Never Ever After

Never Ever After #1

by Sue Lynn Tan

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.

Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and unforgiving. After the death of her beloved uncle, Yining has survived by becoming a skilled thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that holds the key to a brighter future, it is stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the kingdom to seize it back.

Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious prince, who tempts her with a world she’s never imagined. But nothing is as it seems, for she’s soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed—her only ally the cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her.

This sweeping fantasy romance inspired by Cinderella and a Chinese fairy tale is the first in a breathtaking new series by the acclaimed author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Retellings, Fiction, Audiobook

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2025

About the author

Sue Lynn Tan is the NYT, USA Today, and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess and the Celestial Kingdom books, Immortal and Never Ever After. She writes stories of mythology, fantasy and romance, for adults and older teenagers. Her books are being translated into eighteen languages, have been nominated for multiple Goodreads Choice Awards, and won the American Library Association Alex Award.

Born in Malaysia, Sue Lynn studied in London and France, before moving to Hong Kong. Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from around the world. and she spent much of her childhood lost in magical worlds.

Find her on Instagram @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com.

Reviews

[Esta · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 our buddy read, 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.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Ever After/Cinderella × The Cruel Prince × Chinese fairytale.

(Cinderella loses her shoe, Jude Duarte uses hers as a murder weapon, Danielle de Barbarac throws it at Cardan Greenbriar's head after getting into a philosophical debate with him about privilege?)

Delighted to read with my sis, Ivana.

[Sue Lynn Tan]

Never Ever After is a darker reimagining of Cinderella that takes the story in a new direction – a ruthless heroine forged by hardship, a villainous prince who might be the start of her troubles instead of the end of them.

I’ve always been intrigued by Cinderella, how her life changed with a simple invitation. In the more traditional retellings, her story often ends with her marrying the prince and living “happily ever after”. But what if this was just the beginning?

Never Ever After is my first young adult fantasy and I believe this story will also appeal to adults, like my previous books. For fans of The Cruel Prince x Ever After, this is a fantasy with magic and court intrigue, interwoven with a slow-burn, intricate romance filled with angst and yearning. A few things you will find here:

🥀Darker Cinderella reimagining
👑Villainous prince
🗡️Ruthless heroine
🏰Court politics
❤️Romance
💔Angst
🩶Morally gray characters

The US and Canada edition has a limited first print-run with stunning artwork by Rosie Thorns on the case, with illustrated endpapers, while the UK has an exclusive signed Waterstones edition with sprayed edges. More details can be found at www.suelynntan.com

Thank you for wanting to find out more about Never Ever After! I can’t wait to share this story with you. While I’m not often on Goodreads, you can find me on Instagram @suelynntan ❤️

[Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a little divided, so I'll split this into positives and negatives.
Positives: the writing is beautiful, the author's other books just moved to the top of my tbr. I like the characters a lot, they are really different and complement each other, I can only imagine the sequel will be great. 
Negatives: it is a little too predictable, I could see the ending from the first second certain characters were introduced. The book only picked up the pace after the midway point when we meet new characters. 
Never After Ever is a fantasy heavy on political intrigue. If you liked cruel prince you might want to check it out, it is similar in some ways. The beginning of the book is a little slow, but that's to be expected since it is setting the scene for the action in book two. I am really excited to see where the story goes, I love one side character in particular that I am dying to see more of. The romance is not the focus, not at all, but it is cute and I imagine it will be a lot more present in book two.

Thank you Hachette and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC!

[anh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Unfortunately, I did not like this book as much as I wanted to. It was going well at the start—like I was really invested in the storyline and how it was going to go. Of course, the concept of Cinderella x Chinese fairytale is very intriguing, so I had high hopes. But I somehow got bored so fast. Luckily, I also had the audiobook, so I had options, and in some ways, I think it kind of helped me get through it. But I would be lying if I said it didn't feel like a chore to get through.

My main problem is the pacing and how predictable this book was. It was very, very slow at the start, then picks up towards the end, but at the same time, it was so predictable that I just couldn't love it. To best describe it: the first half, I have no idea where it was going. Because of the concept, I was still invested, but then it got very boring so fast because I got confused—I didn't know which direction it was going. And when the second half picked it up, I was already very disconnected and knew what was coming. So it's like, too slow when I needed something to happen, but then too predictable when things finally did happen.

The characters were fine, but I never really felt connected to any of them. I found myself not caring that much about their relationships or what was happening to them. This book does handle some dark themes, but at the same time, I somehow felt the stakes were pretty low. I unfortunately couldn't really root for Yining, the main character, either. She's a character who has potential, but I found her decisions so frustrating, and how naive she was at times.

Now, even though this book wasn't quite a success as I had hoped it would be, I'm still eager to try more of Sue Lynn Tan's books. I think it's so fascinating how she writes complex stories with strong political themes against atmospheric fantasy worlds with Chinese culture, and I've heard amazing things about her other books as well. As of now, I have no idea if I want to continue this series or not, but maybe I'll try her other books first.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

From the very first chapter, Tan sweeps you into the unforgiving Iron Mountains, where Yining—a sharp-witted thief with a survivor’s instincts—navigates loss, betrayal, and the shadows of her past. Her journey to reclaim an enchanted ring stolen by her cruel step-aunt takes her deep into the glittering, treacherous heart of the empire. There, she becomes entangled with two equally dangerous men: the magnetic, ruthless Prince Zixin and the calculating, secretive Jin, advisor to a rival court. Every encounter crackles with tension, every alliance feels as fragile as spun glass.

This is where Tan’s brilliance truly shines. Her worldbuilding is lush yet razor-sharp—palaces shimmer with dangerous beauty, whispers of magic curl through every shadow, and the political games are as captivating as they are cutthroat. Her mythological influences pulse through every scene, making the world feel ancient, alive, and endless.

The romance? A slow-burn delight. Tan doesn’t rush it; she lets it simmer beneath layers of mistrust, stolen glances, and the kind of unspoken longing that makes your chest ache. And while the romantic threads are intoxicating, they never overshadow the story’s deeper currents of power, survival, and self-discovery.

