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If We Never End
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.
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.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
57 people are currently reading
15464 people want to read
About the author
Laura Taylor Namey
6 books1,033 followersLaura 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 9, 2026
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Every summer, Sylvie Castellano is left with her tia Vivian while her friends go on vacations and her parents go to their jobs on a luxury yacht. Although she loves her aunt, Sylvie wants to be given the freedom and choice to have a great, big adventure of her own, too. But she doesn’t see it when she and her tia stay at a cabin in a small town in Oregon.
But when she finds a broken, vintage gold watch worth thousands of dollars at a thrift store, Sylvie thinks her adventure could actually happen. The thing is, the watch isn’t actually broken because when she turns the dial, it summons a ghost named Penn, who knows nothing about his previous life. So, Sylvie offers to help him solve the mystery of his life and death, leading to a summer full of fun and longing for her and Penn to actually be together, until a discovery not only can break her heart, but also puts her life at risk as well.
•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: Happier by Marshmello, Bastille
0:32 ───ㅇ───── 3:34
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ At first, I was worried that this was going to be a mid read, but past the 60% mark, I was literally flying through the pages! Don’t get me wrong, the first half of it was good, but it was just a bit slow, nothing that would make me DNF it or give it three stars, because it was still interesting.
I really liked Sylvie and related to her and her upbringing. I’m half Salvadorian–half Mexican, so when her Aunt Vivian said, “‘Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,’” I felt that. 😂 You feel like you have to constantly prove yourself to your parents that you are, in fact, a responsible adult, but it seems like nothing works. I am still their niña. Which I get. Lol, but I could not relate to people knowing Sylvie was a Latina because whenever people find out that I’m Hispanic, they’re shocked. After all, like Sylvie, my other sibling and I have green eyes, light brown hair, and lighter skin, unlike the rest of our siblings, who inherited the dark eyes, hair, and skin. I will never understand how genes and biology work. 😆
But I also related to Sylvie’s resentment toward her parents and the world, basically. I’m not going to go into too much detail about that because you are going to have to read it to find out the reasons why she’s mad at her parents, but let’s just say that I totally get where she is coming from, and her character growth made me realize that I need to do the same: to grow and let go. Life is too short to be holding onto past hurts and traumas that I’ve already come to terms with. The resentment isn’t helping me, and it’s not hurting them, no matter how much I think it is.
And then there’s Penn. He was so sweet! 🥹 I was wishing right alongside Sylvie that he wasn’t a ghost so they could be together forever. He was understanding, sarcastic, funny, and kind. I was just as happy as Sylvie was when he showed up. I loved the scenes when they were together, and I was hoping that the ending would be a happy one for them.
AND THAT PLOT TWIST?!?!
My jaw dropped, and I was ready to tell my invisible audience what the heck just happened. I was shocked. No, beyond shocked because I thought I had this story figured out, but nope! I was wrong, and I am very happy that I was. 🤭
All in all, I enjoyed this book so much! 💙 Not only because it has ghosts, romance, and some mystery, but because of the lessons I learned that I truly believe have helped me realize that I need to work on myself some more. Ah, when will it end? 😂😏
✧ Thank you to Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books | Bloomsbury YA for granting my wish to read the arc via NetGalley! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be available on 03/03/2026! ✧
❗Content Warnings❗
Death/dying & blood.
Swearing: Yes (including the f-word)
Spice: Only kissing. (🌶/5)
But when she finds a broken, vintage gold watch worth thousands of dollars at a thrift store, Sylvie thinks her adventure could actually happen. The thing is, the watch isn’t actually broken because when she turns the dial, it summons a ghost named Penn, who knows nothing about his previous life. So, Sylvie offers to help him solve the mystery of his life and death, leading to a summer full of fun and longing for her and Penn to actually be together, until a discovery not only can break her heart, but also puts her life at risk as well.
•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: Happier by Marshmello, Bastille
0:32 ───ㅇ───── 3:34
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ At first, I was worried that this was going to be a mid read, but past the 60% mark, I was literally flying through the pages! Don’t get me wrong, the first half of it was good, but it was just a bit slow, nothing that would make me DNF it or give it three stars, because it was still interesting.
I really liked Sylvie and related to her and her upbringing. I’m half Salvadorian–half Mexican, so when her Aunt Vivian said, “‘Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,’” I felt that. 😂 You feel like you have to constantly prove yourself to your parents that you are, in fact, a responsible adult, but it seems like nothing works. I am still their niña. Which I get. Lol, but I could not relate to people knowing Sylvie was a Latina because whenever people find out that I’m Hispanic, they’re shocked. After all, like Sylvie, my other sibling and I have green eyes, light brown hair, and lighter skin, unlike the rest of our siblings, who inherited the dark eyes, hair, and skin. I will never understand how genes and biology work. 😆
But I also related to Sylvie’s resentment toward her parents and the world, basically. I’m not going to go into too much detail about that because you are going to have to read it to find out the reasons why she’s mad at her parents, but let’s just say that I totally get where she is coming from, and her character growth made me realize that I need to do the same: to grow and let go. Life is too short to be holding onto past hurts and traumas that I’ve already come to terms with. The resentment isn’t helping me, and it’s not hurting them, no matter how much I think it is.
And then there’s Penn. He was so sweet! 🥹 I was wishing right alongside Sylvie that he wasn’t a ghost so they could be together forever. He was understanding, sarcastic, funny, and kind. I was just as happy as Sylvie was when he showed up. I loved the scenes when they were together, and I was hoping that the ending would be a happy one for them.
AND THAT PLOT TWIST?!?!
My jaw dropped, and I was ready to tell my invisible audience what the heck just happened. I was shocked. No, beyond shocked because I thought I had this story figured out, but nope! I was wrong, and I am very happy that I was. 🤭
All in all, I enjoyed this book so much! 💙 Not only because it has ghosts, romance, and some mystery, but because of the lessons I learned that I truly believe have helped me realize that I need to work on myself some more. Ah, when will it end? 😂😏
✧ Thank you to Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books | Bloomsbury YA for granting my wish to read the arc via NetGalley! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be available on 03/03/2026! ✧
❗Content Warnings❗
Death/dying & blood.
Swearing: Yes (including the f-word)
Spice: Only kissing. (🌶/5)
February 3, 2026
4.5/5⭐️!! Loved this one!! Tanto que lo lei en solo 2 noches jajajaja
Tiene un concepto cool, el romance is swoon worthy, y tambien tiene solidos subplots de family and life purpose. Admito que tiene un comienzo lento (solo por esa razon no le di un 5/5), dude si continuarlo, pero después de cierto punto se me hizo imposible soltarlo… y tiene un plot twist I NEVER SAW COMING jajaja literal pense que tenia todo descifrado y booommm la autora me dijo “no mijita, no tenes ni idea”🤣
Gracias Bloomsbury Publishers por este ARC!!
Update: acabo de analizar que tambien hay unos cuantos loose threads que no vemos finalizados 💆🏻♀️ pero esque yo tmbn siempre quiero que los finales sean satisfactorios en todo sentido jajaja no me gusta cuando quedan cosas sin resolver
Tiene un concepto cool, el romance is swoon worthy, y tambien tiene solidos subplots de family and life purpose. Admito que tiene un comienzo lento (solo por esa razon no le di un 5/5), dude si continuarlo, pero después de cierto punto se me hizo imposible soltarlo… y tiene un plot twist I NEVER SAW COMING jajaja literal pense que tenia todo descifrado y booommm la autora me dijo “no mijita, no tenes ni idea”🤣
Gracias Bloomsbury Publishers por este ARC!!
Update: acabo de analizar que tambien hay unos cuantos loose threads que no vemos finalizados 💆🏻♀️ pero esque yo tmbn siempre quiero que los finales sean satisfactorios en todo sentido jajaja no me gusta cuando quedan cosas sin resolver
March 3, 2026
Laura Taylor Namey’s If We Never End blindsided me with a love story so fragile and chaotic that I’m still emotionally cleaning up the wreckage. Published by Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books | Bloomsbury YA, thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
I thought I was picking up a soft, summery YA romance with a quirky paranormal hook. A vintage watch. A ghost boy. Some yearning. I was prepared to enjoy it, maybe even tear up a little. I was not prepared to feel personally attacked by themes of abandonment, resentment, cultural expectations, and the terrifying tenderness of loving someone you cannot keep.
