
Member Reviews

From Wonderland, With Love by Jeffrey Westhoff is a whimsical and heartfelt story that combines adventure with a touch of romance. The book creatively explores familiar Wonderland themes while offering a fresh take on the classic tale. Westhoff’s writing is engaging and imaginative, making it an enjoyable read for fans of fantasy and reimagined classics.

What if Alice became a spy?
That is the premise of this middle-grade novel retelling/spin off of Alice in Wonderland.
Alice is twelve and summoned back to wonderland. Her help is needed by wonderland as a spy! She is sent into Looking Glass Land to hunt down the Knave of Hearts and his secret weapon T.A.R.T.S
From Wonderland, With love is an exciting adventure that very much felt Wonderland-esque. It was well written, with the most memorable characters from Wonderland making an appearance. There is lots of action that keeps the story moving at an engaging pace. And there is an exciting and satisfactory ending.
This was a well done Wonderland tale that I really enjoyed. I will be reading any other books released in the series. I highly recommend it to middle-grade readers. It would also be suitable for younger readers who read above their grade level. Older readers who are fans of wonderland will enjoy this one too.

3/5 stars
When the nefarious Knave of Hearts steals T.A.R.T.S. (a very powerful and very secret weapon) from Wonderland, the King and Queen send the White Rabbit to recruit the most qualified person they know for a recovery mission: Alice. Just like that, she is sent into Looking-Glass Land with her super spy gadgetry and her knack for getting into trouble - what could go wrong?
I really enjoyed the Alice in wonderland aspects in this book and after I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the story I really enjoyed the rest of the book.

It took a minute for this to get into its stride and it missed perfect moments to add that wonderland magic but once it hit its stride it found the perfect balance.
Alice is back in wonderland as she embarks on a whole knew adventure or spies and espionage and treachery
With the return of beloved characters and the introduction of new ones Alice visits wonderland and looking glass land trying to complete her mission
Alice is older in this one and apart from the very start is actually quite likeable (unlike the original, yes I said it)
I really enjoyed this book and it reads really easily and quickly

I’ve read many Alice in Wonderland retellings and reimaginings, but this one is by far one of my favorites. It’s brilliantly written and truly feels like a natural sequel to the original. The story is bursting with creativity and imagination, blending the whimsical charm of Wonderland with the intrigue of a spy thriller—think Alice in Wonderland meets James Bond.
I loved how the author seamlessly wove together elements from both Wonderland and Looking-Glass Land, bringing back familiar characters while staying true to Lewis Carroll’s tone and atmosphere. The characters felt authentic to the original, yet thoughtfully updated in a way that enhanced rather than diminished them. I also appreciated the clever use of time—while a few years had passed for Alice, only weeks had gone by for those in the fantasy realms, adding an intriguing layer to the story.
While this book continues the story of the original Alice novels, I highly recommend reading the classics first to fully appreciate it. What sets this sequel apart, however, is that it introduces a structured plot—something the originals largely lacked. Instead of simply wandering through Wonderland in a series of whimsical encounters, Alice now has a clear goal and a mission to accomplish. She may not be the most efficient at carrying it out, but that only adds to the charm—it wouldn’t feel like Alice if she had everything under control!
What a fun ride! I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen next, which familiar characters from the original books would make an appearance, and how the story would unfold. It captured the nostalgia of the originals while feeling excitingly fresh and new. The witty and clever passages had me grinning throughout—so many delightful moments! I do wish the story had illustrations like the originals, as they would’ve added an extra layer of magic. I’m already excited for the next installment! Highly recommend!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

Alice is back in wonderland with a new mission, to be a spy and catch the knave of hearts before he can cause destruction to wonderland and the looking glass. With some handy gadgets from the Cheshire Cat she’s sent through a portal to complete her mission, retrieve the knave, retrieve his weapon. In typical Alice style things are never quite what they seem and her straightforward mission goes awry quickly and often. Never one to be defeated Alice bounces back in style and even claims her crown in hopes of outsmarting the both the knave and the red Queen.