I’ve adored Tan’s Celestial Kingdom series—it remains one of my all-time favorites—and this new duology opener feels like a thrilling evolution of her craft. Her signature mystical, poetic style is all here: the vivid imagery, the emotional precision, the way she can make a single line feel like it holds the weight of a legend.

Never Ever After starts with a spark, builds into a storm, and ends with the kind of twist that makes you gasp out loud. It’s fierce, enchanting, and utterly addictive. By the final page, I was already desperate for book two.

A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sharing this mesmerizing fantasy and unforgettable Cinderella reimagining with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. If you love richly imagined worlds, complex characters, and romance that feels like destiny, prepare to lose yourself in Yining’s story.

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[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 in your entire life. I personally have found with retellings a lot of the time the story being retold outshines the original story being told by the author. After a while it is a genre that starts to feel very "copy & paste". Here however it's the exact opposite. The original story that's being retold (Cinderella) comes through like phantom whispers in the background making room for a beautifully original story to be told in its own right. Everything about this was just absolutely beautiful. The depth and complexity of the characters, The elaborate and alluring atmosphere, the real and raw feelings it makes you feel from start to finish, the intertwining of cultures and stories new & old..Brilliant! Absolutely brilliantly done. AND THE ENDING?!!.. don't .even .get .me. started.. this was pure perfection all the way around!







Until next time,
Hades
🩵

[˚₊꒰ა Jii ໒꒱₊˚ (catching up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

˙₊➴ ꒰ 4-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖

📜┆ ARC ⤿ Hodderscape & NetGalley
✒️┆ Author ⤿ Sue Lynn Tan
💌┆ Pub Date ⤿ US 10/28 || UK 10/30 ~ Happy Release Week .ᐟ

❝ Yet girls like me don’t end up with crowns on their heads. If we reach too high, we get cut down. ❞

Growing 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 whatever it took to survive and to avoid her aunt’s wrath. But everything changes with a single invitation from the Palace of Nine Hills. Suddenly, Yining is thrust into a world she never dared to imagine. Surrounded by breathtaking splendor and the presence of the legendary Prince, it feels like a dream finally coming to life.
Yet, the longer she stays, the more she begins to see the cracks beneath the surface. Not everything up those mountains is as it seems. Has Yining finally stepped into the life she’s always dreamed of… or into a nightmare beyond anything she ever imagined?

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts

‧˚ ꒰ 🔮 ꒱ world & story ₊˚⋆

❝ If I’ve learned anything, it’s that dreams change. And we must let go before they turn into nightmares. ❞

In true Sue Lynn Tan fashion, she has painted another ethereal, picturesque, and magical world set in a Chinese historical fantasy world filled with endless wonders. If I could just describe her writing, it would always be a canvas filled with splashes of color that both blend yet make certain elements pop out, making you all the more appreciative of all the colors, be it individually or all together!

But what made this book a new fave of mine is that she not only presented us with her usual colorful world, but she also balanced those vibrant hues with the shadowy mysteries throughout the whole book! From the Iron Mountains, Amber Forest, to Thorn Valley, and the Mist Island, the brightness, vibrance, and contrast were all present; every kingdom was brought to life with their distinct crafts, seasons, customs, and magic, pulsing with its own identity, making not only their own city/kingdom unique but the world feel vast, layered, and alive!🎨✨

And when she said that this was a darker reimaging of Cinderella without her usual happily ever after, Sue Lynn Tan didn’t just say it; she presented and delivered this to us on a platter! Colorful as ever, yet not missing the realistic aspect that all lives are not always a fairy tale, and not all dreams are without cost.

‧˚ ꒰ 💫 ꒱ characters ₊˚⋆

❝ Handsome princes don’t always have hearts of gold, and those who do probably don’t want someone like me. ❞

With a magical kingdom comes the usual royals, nobles, and commoners, and this story brings them to life through three unforgettable characters.👑

First, there’s Prince Zixin, the brave and powerful heir to the Iron Mountains. As the future king, he walks the fine line between honoring his father’s legacy and forging his own path, carrying the weight of a crown he’s still learning how to wear. Then there’s Jin, the bold attendant of Lord Chao, from the allied kingdom of Thorn Valley. He is surrounded by mystery, yet impossible to ignore. Jin’s charm and wit shine through, making him as captivating as he is enigmatic. And at the heart of it all is Yining, the “Cinderella” of this tale. Despite a life marked by loss and hardship, she continues to search for light in the darkness, clinging to wonder, hope, and dreams far bigger than the world she's known. She is both soft and strong, a quiet dreamer reaching for the stars.

Following their journeys was enjoyable, each of them so different, yet equally compelling. Their struggles, secrets, and growth added so much depth, and I loved how each carried their own kind of charm, making the story even more exciting to follow.

‧˚ ꒰ 🍑 ꒱ romance ₊˚⋆

❝ He looks at me— not the way someone looks at a pretty flower or a fine painting— but the way one would stare at the full moon or the sky when it comes alive with the radiance of dawn. ❞

When it comes to the romance, I liked this one much better than the romance in The Celestial Kingdom Duo. What I appreciated most was how it never overpowered the plot. As Yining slowly unravels the mystery around her, her growing feelings remain subtle and never overwhelming. That balance made the smaller, tender moments feel even more meaningful. We’re not constantly pulled into dramatic back and forths, which gives the romance space to breathe naturally. Tbh it still feels too early to pick a side who im rooting for. I wanna get to know both potential love interests more before choosing who to root for hihi. But one thing’s for sure, I’m on Team Yining (will always be) and that’s what matters most!💌💫

‧˚ ꒰ 🐉 ꒱ final thoughts ₊˚⋆

❝ But while our past was stolen from us, our future remains unwritten. There lies my destiny, and I will claim it. ❞

Finishing this book, I see my thoughts as more of a first impression than final judgments when it comes to the characters and the romance, and that’s only natural with this being the first book, as there is still more to uncover. But in every other way, this story delivered everything I love: lyrical writing, layered political intrigue, complex characters, picturesque vibes, a fun bantery duo, mystery to be uncovered, all set in a historical fantasy world. 4 vibrantly shining stars from me! As usual, I’m already seated and counting down the days until the next one (even though this book hasn’t even been published yet). I need to know what happens next and extremely ready to be shocked/surprised by what mother Sue Lynn Tan will give!🌸🍃


