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jaimejustreadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
It’s a tricky thing for an author to take a classic & beloved fairytale and write a retelling in a way that doesn’t tarnish the story, yet keeps the characters and their world recognizable with a fresh, modern twist, but Gina L. Maxwell has taken on this task with fervor and flare.
Normally retellings seem to be focused solely on the characters names with a basic similarity to the original. This is the first retelling where I felt like I recognized each scene and the true heart of the story but in a new and exciting way.
I was going to make reference to all of the different things you can expect to find in this book that would convince you just how well the author incorporated the many detailed themes of the original story but I feel the experience of discovering it all on your own is far more important. However, I don’t want you to think that this story is predictable or just more of the same because it’s far from both of those.
If anyone was a fan of the TV show Once Upon a Time I think you’d agree that we all saw that it kind of makes sense that Hook is pretty sexy but I never imagined that I could see Peter Pan that way. I was totally wrong. For all that this book does to remind me of what I love about the original story, it definitely showed me a side of the Lost Boys that I’m totally into, in a not at all innocent way.
Now that I’m done with Peter and Wendy’s story and have been introduced to all of the secondary characters and gained insight into what’s in store for them, I’m most excited about Hook’s story but I have no doubt that Gina L. Maxwell is about to blow our minds with each new book in the Neverland series and I’m so here for it!!
*I received an ARC from the author for voluntary review
Normally retellings seem to be focused solely on the characters names with a basic similarity to the original. This is the first retelling where I felt like I recognized each scene and the true heart of the story but in a new and exciting way.
I was going to make reference to all of the different things you can expect to find in this book that would convince you just how well the author incorporated the many detailed themes of the original story but I feel the experience of discovering it all on your own is far more important. However, I don’t want you to think that this story is predictable or just more of the same because it’s far from both of those.
If anyone was a fan of the TV show Once Upon a Time I think you’d agree that we all saw that it kind of makes sense that Hook is pretty sexy but I never imagined that I could see Peter Pan that way. I was totally wrong. For all that this book does to remind me of what I love about the original story, it definitely showed me a side of the Lost Boys that I’m totally into, in a not at all innocent way.
Now that I’m done with Peter and Wendy’s story and have been introduced to all of the secondary characters and gained insight into what’s in store for them, I’m most excited about Hook’s story but I have no doubt that Gina L. Maxwell is about to blow our minds with each new book in the Neverland series and I’m so here for it!!
*I received an ARC from the author for voluntary review
timitra's review against another edition
4.0
Rated 3.5 Stars
I struggled a bit with Pan in the beginning but as I got more into the story things began to flow much better. It's a contemporary retelling with a second chance spin of one of my fave stories growing up. I enjoyed it. It's filled with a cast of characters that I know and love and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for them. It's a fun re-imagining that I recommend.
Copy provided by author
I struggled a bit with Pan in the beginning but as I got more into the story things began to flow much better. It's a contemporary retelling with a second chance spin of one of my fave stories growing up. I enjoyed it. It's filled with a cast of characters that I know and love and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for them. It's a fun re-imagining that I recommend.
Copy provided by author
mrsjhelms9910reader's review against another edition
5.0
Bloody brillant! I loved this retelling of Peter Pan. Gina didn't fail me at all with this. It was well written and contained all the major things i remember from the movie. I loved how she twisted it to fit and grow into their adult lives. I can't wait to read the rest of the characters books. Gimme Hook nowwww.
mimireadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve never been a big fan of the Peter Pan story, but could never quite place my finger on the reason why it didn’t sit well with me. That is, until I got the chance to read Pan, by Gina Maxwell. Words cannot convey my absolute delight for this contemporary twist on a classic story. I’ll start by saying that I think the way the author wove familiar characters, locations, and story lines into this modern retelling was a stroke of genius. The details were familiar enough to move the story along at a steady pace, but different enough to deliver a completely fresh take on the lives of the Lost Boys and Wendy Darling.
So what was it that I came to realize? I was NEVER satisfied with the original plot because I’m a romantic at heart and someone needed to get a happily ever after. No worries about that being an issue in this very adult take on the tale. While it’s not everyone’s favorite thing, I loved the back and forth pacing of the story. In the case of a second chance romance such as this, I find that I really enjoy being able to follow along as the character’s recount how they first fell in love. That these memories were shared through both Pan’s and Wendy’s perspectives really helped me to grasp how deeply these two people cared for one another. It was a nice counterpoint to the almost fast and furious relationship they took up as soon as Wendy returned to Neverland. Not that I’m saying there was anything wrong with their current status. No indeed. Pan grew up to be one sexy, confident man and Wendy was the perfect match for him. The blazing chemistry this pair shared darn near set my kindle on fire.
Ultimately, the magic of this story doesn’t come from fairy tales. The magic lies in Pan’s ability to always look forward while caring for those he loved. It comes from Wendy’s ability to look past the grime and see the heart of Pan and his crew of Lost Boys. The magic comes from a cast of characters who, despite their terrible childhoods, manage to maintain an appreciation for what they do have in their lives. They have magic because they have the ability to love one another, to forgive wrongs, and to support each other. More importantly, they have magic because they still hope!
