Wonderland by Rachel Ember [Review]

Wonderland (In Vino Veritas) by Rachel Ember
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 6, 2023

In Vino Veritas
Wildfire
Counterpoint
Unmanageable
Underdog
Wonderland - Paperback | Kindle
Dauntless

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Busy Bean
1. Sweetheart

Moo U
1. Boyfriend

Speakeasy
1. Touchstone

True North
1. Bittersweet

Vino and Veritas
1. Roommate

Rachel Ember
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I left Vermont on the most painful day of my life and swore I’d never go back. Meadows Park–the shuttered amusement park that’s been in my family for generations–is the home of all my finest and worst memories. They all star Peter Landry–the best friend I ever had, and the only guy I’ve ever loved.

But then my eccentric grandfather buried two million dollars on the property and couldn’t remember where.

So I’m back, and asking Peter for help. He’s an Ivy League lawyer now. Still gorgeous, and able to gut me with a single smile. And I’m still a disappointment, living in the city and washing dishes to get by. As soon as we strike off down the first sunlit path, the Meadows Park magic begins to fill my heart with yearning, lust, and most dangerous of all—dreams.

I’m secretly relieved each time the day ends, leaving us empty-handed. I know it’s wrong—without that money, we could lose the park.

But if I find the treasure, I lose the guy...

Thoughts on Wonderland: I feel like I need to start here by mentioning that I LOVE abandoned places as a setting. Just...the mental picture of these long forgotten places slowly fading away as nature and time creep in...MAN, my heart eyes are strong just thinking about it. The point? A rundown, defunct amusement park in the wilds of Vermont makes my heart sing. Throw in a treasure hunt for some missing money and YESSSSSS.

So. Peter and Riley had a thing when they were in their teens. Things happened and they went their separate ways and now they're back in town. At the same time. Sharing space. Well, sort of. They're teaming up to help Riley's grandfather find his buried money and MAN do they have a lot of pent up emotions to deal with. Guilt and sadness and sexy thoughts and lots and lots of memories.

While they manage to get over the pain of their abrupt parting eight years before pretty quickly (Riley had his reasons for doing what he did), they both have some serious work they need to do on themselves. Peter's adrift and hasn't quite found his groove after bailing on a lucrative career in California. Riley has always felt like he wasn't good enough for Peter and he doesn't want to burden him with all his issues. It takes a little time and a few frank conversations (along with required cooling off periods after said conversations) for them to find their happy places.

As it turns out, their happy places are with one another regardless of the things going on in their lives.

Throw in some treasure hunting, a tortoise names Lemon, an amusement park full of memories (both good and bad), and some giant bunnies and you have the perfect recipe for a second chance at romance.