A Chinese retelling of Cinderella if Cinderella was a badass thief with an enchanted ring and Prince Charming was a cunning and power-hungry heir to a kingdom swimming in treachery and greed.

Our protagonist, Yining is a young and skilled mind-reader who yearns to escape the clutches of her cruel step aunt, who tricks her way into the palace to retrieve the ring stolen from her—finding herself in the eyesight of the prince himself. I absolutely loved Yining’s fire and determination, she was fascinating, but not quite as so as Jin, advisor from a rival court to the palace, who she soon finds out is quite the worthy ally, with a hoard of secrets of his own. 𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆…?

The storytelling was by far the shining star of Never Ever After, not for a long time have I felt like I was actually pulled into the pages of a book. Everything felt so real, fully immersing me in the sights and smells of the kingdom, with mouth-watering descriptions of sugared fruits and pastries and lush portrayals of palace courtyards and forests.

This series has a LOT of potential if this is anything to go by. This was my first book by Tan and I’m so excited to see where she takes this story next.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sharing an eARC!

𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐞 𝐋𝐲𝐧𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐧
~ 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒖𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮-𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀—𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗻é𝗲 𝗔𝗵𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗵, 𝗧𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗳𝗶, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗿.

This is Sue Lynn Tan's young adult debut and it was absolutely immaculate! Reading this book reminded me so much of the love I have to Tan's whimsical writing style and the plot and dynamic style of the Celestial Kingdom duology.

Yining the protagonist and female main character, is a orphan who is looking for a better life than the one of poverty and cruelty subjected by her step-aunt. She's a brave character from all the hardships she's gone through and she's going to put herself first every single time — not letting people control her and make decisions for her.

This book is heavy on politics and court intrigue over romance — which did not play a major role here. The intricate dynamics of relationships of the court, characters & poltics were very well woven and fledged out.

There's so many secrets and plot twists that are shocking at an understatement. Sue Lynn Tan cleverly plotted our the details and subtly hinted overshadowing of the dates and futures.

This was an amazing debut and I cannot wait for the next installment! This is an adventure packed with politics and schemes for fans of the Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

I have ARC read many of Tan's books and each one surprises me how it's always better than the last one and I don't think I can fall even more in love with the way an author writes. the descriptions pull you in, the story is immersive!

This was my first book by Sue Lynn Tan, and I'm truly impressed with what she delivered. I'm very excited about the sequel and will be diving into other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Hodderscape for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this ARC read,
I have just finished reading this book and I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity.
The book is so beautifully and artistically written. It has so much gentleness and a real authenticity to the way the story grows and develops.
The main character is brave and extremely likeable. The supporting characters are complex and the story takes you on so many different paths you are unsure who to trust or who is hiding secrets.
There are unexpected twists and turns which sometimes changes your view on these characters.
The last few chapters are quite explosive and I flew through them.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful immersive fantasy novel.

WOW I loved this book. Having read one of Sue Lynn Tan's previous books I knew it would be great but this one was even better than I expected. I thought at first it was going to be similar to the previous trilogy but I liked the world building in this one more and also this felt like there were move twists that I wasn't expected. Cant wait for the next one

I quickly became a fan of this author when I read the Celestial Kingdom books and so I was incredibly excited to be approved for an early copy of this! And this book was everything that I've come to expect from the author's books - beautiful, flowing writing, well paced and with vibrant descriptions.

This book in particular read like a fairytale, which isn't all that surprising considering that it's inspired by Cinderella. However the Prince puts Yining in an impossible situation and soon the dream becomes a nightmare.

I'd gone into this book believing it to be a standalone so I was very confused by the ending at first, thinking that so many questions were left unanswered. But I checked and luckily this was just the first book! That's not to say that you couldn't read this book and be satisfied because it is an ending of sorts, but there is definitely more to the story.

This would have been 5⭐ for me but I couldn't stop thinking about what happened to Little Dragon and the Sun Dragon, both of which quite upset me so for that reason I'm slightly lowering to 4.75⭐

Other than that, I'm so excited to read the next book! As other reviewers have suggested, it's still unclear which MMC will be endgame but I'm really hoping for Jin, as I just don't think Zixin would ever be able to redeem himself in my eyes🤭🙈 Jin seems very alike to Yining and I believe them both to have good hearts.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Five Glorious Stars for Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan

Sue Lynn Tan has done it again! Never Ever After is a breathtakingly lyrical tale that had me hooked from the very first page. As someone who has thoroughly enjoyed all her previous works, I went into this one with high expectations—and it still managed to exceed them.