Sylvie Castellano is used to being left behind. Every summer her parents sail off to work on a luxury yacht, her friends scatter toward beaches and freedom, and she’s sent to Oregon with her brilliant, warm, endlessly patient Aunt Viv. Sylvie is eighteen, technically an adult, but in her Cuban household that doesn’t mean much. When her aunt teases, “Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,” I laughed out loud because it’s funny and painfully true. That tension between independence and family loyalty hums beneath every page.
Then there’s the watch.
Sylvie finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. It shouldn’t work. It definitely shouldn’t summon a ghost. But when she turns the dial, Penn appears. Confused. Kind. A little sarcastic. Very dead. He doesn’t know how he died, only that he’s tethered to the watch. And Sylvie, who has spent her life feeling powerless, finally has something that feels like hers. A mystery. A purpose. A boy who looks at her like she’s the only solid thing in the room.
Watching Sylvie and Penn piece together his past is where the magic lives. Ferris wheel rides. Late-night talks. Road trips that feel golden and fleeting. The romance builds in glances and almost-touches, in the quiet understanding that their time is borrowed. “Some loves aren’t meant to last forever. They’re meant to change you.” That line wrecked me.
But what makes this more than a ghost romance is Sylvie herself. Her anger at her parents feels sharp and real. Her loneliness is not dramatic for the sake of drama. It’s the slow ache of being unseen. Through Penn, and through her aunt’s steady love, she starts to confront the truth that holding onto resentment doesn’t protect you. It just keeps you stuck.
And the twist. Oh my God, the twist.
I genuinely believed I had figured it out around the halfway mark. I was wrong. Spectacularly wrong. The final act shifts the ground beneath you, and suddenly every moment carries new weight. I had to close the book and stare at the wall for a minute. You know that feeling when your chest tightens and you whisper, no way? That.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars, without hesitation.
This book is for readers who love yearning that hurts a little. For anyone who adored If I Stay or stories where love brushes up against life and death. It’s for daughters navigating complicated families. For romantics who believe even temporary love can be epic. For readers who don’t mind crying but want to come out the other side feeling steadier.
I finished If We Never End feeling cracked open in the best way. It reminded me that grief and love often share the same space, and that letting go is sometimes the bravest thing you can do.
Tell me, have you ever fallen in love with a fictional character knowing it would break your heart anyway?
#IfWeNeverEnd #LauraTaylorNamey #YARomance #ParanormalRomance #BookReview #BloomsburyYA #NetGalley #RomanceReaders #YoungAdultFiction #GhostLoveStory
I thought I was picking up a soft, summery YA romance with a quirky paranormal hook. A vintage watch. A ghost boy. Some yearning. I was prepared to enjoy it, maybe even tear up a little. I was not prepared to feel personally attacked by themes of abandonment, resentment, cultural expectations, and the terrifying tenderness of loving someone you cannot keep.
Sylvie Castellano is used to being left behind. Every summer her parents sail off to work on a luxury yacht, her friends scatter toward beaches and freedom, and she’s sent to Oregon with her brilliant, warm, endlessly patient Aunt Viv. Sylvie is eighteen, technically an adult, but in her Cuban household that doesn’t mean much. When her aunt teases, “Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,” I laughed out loud because it’s funny and painfully true. That tension between independence and family loyalty hums beneath every page.
Then there’s the watch.
Sylvie finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. It shouldn’t work. It definitely shouldn’t summon a ghost. But when she turns the dial, Penn appears. Confused. Kind. A little sarcastic. Very dead. He doesn’t know how he died, only that he’s tethered to the watch. And Sylvie, who has spent her life feeling powerless, finally has something that feels like hers. A mystery. A purpose. A boy who looks at her like she’s the only solid thing in the room.
Watching Sylvie and Penn piece together his past is where the magic lives. Ferris wheel rides. Late-night talks. Road trips that feel golden and fleeting. The romance builds in glances and almost-touches, in the quiet understanding that their time is borrowed. “Some loves aren’t meant to last forever. They’re meant to change you.” That line wrecked me.
But what makes this more than a ghost romance is Sylvie herself. Her anger at her parents feels sharp and real. Her loneliness is not dramatic for the sake of drama. It’s the slow ache of being unseen. Through Penn, and through her aunt’s steady love, she starts to confront the truth that holding onto resentment doesn’t protect you. It just keeps you stuck.
And the twist. Oh my God, the twist.
I genuinely believed I had figured it out around the halfway mark. I was wrong. Spectacularly wrong. The final act shifts the ground beneath you, and suddenly every moment carries new weight. I had to close the book and stare at the wall for a minute. You know that feeling when your chest tightens and you whisper, no way? That.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars, without hesitation.
This book is for readers who love yearning that hurts a little. For anyone who adored If I Stay or stories where love brushes up against life and death. It’s for daughters navigating complicated families. For romantics who believe even temporary love can be epic. For readers who don’t mind crying but want to come out the other side feeling steadier.
I finished If We Never End feeling cracked open in the best way. It reminded me that grief and love often share the same space, and that letting go is sometimes the bravest thing you can do.
Tell me, have you ever fallen in love with a fictional character knowing it would break your heart anyway?
#IfWeNeverEnd #LauraTaylorNamey #YARomance #ParanormalRomance #BookReview #BloomsburyYA #NetGalley #RomanceReaders #YoungAdultFiction #GhostLoveStory
April 23, 2026
Wow, this isn't what I expected when I picked this on Libby. Such a moving and deep story. I felt the yearning and needed some closure. I had no clue what to expect but I am honestly glad I read this. What a beautiful, but sad story.
Did Not Finish
April 9, 2026DNF at 120pgs.
I’m calling it guys. I am SO bored. The dialogue is good but everything else is a chore to read. The issue is that the convo will start and then they just think/ramble for 2 pages and then finally what they were talking about finishes. This book really is a chore. Just when you think something cool is happening, like Del, we get a whole chapter of the FMC walking around doing nothing.
Just so much… nothing.
And I did jump to the end and read it. Honestly, it was a cool ending - but I really needed the rest of the book to be better so I could get there. 😂 Also, I feel like that particular situation has happened plenty of times in other books/movies/media and done a LOT better.
So I’m out.
I’m calling it guys. I am SO bored. The dialogue is good but everything else is a chore to read. The issue is that the convo will start and then they just think/ramble for 2 pages and then finally what they were talking about finishes. This book really is a chore. Just when you think something cool is happening, like Del, we get a whole chapter of the FMC walking around doing nothing.
Just so much… nothing.
And I did jump to the end and read it. Honestly, it was a cool ending - but I really needed the rest of the book to be better so I could get there. 😂 Also, I feel like that particular situation has happened plenty of times in other books/movies/media and done a LOT better.
So I’m out.
April 7, 2026
This book was perfect! I absolutely loved the writing, the characters, the setting, the plot. And don't even get me started on THAT TWIST!! I thought I knew where this story was going, but I genuinely did not see that twist coming.
This story went above and beyond my expectations. The FMC was so well written, plus I loved her relationship with her aunt. Just so much beautiful emotion in this book, I highly, highly recommend this!
This story went above and beyond my expectations. The FMC was so well written, plus I loved her relationship with her aunt. Just so much beautiful emotion in this book, I highly, highly recommend this!
February 28, 2026
Okay because tell me why I really thought my girl was out here tripping seeing ghosts and what not. I was concerned for sure concerned about that migraine headache.
So good….Perfect YA fiction with just a little magic sprinkled in. And that twist? It tore me up a little. Her realization about the adults in her life had me sitting there like… wow. Because how often do we really stop and think about the grown folks who shaped us? The impact they had…good, bad, intentional or not.
So good….Perfect YA fiction with just a little magic sprinkled in. And that twist? It tore me up a little. Her realization about the adults in her life had me sitting there like… wow. Because how often do we really stop and think about the grown folks who shaped us? The impact they had…good, bad, intentional or not.
March 19, 2026
If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey
My heart was absolutely wrecked, but in the best way. This story really hits you with a plot twist you never see coming.
Sylvie spends every summer with her Aunt Tía, who truly understands her in a way no one else does. Though she wished her parents would take her on one of their grand adventures. On their way to Oregon, they stop at an antique store, and Sylvie finds a beautiful gold watch. The watch and its strange working second hand is where everything changes.
