This is the second book I’ve read by Paige Toon and I absolutely loved Seven Summers. It has heartbreak in similar ways as this one and the author really knows who pull your heartstrings.

Ellie and Ash meet while interrailing and have an instant connection. They bond over sharing a similar tragedy as well as a tough upbringing. After three remarkable days together, it ends with a plan to meet again. Sadly, it never happens and truly destroys Ellie for a very long time.

Fast forward 6 years, Ellie is finally pursuing her dream job only to come across Ash at a party. She cannot believe it but his family owns the manor she is working at and it appears he has moved on with his childhood friend. She wants to know why he never showed up to meet her? How could he not tell her the truth about his family? What happened to his welsh accent?

A rollercoaster of emotions for Ellie and Ash keep you vested in her love story from beginning to end. A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for allowing me access to advance digital copy of the book.

I got so emotionally involved with this love story. Without giving anything away, I read as far as Madrid and muttered, "he better be dead". A movie version just to see the scenery would be fabulous. Best read of my summer!

I LOVED Seven Summers - and was so excited to get my hands on this ARC…all to be so disappointed. This was so rushed, and so plain, and far fetched. It kept me turning the pages but it was more out of shock and maybe hope that it would get better and oh man, just fell flat. I almost didn’t finish this.

Still - always thankful to Netgalley and Penguin Group for the chance to read another ARC. Maybe nothing will ever hold a candle to Seven Summers - the bar was set high with that one!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I love Paige Toon's previous books and this one was no different. She always includes a little twist and I loved the one that came with Ellie and Ash's story. Ellie's growth throughout the book was a beautiful side story and it's impossible not to swoon over Ash!

Interstellar meet cute, second chance, forbidden love- are you kidding me?!

Quick synopsis-
A tale of missed chances and serendipity, this story follows two young travelers who cross paths while backpacking through Europe. Although they make plans to reunite in another city, fate has other ideas, and they lose touch. Nearly six years later, they unexpectedly meet again, but under vastly different circumstances. It's a story about finding the right person, just not at the right time—or place.

There are so many beautiful aspects of this book. Starting with the instant chemistry between Ash and Ellie's first encounter. their interactions had me kicking my feet in the air like a girl with a high school crush. In addition the whole book was set in the most gorgeous settings, something that Paige really has a talent in- placing you in the moment of these beautiful places.

What truly pulled at my heartstrings was range of themes covered, like loss and complex family dynamics that were both covered with such and sensitivity, making the emotions feel so real and genuine.

Paige has an extraordinary gift for exploring the depths of human emotion. This was a beautiful, emotional book that breaks you and puts you back together again all in one. I had the best time reading and crying over Ash and Ellie, I can't wait for everyone to meet them.

I think this book coming out next spring is the PERFECT timing and it blends so well with the story and the setting.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 rounded down. This was my first Paige Toon and a like not love for me. The concept is familiar and fun but a lot of the plot lines that seemed the most interesting got dropped after part one. Stella was such an important part of Ellie's story at the beginning and then was pretty much dropped later on. I'm also not convinced that these two actually belong together, and I found Ash's actions really frustrating. I don't see why Ellie was the only one who needed to apologize after she left. Criticisms aside, I enjoyed reading this and am interested in reading other Paige Toon books in the future.

Paige Toon is an auto-read for me. I love her character development & complexities. Five Summers is still my favorite, but this was another fantastic bingable read. The end was unputdownable. Will recommend & buy a copy.
Thank you #Netgalley & #PenguinGroup for the ARC e-book!

Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC. Another FABULOUS book by Paige Toon. I could not put it down. I felt so connected to her characters. The twists and turns of this book were heartbreaking yet so powerful. I could feel the emotions of both Ellie and Ash at their different periods of life. My favorite though was Ash 3.0 💙 Thank you again for this ARC and make sure you add it to your TBR list. It’s not one to miss!

I'm rounding up from 4.5 stars. Paige Toon is pretty good at wrecking a reader. Ellie and Ash have been through a lot. They met while traveling and in 3 days found a connection so strong, that they couldn't forget it years later. After Ash doesn't meet up with Ellie as planned in Barcelona, they're forced to move on. They see each other again years later under difficult circumstances and nothing is easy. They are, however, still crazy for each other. I didn't hate Beca at first, but I did later on. They had so much to tear them apart, they didn't have a chance. Ellie was very frustrating. She definitely needed counseling. And a friend. We get the HEA we needed, but they lost so much time, it's heartbreaking.

