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Neverland #1

The Lost Darling

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Second star to the left and continue until morning.

I got that line tattooed on my wrist the day I turned twenty-one. So much symbolism in such a simple sentence. At the time, it was a nod to the future and the infinite possibilities to come, while reminding me to remember the past and to look for magic in the world.

Growing up, nothing was ever what it seemed. The shift of leaves on a tree was a faery skipping by. Shooting stars were a chance to make wishes. Shadows were souls stuck between this world and the next, mirroring a life they once had.

My imagination was limitless, the world a wonderful adventure waiting to unfold.

It’s easy to lose that sense of wonder with the weight of life on your shoulders and I wanted a reminder to get me through the hard days.

Most importantly, it was an ode to the boy who earned the title of my first crush, even if he was animated. Peter Pan wasn’t a save the damsel kind of prince. He was daring, and selfless, and took care of the ones he loved. He was a friend to all but never afraid to fight the Pirates when their moral compass broke. Wendy was an idiot for leaving him. She rushed home to a heartless world full of men willing to lie through their teeth to get down her pants.

But that’s the beauty of a book, the characters are perfectly flawed. Damaged just enough that we still love them. Whereas reality is nothing but empty promises and baggage the size of mountains.

The day I got my tattoo I would have given anything to be whisked away into a fairytale. My world was crumbling and all I wanted was to go back to when life was simpler. I didn’t realize I had sealed my fate in ink.

Branded myself as one of the Lost.

Neverland was everything the stories made it out to be. Beautiful. Full of magic. Filled with handsome men and debonair pirates. But the author of my favorite tale left out one crucial detail.

In order to get there, you have to die.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2022

325 people are currently reading
2410 people want to read

About the author

Bailey Black

39 books64 followers
Lover of all things Fantasy and Romance.

Also publishes under Bailey B.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
Profile Image for Tayler.
548 reviews10 followers
October 18, 2022
“What we have is so much more than something, Darling. So much more.”


Agghhhhh. My enjoyment of Peter Pan retellings might be inclining up to my love of Greek mythology retelling and this book definitely helped that climb.

Wednesday is reeling from her lost relationship with her high school sweet heart to her sister, HER SISTER.

When this book began I was filled with a second party rage because Wednesday’s sister, Tyle, is the epitome of garbage. How could you do that to your own flesh and blood? And she just gets worse from there.

Peter is a mysterious man she meets during her sisters bachelorette party (to Wens’ ex 🙄) but there’s something lurking behind those beautiful eyes.

This book provides a beautiful retelling of the Neverland story and I was here for the spice 🥵🥵🥵.

It does end in a Cliffhanger, which I was not prepared for but I need book two like yesterday.
Profile Image for Sammy.
60 reviews
October 12, 2023
I went into this book with such high hopes. A dark, spicy retelling of Neverland and Peter Pan (aged). I was half expecting it to be set in a modern time, which it is, so even though I don't particularly like retellings placed in the modern period, it was alright as I knew it would be the case. However, that's not the reason I'm giving it 1 star.
To begin with, I absolutely hated the FMC, she's one of those characters created to be empathised with, to be easy to relate to, but she's anything but. Wednesday is simply a mix of any clichés you can find in fanfic, female clichés, she seems to have no qualities whatsoever. She's constantly jealous of her sister, she has no self-esteem, she's afraid of everything and has the kind of "oh, no, I can't do that" attitude. She's also incredibly desperate to have a man in her life, throwing herself at the first hottie and making her pinning for Peter really boring and annoying.
As expected, Peter is the dark, sexy MMC, which is actually pretty well writen, considering all the rest, who actually has a problem at hands and is trying to get to a solution, which Wednesday is part of. There's some character development which was refreshing (Wednesday hasn't). The secondary characters are just that, very flat and simply in the background, aside from Cass, who turns out to be more important to the story than it initially seems, in a sort of weak plot twist.
The spicy scenes are also badly written and, while the concept for the plot seems to be intriguing, it doesn't deliver, it feels like fanfiction, the type that 12-year old me would've found good. But 10 years and a English Literature degree later, it simply isn't a good read, feels childish, rushed and simply badly written.
I'm so disappointed, I really wanted it to be a good retelling, unfortunately, I don't think I'll keep reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Jamie.
59 reviews5 followers
October 17, 2022
A Peter Pan Retelling/ Twisted Fairy Tale/ Enemies to Lovers/ Abduction/ MultipleLoveInterests/ Morally Gray Characters

Check your trigger warnings ⚠️

“There are a million women in existence throughout the universe, but there is no other soul in all the galaxies like yours. I would choose you over her every day, with every breath.”