She meets a sweet new friend named Del and starts seeing a ghost named Penn. Yes, a ghost, and somehow he’s super sweet and not scary at all. He’s the type of teenage boy you can’t help but love. Sylvie decides to spend her summer uncovering who Penn really is, and that journey turns into something so much deeper than she expected.
This book is full of twists and emotional moments. It has the perfect summer adventure vibe. I definitely recommend having tissues nearby, because it will pull at your heart strings. It’s such a beautifully written story, and completely worth experiencing all of the emotions.
4.5/5 ⭐️’s
My heart was absolutely wrecked, but in the best way. This story really hits you with a plot twist you never see coming.
Sylvie spends every summer with her Aunt Tía, who truly understands her in a way no one else does. Though she wished her parents would take her on one of their grand adventures. On their way to Oregon, they stop at an antique store, and Sylvie finds a beautiful gold watch. The watch and its strange working second hand is where everything changes.
She meets a sweet new friend named Del and starts seeing a ghost named Penn. Yes, a ghost, and somehow he’s super sweet and not scary at all. He’s the type of teenage boy you can’t help but love. Sylvie decides to spend her summer uncovering who Penn really is, and that journey turns into something so much deeper than she expected.
This book is full of twists and emotional moments. It has the perfect summer adventure vibe. I definitely recommend having tissues nearby, because it will pull at your heart strings. It’s such a beautifully written story, and completely worth experiencing all of the emotions.
4.5/5 ⭐️’s
March 20, 2026
I have never been so happy to not know a direction in which a book was going to go. I literally did not see that coming and I am extremely pleased with the ending. What a plot twist! This was definitely well written and I enjoyed the diversity of it. I will say that I had to look up a few translations but it didn’t make me not want to read it. I loved this so much and will be reading more of this author! Thank you Bloomsbury and BookInfluencers for allowing me to voluntarily read this book.
March 16, 2026
4.5⭐️
What if the only person you feel comfortable with is a ghost? And a ghost that doesn’t know what has happened or who they are?
Sylvie’s summer is now turning into an adventure with ghost boy but it feels like there’s something they both don’t know. The last 1/3 blew me away, I stayed up far too late one night until I truly couldn’t stay awake because I didn’t want to put it down.
I am such a sucker for magical realism and impossible romances. This tugs at your heart but has times of whimsy. Also, it’s absolutely beautiful. Pick it up.
Thank you @bloomsbury and @bookinfluencers for the beautiful copy 🤍
What if the only person you feel comfortable with is a ghost? And a ghost that doesn’t know what has happened or who they are?
Sylvie’s summer is now turning into an adventure with ghost boy but it feels like there’s something they both don’t know. The last 1/3 blew me away, I stayed up far too late one night until I truly couldn’t stay awake because I didn’t want to put it down.
I am such a sucker for magical realism and impossible romances. This tugs at your heart but has times of whimsy. Also, it’s absolutely beautiful. Pick it up.
Thank you @bloomsbury and @bookinfluencers for the beautiful copy 🤍
March 17, 2026
Beautifully crafted in less than 300 pages.
This sucked me right in- magical coming-of-age that any of us could relate to. Penn and Sylvia will stick with me for a long time ❤️
This sucked me right in- magical coming-of-age that any of us could relate to. Penn and Sylvia will stick with me for a long time ❤️
March 7, 2026
This book was beautifully written, the end made me cry. I could feel their pain as if it was my own
March 4, 2026
So good! Emphasizes the importance on cherishing what you have!
February 27, 2026
4.5 rounded up
My heart was warmed
My eyes were misty
And my soul was moved
This is an amazing story about a Cuban American girl who finds a gold watch in an antique store and has her whole summer turned upside down. There is growth, change, first time experiences, mystery and a devastating discovery.
I was immediately immersed and didn’t want to put it down. You won’t regret picking this up.
My heart was warmed
My eyes were misty
And my soul was moved
This is an amazing story about a Cuban American girl who finds a gold watch in an antique store and has her whole summer turned upside down. There is growth, change, first time experiences, mystery and a devastating discovery.
I was immediately immersed and didn’t want to put it down. You won’t regret picking this up.
February 26, 2026
Absolutely loved this book! The storytelling was impeccable and the characters felt so real and dynamic!! Great plot and very good execution of everything that makes a strong story!!
Highly recommend!!
Highly recommend!!
February 24, 2026
This was perfect!
I loved the characters and their relationships to each other.
The magic in this was otherworldly and believable!
There was even a surprise twist that I loved!
After the twist I couldn’t stop reading and finished the end too late into the night lol
The HEA was exactly what I needed to make give this story a perfect ending!
I loved the characters and their relationships to each other.
The magic in this was otherworldly and believable!
There was even a surprise twist that I loved!
After the twist I couldn’t stop reading and finished the end too late into the night lol
The HEA was exactly what I needed to make give this story a perfect ending!
February 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 for making me laugh, cry, and think all in one summer’s read.
March 10, 2026
Thank you @bloomsburybooksus for this early copy!
If We never End was sooo good! It mixes emotional romance, tragedy, and the escape of summer all in one!
It all starts with a mysterious watch… and then a ghost appears.
Penn shows up in front of her with no memories, no past, no idea who he even is. Just a name.
Sylvie has never had the kind of summer where something big happens to her, so this feels like the perfect mystery to chase. Finally, an adventure that is hers.
What begins as curiosity turns into road trips, late nights, and piecing together the life Penn lost. And somewhere along the way, she stops just trying to solve his story… and starts falling in love with him.
But he is a ghost.
And ghosts do not stay.
What a unique romance read! I absolutely enjoyed it! There was so much emotional depth to it, and lessons along the way. I cried and loved it! There were some twists I did not expect and it added that "omg!" Moment I absolutely love in a book!
If We never End was sooo good! It mixes emotional romance, tragedy, and the escape of summer all in one!
It all starts with a mysterious watch… and then a ghost appears.
Penn shows up in front of her with no memories, no past, no idea who he even is. Just a name.
Sylvie has never had the kind of summer where something big happens to her, so this feels like the perfect mystery to chase. Finally, an adventure that is hers.
What begins as curiosity turns into road trips, late nights, and piecing together the life Penn lost. And somewhere along the way, she stops just trying to solve his story… and starts falling in love with him.
But he is a ghost.
And ghosts do not stay.
What a unique romance read! I absolutely enjoyed it! There was so much emotional depth to it, and lessons along the way. I cried and loved it! There were some twists I did not expect and it added that "omg!" Moment I absolutely love in a book!
April 14, 2026
Sylvie is spending the summer after her senior year in rural Oregon, living with her aunt while her parents are working and traveling. Sylvie finds an old watch in an antique shop, and she's enchanted by it -- especially when a turn of its crown summons a boy, Penn, about her age, who is transparent and without memories. Has she met a ghost? In an effort to guide his restless spirit in moving on, Sylvie vows to help Penn rediscover his identity -- but the more time she spends with him, the more hesitant she will be to say good-bye.
I don't know if I followed every bit of this storyline (I felt like the audio narration and the writing were kind of stilted and unnatural in places), but I was still very entertained by this book, especially in the last third. I enjoyed the Cuban-American influence throughout. This was pretty fun!
Some language; mostly mild profanity but there was one f-word.
Kisses and pining; no spicy scenes.
Content warning for death of loved one.
I don't know if I followed every bit of this storyline (I felt like the audio narration and the writing were kind of stilted and unnatural in places), but I was still very entertained by this book, especially in the last third. I enjoyed the Cuban-American influence throughout. This was pretty fun!
Some language; mostly mild profanity but there was one f-word.
Kisses and pining; no spicy scenes.
Content warning for death of loved one.
March 17, 2026
Thank you Bloomsbury for a copy of this beautiful Special Edition book!
If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey is a masterclass in emotional storytelling disguised as a YA paranormal romance. This standalone novel transcends its genre classification to deliver a profound exploration of grief, emotional expression, family dynamics, and the transformative power of love—even when that love exists on borrowed time.
