What do you think?
Rate this book
What If I Never Get Over You
One Day meets a contemporary Bridgerton in this high-drama, escapist wonder of a love story, Paige Toon’s best yet.
Three days to fall in love. Six years to try to forget.
Ellie didn’t expect to fall in love while interrailing through Europe. But she also didn’t expect to meet a man like Ash. Three blistering days in Lisbon is all it takes to form an unforgettable connection—a bond deep enough for them to scrap their itineraries and plan to meet again in Spain. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash is nowhere to be found.
Six years later, Ellie has landed her dream job working as a gardener for a viscount and viscountess on their sprawling five-hundred-year-old estate in Wales. She finds peace amongst the towering topiary hedges and colorful gardens, but her idyll is shattered when Ash crashes back into her life. And when it becomes clear why he didn’t show in Madrid, her heart breaks anew—for what the truth means for her, and for his fate.
But they have never been able to resist each another, and when the sparks of their attraction fly, Ellie’s life will catch flame. She will have to make a choice.
Three days to fall in love. Six years to try to forget.
Ellie didn’t expect to fall in love while interrailing through Europe. But she also didn’t expect to meet a man like Ash. Three blistering days in Lisbon is all it takes to form an unforgettable connection—a bond deep enough for them to scrap their itineraries and plan to meet again in Spain. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash is nowhere to be found.
Six years later, Ellie has landed her dream job working as a gardener for a viscount and viscountess on their sprawling five-hundred-year-old estate in Wales. She finds peace amongst the towering topiary hedges and colorful gardens, but her idyll is shattered when Ash crashes back into her life. And when it becomes clear why he didn’t show in Madrid, her heart breaks anew—for what the truth means for her, and for his fate.
But they have never been able to resist each another, and when the sparks of their attraction fly, Ellie’s life will catch flame. She will have to make a choice.
11 pages, Audiobook
First published April 10, 2025
1532 people are currently reading
24253 people want to read
About the author
Paige Toon
37 books5,676 followersPaige Toon grew up between England, Australia and America and has been writing books set in sun-drenched locations around the world since 2007. She has written fifteen novels, a three-part spin-off for young adults and a collection of short stories. Her books have sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. She loves hearing from her readers so get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PaigeToonAuthor or visit her website and sign up to her free newsletter The Hidden Paige.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,463 reviews
April 16, 2025
Well, I feel a bit misled by the tags on this one.
I know that Paige Toon started out writing YA, so I had never read her work until she ventured into the Adult market, and I downloaded “Only Love Can Hurt Like This”-which was a 5 ⭐️ read!
I expected this to be another Adult romance since it WASN’T labeled as YA, but this most definitely had a YA feel from start to finish. While there isn’t anything wrong with YA, I am no longer in that demographic, and I wouldn’t have requested this book had it been labeled as such.
And, unfortunately, that wasn’t the only issue that I had…
Ellie was interrailing through Europe, and feeling quite lonely until she met Ash. Three days in Lisbon was all it took for them to fall love and agree to change their itineraries to meet in Spain the following week.
But, Ash doesn’t show.
Fast forward six years- Ellie has landed her dream job working as a gardener on a five-hundred-year-old estate in Wales, which included accommodations in staff cottages. She is warmly welcomed by the other staff members who INSTANTLY treat her like one of the family. These characters were all interchangeable to me-not developed enough to stand out, and a bit “too good to be true”.
And, in the main house are Lords, Ladies, Viscounts and ASH?
She didn’t expect to ever see him again, let alone find him here!
I have read other books, and seen movies where two people traveling meet and agree to reconnect at a later date, because of their strong connection-only to have one person not show because of extenuating circumstances. So, to stand out, this story would have to make me care about these two characters and be rooting for them to find one another again.
It didn’t.
Immaturity, Secrets, Lies, and the constant lack of communication are not the things that build a strong foundation for a lasting relationship.
Nor, did these things make for compelling reading, unfortunately, for this reader. Perhaps it will be more satisfying for those in a younger demographic?
A buddy read with DeAnn. Be sure to watch for her review for additional insight!
Available Now
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
I know that Paige Toon started out writing YA, so I had never read her work until she ventured into the Adult market, and I downloaded “Only Love Can Hurt Like This”-which was a 5 ⭐️ read!
I expected this to be another Adult romance since it WASN’T labeled as YA, but this most definitely had a YA feel from start to finish. While there isn’t anything wrong with YA, I am no longer in that demographic, and I wouldn’t have requested this book had it been labeled as such.
And, unfortunately, that wasn’t the only issue that I had…
Ellie was interrailing through Europe, and feeling quite lonely until she met Ash. Three days in Lisbon was all it took for them to fall love and agree to change their itineraries to meet in Spain the following week.
But, Ash doesn’t show.
Fast forward six years- Ellie has landed her dream job working as a gardener on a five-hundred-year-old estate in Wales, which included accommodations in staff cottages. She is warmly welcomed by the other staff members who INSTANTLY treat her like one of the family. These characters were all interchangeable to me-not developed enough to stand out, and a bit “too good to be true”.
And, in the main house are Lords, Ladies, Viscounts and ASH?
She didn’t expect to ever see him again, let alone find him here!
I have read other books, and seen movies where two people traveling meet and agree to reconnect at a later date, because of their strong connection-only to have one person not show because of extenuating circumstances. So, to stand out, this story would have to make me care about these two characters and be rooting for them to find one another again.
It didn’t.
Immaturity, Secrets, Lies, and the constant lack of communication are not the things that build a strong foundation for a lasting relationship.
Nor, did these things make for compelling reading, unfortunately, for this reader. Perhaps it will be more satisfying for those in a younger demographic?
A buddy read with DeAnn. Be sure to watch for her review for additional insight!
Available Now
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
April 15, 2025
⤿💜 15/04/25
2 stars 💫
I don't know whether I should cry or laugh because this was my first Paige Toon book... and it was a huge mess & a miss for me! 😭 Given how much endless good things I've heard about Seven Summers, I was so excited to get the ARC. But boy, I'm so disappointed 😞 I'm not going to sugarcoat things, so this is your chance to turn away from this review.
Things I liked about this book:
✨ The Cover
Things I didn't like about this book:
(here's the last warning to turn away from here)
✨ it was nothing like I expected when I read the premise.
