Yining hasn't had the easiest life, especially after her uncle's death, when her step-aunt took over her care and the only way for her to survive, was to become a liar and a thief. Everything suddenly changes one day, when she finds out that the ring, given to her by her mother, when she was small, is not an ordinary ring, but magic. Also add an ambitious prince, who seems so tempting and an advisor from a foreign land, that complicate the matters even more and you have a lot of adventure and intrigue in front of you.

Sue Lynn Tan is an author I'm always excited to read due to my love of Daughter of the Moon Goddess and this was no exception. I liked the thought of re-imagining of Cinderella, but with Chinese mythology involvement and the 'princess' that is not a pure lady, who is just waiting for the prince to rescue her from her evil stepmother. This is a bit different, because Yining is not a useless heroine, she can actually take care of herself and the prince is not as nice as you might expect him to be. I think this story was well-told and, as always, the writing style of Tan shines through. I liked the characters for the most part, but for some reason I found Dian unlikeable and couldn't trust at all. I liked Jin, although his relationship with Yining seemed a bit rushed to me and was a bit more like insta-love, although the fact that they didn't actually get together really help. Prince Zixin was a good villain as well as was his sister princess Chunlei. Overall, I think was very well-done and definitely a great start to the series. I'm excited to pick up the sequel for this whenever it comes out.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton| Hodderscape and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

Sue Lynn Tan does it again! As a huge fan of her previous works I was so excited for this one and it did not disappoint!
It was so beautifully written and extremely captivating that I did not want to put it down!
There were so many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and I can't wait to see where this series will go!

Sue Lynn Tan has a beautiful writing style with flowing sentences and therefore is easy to read. The story started strong and was instantly hooked. The morally grey main character, the possible love interest and the storyline where a promising start. However this changed after the 50% mark, the story dragged on a bit and I got annoyed at the FMC. The parts that made it drag was because some parts where written into the story, just to make the plotline make sense, without being believable. This was not my favourite. The end of the story was interesting and I’m curious how Sue Lynn Tan will continue this story.

Overall the fantasy world and the magic where amazingly written en thought out and therefore makes me intrigued for the next book.
3.25⭐️

Thank you Hodderscape & NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Okay wow I really enjoyed this. I loved how it was written but also that in a way it felt historical with lots of focus on how important family is.

It’s solely not a 5 star read just because some stuff was REALLY predictable. Like I understand that here and there it will happen, but there was one moment that made me feel a bit meh so it’s 4 out of 5 instead.

All in all, I would absolutely recommend this. It’s a good fantasy story, with slight romantasy but it didn’t feel overbearing and fit the story just right.

Never Ever After is a beautifully written book inspired by both fairy tales and Chinese mythology. It follows Yining a orphaned girl who has been brought up by her step-aunt and has learnt to pickpocket and trick to survive. She goes on quite a journey throughout the book and ends up in the middle of the Royal castle unsure of who she can trust and how to best play her hand. She is a tough character that I found myself rooting for throughout the book. There are plenty of twists and turns and plot develops well and also sets up a wider story for the next book. I'm really looking forward to reading the next instalment and catching up with theses characters and the challenges they continue to face.

I really enjoyed this one! This was my first book by this author and I would definitely be tempted to check out her other books as well now.
We follow our fmc Yining who is stuck with her stepmother-aunt after her step-father died. They make a living pick pocketing, and one day receive an invitation to a party at the palace. Yining attends this party and manages to convince her way into staying at the palace, after catching the eye of the prince.
This was beautifully written and I thought it flowed really nicely. I liked the characters and was able to immerse myself in the book with plenty of descriptions about the surroundings, the court politics and so forth.
I liked that this was a play on a Cinderella retelling with Chinese folklore and mythology, I thought the author did a good job.
I will definitely pick up the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

I'm conflicted on this book if I'm being honest. There was a lot to love such as the writing, the characters and setting but I genuinely expected more of a Cinderella vibe, whereas that completely disappears after the first quarter and becomes a somewhat epic fantasy with an inconsistent, odd love triangle where I felt no connections between any of them, and the plot moved too slowly after the second half.

Maybe that was just me expecting a Cinderella retelling throughout the whole thing and waiting for it but not really getting it. But it's still a good story!

I do however think people are going to love this book, and Sue Lynn's writing is gorgeous!!

A brilliant Cinderella-Inspired fantasy. Sue Lynn Tan’s writing always keeps me gripped. Magic, dragons and a carp spirit what more do you need.

I think I’m in love with Sue Lynn Tan writing. I’ve wanted to read her other duology too but this one intrigued me more so I’m happy I got the arc!

