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

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

Hooked by Emily McIntire is a gripping, modern dark romance that reimagines the classic Peter Pan villain in a fresh and compelling way. James is a perfectly crafted morally gray character—dangerous, damaged, and unexpectedly vulnerable. His chemistry with Wendy is intense, emotional, and instantly engaging. McIntire’s writing is fast-paced, atmospheric, and full of tension, pulling you into every scene. The story balances romance, suspense, and character depth beautifully. If you love villain-focused stories with strong emotion and a dark edge, this book is an absolute must-read.

Peter Pan, except it’s not a retelling. It’s the story of a villain, Hook. I enjoyed this story so much. It was pretty predictable, however Hook is absolutely addicting and unapologetically dark. He reminds me of a darker version of Rhysand from ACOTAR. Absolutely delicious! I really loved the gangster/mafia vibe of the story. It brought the fairytale aspects into a real world light, such as the drugs he pushes being called Pixie Dust. Wendy was also such an awesome character, and I also found that she was very relatable. I enjoyed seeing her blossom as a character and stand up for herself. She becomes so snarky by the end of the book and I absolutely love it. My biggest complaint about this book is the extended epilogue. It was so not needed! Why write an epilogue set 10 years later just to make the entire thing a sex scene. It’s their 10 year anniversary, and Hook takes Wendy on a candlelit dinner, BUT WE NEVER GET TO EXPERIENCE THAT! It literally starts with getting dressed with a side of finger banging and a shiny new necklace, then goes to them coming home to their penthouse apartment and having sex. I wish I didn’t read this epilogue at all so I could’ve been content with the ending. Definitely knocked my star rating down with that one!

Hooked had me from the very first chapter! Read it in two days. The story is spicy, full of tension, and packed with emotion that keeps you flipping pages. Just when you think you know where it’s going, boom, the plot twist hits and changes everything. The chemistry between the characters is off the charts, and the dark, addictive energy makes it impossible to put down. If you love romance with edge, attitude, and a few jaw-dropping moments, Hooked is absolutely worth the read!

It wasn't as good as booktok claimed it was. Spice is there and it's cool but I think the plot is sacrificed for it

★★★★★ 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! 📚

¡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.

Great 👍🏻. I enjoyed the story thoroughly and am looking forward to read other books written by the author. It's different than other dark romances. A must read.