LOST IN THE NEVER WOODS by Aiden Thomas is a beautiful Peter Pan remaining that tackles the loneliness of grief, the heartache of loss, and the consequences of choices we all must face in difficulty. We see almost every character deal with grief, shame, and heartache. Thomas paints a beautiful, if gut-wrenching picture, of the breakdown of a foamy after tragedy and how our individual demons can affect the community. But at the same time, we see in Wendy how resilance and love can save more than just ourselves.

Characters are well-fleshed out and feel complete. More impressively, the twists and turns and reveals of the plot keep the pages flipping even if the narration is struggling.

ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Retellings are some of my favorite to read and this was no exception. I greatly enjoyed the twists and turns this one took from start to end. The ending really did make me leave wanting more which is always a sign of a good book. My one and only complaint is that the start was a tad off for me. It took me a while to get into the story but once I was in I was sucked in completely. This will certainly be a book I remember for the next few years.

Lost in the Never Woods is a Peter Pan retelling following Wendy five years after her and her brothers disappeared into the woods, and only she came back.
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I really enjoyed this retelling! Retellings can be hit or miss for me, and this was most definitely a hit. Wendy was characterized so well, as was Peter. I thought the pacing was good, and overall thought the plot was just amazing!
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My favorite part by far though would have to be the atmosphere. It was so delightfully creepy, and the woods just took on a life of its own. The magic was also integrated nicely throughout the story.
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The only criticism I would have is that I did not care for the romance. I felt like it didn’t really fit in the story, and I just don’t love the fact of a hundred of year old love interest for an 18 year old, even though they look the same age.
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I would recommend this book for those who love retellings, especially the Twisted Tales series.
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TWs- grief, kidnapping, murder, blood, abduction, drinking as a form of coping
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lost in the Never Woods is a dark, eerie retelling of Peter Pan about children going missing in the modern day. It is a story about grief, trauma, and complicated family dynamics, but also a book about facing your pain and finding truth and healing. For those who have read Cemetery Boys, this is a very different sort of book, but I absolutely loved it and didn't want to put it down.

Wendy Darling has just graduated from high school and is volunteering with children at the local high school before college. Her home life has been difficult since her two brothers disappearance years ago. A day she has no memory of. Her mom used to tell them stories about Peter Pan, but he may be more than a myth. And children are beginning to disappear yet again.

This was such a great book. I don't want to spoil things but it had some truly chilling moments and a fantastic plot arc for Wendy. There are plenty of scenes that include nods to the Peter Pan film, which readers will probably appreciate. I thought the pacing on this was really great and it deftly handled issues of trauma, grief and depression as they can affect an entire family. Really amazing book and I look forward to seeing more from Aiden Thomas in the future. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Content Warnings include child abduction, death, mild body horror, depression, parental depression and neglect, police interactions, mentions of serious medical issues, loss of loved ones, gun violence, symptoms of ptsd, probably others as well.

This was a great book It was a page-turner, and I loved the nostalgia of reading about Peter Pan and Wendy. It was the type of book where I had a good idea of where parts of the story were likely going, but I wanted to read to watch them play out. And there were still a few twists and turns that I didn't predict. There was a great friendship, a sweet romance and a good deal of heartbreak. Wendy was relatable and real and I was rooting for her. I do wish that we'd seen more of Wendy's bond with her best friend throughout the book.

There is a lot to like about this story, but let me begin with the setting. The story takes place in Astoria, Oregon, a small coastal town that is an actual place (if you already knew that, sorry, my worldly knowledge is... not that great). I recommend looking it up, because it's seriously cute. And it also provides the perfect backdrop. It's located on a peninsula, with on one side the ocean, and on the other the forest. And the forest is where it all goes wrong, of course.

Let's move on to the <span style characters. The entire book is told from Wendy's perspective, who is 18 years old and ready to go to college after the Summer. I really liked her character because I thought her to be so relatable. She mapped out her entire college career and I literally did the same. But, you can also tell that she is still clearly suffering from the trauma of having to miss her brothers. Then there's Peter, who is of course Peter Pan. I love how he was portrayed in this book. You can clearly tell that he is so kid-like; being serious one moment and getting distracted by something fun the next. He really added a funny and light tone to a book that otherwise would've been very dark.

On to <span style plot. This isn't an overly large book, so it doesn't take long for the story to really kick off. I was immediately hooked, because there is just so much mystery! Where are Wendy's brothers? What does Peter know? Why is he in the real world in the first place? I had to find out as soon as possible!

Finally, I really enjoyed Aiden Thomas's writing style. Despite this not being a super long book, there are lot of little details that made the scenes pop off the page. Little things like which shoes Wendy wore to the woods, decorative items in her room. It made it all feel very real and like I was truly in the story.