✨ it was wayyy too YA, no scratch that, it was way more than that. All the time I felt like I was reading a book out of wattpad 😭✋🏻
✨ not even 4% in and there was a SJM book mentioned 💀 And it doesn't stop there. Through out the entirety of the book, I saw the same book being mentioned atleast 7 times!!! One time is ok, but mentioning it 7 TIMES?! I don't know why there is a need to do that. Out of all the books out there, this book was chosen 🌚
✨ couldn't at all connect with the characters. I'm not even joking. I was cringing inside reading the dialogues. They were so immature, and were not acting like they were in their 20s. It was like some pre-teenager wrote those dialogues.
✨ also this book was packed with all the tropes I despise- insta lust/love, misunderstanding, miscommunication due to a third person.
Before you come at me, yes, I have checked my arc copy with the published ebook. And I didn't notice any changes from what I've read. I'm too tired to even quote anything for this book after reading it. If you loved this book, good for you, don't come at me! I have honestly said what I felt about this book.
a big thanks to my book bestie sora, if it wasn't for you pushing us forward, I might have dnf'd this book halfway. 🤧🙌🏻
Thank you to the Publisher & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!💕
ˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
⤿💜 14/04/25
my last read was depressing as hell, and I want a cute book now!🤧✋🏻 this is releasing in a day, so buddy reading with my bestie sora 🤭💞 I have huge expectations for this one as it's my first Paige Toon book!🥰 Bridgerton x One Day you say? SIGN ME UP!😍
2 stars 💫
I don't know whether I should cry or laugh because this was my first Paige Toon book... and it was a huge mess & a miss for me! 😭 Given how much endless good things I've heard about Seven Summers, I was so excited to get the ARC. But boy, I'm so disappointed 😞 I'm not going to sugarcoat things, so this is your chance to turn away from this review.
Things I liked about this book:
✨ The Cover
Things I didn't like about this book:
(here's the last warning to turn away from here)
✨ it was nothing like I expected when I read the premise.
✨ it was wayyy too YA, no scratch that, it was way more than that. All the time I felt like I was reading a book out of wattpad 😭✋🏻
✨ not even 4% in and there was a SJM book mentioned 💀 And it doesn't stop there. Through out the entirety of the book, I saw the same book being mentioned atleast 7 times!!! One time is ok, but mentioning it 7 TIMES?! I don't know why there is a need to do that. Out of all the books out there, this book was chosen 🌚
✨ couldn't at all connect with the characters. I'm not even joking. I was cringing inside reading the dialogues. They were so immature, and were not acting like they were in their 20s. It was like some pre-teenager wrote those dialogues.
✨ also this book was packed with all the tropes I despise- insta lust/love, misunderstanding, miscommunication due to a third person.
Before you come at me, yes, I have checked my arc copy with the published ebook. And I didn't notice any changes from what I've read. I'm too tired to even quote anything for this book after reading it. If you loved this book, good for you, don't come at me! I have honestly said what I felt about this book.
a big thanks to my book bestie sora, if it wasn't for you pushing us forward, I might have dnf'd this book halfway. 🤧🙌🏻
Thank you to the Publisher & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!💕
ˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
⤿💜 14/04/25
my last read was depressing as hell, and I want a cute book now!🤧✋🏻 this is releasing in a day, so buddy reading with my bestie sora 🤭💞 I have huge expectations for this one as it's my first Paige Toon book!🥰 Bridgerton x One Day you say? SIGN ME UP!😍
April 18, 2025
💜💫Three days to fall in love. Six years to try to forget💜💫. What If I Never Get Over You written by Paige Toon was highly disappointing for me. I am in complete shock right now, I have loved every single book I've read by Paige Toon, but this is the first book by this author that I didn't like. I was so excited to get my hands on this book when I saw Paige had a new book coming out, but unfortunately I was disappointed after reading it. I had one too many issues with this novel, I don't mind insta love, but it has to be written really well and I think it missed the mark on that front, the communication between the two main characters were very lack luster, and then it also felt more YA than adult, which I didn't expect because it was labeled as adult romance, so I find that very misleading to other readers. I feel like if you are going to write a romance novel, then there has to be communication, but the two main characters didn't communicate the way two adults should. I know Paige can redeem herself, so I'm not going to hold this mishap against her, but so far this has been my least favorite by this author. Once again, the stunning cover stole my attention, but that's okay, I'll never learn my lesson. This book WASN'T horrible by any means, but it just DIDN'T work for ME.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Pedophilia~
~Death~
🎵MUSICAL PLAYLIST🎵
🎶Lisbon- Wolf Alice🎶
🎶Smalltown Boy- Bronski Beat🎶
🎶Total Eclipse Of The Heart- Bonnie Tyler🎶
🎶When You Were Mine- Cyndi Lauper🎶
🎶Twice- Catfish and the Bottlemen🎶
🎶Constellations (piano version)- Jade LeMac🎶
🎶Let Me Hurt- Emily Rowed🎶
🎶Happy Place- SAINT PHNX🎶
🎶Creep- Radiohead🎶
🎶Bitter Sweet Symphony- The Verve🎶
🎶Common People- Pulp🎶
🎶You're Somebody Else- Flora Cash🎶
🎶I Remember Everything- Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves🎶
🎶Lipstick On The Glass- Wolf Alice🎶
🎶Deep End- Holly Humberstone🎶
🎶Astronomy- Conan Gray🎶
🎶Breakdown- Norman Vladimir🎶
🎶Something In The Orange- Zach Bryan🎶
🎶Starlings- Shed Seven🎶
🎶After Rain- Dermot Kennedy🎶
"💗😘I like you", I whisper against his skin, "I really, really like you". "You have no fucking idea how much I like you", he replies💗😘.
"💯Follow your own path. Life is too short not to do what you love💯".
"💌😘You look as though you have been waiting for me💌😘".