From the start, the setting is lush, atmospheric, and beautifully imagined. Tan has an unparalleled gift for world-building, effortlessly blending myth and magic into every scene. The female protagonist’s journey is compelling, her character arc unfolding with nuance and emotional depth. I found myself rooting for her from the beginning, captivated by her strength, vulnerability, and the quiet resilience that makes her so memorable.

And the love triangle? Heart-wrenching and deliciously complex. Tan never takes the easy route with relationships, and the romantic tension here adds another rich layer to an already immersive story.

It’s hard to believe I’m already counting the days for a sequel—especially since this gem hasn’t even been released yet! If you’re a fan of beautifully written fantasy with strong heroines, emotional depth, and slow-burning tension, Never Ever After is not to be missed

So my only major gripe here is that this is being described as a fantasy romance, and it really didn’t feel it. It felt much more like The Cruel Prince series - a political fantasy which had a romance in it. The romance seemed to be more prominent in the first 30% or so, and then it very much took a backseat. However I’m pretty sure it’s a trilogy? So maybe the romance will take centre stage in 2 and 3. But that isn’t a complaint about the book itself, and more the marketing.

The writing in this was gorgeous - it’s the first Sue Lynn Tann book I’ve read, and I think her others have just jumped up my TBR. It’s lyrical without being too flowery, and intricate without being too detailed.

There were a couple of twists/plot developments which I didn’t see coming, which was nice. There were a few false leads/hints to thrown off the scene which looking back feel obvious, but at the time I didn’t even notice them!

Character development is great - Yining realising that the palace isn’t all it’s made out to be is really well done, and the side characters move along nicely as well. There’s a F/F relationship among the side characters as well.

I’m really excited to see where this goes - I feel like it’s set up book 2 really nicely in every aspect, and I’ve honestly no idea what’s gonna happen next!

For fans of - The Cruel Prince, Once Upon A Broken Heart

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

Never Ever After is lush, gripping, and full of magic. From enchanted rings to secret identities, this book pulls you into a world where danger hides behind silk curtains—and no one is quite who they seem.

What impressed me most was the immersive storytelling. The world felt alive: opulent palaces, shadowy corridors, and mouthwatering festival scenes that made me want to step right in. And just when I thought I knew where things were headed—plot twist. This story never stops moving.

Yining is a standout heroine: clever, fierce, and just the right amount of reckless. Her dynamic with the prince is tense and intriguing, but it’s her growing bond with Jin—the rival court advisor dripping in secrets—that has me the most curious. There’s definite love triangle potential, which I'm desperately in need of.

A strong start to a new series that promises scheming royals, slow-burning tension, and plenty of surprises. I’ll be counting the days until the sequel.

I just finished Never Ever After and honestly... I loved it so much. It’s the kind of story that pulls you in quietly, then before you know it, you're completely lost in the world and staying up way too late reading “just one more chapter.”

I didn’t expect to fall so hard for Yining, but she’s such a brilliant main character—clever, bold, sarcastic, and deeply human. She’s not perfect, but that’s what makes her feel real. I was rooting for her from the very
The writing is just beautiful. There’s this almost lyrical quality to it, but it never feels overdone. Just enough magic and mystery, but also grounded in emotion and character.

I also loved how it played with the Cinderella idea but turned it completely on its head. It’s darker, sharper, and way more layered than I expected. The world was rich and immersive, and I was constantly highlighting lines I wanted to remember.

Honestly, if you enjoy fairytales with depth, complicated characters, and writing that feels like being wrapped in silk—read this. It stayed with me long after the last page. Can’t wait to see what happens next.All the stars.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscape for an arc of one of my most anticipated read of the year.

Every time Sue Lynn Tan writes a new book, it end up being even better than the last.
I couldn't put my kindle down because I was so curious to know what will happen next.
The cinderella retelling Chinese edition was so well executed and gosh once again I love love love this love triangle.

The writing is as usual flawless and additive.

This book is for sure one of the best release of 2025!!!

I'm such a fan of Sue Lynn Tan's books and her writing. This story is no exception. This is a Cinderella inspired story intertwined with Chinese elements. with a female main character who is strong and will make those hard choices. The world building is so beautifully immersive and the writing is captivating. I always feel like I'm reading a fairytale but one with more complex elements and political intrigue.

I was so caught up in the story which had twists and turns. It was at time difficult to know who to trust because it felt like the characters all had their own agenda. I was surprised with certain parts and I honestly didn't see some things coming.

I flew through this book because I wanted to know what would happen next, The pacing felt good and it definitely ended with me wanting book 2. The characters were nicely fleshed out and you find out things about them, but I still want more. I just want more story and more of this world!! The romance was a nice sub plot without overtaking the story. I definitely have my fave but right now I'm unsure where it will go.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the eArc. I loved this one.

