Wilds of Wonder

Stolen Crowns #4

by Tee Harlowe

A cursed land. A mysterious rival. A deadly game of survival.

I’ve spent my life raised to be a wife. My husband has no clue about my secret hobby. I hunt for magical and rare artifacts, hoping that one day I can join the esteemed Academy of Historians & Scholars.

When the unthinkable happens, I’m given an opportunity to find a divine relic belonging to one of the ancient seven spirits, a lightning bolt with deadly powers. Finding it could be my ticket to joining the academy. The catch? It’s been stolen by the bone collector, a nemesis who also has a penchant for collecting historical objects—and who crosses over into a mysterious land with the bolt in tow.

Now I have to follow him into this wonderland of death, where nothing is as it seems, most of all the bone collector. To survive and get out, I must do something I never thought I would. Work with him. Mystery and intrigue surround us, and what we begin to discover not only unravels everything we thought we knew about our world and our magic . . . but even more terrifying, about ourselves.

Wilds of Wonder is book four in Stolen Crowns, a series of steamy standalone but interconnected fairytale retellings. This Alice in Wonderland retelling is perfect for fans of banter, (very) snarky heroines, and slow-burn romance.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Retellings, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Fiction, Fairy Tales

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

Reviews

[Meg (fantasybook.adventurer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Wilds of Wonder✨

Tee does it again! Continuing the overarching plot of her interconnected fairytale retelling series, this Alice in Wonderland meets Indians Jones stand-alone can be read alone or (for the most enhanced experience) after her previous works.

Our dream team (Leoni and Driscoll) are back with us as they adventure to the Frost Court in search of the White Rabbit aka Emory Growley. Trapped in an arranged and loveless marriage, treasure hunting and competing against the Bone Collector are the only joys in her life. But soon her identity is revealed and she finds herself reluctantly allied not only with our favorite hilarious duo, but with her rival. And this not only hurts because he has all the things she’s ever desired but because she also reluctantly desires him.

As Emory, the bone collector, and Driscoll tumble down a whole to an upside down world, so many secrets are unearthed: of old worlds, courts, and hearts.

As usual, the romance is top tier and the giggles are frequent. I love anything by Tee, it’s true. I always know I’ll have a great time and she’ll take care of my heart along the way.

Tropes you may find in WOW are rivals to lovers, elemental magic, dual first person POV, “who did this to you”, he falls first and way hard, forced proximity, delightful banter, overarching plot, deeper world building, hot springs scene, hidden identities, medium spice, “my wife”, and HEA with open ending for finale book!

Thank you SO MUCH for letting me be a part of your arc team, Tee. Each adventure with you is a true joy.

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic fairytale retelling with a creative Alice in Wonderland inspired plot that forces rival thieves to work together as they navigate the Wilds. The white rabbit and the bone collector have been competing for years with a growing connection building, but neither knowing their true identities. When Emory is forced to flee she teams up with Leoni and Driscoll on their hunt for a relic and they soon embark on a dangerous quest and deadly mission.
Hunted by guards, chased by a wolf, and becoming tenuous allies with Maverick, the Frost Queen's lead historian, they have to work together to escape the mysterious land they tumble into.

Loved the rivals to lovers tension and passion, and the flashbacks that show their relationship grow and all the fun adventures hunting artefacts and competing. Emory and Maverick were great characters and I enjoyed their chemistry and bond.
Driscoll featured a lot more in this one too which I loved, his banter is hilarious and I enjoyed seeing his character develop and his own romantic adventures.
This had creative layers of mystery, more clues to the overarching shadow king threat, elemental powers, slow burn romance, and a fun treasure hunt and rescue mission.
If you want a steamy Romantasy adventure each with a standalone romance you need to read this series.

🐇 "I'm going to start a sleaze jar. Every time you say something outrageous, you have to add a coin to it

🐇 "I was going to be as fearless as my little rabbit"

🐇"You're not alone. You've never been alone. Not since the day I met you"

🐇"Partners instead of adversaries. Are you sure that'll be enough of a challenge for you?"

🐇"You're my person. You get me in a way no one does"

🐇"Slow has never been our pace. And I don't want to change that now"

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I am sitting here so blown away by this story… considering every book in this series has been amazing. But Wilds of Wonder was just special - there were so many jaw dropping, story altering moments in regards to the plot and the history of the Seven Spirits that just have me so so so excited for the next book. I cannot wait to continue on and watch as this story continues to unfold. In Wild of Wonders, we follow Emory and Maverick… who you’ll quickly fall in love with both but I absolutely LOVE Emory. She is such a fierce character who has spent far too long living in the shadows and is ready to live as she wants. I absolutely loved the competitiveness that formed the basis of Emory and Mavericks relationship. The banter is excellent. Driscoll, per usual, steals the show - with no complaints from me of course. Driscoll adds such a joyful, fun and comical side to the book. And the spice… once it started it was SPICIN’. I can’t forget to mention the amazingly backwards, colorful, enchanting, terrifying world of the Wilds that Tee has managed to create - as scary as the Wilds is.. and don’t get me wrong, IT IS! It was magical and just so alluring. It was all perfection and honestly can’t think of a thing that would make this book any better. Tee Harlowe is a mastermind how she continues to weave the story of the Seven Spirits… it seriously is amazing to think back to book one and all that has been uncovered and where we are now.

Basically… Wilds of Wonder. Read it. It’s amazing. Incredible. Fantabulous - should I continue with the adjectives or do you get the picture?

[Adreanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilds of Wonder was my first read by Tee Harlowe and it definitely did not disappoint! Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite books as a kid and I love reading anything that is connected to it. Harlowe has a fantastic ability to weave together a fantastical world brimming with likable characters, A++ banter, and the drama is phenomenal! I thoroughly enjoyed Wilds of Wonder and will absolutely be checking out the other books in this series because who doesn’t love standalone books with an interconnected world, right?


The Alice in Wonderland meets Indiana Jones vibe is such a unique take on two well-known classics that made the characters, mystery, banter, and the chase all blend so well together! Also, the world is so inviting and well described without being word-dumpy or annoying long and drawn out that I could vividly imagine the surroundings perfectly.


Lastly, I want to talk about the characters, Emory and Maverick were both well-fleshed-out protagonists with a great connection, being rivals and whatnot, and the banter was ON POINT. Some might think that banter isn’t really a selling point for a book but I beg to differ. I love a book that will have me laughing from the banter between characters. Wilds in Wonder is definitely the ‘cream of the crop’ when it comes to well-devised banter and it makes the story all the more interesting.


Overall, Tee Harlowe did an absolutely amazing job with this novel. For any lovers of Alice in Wonderland, slow burn, rivals to lovers, and fantasy, this book will satiate any hunger for something new and unique!


Tropes Include:
💜 Rivals To Lovers
💜 “Who Did This To You?”
💜 Indiana Jones Inspired MC’s
💜 Slow Burn
💜 Found Family
💜 Only One Hot Spring
💜 A+++ Banter

[Theresa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of Alice in Wonderland, rivals to lovers, elemental magic, banter, and crazy worlds, then I have the book for you! Wilds of Wonder by Tee Harlowe. From page 1, I was swept into the world of Arathia and away from this world. Emory and Maverick (love this name btw) are so much fun. Seeing them move from their alter egos to themselves was hilariously frustrating at times. There is so much dramatic irony that had me laughing and kicking at times. These two characters have so much to both gain and lose from their adventures and yet they thrive in those situations. Overall, it was a lot of fun traveling with them, reading their points of view, and experiencing their historical competitiveness and intelligence. I read once that adrenaline spikes shared by people in chaos can bind them and this idea applies very nicely to this book. 10/10 would read again and I intend on hopping (pun intended) into the rest of the books from this series soon!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Tropes:
Rivals to Lovers
Fairytale retelling
Magic
Found family
Who did this to you
Dual POV

Tee Harlowe has delivered again!!! This time she brought us a Mashup of Alice in Wonderland meets Indiana Jones.... and I'm officially obsessed!

Our FMC is the White Rabbit herself, Emory. She's tired of the act of being someone she's not. Adventure and history call to her soul... and maybe a mysterious cloaked rival called the Bone Collector too?

Maverick is the MMC and I think he's a fav of my now. He has an Indiana Jones heart, though instead of Indies hat. He wears suspenders lol. He's on a quest by the Frost Queen but has alternative motives.

DRISCOLL IS BACK! My favorite character in all the Stolen Crown books is Driscoll! He's witty as ever as still has sex on the brain. Leoni is right, boy needs to get laid 😅 I loved this journey for him, it was Everything we as readers wanted!

I just loved this one and I don't want this series to ever end hahaha

[Chaotic Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, Tee has done it again with another fantastic addition to the Stolen Crowns series, the whole series has been amazing and just gets better with each addition to the series.
The characters and plot was well thought out making it hard to put down, it was definitely a just one more chapter read. I really like Emory (FMC) and Maverick (MMC) being kept apart because of a misunderstanding, leaves you cheering for them throughout. There is action, adventure, magic, banter, twists and found family creating a great fantasy romance. Tee’s creativity in world building is top notch and can I just say having Driscoll in the mix makes it all that much more enjoyable.
Overall another fantastic read and definitely recommend to all those fantasy romance lovers out there.

[Kaja Salsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the ARC to come out so I can post my review. BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS- it's a gem, y'all. The romance is thick and heady and awesome. And the nods to a classic fairy tale are incredibly well-done.

Just like ONE MORE MONTH UNTIL IT COMES OUT!!!


Update upon release:

Not only is this the prettiest book I own, it’s one of my favorites, too. The story is the fourth in the interconnected series, and I really really REALLY loved it. Like, extra loved it.
The heroine was brave and so freakin smart and I loved her. She was a smaller character in previous books, and having her as the main character was absolutely phenomenal. She’s so much more powerful and worthy than she realizes, and I loved that she realized she deserved happiness and to trust in people.

The MMC was a smartass, but also was quick to realize when he was in the wrong. He was such a sweetheart, while also being ridiculously smart.
I loved their chemistry, because it was CONSTANT, even when they didn’t realize who the other truly was.

The elements of this book lend ideas from Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The world is upside down and inside out and it’s incredible to experience how colorful and insane it is through Tee’s writing. A world where everything is trying to kill you, but also trying to help you. Where you don’t know up from down or poison from cure. It’s trippy in the best way. An adventure through and through.

If you’re into romantasy, smut, and reimagined (like HUGELY reimagined) fairy tales, check out the Stolen Crowns series by Tee Harlowe.
This book came out today, and, it IS on KU, so if you’re ready to fall head over heels and devour some books, check this series out. It’s worth not sleeping.

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how this is possible, but the Stolen Crowns series by Tee Harlowe just keeps getting better and better. Tee is the queen of fairytale retellings, and she has done it again—she has written an Alice in Wonderland retelling that is so witty, colourful, and masterfully crafted, with characters that steal your hearts and an insane amount of Driscoll. Do we need anything else? I know I don't.