Eleanor "Ellie" Knapley is a twenty-one year old book girlie from North London. Ellie has a fear of claustrophobia and she's also a people pleaser and an over thinker. I know many people will relate to Ellie, but once you read this book she'll get on your nerves and you'll know why. Ellie went to university to study furniture design, but soon later decides to go with her passion for gardening. Ellie's best friend Stella died five months ago, she danced so hard that her heart just stopped. Before Stella died, she and Ellie made a list in the back of A Court of Thorns and Roses of things they were going to do and places to visit in Portugal, Ellie and Stella were supposed to go together, but after Stella's passing, Ellie still goes to honor her best friend. Ashton "Ash" Berkeley is a twenty-one year old from North Wales. Ash likes to read manga, he went to university for astronomy and physics. Ash likes to flip flop between two different accents- Welsh and British, seems pretty interesting. Ashton lost his best friend Taran two years ago from Leukemia. Ash felt invisible growing up until he met his best friend Taran, when everybody started paying attention to him. I know many people will relate to Ashton as well, but as you read this book, he'll make you want to pull your hair out.
Ellie and Ash are interrailing in Lisbon, Portugal for three days. When they first meet, Ash's eyes are peach iced tea colored, which is the drink Ellie is drinking when they first run into each other. In those three days, Ellie and Ash get romantic with each other, they learn about each other's pasts, they connect over their complicated relationships with their parents, and they are both grieving the loss of their best friends. After spending three days together in Portugal, Ellie and Ash plan to meet one week later in Madrid. Well, Ash never showed up because his brother Hugo broke his spine jumping off a bridge to go swimming in the lake and later died, Ash also lost the book that Ellie gave him, which was also Stella's book. Of course, they never communicated with each other when Ash never showed up. Fast forward six years later, Ash and Ellie are reunited at Berkeley Hall where Ellie is a gardener and Ash's parents are Ellie's bosses. Ash now has a girlfriend and a soon to be fiancée. When Ellie and Ash reunite, and Ellie learns why Ash never showed up, Ellie immediately forgives Ash, which I don't really agree with, how could you forgive someone for standing you up after promising to meet with you, let alone in those six years there was absolutely no communication? I felt bad for Ash and Ellie after they lost their best friends, but the lack of communication is a big no no.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!
TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Pedophilia~
~Death~
🎵MUSICAL PLAYLIST🎵
🎶Lisbon- Wolf Alice🎶
🎶Smalltown Boy- Bronski Beat🎶
🎶Total Eclipse Of The Heart- Bonnie Tyler🎶
🎶When You Were Mine- Cyndi Lauper🎶
🎶Twice- Catfish and the Bottlemen🎶
🎶Constellations (piano version)- Jade LeMac🎶
🎶Let Me Hurt- Emily Rowed🎶
🎶Happy Place- SAINT PHNX🎶
🎶Creep- Radiohead🎶
🎶Bitter Sweet Symphony- The Verve🎶
🎶Common People- Pulp🎶
🎶You're Somebody Else- Flora Cash🎶
🎶I Remember Everything- Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves🎶
🎶Lipstick On The Glass- Wolf Alice🎶
🎶Deep End- Holly Humberstone🎶
🎶Astronomy- Conan Gray🎶
🎶Breakdown- Norman Vladimir🎶
🎶Something In The Orange- Zach Bryan🎶
🎶Starlings- Shed Seven🎶
🎶After Rain- Dermot Kennedy🎶
"💗😘I like you", I whisper against his skin, "I really, really like you". "You have no fucking idea how much I like you", he replies💗😘.
"💯Follow your own path. Life is too short not to do what you love💯".
"💌😘You look as though you have been waiting for me💌😘".
Eleanor "Ellie" Knapley is a twenty-one year old book girlie from North London. Ellie has a fear of claustrophobia and she's also a people pleaser and an over thinker. I know many people will relate to Ellie, but once you read this book she'll get on your nerves and you'll know why. Ellie went to university to study furniture design, but soon later decides to go with her passion for gardening. Ellie's best friend Stella died five months ago, she danced so hard that her heart just stopped. Before Stella died, she and Ellie made a list in the back of A Court of Thorns and Roses of things they were going to do and places to visit in Portugal, Ellie and Stella were supposed to go together, but after Stella's passing, Ellie still goes to honor her best friend. Ashton "Ash" Berkeley is a twenty-one year old from North Wales. Ash likes to read manga, he went to university for astronomy and physics. Ash likes to flip flop between two different accents- Welsh and British, seems pretty interesting. Ashton lost his best friend Taran two years ago from Leukemia. Ash felt invisible growing up until he met his best friend Taran, when everybody started paying attention to him. I know many people will relate to Ashton as well, but as you read this book, he'll make you want to pull your hair out.
Ellie and Ash are interrailing in Lisbon, Portugal for three days. When they first meet, Ash's eyes are peach iced tea colored, which is the drink Ellie is drinking when they first run into each other. In those three days, Ellie and Ash get romantic with each other, they learn about each other's pasts, they connect over their complicated relationships with their parents, and they are both grieving the loss of their best friends. After spending three days together in Portugal, Ellie and Ash plan to meet one week later in Madrid. Well, Ash never showed up because his brother Hugo broke his spine jumping off a bridge to go swimming in the lake and later died, Ash also lost the book that Ellie gave him, which was also Stella's book. Of course, they never communicated with each other when Ash never showed up. Fast forward six years later, Ash and Ellie are reunited at Berkeley Hall where Ellie is a gardener and Ash's parents are Ellie's bosses. Ash now has a girlfriend and a soon to be fiancée. When Ellie and Ash reunite, and Ellie learns why Ash never showed up, Ellie immediately forgives Ash, which I don't really agree with, how could you forgive someone for standing you up after promising to meet with you, let alone in those six years there was absolutely no communication? I felt bad for Ash and Ellie after they lost their best friends, but the lack of communication is a big no no.
April 15, 2025
What if you met someone and had a deep connection with them? What if it left you wanting more? What if you made plans to see each other again? What if they never show???? What if you see each other again years later? What If I Never Get Over You is an insta-love, second chances drama filled book that had me rooting for both Ellie and Ash as life threw them a few lemons, obstacles, and bad timing.
Ellie is traveling through Europe when she meets Ash. They hit it off instantly and spend three wonderful days together in Lisbon. They both have such an amazing time that they agree to meet again in Spain.
Ellie meets up at their chosen meeting place late and Ash is not there. She laments that she would have waited for him. She waits and waits and waits, but he never shows. She gave him her contact info but never got his last name. Some advice fellow readers - always get a last name!
