Alistair falls down the rabbit hole and becomes the new Alice. Can he save Wonderland’s magic by falling in love with his fated mate? My life sucks until Bianco shows up. He’s a gorgeous albino who promises me a fun adventure while looking like a handsome prince from a fairy tale. I happily follow him down the rabbit hole in the hopes of getting up to some sexy shenanigans. Imagine my shock when I discover he’s the famous White Rabbit from the books and one of the last shifters left in Wonderland! Even more surprising is finding out I’m a descendant of the original Alice, which means I’m the only person who can bring the missing magic back to their world. That’s all well and good, but our incredible chemistry is highly distracting. It’s impossible to resist our intense attraction when I’m his fated mate, so why bother trying? But maybe there’s a way to have it all. What if forming a mating bond with Bianco is the way to make all my dreams come true and save Wonderland at the same time? Alistair in Wonderland is the first book in the Wonderland Ever After series. This sweet-with-heat MM paranormal fantasy romance features affectionate shifters, fated mates, and a magical gay romance. These books have hilarious characters to adore, a lot of sexy fun times, and no angst love stories that make you laugh and swoon. Escape into this Wonderland full of whimsy, where everyone gets a HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone but is best enjoyed in order.
This MM retelling of Alice in Wonderland was an absolute delight to read!
The story follows Alistair, the descendant of the original Alice, as he gets whisked away from his hum-drum life, by the very alluring White Rabbit shifter, Bianco, in a destiny-tinged mission to bring magic back to Wonderland and its people.
The characters and the world-building is vivid and colourful, effortlessly blending what we already know about this world and its characters, with fresh, dynamic elements, that simultaneously make this feel like a new experience and also a nostalgic walk down memory lane.
I enjoyed the new renderings of these globally known characters a great deal, while also loving the newer additions to the story, like starry-eyed and eager Alistair and steadfast and kind King Rei, the much saner descendant of the Queen of Hearts. Standouts for me definitely included Cheshire, the cheeky cat-shifter, who is madly in love with the King, and Hatter, who is way less mad than his legend suggests but still throws one hell of a tea party.
What I loved most, though, was the unexpected element of fated mates in this story. Alistair and Bianco were the main focus here, finding a deep love together while also bringing magic back to all of Wonderland—but there were many engrossing and complex relationships already in play, between Cheshire and the King of Hearts, as well as the Hatter and Vivaltar, once-the-blue-caterpillar-now-a-butterfly-shifter and Cheshire’s brother. These future pairings already have such promising and intriguing dynamics that it guarantees I’ll be back for the sequels.
Ultimately, Alistair in Wonderland is wildly imaginative, and yet, is also a heartfelt tribute to the original works by Carroll Lewis. It’s light-angst, fantasy fun, featuring fated romances, found-family vibes, and a cast of colourful characters, all with big hearts and a charming sense of humour.
I was totally into this (duh!) and I cannot wait to read the sequels! <3
Alistair hates his job with a fiery passion until it brought a beautiful mysterious albino man into his life. Bianco had one question for Alistair; ‘do you want to go on an adventure?’
Of course Alistair agreed and down the rabbit hole he went. He followed his ancestor Alice’s footsteps until he was reunited with Bianco who just so happens to be the White Rabbit.
Most of the gang is here including Cheshire Cat, the caterpillar who’s now a butterfly, the mad hatter and the March hare.
Since Alice last left she took all of Wonderland’s magic with her and as her descendant that magic lies latent in Alistair. He and Bianco discover they’re fated mates and the return of Wonderland’s magic lies within them.
This is the cutest, sweetest adventure that will never leave you bored. Much like bunnies, I found the heat to be a bit on the fast side. So while the steam was plentiful it was almost over before it started.
I hated to see this end but I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of Alistair and his white rabbit. I’m excited for this entire series but none so more than Cheshire.
Omg I love Cheshire so much, he totally stole the show and I can’t wait for his book. He’s so stinking affectionate and contrary, a typical cat that does whatever he pleases.
Alistair in Wonderland was a book I was ready to adore, one that sounded perfect for me, but it ended up being a case where I had to force myself to make my way through the story. This is very clearly a case of ‘it’s me, not the book’, though, as other people seem to adore it.