The Premise & Hook
Sylvie Castellano has spent her life being left behind. Each summer, her parents depart to work on a luxury yacht, her friends disperse toward beaches and freedom, and she's deposited with her Aunt Viv. This summer, it will be in a small town in Oregon. At eighteen—though as her parents remind her, "Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen"—Sylvie exists in the liminal space between childhood and adulthood, bound by cultural expectations that complicate her desire for independence.
When Sylvie discovers a vintage gold watch in an antique store, she unknowingly acquires something impossible: a tether to Penn, a ghost boy who materializes only when the watch's second hand ticks. Penn is confused about his death, kind despite his circumstances, subtly sarcastic, and undeniably present in a way that makes Sylvie feel seen for perhaps the first time. Together, they embark on uncovering the mystery of his death while Sylvie confronts the emotional walls she's built around her own pain.
Character Development & Emotional Arc
Sylvie's characterization stands as the novel's greatest achievement. Her anger toward her absent parents reads as authentic rather than melodramatic—a slow ache of accumulated abandonment rather than performative teenage rebellion. Namey captures the particular loneliness of being functionally neglected while materially provided for, the confusion of resenting parents who haven't technically failed in their responsibilities but have absolutely failed to show up emotionally.
Sylvie's journey toward emotional honesty and self-acceptance unfolds with remarkable nuance. She learns that holding onto resentment doesn't protect her—it keeps her frozen. Through Penn's presence and Tia Viv's unconditional love, she discovers that expressing anger, sadness, and hurt isn't weakness. It's survival. It's growth. This arc resonated on a deeply personal level, creating moments of recognition that transcended the page.
Penn serves as more than romantic interest or plot device. His confusion about his own death, his gradual revelation of self, and his understanding that his time with Sylvie is finite create a character who exists fully despite his spectral state. The romance builds through glances, almost-touches, and the quiet understanding that every moment together is precious precisely because it cannot last.
Tia Viv provides the found family anchor—an artist who creates beautiful, meaningful work and offers Sylvie the steady, patient love that allows healing to begin. The Cuban family dynamics add cultural texture that enriches rather than stereotypes, presenting the specific tensions between traditional family structures and contemporary adolescent independence.
Plot Structure & The Twist
The narrative unfolds deliberately, prioritizing emotional development over breakneck pacing. The opening chapters establish Sylvie's world with care, allowing readers to inhabit her loneliness before Penn's appearance disrupts her isolation. This measured beginning serves an essential purpose—the emotional weight of later revelations requires this foundation.
The central mystery of Penn's death propels the plot while the real story unfolds in Sylvie's gradual emotional thawing. Namey structures the investigation as collaborative discovery, with Sylvie and Penn piecing together fragments of his past through road trips, conversations, and small-town investigation.
The plot twist—which this review will not spoil—lands with devastating effectiveness. Readers may believe they've anticipated the revelation around the story's midpoint. They are likely wrong. The final act reconfigures everything preceding it, adding weight and meaning to moments that seemed straightforward upon first encounter. The emotional impact of this twist justifies the patient pacing that preceded it.
In fact, there are multiple revelatory moments in the conclusion, each building on the previous to create cascading emotional impact. The feeling of closing the book and needing to simply sit with what just transpired speaks to the twist's power.
Themes & Deeper Meaning
While marketed as paranormal romance, If We Never End functions primarily as an exploration of emotional health and self-acceptance. The underlying message—that we are permitted to feel our emotions, that we should express rather than suppress them, that pushing pain down only allows it to fester and rot from within—permeates every scene.
Additional themes include:
*Abandonment and being left behind - not just physically but emotionally
*Cultural expectations vs. individual identity - particularly around family obligation
*Grief and moving forward - processing loss without forgetting
*Impossible love - loving fully despite knowing the relationship cannot last
*Living in the face of endings - choosing to engage with life and love even when impermanence is guaranteed
*Found family - creating chosen connections when biological family fails
*Self-discovery and acceptance - learning who you are when no one else is watching
These themes integrate organically into character arcs and plot developments rather than existing as abstract concepts that the narrative illustrates.
Writing Style & Technical Execution
The first-person POV proves essential to the story's success. Inhabiting Sylvie's perspective creates the intimate connection necessary for her emotional journey to resonate. Namey's prose balances accessibility with beauty—readable without sacrificing emotional precision or evocative description.
Specific lines carry devastating weight. The observation that "some loves aren't meant to last forever—they're meant to change you" encapsulates the story's philosophy with elegant simplicity. The writing captures yearning, borrowed time, and the coexistence of grief and love with remarkable skill.
Minor grammatical inconsistencies exist but remain sufficiently subtle to avoid disrupting the reading experience. The overall technical execution serves the emotional narrative admirably.
Setting & Atmosphere
Small-town Oregon provides an ideal backdrop for this story of reflection and transformation. The slower pace away from urban chaos creates space for introspection. Tia Viv's art studio, summer road trips, a ferris wheel ride, a beach bonfire—these settings generate an atmosphere of golden, fleeting summer that mirrors the romance's temporary nature.
The descriptions balance specificity with universality. Readers can visualize locations clearly while projecting their own summer experiences onto the framework Namey provides. The setting influences the story rather than merely hosting it—the environment facilitates the emotional work both Sylvie and readers undertake.
Pacing & Structure
The deliberate opening pacing may challenge readers accustomed to immediate action. However, this slower beginning serves an essential narrative purpose. The story requires readers to understand Sylvie's isolation before Penn arrives. It needs space to establish her resentment, her loneliness, her feeling of powerlessness. Rushing past this foundation would undermine the emotional impact of her transformation.
The pacing accelerates emotionally in the final third without necessarily increasing action. The last 35% creates mounting emotional intensity as revelations compound and the inevitable conclusion approaches. This section proves difficult to set aside, not because of cliffhangers but because the emotional investment demands resolution.
Emotional Impact & Reading Experience
This section requires personal testimony: this book made me cry. Twice. As someone who rarely experiences strong emotional reactions to fiction—perhaps once or twice yearly—this represents significant impact.
The majority of the book generated typical engagement without intense emotional response. The final 35% shifted everything. Tears came not from manipulation but from genuine emotional resonance. Sylvie's acceptance of herself, her willingness to feel everything, her understanding that she deserves to express her emotions—this journey created moments of recognition that transcended the page to touch lived experience.
The ending provides catharsis without easy resolution. It acknowledges that growth is ongoing, that healing isn't linear, that loving someone you cannot keep still matters tremendously. The final chapter and epilogue deliver emotional satisfaction while maintaining thematic integrity.
Originality & Genre Positioning
The ghost-attached-to-vintage-watch conceit provides a fresh twist on paranormal romance. The specific constraint—Penn only appearing when the second hand ticks—creates unique magical parameters that generate both romantic tension and narrative interest. The reasoning behind this constraint, revealed later, proves both logical and emotionally resonant.
While certain tropes appear (ghost romance, impossible love, summer setting, found family), their execution avoids feeling derivative. The combination of elements and the emotional depth distinguish this from standard paranormal fare.
Who This Book Serves
This novel will particularly resonate with:
*Readers who appreciate yearning that aches
*Those who loved You've Reached Sam, If I Stay, or similar life/death romances
*Daughters navigating complicated family dynamics and cultural expectations
*Romantics who believe temporary love can be transformative
*Readers seeking emotional catharsis who don't mind crying
*Young adults processing feelings of abandonment or struggling with emotional expression
*Adult readers who enjoy YA for its emotional honesty and coming-of-age themes
*Anyone interested in Cuban family dynamics and cultural representation
*Readers wanting paranormal romance with substantial thematic depth
Content Considerations
This is a clean YA romance with no explicit sexual content and very minimal profanity (maybe 1 or 2 words). Themes of parental abandonment, grief, death, and emotional processing may prove triggering for some readers. The emotional intensity in the final third can be overwhelming—bring tissues.
Final Assessment
If We Never End earns its perfect score through exceptional character development, profound thematic exploration, emotionally resonant plotting, and writing that balances accessibility with beauty. Laura Taylor Namey has crafted a story that operates on multiple levels: a paranormal romance, a coming-of-age narrative, an examination of emotional health, a meditation on grief and love.
This book reminds readers that grief and love often share the same space, that letting go can be the bravest choice, and that we deserve to feel our emotions rather than bury them. It provides permission to be angry, to grieve, to accept ourselves.