Six years later, Ellie has decided to take her life into her own hands and do what she loves. She quits her current job and accepts an offer to be a gardener on a sprawling five-hundred-year-old Wales. She loves it and enjoys her new co-workers. Then one day she gets a massive shocker as she sees Ash and learns why he never showed up in Spain.
This book proved to be a fast and enjoyable read which had me turning the pages while shaking my head at the characters quite a few times. I often find myself yelling "COMMUNICATE" while reading romance books as that seems to be a big bump in the road for most literary couples (and those in real life).
The attraction and feelings are still there but will it be enough for all the bumps and obstacles in their way? You will need to read to find out. With romance books it is all about the journey for me and Ash and Ellie had an interesting journey. At times I wanted to give them both a talking to and other times I felt as if they both needed a good hug.
At times these characters felt younger than their stated ages. I did like how the author focused on family expectations. This book also looks at following your OWN dreams, being vulnerable, open and honest.
This is the third book which I have read by Paige Toom. My favorite one being Only Love Can Hurt Like This. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
3.5 stars
Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Ellie is traveling through Europe when she meets Ash. They hit it off instantly and spend three wonderful days together in Lisbon. They both have such an amazing time that they agree to meet again in Spain.
Ellie meets up at their chosen meeting place late and Ash is not there. She laments that she would have waited for him. She waits and waits and waits, but he never shows. She gave him her contact info but never got his last name. Some advice fellow readers - always get a last name!
Six years later, Ellie has decided to take her life into her own hands and do what she loves. She quits her current job and accepts an offer to be a gardener on a sprawling five-hundred-year-old Wales. She loves it and enjoys her new co-workers. Then one day she gets a massive shocker as she sees Ash and learns why he never showed up in Spain.
This book proved to be a fast and enjoyable read which had me turning the pages while shaking my head at the characters quite a few times. I often find myself yelling "COMMUNICATE" while reading romance books as that seems to be a big bump in the road for most literary couples (and those in real life).
The attraction and feelings are still there but will it be enough for all the bumps and obstacles in their way? You will need to read to find out. With romance books it is all about the journey for me and Ash and Ellie had an interesting journey. At times I wanted to give them both a talking to and other times I felt as if they both needed a good hug.
At times these characters felt younger than their stated ages. I did like how the author focused on family expectations. This book also looks at following your OWN dreams, being vulnerable, open and honest.
This is the third book which I have read by Paige Toom. My favorite one being Only Love Can Hurt Like This. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
3.5 stars
Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
October 23, 2024
Paige Toon has been an auto-read author for me for years, and her latest novel, Seven Summers, was a masterpiece. I would have rated that one a million stars if I could. So, when I read that the main characters in What if I Never Get Over You meet while interrailing in Portugal, my heart jumped up. It brought back so many great memories, and I couldn’t wait to read Paige’s newest.
I adored the first part when Ellie and Ash met in Lisbon. Their instant connection (even though I’m not fond of insta love), Sleeping on the beach (I slept on train stations and a rooftop of a hotel), just wandering through the city, and falling in love with each other—all this in three days.
I also immensely loved the last part. Again, their connection was so beautiful, and smiles danced on my face so many times. I loved all those little things, like an elbow bump, brief eye contact, or a small smile. I even might have shed a tear.
The part in between I really liked but didn’t fully love. Sometimes, I wanted to shout at them both, most of all at Ellie, because she just didn’t feel ready for a relationship. So, I understood the third-act breakup and wasn’t even mad about it. And that’s probably also why I loved the last part so much.
Someone said that Paige Toon is a prolific author, and she is, so I’m already waiting for her 2026 book!
Thank you, Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley, for this wonderful ARC!
Follow me on Instagram
I adored the first part when Ellie and Ash met in Lisbon. Their instant connection (even though I’m not fond of insta love), Sleeping on the beach (I slept on train stations and a rooftop of a hotel), just wandering through the city, and falling in love with each other—all this in three days.
I also immensely loved the last part. Again, their connection was so beautiful, and smiles danced on my face so many times. I loved all those little things, like an elbow bump, brief eye contact, or a small smile. I even might have shed a tear.
The part in between I really liked but didn’t fully love. Sometimes, I wanted to shout at them both, most of all at Ellie, because she just didn’t feel ready for a relationship. So, I understood the third-act breakup and wasn’t even mad about it. And that’s probably also why I loved the last part so much.
Someone said that Paige Toon is a prolific author, and she is, so I’m already waiting for her 2026 book!
Thank you, Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley, for this wonderful ARC!
Follow me on Instagram
April 23, 2025
Plowed through this one on vacation. Was enraptured from the beginning! Sweet story of two people trying to make something work from different worlds
July 4, 2025
This one leans hard into the miscommunication trope, and I’ll admit, I was side-eyeing the setup pretty early on. There were just so many ways things could’ve gone wrong, it was hard to feel any real tension. I made it halfway before deciding it just wasn’t for me. It’s not a bad book by any means—I just lost patience with the plot and decided to move on to something that better matched my mood.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
July 1, 2025
Sadly… 3 ⭐️
For the past three summers, I’ve looked forward to reading Paige Toon’s newest releases and I’m always excited when I get approved for her ARCs. That’s why it pains me to say this one felt pretty average for me.
While interrailing through Europe, Ellie meets Ash in Lisbon and after spending 3 unforgettable days together, sparks fly. They agree to meet in Spain a week later, but Ash never shows.
Six years later, Ellie finally has the job she’s always wanted, working as a gardener on a beautiful Welsh estate. But her excitement quickly fades when she runs into Ash, who is actually Ashton Berkley, the viscount’s son and heir to the estate.
I really enjoyed the beginning, especially the time Ellie and Ash spent together in Lisbon, it felt fresh and full of potential. I even liked how the story wrapped up, but getting there was a bit of a slog. The pacing felt uneven, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged through the middle, which really dragged for me.
Were both Ellie and Ash a little dishonest from the start? Absolutely. But once they reconnected, I found it hard to root for Ellie. The way she treated Ash frustrated me. She expected him to change, yet wouldn’t give him the chance to speak or explain himself. This book relied heavily on one of my least favorite tropes: miscommunication, or rather, the complete lack of it. Even when Ash tried to talk things through, Ellie constantly shut him down. I wish there would have been more depth to their conversations. Her insecurities were overwhelming at times, and it often felt like she projected all of them onto Ash, making it difficult to be inside her head. The third-act conflict came right on schedule, and like many in this genre, it was more dramatic than I would’ve liked.
