Wendy Darling, All Grown Up

 

Wendy’s Ever After
By Julie Wright
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: July 1, 2025
Print length: 272 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1639933877
Reading age: 13 - 17 years
Grade level: 10 – 12

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Wendy Darling embarks on a new journey where her past in Neverland collides with her future hopes for love, only to rediscover the adventure never truly ended.

Wendy Darling has grown into a stunning young woman. Her days are filled with social gatherings and elegant balls, but her nights are alive with memories of fighting pirates, soaring through the skies, and other wild escapes through Neverland with Peter Pan—the boy who never grew up.

When Wendy meets a handsome and mysterious stranger, there’s something about him that feels familiar yet elusive. His eyes sparkle with a mischief that tugs at Wendy’s heartstrings, reminding her of Peter. Intrigued and a bit unnerved, Wendy finds herself inexplicably drawn to this handsome young man and soon finds herself back in Neverland.

Caught between the allure of her past and the promise of the future, Wendy must navigate a perilous new journey, rediscovering the courage and wonder that once defined her youth. As she battles old foes and forges allies with new friends, Wendy is torn between her memories of a boy she once loved and the man who has stolen her heart.

 My Thoughts:

I’m always excited about retellings, re-imaginings, and “what happened next” stories based on familiar tales. In this one, Wendy Darling is nearly 18 and weary of her mother’s pressure to find a man and marry. Her father has died, and her brothers never speak of their time in Neverland. But Wendy longs to go back to her life in Neverland—and to Peter Pan.

 So imagine her surprise when she meets a charismatic stranger that maybe, just maybe, is dropping veiled references to Neverland. Naturally, she has to pursue that. After all, she hasn’t been able to find her way back. Of course, he was deliberately luring her. It turns out that not only has he served in the Royal Navy, but he’s also a nephew of Captain Hook.

 Yes, that Captain Hook.

 This is where Wendy has to learn that not all pirates are bad. And Peter Pan isn’t always good. And Neverland isn’t necessarily the lovely place of her memories.

As Wendy must learn to work together with (gasp) a pirate, she realizes that Peter is in many ways still a child. He takes no responsibility, and everything is a game. Wendy has matured; Peter hasn’t.

They are all brought together to fight a common enemy. The resolution—both in Neverland and for Wendy personally—is satisfying.

I particularly like that Wendy decides not to marry just because her mother wants her to. She knows she will marry and have a family some day, but it will be on her own terms. Her growth throughout the story is natural and believable.

 Now for the nitpicks. My advanced reader copy had a continuity error. I question the use of the word “updo” for Wendy’s hairstyle—it didn’t come into popular use until after the time period in which the story takes place.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Fantasy creatures, mild violence, perilous situations. Pirates. A little bit of kissing.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Fans of the original story who want to see what happens later. Romance fans, especially fans of “clean” romance. Although it is marketed as Young Adult, it didn’t feel overly juvenile; adults should be just fine with it.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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