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!

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!

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!

The writing was excellent with immersive, magical worldbuilding bringing the story to life. I was captivated from the first chapter, with a well-paced plot and twists that kept me hooked from start to finish.

I absolutely loved this book. Never Ever After is a gorgeous Cinderella inspired fantasy with a fresh twist and beautiful touches from Chinese folklore. Yining is such a brilliant main character, she’s brave, determined, and easy to root for after everything she’s been through. When her step-aunt steals her enchanted ring, it sets her off on a journey that’s magical, dangerous, and completely addictive.

The world building is stunning. From the gritty Iron Mountains to the glittering but dangerous imperial palace, every setting felt vivid and real. There’s plenty of intrigue, secrets, and politics, plus a slow-burn connection that had me turning the pages just to see how it would unfold.

Sue Lynn Tan’s writing is just beautiful, full of atmosphere and emotion and the story moves at a perfect pace with twists and reveals that kept me hooked. It wraps up in a satisfying way but still leaves you desperate for the next instalment.

If you love immersive fantasy with strong heroines, high stakes, and a romance you can really invest in, this is an absolute must read. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

This book was absolutely fantastic!!!

It had me hooked from the beginning with beautiful world building and whimsical details. It was genuinely such a fun read.

Both of the FMC’s love interests are so well written and I’m wasn’t even sure who to root for half the time!

I’m so excited for the next book and to get a physical copy of this one! 5/5

5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Never Ever After is a gorgeous fantasy with a fairy tale vibe, dragons, magic and court politics. At the start there is a slight hint of a Cinderella retelling in which Yining, our FMC, must sneak into a ball held by the prince of the Iron Mountains to retrieve a family heirloom from her wicked step-aunt with a little help in the form of a gown and pearl slippers from her fairy god- fish, little dragon. The prince is enthralled by Yining and sets her up to be his future consort in the palace, however, this prince is not so charming and there the similarities to Cinderella end and we jump into a tale of political intrigue, hidden identities, found family and everything I love in a fantasy.

What I loved in particular:
- the writing, Sue Lynn Tan writes so beautifully, she describes fantasy worlds so well and really makes you feel for the characters.
- Prince Zixin, I love a complex villain who was made not born that way, I also love the slither of good we see in him and wonder how that will develop in the next book.

I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series, especially now that Yining is headed to Mist Island, I also feel that there is a lot unresolved from her earlier life, I keep waiting for her step-aunt to reappear, I don’t think I have ever wanted to see a fictional character get what is coming to them quite so much.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton, Hodderscape for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is my first book from Sue Lynn Tan, and I loved it. I must be in my political intrigue phase at the moment, but I'm totally not complaining ☺️

This is a fantastic epic fairytale, with plenty of drama. I quickly fell in love with Yining, and found myself really invested in her story. I love a female character who does what needs to be done, and doesn't shy away from uncomfortable situations.

Her journey, which led her to understand herself better, kept me gripped to the very end. I don't want to spoil anything here, but there were some twists and turns I didn't see coming.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy ❤️

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!

Oh, this was such a fun read! The book is quite different from Sue Lynn Tan’s previous work but still retains the distinctive qualities that make her writing so special.

Never Ever After is a Cinderella- and Chinese folktale-inspired story about survival, ambition, love, and politics. The main character, Yining, lost her family at a young age and had to develop some rather unsavory skills to survive. She often stole and lied. Her fate begins to change when she meets the enigmatic advisor Jin, and not long after, she finds herself at a ball hosted by Zixin – the prince of one of the kingdoms in this world, the Iron Mountains. She quickly becomes entangled in political machinations, power struggles, and starts to uncover more about her own past.

As the synopsis suggests, Never Ever After leans heavily into political fantasy. If you enjoy palace intrigue, conspiracies, and power struggles, this book will be right up your alley. It moves away from the dreamlike, whimsical tone of Tan’s earlier works and adopts a more grounded atmosphere that sets it apart. That said, the prose remains beautiful. There may be fewer fairy-tale flourishes, but it is still elegant, even if slightly more straightforward than in the Daughter of the Moon Goddess duology.

Sue Lynn Tan builds a fascinating and, in my opinion, very clear world and magic system. It is introduced smoothly, without info-dumps or awkward exposition. We learn most things alongside Yining, from whose point of view the story is told. As always in Tan’s books, the mythological and fairy-tale elements form a strong foundation for the narrative. I hadn’t realized there was a Chinese folktale so similar to the European Cinderella. When reading her work, you can feel how naturally Sue Lynn Tan moves within Asian folklore and mythology.

