On a fateful, stormy night, a ghost from the past revealed himself under the glow of a street lamp. A ghost whose smile was as cold and dangerous as his heart. He remembered her well. She was the one everyone talked about. The poor girl down the street born into a family of monsters. The one he’d obsessed over, taunted and harassed. The very same girl who’d one day suddenly disappeared. Accepting his hand, he lifted her off the dirty, vile street and whispered a promise, “No good deed comes without payment,” and from that day on, she was destined to pay the ultimate price. Seeing her for the first time since she’d vanished all those years ago, had only made him realize his obsession never truly ended. And now, with a promise to keep, he was going to make her disappear again… this time forever.
Dear Readers, While NEVERLAND contains some romance, it is also a tale of twisted obsession. It certainly is NOT a hearts and flowers type story, and WILL contain triggers for some readers as it deals with particularly confronting situations. I ask that you take this into consideration before you dive in. This cruel, yet touching narrative, with its mix of adoring and sinister characters who exist in its broken world, was at times extremely difficult for me to write, and as each scene unfolds, I expect it will be equally as difficult for 'some' to read and accept. I do, however, thank you for reading NEVERLAND!
So yea...that just happened. I don't even know what to say about this book, or how to rate it. I am all kinds of pissed off at it right now. Like, seriously? I want to one star it in anger (lol). This book was depressing, on top of depressing, with an extra heaping scoop of misery piled on for good measure. But I at least thought we were FINALLY going to get some happiness near the end, but that got sh!t on as well...sigh. I don't know...I just wasn't expecting what this book turned out to be I guess...
Now, having taken the time to express my anger, even though "I" did not enjoy the tone of this book, or the it was still a fantastically well-written book that had me hooked from beginning to end. I adored Romeo. Lucy was pretty much everyone's punching bag for the entire book. Damian was suitably evil. I am straight up going to say that this isn't a romance. I know the author lists it as a romantic thriller, but I'm afraid I have to disagree with that, hence the warning. Was there a TINY bit of lightness and love, yes, but it was sadly a miniscule amount that wasn't enough to lighten the overall sadness of the book. I am also going to add this book is brutal on the abuse front. I know people have triggers in that regard, so I felt I should give a heads up.
I really don't know what else to say. I don't want to give too much away. I didn't enjoy this one. I loathed the On the other hand, I thought the whole "Romeo & Juliet" feel was well done. The writing was fantastic. This author writes darkness really well. So for those reasons I am going to go with a 3-Star rating. Maybe I just went into this one with certain expectations. *shrug* In any case, I will definitely be at the front of the line to grab whatever this author has up her sleeve next. A bit of a bipolar review, but it is what it is...
Oh my dayz. Expect the unexpected. As I sit here after finishing this book I’m just in awe of this author. I sat down and literally inhaled this story.
The blurb is vague for a reason. Save reading the reviews until after you’ve read the story. If your to read anything before you read this story then read the note from the author. This ain’t a sweet romance. It is however an awesome read that had me in a spin.
If your looking for a really well written story about how ones obsession over another can destroy lives then this is the read for you. If you love the stories that will push you then I highly recommend you read this epic read.
Now I just wanna delete it from my memory and read again. So so good.
Saving grace Romeo New to me author. I’m not a huge fan of stories with woe. What a hard life Lucy has had. Abusive asshole father and a mother who couldn’t protect herself yet alone Lucy. Her one shining light and saving grace The Sanchez family and more specifically Romeo, her best friend. More hard times ahead as she is ripped away from this loving family. Enter the biggest bully assholes of them all Dominic Salvatore. He’s a Pilar of the community (sarcasm )basically makes her life worse than before. I struggled so hard to read this, I get this is a dark read and I do read them from time to time. I feel like I invested in a story and came up very short. This just wasn’t for me.
As a reader I believe that if you read a book and it makes you feel nothing the book hasn't done it's job. A story that touches your heart or soul is one that stays with you for a long time.
