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Legends of Neverland #4
Escaping Pirates: A Seafaring Cinderella Retelling
Navigating treacherous seas is perilous, but navigating love is even more dangerous.
When Elena’s merchant ship is attacked by ruthless pirates, she is torn from her life and imprisoned aboard the Kraken’s Revenge. Forced to serve the captain’s cruel daughters, Elena’s dream of escape fades like the distant shore. Survival means obeying orders without question, but the fire in her heart refuses to be extinguished.
Everything changes when a new prisoner is thrown into the brig—a dashing sailor named Harlan, whose defiance matches Elena’s own. Their connection is immediate, but the captain’s daughters are just as captivated by Harlan’s charm. As a forbidden romance kindles in the darkness of their confinement, Elena dares to dream of freedom once more.
But danger looms when Elena is sold to another pirate with sinister intentions. Now burdened with a secret that could change the course of history, Elena must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect Harlan and herself.
As she navigates the treacherous waters of betrayal and desire, Elena must choose between the liberty she craves and the love she cannot deny.
Escaping Pirates is the fourth book in the Legends of Neverland series but can be read as a stand-alone novel. If you enjoy adventure, fairy tales, clean romance, and hard-won happily ever afters, dive into Escaping Pirates today!
When Elena’s merchant ship is attacked by ruthless pirates, she is torn from her life and imprisoned aboard the Kraken’s Revenge. Forced to serve the captain’s cruel daughters, Elena’s dream of escape fades like the distant shore. Survival means obeying orders without question, but the fire in her heart refuses to be extinguished.
Everything changes when a new prisoner is thrown into the brig—a dashing sailor named Harlan, whose defiance matches Elena’s own. Their connection is immediate, but the captain’s daughters are just as captivated by Harlan’s charm. As a forbidden romance kindles in the darkness of their confinement, Elena dares to dream of freedom once more.
But danger looms when Elena is sold to another pirate with sinister intentions. Now burdened with a secret that could change the course of history, Elena must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect Harlan and herself.
As she navigates the treacherous waters of betrayal and desire, Elena must choose between the liberty she craves and the love she cannot deny.
Escaping Pirates is the fourth book in the Legends of Neverland series but can be read as a stand-alone novel. If you enjoy adventure, fairy tales, clean romance, and hard-won happily ever afters, dive into Escaping Pirates today!
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2025
29 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Mary Mecham
20 books761 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 139 reviews
July 27, 2025
It was a fun, entertaining, and fast paced read with many of the author’s amazing plot twists and lovable characters! Another great installment in her Legends of Neverland books!
The book was engaging and fun, keeping my attention and hooking me from the beginning. Her characters were great and very dynamic, all with their own personalities and arcs. I really enjoyed reading this book, and would highly recommend it!
Usually I don’t like Cinderella retellings, but once again, Mary Mecham has made me fall in love with the story in a new and different way.
I loved seeing characters from the past books…especially Korth hehe 🤭 but I wish Hook had been in this one! I miss him. I’m curious as to what he is up to and how life is for him.
In this book we were introduced to some wonderful new characters or characters we never really saw developed before. And once again of course the ever changing mystery with Peter!
Wonderful book, and I would highly recommend this series for anyone looking for no-spice action filled fairytale retellings with gritty themes but an underlying theme of hope and redemption.
The book was engaging and fun, keeping my attention and hooking me from the beginning. Her characters were great and very dynamic, all with their own personalities and arcs. I really enjoyed reading this book, and would highly recommend it!
Usually I don’t like Cinderella retellings, but once again, Mary Mecham has made me fall in love with the story in a new and different way.
I loved seeing characters from the past books…especially Korth hehe 🤭 but I wish Hook had been in this one! I miss him. I’m curious as to what he is up to and how life is for him.
In this book we were introduced to some wonderful new characters or characters we never really saw developed before. And once again of course the ever changing mystery with Peter!
Wonderful book, and I would highly recommend this series for anyone looking for no-spice action filled fairytale retellings with gritty themes but an underlying theme of hope and redemption.
August 24, 2025
5🌟
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was so excited when I got sent this and I knew I would not be disappointed.
This follows Elena, a merchant’s daughter who’s ship is taken over by pirates. Elena is forced to serve the captain’s evil daughters, Blossom and Sugar. She later is joined by a young man named Harlan who is served a similar fate because Blossom and Sugar are obsessed with him. Harlan and Elena try to make a plan to escape and fall in love along the way.
CHARACTERS: 5/5
I loved all the characters (except for the villains) and I especially liked Gil. He was very funny and a very likeable character. I also really liked how Peter Pan made another appearance in this one and even though we shouldn’t like him, I did. I also loved Harlan and Elena and how courageous they were.
PLOT: 5/5
I always really like stories about pirates and Cinderella mixed with pirates was such a creative idea. I finished this in less than 24 hours. The twists and turns always surprised me and I especially liked the twist with the slipper.
ROMANCE: 5/5
I loved Elena and Harlan instantly and I could not put the book down. They were so perfect together and the things Harlan did for Elena really showed his love for her.
Overall, a fantastic book and I definitely recommend. For ages 13/14 and up due to only kisses and violence.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was so excited when I got sent this and I knew I would not be disappointed.
This follows Elena, a merchant’s daughter who’s ship is taken over by pirates. Elena is forced to serve the captain’s evil daughters, Blossom and Sugar. She later is joined by a young man named Harlan who is served a similar fate because Blossom and Sugar are obsessed with him. Harlan and Elena try to make a plan to escape and fall in love along the way.
CHARACTERS: 5/5
I loved all the characters (except for the villains) and I especially liked Gil. He was very funny and a very likeable character. I also really liked how Peter Pan made another appearance in this one and even though we shouldn’t like him, I did. I also loved Harlan and Elena and how courageous they were.
PLOT: 5/5
I always really like stories about pirates and Cinderella mixed with pirates was such a creative idea. I finished this in less than 24 hours. The twists and turns always surprised me and I especially liked the twist with the slipper.
ROMANCE: 5/5
I loved Elena and Harlan instantly and I could not put the book down. They were so perfect together and the things Harlan did for Elena really showed his love for her.
Overall, a fantastic book and I definitely recommend. For ages 13/14 and up due to only kisses and violence.
July 29, 2025
This was a great romantic fantasy. There are highs and lows - mostly lows. When Elena‘s ship is attacked by pirates, she is the one person taken hostage while everyone else is thrown into the sea. The pirate captain has two daughters – the “ugly stepsisters “– who desire her to do their hair and serve them. Living in deplorable conditions without too much food, Elena is starving and not treated well at all. And then Harlan’s ship is attacked and he is the lone person kept hostage while all of his shipmates thrown into the sea as well. Through escape attempts, lecherous pirates, and more, this loose Cinderella retelling keeps us on our toes. There’s definitely a dark thread here as our main characters’ bodies are injured and abused, and we also get hints at further happenings later on in the series. One of my hoped for twists came true and I was super excited. There were more twist and turns in this book than I could’ve imagined and it really set things up for the future. It was a great read and I wish the others were available for me to binge further. This was a just kisses, intimacy level one romance.
I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 7, 2025
This book was impossible to put down! It was intense and emotional and full of action and sweet and wonderful and epic and absolutely fantastic! I love this whole series, and I swear it keeps getting better with each book! If you read this one (and you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD), be sure you have enough time to finish it in one sitting!
July 28, 2025
Content Warnings: starvation, slavery, blood, sickness, drowning, blackmail, murder/death
Thank you Mary Mecham for the ARC!
If you’re expecting a cute, lighthearted Cinderella story, this book is not your gal. I would say this book is on par with the Brothers’ Grimm in a way. This series tends to be on the darker side. Yes, this book is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone. I have yet to read Becoming Hook and Hunting Sirens, but I have read Betraying Korth. While characters from the other books make cameos or are mentioned, you can still follow the story and understand the world with very minimal spoilers. Anyways, onto the actual review!
I really didn’t know how Cinderella was going to take place with pirates and have it make sense, but Mary achieved that! You really feel Elena’s struggle and loss of hope through out the book. Every attempt to escape she tries gets thwarted. Then she meets Harlan. He can’t be a knight in shining armor but certainly tries to be while also being a forced prisoner. But they’re able to give each other hope. Yet you’re also kept on your toes each time they plan something. Will this plan work? Will they escape? Elena and Harlan are supposed to get their HEA at some point! It’s frustrating, but it makes you want to keep reading because you’re rooting for these characters to get out.
The Cinderella aspects that were tied into the story were very loose but also done really well. Of course Elena is forced to work like a slave for Captain Harsh’s daughters. But the way the ball gown and especially the iconic slipper moment come into play is really well done! Also I liked how Elena was so tired of being used and she finally fought back. I wish the way she did it was a little stronger but overall it was satisfying. Lastly, the romance between Elena and Harlan is really sweet. Once they are finally together and free, it’s such a relief.
I’m honestly excited for the next book! There were so many hints pointing out the next retelling towards the end and some of them were really funny.
Thank you Mary Mecham for the ARC!
If you’re expecting a cute, lighthearted Cinderella story, this book is not your gal. I would say this book is on par with the Brothers’ Grimm in a way. This series tends to be on the darker side. Yes, this book is part of a series but it can be read as a standalone. I have yet to read Becoming Hook and Hunting Sirens, but I have read Betraying Korth. While characters from the other books make cameos or are mentioned, you can still follow the story and understand the world with very minimal spoilers. Anyways, onto the actual review!
I really didn’t know how Cinderella was going to take place with pirates and have it make sense, but Mary achieved that! You really feel Elena’s struggle and loss of hope through out the book. Every attempt to escape she tries gets thwarted. Then she meets Harlan. He can’t be a knight in shining armor but certainly tries to be while also being a forced prisoner. But they’re able to give each other hope. Yet you’re also kept on your toes each time they plan something. Will this plan work? Will they escape? Elena and Harlan are supposed to get their HEA at some point! It’s frustrating, but it makes you want to keep reading because you’re rooting for these characters to get out.
The Cinderella aspects that were tied into the story were very loose but also done really well. Of course Elena is forced to work like a slave for Captain Harsh’s daughters. But the way the ball gown and especially the iconic slipper moment come into play is really well done! Also I liked how Elena was so tired of being used and she finally fought back. I wish the way she did it was a little stronger but overall it was satisfying. Lastly, the romance between Elena and Harlan is really sweet. Once they are finally together and free, it’s such a relief.
