Hush Darling: A Wickedly Dark Peter Pan Retelling of Forbidden Romance

Villains of Kassel #1

by Lydia Michaels

Lose your innocence to one of the wickedest men alive in this DARK and TWISTED Peter Pan retelling by bestselling and award-winning author Lydia Michaels.
Some adventures lead to happily ever afters. Others lead to ruin.

Wendy Darling is desperate to escape the gilded cage of her childhood, but her parents’ obsession with wealth and status has her trapped. Suffocated by their expectations and starved for freedom, she runs off with the duplicitous billionaire Peter Pangbourn to the Never Lands—an exclusive playground for the lawless elite. But once there, Wendy finds herself stranded and at Peter’s mercy—powerless to get home.

When pirates storm the island, Wendy is kidnapped by the cruel and vengeful Captain James Hook. James has waited a lifetime to punish his brother, Peter, and he plans to use Wendy’s innocence to exact his revenge.

Dark secrets are revealed in a battle of wills, and a dangerous obsession ensues between Wendy and her ruthless captor as his dominance is met with stunning surrender. While Hook is determined to dominate and destroy Wendy, she is set on saving his dark soul.

“Fans of Haunting Adeline and Twisted Love will devour this enemies-to-lovers, dark billionaire romance! Hush Darling sizzles with taboo degradation as Wendy, a virgin captive, faces off with one of the most vengeful and villainous pirates alive.”

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Romantasy, Pirates, Retellings

294 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2025

About the author

Lydia Michaels is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than forty novels. She writes heart-clenching, unpredictable romance with dark elements and high heat. Her work is character-driven and bursting with broken heroes and badass females. With a sweet spot for overbearing, territorial types, her deeply emotional books are spicy, emotionally satisfying, and guaranteed to leave readers with many book hangovers.

Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.

Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).

She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).

You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels

Reviews

[Mandy Enchantedbookduo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating
4 💎
3.5 🌶️

Quick Summary
Lydia’s dark retelling of Peter Pan was a surprise. Hook’s feral resistance to his emotions had me captivated, while Wendy’s struggle for authenticity struck a chord that still echoes for women today. I never expected life lessons wrapped in such thrilling, unhinged romance, but this story delivered everything I didn’t know I needed.

Reading Thoughts
📕The word sounded soo suffocating for women, didn’t blame Wendy for wanted out
📕30% in and something about Peter gave the ick
📕Hook was feral, unhinged and dark - something about the way he resisted the emotions he was feeling was all types of thrilling
📕I didn’t expect to get some life lessons while reading this but Wendy's resistance to show her true authentic self was so relatable still to some women in the world today.
📕 I never thought about a retelling of Peter Pan as a dark romance but Lydia nailed this and I loved it.

Words that linger
🍷“Good. That’s how it should be—confusing and exciting—terrifying and exhilarating.” - Peter
🍷 “No, it’s because my tour guide is a reckless man-child.” - Wendy
🍷 “I want the parts you hide from everyone else, including yourself. I want the jagged pieces of your soul that scare you most.” - Hook
🍷She couldn’t rest because she feared if she closed her eyes, she’d wake up, and this would all be a dream. - Wendy

Tropes
🪝Peter Pan retelling
🪝Feral MMC
🪝Anti Hero
🪝Rich Men
🪝Kidnapped

Thank you to author Lydia for a copy!

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️⚠️⚠️Check all TW ⚠️⚠️⚠️

This was an amazing book. It is a dark retelling of Peter Pan. I finished this book in 5 days.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
🖤 Dark Romance
💰 Billionaire Romance
⛓️ Virgin hostage
😜 Degradation kink
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻 Daddy vibes
🫣Abduction
🏴‍☠️ Pirate Romance
⚔️ Enemy Brothers
😤 Enemies-to-lovers
😇 😈 Good vs. Evil
👴 Age Gap
🧐 Class Wars
☠️ Touch Her and Die
🚫Taboo,
🪝Hook & Wendy,
🪢 Bondage,
😈 Villains Always Win

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will there be a part 2? If So I'm here for the adventure!

