We're All Mad Here

Vicious Wonders #1

by Leann Belle

The White Rabbit is following me.

I can't outrun him. He's fast, he's ruthless, and if he hadn't drugged me and dragged me off to this godforsaken "wonder" land, I might find his platinum hair and striking rose gold eyes attractive.

But here, the only wonder I've been finding is in the gaze of these beautiful men as they watch me run. Never do they try and help. No one wants to risk the wrath of Coello, the vicious white rabbit himself.

Except Mau. The Cheshire Cat, as he calls himself. He may talk in riddles, but he's always popping up when I'm in a dire situation, whether it be with the twins or the caterpillar or the queen of hearts. I don't know if I can trust him, but what other choice do I have?

We're All Mad Here is a reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. This darker, grittier version of a classic tale will keep you as on edge as our heroine. You'll love it if you like your enemies to lovers romance with possessive, morally gray love interests, who love the primal chase of their very, very "good girl."

Genres: Dark Romance, Fantasy, Dark, Retellings, Why Choose, Romance, Paranormal

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2023

About the author

Leann Belle was born and raised in Los Angeles as an eternal dreamer, a hardcore gamer, and obsessive anime, manga, and JRPG nerd. Having fallen in love with countless villains, she immediately fell in love with the dark side of romance, and her lifelong love affair with Japanese horror and fantasy has heavily influenced her writing style as she crafts vicious and magical worlds.

When she’s not typing away behind her laptop, she’s living out of a tent off the back of her motorcycle on her quest to ride around the world. The wilderness is the best place to catch up on reading, after all!

Reviews

[Leann Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so ridiculously excited to share this story! As a long time fan of the original Alice in Wonderland books (Which were ridiculously dark for children's stories, honestly) and Japanese Horror in particular, who grew up obsessed with stories that I probably shouldn’t have been watching OR reading, I really enjoyed blending romance, erotica, fantasy, and splashes of horror into one vicious little package.

Something about Wonderland just felt like a free pass to write the story I wanted and not have to censor myself, and I'm thrilled to bring you all along for a little bit of unhinged madness and spice. This is my first time ever writing a reverse harem story (Though far from my first Dark Romance- I usually write MM/MM+ though, so drop me a message/comment if you want that pen name!) but I enjoy the genre so much myself, that it's been a long time coming.

Thanks for giving me a chance! Welcome to Wonderland, everyone!

[Demi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean interesting retelling thats all I can say

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin with this book.

I loved it!!

Every….Twisted….Moment!! I couldn’t put it down!

💥Full Disclosure! This book does have triggering moments. Make sure to check TW beforehand💥

The Author did a fabulous job with this retelling of Alice in Wonderland. I actually started this book off by reading a sample of the work. I finished two pages before I was requesting it. I was hooked from there.

While most may know the original version of this tale, there are bits throughout that give information on the backstory for anyone who may not be. A Dark and steamy take on the favored childhood tale. A world full of secrets, dangers, s€x and more. Your favorite characters are still around and all grown up. Imagine a world full of magic and possibilities, but be warned, It’s nothing like you’d remember.😈

We begin our journey with Alice reeling from a romantic disaster. Just a few drinks and one good romp with a total stranger is what she thinks she needs to get over it. What she doesn’t know is that the intriguingly handsome stranger who approaches her is about to take her on a wild adventure down a rabbit hole of challenges and self discovery.

Wonderland has become a place full of dark desires, pleasurable pain and delectable characters who challenge our main character, Alice, at every turn. Testing her resolve, her inner strength, her stamina, and forcing her to look inwards to find that hidden part of herself that deserves to be seen. Alice is easy to connect with. Her inner dialogues have a similarity to the ones many others have themselves. Coming to terms with parts of herself that she may or may not like. There is a plot to this story. It’s not just spice and smut. The characters of wonderland have a mission to achieve and it’s because of that mission that Alice ends up in Wonderland.

Wonderland is in trouble, but from who or what??

You’ll have to read the story to find out. If you like good character build-up, great descriptive imagery, a plot with enough twist and turns to keep you so interested that you hope there’s a follow-up book, then this book is for you.