I’m honestly excited for the next book! There were so many hints pointing out the next retelling towards the end and some of them were really funny.
August 12, 2025
⭐️ 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. ⭐️
Yet again, Mecham has delivered a thoroughly enjoyable, adventurous story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved the creative ways she referenced all of the classic Cinderella story elements in this retelling. Who knew a Cinderella story involving pirates could work so well?
The romance was very sweet in this book. Harlan was a very honorable, protective MMC who would do anything to save Elena. They had some quite funny interactions which were cute as well.
Like with the previous book, there were some twists I saw coming and others that I didn't...all of them were great though. There was also a lot of stuff that was setting up the next story...which makes me excited for the next installment of this series to come out. I can't wait to see where everything is leading!
Content: kisses only romance (kisses barely detailed), some unwanted attention from a certain pirate character, a few comments about a character's ample bossom and dresses not covering enough, a character slaps her "hindquarters" and says her cheeks are legendary, non-graphic violence, lots of injuries, some mild descriptions of blood, talk of murder, etc.
Yet again, Mecham has delivered a thoroughly enjoyable, adventurous story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved the creative ways she referenced all of the classic Cinderella story elements in this retelling. Who knew a Cinderella story involving pirates could work so well?
The romance was very sweet in this book. Harlan was a very honorable, protective MMC who would do anything to save Elena. They had some quite funny interactions which were cute as well.
Like with the previous book, there were some twists I saw coming and others that I didn't...all of them were great though. There was also a lot of stuff that was setting up the next story...which makes me excited for the next installment of this series to come out. I can't wait to see where everything is leading!
Content: kisses only romance (kisses barely detailed), some unwanted attention from a certain pirate character, a few comments about a character's ample bossom and dresses not covering enough, a character slaps her "hindquarters" and says her cheeks are legendary, non-graphic violence, lots of injuries, some mild descriptions of blood, talk of murder, etc.
July 30, 2025
I received an ARC copy from the author and even though I wasn’t required to post a review, I wanted to do just that after reading it!
Mary has written a Cinderella retelling on the high seas which I throughly enjoyed and one I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend everyone pick up and read! It has plenty of action/adventure and a love interest that starts out of friendship when two people meet after their respective ships are boarded by pirates and their crews are tossed overboard and their ships sunk.
Elena saves some of her crew by her fast thinking but is turned into being the servant of the pirate’s two daughters. Later when Harlan is confined to the brig after his ship is also boarded and sunk they converse through their bars. However they are both alive because the pirate’s daughters wanted a servant and later both wanted Harlan when he was to be tossed overboard to join his crew.
Together they dream and plan their escape for freedom but other circumstances intervene and they are separated when both jump overboard and only Harlan is pulled back because Elena is deemed a threat by the two sisters. She is rescued but it’s by the pirates brother so it’s really no rescue at all! Later when an opportunity presents itself she takes it to try and return to the the ship where Harlan is being held to rescue him. There are plenty of thrilling and harrowing moments throughout the book which will hold your interest and keep you glued to the book to see what happens next!
This is a standalone book in the series meaning you don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this one fully! I think when you finish this one though you’ll want to get the other books just to acquaint yourself with some of the characters in those books who make a return appearance here!
If you’re looking for a no spice, action/ adventure romantic adventure here it is! You don’t even have to love fairy tales to enjoy this story but it sure doesn’t hurt!
Can a merchant’s daughter prove her mettle and save the man she has fallen in love with even though she is a prisoner herself and both want that tantalizing taste of freedom they’ve lost since they were captured? There are secrets some of these characters have been hiding which emerge later on as circumstances present themselves which influence the outcome of the story and the next one in the series!
I throughly loved this book and I know you will also when you read it!
Mary has written a Cinderella retelling on the high seas which I throughly enjoyed and one I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend everyone pick up and read! It has plenty of action/adventure and a love interest that starts out of friendship when two people meet after their respective ships are boarded by pirates and their crews are tossed overboard and their ships sunk.
Elena saves some of her crew by her fast thinking but is turned into being the servant of the pirate’s two daughters. Later when Harlan is confined to the brig after his ship is also boarded and sunk they converse through their bars. However they are both alive because the pirate’s daughters wanted a servant and later both wanted Harlan when he was to be tossed overboard to join his crew.
Together they dream and plan their escape for freedom but other circumstances intervene and they are separated when both jump overboard and only Harlan is pulled back because Elena is deemed a threat by the two sisters. She is rescued but it’s by the pirates brother so it’s really no rescue at all! Later when an opportunity presents itself she takes it to try and return to the the ship where Harlan is being held to rescue him. There are plenty of thrilling and harrowing moments throughout the book which will hold your interest and keep you glued to the book to see what happens next!
This is a standalone book in the series meaning you don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this one fully! I think when you finish this one though you’ll want to get the other books just to acquaint yourself with some of the characters in those books who make a return appearance here!
If you’re looking for a no spice, action/ adventure romantic adventure here it is! You don’t even have to love fairy tales to enjoy this story but it sure doesn’t hurt!
Can a merchant’s daughter prove her mettle and save the man she has fallen in love with even though she is a prisoner herself and both want that tantalizing taste of freedom they’ve lost since they were captured? There are secrets some of these characters have been hiding which emerge later on as circumstances present themselves which influence the outcome of the story and the next one in the series!
I throughly loved this book and I know you will also when you read it!
August 8, 2025
Elena, a merchant's daughter, is on her first own mission when her ship is attacked by pirates. To survive she is forced to serve the pirate captain's two dreadful daughters, and even if she plans her escape it's impossible to run as long as they're at sea. When another prisoner arrives - a handsome sailor namned Harlan - Elena finally has an ally and the dream of freedom ignites again.
This is the fourth book in the series Legends of Neverland, but can be read as a standalone. I've only read the first book, "Becoming Hook", not book 2 and 3, and that was not a problem although the main characters from those books appear as side characters here. But it did make me want to read them now!
Elena and Harlan are put through many harsh things during their imprisonment, both physical and emotional. In between we get some humor to balance out the atrocities. The pirate daughters, Sugar and Blossom, are rather loathsome, but not as intelligent as they believe, which provide some funny scenes as well. Besides adventure we get a budding romance, secrets and unexpected twists, and it made it hard to put down. If this sounds like your cup of tea you should put it on your TBR!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
This is the fourth book in the series Legends of Neverland, but can be read as a standalone. I've only read the first book, "Becoming Hook", not book 2 and 3, and that was not a problem although the main characters from those books appear as side characters here. But it did make me want to read them now!
Elena and Harlan are put through many harsh things during their imprisonment, both physical and emotional. In between we get some humor to balance out the atrocities. The pirate daughters, Sugar and Blossom, are rather loathsome, but not as intelligent as they believe, which provide some funny scenes as well. Besides adventure we get a budding romance, secrets and unexpected twists, and it made it hard to put down. If this sounds like your cup of tea you should put it on your TBR!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
August 16, 2025
I really liked this! The characters were so sweet and I loved seeing them together. How they would support each other and protect each other was so cute! There were several parts I wasn’t a fan of, mostly because of one character. Yeah, I definitely wasn’t a fan of him and how he treated woman, he definitely deserved what he got. But all in all, I loved it and it is a favorite now!
August 22, 2025
4⭐️ ARC Review: This isn't just a regular Cinderella retelling, and if you know Mary and her books at all, you know none of her books are regular retellings. She completely transforms the original tales into a new and exciting story. This one in particular was just that. We have a unique plot, amazing main characters, and extremely unlikable side characters.
Elena and Harlan were angels, and I loved them so much! But every other character in this book were evil, and I hated them. Like I said, Mary can write extremely unlikable characters too lol. She puts her characters, and us for that matter, through the absolute ringer!
But it made for such a sweet and satisfying ending!
I will say, to really enjoy this book to its full extent, I suggest you read the other books in this series before this one. You don't have to but some characters from the other books have cameos. Which I enjoyed very much! I highly recommend this book and this series as a whole. Mary hasn't let me down with her books yet!
*Thank you to the author, Mary Mecham, for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read if you enjoy:
- Cinderella retelling
- Forbidden romance
- Forced proximity
- Damsel in distress
- Captive together
- Neverland world
- Single POV
- Pirates
Content 💋:
- Kisses only
- No language
Elena and Harlan were angels, and I loved them so much! But every other character in this book were evil, and I hated them. Like I said, Mary can write extremely unlikable characters too lol. She puts her characters, and us for that matter, through the absolute ringer!
But it made for such a sweet and satisfying ending!
I will say, to really enjoy this book to its full extent, I suggest you read the other books in this series before this one. You don't have to but some characters from the other books have cameos. Which I enjoyed very much! I highly recommend this book and this series as a whole. Mary hasn't let me down with her books yet!
*Thank you to the author, Mary Mecham, for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read if you enjoy:
- Cinderella retelling
- Forbidden romance
- Forced proximity
- Damsel in distress
- Captive together
- Neverland world
- Single POV
- Pirates
Content 💋:
- Kisses only
- No language
July 16, 2025
4.5 star
I received an ARC from the author and all thoughts are my own.
First off, WHAT WAS THAT?! 🤯🤯🤯
I called some of the big reveals but Mary still managed to surprise me. 😆
I really like how Peter Pan manages to show up in every book. 😆😍
I loved Harlan immediately! He was so sweet but he could also handle himself pretty well and did his best to keep Elena safe. 🥰🥰
Elena was a nice change of pace.
I like a girl who can take care of herself but sometimes it is nice to read about someone who has no idea what to do and who to trust.
Gil was one of my favorite characters in this book. 😏
He had so many funny lines. 🤣🤣🤣And it was cool seeing Gil and Peter meet. ☺️
Overall this book was a fun ride. (not so much for Harlan and Elena🤣)
I loved that most of it took place at sea. 🌊🥰🥰And I can't wait for the next book!!
Definitely read the series if you haven't. One of my favorite fairy tale retellings series ever! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received an ARC from the author and all thoughts are my own.
First off, WHAT WAS THAT?! 🤯🤯🤯
I called some of the big reveals but Mary still managed to surprise me. 😆
I really like how Peter Pan manages to show up in every book. 😆😍
I loved Harlan immediately! He was so sweet but he could also handle himself pretty well and did his best to keep Elena safe. 🥰🥰
Elena was a nice change of pace.