‧₊˚ ☁️⋆ more quotes ·˚ ༘ *

❝ If life is a game, I lose each round. Everything I touch turns to ash; everyone I love, I’ve lost. ❞

❝ But if anyone brings you such misery, cut them loose. Find your people, those that fill your heart rather than take from it. ❞

❝ No one helps girls like me, we help ourselves. ❞

❝ Yet girls like me don’t end up with crowns on their heads. If we reach too high, we get cut down. ❞

❝ Power is meaningless when it destroys those it is meant to protect. ❞

❝ If you pluck a flower but leave its root, another will bloom. Its seeds will scatter, borne by the wind, hidden away . . . until a garden blossoms. ❞

❝ I don’t care about risking myself for glory; I have the heart of a thief not a hero. But to win against the odds— that is a prize worth bleeding for. ❞

❝ Not all of us are born monsters, some are made. ❞

❝ In the beginning, I thought you might be useful. It was safer to keep a distance from you; you had a way of infiltrating my mind, of getting under my skin. But when you fought General Xilu on the tower, though you were doing everything just as I’d planned— I’d never felt such fear and rage. ❞

❝ He looks at me— not the way someone looks at a pretty flower or a fine painting— but the way one would stare at the full moon or the sky when it comes alive with the radiance of dawn. ❞

❝ Wherever I am, wherever you are—I will come for you. ❞

彡🔖 Also made a review post on my booksta! You can check it out ⤳ here!♡

➳ Huge thanks to the publisher & author — Hodderscape, Sue Lynn Tan & NetGalley — for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.



˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆

It’s finally time! No words just pure excitement‼️😻

‧₊˚✧ ⟦ 07/14/25 ⟧ ₊˚.༄
The way I screamed! Mama Sue Lynn Tan writes, I read, love & will obsess over. I don’t know what I did to get this (maybe my prayers were on repeat at Divine Harmony Sky, and they just said, “give the girl her arc so she can shut up”).😭🪷💞💫

‧₊˚✧ ⟦ 03/08/25 ⟧ ₊˚.༄
SLT book covers never fail to deliver! We just got immortal this year but we’re getting blessed with another one! mother is feeding us😭🩷

➳ Huge thanks to the publisher & author — Hodderscape, Sue Lynn Tan & NetGalley — for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mika (Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Quick Recommendation/Overview

Perfect for people who search for a compelling fantasy read where the romance isn't too much in the focus. It might be medium-paced but the world-building wouldn't have been so impressive as well as the explanations to the magic if it wouldn't have been for the medium pace. As the story progresses one gets to know three Kingdoms (Mist Island, Iron Mountains and Thorn Valley) as well as the magic system that is very intriguing. The love-triangle is unique from others as it has no obvious winner, making one wonder who will captivate Yining's heart at the end. What makes it even more interesting is that both male leads are morally grey which makes them both loveable for not being perfect. The reader never gets bored as there is a big adventure waiting for them. Romance isn't the big focus but political intrigues are which makes the relationships between the characters more tense. One doesn't know who to trust, it's all feels not only unsafe for Yining but also for the reader. There are lots of betrayals, broken promises and somebody wicked all amongst them. It reads exactly like a young adult book even if there are heavier themes, it never oversteps it.

If you're hoping to read something romantic then this book will not be for you as it's focus almost only lays in the fantasy, the world-building as well as the characters and lastly the political intrigues. There is definitely still romance, but it's extremely subtle and a slow-burn, not blooming any time soon. I think the author wanted to focus more on the characters developments, their relationships (not just romance) and their conflicts. Thus making it a good match for people who prefer plot-driven stories as well as character-driven stories, as it's well mixed, not outbalancing the other. Same goes for the romantasy, while the fantasy has a stronger focus the romance isn't gone, it just develops slower so that the characters can develop on their own without it.

Themes include dragons, betrayal, finding family and home — a place to belong, fighting for oneself, court politics, slow-burn romance, Cinderella re-telling, hidden powers, the desire for power and its destructive nature, magical objects and classism.

Yining's personality reminded me a lot of Yona of the Dawn.

The Review

This read was not what I expected. It positively surprised me!

At first I thought it would mainly focus on the romance and the fantasy but that wasn't the case. The romance was very subtle, barely noticeable. There were definitely more intimate moments, but the love-triangle made it uncertain where the romance might lead. It wasn't obvious who the winner would be out of this, making it more intense than most love-triangles.

In focus were the fantasy elements as well as a political intrigues that made the atmosphere tense. There were so many plot twists, especially near the end which made this read even more compelling. Every time I thought I know everything there was to be known I was wrong.

Cinderella re-telling
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the elements of the Cinderella re-telling that was promised to me. There was an evil step-aunt and losing something and trying to get it back is included as well, just like Cinderella lost her shoe. Overall though it wouldn't really have been noticeable to me if one wouldn't have told me that it is supposed to be a Cinderella re-telling. It might be possible that the re-telling is from a different Cinderella version than I know. Sometimes Chinese media likes to make their own versions instead of just simply adapting the same like others, so there is a possibility that I'm just not familiar with their version of Cinderella which made the re-telling aspect fell flat for me.

Characters

Yining
Yining was fierce, fighting for herself. She was also quick to lie and deceive others to get what she wants. I sometimes thought that she was a bit too much, but at the same time I couldn't think of another way to portray a character that was left alone in the world like she was. Yining had no one she could rely on, her only strength was to fight to get what she wants and what she wanted was freedom, respect and finding her family that she lost when she was younger. Her rage was thereof understandable. She was betrayed and used for advantage way too often. Yining doesn't want to be the second choice any longer, not somebody to be laughed at. She showed them all what she was capable of, she wasn't the type of girl to weep about her misery. Yining fought back and that's exactly why I liked her. Her personality was perfect for this type of story, a story full of betrayal and tension.

Lord Jin-Yong
Jin was one of the two male leads who were morally-grey. He was so similar to Yinying sometimes that I thought they would end up at some point, but many plot twists later I wasn't so sure about this any longer. What I liked about him was that he was so complex that he wasn't just simply a saviour or somebody who betrayed others — he was much more. He was likable and yet so hateable at the same time, he was morally-grey. I personally think romance stories are boring if the male lead is perfect. I kinda want them to be a walking red flag but yet not being completely sinked in with the red. I want them to be complex, more human.