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[♡ Rosella Swan ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was so addicting 😍 I found this on Goodreads and after reading the blurb I was obsessed. A Dark RH Alice in Wonderland? Freaking perfection. This definitely got me out of my reading slump. I'm so happy and grateful I got an arc. The plot was so intricate combining the original Alice in Wonderland but making it dark and RH. The men? I'm in love. There's something definitely wrong with me if I enjoy these kind of books 😄 The smut was just.. 🥵 And the unhinged madness? I like it 😉 Alice was such an amazing FMC. I love her strength. The plot and character development was fantastic. The end was absolutely satisfying though I would love if there was an epilogue. I will anxiously be awaiting the next book by this author. So happy that she writes amazing standalones 🥰

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If madness was accepting my own desires instead of fighting for what’s right and decent, maybe I wanted to be mad."


I absolutely loved this. it was dark and spicy and followed the original story with a few fun extra twists.

I really liked the characters and their development. I LOVED the world building - this again goes back to how it took parts from the original story and added a few unique things (like cheshire! and the tweedles! and the caterpillar!). this wonderland is a bit more twisted than the one you might remember in the Disney version. with the Queen of Hearts who has warped the land and the people in it to be just as dark and wicked as she. and the white rabbit who kidnaps girls named Alice and forces them to complete the trials to test them.

I also loved the race/competition (ish) story. I don't want to go into it and spoil it for anyone but I really enjoyed the way it was written.

I was hooked from start to finish. I thought the pacing felt almost perfect, and that almost is bc the ending felt sorta rushed and just a teeeny bit anticlimactic. but I still thought it was amazing overall and would definitely recommend! (just make sure you check TWs)

[Chelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doormat FMC and horrible MMCs

This wasn't really my cuppa but I did finish it so I'll give it a solid 2 Stars. After reading the authors end note, I think I understand what went wrong here. She says she was trying to toe the line of horror and sexy psychos. Unfortunately, I think she stepped too far over. The opening scene in Wonderland has Alice is a room surrounded by the corpses of the former Alice's. The White Rabbit is the collector of those corpses and he becomes a romantic interest later on. He drugs Alice at least twice, terrorizes her, and yet she still wants him? Don't even get me started on all the other guys. They're in on his plan to terrorize her and do some truly awful things to her. The Mad Hatter is probably the worst. He also drugs her.

By the end, I almost didn't blame the Queen for turning Wonderland into such a horrible place while exacting her revenge on all men.

I normally love Wonderland RH retelling, but I did not enjoy this. Alice is a doormat and the men are Monsters. The plot is practically nonexistent and mostly just consists of Alice running away from one horrible situation to end up in another. The are no redeeming character arcs for any of the characters. The worldbuilding is poorly executed. I could keep going, but the bottom line is that I didn’t like this and I do not recommend it.

[Mariè · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well ...there goes my childhood
This is a DARK alice in wonderland contemporary "retelling" where we follow our alice's trip down the rabbit hole and meet the depraved cast of the residents of wonderland
I was surprised that i actually liked this
I thought it got repetitive by the middle to the ending however i still enjoyed the ride
It kept me intrigued
If you're looking for a DARK why choose magical realism this is for you but do please check the TW as there are ....many

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was dark and twisty and absolutely freaking delicious.

When I heard “Dark Alice and Wonderland” retelling I was sold immediately.

When Alice meets Coello at a bar, she has no idea what she’s agreeing to when she agrees to go with him… she wakes up in Wonderland chained to his bed…

Now she must beat him in a race, and face many trials along the way.

The creatures of Wonderland have been searching for ages for a new Alice. An Alice strong enough to withstand all the trials and bring down The Queen of Hearts, and they’re ready to play. To test her to her limits. To see if she’ll break.

I was hooked. I didn’t want to put it down. The men are all absolutely dark, demented, and delicious in their own ways.

This book is dark and does contain triggering content please check trigger warnings prior to jumping in.

[Lauren Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alice in wonderland retelling in a smutty dark romance. I love that the FMC is in her 30’s. Instaspice, sexy stranger, bully love, kink exportation, games/trails & why choose tropes. Multiple MMCs. It was a fun vibe!

[Nikita Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a curious delight!

Note: This book has trigger warnings and is intended for mature readers of 18+.

Leann Bell's dark and twisted wonderland was indeed a wonder! She respected the original tale and put her own sexy twist on it, and I absolutely devoured it!

The setting of this book was loaded with imagination, reminiscent of the wonderland I'd read about as a child, but darker.

The main characters were dark, twisted and oh so fun. Those that were not Alice gave her the tools to help her build herself up, and I loved it! Moreover, she wasn't whiny about her misgivings or playing the constant victim, she got in there and got things done.

Underneath all the sexiness and the darkness was a story about a woman that needed to build up herself up and who proved her mettle time and time again (with many sexy partners to assist and guide her).

