Wonderland 

by J. Scott Coatsworth 

4 out of 5 

Synopsis 

Zeke is a hermit in his late forties who lives a quiet life in a small cabin in the Western Montana mountains, a few miles outside of Thompson Falls. He’s gotten used to being alone since the end of the world, and has everything he needs. Everything but someone to talk to.

Nathan is a younger man on a cross-country trek, searching the country for someone... anyone still alive. Saddled with a ghost from his old life and a case of OCD, he stumbles upon Thompson Falls and a pack of rabid dogs.

Rescued by Zeke, he has to figure out how to be human again. And with Christmas just a week away, both men have to figure out if there’s something left to be hopeful for, and if they might have a future together. 

Review 

Zeke and Nathan are two of last people surviving a zombie apocalypse, and by enormous luck, their paths are about to cross.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Zeke has hunkered down in his remote cabin, his hermit lifestyle protecting him from the virus that tore through communities and turned them into mindless rabid beasts.

That was over a year ago, and now everyone is dead. Zeke focusses on the basics of staying alive, and tries to ignore his increasing loneliness.

Nathan is a sole survivor from one of the big cities, with nothing better to do in this empty world, he hikes back to his hometown, with a companion he picked up along the way.

After being attacked by wild dogs, Nathan finds his way to Zeke's doorstep, and they finally find the companionship they've been craving.

I really enjoyed this little book, set in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.

The biggest danger has passed, and the survivors are just trying to survive, often not sure why they are carrying on.

The story focusses on how Zeke and Nathan meet. I confess, I thought that with this being a relatively short read, it would the romantic aspect. I was pleasantly surprised by how much depth the author created in so few pages. It is way more than just a blossoming romance. It's the mentality of survival, and everything that drives these individuals to keep going when the world seems lost.

Both of the characters are fully fleshed out and have their own issues.  Zeke having never come out as gay because of a homophobic and abusive father. Nathan having OCD, with severe spells - I thought this was well-researched and beautifully portrayed. Nathan's OCD isn't a gimmick, or there for plot advancement; it's part of who he is and I thought it was approached really respectfully.

The story was lovely, but it does feel like it's building the foundation for something more.

The way the story ends, you know there's more to come, and I look forward to this being turned into a series.

(p.s. you have to read the author's foreword. I normally skip these, but it made me laugh.)

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