Prince Zixin
I'm not entirely sure what to write about that character. I liked his backstory and how he was a perfect example of how the body and mind changes over time if exposed to too many bad influences. Some wither, some become strong and some others become the same thing they very much hated to become. Speaking of complexity, he definitely won that contest. He's confusing, but at the same time it's so clear what his motives are. The confusing part is how he switches his choice like his shoes in the morning. Did I like him? Probably not. Will I like him in the future? Probably.

Final thoughts

What I liked the most was the setting. I received a beautiful world-building. Another thing I received were political intrigues which I seem to enjoy in fantasy reads a lot. And of course the royalty aspect, which I almost always devour when I find one.

I'm glad that I gave this one a chance as it was much more than I initially expect from it. Looking forward to read the rest of the series!

StoryGraph review + content warnings

Blog Review



Big thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advanced reader copy of Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan



Started the book: 26. September 2025
Finished the book: 26. September 2025
Wrote the review: 27. September 2025
Edited the review: 15. November 2025

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

If she writes it - I will read it.

Gorgeously written Cinderella-inspired romatansy with political intrigue for dayssssss.

Whats to love…
- cinderella reimagining that borrows but tells a fresh new story
- gorgeous prose
- vivid and lush world without being overly descriptive
- political intrigue
- slow burn romance
- multiple love interests
- the LONGING, the TENSION
- secrets and hidden identities
- family-forward story

Whats not to love…
- a tad bit predictable
- the pacing was a little off for me - but I could have just been in a weird mood.

4.4⭐️| IG | TikTok |

Thank you publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[fadheela ♡ (mid-terms ia)]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

⤿💌 27/10/25
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 it a MASTERPIECE, plssss 🥹🤞🏻

p.s. the moving process is pure chaos, so I will be in my slumber till this weekend 🫠

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

”If I’ve learnt anything, it’s that dreams change.
And we must let go before they turn into nightmares.”

i thought i’d like this more than i did, but the magic leaned more towards magical realism in my opinion and that’s something that i’m not the biggest fan of. i think the world building itself was weak, the characters lacking personality as well. the one thing i will say is that i think the love triangle was one of the better ones i’ve read— both Zixin and Jin are morally grey, i don’t think there’s a clear answer as to who she’ll ultimately choose either which is a nice change. Yinning was fine as an fmc, i don’t really have much to say about her honestly. i never fully got a grasp on the nature magic, why things were happening as they did and i just wasn’t as connected as i hoped. despite all this, the end went in an interesting direction and i wouldn’t be against reading a sequel.. there’s definitely potential here.

➺ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Hachette Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.

[ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her covers never miss and neither does the drama. This is my second Sue Lynn Tan book and she’s officially earned a spot on my favorites shelf.

We follow Yining who’s surviving the Iron Mountains by being a top tier thief and an even better liar. When her step aunt steals her enchanted ring (the key to her future) she sets out to steal it back, straight into the heart of the imperial court. There’s a ruthless prince, a cunning advisor and more betrayal than a reality show reunion.

The beginning was a tad slow and a few twists were easy to spot coming, but once the story hit its stride, I was all in. It’s dramatic, emotional and gloriously messy in all the ways I love. Think Cinderella meets Chinese folklore but with sharper edges and significantly more scheming.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC my heart’s full, my stress levels are high and I regret nothing.



AHHH I got the arc! Starting immediately ofc

Pre read: ARE WE READING THE SAME DESCRIPTION?? Homegirl’s out here living her feral Cinderella era, enchanted ring, evil step aunt, full blown palace infiltration. A ruthless prince. A CUNNING ADVISOR?? BABY this is not a book, it’s a 7 course betrayal banquet 😮‍💨✨ I’m already emotionally invested and I haven’t read a single page. THIS IS GONNA EATTTT!!!

[brittany:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Power is meaningless when it destroys those it is meant to protect.”
“But monsters live in all places, and sometimes they wear crowns.” 👑🐍

This book was so pretty ✨ full of court politics, feuding kingdoms, family prophecies, and betrayal that hurt in the best way 😭 The tension and longing had me kicking my feet, and the writing was as magical and lyrical as I expected from Sue Lynn Tan 🌙💖

The world building was lush and vivid, the characters complex and morally gray, and the romance beautifully messy in that fairy-tale-gone-dark kind of way 🕯️🌸 It’s giving Cinderella reimagined with dragons, daggers, and destiny 🐉👠

It had everything: power plays, secrets, magic, love, loss, and that addictive feeling of reading something truly enchanting ✨ A perfect YA romantasy full of emotion, heart, and beauty 💕

[Aya ☕︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

This is one of the best retellings I've ever read... I'm looking forward to the second book! and let's hope it's also an ARC 🫶🏻

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I'm so very grateful for Hachette Audio for giving me a chance to read this book early since I'm a huge fan of Sue Lynn Tan 😭😭🩷

[AG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc!

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨️/5

My faith in Sue Lynn Tan has been restored! After the colossal disappointment that was 'Immortal', I was just a bit apprehensive about Tan's newest, especially because of it being marketed as a YA romantasy. However, I can never say no to Asian fantasy novels. I'm glad I picked this up because it was fabulous!

'Never Ever After' was a lot more epic than what I expected from a fairytale retelling. I was worried that this would take the bones of the Western Cinderella tale and just throw in elements from Chinese culture, so I was pleasantly surprised to see elements from the tale of Ye Xian (aka the Chinese Cinderella) being incorporated.

I loved going on this amazing journey with the characters. Tan's Cinderella, Yining, was ambitious and sometimes ruthless enough to make efforts towards getting what she wanted but not completely like the 'not-like-the-other-girls' girls. I found her to be a well written character. Romantasy often implies fantasy elements not used to their fullest potential and the romance completely overpowering them (often because of the popular tropes) but that wasn't the case here at all! This is a fantasy novel through and through. There's magic, a strong sense of adventure, a bit of fairytale-esque whimsy, court politics, and plot twists I didn't see coming. The romance wasn't anything special but didn't bother me either. I thought there was an obvious answer to the love triangle but looking at the ending, I'm not sure where it will lead.