While this wasn’t my favorite of hers, Paige Toon remains a go-to author for me, and I’ll always look forward to her next release.
My thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for my eARC.
For the past three summers, I’ve looked forward to reading Paige Toon’s newest releases and I’m always excited when I get approved for her ARCs. That’s why it pains me to say this one felt pretty average for me.
While interrailing through Europe, Ellie meets Ash in Lisbon and after spending 3 unforgettable days together, sparks fly. They agree to meet in Spain a week later, but Ash never shows.
Six years later, Ellie finally has the job she’s always wanted, working as a gardener on a beautiful Welsh estate. But her excitement quickly fades when she runs into Ash, who is actually Ashton Berkley, the viscount’s son and heir to the estate.
I really enjoyed the beginning, especially the time Ellie and Ash spent together in Lisbon, it felt fresh and full of potential. I even liked how the story wrapped up, but getting there was a bit of a slog. The pacing felt uneven, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged through the middle, which really dragged for me.
Were both Ellie and Ash a little dishonest from the start? Absolutely. But once they reconnected, I found it hard to root for Ellie. The way she treated Ash frustrated me. She expected him to change, yet wouldn’t give him the chance to speak or explain himself. This book relied heavily on one of my least favorite tropes: miscommunication, or rather, the complete lack of it. Even when Ash tried to talk things through, Ellie constantly shut him down. I wish there would have been more depth to their conversations. Her insecurities were overwhelming at times, and it often felt like she projected all of them onto Ash, making it difficult to be inside her head. The third-act conflict came right on schedule, and like many in this genre, it was more dramatic than I would’ve liked.
While this wasn’t my favorite of hers, Paige Toon remains a go-to author for me, and I’ll always look forward to her next release.
My thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for my eARC.
September 18, 2024
{ad pr} Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Penguin, Cornerstone and Paige Toon for this ARC.
I’m a new reader of Paige’s books; my first was Seven Summers, which I loved, so I was delighted to be kindly given an early copy of What If I Never Get Over You. I devoured it in just two days and could have easily read more.
Starting with Ellie and Ash meeting during their interrailing adventures, we are whisked straight to Lisbon for their whirlwind days spent in the sun together. The chemistry and sparks are so strong.
Six years later, they are reunited at a Manor House in Wales, where Ellie pursues her dream job, but things are now very different for them both. How will they make it work?
The story also explores a workplace community (with some sweet side characters who live amongst each other, which is fun), loss and dysfunctional families. I would have loved to have seen Ellie develop stronger female friendships to confide in; she experiences a lot of loneliness and often holds back, which made me feel for her. Ash is a very loveable character, especially as we see his emotions navigating grief and being torn between his two worlds.
This book will make you feel so much warmth at the end. I wasn’t massively surprised by anything and could see almost all the twists coming from the seeds planted, but that’s not a bad thing. Paige is excellent at bringing you to all the different locations in the book, pulling at your heartstrings and immersing you in a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend if you love romance.
I’m a new reader of Paige’s books; my first was Seven Summers, which I loved, so I was delighted to be kindly given an early copy of What If I Never Get Over You. I devoured it in just two days and could have easily read more.
Starting with Ellie and Ash meeting during their interrailing adventures, we are whisked straight to Lisbon for their whirlwind days spent in the sun together. The chemistry and sparks are so strong.
Six years later, they are reunited at a Manor House in Wales, where Ellie pursues her dream job, but things are now very different for them both. How will they make it work?
The story also explores a workplace community (with some sweet side characters who live amongst each other, which is fun), loss and dysfunctional families. I would have loved to have seen Ellie develop stronger female friendships to confide in; she experiences a lot of loneliness and often holds back, which made me feel for her. Ash is a very loveable character, especially as we see his emotions navigating grief and being torn between his two worlds.
This book will make you feel so much warmth at the end. I wasn’t massively surprised by anything and could see almost all the twists coming from the seeds planted, but that’s not a bad thing. Paige is excellent at bringing you to all the different locations in the book, pulling at your heartstrings and immersing you in a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend if you love romance.
March 21, 2025
this might be a case of it's not the book, it's me.
because honestly this was wayyyy too YA and just generally immature for my tastes, and i did not expect that at all. the concept was fun, i think. a sort of second chance romance with a little twist. but the execution didn't work for me. i didn't like the characters, i didn't care about the romance, and i didn't even really like the writing. so yeah, this was... unfortunate.
thank you to penguin group & netgalley for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
this was like... the first arc i ever got approved for and tbh i don’t even care to read it now but hey 🧍🏼♀️
because honestly this was wayyyy too YA and just generally immature for my tastes, and i did not expect that at all. the concept was fun, i think. a sort of second chance romance with a little twist. but the execution didn't work for me. i didn't like the characters, i didn't care about the romance, and i didn't even really like the writing. so yeah, this was... unfortunate.
thank you to penguin group & netgalley for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
pre-read:
this was like... the first arc i ever got approved for and tbh i don’t even care to read it now but hey 🧍🏼♀️
September 20, 2025
Sama fabuła była fajna, jestem fanką opisów przyrody, ale główna bohaterka jest taka pick me, że nie mogłam jej momentami wytrzymać
July 1, 2025
i liked this but didn’t love! but will say this is easily one of my fave covers of 2025 😍
this was a second chance trope which is my FAVE. however it was a little hard to believe bc they only had 3 days together…then were apart for 6 years. i need at least 1-2 weeks, sorry!!! it was giving SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE but i liked that one more.
the England / UK setting was a vibe and i loved the MC’s job of being a gardner!! goals!
i like her writing style a lot, this is my second book of hers but i prefer SEVEN SUMMERS more. if you’ve read her work, lmk what else i should check out!!
this had good themes of following your heart + head and some coming of age / growth themes along with that. but ultimately the emotional connection was lacking for me given the very short time window of the first connection
overall a quick easy cute binge but forgettable long term
this was a second chance trope which is my FAVE. however it was a little hard to believe bc they only had 3 days together…then were apart for 6 years. i need at least 1-2 weeks, sorry!!! it was giving SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE but i liked that one more.
the England / UK setting was a vibe and i loved the MC’s job of being a gardner!! goals!