[Lynnea Quintana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book kept me interested from the first page to the last page. This was a book was one of my new favorite dark romance books and loved the Peter Pan twist to it.

[Daisy Nijs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Peter Pan retelling, and it was good. It’s a darker version, and nothing like the fairytale I knew.
Peter takes Wendy to the Never Lands, but it’s James Hook who she ends up with. Who would have thought that it would be the bad guy that turns to be the one?

[Daniela Gallardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sexy treat!

I will never think of Captain Hook the same way. What a sexy treat! Loved every page. Another book that I couldn't put down. Lydia does it again!

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

[Sheila McGinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. Wendy is desperate to break out of her beautiful cage and be her own person. A questionable decision brings her face to face with a dangerous man but can he be exactly what she needs? The ending has all the feels. Fabulous!

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

James was thirteen years old when he and his younger four-year-old brother, Peter, were finally removed from their abusive home. But the orphanage wasn't much better and James dreamed of a place where he was the master of the seas, where no one dared to raise their hand against him again.

Wendy hated the injustice of it all. She had just turned eighteen and the gala she had been waiting to attend was denied her as her family left her behind. When she went downstairs the door was ajar and when she called for the maid, a hand covered her mouth scaring her.

Only to find it was Peter, the man her father was determined to marry her off to. Peter, who taunted her about her innocence and dared her to come with him to a place where dreams come true.

I loved this book! This is a modern retelling of Peter Pan. It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. But this is unlike any version of Peter Pan you have read before!

This is a dark steamy hot romance full of action, suspense and danger as Wendy finds out that Never Land isn't what it seems and the villian may turn out to be her hero.

I have read Lydia Michaels smalltown romances, vampire romances, but her twisted retellings have to be my favorite. Prepare yourself, because she is going to take you for a ride with this story. Highly recommend!

[Nikky · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Captivating!

Hush Darling is a breathtaking, darkly enchanting retelling of a Disney classic that completely swept me away. Lydia Michaels blends fantasy, danger and forbidden romance into a story that feels both familiar and thrillingly new. The atmosphere is immersive. Every chapter pulls you deeper into a world where innocence tangles with obsession and magic hides behind every shadow.

The tension between the characters is both romantic and psychological, which is absolute perfection.

If you love twisted fairytales, morally gray heroes and a romance that challenges as much as it seduces, Hush Darling is a must-read. Easily one of my favorite dark retellings of the year.

[Julee McKFly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Lydia Michels for the ARC copy of this book. This is not the Peter Pan from your childhood fairytales. It’s so much better! The spice is spicy! The story is well laid out and I loved the ending. I can’t wait to read more of the Villains of Kassel series.

[Kazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deliciously dark and captivating retelling of the classic fairytale Peter Pan. Other than the names of the characters there are no comparisons between this fascinating read and the fairytale.
Wendy is frustrated at the confines her parents have made of her life, she feels her only value is her virtue and to make a successful marriage. Her parents have their eye on Peter Pangbourn the billionaire son of the famous family, however Wendy is not the least interested. One night when her parents are out, Peter comes to Wendy’s house, takes her away to the Never Lands an exclusive island for the elite, on his private jet. Wendy meets the Lost Boys there and also Belle, she is abandoned by Peter, then kidnapped by Captain James Hook, at first she was petrified onboard the pirate ship, and it wasn’t long before it became obvious that Wendy’s innocence wasn’t going to last long and surprisingly she was soon enjoying what James was doing to her, and actively participating much to James’s confusion! Their relationship was supposed to be that of captor and captive but it soon became clear that they had real feelings but how was that ever going to work with Wendy wanting to go back to her home at some point, would she ever be content living on a pirate ship?
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book via BookFunnel and I am writing this review voluntarily

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a dark Peter Pan retelling, which is delicious. 😋
Wendy is taken to the Never Lands by Peter, who is not who you think he is. She ends up being taken by Captain James Hook, and the story takes a very spicy turn.
The villains are not always the bad guys. 😉 I really enjoyed this retelling of Peter Pan; it was dark, twisted, and spicy.

[judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia Micheals has such a wide range with her writing skills. I love all her books. This one is a twist on a fairy tale. It has a sadness to it. It is very dark and very real. Wendy lives in a cage of her parents making. Peter is not what he seems to be. He leads Wendy down one path but it takes a turn towards her happy everafter. It definitely has a dark side to it but it also has a pure side to it as well. Black Jack finds his Red Handed Jill in a twist of events neither could predict or prevent. In the end Wendy decides her fate and defines what love is meant to look like. Never land was the start of something good for her . Peter did have an evil plan but it backfired on him He lost more than a girl he lost himself and parts that should be important to him , a brother . I did struggle to read this book because I kept comparing it to the fairy tale of Peter Pan , the Lost Boys, Tinkerbell, Wendy and Captain Hooke. It is not the fairy tale it is so much more! The author did a great job with the characters and the storyline. The story evokes so much emotion with this storyline. I loved the ending. Some people’s nightmares do become their HEA . I would give this book more than 5 stars if possible.

[Destiney Ellerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC and was so excited to read another Peter Pan retelling. Was not a fan of how things play out at the Never Lands with Peter.. but other than that I loved this book. The Lost Boys were great and I wish we would've had more of them in the story but even without them I couldn't put the book down. I was really proud of Wendy at the end but her childlike behavior and naiveté got old at times. It is not exaggerated in saying this is a "wickedly dark" retelling of Peter Pan because it is just that and may be a lot for some to handle so I strongly encourage reading the trigger warnings. Cant wait for the next book in the Villains of Kassel series. Also when I say I couldn't put this book down I mean it, I finished this book in less than 24 hours.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Peter Pan, always have. And this book is a Peter Pan retelling! Eek! Wendy,tired of being under the influence of her rich parents, runs off to the Never Lands with Peter Pangbourn. There Wendy is k!dnapped by Peter's brother, James Hook. There are so many amazing tropes in the story:
Billionaire Romance
V!rgin heroine
degradation kink
Daddy vibes
Abduction
Pirate Romance
Enemy Brothers
enemies-to-lovers
good vs. evil

This is an absolutely an amazing twist on a favorite classic. It is also dark and twisted. This is not the fairytale you knew! Absolutely an amazing story.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an entertaining read - definitely a different spin on an old tale we've grown up with.

Both Peter and James had a sad start to life; later on Peter was spared any further depravity, but not for James, it only worsened. Thus we have a rift in their 'blood' brotherhood, Peter found his own brothers - The Lost Boys - but James was left behind, so he found his 'family' - The Pirates.

Wendy's life was easy - she did as she was instructed made no trouble - but when her father says she is to marry Peter - she resists, she's seen him about, he is a cad - she want's no part of this plan - her father doesn't listen, she is frustrated.

Suddenly Peter is there, in her house, the family has gone out - he goads her into accompanying him to The Never Lands - she has always been curious - so she goes, with the intent of it being a short trip - she meets The Lost Boys and 'Belle' - some time passes, she's not sure how much, but she goes to a party with the group, where she meets James, and her life will never be the same.

Great read - loved this rendition.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark Peter Pan retelling that I honestly didn't know if I'd like, but I decided to give Lydia Michaels the benefit of a doubt and try it. I will be completely honest when I say that this series description had me like 😬 because it hits so similarly to a real-life island situation we all know about... I'm not sure if this was done on purpose or not, but it had me really, really hesitant to read this.

Though this did have moments that made me slightly uncomfortable, as I'm not generally a dark romance reader, it was a well-done story that had me relieved it turned out the way it did. The characters are well crafted, and almost immediately, you pick up on exactly how you're supposed to feel for each one. I do wish we'd had a bit more with some of the side characters as they were an interesting group. I liked how this was an original story that still fit in those little details from Peter Pan that hit the nostalgia as we want with a retelling without being too on the nose with how the original story took place. The twists and changes really make this one an exciting read, even knowing how it's going to go from the blurb.