I can't emphasize enough about Tan's biggest strenth that yet again, was the highlight of her book- her ability to conjure up vivid landscapes in the reader's mind. Her descriptions were mesmerizing as always. The descriptions of food made my mouth water, I must admit. I count SLT among the authors who I consider masters of the aesthetic. I appreciate just how much content Tan packs into every single one of her novels. The pacing was great, without a whole lot of dull moments. The only reason why it took my this long to finish the book was because I got distracted by multiple other books and was occupied with other life stuff.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel! I'd highly recommend this to fans of Elizabeth Lim, Axie Oh and of course, Sue Lynn Tan.

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ★— I love fairytale retellings, and I really enjoyed Sue Lynn Tan’s other 2025 release, Immortal. So when I saw this title announced, I was thrilled!

Set in a Chinese-inspired kingdom, this book offers some really fun twists on the classic Cinderella tale! Here, the heroine, Yinning, lives under the thumb of her step-aunt with no evil step-siblings in sight and makes a living as a fake fortune-teller, helping her step-aunt swindle clients out of their valuables.

Yinning tries to lessen the harm where she can, and at her core, she’s simply someone desperate to escape her circumstances and experience more than the narrow life she’s been forced into.
The crown prince, Zixin, is introduced quite early on. But diverging from the original fairytale, before Yinning ever meets him, she has a slightly mischievous, tension-filled meet-cute with Jin, a mysterious foreign nobleman.

As the story’s prince, Zixin makes for an intriguing male lead. He’s navigating the political chaos left behind by his late father, and, much like Yinning, readers only gradually come to see who he really is beneath the surface and beyond just being the handsome prince every woman in the kingdom seems to want.

The book does a fantastic job of showing how Yinning’s world suddenly expands as she’s drawn into life at court, with her once-simple existence suddenly tangled up in court intrigue, political machinations, and danger. There were definitely points in the middle where the pacing lagged a bit for me and I wasn’t as hooked, but by the time I reached the ending, I was completely swept back in and positively caught off guard by where the story ultimately went!
The prose is also gorgeous, and I, once again, loved how the familiar fairytale elements were reimagined here, with a magical fish who turned out to be her fairy godmother and, instead of a glass slipper, there being a lost magical ring.

If you’re looking for a YA romantasy with some familiar beats but fun twists, courtly drama, and a romance that’s more complicated than it first appears, this book delivers.
And now, I’m breathlessly waiting for the sequel!

🎧Audiobook Note:
🎙️Narration Style: Solo
The story had an amazing narrator that definitely enhanced my experience of the story!
I loved how she voiced the different characters here, but, her as Yinning was especially engaging and made me really engrossed into the story. All the 10s!

___________

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC and to Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Pang Merry Xmas and Happy New Year =D]

OMGGGG This cover is so gorgeous!! 😍🐉❤️

[vaishnavi ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠* is editing reviews! · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC
eARC recieved from NetGalley.

dnf @ 51%

I'm so sorry, but this one just wasn't for me. I really really wanted to like it (this was one of my most anticipated arcs of the year, a book I was genuinely looking forward to), but I've reached a point where I have zero desire to continue 🫠 So here's my review of the part I did read:

The book started off amazingly well. The prologue had this dreamy, movie vibe that completely hooked me. It was the kind of opening that maked me think, yep, this is going to be a five-star read. Unfortunately, with the prologue's ending, the praise I have for this book ends as well. Once we switched to Yining's pov... everything fell apart 😪

The narration is strangely juvenile and I couldn't stop thinking about how different the tone was from the prologue, with the dialogue and our mc's train of thought bordering on comical at times. Never Ever After is labelled as ya, but it reads much younger — almost middle grade at times 😬

Yining herself is a tough protagonist to root for. She's angry all the damn time. Someone looks at her wrong, she's angry; someone gives her valid advice, she's angry — which I'd be okay with if she did something with it — but all that anger immediately disappears?? If the point was to show that she's sick of being treated as inferior, there were better ways. This just makes it seem like she has anger issues 😭

And the amount of plot armor this girl has? UNREALLL. She's handed every single thing she needs with zero real struggle. she's literally given a magic ring, warned to never part with it because it will cause her death... and then it's stolen immediately after, because: plot purposes. She sneaks into the palace, and then through a series of fortunate events, gets to stay there, and the prince is instantly obsessed with her.. You can't make this up.

I wasn't ever a fan of the "not like the others" narrative, as seen in my reading update, but here it seems like everyone suffers from this same disease?? Yining is liked by the prince cause she's not like the other nobles who vie for his attention (of course lol 🙃). Yining gives prince Zixin a pass because "he's not his father", but holds every other noble accountable, who are also just products of their environments. so like what's up with that?? morals be damned cause the guy is hot I guess.

I think my biggest frustration though was how spoon-fed the writing felt. Insane amount of "show don't tell" violations as the story constantly reminds you of Yining's misfortunes and motivations, or how she feels about something, as if we might forget between chapters. I hate stupid characters (like it's literally on my bio) but I hate it more when the readers are treated as stupid. Authors, you have got to TRUST the readers. we can figure stuff out. I know my memory is bad but don't need to be told every two pages that she's had a rough life. I can remember that much at least 😭😭

I can see other readers enjoying this, as the prose in the beginning really is lovely, and Sue Lynn Tan's imagination is undeniable. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me and put me in a slump 😑 time for a break from reading I guess. 2 stars because I didn't hate it, but it did disappoint.

pre-read જ⁀➴
╰┈➤ aah!!!! I got the arc 🥹💞

[Jenni ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5⭐️)


Never Ever After was exciting, delightfully witty, and packed with unexpected plot twists! I ate this book UP and had a BLAST with this story and characters!

Yining knows survival isn’t pretty. After losing her uncle, she became the best thief in the Iron Mountains. One night a magical carp gives her an enchanted ring and promises her a way out of her miserable life with her evil step aunt. Here is the part of the “Cinderella retelling” comes into play. As she lies and sneaks her way into the party at the Royal Court, the ring has now been taken out of her hands by the charming Prince. Now, Yining must infiltrate the glittering, cutthroat imperial court to steal it back.