Wednesday is just trying to get through her twin sisters Bachelorette party when everything goes wrong, and she's kidnapped and brought to Neverland. When you are hot for your kidnapper what do you do but try to make him jealous. This book brings you into a new world of Peter Pan, Wendy, and the Lost, with lots of twists and turns, and a cliffhanger that will have you yelling No. I can wait for the next book to come out so I can see how this all turns out.
Profile Image for Ashleigh Blakely.
16 reviews
September 20, 2022
Eeeeeek! I love this book so much!!!! It is one of my favorite that I have read this year!! The chemistry and development of these characters are spot on! There’s some spice and a great plot!!
Profile Image for gladness.
293 reviews8 followers
March 30, 2024
— 2.5 stars !! ★

𓍢 ִ ໋ “i told you, beautiful, you shine too bright for the world. i could never gaze upon you with anything but wonder.”

well, this was a letdown. i devoured “the cerise” from the kingdom of lies series, a recent release by this author, and let me tell you, i was hooked. but now, diving into some of their other books while i wait for the next kingdom of lies installment, it's just not hitting the same spot. compared to “the cerise,” this one didn't vibe with me at all. i've got a laundry list of gripes, and honestly, i'm not feeling any of the characters, which makes it tough to stay invested in the story. major bummer. let me break down exactly why this one fell flat for me.

i. tropes.
⤷ twisted fairytale
⤷ enemies-to-lovers
⤷ peter pan retelling
⤷ “she’s mine”
⤷ abduction of FMC
⤷ multiple love interest
⤷ morally grey MMC’s
— genre’s: adult, fantasy, romance

ii. plot summary.

the main character, wednesday, is dealing with the ultimate betrayal—her ex is marrying her own sister! can you even imagine? i'd probably skip that wedding, no lie. anyway, she ends up at her sister's bachelorette party, where she meets peter. he's all mysterious and, let's be real, pretty easy on the eyes. but here's the twist: wednesday is actually a reincarnation of wendy, and peter's got some mission to take her back to neverland to break a curse. as wednesday digs into her past and what all this means, she's not sure who to trust—new friends or potential enemies? drama, drama, drama!

iii. the writing.

honestly, i gotta say, compared to her latest work, “the cerise,” there's a noticeable difference here. but let's start with the positives. i actually enjoyed the pacing. it kicks off right away without dragging us through endless world-building or info dumps. it keeps up a quick pace, which i appreciated. another thing i liked was how many quotable lines there were. i mean, seriously, some of the stuff peter or cass said to wens had me swooning. it was cute.

but now, onto the not-so-great stuff. the dialogue, ugh. it felt cringey at times, i couldn't take it seriously, you know? and then there were the pop-culture references... not my thing, personally. i've never been a fan of pop-culture references in books, so that didn't do it for me. plus, the plot felt a bit all over the place. like, a ton happened, but at the same time, it felt like nothing really happened, if that makes sense. overall, the writing just didn't hit the mark for me. it felt kinda underwhelming and cringey, to be honest.

𓍢 ִ ໋ “you’re in neverland, darling.”


iv. main characters.

꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ wens (wednesday).
darling

okay, let's talk about wens... well, wens being wens. gotta be real with you, i wasn't a fan. and that's where my second issue with this book kicks in. she's annoying as heck. i couldn't stand her, or her name for that matter... wednesday? seriously? but hey, that's just me. i mean, initially, i kinda felt for her, especially with how her sister treats her. but once she landed in neverland, she did a complete 180 and became insufferable. i'm just sitting there wondering, how is she any different from her sister? i couldn't wrap my head around anything she did. like, everything felt incredibly dumb to me. she's just acting dumb the whole time, and it's driving me nuts because, like, girl, can you chill? can you be rational? you're seriously irritating me. so yeah, didn't like her. maybe that'll change in the next books of the series, but in this one, nah, not a fan.

𓍢 ִ ໋ falling in love with peter took a lifetime i don't remember living and yet the ache to be with him is as strong as if the experiences were my own.


꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ peter.
first love interest

let's talk about peter... and how much i despise him. seriously, i can't stand him. i just don't get him, and it's infuriating. he's so bizarre, everything about him is just... weird. like, seriously strange vibes. i don't understand how wens fell for him, or why she's still so hung up on him even after he basically kidnapped her. it's beyond me, and honestly, i don't even care to figure it out. he's annoying, a total jerk, a hypocrite, selfish, arrogant, and just downright detestable. and yup, i hate him. that's the tea.

𓍢 ִ ໋ “there are a million women in existence throughout the universe, but there is no other soul in all the galaxies like yours.”


꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ wens and peter.

um, can we just talk about how these two went from zero to a hundred real quick? like, seriously, under 48 hours and they're already head over heels for each other? what even is that? they meet once, and bam, they're practically attached at the hip, making out in the middle of the street? then the next day, he's asking her to run away into the sunset for some grand adventure, and she actually says yes? i can't even with her. sure, they were kinda cute together for those 48 hours, but the whole instant lust and love thing was just way too much. and once they hit neverland, it's like, game over. they're just not a good fit, like, at all. nope, not buying it.

𓍢 ִ ໋ “what we have is more than something, darling. so much more.”


꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ cass.
second love interest

eh, he was alright. can't say i was head over heels for him, but he's... fine, i guess? he did say some stuff that made me go “ick,” and he gives off major shady vibes. pretty sure he's gonna be a headache down the road, but for now, he's just okay. don't have much else to say about him, honestly.

𓍢 ִ ໋ “you are a treasure, wednesday. i’m not ashamed to admit i want you all to myself.”


꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ wens and cass.

i gotta admit, i'm rooting more for these two than wens and peter. they're actually pretty cute together, no lie. but wens is still hung up on peter who, let's be real: 1) she barely knows, 2) straight-up kidnapped her, and 3) treats her like garbage. so dumb. these two could really make a solid endgame couple, unless, of course, cass turns out to be a jerk too. but for now, he's sweet to her, and their banter? way better.

𓍢 ִ ໋ “getting clingy already?”
“i’d be a fool not to.”


v. in conclusion.

peter sucks, wens's sister tyle sucks even more, wens is meh, and cass is alright. this book just didn't vibe with me, so i wouldn't really recommend it. but if you're looking for something good by this author, definitely check out “the cerise” instead. i mean, i'll still give the rest of this series a shot, but yeah, this one left me pretty disappointed. oh well, let's see where it goes from here.
Profile Image for Sofie Veerbeek.
23 reviews
April 23, 2024
Nope. Niet voor mij. Heb serieus overwogen om te stoppen met lezen. Had gehoopt dat het een leuke retelling van het sprookje zou zijn maar dat was niet zo. Het is alleen maar smut. Er zit geen verhaal in en de personages zijn vlak. Bij de eerste interactie tussen Wednesday en Peter staan ze al te zoenen, ze hebben dan nog geen woord gewisseld. Vervolgens wordt wednesday meegenomen naar neverland, maar ze vraagt zet er helemaal geen vraagtekens bij. Vervolgens wordt ze opgewonden van elke man die ze op het eiland tegenkomt... Bovendien gedraagt ze zich als haar zus zodra ze op het eiland is terwijl ze haar juist zo haatte aan het begin van het boek... Erg onrealistisch...

Ook gewoon onduidelijk waarom zij daarheen moet (ze is de reïncarnatie van Wendy) maar wat de vloek precies inhoud enzo komt helemaal niet aan bod. Geen aanrader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
620 reviews53 followers
November 18, 2024
This started off strong but unfortunately lost steam when they got to neverland. It picked back up enough for me to want to read the sequel but i understand why it got bad reviews.

*ETA: originally gave three stars but once i actually picked up the sequel i decided I didn’t actually care. Keeping at two for the clever twist on the tale itself.
Profile Image for Jen Cardoso (jenc.reads).
280 reviews14 followers
October 9, 2022
"𝓟𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓟𝓪𝓷 𝔀𝓪𝓼𝓷'𝓽 𝓪 𝓼𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓼𝓮𝓵 𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓹𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮. 𝓗𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼 𝓱𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭... 𝓦𝓮𝓷𝓭𝔂 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓪𝓷 𝓲𝓭𝓲𝓸𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓱𝓲𝓶."

