I absolutely recommend the show!! They change some major points from the book, but who really cares anyways because the book is like you said underwhelming and lacking a lot.

I watched the Netflix series before reading the book. I loved the show so couldn’t wait for the book. Big let down. The show gave the characters, plus more (ex the brother), SO much depth and personality and meaning to their individual stories as people and the book has none of that for me. And the sequel was even worse! I forced myself to finish it but it was so boring. No story to it. No meaning.

Super disappointing.