No one can hurt me like Paige Toon

4.25⭐️

Ellie and Ash meet while traveling and the trajectory of both of their lives is changed forever. But does this end up more like a missed connection?

What a story of second (& third? &??) chances. Both of the characters have their own personal journey but find each other when they need them the most.. but they also fall apart. It’s an emotional journey for this reader because you’re rooting for them the whole time.. but some miscommunications* & misconceptions get in the way! UGH!

I love the fast pace of this book! There were a few parts of this book that felt a bit random/inserted. (ACOTAR, the father comparison at the end, the last Part felt quick, etc) but it wasn’t taking away from the story.

My makeup was running down my face by the last 25% of this book. That should be a good enough reason for you to pick this up on pub day.

I fell in love with Paige Toon from Seven Summers and I think I’m just going to let her continue to stab me in the heart with her words over and over again.

* - (Not a miscommunication issue that makes you want to walk away from the book, just trust me and read it)

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book!! The fast pacing kept me on my toes and made me want to keep reading. Advertised as "one day meets Bridgeton" so I knew it was going to be messy! This is a right person wrong time and it kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if and how they were going to work out. The whirlwind three day romance with the backdrop of Portugal was done so well! I truly believed in this romance. I do wish we got more of them falling in love again in the six year later portion. They are different people at this point and I needed more of them getting to know each other again.

Another beautiful book from Paige Toon. Every time I read a Paige Toon book, I find myself identifying so strongly with the characters that I experience the most gut-wrenching emotions. I don’t know how she does it—maybe it’s because she develops her characters so well. Anyway, this book was no exception. This book tells the story of Ellie and Ash who meet in Europe, have an unforgettable 3 days together, and then lose touch. Years later, they unexpectedly meet again, but things are complicated. I was rooting for Ellie and Ash to get together throughout the book; however, I found myself frustrated with them more than a few times. I think one of the strengths of this book is that you see the characters grow and mature. Ultimately, they find their way and the ending is very sweet. I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy romances with some turmoil thrown in!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Just like her other books, I absolutely loved this book! What If I Never Get Over You is a heartfelt story about love and loss. The characters feel real, and their emotions are so relatable. Paige Toon does a great job showing how hard it can be to move on after a big heartbreak. It’s emotional, touching. I found myself rooting for them the whole way. If you like stories about love and finding yourself, you’ll enjoy this read!

I very rarely shed a tear over romcom books but this one got to me. I really found myself rooting for Ellie and Ash and just hoping against hope that things would work out for them to find each other in the world again. I loved the story, community, and friendships that were woven throughout the story as well as the close tie ins to family and their history. Such a good read and I loved every minute of it!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I’m very conflicted about this book because there were parts of the book that I absolutely loved and other parts that I felt could have been stronger. I found the beginning to be a bit slow to start and just when you get hooked the book switches to Part 2, which was a little frustrating.

In Part 2 I really struggled with the Ellie/Ash/Becca situation and it made me dislike Ash. I understand that the storyline in Part 2 is the catalyst for what happens in Part 3 but I think it could have been written a little differently.

Overall, this is a very solid romance, traditional romance. The spice is very muted and the overall tone is more emotional so be prepared for some ups/downs.

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon is an emotional, beautifully written love story that tugs at the heartstrings. Full of longing, second chances, and deep feelings, it’s a poignant and unforgettable read. Loved every bittersweet moment!

I was a big fan of "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" and was excited to get an ARC from NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam but this book missed the mark for me. I felt like Ellie was all over the place and would say one thing and do the complete opposite. I like the idea of Ellie and Ash reuniting after 6 years apart but I feel like Ellie couldn't have been more developed. She was furious when she found out about Ash and I felt like she messed with his emotions a bit. I like a strong female character and I felt like she was a bit weak.

A little bit of instalove between the main characters during their 3 days of being together in Lisbon. This was a great story and the characters and setting were great. 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.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC. This was a cute and easy read - would definitely recommend! This was my first book by this author - I’m excited to check out other books by her.

