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Forbidden Fairytales #3
Wonder
Red tilts her head, a question in her eyes. “He’s quite mad, you know.”
I don’t bother to hide the smirk that stretches my lips, showing her my teeth. “All the best people are.”
I wasn’t expecting to find a man whilst drowning my sorrows and hiding from my responsibilities in the filthiest bar in the city.
Hatter is elusive, beautiful… and sad.
Tempting enough to make me throw my usual caution aside and steal him.
Just for a night.
One night, to help us both forget.
I expected him to leave me. But I didn’t expect the invitation he left behind.
Wonder.
The most exclusive club in the city. Always moving, never discovered, and impossible to enter without permission. So naturally, I stole it. Except Wonder isn’t quite what the whispers say. Once you enter, you can’t leave without permission.
Red runs Wonder with an iron fist, a calculating mind and possession in her gaze. And when I find myself in the middle of Red’s games, I’ll need to use every skill I have to keep me and the men around me alive.
She likes to collect broken things. Maybe I’m the most shattered of them all.
But Hatter, Buck, Aiden, Kayden and Chess won’t let me fall. They shine a light on my nightmares, offering a shield against the grief that haunts me even as I rip theirs apart in return.
Red thinks she’s facing Alyss Lidell.
I’m much, much more than that.
This is a standalone contemporary, why choose retelling of Alice in Wonderland with five morally grey men and an FMC who fights for what she wants.
I don’t bother to hide the smirk that stretches my lips, showing her my teeth. “All the best people are.”
I wasn’t expecting to find a man whilst drowning my sorrows and hiding from my responsibilities in the filthiest bar in the city.
Hatter is elusive, beautiful… and sad.
Tempting enough to make me throw my usual caution aside and steal him.
Just for a night.
One night, to help us both forget.
I expected him to leave me. But I didn’t expect the invitation he left behind.
Wonder.
The most exclusive club in the city. Always moving, never discovered, and impossible to enter without permission. So naturally, I stole it. Except Wonder isn’t quite what the whispers say. Once you enter, you can’t leave without permission.
Red runs Wonder with an iron fist, a calculating mind and possession in her gaze. And when I find myself in the middle of Red’s games, I’ll need to use every skill I have to keep me and the men around me alive.
She likes to collect broken things. Maybe I’m the most shattered of them all.
But Hatter, Buck, Aiden, Kayden and Chess won’t let me fall. They shine a light on my nightmares, offering a shield against the grief that haunts me even as I rip theirs apart in return.
Red thinks she’s facing Alyss Lidell.
I’m much, much more than that.
This is a standalone contemporary, why choose retelling of Alice in Wonderland with five morally grey men and an FMC who fights for what she wants.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2024
340 people are currently reading
1087 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Flood
25 books849 followersEvelyn Flood is an Amazon bestselling author of more than fifteen romance books.
She writes in various sub-genres including contemporary romance, fantasy romance and why choose, but you'll always find a main course of angst and a side dish of uncontrollable sobbing in every book she writes.
She's based in South Wales, where she spends most of her time hopping between coffee shops with her laptop in hand and buying a ridiculous amount of notebooks to write all of her ideas down.
Find her on Facebook in her reader group, The Evelyn Flood Collective.
She writes in various sub-genres including contemporary romance, fantasy romance and why choose, but you'll always find a main course of angst and a side dish of uncontrollable sobbing in every book she writes.
She's based in South Wales, where she spends most of her time hopping between coffee shops with her laptop in hand and buying a ridiculous amount of notebooks to write all of her ideas down.
Find her on Facebook in her reader group, The Evelyn Flood Collective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 10, 2024
I needed a little light and less...mental(?) after Blackwood Institute - this was definitely not that haha.
Um, can you call a book demented and cute at the same time?
Exactly how I'd describe this read.
I've read a few other of Evelyn Flood's Forbidden Fairytales so I didn't exactly think this story would be...so twisted, so demented, but damn am I in awe of it. A bit freaked out but so proud. She almost writes this story kind of, poetically?
GOOD LORD - if you react to certain things, please take a gander at those trigger warnings. There are some scenes that even I had to take a few deep breaths through.
Um, can you call a book demented and cute at the same time?
Exactly how I'd describe this read.
I've read a few other of Evelyn Flood's Forbidden Fairytales so I didn't exactly think this story would be...so twisted, so demented, but damn am I in awe of it. A bit freaked out but so proud. She almost writes this story kind of, poetically?
GOOD LORD - if you react to certain things, please take a gander at those trigger warnings. There are some scenes that even I had to take a few deep breaths through.
August 29, 2024
Was kindly provided the ARC for this and I devoured it! I mean I’m not surprised because Evelyn always puts narcotics in her books but I won’t lie, Alice In Wonderland is not my favourite Fairytale, so I went in a little hesitant! Should have known better, I clearly just needed Evelyn to sprinkle her magic on it to make it NSFW!!!
I adored Alyss, she was sassy, badass and unapologetic about both her sexuality and the feelings she develops toward her “ not a group…totally a group, group”. Of course her men were also the right amount of flawed and loveable.
Chess - Our Cheshire Cat. Grumpy, possessive and hotter than Hades. I loved his unwavering commitment toward Alyss…even when she tried to push him away he was so unmovable.
