A dark and twisty take on the world of Peter Pan.
In 1909 England, a handsome pirate leads Wendy Darling back to Neverland.
At almost 18, Wendy is expected to marry soon—in fact, her mother has been obsessed with the notion ever since the recent death of Wendy’s father. But Wendy detests all her suitors and daydreams about the fun she had with Peter Pan. Still, she agrees to attend a ball, and there she meets Liam Blackwell, an intriguing Navy lieutenant who ignites a sense of adventure in her. Not only is he charming, he’s lost his mother and can understand Wendy’s grief. When he leaves the ball, Wendy quietly follows him through the streets of London. Soon she finds herself back in Neverland, eavesdropping on Liam and his uncle—Captain Hook. Not only is Liam the pirate king’s heir apparent, his mission is to kill Peter Pan. Horrified, Wendy vows to find Peter first and stop Liam from carrying out this plan. But she realizes there’s something terribly wrong with the island as well: The normally verdant forests are dying. Wendy will have to save both Peter and Neverland, all while fighting her attraction to the suitor who’s turned out to be an enemy. Peter comes across as truly eerie, and Liam and Wendy’s romance deftly walks the line between fantasy and reality, making for a gratifying return to a Neverland remade through the lens of young adulthood. Main characters present white.
A dark and twisty take on the world of Peter Pan. (discussion questions) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: July 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781639933877
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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