I am so excited to see where this author takes this new series of dark Fairytale retellings.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's almost impossible for me to scroll past an Alice in Wonderland retelling. Wonderland is my world. A world where everything is possible. A world without logic. A world where you never know which consequences your actions have. So when I was scrolling through BookSirens and discovered this novel I of course had to request a review copy! Especially because dark never really scares me. On the contrary. It makes me more excited about a book.

This book is an absolute delicious mix of danger, madness, darkness and sensuality. The triggers at the beginning of the book are there for a good reason, so if one of those does trigger you please don't pick up this book, but I never had the feeling that lines were crossed that could never be uncrossed. This is dub-con as it should be. This is manipulation at its hottest. These men are dangerous and strangely alluring at the same time.

Although the book has a plot it's quite thin. But that's the case with almost every Wonderland retelling. After all, the original book doesn't have any plot or structure either. However, we quite soon discover that Alice is taken to Wonderland for a reason and that the tests and horrors she has to live through are there for a reason too. At a certain moment it becomes quite easy to predict how the individual challenges will end, but that's not ruining the fun at all. On the contrary.

I also loved this Alice and especially how recognizable she was. I think a lot of women, way too many probably, will find parts of their own doubts, worries and experiences in this story. And once you realize what kind of story is actually the foundation for this current version of Wonderland I think every women might both hate and pity the queen and might both hate and pity how her emotions have shaped this world. Literally.

I will certainly check out future retellings by this author!

[Frances Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍🖤🖤🖤🖤
Sub Genre: Dark/ Retelling
WC
POV: Multiple 1st Person
Stand Alone? Yes

2 book Hangovers, Two active toddler boys, one very happy husband, absolutely zero regrets. (Well, one regret. I regret it being over.)

This was the first book that sucked me so far into its world that I couldn’t write. Every time I sat down to write all I could think about was diving back into Wonderland. So I just gave up and binge read it. Nothing else was getting done and the book’s world was one I wanted to crawl into and never leave.

I read while cooking, I read while in the bath, I read in bed instead of sleeping, I simply couldn’t stop. How did this begin? Well, I saw the advertisement, asked for a sample and was less than a page into the sample when I downloaded the whole book. Less. Than. A. Page. That was literally all it took to have me irrevocably hooked.

Honestly, I’ve never read anything from this author before, but holy cow I can’t wait to read more! I was telling anyone who would listen how much they needed this book in their life before I was halfway done. I was sucked in and didn’t want to be let go.

I actively MOURNED the end of the book. I stared despondently at my ceiling repeating “It’s over” again and again while my husband shook his head in his own mourning (because he adored the effects this book had on me).

I don’t just recommend this book. I am telling you here and now that if you like dark and have no triggers you NEED this book in your life. No dark romance reader should go through life having NOT read We’re All Mad Here.

Happy Reading My Friends!

[Jayla Metzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warnings include (May include spoilers): Dubious Consent, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Drugging (magical), Murder of minor characters, Fear and Blood used in sexual context, Knife Play, Blood Play, Drowning, Choking

This first thing I noticed is that this book is not for the fant I'm of heart, and I love that too. Please,make sure you read the warning before reading.

The very first sentence explains so much “You ever have those days where you just need to get fucked, and you need to get fucked hard?”
Alice "I was the perfect target." Well, waking up after going to the club , meeting a guy you thought was decent, then finding out you may have been drugged . It's never fun, but she should have expected it. She really asked for it by going to a bar and leaving with a stranger.

This book was definitely worth the ride and would definitely read so much from Leann Belle

[Sanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's another take on wonderland.

I love this author, it's original despite that it's a retelling. The smut is intens but I love it.

The story is more intens but not as dark as I expected (or did I turn a little mad. (:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Devon Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful twist on a classic. It was very easy to get lost in this version and I enjoyed it immensely. I felt like this easily could have been a duet or even a series. Many parts felt rushed, especially the ending. For a why choose book, I would have liked a group scene with ALL the love interests.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maggie 💜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leann Belle had me at retelling of Alice & Wonderland. Then had me hooked with the first line of the book & down the rabbit hole I went, happily. I could not put this book down, I read it in one day. It had tons of spice (always read your TW, please before starting this book) & a FC who just kicked butt. Started off this weak sad character who’s boyfriend walked all over her/cheated on her with her BF but by the end she was this strong confident FC who grows into herself. She was whisked away to Wonderland to defeat the Queen of Hearts & was put through many tests to see if she could accomplish this. Each test was with one of our beloved Wonderland characters we grew up with but with a twist… adult versions with kinks. Yes please! 😅 I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling & how there were sketches of some of the characters after certain chapters. That was a nice touch in my opinion. I like my books spicy & this was it for me. I wouldn’t mind a continuation of this story even a short version to see what they’re all up to. I would recommend this book if you like kinky retellings.

