The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the Never Ever AfterBuddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on December 23rd and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 11/23
23: chapters 1-6

Week of 11/24
24: chapters 7-12
25: chapters 13-19
26: chapters 20-25
27: chapters 26-31
28: chapters 32-38
29: chapters 39-45
30: chapters 46-end

PARTICIPANTS
~Sophie
~Brianna

Thanks for making the thread Sophie! Looking forward to picking this up today

I really like how vivid the imagery in the writing style is! I love when I can picture what I’m reading so clearly.

Up to chapter 6 - so far I’m intrigued but still getting into the story.

I feel like I might breeze through this (weekends are usually when I have time to read).

Up to the end of chapter 6

Yes! I'm loving the imagery. I've never read a Sue Lynn Tan book before but I can see why she's so popular. I really like the talking fish posing as the mouse from the traditional story of Cinderella. What happened with Songmin, I'm glad she has called things quits with him. I know Jin said that he wasn't the prince...but surely he is? Or at least someone who works closely with the prince?

Up to chapter 25

(view spoiler)[There’s a lot of flower imagery and I wonder whether there’s a deeper meaning to that or if it’s just a style choice.

Feel like the pacing is quite fast. (hide spoiler)]

up to the end of chapter 31

I was not expecting the witch to be Yining's sister. I unfortunately have found the last 10-15 chapter to be quite slow, I would like to see a parent reveal some point soon to follow on from the sister revelation, and I'm wondering how the step-aunt links back to this?

Chapters 32-38

I literally have zero theories on who poisoned Yining, I'm kind of losing interest in the story. I'm looking forward to the coronation, hopefully we reach some sort of climax.

Review
3 stars ✨

I was really enjoying this one at the start, and then it fell off for me. I have since come to the realisation that I’m picky with my retellings. I do wish it had leaned more into the traditional Cinderella plot line- not wholly, but also not on a completely different vibe.

The world building was lacklustre and Yining was an alright enough FMC, but not very memorable. I’m probably not going to pick up the sequel.

I finished as well - and completely on the same page.

I wish it had leaned more into the retelling but other than the pretty imagery it seemed to lack some substance!