Second Star to the Left is fast read. The banter is fun and immersive. The plot keeps moving and does not stagnate in one spot. I felt that it spent the right amount of time on each of the characters and having the two perspectives of Cook and Tinker helped add dimension to both characters and keep things interesting. I enjoyed Captain Hook’s crew and their adventures (or mishaps) on the sea. Second Star to the Left falls somewhere between being an alternate timeline retelling and an origin story prequel to the classic Peter Pan story, but this time the male lead and sympathetic "hero" is Captain Hook (James) and the POV character is Tinkerbell herself. His lover. Yup, you read that right! For those whose favorite characters are also Captain Hook and Tinker Bell, and you secretly ship them (especially when Hook looks similarly to the OUAT Captain Hook aka Killian Jones - that’s who I pictured at least) - this book is for you. Determined to find a way home, Tink doesn’t hesitate to follow the one lead she has, even if that means seducing a filthy pirate to steal precious gems out from under his…hook. Tink was a very fun and loveable character and the enemies to lovers romance between her and Hook was a joy to read!

The beginning was a solid 3 stars. I’m a huge fan of Peter Pan and although a Hook-Tinker Bell romance isn’t something that I’d usually go for… I was willing to keep an open mind. She called him James, that name he'd buried so long ago. She still used it when they were alone. Something shifted in his chest. James had died and been reborn for her. Only her. this was such a cute retelling of Peter Pan. i loved this version of Tinker Bell and Captain Hook. because of this book i'll never not see Hook and Tink as endgame. boom. a ship has been born. Another thing that bothered me was that they found the scale easily. The witch gave them a riddle — okay — but are you really telling me that it was just that easy? Save for the fog? Like Tinker Bell just managed to spot everything coincidentally? It was boring and anticlimactic.

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I would happily read a follow up, especially wanting to know what happened to the boat full of people at the end that vanished. I mean, I know what it's setting up but I just want more. Lol However, I wasn’t convinced by the romance. It only seemed to be based on physical attraction and that was pushed in my face way too much. Not to mention that it made me incredibly uncomfortable. I wish there was more attention on the plot rather than intimacy. I never wanted to DNF a book so badly specifically because of this. It was all physical and then 2% of “thank you for saving my life”. I wished there was more emphasis on her brains.

I wished there was a little more to the betrayal plot. I liked the twist. But the reasons didn’t land for me. Too much of a 180.

Michael

There’s also sassy banter. A good ol’ caveman carry. Naked adventure time *waggles eyebrows.* But a lot of tender moments, too, made all the sweeter because of how things begin between them. The chemistry and tension between Tink and Hook makes for a swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers romance filled with conflict and spice, as well as many tender and heartfelt moments to deepen the story. The love scenes in Second Star To The Left are among the best I’ve ever read—emotional and passionate with plenty of interiority as well as heat. It's hard to describe much about the book without giving away too much. When we meet Tink, she is on a mission retrieving a valuable jewel for the mermaid queen. She is the only one capable of providing the means for Tink to return to her homeland, where she was cast out. Let's just say this jewel might just be in possession of a certain handsome pirate, who's missing a hand... In Peter Pan stories that I have read, Tinker Bell is portrayed as a small pixie companion to Peter Pan. I actually can’t recall the role she plays in the stories, I just know she is a character. Second Star to the Left takes place years before the events of Peter Pan and fleshes out Tinker Bell in a memorable manner. I got to see her powers as a pixie, her love for tinkering and inventing as well as the mental strength that she has.

The author’s writing was easy, fun and enjoyable. This book was fast-paced and there was always something happening. I’m not a fan of slow books, so I enjoyed this aspect. Focusing on Tinkerbell and Captain Hook, this imaginative retelling of Peter Pan was the absolute perfect read for February, it’s got Pixies, Pirate, Mermaids, Witches and a super satisfying romance that takes the only one bed trope to the high seas (and some other rather creative locations too) SECOND STAR TO THE LEFT was a great Peter Pan retelling featuring a charming Captain Hook and feisty Tinker Bell. I loved their banter and the way they tried to resist each other but couldn't. The story was fast paced and easy to read and I was pulled into this version of Neverland right away. In the reference book The Star Trek Compendium (4th ed., p. 42), TOS: " Miri" is likened to Peter Pan, with the characters of Jahn, Miri, and the Onlies said to symbolize Peter Pan, Wendy, and the Lost Boys, respectively. First, I just have to say that I absolutely LOVED the writing which is fast paced, full of humour, plot twists and a deliciously satisfying romance that I didn’t want to end. It also has just the right level of spice and some really compelling characters that I found thoroughly entertaining, particularly Smee who soo very different (and sexier) than the original and definitely needs his own book.

But going into this story, already a huge fan of Megan’s work, was counter-balanced by the fact that Peter Pan is probably my least favorite fairy tale. I’ve never been a fan of the lost boys concept, and Hook has always been portrayed as a douche-waffle (with the exception of Once Upon a Time). The romantic tension and slow burn build up was ✨chef’s kiss✨ absolute perfection, I also really enjoyed their flirty interactions with one another that were both extremely entertaining and funny at times.