Neverbound

by Rosemary Hart

An island that devours the lost.
A villain who might be her only chance to survive.

Vivienne has no time to mourn her parents. Keeping her little brother alive is all that matters, until the night they are pulled from their world and trapped on an island from which there is no escape. An island stalked by dark shadows.

And then there's him.

The pirate who hunts the lost children. James Hook is as dangerous as he is captivating. He is velvet and iron and ice.

And he might be the only one who can keep her alive.

To save her brother, Vivienne must strike a bargain with the pirate captain. But on this island where shadows come alive, it isn’t just her life that’s at stake.

It’s her heart.

ebook

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Damsels don’t need saving… least of all from brooding villains.

Hello! I’m a fantasy romance author with a great big love for dark folkloric themes, all things faerie and fae, nature spirits and hedge magic, enemies to lovers, and Beauty and the Beast dynamics. My fantasy worlds are folkloric and dark, with sweet yet resilient heroines who make my morally grey anti-heroes fall head over heels.

I live in the Netherlands with my husband, our son, and our cat. When I’m not writing, you can usually find me drinking way too much tea, going for long walks, or pottering about in my garden.

Reviews

[Kelsey H · Rating 4 out of 5]

FMC - Vivienne: 4 🌟
MMC - James: 5 🌟
SPICE: 🌶🌶

LIKES: This was such a fun read! I absolutely love fairytale retellings, and this was one I will definitely be reading again! There was such a fresh and dark twist on Peter Pan's character, the lost boys, and even how fairy dust is obtained. I thought it was brilliant! The plot was excellent, fast-paced, and had me locked in after just the first chapter or two

I also really loved Hook! There was a lot of depth to his character, and his behavior with Viv was intoxicating. The romance between them wasn't the greatest I've read in romantasies, but I still really enjoyed them as a couple. I also loved that the story was more plot-focused than romance-focused

DISLIKES: Granted, Vivienne is only 21 (if I remember correctly), but she did come off as a bit immature around Hook. At the very least, she could've come up with another insult for him than "asshat" for most of their interactions 😆

I also wasn't feeling Hook's bargain that Viv give herself over to him in exchange for protecting her brother. While it's an intriguing twist, Hook behaved fairly gentlemanly before and after that deal, so that felt slightly out of character to me in the moment

I also don't know if I brain-dumped this part or if it really was left unanswered, but I'm still confused on how or why Viv and Ollie ended up in Neverland in the first place, and curious about Wendy's history with Neverland and her escape. But maybe I'll figure out in my next read! Because, all in all, I genuinely enjoyed this story! No doubt I will be ordering a physical copy to re-read again soon ☺️

Thank you to The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this ARC 💕

[Arianne Messemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neverbound is a retelling of Peter Pan.

Vivienne and her younger brother have lost their parents. Vivienne tries to take over the role of her parents and keep her head above water, while both of them are stuck in their grief. Then, in a miraculous way, they end up in Neverland…

But this is not the Neverland from the fairy tales and cartoons. No, here Peter Pan is the villain, and Captain Hook? Well… he is actually very nice to look at…

This Neverland is darker, more dangerous and much more tempting than expected.
The book reads easily and is exciting, funny and a little bit sexy. There is some spice, but nothing shocking. Rosemary Hart has created a fun, unique world that makes you curious for more. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Skye Mckean · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 ⭐️

Neverbound is a dark, fairy tale re-telling based off of Peter Pan. Rosemary Hart brings a whole new life to Peter Pan, it’s dark, it’s twisted, and absolutely captivating.

Vivienne is the older sister you wished you had, she’s protective, desperate, she’s got a sense of humour and she will do absolutely anything to save her little brother. I really loved Vivienne as a character and found myself relating to her in some ways as I also have a younger brother that I would do anything for. She has a strong will and Ollie’s safety was always on her mind.
Hook is the morally grey character that you take one look at and you instantly fall in love even if you don’t realise it yet. He’s lethal, intoxicating, and infuriating, he is the only safety on an island that’s actively trying to devour your soul.
Peter Pan was infuriating, an absolute demon. He reminds of a child that is out of control and you just look at and your instant thought is “what a demon of a child.” The twist that Rosemary Hart gave Peter Pan was brilliant.
The chemistry between Vivienne and hook was amazing, the romance was definitely a slow burn but I ate every bit of it up. In saying this, I enjoyed seeing more of the plot unfold more than the romance.

The world building was amazing, the island is absolutely terrifying and feels alive. The shadows, the children and the sense of dread on the island makes it all feel creepy and like a nightmare.

This is my first fairy tale re-telling and I enjoyed every minute of it. I will be adding more re-telling to my to be read after this read.

Thank you Rosemary Hart and The Author Agency for allowing me to read this E-Arc copy of Neverbound. All thoughts and reviews are of my own.

