I was so excited to read this story as I have read all of Paige’s books. It definitely did not disappoint and I loved every minute of it.

Ellie and Ash meet in Lisbon while interrailing and spend an amazing few days together and then arrange to meet back in several days time.

Without giving away any spoilers we follow their lives through lots of unexpected twists and turns.

The story was beautiful yet heartbreaking and I couldn’t put it down. I was so disappointed when it ended as I felt there was more the reader needed to know.
I’m hoping for a sequel to find out what happened next.

Thank to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

What If I Never Get Over you was my first Paige Toon read, and it has the rather simple premise of meeting the "one" whilst on holiday and then losing touch. It was a super quick read regardless of its page count and so is super readable. But I have a few nitpicky issues that sway my overall feeling of the story.

I just didn't see the chemistry between Ash and Ellie, our two main characters. I enjoyed the beginning bit of their interrailing because it felt like two young adults bumbling about together, but I just never got giddy over them, you know? There lacked a point of romance for me. These two start off being friends just fine, but it never gave me butterflies. It just never hit, because after that, it was all about what was whilst on that holiday. And for me, what "was" wasn't all that special. A great supportive friendship, sure, but other than that, rather a limp noodle.

Now, I'm going to be harsh on the main character here, but I have to let it out. Ellie was... exhausting at times. Most of the time. Thankfully, the little issue at the ending of Part One was resolved fairly quickly between Ash and her, but we all knew that an excuse was coming anyway. It made reading Ellie feel a little tiring. She was a bit judgemental through her own insecurities. These insecurities, that stem from her childhood, are never overcome. She's all hung up about the truth of Ash, and how she is not good enough for him and his lifestyle, but really? That's all on her. She lacks charm to make her an enjoyable character because she's needy yet distant, selfish but indifferent. She was always jumping up at the worst explanation.

Now, Ash isn't perfect either. He is the son of a viscount. But all in all he acted like a normal guy. I wanted more from him. More character. If the choice was to make him a Viscount and at the top of society, it was only in name. I would've loved it if he was a bit snobbier in the beginning. His arc would've been all the better for it if Ellie had been the one to make him less entitled, but instead, it's like he's so hung up over her that she does sometimes play the villain in his story (because if anything, she was the one who seemed to be entitled).

Imagine if this was written from the point of view of Beca, who was one of Ash's closest friends. Thankfully, Paige Toon doesn't go the simple way of outright making Beca a hater (Props to Paige Toon for not taking the easy road!), but Beca still plays the part in disrupting the equilibrium of Ash and Ellie. Imagine you're Beca, and this weirdo long-lost-love girl Ellie arrives at Ash's family home. Wowiee, what a coincidence! And this Ellie, appears to be so controlling of Ash that she gets rocked to the core and upset over the sight of you simply comforting your childhood friend. Imagine this pretty much random girl, and your best friend Ash is just so hung up over her, that he does some dubious things (I will not spoil! It just seems a little off kilter. If you're ashamed of your privilege, go become a normal citizen, Ash! Get a job! Be a part of the community!).

Ellie and Ash bond over their past, but don't really do much else but caress each other's misgivings.

BUT, I'd like to say I did enjoy the premise. Ellie's job as a gardener does have charm, and her bitter relationship with her mother does hit hard. I just wish there was a little more plot, and a little less miscommunication. I feel sad for my nitpicking this novel, because it means no harm. It's simple, straightforward, and does what it says on the tin. If it sounds like something you'd be interested in reading, then totally go ahead! But I did expect more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Penguin, Cornerstone and Paige Toon for this ARC.

I’m a new reader of Paige’s books; my first was Seven Summers, which I loved, so I was delighted to be kindly given an early copy of What If I Never Get Over You. I devoured it in just two days and could have easily read more.

Starting with Ellie and Ash meeting during their interrailing adventures, we are whisked straight to Lisbon for their whirlwind days spent in the sun together. The chemistry and sparks are so strong.

Six years later, they are reunited at a Manor House in Wales, where Ellie pursues her dream job, but things are now very different for them both. How will they make it work?

The story also explores a workplace community (with some sweet side characters who live amongst each other, which is fun), loss and dysfunctional families. I would have loved to have seen Ellie develop stronger female friendships to confide in; she experiences a lot of loneliness and often holds back, which made me feel for her. Ash is a very loveable character, especially as we see his emotions navigating grief and being torn between his two worlds.