THIS BOOK ::chefs kiss:: It was absolutely amazing. I have read quite a few Peter Pan retellings at this point and this is in the top 3.

Before diving into my review I want to take a moment and thank Bailey Black and @peahykeenas for the opportunity to read this as an ARC before it releases on October 18th. This was a gem of a story and I am SO grateful for this opportunity.

Okay, now the good stuff 😈

"𝓓𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮, 𝓓𝓪𝓻𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰?"

First Wen (aka Wednesday -not Addams) was such a relatable FMC. She was dealt a shit hand from the start but what an adventure her life has taken. She is also a fellow bookworm and romance reader so naturally, I have a big soft spot for her. Also, all of her ACOTAR references slayedddd. Secondly and most importantly, fuck her sister.

"𝕀𝕗 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕓𝕠𝕪𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝, 𝕀'𝕕 𝕓𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕒 𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕪 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕒𝕤𝕞𝕤 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕒𝕤 𝕠𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕒𝕤 𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕘𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖 𝕘𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕤."

If you like:
🥀Enemies to Lovers
🥀Abduction
🥀Multi-love interest
🥀Darker Retellings
🥀Morally grey males
🥀She's Mine

"𝓘𝓼 𝓲𝓽 𝓶𝔂 𝓷𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓲𝓹 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓽𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓾𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓼 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓸 𝔂𝓸𝓾?"

Then you will love this book. The cliffhanger ending is crushing my soul a little and I CAN NOT wait to get my hands on the next book. This is a 10/10, must-read.

"𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤 ℙ𝕖𝕥𝕖𝕣?" "𝔹𝕖𝕔𝕒𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕀 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕥𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕀'𝕞 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦."
Profile Image for Brittanie England.
491 reviews10 followers
October 18, 2022
**ARC Review**
I love a Peter Pan retelling! Each one has its own spin on the story. I loved this one. And the cliffy! WHAT?!?! Im dying to know what’s going to happen next!?!

Wednesday found herself in quite situation! Between attending her twin sisters bachelorette party and losing her high school bf to said sister. She’s drowning her sorrows when a mysterious man at the bar catchers her attention.

Peter as in Peter Pan! The mysterious stranger that has a lot more hidden in those swirling blue eyes and is drawing Wens in like a moth to light.

This book is amazing! The development between the characters, the plot, the spice and that Cliffhanger! I loved this Neverland and I can wait for more.

Please check your TW - Adult Retelling : Sex, Drinking, Foul Language, abduction, etc.
Profile Image for Nicci Anne.
135 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2022
Been waiting ages to read this. I adore neverland retellings. This one definitely has a dark twist to it. So many spicy scenes and definitely a must read you will cry at the huge cliffhanger but I'm sure the next one will be worth the wait!!
Profile Image for Vivi.
449 reviews33 followers
June 13, 2023
2.8 stars!

Didn't enjoy this very much.

I felt there was barely any Plot here... And the Love triangles were awful.

Peter came across as a crazed psychopath who just kidnapped Wednesday for, apparently, no reason.



(I'm sure there was a reason, but we never got to fully see it in this book...)

And if you're thinking that this is one of those Exciting Captivity books, that have plenty of hot and sexy moments, Forget it... This is SO Not it!


Wednesday never got to know why she was whisked away to Neverland (neither did us, the readers).

She is not the Wendy we know from the story. She is someone else.

She, of course, falls in LUST at-first-sight with Peter...

And then, she despises him, after he kidnappes her...

BUT, still, Wednesday has the Hots for him!




There's also a twin sister who's a, well...



...And I don't even get what's the point of introducing her as a character, at all... She matters nothing, as most of the story happens in Neverland.


Also, Cass... Who is he?



Why was Casper made a character here? Was he just created to be a Second Love interest?!

(And no, he's not a ghost, sorry... That would be kind of exciting... And there's none of that here.)

Casper was a pretty weak second male lead/character... And I don't believe he even liked Wednesday for real.


This book ends in a cliffhanger... Trying to get us to read the next book, to see the conclusion of story. But, really...



Unfortunately, I don't care enough about these characters to be reading another book about them. I don't care at all about the conclusion of their story.

So, I'm done.


Profile Image for CarlysGrowingTBR.
674 reviews76 followers
December 29, 2022
I love a good Peter Pan retelling. Especially if it's spicy and dark.

