YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales--the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi.

Once upon a time, a man who believed in fairy tales married a beautiful, mysterious woman named Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. He was a scholar of myths. She was heiress to a fortune. They exchanged gifts and stories and believed they would live happily ever after--and in exchange for her love, Indigo extracted a promise: that her bridegroom would never pry into her past.

But when Indigo learns that her estranged aunt is dying and the couple is forced to return to her childhood home, the House of Dreams, the bridegroom will soon find himself unable to resist. For within the crumbling manor's extravagant rooms and musty halls, there lurks the shadow of another girl: Azure, Indigo's dearest childhood friend who suddenly disappeared. As the house slowly reveals his wife's secrets, the bridegroom will be forced to choose between reality and fantasy, even if doing so threatens to destroy their marriage . . . or their lives.

Combining the lush, haunting atmosphere of Mexican Gothic with the dreamy enchantment of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a spellbinding and darkly romantic page-turner about love and lies, secrets and betrayal, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

I might jump in! We'll see

A bit behind on this, but planning to start over the next couple of days 😊

I'm way behind on everything

Here goes nothing, I'm starting it. I've read Star-Touched Queen and Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi and didn't particularly like either, but I'm hoping it's third time lucky!

Chapter 1 - oh my goodness, the writing is so poetic, I love it!

Which glass would you choose?!

I dnfed Gilded Wolves and haven't read the other, but this is so gorgeous

Chapter 6 (17%)
(view spoiler)[What a creepy ending to this chapter! 😳
I'm not super invested yet, but I'm enjoying it. Maybe it was a bit too summarised so far. We get their whole story, with three years of marriage, in just a few chapters, and I can't say that I care about their relationship.

And how very "Rebecca" of the author! The narrator is just 'The Bridegroom', we don't get his name! Or did I miss it? (hide spoiler)]

Is it good so far?

Maddie wrote: "Is it good so far?"
Yes and no. I like it, but I'm a third into it and I'm not gripped. I could stop reading and not wonder what will happen next. TBC.

Chapter 11 (33%)
(view spoiler)[I find Azure's plot line more interesting so far. Although a bit confusing too. So did they actually find a way too the otherworld? How?! Maybe I was too tired for this last chapter 😅 (hide spoiler)]

Ah yep still getting into it

Chapter 19 (60%)
(view spoiler)[Not much progress, sadly. It's beautifully written, but nothing is really happening. Yes, we see more and more of Indigo's cruelty through Azure's p.o.v. and the bridegroom is starting to do something, but the pace is glacial.
I will finish it, but I think I have to accept that Roshani Chokshi isn't for me. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27 (85%)
(view spoiler)[Okay, so I think maybe I've settled into it and accepted that it's not at all what I thought it would be. This is not fantasy. Magical realism, but definitely not fantasy (unless it will change in the last 15%).
I've really enjoyed the last few chapters and I'm very curious to read what happened to Azure. I really hope she made it and escaped.
Can't say I'm too bothered about the bridegroom side of the story 😅 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[I like how we got a POV from Azure! I’m already invested in learning more about her and her history with Indigo. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[A bit of an abrupt ending, but I enjoyed the last part, definitely suspenseful. I didn't know what to think - I was hoping Azure had run away, but dreading that she hadn't. Briefly considered a switch a while back, but present time Indigo seemed so different from Azure!

At least the bridegroom pov had a purpose. For most of the book I was thinking that it could have been cut out without losing anything - it was Azure's pov that was more interesting.

And we still didn't get a name for him!

An odd book and most of it was very slow, but it ended up surprising me and I don't regret reading it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[omg I feel so bad for Puck (hide spoiler)]

akacya ❦ wrote: "Chapter 15
[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[Yes, Indigo was horrible to her, and no one was trying to stop her! Even Azure stood aside and let it happen :( (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[Is this the moment Azure finally realizes Indigo is super toxic?🫠 (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Chapter 19 (60%)"

Do you read gothic novels often? I know their pacing is different from the pacing of other novels

Chapter 29
(view spoiler)[Ah, very ironic that Indigo drugged Azure through wine and now Indigo’s husband drugged her through wine. (hide spoiler)]

Done
(view spoiler)[I was wondering if Indigo and Azure had switched places, but I wasn’t really sure how it’d work since Tati said Azure was the missing one and “Indigo” had said she’d killed “Catskins.” The first part was explained and I think through saying she killed Catskins she just meant she “killed” who she used to be? (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, I loved this book! And I agree, Azure’s chapters were much more interesting but the Bridegroom’s chapters still served their purpose.

akacya ❦ wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Chapter 19 (60%)"

Do you read gothic novels often? I know their pacing is different from the pacing of other novels"

Not often, but I don't remember finding those slow (then again my memory is terrible 😆). I think it was the bridegroom pov which didn't really interest me after the first few chapters so it made it seem too long.

