I got a copy of this book from the author through NetGalley

The book is a new spin on Peter Pan and Wendy.
True to its warning it is dark and smutty

My Thoughts

The book flips from the present day to the past Wendy Darling in the present is a 40-year-old woman and Peter Pan has a split personality and is also hook.

the smutty parts of the book are good and sometimes dark this book is 80% Smut and the other 20% I found hard to grasp where it jumped back and forth it made it difficult to keep up with what was going on and the plot other than the fun hanky panky.

So the love between Peter Pan and Wendy seems to be deep and real and their love for each other is felt throughout the book which makes it a nice love story. The issue for me was that a 40 year old Wendy and a 17 year old pan were going at it made it weird for me.

overall

The book is good for a smutty read but sometimes the plot is hard to keep up with but I did enjoy the book.

I was drawn to "Losing Neverland" by Evelyn Montgomery as it is a unique take on Peter Pan. The blend of familiar elements with refreshing twists, like Hook's alter ego, intrigued me. I appreciated the dual perspective narrative, which added depth to the story and allowed insights into different characters' minds.

While the book had its moments of confusion, especially in the middle, the plot eventually came together. Lots of unexpected twists, keeping readers guessing and emotionally invested until the end. Although I wished for more descriptive scenes, the vivid portrayal of actions compensated for it.

Overall, I rate it 4 stars since its enjoyable and a pretty quick read.

A brilliant spin on a classic fairytale!
Peter Pan and Wendy were never admittedly my favourite fairytale but this intriguing spin on the world was so imaginative I couldn’t help but love it.
A dark retelling I did not know I needed

this book wasn’t for me. it goes past and present and i struggled understand it. and over all i think the writing style just wasn’t what i like.

Arc review

This was a great dark and twisted retelling of Peter Pan. Also a second chance at love. Loved the switching between the present and the past. It helped understand what happened in the past that tore them apart. It had the right amount of spice and just kept you wondering what would happen next.

I am intrigued on the authors take on the well known childhood story of Peter Pan.

I like how some parts of the story remained the same as the original, but some changed such as Hook and the alter ego. I also liked how the book was written in dual perspective. So each chapter switched from different characters perspectives, written in 1st person.

The book itself was good but I do feel the story got “lost” / confusing at times; Only to make sense towards the end of the book.

I feel a lot of good books out there can have so many twists and turns, can make you think you know what’s going to happen and then all of a sudden it changes. I like that the author used that with this book.

I don’t quite know yet how I feel about the ending. I have so many mixed emotions but when an author can truly do that and cause those emotions just shows the readers emotional investment in the book.

I feel the book could’ve been a little more descriptive on the scenes where things were taking place, but that it did a really good job at describing actions that were taking place in the book.

I would’ve loved to hear more about the twins and what happened in those 17 years apart, I feel the author could’ve definitely done a small series out of this.

All in all, I give it about 4 stars. Some parts for me seemed to lack that pull, but for the most part it was a very enjoyable and quick read.

Also, a big thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Evelyn Montgomery for providing me with an eARC of Losing Neverland in return for my honest opinion.

I have read dark retellings of Peter Pan before and was very intrigued when the concept of this one was that Pan and Hook were the same man. This book has so so much potential with this storyline, alongside the storyline of Pan and Wendy losing each other and finding themselves and each other again. The concept of bad Tink and John’s *spoiler* betrayal were also very interesting concepts. However, this book is quite short and I feel that unfortunately these concepts were not explored to their full potential.

This book focuses a lot on the build up to the spice, which is fine if you love spice, but unfortunately I think the amount of spice took away from the overall story. I loved the quotes from Peter and Wendy at the start of each chapter, that was a really nice touch. The timeline felt a little confusing at times in this book, we were constantly swapping from present to past throughout and it was hard to keep up at times with where the story was. It is a really easy to read story, I just wish the author had gone more in-depth with some of their ideas and concepts.

Rating: 3.5 stars

"You and me, Wendy. That's the beginning and the end of everything."

This book takes a dark and twisted turn on the classic Peter Pan story, offering a unique perspective through the eyes of a grown-up Wendy Darling. I was intrigued by the concept of exploring the aftermath of Wendy's departure from Neverland and the impact it had on both Peter Pan and Hook.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Peter Pan is not just a boy who never grows up but also the notorious Captain Hook. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, and Gardner does an excellent job of delving into the psychological aspects of this duality. We witness the transformation of Peter Pan into Hook, exploring the reasons behind his descent into darkness and his unrequited love for Wendy.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the explicit smut between Wendy and Hook. While some readers may find this aspect overly graphic, it is undeniably a significant part of the story. Gardner does a good job of portraying the intensity of their passion and the emotional connection that forms between them.

