I really enjoy books that follow people throughout their lives so Paige Toon's "What If I Never Get Over You" caught my eye right away.
The chemistry between Ellie and Ash is undeniable and their love story is equal parts beautiful and sad, keeping you hooked until the end. A great book for a nice and cozy day on the couch.

Sweet love story. Never read anything from this author and did so based on a Booktocker that I follow. Didn’t love it as much as she did! Too predictable for my taste. Good character development though.

“But here on Earth, four and a half billion years after our sun was formed, five billion years before it will start to die, one girl sits on a hill in Wales, falling in love with a boy. And nothing can stop it from happening.”

I really liked the beginning of this book. The traveling through Europe & the chance encounter there between the two MCs, it was really enjoyable to read. I also liked reading about the gardening job & the way astronomy was woven into everything. I felt like this book really immersed me in nature. My main dislike was that all the romantic conflict between the characters felt unnecessary. None of the issues were really high stakes & it seemed like they could have easily been avoided with communication. Not my favorite contemporary romance by any means, but it was okay!

“I don't feel angry toward Ash anymore, just sad.
The anger was easier to handle”

“The thought of our love having a limited lifespan is too unbearable to contemplate.”

“I decide to take control of my loneliness and make it a choice, rather than something that has happened to me.”


Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC! 💕

Thank you to Paige Toon and Putnam Books for the ARC of this book! I have absolutely loved and devoured all of Paige Toon's books so I knew I was in for a treat when I started this one and it was truly incredible! If you're looking for a swoony second chance love story that will make you laugh and cry, this one is it. The descriptions of both Lisbon and Wales were beautiful. Both Ellie and Ash were likeable but flawed in a way that really made me root for them as a couple and also for their self growth as well. I thought she couldn't top Seven Summers, but I may love this one even more. Five bright shining stars and I recommend it highly!
See below for a brief synopsis: Ellie and Ash meet a hostel on Lisbon in their early twenties. They are both railwaying around Europe exploring solo. They decide to do some exploring together and their connection is almost immediate. They fall in love over the 3 days they spend together and decided to continue traveling together in a week's Time. With the weight of parental expectations, it is hard to shirk the feelings of responsibility for both of them. Six years later, they have a chance encounter that seems like fate. As they navigate their relationship, they have to decide if their love really is the kids that you never get over.

Thank you Netgally for the chance to read this early! This was my first time reading a book by Paige Toon. 4 ⭐️ Ellie and Ash met on a backpacking trip and planned to meet again but didn’t happen and years later they meet again! And it’s a crazy ride!!! Loved it!

I really loved this book. Paige Toon is an autobuy author for me.

The connection between the 2 characters is so beautiful.

This was my first Paige Toon book, and I had high expectations, but unfortunately, I did not love this book. I think the story was decent, and the writing was pretty good; however, certain parts did not make sense to me. I do not understand why the main character's best friend was brought up so often. I feel like it did not add anything to the plot. This was a light read, and I imagine people will enjoy it, but it was not my cup of tea.

This was my first Paige book and it won't be my last, I can't believe the emotions I went through with this book and how thorough the writing was!

I feel like certain parts were rushed, especially the instant connection with the characters. Why were these characters in love? Why was I rooting for them? I wanted to love it, but that threw me off.

I genuinely love books that explore missed connections; there’s something so hypnotic about two people clearly meant for each other, only to be thwarted by circumstance. Normally, I’m not a fan of "instant" connections, but this one felt remarkably authentic. It was reminiscent of two people meeting in a bar, engaging in a meaningful conversation without the pressure to rush into anything physical. Instead, they simply enjoyed each other's company.

This story beautifully captures the classic "right person, wrong time" trope, which I think lends itself to some of the most satisfying conclusions. The emotional depth and the journey of the characters left me both hopeful and heartbroken, ultimately ending in satisfaction.

This book pulls you into a whirlwind of passion and missed connections that’s both maddening and addictive. Ellie and Ash share an undeniable connection from the get-go, and their three-day romance is intense, bordering on over-the-top—but hey, if you’re falling in love while interrailing through Europe, isn’t that the time to go all out? Their reunion years later at a historic estate in Wales brings all the angst and tension you'd want, even if some of the behavior edges into overdramatic territory.