I’ve loved so many of Paige Toon’s books but, while I liked this one, it wasn’t my favorite. I was invested in the story while I read it, but I was somewhat disappointed in how everything played out, though I loved the ending itself. The books tells of the relationship between Ellie and Ash - the first time they meet and quickly fall in love, then when they reunite unexpectedly years later, and then when they reunite again a few years after that. I didn’t like the huge jumps in time, or how much happened in the characters’ lives during those time periods that wasn’t discussed or explained. I found myself so frustrated with the main characters at multiple points throughout the story because of the way they handled things that then led to so many misunderstandings and hurt feelings between them. Additionally, the book moved far too quickly at some parts and too slowly at others, so it felt a bit disjointed. The story kept me engaged but not invested. I’m giving this a solid 3 because I did like it, overall, but it definitely had some pain points.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in advance of publication in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie and Ash meet as kids in their early 20s, newly done with school and both on adventures traveling around Europe although they have different reasons for doing it. Ash loves it; Ellie hates it, but for a brief moment when they meet each other in Portugal, they feel a connection between each other that neither can explain but both know there’s something there. Ellie’s supposed to go one way, Ash another, but they make plans to meet up in Madrid in a week, Ellie passing her number to Ash just in case. Their connection feels like it goes beyond the basics and it never occurs to either of them to share last names or the details in their stories, like the name of her family’s business that she’s dreading going into. An emergency for Ash and a train delay for Ellie mean that they never met, her frantically traversing squares in Madrid for days before finally accepting that something happened and she’ll never know why he didn’t show up.

Six years later, she’s finally moved on from being under her parents’ thumb when she takes a dream job at an estate in Wales…and on her first day discovers that Ash withheld a lot of personal information about his identity. Their connection is stronger than ever though but there are still a million obstacles and just because they want to be together, doesn’t mean they can.

Paige Toon has the most remarkable ability to delve deep into human emotion and really make you think. I love her books and she’s truly got another hit with this one. There were times during this when I just wanted to scream, omg just exchange numbers or just talk about your emotions but part of the entertainment is winding your way through what the characters are really going through to ultimate get to the happy ending.

Right person, wrong time, done so very well!

Ellie and Ash’s story starts out strong with a serious meet cute in Lisbon. This portion of the story is so fun and the perfect example of a cute vacation romance.

Ash and Ellie in part 2 were so good and so frustrating! Not surprised at all by the ‘ending’ of this part of the book.

Part 3 had me smiling. Reconnecting & reconciliation had me so happy for these characters.

Very well paced with great conflict and a true sense of growing with the characters as you read.

Adored this book and will absolutely read more of Paige Toon’s books!

Ellie and Ash: the love story that ended before it even had a chance to start.

Met while traveling through Europe their connection was quick and intense. Two grieving people who found a connection in someone seeing them for who they really are and not with the ties of expectations hanging over them.

But life dragged them away and 6 yrs went by with the fire never really dimming until fate stepped in.

It’s the story of life with the expectations of family. The grief of loss of a best friend and the hope that the one person who actually saw them, still sees and loves them.


Paige’s books are always heartwarming. It felt like this book was the perfect book to pull me out of my book slump…. And it did. My favourite of hers is still “Someone You Used to Know” but loved the little threads of Bridgerton running throughout the book.

Think the reluctant regent and the only woman who doesn’t care a fig about the title

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

Paige Toon’s What If I Never Get Over You is a rollercoaster of emotions, packed with heartbreak, healing, and second chances. While this was my first time reading one of Toon’s novels, I can see why she’s a favorite among romance readers—her knack for creating emotional depth and tension is truly on display here.

The story centers around Ellie and Ash, who meet and connect during a whirlwind trip through Europe. Their brief yet intense connection leaves a lasting impression on both, but circumstances tear them apart. Six years later, their paths cross again, but Ash has changed in ways that Ellie isn’t prepared for, leading to a heart-wrenching reconnection that forces them to confront old wounds and buried secrets.

What I loved:

The Angsty Plot: Ellie and Ash’s reunion after six years is filled with unresolved tension, missed chances, and a lot of heartache. Their chemistry was palpable, and the emotional stakes were high. I found myself eagerly devouring the chapters, especially in the first half, to see how their story would unfold.