i like her writing style a lot, this is my second book of hers but i prefer SEVEN SUMMERS more. if you’ve read her work, lmk what else i should check out!!
this had good themes of following your heart + head and some coming of age / growth themes along with that. but ultimately the emotional connection was lacking for me given the very short time window of the first connection
overall a quick easy cute binge but forgettable long term
November 24, 2024
4.5 ⭐️When I read the blurb that this was “One Day meets Bridgerton” I had to immediately jump on the opportunity to read this ARC, because One Day (the book version) and Bridgerton (the show version) are two of my favorite things. I think that description is entirely accurate. What If I Never get Over You portrays an insta-love connection gone wrong due to grief, loss and societal pressures and how that love, and the main characters, grow over the course of years in an effort to reconnect. Both main characters felt well developed and dimensional and the miscommunications in the story felt purposeful and genuine. This book has absolutely turned me on to other Paige Toon novels which feel like the perfect thing to binge on a seaside or cabin vacation as they are steamy not spicy (lest your family pick it up to read) and move quickly (so you can finish it and experience the emotional roller coaster before going back to work). Excited to read more of this author!
March 27, 2025
I received a free copy of, What If I Never Get Over You, by Paige Toon, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ellie decided to spend some time riding the rails through parts of Europe. Ellie thought she would see beautiful places, eat great food, but not fall in love. This was a nice read about love and travel and family.
May 28, 2025
Initially I was really into What If I Never Get Over You, which starts off with Ellie and Ash meeting in Portugal while they’re both traveling through Europe. Maybe it was due to my recent Europe trip, as I’m still riding the high and ready to return already, but I really enjoyed this part of the story — They embraced going with the flow, exploring the culture and the sights.
As their time ends in Portugal, Ash and Ellie make plans to meet in Madrid the following week. Ellie is devastated when Ash is a no-show. She racks her brain trying to figure out what went wrong and chastising herself for being hopeful. She has no way to get in touch with Ash, cuts the rest of her trip short, and returns home to fulfill her expected role of dutiful daughter.
A few years later, Ellie has left the family business and moves to pursue her own dreams. She is shocked when she sees Ash at the stately property where she now works and even more shocked to learn who he really is. There was no shortage of drama, tension, and often immature behavior. I felt for both Ash and Ellie and what they’d separately been through, but the story lost steam for me.
What If I Never Get Over You is compulsively readable, yet I can’t say I truly liked this one beyond the first section of the story. I love the book cover but the instalove and immature behavior were detractors for me.
As their time ends in Portugal, Ash and Ellie make plans to meet in Madrid the following week. Ellie is devastated when Ash is a no-show. She racks her brain trying to figure out what went wrong and chastising herself for being hopeful. She has no way to get in touch with Ash, cuts the rest of her trip short, and returns home to fulfill her expected role of dutiful daughter.
A few years later, Ellie has left the family business and moves to pursue her own dreams. She is shocked when she sees Ash at the stately property where she now works and even more shocked to learn who he really is. There was no shortage of drama, tension, and often immature behavior. I felt for both Ash and Ellie and what they’d separately been through, but the story lost steam for me.
What If I Never Get Over You is compulsively readable, yet I can’t say I truly liked this one beyond the first section of the story. I love the book cover but the instalove and immature behavior were detractors for me.
July 24, 2025
Mmmm well.
I love second chance romances, but this one felt really disjointed. From only spending 3 days together and pining for him for 6 years (yikes) she ends up working for his family estate. And they have a secret affair for barely a summer. But then she runs away when it gets hard and she doesn’t see him for another two years. And then she finally finds him again and gets pregnant two months into that reconciliation???
They literally spent more time separated than together the entire book. And when things got tough she bolts. I don’t think these two make it past the epilogue 😬
I love second chance romances, but this one felt really disjointed. From only spending 3 days together and pining for him for 6 years (yikes) she ends up working for his family estate. And they have a secret affair for barely a summer. But then she runs away when it gets hard and she doesn’t see him for another two years. And then she finally finds him again and gets pregnant two months into that reconciliation???
They literally spent more time separated than together the entire book. And when things got tough she bolts. I don’t think these two make it past the epilogue 😬
January 8, 2025
I feel like this started off really good & I felt the chemistry between them.
I think where it somewhat lost its magic for me is that they only knew each other for a few days & yet she becomes so obsessed with him that she details how she becomes an unemotional blob with no life without him still thinking about him for several years. I have seen this several times with books and I will never understand it. It takes time for me to fall in love like that & days wouldn’t be enough for me. So it’s hard for me to relate to that.
I think they needed more time to build up the connection in the beginning, but that’s just my opinion.
I think if you like insta-love, you will more thoroughly enjoy this. I also felt the book did not dive deep enough on their grief and it felt very surface level. Overall, I think this will be a good book that a lot of readers will enjoy. Personally, it just wasn’t one of my favorites, but I also did not hate it.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think where it somewhat lost its magic for me is that they only knew each other for a few days & yet she becomes so obsessed with him that she details how she becomes an unemotional blob with no life without him still thinking about him for several years. I have seen this several times with books and I will never understand it. It takes time for me to fall in love like that & days wouldn’t be enough for me. So it’s hard for me to relate to that.
I think they needed more time to build up the connection in the beginning, but that’s just my opinion.
I think if you like insta-love, you will more thoroughly enjoy this. I also felt the book did not dive deep enough on their grief and it felt very surface level. Overall, I think this will be a good book that a lot of readers will enjoy. Personally, it just wasn’t one of my favorites, but I also did not hate it.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
After I saw a post on Instagram about this book I decided to get a copy but I’m ashamed to say it’s been sat on my to read pile for 4 months.
Ellie is in Lisbon and she is thinking of giving up travelling and going home, when she meets Ash and they spend a blissful three days together before Ellie has to journey to the Algarve to meet her parents. They agree to meet in Madrid a week later, Ellie arrives late and Ash never shows and Ellie is heart broken. Six years later Ellie is shocked when she comes face to face with Ash and finds out why he never showed up.