This book follows Wednesday, a girl who is desperately trying to get over the fact that her ex-boyfriend is now getting married to her sister. Forced to attend her sisters bachelorette party, she runs into Peter. Who is mysterious and damn attractive. Little does she know that she is a reincarnation of Wendy and Peter is there to take her back to Neverland to end the a curse. As Wednesday discovers why she's there and what she is, she runs into numerous new friends, or are they foes? only time will tell because this Book ended on one heck of a cliffhanger. I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel due out early next year.

I will give this book a solid 4/5. That's not to say it doesn't have its issues. I feel like there are tons of plot holes that are not tied up but there is a sequel on the way so I'm giving the book the benefit of the doubt that it's only gonna get more in-depth and I will learn more throughout the following books. I'm desperate to get my hands on the new book. This book hit all the marks for me to make it a 4/5 as it sits though. I'm definitely invested in the characters, the plot line is extremely intriguing and I'm desperate to know what happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
161 reviews20 followers
February 18, 2023
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Spice: 3/5

Please read the trigger warnings for this book.

The Lost Darling is the first in a series of books.

I picked this book up because I love a good dark romance and not to mention a Peter Pan retelling.

Now let me tell you this book already starts off scandalous between Wednesday and her twin sister. That act that had occurred between them would have me wanting to do nothing with my sister but that's just me.

Enter Peter, he isn't the typical guy Weds goes for but hey why not. When her sister shows up to flirt with Peter, Weds feels defeated cause the guys always want her twin sister. Weds is surprised when Peter wants nothing to do with her sister.

In this version of Peter Pan, the only way to get to Neverland is by dying. Peter believes Weds is Wendy reincarnated. Weds wants nothing but to return home.

The spice in this book is very minimal. When there is spice to be had, Weds is actually spicing it up with one of the island guys named Cass but even then it doesn't go into great detail, so that got me a little sad. The book does end with a cliffhanger so I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Sharlow.
133 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2023
If I could pick 3.5 🌟 I would! It is short, simple, pretty predictable, but a fun adult spin off of the Peter and Wendy story. Lol After reading the Never King series I wasn’t sure what to expect! 😂 definitely very tame in comparison! I’ll be honest,,,, I’m more of a dark romance fan in regards to Peter Pan, but the whimsy of this one is still endearing, and a good palette cleanse.

The book begins right out of the gate- so it made the plot kind of hard to figure out in the beginning, understanding who everyone was and why things were happening the way they were. I just had to accept that is the style of writing-then it was easier to keep pushing through. The writing grew throughout and became a much easier read by the end, so if you decide to read just push through it. It’s worth it! All questions will be answered! 🥰

ANOTHER THING! I loved all the pop culture tie ins that the author referenced! ACOTAR, Flynn Ryder, and more lol 😂 made my heart happy!

All in all a good filler book while I’m currently in a reading slump! ❤️ cliffhanger!!! curious to see where the author takes the plot in the other two books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Renee.
5,211 reviews73 followers
October 18, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

Second star to the left and continue until morning.
I got that line tattooed on my wrist the day I turned twenty-one. SO much symbolism in such a simple sentence. At the time, it was a not to the future and the infinite possibilities to come, while reminding me to remember the past and to look for magic in the world. Growing up, nothing was ever what it seemed. The shift of leaves on the tree was a faery skipping by. Shooting stars were a chance to make wishes. Shadows were would stuck between this world and the next, mirroring a life they once had. My imagination was limitless, the world a wonderful adventure waiting to unfold. It's easy to lose that sense of wonder with the weight of life on your shoulders and I wanted a reminder to get me through the hard days. Most importantly, it was an ode to the boy who earned the title of my frist crush, even if he was animated. Peter Pan wasn't to save the damsel kind of prince. He was daring and selfless, and took care of the ones he loved. He was a friend to all but never afraid to fight the Pirates when their moral compass broke. Wendy was an idiot for leaving him. She rushed home to a heartless world full of men shilling to lie through their teeth to get down her pants. But that's the beauty of a book, the characters are perfectly flawed. Damaged enough that we still love them. Whereas reality is nothing but empty promises and baggage the size of mountains. The day I got my tattoo I would have given anything to be whisked away into a fairytale. My world was crumbling and all i wanted was to go back to when life was simpler, I didn't realize I had sealed my fate in ink. Branded myself as one of the Lost. Neverland was everything the stories made it out to be. Beautiful Full of magic. Filled with handsome men and debonair pirates. But the author of my favorite tale left out one crucial detail. In order to get there, you have to die.