For me, I simply could not get into the style of storytelling. I’m sure many will find it amusing and will love the way the main character came across, but it felt awkward and forced to me. Instead of feeling an attachment to the characters, I found myself uncaring and only wanting to know what happened rather than soaking up all the small moments. After all, there was an interesting storyline in this one. My dislike of the characters, however, meant I was constantly pulled away from it.
All in all, this is one of those cases where I was not the right reader.
4.5⭐️ Fairytale Reimagining Series Format: digital - ku
I loved this so much! With the Alice in Wonderland premise, I had high hopes, and honestly, I was not let down. I enjoyed Bianco and Alistair’s story quite a bit! They were so sweet. All the little nods to the original story were just perfect and brought me so much joy, I found myself with a smile on my face throughout the book. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Tags: (may contain spoilers) m/m, lgbtq, pnr, fairytale retelling/reimagining, shifters, Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit, explicit content, series, fantasy, fated mates, mating bonds, spells and magic, insta-love, au, book world, dual pov,
This was such a great read. It was funny, sexy, sensual, and an amazing play on the Alice in Wonderland stories. It starts out hot, and then just keeps you riveted through the very last page with wit and fun characters who I absolutely loved.
Alistair is sweet and funny, with an open mind and a ready-for-anything attitude. His attraction to Bianco (a.k.a the White Rabbit) is immediate, and lucky for him it’s the same for Bianco. More insta-lust than insta-love at first for sure…at least until the fated mate possibility comes up, prompting realizations on both sides. One thing is absolutely certain—these two have Chemistry (and yes, the capital “C” is on purpose ;-) ).
The cast of supporting characters is wonderful, lining up with many of the characters from the Alice stories. The translation from those original books to the characters found here is creative and resulted in an unforgettable cast whose own stories I am super-psyched to read.
The only wish I had for this book was that it would have been longer. There really weren’t any dramatic barriers for the main characters to overcome, so when the climax of the story arrived (figuratively and literally), it felt like it went a bit fast. It just felt a bit too easy…though with the setup provided for some of the other characters, the author may be biding their time for the drama.
Alistair in Wonderland was a 4.5-star read for me and I’m already keeping an eye out for the next book in the series with the King of Hearts and Cheshire (such a naughty cat!). I’m even more intrigued for Hatter and Vivalter; the two of them here were almost ethereal in their interactions. If you love fantasy retellings, shifters, magic, and lighthearted zero-angst stories, adding this one to your library is a no-brainer. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
So this one was quirky, sweet and very low angst. I liked the characters, especially Cheshire, who is going to be the main character in the upcoming book. In general, nothing really happens in this story, there is no growth in character, no real changes are visible to the reader, all in all the story just flows along without much twists and turns, or any really. So, that is why I'm so frustrated and undecided by how to rate this one. As mentioned, I generally like the characters, especially the cat who wasn't even the main MC in this one. And if the goal was to forge I mostly got the feeling that the whole story was a prelude to Cheshire and Rei's story and not Alistair and Bianco's, which is sad for them, truly.
So the story wasn't "bad" as such, it just could have improved by focusing on the main couple and trimming it a bit.
I want to read Cheshire's story and hope that I will remember this book long enough to look for "Cheshire in Heartsland" when it is available at the end of December 2022.... (hint to the author, it would be helpful if the book were already on here so people could mark it as "waiting for release")
I loved this book! This new telling of Alice in Wonderland was so fun to read. Alistair was a joy. He was so tired of the real world, like we all are. Him just shrugging his shoulders and following a stranger through a mirror is something we all would do. Bianco was so swoon-worthy. The image of him dressed so well was great. I loved that he was trying so hard to be a gentleman with Alistair, but Alistair was pushing all his buttons to try to get him to cave. The other characters in this story are equally lovely and I'm so glad that don't look like the cartoon versions we all have grown to love. The story itself was interesting. It showed us how magic is important to that world. I can't wait for the next vol to learn more about the characters and this exciting world.
What an amazing book! I love everything Ariella writes, and each book seems to be better than the last, but she really outdid herself this time. I don't usually read paranormal or shifter books, but this was written in such a great way that it felt totally different. She was able to keep the integrity of the original story while making it completely her own. The characters were amazing, and I can't wait for the rest of this series!
When I read the opening scene of Alistair in Wonderland, I sort of groaned internally and went "oh no, is this a sexy harem retelling of Alice in Wonderland?" And while it IS an Alice retelling (or continuation?), and it is certainly very sexy, it was (refreshingly) NOT a harem romance. There are a bunch of (obviously supernaturally attractive) side characters, and I can't wait to get the stories for all of them!