Wilds of Wonder is Book 4 in Tee's series of connected standalone stories, and we meet some old and new characters here. The story revolves around Emory, whom we have previously met, and now we are given her entire life story. A tale of obligations, expectations, an unhappy marriage, and a tiny speck of happiness—her love of history and hunting for artefacts. I love how Tee has inserted pieces of Alice, Indiana Jones, his thirst for adventures, and the long-lost history.

I loved Emory—her character is so raw & real, and she is someone who never gives up. So, what keeps her from drowning in the misery of her unhappy life? Hunting for artefacts, but making it a competition against the infamous Bone Collector, his biggest rival. They keep meeting over the years, hunting for treasures, exchanging little notes, and learning more about each other without attempting to.

But, when Emory finds herself in an unimaginable position, her life is completely changed. Fortunately, our favourite duo, Leoni & Driscoll, are there to help her. Well, them and the Bone Collector, now that his identity is revealed. The plot takes unexpected turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The romance is perfect, as it always is in Tee's stories. The tale of rivals to lovers, feelings that had been simmering for years, waiting to be explored, and when they finally are...utter and pure perfection. The banter, the intellectual challenges between them—I ate it all up!

And, of course, Driscoll. I loved that Tee has dug deeper into his personality, showing us what lies within his jokes and jabs. I have a feeling we will see more of that in the next instalment.

I am so honoured to be Tee's ARC reader, and I can't stress enough how much I enjoy her writing style and storytelling. Wilds of Wonder is being released on September 12th, and I can't wait for you to experience it. Keep that date in mind!

Wilds of Wonder will gift you
- Alice in Wonderland retelling
- rivals-to-lovers
- a journey of healing
- endless banter
- Driscoll!!
- perfect amount of spice
- hidden lands of wonder
- HEA
and another perfection of a story Tee has gifted us!

[Kaitlyn Lopez-Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Tee for the opportunity to Beta read this book! I am such a big fan of Tee’s books because she does an amazing job of fairytale retellings. When she announced that she was doing an Alice in Wonderland retelling, I sprinted to the opportunity of reading it early. Alice in Wonderland was my absolute favorite as a kid. This is book four in her interconnected standalone series. You can read books 1-3 before this, but it won’t make a big difference.

The story follows a female named Emory who has an alias that she calls the White Rabbit. She has an academic rival, if you will, called the Bone Collector. The characters definitely give Indiana Jones vibes because they’re out collecting valuable objects. I loved that trope so much because it created so much action throughout the book.

I honestly wasn’t sure how the story was going to play out because the first part of the story had such a solid plot, and then I was pleasantly surprised when the characters find themselves in an upside down world. The fae world is so fascinating, and I like how she has written different stories in that world. The way the world is written in this book is so vibrant and creative. I loved the way Tee tied in classic Alice in Wonderland elements to the story including some of the dialogue.

I really loved that Driscoll is in this book because he’s honestly the comedic relief in all of Tee’s stories. There were multiple times I laughed out loud because of something he said. The romance plot of the story is probably my favorite of all of Tee’s books so far. I loved the MMC because he’s giving hot professor, and he’s also very kind and understanding. There is another romance that comes from this book as well and it’s about time it happened!!! I highly recommend this book for any fan of Romantasy or really anyone who needs a fun read with romance, adventure and great world building.

[Beatrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Tee, for always giving me the opportunity to read your ARCs

Wilds of Wonder offers a fresh spin on the classic Alice in Wonderland. While it draws inspiration from the beloved classic, Emory is not your traditional 'Alice', could almost say she's not the Alice in the story, but is merely a bystander who finds herself in similarly bewildering circumstance. I thought that this was very interesting and is unique to Tee's heroines in her retellings.

Emory is a very compelling protagonist who embodies the struggles imposed by being a woman. She's constantly yearning for her freedom and autonomy, a drive that fuels her passion for history. I really like that she does stay true to her character to the very end.

Tee's spin on rivals-to-lovers trope was refreshing and felt organic. The slow-burn wasn't due to wit and banter, but to the circumstance surrounding the characters. It makes for a more believable connection and adds that lovely tension that I really like and crave for.

Driscoll, the ever-consistent man in Tee's world. Bringing his usual charm, he provides a delightful counterpoint to the intense moments of the narrative. Some may find his actions immature and annoying, but I love it. Despite it being cheesy and a little slapstick.

Overall, Wilds of Wonder is a great addition to the Stolen Crown series. Fitting seamlessly into the world Tee has created. It offers a blend of adventure/questing, romance, and madness.

I'm still crossing my toes and fingers we get to meet this Shadow King soon.

[Heather Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Stolen Crown Series and would recommend to all romance readers!
The characters are well written and thought out and so different in their dialogue, banter, teasing, interests, etc. I love all of Tees stories and characters really. Driscoll is starting to rub off on me as a favorite, but Emory and Mavericks story is probably my favorite one thus far. Maverick is also just the best name for his character. I really liked how the story shifts back and forth from their past treasure hunting adventures to their current one. I like how in their pasts they build a friendship and respect for each other while in disguise. Then when they finally meet outside of their disguises… the reactions are perfection! (no spoilers here)

I love how easy the crown series stories are to follow. Stand alone or all together they are just great happy magical reads.
And Tee does it again!
Wild of Wonder retelling is mixed with Disney fairytale elements, however, the story is unique and different from anything I’ve read. This story is captivating at every page, and has simple action and mystery that makes a great flow for fast easy reading. I always look forward to Tee Harlow releases. I really hope this series continues with spin offs. She has created a great fantasy world and characters I want to keep reading about!

