With thanks to the author, and Brittany Montogmery and Evelyn Montgmery Books for an ARC and the opportunity to offer my honest thoughts.

This twisty Peter Pan origin story spans the past and present of their entwined lives and is told via multiple POVs (Peter/Jas, Wendy and Tink). I enjoyed the created backstory linking Peter and Wendy. The movement through time was nicely done. It allowed the reader to see the character motivations flesh out and evolve with the different influences on them.

This is a rewrite of an earlier work by the same author but without a pen name. I haven't read the original work and I may yet seek it out to see where the changes have been made. The flow feels off at times and some character decisions and actions feel ‘tamed’. The inner talk without action between the main protagonists led the story to drag in places.

The relationship between Peter and Wendy is an example of this drag. I saw the romance but I didn't feel the romance or chemistry consistently. Much of their independent internal dialogue went around and around. All I wanted to do was sit them down with a pot of tea, no distractions and either talk it out or fk it out.

I loved this comingling of Peter Pan and Jas Hook. The devolution of Peter to Jas gave nods to a journey through trauma psychosis and back to sanity. I would have loved to see Jas even darker rather than framed in mania of thought and action.

I loved and would like to recognise the mature aged cast. Yes the characters as we recognise them are teenagers. But this story lets Wendy as a mature woman to be anxious, to want to love, be loved and to be strong.

The manipulation and machinations wrought by Tink were an evil twist on her characters well known jealousy and delusions of grandeur.

The ending fell a little flat but, the next instalment will focus on ‘the bad guys’ Tinker Bell and Jake, and I think it will be a strong conclusion.

review
*** i received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review **
i love a good retelling as much as the next person, especially a peter pan retelling. i’m teetering between a 3.75 ⭐️ and a 4 ⭐️ rating for sure
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“There's more to Wendy and me than just a quick flight and a swift trip to Neverland. There's more to our story than open windows, bedtime stories, and lost boys.”
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i love the dr. jekyl / mr. hyde esque side of peter/hook’s character. the world building was fantastic. after reading some reviews, i saw that some readers said the timelines were confusing (aka the past and present) but i found it quite helpful and insightful ! they always came at the perfect time, gave just the right amount of background information that you needed. what i also enjoyed was that tinkerbell was actually the enemy in this story. not hook himself. sure, he wasn’t the best guy around. and sure, he k*lled people just cause but he wasn’t the “villain” perse…. that was tink! (and tiger lilly) i’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC (eventhough the book is already out)

This book! I felt bad for everyone at some point or other except Tinker bell I never felt bad for her...

I was rooting for her to die for most of the Book.

I actually really enjoyed this book a lot.

I usually dislike retellings (unless they're dark)

If you're considering this book just get it, it's Amazing!

I read it in a day because I desperately wanted to know how it ended.

It did not disappoint.

Of course the ending made me rethink everything...

This was very hard for me to read. I didn't feel a connection to the characters at all and thought the book was unnecessary long. It drags on forever and it was hard for me to pick it up at some point. I liked the original premise of the book but don't like the execution.

This was a dark take on the relationship between Peter and Wendy from the classic Peter Pan story. It is my understanding another book is to be released this year (2024) to continue the story.

I think this book was way too long. While I enjoyed the story line, and honestly enjoyed the back and forth between the POV's and the flashbacks, it just seemed like by page 300 I was feeling bored. Things were repeated and some of the order the story was told in made no sense to me. This makes me almost afraid to read the next book as I feel like it will be alot of repeat of things already covered in the first book.

I received a copy of this via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

In Neverland, appearances deceive. Peter and Hook harbor secrets unknown to most—an obscured truth behind the legendary myth. Unveiling the concealed wonders beneath the notorious legend, I understand the nightmares that bring Hook to his knees and the concealed facts that unveil his ruthless darkness.

Witnessing the inescapable reality that altered Peter Pan forever, I observed his inevitable fall from grace—a loss of innocence, a destiny he couldn't evade. The tales you've been told are lies, mere hoaxes, pixie tricks. I possess the truth as I am their ruin, their demise—the end of what was and the beginning of what's to come.

I am Wendy Moira Angela Darling, the inescapable fate they couldn't overcome. The chosen one who compels their surrender and the reason Neverland is lost.