The reading experience begins with uncertainty—the slower opening and unfamiliar genre may challenge readers outside YA paranormal. Persistence rewards with genuine emotional transformation. The book doesn't just tell a story about a girl who learns to feel; it creates space for readers to feel alongside her.
For this reader, If We Never End represents the rare book that closes the gap between "objectively excellent" and "personally transformative." It accomplished everything it set out to do while exceeding expectations in ways that created lasting emotional impact.
Highly Recommended For: YA readers, adult crossover readers, anyone processing grief or family complications, readers seeking emotional catharsis, paranormal romance fans wanting depth, and those who loved Laura Taylor Namey's previous work.
Perfect 10/10 - A book that makes you feel, heals while breaking your heart, and stays with you long after the final page.
Review provided by Sundragonscrolls
If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey is a masterclass in emotional storytelling disguised as a YA paranormal romance. This standalone novel transcends its genre classification to deliver a profound exploration of grief, emotional expression, family dynamics, and the transformative power of love—even when that love exists on borrowed time.
The Premise & Hook
Sylvie Castellano has spent her life being left behind. Each summer, her parents depart to work on a luxury yacht, her friends disperse toward beaches and freedom, and she's deposited with her Aunt Viv. This summer, it will be in a small town in Oregon. At eighteen—though as her parents remind her, "Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen"—Sylvie exists in the liminal space between childhood and adulthood, bound by cultural expectations that complicate her desire for independence.
When Sylvie discovers a vintage gold watch in an antique store, she unknowingly acquires something impossible: a tether to Penn, a ghost boy who materializes only when the watch's second hand ticks. Penn is confused about his death, kind despite his circumstances, subtly sarcastic, and undeniably present in a way that makes Sylvie feel seen for perhaps the first time. Together, they embark on uncovering the mystery of his death while Sylvie confronts the emotional walls she's built around her own pain.
Character Development & Emotional Arc
Sylvie's characterization stands as the novel's greatest achievement. Her anger toward her absent parents reads as authentic rather than melodramatic—a slow ache of accumulated abandonment rather than performative teenage rebellion. Namey captures the particular loneliness of being functionally neglected while materially provided for, the confusion of resenting parents who haven't technically failed in their responsibilities but have absolutely failed to show up emotionally.
Sylvie's journey toward emotional honesty and self-acceptance unfolds with remarkable nuance. She learns that holding onto resentment doesn't protect her—it keeps her frozen. Through Penn's presence and Tia Viv's unconditional love, she discovers that expressing anger, sadness, and hurt isn't weakness. It's survival. It's growth. This arc resonated on a deeply personal level, creating moments of recognition that transcended the page.
Penn serves as more than romantic interest or plot device. His confusion about his own death, his gradual revelation of self, and his understanding that his time with Sylvie is finite create a character who exists fully despite his spectral state. The romance builds through glances, almost-touches, and the quiet understanding that every moment together is precious precisely because it cannot last.
Tia Viv provides the found family anchor—an artist who creates beautiful, meaningful work and offers Sylvie the steady, patient love that allows healing to begin. The Cuban family dynamics add cultural texture that enriches rather than stereotypes, presenting the specific tensions between traditional family structures and contemporary adolescent independence.
Plot Structure & The Twist
The narrative unfolds deliberately, prioritizing emotional development over breakneck pacing. The opening chapters establish Sylvie's world with care, allowing readers to inhabit her loneliness before Penn's appearance disrupts her isolation. This measured beginning serves an essential purpose—the emotional weight of later revelations requires this foundation.
The central mystery of Penn's death propels the plot while the real story unfolds in Sylvie's gradual emotional thawing. Namey structures the investigation as collaborative discovery, with Sylvie and Penn piecing together fragments of his past through road trips, conversations, and small-town investigation.
The plot twist—which this review will not spoil—lands with devastating effectiveness. Readers may believe they've anticipated the revelation around the story's midpoint. They are likely wrong. The final act reconfigures everything preceding it, adding weight and meaning to moments that seemed straightforward upon first encounter. The emotional impact of this twist justifies the patient pacing that preceded it.
In fact, there are multiple revelatory moments in the conclusion, each building on the previous to create cascading emotional impact. The feeling of closing the book and needing to simply sit with what just transpired speaks to the twist's power.
Themes & Deeper Meaning
While marketed as paranormal romance, If We Never End functions primarily as an exploration of emotional health and self-acceptance. The underlying message—that we are permitted to feel our emotions, that we should express rather than suppress them, that pushing pain down only allows it to fester and rot from within—permeates every scene.
Additional themes include:
*Abandonment and being left behind - not just physically but emotionally
*Cultural expectations vs. individual identity - particularly around family obligation
*Grief and moving forward - processing loss without forgetting
*Impossible love - loving fully despite knowing the relationship cannot last
*Living in the face of endings - choosing to engage with life and love even when impermanence is guaranteed
*Found family - creating chosen connections when biological family fails
*Self-discovery and acceptance - learning who you are when no one else is watching
These themes integrate organically into character arcs and plot developments rather than existing as abstract concepts that the narrative illustrates.
Writing Style & Technical Execution
The first-person POV proves essential to the story's success. Inhabiting Sylvie's perspective creates the intimate connection necessary for her emotional journey to resonate. Namey's prose balances accessibility with beauty—readable without sacrificing emotional precision or evocative description.
Specific lines carry devastating weight. The observation that "some loves aren't meant to last forever—they're meant to change you" encapsulates the story's philosophy with elegant simplicity. The writing captures yearning, borrowed time, and the coexistence of grief and love with remarkable skill.
Minor grammatical inconsistencies exist but remain sufficiently subtle to avoid disrupting the reading experience. The overall technical execution serves the emotional narrative admirably.
Setting & Atmosphere
Small-town Oregon provides an ideal backdrop for this story of reflection and transformation. The slower pace away from urban chaos creates space for introspection. Tia Viv's art studio, summer road trips, a ferris wheel ride, a beach bonfire—these settings generate an atmosphere of golden, fleeting summer that mirrors the romance's temporary nature.
The descriptions balance specificity with universality. Readers can visualize locations clearly while projecting their own summer experiences onto the framework Namey provides. The setting influences the story rather than merely hosting it—the environment facilitates the emotional work both Sylvie and readers undertake.
Pacing & Structure
The deliberate opening pacing may challenge readers accustomed to immediate action. However, this slower beginning serves an essential narrative purpose. The story requires readers to understand Sylvie's isolation before Penn arrives. It needs space to establish her resentment, her loneliness, her feeling of powerlessness. Rushing past this foundation would undermine the emotional impact of her transformation.
The pacing accelerates emotionally in the final third without necessarily increasing action. The last 35% creates mounting emotional intensity as revelations compound and the inevitable conclusion approaches. This section proves difficult to set aside, not because of cliffhangers but because the emotional investment demands resolution.
Emotional Impact & Reading Experience
This section requires personal testimony: this book made me cry. Twice. As someone who rarely experiences strong emotional reactions to fiction—perhaps once or twice yearly—this represents significant impact.
The majority of the book generated typical engagement without intense emotional response. The final 35% shifted everything. Tears came not from manipulation but from genuine emotional resonance. Sylvie's acceptance of herself, her willingness to feel everything, her understanding that she deserves to express her emotions—this journey created moments of recognition that transcended the page to touch lived experience.
The ending provides catharsis without easy resolution. It acknowledges that growth is ongoing, that healing isn't linear, that loving someone you cannot keep still matters tremendously. The final chapter and epilogue deliver emotional satisfaction while maintaining thematic integrity.
Originality & Genre Positioning
The ghost-attached-to-vintage-watch conceit provides a fresh twist on paranormal romance. The specific constraint—Penn only appearing when the second hand ticks—creates unique magical parameters that generate both romantic tension and narrative interest. The reasoning behind this constraint, revealed later, proves both logical and emotionally resonant.
While certain tropes appear (ghost romance, impossible love, summer setting, found family), their execution avoids feeling derivative. The combination of elements and the emotional depth distinguish this from standard paranormal fare.