[Sara Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝓗𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓲𝓼 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓵𝔂 𝓰𝓸𝓷𝓮. 𝓘𝓽 𝓰𝓮𝓽𝓼 𝓫𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓭, 𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓭, 𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓽. 𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓲𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓪𝓵𝓼𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭.”

Holy moly, that was fantastic. The Stolen Crowns Series just keeps getting better and better! Although it could be read as a stand-alone, Wilds of Wonder is the fourth book in the Stolen Crowns Series, continuing the adventures and fairytale retellings in an interconnected plot that will leave you wanting more.

A unique Alice in Wonderland retelling with Indiana Jones main characters that create such a beautiful picture. Fall down the rabbit hole to adventure along side FMC Emory & MMC Maverick. But let’s not forget the dynamic duo from previous books in the series, Leoni & Driscoll! Who are continuing their journey to find Spirit Sky’s bolt.

I love how Tee Harlowe makes it so easy to put yourself in the book along side the characters. I want to go explore the Wilds for sure. Though, I’m not sure I’m smart enough to survive 🤣 Driscoll will forever be my favorite character in this series. So happy for him and the hot wolf man😉

Read if you like:

❄️ fairytale retellings
🔥 rivals to lovers
🧭 secret identities
⚡️ “Who did this to you?”
❄️ slow burn
🔥 spice & endless banter
🧭 adventures & quests
⚡️ world building

[Mandy-kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilds of Wonder, book four in the Stolen Crown series by @teeharlowe 🐺💜🃏🦄

✨Alice-in-Wonderland x Indiana Jones retelling
✨Rivals-to-lovers
✨Quests and challenges
✨Slow burn
✨Only one hot spring
✨Unique world building
✨Alllll the banter

This is truly one of my favorite fantasy series ever. Every single book gets better and better. They are all so unique while carrying the bigger plot along. SO fun and such a cool usage of the different fairytales and stories. Obsessed.

I particularly love the rivals to lovers dynamic in this book AND deeply respect the fact that Tee Harlowe was able to move this love story forward without introducing cheating into the storyline (as the White Rabbit is married at the start of the book). So many books are blasé about infidelity and it just isn’t my favorite thing to read about, but this story does a great job walking the line of having feelings for someone while still in an (all be it) loveless and toxic marriage with someone else, while never betraying the vows that the character made.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Amarïe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tee is my muse! ✨️
I'll say it again and again. She's incredibly talented!

I've loved every one of her books, and I know that with every book, with every page, I'll be plunged into a new universe!

This new book is just as good as the others, and you won't regret reading it!

As always, we're lucky to have a one ... and this one is 🥵

If you're looking for a slow burn, rival to lovers, don't hesitate and read this book!

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilds of Wonder was a beautiful Alice in Wonderland Retelling that I absolutely loved the character development was very well written too.

[Nikki's Dragon Den · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ Review ✨️ Wilds of Wonder Tee Harlowe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emory has a secret life, a dangerous and illegal hobby that if caught could land her in prison (at best), so when Driscoll and Leone show up at her house during her husbands party with the knowledge of her life as the White Rabbit it's only a matter of time until her world implodes. Maverick is a historical artefact researcher at the academy so when he sees a women with a box and scarf she shouldn't have he rescues her from the guards in order to find out how she came to be with items from the times with the old spirits. Their lives take unexpected turns when they fall down the rabbit hole and land somewhere full of danger, wonder and everything they've been searching for.

Oh, my, Gods! I love a good retelling and damn Tee Harlowe hit it out of the park with this one. Wilds of Wonder is the fourth book in the Stolen Crowns series of interconnected standalone retellings and I have been lucky enough to have been with this series from the start! It is my favourite series of retellings and honestly that is saying alot!

I loved everything about this book! I instantly felt connected to Emory, her struggles being trapped in her life, her need for adventure and thirst for knowledge. As a main character she felt real and relateable but she was also inspiring. Maverick was also instantly loveable. He was an intriguing hero with realistic faults that paired with Emory and their backstory made me fall so deeply inlove with them both. The reappearance of Driscoll had my heart soaring and I think he will always be my favourite character, and I am so glad we got so much more Driscoll in this book!

But the thing I think I loved the most with this book was the incredible, unique and imaginitive world building Tee has created with the Wilds. Being an Alice in Wonderland retelling I was really interested in how she would include that fantastical feeling of wonder within the world of Arathia that I have come to know and love. Well, let me tell you, I was floored by what she has done. The whimsy and imagery she created gave me the same feeling I felt as a child reading about Wonderland for the first time. I was in awe of the dark and twisty yet utterly magnificent world she created and I was so sad to reach the end and to leave that world behind.

⚡️ Alice in Wonderland Retelling

⚡️ Rivals to Lovers

⚡️ Elemental Magic

⚡️ Adventure and Quests

⚡️ Imaginitive World Building

⚡️ All the Banter

I loved this book so much, the whimsy, the characters, the banter, the world building and the magic; all the elements i have come to love in Tee Harlowes books, i dont think she could produce something i didnt love! I can not wait for the next (and apparently last) book in the stolen crowns series, i am so excited to see how it ends but i will be absolutely devastated when it does!

Although you can absolutely just pick this book up and start reading here, I 100% urge you to go and start at Miror of Malice to get the full effect of the intricate world that has been created and todelve deeper into the mysteries of the spirits and shadow court!