However, the book is not without its flaws. The plot can be convoluted at times, and some readers may struggle to follow the complex timelines and shifts in perspective. Additionally, the character development of some supporting characters, such as John and Tiger Lily, feels incomplete, leaving their motivations and actions somewhat unclear.

The pacing of the story is also a bit uneven, with some sections feeling rushed while others drag on. The final part of the book, in particular, leaves many questions unanswered, which may frustrate readers who prefer a satisfying conclusion.

Despite these minor flaws, "Losing Neverland" is a compelling and thought-provoking retelling of the Peter Pan story. It offers a fresh perspective on a classic character and delves into the darker aspects of human nature.


Trigger Warning: This book contains the following triggers:



Peter Pan Retelling: The book explores the dark side of the Peter Pan character, including his sexual obsession with Wendy Darling.

Dark Romance: The relationship between Wendy and Hook is portrayed as intense and passionate, with elements of smut and dub-con.

Second Chances: The story involves characters getting a chance to relive their past actions and choices.

Multiple Points of View: The book shifts between different characters' perspectives, which can be disorienting for some readers.

'Good Girl'/'Darling' Dynamic: The book explores the power dynamics between Wendy and Hook, with Wendy being portrayed as a naive and submissive 'good girl'.

Grooming/Attempted Rape: There are instances of grooming and attempted rape between Wendy and Hook, which are depicted in a disturbing manner.

Death: The book contains themes of death and violence.

Both Virgins: The characters are portrayed as virgins, and their sexual encounters are explicit.

First Love: The book explores the themes of first love and infatuation.

Non-Con: There are instances of non-consensual behavior in the book.

Dub-Con: The relationship between Wendy and Hook involves elements of dub-con, where Wendy is coerced into sexual activities.

Pregnancy: There is a suggestion of pregnancy in the book, which is not explored further.

Murder: The book contains elements of murder and violence.

If you are sensitive to any of these triggers, it is important to consider whether this book is appropriate for you.


Thank you, Netgalley!

A retelling story of a dark Peter Pan. It still has similar parts to the original Peter Pan story, but this story has a lot of dark and spicy scenes. I enjoyed the plot of the story and seeing how they pulled it as Peter being both Hook and himself. Wendy still had the same type of character as the original but I thought she had more of a don't mess with me type of attitude in this book. I thought it was an interesting plot and kept you engaged to want to know how it was possible. The book was written well with a lot of details. I was never bored with the book and continued to want to read more when I did pick it up to read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read this as an ARC and give my honest opinion. Thank you, Evelyn Montogomery, for a well-written book! I am excited to read more books from you!

I only made it to 50% of this story. It was hard to follow between the present and past with multiple POV's. I couldn't get a grasp on what was happening and it was hard to continue and not because of triggers.

OHHHH she was fun! this was a seriously smutty dark peter pan retelling and it absolutely did what it needed to. i flew through this and i think ended up reading it in one sitting. what a treat

I picked this book, because I had one of my occasional erotica impulses. Normally, I don't expect much from this genre, but I was surprised by Losing Neverland. In fact, I'm a little annoyed. The story concept -- the Peter Pan and Wendy with a tragic lost love finding their way to each other again, the weaving in of the Hook persona, the roles of other famed characters like John and Tinker Bell -- it all has so. much. potential. A lot of the core concepts are unique and intriguing, dare I say a refreshing take on Peter Pan. But, frustratingly enough, it doesn't deliver. I think because this book is so erotica-focused that it's put itself into a less demanding box than that of other novels, one that severely damaged the story. In exchange for explicit sex scenes (which are fine, by my standards), there are too many plot-holes and dropped story lines, severely underdeveloped characters, an unsatisfying ending, and a narrative that just ignores so many potentially fascinating commentaries and backstories that really haven't been explored in many Peter Pan adaptations. If this had been further developed with the intention of it being more than just the 99 cent erotica novella, then it really could have been notable.

