Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 12

Review: Falling for a Fraud (Star Bride Chronicles #2) by Betsy Love

From Goodreads:
“Beauty is skin deep, but ugly is to the bone.”


That’s what Kat’s grandfather used to say. With the global games only a few months away, her jump team encounters serious financial troubles. Their only chance is for Kat to take the enticing, though questionable investment offer from Lorenzo Watt. One look at his handsome face reminds her of Granddah’s warning. She wonders if Lorenzo is worth the risk of a deeper look.


Lorenzo knows his looks are a commodity, an asset to charm and manipulate gorgeous women into marrying off-worlders. To him, it’s just a job that repays a debt.


Complications arise when he is assigned to lure Kat into being a starbride. He didn’t expect her to be quite so challenging, nor did he anticipate the lure of her beauty.

My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the Star Brides series by Betsy Love, and it's as sweet as the first! What I enjoyed most about this is that the "villain" from the first book was turned around and his background exposed. I do't want to giveaway spoilers, but I enjoyed seeing the motives behind his betrayal in the first book.
Also, since the book remained on Earth, the world was developed more. I can feel it snapping together piece by piece as the series continues, and I'm eager to learn how Earth got to be "ruled" by an alien race and everyone is okay with that.
This is a sweet, clean romance for all those people out there who are always asking me for feel good reads. You're welcome. And Love, keep them coming!

Review: Little Forevers by Katie Kaleski

From Goodreads:
Phoebe likes Gage, but there's a problem—he's her brother's best friend.

As the result of an extra-marital affair, Phoebe Bautista has had little contact with her dad, none with her step-mom, and her siblings have just recently learned of her existence. Now she goes to stay with them while her mom is on assignment in The Yukon for three months. As she tries to find her place and navigate the developing and rocky relationship with her temporary family, she begins to spend time playing music with her brother, Oliver, along with his best friend, Gage.

Gage is cute, smart, has selective mutism, and makes Phoebe’s heart skip a beat, but she knows she has to fight her feelings for him, so she doesn’t ruin her growing bond with Oliver. But the more time the three of them spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore what she feels for Gage, especially when she learns he might like her too.

And with her dad pretending everything’s fine, the fact that she might never belong anywhere, and knowing that she only has so much time with her new family, Phoebe might not make it out with her heart intact. 

My Thoughts:
***Thank you to YA Bound for giving me the opportunity to review this book***
First up, I love this cover. So pretty! It was the first thing to make me stop and want to take a look.
The story itself is fun and sweet, with characters that are unique, a little nerdy, and interesting. The meat of the story and characters was charming. I loved the infusion of Filipino culture as well!
My problem was that I felt like I was reading a first draft. The editing was basically non-existent, and it got worse as the book progressed. Wrong words (signing instead of singing for example) missing punctuation, and errors just littered the book. It became a distraction from the story because at times I had to go back and mentally edit things just to make sense of them. This was disappointing, and I wish it wasn't an issue so I could love the raw essence of the story.
I hope the author does clean up the manuscript because this is a fun story!

Release From Former Son of a Pitch Contestant Magali A.Frechette

BLURB: When Celina Leviet escapes the brutal home invasion that kills her husband, she’s left with a bullet in her gut and vengeance in her heart. An alluring demon, Mekaisto, offers an irresistible deal—in exchange for her soul, he’ll let her live long enough to get her revenge, but she must hunt and kill the murderers herself. After sealing the contract, Celina digs into her husband’s past for clues about his murder, and what she uncovers makes her question everything she thought she knew about him. His company never existed. His family history was a lie. And he was involved with The Lumen, a shadowy religious order whose members know too much about demons. As the life she thought she knew crumbles around her, Mekaisto's charms become harder to resist. Forced to face a horrible truth, Celina struggles against her late husband’s betrayal and the dark seduction of the devil she knows.

Short Excerpt Her breath came faster, and he could smell what she wanted before she even knew what it was. “Please, Kai—I’m yours. I want more. I want everything you can give me.” The wave of lust heating his body could have burned a city to the ground. “Well, now,” he whispered in her ear as he stood, lifting her up with him, “I need to oblige such begging with a reward.”
 