[Jozie | Cozy Romantasy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this spicy Alice In Wonderland retelling, we fall down the rabbit hole into the Wilds, where trees have eyes, the wind is listening, and almost everything wants to kill you. If you enjoy rivals to lovers, elemental magic, and a slow burn, you will LOVE this story.

Wilds of Wonder by Tee Harlowe is book four of Stolen Crowns with themes of love, friendship, and identity. These stories are interconnected but can be read as standalones.

Meet Lady Emory Growley, known as the wife of one of the Frost Queen's ambassadors. Secretly, she is a hopeful historian and collector of ancient artifacts, also known as the White Rabbit. Emory has spent years competing to obtain the rarest ancient artifacts with a man known as the Bone Collector. The Bone Collector has a very powerful weapon in his possession, and Emory might be the only person who can track him down and uncover his motives.

Wilds of Wonder is written in dual POV, alternating between Emory and Maverick. I especially loved how each character had a few chapters written in the past, making their character development strong. We got to read what made Emory and Maverick who they are and how their connection developed over time without even knowing each other's true identities.

Driscoll and Leoni are my all-time favorite side characters, and they're back! If you've read Tower of Tempest, you know the banter between these two is hilarious. They are the ultimate grumpy x sunshine friendship goals. Driscoll, in particular, gets his well-deserved happily ever after, and I am here for it!

The plot flowed effortlessly, and by the end of part one, I was already getting butterflies. Well done, Tee, I loved it!

In exchange for my honest review, I have received an eARC of Wilds of Wonder. Thank you so much, Tee Harlowe, for allowing me to be a member of Tee's Party again!

[Celeste Grayson Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tee Harlowe's fourth book in the Stolen Crown series, Wilds of Wonder, made me feel like a kid again, watching the prim and proper Alice let her curiosity get the best of her and fall down the rabbit hole. After reading Harlowe's reimagining of Snow White, Peter Pan, and Tangled in the previous three books, I'd have to say that, so far, her Alice in Wonderland-meets-Indiana Jones has the best world-building yet. Harlowe really let her imagination run wild with this one!

The central figures are Emory Growley, a lady of the Frost Court trapped in an awful marriage to a Sky Court ambassador, and Maverick von Lucas: academic, fire elemental, and historical advisor to the Frost Court's queen. Both are unhappy with their present circumstances and yearn for a life filled with adventure and passion. Assuming aliases—Emory as the White Rabbit and Maverick as the Bone Collector—they begin to seek and recover lost artifacts from the era of the Seven Spirits and the Old World.

When the White Rabbit and the Bone Collector come face-to-face, Maverick suggests a game. They decide to meet annually at various historical locations to search for an artifact. The rules are simple: no magic and no disclosure of identities. It's purely a contest to claim the treasure and the year's bragging rights. Over six years, their rivalry turns to banter, they outdo one another, and sometimes even rescue each other from life-threatening situations. Through these annual challenges, they uncover a friendship and attraction that is undeniable.

Theirs is the relationship that drives this romantasy. While not my favorite romance within the Stolen Crown series, it still had plenty of tropes I adore and spicy scenes, including:

Secret identities

Fire and ice elemental magic

"Who did this to you?"

Nemesis-to-lovers

He falls first

And, of course, quotes such as these that melted my heart:

That got a smile out of her. The first smile I'd ever seen from Emory. It lit up this entire damn forest. It lit me up. Forget the fire. Forget food. I just needed her to keep smiling like that, and it would be enough to sustain me for all my days.

My favorite part of the book was Harlowe's unique take on Wonderland. Emory, Maverick, and Driscoll (yes, Driscoll returns, fans!) become lost in the Wilds, which is later revealed as the ruined Star Court and cursed with all things curiouser and curiouser. Envision trees with watchful eyes, winds that heed whispered commands, lakes reflecting one's future, and blood beetles humming tunes from the Mad Hatter's tea party. It's wildly imaginative. It's compelling. And it kept me flipping through the pages until the final chapter. I can only imagine how much fun Harlowe had writing this book.

Tee Harlowe's Wilds of Wonder is a standalone story, but I'd highly recommend reading any book that you can from the Stolen Crown series.

Thank you to the author for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[AC_BadDecisionsBookClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Tee! I'm so grateful to have been on the ARC team and gotten to read this one early! It was so creative and interesting with great tension, spice, interesting characters, and further development of this world! She has created such an interesting dynamic with this world and the overarching plot line, which I am excited to see continue in the next installment. But this one felt even more unique than the previous ones with the Indiana Jones and Alice in Wonderland vibes we are given with the insane creation of the world of the Wilds/Dead lands and the curious creatures we meet there. And while these are each stand-alones, I really feel like they should all be read together because of the overarching plot and themes and our lovely side characters who grow on you so much in each book. I was really rooting for Driscoll to find someone by this book, and if I hadn't already seen him so much in previous books, and his need to get laid 😂, I may not have felt such catharsis with the introduction of Wolf Man! I did really miss Leoni while they were separated though, but the reunion and character growth while apart was worth it! The romance is really well written and developed in each of these books, and the spice do be spicin'.