[Heather Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was utterly amazed at how Lydia was able to show so much of today's views and perceptions throughout this nostalgic story. She was able to combine a well-known tale with an adult theme seamlessly. You get all your childhood memories as well as your adult cravings very cleverly measured into one book. There are so many feelings from start to finish - sadness, excitement, fear, betrayal, anger, angst, passion, and so much steam! Even the writing had hints of a conventional style from that era, without being overwhelming. Can't wait to read the next in this series!

I received an advanced copy of the book and am leaving an honest review.

My rating system:
5=will read again
4=recommend to everyone
3=recommend to anyone liking that particular writing style/trope
2=do not recommend
1=DNF

[Michelle The Outgoing Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got to enjoy a book that portrays Hook as the anti-hero and the one you want.

Somewhat a predictable retelling of Peter Pan . Modern but you know the story. But Hook gets the girl.

Very spicy and dark.

[Teresa R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choices
Wendy always did what she was told, but she has dreams. She thinks Peter can help her but he’s just a lost boy. Not so James. He’s everything she could ever want and need. Will he keep her now that he’s stolen her away? She can only hope.

[Judie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying, this is NOT the Peter Pan you grew up with. Peter Pan and Wendy is one of my favorite stories. However, I always wondered about James Hook and what makes him the way he is. I also love a good retelling, and this one gives you one with an impact. It is dark and twisted.

Wendy, tired of being stifled and living a programmed life based on her families wealth and status, runs off to the Never Lands with playboy rake Peter. She discovers Peter is not what he seems. James enters the chat and flips her world upside down and sideways.

I loved the premise of this retelling. The connection between Peter and James is the perfect set up. It could not be better.

“What’s an orphanage?” It’s a place where
lost boys live.”

I thought the flip on the villain was perfection. Is James really the villain or could Peter be the real villain here?

Wendy! She is not what James is prepared for. Talk about your insta love trope! He starts off ready to break her, only to end up cherishing her. I. Am. Here. For. It.

“You’re all I think about.”
“In what way?”
She bit her lip. “Every possible way I can. You’re my happy thought.”

My only complaint is that the book ended too soon. There is a lot of development and depth in the beginning that I loved. I was turning page after page devouring it. The story wrapped up so fast, and I wanted to keep reading. Off we go…I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Tex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only spent $3 on this book and I’m still mad about that. This was a kink book clearly written by someone who does not understand kink. We don’t actually meet the MMC until nearly 60% of the way into the book so the entire relationship (and the final conflict and aftermath) is crunched into a vaguely 24-48 period where the freshly 18 year old FMC falls deeply in love with the 30 something year old MMC after he has forcefully introduced her to the full spectrum of kink content that you can introduce someone to in that short amount of time. Additionally, explicit on-page coerced “consent” and SA occurs between the FMC and MMC which I don’t necessarily have a problem with, but I do not think the trigger warnings on the author website cover that adequately. As a final sin, the dialogue near the end gets eye rollingly bad. It only got 2 stars because I didn’t dnf because I wanted my $3 worth.

[Nilsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark retelling of Peter Pan, Wendy and Captain Hook had me hooked the whole time. The way the author explains each character, where their names came from and their part in this story was so clever and entertaining. My only disappointment was that it ended. Looking forward to the next retelling!

[Amber | aambuurreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deliciously dark and wickedly seductive, Lydia Michaels delivers a Peter Pan retelling that does not disappoint. Who doesn’t love a villain who actually wins? James Hook was menacing, commanding, and utterly magnetic. Degradation can be a difficult trope to pull off, but Lydia Michaels executed it flawlessly! I found myself shivering with anticipation, hanging on every filthy word. Absolutely loved it!