The synopsis is deliberately vague and I loved that because a story should be a surprise it should unfurl like a flower and captivate you. There are so many emotions I felt, happiness despair anger love hope and oh how I hoped.
The story is an intense ride it's suspense it's obsession it's absolutely amazing. There are no words to describe just how good it is however one thing I know 5 stars just isn't enough.
😭😭 My gawd!! This book is an emotional roller-coaster ride for me. Melissa Jane broke my heart and stomped it into pieces. Anyway, Neverland is an interesting read that will blow your mind. Neverland is full of surprises!!! My gawd!!! That ending!!!
I understand most readers tend to eye roll at warnings. I am guilty of the feat as well. However, adhere to every warning before you indulge in this five star read. This story is NOT romantic. This story does NOT have a traditional HEA. If you’re a vanilla, CR, or even a gray reader, turn back NOW! DO NOT PASS GO. DO NOT COLLECT $200. You’ve been warned.
This dark thriller is EVERYTHING a dark thriller should be! Kudos to Jane as she allowed her talent to pour forth without without fear! Lucy and Romeo are brilliant characters who epitomize struggle and defeat. Their tragedies will gut even the most stoic of readers.
Neverland is a brilliant story with rich and complex characters. The scenes are brutally dark and brilliantly written! This super dark story is for mature readers who enjoy stories at the darkest spectrum of dark. There are no rainbows, candy corn, or even a glimpse of a rainbow. Read at your own risk!
Five fabulous stars!
Disclaimer: This review is my personal opinion of this story. As usual my personal opinion should have ZERO influence on your experience with the story. With that being said, read, enjoy, and leave a review!
A sophomoric attempt at dark erotica, and sadly an hour of my life that I can’t ever get back. Do yourself a favor and read something else. Anything else.
Wow, what a thrilling and intense story this was. Neverland by Melissa Jane is a suspense-filled story of twisted obsession. I was so completely engrossed in the story, it was hard for me to put it down. Jane gives readers a fantastic plot that will thrill and devastate at the same time.
“My name is Dominic Salvatore and I’ll make sure you never forget me.”
I absolutely loved Monsters and was looking forward to reading this book as soon as I saw the blurb. The story goes back and forth between the past and the present, laying out Lucy's story in a way that keeps the reader guessing. The characters were really well written and multi-dimensional. The author tackled some extremely difficult subjects in this story, and did a great job exploring the themes without going overboard. There were moments that were absolutely heartbreaking to read. Lucy's dynamic with Dominic was so well written and was absolutely fascinating to read. Romeo was absolute perfection. Jane really suceeded in pulling me into the story, and I found myself fully immersed in their fictional world while reading.
“I found you. Now I get to keep you. Finders keepers.”
The plot of the story flowed really well and the pace was perfect. The writing was exceptionally good and captured the emotions of the characters brilliantly. The only thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars was the story’s conclusion. I had really hoped that things would turn out differently for the characters. With the way things ended after everything they had gone through, I honestly couldn't fully enjoy the reading experience. That being said, not every reader will walk away from a story with the same viewpoint, so I really recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a dark and gritty thriller. Jane is an amazing storyteller and this story is one that will stay with you long after reading.
I want to give this book a lower rating. So bad. SO BAD. But I just can't bring myself to do it. It totally deserves a lower rating because of that ending. That ending was FUCKED. UP. I'm talking directly to you, Melissa Jane. You just DO NOT do what you did. YOU DON'T DO THAT AND IT'S COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY FUCKED UP. I'm still angry and there's no way I can trust you now after that. I'm taking your characters away from you and you can only have them back when you learn to play nice.
I'm just telling you all, if you decide to read this book, first off, know that it's amazingly dark. The kind of dark that I love. Scenes of sex abuse and rape. Guns and shit. People getting murdered. It's great. But also know this: that ending is one ending that authors should never ever write. EVER. Period. Point blank. Never. It's completely fucked up. And I'm pissed.