Yining, our Cinderella, is a girl who grew up in a world where if you’re unable to cheat, steal, and bargain you won’t be able to survive. She is a good girl but given the bad card in life and it shows with her decisions. The selfishness in her actions shows how calculating she had to be her whole life in order to survive and I liked how true to herself she stayed until the end. Following her story, I’m curious what will happen next. Will she gain her freedom or will she stay locked in a place she had no other choice but stay there? So interesting to see where and how it’ll go!

The plot is just hitting with feels and beauty! It gives the gorgeous setting of the long pretty historical Chinese dramas where everything is beautiful, the characters hide their true colors, betrayals can come from the closest people, and without bargains and promises there might be no survival and no gain. We have a love triangle, if you know me, I’m not its biggest fan but I didn’t mind it. I’m curious to see how the relationships will happen in the next book as well.

I can’t wait for it in fact! I would love to see Yining’s character growth, the relationships between family and potential lovers, as well as what would happen with the war/magic in the world.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc!! I appreciate it!

I received an ARC of Never Ever After, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it early. Sue Lynn Tan’s Cinderella retelling infused with Chinese mythology had me intrigued from the start.

Yining is a heroine I admired: clever but guarded. Her decision to leave the Iron Mountains felt like such a powerful moment, even when the odds weren’t in her favor. I also felt the sting of betrayal when her step-aunt stole the enchanted ring; it was one of those scenes that made me pause and root harder for Yining to reclaim her story.

The pacing did slow, and I found myself wanting more during the palace scenes. I also didn’t fully connect with the romance, though I appreciated the subtle tension and the way Tan builds relationships. What kept me engaged was the atmosphere: the palace setting, the magic woven into everyday objects, and the quiet unraveling of Yining’s past.

While this wasn’t a perfect read for me, I’m still excited to see where the story goes next. If you enjoy fairytale retellings with beautiful writing, layered characters, and a heroine who refuses to give in, Never Ever After is worth checking out! 3,5 rounded up to 4 stars.

This was such a whimsical read. I really liked the premise of the book, a lot of fairytale retellings fall short, but I felt like Never ever after held up pretty well.

I did find the FMC a little annoying in the beginning but I really grew to like her as I read on. Tan's writing as usual is exceptional and deserves all the praise it gets. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.

This is my first book from Sue Lynn Tann, and while I’m a little divided on my opinion, I will certainly be diving in to all of her other works because the writing is absolutely beautiful and a work of art in itself. The characters were fantastic and well fleshed out, and the development and twists and turns of the story felt authentic and engaging.

Never Ever After is heavy on the world building and political intrigue. I am a huge fans of these styles of books, and it was fantastic seeing the story play out with Chinese folklore and dynastic families. However, it was quite slow at times, though the storyline itself was engaging and I was too hooked to put it down. Some of the plot twists were a little predictable and while the writing is beautiful, I struggled with the immersion at times as it was just too poetic with not enough action. The story is very loosely based on ‘Cinderella’. I wish there was a closer link or more inspiration from the story, but the author has done a fantastic job of creating a truly unique world and story with pulling some of the elements from such a known fairytale. This book is enchanting and magical and keeps a fierce grip on your soul from start to finish, and I am very excited to see what comes next in Book 2.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the eARC of this book!

Yes! Finished reading Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan. This romantasy novel set in a world where kingdoms rule.

I won’t spoil anything, but I’ll share some thoughts. Sue Lynn Tan once again proves her strength in world-building—her writing makes it effortless to picture the settings and landscapes she describes.

While the description frames Never Ever After as a Cinderella-inspired story, it’s so much more than that. Yining, the FMC, displays incredible strength and determination, which at times left me frustrated (in the best way) as she maneuvered through different tactics in the book.

The story truly ignites around the halfway mark and put me on edge because of the twists after twists that came!

I would love to read the sequel of this and I am not saying I am rushing you, Ms. Tan. 🙈 I feel like there is more of Prince Zixin and Jin. Never Ever After is just the start!

Thank you, Netgalley and Little Brown for the copy!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Sue Lynn Tan has a gift for creating lush, magical worlds, and that strength shines again here. The premise is intriguing, and there’s an underlying fairytale quality that makes the story feel whimsical and romantic. While it didn’t fully sweep me away in the way her previous work has, there are still plenty of moments of beauty and creativity to appreciate. The prose is as elegant as ever, and her knack for weaving emotion into her world-building is undeniable. For me, the pacing was a little uneven, but it’s still an enjoyable read and one that I think her fans will be happy to add to their shelves. A pleasant, imaginative escape, even if it’s not my personal favourite of hers.

This book is beautiful. The writing is lovely to read and really draws you in. You become absorbed in the world created.