[Tiziana Langone · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your desire for freedom doesn’t bring it…

Wendy Darling hasn’t known any different that her family, especially her parents, are obsessed with wealth, money and status. That made Wendy grow up in a gilded cage, so when Peter Pangbourn, a billionaire her parents want her to end up, but is not as a do – gooder he makes everyone believe, offers Wendy to her with him to The Never Lands, Wendy sees this as a chance to escape her personal prison. But Wendy quickly learns that The Never Lands is where the elite play around without taking any law to heart. To make things even worse, while Wnedy tries to find her way back home, pirates capture her, and she finds herself at the mercy of Captain James Hook, who is seeking revenge against Peter. While Wendy has no other choice to surrender to James’s will and desires, she understands that his dark side comes from his past he tries to hide. And she makes it her own mission to show him that his soul isn’t completely lost at all…

I don’t think that there is one person in the world who hasn’t heard of the story of Wendy and Peter Pan, and the evil Captain Hook. While not exactly a fairytale, we all see the good and the bad in the original story, loving Peter and despising the Captain.

But what if someone uses the original tale and gives it not just a twist that it is set in the present, but also a definite darker one too, where nothing is off limits, where Wendy finds herself at the mercy of wicked minds?

When I started reading this book, I thought I knew what to expect, but the more I was reading, the more I realized that my initial thoughts were wrong, on several levels.

Not only is Peter not that innocent boy we all knew, but in fact he is a rather despicable man, used to use his wealth to get what he wants. And he isn’t used of getting ‘no’ for an answer. Not only that, but once we are on The Never Lands, we also see that his moral compass is just completely off. We see how he uses people, especially women for his own pleasure.

And seeing how Wendy, innocent in so many aspects, falls at his mercy, made me even fearing for her, with her. Innocent, because Wendy has truly been living in a gilded cage, not being allowed to do what she truly wants, or understand what her own passions and desires are. Growing up with parents with only wealth and status on their mind, isn’t a way to grow up, so even when Peter visits her and tempts her to get away, I could understand Wendy(s desire to at least go rogue…

At Never Lands, Wendy is obviously in shock, not only seeing how Peter behaves, but also his friends. If I were Wendy, I would be screaming around, trying to find a way away from it all, wanting to get home (even if that is a prison) as fast as possible. If only that were the only shock Wendy would have…

Because of course, just like the original story, there has to be pirates and a Captain Hook!

Now, I need to admit, while his behaviour is totally not okay, I could understand why he is out for revenge. Right from the start we know about his connection with Peter, and yes, while he is the bad guy, I felt sorry for James…

That doesn’t make up for his behaviour towards Wendy of course, but it made it easier for me as a reader to understand the character of the Captain much better.

Now, this book isn’t for the fainthearted, as we see how James shows his dominance towards Wendy, and she has no choice but surrender to his whims. And Wendy being rather innocent also in that aspect, is not ready for the tornado that James is.

But at the same time, being captured and having no choice to go into submission, also frees her in a way. Wendy has been living her whole life in submission, but this kind of submission is liberating for her, as she understands not only her body better, but also her own darker side.

The more Wendy freely submits, the more James finds Wendy irresistible, impossible to just ignore or just use her as he initially planned. And the more these two people, who couldn’t be more different, find a connection somehow…

I have to admit, I made a mistake while I was reading this story. And that was that I was reading it during my lunchbreak at work. And some bits, well, they weren’t fit for reading at work! 😊

There is a lot of ‘action’ in this book, and we were warned for it at the start of the book. And while perhaps there were a few moments that went a little bit too over the top for my own personal liking, I could also see further than just that action.

Because that action is also the reason that Wendy discovers who she really is, and that what she feels and thinks and desires, is not weird or strange. And we see Wendy getting stronger, more courageous throughout the story. At the same time we also see this fierce, vengeful Captain melting at the hidden force that Wendy in fact is.