I didn't 100% vibe with the writing style in this book, and with the plot seeming a bit thin and the sex scenes being rather gratuitous this book sort of teeters on the edge between romance and erotica. That being said, I was so interested in this version of Wonderland that Ariella Zoelle bit - and all the magical, intriguing characters there - that I was compelled to keep reading. I really love the concept of the animal characters Alice encounters in Wonderland being shifters who thought their animal forms would be less intimidating for a little girl. It opens up a LOT more relationship/couple opportunities - something Ariella Zoelle really seems to have seized on here!
While I'm not into the White Rabbit, I found the character of Bianco intriguing. Honestly I probably appreciated this first book in the Wonderland Ever After series as the set-up for the romantic arcs for the other characters playing side roles in this one. Will Cheshire and the King of Hearts be able to resolve their star-crossed-lovers situation? Will Hatter and Vivalter (aka Caterpillar, though he is a BUTTERFLY now, thank you) ever realize they're WAY more than just friends? Who will be March's fated mate? I NEED TO KNOW!
This is the first book in the Wonderland Ever After series and can be read as a standalone. That being said, I'm very excited for book two, Cheshire in Heartsland (bet you can't guess who that one is about!), as well as hoping for Vivalter and Hatter's and March's books.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
This quirky reimagining of the Alice in Wonderland universe was a delight to experience. I loved the blend of whimsy and magic that Ariella Zoelle infused these characters with, and I absolutely adored the romance that blossomed between Alistair and Bianco.
While Alistair and Bianco's first meeting captured the intrigue and mystery of Alice and the White Rabbit's encounter, the steamy connection that sparked to life between them was an unexpected but welcome addition. I was hooked from that first, lust-fueled explosion of passion, and the rumblings of Bianco's shifter side only made me more curious to know what was drawing the two of them together. I don't always enjoy fated mates stories, because sometimes the mate bond can take away from the authenticity of falling in love, but with Alistair and Bianco things felt so natural and genuine. Instead of fate forcing the two of them together, their mate bond was just an extension of the powerful attraction and love developing between them, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall head over heels for each other. In parallel to the swoony romance, Bianco spent a large part of the story introducing Alistair to all the gems of Wonderland. Alistair's joy at getting to meet the famous storybook characters was contagious, and I was utterly delighted to see how this author had reshaped each one to fit into a more modern version of Wonderland. From the mischevious yet adorable Cheshire who couldn't stay away from the King of Hearts to the not-so-mad Hatter and his ethereal best friend, the Caterpillar, each character Alistair met charmed me instantly and left me eager to see them find their own happiness throughout this series. Alistair and Bianco's journey came to a completely swoon-worthy and romantic conclusion, but if anything I'm even more excited to see how Cheshire will win over his Rei or if Vivi and Hatter will ever open their eyes to the romantic feelings that lie dormant beneath their deep friendship.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
I believe this is more than a simple retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Preferably because Alistair has read the book Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and he knows the characters. This book is more like Alistair is getting to live inside his favorite book.
The book is very close to the original book except for a few necessary changes like Alice is a boy. “Alice should be a girl, right?” "An Alice is less about their gender and more about the qualities that make up their muchness."
Just like Alice, Alistair is kind, adorable, and curious. He is 30 years old with a boring financial job and lives alone in a cold studio apartment. He has no luck in getting a good companionship and when the White Rabbit a.k.a Bianco comes to him from nowhere in his sexy three-piece suit and offers him an adventure Alistair accepts it with open arms.
The book has so much of muchness which made this book entertaining and hilarious. The story the author has intertwined is extraordinary. I certainly loved the concept and the newness that Ariella brings into the book.
What a fantastical and wonderous return to Wonderland. Ariella has brought the magic of the Kingdom to life with its beautiful scenery, crazy cast and a great slow burn romance. We get to meet Cheshire, Hatter and Hare, along with King Rei as Alistair is drawn down to Wonderland after being found by the White Rabbit aka Bianco. In personality and speech, they're just as you'd remember from Lewis Carroll's books but in looks, they are vastly different but to the benefit of their mates and readers. I love how the original tale has been altered to fit in shifters and fated mates, adding that extra element to it. From Alistair and Bianco's first interaction, you can sense the chemistry, even though they don't come face to face for several minutes. It's an extra hot first meeting then things mellow for a while as Alistair meets everyone and gets acquainted with Wonderland. Bianco is so lovely, clearly enamoured with Alistair, and is equally adoring of and frustrated with his friends. There are some great friendships that are destined for more and it's a series that I am greatly looking forward to reading more of. I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
This isn't a serious book, it is light and fun and in that way so related to the original Wonderland books. The story has the sweet fulfillment of childhood wishes come true all while also answering to some very adult desires.