While I’m not someone who loves the insta-love trope, the complexity of self-discovery, loss and complex family dynamics helped support the storyline. I found myself constantly rooting for Ellie and Ash to get there happily ever after, especially after everything they have been faced with. I really enjoyed the added complexity of parent and child expectations. Especially, how hard it can be to grow into yourself, while dealing feelings of disappointment from your parents. At the end of the day “life is too short not to do what you love”.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC 🫶🏼

Soft DNF at 18%.

I feel like Toon watched the “Before” trilogy and tried to take a stab at writing a book with the same premise. Unfortunately, it did not live up.

1) insta-love is my biggest ick. It is RARE that a story can do it justice for me, and this is not one of them.

2) the writing is so simple and juvenile. “He is so handsome. I really like him. So, so, so, so much.” I wish I was joking.

3) I was just straight up bored. It wasn’t BAD, but nothing special was happening to keep me engaged.

4) this is modern and marketed as Bridgerton vibes????
I’m sorry but no. Nothing is historical about this, how dare

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Putnam for an e-arc copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

This story weaves together love, loss, and self-discovery as the characters navigate grief, heartache, and the journey to finding their worth—all with a touch of Bridgerton-esque charm.

I ate this up!!! Paige Toon knows how to keep you turning the pages. I loved the two main characters, and the setting at the mansion with all the workers was so fun (spinoff potential!?!). I enjoy how Toon keeps the plot moving but also communicates the depth of emotions that these characters are feeling. Time for me to book a eurorail ticket for this summer so I can meet an outdoorsy viscount with a moral compass.

Loved reading the ARC, thank you <3

Gaahhh, this book gave me all the modern day Bridgerton feels with a heaping scoop of rebellion and adventure. I devoured it.

Ellie and Ash meet in Lisbon while interrailing Europe. With only three days together, sparks fly and they decide to forgo their original plans and continue on together. They separate briefly to set arrangements with a plan to meet up in Spain in one week. Except when Ellie returns to Madrid, Ash isn’t there as he said. They’ve only spent three days together and didn’t exchange surnames or any way to contact each other.

Six years later, Ellie acquires her dream job as a gardener for a viscount and viscountess at an enchanting estate in Whales. What could be better? Except worlds collide when she realizes that the five hundred year old mansion is actually Ash’s family estate. Can their history compete with the reasons he didn’t show up in Madrid? Can Ellie ever really forget this love that was fate from the beginning?

I really enjoyed this book. If you love a romance with well developed characters, you’ll love this one too. This title releases on April 15, 2025.

Many thanks to Paige Toon, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm new to Paige Toon but have really been enjoying what I read so far and this was no different.

I could tell the love between Ellie and Ash from the start- they seemed perfect for each other but it was obvious that something would get in the way. While I did find certain parts of the turn as predictable I still enjoyed it. I wanted them to be together so badly. The author did a great job with building the tension.

I did feel like the ending was too wrapped up and easy. It was like there was a ton of build up only just easily end it. Regardless, I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

For fans of Carley fortune and Emily Henry…This book has everything perfect for a romance novel- great characters, a perfect setting and all the right feelings. When Ellie and ash meet on holiday and spend 3 amazing days together they know they are “the ones” and they agree to meet up in Spain and continue their romance. But when ash doesn’t show up, Ellie must try to get on with living. She takes a job at an old welsh castle and while working there, runs into ash- only he doesn’t seem to be the same down-to-earth guy she knew. This guy is viscount Ashton and he’s a wealthy man with a gorgeous woman at his side. Can ash and Ellie find their way back to each other? This love story made me feel so much! And the descriptions of the gardens and the flowers and all the welsh countryside was perfect. I couldn’t put this book down. 4⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the advance digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Paige Toon can do no wrong! She is one of my favorite authors. Her latest, What if I Never Get Over You was phenomenal! A six star book!

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon is a romance full of depth and emotion.

In true Paige Toon style this book has all the feels: cheering on the main characters, falling in love, anger, and having your heart ripped out again and again.

I absolutely adore Paige Toon’s writing and her ability to make you feel for the characters she’s created. I absolutely will be recovering What if I Never Get Over You when it releases in April. I’ll be first in line for anything Paige Toon writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P Putnam’s Sons for an advanced copy of this book!

What a great book! As usual, an epic love story that really is wonderful. As always, well-written and edited.highly recommend