BUY LINKS: Evernight Publishing
BIO I’m passionate about writing, reading, photo manipulation artwork, animals, anime/manga, video games, the fandom world of TV shows and movies, and stuff like that. I’m a proud Ravenclaw: I’ve always been sorted into this house, but the recent Pottermore sorting placed me in Gryffindor―I don’t care since the Sorting Hat couldn’t consider my choice, so I identify with Ravenclaw, and that’s where I’ll remain!

I have two main hobbies: writing and creating book covers. I’m also a gamer (Diablo, Zelda, Final Fantasy), enjoy listening to music (and always singing along to Disney), have a passion for Japanese culture, and adore reading. I love anime/manga, Japanese Dramas and consider myself a proud fan of many different TV shows including Buffy, Supernatural, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Merlin, Game of Thrones, Outlander, etc.

I wrote my first story when I was 12 years old (and we’ll never talk about that story), but started writing three years later. Since then, I always write, and this particular novel is my 19th story. It’s always been a dream to be a published author, and I can happily say I’ve reached that goal―I plan on continuing writing and publishing for the rest of my days.
Connect with MagaliWebsiteFacebook PageTwitterGoodreads

Excerpt (This story has two points of view )“I am a demon, Celina, and above all else, demons love the hunt.” He smirked when her eyes widened. “So, you see having sex with someone as a hunt?” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “By your expression, I would say you still do not quite understand.” “It’s your twisted logic.” Interesting… “I take my time, stalk my prey first, count the number of breaths she takes, imagine her screams…” She arched an eyebrow. “That’s not at all creepy.” Kai ignored her. “I am a creature of infinite time; the world creeps by, yet an intimate moment is so fleeting, it feels as though it is gone in less than a second.” He stopped, expecting an interruption again, but she stayed silent. “The pleasure is heightened by the danger, and in the throes of passion, I could lose my control and revert to the form least likely to be found pleasurable by my … partner?” He lost himself in the images in his mind, pinning down Celina’s body, taking her in a way she would never be able to recreate with a mere mortal man. “Hunting is simple. There is always one in the crowd that stands out—rarely is it the one searching for the one-night stand—no…” Kai locked his eyes with hers and goose bumps rose on her arms and legs. “No, the one unsure of what society wants her to be, the one who is desperate to be loved and appreciated. She is the one I seek.” “So, social outcasts are your type?” His eyes pierced her until he could see through her mind again, to all those curious little fantasies. He smiled. “It’s about finesse, Celina. I listen to her, and as she speaks more confidently, I brush a hand over her skin”—his hand skimmed Celina’s neck as he brushed her back—“just enough so she shivers with anticipation of what my lips would feel like in the same spot.” He delved into Celina’s mind as his words worked against her disdain for him. “Then I caress her in a way she won’t notice, but her subconscious will let her lean into, let her mind take over and her body will beg for more.” “She’d notice if…” She followed his gaze to his hand on her knee. “Are you certain?” He’d worked his own body into a sensual frenzy as he’d drawn her into his web. She stared at him, her cheeks flushing. “I—” “Eventually, I suggest a night filled with pleasure.” He couldn’t contain his smile as he moved closer. “I keep touching her in small ways—maintaining physical contact at all times.” His hand inched up her side, until he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She sucked in a breath and he cupped her cheek. He sat close to her and her scent calmed and excited him at the same time. “Kai?” Her voice wavered. “Sex is fleeting.” He took her chin and drew her close. “But intimacy is endless, a continuous moment of gentle touches”—his hand dropped back to her knee, and then made its way up her thigh until she let out a small gasp—“personal boundaries broken, and pleasures that go beyond sex.” She sat as if frozen. “It’s still a one-night stand.” “Mine last longer—and you reveal not only your body.” His hand moved to the middle of her chest. “When you are intimate with a demon, you reveal your soul. You make yourself vulnerable and open.” “Considering you’ll have my soul sometime soon, I’m not giving you a free sample.” She drew away from him and stood. “I won’t be your prey tonight.” Another surge of heat rushed through him, but he pushed it down with a long, deep breath. “You would set me loose on another human?” She glared at him. “I wasn’t aware I had a choice about what you do outside of our deal. This would be on you, not me.” “You think you control what I do within our deal?” She rubbed her arms when he stood. “Not when you say it like that.” “Celina…” He stopped in front of her and leaned into her personal space, drawing a lungful of a scent he would only ever associate with her. He wrapped his arms around her, swallowing the shiver that shook her body. “What are you—?” “Let’s play, Celina. I can assure you, you will not regret a night in my arms.” I want you… Against all my instincts, I need you close. Celina pushed him as hard as she could, and he withdrew as disappointment withered his gaze. “Let me go, Mekaisto.” You are trembling again, my dove… Is it because you are scared you will give in? How far can I push you until you bend? “What if I say no?” She glared at him, but Kai’s smile widened. He could feel, even smell, the pulsing between her legs begging him to take her. “Isn’t it enough you’re getting my life and my soul? Now you need my body, too?” She pushed against him again, but he only held tighter, unable to let her go. “Why are you doing this? I just lost my husband, found out things that break my heart. I can’t sit and flirt with you.” “I am offering you the chance to forget.” “No!” Her hands clenched to fists as she shoved even harder against his chest. “No! You want to take everything I have left.” He grabbed her wrists, pushed her back on the sofa, and pinned her down, his body hovering over her. “What is your life without your body?” He tilted his head and flicked his tongue across his lips. “You never asked what selling your life and soul meant specifically. Allow me to enlighten you now.” He moved until his face loomed only an inch or so from her face and her breath caught. He let go of her wrists, but his gaze pinned her to the spot. “What?” Her voice ached just above a whisper. “I own every inch of you … body and soul.” Her face flushed and her lips trembled. “I never agreed to that!” “You agreed to living. The details did not matter to you.” “I was dying! You told me I didn’t have much time left, so it—” His smile widened. “Even if you had all the time in the world, it would not have made a difference. Humans never read the fine print.”