Alistair is related to the original Alice so when he finds himself following a very attractive man to what appears to be Wonderland he is delighted instead of freaked out. There he gets to see Wonderland but also finds that he has his own importance to the land. Bianco, the White Rabbit and a rabbit shifter, is his guide in the land and loves meeting this new "Alice". The two have an instant attraction but Wonderland and its magic come first, even as they keep coming back to each other. It ends up being a very sweet story with the promise of others to come!
This book was so good, and I couldn’t put it down. This story was a take on Alice in Wonderland but with a twist and I loved it! The book has magic, shifters, mates, and a cast of characters that I want to know more about as the series continues. I can’t ever remember reading Alice in Wonderland, but this story has sparked a curiosity to do so. Alistair is a descendent of the real Alice and he willingly follows Bianco down the rabbit hole and discovers a world that he had only read about in books and from his family heritage. The story has wonderful characters that are suffering from the magic leaving with Alice and Alistair must save their world anew. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series. This is a must read!
Alistair in Wonderland the first book in the Wonderland Ever After series. Alistair in Wonderland was a wonderful, quirky and fun to read story! I loved this story, the paranormal aspect of it!! Alistair follows the White Rabbit through the mirror and into Wonderland. He is surprised to learn he’s a descent of the original Alice. The White Rabbit turns into the Bianco. We meet Cheshire, Hatter and Hare and more. This was an amazing retelling with no angst, fated mates, witty banter, insta-love and a lot of fantastic secondary characters. Overall, a fantastic read! Well written with catchy pacing that flowed and kept me engaged!
Alistair (the Alice of legends), meets Bianco, the white rabbit. In his arms Alistair feels like he’s home. But there are so many questions. “Did getting a blow job from a fictional character in a children’s book mean I was going to Hell?”
Caterpillar/Butterfly, Cheshire, King Rei of Hearts. The memorable Wonderland characters are here in one form or another. All of them larger than life.
The imagery is memorable. From walking through the Looking Glass, to the vibrancy of the clothing, the whole story is lit up with color.
I’ve always loved Alice in Wonderland and this version of the story was very entertaining and it didn’t have the darkness of Alice. I liked the fated mate aspect of the book.
The unrequited love between Rei and Cheshire was a very nice secondary plot, I’m waiting for their book.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
This book is AWESOME! A fantastic twist on the Alice in Wonderland story, the tale of Alistair and Bianco is an absolute pleasure to read! Alistair is the descendant of the original Alice who visited Wonderland. When she left, she took magic with her and it is Alistair’s fate to restore it. Bianco will bring him to Wonderland but will be unsure at first of what his role is in helping Alistair with his task. Alistair will love being in the place of his favorite childhood story and meeting all of the wonderful people he could only read about. The Cheshire Cat is as wonderful as he is chaotic and he is an enjoyable part of the story. I can’t wait to read what happens next and highly recommend this book!
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
I have always loved Alice in Wonderland and this MM retelling is absolutely frabjous! I love this author’s books and was not disappointed in the least. This is a sweet, spicy, and wonderful story of Alistair returning to Wonderland and returning its magic. No angst sore even danger here. Just exploring a connection and solving the problem of the missing magic. All of the classic characters are here and I can’t wait to hear their stories too. Bianco was perfect as the White Rabbit. Honestly it’s splendiferous! And now I am anxiously waiting for Cheshire’s tale!
This new telling of Alice in Wonderland was so fun to read. Alistair and Bianco were awesome together. So sweet but with just the right amount of heat. Ariella Zoelle does some wonderful world building in creating this alternate world of Wonderland. The secondary characters in the book are so much fun to learn about. They represent other favorite characters from the original story. I am looking forward to more stories from this world.
This was a really cute, sweet book based on the world of Alice in Wonderland.
Alistair and Bianco we’re both great characters. It’s not really a slow burn (because, fated mates) but there is a lot of resistance from Bianco which basically boiled down to denial that Alistair could even be his mate. I enjoyed the descriptive changes this author made from the original Alice in Wonderland, like the mad hatter being youthful and attractive.
