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juffnstuff's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
racheks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I love Julie Olivia books with all my heart, she is an insta-read author for me, no questions asked.
This book is so sweet and heartfelt, and I think it’s such a fun take on a Peter Pan story! Some parts definitely hit close to home with regards to both Wendy and Jasper’s previous unhealthy relationships, but getting to read them falling in love and overcoming those insecurities was so cathartic. Jasper was the perfect grumpy hero and he not only did kind things for Wendy, he made the effort to understand her, and that’s the most attractive thing of all.
The little Peter Pan Easter eggs were so fun! They weren’t distracting, and instead added fun little details and character to the story. I also enjoyed seeing how much Julie Olivia’s writing grows and develops. She is by no means a new author, but I swear, every book is more and more magic. She’s got pixie dust nestled in here somewhere and it’s so so good.
This book is so sweet and heartfelt, and I think it’s such a fun take on a Peter Pan story! Some parts definitely hit close to home with regards to both Wendy and Jasper’s previous unhealthy relationships, but getting to read them falling in love and overcoming those insecurities was so cathartic. Jasper was the perfect grumpy hero and he not only did kind things for Wendy, he made the effort to understand her, and that’s the most attractive thing of all.
The little Peter Pan Easter eggs were so fun! They weren’t distracting, and instead added fun little details and character to the story. I also enjoyed seeing how much Julie Olivia’s writing grows and develops. She is by no means a new author, but I swear, every book is more and more magic. She’s got pixie dust nestled in here somewhere and it’s so so good.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
gi_reads30's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks to Good Girls PR and Julie Olivia for providing an ARC of Off The Hook in exchange for an honest review.
-Short description (kinda)-
Off the Hook is slightly inspired by Peter Pan, with Wendy being well...Wendy and Jasper, somewhat inspired by Captain Hook. Its not a retelling, or a re-imagining of the original story, but if you at least know the story or characters, you would see the little easter eggs throughout the book. It follows Jasper Davis, the a "new-ish" father in need of a nanny to take care of his 6 year old son, Sam. Enter Wendy Darling, Peter's ex-fiancee (Jasper's brother) an elementary school teacher with a free summer.
-Review?-
Where do I begin with this one? ...
Well, I LOVED IT! For me at least, this book was pure perfection. I enjoyed everything about it. From the nautical setting, the main characters and the side characters.
I've been burned before by books with the nanny/boss tropes, so despite being excited for this one, because I adore Julie's writing, I was scared. BUT I WAS NOT DISAPOINTED.! This book has a lot of tropes in it, found family, brother's ex-fiancé, age gap, nanny/boss, YET they flow so seamlessly, in a way they just feel part of the story, and not an after thought.
-Main characters: Jasper and Wendy-
I might sound like a broken record with this review but I honestly, I just can't say anything bad about them. I loved Wendy. She was kind, caring, charming, funny. There were moments that she felt really relatable, and I wanted to protect her from the world, I wanted to tell her she was enough. Jasper...my grump with a heart of gold was caring, honest, slightly shy (WHICH I LOVE), and most importantly, SUCH AN AMAZING FATHER. The road that lead him to fatherhood was less then ideal, but the way he handle it was just a delight to watch. He didn't do the bare minimum when it came to Sam and it showed. Sam was such a cutie pie, and I want nothing but happiness and love for him.
The romance...SLOW burn, some angst, and just amazing chemistry. Their banter was cute and despite not being "too much" for me at leas, it was just as I expected, given Jasper's personality. I loved them together, I loved the stolen glances, the hidden smiles, the absolute need they had for one another, the honesty in their feelings. They brought the best out of each other in a way that was so cute to read about.
I do want to say, without giving spoilers, the way grief was handled in this book, was so beautiful. No, is not a major plot point or anything like that, but the moments where the topic is discussed, it was handled beautifully.