Shifting to the narrative you mentioned, the story introduces refreshing twists with unique motives for both new and old characters. Its standout element is the love story between Peter and Wendy, as they grapple with the world, each other, and themselves in the pursuit of being together. While their actions aren't flawless, their undeniable need for each other adds depth to the plot.

DNF

I am so very sorry, but I couldn't finish this book. I felt like there was something missing. Maybe because it has been rewritten as a romance as opposed to a dark romance? I'm not sure, but I felt nothing for the characters. There was no chemistry, no longing. Those little touches and tiny details that build the tension we're missing for me.

I also felt that the pacing was off and that the scenes didn't flow somehow. There was no connection and I became a little confused ..

I'm.sure others will love this book. Sadly it wasn't for me.

This is a retelling of Peter Pan and quite an interesting one. I have to admit, I don’t usually gravitate towards retelling of fairy tales but the blurb really sold me. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but I highly recommend going in BLIND as I think the journey is worth it. Note, it did take me a little while to get into, maybe 35% but after that, I was hooked (pun intended). It definitely makes me want to re-watch Peter Pan.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for a fair and honest review

I didn't get very far through this book and had to bring myself to keep going before I just gave up. It was unfortunately a DNF for me...
I think the premise is great but the execution not so much. It's messy, all over the place and it feels like there's nothing connecting one scene to the next. The vast majority of the book was confusing and left much to be desired, it felt like it went round and around in circles.
Peter and Wendy also didn't act like their age and they all fell somewhat flat for me. They needed more depth, characterisation, personality. Tinkerbell and John in particular were the worst characters in the book.
I think 'Losing Neverland' needs to be revisited and revised, thoroughly run through a few times... Because although the execution wasn't the best, I do think that a bit of better editing would've helped a lot.
Overall, not the biggest fan, which really bums me out because I thought the premise was so promising... Maybe in the future we will meet again, Brittany Montgomery!

3.5/5 ⭐️

Peter Pan Retelling
Fantasy
Dark-ish Romance

This book is a little tough for me. It was really good in some parts and a bit confusing in others.
I like the idea of Peter and Hook being the same person. I felt like Hook could have been a bit more dark but overall I liked his character. I liked Wendy too. Their whole romance storyline was really good. It was just the other elements and characters that were a little confusing to me. I had to go back and reread some parts because I was confused by the timeline or just confused in general.
Overall, if you enjoy Peter Pan retellings then I think it’s worth the read. There’s a second book coming out so keep that in mind because the ending isn’t really much of an ending.

I saw this on Netgalley and the premise of the plot intrigued me but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.

I didn't get very far through and had to bring myself to keep going before I just gave up.

I was confused for the duration of the prologue and could hardly understand what was going on throughout the first few chapters.

As someone who's also writing a book, it felt like I was reading a first draft. The editing was next to non-existent and it was just Wendy and Peter holding each other before cutting to another scene of them holding each other before going on about Wendy's conflicting emotions.

The idea is not bad, it's the execution.

This needs to be revisited and thoroughly run through another few times before it's able to be properly understood.

Ages 15+
Reccomend for those who want inexplicit spice.

I’m always a sucker for a good retelling. I think there are lil details in this one that just make sense with the source material. It was interesting seeing characters that I’m familiar with from the original movie (my first intro to Peter Pan) and how they are shifted. OWD kinda cause Tiger Lily and Tinker Bell exist and it is definitely filled with darker themes so be wary of that.

Peter Pan as an origin story is marred with some pretty messed up ideology especially pertaining to Tiger Lily and her people so that is definitely a drawback and should not be taken lightly.

The timeline was a little confusing at first, but it just meant I had to reread things a couple times. Also, I do think that Wendy’s full name was used a bit excessively. Even filled with loathsome intent, Tinker Bell would probably not take the time to say the whole thing. I did like the interpretation of the magic and the legends of it.

3.5 ⭐️ I was honored to receive a copy of this book from NetGalley and Brittnay Montgomery in exchange for an honest review.

First off, the premise of this book excited me so much! I’m a sucker for a Peter Pan retelling and while I’ve read several books about how Hook became the villain he is, I’ve never seen one where Peter Pan slowly becomes the “dark side of Neverland” James Hook himself.

While the plot gives some refreshingly new twists and turns, both new and old characters with some unique motives, the story stands out most as a love story between Peter and Wendy. The two fight the world, each other, and their selves, in order to figure out what it takes to be together. Their actions are not perfect, and they constantly talk in circles around each other (a bit too much for my personal taste), but you can tell just how much they truly need each other for survival.