[Danni Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neverbound
A Twisted Fairytale Retelling
By Rosemary Hart

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶


🪝Enemies-to-lovers
⛰️Slow-burn romance
🪝He falls first  
⛰️Grumpy x grumpy
🪝Touch her and die
⛰️Protective antihero MMC
🪝Electric tension & smut
⛰️“Should I kiss you or kill you?”
🪝Fairy tale retelling with a dark twist (Peter Pan)
⛰️Captain Hook romance
🪝Dark romantasy standalone
⛰️Prison world / creepy island setting
🪝Brooding morally gray hero
⛰️Mourning heroine
🪝Protective heroine
⛰️Family bonds
🪝She can’t trust him, but she must


Okay this book had me hooked, 😆 get it?

No but honestly, think Peter Pan, but make him an evil demon. Neverland but make it a spooky island trap you can't escape filled with dark shadows and beings that will hunt you down at night. And Captain James Hook but make him the morally gray anti-hero you don't want to trust but need to because really he is the only one out there actually saving the Lost Boys' lives on the Jolly Roger.

Because that's exactly what happened to Vivienne when she and her brother were snatched on their way home from their day after hearing a ticking clock all day. When Vivi woke up she thought she had d¡ed. Because well what a nightmare of a place right? It's nowhere near what the stories were like as a kid.

The inner monologue of Vivi will have you cackling she is hilarious and fierce, and willing to do whatever she can to save her brother.

This retelling is filled with shocking twists, Banter, spooky vibes, and amazing characters that will have you hooked as much as I was 😉

Neverbound releases November 13th 😘🖤

#twistedfairytale #fairytaleretelling #darkromantasy #bookreview #booktokfyp

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
Fairytale re-tellings are some of my favorites to read, and while this one was entertaining and certainly had some good elements, it just didn’t live up to the expectations I had for it. Like most retellings, the story is turned on its head by making Peter Pan the villain of the story. While Hook is certainly no saint, he’s the morally grey hero.

Vivienne and her brother Oliver have lost their parents in a car wreck, vivienne is only 21 and trying to hold everything together for Ollie, who is 10. One day on their walk home they hear the ticking of a clock and they are suddenly ripped from their world and thrown into Neverland.

What follows is the discovery that Pan drains the life from these “Lost Boys” in order to stay alive and young. He uses Fairy Dust as a sort of drug to keep them unaware of what’s happening and attached to him. It is once he loses use for a boy that he turns him loose during something called Never Night, a hunting game Pan plays because everything to him is a game. Oliver and vivienne arrive during one of these.

Vivienne was an unexpected addition, and she becomes the key to change and escape from Pan and Neverland. The book chronicles Hook’s backstory, his relationship with Alan and there are familiar side characters from the original tale they also make appearances with their own origin stories. The romance between Hook and Vivienne is not a main focus of the story and is so subtle that it almost feels like you could take it or leave it. I felt like it should have been fleshed out more or just left out altogether. Overall, it was an interesting retelling, it just wasn’t my favorite because of the way the romantic element was handled. Let me know if you agree when you read it! #fairytaleretelling #grumpyxgrumpy #foundfamily

[Sara - The One with the TBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being a young woman metaphorically drowning, doing everything you can to keep yourself and your little brother afloat after your parents’ passing, and then, one day, you’re both whisked away to Neverland, only to discover the story you grew up with doesn’t go exactly as you were told.

That’s the reality for our FMC, Vivienne, and her little brother, Oliver. From that moment on, Vivienne is forced to make impossible choices to keep them alive and find a way home. And sometimes survival means stepping out of her constant “fight or flight” mode to trust and strike a deal with the infamous Captain Hook, our MMC.

Let me just say: you are not ready for this Captain Hook. Beneath the danger and cruelty lies a man who wants more than a ship to command and to be the villain in Pan’s story. A man who longs for blood pumping through his heart more than staining his hands.

Vivienne and Hook’s connection is electric! Full of recognition, tension, steam, and glorious banter that makes you wish the book had just a few more chapters. Rosemary’s writing shines, balancing action-packed scenes with tender, romantic, and humorous moments that keep the story flowing effortlessly.

By the time you reach the end, you’ll feel like Phoebe Buffay yelling at the top of your lungs:
“I LOVE JACQUES COUSTEAU!”
(Except this time… it’s for Captain Hook.)

I received an ARC. All reviews are my own.