 

Review: 65 Signs of the Times: Leading Up to the Second Coming by David J. Ridges

From Goodreads:

The return of the long-lost ten tribes, a new Jerusalem being built, heavenly messengers from beyond this life It may sound like fantasy, but according to the scriptures, all of these things will really come to pass before our Savior comes again. In fact, these signs were designed by the Lord to alert true believers to his imminent return. The question is, Will you recognize the signs? In this revised edition, David Ridges, author of the best-selling Gospel Studies Made Easier series, combines current events with ancient prophecy to illuminate how the signs of the times are already being fulfilled in our day. By carefully compiling his latest research and the words of modern prophets, Ridges presents these signs in a clear, easy-to-follow format, perfect for at-a-glance reference or more in-depth study. To help you understand them quickly, these signs are categorized as: 1. Fulfilled 2. Being Fulfilled 3. Yet to be Fulfilled Don t panic. Read 65 Signs of the Times and gain the peace of mind to take a positive approach to life in the last days.



My Thoughts:I listened to this on Audible, and will have to buy the book now tread it in more depth and grab the scripture references. This book is so inspiring and fills me with hope for the future. Sometimes things that go on in the world get me discouraged, but the reminder that they are signs of the times gives me hope. They help me look forward to the Savior's coming. Highly recommend!!!

The Safe Place: The Importance of Reading

My kids are always on the forefront of my mind. I think most, if not all mothers can relate to that. We make sure they're clean, dressed, fed, hair tidy, safely where they need to be. There's always a mental list in my head about what needs to be done for my kids. Sometimes it's easy to forget the big picture when a kid has spilled cereal all over their fresh,clean clothes... again. But when I think abut it, there's really only a few main things that drive my motivations when caring for my kids, and I'm curious to know if you have a similar list,or a completely different one.
1. Polite, well mannered.2. Self reliant.3. Intelligent4. Kind and compassionate.5. A love of reading6. Faith in, and a love of God.7. Happiness

These are in a descending order, but in many ways I feel like they're also intertwined. But for me, they are essentials for facing adulthood, and it's up to me to instill these principles in them so they become second nature. So, I'm going to talk about them over the next few weeks, starting today!
A Love of ReadingWhy I'm doing this one first; the topic has been on my mind a great deal lately. My oldest just finished Kindergarten, so she's beginning to put words and sentences together as she reads. At times, it's frustrating as she doesn't remember words she just read etc. But, she's catching on, and I work with her to help her fluency. I think, though, the biggest factor is working at a school. I see kids who are in third grade who haven't mastered the basics and have little to no interest in reading. It breaks my heart, because to me, they're missing out on magical worlds, adventures, traveling across time, the world, or the universe to places they would never see in their lifetimes.
These low literacy kids are missing out .

