Julie Olivia

𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞.

I know about my reputation as Never Harbor’s secluded single dad. But I have everything I need: my imaginative son, my dog, and our remodeled cottage by the sea.

That is, until my nanny quits.

My brother’s ex-fiancee, Wendy Darling, is an elementary school teacher with a free summer. The last thing I need is to get tangled in his mess, but my family thinks she’s a perfect fit for the job. Turns out, she fits in better than I could have imagined.

Wendy is nothing like I expected. She’s kind and adventurous, with a beautiful laugh that washes my worst nightmares away. She pushes past my silence and sees more of my true self than anyone has in years. And my six-year-old son is falling for her just as quickly.

Being with Wendy can never happen. Not when my younger brother is her ex-fiance. Not when she’s so close to our family. Not when our small coastal town gossips the way that it does. 

But after so long in the dark, Wendy makes me feel something. Falling for her feels a lot like flying instead.

I know happy endings only belong in fairy tales, but I’m close to stealing one for myself.

A Small Town Single Dad Romance (Never Harbor, Book #1)

Off The Hook

Christina Farkona

Jasper might not conceive of a world where someone could love him unconditionally, but I’ll spend forever convincing him otherwise.

“I love you, Wendy Darling. You know I’m not great at talking, so that’s all I’ve got. I love you. And I hope it’s enough.”

 I’ve missed the way he says it. A slightly rough edge to such a gentle nickname.

I can’t help the grin that spreads. “I was wondering when you would, Captain.”

“Sorry for making you wait, Little Bird.”

And then Jasper Davies cups my face in his palms and kisses me.

It’s funny how life’s simple, insignificant moments leave a more defined stamp on your soul than the curated events designed to make lasting memories.

Okay,” I finally answer because words fail me, just like they always have. 

But if I’ve learned anything about fairy tales, it’s that, once the pixie dust settles, it’s just another world with problems you can’t control. Only lessons to be learned.

I’ve never had someone who makes me feel wanted. Who loves as deeply as Wendy does. Who I can be myself with—terrible conversationalist and all. Because when talk is truly needed, I provide.

I love that she understands the simple things. The fact that, sometimes, there isn’t a goal, but just a pleasure in living life.

I don’t tell her that I’ve already finished it, nor that I went right back to chapter one after I was done.

 you. Do you know that? I need your little teases. Your pretty smiles. Your stories. I need you.”

“If I do, then I’m keeping you. I’m never giving you back.”

“I like its meaning.” And then he leans in, resting his lips against my ear as he whispers, “I think I needed a little bird to remind me to fly too.”

“So, what do you want to be?” he asks.

“I want to be someone’s world,” I admit. “Maybe that’s selfish. Maybe it’s impossible. But I’m tired of being second best.”

Such a common pet name. So normal. And exhaled so naturally.

“You want me? Then, come and get me, Captain.”

“I’d let you break me, Wendy Bird,” Jasper whispers gruffly. “And I’d thank God every single day for the guilt that followed if it meant I could keep you for myself.”

But he can’t find the words, and I don’t mind because the fading sentence says more than either of us ever could.

He shakes his head. “God, you’re like my star in the sky, Wendy.”

“My North Star. Always showing me the direction I should travel. I’ve never met someone like you before.”

I survive small talk with a forced smile, giving a polite nod and averting my gaze when someone else’s eyes catch mine before they can flag me down. 

“I don’t see a TV,” he says. “Do you only read?”

“Well, I have my tablet for shows if I want one. But normally, yeah. Just reading.”

I open my mouth to talk, but the words aren’t coming out how they should. Hell, they’re not appearing at all.

[…] while sidestepping through aisles, so Ted, the owner, doesn’t catch me in a conversation.

Like kissing me could actually make somebody —

I’m lightheaded, finding that I’m smiling back. She laughs against my lips. I kiss it away. She chases it with another.

 that sparks through me is wonderful. Exciting.

“If we can’t love the things significant to us without guilt, then what can we love? Your tattoo is important because you think it is. And that’s all that matters.”

“It’s a reminder to keep flying,” I confess. “That life will move on. That the Earth keeps spinning and the birds keep migrating regardless of what happened the day before. That I should keep flying too.”

aliza

they’re so cute 🥹 gotta love Jasper & Wendy tbh

Julie Olivia is one of my favourite authors and to say how talented she is, is just an understatement. 

i was beyond excited to read this book which is the first of a new series.

i always enjoy her writing so much, it’s just amazing. 

it was cute and spicy and magical, the references from 

 were so beautifully and accurately written that made me appreciate her writing even more. 

finally, the grumpy one is described in a genuine way that doesn’t bother you. Jasper was so loving and caring, and he definitely steals your heart. i was happy to witness his growth and healing from his grief. 

little Sam was absolutely adorable and i wish all the kids were just like him! i surprisingly enjoyed all the scenes with him and i was looking forward to more. 