Hatter - (no points for guessing which character he takes inspiration from). He is beautiful, sweet, self-sacrificing and damaged. You know all the traits us bookish girlies eat up quicker than a tea party cake selection!!
Buck - I loved him right from the start. His brand of flirtatious, cocky sarcasm will always be my kryptonite. He always brought the comedic relief that somehow had me giggling at inappropriate moments.
Kayden & Aiden - Our tag teaming twins. They were everything! Kayden was dark, broody and a lot growly. I mean, any man who will crush the windpipe of the creep who disrespects me is an immediate winner. What can I say?…those red flags always look kinda pink to me. Aiden on the other hand was the lighter of the duo. Flirty, playful and thoughtful.
Now for the spice, it was giving 🔥 which was no small feat given the almost consistent life or death situations these people were thrust into!
The plot was exciting, well-paced and had all the ingredients of a great story: intrigue, romance, grief, comedy, found family, broken but loveable characters and twists that kept me turning the page!! Also did I mention the spice?!
All in all it was perfection. I am loving this series so far and can’t wait to see what fairytale Evelyn manages to dirty up next!
I adored Alyss, she was sassy, badass and unapologetic about both her sexuality and the feelings she develops toward her “ not a group…totally a group, group”. Of course her men were also the right amount of flawed and loveable.
Chess - Our Cheshire Cat. Grumpy, possessive and hotter than Hades. I loved his unwavering commitment toward Alyss…even when she tried to push him away he was so unmovable.
Hatter - (no points for guessing which character he takes inspiration from). He is beautiful, sweet, self-sacrificing and damaged. You know all the traits us bookish girlies eat up quicker than a tea party cake selection!!
Buck - I loved him right from the start. His brand of flirtatious, cocky sarcasm will always be my kryptonite. He always brought the comedic relief that somehow had me giggling at inappropriate moments.
Kayden & Aiden - Our tag teaming twins. They were everything! Kayden was dark, broody and a lot growly. I mean, any man who will crush the windpipe of the creep who disrespects me is an immediate winner. What can I say?…those red flags always look kinda pink to me. Aiden on the other hand was the lighter of the duo. Flirty, playful and thoughtful.
Now for the spice, it was giving 🔥 which was no small feat given the almost consistent life or death situations these people were thrust into!
The plot was exciting, well-paced and had all the ingredients of a great story: intrigue, romance, grief, comedy, found family, broken but loveable characters and twists that kept me turning the page!! Also did I mention the spice?!
All in all it was perfection. I am loving this series so far and can’t wait to see what fairytale Evelyn manages to dirty up next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2
This one is my favorite of the series. I love how Evelyn twisted the Alice in Wonderland tale into something dark, seemingly all hope lost, and then managing to be hopeful by the end.
There’s spice, but this is more plot heavy.
A complete standalone, they do get their HEA in the end.
🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2
This one is my favorite of the series. I love how Evelyn twisted the Alice in Wonderland tale into something dark, seemingly all hope lost, and then managing to be hopeful by the end.
There’s spice, but this is more plot heavy.
A complete standalone, they do get their HEA in the end.
September 13, 2024
3.5⭐ - I've read enough Evelyn Flood books at this point to expect a really interesting story that fizzles out and feels rushed at the end but it's still a little disappointing each time.
After her brother's mysterious death, Alyss has only one clue to find out what really happened to him - Wonder. Wonder is an elusive, invite-only club that pops up from city to city without notice. No one knows where, no one knows when. Only those with a ticket can enter. After a chance encounter with a man at a bar, Alyss finds herself in possession of an exclusive ticket and the ability to gain access to the club that has eluded her for the last 6 months. Where she expects to find answers - she finds something else entirely...
So imagine the Squid Games + the Purge + Alice in Wonderland had a little demon baby and you get this book. I thought it was actually really interesting and just 'fever dream' enough to hit the mark for a dark wonderland retelling.
The events of 'the game' are what take up most of this book. The 'after' is very short lived and that's where I thought this book suffered. I would have loved more of that story rather than a chapter of "one year later".
Lets talk harem - I liked all the guys, okay. The forced proximity, near death situation that made them all band together was great. I do wish we had a little more backstory and time to connect with these characters though, especially the twins.
Lets talk spice - there's a couple explicit scenes right at the beginning and then a group scene towards the end, but the group scene doesn't include the entire harem. I think Lovers of reverse harem/why choose would be disappointed in this aspect of the book. We don't really get to see the relationships develop between Alyss and the guys individually or as a whole group.
Overall, not a perfect book but enjoyable nonetheless and this has been my favorite installment in the forbidden fairytales series so far.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
After her brother's mysterious death, Alyss has only one clue to find out what really happened to him - Wonder. Wonder is an elusive, invite-only club that pops up from city to city without notice. No one knows where, no one knows when. Only those with a ticket can enter. After a chance encounter with a man at a bar, Alyss finds herself in possession of an exclusive ticket and the ability to gain access to the club that has eluded her for the last 6 months. Where she expects to find answers - she finds something else entirely...
So imagine the Squid Games + the Purge + Alice in Wonderland had a little demon baby and you get this book. I thought it was actually really interesting and just 'fever dream' enough to hit the mark for a dark wonderland retelling.