🌶️ 5/5
📖 5/5

*I received an advanced review copy & I’m leaving this review voluntarily*

[Isolette or (ICY) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! The charters on this book was hit and amazing. This book sucked me in from the get go! Alice has to fight and battle not only the monsterious animals of Wonderland but she has to deal with the smoking hot men that Wonderland throws her way too! but this retelling was honestly amazing! It’s a reverse harem with MM action as well! Lots of spice! I trust me her sassy was fantastic as well I give this book 5/5 . I recommend it . If you love Alice wonderland trust me this book was the best but more spicy into

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me no time at all to devour this beautifully dark Alice in wonderland tale. While unique in it's story it still followed many of my favorite plot points and characteristics of Alice in wonderland, through the looking glass, and the original characters.

The new Alice was relatable for me in many ways, following a break up at 30 and feeling defined by her past relationships she delves into wonderland and begins to learn about who she is without a spousal tether. Leann's ability to beautifully describe the characters and environment allowed me to picture this version of wonderland and the interactions between everyone. Sexy and fantastical, the multiple POVs gave fantastic insight on the thoughts and feelings of Alice and her men.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed dark fantasy romance with why choose/RH.

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily**

[Kaitlyn Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the hardest time putting this book down. I opened it every time I had a spare moment, I was so invested. Perfectly seasoned with the type of spice that actually adds to the plot, We're All Mad Here is an imaginative retelling of Wonderland with characters you know turned up to a lovely level of depravity. Please read trigger warnings before getting started.

10/10 plot

8/10 spice level.

(Unpaid ARC review)

[ThatBookishWriter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Alice and wonderland retelling. I’ve always loved Alice and wonderland! It’s a dark why choose romance. Very dark, horror-like and spicy! I really enjoy this take of a retelling. You can see a few different sides all of these characters. I love how this Alice is 30 year old. Makes her feel more relatable to me. Make sure to check the trigger warnings if you have some type of triggers.

[Holly Hinkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I loved reading this. It was really hard to put down because I had to know what happened next. An Alice in Wonderland retelling that was horror filled and very spicy. Definitely read the content warnings as some aspects are not for everyone but 100% will be looking for more from this author!

[Elizabeth Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I asked to be an ARC reader for this author! She absolutely brought a fairytale story from my childhood to life. Amazing read. Started it as soon as I got it and read it in one night.

This quote will live rent free in my head.

“If your touch gives life, I want to know what your come does.”

An amazing quote. Breathtaking work and I can’t wait for the next book!

[up.til.Dawn.reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a dark fantasy? Are you looking for an Alice in Wonderland retelling? Are you looking for a why choose. This book blends, fantasy and horror in the most beautiful Ways. I literally got this book as an arc read at 3 PM. Continue to read it while cooking dinner because I could not put this book down. As always with dark fantasies, please read your trigger warnings to make sure that this is going to be an appropriate read for you.

[mistylovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark whychoose retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It is chock full of TW so check those out before you proceed.
Alice is out on the town with her sister trying to move on from her cheating ex. She meets a gorgeous man named Coello who asks her if she wants to leave with him. Little does she know what lies ahead for her.
Coello is also known as the White Rabbit. When Alice wakes up in Wonderland Coello informs her she needs to run and not let him catch her all while being tested at every turn.
All the characters are in this and each are more crazy than the other.
Mau, the Cheshire Cat, is my favorite.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was Wild, spicy, unhinged, and so unexpected. I don’t have a wild imagination so I had a hard time picturing myself in this story & having it make sense. I also found it over the top..however …this is wonderland and in wonderland anything goes, so why wouldn’t it be over the top? This was imaginative and fresh I really was hooked from the beginning. I couldn’t predict anything that was going to happen and was i intrigued by Alice and her willingness to play along with the games in wonderland. I don’t know how but I actually really fell for the Cheshire Cat and that’s some pretty good writing if I’m able to say that.