This story is a Peter Pan in t. This is a dark book. You will want to heed the warning sin the beginning of the book. There is for sure a dark twist This book will contain triggers for some readers.
Wen is a young lady who has a wedding shower to get to. Her sister Tyle is getting married and I have to stop right here and say that man that girl is one of the most female characters of all time. I couldn't stand her at all. Don't be shocked if you don't like her either. I do not understand for the life of me how you could do your own flesh and blood the way she did. UGH I really despised her so much.
When it comes time for her bachelorette, though, Everything changes. Wen just is not a girl who can catch a break. I just loved her so much and she is a book reader and lover!! She has been having a really tough time of it thanks to her sister and it doesn't help that life has never been really good to her. At her sister's bachelorette party she meets a mysterious man named Peter who catches her attention but also has something strange going on with him. And that is about all I can tell you about this story. This is one of those books that you are better off going in to it blind. I loved reading it and it has some serious twists and turns and the ending. Well, hold on to your kindle so you don't throw it up against the wall.
518 reviews9 followers
October 22, 2022
The Lost Darling by Bailey Black starts at Wednesday's sister's Bachelorette party in Florida, where Wednesday meets a gorgeous man that calls to her named Peter.  Jealous over her sister's marriage to her long-term boyfriend until six months ago, she lets loose with Peter.  However, when Peter pushes her overboard, she cannot quite believe this is the end.  When she wakes up in a foreign place, she's grateful someone saved her.  Wen's gratitude is short-lived when Peter explains she had to die to return to Neverland with him. She needs to bide her time until she can escape back to the mainland.  However, as time stands still and she experiences unbelievable things, she begins to entertain the idea she might not be in Florida anymore. As Peter pushes her away, Cas lusts after her.  She decides to use Cas for info on the Island and to make Peter jealous.  As she falls into a routine, she wonders if she will ever get home.
     The Lost Darling is an exciting take on an old favorite.   I am a suckered for Peter Pan and cannot pass up retellings.   I think this is the 4th one this year.  There was a lot more mystery with this one.  I find it interesting what authors choose to keep and alter when retelling.  In this story, Wednesday is Wendy reborn, so she gets a sense of familiarity at times. I don't want to give away too much and spoil the fun of discovering these things yourself.  
   I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.  Despite loving the story, at times, it felt a bit rushed.  Maybe more explanations were due where often things were a certain way because that's the way it was written; nothing further was given.  Some secrets drove me nuts, but perhaps the author has plans that will reveal more. I loved the ending. I'm not usually a fan of cliffhangers, but this one has me excited to see what's next. If you enjoy retellings consisting of dark romance with lots of spice where the lovers try to fight their true feelings, The Lost Darling is a book you would appreciate.
Profile Image for Aubrey Ramirez.
164 reviews7 followers
October 19, 2022
Rating: 4⭐️
2.5🔥

⭐️Tropes⭐️
-Enemies to Lovers
-Twisted Fairy Tale
-Morally Gray Males
-Abduction
-Multiple Love Interests
-She’s Mine

“A second in our world is a minute in yours. Minutes, hours. Hours, days. You can’t trust time.” He taps his temple. “It will f**k with your mind, your emotions. Neverland will twist everything you know about the world, your life, and turn it on its side.”

I am a sucker for a spicy reimagined fairytale and this one did a great job! Having grown up on reading Peter Pan I love that I can still stay in these worlds, but in a spicier way! 😈 Black did a great job world building and I absolutely loved Wednesday who is our Wendy’s character!

I don’t want to give to much backstory because this is definitely one you are going to want to go in blind. There are some dark themes and twists so keep that in mind. Wednesday is dealing with the worst of the worst when it comes to her sister. She is getting married and she is attempting to be there for her and help her out but she truly just can’t catch a break. While attending her sisters bachelorette party Wednesday meets a mysterious man named Peter who ultimately ends up changing her entire life.