The events of 'the game' are what take up most of this book. The 'after' is very short lived and that's where I thought this book suffered. I would have loved more of that story rather than a chapter of "one year later".
Lets talk harem - I liked all the guys, okay. The forced proximity, near death situation that made them all band together was great. I do wish we had a little more backstory and time to connect with these characters though, especially the twins.
Lets talk spice - there's a couple explicit scenes right at the beginning and then a group scene towards the end, but the group scene doesn't include the entire harem. I think Lovers of reverse harem/why choose would be disappointed in this aspect of the book. We don't really get to see the relationships develop between Alyss and the guys individually or as a whole group.
Overall, not a perfect book but enjoyable nonetheless and this has been my favorite installment in the forbidden fairytales series so far.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 22, 2025
I loved this one Alyss and the guys were so intriguing and I loved how wonderland felt very hunger games. The back story or hatter was so sad but I'm glad he finally got closure
August 31, 2024
I feel like my star rating comes across as unfair but it could’ve been a 4 but fell to a 2 and here’s why.
I was most looking forward to this book in the fairytale series, I loved the other two, the men and spice were chefs kiss but any Alice in wonderland retelling will always be my favourite.
But wonder felt like a fever dream, it was wild and poetic and fast paced but I feel like character development was it’s downhill as well as the fact it’s marketed as a reverse harem but where was the sex? Yes there was a hot scene right at the beginning and a rushed and perhaps lacklustre group ish scene at the end, but where’s the rest? I’m not saying it has to be full of it, but there was practically nothing and I was left with lady blueballs.
I also had no connection to the characters as the book was so short, I feel like if it was just a little longer I would of enjoyed it so much more and it wouldn’t have fell so flat.
I was most looking forward to this book in the fairytale series, I loved the other two, the men and spice were chefs kiss but any Alice in wonderland retelling will always be my favourite.
But wonder felt like a fever dream, it was wild and poetic and fast paced but I feel like character development was it’s downhill as well as the fact it’s marketed as a reverse harem but where was the sex? Yes there was a hot scene right at the beginning and a rushed and perhaps lacklustre group ish scene at the end, but where’s the rest? I’m not saying it has to be full of it, but there was practically nothing and I was left with lady blueballs.
I also had no connection to the characters as the book was so short, I feel like if it was just a little longer I would of enjoyed it so much more and it wouldn’t have fell so flat.
March 5, 2025
3.5 Star Review of Wonder by Evelyn Flood
Opinion
Conclusion
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
Evelyn Flood’s Wonder, the third volume in the Forbidden Fairytales series, is an intense, atmospheric, and darkly alluring retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a morally gray twist. Though the books in the series can be read separately, Wonder stands out with its gripping tension, enigmatic antagonist, and a cast of complex characters that kept me engaged from start to finish.
Wonder ♦ Evelyn Flood - A Review
Opinion
The strongest aspect of Wonder is undoubtedly its suspenseful atmosphere. From the moment our protagonist, Alyss, stumbles into the enigmatic and ever-moving club known as Wonder, I plunged into an intricate game orchestrated by the formidable Red. The uncertainty surrounding Red’s motives and the nature of her twisted games adds a constant undercurrent of unease. The stakes always feel high, and just when I thought I had a grasp on the rules, the narrative shifts, keeping me on edge. This unpredictability is one of the novel’s biggest strengths.
Adding to the intrigue is the rich cast of male characters: Hatter, Chess, Buck, and the twins Aiden and Kayden. Each brings something unique to the dynamic, and their morally ambiguous natures make them both fascinating and dangerous. In classic why choose fashion, Alyss doesn’t have to pick just one, and their relationships unfold with an engaging mix of tension, chemistry, and emotional depth. However, while the romance is certainly dark, the book takes a more restrained approach to explicit scenes compared to many other dark romance titles. This is refreshing in some ways, as it allows the plot and character development to take center stage, but some readers who expect a high heat level may find it lacking.
Alyss herself is a compelling protagonist. She is strong-willed, resourceful, and fully capable of holding her own against both Red’s manipulations and the powerful men in her orbit. Unlike many heroines in dark romance, she isn’t merely a pawn—she fights, strategizes, and carves her own path, making her an easy character to root for.
That being said, while the book is undeniably entertaining, it does have its shortcomings. At times, the pacing feels a bit rushed, and some scenes—particularly toward the climax—could have benefitted from more depth and expansion. Given the intricacies of the plot and the complexity of the character dynamics, a few extra chapters would have allowed the tension to build more organically and the relationships to develop further. Additionally, while the writing is solid, some moments felt slightly underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully immerse in certain emotional beats.
Conclusion
Overall, Wonder by Evelyn Flood is an engaging and well-executed dark romance retelling that kept me on my toes. It delivers an intriguing premise, strong characters, and a sinister yet captivating setting. While it could have benefitted from a bit more length and depth, it still manages to be an enjoyable read. If you’re a fan of dark romance with a psychological edge and a touch of the fantastical, Wonder is well worth a read.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
August 29, 2024
Holy smokes I loved this book 😍
Holy moly cannoli Batman!
I was obsessed with this book! As soon as I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.