Who This Book Serves
This novel will particularly resonate with:
*Readers who appreciate yearning that aches
*Those who loved You've Reached Sam, If I Stay, or similar life/death romances
*Daughters navigating complicated family dynamics and cultural expectations
*Romantics who believe temporary love can be transformative
*Readers seeking emotional catharsis who don't mind crying
*Young adults processing feelings of abandonment or struggling with emotional expression
*Adult readers who enjoy YA for its emotional honesty and coming-of-age themes
*Anyone interested in Cuban family dynamics and cultural representation
*Readers wanting paranormal romance with substantial thematic depth
Content Considerations
This is a clean YA romance with no explicit sexual content and very minimal profanity (maybe 1 or 2 words). Themes of parental abandonment, grief, death, and emotional processing may prove triggering for some readers. The emotional intensity in the final third can be overwhelming—bring tissues.
Final Assessment
If We Never End earns its perfect score through exceptional character development, profound thematic exploration, emotionally resonant plotting, and writing that balances accessibility with beauty. Laura Taylor Namey has crafted a story that operates on multiple levels: a paranormal romance, a coming-of-age narrative, an examination of emotional health, a meditation on grief and love.
This book reminds readers that grief and love often share the same space, that letting go can be the bravest choice, and that we deserve to feel our emotions rather than bury them. It provides permission to be angry, to grieve, to accept ourselves.
The reading experience begins with uncertainty—the slower opening and unfamiliar genre may challenge readers outside YA paranormal. Persistence rewards with genuine emotional transformation. The book doesn't just tell a story about a girl who learns to feel; it creates space for readers to feel alongside her.
For this reader, If We Never End represents the rare book that closes the gap between "objectively excellent" and "personally transformative." It accomplished everything it set out to do while exceeding expectations in ways that created lasting emotional impact.
Highly Recommended For: YA readers, adult crossover readers, anyone processing grief or family complications, readers seeking emotional catharsis, paranormal romance fans wanting depth, and those who loved Laura Taylor Namey's previous work.
Perfect 10/10 - A book that makes you feel, heals while breaking your heart, and stays with you long after the final page.
Review provided by Sundragonscrolls
April 8, 2026
I disliked the writing style throughout but man… that twist and ending was pretty good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2026
Sometimes a book hits you right in the heart and stays with you!
The story of Sylvie and Penn draws you in. When Sylvie is spending the summer with her aunt she come into contact with a beautiful boy named Penn. However, Penn is dead but doesn’t remember how or who he id or any details. Sylvie is determined to help him find all the answers.
This contemporary slow burning romance with supernatural elements is so easy to dive into. But the mysteries is what keeps you reading to find out if they figure out Penns history. (And let me tell you, you’ll never guess it!)
The story of Sylvie and Penn draws you in. When Sylvie is spending the summer with her aunt she come into contact with a beautiful boy named Penn. However, Penn is dead but doesn’t remember how or who he id or any details. Sylvie is determined to help him find all the answers.
This contemporary slow burning romance with supernatural elements is so easy to dive into. But the mysteries is what keeps you reading to find out if they figure out Penns history. (And let me tell you, you’ll never guess it!)
February 18, 2026
✨📖 If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey is PURE magic and I am not okay (in the best way).
Sylvie has just graduated high school and is heading to Sacred, Oregon to spend the summer with her Aunt Vivian. She’s feeling abandoned by family and friends, stuck in that strange in-between space where everything is changing and nothing feels certain. The post-grad emotions? So real.
On the way, she finds a mysterious gold watch in an antique shop. The catch? It doesn’t even work. Or at least… it doesn’t seem to. ⏳✨
Because suddenly, the second hand starts ticking.
And then Penn, a college boy, appears to Sylvie.
What follows is dreamy, romantic, and just the right amount of magical. I adored:
💛 Characters that felt authentic and layered
💛 A swoony love story that gave me butterflies
💛 The tender, beautifully written relationship between Sylvie and Aunt Vivian
💛 Anne Shirley the cat (an icon, obviously 🐈)
This story feels nostalgic and hopeful, like summer wrapped in stardust. It’s about love, timing, healing, and the unexpected ways life can surprise you.
⭐️ 4.75 stars and I’m still thinking about it.
Sylvie has just graduated high school and is heading to Sacred, Oregon to spend the summer with her Aunt Vivian. She’s feeling abandoned by family and friends, stuck in that strange in-between space where everything is changing and nothing feels certain. The post-grad emotions? So real.
On the way, she finds a mysterious gold watch in an antique shop. The catch? It doesn’t even work. Or at least… it doesn’t seem to. ⏳✨
Because suddenly, the second hand starts ticking.
And then Penn, a college boy, appears to Sylvie.
What follows is dreamy, romantic, and just the right amount of magical. I adored:
💛 Characters that felt authentic and layered
💛 A swoony love story that gave me butterflies
💛 The tender, beautifully written relationship between Sylvie and Aunt Vivian
💛 Anne Shirley the cat (an icon, obviously 🐈)
This story feels nostalgic and hopeful, like summer wrapped in stardust. It’s about love, timing, healing, and the unexpected ways life can surprise you.
⭐️ 4.75 stars and I’m still thinking about it.
February 22, 2026
If we never end, is sweet, nostalgic, and gives a twist you don’t see coming, i laughed, I cried, and I felt the anguish Sylvie expressed over her loneliness, her longing for parents to just see her. A ghost story that has so much heart, and a summer filled with adventure. As someone who loved if I stay, I think that comparison is so perfect. But it’s not just the story or the characters, the writing is beautiful, the way the plot unfolds at just the right pace, and the twist is revealed just when you think you know what is happening. And the ending!!! So good, so wonderfully good.
I would say more but I don’t want to give any spoilers, so if your heart is ready for a good cry, with the perfect ending I highly recommend this one.
Thank you tandem reading collective for the early copy!
I would say more but I don’t want to give any spoilers, so if your heart is ready for a good cry, with the perfect ending I highly recommend this one.
Thank you tandem reading collective for the early copy!
April 28, 2026
It already feels like summer where I live, so picking up If We Never End felt perfectly timed. I went into it expecting a light YA romance with a slightly magical premise, but it ended up being far more emotional and thoughtful than I anticipated. While the story begins at a slower pace, it gradually builds into something heartfelt, romantic, and surprisingly impactful.
The novel follows Sylvie Castellano, who has just graduated high school and is once again sent to spend the summer with her tia Vivian in a small town in Oregon while her parents work on a luxury yacht. Sylvie loves her aunt, but she can’t help feeling left behind. Her friends are off having exciting summers, and she longs for an adventure of her own before starting the next chapter of her life.
That adventure begins when she finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. What seems like a broken watch turns out to be something far stranger: when Sylvie turns the dial, it summons the ghost of a boy named Penn. Penn has no memory of his past or how he died, and the watch appears to be the only thing tethering him to the present. Determined to help him uncover the truth, Sylvie spends the summer piecing together clues about Penn’s life. Along the way, the two grow closer, sharing quiet moments, small adventures, and a connection that becomes difficult to ignore despite the impossible circumstances.
One of the strongest parts of the book is Sylvie herself. Her frustration with her parents and her longing for independence feel very real, especially in the awkward stage between high school and adulthood. The cultural dynamics in her family also add depth to her character and make her emotional journey more relatable. Watching her slowly confront her resentment and begin to grow past it was one of the most meaningful aspects of the story.
I also really loved Sylvie’s relationship with her aunt Vivian. Vivian is warm, artistic, and quietly supportive in a way that feels grounding throughout the story. She gives Sylvie space to figure things out while still being a steady presence in her life, and their bond added a comforting layer to the book. And special mention to Anne Shirley, the cat, who completely stole every scene she appeared in. Any story instantly becomes better with a memorable animal sidekick, and Anne Shirley absolutely delivered.
Penn is equally charming. He’s kind, sarcastic, and genuinely sweet, and his dynamic with Sylvie is what makes the story shine. Their relationship develops through small conversations and shared discoveries, creating a romance that feels tender and bittersweet.
The pacing in the first half is a bit slow, but the story really picks up later on. The mystery surrounding Penn becomes more intense, and the final twist genuinely caught me off guard (even though the book scattered plenty of clues throughout the story, I still didn’t see it coming). It added a layer of emotional weight that made the ending much more memorable.
Overall, If We Never End is a touching YA story that blends romance, mystery, and a hint of the supernatural. It’s about love, letting go of past resentment, and realizing that even brief connections can leave a lasting impact. A beautifully emotional summer read.