Glad you loved it! 😊

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting March 9th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Hoping to join this one, just waiting for my book to come in the mail!

Sounds good! I’ll probably be late, but my buddy will hopefully be on time :)

Chapter 2

The writing is so pretty, this is my first Roshani Chokshi book

I'm so behind omg, I haven't read in a month :s I'll hopefully pick it up soon! It's my first Roshani book too :)

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting May 19th 2023. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

I hope it's ok to join this one :)

Of course! Im starting it today

Prologue & Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[ intriguing start so far. I love the introduction of Indigo. And the writing is beautiful so far. (hide spoiler)]

Jenn wrote: "Prologue & Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

I was confused at first too... I thought Indigo was a man and then bam! We get a beautiful woman! I don't know how I feel about the use of different language here... i don't know french! ;(

Cinthia wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Prologue & Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

I was confused at first too... I thought Indigo was a man and then bam! We get a beautiful woman! I don't know how I feel about the use of di..."

Its definitely very different. I find myself getting a little confused on where everything is going and sometimes having to reread certian sentances over

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[ ok now we are getting flashback POVs from Azure. I feel so bad for her. Her mother obviously only cares about the douche shes living with and he only caees about creepin on Azure. No wonder she feels safe with Indigo. But Indigo is obviously hiding something but i cant figure out what (hide spoiler)]

Okay fair warning, I’ve read a big chunk so far & I got a theory from like chapter 5 onwards, and I’m like a million percent sure that I’m right, so it might be best to read my updates after you’ve finished!! Just to be sure that I don’t ruin the experience for you if it indeed turns out to be true 🥴

Up to ch 6
(view spoiler)[I wasn’t feeling my other BR so doing this one first! Such a promising and mysterious start already, I’m not sure whether it’s fantasy or not? It sounds like Indigo wants to live in fantasy but it’s set in our society? Idk. The drinks were cool though. And I love that we’re getting the man’s pov bc it’s often the women’s povs! His brother disappeared and everyone forgot him, that’s kinda cool tho.

Indigo is so mysterious damn. I kinda feel like we’re dropped in the middle of the story or something lol. Everyone wore blindfolds at the wedding? That’s so odd, maybe she isn’t real or something? A ghost? Idk.

I feel like the blurb already spoiled a lot? I mean, her childhood friend was Azure and I feel like I’ve already figured out the entire plot? They keep emphasizing how much they looked alike so I’m pretty sure the real Indigo is dead and Azure is now posing as her? I mean, I think so for sure. Hope I’m wrong, bc I’d hate it if it was so obvious. (hide spoiler)]

13
(view spoiler)[I want a house like the House of Dreams later, like a tale that everyone tells! So cool. And we get Azure’s POV! Cool. Jupiter is damn creepy and clearly going to do something assaulting to her. Indigo was quite a bitch to Tati, poor Tati. Don’t think I like indigo 🥴

poor Azure, her mother acts terribly now too, and Jupiter is indeed a pedo ew. But her hair :( I wonder whether the ‘groom’s (do we even know his name??) brother was killed by his father or something and that’s why they acted as though he didn’t exist? It’s so odd.

Their story is so heartbreaking, poor Azure :( still convinced that Indigo is dead and azure is posing as her now. Can’t wait to find out what happened though. The bridegroom in the story is kinda random at this point, he’s just there to progress the plot and we barely know anything about him still..?

I mean, Tati’s comment is obvious; the girls went into the ‘Otherworld’ the place she made for them, and only one of them came out, the other was killed. (hide spoiler)]

Cinthia wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Prologue & Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

I was confused at first too... I thought Indigo was a man and then bam! We get a beautiful woman! I don't know how I feel about the use of di..."

I completely missed that they used French what 🤣

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 10: [spoilers removed]"

Yes omg, (view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Azure! She’s clearly nice, but her mother’s behaviour sucks :( I thought for a second that she was only behaving that way to protect Azure from Jupiter, but that doesn’t seem to be the case… (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22
(view spoiler)[Indigo is still a bitch to Tati pff. The animals that Azure described? They’re the same as in the house that the bridegroom shares with ‘Indigo’ now right? She definitely took them because it was the real indigo’s favorite room/she liked those animals, which explains why fake Indigo basically always runs through the halls of their home; she doesn’t want the reminder of the animals to make her think of real indigo. Does that make sense 🤣See, they fooled everyone at the party too! It’s definitely not Indigo who we’re seeing now, and Tati knows the truth, which is why she doesn’t want to see her.

Oh lmao never mind the beasts are still in the room🤣 I still don’t get his brother story at all, did he or did he not have a brother? It’s annoyingly vague. Indigo’s acts with Puck were insane, she’s a sociopath seriously, don’t mind it if she’s really dead bye, although Azure took over her personality and that does suck bc she’s clearly good. Indigo is such a controlling bitch, she clearly hid azure’s passport. Hate her.