[Nia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neverbound
3.5⭐

This was a peter-pan, captain hook retelling, and conveniently I had no idea what the og story was about, but ive read a few retellings and this did went in away I assumed it would.
Very fun, enjoyable read.
It was very atmospheric, the writting was really easy to understand but gripping enough that I felt the unsettling felling on the island, the looming dread and the sticky sea side vibes were carried out so perfectly I loved it.
I love Vivienne, she's so strong, cautious. The way she fought for her brother and herself? loved it. Her trust issus, and the decisions felt justified and very logical. Her conflicted emotions towards pan made her character complex but it also came out kindof naive? I understood the motive/ideology for it.
Oliver- omg he was such a nice fun kid, i loved reading about im
Mr. Hook, what can i say?I adored him. I love pirates so much that it was my sole motive while picking up this book, so obviously.
The visuals, I loved the world, the way I felt the vivid imagery of the floating ship, Pan's Den, the Black castle was really enjoyable.
I just wished that the fight/ final showdown had contrribution of both Hook and Vivi. Also loved Tiger lily, she was my fav side character!
💌
Overall, a fun read. It had instances where I quite disliked what was happening, but also enjoyed it.

Thanks The author agency for the ARC, all opinions are my own!

[NightReadsRomantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God. I will NEVER look at the tales of Neverland the same way again. At the very least Pan will haunt my nightmares. And Hook? He gets to encroach on my dreams. Blue eyed shadow daddy indeed. As far as reimaginings of original myths go this is incredible. The added concepts within the Lost Boys, the next generation idea of Vivienne and Ollie, down to the fact not a single original character was lost, Neverbound held me captive from start to finish. It was one of those reads that had me biting at the bit for more. I couldn't put it down for the life of me. I was drawn into the fairytale (the dark romance fantasy with a hot shadow daddy mind you) in a way even my childhood self reading Peter Pan and the Lost Boys was never encaptivated. Aside from villain getting the girl being my ALLTIME favorite trope (someone please drop into my DM’s later and lemme know if you know of any good ones that I can read PLEASE), the way the lore was created was so well done, it left nothing to be desired. Reimagined might be a better way to describe it. Rosemary Hart took a classic fairytale and reimagined it into a dark and twisted tale where morals are forfeit in exchange for a higher chance of survival. A place where games are played and a ticking clock surrounds an island that is so perfect it's terrifying. It was truly a read I enjoy, and one I will gladly reread in the future.

[Amber Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies-to-lovers
A Slow-burn romance
He talls tirst a Grumpy x grumpy
9 Touch her and die
A Protective antihero MMO
Electric tension & smut
"Should I kiss you or kill you?"
Fairy tale retelling with a dark twist (Peter Pan)
A captain Hook romance
Dark romantasy standalone
A Prison world / creepy island setting
Brooding morally grav hero
A Mourning heroine
Protective heroine
A Family bonds
She can't trust him, but she must

The inner monologue of Vivi will have you rolling! She is hilarious and fierce, and willing to do whatever she can to save her brother Ollie, they end up and Neverland and Ollie gets snatched. Vivi and James Hook make an unlikely alliance to find her brother and a way out of Neverland.
James hook is morally grey and someone who you can’t trust but not as bad as he appears. Just maybe misunderstood. Hook falls first for Vivi and he’s protective 💕 And Peter Pan is not who he seems, darker (reminding me a bit of once upon of time with a dark retelling. I’m here for it!)
Such an unpredictable page turner I am hooked!
The plot and writing flowed nicely the characters, everything perfection I loved it! I’d definitely recommend this read if you like a dark twist retelling!

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

am feral for Never Bound. Rosemary Hart ripped my heart out, stomped on it a little, and then handed it back wrapped in pirate-smirk and shadow-magic and I said “thank you?? more please??”

Vivienne is everything—gritty, desperate, protective, and so heartbreakingly determined to save her little brother that I was rooting for her from page one. And then James Hook shows up like some unholy combination of danger, charm, and straight-up emotional damage wrapped in velvet and iron, and suddenly I’m the one bargaining away my heart. This man is lethal, magnetic, infuriating, and somehow the only sliver of safety on an island literally devouring lost souls. I hate him. I love him. I would sell my soul for one of his smiles.

The island itself? Terrifying and gorgeous and alive in a way that gave me goosebumps. The shadows, the children, the sense of dread—Hart crafted a world that feels like a nightmare you can’t wake up from and don’t actually want to escape because the tension between Vivienne and Hook is THAT GOOD.

And the chemistry??? Off the charts. Stupidly perfect. I kept whispering “oh no… oh YES” like an unhinged person. Their bargain, their slow-burn trust, the spark between two people who absolutely should not fall for each other but cannot help it—I ate it up like candy.

[Shellee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // 🌶

Never Bound is the first book I've had the pleasure of reading by Rosemary Hart. This was a really good book for a retelling, but don't hold your breath for breathtaking romance. Romance was not the focus of the story. It could have honestly been left out, and it really wouldn't have changed the story much, because the story focuses mostly on the FMC trying to escape Neverland with her brother, and Hook is there to help her so long as she helps him deal with Pan.

However, the story was good. The story was really good. Cliché with the villian being almost Anti-Hero and Pan being the bad guy, but there were unique twists to it that I enjoyed. I also enjoyed familiar characters making appearances.