P.S. I did wish we got a little more of Del. I really enjoyed the moments of friendship between Del and Sylvie, and it would have been nice to see their bond develop even more throughout the story.
P.P.S. I listened to the audiobook, and unfortunately the narration by Barbara Castano didn’t quite work for me. The delivery felt more like the lines were being read rather than performed, and there wasn’t much vocal modulation or emotional nuance between scenes. That said, I don’t want to be too harsh since this appears to be one of her first audiobook narrations, so hopefully it’s something that will improve with more experience.
The novel follows Sylvie Castellano, who has just graduated high school and is once again sent to spend the summer with her tia Vivian in a small town in Oregon while her parents work on a luxury yacht. Sylvie loves her aunt, but she can’t help feeling left behind. Her friends are off having exciting summers, and she longs for an adventure of her own before starting the next chapter of her life.
That adventure begins when she finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. What seems like a broken watch turns out to be something far stranger: when Sylvie turns the dial, it summons the ghost of a boy named Penn. Penn has no memory of his past or how he died, and the watch appears to be the only thing tethering him to the present. Determined to help him uncover the truth, Sylvie spends the summer piecing together clues about Penn’s life. Along the way, the two grow closer, sharing quiet moments, small adventures, and a connection that becomes difficult to ignore despite the impossible circumstances.
One of the strongest parts of the book is Sylvie herself. Her frustration with her parents and her longing for independence feel very real, especially in the awkward stage between high school and adulthood. The cultural dynamics in her family also add depth to her character and make her emotional journey more relatable. Watching her slowly confront her resentment and begin to grow past it was one of the most meaningful aspects of the story.
I also really loved Sylvie’s relationship with her aunt Vivian. Vivian is warm, artistic, and quietly supportive in a way that feels grounding throughout the story. She gives Sylvie space to figure things out while still being a steady presence in her life, and their bond added a comforting layer to the book. And special mention to Anne Shirley, the cat, who completely stole every scene she appeared in. Any story instantly becomes better with a memorable animal sidekick, and Anne Shirley absolutely delivered.
Penn is equally charming. He’s kind, sarcastic, and genuinely sweet, and his dynamic with Sylvie is what makes the story shine. Their relationship develops through small conversations and shared discoveries, creating a romance that feels tender and bittersweet.
The pacing in the first half is a bit slow, but the story really picks up later on. The mystery surrounding Penn becomes more intense, and the final twist genuinely caught me off guard (even though the book scattered plenty of clues throughout the story, I still didn’t see it coming). It added a layer of emotional weight that made the ending much more memorable.
Overall, If We Never End is a touching YA story that blends romance, mystery, and a hint of the supernatural. It’s about love, letting go of past resentment, and realizing that even brief connections can leave a lasting impact. A beautifully emotional summer read.
P.S. I did wish we got a little more of Del. I really enjoyed the moments of friendship between Del and Sylvie, and it would have been nice to see their bond develop even more throughout the story.
P.P.S. I listened to the audiobook, and unfortunately the narration by Barbara Castano didn’t quite work for me. The delivery felt more like the lines were being read rather than performed, and there wasn’t much vocal modulation or emotional nuance between scenes. That said, I don’t want to be too harsh since this appears to be one of her first audiobook narrations, so hopefully it’s something that will improve with more experience.
March 23, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I went into “If We Never End” expecting a cute summer YA romance with a slightly magical twist, and it ended up being way more emotional than I was prepared for.
The story follows Sylvie Castellano, who has just graduated high school and once again gets sent to spend the summer with her Aunt Viv in a small town in Oregon while her parents work on a luxury yacht. Sylvie loves her aunt, but she’s also tired of feeling like the one who always gets left behind while everyone else is off having adventures. She’s at that awkward in-between stage of life where she technically feels like an adult, but her family still treats her like a kid, which is something that’s especially complicated within her close-knit Cuban family.
Then she finds a vintage gold watch at a thrift store and accidentally summons a ghost.
The watch is somehow connected to Penn, a sweet but confused ghost boy who has no idea who he is or how he died. The only thing they know is that the watch is keeping him tethered to the present. Sylvie decides to help him figure out his past, and the two spend the summer searching for clues, going on little adventures around town, and trying to trigger Penn’s memories.
Of course, along the way they start falling for each other, which is exactly as messy and heartbreaking as you’d expect when one of you is dead.
What I really liked about this book is that it’s not just a paranormal romance. A lot of the story focuses on Sylvie’s own emotional journey. She’s dealing with resentment toward her parents, feeling abandoned, and trying to figure out who she wants to be now that high school is over. Her relationship with her aunt is especially great; Aunt Viv is warm, artistic, and supportive in that quiet way that lets Sylvie figure things out on her own.
Sylvie and Penn’s relationship is definitely the emotional core of the story. Their romance builds slowly through small moments like with late-night conversations, exploring Oregon together, little adventures that feel both magical and bittersweet because you know their time is limited. There’s a lot of yearning, a lot of “this can’t last but we’re doing it anyway,” which makes the whole thing feel very tender and a little heartbreaking.
The pacing in the first half is a bit slow, but once the mystery around Penn really starts unfolding, the story picks up a lot. And the twist near the end? I genuinely didn’t see it coming. The final chapters add a whole new emotional layer to everything that came before and definitely left me staring at the wall for a minute afterward.
There are also some great small touches throughout the story, like Sylvie’s sarcastic friend Del and her cat Anne Shirley, who completely steals every scene she’s in.
Overall, “If We Never End” is a really heartfelt YA story about love, grief, family expectations, and learning to let go of resentment. It’s romantic, a little magical, and definitely bittersweet. If you like emotional love stories with a supernatural twist (and don’t mind a book that might make you tear up a little), this one is definitely worth picking up.
I went into “If We Never End” expecting a cute summer YA romance with a slightly magical twist, and it ended up being way more emotional than I was prepared for.
The story follows Sylvie Castellano, who has just graduated high school and once again gets sent to spend the summer with her Aunt Viv in a small town in Oregon while her parents work on a luxury yacht. Sylvie loves her aunt, but she’s also tired of feeling like the one who always gets left behind while everyone else is off having adventures. She’s at that awkward in-between stage of life where she technically feels like an adult, but her family still treats her like a kid, which is something that’s especially complicated within her close-knit Cuban family.
Then she finds a vintage gold watch at a thrift store and accidentally summons a ghost.
The watch is somehow connected to Penn, a sweet but confused ghost boy who has no idea who he is or how he died. The only thing they know is that the watch is keeping him tethered to the present. Sylvie decides to help him figure out his past, and the two spend the summer searching for clues, going on little adventures around town, and trying to trigger Penn’s memories.
Of course, along the way they start falling for each other, which is exactly as messy and heartbreaking as you’d expect when one of you is dead.
What I really liked about this book is that it’s not just a paranormal romance. A lot of the story focuses on Sylvie’s own emotional journey. She’s dealing with resentment toward her parents, feeling abandoned, and trying to figure out who she wants to be now that high school is over. Her relationship with her aunt is especially great; Aunt Viv is warm, artistic, and supportive in that quiet way that lets Sylvie figure things out on her own.
Sylvie and Penn’s relationship is definitely the emotional core of the story. Their romance builds slowly through small moments like with late-night conversations, exploring Oregon together, little adventures that feel both magical and bittersweet because you know their time is limited. There’s a lot of yearning, a lot of “this can’t last but we’re doing it anyway,” which makes the whole thing feel very tender and a little heartbreaking.
The pacing in the first half is a bit slow, but once the mystery around Penn really starts unfolding, the story picks up a lot. And the twist near the end? I genuinely didn’t see it coming. The final chapters add a whole new emotional layer to everything that came before and definitely left me staring at the wall for a minute afterward.
There are also some great small touches throughout the story, like Sylvie’s sarcastic friend Del and her cat Anne Shirley, who completely steals every scene she’s in.
Overall, “If We Never End” is a really heartfelt YA story about love, grief, family expectations, and learning to let go of resentment. It’s romantic, a little magical, and definitely bittersweet. If you like emotional love stories with a supernatural twist (and don’t mind a book that might make you tear up a little), this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh my heart what a journey this read was! The writing was vivid, descriptive and atmospheric. I am ready to book a trip to Oregon to head into the woods and off to the coast after this read!