There was quite a bit of buildup for the next two books in the series, namely king Rai and Cheshire, and Hatter and Caterpillar. There wasn’t much challenge to the relationship for Bianco and Alistair once Bianco accepted that they were mates, but overall it was a quick and enjoyable read!
Heat: 7/10 (decent amount of orgasms, but mostly towards the end) World building: 6/10 (minimal description, which I appreciate, relied on the readers imagination and familiarity with the original story) Character development: 7/10 (good, but would have liked more background on both MCs) Overall: 8/10 (would recommend)
“Alistair in Wonderland” by Ariella Zoelle was a fun, flirty, familiar romp through wonderland - if Alice was a man, and the white rabbit was a shifter, and they had a bunch of sex together. So, maybe not the same beloved fairy tale from our childhoods, but I enjoyed it! And the COVER ART Y’ALL! Gorgeous.
This was a tale of fated mates, insta-love, humor, confusion, wacky side characters, swoony bedroom antics, magic, and low angst. The only downside for me was the pacing seemed a bit off, and some of the scenes lacked the sort of detail I appreciate that adds depth to a story. But overall, neither of these things stopped me from having fun reading this. I loved the author’s sense of humor, and can’t wait to read the next installment featuring our favorite feisty feline, Cheshire.
I really enjoyed this new take on an old classic and definitely recommend you add it to your list when it releases Friday, 10/21!
This is a paranormal shifter romance with Alice in Wonderland vibes! This storyline jumps off with a descendent of Alice that Bianco, the white rabbit is looking for. Alistair has is delighted by his first encounter with Bianco. The story is well written, with great characters; I’m looking forward to more from this series!
WOW!!!!! I didn’t know what to expect going into this book as I have not read an MM fantasy book with fated mates and shifters before. I was absolutely blown away by this fun lighthearted book!
I love Alice in Wonderland retellings and this is definitely one of my favourites. Most of the characters we know and love from the original are included but they also manage to be unique in this story.
The love between Alistair and Bianco is pretty much instantaneous which makes sense with fated mates but I really liked it and it didn’t feel forced at all. I loved how they were with each other.
The last line of the book before the epilogue was beautiful: “A life lived in love was indeed a life worth living.”
I am so excited for the next book with King Rei and Cheshire. My heart was breaking for them throughout this whole book and I can’t wait for them to find their HEA!
This book is so good! I was hooked and down the rabbit hole from the beginning and had a hard time putting the book down. Alistair and Bianco are sweet and cute and swoony. Their story is an extremely fun retelling of Alice in Wonderland. I live how the author incorporated the original story into this one. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series (and maybe a couple more, please).
What a fabulous reinvention of Alice in Wonderland! Such great world building with fantastic characters! Such an interesting retelling of this classic fairytale! Such an enjoyable story and I really can’t wait to see how Cheshire’s story will play out! Absolutely sweet and intriguing story that I highly recommend! I am voluntarily leaving an honest review for this complimentary copy of this book
This had one of the best opening paragraphs I've read in a long time. It sucked me I straight away. Unfortunately that was the highlight for me and I DNF. I enjoyed Alistairs narration but struggled with Bianco's and everytime I put the book down I wasn't in a rush to pick it back up. I think this will be loved by many but unfortunately wasn't for me.
This was a fun light read I really enjoyed this retelling of Alice in wonderland. It has the same fun characters with a little twist. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
He has fallen down the rabbit hole and has now become Alice. Wonderland is in danger and he can save it if he finds his mate. Where will he find them? Can he save wonderland? How will he do it? See if he can find love as well as saving wonderland
This book starts the beginning of the paranormal series Wonderland Ever After series based on Alice in Wonderland. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been in Alice's world, but Alistair in Wonderland brought back to me, quickly, what I love so much about it.
If you are already an Ariella reader, I believe you will be able to transition to reading this paranormal without difficulty; because it has all of her signature writing-style woven into the story...lovable characters, witty banter, clever storytelling, and heat. I particularly enjoyed Bianco the bunny shifter. His personality was so great and I liked the maturity he brought to helping Alistair through this fantastical journey. Cheshire is such a joy and I can't wait for his book where I can spend more time with him!
If you haven't dipped a toe into paranormal before, this could be a good place to start. Especially if you already like to read no-angst love stories with fated characters that love each other above all else.