Even though this book was very enjoyable, I did feel like there were some inconsistencies still. I'm of course assuming that those will be weeded out before the book is published, but it affected the flow to the point that it affected my enjoyment of it. Some things were just didn't make sense. I also felt like the main villain resembled that of a children's story more than of a young adult story. He was just a little too dramatic. Nevertheless, it was an interesting villain.

A dream of a book! Aiden Thomas hasn’t missed yet. They captured the essence of Wendy & Peter beautifully. This was a really enjoyable read!

Provided an arc on NetGalley by Swoon Reads. Thank you!

4.5 stars.

This book was one of those tragically beautiful books. They are a rare breed but ones that I enjoy immensely when I do find them. A lot of the focus on this book is about trauma and pain and the ways we deal with, embrace, and overcome. I did not read a synopsis going on so I was blind as to what to expect, which I think was a good thing!

One of the things I absolutely loved that Aiden did was to tell the story of trauma and mental health in such a nuanced and authentic way. It felt so real. I was Wendy. I was in her shoes, I was suffering with her. It was so beautifully done, but could get emotional.

There is a love story here. For me, it wasn't my favorite part of the book but still well-written. But I think the focus here should be on everything else, the topics taken on in this story are so important and ones that aren't always written as beautifully as Aiden has done.

Definitely recommend this!

This contemporary retelling of Peter Pan focuses on college-bound Wendy, who is still putting the pieces of her life back together after she and her brothers went missing five years prior. She returned from the woods, but her brothers did not, and though she has been questioned thoroughly by her parents, friends, and the police, she cannot remember anything. More kids have gone missing recently, and Wendy is thinking about her brothers more than ever when Peter Pan - previously, someone she thought only existed in the stories told by her family - enters her life. He remembers Wendy and their trip to Neverland, but she doesn't remember him or how she once sewed his shadow back on; this is unfortunate because Peter's shadow is missing again, and it may have something to do with those missing kids.

This book didn't click for me. I'm not sure if it's because Cemetery Boys was such a breath of fresh air, and this feels like a standard retelling, or if it's because I don't particularly care for Peter Pan, but I struggled to get through the first 60% of it. Peter is a compelling character, and he and Wendy have some charming scenes together, but I didn't feel connected to the story. I will certainly read more Aiden Thomas in the future as they are talented, and I think this book will have its audience in younger teen readers, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

Lost in the Never Woods is a retelling that stands on its own, but has some treats for anyone who is familiar with the original - I noticed a couple little easter eggs that reminded me of either the original Peter Pan, or Finding Neverland.

Thomas is a genius, and has managed to lift up the original Peter Pan and make it their own. From the dedication of Lost in the Never Woods — “Dedicated to every heavy heart that had to grow up too fast” — I already knew this book would have a special place in my heart. It’s been a long time since I last reread Peter Pan (or watched the movie, or any other adaptation of it that isn’t the Finding Neverland musical), but one of the things Peter Pan is most known for is not wanting to grow up. So for Thomas to use Peter Pan as a framework for exploring childhood trauma and more importantly, healing from that trauma, was simply so clever.

With their vivid imagery, and descriptive words, Aiden Thomas has easily managed to transport us into Astoria, Oregon, and its haunted woods. More than once, I felt like I was in the story with Wendy Darling myself, trying to solve the mystery of what happened to her brothers, the other missing children, and Peter Pan. I’ve never so badly wanted to get in my car and drive the four hours to Astoria — In fact, driving down to Astoria is now on my list of places to go to post-pandemic. By the end of Lost in the Never Woods, I actually found myself in tears.

If you follow Aiden on Twitter, you might’ve seen their thread introducing our favorite trio - Wendy Darling, Peter, and The Shadow. Wendy, our main character, has gone through so much and I just want to wrap her in a warm blanket and tell her everything’s going to be okay. We’ve got Peter, who is truly a puppy dog personified — totally chaotic, absolutely adorable, and someone who is really just trying his best. In most Peter Pan retellings, Wendy is the one that’s curious and wonderstruck by Peter - after all, he’s magical and comforting and something safe, whereas it felt like both parties were equally fascinated by the other. After what happened five years ago, Wendy has spent so much time blending into the background; stepping into the caregiver role at home, diminishing her feelings, just holding on until she’s able to leave Astoria for college. Through Peter, Wendy’s given a second chance at redemption - the possibility to remember what she’s forgotten, an opportunity to find the missing children, and a way for her family to finally heal. Peter and Wendy’s dynamic was truly just the hurt/comfort trope, and I loved how they helped the other person heal. Both Peter and Wendy often have this sense of responsibility to take care of others; Peter, with the “Lost Boys”, and Wendy, with her family.

“If you’re busy taking care of everyone else, who takes care of you?”