Despite all of that, I still highly enjoyed this book. And even though I want to give this a three star rating because of that fucked up ending (I'm still pissed, in case you can't tell), this was a GOOD book. One that I couldn't put down. I was thankfully off of work and was able to devote my day to reading it. I was able to finish in maybe five or six hours. But I couldn't put it down. I only moved to use the bathroom.
It's super dark, full of suspense. Poor Lucy just has so much shit that's thrown at her during her life, that you can't be surprised when she begs her tormentor to just kill her and make it all better. I really felt bad for her, and she's a fictional character. Melissa Jane did not make her fictional life easy. Not in the slightest.
If you want to know the ending to this book, and why I'm so pissed about it, please shoot me a message. If I had known how this book ended, I honestly don't think I would have read it.
I literally scoffed at the warning for this book! Scoffed! Because I'm all hardcore and I can take it. No.....no....so wrong! PLEASE take this warning at its word before you dive in!!
I'm having the hardest time rating this story but I feel like my refusal to stop reading it speaks volumes, I finished it in hours! It is sad and HARD, so damn hard. Life continously spits in Lucy's face. She has one hope, one sliver of peace in her love for her best friend Romeo.
Then fucking life happens and it is literally one shit storm after another. My mind can't even fully comprehend all the fuckery I just read.
If you want a story that reminds you of holding your best friend's hand as you sip on milkshakes and listen to the compilation of "best of" by Boyz II Men I would highly recommend something else.
If you want something dark, raw......sad, devastating.......sometimes beautiful and always hurtful with a side of gut wrenching pain....well here ya go!
The ending left me numb but in a way, there was something so lovely and justified about it. Chaotic. That's how my heart feels right now.
Five délirant stars! This book is a dark thriller and it is EVERYTHING. Highly recommended!
Dear Lord has mercy of my soul because I have lost it while reading this book. My heart is hurting like a bitch, tears wet my cheeks and my mind is blown away. How may I recover after reading such an intense, dark and emotional thrill ride? Damn it! Neverland by Melissa Jane played with my mind in a twisted way that left me breathless. I’ve never seen it coming. It was a direct punch to my feelings. I don’t have the right words to describe how much OBSESSED and ADDICTED to this book I was left. This book consumed my entire being and broke me into tiny pieces beyond repair.
Is it possible to love and hate a book? The answer is YES! I loved and hated every minute of this masterpiece. I want to protect my broken heart curled in my favourite blanket. Gosh Melissa you ruined me and I’m afraid that I won’t recover in a long, long time. I am done! I wonder how her twisted mind works because she penned dark depressing misery with little touches of craziness.
Ce livre n'a rien à voir avec ce que j'ai lu auparavant. Melissa Jane est connue pour avoir la voix la plus unique en matière de suspense, mais ce livre, ce livre délirant est un chef-d'œuvre! The pace is fast and the plot is brilliantly developed. The storyline is exploded by the author in a twisted way that has you at the edge of your seat. It has the power to make you crazy and maybe you will lose a piece of yourself. You are warned!
It all started with an insane obsession and a dark desire that will burn everything to ashes.
If you don’t believe in monsters, you haven’t met Dominic Salvatore yet. He is a monster consumed by his obscure cravings. He will break your soul and like the predator he is, he will hunt you until you succumb to his perversion. He is extremely possessive and he does not have a soul. He is the type of man your mother warned you when you were a child. Is a monster capable of love?
Lucy, aka the heroine, is the girl nobody gives a dime for. Her condition made her invisible, or that she thought until Dominic. He is the man who will slowly break her, her own tormentor and her personal demon. He is evil personified. The only light and hope vanishes in the most unexpected way and she will escape from one hell to jump in other hell created to submit herself to the most depraved possession. Lucy is a complex heroine. She is vulnerability personified. Although she seems vulnerable, her spirit is strong and she is fighter by nature. Every battle she fought broke a piece of her soul until the end. She is like a firefly: small and luminous and Dominic is like a toad: ugly and dark. And he is ready to eat a beautiful firefly because of the light inside the small insect. He is drawn to her. He will consume every spark until nothing is left.
