This book was the most heartfelt, honest and divine romance read I think I have ever read.

I honestly cannot put together the words to describe how much I adored reading this novel. Through the characters of Finn and Olivia, it was clear there was unrequited love and the way in which this relationship was explored was mesmerising.

I find with some novels, the type of love explored can appear unrealistic or simply confusing but this was the most beautiful portrayal of people feeling drawn to each other, even if they are not necessarily sure on the feelings involved.

The exploration of other challenging themes, such as how loss and grief can impact relationships, really resonated with me and provided another dimension to the narrative. I loved how, although it was a romance novel, the portrayal of these themes really bought the story to life and made it feel like I was involved in a true story.

Tom had my heart from the first moment we met him and to see Olivia recognise how being in love should feel like was a blissful moment in this book, and probably my most favourite. The comments surrounding love feeling different depending on the person and that it doesn't mean he is loved any less or more was really moving and I just feel like I have come out of this novel a totally new woman!

Honestly, utterly the best romance read that has ever graced this Earth.

First thing to say about this book is what a, fabulous location it's set in and brought back memories of my own trips to Cornwall.

Finn and Liv fall in lust, to begin with as they strike a deal to continue their romance every summer as long as they are single.

I loved the romance of this idea but it did feel a little toxic, like they were both stuck in a time warp of that first summer.

Then, Liv meets a mysterious man on the beach, who as she gets to know him, she feels like she's met her soul mate.
In terms of the ending, no spoilers but I would've felt happier for Liv without the epilogue!
Great supporting cast in this book.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to review this book this is my honest opinion.

Paige doesn’t have the capacity to disappoint me when it comes to diving into a new book of hers. Seven Summers is a realistic tale of love and loss. I have to say though that I did want to throw the book in the bin near the end, and you will understand why I say that once you have read it. But I didn’t and I’m pleased I didn’t. My favourite character was Michael who plays a small but powerful part in the book! No doubt this will fly off the shelves - the perfect spring / summer read.

This was my first Paige Toon book and I will definitely be checking out her others. I got the romance I was hoping for, but I was not expecting the twists and turns this book throws our way - it kept me hooked and needing to find out what would happen in the end.

Thank you to Paige Toon, NetGalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 28th March 2024.

Seven Summers

Paige Toon is my drop everything author. So when I got the chance to read Seven Summers I jumped at it & dropped the book I had started. As the title suggests the book is set across Seven Summers in St Agnes in Cornwall (another beautiful setting) and it tells the story of Liv, who falls in love with a young man called Finn. Liv’s life is in Cornwall & Finn’s is in LA. Liv has reasons she wants to stay in Cornwall & Finn has reasons he wants to stay away & so they agree that if they’re both single they’ll spend the summer together. I loved so many of the characters in this book, from rocker Finn (swoon) to the mysterious Tom, from Liv’s fabulous brother Michael to Chas at Seaglass the local bar & restaurant - there were so many people to get to know. There were a few parts of this book that were really emotional which I’ve come to expect & I thought I was doing really well & I didn’t think it was going to get me…then it got me. Another amazing emotional rollercoaster from Paige Toon.

4.5 ⭐️ An emotional rollercoaster to be expected from Paige. I was completely invested in these characters and even though I knew the ending was coming it still broke my heart. The sudden jaw drop moments after high elation made me unable to put this one down.

One thing I would have liked to have solved was the mystery of Finns mum, felt like a plot line that was going to come into play later but never did.

As a recent Paige Toon fan, I had high hopes for this one after hearing about this at her recent UK book tour. But I didn’t prepare for this. What a beautiful story which I don’t want to give away the ending for. It just catches you off gaurd. I loved loved loved this one. I haven’t read a book so quickly in some time. I can’t recommend this book enough!

There's something romantic about ending up with your high school sweetheart, in theory.
I was rooting for Finn all the way through this book, I wanted it to work - the local boy turned celebrity and the local girl wrapped up in tragedy. Finn really was the perfect man. But just how long would you wait for Mr Perfect if love isn't enough?

I didn't really feel like I wanted Olivia to have a happy ending as much as I did Finn, but as the story takes you through all of her ups and downs I really found myself wanting it to work out.

I don't think I was ready for the brief mention of IVF, it was fleeting but really hit home

Seven Summers is such a heart clenching story. I felt throughout the book. It's a combination of love and grief and flitting between present summer and previous.
As a Paige Toon fan I fully expected to have my heart strings tugged and to have a cry. I didn't expect the absolute rollercoaster of emotions that I went on, one minute heartbreaking then feeling joy to get heartbroken all over again. I don't know how Paige does it but each book just gets better and better

This is my first Paige Toon book and it will not be my last! I absolutely adored this story. I loved all the characters and was sad to get the end.
 
The story starts in the present day. We don’t know much about Liv other than she has converted her home into 2 flats and rents one out for the summer. Flashback to 6 summers ago, Liv returns home after finishing her Art degree and a course in Florence. She isn’t planning on staying very long until tragedy hits. We fast forward another summer, revisiting present day in between each summer.