The beginning of the book is a bit slower – not boring, but deliberate, as it takes its time to set the chessboard before the plot truly takes off. The final 25% is much more fast-paced and packed with action, and this slightly uneven pacing might be my only quibble. The novel is clearly marketed as YA, and it does include many classic elements of the genre. The stakes are high, but the tone of the story differs somewhat from the author’s previous novels. I also think the slightly simpler prose reflects its YA focus. While I am not the target audience, I read a lot of YA, and this one definitely stands out in a good way.

What truly elevates this book is its character work. We follow three main characters, each morally gray in their own way. None shy away from questionable choices in pursuit of their goals, and few of their actions could be called genuinely selfless. This moral ambiguity makes it difficult to fully align yourself with any one character. Yining, the FMC, is a perfect example. Driven by a noble desire to find herself and seek justice for her family, she naturally invites our sympathy. Yet she also lies and manipulates when it suits her, making her actions harder to justify, and honestly uncomfortable to witness. Jin, te first MMC, while appearing to support Yining, hides secrets and pursues his own agenda. My personal favorite is the second MMC, Zixin, as he turned out to be the most complex. At first, he seems like the classic “refined but ruthless” archetype, elegant on the outside, hiding a brutal edge underneath. I won’t spoil anything, but toward the end, we learn things about him that make him even more layered and harder to judge in black-and-white terms.

Sue Lynn Tan is known for love triangles, and we get one here as well. However, even though this is romantasy, romance is far from the central focus. The story would stand on its own without it. Perhaps we’ll see more romance in the sequel. The relationships here aren’t a copy of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, largely because the characters themselves are so different. Yet since none of them are morally flawless, I found it hard to root for any one pairing in particular, though I’m intrigued to see how it all unfolds.

All in all, Never Ever After may not be my #1 book by Sue Lynn Tan, but it’s definitely one of the best YA novels I’ve read recently. It will appeal to readers of all ages. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys political fantasy with elegant prose, morally complex characters, and immersive world-building. I can’t wait for the sequel!

I enjoyed this book a lot. It is so beautifully written.
The characters were all super interesting to read about, and I can not wait to see how the story progresses in the next book!

This Cinderella inspired story is gripping and I could not put it down.
Yining has had a hard start in life and lives with her awful step aunt when magic intervenes and she attends the palace and catches the eye of the handsome prince…

The characters are complex but relatable and I adored getting to know them. The second half of the book is action packed after setting the scene and laying out the warring kingdoms histories in the first half.

A fabulous read and I cannot wait for the sequel!

Every time I read a new book by Sue Lynn Tan, I feel like I've found my favourite book from her. After finishing Never Ever After, this is going to be my new favourite book from her. It feels very much like a fairy tale, but something that is far darker and twisted than you can expect.

The world-building in this book was something else, and right from the opening chapter I knew I would love it. The scheming and the political machinations were one of the best parts of the book. You could tell there was a hidden layer to everything that the characters were doing, and learning what that could be came with many surprises and twists. One of the most striking features about the world building in this book is how expansive it felt. This book reveals quite a lot about the nature and structure of this world, but I feel like there's a lot that we don't know just yet, and I can't wait to find that out.

In a ranking of fantasy protagonists that I've read recently, Yining would definitely be in the top. Drawn between two people, the mysterious advisor Jin and the ruthless Prince Zixing, Yining finds herself a part of a web of secrets and lies. Even though she is constantly facing danger, whether human or not so human, she doesn't lose sight of her true goal. No spoilers from me, but certain things in the first half of the book become even clearer when you hit a certain point in the middle, and towards the end. Her character arc has only just begun and I can't wait to see her once more as a protagonist.

As for the romance, this is a love triangle done right. At the end of the book, I was left feeling conflicted, unable to decide which love interest was my favourite. Both Jin and Zixin have their merits and demerits, and they both had me charmed. Each shares a unique dynamic with Yining, a relationship where both are being used and they are using her. I'm excited to see how this plays out given the event of the ending.

Speaking of the ending, and the plot in general, so much happens and there are lot of unexpected plot twists, some you could predict and some that hit you in the face. The pacing is incredible and is action packed till the end. We leave the characters with hope but at the same time, with an uncertain future. Book 1 was a blast, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Never Ever After is another stunning book by Sue Lynn Tan. I love everything about it. I want a million special editions of it. And most of all, can I put up an early hand to receive an arc of book 2, pleaseee?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (athenafreyag on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/athenafreyag/ )

Initial thoughts: It is written by Sue Lynn Tan. I, therefore, need to read it. As does everyone ofc. It's also the first in her debut YA duology.