I like a girl who can take care of herself but sometimes it is nice to read about someone who has no idea what to do and who to trust.
Gil was one of my favorite characters in this book. 😏
He had so many funny lines. 🤣🤣🤣And it was cool seeing Gil and Peter meet. ☺️
Overall this book was a fun ride. (not so much for Harlan and Elena🤣)
I loved that most of it took place at sea. 🌊🥰🥰And I can't wait for the next book!!
Definitely read the series if you haven't. One of my favorite fairy tale retellings series ever! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 1, 2025
A perfect really good, fast read. I loved the mix of Cinderella with pirates, and the author did a really good job of keeping a lot of the original story elements in the new plot. The romance was adorable and I was obsessed with every plot twist.
August 7, 2025
Holy Moly!
Escaping Pirates was an amazing retelling of Cinderella! The plot was riveting and unique! I had to find out if Elena escaped the pirates and had a hard putting down the book. This book is full of high stakes and has become my favorite Mary Mecham book. Elena was a fantastic main character. She never lost hope even in the bleakest times. I loved how she and Harlan worked together during their captivity. Their dynamic was well written. I so badly wanted to hate Sugar and Blossom because they were vile. But they were too hilarious to hate! The romance was no spice with plenty of swoony moments! This book does mention of torture, but not gory at all! Highly recommend if you love Cinderella and pirates!
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
Escaping Pirates was an amazing retelling of Cinderella! The plot was riveting and unique! I had to find out if Elena escaped the pirates and had a hard putting down the book. This book is full of high stakes and has become my favorite Mary Mecham book. Elena was a fantastic main character. She never lost hope even in the bleakest times. I loved how she and Harlan worked together during their captivity. Their dynamic was well written. I so badly wanted to hate Sugar and Blossom because they were vile. But they were too hilarious to hate! The romance was no spice with plenty of swoony moments! This book does mention of torture, but not gory at all! Highly recommend if you love Cinderella and pirates!
I volunteered to read an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
September 3, 2025
5 ✨⭐
We often take what we have for granted in life. A roof over our heads, food, family, the warmth of an arm, good treatment; but, in reality, all of that can change very quickly. Your life can be altered by a single event, just as Elena's did at the beginning of the book. The daughter of a merchant in a privileged position on her first voyage sourcing merchandise, her ship was attacked by pirates.
Usually, I'm uncomfortable reading about a character's helplessness in the face of their circumstances, but Elena fought with everything she could. She may not have had superpowers, but she had a skilled mind and a kind heart. I loved reading her development as a character as she slowly transformed into a heroine. There was a good description of the events and the environment to help imagine the brutal yet magical scenarios that followed.
Regarding the villains and a certain bounty hunter, the author did an excellent job of making me want to slap them or make them walk overboard. Sadly, there are those kinds of people in the world. The good thing is that SPOILER
The romance part was one of the best. I loved their conversations, inside jokes, and that kiss... I melt. They're perfect for each other. Harlan is a true gentleman, willing to protect those he loves. He's not afraid to reveal his emotions and his interesting personality. On the other hand, Elena was super resourceful in how to keep him alive.
It was a great book. I hope others enjoy it too. It reminded me to always be grateful for what you have and that hope is truly the last thing you lose. I already want to read the Goldilocks-inspired book. This series keeps getting better!
Memorable quotes:
They had broken me, both body and spirit.
We often take what we have for granted in life. A roof over our heads, food, family, the warmth of an arm, good treatment; but, in reality, all of that can change very quickly. Your life can be altered by a single event, just as Elena's did at the beginning of the book. The daughter of a merchant in a privileged position on her first voyage sourcing merchandise, her ship was attacked by pirates.
Usually, I'm uncomfortable reading about a character's helplessness in the face of their circumstances, but Elena fought with everything she could. She may not have had superpowers, but she had a skilled mind and a kind heart. I loved reading her development as a character as she slowly transformed into a heroine. There was a good description of the events and the environment to help imagine the brutal yet magical scenarios that followed.
Regarding the villains and a certain bounty hunter, the author did an excellent job of making me want to slap them or make them walk overboard. Sadly, there are those kinds of people in the world. The good thing is that SPOILER
"Every time I’m made to dance with one of them, I keep wishing you would take their place. You’d probably trip on purpose just to make me laugh. You have the incredible ability to find humor when there shouldn’t be any, and I admire that quality more than you know. It keeps me sane."
The romance part was one of the best. I loved their conversations, inside jokes, and that kiss... I melt. They're perfect for each other. Harlan is a true gentleman, willing to protect those he loves. He's not afraid to reveal his emotions and his interesting personality. On the other hand, Elena was super resourceful in how to keep him alive.
It was a great book. I hope others enjoy it too. It reminded me to always be grateful for what you have and that hope is truly the last thing you lose. I already want to read the Goldilocks-inspired book. This series keeps getting better!
Memorable quotes:
August 18, 2025
Mary Mecham is back and better than ever! I've always loved Cinderella and retellings thereof, but this one took me places I never expected. I want to give Mary kudos for even coming up with the premise. I'd never have thought to put Cinderella on a pirate ship, or if I did, I wouldn't have written the story nearly this well.
Per the norm, let me start with the characters. They're easy to fit into the "landscape" of a Cinderella retelling, but delightfully different from other iterations. Elena, for instance, is a benevolent, bold heroine. She's sharp and cunning when she needs to be. But she's never too brassy or too weak. Even before being taken captive, she puts others first, but that's more from practicality and an honest desire to do the right thing than any dialed up, Disney princess compassion. Similarly, Harlan is a great Prince Charming, but--he's neither an obvious "prince" nor especially charming. He gives the impression that his title is just "life" for him. He has no room or patience for court protocol, social expectations, and the like. This gives him a lot of room to banter with Elena and face his predicament with a mix of raw practicality and daring hope.
As for the villains, even they are beautifully developed. If I heard Sugar and Blossom call out, "Daddy!" and demand one more thing, I was gonna scream--and that was the point. Harsh, with his on-the-nose villainy, drove me mad--and again, that was the point. These three are wonderful contrasts to the bigger morally gray cast Elena and Harlan deal with.
Speaking of the morally gray characters, they're the reason I read the second half in one big gulp, loath to put the book down. I had my suspicions and little hints, mostly from following Mary online and piecing together her overarching plot across the Neverland series. Still, she pulled off a couple of plot twists and raised the stakes at the perfect time more than once--or imperfect, if you consider I needed sleep. Oh, well, I'll catch up later. ;)
The plot itself is packed with signature Mary Mecham fantasy mixed with secrets, stakes, and just enough romance to make me root for the lead couple as if they were real people. The seafaring backdrop could've easily become cheesy. Instead, Mary made it work, showing the small details of what life is like on a ship. She lingers just long enough on Elena and Harlan's travail to incite empathy and worry, but doesn't go so dark that you end up despairing. Nor does she overprotect her readers so you end up thinking, "These villains are too easy; they have no teeth." (Trust me: Sugar and Blossom may be spoiled little brats, Harsh may be a classic pushover parent, but they've got teeth. As for a surprise morally gray adversary or two...well, I'd love to go into it, but I'll let you be surprised).
Mary also sprinkles her plot with plenty of "popping" scenes. What I love is, she always keeps the Cinderella element central without laying it on too thick. Look for such gems as:
-Elena's banter with Harlan and the "estate" jokes--I smirked and chortled all through the book
-Elena scrubbing and experiencing grime and soot; it seems small, but a lot of retellings don't give enough attention to those details, those symbols of desperation and what it takes to "rise"
-Elena at more than one "ball," and especially what she does with her shoe (absolutely delicious; I think that might be my favorite scene)
Add in the nods to previous books and especially the growth of Peter Pan, and you can probably see why I stayed up way too late. Even the scrappy, talkative Gil charmed me, and I can't wait to see what he gets up to. Until then though, this retelling will sweep you away. And if you haven't started Legends of Neverland yet, may I urge you to catch up ASAP? You'll find so much treasure you'll need weeks to "carry" it all!
Per the norm, let me start with the characters. They're easy to fit into the "landscape" of a Cinderella retelling, but delightfully different from other iterations. Elena, for instance, is a benevolent, bold heroine. She's sharp and cunning when she needs to be. But she's never too brassy or too weak. Even before being taken captive, she puts others first, but that's more from practicality and an honest desire to do the right thing than any dialed up, Disney princess compassion. Similarly, Harlan is a great Prince Charming, but--he's neither an obvious "prince" nor especially charming. He gives the impression that his title is just "life" for him. He has no room or patience for court protocol, social expectations, and the like. This gives him a lot of room to banter with Elena and face his predicament with a mix of raw practicality and daring hope.
As for the villains, even they are beautifully developed. If I heard Sugar and Blossom call out, "Daddy!" and demand one more thing, I was gonna scream--and that was the point. Harsh, with his on-the-nose villainy, drove me mad--and again, that was the point. These three are wonderful contrasts to the bigger morally gray cast Elena and Harlan deal with.
Speaking of the morally gray characters, they're the reason I read the second half in one big gulp, loath to put the book down. I had my suspicions and little hints, mostly from following Mary online and piecing together her overarching plot across the Neverland series. Still, she pulled off a couple of plot twists and raised the stakes at the perfect time more than once--or imperfect, if you consider I needed sleep. Oh, well, I'll catch up later. ;)
The plot itself is packed with signature Mary Mecham fantasy mixed with secrets, stakes, and just enough romance to make me root for the lead couple as if they were real people. The seafaring backdrop could've easily become cheesy. Instead, Mary made it work, showing the small details of what life is like on a ship. She lingers just long enough on Elena and Harlan's travail to incite empathy and worry, but doesn't go so dark that you end up despairing. Nor does she overprotect her readers so you end up thinking, "These villains are too easy; they have no teeth." (Trust me: Sugar and Blossom may be spoiled little brats, Harsh may be a classic pushover parent, but they've got teeth. As for a surprise morally gray adversary or two...well, I'd love to go into it, but I'll let you be surprised).