Alyss is on a mission to find out what happened to her brother, who she found almost dead in an alley way 6 months prior. After his passing, it became her top priority to find out what happened.
This mission leads her to push away her love Chess, have an incredible night with Hatter ( a night that leaves her an unexpected surprise that leads her to her brothers killer), to Wonder where she realizes not everything is as it seems.
There she meets Buck, Kayden, & Aiden & the instant connections with them equal those of the ones she has with Chess & Hatter.
But that night leads them to be caught by Red & tossed into one of her sick & twisted games. Surviving is key but so dang hard. But they all manage to push through it all despite what Red is throwing at them.
Once Alyss learns about her brother & all of the other horrible things that lead everyone else to Wonder & Red, Alyss promises justice for all of them.
The reunion she has with Hatter after that year of looking for him was so awesome, especially when we find out who she is the Hearts gang. So awesome! Red got exactly what she deserved too.
I absolutely loved this book & devoured it so dang quickly ❤️
Absolutely amazing job!
Holy moly cannoli Batman!
I was obsessed with this book! As soon as I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.
Alyss is on a mission to find out what happened to her brother, who she found almost dead in an alley way 6 months prior. After his passing, it became her top priority to find out what happened.
This mission leads her to push away her love Chess, have an incredible night with Hatter ( a night that leaves her an unexpected surprise that leads her to her brothers killer), to Wonder where she realizes not everything is as it seems.
There she meets Buck, Kayden, & Aiden & the instant connections with them equal those of the ones she has with Chess & Hatter.
But that night leads them to be caught by Red & tossed into one of her sick & twisted games. Surviving is key but so dang hard. But they all manage to push through it all despite what Red is throwing at them.
Once Alyss learns about her brother & all of the other horrible things that lead everyone else to Wonder & Red, Alyss promises justice for all of them.
The reunion she has with Hatter after that year of looking for him was so awesome, especially when we find out who she is the Hearts gang. So awesome! Red got exactly what she deserved too.
I absolutely loved this book & devoured it so dang quickly ❤️
Absolutely amazing job!
August 30, 2024
Evelyn Flood’s Forbidden Fairytales series is the gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving. Wonder had me in a (consensual) chokehold from page 1, and I loved every slightly oxygen deprived second of it.
Wonder stands easily on its own two feet as a deliciously dark (emphasis on the dark - please please read the content warning at the start!) story of desperation, redemption, and surviving completely unhinged psychopaths, sprinkled with Alice in Wonderland influence and topped with the healthy dose of spice you can always rely on Miss Evelyn to deliver.
The way Evelyn brings her characters to life in a relatively short amount of time never fails to amaze me. I wanted to scoop them all up and protect them from the batshit crazy Red, who herself was complex and far from a 2D villain stereotype - but still absolutely batshit crazy.
I could go on forever about how perfect this book was, these men, the broken but strong FMC, the heart pounding twists and turns that genuinely made me question my sanity - but I’m trying not to ramble.
My only complaint? It was over far too quickly. I could have stayed in this world with these characters for about twice as long, but that’s just me being greedy and feral for Evelyn’s writing, as always.
Do yourself a favour - read Wonder, and accept the inevitable slide into obsession.
Why-choose ✅
Dark retelling ✅
Strong FMC ✅
She saves them ✅
Touch her and die ✅
Twins ✅
Possessive MMC’s ✅
Spice ✅✅✅
Wonder stands easily on its own two feet as a deliciously dark (emphasis on the dark - please please read the content warning at the start!) story of desperation, redemption, and surviving completely unhinged psychopaths, sprinkled with Alice in Wonderland influence and topped with the healthy dose of spice you can always rely on Miss Evelyn to deliver.
The way Evelyn brings her characters to life in a relatively short amount of time never fails to amaze me. I wanted to scoop them all up and protect them from the batshit crazy Red, who herself was complex and far from a 2D villain stereotype - but still absolutely batshit crazy.
I could go on forever about how perfect this book was, these men, the broken but strong FMC, the heart pounding twists and turns that genuinely made me question my sanity - but I’m trying not to ramble.
My only complaint? It was over far too quickly. I could have stayed in this world with these characters for about twice as long, but that’s just me being greedy and feral for Evelyn’s writing, as always.
Do yourself a favour - read Wonder, and accept the inevitable slide into obsession.
Why-choose ✅
Dark retelling ✅
Strong FMC ✅
She saves them ✅
Touch her and die ✅
Twins ✅
Possessive MMC’s ✅
Spice ✅✅✅
June 15, 2025
Really good
Another great contemporary retelling. This time around, it's Alice in Wonderland, and it was fantastic just as much as it was dark and f#£€* up. I found this the darkest one yet, with gangs, gore, and a few other horrors. We also get their version of the hunger games, and it was really good.
It had everything I expected from a good Alice retelling. It also had some interesting twists and turns i didn't expect, and a decent level of spice (although I would like more and more group activities too).
And the audiobook is now out. The narration is really good and makes a great story even better. Highly recommend reading 📚 and listening 🎧 simultaneously.
Another great contemporary retelling. This time around, it's Alice in Wonderland, and it was fantastic just as much as it was dark and f#£€* up. I found this the darkest one yet, with gangs, gore, and a few other horrors. We also get their version of the hunger games, and it was really good.
