A review by olivesjacket
Off the Hook by Julie Olivia

emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

🏴‍☠️Off The Hook by Julie Olivia 

🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊/5

I stayed up until 2:00am reading, lost in Off The Hook. This book is a cozy heaven. I was sunk into my blankets, candles burning, music playing, smiling through this read. Julie created the perfect environment for this Peter Pan inspired novel. Feelings of melancholy through our tortured hero, Jasper, were balanced with childlike feelings and a sunny optimism in Wendy. Peter Pan was one of my favorite movies as a child and I could feel the bits in pieces in Julie's writing, it was incredibly creative and really well-woven. (Julie you’re amazing!) From the cliff jumping to the chaotic nature of the Davies' children I loved the small town feeling of this book. 

Wendy Darling is a charming character, struggling as a novelist and learning to love herself, bits and pieces of her spirit remind you how playful she is. The setting takes place in Never Harbor, a quaint small beach town. Wendy's an elementary teacher. During the summer she's looking for a way to cover her break in salary. Through a reluctant and grumpy Jasper Davies, who's her ex fiance's older brother, she agrees to nanny his pirate loving son Sam. The pacing and chemistry between the characters is so delicious and realistic. The working relationship and friendship that developed before the romance really left you wanting these two characters to get together. And, the perfect amount of tension creates the feelings of a forbidden romance. I was rooting for these two to get together the entire book, it was completely obvious how well they complement each other. Jasper is our grump working down at the docks. Dealing with grief after losing his best friends and struggling with parenthood, it was refreshing to see both characters grow. This book has everything. Humor, perfect small town cozy feelings, spice, and such good emotional depth. I can’t wait for the next in the series. I’m already hooked (hehe) on the Davies’.