Annoyingly, I think Tink is my favorite for just how unapologetically she goes for what she wants. She shows all her emotions and has no regrets for the darkness that overtakes her. I am very interested to see just how far she will take things and how much of herself she is willing to risk to get the win.

This book is one of my favorite kinds which are fairytale retellings. This book has wonderfully developed characters. Peter and Wendy are like you’ve never seen them before. Would recommend to fantasy and fairytale fans. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I received an ARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am a sucker for a Peter Pan retelling, and this is probably my favorite. I was HOOKED right from the beginning. Brittany Montgomery twisted this classic story into a dark fairy tale told from the POV of Wendy, Peter/Hook, and Tinkerbell. I loved that Peter found his dark side and that no matter how much the darkness crept in, his love for Wendy was there. And him calling her Darling with a different nuance as both Peter and Hook , *swoon*. I can’t wait for the second book!

Losing Neverland by Brittany Montgomery is a love/sensation novel with ample twists on Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie.

As the name of the book suggests, Peter and Hook are the same man. As the book opens, we are introduced to the now fully-grown Wendy in her, who is later kipnapped by Peter/Hook back to Neverland by the end of the chapter. The story follows by analepsis retelling of what happened 2 decades ago before Wendy "betrayed" Peter and caused him to be fully engulfed by his dark persona-Hook.

Montgomery excels in portraying the intimate and intriguing relationships between the love birds with tenderness and authenticity. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives (as suggested by the title of each chapter, so the reader doesn't get confused), and she did a good job in giving old characters new persona through inner monologues, which sometimes could seem a bit ponderous that makes me want to fly through chapters.

As the story is propelled by a wicked Tinker Bell, by smoking and drinking Peter Pan, by learning that Wendy has been raising the children of Peter while they are apart, it is no longer magical but is slowly leaning towards a melodrama/fan fictions. The retelling is not too much up my alley for I am too much a fan of such genre, but that is no criticism of this book. With her perceptive writing, Montgomery imbues her novel with the stuff, literally and figuratively, of life. Her characters, through one may not agree with each and everyone of the twists, define themselves and by the end of the book you see them from a completely new lens.

Overall if you are into dark romance and dialogic writing, the is something for you. Nothing too hard-handed, and would be an enjoyable read.

I love a retelling and I thought this was well done. 4.5⭐️
As a child I fell hard for Peter Pan and couldn’t wait to see where this was going to take me. It starts with a present day event that sent a chill through me and I was immediately hooked. The main characters have chemistry and I love how the author wrote the romance.
This had drama, suspense and a couple of shocking delicious twists. I would recommend for anyone who loves retellings.
Thanks Brittany Montgomery via NetGalley.

This is the spice between Peter and Wendy we’ve all been waiting for. Absolutely loved this book! I love the connection between one of our favorite Disney “fairytales” to more adult life experiences.

Overall I enjoyed this book. There were a few things I didn’t like but that was primarily the multiple time lines that were taking places. There seems to be like three timelines one being early when Wendy first met Peter, than when they were like 18 and than again 17 years later in the present. It made it confusing and I wasn’t 100% sure when most of the story was taking place. I think if it was more clear where it stated 17 years ago, and such I would have liked it a lot more. I am interested in continuing the story though it hasn’t deterred me. I’d give it a 3.5⭐️

Losing Neverland is a dark(ish) retelling of Peter Pan where Hook and Peter Pan are the same person. The story is told in three points of view, Wendy, Peter/Hook and Tinker Bell. I liked the multi pov storytelling because it showed the reader more of what the characters were thinking and going through.

The timeline of the book was a bit confusing at times because the story was jumping between Wendy & Peter’s past and present.

I have mixed feelings about the book, there were some parts that were good but also some that weren’t. I really liked the idea of Peter and Hook being the same person but the execution could have been better. Hook was trying to be dark but it just fell a bit flat for me.

I mostly liked the romance between Peter/Hook and Wendy even though it was a bit cringe at times. I liked how the characters were multi dimensional and well developed.

Overall I think the book / story had a lot of potential but the execution might have needed some more work.

This version of the book I did read was rewritten and I’m not sure whether some of the story was “lost” during the rewriting process. It would have been interesting to read both versions to compare them.

I’m not sure whether I will read the next book of the series.