So, while it satisfied my erotica impulse fine by doing exactly what it was advertised to do, I wish there was more of an effort to push it beyond that. If you're looking for something non-committal, fast, and easy, Losing Neverland accomplishes that much; It has erotica and with characters that most likely are familiar and it's a quick read. If you're looking for the complex, hard-hitting, emotionally jarring narrative that happens to have a romance that embraces erotica, I'd look elsewhere.

**Note: I will not be posting this review on a public platform**

Loved this retelling of Peter Pan and I loved how it explained the concept of Hook being part of Peter. I love the grown up aspect of Neverland and Peter Pan/Wendy.

You know me and retellings! They hold a very special place in my heart and I loved diving into this one as well. It was so intriguing and really interesting watching these relationships develop throughout the book. Definitely spicy and the dark romance aspect of this book really kept me hooked.

I do really with there was more showing rather than telling in this book, because I feel like it would have magnified my reading experience by a thousand.

Overall I really liked this retelling, it definitely shined a new light on the way I look at Peter Pan and Wendy, and their love story, especially in this book!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not sure what to say about this one.

On the one hand, it’s clunky and could use a LOT of editing. The first half of the story is confusing, which I’ll grant could be intentional because both of the MCs are working on brokenhearted assumptions and half or less of the truth. The twists were pretty predictable. I did question myself a few times about one of the plot twists, but my initial assumption was right.

On the other hand… I read it all in one night. Flew through it. I wanted to know the truth and I wanted the MCs to talk and be vulnerable and figure out the truth for themselves. And the sex scenes were super spicy, if sometimes hard to figure out how the bodies were configured (especially in the beginning).

The sex scenes, while hot, were unbelievable for two people who’d never had any kind of exposure to physical sexuality before each other. HOWEVER, I don’t mind suspending that disbelief, especially because those scenes were so hot! So that one pans out.

All in all, I would give this a 2.5 if GR/NG let me do half stars. I would not want to spend money on this book, but I don’t mind having it, as it was a free galley in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

I requested this book out of pure curiosity..
I had a bit of mixed feelings about it - the first being that some things weren't realistic. For example, the characters were depicted as virgins, however the first sex scene did not seem as if that were the case.

I did however enjoy the authors writing style, the tropes, and the dual POV. I also didn't mind the time jumps (something I'm not usually a fan of).

I would recommend this book to my friends who enjoy spicy / dark romance.
I will most likely read more by this author because like I said, I did enjoy the writing style.

This is the first retelling I have read of Peter Pan. I enjoyed this. I thought this was a very unique take on the story of Peter, Hook, and Wendy. I thought the dual timelines and dual perspectives kept the story interesting. This is a dark romance in that there is violence, but I enjoyed this. I will be reading Evelyn Montgomery's backlist! Check your trigger warnings, but I enjoyed this overall.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78815307-losing-neverland

Dnf @40%
This book is a dark retelling of Peter Pan and follows Wendy's return to Neverland as an adult.

Let me start by saying the premise of the book was interesting, and I enjoyed Evelyn Montgomery’s writing style. For someone who is a big fan of Peter Pan retellings, I feel they can enjoy this book!

The thing that didn’t work for me was that I felt the storyline was not moving forward. It was as if the relationship between Pan and Wendy was static from the moment they first met. Even though they spoke plenty of times, the dialogue felt repetitive, and they were not able to progress forward or backward but remained kind of “stuck”.

I will give this book 3 stars because I feel it was not for me but it can be enjoyable for someone else!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Review of Losing Neverland by Evelyn Montgomery
* * * * *
A dark twist to this neverland fairytale that had me up into the early hours of the morning wanting to get to the end.

He's back.
He's never letting her go again.
Or that easily.
Wendy is now thrust back into Neverland, back to the place and people she once knew. No longer a little girl but a grown woman, but still yearning the one who swept her away..
He want something from her...and she will give it to him...or else.

Well, I do love my a twisted fairytale!
Peter Pan, you naughty boy!
Betrayals, family issues, major plot twits and character flips, and tons of tension - wink, wink! Different POVs, spins from the present to the past - that highlight how much these new characters are going to provide a surprise.
Loved how each chapter had a quote from the book J.M. Barrie wrote.

Fun was definitely had while reading this spicy retelling of Peter Pan. This was such a quick read, I wished there were a few more chapters.

Overall, quick, fun and hot read. Definitely recommend reading this if you just want to turn your brain off and not think too hard about what you're reading. I mean that in the best way possible! Considering there's multiple POVs, I thought I was going to have a hard time keeping up. But Evelyn did a great job at keeping the story easy-to-follow.