It had everything I expected from a good Alice retelling. It also had some interesting twists and turns i didn't expect, and a decent level of spice (although I would like more and more group activities too).
And the audiobook is now out. The narration is really good and makes a great story even better. Highly recommend reading 📚 and listening 🎧 simultaneously.
August 29, 2024
Every time I think Evelyn’s next book can’t possibly be better, she proves me wrong! This book is probably my favorite in the Forbidden Fairytales series. I messaged her so many times while reading this and my words were in all caps! This was such a fantastic retelling of Alice in Wonderland. The twist and turns were everything and the chemistry was swoon worthy!
I can’t wait for the world to read this book!
☕️Strong FMC
🌂Alice In Wonderland Dark Retelling
🕰️Possessive MMC’s
🎩Touch Him & You …
🦋MFMMMM
Storyline: 10/10
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Song: Mad Hatter - Melanie Martinez
August 30, 2024
hmmm
Did I throughly enjoy this story yes I did. But am I disappointed yes, yes I am. I wanted more. I feel like this story could have easily been a series of its own. Each character back story alone was something I would have like to have seen more of. And the games was so cool the wonderland meet hunger game. Wish the author would have focus the development between the characters and the game. But overall the potential of the story was there. I enjoyed it and would still say it's my favorite from this series and definitely still should give it a go.
Did I throughly enjoy this story yes I did. But am I disappointed yes, yes I am. I wanted more. I feel like this story could have easily been a series of its own. Each character back story alone was something I would have like to have seen more of. And the games was so cool the wonderland meet hunger game. Wish the author would have focus the development between the characters and the game. But overall the potential of the story was there. I enjoyed it and would still say it's my favorite from this series and definitely still should give it a go.
September 2, 2024
Alice in Panem
I love a good retelling - and this is a great retelling. Alice in Wonderland meets Hunger Games with a dash of MC gang…*and* it’s a why choose?? I couldn’t wait to read it.
But did the gamble pay off? Yes. In Spades. I really loved how things built up. The characters and their struggles felt very real. The connections to the original fairytale were so much fun to pick out. The steam was hot but didn’t overtake the actual story. My only wish is that we had some insight into the large time gap at the end of the story…otherwise, it was marvelous.
I love a good retelling - and this is a great retelling. Alice in Wonderland meets Hunger Games with a dash of MC gang…*and* it’s a why choose?? I couldn’t wait to read it.
But did the gamble pay off? Yes. In Spades. I really loved how things built up. The characters and their struggles felt very real. The connections to the original fairytale were so much fun to pick out. The steam was hot but didn’t overtake the actual story. My only wish is that we had some insight into the large time gap at the end of the story…otherwise, it was marvelous.
September 3, 2024
Loved it
Another great story from one of my go to authors. Fast paced, stand-alone that I can binge through because the story just hooks me in ❤️. There’s lots of references to addiction and withdrawal and some other subjects that are tough so TW need checking.
This retelling could have been longer, I wish we’d had a bit more time with the characters and their combined story. They all fit so well and there were a few spicy scenes scattered throughout, however that wasn’t what led the plot.
I’ve enjoyed all the retellings so far and can’t wait for the next one!
Another great story from one of my go to authors. Fast paced, stand-alone that I can binge through because the story just hooks me in ❤️. There’s lots of references to addiction and withdrawal and some other subjects that are tough so TW need checking.
This retelling could have been longer, I wish we’d had a bit more time with the characters and their combined story. They all fit so well and there were a few spicy scenes scattered throughout, however that wasn’t what led the plot.
I’ve enjoyed all the retellings so far and can’t wait for the next one!
August 28, 2024
So much fun reading this! I’m a sucker for a why choose with a fairy tale spin, and like all the other books in the series, this hit that itch perfectly. Meet Alice Liddell, she is our fmc and desperately searching for answers after her twin’s death, all while spiraling with grief. The “Not Group” included Chess, Hatter, Buck, Kaiden & Aiden. Don’t get me wrong, this has darker themes, but I was surprising smiling and kicking my feet for parts of it. Very excited to read the next one in the series
October 7, 2024
Grab your tissues…
5⭐️ 1.5🌶️
Alyss is a bad@ss who gets herself in a whole heap of trouble and collects her men like Pokémon along the way. I loved everything about this and there’s just no way I can say more without spoiling it.
If you’re new to this author, be prepared to cry. If you’ve been around for a while just get ready because she’s going to tear you apart a bit before she puts you back together.
5⭐️ 1.5🌶️
Alyss is a bad@ss who gets herself in a whole heap of trouble and collects her men like Pokémon along the way. I loved everything about this and there’s just no way I can say more without spoiling it.
If you’re new to this author, be prepared to cry. If you’ve been around for a while just get ready because she’s going to tear you apart a bit before she puts you back together.
January 9, 2025
why choose meets Alice in wonderland meets squid game vibes?!
This whole series is amazing and I can’t wait for the next!
This whole series is amazing and I can’t wait for the next!
April 29, 2025
shout out to madi for finding this for my bingo board
April 25, 2025
nope. dull, story bounced all over the place, everything was very rushed.
January 12, 2025
Let me start by saying that I think this author is brilliant, especially in this series where she has managed to write incredible books, with a super interesting concept and vision!!! I'm suspicious so far I've liked all the books in this series, including the first one is one of my favorites.