Il y a tellement d'émotions que j'ai ressenties, le désespoir du bonheur, la colère, l'amour et l'espoir. Le synopsis est délibérément vague et j'ai adoré le fait qu'une histoire devrait être une surprise, qu'elle se déroulerait comme une rose et qu'elle vous captiverait des premières pages à la fin. Il n'y a pas de mots pour décrire à quel point ce livre est bon, mais je sais que 5 étoiles ne suffisent pas pour évaluer ce chef-d'œuvre littéraire. Cela mérite une galaxie!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
On a fateful, stormy night, a ghost from the past revealed himself under the glow of a street lamp. A ghost whose smile was as cold and dangerous as his heart. He remembered her well. She was the one everyone talked about. The poor girl down the street born into a family of monsters. The one he'd obsessed over, taunted and harassed. The very same girl who'd one day suddenly disappeared. Accepting his hand, he lifted her off the dirty, vile street and whispered a promise, "No good deed comes without payment," and from that day on, she was destined to pay the ultimate price. See her for the first time since she had vanished all those years ago had only made him realize his obsession never truly ended. And now, with a promise to keep, he was going to make her disappear again...this time forever.
Holy Moses!!!! What did I just read? How in the world will I ever get over this book hangover I am currently walking around with? It's taken me a day to even try to write this review. I am going to tell you that the description of this book is what drew me to it and that is all I knew. I went into it knowing no more than what you just read and what I got was a dark dark tale of an obsession that spans the years and is so real it's a living breathing thing. This book is dark. This book will break your heart. This book will show you that true love never ever dies. This is the story of Lucy and her worst nightmare Damian and the boy who kept saving her over and over again as children Romeo. It is told from the present and the past but all of it from Lucy's point of view. It will haunt you and the ending will just absolutely floor you. I still do not know how I feel about it. In one sense I was shocked and in another I thought finally!! Peace. You just have to read the book to see what I am talking about but be warned if you have triggers I am sure there is something in this book that might be one. I have read a lot of dark books. A lot of horrible things have happened in those books but I don't think I have ever hated a character as much as I hated Damian!!! He is the devil himself in human form. I have to stop before I give something away. This book deserves more than five stars and even though it was my fist time reading Melissa Jane it sure will not be my last.
If you've ever met Melissa Jane, you'd never believe such a sweet, vivacious woman with the face of an angel could write such a dark, twisted and disturbed thriller that is Neverland! Never indeed!!
This story is NOT for the feint hearted. If you're all about "Happy Endings" you'll need to look elsewhere. You have to admire this author for writing HER story, and she's done so superbly! So much so that I feel compelled to add that if you were to have your say on this story, make it about it's beautifully brutal entirety and not it's outcome.
I could wax lyrical about Lucy (aka diamond), this story's heroine and it's hero Romeo, both of whom are beautifully written; their childhood love and connection is akin to that of legends, but it's her villain in this tale that drew and maintained my attention and intrigue.
Dominic is a complex creature, an obsessive evil monster, who plays with Lucy like a cat with a mouse. But there's something so darkly alluring about him that I couldn't abjectly hate him. I so wanted him to reform, but at the same time I couldn't bare him to be any other way.
I could not put this book down; it sucks you straight in, sinks it's venomous claws into you and does not let you go until the shocking bittersweet finale. And oh my God, what a finale! With the heartbreaking devastation of a Shakespearean tragedy she obliterated the ending in this dark tale of obsession and violence and I absolutely hated how much I LOVED it!!
Where do I begin with this absolutely fantastic story, that left me reeling for hours after. I couldn't put it down and when sleep took hold, I slept for a few hours and woke needing the answers that never failed to appear. This story isn't pretty in fact it's damn right tragic and heartbreaking.
Having said that heartbreak is the wrong word. It was filled with anguish and a vulgar display of power, that ended up being the heart of this story. Although my heart bleed for this tragic young women. In her I found a tower of strength of which I am unsure I would have had. I cried tears I never thought would stop whilst reading this book and I ended this book completely heartsick and in a way at peace.
