🌸 What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon had me completely hooked! 😍

Ellie never expected to find love while interrailing through Europe, but a whirlwind three days in Lisbon with Ash changed everything. Fast forward six years, and Ellie’s living her dream job on a stunning five-hundred-year-old estate in Wales, surrounded by lush gardens and tranquil beauty. But just when she thinks she’s found peace, Ash reappears—and the truth about why he disappeared all those years ago shatters her heart again.

This book has everything I adore: a dreamy, picturesque setting, a love story that lingers in your heart, and a choice that could change everything. 🌿💕Described as One Day meets Bridgerton, it’s no wonder I’m devoured this one. My only critique it felt a little rushed and at the end a little predictable, but overall it was a solid 4 star read.

Thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My first Paige Toon book!

Ellie and Ash meet at a local hostel while on their own backpacking trip and spend a whirlwind three days together. Both seeking separation from their lives back at home and what is waiting for them. During their three days you’re immersed with their outlooks in life, where they learn about each other’s dreams, and faint expectations their true lives have awaiting them.

I enjoyed a majority of this book, however I could have done with another ending that didn’t feel as forced. She finds him hiding out from society after a year or so apart with no contact and after a day his stern, pissed off demeanor was just shrugged away. For me it would have been better off had he just been excited she found him and was looking for him after their third act break up. Why go through the trouble of being rude and stand offish?

Solid 4 for the majority of the story.

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin group for an e-arc copy!

What if I Never Get Over You: oh my goodness, I loved this book instantly! The book starts out in Portugal with Ellie and Ash meeting randomly at their hostel and instantly hitting it off. They spend the next three days really getting to know each other and sharing their true selves, but real life eventually gets in the way. This book was a beautiful story about loss, working through your fears, and finding love when you least expect it.

I don’t think I have ever quite enjoyed reading about two characters falling in love as much as I did with Ellie and Ash! I was giddy with excitement for the instant connection but so heartbroken for Ellie at times too. Near the end of the book, I did find the inner conflict that Ellie was having a bit overdone, and it was difficult to relate to the Ash’s circumstances. But overall I really enjoyed the ups and downs of this book and how the story came together!

Tropes:
- Meet Cute
- Second chance romance
- Forbidden love (kinda)
- He falls first
- Forced proximity
🌶️ (a few spicey scenes but quite tame)

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam for providing this book for review consideration via Net Galley.

First time reader of Paige Toon books and it did not disappoint.

Ash and Ellie meet while solo traveling through Europe. Not knowing that this meeting will forever change their lives. But knowing that they are exactly in the right place at the right time. Knowing that they are helping to heal each other while only knowing each other for a few days.

Then the heartache of separation and the growing only to believe that maybe that was a once in a lifetime moment that will never be found again.

Several years later meeting again, only to believe that one person was not who you thought they were and having more obstacles than before to overcome. Was that love all those years ago and can this love overcome the odds? How is comes together brings me joy!

This is a beautiful love story.

What If I Never Get Over You Review

Ellie and Ash meet by chance while inter-railing through Europe; and what follows is three day of fast falling love and just as fast heartbreak.
Now six years later, Ellie still can’t seem to stop thinking about those three days, of Ash and of conversations had. Ones where he told her to life for herself and not her family. Lonely and still heartbroken Ellie decides to stop working for the family business to pursue her love of gardening. Her first job lands her right back in Ash’s life and she now start to wonder if she ever knew him at all.
Ellie fights past traumas, trust issues, class struggles, jealousy. What if love is not enough?
This is such a good love story. And it begs the question; what if I never get over you.
Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for and advanced reader copy for my honest review.

Do you connect music to books you've read? Any you can think of that you tie together? I do. When I saw this Paige Toon book on @netgalley, I had to have it because:
1. I've loved everything I've ever read of hers.
2. There's a Lady A song called "What If I Never Get Over You" that I really enjoy.