Mary also sprinkles her plot with plenty of "popping" scenes. What I love is, she always keeps the Cinderella element central without laying it on too thick. Look for such gems as:
-Elena's banter with Harlan and the "estate" jokes--I smirked and chortled all through the book
-Elena scrubbing and experiencing grime and soot; it seems small, but a lot of retellings don't give enough attention to those details, those symbols of desperation and what it takes to "rise"
-Elena at more than one "ball," and especially what she does with her shoe (absolutely delicious; I think that might be my favorite scene)
Add in the nods to previous books and especially the growth of Peter Pan, and you can probably see why I stayed up way too late. Even the scrappy, talkative Gil charmed me, and I can't wait to see what he gets up to. Until then though, this retelling will sweep you away. And if you haven't started Legends of Neverland yet, may I urge you to catch up ASAP? You'll find so much treasure you'll need weeks to "carry" it all!
August 7, 2025
While I did receive an ARC of Escaping Pirates, the review below reflects my own thoughts and opinions.
As soon as I learned that Mary Mecham was writing a pirate Cinderella story mash-up I knew it was going to be a book I would devour as soon as I received a copy. I was definitely right! I was captivated from the very first page! So much so that I finished the book in less than 24 hours upon starting it. Cinderella was one of my favorite fairytales as a young child, and is still a fairytale that I often find myself drawn to. While this story does share the classic elements of the Cinderella story, it definitely aligns more with the original Grimms Fairytale. This book is not a fluffy and sweet fairytale retelling and while it definitely delves into a more darker side of the Cinderella story, Mecham does a brilliant job of setting the scene without going too dark for her younger readers. There is mention of slavery, blood, starvation, murder, blackmail, and drowning throughout the book as a fair warning, but nothing greater than PG-13. That said, Mecham perfectly balances those dark moments with ones where you can taste the hope the main characters have for rescue. She also incorporates plenty of funny scenes that help to perfectly balance the heavier moments throughout the book. While this book is part of the Legends of Neverland series it can be read as a standalone without any issue. That said, if you have read the entire series, you will see cameos and a few Easter eggs of characters from previous books.
Elena never anticipated she would end up a captive on a pirate ship when she set out on her father's trade ships to prove to her father that she could secure the best prices for their goods. When it is clear that their ship will soon be overtaken by pirates she helps her handmaiden hide before securing a hidden location aboard the ship herself. When they are discovered by the Pirates, Elena's handmaiden and her crew are tossed into the ocean. The only thing that saves Elena's life is the fact that Captain Harsh's daughters, Blossom and Sugar want Elena to become their maid. As a result, Captain Harsh offers Elena a proposition, serve his daughters as their maid or be purchased by Captain Harsh's pirate brother. In an effort to survive until she can be rescued, Elena accepts the agreement to become a maid for Sugar and Blossom. As time passes and she struggles to survive in deplorable conditions, Elena begins to lose hope that rescue will never come.
When Elena's hope is almost gone, another captive is brought in when his ship is also sunk and his crew tossed overboard. The young man, named Harlan, was captured because Blossom and Sugar are fascinated by his handsome appearance. Just like Eleana, Harlan is offered a choice. As a result of the situation, he agrees to "court" the captain's daughters through supervised visits. As Harlan and Elena plan and strategize on how they could escape, the two strike up an immediate friendship. However, as time goes on, sparks begin to fly between the two of them. If their fledgling relationship is discovered, the consequences could be deadly for one, if not both of them.
Will Elena and Harlan ever escape from the pirates? Will Harlan be forced to marry Blossom or Sugar? Will Elena be sold to Captain Harsh's pirate brother? Find out by reading Escaping Pirates! It's a story you will not want to miss!
As soon as I learned that Mary Mecham was writing a pirate Cinderella story mash-up I knew it was going to be a book I would devour as soon as I received a copy. I was definitely right! I was captivated from the very first page! So much so that I finished the book in less than 24 hours upon starting it. Cinderella was one of my favorite fairytales as a young child, and is still a fairytale that I often find myself drawn to. While this story does share the classic elements of the Cinderella story, it definitely aligns more with the original Grimms Fairytale. This book is not a fluffy and sweet fairytale retelling and while it definitely delves into a more darker side of the Cinderella story, Mecham does a brilliant job of setting the scene without going too dark for her younger readers. There is mention of slavery, blood, starvation, murder, blackmail, and drowning throughout the book as a fair warning, but nothing greater than PG-13. That said, Mecham perfectly balances those dark moments with ones where you can taste the hope the main characters have for rescue. She also incorporates plenty of funny scenes that help to perfectly balance the heavier moments throughout the book. While this book is part of the Legends of Neverland series it can be read as a standalone without any issue. That said, if you have read the entire series, you will see cameos and a few Easter eggs of characters from previous books.
Elena never anticipated she would end up a captive on a pirate ship when she set out on her father's trade ships to prove to her father that she could secure the best prices for their goods. When it is clear that their ship will soon be overtaken by pirates she helps her handmaiden hide before securing a hidden location aboard the ship herself. When they are discovered by the Pirates, Elena's handmaiden and her crew are tossed into the ocean. The only thing that saves Elena's life is the fact that Captain Harsh's daughters, Blossom and Sugar want Elena to become their maid. As a result, Captain Harsh offers Elena a proposition, serve his daughters as their maid or be purchased by Captain Harsh's pirate brother. In an effort to survive until she can be rescued, Elena accepts the agreement to become a maid for Sugar and Blossom. As time passes and she struggles to survive in deplorable conditions, Elena begins to lose hope that rescue will never come.
When Elena's hope is almost gone, another captive is brought in when his ship is also sunk and his crew tossed overboard. The young man, named Harlan, was captured because Blossom and Sugar are fascinated by his handsome appearance. Just like Eleana, Harlan is offered a choice. As a result of the situation, he agrees to "court" the captain's daughters through supervised visits. As Harlan and Elena plan and strategize on how they could escape, the two strike up an immediate friendship. However, as time goes on, sparks begin to fly between the two of them. If their fledgling relationship is discovered, the consequences could be deadly for one, if not both of them.
Will Elena and Harlan ever escape from the pirates? Will Harlan be forced to marry Blossom or Sugar? Will Elena be sold to Captain Harsh's pirate brother? Find out by reading Escaping Pirates! It's a story you will not want to miss!
August 6, 2025
I don't know how Mary always does it but once again I somehow raced through this book in a day! And it's not even a novella this time, it's a full-on novel! Everything she writes is just amazing every time.
Elena was another fantastic FMC! Not one of Mary's fighty ones, but one of the brainy ones able to outsmart the enemies, even though these were some rather clever pirates. I loved her and her way of thinking, and she was extremely strong, in will and despite the lack of food even before she gained physical deck-scrubbing strength. I loved our MMC Harlan too. Another clever character having had good schooling which was extremely useful because although he was strong and could also fight, there's not a lot of use for fighting your way out of danger when you're trapped on a ship in the middle of the ocean.
The Cinderella aspects were also super cleverly done, as always with Mary's and all of the fairytale retellings I read, I'm always really surprised how well the "modern" story can retell a fairytale like this. Especially trying to fit 2 ugly stepsisters onto a pirate ship?! I won't spoil all the aspects but I loved how it was done, getting in the most Cinderella-y aspects in such a different setting.
This one I think was actually fairly different to the others in the series. We still got to see some of the previous characters we already know and love (Prince Korth and Dahlia are some non-spoilery examples) but we also this time got to meet our FMC for the next book who played quite a big role near the end of the book, and I don't think that's happened before! I'm sure the MCs have always been new and unintroduced characters. Plus from having seen Mary already advertising some aspects of the next one before this is even out, now that I've relooked I think it's a pretty direct continuation from this book, whereas normally they've been fairly separate stories just happening sometime in the future from the previous book and with a little bit of continuation to Peter Pan's storyline. So it was a little surprising at first, especially because of who the character is, but I'm very excited for the next one. Maybe don't read any info about book 5 before you've read this one though because spoilers haha!
The other difference was that it wasn't obvious from the start who her love interest was going to be and Mary kept me guessing for a while! And there's also a good chunk at the start and end that he's just not even in, so although the romance we get while they're together is super sweet and perfect, there is less than in the previous books with more masterminding, danger and escape plotting.
I loved this book so much and can't recommend this series (and Mary's writing in general) enough. Definitely a series you should read in order though, especially now with so much crossover from this one to the next. But just anyway for Peter's story. And you've now got 4 out to binge your way through!
Elena was another fantastic FMC! Not one of Mary's fighty ones, but one of the brainy ones able to outsmart the enemies, even though these were some rather clever pirates. I loved her and her way of thinking, and she was extremely strong, in will and despite the lack of food even before she gained physical deck-scrubbing strength. I loved our MMC Harlan too. Another clever character having had good schooling which was extremely useful because although he was strong and could also fight, there's not a lot of use for fighting your way out of danger when you're trapped on a ship in the middle of the ocean.
The Cinderella aspects were also super cleverly done, as always with Mary's and all of the fairytale retellings I read, I'm always really surprised how well the "modern" story can retell a fairytale like this. Especially trying to fit 2 ugly stepsisters onto a pirate ship?! I won't spoil all the aspects but I loved how it was done, getting in the most Cinderella-y aspects in such a different setting.
This one I think was actually fairly different to the others in the series. We still got to see some of the previous characters we already know and love (Prince Korth and Dahlia are some non-spoilery examples) but we also this time got to meet our FMC for the next book who played quite a big role near the end of the book, and I don't think that's happened before! I'm sure the MCs have always been new and unintroduced characters. Plus from having seen Mary already advertising some aspects of the next one before this is even out, now that I've relooked I think it's a pretty direct continuation from this book, whereas normally they've been fairly separate stories just happening sometime in the future from the previous book and with a little bit of continuation to Peter Pan's storyline. So it was a little surprising at first, especially because of who the character is, but I'm very excited for the next one. Maybe don't read any info about book 5 before you've read this one though because spoilers haha!
The other difference was that it wasn't obvious from the start who her love interest was going to be and Mary kept me guessing for a while! And there's also a good chunk at the start and end that he's just not even in, so although the romance we get while they're together is super sweet and perfect, there is less than in the previous books with more masterminding, danger and escape plotting.
I loved this book so much and can't recommend this series (and Mary's writing in general) enough. Definitely a series you should read in order though, especially now with so much crossover from this one to the next. But just anyway for Peter's story. And you've now got 4 out to binge your way through!