A very enjoyable book! I would definitely recommend this to any fan of Alice and her adventures. Westhoff doesn't copy Carroll's style; rather, he pays homage to it and keeps the flavor of it while adding some seasoning of his own. The story is of a third adventure for Alice, partly taking place in Wonderland but mostly taking place in Looking Glass Land. For Alice, this adventure takes place five years after her last visit; she is now twelve years old. I'll assume you've read the synopsis and got a feel for the story, so I won't add anything to that - I'd hate to spoil anything! I will say I enjoyed the spy aspect quite a lot, getting that bit of Ian Fleming influence is not something I would've thought to do, but I'm glad Westhoff thought of it. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!
I received a temporary digital file of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which you have just read.
#FromWonderlandWithLove #NetGalley

As a fan of all things Alice in Wonderland, this book was a fun return to the world I love so much. Full of whimsy, nostalgia, and all the nonsensical banter we’ve come to associate with the tale, From Wonderland, With Love pays homage to the original and gives Alice another exciting adventure.

This book was ok. It felt very hard to get into and I could definitely tell it was for a younger audience which always saddens me a little. I tend to love middle grade reads because they are easier but I still can get as invested into the story but with this book I just couldn't. I was not connecting with any of the characters nor the writing and it overall just wasn't an enjoyable read for me. I do think however that late elementary or early middle school kids could and will definitely fall in love with this book.

It’s been a little while since I’ve read Alice in Wonderland, but this book felt like I was dropped right back in the world. Maybe if I’d more recently read the Lewis Carroll original, I wouldn’t have been as delighted. Since it's been a while, though, I found this to be a phenomenal addition to Alice’s adventures.
Instead of feeling like a retelling or loosely based, this book feels like.a true sequel. Alice is back, once again interacting with the characters she met before but this time as a spy.
The writing is similar to the originals but feels just a little bit more modern. It still has witty moments, and Alice speaks and thinks in the same way we were introduced to her in the originals. I went in with somewhat low expectations, but it surpassed them by being a book that fit very well with the world and characters we already know. I'd say the main difference between this and Lewis Carroll's books is that this one has a more coherent plot.
For me, the book felt like a natural addition to the world of Wonderland, and I think fans of Alice who want more of her adventures are unlikely to be disappointed with this book.

Jeffery Westhoff's From Wonderland, With Love offers a quirky, espionage-inspired twist on Lewis Carroll's classic tale. The premise—Alice as a spy tasked with recovering the powerful T.A.R.T.S. weapon from the Knave of Hearts—brims with creative potential. However, while the concept is intriguing, the execution is uneven.
The novel’s strength lies in its playful reimagining of Wonderland. The super spy gadgets and reimagined characters, like the White Rabbit as a recruiter, add a fun, contemporary flair. The action sequences are engaging, and Alice's knack for getting into trouble provides moments of levity and excitement.
On the downside, the story struggles with pacing, occasionally dragging in its attempt to balance whimsical nonsense with spy-thriller elements. Some characters feel underdeveloped, and the plot twists, while clever, can be predictable. Fans of Wonderland lore may find the blending of genres refreshing but might wish for a deeper exploration of the world-building.
Overall, From Wonderland, With Love is a worthwhile pick for readers seeking a lighthearted mash-up of classic fantasy and spy adventures, but it may leave others craving a bit more depth and polish.

Alice totally goes James Bond in this further adventures take on Alice taking another run at the looking glass. . .we don't think after all that had happened to her that she just sat on her crumpet do we? No. . .she's got people to met, Humpty to deal with, and all those Royals. . .
Jeffrey Westhoff has done a stellar job starting Alice off in her new career as an agent of sorts with an implied promise of more to come. He captures the original tone and finish, keeping Carroll's characters in character and updating them without diminishing the originals. The banter is as crisp and obtuse, smart and as inside-out as it ever was on the other side of the glass or kingdom.
Calling all those Alice fans! Grab your top hats and bring something for tea, there's bound to be a moment for that. Watch out for the Cheshire Cat, and walk carefully around Humpty. . .
*A sincere thank you to Jeffrey Westhoff, Ringtale Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #FromWonderlandWithLove #NetGalley

I’ve read a lot of Alice retellings, but this one never held my attention. It didn’t change or show anything from Wondeland from a new perspective. The looking Glass Wars is much better adaptation.