*Review cross posted from my Amazon profile.
So what was it that I came to realize? I was NEVER satisfied with the original plot because I’m a romantic at heart and someone needed to get a happily ever after. No worries about that being an issue in this very adult take on the tale. While it’s not everyone’s favorite thing, I loved the back and forth pacing of the story. In the case of a second chance romance such as this, I find that I really enjoy being able to follow along as the character’s recount how they first fell in love. That these memories were shared through both Pan’s and Wendy’s perspectives really helped me to grasp how deeply these two people cared for one another. It was a nice counterpoint to the almost fast and furious relationship they took up as soon as Wendy returned to Neverland. Not that I’m saying there was anything wrong with their current status. No indeed. Pan grew up to be one sexy, confident man and Wendy was the perfect match for him. The blazing chemistry this pair shared darn near set my kindle on fire.
Ultimately, the magic of this story doesn’t come from fairy tales. The magic lies in Pan’s ability to always look forward while caring for those he loved. It comes from Wendy’s ability to look past the grime and see the heart of Pan and his crew of Lost Boys. The magic comes from a cast of characters who, despite their terrible childhoods, manage to maintain an appreciation for what they do have in their lives. They have magic because they have the ability to love one another, to forgive wrongs, and to support each other. More importantly, they have magic because they still hope!
*Review cross posted from my Amazon profile.
shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
I could not wait to get my hands on this book! I was always a fan of “Peter Pan” when I was growing up and was excited that Gina L. Maxwell was doing a modern day retelling.
The story was told in dual points of view. Past and present tense. I loved the way the story was written because you got to see Peter and Wendy fall in love. With all the odds stacked against it was so nice to see them make it work. *sighs*
Reading this book put a smile on my face. I love the family that they have become and how they stayed together after all of these years. That they didn’t let their circumstances define them!
I loved Wendy in this story. So many people doubted her because of her upbringing but she was tough and could hold her own. Peter was a hard shell to crack but I really couldn’t blame him after every thing he went through with Croc growing up.
I have to say Hook caught my eye in this book and I can’t wait to read about his story next. This was a well written first story for a new series. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to the rest of the gang.
*ARC Review*
The story was told in dual points of view. Past and present tense. I loved the way the story was written because you got to see Peter and Wendy fall in love. With all the odds stacked against it was so nice to see them make it work. *sighs*
Reading this book put a smile on my face. I love the family that they have become and how they stayed together after all of these years. That they didn’t let their circumstances define them!
I loved Wendy in this story. So many people doubted her because of her upbringing but she was tough and could hold her own. Peter was a hard shell to crack but I really couldn’t blame him after every thing he went through with Croc growing up.
I have to say Hook caught my eye in this book and I can’t wait to read about his story next. This was a well written first story for a new series. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to the rest of the gang.
*ARC Review*
marcia_arguelles's review against another edition
3.0
Gotta say, I had to DNF it. The writing is good, but the plot is dragging too much. I cannot find it in me to continue reading it even if I have only around 20% of the book left to read.
I was really interested in knowing how this retelling was going to turn out like, but then I remembered how much I don’t really like Peter Pan (sorry, I guess).
I am, however, very much interested in reading book two! M/M with Hook?? Yes, thank you.
I was really interested in knowing how this retelling was going to turn out like, but then I remembered how much I don’t really like Peter Pan (sorry, I guess).
I am, however, very much interested in reading book two! M/M with Hook?? Yes, thank you.
naliareads's review against another edition
4.0
Gina, you have done it again!
This was a rec that came from the queen herself! And I devoured it! took me less than 24 hours to finish. This Peter Pan retelling is one like no other. I felt great while I was reading this book. It is such a fluffy & sexy read that I couldn't put it down. It is also great to see the characters that we all love and share from a different viewpoint. I absolutely loved the third-act break-up because I did not see the reasoning behind it coming. I need Hook and John's story asap! The storyline of this retelling feels diffrent, but I realize it would be a real-life story. Which makes this book even more a must-read. I just feel happy and excited about this. I am having a very hard time putting my feelings into words. <3
This was a rec that came from the queen herself! And I devoured it! took me less than 24 hours to finish. This Peter Pan retelling is one like no other. I felt great while I was reading this book. It is such a fluffy & sexy read that I couldn't put it down. It is also great to see the characters that we all love and share from a different viewpoint. I absolutely loved the third-act break-up because I did not see the reasoning behind it coming. I need Hook and John's story asap! The storyline of this retelling feels diffrent, but I realize it would be a real-life story. Which makes this book even more a must-read. I just feel happy and excited about this. I am having a very hard time putting my feelings into words. <3
emily0613's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful modern retelling of Peter Pan, can't wait to read more of the Lost Boys!