What If I Never Get Over You is a roller coaster ride that I could not put down!

Ellie and Ash meet unexpectedly while interrailing through Europe and have an instant connection. After only being together for 3 days, they rearrange their travel and plan to meet in Spain in a week. But Ellie is late, Ash never shows and Ellie is crushed.

Six years later, Ellie lands her dream job as a gardener at a 500 year old estate. Out of the blue, Ash crashes back into her life and Elli must make an impossible choice.

This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, epic, love story of right person, bad timing. It is filled with angst, longing, grief, loneliness and hope. I stayed up entirely too late finishing this book! It is a must read for romance lovers! I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read an ARC of What If I Never Get Over You in exchange for my honest review.

When I saw this described as *“One Day” meets Bridgerton, I knew I had to request it from NetGalley—and it did not disappoint! I ached for these characters to find their way to each other. The story swept me away, and I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be waiting for this story to be adapted to the big screen… Romance readers, trust me: add this one to your TBR immediately!

BOOK: What If I Never Get Over You
AUTHOR: Paige Toon
PUB DATE: April 15, 2025, by Putnam Books
PAGES: 416
RATING: 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

THANK YOU to @netgalley, @PutnamBooks, and the Paige Toon for gifting me another advanced digital in exchange for my honest review! (I screamed out loud when this approval came through.)

QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: Paige Toon has become one of my favorite authors in the last two years (Seven Summers earned my #3 spot in 2024). She is known for being a brilliant emotional romance author, and Ellie & Ash’s love story takes you on their journey of meeting and spending 3 days together, to losing touch, and years later running into each other again. This reminded me a little of one of my favorite movies, Before Sunrise. My heart swelled while reading their story, and I raced to read it as soon as possible! Also, Ash is my new book boyfriend! Snatch this one up when it comes out in April!

#WhatIfINeverGetOverYou #NetGalley #PutnamBooks #Romance #Fiction #EmotionalRomance

4.5 stars Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.

I love Paige Toon's writing and this one was no exception. Ash and Ellie meet in Lisbon and immediately fall in love. They spend three magical days together and vow to meet again in Madrid. Except... Ash doesn't show up. Heartbroken, Ellie moves on with her life until he re-appears in the most unexpected of places. Then Ellie disappears from Ash's life to show up when HE least expects it.

A heartbreaking rom-com that will have you shouting at the pages (so much
"wrong place, wrong time"!) and frustrated with both Ellie and Ash at different points of the story. It feels like an impossible situation to untangle, but Toon does this elegantly in a 3-part story that is a page-turner. The ending felt a little rushed to me, but maybe that's because I could happily have kept on reading!

We all have stories of the one who got away. The what ifs that keep us up at night. But when Ellie has the chance to answer all the questions that arose when she was late to meet Ash and lost him for six years, she balks, then runs.

I loved this book and will be searching for more by this author. Highly recommend.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I read 7 Sevens a few months ago & loved it but this just didn't hit the same for me. Was I intrigued with the premise? Yes but was I as hooked? No. I loved the beginning, it seemed so romantic to meet a strange man while traveling and just enjoy the company and plan to meet up again but after that everything seemed to fall flat. Maybe it was because I never loved the characters, maybe. I didn't feel a connection to Ellie or Ash or any of the side characters. Sometimes while I read I thought to myself, Ellie wouldn't do that, or Ash wouldn't act that way but it felt unfulfilling to me.
I will still happily pick up another Paige Toon book! Her writing is very easy and addicting.

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Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful love story with picturesque locations. Traveling the world to escape their problems seems to be the goal for both Ellie and Ash when they meet and the theme continues throughout. This book has defiance, determination, found family, stargazing, gorgeous flowers and gardens, hope and heartbreak. It was an emotional rollercoaster and I am thankful to Penguin Group Putnam & Paige Toon for the chance to read an ARC before publication.

Paige Toon does it again. I really enjoyed this!! I loved the way it was structured in parts and how different each part was while still being cohesive. I thought the characters were really compelling, although Ash was a bit 1D, I loved Ellie and the whole supporting cast. I love how much research is put into every aspect of this book, from locations to spelling to astronomy. All in all completely solid and I’m so glad I got the chance to read this early!!

Paige Toon has once again stolen my heart with this absolutely beautiful second chance romance! Seven Summers was one of my favorite books of 2024, so I was incredibly excited to get approved for this ARC, and it did not disappoint. I read the second half in one sitting because I was loving it so much.

Paige Toon writes the most heart wrenching love stories. This multiple time period novel told the story of Ellie and Ash, a classic right person but wrong time love story. Toon does a phenomenal job handling deeply emotional topics of loss and family trauma that left me in tears.

