is a lot of jumping around in the timeline of this book but the plot was really well executed. I don’t feel like I missed anything important and it all lead to the climax that kept me engaged until the very end.
The twists and turns along the way were riveting and, because I had Siri read it to me, a little difficult to follow but all in all, I very much enjoyed this book!
I was selected as an ARC Reader for this book, and I loved it so much! I highly recommend this if you love Peter Pan! This adult retelling answered so many questions that I've always asked myself about the original. The twists, relationships, surprises, and the plot of this story will have you on the edge of your seat from the beginning! Fated mates, lies, jealousy, betrayal. As long as you pay attention to where you are in the story (past/present), you will love it!
"Love doesn't mean you won't sometimes break the one who stole your heart, Darling.”
I can never pass up a Peter Pan/ Hook retelling, especially when it's a dark romance! Plus, I'm a sucker for the pet name "Darling". 😍
This is the second edition of Losing Neverland by Brittany Montgomery which includes 15+ New chapters AND a new extended ending! Plus, just look at that cover. g I read the first edition a while back when the author was under another pen name nd loved it, so I was absolutely THRILLED to be on the ARC team for the second edition.
Do you enjoy retellings? MMC with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personally traits? Paranormal? Fantasy? Plot twists, and a a darker side of the beloved lost boy Peter Pan(?)....or is he Hook... wait a minute..is he both?! If any of that grabs your interests then this is a perfect book for you! I promise you this one definitely will not disappoint! I simply couldn't put it down, and now I can't stop thinking about it. This is definitely going on my list of re-reads!
I just finished reading this second edition of this book. It was so much better then the first with alot more details. Peter and Wendys pasts shocked me as i wasn't expecting that. Also learning who Peters mum is was so shocking and an excellent addition. Can't wait for book 2.
"Losing Neverland" by Brittany Montgomery is a perplexing book and as much as I wanted to like this book, I didn’t. The vast majority of the book was confusing and left much to be desired. The premise of the book - based on J.M. Barrie's classic tale - had the promise of an imaginative and engaging narrative; however, it failed to capitalize on its potential resulting in a disjointed and lackluster experience. Throughout the entire story, I kept wondering if I missed an earlier book that better explained the background of what was happening. I don’t have the most in-depth background knowledge on Peter Pan but I assumed I had enough to read this book. I was wrong.
Character development was a mixed bag. Wendy’s character, as well as Peter/Hook’s characters, were multi-layered and well developed and Montgomery did a great job of making them feel real as they embarked on a profound voyage of self-discovery. The supporting characters, however, needed more time and energy spent on their stories and development. Tinkerbell and John in particular, were one-dimensional although they played an integral part of the story. Montgomery randomly added in new characters to introduce/explain the plot but all it did was muddle the story line and keep me confused.
This book is the first in the trilogy; however, a prequel would seem like a better use of time and energy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
#NetGalleyARC This book left me feeling like something was missing from it, it felt like it was lacking something. I really wanted to enjoy it, I usually love retellings of stories but this one wasn’t it. Maybe I should find the original version since this is a remake of it. Not going to continue with the series.
Received an ARC of this book. I can't give this more than 2 stars. The story was interesting, I enjoyed certain aspects. It felt weird at times, rushed. Plot points like the ending had plotholes and there were certain story aspects that made no sense. At one point the characters are underwater and breathe into each other's mouths to share oxygen... It made no sense and pulled me from the story. The story was progressing and at one point the main character(40) is spanked as a form of discipline from someone who is supposed to look like a boy. For a book with no triggers there was bondage, hair pulling, kidnapping and a strange age gap. Towards the end I was just even looking for positive things about the book
the start of this book was very slow for me, and i really found it hard to get into, especially with the confusing timelines. once the story picked up, i did enjoy it, although i’m not sure i fully understand the whole pan / hook storyline (or maybe it just wasn’t what i was expecting?). the ending of this book was clearly setting up for book 2, which i would i'm not sure if i'll get round to reading.
thank you to netgalley and anne marie fuller books for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was ok… it was dark which I loved but I didn’t really connect with the story. When I learned it was adapted from another book with the same premise I was a little disappointed. The concept was cool but the actual book wasn’t in my opinion.
Read as an arc on netgalley. The writing style was nice but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Found it difficult to get into and I felt it went round and round in circles for most of the book.
I realized after receiving this book that I had read it before when it was originally published under a different name. It's been retooled quite a bit and I didn't enjoy this version.
WOW. I could NOT put this book down! It was a rollercoaster ride. This book is dark, twisted, unique, and beautiful. It’s a dark romance, but its also a beautiful second-chance romance…how those two things went together, was a new experience for me.
“Dirty words for such a beautiful mouth. Don’t tempt me, Darling, because you’ll quickly find, I play dirtier games than you were used to before.”
This story will make you rethink everything you knew about Peter Pan, and Neverland. Its nothing like the story we grew up on but had all the things that still give you that nostalgia, while providing a totally unique experience to read. Forget pretty much all you remember of the Peter Pan story you watched/read as a child…unlike our childhood Peter Pan, this story is is GREW UP.
“I want to make you feel faint, Wendy. I want to make your world go black and be the only one that breathes you back to life. Gives you air.”
The symbolism was so well done, and the story was magical. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading from the multiple points of view. You get a point of view from Wendy, Pan, and Tinker Bell. Getting these perspectives, really provides such a well-rounded story! The relationships between Pan, Hook, Wendy, and Tinker Bell are so unique in this retelling! The flashbacks (as this is not the first trip to Neverland for Wendy, its actually 17 years after the last visit), were some of my favorite parts of the story, and they were not thrown in, or made the book choppy, they were very well timed with what was occurring the the current timeline’s events. Very well done!
