Off the Hook Review

Off the Hook by Julie Olivia

Off the Hook by Julie Olivia (4.25/5 stars) is a sweet, swoony, and emotionally satisfying romance that reimagines Peter Pan in the most charming way. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the magic of this Neverland-inspired theme park romance—and I adored every minute of it.

Jasper completely stole my heart from the beginning. Even though he was emotionally closed off and guarded, there was such a quiet intensity to him that made his eventual softening all the more satisfying. His character arc is beautifully done, and watching him learn how to let people in was one of my favorite parts of the story.

And Wendy Darling? Absolutely precious. She was everything I wanted her to be—kind, hopeful, nurturing, and just a little bit fierce. She was the epitome of a modern Wendy: someone who holds people together, even when she's learning to hold herself up, too.

Julie Olivia masterfully weaves in references to the classic Peter Pan tale in ways that feel fresh and heartfelt. The nostalgia hits just right, but it never overshadows the original love story developing between Jasper and Wendy.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Just because you’ve been lost, doesn’t mean you can’t be found.”A quiet, powerful line that perfectly captures Jasper’s emotional arc.

“She was sunshine and storybooks, and I was the storm she didn’t run from.”

“Sometimes growing up means learning to dream again.”

And two that especially spoke to my book-loving, dream-chasing heart:

“To those of us who experienced childhood through books and stories. I’m glad we never grew up.”

“I’m of the firm belief that collecting books and reading books are separate hobbies anyway.”(Relatable on a spiritual level.)

The only reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me was a few small dips in pacing, but overall, the story was filled with emotional payoff, sweet romance, and just the right amount of nostalgia.

If you love fairytale-inspired love stories with heart, humor, and characters you’ll genuinely root for, Off the Hook will absolutely leave you enchanted.