-Side Characters-
I've read the entire Honeywood Park series by Julie Olivia, and what I loved most about those books, was her ability to make the side characters so special, likable and charming. She did it again in this book. From Maggie (Jasper's mom) all the way to Raf, all the side characters are an integral part of me enjoying this book so much. Don't get me wrong, there were moments I wanted to shake Peter, but his personality plays into the whole "don't want to grow up" aspect of Peter Pan's character, so I will let it slide. I do have HIGH hopes to see his story play out in a future book.
However, of all of Jasper's sibling, I need Milo's book ASAP. I loved the little glimpse we have of him in the book, he is my favorite of the David's siblings, only second to Jasper.
If you like:
- Single dad
- Found family
- Brother's ex-girlfriend
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Nanny/Boss
ANY of those tropes, you will like this one. !!
Again, thanks to Good Girls PR and Julie Olivia for providing an ARC of Off The Hook in exchange for an honest review.
-Short description (kinda)-
Off the Hook is slightly inspired by Peter Pan, with Wendy being well...Wendy and Jasper, somewhat inspired by Captain Hook. Its not a retelling, or a re-imagining of the original story, but if you at least know the story or characters, you would see the little easter eggs throughout the book. It follows Jasper Davis, the a "new-ish" father in need of a nanny to take care of his 6 year old son, Sam. Enter Wendy Darling, Peter's ex-fiancee (Jasper's brother) an elementary school teacher with a free summer.
-Review?-
Where do I begin with this one? ...
Well, I LOVED IT! For me at least, this book was pure perfection. I enjoyed everything about it. From the nautical setting, the main characters and the side characters.
I've been burned before by books with the nanny/boss tropes, so despite being excited for this one, because I adore Julie's writing, I was scared. BUT I WAS NOT DISAPOINTED.! This book has a lot of tropes in it, found family, brother's ex-fiancé, age gap, nanny/boss, YET they flow so seamlessly, in a way they just feel part of the story, and not an after thought.
-Main characters: Jasper and Wendy-
I might sound like a broken record with this review but I honestly, I just can't say anything bad about them. I loved Wendy. She was kind, caring, charming, funny. There were moments that she felt really relatable, and I wanted to protect her from the world, I wanted to tell her she was enough. Jasper...my grump with a heart of gold was caring, honest, slightly shy (WHICH I LOVE), and most importantly, SUCH AN AMAZING FATHER. The road that lead him to fatherhood was less then ideal, but the way he handle it was just a delight to watch. He didn't do the bare minimum when it came to Sam and it showed. Sam was such a cutie pie, and I want nothing but happiness and love for him.
The romance...SLOW burn, some angst, and just amazing chemistry. Their banter was cute and despite not being "too much" for me at leas, it was just as I expected, given Jasper's personality. I loved them together, I loved the stolen glances, the hidden smiles, the absolute need they had for one another, the honesty in their feelings. They brought the best out of each other in a way that was so cute to read about.
I do want to say, without giving spoilers, the way grief was handled in this book, was so beautiful. No, is not a major plot point or anything like that, but the moments where the topic is discussed, it was handled beautifully.
-Side Characters-
I've read the entire Honeywood Park series by Julie Olivia, and what I loved most about those books, was her ability to make the side characters so special, likable and charming. She did it again in this book. From Maggie (Jasper's mom) all the way to Raf, all the side characters are an integral part of me enjoying this book so much. Don't get me wrong, there were moments I wanted to shake Peter, but his personality plays into the whole "don't want to grow up" aspect of Peter Pan's character, so I will let it slide. I do have HIGH hopes to see his story play out in a future book.
However, of all of Jasper's sibling, I need Milo's book ASAP. I loved the little glimpse we have of him in the book, he is my favorite of the David's siblings, only second to Jasper.
If you like:
- Single dad
- Found family
- Brother's ex-girlfriend
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Nanny/Boss
ANY of those tropes, you will like this one. !!
Again, thanks to Good Girls PR and Julie Olivia for providing an ARC of Off The Hook in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
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