Ellie is backpacking through Europe for a little while in honor of something she and her best friend were meant to do. She's about to be done when she meets Ash and it just seems meant to be. In only three days time, the two somehow fall in love. They get separated with plans to meet again, but it doesn't happen when they plan. Instead, it happens when they least expect it and BOOM. They're right back to where they were in Europe, but now they have reality to deal with. Parents. Upbringing. Two completely different worlds. None of it changes their feelings for one another though, but the timing sucks. Can they move on or will the feelings never stop?

Thank GOD this didn't break me like a few of Paige's books, but I still loved it and absolutely flew through reading it!! I found myself frustrated with both characters at times and a little nervous to pick the story back up and see where it went, but I'm so glad I did. Highly recommend!!!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have loved Paige Toon's books in the past, but unfortunately, this book just did not capture my attention as her others did. I unfortunately had a really tough time connecting with the characters in this story and that really impacted my reading experience. I do think others will read and enjoy this one, but it just wasnt for me unfortunately.

paige toon is always an automatic read for me. if this book wasn’t written by her, i would have likely given up 20% in. i knew exactly what was going to happen after i read the words “we are from two different world”. a third act break up. as predicted i was right. overall i am glad that i didn’t give up and finished this book.

thank you so much to net galley and penguin group putnam for the arc.

Paige Toon never fails to deliver a beautifully written book. This story was so heartbreaking, with a chance meeting and so many cases of right person wrong time. I adored their story and watching them grow and overcome their obstacles as they grew apart and hoped to find their way back to each other.

My only note is that I (as an American) struggle with British times and dialects, and they’re a little hard for me to follow. It’s definitely an issue with ME, but it is heavily done in this book and worth noting in case anyone else has the same struggles as I do.

When I found out Paige Toon was releasing a new book, I immediately requested an ARC from NetGalley. My request was stuck on 'pending' for a while, then I saw on Instagram that Paige was offering to help those who wanted to read her book in advance. We corresponded, and with her nudge, I was finally approved.

'What If I Never Get Over You' follows Ellie, whose life is forever changed by a whirlwind romance during a backpacking trip through Europe. When that love is tragically cut short, Ellie struggles to move on. Six years later, her past comes back to haunt her, forcing her to confront her lingering emotions and the possibility of a second chance with the man she thought she'd lost.

This book is both a romantic and emotional read. It's also full of drama, as expected from a book with a 'Bridgerton' feel. I loved it! I had tears in my eyes after I finished this book. I also have a few apprehensions, just like Ellie, but I believe in that ending. And far more importantly, I believe in Ellie and Ash's love story. It might be a bit of a stretch in the real world, but that is why this is fiction after all. 🤭

This book reminded me so much of the song 'Bright' by Echosmith. It wasn't on Paige's playlist, but I think that song is perfect for Ash & Ellie 💖

This book, wow, what can I say? It was really good but, such a hot then cold book. The 2 love interests have such a rocky relationship that you never know what is going to happen next. I would have liked to seen an epilogue or some sort of years later. I did like the part 4 chapter, I feel like there could have been more to it.

I love Paige’s stories and while this one was cute it didn’t draw me in as much as her previous works. I still loved the descriptions and character development. I may not have been in the right headspace to deal with the themes of grief.

A wonderful story of love enduring over time that will pluck many different heart strings. It is an up and down story with exhilaration and despair. The path for Ellie and Ash begins with all the excitement of something new only to delve into the depths of mystery. Over time, the story encompasses three stages of their relationship, each poignant, each moving.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I first read Paige Toon last year and fell in love with her writing! This one is about Ellie and Ash who meet while interrailing in Europe and share a passionate, whirlwind three days together. Six years later, after neither of them showed up to meet again back in Europe, Ellie finds herself working at Ash’s family estate. This sets off their second chance love story that’s full of ups and downs. I really loved this book for the first 60%! After a certain point though, it started to go down hill. Ellie’s character development took so many steps backwards and she became quite toxic when it came to her relationship with Ash. I thought a few things that were super focused on in the beginning were forgotten about throughout and never got fully resolved or revisited. There was another time jump of two years right towards the end and I felt like the pacing was off. The story became disjointed and rushed. I gave this one 3.5 stars.