August 8, 2025
Mary Mecham has done it again—delivering another unforgettable adventure in her Legends of Neverland series, this time blending the grit of pirate life with the magic of a Cinderella retelling. Escaping Pirates is intense, emotional, and action-packed, yet still manages to be hopeful, clever, and genuinely satisfying. From the very first page, I was hooked—and I finished it in less than 24 hours.
The story follows Elena, a merchant’s daughter whose life is shattered when ruthless pirates attack her ship. Torn from her crew and forced into servitude under the pirate captain’s cruel daughters, Elena’s hope for escape is all but extinguished—until she meets Harlan, a determined and quick-witted sailor who ends up imprisoned in the brig. From the start, Harlan treats her with respect, and together they find ways to keep each other going through the worst of their captivity. The romance between them grows naturally from trust and shared struggles—it’s a sweet and steady connection that feels earned, even in the harshest of circumstances.
This isn’t just a fluffy fairytale—Mecham weaves in the darker elements of the original Cinderella story and pirate lore, including danger, betrayal, and survival against the odds. There are mentions of slavery, blood, murder, blackmail, and starvation, yet it’s all handled with a PG-13 touch that younger teens could still enjoy. Importantly, these heavier moments are balanced with humour, resilience, and moments of optimism—whether through Elena and Harlan’s resourceful planning, the comedic bickering of Blossom and Sugar, or surprise cameos from beloved characters in earlier books.
As a retelling, it’s fun to spot who plays which role in the Cinderella story and to see which elements Mecham kept, twisted, or dropped to fit her world. The pacing is excellent, with enough action to keep the pages turning and enough emotional depth to make you care about what happens next.
Although it’s the fourth book in the Legends of Neverland series, it works perfectly as a standalone. However, fans of the series will enjoy the Easter eggs, character cameos, and subtle world-building that link it to earlier instalments—and you’ll probably want to read the rest once you’ve finished this one. Best of all, Escaping Pirates doesn’t just wrap up Elena and Harlan’s journey—it also plants tantalising seeds for the next book in the series, introducing intriguing connections and characters whose stories I’m eager to follow.
If you enjoy adventure, sweet romance, pirate escapades, clever twists on fairytales, and characters who fight for freedom with grit and heart, Escaping Pirates is a must-read. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment.
The story follows Elena, a merchant’s daughter whose life is shattered when ruthless pirates attack her ship. Torn from her crew and forced into servitude under the pirate captain’s cruel daughters, Elena’s hope for escape is all but extinguished—until she meets Harlan, a determined and quick-witted sailor who ends up imprisoned in the brig. From the start, Harlan treats her with respect, and together they find ways to keep each other going through the worst of their captivity. The romance between them grows naturally from trust and shared struggles—it’s a sweet and steady connection that feels earned, even in the harshest of circumstances.
This isn’t just a fluffy fairytale—Mecham weaves in the darker elements of the original Cinderella story and pirate lore, including danger, betrayal, and survival against the odds. There are mentions of slavery, blood, murder, blackmail, and starvation, yet it’s all handled with a PG-13 touch that younger teens could still enjoy. Importantly, these heavier moments are balanced with humour, resilience, and moments of optimism—whether through Elena and Harlan’s resourceful planning, the comedic bickering of Blossom and Sugar, or surprise cameos from beloved characters in earlier books.
As a retelling, it’s fun to spot who plays which role in the Cinderella story and to see which elements Mecham kept, twisted, or dropped to fit her world. The pacing is excellent, with enough action to keep the pages turning and enough emotional depth to make you care about what happens next.
Although it’s the fourth book in the Legends of Neverland series, it works perfectly as a standalone. However, fans of the series will enjoy the Easter eggs, character cameos, and subtle world-building that link it to earlier instalments—and you’ll probably want to read the rest once you’ve finished this one. Best of all, Escaping Pirates doesn’t just wrap up Elena and Harlan’s journey—it also plants tantalising seeds for the next book in the series, introducing intriguing connections and characters whose stories I’m eager to follow.
If you enjoy adventure, sweet romance, pirate escapades, clever twists on fairytales, and characters who fight for freedom with grit and heart, Escaping Pirates is a must-read. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment.
July 18, 2025
Okay but seriously, how does every single book Mary Mecham pens outshine her previous one? Every time I think her stories could not possibly get any better, she proves me wrong. Again!
This hilarious and swoony Cinderella-retelling has it all! -
Ugly stepsisters - check. Two pirate sisters with the brattiest and ugliest personalities ever, that made the prettiness of their outside appearance rather unattractive to the captive suitor they were both pursuing.
Wicked stepmother? - check, but replace it with a tyrant pirate captain who loves to indulge in a wee bit of torture and would do anything for his daughters.
Side-character-villain? - check. Another pirate, who has the hots for the unfortunate "Scurvyella" and gives her the creeps. He's the captain's brother, which leads to some rather interesting shenanigans!
Captivity and punishment? - check This book has it in spades, so if that's a trigger for you but you love Mary's writing I'd advise you to do what I did and sandwhich this book between two feel-good cozies.
Adventure? - Absolutely! Tons of it!
Snarky characters and the banter Mary is famous for? Naturally! (And you will LOVE a certain cabin-boy who is less weak and naive than he seems)
Crossover characters from previous books? Yes, yes and YES! Korth and Dahlia pitch up and Peter Pan has more than a cameo which made my reader heart swarm with happiness! (I don't care if swarm doesn't fit there, I said what I said)
A prince for Cinderella to fall in love with? Yes, but he is a (drop-dead-gorgeous and wonderfully chivalrous) fellow prisoner. Is he a prince? I'm not telling, but his personality is certainly prince-like - in the best possible ways!
The Cinderella character? - Yes but as a slave and a prisoner on a pirate ship to two (rather amusingly dense) sisters. The malapropisms and misunderstandings that came from one of them had me rolling on the floor with laughter! (Sorry Mary, I just HAVE to quote here: When Elena tries to correct a grammar mistake by saying it's an oxymoron, she replies with "I'm not an ox OR a moron!" and sends poor Elena back to the brig in a huff.) I'm not using names because I read this book a while back, but it's still sitting fresh in my mind, proving that it is definitely one that will hook you from the first word to the last.
Happily ever after? - yes of course, but it is HARD-won!
I'd advise you to read this epic when you have nothing else to do because the snark and twists and adventure will leave you needing to recover a little before picking up another book - and you won't want to put it down until you're done!
This hilarious and swoony Cinderella-retelling has it all! -
Ugly stepsisters - check. Two pirate sisters with the brattiest and ugliest personalities ever, that made the prettiness of their outside appearance rather unattractive to the captive suitor they were both pursuing.
Wicked stepmother? - check, but replace it with a tyrant pirate captain who loves to indulge in a wee bit of torture and would do anything for his daughters.
Side-character-villain? - check. Another pirate, who has the hots for the unfortunate "Scurvyella" and gives her the creeps. He's the captain's brother, which leads to some rather interesting shenanigans!
Captivity and punishment? - check This book has it in spades, so if that's a trigger for you but you love Mary's writing I'd advise you to do what I did and sandwhich this book between two feel-good cozies.
Adventure? - Absolutely! Tons of it!
Snarky characters and the banter Mary is famous for? Naturally! (And you will LOVE a certain cabin-boy who is less weak and naive than he seems)
Crossover characters from previous books? Yes, yes and YES! Korth and Dahlia pitch up and Peter Pan has more than a cameo which made my reader heart swarm with happiness! (I don't care if swarm doesn't fit there, I said what I said)
A prince for Cinderella to fall in love with? Yes, but he is a (drop-dead-gorgeous and wonderfully chivalrous) fellow prisoner. Is he a prince? I'm not telling, but his personality is certainly prince-like - in the best possible ways!
The Cinderella character? - Yes but as a slave and a prisoner on a pirate ship to two (rather amusingly dense) sisters. The malapropisms and misunderstandings that came from one of them had me rolling on the floor with laughter! (Sorry Mary, I just HAVE to quote here: When Elena tries to correct a grammar mistake by saying it's an oxymoron, she replies with "I'm not an ox OR a moron!" and sends poor Elena back to the brig in a huff.) I'm not using names because I read this book a while back, but it's still sitting fresh in my mind, proving that it is definitely one that will hook you from the first word to the last.
Happily ever after? - yes of course, but it is HARD-won!
I'd advise you to read this epic when you have nothing else to do because the snark and twists and adventure will leave you needing to recover a little before picking up another book - and you won't want to put it down until you're done!
August 11, 2025
𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪𓆩☠︎︎𓆪
🏴☠️~Genres~🏴☠️
Fantasy/Forbidden Romance/Retelling/Pirates/Touch her and die
Navigating treacherous seas is perilous, but navigating love is even more dangerous.
👠~Characters~👠
(Elena "Scurvyella" ) FMC I really liked her as is usually the case with Mary Mechem's characters
(Harlan) MMC I really liked him he was so caring towards and protective of Elena.
(Captain Harsh Renshaw) CAPTAIN OF THE 𝘒𝘙𝘈𝘒𝘌𝘕'𝘚 𝘙𝘌𝘝𝘌𝘕𝘎𝘌 He wasn't really a good person but he did try his best to be a good father I didn't really like him though.
(Sugar) HARSH'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER This girl! she is honestly just a lot She loves Dancing but she is awful at it. she also loves candy. I didn't like her much.
(Blossom) HARSH'S OLDEST DAUGHTER She considers herself to be very smart but in reality she isn't the smartest person. I didn't really like her.
(Captain Tyrone Renshaw) HARSH'S BROTHER He was described as having surprisingly good manners while also being a slippery eel. I didn't really like him he was a creep.
(Gil) TYRONE'S CABIN BOY wow I really liked him. His personality was great.
(Peter pan) ESCAPED CONVICT STOW AWAY He was as psychotic as always, but now that he's older he is sassy and it's so funny. I still didn't like him though.
(Korth) PRINCE OF HAVEN HARBOR I still loved him!
(Dahlia) KORTH'S FIANCÉE I still loved her.
(Roderick Vane) TYRONE'S FRIEND KIND OF he was kidding funny but Also a little creepy.
☠️~Quotes~☠️
in our eagerness to take to the seas again, we had forgotten that humans often pose just as great a threat as any monster from the deep.
