Hooked: A Dark, Contemporary Romance (Never After Series)

Loved this book. It was the right amount of spice, but kept you so engaged with the book with the mystery to solve. I would recommend this book, I couldn’t put it down!

Slow but the story is sooo beautiful and very spicy in some parts. Loved it nonetheless, would recommend to read.

This book keeps you reading and on your toes as to what might happen next! It’s so good! The ending was so good. Onto the second.

I liked the beginning of the story and all of the Peter Pan nods throughout. James is a dynamic character, and the story does a decent job showing his changing feelings toward Wendy. Wendy was more interesting than I had expected based on some reviews I read, although I do wish James actually had to work harder to get back in her good graces after their main conflict. That's one of my biggest gripes with the book. The descriptions of the intimate scenes were more graphic and crude than I prefer, and the dirty talk was repetitive. I prefer a focus on sensation, not explicit actions. I read this after Scarred, the second book in the series, and it surprised me how many phrases were repeated in the next book, especially from the "hero" point of view. SPOILERS After James experiences a major loss, his interactions with Wendy take a darker turn. When he realizes that she wasn't involved in that loss, he continues to treat her poorly (keeps her captive, snaps at her, doesn't explain or apologize) for several more chapters. When it finally happens, his expression of regret is well stated... just too late to have the impact it should have - she already opened up to him again. The resolution of his specific loss passed in an "off screen" conversation, I didn't really feel Wendy's reaction and understanding. The whole thing just felt swept under the rug and accepted instead of another shift in their relationship. Internally, James didn't even seem very remorseful after he learns the truth of her involvement or concerned that Wendy wouldn't forgive him (outside of a few sentences)... which considering her actions during captivity, I suppose makes sense, but I'd have liked this moment to have more meaning and depth, as well as showing Wendy standup for herself at least in regards to her concern that she doesn't matter/is only her father's shadow in others' eyes. Also, resolution of the traitors/business rivals gets very complicated, very close to the end. It also has James being quite oblivious. Maybe he was just supposed to be so emotionally distraught that he missed obvious signs or something. There are characters he keeps trusting for some reason, even after other revelations should have pointed toward the additional traitors. Also, at least ask for a description beyond woman. If not knowing the woman's hair color was a key plot point, have the woman wear a scarf or something. The end of the book was exciting. My issue is that we didn't really get to see the emotional impacts of what came right after the action. I would have liked to see the reunion of Wendy, James, and Jon instead of hearing of it in passing.

Hooked - the first in the Never After Series by Emily McIntire- is the dark, twisty, and sinfully delicious reimagining you never knew you wanted of the classic, Peter Pan. Wendy’s - our female protagonist - coming of age journey throughout the book not only makes for a wonderful tale, but is also quite relatable. We see her find her voice as she learns to accept that the world isn’t the comforting black and white she thought it was. Who hasn’t been there? Then, of course there is James, aka Hook and all I have to say is...that man is a trauma survivor. The fact that he ended up twisted, dark, and cruel should surprise no one as we learn all the little details that make him tick, tick, tick. The story being told in dual perspective paints the full picture as we get to see it unfold through both Wendy’s and James’ lenses, getting to see the growth of both characters throughout the book. Wendy starts out as a sheltered, door-mat of a girl who feels unseen and unheard by not only the world, but also her father, Peter. James on the other hand has seen too much of the seedy underbelly that the world has to offer and has constructed his own barriers so nothing else can ever be taken from him. They couldn’t be more opposite, but they happen to be exactly what the other needs to be able to truly evolve in the people they are meant to be. If he is the darkness, then she is the stars; causing a yin and yang effect on their relationship. By the end, Wendy might have a bit more darkness within, but James has also let the light in and so they remain balanced. As someone who went into reading this book with a knowledge of the original, the references back to the influence was greatly appreciated. From the Jolly Roger to the Lagoon; from NevAirLand airplanes to pixie dust being the drug of choice; from Smee to Tina Belle; I couldn’t get enough of them all sprinkled throughout. Those details made the child in me happy, while many other moments made the women in me just as happy. The spice was there and if that’s what you’re looking for then it doesn’t disappoint one bit. One slight negative is that even though part of me was incredibly proud of myself for figuring out the big reveals, I wouldn’t say that it was too difficult to figure out. However, this is a romance novel and not a mystery, and if you can justify why Hook may have missed some red flags (as I have) this one critique is quite minor in the grand scheme of things. Just do as I have and pat yourself on the back for feeling like a super sleuth. I applaud Emily for starting this book off with a warning to the readers and I concur with it one hundred percent. This book could have a lot of triggers for people who have gone through a variety of traumatic experiences, so I would recommend heeding those warnings. Other than that, I would highly recommend this book to others. If you like reimagined stories, steamy scenes galore, and of course an ending that doesn’t disappoint...you should read Hooked!