When Ellie and Ash meet while traveling in Lisbon, they fall head over heels for each other. Once their respective travels are over, they spend the next 6 years trying to forget each other, until they finally meet again unexpectedly.

I'd never heard of this author until I saw some rave reviews on bookstagram, so I wanted to check this one out as I loved the premise. I loved part one and fell in love with Ellie and Ash. Their instant chemistry was addicting and I couldn't put it down. I liked part 2 but went back and forth being heartbroken and frustrated at two stubborn characters. I hated part 3, only because I didn't agree with the decisions made, and loved part 4 and thought it was a perfect ending. All of the supporting characters were wonderful and I wished I could be friends with them. Overall this was a delightful 'One Day' meets 'Romeo and Juliet' type love story (minutes the end) that was mostly perfect. I didn't agree with all decisions or behaviours, but that rarely happens. I would recommend this book.

Paige has done it again!
She writes such beautiful, descriptive stories that break your heart and put it back together.
I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about Ellie and Ash for a long time.

Some of my faves from the book:

“I have a surreal feeling that I could listen to his voice for the rest of my life and it still wouldn’t be long enough.”

“Sniggles”

“JUST IN CASE you never read the last chapter. I know I’ll never be able to make up for it, but I thought these might still help you feel close to her. It sounds as though she would have enjoyed the other books in the series if she was into sexy faeries.”

5 Stars ⭐️

3 days to fall in love, 6 years to try to forget

I devoured this book in 2 days. Stayed up past midnight on a weekday to keep on reading.

Ellie and Ash meet while inter-railing and spend 3 days falling in love. They agree to meet up in 1 week and continue their travels together. Ellie shows up and is devastated when Ash doesn’t. She spends the next 6 years trying to get over him. Then Ellie lands her dream job at a Manor in Wales. Her world is turned upside down when she runs into Ash there.

This book explored societal expectations and dysfunction families. The characters have to decide between doing what their parents expect them to do or following their hearts (in both a professional and personal way). The middle of this book had me screaming at times with the way Ellie and Ash were behaving. I loved the last part of this book, it left me feeling so happy and warm.

I definitely will be reading more books by Paige Toon. This book comes out in April 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Really good book, like awesome I should say. This book made me cry, laugh, angry and all the above together.

I gave 4 stars but really it's 4.5 stars, it was really good and I am too happy that I got to read that ARC and had the opportunity to read a almost 5 stars for my second book of the year!

Hats off to Paige Toon as she is now one of the author that I will look forward to her new release.

Beside that, the story itself was so heartbreaking yet so beautiful. At first I had difficulties getting into it but at 20% of the book, I got really attach and addicted to the book and couldn't out it down. I read it in 3 days, for me it's really good lol.

Again, hats off to you Paige!

Cheers,
Cass's Bookshelf
xo

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.

This was an okay read for me. I really wanted to love this book but something about it just wasn't grabbing me in like I wanted it to. I don't know if it was all the miscommunication going on or me feeling like they really didn't work for me. They were trying to be together when I felt like they both needed someone else. But hey, who am I to tell them who to be with lol. It had a promising start but by the end I was just ready for them to call it quits and go on about their business.

Even though this book wasn't a favorite of mine I would still read more from this author. The writing overall was still great. It was the characters that aggravated me the most.

I have been looking forward to reading this book since I saw a post about it on Instagram last year. Seven Summers was one of my favorite books of 2024. The author has a way of writing characters that grabs you and does not let go. I was immediately drawn to the main characters; their instant connection and chemistry felt real on the page.

I struggled with the time gaps between the story but ultimately I think the characters needed that time for growth. I wish we had more time with both characters together as I think that would have helped the story and connection. What if I Never Get Over You is a beautiful story of love and loss. It is a perfect beach read, and I look forward to reading more of Toon's work. Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for this fantastic ARC.