Holy shit????? Indigo slept with Lyric???? Fuck I hope she is indeed dead because I DETEST HER. Poor azure… I’m glad she’s finally starting to question her though :( (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "13"

(view spoiler)[ agree on the house haha. I would love to juat visit a place like that. And i dont think we know the bridegrooms name, its very interesting way to present a pov without knowing anything about him.

I love your theory. Its one i hadnt thought of but it makes perfect sense. As for the bridegrooms brother, i think he disappeared into the otherworld or something with the fae and his parents minds were altered to forget him but somehow the bridegrooms were bot. But thats just a theory as well haha (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "Ch 22"

(view spoiler)[ i am trying to wrap my head around everything that happening. Poor Azure. After she caught Indigo with Lyric i really wanted her to lash out and stand up to indigo.

Theres definitely something weird going on but its really hard to pin down. I cant wait to see how this plays out (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ oh wow what an ending. I feel so sad for the bridegroom when he remembers how his brother died. No wonder he blocked it out.

And the relationship between indigo and azure was so toxic. While it ended tragically i am glad azure is the one who came out on top. Indigo was manic and controlling. Pulling that shit with azures mom and bf. It wasnt love, it was obsession.

Really enjoyed this one (hide spoiler)]

so glad I jumped into this one. those last chapters were a Rollercoaster. I was sad. mad. and lastly happy.

Ch 31
(view spoiler)[Seriously?!?’b she apologized to Indigo???? I’m so fucking mad she should’ve let that girl kill herself, she’s so manipulative and fake. I hate her omg burn her alive. She’s like a one person cult lmao.

Tati fell down the stairs then? Clearly not an accident either, Indigo pushed her. I’m guessing because she found her ‘gift’ for Azure, which is definitely something creepy/a plan?

Yay Azure wants to go with her mother, love that for her! But Indigo drugged her argh can’t stress enough how insane she is. He found a casket aaaah!! We’re finally nearing the end, I hope so badly that it’s different than what I’ve thought so far. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I thought she’d just bring Azure to the woods but omg she put her in Jupiter’s bed NAKED???? He touched himself while watching her, as IF THAT ISN'T TERRIBLE I HATE HER SO MUCH!!! Omg I’m so mad, Indigo ruined Azure's chances with her mom - she’s such a fucking psychopath, severing every relationship of Azure but with her. I. Hate. Her.

Ah, his brother is indeed dead, kinda disappointed. Ugh seriously, it’s exactly as I predicted??? Indigo is Azure -.- her death was odd though, still don’t completely understand what happened? I mean, she fell, but it almost sounded as though they were on a cliff? I don’t understand 🤣 And then for no freaking reason that random chick thought she was Indigo & Tati too so she just took her identity? That makes no sense to me?

Omg he was kinda the reason that his brother died then? Knew it would be connected to his inhaler, but damn. Glad Azure and the bridegroom at least have each other I guess?

I liked the mystery of it, but I’m disappointed by how obvious everything was :( If you want a ‘big’ plottwist like that to be surprising, you shouldn’t mention a million times how similar they look -.- I also hate that I still don’t know the name of the bridegroom?🤣 And Tati has never gotten an answer right, I mean she doesn’t know that Indigo is dead? We also still don’t officially know whether Indigo pushed Tati down the stairs or whatever, nor what Tati wanted to show her before her accident? Argh, I hate unanswered questions (hide spoiler)]

Jenn wrote: "Danique wrote: "13"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That's true! His unclear identity adds to the mystery, I kept wondering whether he and 'Indigo' were even real :P

I thought that too, but I'm wondering at this point whether this is a fantasy or not. I mean, they do mention magic and things like that, but that seemed more like the fantasy of the young Indigo and Azure than reality? I'm still not sure (hide spoiler)]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It did feel like a bit of a sudden ending though!It was really cool how the house helped him remember though, in those instances magic really did seem to exist.

Their relationship was so toxic omg!! I wonder if Indigo was right in the head, she truly seemed insane? Kinda creepy :P (hide spoiler)]

Cinthia wrote: "so glad I jumped into this one. those last chapters were a Rollercoaster. I was sad. mad. and lastly happy."

Yeah it was definitely a rollercoaster!

Cinthia wrote: "so glad I jumped into this one. those last chapters were a Rollercoaster. I was sad. mad. and lastly happy."

Haha completely!

Danique wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Indigo wanted Azure to be her little puppet, so she was trying to control every little thing she did including alienate her from everyone. I agree that I don't know how much of the magic was real or imagined, but I did love how the house felt alive. I think that was my favorite part, how the house could tell the good people from the bad. (hide spoiler)]