Making sure my kids read has always been a high priority for me, not just because I love to read, but because reading sets them up for life. In fact, many high profile figures attribute their success to their love of reading. Presidents like Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and so many more. In fact, some presidents' reading habits made up for their lack of formal education, like George Washington! Other figures include: Lebron James, who read to calm himself before every game. Actresses like Jennifer Lawrence who reads on set, and Emma Watson who took time off acting to focus on personal development through reading! And of course, you cannot forget Oprah Winfrey, who has a rags to riches tale that she accredits to the love of reading her father instilled in her, and now has one of the biggest book clubs in the world where she hopes to influence others to love reading as well.
The love of reading can start at any point, but it needs to start with me. Us. Parents. From the time my girls were babies I'd read from card books to them. They'd look at the pictures and hear me read the words to them. I believe their strong language skill development at early ages has a great deal to do with that. But that time is also mommy time. A time where they can snuggle with me, interact with me, and feel loved by me. I'm focused entirely on them as I read. And so, they associate love and affection with reading.
I have this graph from working as an Usborne consultant that works well to demonstrate the power of reading to your child:

Powerful, right?

Reading is attributed to improving success in life. Reading a book a month, both of fiction and non-fiction,can greatly increase chances of success.It opens the mind, stimulates the imagination, pours in knowledge. I heard a quote somewhere, I don't know who said it, but it went something like:

"A literate man who doesn't read is no better off than an illiterate one."

Phew. Wow.
I think the last thing that has made a big influence on helping my kids love to read, is my own love of reading. They see me with my kindle or a novel all the time. Whether at home, or in my handbag, wherever I am, I always have reading material. Even while driving I play audio books. They see me loving books, and they are influenced by that. As their mother, they look to me for direction and guidance. I hear them repeat things I say, and at times it's a huge wake up call because I don't like hearing them talk in ways that I have done. It's the same with reading.
My last thing that I've noticed has helped my oldest is reading scripture together every morning. She gets to read a verse of her own choosing, and I've noticed she can read more and more words each time. She loves our scripture reading time too, and when we're running late, she pouts about missing it in the car.
As time goes by, I hope to really embed in my children the love of reading. Books can open their lives up to so many paths, and I want them to have choices and the freedom to be what they so choose. Which is why reading is one of my top priorities for raising my kids.

Review: Sarah by Orson Scott Card

From Goodreads:
Sarai was a child of ten years, wise for her age but not yet a woman, when she first met Abram. He appeared before her in her father's house, filthy from the desert, tired and thirsty. But as the dirt of travel was washed from his body, the sight of him filled her heart. And when Abram promises Sarai to return in ten years to take her for his wife, her fate was sealed.

Abram kept his promise, and Sarai kept hers they were wed, and so joined the royal house of Ur with the high priesthood of the Hebrews. So began a lifetime of great joy together, and greater peril: and with the blessing of their God, a great nation would be built around the core of their love.

Bestselling author Orson Scott Card uses his fertile imagination, and uncanny insight into human nature, to tell the story of a unique woman--one who is beautiful, tough, smart, and resourceful in an era when women had little power, and are scarce in the historical record. Sarah, child of the desert, wife of Abraham, takes on vivid reality as a woman desirable to kings, a devoted wife, and a faithful follower of the God of Abraham, chosen to experience an incomparable miracle.

My Thoughts;
I have had this book and the following books in the trilogy sitting on my shelf for several years now, but, with my summer reading challenge, I'm determined to get them read once and for all! So, here is my review!