What I liked 🤩: EVERYTHING!! Yining is a resourceful and fierce young woman who doesn't apologize for who she is. She tolerates no nonsense and no insults. Yining is not only a survivor, but a girl who wants to thrive and live her life the way she wants to. I LOVED her to the moon and back!! I loved how patient and cunning she is, how she lies and schemes not for ambition or nefarious reasons but for her own sake. She guards herself exactly like Jin does.

Jin, my man and my Lord! He is everything I love in a character: smart, cunning, competent, self-aware, kind, and funny. He is also unapologetic in his scheming and reasoning, and despite his reasons for his own people etc, he does nothing really for his own ambition either. It is for his people and for the greater good. And through all this, he maintains a kind heart and he makes A LOT OF US swoon.

I don't typically like fairytales, but if Sue Lynn Tan has written a reimagining, then I am REPORTING FOR DUTY AND REVIEW. She spins it 360 degrees and turns everything upside down. Prince Charming? How about Prince Evil who turns into Prince Complicated?! Cinderella and damsel in distress who falls for the Prince at first sight? How about a girl who saves herself and doesn't like the Prince and only pretends to be interested in him?!

Never Ever After is a plot and character masterpiece!! Great plot twists that nobody sees coming, complex characters, layered worldbuilding that keeps getting better, and a romance that swoons even the coldest heart.

What I didn’t like 🙃: NOTHING!! This book was perfection!

Overall: Do you want to experience a lush world and twisty plot unfold in front of you like the most compelling c-drama ever? Characters you root for and surprise you? An epic romance? Then you must read Never Ever After. It is one of the best books of the year!

SE info: This has deluxe first editions with sprayed edges, a Waterstones exclusive edition, and it is the monthly pick for the Fairyloot September YA box. I renewed with great joy!!

I loved this!! I'm a huge fan of the author, and I found the writing so beautiful. I really liked the character and thought that they really complemented each other. The world building is great and I absolutely loved the Cinderella retelling that was weaved with Chinese mythology.

This was a brilliant read.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

I think everyone knows by now just how much i love books written by Sue Lynn Tan so it's no surprise that i am giving another one of her books a high rating. She knows how to grip me and send me off to another world for a few hours. I know that once i open her books, i can just tune everything out and enjoy what i'm reading.

The pacing is always so well done and her characters are amazing. I love that there's always some sort of plot twist or something i didn't see coming. In that moment, i say to myself "i should've known" as the signs were there but i just overlooked them. You're so focused on the bigger events that you miss out on the tiny details sometimes. Her lush world's never fail to disappoint me. She's got that part nailed down.

The whole last act had me devouring the pages and i just didn't want to stop. Like, i LEGIT was reading until 1 a.m. last night (sleep wasn't important to me in that moment 😂). Also, the ending?! Please give me more, Sue. You can't just end it there. Overall, this was a fun read that i think a lot of fantasy lovers will enjoy.

Thank you so much hodder books and netgalley for allowing me to read an e-arc for an honest review.

Oh Sue Lynn Tan you have done it yet again. Managed to get this cold hearted woman to cry!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I just love the way Sue Lynn Tan's writing envelops you and completely immerses you in the world the book is set in and makes you fall in love with the characters in this story.

It was billed as a Cinderella reimagining but it is so much more than that. Firstly the Cinderella character in this book is a badass. I absolutely loved Yining!

Yining isn't a damsel in distress. I loved that she tackled things head on and she didn't go to the ball to get a handsome prince she went there to take back something stolen from her. What ensues is a wild ride of twists and turns. I loved her character. She is full of determination and fire.

"One step forward, leaving my past behind, reaching for what's beyond the curve. There lies my destiny, and I will claim it."

Now there are two MMC's and what I loved about this book is you think one thing about each of them, then change your mind and then by the end of the book your opinion has changed again. Sue Lynn keeps us on our toes with these MMC's. A love triangle is brewing but I honestly can't choose between Jin and Prince Zixin. There's things I like about them both but they also have elements that I don't trust. I was swooning at some points then my stomach was in knots because of twists. I can't wait to see this unfold!

This isn't just a story about love. This is a story about power, corruption, a lost heritage and magic.

Sue Lynn Tan is fast becoming one of my favourite fantasy romance writers. I love the way she describes the world and how you feel fully immersed down to the descriptions of the food, the outfits and the scenery. I have read other books by this author and each one just gets better.

This story was full of emotion and plot twists. I enjoyed it from the very start. It's hard not to fall in love with the characters and Sue Lynn Tan's writing.

I really hope there is going to be another book. I am desperate to read more about Yining's journey and explore more of the three kingdoms.