Lydia Michaels clearly took her inspiration from the story of Peter Pan, but made her own story, changing the narrative. And perhaps it took me a bit to forget about the old Peter Pan and Wendy. But once I made that click in my head, I found myself totally drawn into this dark and twisted story, that somehow also shows strength, courage, self – discovery, passion and a connection that makes no sense at first but is undeniable and perhaps stronger than anything else in the world!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Darling is a woman of privilege being trapped in a gilded cage by her parents . She is trapped and wanting out. Peter Pangboum might just be the man to help her. Together they escape and he takes her to New Lands a billionaire play ground where there are no laws . She finds herself stranded and at the mercy of Peter. Until pirates land on the island and with John Hook kidnapping Wendy and is planning to use her to attack his brother. John wants to destroy Wendy and Wendy wants to save John's soul. Will anyone win and will hearts survive the fight that is to come.
This is one of those books where you think you are cheering for the right man but it turns out that you were wrong . Peter and John have been through so much, being orphaned at a young age and taken to an orphanage that well isn't what it suppose to be. They grow up and become very hardened and a little twisted in what they think love is . Peter had it better than John in ways . John was left at the orphanage where he was subjected to so much depravity . This formed the hardness that drives him.
Wendy is a princess she comes from money and hasn't really done anything in her life. She has been doted on since she was a child. She is a bit naive but does want to get out and live life of freedom with out the stuffy rules of her privileged family. These three characters are so different from each other . You don't know who to cheer for. You will really enjoy them because they are very complex.
This is a dark retelling of Peter Pan with a dark edge to it . The author takes these characters and puts them through it. Each character is well written and you get invested in them. You can't put this book down, you will get lost in the New Lands and the new Lost boys. So if you want a dark romance for your Valentine's day check out this book . You will be left wanting more of sexy John Hook .

[Holly Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a grip this story had on me from the beginning! We get a backstory into the horrendous past that makes up Hook’s formative years, showing him the monsters that people are and shaping him into the villain he is today. We get quite the spin on Peter Pan and Captain Hook that I thoroughly enjoyed, and we get a very unconventional story with Wendy falling into Hook’s grasp and the many things they do, slowly stripping away barriers from each of them that they are not prepared to lose. I love how Lydia develops the story with Wendy and Hook’s time together and crafts it into something beautiful despite the depraved nature from which it started. This is my favorite Peter Pan retelling to date & I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Favorite Quotes:
“Praise is rarely genuine. And when it’s not honest, it’s a lie. The liars are the monsters, darling. Trust me on that.”
“I want your darkness…I want the parts you hide from everyone else, including yourself. I want the jagged pieces of your soul that scare you most. That’s what I’ll steal from you tonight, piece by piece, until there’s nowhere left to hide.”
“Perhaps it was better to struggle than to be forced to live a life as someone you’re not.”
“Love was acceptance, and James accepted her without condition. He wanted all of her – the light and the shadows – and she wanted all of him.”

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complicated stay of brothers who were once each others solace, now butting heads.
Peter and James hook childhoods were cruelly interrupted when their mother was arrested snd they put under horrific orphanage.

“ two aimless ships left to float without a rudder or a sail in a rather dark night.”

They’ve clung to each other, but fate splits them apart . The attack and counter-attack come hard and swift and Wendy is caught in the middle, clueless and terrified
Lydia writes with acute detailing. Her darker take on the popular fairy tale is intriguing and leaves it readers wanting for more.
The way twists and turns blindside you, it’s hard to imagine who the real villains are
“4 stars for the infamous island”
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[Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews]

I really wanted to love this one, but I honestly spent most of the book confused. How could they exist in a world with orphanages run by nuns with no hot water where they have to hand wash their clothes, and creaky pirate ships with roaring fires used to warm kettles and heat baths, and also have cellphones, and jeans and private planes?

I also was really confused by the entire book taking place over what I think was two or three very drawn out days, yet in that time it takes the entire first half of the book before we meet the actual love interest, and they immediately fall into a contractual relationship/love.

I was also thrown for loop wondering if Wendy was in a dream or if the girls on the beach were actually mermaids or sirens since they're talked about strangely? why one of the lost boys was obsessed with Peter, and why the random fiance showed and disappeared again? I just spent so long confused, wondering why things were mentioned and dropped, and struggling to picture the world that it really prevented me from loving the book.

I think if I didn't get hung up on the little things I would have enjoyed it more, as the intimate scenes were great with the love interest, but this just didn't click for me.