Each past Summer Liv has hooked up with Finn for a week or 2 before he flies back to live his life in LA, always refusing to go back with him as her life is in Cornwall. In present time, Liv doesn’t seem to be waiting for Finn and meets her lush new summer renter until she has to make a choice. The story then continues to see what happens to Liv in the next 7 summers, will she get her happy ending?
 
I really liked how this story was spread over the years. This story is filled with Love and Tragedy and is heartbreakingly wonderful. I really couldn’t decide who Liv should choose. The story was finished well and left no answers unturned. I just wish the story didn’t have to end. I will miss Liv, Finn & Tom.

This was a beautiful emotional read from Paige Toon set in a glorious setting in Cornwall. Told in the current day and during consecutive summers starting six years ago when Liv fell for Finn whilst he was revisiting his family in the hometown which holds so many tragic memories for him. Near the end of his stay a tragedy occurs that links them emotionally and they find themselves reconnecting every summer when Finn visits the area but their lives are so far apart the rest of the year. In the current year Liv meets Tom and for the first time starts to have feelings for someone other than Finn leaving her in emotional turmoil.

I really enjoy Paige Toon’s writing however this just didn’t quite grab me as much as the last couple of her books. I really felt the connection between Liv and Finn but it didn’t feel as deep between her and Tom, I also found the relationship between Liv and Finn unhealthy which made it more difficult to read. I thought the theme of grief was very well written and I loved Liv’s brother Michael who has Down’s syndrome but leads an independent life with support although is obviously a concern for Liv however his own perspective on their life was fabulous. The epilogue carried on the story really well and provided great balance to the overall story and a beautiful ending.

I've read Paige Toon a few times and I've always enjoyed her stories - they always have a weight but also a real sweetness to them. Whilst the actual writing/style of this one felt a little bit weaker than her previous books, I really enjoyed the actual story and I particularly liked the structure of using each summer to show how their lives were moving on. I thought the exploration of grief was realistic without overpowering the novel too much. If anything, I wanted a bit more detail on Finn's mum as I felt there was an interesting mystery there! But I really, really enjoyed this. A book to simultaneously stop time and while away the hours with!

I absolutely love Paige Toon’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint!

It was typical Paige Toon, being a lovely, easy read, with loveable characters and perfect locations. But it wasn’t without its problems, with a lot of loss and love.

The books jumps back and forth across the seven summers that Liv is in love with Finn, exploring their relationship and all the issues they face when only seeing each other for a week or two out of a year.

I enjoyed how it kept going back and forth between the summers and how it explored all the difficult situations so well, but also had the perfect happy ending that was wrapped up so well it didn’t leave you with any questions.

This was a excellent ready by Paige Toon. You will want to continue reading to find out what happens next! She keeps you intrigued that you can't stop reading.

Another great book by Paige. Feel good, emotional, great characters, uplifting and heartwarming. I really enjoyed it.

Okay…give me a moment.
I wanted to write this review straight after reading because wow, the emotions that are flowing right now.

I’m not going to lie, the first 40% of this book, I thought I was going to find it difficult to get through, which is not like me with a Paige Toon read. The writing felt a little slow, I wasn’t totally vibing with the characters then from 40% onwards, wham, bam, wallop! It was hook, line and sinker.

The pace seemed to flow better, the characters were more fleshed out, and that angst, yearning, romance, twisty tummy feeling that I’ve come to know and love from a Paige Toon book hit.

There were some difficult topics of grief and illness that were covered sensitively and with grace but were also woven beautifully with the theme of hope and rediscovery.

Toon’s scenic descriptions of some of the places in Cornwall were also gorgeous; some lines were simply poetic.

This book reminded me very much of Five Years From Now which is one of my favourites, so if you loved that you will simply adore Seven Summers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.


Now I’m going to go and emotionally recover haha!

Another amazing book by Paige Toon. I loved it, it had great characters, I was rooting for them all! Highly recommend, an emotional read.

Wow just wow! I can't believe I have never read anything by this author before I am now going to start reading all her books, I have laughed I have cried and I genuinely looked forward to picking this book back up.
Not your typical love story, I found myself routing for Tom then finn then back again I just loved them both, I felt so close to liv and I was just praying for a happy ending for her after all her grief I won't ruin the ending for anyone but just perfect! The emotion this book made me feel does not happen often so fantastic job paige.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review this title

Another amazing book from Paige Toon. Loved the characters of Liv, Tom and Finn. Tackles some very heart wrenching subjects. Well written and thoroughly researched as always. It was definitely an emotional read. 😢

Another fantastic read from the fabulous Paige Toon.

There is not a book I haven't loved and fallen in love with.

I too would be torn if I was Liv, wow what a rollercoaster of emotions.

I was rooting for one then the other., this is just the perfect read as the title states over 7 summers which I thought would be confusing but the story and writing just flowed beautifully.

Highly recommended well worthy of 5 stars.