I definitely giving this retelling a read. I will say there are a ton of unanswered questions in this one but the anticipation for the next book is real! This book does end on a very unexpected cliffhanger, so be prepared! I loved the chemistry between Wednesday and Peter and was definitely here for the spice! Wednesday character is extremely relatable and I loved that she is a fellow book lover! She definitely deserved a better sister, that’s all I’m going to say! If you enjoy a fairytale retelling and enjoy the tropes you will definitely like this book!
Profile Image for Cat Bowser.
Author 6 books43 followers
February 19, 2023
I actually started this one a while ago and decided to go ahead and finish it. It’s a pretty short read, as fantasies go, so if you’re looking for a quick adventure, this one is good though be aware it is the start of a series.

I think this is one of the few books where I actively don’t like the protagonist. I genuinely think she’s a vindictive, selfish individual and she’s doesn’t start to even see that as a possibility until late in the book. I can’t quite decide if that’s done intentionally or not. It’s probably my biggest grip with this story.

There’s some awkward phrasing here and there and a few moments where it felt like we left one POV for another. But these are rare.

That said though, I really enjoy the setting and adventure here. The other characters are excellent with a sense of mystery to them that you wrack your brain about. The explanations make a lot of sense for the atmosphere and definitely leave you guessing and wanting more.

Despite my lack of love for our MC, I’ll be continuing the series because I want to see how all the others end up. And maybe she’ll continue to develop into a better person.
903 reviews13 followers
October 18, 2022
This was an interesting premise. There were some similarities to other Peter Pan retellings but The Lost Darling was unique in its own way. I liked Wednesday. She was pretty down to earth and wholesome. She came across as a normal girl who anyone could relate to. She had some insecurities but there was also fire burning inside her.
She got dealt a bad hand in the sibling department though and I wish she had stood up for herself against Tyle. I honestly don't know how she could even stand to be around that woman, sister or not!
Peter was intriguing and I loved all the parts with him. He was a wonderful of mystery and cockyness.
Bailey Black did a wonderful job with describing Neverland and its beauty. There were some parts that I thought were a little vague and had hoped for more clarification but seeing as this is not a standalone book I'm guessing more will be revealed at a later date. This was my first Bailey Black book and I enjoyed her style of writing. This story was entertaining and it was a delight to read. I'm really looking forward to the next book! I would definitely recommend The Lost Darling!
Profile Image for BookishBritt.
200 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2022
Bailey Black brings it with this Peter Pan retelling 😍

Wednesday is used to being second best when it comes to her and her twin sister, Tyle So when she meets Peter, the ultra hot, broody yet charming God of a man she just assumes that despite the connection they have he'll toss her aside for her twin but Peter has absolutely zero interest in Tyle...

Peter asks Wens if she would go away with him and she says yes not at all taking his question seriously next thing she knows she's being shoved off a boat and waking up in Neverland, completely confused as to what happened to the charming hottie she met in Mexico and why he's taken her in the first place.

Peter may have brought her to Neverland but he's fighting like crazy to keep his distance and Wens is more than happy to show him what he's missing while trying to find a way back home!

The Lost Darling is one of my favorite reads for the year, it was funny, spicy, angsty, and the characters are the best.. I'm dying for book 2 so I can dive further into the past history between Peter and Wednesday!!
5/5⭐🌶️
Profile Image for enjoyingbooksagain.
795 reviews74 followers
October 24, 2022
For letting me read this for my review. I love reading retelling and one of my favorites is Peter Pan but remember this retelling is for Adults.
When Wednseday boyfriend cheats on her it’s not just with another girl no he picks her twin sister Tyler and within 6 month they are now getting married. Can you tell I am not thrilled with Tyler so When Wednseday ends up attending the bachelorette party she meets Peter I was like yes and he takes her to Neverland and a Adventure she soon will not forget. This story will have you angry at one moment and the next blushing. But remember this is book one and the Cliffhanger on this book really does leave you hanging. I can’t wait for The second book in this series
Profile Image for nerdy.bibliomaniac.
256 reviews7 followers
April 3, 2025
3.5/5.

Read this for the Gumdrops & Gingerhunks bookclub and was a decent choice, and will be finishing series.

Neverland is cursed and it’s all thanks to Peter but that was because he was trying to save Wendy. Putting the island in a sort of purgatory.

Centuries later, she is reincarnated and he finds her in Florida, then brings her right back to Neverland. From there ensues the loss of time and the wish to go home, but what about her feelings for Peter? The irresistible pull she feels towards him?