I really loved the treasure hunting flashbacks and side quests and how they added to the ferocity and resilience of our MCs. I loved their banter and competitive spirit and thirst for knowledge in a world where there are so many secrets hidden. The side plot of history being not what it seems and secrets being kept is really one of my favorite things about this series because so much is unearthed in each subsequent book that builds on the picture we were given in the previous one, and this book added even more than the last and left me with even more questions! Who is the stepmom? Because I would have bet my life on it being the Frost Queen at certain points in this book. What happened to the dad and how has he survived and not aged if he was in fact not in the Wilds where his shadow was taken? Was he in the castle the entire time? Was he under a spell from the stepmom? Whyyyyy is it not common knowledge yet that Spirit Shadow is free and has destroyed the entire shadow court? Was El's voice actually lost in an accident by the stepmother, or is she not using it because of the vision she had of her future of how to save her brothers? I am so excited to get answers to all of my questions from each book and see how this finale goes down! I can't wait for the next one!

Rating: 4.5⭐️ Only because the resolution felt rushed and the death of the villain in this book felt out of left field and like the MCs weren't even necessary to take her down. I feel like if ANY of the characters present had had something to do with the villain's death, I would have felt differently, but I felt at loose ends when it happened. There was a larger problem happening at the time of death, so I wasn't too upset because they did have to act in order to stop that and I overall really loved this book, but this is my reasoning for it not being a full 5 star read for me.

[Janene McClelland · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Wilds of Wonder by Tee Harlowe📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

✨Tropes✨
💜Indiana Jones x Alice in Wonderland
💜Rivals to Lovers
💜Dual POV
💜Grumpy x Sunshine
💜Excellent Banter
💜Forced Proximity

✨Summary✨
Emory is the dutiful wife of a titled lord, but she has a secret. She is also the legendary ‘white rabbit’ who goes on adventures to capture rare artifacts. Seven years prior to when our story begins, Emory meets a fellow artifact chaser called the Bone Collector. They agree to meet up once a year for a competition where they try to take the same artifact. Who ever is able to steal the artifact, wins for that year, and gets all of the bragging rights, as well as the artifact itself. Over the next six years, with identities hidden, Emory meets up with the Bone Collector for a little friendly competition. But they also end up sharing much more than competition; they also form a friendship, albeit anonymous.
Our story picks up when, after a series of events, Emory runs into Maverick, a world renowned professor and artifact collector for the Queen. He also happens to be the notorious Bone Collector. Both Emory and Maverick discover each other’s secret identity, but each are distraught able this discovery for different reasons.
When Emory’s husband dies of a heart attack, she flees the scene, implicating her guilt, despite her innocence.
After a series of events, she finds herself trapped in an underworld land with Maverick, as well as Driscoll (if you’ve read the previous books, you’ll be happy to know he has once again tagged along for this ride). Both Emory and Maverick are searching for the same artifact, but for different reasons. Can they overcome their differences and past to forge a new beginning, or will they let past hurts hold them back?

✨Elements I Loved✨
Driscoll is back!!!
Also, Maverick is legit my new book boyfriend. I love him so much! Honestly, I loved all of the characters, but Maverick is just so wonderful. Is it possible to be in love with someone fictional? Because, I’m fully in love with Maverick.

👩🏻My Recommendation👩🏻
If you loved the adventures of Indiana Jones and Alice in Wonderland, and you love rivals to lovers, this is going to become your new favorite book. Even if you don’t love them, I feel confident you’ll love this story. Not only is it extremely well written, it also has the most delicious spice and characters.


Thank you to the incredible author, Tee Harlowe, for providing the ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

[Lisa Conant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5
Spice: 🌶🌶 out of 5

Tropes:
🍄Alice in Wonderland Inspired Vibes
💫Fantasy
🤣Banter Galore
💚Found Family
💥Action/Quest

🍄Synopsis
I’ve spent my life raised to be a wife. My husband has no clue about my secret hobby. I hunt for magical and rare artifacts, hoping that one day I can join the esteemed Academy of Historians & Scholars.

When the unthinkable happens, I’m given an opportunity to find a divine relic belonging to one of the ancient seven spirits, a lightning bolt with deadly powers. Finding it could be my ticket to joining the academy. The catch? It’s been stolen by the bone collector, a nemesis who also has a penchant for collecting historical objects—and who crosses over into a mysterious land with the bolt in tow.

Now I have to follow him into this wonderland of death, where nothing is as it seems, most of all the bone collector. To survive and get out, I must do something I never thought I would. Work with him. Mystery and intrigue surround us, and what we begin to discover not only unravels everything we thought we knew about our world and our magic . . . but even more terrifying, about ourselves.

🍄Review
Tee never disappoints with whipping out an adventure filled to the brim with a lush fantastical world, immediately likable characters, Gold Medal winning banter and heartfelt drama!

The interconnectedness of these stories in the series is amazingly well thought through. Having Driscoll and his wit and snark in all these books has been the absolute best thing ever lol. But the found family comraderie as a whole just hits all the right notes! Adventures along the way propel not only the narrative but deepens the world. We get more back story on our villain, as he's been such a mystpresence throughout.

And we get another sparkling couple that has such an Indiana Jones and Marion dynamic going, I just love it all! Get in on this series now because it's so rich and fulfilling...each of her stories is like a summer blockbuster film to me!

[crookedly · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point in the Stolen Crowns series - Book 4, to be exact - it should come as no surprise that Tee Harlowe is masterful at retellings of fairytale and fantasy classics. And yet,  I am still blown away by how amazing this book was!