Setting and Details: I absolutely adored the Welsh countryside setting. The vivid descriptions of Ellie’s gardening job and the sprawling estate added a lovely atmosphere to the book, grounding it in a peaceful, almost dreamlike world.

Realism in the Romance: Even though the romance bordered on insta-love, it was written in a way that felt justified. Their connection was swift but believable, and I loved the intensity of their bond early on.

Where it fell short:

Ellie’s Frustrating Character Arc: Ellie, girl, what are you doing?! While I appreciated her initial independence, her back-and-forth with Ash felt exhausting. At times, it was hard to root for her because of her indecisiveness and coldness toward him, even when it was clear they both wanted the same thing.

Pacing Issues: There were moments where the book dragged, and other times when the pacing was far too rushed. I found myself skimming through parts that didn’t seem essential to the story, while other, more pivotal moments (especially near the end) felt underdeveloped.

Character Disconnect: While I enjoyed the romance, I never felt fully connected to either Ash or Ellie, especially as the story progressed. Ellie’s actions in the latter part of the book didn’t quite line up with the character we met in the beginning, which made the ending feel a little forced.

Overall, What If I Never Get Over You was a quick, enjoyable read, but the uneven pacing and character inconsistencies held it back from being a true standout for me. That said, it’s definitely a book I’d recommend to fans of second-chance romance and slow-burn relationships, especially if you enjoy lush settings and a dose of angst.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book wrecked me and then brought me back to life. Thank you to Paige Toon, NetGalley, Random House Uk,and Penguin for this advanced copy. I am new to Paige Toons work and what a delight it has been. In What if I never get over you we meet Ellie & Ash. Two strangers bonding through grief, lonliness, adventure, and risk taking. They agree to meet up after three incredible days together but of course life gets in the way. Years later a twist of fate has them reconnecting. But we're those three days enough to weather the challenges ahead? Paige has managed to make her readers fall in love, scream in frustration, cry with relief, and cheer on her characters. If you want a happy ending romance without the cheesiness, and a slow burn spice, I highly recommend this novel. Looking forward to reading more of her books!

This is my first Paige Toon novel and after reading this I will definitely be picking up more. I enjoyed Ellie and Ash as characters.

Overall this story reminding me of the movie Serendipity (total classic), where a little miscommunication, luck and timing can change the course of your life and the people around you. If second chance romance is one of your favourite tropes you won’t be disappointed.

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book! It was my first Page Toon novel, but it definitely won’t be my last. While it was a little predictable, it was still a good story. I read it in two days, and I was rooting for Ellie and Ash the whole time!

I usually looooove Paige Toon books, so it was a real bummer that I didn't really enjoy this one. I don't really like books based upon miscommunication, which was essentially the sole focus of this one. The two love interests fell in love while abroad and didn't give each other their phone numbers or their last names. And then they find each other again 6 years later? Doesn't seem realistic. Also, who doesn't carry a phone around nowadays? Their second miscommunication at the end was just as frustrating. I'm like come on people, get it together. Selfishly, I also just did not like the male love interest's name. I found myself wishing for this one to end. I'm glad I finished it, but I don't think I would recommend it to a friend.

I liked the beginning of the book. Ellie and Ash meet in Lisbon while interrailing (like backpacking) through Europe. They are both in their early twenties, traveling alone and staying at the same hostel. Ellie's feeling lonely as she was supposed to be traveling with a friend so she spends the next few days with Ash. Their friendship turns to more and they plan to meet in Madrid after she meets her parents for a few days. She is heartbroken when she arrives in Madrid and Ash isn't there. Six years later, Ellie has changed her life from the advice Ash gave her and is now a gardener for a historic estate. She is shocked to learn that Ash, who she believed was from a working-class family, lives at the estate with his wealthy parents. Ash tells her the tragic reason he wasn't in Madrid that day. Overall I liked the story and the setting in Spain and Wales was beautiful. I was annoyed by Ellie who kept saying she was only a gardener when in reality she grew up in a well to do family, attended a private high school and graduated with a degree from an esteemed college.

Ellie and Ash meet backpacking in Lisbon and plan to meet again, but circumstances change. They meet years later in a wild twist of fate and have some shocking revelations. This was a cute book and I flew through it! Ellie and Ash were both fairly emotionally immature at times, so it annoyed me a little which is why the .5 point off! Other than that, amazing!