This post first appeared in the Roswell Daily Record…

The story of Peter Pan and Wendy Darling by J. M. Barrie was first produced as a play in 1904, with the book itself not being released until 1911. Since then there have been countless versions and reproductions, and of course the romance author world has seized upon the basic tale as ripe for retellings. Many of the works are dark romantasies and often pair Wendy with Captain Hook or explore other new takes on the original material.

Hooked (Never After Series) by Emily McIntire is perhaps the most well known retelling, with over 59K reviews. Set in contemporary times, the story incorporates bits of lore and detail from the original but is its own take. The Main Male Character is James, who stands in as Captain Hook here and is definitely the villain of the piece. He’s scheming against a rival and plans to use the rival’s daughter Wendy as a pawn to get revenge upon the man. Of course as the book goes on, he starts to have feelings for this Wendy, who is quite naïve. Reviewers had a mixed reaction to her naivete in fact, but overall liked the book. As one said “It had suspense, spice, dark themes that always are a plus for me and an HEA.”

Second to the Right (The Neverland Chronicles Book 1) by T.S. Kinley is a why choose, dark romance focusing on a descendant of the original Wendy and a Peter Pan who actually did grow up to be a pretty sexy guy. He comes to find the Female Main Character because it’s spring cleaning time and he needs help back in Neverland, which feels like a light hearted premise but as one reviewer said, “There are not the boys you remember.” They’ve all grown up, like Peter himself and our FMC is having a great time getting into the spirit of things in Neverland. Her memories of home start to fade but of course all is not exactly as it seems and there’s an encounter with Captain Hook, who she also find quite alluring. There are two more books in the series.

Devourer of Men: A Captain Hook, Crocodile, and Wendy Darling Reimagining (Devourer Series Book 1) by Nikki St. Crowe is book one of a duology which takes Captain Hook, the Crocodile (known as ROC) and Wendy, who is now a witch in Everland and pitches them into action, adventure and an MMF relationship. Wendy has to save the two men she swore she’d murder if she ever saw them again and over time through the adventures in the book, the characters fall in love. This book is a spin off from the four book Vicious Lost Boys series, the first of which is The Never King. Here’s the intriguing way the book blurb describes the background: “The stories were all wrong — Hook was never the villain. For two centuries, all of the Darling women have disappeared on their 18th birthday. Sometimes they’re gone for only a day, some a week or a month. But they always return broken. Now, on the afternoon of my 18th birthday, my mother is running around the house making sure all the windows are barred and the doors locked. But it’s pointless. Because when night falls, he comes for me. And this time, the Never King and the Lost Boys aren’t willing to let me go.” Reviewers describe the books as fast moving, heavy on the spicy scenes and not like the fairytale. Again these are dark romances with mature themes.

Losing Wendy: A Dark Fantasy Peter Pan Retelling (The Lost Girl Series Book 1) by T.A. Lawrence is “a dark fantasy Peter Pan reimagining with fated mates, slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, winged fae, and a chilling mystery haunting Neverland.” It’s the first book in a four book series. As a result of a childhood bargain her parents made to save her life, Wendy has to be married by the age of twenty or else surrender to the Shadow Keeper. Her desperate parents eventually throw a ball for her and a mysterious captain appears who seems to be her mate. Twists and turns await and there’s a cliffhanger ending but of course the rest of the series is available. Low to no spice but plenty of other dark themes and tropes.

Becoming Hook: A Villainous Peter Pan Retelling (Legends of Neverland Book 1) by Mary Mecham bases its premise on Peter Pan being a villain and Hook and Tinkerbell (who are the couple who will fall in love) battling him.  Hook didn’t plan to become a pirate, Peter was his best friend and then everything changed. He loses his hand, he vows to rescue the Lost Boys and of course he falls for Tinkerbell. Readers enjoyed the new details and twists the author provided for some of the well known characters and locations. They found Captain Hook in this version to be a person they could root for. The book is very low to no spice.

Never Landing by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes is a Male/Male Fantasy Romance retelling of the story, set in contemporary times. Everrett hates his job and is forced to use up his vacation time so he returns to the place where he spent most of his childhood. While there all he can think about is his happy younger days and he also keeps running into his first love, Peter. Everett is getting a chance to go back and revisit/redo his past. Readers praise the magic in the story and the second chance romance.

Hooked: Peter Pan Reimagined (Tales of Winberg Book 1) by Annette K. Larsen is a little lighter (although still full of suspense and action) retelling. A lady’s maid to a princess, a gallant bodyguard (who once vowed not to ever grow up), and of course a wicked captain who shows up to claim the maid and take her away to a dark fate as his wife. Readers enjoyed the uplifting elements in the plot, the FMC’s grit and determination and the character of the bodyguard. There’s no spice beyond “swoony kisses” as one reviewer said. The plot also contains elements of the legend of Bluebeard when it comes to the evil captain’s former wives.

There are other Peter Pan retellings of course, focusing on many different aspects of the story but I think I’ve gotten a good, representative sample. I was actually surprised at how many of the books veer to the dark elements – maybe there’s a niche for someone to write more lighthearted Neverland romance!