I loved how descriptive the settings and details in the book were (side note: this book was such a beautiful ode to gardening). I actually read Seven Summers while on vacation in Portugal, so it was so fun that the book starts in Lisbon, and that our main characters visited a lot of my favorite places from my trip! I also really enjoyed the ode to the ACOTAR series throughout the book.

I’m not usually a fan of “insta-love,” but let me tell you, I was rooting for Ellie and Ash the entire time, even if it felt like their future as a couple wasn’t optimistic. Their story really shows the heartbreak associated with finding your soulmate while growing up and still figuring it out yourself.

The story was a little slow to start, and the ending was so jam packed it could have been its own book, which are the reasons I did not give this book 5 stars. A great read for contemporary romance lovers! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had me hooked from start to finish. The plot was captivating, and the writing style made it easy to get lost in the story. The female and male main characters were fantastic—I loved their personalities, chemistry, and the journey they went on together.

If you’re a fan of Bridgerton, you’ll definitely appreciate the similar vibes: heartfelt romance, rich character growth, and a dash of drama that keeps you turning the pages. The growth and “growing up” themes were so well-done, adding depth to the story and making it feel incredibly relatable.

One of my favorite moments was the mention of A Court of Thorns and Roses—a perfect nod to one of my all-time favorite series, and it made me love this book even more.

Overall, I’d recommend What If I Never Got Over You to all my friends. It’s not quite a 5/5, but it’s definitely one I’d read again after some time. If you’re into romance with a touch of nostalgia and self-discovery, this is a must-read!

Ellie meets Ash while interrailing in Lisbon. Ellie had been lonely during her travels. Her best friend was supposed travel with her and suddenly passed away. Ellie was just biding time until going to work as a designer for her parents furniture company. She doesn't want this life, but she doesn't know how to stand up to them. Ash and Ellie have an immediate, cellular level connection.

When they have to separate, Ash and Ellie vow to meet in Madrid one week later. Ellie is a little late, but Ash never shows. Ellie is gutted, feeling like a silly school girl fabricating a love story built on three days. For six years, she excels in her soulless design positions, stands up to her family, retrains as a master gardener (her dream), and tries to forget him.

As she arrives at her first gardening role at a five hundred year old estate in Wales, Ellie is elated amongst the towering topiaries and sprawling gardens. Ellies dream comes to an abrupt halt when Ash comes barreling back into her life. Anger spewing but needing to mute her feelings to keep propriety, Ellie must process the reasons Ash never came to her while attempting to maintain a professional front.

Toon writes atmospheric, propulsive love stories, but what sets her apart is the remarkable detail in her writing. I feel like I received a masterclass on estate gardening after reading this book!

Thank you to Penguin Group and Netgalley for the advanced copy of What if I Never Get Over You.

I absolutely love the writing of Paige Toon! As a huge fan of Bridgerton, I absolutely fell in love with this story line. I will say, I stayed mad at Ash most of the time as I could never see clearly what his intentions were with Ellie. I was rooting for them the entire time to each get their happily ever after regardless of what it looked liked. I will definitely be buying my own copy of this book when it releases as it’s one I could read over and over again without tiring.

"What If I Never Get Over You" by Paige Toon absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. Told over three different time periods, the book beautifully chronicles the evolution of Ellie and Ash's relationship from young adults to adulthood.

Paige Toon's writing is exquisite. She captures the complexities of love, loss, and second chances with a sensitivity and nuance that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. The book also features a stunning depiction of the settings, with Portugal and Wales serving as captivating backdrops.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its exploration of the heartbreak that often accompanies love, even when it seems destined. You're constantly asking yourself, "How can this work?” The author masterfully builds tension and creates a sense of inevitability, even as you root for Ellie and Ash to find their way back to each other. This is the kind of romance book that I love, reminding you of the power of love and the pain of letting go.

Despite my usual aversion to the "insta-love" trope, this book was beautifully executed. Paige Toon's ability to evoke such strong emotions and create compelling narratives makes this a must read for fans of contemporary romance.

I devoured this latest book by Paige Toon. She is becoming a favorite author for me.

This is a story of Ellie and Ash who meet while backpacking in Europe. They spent 3 days together visiting the various spots in Lisbon based on recommendations of Ellie’s best friend. Their instant chemistry is magic and they decide to meet up in a week’s time in another city. I don’t want to give away the book plot but this story was both beautiful and heartbreaking.

There were parts of the story I wanted to shout to Ellie as she couldn’t seem to make up their mind about what she wanted.

I so enjoyed this book and Paige wrote such a beautiful story. Thank you netgalley for the early review copy.

Okay, so one of my obsessions of the year has been Paige Toon's books and What if I Never Get Over You did not disappoint. Ash and Ellie's instant chemistry was 🔥 and I was so hooked, I stayed up reading this in one sitting. The soul mate aspect and time jumps give off Love, Rosie and One Day vibes (and I'm a huge fan of both of those). I'm so excited for everyone to read this one and already waiting for Paige's next book! 4.5 stars for the iced tea eyes, motorcycle gear, 🌈 lupins and Welsh accents.