“I think we both have been dealt a bad hand, Elena,” he finally said. “Maybe we can put our cards together.”
“You have to fight crime with crime.” “Well, we shouldn’t,” Korth grumbled. “It’s wrong.” Dahlia beamed at him. “You’re cute when you’re all indignant about anyone breaking rules.”
🐀~What I liked~🐀
The cover omg it's SoOoOo pReTtY, The writing style, Every scene with Korth and Dahlia. The plot, The chapter headings, The characters, The Page dividers, The letters, The humor, Manor Houses, The message in a bottle scene, His note to her, Him defending her, fight training, Fairy god pirate!,
The ending, The epilogue, Everything!
🖤~What I disliked~🖤
Nothing!
🗡️~Content/Trigger Warnings~🗡️
Fighting, Animal Death/cruelty (Rats), Human Trafficking (non graphic), Murder, Blood, Torture, Illness, scurvy, Wound Tending, Drinking, Starvation, Seasickness, Malnourishment, Fire, Burns, Medical treatment
🌊~Language~🌊
None.
🏴☠️~Genres~🏴☠️
Fantasy/Forbidden Romance/Retelling/Pirates/Touch her and die
Navigating treacherous seas is perilous, but navigating love is even more dangerous.
👠~Characters~👠
(Elena "Scurvyella" ) FMC I really liked her as is usually the case with Mary Mechem's characters
(Harlan) MMC I really liked him he was so caring towards and protective of Elena.
(Captain Harsh Renshaw) CAPTAIN OF THE 𝘒𝘙𝘈𝘒𝘌𝘕'𝘚 𝘙𝘌𝘝𝘌𝘕𝘎𝘌 He wasn't really a good person but he did try his best to be a good father I didn't really like him though.
(Sugar) HARSH'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER This girl! she is honestly just a lot She loves Dancing but she is awful at it. she also loves candy. I didn't like her much.
(Blossom) HARSH'S OLDEST DAUGHTER She considers herself to be very smart but in reality she isn't the smartest person. I didn't really like her.
(Captain Tyrone Renshaw) HARSH'S BROTHER He was described as having surprisingly good manners while also being a slippery eel. I didn't really like him he was a creep.
(Gil) TYRONE'S CABIN BOY wow I really liked him. His personality was great.
(Peter pan) ESCAPED CONVICT STOW AWAY He was as psychotic as always, but now that he's older he is sassy and it's so funny. I still didn't like him though.
(Korth) PRINCE OF HAVEN HARBOR I still loved him!
(Dahlia) KORTH'S FIANCÉE I still loved her.
(Roderick Vane) TYRONE'S FRIEND KIND OF he was kidding funny but Also a little creepy.
☠️~Quotes~☠️
in our eagerness to take to the seas again, we had forgotten that humans often pose just as great a threat as any monster from the deep.
“I think we both have been dealt a bad hand, Elena,” he finally said. “Maybe we can put our cards together.”
“You have to fight crime with crime.” “Well, we shouldn’t,” Korth grumbled. “It’s wrong.” Dahlia beamed at him. “You’re cute when you’re all indignant about anyone breaking rules.”
🐀~What I liked~🐀
The cover omg it's SoOoOo pReTtY, The writing style, Every scene with Korth and Dahlia. The plot, The chapter headings, The characters, The Page dividers, The letters, The humor, Manor Houses, The message in a bottle scene, His note to her, Him defending her, fight training, Fairy god pirate!,
The ending, The epilogue, Everything!
🖤~What I disliked~🖤
Nothing!
🗡️~Content/Trigger Warnings~🗡️
Fighting, Animal Death/cruelty (Rats), Human Trafficking (non graphic), Murder, Blood, Torture, Illness, scurvy, Wound Tending, Drinking, Starvation, Seasickness, Malnourishment, Fire, Burns, Medical treatment
🌊~Language~🌊
None.
July 29, 2025
Oh. My. Goodness.
I have read nearly all of Mary Mecham's books now (only one to go, and I'm hoping to read it soon), and this one was by far the angstiest and most intense of them in the best possible way! Though Mary Mecham is a master at high stakes, I feel this book had the highest, most personal stakes for the characters, and it made the whole thing a beautiful rollercoaster.
First of all, let's talk about the FMC, Elena. Without spoiling anything specific that she does, I will say that I was thrilled for a Cinderella that was intelligent, yet still a damsel. While Elena couldn't escape her circumstances on her own and was distressed, she felt more realistic than perfect, and I adored that. She is incredibly hard-working, enduring, and resourceful. She didn't timidly accept her situation, but rather, she sought a way out in her own way.
Harlan, the MMC, is amazing. Not perfect either, but he's charming, protective, and kind. His actions definitely made me cheer a few times, and watching their budding romance was heartwarming. It felt believable that the two would fall for each other and watching them pining for each other was a blast!
I loved to hate the pirates, and I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the book, wondering how our heroes would escape and when. Sugar and Blossom (the "stepsisters" in this adaptation) are funny and yet still despicable in the best way, and the end is very satisfying. Tyrone is chillingly creepy. While it was still a Cinderella story, aspects of it felt looser, which led to a very riveting and refreshing story.
In addition, there were plentiful connections to the other books in this series, of which this book is book four. I also spotted lots of set-up for the next book, Seeking Revenge, which has me very intrigued and excited for it... and sad that I have to wait almost a year for it. However, this book still functions as a standalone; reading the other books simply adds to the enjoyment and depth of the worldbuilding.
The prose and description is strong, the plot is phenomenal, and there will certainly be some twists that surprise you! If you love no-spice fairytales with a twist (my favorite), then you will adore this book. Wonderful tropes, and I am thrilled that I got the chance to read it! Looking forward to book five!
I have read nearly all of Mary Mecham's books now (only one to go, and I'm hoping to read it soon), and this one was by far the angstiest and most intense of them in the best possible way! Though Mary Mecham is a master at high stakes, I feel this book had the highest, most personal stakes for the characters, and it made the whole thing a beautiful rollercoaster.
First of all, let's talk about the FMC, Elena. Without spoiling anything specific that she does, I will say that I was thrilled for a Cinderella that was intelligent, yet still a damsel. While Elena couldn't escape her circumstances on her own and was distressed, she felt more realistic than perfect, and I adored that. She is incredibly hard-working, enduring, and resourceful. She didn't timidly accept her situation, but rather, she sought a way out in her own way.
Harlan, the MMC, is amazing. Not perfect either, but he's charming, protective, and kind. His actions definitely made me cheer a few times, and watching their budding romance was heartwarming. It felt believable that the two would fall for each other and watching them pining for each other was a blast!
I loved to hate the pirates, and I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the book, wondering how our heroes would escape and when. Sugar and Blossom (the "stepsisters" in this adaptation) are funny and yet still despicable in the best way, and the end is very satisfying. Tyrone is chillingly creepy. While it was still a Cinderella story, aspects of it felt looser, which led to a very riveting and refreshing story.
In addition, there were plentiful connections to the other books in this series, of which this book is book four. I also spotted lots of set-up for the next book, Seeking Revenge, which has me very intrigued and excited for it... and sad that I have to wait almost a year for it. However, this book still functions as a standalone; reading the other books simply adds to the enjoyment and depth of the worldbuilding.
The prose and description is strong, the plot is phenomenal, and there will certainly be some twists that surprise you! If you love no-spice fairytales with a twist (my favorite), then you will adore this book. Wonderful tropes, and I am thrilled that I got the chance to read it! Looking forward to book five!
August 8, 2025
Elena was excited to be on her first voyage as a representative for her father’s merchant company. She had plans, had some of her father's best goods, and was determined to prove herself. That was until the pirates attacked. She hoped her quick thinking saved her crew but now she must deal with Captain Harsh, a formidable pirate who is cunning and ruthless. He has one vulnerability however, his daughters and his need to please them. After they demand a maid Elena is given the chance to serve their every whim or face her fate to the whims of the ocean. So she bides her time in hopes of escaping but every attempt is thwarted and with the threat of being traded to Harsh's brother Captain Tyrone, she knows her time on board lasts for as long as she can please the sisters. When she thinks she is at her lowest a new prisoner arrives, one that has the sisters bickering for his attention and one that brings Elena hope. Harlan is placed in the cell next to her and they bond over their capture and their need to escape. As their plans move forward so do the bonds they forge with each other. The goal is to be free of the pirates together or die trying to save each other.
This was a unique twist on the Cinderella tale and I loved this refreshing take. This definitely had an Ever After vibe at times with how Elena was resourceful and tried to save herself at times while still having that damsel in distress feeling. I really enjoyed the twisting of the wicked stepmother and stepsisters being the pirate caption and his daughters. This was a fun way to take the abusive family trope and make it different but at the core still a toxic and demeaning situation. The romantic interest instead had the mask/hidden identity and in turn needed help just as much as Elena did. I didn’t read the other books in the series but that didn't take away the fun from seeing characters you could tell were from the other books. There were a few plot twists I didn't see coming which was fun and a few that I am trying to see how they fit for future stories. Also, the oxymoron scene reminded me of a scene from a favorite movie of mine so that made me giggle.
This was a unique twist on the Cinderella tale and I loved this refreshing take. This definitely had an Ever After vibe at times with how Elena was resourceful and tried to save herself at times while still having that damsel in distress feeling. I really enjoyed the twisting of the wicked stepmother and stepsisters being the pirate caption and his daughters. This was a fun way to take the abusive family trope and make it different but at the core still a toxic and demeaning situation. The romantic interest instead had the mask/hidden identity and in turn needed help just as much as Elena did. I didn’t read the other books in the series but that didn't take away the fun from seeing characters you could tell were from the other books. There were a few plot twists I didn't see coming which was fun and a few that I am trying to see how they fit for future stories. Also, the oxymoron scene reminded me of a scene from a favorite movie of mine so that made me giggle.
July 28, 2025
Guys, she's done it again. Oh my. What a fantastic book!
It started off pretty slow, and I wasn't really sure where things were going but oh my gosh the second half was so full of so many twists and turns, and I didn't see a single one coming! I literally could not put it down! Which is saying a lot because my reading slump has been following me around for the last year and a half like a.... (I got nothing. It's late. and Chat GPT had the lamest suggestions like a stray cat or a clingy ex. So just use your imagination to fill that one in). Suffice it to say that I have struggled getting into books lately, especially if they're not audiobooks.