Sarah was a powerful and enlightening tale for me. My whole life I've been familiar with these biblical tales, and told them in so many varying ways, some with resentment for Sarah, some with indifference, some even painfully judgmental. But OSC does an amazing job bringing the true anguish of a woman who loves a prophet and can't give him children. Sarah is loyal and devoted to the end, even when she is faced with danger, lies, and scorn. Her sister calls her a slave to her husband, but she doesn't see how Sarah's devotion makes the world brighter, and is far from in bondage, but has freedom because Abram trusts her so completely.
I wondered how the issue of Hagar and Ishmael would be handled, and in my opinion, OSC did a beautiful job. He took into account the culture, Sarah's struggle, and even her overwhelming love for Abram and Hagar. Even after Hagar turned on her, Sarah showed nothing but grace and dignity.
Thanks to this book, I'm going to revisit those passages of scripture, and I'll definitely continue the series. My love and respect for Sarah has grown, and I'm eager to learn now of her daughter-in-law Rebekah.

The Safe Place: Nobility in Womanhood

Last week I talked about the honor of Motherhood, so this week I'm going to discuss something that is hand in hand with that; the nobility of womanhood. The two are closely entwined, and I love that they are. As a woman, I know I think and feel differently to men, and I'm fine with that. It creates a beautiful balance, one that allows me to respect and honor both men and women around me.


But being a woman isn't about making babies and blindly accepting what men tell us. Having children is a wondrous part of being a woman, a great gift that men can never receive, but it's so much more than that. Being a mother, and as a result, being a woman, means being a leader. To be able to guide people, little children, down the paths of life means being intelligent, compassionate, and most of all loving. Women have that capacity built into us, whether we've thrown it away and ignore it or not.

"God sent women to earth with some qualities in extra capacity."

~Margaret D. Nadauld 
But having the gentler nature of the sexes doesn't mean we're weak either. There are so many incredible women out there who embrace what they are an use it as a tool to win influence. It's a beautiful thing to watch, and I myself work hard to embrace it as well in my own life.

"...[femininity] is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your … capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each … possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty."

~James E.Faust 


A quote that hit me while I've been pondering on who I am and my own nobility as a woman is below:

"The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

~Margaret D. Nadauld
That quote has hit me hard. The "tough" woman is something that is so popular in today's world, and I can't say I haven't worked hard to be tough myself. But we can be strong while retaining our tenderness. I feel like I have maintained that with my heroines when I write, which makes me proud to know that I had that understanding of womanhood without realizing it. Then of course there's kindness, refined, faith, goodness, virtue, and purity. These beautiful things are so important, but so easily thrust aside because we don't perceive them as worthwhile. But they can do more good in this world than harsh words, casting a vote, or being the driving force behind a protest rally. I've seen it first hand. More often than not, people respond better to these qualities when interacting with them. Children especially, my own in particular, but those at the school where I work too, can do complete 180s with their temperance and attitudes when shown tenderness, kindness and so forth.


There's nothing wrong with womanhood, in fact, it's incredibly noble and can have a powerful influence on the world for the better. I love that I have this gift simply by being my gender, and I hope I can share the beauty of it with others by how I behave and present myself.

The Safe Place: Motherhood; the Greatest Honor.

Being a mother is exhausting. I have two very high energy little girls. It's insane how hyper they are, especially when I see other kids sitting quietly while mine are climbing up the furniture, letting out high pitched squeals just because they can, and eating. Constantly eating. It's melt-your-flesh-off hot outside and they're running and playing on scolding play equipment like it's only 75F. Going to the store raises my stress levels through the roof because they're constantly touching, grabbing, crying, whining, needing the bathroom, and begging. Then, my almost 2 year old loves taking off her clothes, even when we're in public. There have been several times she's managed to pull her diaper off from under clothes and I have no idea where it ended up. Then there's how impossible it is to get a sitter just so my husband and I can get some time together on a date or to go to the temple. Even me time to recover is almost non existent.