“Wendy, I’ve finally realized, I was never lost. Everything I’ve ever known began with you. As long as I have you, I’ll never be lost.”
Let me tell you about the spice for a second...WHEW! Its spicy! Not overly spicy, but you practically get spice from the very beginning. And Pan is DIRTY. A dirty talker, and my favorite was from his point of view, his dirty twisty mind. Pan might be my new favorite book boyfriend.
“I’ve done nothing but dream about this for seventeen years, so you’ll do as I say and let me enjoy you. You’ll let me take back what is mine.”
THE ENDING THO. That’s all I can say. I won’t be leaving my mind for a while. I am still processing.
I ate this up so quickly, I already miss it! What I would give to be able to read this for the first time again!
Thank you very much to the author and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book I really appreciate it!
I really loved the premise of this book, I loved the little takes from the original and how obvious it could be taken the way the author did take it. I really really liked this book and the actual story within it and that there were zero errors and the writing was flawless. My problem is 1 I'd love to know how the original was actually written because this book is still a very very dark and twisted book and that really needs to be clarified at the beginning. 2 this book is apparently meant to start a series no offense honestly it shouldn't be it really really shouldn't have been. The actual story is solid and when the actual story and flashbacks came out it grabbed you like you wouldn't believe but this book dragged sooo badly, the beginning took far too many pages and I honestly wanted to quit reading it. There's too much in my opinion useless filler to back tell and go through that could have happened in quite a few pages less. When you actually read between the pages the real story the one you love is maybe only 150 pages, all the rest of the pages are filler or prequels to other things and it's a lot at least that's how it feels to me. It needs to be cut back, I only pushed on so I could finally get to the ending which surprise you're cut off in an unexpected and honestly in my opinion unneeded ending. I really want to know how this author takes the rest of this story but I honestly dont want to read another book. If the unnecessary dragging parts had been cut there would have been enough room to finally finish this story. This would have been a fantastic and extremely popular book as a stand alone, there's not enough draw to turn it into a duology or a series there's not. It should have stayed as one book. Until I got to that ending I was going to rate it a 4, when that ending came after slogging through to get what I hoped for it became a 3 and it's only that because of the true story within. So I wish to thank NetGalley and the author again for allowing me the opportunity to read this book I appreciate it.
" In a heartbeat, if I had the chance, I know despite fighting it, I'd let him back in again. All of his light. His darkness. His good and his bad. I'd take it all. Even if only for a brief moment so I could remember what once was before the world stole it all away from us..."
I was excited read the 2nd Edition of Losing Neverland by Brittany Montgomery after she disclosed there were 50k more words and an extended ending. I enjoyed the 1st one but, was curious to see how & what would be changed. While staying to true to many aspects of the original Peter Pan, Losing Neverland has each of our favorite characters living a double life, none more evident than Peter Pan, himself. It is a multi-layered fairytale re-telling that dives deep into the relationship between Peter Pan & Wendy Darling, our two classic characters who have a long, intertwined history that goes beyond a boy & girl meeting at a window, beyond Neverland and young, innocent first love, and beyond the loss of that love. And, as with every fairy tale there is always a villain but, what if the villain lies within the boy you once fell in love with? Can that love overcome the darkness...
It is hard to write this review without comparing it to the original while it’s so fresh in my mind but, I was so impressed by the added layers, in-depth character development, and breath stealing changes that were made to this plot. There were a few moments where I gasped out loud! Told from the perspective of Wendy, Peter/Hook, & Tinker Bell, while transitioning between past & present the writing & story kept me engaged from start to finish! If you're wanting to dip your toes into dark fairytale re-tellings, this would be an excellent place to start. While the content is far from the fairy tale we grew up on, I wouldn't say it's too dark and sinister making in a truly engaging & fun read.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the author. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
If you are into retells of classic stories, a lot of sexual tension, fated mates, broken families and dark romance this is a book for you.
Brittany Montgomery introduces a new idea in her version of this classic tale. What if Peter Pan and James Hook were the same person? This is the idea that made me want to read it, mostly because the part of Captain Hook is usually portrayed by the same person as Mr. Darling (in the original play). So this was an interesting concept, a little like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I imagined.
After reading this book, I must admit I'm a little tired of violent retellings of Peter Pan. Maybe I have read too many, and I've been disappointed every time. However, this is not the author's fault. It's purely a personal thing. The moment that turned me off the book was when the "fated mates" trope was introduced. I understand the appeal, but it felt like she removed too many choices from the characters by making it a greater game. Wendy and Peter didn't do anything but pine for each other and assume what the other was thinking. This became quite repetitive, and the 440 pages could have been shorter. Therefore, I'm giving it 2 out of 5 stars, and the only reason I didn't stop reading after 30% was that I find it hard not to finish books.
Despite my disappointment, I enjoyed the introduction of King Arthur's Legend into the story. Also, the fact that Peter and Wendy were connected since childhood beyond the fated mates line was intriguing. I won't spoil it by saying how, but it gives a bit more understanding of why they are so close and why they don't want to grow up. Also the way she made Peter and Hook work was not the way I was expecting and turned out to be a lot better than what I imagined.
Overall, I think it's an okay book. The idea is good, but I'm not sure about the execution. It does make me wonder how "Saving Tinkerbell" will turn out, but I am not sure I'll be reading it. Clearly, the story is not over.