Now during this review I haven't mentioned names as I feel you have to read this book to gain the experience that I did with how the story unfolds and how these characters appear. Whom remains, who doesn't and whom becomes the selfish monster that is everyone's ruin.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really believe this a huge contender for my book of the year. A story of when fairytales become your nightmare and all you have is hope. Bravo Melissa Jane, you blew me away with this in my opinion a unconventional HEA.
If you are expecting butterflies and rainbows then this book is definitely not for you however the author does warn readers of this in the beginning.
Lucy Sommers and Romeo Sanchez are in the same grade and best friends. Both know hardship too with Lucy having an alcoholic, abusive father and Romeo having been bullied all of his life by people who are racially prejudice. Dominic Salvatore is one of those bullies who isn’t afraid to use his fists as well!
Great character and scene descriptions make it really easy to clearly see exactly what is happening in the story like it’s in technicolor. An amazing storyline that is extremely dark and twisted! The story itself is fast paced and very easy to read although I warn you, you will be jumping on the old emotional roller coaster. This author makes you fall in love with Lucy and Romeo but equally makes you despise Dominic, Anton and other nasty characters like them.
Is there humour to balance out the dark? No The intensity of this story is what hooks you in and keeps you enthralled the whole way. Is it entertaining? Yes, for sure. Does it leave an impression? A lasting one!
HOLY ever loving darkness. Absolutely, hands down one of the darkest reads I’ve ever stumbled on. This book actually made my skin crawl at various points, and I wanted to rip my hair out the rest of those parts. If you’re not a dark romance reader-stay far away from this book. There’s nothing even close to being sweet in this book-it’s a continuous loop of bigger heartbreak after bigger heartbreak. I actually didn’t think I’d make it out of this book alive because this author had such a hold on my emotions it literally had me fragile and rocking in a corner covering my eyes. I especially like when an author can pull serious emotions from me. Whether it be sweet and romantic-to this masterpiece, I have to admit that this conveyed some of the biggest emotions I’ve ever had towards a book. I’m going to have to take a few days off from reading because this book seriously screwed me up that much-but in such a good way. If you’re one of the darkest and even more depraved romance readers out there, you need this book in your life.
If you are looking for a happy book about a little fairy and a cute boy in green tights this book isn’t it. Neverland is a tragic story about abuse, loss of control and obsession. Melissa Jane tells the heartbreaking story of a girl that no matter her age just can not escape the violence that is in the world. This story is for mature readers and describes graphic scenes of abuse. Neverland is vey compelling and will have you reaching for the tissues. I give Neverland by Melissa Jane 5-stars.
Lucy Sommers knows that her life is messed up. Living with an abusive alcoholic father and a mother who is too beaten down to leave him, her only hope is to get a scholarship and leave home. Life never works out the way it is supposed to, and Lucy finds herself in one horrific situation after another. Determined to keep going and not give up Lucy, tries to hold her head up high and not let the monsters drag her down. When things get too bad she dreams of the boy that once promised to find her and show her the stars.
First book I’ve read from this author and rest assured it will not be my last. I love a dark romance and this one delivered. It’s sweet and twisted, light and dark all at the same time. Some things are just meant to be and there is no reason or rhyme as to why...just because they are! Lucy was a diamond in the rough a girl born into the wrong family. The only love she ever knew was from Romeo and his parents. The Sanchez family home was a refuge, somewhere to go and forget about her real life. Dominic Salvatore was obsessed with her and had been since she was thirteen years old. At times I felt sad for the man he was and the boy he’d lost before ever being able to find him. Whilst we are the product of our upbringing, changing one thing in our life changes everything from that point forward. Lucy travelled through hell for years before finding her slice of Neverland and taking back control of her own life.