So, how is this the greatest honor? No matter how hard it is raising these kids, I wouldn't trade them for the world. I'd go all mama-bear on anyone who lays a hand on them. Here is a Facebook post I wrote near the end of my pregnancy with my now almost 2 year old:

In the last seven months, I've gained just over 20lbs. Some might think that's discouraging after just fighting so hard against my PCOS to lose the same amount, but it's really not. Instead, that number means so much more than anything in this world. That number means miracles do still happen. It means despite the tears, the struggling, the heartache, I can give my daughter a sister.I've learned so much from all this. I've learned that sometimes women can pop them out in a bat of an eye, and sometimes women suffer in silence because they just can't make it work. I had people say and do insensitive things to me while I struggled, but from that, I know how to be empathetic to those who still do.
I've also learned my body is no longer my own. This child inside me needs me to care for her, because she can't care for herself. I need to be a responsible adult and acknowledge that I have a gift, so I better treat it right.
But my body also belongs to a 4yo. Although she is far more independent than an unborn, she still needs me to hold her when she's sad, to cry on my shoulder when she's hurt, to teach her, and guide her.
I'm a mother, and although I'm not perfect at it, it's so important that I'm not obsessed with how I look or ensnaring myself in self loathing. I don't want my daughters to learn that. I want them to know I have these scars and lumps because I have them, and they are worth it.

These little people are worth it. At church last Sunday, we had a lesson about nobility in motherhood and I almost burst into tears. At the time, I was exhausted from another week of failing to keep my house tidy, being so busy I didn't get enough sleep,and struggling with growth-spurt induced tantrums. But I know in my heart that being a mother is the noblest of callings in life. Being given the responsibility to care for, mold, and love someone so they can become a functioning and intelligent member of society is so crucial to life itself. So although I have a love-hate relationship with my role depending on the day, I know in the long run, my struggles and tears will be worth it. When these children are grown, I will receive my reward. God has entrusted me with his precious children, and that's the greatest honor of all.

Because I Need to Write More Blog Posts

Lately, my blog has run dry. Mostly it's because I'm so stinking busy, but to be honest, I've gone a bit social media shy. Late last year I was severely bullied on Twitter, and it was for saying something to help keep the peace. People who claim to fight for their views of injustices in the world turned around and bullied me because I said something they didn't like (probably because they knew it was calling them out in their own hypocrisy even if it wasn't directed at anyone in particular), skewed it to be "hate,," and told people who didn't even know me to send me hate messages. It made me sick, and the fact that Twitter did almost NOTHING when I reported it makes me even sicker. I have blocked these people and changed Twitter accounts, but the scar remains.

But over the weekend, I realized something. By keeping quiet and not letting myself have a voice, those bullies win. I'm not spreading hate because I cast off hateful things, so I shouldn't be afraid. Anyone who has read my books knows that love of all varieties fills every page. I believe love repairs every heart.

So, from here on, I'm going to write something from my heart. I'm not going to be political or anything to drive contention, I'm just going to express myself so that maybe my readers and fellow writers will know they're not alone, especially those who are too afraid to speak up because the noisy few browbeat them down.

So, drop by on Monday and say hi, share your thoughts etc. I want to be a safe place for those out there who need one. In fact, I think I'll title these posts THE SAFE PLACE.

Review: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

From Goodreads:

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair… Tiger Lily. When fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan deep in the forbidden woods of Neverland, the two form a bond that's impossible to break, but also impossible to hold on to. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. However, when Wendy Darling, a girl who is everything Tiger Lily is not, arrives on the island, Tiger Lily discovers how far she is willing to go to keep Peter with her, and in Neverland.

Told from the perspective of tiny, fairy-sized Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily is the breathtaking story of budding romance, letting go and the pains of growing up.




My Thoughts:
This book was split in two parts for me. The first half and the second half. The first half was painful. The writing was riddled with telling and overuse of back stories. There were times when I rolled my eyes with how ridiculous and time wasting things were. I tried to chalk them up to plot devises for later on, but they weren't. The whole "Englander" issue bothered me quite a bit. There were things so insulting and wrong I was in literal agony.
The second half things finally picked up and actually started to happen. I actually started to care about the characters, and felt for Tiger Lily in her betrayal, and that no one seemed to care that they betrayed her. (Not a spoiler because it says so in the first chapter)
Things did wrap up nicely, and Tiger Lily got her happy ending, although, I doubt Peter did. His fickle and selfish ways took his chance. But, again, Tiger Lily was the one who counts, so he doesn't matter.
The story is quite different from the traditional Peter Pan, but not in a bad way. It kept the essence of the magic, but gave it another perspective.
Would I recommend it? No. It takes way too much effort and time to get into the good stuff. If it wasn't for my lack of content on Audible, I would have given up on it myself. But I don't regret having read it.