The prince notices her and OF COURSE he is dangerous, magnetic, offering everything she’s ever wanted(🫦). But the palace is a web of lies, and her only ally is a rival court’s sly advisor (🫦🫦), who’s hiding as much as she is. To escape, Yining must unravel the truth about her past and decide if she’s brave enough to claim the future calling her name.

I’m a massive fan of Sue Lynn Tann, so I knew going in that she’d deliver a fierce, loyal, and unapologetically authentic FMC. What I DID NOT expect was just how wildly entertaining this book would be! The story unfolded like a binge-worthy cdrama AND I ATE IT UP. Full of unpredictable twists, clever side quests, and, of course, a GLORIOUSLY messy love triangle (which I LIVE FORRR)

SLT had me hooked from the first page, I was at the edge of my seat from the tension and high stakes but also laughed out loud from the humor. I’m already counting down the days until the next installment!! This book was an absolute delight! AND I’M SO MAD THAT I HAVE TO SIT HERE AND WAIT FOR THE SECOND BOOK.


-
Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown for a gifted copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review

[bee (on and off) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ★ [rounded up]

This was my first Sue Lynn Tan book and I loved it!

I haven’t had the best time with young adult books recently and started to think I’d outgrown the genre but this was so much fun and reminded me all the reasons why I still enjoy reading YA.

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.

This book leans more toward political intrigue than romance, but I thought it balanced out really well. If you ask me if I like love triangles, my answer would usually be no. In this case, I actually really enjoyed it. The relationships were complex, filled with tension and conflict. Usually, there's one main love interest that stands out more, but here both MMCs are morally grey and flawed, and I ended up loving them both equally. I can't wait for book 2 and to see what happens next!

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for Hodder & Stoughton for advanced copy.

[patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

“If I’ve learnt anything, it’s that dreams change. And we must let go before they turn into nightmares.”

Bravo, Sue Lynn Tan, you’ve outsmarted me again! Never Ever After is another gorgeously written novel by Tan, and while flawed, continues to get better the more twists and turns are revealed, characters become more complex, and betrayals become exposed. Don’t be fooled by the title – this is a very complex novel darker than it appears, filled with vicious politics, mysterious morally gray leads, and eliciting many explosive emotions that made me want to throw my kindle across the room.

Sue knows how to set the scene and the worldbuilding was easy to follow. Essentially there are three kingdoms introduced and each one of them felt very distinct from each other. Something about Sue’s writing and ideas always feel fresh and new, leaving me with a sense of wonder that made me want to travel to these different worlds. I did crave a bit more from the world, but it is a great tease into book 2 and I cannot wait! I definitely got the fairytale vibes with this one!

The characters in this are very complex and mysterious and I found myself wanting to know more about Prince Zixin and Jin by the end of the novel. Something Sue knows how to do very well is weave plot points together. The character dynamics in this are shaping up to be very interesting in the sequel. Both Prince Zixin and Jin are integral to the novel as well as how they tie into Yining’s present and future. Sue also does not hold back writing despicable characters that are very morally gray that borderline on true evil and it genuinely made my blood boil for a certain character. Yet it made the interactions so cutthroat and electrifying that I was flying through the pages. I would say the love triangle is on the lighter side – there feels like there’s a clear love interest for Yining, but after that ending, I feel like anything could happen as well.

While I wasn’t sure how I felt about the story early on, I was enthralled as the novel continued and it just kept getting better. The political intrigue became more vicious, action-packed, characters became more complex, and the final act was explosive. In classic Sue Lynn Tan fashion, there are multiple big twists that significantly impact the story. I genuinely thought the novel was going to be predictable, and while I was able to predict a couple small twists, I was ultimately outsmarted where I didn’t predict the big ones at all, subverting my expectations entirely. My jaw dropped for a few of them and I love that the twists have big consequences going forward. Book 2 is shaping up to be very exciting!

With Sue’s previous book, Immortal, I felt that the romance was lacking, but I was really happy that the romance in this one worked for me! It was really sweet and there were a lot of moments that made me giggle. I do think there was an instant attraction Yining had to both leads, though. I wasn’t really convinced with the initial attraction she had towards the prince. I can’t say I was charmed. I get Yining’s desire to belong and live a lavish life growing up with nothing, but felt like the execution could have been better as I felt it relied more on telling than showing. But the true romance sub plot was a lot better done and did work for me. There’s also a found family trope I wasn’t so fond of either and I wasn’t entirely convinced by it as I didn’t feel the chemistry between Yining and a particular character.

Unfortunately, I would also say Yining might be my least favorite FMC out of all the ones Sue has written. There’s nothing bad about her. I like that she puts herself first, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I just connected more to her other FMCs in past books since they put others before themselves and I personally connect to that more. But Yining is still really strong and capable. I like that she can’t be tamed and strives to be free with a strong sense of self. But I do appreciate how Sue makes all her FMCs so different and diverse where they all have a distinct voice from each other.

Despite the flaws I had for the novel, this is another solid book written by Sue Lynn Tan and I need the sequel ASAP!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

🌸Never Ever After was sumptuous storytelling, with bright, dynamic prose, lush worldbuilding, and a vibrant cast of characters, each with their own secret agenda!

💮Yining's STEPMOTHER drama kicked off a twisty, magic-infused, action-packed adventure that may have had the bones of "Cinderella," but Tan's story took the age-old tale to mythic heights, made deception an aesthetic, and trust a rare commodity.

I ATE. IT. UP!

🚩Basically EVERYONE was a red flag, hiding something, spying, stealing, dealing deals, and trading everything under the sun for freedom, for country, for a place to belong and for people to come home to.

🪻Civil unrest in the Iron Mountains gave Yining an opportunity to ingratiate herself in the Prince's good graces. She was more thief and charlatan than regicide-bent, which I loved for all of us. I was beyond happy this had more intricacy than seduce-stab-revenge plot mechanics, and I was basically squinting through half this book wondering which horse to back.

Because stg even Yining wasn't a sure thing and it was her POV lol!