Thank you Netgally, Sue Lynn Tan and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc. This is my own honest review of the book.

Sue Lynn Tan writes the best lyrical and atmospheric novels indulging with Chinese myths or retellings that take my entire heart. I was absolutely in love with this novel — the rich world-building, lore and prose. It's not very different from Tan's usual writing style and I appreciate that fact so much. I was blown away but the last 25%, the plots twists and revealtions completely shocked me. The ending has me excited for the next installment and I cannot wait to read the conclusion of this amazing duology!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC.

If Sue Lynn Tan writes it, I’m going to read it, and this was no disappointment!
I absolutely loved this book - from the world-building to the depth of characters, it was completely immersive.

Inspired by the western fairytale of Cinderella as well as Chinese Cinderella, Sue Lynn Tan has taken these fairytales and constructed an original and unique world and story. The FMC is strong and independent, whilst still maintaining that necessary and loveable vulnerability. Both MMCs differ dramatically however both complex and even the side characters have exceptional depth to them. The romance is definitely a minor plot point, focusing more on the political and fantasy aspects, but was most certainly not overshadowed, providing tender moments and a slow romantic development.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an early copy!!

They say we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I am ashamed to say that I did make a judgement of this before I started it. Whilst I love a whimsical fairytale, I was so worried I wouldn’t be drawn into this book and I was so wrong. This book has yearning, enemies to lovers, a love triangle, court/politics, and even a magical talking fish!!

The relationships between the characters was one of my favourite things about this novel. The FMC is torn between two potential lovers, and as we learn more about the two MMCs, we really get to see the inner turmoil of the FMC and the complexity of the relationships. One can offer power and endless wealth which she’s dreamed about her whole life, and the other can offer her freedom and stability. Having the book from her POV emphasised the inner conflict she was facing with the two males, and it was written in a great way that I found relatable. You initially support her with one of the males, then you support the other, then you learn that they’re both pretty morally grey and as a reader you’re torn between the two just as Yining is. It evokes a lot of emotion from the reader.

The plot was consistently great. There were a few different events and I feel there was a good amount of planning and context in between them. It gives the reader time to process everything. I’m not ashamed to admit that I usually love constant action because I need to feel drawn in, and I didn’t expect this book to keep me as hooked as it did but I was just constantly entertained!

The world building is also fantastic. The language the author uses makes it very easy for the reader to picture the scenes, particularly with the palace and its intricacies.

This was my first book by this author and this great read has encouraged me to read more by her! I love that there is a whimsical setting with a story that packs a big punch full of personality!

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Thank you for the Author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance.
Sue Lynn Tan is great at magical world-building and this one didn't disappoint, AT ALL. On the contrary, it's the best book I've read from her.
From that magical world-building with so many nuances, the Cinderella reimagining details were so imaginative and beautiful and plot is so much more than I was expecting from reading the synopsis. The synopsis intrigued me but the plot was SO intricate. It kept adding more layers to the plot, more players, more twists and our main character didn't disappoint. I think she was courageous with a bit of naivety and also a bit dreamy at first but then she saw not everything was what it seemed. She started keeping her eyes open and acting and that's when the plot thickened and twisted. There was a revelation about her that left me surprised.
The other characters: all the characters in this book are so well written that, apart from 2 of them, the rest (including the 2 love interests) I don't like or dislike 100%. I like at certain times but, then at other times, I just really don't. Just like normal people who are not likeable all the time. And I think this is the first book that I don't have a clear side on the love interests. I pend more for one side because the actions of the other person were worse but, that person that I pend more to, I also don't trust at 100% so yeah that's new to me.
As we got closer to the end, the last few chapters left me SHOOK with a betrayal than I really didn't see coming 😯
I'm so looking forward to continuing this journey. To see her developing more of her powers, to see what will happen with the love interests and if my opinions will change and see more of this fantastic world.

I always enjoyed reading the light and easy going chinese folklore inspired tales written by this author. Right from her first book, I am obsessed with her easy narration and beautiful tales which have amazing characters and a heartwarming plotline.
Similarly again she was able to charm off my heart with this beautiful cindrella inspired chinese setting tale.

4.5 ⭐

Sue Lynn Tan is one of my auto buy authors and I always love her writing and finding such comfort in the stories that are created and Never Ever After the first book of her YA debut duology didn't disappoint.

I absolutely loved this beautiful fantasy romance inspired by Cinderella and a Chinese fairy tale about an orphaned thief who finds herself caught in the crossfire between a dangerous prince and the advisor of an enemy kingdom with political intrigue and trapped in a tangle of greed, treachery and power. I loved learning more about the fmc Yining and found her backstory one of my favourite parts.

