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Hooked

Never After #1 / 7
by Emily McIntire
Hooked (Never After #1) by Emily McIntire
★ 8.00 / 2
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He wants revenge, but he wants her more.

Once Upon A Time, there was a little boy.
His belly full of laughter, his life full of joy.
Until one day, something changed; stripped his innocence away.
The hole inside making space for the devil to come and play.
His dreams gone forever, he grew up way too fast.
An endless night of crocodiles, and watches made of glass.
He grew into a villain, the taste of vengeance on his tongue.
Craving to make his enemies pay for the misdeeds they had done.
Instead he found a darling girl, and refused to let her go.
For what better way to make the man pay, than to steal his little shadow.

*Hooked is a full-length, complete standalone and the first in The Never After Series: A collection of fractured fairy tales where the villains get the happy ever after. This is a DARK Contemporary romance (not a literal retelling and not fantasy) featuring mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.*

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FantasyRomanceDark Fiction
Release date: September 7, 2021
Reviews and Comments (1)

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Emily McIntire

Emily McIntire

Emily McIntire is a force of resilience and creativity, blending raw emotion with complex, morally gray characters in her gripping contemporary romances. Known for her ability to craft steamy, slow-burn love stories that keep readers turning the pages, Emily’s work resonates deeply with those who crave both passion and depth in their reading.

Her personal journey is as compelling as her novels. After surviving Stage IV breast cancer, Emily turned to writing as a way to cope with life’s challenges. What started as an outlet for personal healing quickly grew into a career, leading her to become a #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author. Her books, now translated into over a dozen languages, have touched the hearts of readers around the globe, often featuring fierce, flawed characters who fight for love and redemption.

Read more ...

Emily’s writing is deeply influenced by her own experiences and the lessons learned through adversity. She’s captivated by the beauty of imperfect relationships, the tension between love and conflict, and the strength of people who refuse to give up. Her works are more than just romance—they are journeys of growth, resilience, and, above all, transformation.

When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys time with her family, reading, and indulging in her passion for home decor. Whether she’s redecorating a room or weaving a new tale, Emily pours her heart into everything she does, creating stories that inspire and empower her readers. With her upcoming series, Defying the Stars, Emily promises to continue challenging the boundaries of contemporary romance, offering fresh twists on classic themes that keep readers coming back for more.

Emily McIntire’s books don’t just tell stories—they offer a glimpse into the strength of the human spirit, the complexity of love, and the beauty that comes from overcoming life’s hardest battles.

Never After

In the Never After series, Emily McIntire takes well-known fairy tales and turns them inside out, giving villains their time to shine. What if the villains got their own story, one where love is complicated, redemption is hard-earned, and no one is as simple as they seem? This dark, seductive retelling of beloved characters invites readers into a world where the boundaries between hero and villain are blurred and every character carries scars—both literal and emotional.

Read more ...

Each novel in the series offers a stand-alone story, filled with passionate love, raw emotion, and complex characters who must wrestle with their darkest impulses. From the heart-wrenching journey of a man seeking vengeance in Hooked to the thrilling redemption arc of Scarred, where a prince with a past must confront the one woman who can heal him, these stories dive deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of trust, betrayal, and second chances.

The Never After series doesn’t just twist fairy tale tropes—it reinvents them. With each book, McIntire invites you to question everything you thought you knew about happily-ever-afters. In this world, love is never easy, and sometimes, it’s downright dangerous. The series pulses with an intoxicating mix of passion and suspense, creating an immersive atmosphere where readers are constantly left wondering what will happen next.

Whether it’s the forbidden romance between two adversaries or a couple’s battle to overcome impossible odds, the Never After series is a wild ride that defies expectations. Every twist is earned, and every character’s journey is as unpredictable as it is captivating. If you’re ready to dive into a world where nothing is as it seems, where love can heal—and destroy—Never After is waiting for you.


Never After consists of six books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Hooked (Never After #1)
★ 8.00 / 2
Scarred (Never After #2)
★ 9.34 / 3
Wretched (Never After #3)
Unrated
Twisted (Never After #4)
⧗ 9.00 / 2
Crossed (Never After #5)
★ 10.00 / 1
Hexed (Never After #6)
★ 10.00 / 1
Never After Book 7 (Never After #7)
Unrated

Reviews and Comments

10/11/2025
Päivi Pakarinen avatar
Päivi Pakarinen
9 books, 7 reviews
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 6 / 10

Littlebit boring.

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