I felt like the ending was a little open. So, it could be interpreted in numerous ways. But I was also left with questions. I think there could have been more to this story in some parts, but all around it was a good read. I enjoyed it, even if it didn't hit the expectations I went into the book with. I wasn't completely disappointed. I'd definitely recommend it for sure.

Thank you Rosemary and The Author Agency for letting me read this book.

[Kellysbookishbliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the original is Peter the hero and captain Hook the villain, now the roles are reversed.

What would you do if you getting sucked up by something and you have know idea where you landed. Yes your life was shit, parents gone. Just barely getting trough the days and taking care of your younger brother. But now your in some strange woods, mist everywhere and there is only one thing to do. Stay alive and get the hell out of here.

But who can you trust and who don't. And you definitely didn't expect to find some devilish handsome pirate. Vivi is doing everything to keep her brother Ollie save, while trying to find a way out. But at what cost!?

Hook/James think Vivi is his change to finally get away from Neverland! But didn't expect to fall hard.

I liked this fairytale retelling, I don't read that many fairytale retelling story and maybe I'm not the best adviser in this case lol. I did liked the original parts coming back in the book but with a different twist. Although I got easily distracted while reading, or had some issues with coming into the story, I did finished the book fast.

[Marsha Graniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neverbound is a twist dark fantasy retelling of Peter Pan. This is Hook and Vivienne's story, and what a crazy adventure it was. Their story took me on a roller coaster of emotions and kept me on the edge of my seat. Vivienne has lost everything, she has been through some tough times and is just barely surviving and keeping her Brother Oliver alive. Of course, dreams of a better place come along in Peter Pan, where he can take them to Neverland. I love how the story follows the tales of Neverland and the lost boys, but the Island has its own secrets. This time, Peter is the evil villain while Captain Hook is a charming pirate. I love the banter with Vivienne and Captain Hook; he comes in as a savior/protector, even though he is cocky and forward. I love the whole darkness of the story and how the characters come together to fight the evil of Peter Pan and escape the island. I really enjoyed their story and can't wait to read more.

I voluntarily leave an honest review of this gifted advance readers' copy.

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like morally gray, dark romantasy set on a creepy island, with touch her and die vibes, then this book is definitely for you. I liked that this fairy tale retelling had a dark twist. It was interesting, intriguing, and an unpredictable page turner. I could not put this book down. The author did an excellent job writing this. The plot is done nicely and the characters were perfection. I loved the tension between Vivi and Hook. I also liked that he fell first and how protective he was. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and I would recommend reading. I seriously loved every bit of this story.


Thank you to the author and the author agency for an advance copy. My opinions are my own and freely expressed.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy Teasers
“For many hours, I have debated whether it would bring me more peace to k//i//ll you or kiss you. Do you know how long it has been, Vivienne? How long since I last kissed a girl?”
“Now breathe, dear girl,” I hear him say, his voice laced with deep satisfaction. Next thing I know, he’s kissing me again, but it’s less hard and angry this time, brushing his lips over mine in a soothing caress.


Looking for a tale where the “villain” is who you root for? Look no further! I loved this retelling. I feel like the focus was more about the story, with the romance sprinkled in. Still enjoyed this book immensely!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️

[Bookyboymom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neverbound by Rosemary Hart is absolutely brilliant. Hart takes a beloved classic fairytale and transforms it into something modern, romantic, and filled with unexpected twists. This story becomes a journey of self-discovery—one that reminds us that while responsibilities matter, choosing yourself matters just as much.

The FMC endures tragedy and loss, yet rises stronger, fiercer, and determined to claim the life she deserves. And when she finally chooses her own happily ever after? Pure perfection.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a different take on the Neverland/Peter Pan tale. I really enjoy fairy tale retellings and this was a good dark one. Vivienne is the main character. I honestly loved that the female's name wasn't Wendy for a change! She is in Neverland and is looking for her brother and makes a deal with James Hook to help find him. Hook is a pirate who hunts the lost children. The storyline was very unpredictable and unique and I loved that about this. It's a story that definitely kept my interest and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I really loved this book and the take on Neverland and Hook. It’s completely opposite of the fairy tales growing up. The world building and plot were amazing and I was eating up every single page. This dark take really is consuming. Love the romance and the build up. The story flowed amazing and kept you engaged the entire time. I love the FMC I thought her inner monologue was absolutely hilarious! Would definitely recommend picking this book up! -Kerin

[Tabytha Boozenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this one 3.5⭐ it isn't a bad review the reason it didn't quite make it to 4⭐ is because it didn't keep me as engaged as I would have liked. There were parts that I got easily distracted. I don't know if it was the writing style or just me.

I feel like it blends the original Peter Pan story with Once Upon A Time and then added its own flare which I loved.