This book was no different, although in the first pages i was not immediately glazed, it was enough to have a little patience and as soon as the action unfolded I felt that enthusiasm again to know what would happen as in the other books! All in all it was a good book and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series
This book was no different, although in the first pages i was not immediately glazed, it was enough to have a little patience and as soon as the action unfolded I felt that enthusiasm again to know what would happen as in the other books! All in all it was a good book and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series
January 28, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
Sadly this wasn’t my favorite. I was excited about this book because Dark Alice in Wonderland retelling sounds amazing and I was interested in how it would be done. The premise of the book was really good and it was interesting but other than that it was meh to me. It was missing something. It felt rushed at the end but the ending actually made up for the disappointment I felt after the main climax.
Overall, this book was alright. To me it was a well thought out story that had so much potential but was just executed poorly. Maybe I’ll revisit this one later in the year but for now on to the next one! 🎩♥️
Sadly this wasn’t my favorite. I was excited about this book because Dark Alice in Wonderland retelling sounds amazing and I was interested in how it would be done. The premise of the book was really good and it was interesting but other than that it was meh to me. It was missing something. It felt rushed at the end but the ending actually made up for the disappointment I felt after the main climax.
Overall, this book was alright. To me it was a well thought out story that had so much potential but was just executed poorly. Maybe I’ll revisit this one later in the year but for now on to the next one! 🎩♥️
September 5, 2024
decent read
This was a decent read, the plot was good but the ending felt extremely rushed and unfinished. I had very high hopes for this one but I think it’s the worst in the series. All the characters were one dimensional, and that dimension for all of them was grief. The book needed much more of an ending and epilogue.
This was a decent read, the plot was good but the ending felt extremely rushed and unfinished. I had very high hopes for this one but I think it’s the worst in the series. All the characters were one dimensional, and that dimension for all of them was grief. The book needed much more of an ending and epilogue.
January 18, 2025
This feels like the CliffsNotes of a series. The premise is really cool: it’s Squid Game meets Alice in Wonderland. But the execution lacks depth. I don’t care about a single character since they all lack dimension that makes characters feel human. And the story lost any stakes due to the swiftness of it all unfolding.
August 30, 2024
DNF @ 32% - I've really liked the books in this series but this one was a miss for me. I didn't particularly like any of them.
March 10, 2025
Waste of my time
October 30, 2025
3.35 stars ⚝
"so what if I'm crazy? al the best people are. and i think you're crazy too, i know you're gone, that's probably the reason that we get along."
| “I clear my throat. Then I stare down at the shirt, still against my chest.
I definitely should’ve gotten dressed for this conversation.
“Trouble.” Buck’s voice sounds strangled. “What are you doing?”
The twins sit up in unison, flowing off the bed. Neither of them are wearing shirts.
Hatter... his eyes move over my skin, trailing heat in his wake.
“I have decided,” I say awkwardly. “That there... there might be... um. The possibility of a group. And... vacancies?”
oh. my. god. this book is insane. like—full delulu, no brakes, chaos from page one. we’ve got romance, we’ve got gangs (??), we’ve got a literal squid games/hunger games situation, and somehow… i liked it??? devoured it. inhaled it. send help.
i started this fully expecting garbage. the opening quote of the synopsis sounded like something straight out of a melanie martinez b-side (not a compliment), and the whole “why choose with five guys” setup had me rolling my eyes so hard i saw my brain. i thought i’d read it, cringe, one-star it, move on.
and then. evelyn flood came for my neck. because this book? actually kinda moved me???
let’s get this straight: evelyn has officially earned my “you can write whatever level of chaos you want and i’ll still read it” loyalty card. she knows how to build characters that feel real—even when the world around them is an absolute fever dream. there are five love interests here, and yet somehow, i didn’t mix them up (well. except for the twins. we’ll get there).
alyss , my girl, you get the spotlight. i adored her. she’s strong and smart without being annoying about it, and her grief in the beginning felt so human. like, she’s allowed to be messy and still make sense. love that for her.
and can we talk about how self-aware this book is?? five men and one woman in a relationship—if no one makes a joke about it, i’m out. but this book delivers. the banter about “is this a group?” / “this is totally a group” had me giggling like an idiot. i love a why-choose that knows it’s a little unhinged.
now, the boys. roll call time:
chess — surprisingly solid. he felt like a real person (which, apparently, is something i now have to celebrate because too many books have traumatized me). i loved how important he was for alyss while she was grieving. good guy, soft spot earned.
hatter — fine. he exists. relevant for the plot but didn’t steal my heart.
buck — my man. i have a weakness for sarcastic disaster men named buck (looking at you, bucky barnes). he was funny, protective, and had that perfect “oh wait maybe i do want to live” moment once the games started. peak character development. loved him to death.
kayden & aiden — okay listen. i try not to think too deeply about the twin thing or my brain short-circuits. also, evelyn, why give them basically the same name when i’m already juggling five men??? i kept reading like “wait which one of you just said that??” still, they weren’t creepy or copy-paste twins. they actually felt like two distinct people. and kayden? funniest one in the room. his dry little comments had me cackling—especially when he said he found new will to survive because alyss confirmed they were a group. king behavior.
so yeah. wonder was an absolutely wild ride that i somehow ended up obsessed with. this book shouldn’t have worked. but it did. and i enjoyed every ridiculous, dramatic, slightly concerning second of it.
evelyn flood, you’ve officially gained a new fan (and my eternal confusion about how you made this work).