But Escaping Pirates!!! It made me remember why I love reading so much! I felt like I was on the sea, experiencing the life of a captive alongside Elena! Oh man I feel so bad for her. She had it rough! Everything that could've gone wrong did indeed go wrong, and more! She was determined, though, I'll give her that.
I really liked Harlan as well! I love a protective love interest. My one complaint was that it felt a tad to insta-lovey-dovey for me, but tbh if I was in Elena's situation, I probably would've been the same haha.
The villains were great as well! oh man I hate their guts. Especially Tyrone. I honestly think he was worse than Harsh. That manipulative jerk!!
I also found Blossom's erroneous pontifications quite amusing. She and Sugar were such little brats though! smh
Last note about the characters... I am interested to see where Gil's story arc takes us! I'm intrigued :D
As I've mentioned before, I love fairytale retellings. Cinderella was so cleverly woven into this book! It wasn't an exact retelling obviously. There definitely were no pirates in the Cinderella I grew up with :P But it was fun seeing all the little tie-ins!
Overall, Escaping Pirates was such a fun adventure! I highly recommend this and all other of Mary's books
It started off pretty slow, and I wasn't really sure where things were going but oh my gosh the second half was so full of so many twists and turns, and I didn't see a single one coming! I literally could not put it down! Which is saying a lot because my reading slump has been following me around for the last year and a half like a.... (I got nothing. It's late. and Chat GPT had the lamest suggestions like a stray cat or a clingy ex. So just use your imagination to fill that one in). Suffice it to say that I have struggled getting into books lately, especially if they're not audiobooks.
But Escaping Pirates!!! It made me remember why I love reading so much! I felt like I was on the sea, experiencing the life of a captive alongside Elena! Oh man I feel so bad for her. She had it rough! Everything that could've gone wrong did indeed go wrong, and more! She was determined, though, I'll give her that.
I really liked Harlan as well! I love a protective love interest. My one complaint was that it felt a tad to insta-lovey-dovey for me, but tbh if I was in Elena's situation, I probably would've been the same haha.
The villains were great as well! oh man I hate their guts. Especially Tyrone. I honestly think he was worse than Harsh. That manipulative jerk!!
I also found Blossom's erroneous pontifications quite amusing. She and Sugar were such little brats though! smh
Last note about the characters... I am interested to see where Gil's story arc takes us! I'm intrigued :D
As I've mentioned before, I love fairytale retellings. Cinderella was so cleverly woven into this book! It wasn't an exact retelling obviously. There definitely were no pirates in the Cinderella I grew up with :P But it was fun seeing all the little tie-ins!
Overall, Escaping Pirates was such a fun adventure! I highly recommend this and all other of Mary's books
August 8, 2025
Before I begin, I would like to thank Mary Mecham for allowing me to read her upcoming book, Escaping Pirates, which is the fourth book of her Legends of Neverland book series and will be available on Amazon on August 8th, 2025.
Elena is kidnapped by pirates after they attack after her family’s merchant ship is attacked. Forced to become a servant to the pirate captain’s awful daughters, her dreams of escaping her imprisonment fade as she obeys to survive when her heart wants to rebel. A handsome sailor, Harlan, is thrown into the brig and they instantly bond and become friends. The pirate captain’s daughters are also affected by Harlan’s charms, so a forbidden romance develops between Elena and Harlan as Elena starts hoping for freedom again. When Elena is sold to another pirate who has horrible intentions, she has to decide with the secret she now holds how much she’s willing to do to guarantee freedom for Harlan and herself. Can Elena decide between freedom or her newfound love, or is it possible to have both?
This book was great. You have Elena, a smart, clever, kind, loyal, and beautiful young woman that is dedicated to helping others and doing the right thing. You have Harlan, a strong, charismatic, funny, brave, and handsome young man that harbors a massive secret and is determined to protect Elena and get them to safety. Sugar and Blossom were cruel, but their dialogue was also really funny. The pirate captains were awful, and I thought the contrast between the pirate captain Harsh’s interactions with his daughters versus Elena were nicely done. There were a lot of plot twists and tense moments during this book, and I wanted to hug Elena and Harlan and cheered for them throughout the story. Overall, if you like Cinderella retellings, pirates, great humor, and sweet forbidden love romance with low spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
Elena is kidnapped by pirates after they attack after her family’s merchant ship is attacked. Forced to become a servant to the pirate captain’s awful daughters, her dreams of escaping her imprisonment fade as she obeys to survive when her heart wants to rebel. A handsome sailor, Harlan, is thrown into the brig and they instantly bond and become friends. The pirate captain’s daughters are also affected by Harlan’s charms, so a forbidden romance develops between Elena and Harlan as Elena starts hoping for freedom again. When Elena is sold to another pirate who has horrible intentions, she has to decide with the secret she now holds how much she’s willing to do to guarantee freedom for Harlan and herself. Can Elena decide between freedom or her newfound love, or is it possible to have both?
This book was great. You have Elena, a smart, clever, kind, loyal, and beautiful young woman that is dedicated to helping others and doing the right thing. You have Harlan, a strong, charismatic, funny, brave, and handsome young man that harbors a massive secret and is determined to protect Elena and get them to safety. Sugar and Blossom were cruel, but their dialogue was also really funny. The pirate captains were awful, and I thought the contrast between the pirate captain Harsh’s interactions with his daughters versus Elena were nicely done. There were a lot of plot twists and tense moments during this book, and I wanted to hug Elena and Harlan and cheered for them throughout the story. Overall, if you like Cinderella retellings, pirates, great humor, and sweet forbidden love romance with low spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
August 23, 2025
Harlan stared at me, and I stared hungrily back. His eyes were a dep green that reminded me of the forest in springtime. The forest symbolized land. For the first time in weeks, hope swelled within my chest. One day, I would walk in the forest again, smell the damp earth, and listen to the songs of larks singing to each other. The strength in Harlan’s hands never wavers as he continued to hold up my exhausted arms. I almost wanted to laugh at how he and I had only known each other for an hour and had already cried together, and that he felt more like a friend than anyone else on board.
“I think we both have been dealt a bad hand, Elena,” he finally said. “Maybe we can put our cards together.”
Escaping Pirates: A Seafaring Cinderella Retelling is 5 star fabulous!!! This book was thoroughly enjoyable from the very first page and I found myself getting soooo annoyed every time I had to pause. I stayed up late reading, woke up early to read, and finished it when I should have been doing something else – that is how good it is!
Elena’s merchant ship is captured and seized by ruthless pirates, forcing Elena to become a maidservant to two daughters of a horrible ship captain. Elena is treated very poorly, so much so that she almost gives up hope. However, through Harlan, another sailor who is also captured, hope starts to shine bright again.
Elena and Harlan’s adventure is filled with treacherous pirates, poor living conditions, vicious sea creatures, betrayal, heartache, sweet tension and longing…and so many plot twist and surprises that kept me on my toes! Their journey to a happily- ever- after is one you will definitely want to read and experience for yourself. The Cinderella re-telling elements the author included and the side characters made this book all around fabulous!
CW: kisses only, no swearing
“I think we both have been dealt a bad hand, Elena,” he finally said. “Maybe we can put our cards together.”
Escaping Pirates: A Seafaring Cinderella Retelling is 5 star fabulous!!! This book was thoroughly enjoyable from the very first page and I found myself getting soooo annoyed every time I had to pause. I stayed up late reading, woke up early to read, and finished it when I should have been doing something else – that is how good it is!
Elena’s merchant ship is captured and seized by ruthless pirates, forcing Elena to become a maidservant to two daughters of a horrible ship captain. Elena is treated very poorly, so much so that she almost gives up hope. However, through Harlan, another sailor who is also captured, hope starts to shine bright again.
Elena and Harlan’s adventure is filled with treacherous pirates, poor living conditions, vicious sea creatures, betrayal, heartache, sweet tension and longing…and so many plot twist and surprises that kept me on my toes! Their journey to a happily- ever- after is one you will definitely want to read and experience for yourself. The Cinderella re-telling elements the author included and the side characters made this book all around fabulous!
CW: kisses only, no swearing
August 7, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series and can be read as a stand-alone, though there are characters mentioned who have their own stories/mentions in previous books
– this is told from Elena’s point of view
-there is some fantasy violence
-there is some unwanted attention given to Elena by a pirate
Review:
So good! I have been loving Mary Mecham’s twists on fairytales, but especially in this series! In this series, I have also been loving how she keeps building on the past books, even if it’s just by carrying over a character or two and/or giving us information about past characters/kingdoms. I’ve loved the cameos and seeing how Mary uses the characters in the new stories.
But back to this book specifically, I loved how Mary added her own spin to the Cinderella tale and trying to figure out who would play what roles. I also had fun just trying to figure out what parts of the tale she decided to keep or drop to fit into her world best! I loved Elena and Harlan together! I loved that Harlan was a sweetheart (towards her anyways) from the beginning and helped her survive better than she had before they met. I loved waiting to see what the captain’s daughters would say next too. Neither of them were as sharp as they thought they were and they made for some hilarious lines in the book!
I can’t wait to find out more about our Goldilocks thief in the next book and the other characters I’ve seen Mary Mecham post about from it!
Summary:
Elena wanted to prove herself in the family merchant business, but never expected pirates to take her ship on her first run.
The only one left from her crew, Elena is at the mercy of the pirate captain and his two daughters. And with no land in sight, she’ll do anything just to survive. Even if it means catering to the whims of the captain’s daughters as their servant. But when a new captive joins her in the brig, Elena finds a renewed desire to fight back.
Harlan still has the fire to bring down the pirates for what they did to his crew mates. And when he shows her kindness she hasn’t seen since her capture, Elena begins to fall for him. But with the captain’s daughters eyeing Harlan as their chance at a beau, her feelings are forbidden if Elena wants to keep away from a worse fate.
In this world of captives and dire circumstances, will Elena have the chance at the escape she desired for from the beginning or will love and secrets change her course in ways she never imagined?
– this is part of a series and can be read as a stand-alone, though there are characters mentioned who have their own stories/mentions in previous books
– this is told from Elena’s point of view
-there is some fantasy violence
-there is some unwanted attention given to Elena by a pirate
Review:
So good! I have been loving Mary Mecham’s twists on fairytales, but especially in this series! In this series, I have also been loving how she keeps building on the past books, even if it’s just by carrying over a character or two and/or giving us information about past characters/kingdoms. I’ve loved the cameos and seeing how Mary uses the characters in the new stories.