👑The Prince was the complex package of luxury meets sinister undercurrent.
He was scary
But also, I kinda felt bad for him. His character arc is 100% not as straightforward as "bad guy," and I'm looking forward to where Tan will take his resume of karmic consequences as the series continues on.💎

💍I loved that from the moment Jin came on the scene (chapter 1) the game of duplicity got turned up. He gave x amount of secret spy energy, and something about that made me both wary and into him at the same time.

💓Complicated, mysterious men will never not be intriguing (sexy) to read (fall for) and ending up "Team Jin" was kind of hard won…and also unstable. Lots of story left though so you never know.

🗺️I loved the worldbuilding. From the elaborate sprawl of the Palace of Nine Hills to the tower in the Death Swamp, the details elevated the narrative and made the journey atmospheric and gorgeous to read. The food was mouthwatering to imagine, the environments lush and verdant, the flora and fauna as fantastical as they come, and there are still two other countries to discover and explore!🧭

My only real niggle was that I wasn't emotionally set on anyone.

🎏Yining wore each version of herself on the surface, and rightfully didn't trust anyone with the truth of herself until the very end. And even though there were a lot of connections/bonds formed by then, my heart solidly belongs to Little Dragon and the Sun Dragon!🌞🐲

🐉I was very happy this ended so ferociously, and now that the worldbuilding and political grievances have been laid down I think Book 2 should really fly!🪽

🍃🍂🌿Never Ever After has kicked off this series in spectacular fashion, and after establishing such exciting foundations for everything still to come, I absolutely cannot wait to see where this goes next!🍃🍂🌿

~
~
~


🌸💮🪻 when a blurb goes this hard, I can think of no one else I'd rather explore this with than my sis, Esta .🌸💮🪻

[Val~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantasy book filled with mystery and magic. The plot twists will keep you hooked until the end! As the king of the Iron Mountains is now dead, his son, Prince Zixin, has to commit to a vow to get rid of the magic from the Mist Islands. Yining, on the other hand, has a peasant life without knowing the adventure that awaits for her when she meets Jin; and a carp that tells her a secret which changes her life for good. As she grieves for her uncle and mother, who died many years ago, she lives with her cruel step-aunt and works as a fortune-teller, but she's also a very clever thief. You'll encounter funny dialogues, unexpected turn of events, and morally gray characters that make this book really entertaining. You'll also get to know about the Starfire stone, and a pair of magical dragons!

Thanks so much to the publishers that, via NetGalley, sent me both the e-ARC and the audiobook of Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan.

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need to stop reading books because they have flowers on them.

This is a mash up of fairytales, predominantly Cinderella, with magic.

This will definitely be a hit for most people, but I couldn’t connect to the characters and found the plot too predictable to feel invested in. Thus, the DNF at 50%.

I always like subverting tales, so Yining as a character should have stood out to me. She wasn’t sweet or pretty in pink or demure as we know of Cinderella. She is selfish and scheming and has her own agenda. However, that didn’t feel enough to propel this book.

The world-building was flimsy, so perhaps this is why I couldn’t immerse myself in this Chinese-inspired world. The pacing also felt off with exciting scenes skimmed over and slower, more mundane scenes taking up a large portion.

Shout out to the fish god-mother though.🐟

I was also not a fan of the narrator which didn’t help my enjoyment and wish to push on.

Audiobook arc gifted by publisher.

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[ari [gin’s vrsn 🩵] [semi ia]]

arc is in the bag 💪

[Azanta (azantareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

LUSH and exactly what you’d expect from Sue Lynn Tan. first time in a while idk whose side i’m on in the love triangle. EXCITED FOR BOOK 2

[taylor ❤️‍🔥 · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: 𝟑.𝟕𝟓 ★

“𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙨.”

in this chinese folklore influenced cinderella retelling we meet yining, a (young) woman who after losing all the family she had really ever known has had to learn unsavory ways to survive and endure her abusive step aunt. when she is reunited with a ring promised to reunite her with her family her aunt steals it, pushing her into a situation she never in her wildest dreams imagined that she would be in. forced to navigate a world of political intrigue, conspiracies and hidden ambitions yining is forced to discover who she is, and where her loyalties lie.

if you’ve read other sue lynn tan books, you know that she always does such an amazing job at describing the setting of, and building her enchanting worlds. never ever after is no different. one of my favorite things about this story is the character building. each of the main characters are morally grey, but not necessarily in the same way or even for the same reasons. i continuously found myself rooting for different characters throughout the story and i was absolutely living for it.

different than her other works, romance is not necessarily the main plot/focus. the romance that is slowly building throughout the story stays true to sue lynn tan in the fact there is a love triangle present. while the love triangle trope remains it feels completely different than the triangle in daughter of the moon goddess. on another note i found that never ever after is a lot more straight forward than her other works, making it a great beginner fantasy book.

I don’t really have any huge dislikes or criticisms of the book. i had a fun time reading it and i will continue to read anything she publishes. 🙂‍↕️

————————

𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ⋆˚࿔

i’m not usually into YA but i’ll read anything sue lynn tan writes. 👀

𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘭𝘺𝘯𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘯, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Ever After
by Sue Lynn Tan
🎧 Narrated by Natalie Naudus
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25 stars, because decimals matter when my feelings are this specific.)

Thank you to NetGalley and HachetteAudio for the ALC!

Let’s start with the obvious: Natalie Naudus could narrate my grocery list and I’d give it five stars. Once again, she delivers. Every line is a performance—lush, emotional, and perfectly paced. Her voice brings the world of Iron Mountains to life like she’s painting with sound. If you ever doubted the power of a good narrator, Naudus will prove you wrong in under five minutes flat.

Now, onto the story. Never Ever After is like someone tossed Cinderella, Chinese mythology, and political fantasy into a celestial blender, sprinkled in some betrayal, and said, “Good luck surviving, Yining.” It’s darker, twistier, and far more emotionally layered than the pretty cover and fairy-tale premise would have you believe.

Our girl Yining? Love her. She’s scrappy, smart, and just morally gray enough to make me whisper, “good for her” every time she lies, steals, or manipulates a nobleman who deserved it. She’s the kind of heroine who doesn’t wait around for fairy godmothers—she is her own magic wand, with attitude to spare.