"so what if I'm crazy? al the best people are. and i think you're crazy too, i know you're gone, that's probably the reason that we get along."
| “I clear my throat. Then I stare down at the shirt, still against my chest.
I definitely should’ve gotten dressed for this conversation.
“Trouble.” Buck’s voice sounds strangled. “What are you doing?”
The twins sit up in unison, flowing off the bed. Neither of them are wearing shirts.
Hatter... his eyes move over my skin, trailing heat in his wake.
“I have decided,” I say awkwardly. “That there... there might be... um. The possibility of a group. And... vacancies?”
oh. my. god. this book is insane. like—full delulu, no brakes, chaos from page one. we’ve got romance, we’ve got gangs (??), we’ve got a literal squid games/hunger games situation, and somehow… i liked it??? devoured it. inhaled it. send help.
i started this fully expecting garbage. the opening quote of the synopsis sounded like something straight out of a melanie martinez b-side (not a compliment), and the whole “why choose with five guys” setup had me rolling my eyes so hard i saw my brain. i thought i’d read it, cringe, one-star it, move on.
and then. evelyn flood came for my neck. because this book? actually kinda moved me???
let’s get this straight: evelyn has officially earned my “you can write whatever level of chaos you want and i’ll still read it” loyalty card. she knows how to build characters that feel real—even when the world around them is an absolute fever dream. there are five love interests here, and yet somehow, i didn’t mix them up (well. except for the twins. we’ll get there).
alyss , my girl, you get the spotlight. i adored her. she’s strong and smart without being annoying about it, and her grief in the beginning felt so human. like, she’s allowed to be messy and still make sense. love that for her.
and can we talk about how self-aware this book is?? five men and one woman in a relationship—if no one makes a joke about it, i’m out. but this book delivers. the banter about “is this a group?” / “this is totally a group” had me giggling like an idiot. i love a why-choose that knows it’s a little unhinged.
now, the boys. roll call time:
chess — surprisingly solid. he felt like a real person (which, apparently, is something i now have to celebrate because too many books have traumatized me). i loved how important he was for alyss while she was grieving. good guy, soft spot earned.
hatter — fine. he exists. relevant for the plot but didn’t steal my heart.
buck — my man. i have a weakness for sarcastic disaster men named buck (looking at you, bucky barnes). he was funny, protective, and had that perfect “oh wait maybe i do want to live” moment once the games started. peak character development. loved him to death.
kayden & aiden — okay listen. i try not to think too deeply about the twin thing or my brain short-circuits. also, evelyn, why give them basically the same name when i’m already juggling five men??? i kept reading like “wait which one of you just said that??” still, they weren’t creepy or copy-paste twins. they actually felt like two distinct people. and kayden? funniest one in the room. his dry little comments had me cackling—especially when he said he found new will to survive because alyss confirmed they were a group. king behavior.
so yeah. wonder was an absolutely wild ride that i somehow ended up obsessed with. this book shouldn’t have worked. but it did. and i enjoyed every ridiculous, dramatic, slightly concerning second of it.
evelyn flood, you’ve officially gained a new fan (and my eternal confusion about how you made this work).
October 6, 2024
“He's quite mad you know."
"All the best people are”
💖 Chess, Hatter, Buck, Kayden, Aiden, & Alyss 💖
I’ve absolutely loved every book in the Forbidden Fairytale series, and Wonder came so close to being my favorite. But it felt a little rushed—I needed like 100 more pages, and it would’ve easily been a 5-star read for me. That said, I still loved the hell out of it! This book was awesome. It’s like Alice in Wonderland meets Hunting Adeline meets The Hunger Games—a total wild ride.
The characters were fantastic, and I loved how they embodied the classic Alice in Wonderland roles—even if I still have no clue who Buck was supposed to be. He was probably my favorite, though, so honestly, I’m not even mad about it. Chess was fiercely protective... and possessive, but he was able to put that aside to allow her precious Alyss to have more protection in Red's psychotic Wonderland game. The twins were determined to join the "group" after Alyss risked herself to protect them from the pain of loss she was already experiencing. And then there was Hatter, whose honest to a fault and was willing to sacrifice himself to save everyone else.
This why choose retelling was trippy, dark, and just a blast from start to finish. I would’ve loved a bit more spice, but let’s be real—they were in a life-or-death survival situation, so I can’t really blame them for not being in the mood. That tea party scene though? Hot. AF. This book gave me a full range of emotions: I giggled during the entire "are we a group?" argument, and I cheered when they took down that evil bitch. Overall, it was a great story, and my only real complaint is that I wanted more!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes & Kinks:
🔥Alice in Wonderland Retelling
🔥Why Choose - MFMMMM
🔥Survival Games
🔥Found Family
🔥Gangs
🔥Forced Proximity
“I love you.. You're my forever Lyss. Even if we both die tomorrow, you're always going to be my forever. ”
September 6, 2024
If you're on the hunt for a high-stakes, fun RH romance (with a magical twist), I highly recommend you add "Wonder" to your TBR shelf!