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. Paige is excellent at bringing you to all the different locations in the book, pulling at your heartstrings and immersing you in a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it if you love romance.

Firstly, thank you so much to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Penguin, Netgalley & Paige Toon for allowing me to read 'What If I Never Get Over You' in exchange for honest feedback.

TW - Loss / mention of dr*g use / S. Assault

This is a Spoiler Free Review!

I loved the instant connection between Ellie & Ash in Lisbon! It was a true holiday romance - 3 days of intense connection with no strings attached, except strings obviously develop! Both of them have been through some difficult times in their lives which seems to draw two broken hearts / souls to each other.

Ellie made a good first impression - I LOVED that she was reading ACOTAR - it was an instant 'tick' in my book 😂 However, she frustrated the hell out of me at times (I won't spoil why!), but I understand why she acted and felt the way she did when we heard what her life was like growing up.

I loved Ash's character. He was fun, bubbly but also showed his vulnerable side. I really felt for him throughout the story.

I enjoyed 'growing' with them both grow over the years. The pace of the story was great, apart from a wee drop off in the middle, but it absolutely kept me interested enough to finish it in a couple of days!

I can't really say too much without giving bits of the story away.. It gave me The Notebook vibes with the case of right place, wrong time, but, thankfully not quite as heartbreaking.

I'm a sucker for a romcom so I would definitely recommend What If I Never Get Over You

I feel incredibly lucky to have been approved for an early copy of this book, as I love Paige Toon as an author.

The story begins in Lisbon, where Ellie meets Ash, unfortunate timing as she has just decided to give up interrailing and her interfering parents are demanding she come home.
But luckily they are still able to spend three (intense) days together. Then they make a plan to meet up again, although Ash is off the grid without a phone, which gave me a bad feeling🙈

I won't give any spoilers but this book starts out as flirting in the sunshine, holiday romance, instant connection vibes and then gets back to reality and heavy on the drama!

As always, I was hooked and my heart broke all the way through as I followed the rollercoaster emotions Ellie goes through as the protagonist.

I don't think Ellie felt it herself at times but I thought she was quite a strong fmc. And I liked that we seen so many different sides of Ash, because we all have different versions of ourselves around different people or after going through certain experiences which can change us, so I felt this was so believable. I did get mad at him at times because I thought he could have done better by Ellie, but that's just my personal feelings.

The book is set in Lisbon, North England, Wales and the Cotswolds and Paige always does so much research into these locations, which shines through and makes you picture them so vividly.

Thank you, Paige, for another beautiful book❤️ you always create such magic every single time.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK, Penguin, Cornerstone and the author, Paige Toon, for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC.

This is the love story of Ellie and Ash, spanning nearly a decade, who met interrailing when they were 21 but lost touch, doomed due to a "I have no phone because I want to be off grid" decision by Ash.

When they finally meet again six years later, Ellie discovers that Ashton is a viscount's son and due to inherit the manor she just started work at as a gardener. The classism that follows is pretty annoying, with Ash's dad a caricature aristocrat. Are they doomed again?

The book has four parts and in every one it's as if Ash is a completely different person - from the carefree traveller to the burdened heir to the cold hermit to the final version. I felt for Ellie who had to adapt, having already broken free from her parents' suffocating grasp, only to watch Ash taking somewhat longer.

I found their journey interesting but I honestly didn't think they had much in common. I think they bonded due to both having problematic parents who they tried to please to the detriment of their own happiness.

The title is a bit melodramatic - we always get over people, we have to in order to continue living. I thought at first the title referred to Ash and Ellie but it could also mean the best friends Stella and Taran that they lost who had been so important in their lives.

I loved all the settings - Spain and Portugal in the first part, Wales afterwards. I've travelled in Wales quite a bit and I recognised all the lovely places.

I also liked the camaraderie of the young staff at Berkeley Hall, and the love of plants and gardening that shines through. The cover is absolutely gorgeous.

The story was predictable enough for me to foresee all the little twists but interesting enough to keep reading. In fact, I read this in one go.

This comes out in April 2025 so it's a privilege to have been able to read such an early copy.

4.25 stars