Lost in the Never Woods was a reminder that we can’t pour from an empty cup, that we have to take care of ourselves too, and we’re never as alone as we think we are. It’s a story about growing up and healing from your trauma. One of my favorite things about Lost in the Never Woods was how Wendy’s trauma was handled. It was evident how her past impacted all of her decisions, how it seeped into her personality, and I loved watching her slowly heal from her past. Lost in the Never Woods also contains some of my favorite tropes; from only-one-bed to oblivious pining.

I won’t go into too much detail about The Shadow — our antagonist, but I loved reading about them, and their motivations. While I pieced together who was behind all the missing children very early on, I felt like the mystery of Lost in the Never Woods was more of a how and a why. I’m not the most observant reader — there are several (okay, many) instances where I won’t figure out plot twists in books ahead of time, but then realize in hindsight that it made sense all along. In Lost in the Never Woods, however, I would come up with my own theories, and have them be confirmed shortly after - which is something I really appreciated. Partially because it made me feel smart for once, but more importantly, because it was really good foreshadowing! There’s a lot of satisfaction in being able to piece things together before the protagonist, and it really shows how well thought out every detail and every clue was.

Overall, I absolutely loved Lost in the Never Woods. If you’re a fan of character-driven stories, darker retellings, or stories about healing from trauma, I can’t recommend Lost in the Never Woods enough! A major thank you to Swoon Reads and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC.

Five stars easy-peasy! It's a great fantasy for YA or adult readers and will be fun to recommend to both. It's was surprising that the story took place here in Astoria. But those woods are kinda creepy so I totally get the setting. This will be a fun hand sell.

This was an interesting retelling of the Peter Pan story. Although Peter Pan's shadow as a somewhat gothic villain was a little over the top and there were some obvious plot inconsistencies and improbabilities. At the same time, it is a worthwhile effort. Aiden Thomas explores a more complicated relationship between Wendy and Peter Pan--which obviously cannot be sustained if one of them cannot grow up. Be forewarned that this retelling fully explores the darker side of the disappearance of children.

I thought this was okay. I enjoyed the chemistry between Wendy and Peter, my nostalgic heart always loves the two of them together in any retelling so that was fun to read but I found the ending and the climax of the story to ultimately be lackluster and anticlimactic. Still a fun read, just not great for me.

Lost in the Never Woods is a dark retelling of the fairytale, Peter Pan with romance and mystery. Wendy Darling wakes up in the woods without memory of her disappearance, the previous five years, and the whereabouts of her two brothers. When the children in the town begin disappearing, people are once again left wondering what happened and Wendy, not wanting to face her past again, attempts to run away. However, she gets pulled into the town's mystery when she meets the real Peter Pan who tells her that if they don't do something, then the kids will meet a horrible fate like that of her brothers.

I was initially drawn to this book because I am a real sucker for fairy tale reimaginings. Although I thought it was slow to start, I was eventually sucked into the lives of these classic characters in a modern world at about the 2/3 mark. I didn't feel all that connected to Wendy except for when she has to deal with the repercussions of her father's alcohol abuse, but I did enjoy the ending and that TWIST had me screaming. I haven't read any of Aiden Thomas' other books, but I plan to after this one simply because of how much I enjoyed reading the last third of the book.

Interesting twist on the peter pan and wendy darling. slight romance and loved the friendship. I had an idea of the big bad in the book. Also liked the town where it takes place reminded me of goonies. There was a lot of talking til about 60% and then the action took place. Great book and I didn't read their other book. I didn't really see a diverse cast of characters.

This was a fun read with interesting ties to the Peter Pan stories I know and love. Wendy's character was mostly compelling with understandable motivations and relateable reactions.
My one qualm is HOW MUCH the villains talked at the end, it almost made it feel like a deus ex machina ending where the shadow explained everything, was quickly conquered, and then Mr. Davies immediately confessed when Wendy remembered it was him. That type of ending makes me think the book may be more popular among middle school readers (despite the occasional "shit") than high school readers who are more used to murkier endings and villain motivations.
All in all, an enjoyable read and one I will recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly I would like to say I felt dumb when I started this book and realized it was a Peter Pan retelling. How had I missed ALL of the signs on the cover and in the title and in the description?? Moving on....

Saying that, it definitely felt like a fan-fiction of peter pan, and here's why. Most of the story is focused on the relationship building between the two main characters. They take walks in the woods, they go swimming at a waterfall, they get ice cream together - and oh yeah I guess a plot is thrown on at the last 15%. No for real I paid attention the main plot/antagonist didn't show up until the 85% mark. There was also the ending which felt like someone was writing it for fans. While I caught myself struggling to care through most of the story (because who really cares about two characters getting ice cream when you don't have any connection to them) the ending was rushed and wrapped up too perfectly. When I found out the final "who done it" in relation to the missing brothers, there was a lot of sighing as it felt that nothing pointed to that being it.