Wilds of Wonder is the fourth book in a series of interconnected standalone novels that make up the Stolen Crowns series, and it is every bit as delightful as its predecessors! The story follows Emory, a woman brought up to be the perfect wife society expects of her. She plays the role of dutiful, obedient wife but she's hiding a secret from her demanding husband: Emory collects (well, sime might say steals) rare and magical artifacts. When her secret hobby goes very sideways, Emory is given the chance to acquire one of the rarest artifacts of all... but it's stolen by the enigmatic Maverick, a rival collector (thief) known as the bone collector. She's eventually forced to team up with her rival, and the ride only gets wilder from there!

The world-building is just so lush in this book! The dangerous, deadly, mysterious wonderland that Emory and Maverick navigate is incredibly crafted in such a way as to make the reader feel like they're in this place where nothing is as it seems. As always, the supporting cast in the story as every bit as endearing and memorable as the main characters. Fans of the Stolen Crowns series will be overjoyed to see favorites Driscoll and Leonj return in an their scene-stealing, humorous banter glory!

Wilds of Wonder is perhaps the best book in this series yet! Full of mystery, action and adventure, topsy-turvy twists, slow burn romance, and an Indiana Jones vibe you never knew you needed in an Alice in Wonderland retelling, this book is a must-read!

A big THANK YOU to for gifting me this ARC ebook! It has been such a treat being on your ARC team for this series, and I am so excited for the final book in this gorgeous series (but am NOT ready to say goodbye)!

[Cocobeans · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆. 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆. 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒔."


📖✨ Wilds of Wonder ✨
🧚🏻‍♀️Tee Harlowe
📚 Stolen Crown #4

Wilds of Wonder is yet another BEAUTIFUL Romantasy ( actually Fantasy ROMCOM) fairy tale retelling in the interconnected standalone series - Stolen Crown, and MY 𝙁𝘼𝙑𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙄𝙏𝙀 ONE YET !!

(You do not HAVE TO read the previous books , but it'll obviously give you a much better experience if you do ) .

Tropes -
✨ Fairy tale retelling (Alice in Wonderland meets Indiana Jones )
✨ Dual POV
✨ Rivals to Lovers
✨ Hidden Identities
✨ Endearing Nick Name
✨ He Falls First
✨ Sassy Banter
✨"Who did this to you ?!"
✨ DRISCOLL ( 🙂‍↕️!!)

First I have a Confession to make ..
I am UNABASHEDLY in love with DRISCOLL, platonically of course 😏.
He's absolutely the Mainest of the MCs in this series, I don't think any story can exist without him .

That being said , both the "other" MCs (😋) in the book and the most adorable and lovable!!
I Loved them individually and loved them as a couple.
Their love story is awe-inspiring with slow burn and all the banter ❤️‍🔥

The side characters are darlings and the world building is charming and marvellous!!

I loved how the Story unfolded, the Alice in Wonderland vibes are at point and I felt the book was nicely paced and addictive!

Tee writes the best fairy tale retellings and I am in AWE of her writing !!
I am so bummed the next book is so far away , but I can't wait to read her other works in the mean time 😍

Thank you sooo much Tee Harlowe for yet another incredible eARC.
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it , laughed and giggled and absolutely adored FLUSTERED Driscoll ☺️🥰

[Laura Fancello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book four in the Stolen Crowns series. They all can be read as a stand alone but are interconnected fairytale retellings.

For me it was the first time reading a book from this author and I received it as an ARC, nevertheless my opinion won’t be influenced by this fact.


In Wilds of Wonder, we follow the protagonists Emory and Maverick. I fell in love with both of them real quick, but I absolutely adore Emory. She is such a strong and brave women who has spent nearly her whole life the way others wanted her to. First it was her mother, who made all of the important decisions for her, later her husband. Now she is finally ready to take a step out of the shadows and make her own decisions.

Maverick is a historian at the Academy and he is absolutely swoon worthy. He is the perfect book boyfriend: handsome, brave and adventurous and utterly and completely smitten with Emory. 


I really loved the friendly rivalry between Emory and Mavericks. The banter is excellent. The development of the relationship between Maverick and Emory felt very natural and I really rooted for them!


The author did a amazing job scattering elements from Alice in Wonderland throughout the story to where they were easily recognized but twisted in a totally new way! Mashing together Alice in Wonderland with Indiana Jones vibes was even better than I could have hoped for. I absolutely loved it!


The world building was also done so well! The Wilds is equal parts amazing and terrifying, with man eating vegetation, lakes that predict the future, vampiric beetles, and a cat woman.


I found it hard to put this book down following these characters during their quest through the Wilds. So many different creatures and elements for them to overcome.

This book is fast paced, hilarious and keeps the momentum until the very end.
I loved this book and absolutely recommend reading it!

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and exciting book in the Stolen Crowns series! And this one is an Alice in Wonderland retelling and I couldn't wait since Alice in Wonderland is my childhood favorite story! This book tells the story we had all been waiting to hear after the end of the last book. Emory, the White Rabbit, has been obsessed with Spirit Sky's lightning bolt. But the Bone Collector has stolen it from Leoni, Driscoll and Poppy. So, Driscoll and Leoni have come back to get Emory's help but just their luck, now Emory is on the run! So they must follow the Bone Collector and try to get the bolt back from him.
Emory is definitely a strong character. Even trapped in a loveless marriage, she won't stray. But she did find a way to do the things she truly wanted! She became the white Rabbit and found historical objects and treasures. She has a competitive streak and hates to lose, esp. to the Bone Collector. And while we are talking about the bone collector - WHEW! What a perfect MMC! He is well mannered (most of the time - if you get my meaning!), intelligent and adventurous. And I absolutely adore Driscoll!! He is definitely due for his happily ever after!! I missed Leoni for awhile during this book, but there was plenty of banter between the rest of them to make up for it!
I loved the world building and all the beasties this book had to offer! I was surprised around every turn with new creatures, plot twists and betrayals. I cannot wait to find out what will happen to all the creatures from the Wilds and what will happen with the Bolt and Spirit Shadow!