I really enjoyed this book, this was a story about second chances and I’m glad I finally read it. Both of our main characters have had a rather difficult upbringing and come with plenty of baggage, both have strained relationships with their parents. I liked Ellie as she was very down to earth and can see why she was attracted to Ash at the beginning of the book, I think her reaction to the reveal of Ash’s identity was really realistic and I think I would have reacted in the same way. I think Ash was a bit naive and I wanted to drum some sense into him when he kept running off to comfort Beca, I think most people would have realised how that looked. What I enjoyed most about the book was Ellie as she stepped out from her parents shadow and forged her own way in life, I was rather satisfied with the ending and I think that both Ellie and Ash grew as the novel went out. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
Ellie is in Lisbon and she is thinking of giving up travelling and going home, when she meets Ash and they spend a blissful three days together before Ellie has to journey to the Algarve to meet her parents. They agree to meet in Madrid a week later, Ellie arrives late and Ash never shows and Ellie is heart broken. Six years later Ellie is shocked when she comes face to face with Ash and finds out why he never showed up.
I really enjoyed this book, this was a story about second chances and I’m glad I finally read it. Both of our main characters have had a rather difficult upbringing and come with plenty of baggage, both have strained relationships with their parents. I liked Ellie as she was very down to earth and can see why she was attracted to Ash at the beginning of the book, I think her reaction to the reveal of Ash’s identity was really realistic and I think I would have reacted in the same way. I think Ash was a bit naive and I wanted to drum some sense into him when he kept running off to comfort Beca, I think most people would have realised how that looked. What I enjoyed most about the book was Ellie as she stepped out from her parents shadow and forged her own way in life, I was rather satisfied with the ending and I think that both Ellie and Ash grew as the novel went out. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
January 27, 2025
I've never read such 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 in a book before. A wonderland of emotions crafted with a subtle magic.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂? Well I can confidently say I'm not.
The book is divided in three parts and each told a story in its own way.
The first bit was mostly about two unassuming strangers spending three days together that were told through the lenses of flushed cheeks and hopeful giggles perfect for their age at the time.
The second and third parts were the unraveling of the after. The parts that were written with an intimidating intimacy where you can't help but be hooked along with the ups and downs and turns of the roller coaster the characters were on. Where the connection they have is so bright and radiant you know it's going to burn catastrophically.
But fret not, it wasn't a heartbreaking read just one you have to experience blind and simmer in, then reread to fully take it in.
- ~ -
4.17 / 5☆
Thanks to Putnam Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂? Well I can confidently say I'm not.
The book is divided in three parts and each told a story in its own way.
The first bit was mostly about two unassuming strangers spending three days together that were told through the lenses of flushed cheeks and hopeful giggles perfect for their age at the time.
The second and third parts were the unraveling of the after. The parts that were written with an intimidating intimacy where you can't help but be hooked along with the ups and downs and turns of the roller coaster the characters were on. Where the connection they have is so bright and radiant you know it's going to burn catastrophically.
But fret not, it wasn't a heartbreaking read just one you have to experience blind and simmer in, then reread to fully take it in.
- ~ -
4.17 / 5☆
Thanks to Putnam Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 6, 2025
If a man is not going to make you a priority he’s not the one and let me tell you, Ash is not it.
I loved Ellie and her overall journey but damn I wanted to slap her sometimes for the things she let this man get away with.
I loved Ellie and her overall journey but damn I wanted to slap her sometimes for the things she let this man get away with.
April 12, 2025
[arc review]
i'm kind of sad i didn't like this one that much. i thought it was okay but i'll be so fr, i don't understand the need to mention or reference acotar in books. a physical copy of acotar is pretty important to the plot of this book but at the same time, i felt like it could've easily been any other book and the impact of it would've been the same.
acotar aside, i felt like ash and ellie were sort of just going through the motions. i was very confused trying to follow the writing style of the book in part 1, where ash and ellie meet when interrailing through europe. they has a whirlwind 3 days and then poof ash is gone.
they meet again 6 years later, when she's a new gardener and finds out ash is a viscount. ash keeps trying to talk to ellie but she doesn't really want to talk because she feels like she's been betrayed in some way. their interactions from part 2 onward seem sort of childish to me and gave me a weird feeling. i wasn't a fan of that or the way ellie treated ash.
i'm kind of sad i didn't like this one that much. i thought it was okay but i'll be so fr, i don't understand the need to mention or reference acotar in books. a physical copy of acotar is pretty important to the plot of this book but at the same time, i felt like it could've easily been any other book and the impact of it would've been the same.
acotar aside, i felt like ash and ellie were sort of just going through the motions. i was very confused trying to follow the writing style of the book in part 1, where ash and ellie meet when interrailing through europe. they has a whirlwind 3 days and then poof ash is gone.
they meet again 6 years later, when she's a new gardener and finds out ash is a viscount. ash keeps trying to talk to ellie but she doesn't really want to talk because she feels like she's been betrayed in some way. their interactions from part 2 onward seem sort of childish to me and gave me a weird feeling. i wasn't a fan of that or the way ellie treated ash.
June 19, 2025
A good story of second chances but 5,000 words could have been cut out. Very repetitive and the ending? Not my favorite:
dnf
June 8, 2025What if we stopped marketing YA as adult contemporary romance.
March 6, 2025
The author to read when you need an angst-filled story that will break your heart and mend it again. 4.5 STARS!
~~~~~
This author is known for breaking your heart. She is also known for being able to put it back together again. However, it doesn’t always feel the same once she’s done.
It reminds me of that Japanese China repair where they use the gold to repair broken pottery. “Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the cracks with urushi lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum. This technique not only restores the item but also highlights its imperfections, making it more beautiful and unique.”
One thing to know about Toon’s books is that you really need to read them in a dedicated time. The impact is much greater, and these are not simply stories that you can read slowly, chapter by chapter, with lots of time in between.
I have to say, I wasn’t completely in tune with the female lead character in the story, especially from the middle to the end. I thought she got a little judgmental, just shut the door, and completely broke his heart.
I had a hard time coming back from that. Although the author made it all better in the end, I really wish that a few of the scenarios that she used were not included in the story.
The scenery and the detail are amazing and truly enhance the plot. While What If I Never Get Over You is not my top favorite book by Toon, because of the female main character, it’s really high up there because of the male leading character. I just loved him and my heart broke right along with his.
But Toon does us right with an unforgettable story and love that ultimately stands the test of time. Huge choices are made and all becomes right with the world again.
Definitely one to check out if you’re looking for that angsty feel in a sweeping, swooning love story.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/what-if-i-ne...