The book focuses on Yining, a 19 year old who is made to sell fortune telling in a local market by her ‘evil’ stepmother, her sole guardian. This is an unhappy existence and she misses her uncle and aunt, who died, terribly. She is desperate to escape, and sees the ball invitation sent out to the commoners in the land as a great opportunity. Shortly after, she meets a carp in a pond who enchants her ring, which is promptly stolen by her stepmother who goes to the ball. Yining follows, determined to get her ring back but falls into calamity at the palace. The story evolves from there.

This book is exquisite, hence 4 stars. The loss of one star was due to the pacing for me. I found that in the middle of the novel I found it a little hard to motivate myself to read it. However, following the halfway point, the pace picks up and I was sucked in again. I enjoyed how the story unravelled, not a standard fairytale retelling and the additional of magic is always something I love! I’ll definitely read more books by this author due to her writing alone.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this ARC.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m sorry. I wanted to love this book. Daughter of the Moon Goddess was incredible and while Immortal ended up being a disappointment for me, I was looking forward to reading this.
It’s not that it was bad - it was fine. But fine is not good and it’s not enough for me.

First of all, this book was slow. Not something I mind, but for the first half of the book I wasn’t even sure if there was a goal to everything. I couldn’t see the plot at all. It wasn’t exactly boring, there were still things happening, but I couldn’t see the point of it. Thankfully, this changed in the second half and things started to pick up. Unfortunately, at that point I barely cared anymore.

Yining as a character was fine. It was nice to see that she wasn’t a sweet and demure “Cinderella”, but instead harsh and scheming and honestly pretty selfish. That doesn’t mean however that she wasn’t likeable - I understood her motives perfectly. Sadly, for such a street savvy person, she turned out to be quite naïve. Yes, this book is quite political with lots of scheming, and she is not used to life at court, but she made plenty of stupid decisions, couldn’t decide on who she liked and trusted, and it really frustrated me. Everything bad happening in this book could basically be traced back to her bad decisions and that severely impacted my empathy. And she was so erratic! So many scenes were she seemed to do a 180 without a second thought.
The love triangle was frustrating as well. To me, it seemed obvious from the beginning what the motives of the characters were, so it wasn’t even a true love triangle. It played such a big role though.

In fact, the whole pacing of the book was off. Unimportant and boring things were huge, and the actually interesting scenes were quick and not very descriptive. Some things kind of just… faded into the background and nobody seemed to care about having them resolved. Perhaps they will get picked up in the second book.

As for the fantasy aspect, there could’ve been more of that. Again, we’ll probably get more in the second book, but I was actually surprised after the first half, when magic started to play a role, because I had almost forgotten that this was in fact a fantasy novel. I also wish we had gotten more descriptions of the different countries.

The language itself was very nice, but sadly this book overall lacked emotion. I couldn’t empathize; I didn’t care about anything. The few emotional scenes were resolved quickly when I would’ve liked to linger a bit more.

The ending had a couple of interesting twists, but nothing truly unexpected. A nice build-up for book two, with some proper conflicts which will need to get resolved. However, I don’t think I’ll keep reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A 4 star rating from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling and relatable, likable characters. Loved every single second reading it.

Firstly thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5* rounded up to 5*

I was so excited to be offered this ARC and it did not disappoint! I really loved the whole plotline and there were so many plot twists and turns it definitely kept me on my toes. I am really looking forward to the sequel of this as there is definitely more to this story!

4 ⭐

I thank Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Sue Lynn Tan for the eARC of this book.

"Never Ever After" follows Yining, a poor orphaned girl who lives with her cruel and greedy step-aunt.
But after a series of unfortunate events (pun intended), her life changes totally.
In a good or a bad way? Yining can't tell.
Yet when she discovers things she shouldn't, everything slips out of her control.

I enjoyed this book. It's a charming Cinderella retelling, with a beautiful atmosphere, whimsical vibes, vivid descriptions and overall complex characters that feel alive. There's some political intrigue, a bit of yearning, slow burn, a love triangle, interesting creatures, multiple lands and fight scenes.
The first half is a bit slow paced, while the last 25% is fast paced and action packed. There are also some great twists (some foreseeable, some not, so I was pleasantly surprised) and the plot is well put together.

The only complaint (which I noticed it becoming more and more frequent in books) is that the characters overcome the challenges too quickly. Everything is a bit too easy for my liking.

Perfect for you if you like:
🌏 Asian retellings of classic fairy tales
👠 Cinderella's story
💋 slow burn (first kiss comes at around 2/3 of the book)
🧍‍♂️👫 love triangles (but here's not annoying)
👀 secrets and intrigues

#Netgalley #nevereverafter

I absolutely love Sue Lynn Tan's work. She's one of my favorites and her books always jump to the top of my TBR because they're pure escape. Never Ever After is everything I hoped it'd be - a beautifully-written epic romantic fantasy full of intrigue, peril and magic. I can't wait for the next one!