"Wonder" is a loose retelling of Alice in Wonderland, only with a modern why-choose spin.
Alyss, our FMC, is first introduced to us while mourning the loss of her brother. She's associated to a biker club, but the extent of which is unknown. While searching for information regarding her brothers final whereabouts, a place called Wonder, she ends up having a ONS with a man she meets at a bar.
Naturally, said man unknowingly gives her the final clue that she's been after. The morning after, Alyss decides to risk it all and go into the place responsible for her brothers death: Club Wonder.
While at Wonder, Alyss meets a handful of other men, who eventually make up the rest of her harem. We have Chess, her late brothers best friend, Mad, the MC from the bar, Buck, best friends with Mad, and twins Kayden and Aiden. There are pieces of the story that you can see are inspired by the original fairytale, such as the twins echoing each other when they speak, but as a whole, Flood's story is unique enough to stand on it's own. There is OW drama with one of the other MMCs, but you can breathe easy knowing that it's more angst than anything. There is absolutely no cheating or sexual plotline with the OW (which is what I was personally worried about).
If you're familiar with Flood's other retellings, you're going to absolutely love this one. I devoured this book and loved how Flood wove the grittiness with mystery.
"Wonder" is a loose retelling of Alice in Wonderland, only with a modern why-choose spin.
Alyss, our FMC, is first introduced to us while mourning the loss of her brother. She's associated to a biker club, but the extent of which is unknown. While searching for information regarding her brothers final whereabouts, a place called Wonder, she ends up having a ONS with a man she meets at a bar.
Naturally, said man unknowingly gives her the final clue that she's been after. The morning after, Alyss decides to risk it all and go into the place responsible for her brothers death: Club Wonder.
While at Wonder, Alyss meets a handful of other men, who eventually make up the rest of her harem. We have Chess, her late brothers best friend, Mad, the MC from the bar, Buck, best friends with Mad, and twins Kayden and Aiden. There are pieces of the story that you can see are inspired by the original fairytale, such as the twins echoing each other when they speak, but as a whole, Flood's story is unique enough to stand on it's own. There is OW drama with one of the other MMCs, but you can breathe easy knowing that it's more angst than anything. There is absolutely no cheating or sexual plotline with the OW (which is what I was personally worried about).
If you're familiar with Flood's other retellings, you're going to absolutely love this one. I devoured this book and loved how Flood wove the grittiness with mystery.
June 18, 2025
Wonder by Evelyn Flood
📚: Forbidden Fairytale Book 3 ~ stand-a-lone series
📚: Audiobook
📚: Fairytale Retelling ~ Alice in Wonderland
📚: Dark romance x fairytale retelling x why choose, enemies to lovers, past and present time lines, second chance, club
⭐: 4.75
🌶️: 1.5
FMC: Alyss
MMC: Chess, Hatter, Buck, Aiden & Kayden
~ Thoughts ~
~Please check TW before reading~
This book had me in an emotional chokehold. I do not know where to begin but I loved this book. As I have previously mentioned I love the Alice in Wonderland movies and the retellings of this story as well and this book was no exception. I went into this book blind and I am so glad I did.
Without giving a whole lot away about this book, it was a Alice in Wonderland retelling with gangs and a nightclub which isn’t all that it seems.
I loved the references to Alice in Wonderland, and I love how some of the characters seemed wacky in that Wonderland-ish way. Though the back stories of these characters had me crying in the supermarket 😭 & the plot twists had my jaw dropping in heartbreaking shock
I loved the character development within this book, both internally as the MC’s were able to overcome their inner demons, but as well as Alyss’s group became to form… I loved the sense of the universe works in mysterious ways and sort of the sense of the butterfly effect which these characters experienced and because of this they were able to form there own new family and start healing their grief.
📚: Dates Read: 16th of June to 17th of June
📚: Forbidden Fairytale Book 3 ~ stand-a-lone series
📚: Audiobook
📚: Fairytale Retelling ~ Alice in Wonderland
📚: Dark romance x fairytale retelling x why choose, enemies to lovers, past and present time lines, second chance, club
⭐: 4.75
🌶️: 1.5
FMC: Alyss
MMC: Chess, Hatter, Buck, Aiden & Kayden
~ Thoughts ~
~Please check TW before reading~
This book had me in an emotional chokehold. I do not know where to begin but I loved this book. As I have previously mentioned I love the Alice in Wonderland movies and the retellings of this story as well and this book was no exception. I went into this book blind and I am so glad I did.
Without giving a whole lot away about this book, it was a Alice in Wonderland retelling with gangs and a nightclub which isn’t all that it seems.
I loved the references to Alice in Wonderland, and I love how some of the characters seemed wacky in that Wonderland-ish way. Though the back stories of these characters had me crying in the supermarket 😭 & the plot twists had my jaw dropping in heartbreaking shock
I loved the character development within this book, both internally as the MC’s were able to overcome their inner demons, but as well as Alyss’s group became to form… I loved the sense of the universe works in mysterious ways and sort of the sense of the butterfly effect which these characters experienced and because of this they were able to form there own new family and start healing their grief.
📚: Dates Read: 16th of June to 17th of June
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