We have Sylvie, fresh from her high school graduation, upset when her parents once again send her to summer with her Aunt (Tia) instead of joining them on the luxury yacht they work every summer. The 18 year old emotions are running high and though she adores her artistic aunt - Sylvie longs for adventure and feels left out.
When they arrive in Sacred, Oregon - Sylvie picks up a few items at an antique store. One of these is a watch that turns out to be very valuable. But, the watch is holding secrets of its own, and when turning the dial makes the ghost of a boy named Penn appear, Sylvie worries her post-concussion recovery has taken a turn for the worse.
Well, ghost-boy isn't going away, and Sylvie is determined to help him uncover his identity so he can cross into the after-life. Along the way, Sylvie and Penn go on adventures around the area to try to trigger memories for Penn. They also begin to fall for each other.
My thoughts...This read was hard to put down! I participated in a read-along with a group via Tandem Collective and with daily prompts and reflection cards, it made this read even more immersive! Sylvie's character and her actions at times made her a bit unlikeable, but as the story unfolds, it all begins to make more sense as to what she was processing and why. The book had a couple of slower spots, but it picks up momentum and the last few chapters were absolute gold. There was also a cat with personality, and I love an animal sidekick in any story! This was a 4.25/5 star read for my personal reading preferences.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Press for a #gifted copy of this book. (which is absolutely beautiful by the way!!). All opinions shared are my own and are given freely.
We have Sylvie, fresh from her high school graduation, upset when her parents once again send her to summer with her Aunt (Tia) instead of joining them on the luxury yacht they work every summer. The 18 year old emotions are running high and though she adores her artistic aunt - Sylvie longs for adventure and feels left out.
When they arrive in Sacred, Oregon - Sylvie picks up a few items at an antique store. One of these is a watch that turns out to be very valuable. But, the watch is holding secrets of its own, and when turning the dial makes the ghost of a boy named Penn appear, Sylvie worries her post-concussion recovery has taken a turn for the worse.
Well, ghost-boy isn't going away, and Sylvie is determined to help him uncover his identity so he can cross into the after-life. Along the way, Sylvie and Penn go on adventures around the area to try to trigger memories for Penn. They also begin to fall for each other.
My thoughts...This read was hard to put down! I participated in a read-along with a group via Tandem Collective and with daily prompts and reflection cards, it made this read even more immersive! Sylvie's character and her actions at times made her a bit unlikeable, but as the story unfolds, it all begins to make more sense as to what she was processing and why. The book had a couple of slower spots, but it picks up momentum and the last few chapters were absolute gold. There was also a cat with personality, and I love an animal sidekick in any story! This was a 4.25/5 star read for my personal reading preferences.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Press for a #gifted copy of this book. (which is absolutely beautiful by the way!!). All opinions shared are my own and are given freely.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Magical Realism
Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Bloomsbury Publishing for a stunning gifted copy. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Sylvie has been sent to stay with her tia Viv in Sacred, Oregon while her parents are off on a luxury yacht and her friends get to have a beach vacation. Sylvie is desperate for a special summer of her own, especially now that she's about to head off to college. Early in her trip Sylvie comes across a vintage gold watch at an antique store. However, when she turns the crown it summons a ghost, a 19 year old boy named Penn. Penn doesn't have too many memories, so once Sylvie comes to terms with this mysterious watch and the ghost in front of her, she decides to use her summer to help him figure out what happened. Sylvie and Penn start having adventures of their own and it's hard for them not to feel something for each other despite the circumstances. Turns out there is much more at stake though as secrets are uncovered.
Wow, this story was beautiful and really hooks you in with the unanswered questions about Penn, Sylvie, and some of the other characters from the beginning. The descriptions of the setting were gorgeous and I loved the Cuban culture that was weaved throughout with Sylvie and her tia. As with many YA books, the plot really moves and the romance was sweet. I wanted a tiny bit more build-up, but the characters were VERY much teens, so it felt very true to them that Sylvie and Penn dove in quickly. At times Sylvie could be a little annoying, but I knew it was YA going in, so it didn't bother me too much. Also some good side characters, especially Anne Shirley the cat with a lot of personality! The twist though! I knew something was coming from the synopsis, but it still surprised me! Love when a book does that and it's been a while! This book was so bingeable and I highly recommend.
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Magical Realism
Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Bloomsbury Publishing for a stunning gifted copy. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Sylvie has been sent to stay with her tia Viv in Sacred, Oregon while her parents are off on a luxury yacht and her friends get to have a beach vacation. Sylvie is desperate for a special summer of her own, especially now that she's about to head off to college. Early in her trip Sylvie comes across a vintage gold watch at an antique store. However, when she turns the crown it summons a ghost, a 19 year old boy named Penn. Penn doesn't have too many memories, so once Sylvie comes to terms with this mysterious watch and the ghost in front of her, she decides to use her summer to help him figure out what happened. Sylvie and Penn start having adventures of their own and it's hard for them not to feel something for each other despite the circumstances. Turns out there is much more at stake though as secrets are uncovered.
Wow, this story was beautiful and really hooks you in with the unanswered questions about Penn, Sylvie, and some of the other characters from the beginning. The descriptions of the setting were gorgeous and I loved the Cuban culture that was weaved throughout with Sylvie and her tia. As with many YA books, the plot really moves and the romance was sweet. I wanted a tiny bit more build-up, but the characters were VERY much teens, so it felt very true to them that Sylvie and Penn dove in quickly. At times Sylvie could be a little annoying, but I knew it was YA going in, so it didn't bother me too much. Also some good side characters, especially Anne Shirley the cat with a lot of personality! The twist though! I knew something was coming from the synopsis, but it still surprised me! Love when a book does that and it's been a while! This book was so bingeable and I highly recommend.
March 17, 2026
If We Never End is a beautifully atmospheric, character-driven story that takes the familiar ghost-romance trope and gives it a genuinely unique twist. Even though it's set in the present day, the story possesses that lovely, out-of-time quality that you usually only find in perfectly crafted small-town settings. Laura Taylor Namey’s writing leans heavily into a dreamy magical realism vibe that completely drew me in.
At its heart, this book is about Sylvie and Penn, both of whom read like true old souls. They think and speak with a maturity far beyond their years, especially Sylvie. There is a deeply poignant moment where Sylvie admits she knows she is "too young to be jaded," and it completely broke my heart. Because of her dysfunctional parents and the lack of a normal childhood, her profound loneliness makes perfect sense. Of course she would jump at the chance to finally be special to someone, even if that someone is a ghost summoned by a vintage watch. I also absolutely loved the exploration of finding "our own kind of elsewhere."
In terms of pacing, the story does drag a bit in the middle, but the deliberate buildup makes sense once you reach the final act. Be warned: this book gets extremely sad at one point, so prepare yourself for some heavy emotions. As for the ending, I did see it coming a mile away. It also requires a pretty massive suspension of disbelief, even for the magical realism genre.
However, I am a reader who thrives on character-driven narratives. Because Sylvie and Penn's emotional journeys are so compelling and well-drawn, those minor plot and pacing issues didn't ruin the experience for me. If you love emotional, character-focused stories with a touch of the impossible, this is definitely worth picking up.
At its heart, this book is about Sylvie and Penn, both of whom read like true old souls. They think and speak with a maturity far beyond their years, especially Sylvie. There is a deeply poignant moment where Sylvie admits she knows she is "too young to be jaded," and it completely broke my heart. Because of her dysfunctional parents and the lack of a normal childhood, her profound loneliness makes perfect sense. Of course she would jump at the chance to finally be special to someone, even if that someone is a ghost summoned by a vintage watch. I also absolutely loved the exploration of finding "our own kind of elsewhere."
In terms of pacing, the story does drag a bit in the middle, but the deliberate buildup makes sense once you reach the final act. Be warned: this book gets extremely sad at one point, so prepare yourself for some heavy emotions. As for the ending, I did see it coming a mile away. It also requires a pretty massive suspension of disbelief, even for the magical realism genre.
However, I am a reader who thrives on character-driven narratives. Because Sylvie and Penn's emotional journeys are so compelling and well-drawn, those minor plot and pacing issues didn't ruin the experience for me. If you love emotional, character-focused stories with a touch of the impossible, this is definitely worth picking up.
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