The worldbuilding? Gorgeous. Sue Lynn Tan writes like she’s weaving silk—lush, detailed, and just a bit dangerous if you pull too hard. The imperial palace setting is brimming with scheming royals, glittering danger, and the faint scent of poetic doom. Think political backstabbing, stolen magic, and an abundance of longing looks that made me audibly sigh in traffic (audiobooks, am I right?).

Now let’s talk about the romance—because yes, there’s tension, and yes, I was there for it. You’ve got a ruthless prince who’s one manipulation away from a villain origin story, and a rival court advisor with secrets that practically beg for fanfiction. The chemistry between Yining and her morally ambiguous companion? Sharp enough to cut through palace walls. I was living for the slow burn, the banter, the unspoken “I shouldn’t want you but oh no I definitely do” energy.

If I have a small complaint, it’s that the middle got a bit heavy on the palace intrigue and not quite enough emotional payoff—but honestly, I didn’t even care because the writing was that immersive. I was there for the drama, the danger, and the fantasy soap opera level of tension.

By the end, I was emotionally compromised in the best way. It’s not a “happily ever after” (the title warned us, okay), but it is an exquisitely written, gorgeously narrated, heartbreak-flavored fantasy that left me whispering, “Excuse me, Sue Lynn Tan, how dare you?”

Final verdict:
✨ 4.25 stars for a beautifully dark fairy tale retelling that proves “ever after” doesn’t have to mean perfect—it just has to mean powerful.
✨ Add an extra half star for Natalie Naudus, queen of audiobook narration and emotional devastation.

If you like your fairy tales messy, your heroines clever, and your princes morally complex enough to need therapy—this one’s for you.

[Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook (13 hours) narrated by Natalie Naudus
Publisher: Hachette Audio(Little, Brown Yound Readers)

Natalie Naudus is one of my favorite narrators, and I am not alone. She has won around a dozen or so awards and recorded hundreds of audiobooks. As good as she is, she continues to get better. In this book, I checked a couple of times to be sure that she was the solo narrator, as she has gotten to the point in her vocal abilities that I wasn't sure if she was voicing both of the major characters or if there were two narrators. Flawless execution.
The audio is pristine.

Sue Lynn Tan is an author that I have enjoyed a lot over the years. She writes beautiful fantasy fairy tales and fairy tale retellings, as well as Chinese mythology fantasy. Her worlds are stunningly detailed. I would love to visit the world of The Celestial Kingdom series, that begins with Daughter of the Moon Goddess, which may be my favorite novel by her thus far. The imagery is breathtaking.

As I sit here considering what I enjoy about her characters, I realize that her characters are generally strong, yet vulnerable. This goes for the antagonists as well as the protagonists. I'm not sure if some would see this as a spoiler, so I am going to spoil cover it, but it is a generalization and not just for one specific character, Sue Lynn Tan's antagonists are fully fleshed out characters that are not written as completely evil. Think characters like in the movie Malificent, where she is seen as evil and frightening but has a heart, or the Grinch when he gives back the presents. I'm not saying that they are secretly good, but that they have or had redeeming qualities at some point. We get to see who they were or are and even if they are ultimately the big bad, we get to feel for them because of how they got there. Very fairy tale like, but also very human, even if they aren't actually human.

[Sanja ✵ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers can be found in this review, so just keep reading if you finished the book or don’t care about being spoiled.

I want to start out by saying that I didn’t really have any interest in reading this book. But sometimes my subscription boxes choose too many books I’m uninterested in and I run out of skips. So, I decided to give this one a chance, the promise of a Cinderella remaining did sound intriguing. But the execution failed to deliver in many ways.

I would say that this book is nothing like Cinderella, expect that the main character lives with an evil step-aunt and that there’s a ball that she wasn’t allowed to attend.

I think my main problem was that the book was too YA in all the bad ways. I understand that I may not be the target audience for YA anymore, but I still read and enjoy a lot of books categorized as YA. But here it felt like every tired trope comes out to play, of course she is the chosen one, there’s a love triangle that I had no interest in, the main character is self-sacrificing and naïve (we’ll come back to that) and the pacing is both too slow and too fast at the same time.

Let’s start out by addressing the pacing. The book started out promising, although a bit slow. Then Yining’s life gets tied to a ring, that the promptly looses after having it for a grand total of 4 seconds. She then goes to the ball to get it back, where she meets the prince. After interacting with him for 2 seconds, she is in love and proclaim that she wants him. However, it turns out that the prince isn’t what she thought, and the shift from charming prince to evil felt like 2 pages.

But this change didn’t feel consistent. Yining choses to enter a competition as a neighboring kingdom’s champion, because if she wins, she gets to leave the palace and gets away from the prince. Of course she wins, because she is super duper special. But this warrants no reaction from the prince, he just lets her leave, when he has had exaggerated reaction to minor thing leading up to this point. The same can be said for the fact that Yining’s life is tied to the ring, this only gets brought up when it’s convenient. But then it’s only that her finger hurts a bit, and she has headaches.

But the thing that made me want to quit the book several times was Yining’s actions and motivations. She is so naïve, self-sacrificing and seem to think that her actions don’t have any consequences. Several times I had to put the book down and take a deep breath. Every time she gets a hold of her ring, that her life is tied to, she loses in within a page. When she finally gets it back, she has days before she dies if she doesn’t put it on. She then refuses to put it on as long as she is in the palace, and she also refuses to leave the palace because she is going to save everyone! Can she do it as a ghost? Is that the sequel?

She meets a person that says they’re family and Yining believes them instantly. She will then risk her life for this person she known for all but two days. Yining almost managed to escape, but because people she barely knows gets captured, she turns back to save them. The result is that everyone gets captured.

The naïve and self-sacrificing heroine will also choose to save the villain. This is mandatory so there’s a plot for the sequel when he will surely betray them. And also so the tired love triangle can get dragged out. The motivation was that he was once nice to Yining when they were children and now, she owes him. Not like she already saved his life once and ha has done several bad things towards both her and the people she cares about that would neutralize that debt.
No character had a full fledged personality, it felt like everyone was written according to a template for YA-character.

Two stars solely because the premise held some potential, but I finished it purely out of spite. I’m not going to read the sequel, it would be if I chose to hate-read it.