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love an Alice in Wonderland retelling?! Tee knocked this book out of the park, every single page left me wanting more! This series is one of my all time favorites, no doubts about it!

This installment of the Stolen Crown series follows Emory & Maverick, a true rivals (but also friends?!) to lovers story with oddities and mysteries galore!

This storyline was perfect, the writing so descriptive, and I truly got lost in this world! I love the kingdoms Tee creates, they make you feel like you are living in the book!

I think I can officially say that Tee’s Stolen Crown Series is my favorite series I’ve read this year! I’m loving all these connected fairy tale retellings and I cannot wait for the last book! Although, I am sad that it’s all coming to an end soon!

This book was flawless! I loved this Alice in Wonderland based retelling, it was written beautifully and I loved the chemistry of the two main characters!

As usual, Tee sucks you right in to the world and makes you feel like you are part of the journey. I enjoyed reading all the banter and was so glad a certain character FINALLY got his love match! IYKYK 😉

This needs to be on everyone’s TBRs and should be on the top of every romantasy fairytale lovers list of reads! Plus, the covers are GORGEOUS! How can you go wrong?!

Also, Tee has a newsletter where she’s sending out chapters of her Cinderella based retelling each Wednesday, so yall should definitely go sign up for that ASAP! You don’t have to read the other books to read this one!! 💜

Thank you Tee for choosing me to receive this ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed it! 🤍

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This could never be anything more than the game we played. No matter how intriguing she was."

"'I can't tell if you guys are turned on or angry, but this is actually getting pretty entertaining,' Driscoll said from behind us."

As with the last book in this series, most of my highlights are from Driscoll lol. I loved his contributions once again.

This book inspired by Alice in Wonderland is an excellent addition to this series! I loved book 3 and loved this one as well. I'm so excited to go back to the first two before the final book comes out! Since these are interconnected standalones you can pop in whenever you want, but there is an overarching story that is coming to a conclusion.

This story was such an adventure. Two rival Indiana Jones-type characters both enter a strange topsy-turvy world in search of a powerful artifact, falling for each other along the way. I loved the premise of this story, it was just so fun!

Both Maverick and Emory were great protagonists with a lovely connection, but also reasons to be acting against each other at the beginning. I loved seeing both of their walls break down and finally admit how long they've loved each other. The steam was steaming for sure.

Driscoll and Leoni were great as usual, and I really enjoyed the other side characters introduced as well! Without giving too much away, I loved where Driscoll's story went in this book.

I'm so excited for where this is leading, I'll be sad to see the end but I can't wait to see how the overarching plot wraps up!

Thanks to the author for the copy of the book. This review was left voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m on Tee Harlowes ARC team and I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is the third book (one novella and two novels) I’ve read in the Stolen Crowns series and I really can’t recommend them enough.

The magic system and world building is second to none and in this Alice in Wonderland inspired novel the detail is every bit as wild and wonderful as you’d hope it to be.

Emory (who we met in Tower of Tempest) is our FMC, she’s passionate about history and finding artefacts but in a loveless marriage that dulls her sparkle. Maverick our MMC reminded me of Rick O’Connell / Indiana Jones, he’s driven and dedicated to his job but he’s not sure if he can love someone as much as he loves his work.

I loved the flashbacks of Emory and Maverick, when they were the white rabbit and the bone collector. Their little competition and how they slowly got to know each other. It gave background to their relationship and shows him falling for her.

Entering the Wilds (Wonderland) along with Driscoll - our smutty, gossipy emissary from the Earth Court. The three are faced with dangers galore. Whilst they try and both find Mavericks sister and a powerful artefact.

This book had me laughing out loud, getting big sad eyes when the two MCs are kept apart by a misunderstanding and cheering when they sorted it out! The romance, especially from Mavericks point of view, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. A book that you can truly escape into.

[Morgan Jacques · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨

Tropes:
✨Alice in Wonderland Retelling
✨Indiana Jones inspired MMC & FMC
✨Only One Hot Spring
✨Rivals to Lovers

This is the fourth book in the series on interconnected standalones. You do not need to read the first three books to understand this book. Though I recommend it to get a sense of the side characters and background on them.

I have read every book in this series, and let me tell you, this series is absolutely amazing. If you love fairytale retellings, you just need to put down your current read and start this series. It’s that good.

Emory is our FMC in this book and I loved her character. Being trapped in a marriage she didn’t want to be in, she ends up getting out of it (in a kinda tragic way) and she starts living. Like really living. She starts to do what she wants to do. She is no longer has to hide her true self and I loved seeing her find herself again.

Maverick, our MMC, is Emory’s nemesis. They were playing a game for year not knowing each others identity collecting artifacts. When they finally find out their true identities, it didn’t really go as planned. I loved seeing the love Maverick had for Emory and what he would do to keep her safe and prove to her that he was not like her god-awful husband. And their happily ever after was so cute. I loved seeing their love for each other blossom.

Ya’ll, Driscoll is back at it again. Though he’s considered a side character in all the books, he is by far my favorite character. He is freaking hilarious and I laugh at literally all of his lines. I’m convinced he needs his own book because he’s just that funny