Off the Hook a Redeemed Villain Story Review & Content Guide
- MommaSaurus
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Looking for a different take on Captain Hook and Peter Pan? Check out Off the Hook by Mindy LeMieux, where for once, Captain Hook is the hero.
Quick Summary
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fairytale Retelling
Recommended Age: 16+
Formats: eBook, Physical
Possibly Concerning Content*
🤬 Profanity: None
❤️ Romance: Kisses only
🛡️Violence: Injuries only
‼️ Heads-Up: Manipulation by a friend, but he gets help. Villain reformed.
Who is this for?
The Tropes: Captain Hook as the main love interest. Enemies to more. Wendy all grown up.
The Vibe: Cozy romance with low stakes.
For Fans of: Once Upon a Time and other fairytale retellings.
Want more recommendations like this one? Subscribe for FREE to unlock our monthly wrap-up emails PLUS our Recommend Book lists to save you time and money on your next trip to the library or bookstore.
Our Review: Hook Just Want a Normal Life
I’m gonna be honest, I wasn’t sure what to think when I saw this was going to be a Captain Hook romance. I mean, Hook was always a grown man and Wendy a little girl, but in this book Wendy has grown up and is an adult and Hook, trapped as he was in Neverland, stayed the same age.
In this book, Wendy and her brothers lose their parents and Peter convinces them to come back to Neverland with him, even though they’re almost adults by this point. Eventually, Wendy manages to convince Peter and the other lost boys that it’s time to grow up. They steal Hook’s ship and set sail for the real world, only somehow they end up in modern London instead of going back to the time period they left.
This all happens before the book opens, though we get a flash of a moment when they are boarding the boat so that we can see Hook sneak onboard to join them.
Now in the modern world as adults, Peter works at a campground guiding wilderness excursions, John and Michael are in college and Wendy works as a nurse, I think? I don’t actually remember. She has a work friend who convinces her to go take fencing lessons where, surprise, Hook is the instructor, now called Evan. Evan just wants to live a normal life free of the curse of Neverland but he can’t help but be attracted to Wendy who likes him back. They start a romance without telling Peter or her brothers, but its only a matter of time before everything implodes.
This was an interesting quick read with a redeemed villain who just wants to live a normal life. Despite that, Peter probably has the best character arc in the entire book and its well done. I wish it had been longer, honestly. I wish we’d been able to see a bit more of the byplay between older Wendy and Hook back on the island and a bit more of him convincing her that he’s actually a good person and working hard to stay that way (he goes to anger management, even), but I still liked the book and would recommend it for anyone looking for more of a OUAT Hook (if you know, you know) than the mustache twirling villain of the cartoon.
I think, over all, I’m still more of a fan of Wendy and Peter, and Hook with other characters than this particular romance but it was interesting to see a different take on the story.
Possibly Concerning Content Guide*
🤬 Q: Is there profanity in Off the Hook? A: No, there isn't even name calling in this book.
❤️ Q: Is there a romance in Off the Hook? A: Yes, there is a romance but it stays kisses only.
🛡️Q: What kind of violence is there in Off the Hook?
A: Minor injuries.
‼️ Q: Are there any heavy themes, scary moments, or touchy subjects in Off the Hook?
A: Mental health is discussed. A character tries to manuiplate his friends but does eventually seek help to make things right.
Grab your copy
Grab a copy on Amazon*
Grab a copy on Bookshop
Official Blurb
"Wendy Darling believed her love story with Peter Pan was finished-until a reformed enemy offers her an unexpected new chapter.
After persuading Peter to leave Neverland for good, Wendy and their group accidentally find themselves in twenty-first century USA.
Years later, Wendy is stunned to discover that the infamous Captain Hook-now known as Evan Roberts-is there, as well. Having shed both his villainous ways and his hook, Evan is just as captivating as he ever was. The simmering attraction between them reignites, growing stronger each time they meet.
But while Evan has transformed, Peter remains unchanged. Though still Wendy's hero, he clings to his selfish and immature ways, alienating his friends in the process.
Now Wendy faces an impossible choice: hold on to her idealized image of Peter, or explore a forbidden connection with the man she once saw as her enemy?
If you're a fan of charming characters, sharp wit, and swoon-worthy moments, this story will sweep you off your feet.
Perfect for lovers of clean romance, this heartwarming reimagining of the Peter Pan tale also includes a bonus short story that deepens the adventure." - From Amazon
📍*Possibly Concerning Content Disclaimer: I try my best to include all relevant content notes, or possibly concerning content, but I may not catch everything and/or you may feel things are concerning that I do not. Please research individually if you’re sensitive to specific topics/subjects! 📍
Want to add some P.C.C. we may have missed? Let us know!
Don't forget to click on the tags below to find more books like this one!
Comments