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was brutal and twisted and I loved every dark second of it!!
Alice gets kidnapped by the white rabbit and taken to Wonderland where she is subjected to unspeakable things!
I love the way the characters are portrayed in this book and the plot was fantastic!!
Also loved that even though it didn’t seem possible that there was a happily ever after.
I can’t wait to read the other books in this series. The next one is about Oz!
If you like them dark, spicy and brutal you’ll love this one 🖤🖤

[Cadence may · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning was amazing, the perfect amount of dark, fantasy and characters that I enjoy in books… however I feel like it’s missing so much. It almost feels as if it wasn’t a HEA in a way, yes she went back to be with them, but we never got to see much of THEM as something more. It was a growing harem from the beginning, which I’ve recently discovered that I like, but we didn’t get much scenes with them. The twins only got two scenes with the FMC (and like one without her), and the Hatter got around the same amount. I loved the growth of Mow, but I would’ve absolutely LOVED to see more growth with The Rabbit. We didn’t really get any long scenes with the male main characters (unless they were testing the FMC) and I was honestly so disappointed that the FMC just gave in to all of them at the end. I was hoping she’d kinda make them earn her for putting her through all those the tests.
The audio was amazing tho! The male narrator knew what he was doing🥴 I wasn’t a huge fan of the female narrators voice but she still did amazing with the book.
I also noticed some mistakes (or at least I think they are?), they kept mentioning that the Alice’s haven’t made it that far for most of the trials, but then later it mentions that there were Alice’s at the later trials… so did they make it that far or not? Lol.

[spicy_book_nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts : this book was fast paced and oh so spicy… The White Rabbit was pretty hot but the Tweedles… oh yes please! Love a good spicy retelling of fairytales! It was kinda gory so check trigger warnings.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot / Storyline 👩🏻‍💻: 📑📑📑📑📑
First Spicy Scene: 35 %
Darkness: 🖤🖤
Red Flags: 🚩🚩🚩
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
HEA: YES
POV: Multiple

⚠️⚠️⚠️spoilers - whole story***
Basic retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a twist. Original Alice has become twisted and wretched. Claiming power over Wonderland as Queen of Hearts. The characters are trying to save it by bringing every Alice they can find and put them through trials to ensure they are the “right” Alice to take the Queen’s head.
Alice is 30 y/o and jaded from a recent break up, her ex cheated on her with her bff for the past 5/9 years of their relationship.
Coello (The White Rabbit), approaches Alice and brings her to Wonderland, setting her on the path to her trials. Alice proves time and again she has what it takes. Even though she sees herself as a doormat, clearly she is finding her backbone and a new version of herself she likes.
She makes it to the Queen and the Queen acts as if Alice is insignificant. Alice tries to steal the crown and then the Queen gets mad. The others come to Alice’s aid and Alice chops her head off.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark Alice in Wonderland retelling definitely put a interesting spin on the story. At first, I didn't know whether to root for against the main characters of Wonderland, especially after the inhabitants of the room Alice first found herself in when she woke up in Wonderland. But as the story went on I understood them and their purpose although I think she got the cushy end of the stick since she seemed to end up with them intervening on her behalf more and more and let's not forget the tests she did pass seemed more in the line of rewards… being orgasms… lol. it was quite a bit going on, but overall, I enjoyed the stories and the characters/LIs despite how psycho some of them seemed. Even though I'm glad they cared enough to want to help her and not want her hurt I would have like to see her interactions completing the obstacles, not involving sex or death defying, but showing her strength, intelligence, ect a bit more like the one with the caterpillar, although I felt kind of bad for him. I also would have liked if instead of a phone call with the ex at the end, he saw her out with her harem to see her moving on and doing way better than him. I guess I'm just petty like that. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KaizzIndeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! I have always loved Alice in Wonderland and this was my first retelling and it will definitely be a hard one to beat. Between the gasps, laughs, and “oh my god”s the story took shape and the way Alice discovered how to navigate through Wonderland was truly well written and I cannot wait for more (hopefully there is).

Also, watching Alice grow into herself and find out who she really is was such a treat.

When she woke up in wonderland, I had an idea of how this book was going to go, and BOY was I wrong… the trials my favorite Wonderland creatures put her through and how she passed them in her own way was not something I expected. She found strength in herself she had never realized before and grew into that strength time and time again until she was who she was destined to be.

I loved the reimagining of characters while still keeping their original likeness, to an extent, with the Cheshire Cat being my favorite. All her nicknames and their fondness for her- she won them all over just by being the “herself” she never realized she was: a strong, independent woman who wasn’t a doormat like she previously thought.

This was my first book by this author (my first arc too!!) and I can say with full conviction that it will not be my last. I cannot wait to see what’s to come.

If you love or even like Alice in Wonderland- this is the book for you. Check your triggers as it is a bit dark but all in all? Such a great read.

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*