While the writing and storytelling has significantly shifted to adapt to a younger audience it really hasn't lost everything that I love about Tan's writing and the beautiful lyrical flow and creativity she weaves in her writing and I really enjoyed everything about this story and the intricate lives of the characters and the twists and turns that this story delivers on especially towards the end of the book, with some unanswered questions sets up the storyline perfectly for book two and I can't wait to see how everything develops further.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review before publication. All opinions are my own.

Once again Sue Lynn Tan weaves together intriguing mythology, lyrical prose, magical world building and engaging characters to create a story that captivates from page one.
I could not help but be completely entranced from the beginning and the twists and turns of the story kept me flying through this beautiful story. Everything feels so real, the sights, the sounds, the fears of FMC Yining. I couldn’t decide who to trust throughout and that kept me completely engaged.
Epic and magical, Never Ever After is everything I love about Sue Lynn Tan’s writing.

i love sue lynn tans writing and the worlds she creates, i will read everything she writes and happily rate it five stars

A fantastic love story and fantasy romance in which the main couple is brilliantly written with tension and stakes. The worldbuilding was really nice and imaginative using Chinese influence and culture which was lovely and lead to whimsical writing.

Actual rating: 4,5 stars

Sue Lynn Tan is one of my all-time favorite authors, and what a blessing it is to receive two books from her this year!
This story was a spin on Cinderella, and while the beginning certainly felt reminiscent of it and elements were woven into the story throughout, it very much felt like its own thing.
It was darker than her previous books, and I think much like Daughter of the Moon Goddess, it fits into the NA category, not quite adult, but also more mature than YA books.

Once we depart the beginning and the Cinderella setup, the plot takes many twists and turns, and in classic Sue Lynn Tan fashion, you can't quite know whom to trust. I always love the way she makes characters truly morally gray, as no one is entirely innocent, but even villainous characters have their good sides to them.
The plot was a little bit slow at times, which is the only reason I'm not giving the book 5 stars, but it really picked up the pace in the last quarter and I couldn't put it down then.

As someone who loves (well-executed) love triangles, I was very happy that the author who wrote one of my all-time-favorite love triangles also included one here. I can't wait to see how this one unfolds, since I'm sure we have some amazing character development coming up in the sequel.

The world is beautiful and vast, with some dark corners and darker elements, but it never loses its charm. I also really enjoyed the world building and thought it was well done. I loved the addition of witches in this book, I didn't quite expect it, but it fits the story so well!

Overall, I had a really great time with this and cannot wait to see how the story continues. Sue Lynn Tan has done it again and I will forever be in love with everything she writes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

4.5 stars!!

Never Ever After is a romantic YA fantasy filled with magic, politics, and betrayal. It's loosely inspired by Chinese folklore and Cinderella, but with a darker twist.

From the very start, I was pulled in by the beautiful descriptive writing and the intriguing premise. Yining is such a fierce, clever heroine and felt like a breath of fresh air. (i do love a strong FMC)
It also makes sense as she had to learn to survive by putting herself first. And I absolutely loved following her into the wondrous and treacherous world of the palace as well as learning more about her past.

The story itself balances a slow-burn romance (and a love triangle), court politics, as well as morally grey characters in a way that constantly kept me guessing. (and i say this as someone who usually guesses twists) The chemistry and banter were so good, especially in the last 20%, which were filled with tension, twists, and betrayal. Honestly, I was FLYING through the pages!! The romance also didn't overshadow the story as it was mostly in the background, which I think some people will appreciate.

While the pacing lagged a little in the middle, the ending more than made up for it. It left me more than ready for the next book, and i already cannot wait.

If you love romantic fantasy with tension, magic, and characters who refuse to play nice, this one is for you!!

ARC and ALC review

"Never Ever After" by Sue Lynn Tan is the first book in the "Never Ever After" series.
This is a Cinderella-inspired fantasy.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for the digital copy of the book and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:
⦁ Love triangle
⦁ Chinese folklore
⦁ Darker Cinderella reimagining
⦁ Morally grey characters
⦁ Court politics
⦁ Villainous prince
⦁ Ruthless heroine
⦁ Romance and angst

I fell in love with Sue Lynn Tan's writing while reading "Immoral" and this books is just as beautifully written.
Yining is a skilled thief and a liar. She gets to the palace in search of an enchanted ring that her aunt stole from her.
There she becomes trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed.
Prince Zixin is interested in her, and Jin, the adviser of a rival court becomes her ally.

I liked the world building a lot, there is a lot of beauty, magic and political games. This feels like a fairytale.
The characters are well developed, we have a powerful prince, a mysterious and enigmatic adviser and a strong woman with a hard life.
The romance is a slow burn and there are two love interests.
I already have a favorite between Zixin and Jin.