But back to this book specifically, I loved how Mary added her own spin to the Cinderella tale and trying to figure out who would play what roles. I also had fun just trying to figure out what parts of the tale she decided to keep or drop to fit into her world best! I loved Elena and Harlan together! I loved that Harlan was a sweetheart (towards her anyways) from the beginning and helped her survive better than she had before they met. I loved waiting to see what the captain’s daughters would say next too. Neither of them were as sharp as they thought they were and they made for some hilarious lines in the book!
I can’t wait to find out more about our Goldilocks thief in the next book and the other characters I’ve seen Mary Mecham post about from it!
Summary:
Elena wanted to prove herself in the family merchant business, but never expected pirates to take her ship on her first run.
The only one left from her crew, Elena is at the mercy of the pirate captain and his two daughters. And with no land in sight, she’ll do anything just to survive. Even if it means catering to the whims of the captain’s daughters as their servant. But when a new captive joins her in the brig, Elena finds a renewed desire to fight back.
Harlan still has the fire to bring down the pirates for what they did to his crew mates. And when he shows her kindness she hasn’t seen since her capture, Elena begins to fall for him. But with the captain’s daughters eyeing Harlan as their chance at a beau, her feelings are forbidden if Elena wants to keep away from a worse fate.
In this world of captives and dire circumstances, will Elena have the chance at the escape she desired for from the beginning or will love and secrets change her course in ways she never imagined?
July 16, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC of Escaping Pirates! This was such a fun and fresh take on the Cinderella tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed every twisty, seafaring minute of it.
Mary Mecham has such a talent for weaving unexpected turns into her stories, and this installment of the Legends of Neverland series was no exception. I found myself gasping at more than one moment, totally caught off guard—in the best way. Though this can be read as a standalone, fans of the series will appreciate the nods to previous books and returning references that add a bit of extra magic to the experience.
Elena and Harlan had such great chemistry from the moment they met, and I loved how their connection grew in the close quarters of their forced proximity aboard a pirate ship. Elena’s strength and determination paired beautifully with Harlan’s rebellious spark, making their romance feel all the more rewarding.
This Cinderella-inspired story leans into some fun and daring tropes: kidnapped FMC, stowaways, forbidden romance, and a damsel who might need rescuing but is absolutely not helpless. It’s full of high seas danger, pirate scheming, and just enough fairy tale flair to make it feel magical—without any spice, which makes it a great pick for readers who prefer clean romance.
If you love retellings, seafaring adventure, and heroines who refuse to give up even when the tides are against them, Escaping Pirates is one you’ll want to sail away with. I can’t wait to see what Mecham writes next!
Mary Mecham has such a talent for weaving unexpected turns into her stories, and this installment of the Legends of Neverland series was no exception. I found myself gasping at more than one moment, totally caught off guard—in the best way. Though this can be read as a standalone, fans of the series will appreciate the nods to previous books and returning references that add a bit of extra magic to the experience.
Elena and Harlan had such great chemistry from the moment they met, and I loved how their connection grew in the close quarters of their forced proximity aboard a pirate ship. Elena’s strength and determination paired beautifully with Harlan’s rebellious spark, making their romance feel all the more rewarding.
This Cinderella-inspired story leans into some fun and daring tropes: kidnapped FMC, stowaways, forbidden romance, and a damsel who might need rescuing but is absolutely not helpless. It’s full of high seas danger, pirate scheming, and just enough fairy tale flair to make it feel magical—without any spice, which makes it a great pick for readers who prefer clean romance.
If you love retellings, seafaring adventure, and heroines who refuse to give up even when the tides are against them, Escaping Pirates is one you’ll want to sail away with. I can’t wait to see what Mecham writes next!
June 26, 2025
If you love fairytales but crave higher stakes, real danger, and characters who fight through the impossible, this one’s for you.
This is a Cinderella retelling—but not like any you’ve read before. Think pirates instead of balls, survival instead of sparkle, and a heroine who has to claw her way through hardship with nothing but grit and flickers of hope. AND ALL with NO SPICE, so it's perfect for teens.
Elena’s world is shattered when her father’s ship is taken by pirates. What follows is not a rescue, but a descent into captivity that tests every ounce of strength she has. I felt every one of her emotions—her bravery, her heartbreak, and the moments she nearly gave up.
And then there’s Harlan. The day he's tossed into the cell beside her, her captivity is changed, and it's complicated. He doesn’t barge in and save her in this story—but he gives her hope and reminds her that luck is something we create ourselves.
Once again, Author Mary Mecham takes familiar fairytale elements and threads them into something deeper and darker, with sharp moments of humor and light that break through just when they’re most needed. There is a happy ending—but not before secrets surface, loyalties are tested, and unexpected truths are revealed.
(And of course, it wouldn't be a book without Pan. Still keeping my eyes on that one.)
It’s a story of pain and persistence, with just enough hope to keep you holding on.
This is a Cinderella retelling—but not like any you’ve read before. Think pirates instead of balls, survival instead of sparkle, and a heroine who has to claw her way through hardship with nothing but grit and flickers of hope. AND ALL with NO SPICE, so it's perfect for teens.
Elena’s world is shattered when her father’s ship is taken by pirates. What follows is not a rescue, but a descent into captivity that tests every ounce of strength she has. I felt every one of her emotions—her bravery, her heartbreak, and the moments she nearly gave up.
And then there’s Harlan. The day he's tossed into the cell beside her, her captivity is changed, and it's complicated. He doesn’t barge in and save her in this story—but he gives her hope and reminds her that luck is something we create ourselves.
Once again, Author Mary Mecham takes familiar fairytale elements and threads them into something deeper and darker, with sharp moments of humor and light that break through just when they’re most needed. There is a happy ending—but not before secrets surface, loyalties are tested, and unexpected truths are revealed.
(And of course, it wouldn't be a book without Pan. Still keeping my eyes on that one.)
It’s a story of pain and persistence, with just enough hope to keep you holding on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
This book does deal quite a bit with darker themes, however I really liked how the two mcs use humor, hope, friendship, love, protectiveness, and resilience as a way to connect and ground themselves to one another, but also as a way to stay sane within their captivity.
I loved Elena and Harlan together. Honestly, they had so many great moments together. And the way they looked out for and kept each other grounded was so sweet and heartbreaking, given the circumstances that they were in.
I also loved the humor that Blossom and Sugar unexpectedly brought with their constant bickering, and mispronounced words,etc. It was a nice break from those darker themes I mentioned earlier.
Interestingly, the small role Peter Pan plays in this book brings a slightly new side to him. And his determination to get to a certain place and make money, made me wonder if it had anything to do with a certain princess, who just happens to be in that place he's so determined to get to.
I also really liked Gil. Let me just say: that was one helluva performance! I honestly can't wait for the next book that stars her. And it was interesting her connection to Dahlia. I'm definitely here for these books!
Overall, I really liked this book. It had enough humor weaved throughout to keep the book from getting too dark. It also had enough action to keep the pace moving along without it dragging. Plus, the banter between characters was phenomenal! I'd definitely recommend this book!
I loved Elena and Harlan together. Honestly, they had so many great moments together. And the way they looked out for and kept each other grounded was so sweet and heartbreaking, given the circumstances that they were in.
I also loved the humor that Blossom and Sugar unexpectedly brought with their constant bickering, and mispronounced words,etc. It was a nice break from those darker themes I mentioned earlier.
Interestingly, the small role Peter Pan plays in this book brings a slightly new side to him. And his determination to get to a certain place and make money, made me wonder if it had anything to do with a certain princess, who just happens to be in that place he's so determined to get to.
I also really liked Gil. Let me just say: that was one helluva performance! I honestly can't wait for the next book that stars her. And it was interesting her connection to Dahlia. I'm definitely here for these books!
Overall, I really liked this book. It had enough humor weaved throughout to keep the book from getting too dark. It also had enough action to keep the pace moving along without it dragging. Plus, the banter between characters was phenomenal! I'd definitely recommend this book!
August 7, 2025
Um, WOW!!!!
I don't think I will ever be unimpressed by a Mary Mecham book. Escaping Pirates was incredibly creative, witty, funny, heartbreaking, and kept me on the edge of my seat. Each of the characters was so well-developed that I couldn't help but feel as though they were real people I had met.
"In the past, I'd heard men complain that women were confusing, and yet women didn't beg to face an opponent trying to knock them senseless."
I had made it a goal of mine to look for clues or hints to plot twists with this book, and I was happily surprised that I did not guess any of them. Mary Mecham is the queen of plot twists, and Escaping Pirates was no different. There were twists and turns at every corner, and putting the book down was nearly impossible. I needed to know what would happen to Elena and Harlan!
Sugar and Blossom, the "stepsisters" were, without a doubt, the best characters I have come across! They were hilarious! I loved every scene that they were in (even though it usually consisted with Elena getting bullied) and I was cracking up nearly every time that one of them spoke.
"Are you incinerating that we have no romantic experience?"
You can't talk about pirates without a booty joke, and the way Mary Mecham incorporated it was the cherry on top of an already amazing read! I was laughing for so long!
I don't think I will ever be unimpressed by a Mary Mecham book. Escaping Pirates was incredibly creative, witty, funny, heartbreaking, and kept me on the edge of my seat. Each of the characters was so well-developed that I couldn't help but feel as though they were real people I had met.
"In the past, I'd heard men complain that women were confusing, and yet women didn't beg to face an opponent trying to knock them senseless."
I had made it a goal of mine to look for clues or hints to plot twists with this book, and I was happily surprised that I did not guess any of them. Mary Mecham is the queen of plot twists, and Escaping Pirates was no different. There were twists and turns at every corner, and putting the book down was nearly impossible. I needed to know what would happen to Elena and Harlan!
Sugar and Blossom, the "stepsisters" were, without a doubt, the best characters I have come across! They were hilarious! I loved every scene that they were in (even though it usually consisted with Elena getting bullied) and I was cracking up nearly every time that one of them spoke.
"Are you incinerating that we have no romantic experience?"
You can't talk about pirates without a booty joke, and the way Mary Mecham incorporated it was the cherry on top of an already amazing read! I was laughing for so long!
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