Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio/ Little, Brown Young Readers for an ALC of this book!Cinderella told in a way you'd never be able to imagine until now... If you ask me, this is without a doubt one of the most original retellings you'll ever read. I've often found that with retellings, the original story overshadows the author's new take. After a while, the genre can feel very "copy & paste". But here, it's the exact opposite. The original Cinderella story comes through like phantom whispe...

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⤿💌 10/27/25
DID SOMEONE SAY A RETELLING OF CINDERELLA?!?!😍 HECK YEAH, SIGN ME UP ALREADY!!!🙂‍↕️🙌🏻 *nervous jitters* My first Sue Lynn Tan book ever, and I'm desperate for the universe to make "Never Ever After" a MASTERPIECE, plssss 🥹🤞🏻

P.S. The moving process is pure chaos, so I will be in my slumber till this weekend 🫠 Looking forward to posting a full book review of "Never Ever After" soon!

3 stars Unfortunately, I didn't love *Never Ever After* as much as I wanted to. It started strong—I was really invested in the storyline and where it was headed. The Cinderella-meets-Chinese-fairytale concept is incredibly intriguing, so my hopes were high. But somehow, I got bored pretty quickly. Thankfully, I had the audiobook as an option, which helped me get through it. But I'd be lying if I said finishing it didn't feel like a bit of a slog.My main problem was the pacing and how predictable...

When Sue Lynn Tan said that *Never Ever After* was Ever After/Cinderella × The Cruel Prince, I was immediately hooked because, let's be real, Jude Duarte and Danielle de Barbarac are total icons. Danielle fights the system with her sharp mind and compassion, while Jude survives by outsmarting and outmaneuvering everyone who built it. So, I really appreciated how Yining, the main character, embodies Danielle’s sense of justice, Jude’s distrust and resourcefulness, and ethics that would make Robin...

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*Quick Recommendation/OverviewPerfect for readers searching for a compelling fantasy novel where the romance takes a backseat. While the pacing might be considered medium, the world-building is so impressive, and the magic system so intricate, that a faster pace simply wouldn't have done it justice. As the story unfolds, you're introduced to three distinct Kingdoms—Mist Island, Iron Mountains, and Thorn Valley—...

Never Ever After is a darker, more twisted take on Cinderella, steering the story in a completely new direction. We're talking a heroine hardened by brutal circumstances and a prince who's less charming savior and more the *source* of all her problems. Forget 'happily ever after' – this is just the beginning.I've always been fascinated by Cinderella and how one invitation flipped her entire world upside down. Classic retellings usually wrap things up with a wedding and that perfect fairytale end...

Sue Lynn Tan has once again proven why she’s a master of weaving myth, magic, and heart-stopping romance into breathtaking fantasy. Never Ever After is not just a Cinderella retelling—it’s a bold, intoxicating reinvention steeped in Chinese folklore, brimming with political intrigue, and wrapped in the kind of lyrical, transportive prose that makes you want to live between its pages forever. If you're looking for your next fantasy book review, look no further!From the very first chapter, Tan swe...

If Sue Lynn Tan writes it, I'll read it. Period. This is a gorgeously written, Cinderella-inspired romantasy, and the political intrigue will keep you hooked for dayssssss. What’s to love…- A Cinderella reimagining that borrows elements but tells a completely fresh story.- Gorgeous prose. Seriously stunning writing.- A vivid and lush world without being overly descriptive or bogged down in details.- Political intrigue that keeps you guessing.- Slow-burn romance that simmers perfectly.- Multiple ...

I'm a little torn on this one, so I'll break it down into pros and cons.Pros: The writing is gorgeous. Sue Lynn Tan's other books have just shot straight to the top of my TBR list. I really like the characters; they're all so different and complement each other perfectly. I can already tell the sequel is going to be amazing. Cons: It's a bit too predictable. I saw the ending coming the second certain characters were introduced. The book didn't really pick up speed until after the halfway point w...

˙₊➴ ꒰ 4-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖📜┆ ARC ⤿ Hodderscape & NetGalley✒️┆ Author ⤿ Sue Lynn Tan💌┆ Pub Date ⤿ US 10/28 || UK 10/30 ~ Happy Release Week .ᐟ\n \n ❝ Yet girls like me don’t end up with crowns on their heads. If we reach too high, we get cut down. ❞\n \nGrowing up, everything Yining loved seemed to slip through her fingers. Never knowing the warmth of a family, the comfort of a home, or the freedom to dream. All her days were spent working endlessly for her cold-hearted step-aunt, doing wha...