Guess to find out I will need to read the second book!
Profile Image for Reina Ruiz.
Author 0 books12 followers
October 26, 2022
A retelling of Peter Pan is always a pleasure for me, especially if it is dark and full of smut, and this is exactly what this was. This book had a unique concept that I really enjoyed. Despite the fact that I loved the explanations and the different characters, I was cursing at Wednesday's twin throughout the beginning. Omg the ending, I did not see it coming and I am so excited to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Ms Cat's World.
997 reviews13 followers
October 19, 2022
Disheartened Truths

Second star to the left and continue until morning...

The synopsis of this Peter Pan adult retelling immediately captured and sucked me right into the land of the lost, Neverland, where in order to get there, you have to die.

Wednesday, living a life fantasizing about Neverland, comes face to face with a Peter during her (whorish) twin sister's bachelorette party. Peter, having gotten called by his Shadow, takes her from the living world, hoping his brother James knows not that Wendy's reincarnation has returned.

One who hopes their curse will be lifted and one who wants to destroy her.

So many disheartening truths create this Neverland of The Lost, pirates, fae and Peter kept this uniquely fresh and me intrigued page after page. Truths unearthed but more yet to come at the cliffhanger when her world darkens around her as she falls, falls, falls...
Profile Image for Ellee.
568 reviews65 followers
October 20, 2022
I loved this retelling, and the many ways
it's different than the original. It's my first
ever Pan retelling, and I loved it!!!
It keeps you guessing all the way till the end.
Wasn't expecting all the twist and turns.
I need & want more of Pan and Wednesday.
We've only seen the beginning of what's about
to go down. We're slowly exploring everyone's
role, and their impotance. I loved seeing how
their lives are drastically changing and unfolding.
Wednesday changed EVERYTHING in Neverland.
Can't wait till the next book💛
Profile Image for Lisa.
46 reviews7 followers
October 16, 2022
✨The Lost Darling✨
By: Bailey Black

This little novella crammed a lot into its pages. This went beyond a steamy Peter Pan retelling and placed a heavy focus on the FMC Wednesday’s journey to self worth.

While this had a lot of similarities to other Peter Pan retelling that we loved one very big difference was the author’s choice in giving us a female lead that by no means started off strong.

When we meet Wednesday she is broken-hearted and not at all loving or respecting herself all to please those around her. We get to watch her grow ( very slowly so be patient with her) throughout this little novella.

Our MMCs are hot, steamy and there is more to them than meets the eye. I want to know more about them and their stories!

There are some triggers in this book so please make sure to check those if you want to check this out.

-I received this ARC for an honest review
-Lisa L

Profile Image for Sam.
241 reviews25 followers
October 18, 2022
5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️

Peter Pan retelling with spice and mystery vibes. This is the first *actual* retelling I’ve read and I loved it!!! Made me want to go back and watch all the movies and find all the retellings 😅 I love the way this book is written, it’s witty and catchy. I adore the references to the 90s that us millennials can appreciate. I also love that the FMC is a reader and references it throughout. I love the banter, the characters, the story.

THE CLIFFHANGER ENDING THOUGH 🫠🫠🫠 I’ll just be over here dying to know what happens next…

•dual pov
•reverse harem
•enemies to lovers
•twisted fairytale

Our October 18!

Thank you to @peachykeenas and @baileysbookbesties for the ARC in exchange for my review!
Profile Image for Stacey Woods.
1,089 reviews30 followers
October 21, 2022
You'll end up with a lot of questions. This is the spicy version of Peter Pan. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff and looking over the edge. It'll make you nervous and make your breath hitch but you'll never know until you take the plunge. You need to plunge into this head on and take a deep dive. Then you'll really get a feel for all these twists and turns.
Profile Image for Bai Nicole.
443 reviews15 followers
October 24, 2022
Alright. Peter in this is hot hot hot. I was drawn to him and intrigued immediately when he showed up, as was our main character, Wens. I’ve read a lot of Peter Pan retellings and this one is fresh and cool. I want more. My brain needs more. Even though it was multi POV, my brain is still so curious about so many things with the world and such. And that ending gave me even more questions. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!
496 reviews
October 19, 2022
This is a retelling of Peter Pan, and one like you’ve never read before. Peter finds his Wednesday and brings her back to Neverland. But Wednesday is not happy about it nor is she happy about her attraction not just to Peter but to Cass too. This book ends with a cliffhanger and a lot of questions to be answered.
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