The miscommunication trope is here, and while typically frustrating, it’s refreshingly believable. Their misunderstanding actually makes sense, rooted in relatable fears and real-world circumstances rather than contrived plot twists. I could have done without the "other woman" angle, but it does amp up the emotional stakes, adding layers to the high-level angst.

The only real issue? The resolution felt drawn out—after so much build-up, I wanted the payoff a bit sooner. Still, it's a romantic ride with scenic backdrops and sizzling chemistry that'll make you root for Ellie and Ash, even when they’re being ridiculous.

The writing style just didn’t work for me. I tried to get into the book and I just didn’t feel the spark with the characters. The premise is creative and fun.

What rock have I been living under that I have never read a Paige Toon book! This was so delightful. This is about a fast and furious love story, that has mostly lovable characters in an addicting, can't put the story down way.

What a heartbreaking and yet rich story. Bonded by the loss of their friends Liv and Finn connect traveling in Europe. Together they have three amazing days, and decide to meet back in a week. Unfortunately, one of them doesn't show up, creating heartbreak. Fast forward six years later and they unexpectedly run into each other.

Their chemistry fell a bit short and at times I wanted to do something to make Ellie realize what she had, but over all their story had me rooting for their HEA.

4.25⭐️

I literally could not put this book down!! This is the story of when Ellie meets Ash while solo traveling in Europe. Both have recently lost their best friends and after spending 3 amazing days wrapped up in each other and confiding in one another, they decide to part ways and then come back in a week to continue travelling together. Except one of them doesn’t show up, hearts are broken, a tragedy happens and 6 years later they’re unexpectedly reunited.

This book had me feeling all the emotions and although these two had me frustrated sometimes, I couldn’t help but root for their HEA. This complex love story was gripping and without saying too much, had me hooked from the very start♥️ Paige Toon, you have yet again, created a story with in depth characters, you can’t help but love and a plot so unlike many others!

Thank you Net galley and Paige Toon for this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

Loved this book. Ellie and Ash’s love story was so beautiful and emotional and while I not a fan of characters who self Salvatore, I didn’t mind it this time around

I recently finished this author's Seven Summers, and I was obsessed with Liv and Finn's love story.
However, the chemistry between the two main characters in this book Ellie and Ash simmered for a bit, but fell short of capturing my imagination. Mildly reminiscent of the classic movie, An Affair to Remember, the two meet while inter railing in Europe and spend 3 amazing days together. They go their separate ways, but plan to meet the following week in Spain. For various reasons that never happens. I did really appreciate the plot twist in the second half that brings them back together. I do like Paige Toon's books so this will definitely not be my last.
3.75 stars.

I had a hard time starting this book. Character development felt rushed and it felt like I wasn't included. By the middle of the book it got better and I could relax and enjoy the story. It's a grow up and know yourself type of ending while having controlling parents and find that you can be independent.

“I’ve decided to take control ….and make it a choice rather than something that has happened to me”

Ellie meets Ash when she is traveling and they spend three magical days together. They agreed to meet in Madrid in a week and circumstances being what they are there becomes confusion and they don’t meet.

Years later, Ellie is living her dream and working in the gardens of a beautiful mansion, so imagine her surprise when she turns around and sees that it’s Ash’s family home.
They are immediately drawn to each other, but they are just so many differences in their lives, in their stations, and what they want for their futures.

Can these two make it?

I enjoyed this book, there were parts in it that I really wanted to scream at Ellie, but by the end of the book I fell in love with her!

Finished this glorious firecracker around 230 am 🥹

Sparks are immediate for Ellie & Ash, but life, family pressures, and bad timing keep keeping them apart. It's in those gut-wrenching times apart, dealing with their grief and figuring out what matters most, that finally make the stars align at just the right time. ❤️‍🔥

As always, my wonderful Paige, you have another winner!!! Their times together were so freaking real and dreamy 🫠 Their times apart was heartbreaking, raw, and dare I say needed 😫🫣 All the pain your characters go through make them so real and also make them whom they need to be to embrace their HEA 🫶

Shout out to Putnam Books for granting me access to an eARC via Netgalley!!!! My heart is so grateful, I adore Paige Toon so much 💓