I received an advanced copy of From Wonderland, With Love from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.
From Wonderland, With Love is meant to be a continuation of the original Alice in Wonderland tales. We return to Alice a couple of years after her first adventures, and she is sent on a wild one this time: as a spy. I will say that I went in thinking this was a YA book, but it's definitely middle-grade, which isn't a bad thing; it just wasn't what I was expecting.
I had a really fun time with this book. The author did a great job of capturing the whimsical nonsense that runs rampant in the original books. Things just don't make sense, but it's Wonderland, and that's expected. It was amusing to watch Alice try and figure out exactly what was going on and eventually go with the flow.
The plot was very straightforward (or as straightforward as Wonderland can be). The characters were fun. There was enough description of everything that I could picture what was going on, but not too much so that it took away from the mystery of Wonderland. A bit more explanation was warranted in some places, but it was, all in all, very well done.
I would recommend From Wonderland, With Love to anyone looking for a quick romp back into the world of Wonderland. While it's aimed at a younger audience, anyone can enjoy it, just as I did.

I have a thing for Alice in wonderland retellings. and this was defiently a great retelling. Bravo Jeff. This was such an adventure. It gave me all the vibes from my childhood I loved it! 4.3 stars

I love Alice in Wonderland, so this was such a fun retelling. It's written in almost the same style as the original. But with a twist, Alice goes back to Wonderland for another adventure, only this time she's going as a spy.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves Alice in Wonderland.
Thanks to NetGalley, and Jeffrey Westhoff for a chance to read and review this book.

I enjoyed this, but it wasn’t a total favorite. The spy twist on the Alice in Wonderland story was fun, and I liked how the world stayed true to the original while adding new adventures for Alice. However, it dragged a bit in the middle, and I think it works best for younger readers—still, I’m curious to see where the sequel goes.

I enjoyed this book but it wasn't an all time favorite. I knew it was going to be a retelling of Alice and wonderland so going into this I didnt have high expections of it becoming a five star read. I've read a lot of retellings of this book, but I just want to read it to see if it was going to have any similarites or not to pay homage to the movie.

A very cool discovery!
I really like the world of Alice in Wonderland, which is very inventive. And this "sequel" is just as crazy. I laughed, smiled a lot and I easily became attached to this Alice, who is now in early adolescence, with all the thoughts that go with it. The spy side really spiced up the plot and was fun to follow.
In short, I had a good time reading ! ^^

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
From Wonderland, With Love by Jeffrey Westhoff is a third person-POV Middle Grade fantasy continuation of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. At twelve years old, Alice is no longer popular among her peers for her stories in Wonderland and even her own sister told her to create new stories. The Queen and King of Hearts offer Alice a chance to become a spy for them in the looking glass land, giving her another new adventure.
As the title implies, this is just as much of a love letter to the James Bond franchise as it is to Carroll’s work. Several chapter titles also make reference to well-known spy films and the scene where Alice gets her gadgets for the mission is reminiscent of the scenes found in Bond movies. I think older readers who are fans of both Bond and grew up on classic children’s literature could have a good time reading it to their own children or reading on their own.
The prose reminded me a lot of what I remember of Carroll’s prose. The absurdity of the inhabitants of Wonderland and the looking glass realm are highlighted without feeling overly exaggerated and there are callbacks to the original works beyond the world and characters. Because Alice is twelve, she does feel a bit older, but that same curious nature and that Victorian pattern of speech is still present.
I would recommend this to fans of both 007 and Alice in Wonderland and young readers who are looking for a fantasy where someone their age gets to be a spy