Wendy was airy, funny and lovely and her personal development was also impressive and she could definitely be considered a role model for love acceptance. 

the only reason i don’t give it 5★ is that i don’t like the ex-fiancé’s brother as a trope and i was pretty sad and worried about Peter throughout the whole book. it has nothing to do with the plot and the writing. it’s just because of personal preference.

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i wish Peter wasn’t still interested in her or that we didn’t see him flirting and feeling attraction towards Wendy. or that they weren’t high school sweethearts (and broke up only 2 years ago)and that he didn’t get to propose to her and then left hurt (according to Wendy. although we haven’t seen his POV yet —but i was constantly worrying about him). those little details that Wendy kept noticing he was doing, made me feel sad about him. it could have been so much better if it wasn’t so strong and serious between them in the past because i kept worrying and deep down i wish they didn’t end things (it’s just my personal opinion and view with these kinds of relationships in real life). and now, that it was THAT serious between them i won’t be able to accept a stronger love than that for his book. and i also didn’t like Izzy that much because she was kind of a bitch to Wendy). time will tell about that i guess. but yeah, that’s the reason behind my missing star.

i can’t recommend it enough and i can’t wait for the next one. 

Julie Olivia is one of my favourite authors and to say how talented she is, is just an understatement. 

i was beyond excited to read this book which is the first of a new series.

i always enjoy her writing so much, it’s just amazing. 

it was cute and spicy and magical, the references from Peter Pan were so beautifully and accurately written that made me appreciate her writing even more. 

finally, the grumpy one is described in a genuine way that doesn’t bother you. Jasper was so loving and caring, and he definitely steals your heart. i was happy to witness his growth and healing from his grief. 

little Sam was absolutely adorable and i wish all the kids were just like him! i surprisingly enjoyed all the scenes with him and i was looking forward to more. 

Wendy was airy, funny and lovely and her personal development was also impressive and she could definitely be considered a role model for love acceptance. 

the only reason i don’t give it 5★ is that i don’t like the ex-fiancé’s brother as a trope and i was pretty sad and worried about Peter throughout the whole book. it has nothing to do with the plot and the writing. it’s just because of personal preference.

🚨 spoiler zone :

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i wish Peter wasn’t still interested in her or that we didn’t see him flirting and feeling attraction towards Wendy. or that they weren’t high school sweethearts (and broke up only 2 years ago)and that he didn’t get to propose to her and then left hurt (according to Wendy. although we haven’t seen his POV yet —but i was constantly worrying about him). those little details that Wendy kept noticing he was doing, made me feel sad about him. it could have been so much better if it wasn’t so strong and serious between them in the past because i kept worrying and deep down i wish they didn’t end things (it’s just my personal opinion and view with these kinds of relationships in real life). and now, that it was THAT serious between them i won’t be able to accept a stronger love than that for his book. and i also didn’t like Izzy that much because she was kind of a bitch to Wendy). time will tell about that i guess. but yeah, that’s the reason behind my missing star.

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i can’t recommend it enough and i can’t wait for the next one. 

this was a great Peter Pan retelling and i loved the little town of Never Harbor and all the characters that were woven in. i immediately fell in love with both main characters and was rooting for them from the beginning. I am so excited this is going to be a big series because i cannot get enough of it! the spice level was just right and even though there was a 3rd act conflict which always breaks my heart, it felt actually necessary for a lot of character development. i also appreciated how Jasper’s grief was handled and how Wendy was able to help him through so much of it. 

thank you so much goodgirlspr and julie olivia for allowing me to read this early! 

kelly bee

this was a great Peter Pan retelling and i loved the little town of Never Harbor and all the characters that were woven in. i immediately fell in love with both main characters and was rooting for them from the beginning. I am so excited this is going to be a big series because i cannot get enough of it! the spice level was just right and even though there was a 3rd act conflict which always breaks my heart, it felt actually necessary for a lot of character development. i also appreciated how Jasper’s grief was handled and how Wendy was able to help him through so much of it. 

thank you so much goodgirlspr and julie olivia for allowing me to read this early! 

Off The Hook A Small Town Single Dad Romance (Never Harbor, Book #1)

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