I'm looking forward to the next book.

4.5 stars

Never Ever After was a fantastic start to a new duology by Sue Lynn Tann. I loved the constant twists and turns and that I couldn't predict what will happen in the next book!

I found the characterisation to be engaging. I was surprised by my own feelings for each character by the end, so I am really looking forward to the next book. The setting was gorgeously described with vivid prose, providing an introduction to the world that was easy to follow. Even though the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle, the overarching plot was fast-moving. Overall, this was great fun to read.

Sue Lynn Tan is easily becoming one of my favorite authors with her beautiful writing inspired by Chinese mythology! This story also had Cinderella vibes and inspiration as well! The world building was intriguing and the characters were well written. The storyline had me hooked from start to finish! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

Rating - 4.75⭐️

This is now my favourite Sue Lynn Tan book!! I could literally yap about this book for HOURS. I already have so many theories for the sequel 🤭. I went into this book pretty blind and I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this dark Cinderella retelling.

First of all, I loved Yining as the FMC soooo much, she’s definitely a new favourite FMC. She has great survival instincts, she’s clever, she’s cunning, and she’s a schemer AND I LOVED ALL THE CHOICES SHE MADE!!!

I also enjoyed the plot, it was action-packed and I enjoyed every direction the plot went in. Although I will say, the characters were what really carried this book for me even though the plot was great. I could literally yap about Yining, Jin, and Prince Zixin all day.

Speaking of Jin and Prince Zixin, they were complex and morally grey characters and this might be one of the few love triangles I loved. They both have excellent chemistry with Yining and their interactions were soooo entertaining. I loved how Yining acknowledges that she feels something for both guys but she never lets that get in the way of her ambition. In my opinion, I felt like there was a lot of psychological warfare going on between all 3 of them and I WAS EATING IT ALL UP.

I love Sue Lynn Tan's writing so this was just a no brainer for me. The writing of this is beautiful, the characters were so likeable and they really complemented each other, I love love LOVE a slow-burn, the tension and the longing and everything was just! PERFECT!

When Sue Lynn Tan said this was Ever After/Cinderella × The Cruel Prince, I was excited because Jude Duarte and Danielle de Barbarac are icons, obviously.

Danielle fights the system with intellect and compassion and Jude survives it by becoming more cunning and dangerous than the people who built it. Therefore, I really appreciated FMC Yining’s character which had Danielle’s sense of justice, Jude’s distrustfulness and resourcefulness, as well as ethics that Robin Hood would approve of.

The opening chapters went straight for the jugular using elements of the Chinese fairytale of Ye Xian, reminding me that the OG fairytales are not cute bedtime stories (maybe mind your triggers). We kept throwing out Game of Thrones/ASOIAF references throughout the entirety of the book, which felt very fitting. To say which references would be spoilery, but once you read this, come back to me and we can talk.

Tan builds a picturesque world of lush landscapes, mouthwatering food and couture-level costumes, that it’s easy to get enchanted and completely miss the wee little reminder that systemic inequality doesn’t get solved with a nice pair of shoes, even if a magical fairy god-fish gifts them to you. Also, princes are overrated. I wouldn’t trust them, no matter how lethal their cheekbones. Magical found families are cool though. Always down for them.

Now, about the so-called “love triangle.” Personally, I wouldn’t even call it that. It’s more of a who-do-I-trust triangle… with romantic intrigue. If that sounds confusing, yes, I was confused. Every time I picked a side, something happened to make me go, “Wait, nope.” Even now, after the ending, I’m still not sure of anything except that Tan is a masterful storyteller and theories are rife. Waiting for the next book will be semi-torture.

Finally, what I loved most was how cunning everyone was. The women were complex and unpredictable. The dudes were sketchy and entertainingly so. As Ivana says, there were zero “limp noodles”.

This was my first time reading Sue Lynn Tan and I’m thrilled to have discovered a new favourite fantasy author of 2025.

I was lucky enough to do an immersion read with both e-arc and audio, and I have to give a shout out to the narrator, Natalie Naudus whose expressive tonal range for different characters had me captivated.

If you like incisive fantasy worlds with political scheming, whimsy contrasted with dark undertones, and romance that doesn't overshadow the fantasy, this one should be right up your alley.

A big thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the DRC and Hachette Audio for providing the ALC of Never Ever After via NetGalley.

Chinese Cinderella with kick ass teeth! Really interesting idea and as with all Sue Lynn Tan books beautifully written. I really loved this re-telling inspired read - it felt fresh and new. I need more of these books