The two main character have no chemistry, the entire time they were on page it felt like they were being forced into a relationship. They made great friends so I am not sure why everyone around them kept asking if they were dating. On top of that Peter first enters the story at around 12 years old and then quickly ages to our main characters age of 18/19 in order to make it less creepy. But like he was just 12 two days ago which means he still has the maturity level of a 12 year old in an adults body.

I also was very confused by the mental health representation. Wendy clearly is dealing with some issues in some compulsive ways (always needing to wash her hands, organizing and cleaning the whole house, zoning out for periods of time with no memory of that time) and her parents are very distant (Wendy cooks every meal and does all of the chores, her dad forgets to check up on her the first half of the book, when Wendy gets home she doesn't want to wake her father because she is scared of him, her dad enters a room and she tenses up). All of these were great details to add, especially when you think about the family dealing with losing two children, but as the two missing boys' story gets told, nothing happens to Wendy or her family relating to their mental health. We get this epilogue at the end where Wendy seems to be doing great, but nothing talking about how she overcame those issues, or built back her relationship with her parents (or didn't). I was honestly shocked after having read Cemetery Boys and those types of issues were handled so well, and then here it was just forgotten about. I hope if one thing changed from the ARC to the publishing date it would be going back and fixing this.

If you are looking for any real magic or visiting of Neverland this is not the story for you. I went in hoping for a real world with some elements of magical realism, and truly that is all it is. I was not disappointed when it came to the magic in this book, it was absolutely the perfect amount for the story that is being told.

My biggest issue was what I said before though with nothing happening for a majority of the story. If you like REALLY character driven stories you might be more into this one than I was.

Overall it wasn't a horrible book, and I think a lot of people will enjoy it, but I was hoping for something more from it.

Thanks again to Swoon Reads and Netgalley for this copy.

I was really disappointed with this title after reading Cemetery Boys, which is a title I recommend to all my university students. I kicked off this semester with this title because of it's trans representation, wonderful characterization, and engaging plot. I absolutely love Yadriel and Julian, and I was hoping that Lost in the Never Woods would offer me the same type of connection.

I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either. The beginning is quite slow and I wonder what shaving off a bit would do to the pacing. I like character-driven plots, but having a character that doesn't know much from the past and isn't acting on it all that much made the shifts in characterization a bit too slow.

I will not be assigning this in my classes. I'll stick with Cemetery Boy and will absolutely follow Thomas's career, which I expect to continue to impress! I will, however, recommend this book to my students.

I am quite torn on a 3/4 for this book. In the first half, I was not enjoying myself a ton. It was a bit slow and I found myself really disliking the parents of the book.

The 2nd half picked up, but I still didn't like the parents, I get why they were the way they were, but still, a lot of their characterization bothered me as the typical "aloof uncaring parents in YA fantasy so that the kids can be off doing whatever without parental supervision" .

Once I finally got into it, about 50% of the way, I enjoyed where the story was going though it was a tad predictable as it is a Peter Pan retelling. I didn't find any of the reveals shocking or surprising in the least.

**** Spoilers from here on out, you have been WARNED**************

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I kind of guessed that the two brothers were dead, and I guessed who did it based on this one very strange conversation between the neighbor and the cops when they asked about him having guns in the house...... really obvious here.
Peter Pan has always, in my mind, been the one to help the souls of dead children pass on, so it wasn't a very unique retelling in that aspect.
The romance was a little cringy because peter was a child, then an all of a sudden teen who was in love with Wendy.....who also knew her mom....
The part that bothered me the most though, was the parents. While I have never experienced the death of a child, I am a parent and they just struck me as not believable. They were both (parents) very much in need of some severe counseling after the disappearance of their children that they obviously never got. Wendy became basically the caretaker of the home and never seemed to get ANY love or affection, which was heartbreaking to me because this is their only child left with them, you would think they would treasure her. Then after the reveal and discovery of the bodies of the boys at the end, they were fine and sorry and completely changed their temperament and selves right away, which was again, very unbelievable.

SO while I liked the book, it just wasn't for me but I can see why people do like it for the exploration of grief and magic and the really beautiful writing.

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Lost In The Never Woods is a Peter Pan reimagining and it was very well done! However, it's not a magical telling and quite frankly it's a bit sad. It follows Wendy who saw Peter as a young girl and he reappears when she's 18 to help her find out what happened to her missing brothers that went missing when she was younger. He also helps her try to figure out what is happening to children that have recently gone missing. When he reappears though, he's older than a child and tells Wendy he needs help finding his shadow... Which is a bit sinister. I really enjoyed what the author did with this story. It reimagines the Peter Pan story into a more adult version with less magic and more real life scenarios.