Darling Girl: A Novel of Peter Pan
Rating: 5 Stars
"The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it."
Life is looking up for Holly Darling, granddaughter of Wendy-yes, that Wendy. That is, until she gets a call that her daughter, Eden, who has been in a coma for nearly a decade, has gone missing from the estate where she's been long tucked away. And, worst of all, Holly knows who must be responsible: Peter Pan, who is not only very real, but very dangerous. Holly is desperate to find Eden and protect her son, Jack, from a terrible web of family secrets before she loses both her children. And yet she has no one to turn to-her mother, Jane, is the only other person in the world who knows that Peter is more than a story, but she refuses to accept that he is not the hero she's always imagined.
Okay so I am in love with Peter Pan retellings and this one has quickly become one of my favorites. I loved the idea behind this one. Peter Pan is the villain of this piece. This book takes place outside of Neverland and thus presents a different look at Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and the Darlings. This was a story of family, love and a mother's devotion to her children. Even when faced with unimaginable odds.
Holly is a successful woman with a son who she adores and a wealth of secrets that could damage that relationship. Eden is perhaps her biggest and most important secret. A secret that has life changing consequences for Jack and Holly both. A trip to London soon unravels the life Holly has created and she has to confront her secrets and the fallout that comes with them. And she finds she must also face Peter again.
This book was hard for me to put down. It felt like every page was a new bit of information to the story and unraveling the mystery that was Holly's biggest secret. I adored the way the author made this a story about a mother's love for her children. One she showcases in various ways. I think this is now my favorite Pan retelling. It was so well written and engaging I honestly don't know what else to say besides go read it.
"The stars are not only above us, they are in us. May we shine brightly, dream deeply, and fly high all on our own."