4.5 🌟 3.5 🌶️ I'M HOOKED!!! This dark, spicy, stalker, contemporary romance was EVERYTHING! This book offers a delightful and expertly crafted twist on the classic Peter Pan story. If you crave obsession, rage, forbidden love, the allure of touching her with deadly consequences, a happily ever after, and an abundance of tension and spice, then this book should be at the TOP of your reading list! ✨ This man screams power, and for a split second. I wonder what it would be like to dive into his brand of trouble. To live without limits, just for a while." ✨ Hooked is a compelling, character-driven read that challenges traditional notions of heroes and villains. If you’re looking for a seductive, revenge-fueled love story with a fairytale twist, you will find it hard to put down!! 🖤Tropes: • Dark Romance • Villain x Innocent Girl • Forbidden Romance • Revenge Plot • Trauma & Healing

I read this back when it came out and was underwhelmed. At the time, I was very much into the fantasy/romantasy genre and really just not a fan of organized crime, mobsters, etc. I have since done a 180 and decided to revisit this book, as its one Ithat sat in the back of my mind over the couple years, and I often see quotes from online. Also, I have never read or watched Peter Pan. I think I've heard enough about it over the years that I understood the references. The pixie dust one made me laugh. Wendy, the fmc, is intentionally portrayed as young, naive, sheltered daddy's girl. She is also fiercely protective of her younger brother, who has never shared the same close relationship with their father (Peter). James, the mmc, is more commonly known by the alias Hook. The way he is written, the way he charms, manipulates and then shows his villainous side, I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the chemistry between James and Wendy, as well as the character growth. While there is some spice, it doesn't overwhelm the plot, which I appreciate. The side characters also made the story that much more engrossing. A particular incident, which I remembered from my first read, still ripped my heart out the second time around. Actually, I think it hurt more this time because I actually liked the characters during this read instead of resenting them for not being fae, vampires, shifters, etc. 😅 Really glad I picked this back up and gave it another chance. Always fun to see how preferences may change or grow over time.

Wow! I am so very glad Audible decided this was going to go away on December 31, else I would’ve missed this book. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read Hooked even though it kept popping up in my feed. I suggested to a coworker about a month ago, she read it, and loved it, so I’m not sure why I waited. This was my first book by Emily McIntyre, and it won’t be my last. I love her reimagining of these fairytales where the villain gets the girl so to speak. Scarred is up next I may be checking that out, but not right away. We’re at the end of the year and I need to finish a few that I’ve started before 2025 hits. I really love this take on Peter Pan and Hook. Such a good reimagining, that I never would’ve seen it this way. Had I not read this book. It was dark, gritty, and hot AF. Who knew we could see Wendy in such a way? 😏 my brain is sufficiently scandalized. Since this book was leaving Audible, of course I mostly listened. But once it got really going, I couldn’t help but pick it up and read as well as I needed to know what happened next. Such a good read so exciting so captivating that I fell in love.The narrators were both Rupert Hawthorne, and Felicity Munroe really did a great job, especially with their British accents. Of course, I don’t know what they SHOULD really sound like, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. All in all so happy the time was tick tick ticking away and forced me to read the story. Loved it and can’t wait for more cheers to my new author Emily McEntire.

No es un libro para todos, pero es muy bueno.

★★★★★ Emily McIntire's Hooked is a captivating and suspenseful read that kept me guessing until the very end! 🤯 The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations 🤫 McIntire masterfully builds tension throughout the novel, creating a truly immersive and atmospheric experience ✨ The plot twists and turns 🔄, delivering several unexpected surprises along the way 😲The writing is sharp and engaging, making it a truly page-turning read 👍 Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and suspense novels! 📚

Adorei esse conto que referência Peter Pan...adorei o pinto de vista do autor de descontrair a história e contar uma nova com todos os elementos...foi perfeito e Hook pela mor... que homem... que macho Alpha... que homem quente....Wendy me conquistou e roubou meu coração ❤️ e o amor deles foi difícil, com todos os percarsos, vinganças, mas lindo

¡Esta edición de coleccionista de Hooked de Emily McIntire es FABULOSA! La portada es ideal, viene firmado por la propia Emily y con un lazo para saber donde te has quedado leyendo. ¡Me encanta! Un must para tener si eres fan de los libros de Emily.

Très populaire chez les jeunes. Version en anglais. Il s agit d un beau livre broché.