Wow what did I just read. Melissa Jane does it again. She writes the perfect twisted book. Some may say that everyone is given a chance at some point of your life. This isnt the case for Lucy. She grew up with the cards stacked against her and throughout her whole life it doesn't get any easier. This is about Lucy fighting to keep from turning into a monster. This is about Dominic who in his sadistic way Loves Lucy and does all he can to keep her. This is about Romeo who never stops thinking about Lucy who was torn from him at the beginning of their youth and has never stopped Loving her. If your looking for an ending that is happy, well that can be looked at a couple ways. Life isn't always about the happy endings. Melissa will weave this story so well you won't know what else will be around the corner.. I give this book 5+ stars.
I don’t quite know how to write this review, but I can easily say that Neverland blew me away. I was hooked from page one and I couldn’t put it down until I’d devoured it. Lucy is one tough cookie who just kept getting kicked in the guts but she’d rise on every occasion showing how strong and resilient she really was. Dominic is a true psychopath who needed a junk punch, hard. I seriously hate him it it’s characters like him that add to a story. And then there’s Romeo. Sweet and loving and Lucy’s guiding light, much to Dom’s disgust. The side characters of Mumma G, Romeo’s ma and pa and those at the club, add to the story without distracting you from the main story. Totally didn’t see that ending coming but it was brilliant and poetic and just perfect.
Not your usual dark romance which I think is why I enjoyed reading this. If you're looking for a broody, dark, drool-worthy guy then Dominic isn't the dominating alpha male you want. He's a nasty piece of work. Most likely the kind you'd get in a more realistic world. Lucy, poor lass, is the girl he wants. So that's that. I like dark, passionate moments mingled in but there wasn't any. A bit disappointed this lass didn't get anything but misery but I'd mistook her age until much later into the book, not realising most of this was before she was 16. Although, with Dominic I think the author saved us from that.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have no idea what I just read. I was sucked in from the very beginning. What a twisted, crazy story. Dominic is absolutely crazy and insane. Lucy ,y heart bled for her. Her entire life has been terrible. Except for Romeo. He was the constant, good thing in her life and then she lost it. I don't want to put any spoilers in here but I hated the ending. I get it but hated it especially after everything that happened in this story. I'm glad she got a glimpse of happiness regardless of how small is was.
I would totally recommend though. It is sick, dark and twisted. Be prepared when picking up this book, be totally prepared.
Wow what can I say Dominic a very distubing boy who then is a seriously disturbed Man, Lucy a gorgeous girl who needs to survive the dark and heartache and then theres romeo sweet on Lucy, but what happens when things are torn apart will Licy and Romeo see each other again, and why is Dominic keeping her the way he does. It's full of heartache sadness love violence and just WOW.
I’m not a dark romance girl but holy shit I loved this. First book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. Thanks. Hope you all enjoy NeverLand as much as I have. Thanks.
5 CRUSHING STARS!! OMG....OMG....OMG, This book has crushed me, I can't believe what I just read. I would give this book 6 STARS if I could, it will stick with me FOREVER. You know how you read the same types of stories all the time....Well Melissa Jane switches it up, for us readers. All I can say is read this book, so make sure to 1-Click NOW.
Wow. This book. First, I am sorry the review is a couple hours late. But I am writing it up now, hoping to do this book justice.
Lucy Sommers was just a kid who lived in hell. Day in and day out. She was born into a family of monsters. She had one good thing in her life, until that was taken away too. She just vanished. But he hunted her down. His obsession with her, made him more of a monster than she has ever known. Day in and day out Lucy is again forced to live in hell. She is now his, in every way... The only thing he hasn't taken from her is hope.
This book was suspenseful. It was thrilling, and terrifying, and sad. It does deal with hard topics (trigger warning: abuse- physical, sexual, emotional, and mental). Lucy has been through so much in her life, and to even want to continue living each day, despite it all, shows how truly strong she is. And I felt for her and every single thing she had been through. And I connected with her as a character. This book had me on the edge the entire time reading it. And had me hoping for justice for everything in the end. Although I feel a few parts were a little rushed, overall I give this book 4⭐ out of 5⭐. It was a great, suspenseful read that had me on the edge of me seat the entire time.