If We Never End

by Laura Taylor Namey

You've Reached Sam meets If I Stay in this epic romance spanning life and death, from New York Times bestselling author Laura Taylor Namey.

Sylvie Castellano is used to goodbyes. Every summer, her friends leave to vacation at faraway beaches and her parents jet off to work on a luxury yacht, dumping her with her tia Vivian. Sylvie may love her aunt Viv, but just once, she wishes the summer held a big adventure for her, too.

When Sylvie scores the thrift find of a lifetime-a vintage gold watch worth thousands-she thinks maybe her luck is turning around. Then a turn of the watch's dial summons a ghost boy. With no idea who he is or why he's attached to the watch, and only his name to go off of-Penn-Sylvie offers to help him unravel the mystery of his death.

Sylvie's summer is suddenly full of road trips, beach bonfires, and ferris wheel rides as she and Penn try to piece together the life he lost. But soon, Sylvie begins to imagine a future together-a future they can never have. Then a devastating discovery brings everything crashing down. The watch's secrets extend far beyond Penn, and it's not only Sylvie's heart at risk, but her life.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Laura Taylor Namey is the New York Times and international bestselling author of  young adult fiction including Reese's Book Club pick A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. A proud Cuban-American, she can be found hunting for vintage treasures and wishing she was in London or Paris. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Niccibl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you think you've got the story figured out... This book has a cool premise. An annoyed teen is stuck with her aunt over the summer, again. She winds up in a tiny town being babysat, as usual, by her aunt, an amazing and talented artist. When they make a stop in the little town prior to heading to their cabin, Sylvie buys a gold watch that doesn't work-or does it? The watch connects her over time and space to Penn, a cute boy who is just unattainable (a ghostly presence that only she can see). As she tries to help Penn solve the mystery of who he is and what happened to him, even more strange things start to happen to Sylvie. This is certainly a romance at its core, but with a heavy dose of family and what it means to really communicate. A diverse cast adds to the story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teen romance with a supernatural twist.

While recovering from a head trauma, 18-year-old former cheerleader Sylvie Castellano reluctantly agrees to follow her aunt to Sacred, Oregon for the summer while planning to work hard and save up enough money to escape her controlling Cuba-born parents. Instead, she buys a watch in an antique shop that summons Penn Gerrity, a ghost with amnesia. Sparks fly as they work together to solve the mystery of Penn's identity and why the watch has brought them together--but solving the mystery will mean saying goodbye, forever.

Subplots weren't wrapped up as tidily as I hoped for, but this built nicely to a spectacular twist. And that cat, Anne Shirley, was a hoot.

[CynnieRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgosh, brava! I was surprised and delighted by the storyline. Brava again!

[Lexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I cried, and was super emotional throughout the whole story.

[Desig · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uyfiyfiufiyfiyf

[Anandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If We Never End is full of heart, family, and everything you'd want from a Laura Taylor Namey book. She deftly weaves heartbreak and hope to create an unforgettable story.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a good twist that I wasn’t expecting!