I loved this book! The dual timelines brought multiple perspectives that I really enjoyed. The book starts with Ellie interrailing through Europe when she meets Ash. I’ve never heard of interrailing until reading this book. The inns and outs of what it means to interrail was described so well that I felt like I was on the journey with them. As they get to know one another, they develop a deep connection that goes unmatched. As they move on, they forge different paths in life. I developed a deep love for these characters and I was left wondering if they would ever find each other again. I really appreciated the way the author wrote their story because it felt so real! It wasn’t a happy unrealistic plot, it felt real with a few unexpected turns, as life so often does. This second chance romance will make you deeply feel for these characters, follow their individual journeys, and root for them as if they were real people. I cannot wait for this book to come out so I can get myself a physical copy. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to review it honestly.

WHAT IF I NEVER GET OVER YOU is a second chance romance of a love that never went away even years later. Ellie and Ash’s paths cross while traveling in Lisbon and have a connection that will stay with them long after, even when Ash disappears from Ellie’s life after promising to keep seeing each other. Years later, Ellie finds herself working as a gardener for an estate in Wales, where Ellie discovers it’s none other than the home of Ash’s parents. What will it take for them to pick up where they left off and will Ash’s parents ruin the possibility for them to be together? I thought it was an interesting premise but didn’t find myself as engaged and invested in this story than I have with some of the author’s other books. I can see other people really liking this but it just wasn’t quite for me.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

For fans of right person, wrong time this one is the perfect read for you! Ellie and Ash are just perfect together and I kept rooting for them the entire book. The longing between these two and watching them get their second chance was *chef kiss*. This is one I'll be recommending a lot in the upcoming year!

Thank you to Paige Toon, Penguin Group- Putnam Books, and NetGalley for this arc of What if I Never Get Over You, out April 15, 2025!

📜Quick Summary: Who wouldn’t have the time of their life on an interrailing trip through Europe? Ellie finds herself on a solo trip, one that she desperately wishes her best friend Stella was there for. What Ellie didn’t account for, was running into Ash, a handsome man who is also suffering from a loss of his own. Even though they only had a few days together, their friendship and feelings ran deep. When they decide to meet up a week later in a different city, one shows and the other doesn’t. Six years pass, and Ash comes barreling back into her life. What happened six years ago that kept them apart? Can she handle the truth?

❣️Initial Feels: Instant, and I mean instant, attraction usually isn’t my thing. However, I am really loving Ellie and Ash as characters, and my heart strings are already pulling for them.

👀Trigger Warnings: death of sibling, sexual abuse

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: These characters grew from love sick 21 year olds, to fully grown adults and any adult can probably see themselves reflected in these characters. They grew up before our eyes in this novel, and found themselves along the way. I loved Ash… of course Ellie was a star too, but Ash had a lot of depth and grew into himself.

📖Read if you want: insta-love, second chance romance, page turner, few spicy scenes

🗨️Touching Words: “Follow your own path. Life is too short not to do what you love.”

💡Final Sentiments: This was a perfect day binge read with a blanket, coffee, and a fire. If you want an instant love story from the start, but one that continually pulls at your heart strings, this is perfect for you. At times it felt YA, but they started off as lovesick kids, and I think the growth of them throughout the novel, helped the novel develop deeper feelings too. I wanted to cry for them at certain times and really wanted to give them a big hug. They made their life their own, and in the end…especially now as a parent… isn't that what we want for our children? To find themselves, love themselves fully, and also pray they find a love that can withstand many difficulties? Would love to see another character become a main character so we can continue to watch Ash and Ellie’s story unfold.

🌟Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

This novel was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon is yet another masterpiece by an author who has definitely solidified themselves in my favorites. Here we follow Ellie and Ash through the journey of a lifetime, and on this adventure we experience absolutely everything. The raw emotions and intimacy that Paige creates is nothing short of magic.

There is so much to unpack here, I know I won't be able to do it justice. But like every Toon book I have read, I felt it all. The roller coaster of feelings; happiness/sadness/loneliness/grief/everlasting love, etc. It has become somewhat of an expectation at this point, and she never disappoints me. There is something for everyone in this novel; from laughter to drama and suspense, and most importantly, (in my humble opinion) love.

For anyone who enjoys a story that grips you from the first to the very last page and a writing style that truly immerses you in the character's lives, this one is for you.

Five very enthusiastic stars from me. Thank you so much to Penguin Group/Putnam Books, NetGalley, and Paige Toon herself for the opportunity to read and review What If I Never Get Over You with my honest thoughts and opinions.