~~~~~
This author is known for breaking your heart. She is also known for being able to put it back together again. However, it doesn’t always feel the same once she’s done.
It reminds me of that Japanese China repair where they use the gold to repair broken pottery. “Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the cracks with urushi lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum. This technique not only restores the item but also highlights its imperfections, making it more beautiful and unique.”
One thing to know about Toon’s books is that you really need to read them in a dedicated time. The impact is much greater, and these are not simply stories that you can read slowly, chapter by chapter, with lots of time in between.
I have to say, I wasn’t completely in tune with the female lead character in the story, especially from the middle to the end. I thought she got a little judgmental, just shut the door, and completely broke his heart.
I had a hard time coming back from that. Although the author made it all better in the end, I really wish that a few of the scenarios that she used were not included in the story.
The scenery and the detail are amazing and truly enhance the plot. While What If I Never Get Over You is not my top favorite book by Toon, because of the female main character, it’s really high up there because of the male leading character. I just loved him and my heart broke right along with his.
But Toon does us right with an unforgettable story and love that ultimately stands the test of time. Huge choices are made and all becomes right with the world again.
Definitely one to check out if you’re looking for that angsty feel in a sweeping, swooning love story.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/what-if-i-ne...
May 29, 2025
Super cute, a sure reread!
October 5, 2025
myślę że to że przeczytałam ją w jeden dzień pokazuje jaka była fajna
May 18, 2025
What If I Never Get Over You was a gorgeously heart-wrenching, romantic whirlwind that lingered long after the final page. The emotional intensity of Ellie and Ash’s three-day love affair in Lisbon set the tone for a story brimming with longing, fate, and second chances.
This book masterfully blended the escapism of a travel romance with the grounded beauty of Ellie’s new life in Wales, creating a vivid contrast between past passion and present healing. When Ash reappeared, the tension was magnetic—and the reason he vanished all those years ago was both devastating and deeply human.
Some of the moments felt a little over the top on the drama, but this book packed a huge emotional punch combined with the sweeping charm of a historical-feeling romance setting.
This book masterfully blended the escapism of a travel romance with the grounded beauty of Ellie’s new life in Wales, creating a vivid contrast between past passion and present healing. When Ash reappeared, the tension was magnetic—and the reason he vanished all those years ago was both devastating and deeply human.
Some of the moments felt a little over the top on the drama, but this book packed a huge emotional punch combined with the sweeping charm of a historical-feeling romance setting.
May 28, 2025
Absolutely loved this book, I was hooked from the beginning! Even better I have just been to Lisbon and live in surrey so I know a lot of the places. Such a lovely story, romance, mystery and slow burn love. Really enjoyed! I got a bit bored in the middle but loved it overall and the perfect ending.
February 23, 2025
What If I Never Get Over You?" was my first experience with Paige Toon's writing, and it definitely won't be my last!
I received an ARC of this book a while ago, and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it. It's a beautiful love story about Ash and Ellie, who share a very intense three-day connection while traveling. They lose touch when life gets in the way. Fast forward six years, fate intervenes and decides to play matchmaker again, bringing them back together. Now, I'm not usually into a massive amount of instalove, but it worked well in this case, and it was essential to setting up the story's timeline.
I adored Ash and Ellie as characters. They were both relatable, even though their backgrounds were quite privileged (although Ellie's tried to make out her parents weren’t but tried to get that life for themselves). I really felt all of their emotions, both the highs and the lows. I also LOVED the little touch of Ellie reading ACOTAR 🦇
The supporting characters added some great depth to the story, and I enjoyed that the story had the sense of found family for Ellie. However, I felt that the found family aspect took a bit of a backseat as we got further into the book. A few more scenes with those characters towards the end would have been a nice touch.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed "What If I Never Get Over You?" It's a heartwarming and engaging story, and I'm excited to search and read more of Paige Toon's books in the future. I'd recommend this book to readers who love a good romance with a touch of fate and second chances
I received an ARC of this book a while ago, and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it. It's a beautiful love story about Ash and Ellie, who share a very intense three-day connection while traveling. They lose touch when life gets in the way. Fast forward six years, fate intervenes and decides to play matchmaker again, bringing them back together. Now, I'm not usually into a massive amount of instalove, but it worked well in this case, and it was essential to setting up the story's timeline.
I adored Ash and Ellie as characters. They were both relatable, even though their backgrounds were quite privileged (although Ellie's tried to make out her parents weren’t but tried to get that life for themselves). I really felt all of their emotions, both the highs and the lows. I also LOVED the little touch of Ellie reading ACOTAR 🦇
The supporting characters added some great depth to the story, and I enjoyed that the story had the sense of found family for Ellie. However, I felt that the found family aspect took a bit of a backseat as we got further into the book. A few more scenes with those characters towards the end would have been a nice touch.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed "What If I Never Get Over You?" It's a heartwarming and engaging story, and I'm excited to search and read more of Paige Toon's books in the future. I'd recommend this book to readers who love a good romance with a touch of fate and second chances
March 5, 2025
3 stars! ⭐️
I am a new fan of Paige Toon’s writing after the book she released last year, Seven Summers! So naturally I had to request this one from netgalley!
The beginning of this book hooked me and I was excited to see where the story went. I felt myself get disconnected with the story after the time jump sadly but loved the way that Paige wrote the grief and the deeper themes within this book. Overall, the book was okay and unfortunately just not for me, I had trouble staying engaged with the story and felt like the writing/execution considering the plot was lacking.
However, I would still definitely recommend this one to others to see if it will work for them and I am interested in reading Paige’s future releases!!
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam, NetGalley & Paige Toon for the advanced copy of this book!
I am a new fan of Paige Toon’s writing after the book she released last year, Seven Summers! So naturally I had to request this one from netgalley!
The beginning of this book hooked me and I was excited to see where the story went. I felt myself get disconnected with the story after the time jump sadly but loved the way that Paige wrote the grief and the deeper themes within this book. Overall, the book was okay and unfortunately just not for me, I had trouble staying engaged with the story and felt like the writing/execution considering the plot was lacking.
However, I would still definitely recommend this one to others to see if it will work for them and I am interested in reading Paige’s future releases!!
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam, NetGalley & Paige Toon for the advanced copy of this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,463 reviews