I love all of Paige Toon's books and this was no exception.

Ellie and Ash meet in Lisbon when they're both 21 and spend 3 amazing days together before they have to go their separate ways, but Ellie is supposed to return home with her parents. Ash asks her to meet him in Madrid in one week and Ellie agrees. But they never meet up and they're both heartbroken.

6 years later they come face to face when Ellie takes a job at the manor home that is owned by Ash's family.

I liked both Ellie and Ash but I think they should have spent a bit more time talking about the important things like what they needed from the relationship rather then losing themselves in the moment every time they're together. It was normal at 21 but after losing each other and meeting again at 27, they should have grown up a bit more and learnt that communication is important.

Unfortunately, there is also a third act break up which is a trope I'm really not a fan of.

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

📚 - What If I Never Get Over You.
📖 ✍️ - Paige Toon
📆 - 10/4/25
🏢🖊️ - Random House


THE GREATER THE LOVE, THE HARDER THE FALL...
Ellie didn't expect to fall in love while travelling in Europe. But she also didn't expect to meet a man like Ash.
Three blistering days in Lisbon is all it takes to form an unforgettable connection - deep enough for them to plan to meet again in Madrid. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash is nowhere to be found.
Six years later, the memory of Ash and their time together still burns deeply in Ellie's heart. She hopes that her dream job as a gardener on a grand estate in Wales will bring the fresh start she desperately needs.
But when Ash unexpectedly crashes back into her life, Ellie is forced to question if the universe has other plans...

If I’m honest, I started reading this book, when I wasn’t in the best of headspace’s.

I haven’t read a book by this author in a while. I loved the colours on the front-cover and caught my eye. Sounded just what I needed.
Also the title … I’m sure we have all said this, at some at some time in our lives!!
A holiday romance, that in some shape or form, is going to change their lives. Love rarely runs a smooth path, and that why I especially love this book.

Thanks Netgalley, Random House & Paige Toon, for allowing me to read an advance copy.

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What If I Never Get Over You is a heartfelt story from Paige Toon, who’s ability to write gut-wrenching love stories set in evocative locations never disappoints.

Our heroine is Ellie, a solo backpacker who is carrying her grief, insecurity and family problems with her. She has a whirlwind romance with fellow traveller Ash during her time in Lisbon, but after three days, they must go their separate ways. They promise to meet up again in Madrid. However, when Ellie arrives in the Spanish capital, Ash never shows.

Six years later, Ellie has built a new life, following her passion and working as a gardener on an estate in Wales, but when suddenly Ash reappears in her life, old feelings resurface, forcing her to confront the past. A lovely summer read.

I enjoyed What If I Never Get Over You - even if it doesn't quite reach the emotional depths of Paige’s previous two books.

The tension between Ellie and Ash throughout will have you kicking your feet, and you'll find yourself alternately wanting to shake them for their lack of communication and hug them for their individual struggles.

The scenes set in Portugal were my favourite, brimming with romance and leaving you wishing for more chapters centred on the couple's travels together.

One aspect that felt somewhat underdeveloped was Ellie's significant admission at the end. Hinted at only in a sentence or two throughout the book, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore this crucial element more effectively within the narrative.

What If I Never Get Over You is an enjoyable read about grief, inner strength, and true love, and I’d give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five.

*Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Ellie is interrailing (I think of it as backpacking but not sure if there is an actual difference), trying to deal with stuff and personal growth. When she meets Ash she has no intention of dating, she is dealing with a whole host of stuff but then Ash, beautiful Ash and her just click. For three days in Lisbon love blossoms and they make plans to meet and travel together. Typical something happens and they don't meet, she is late and he isn't there when she arrives. Six years of struggling with the loss of what could have been, her family expectations and everything her and Ash had she does something for herself and gets her dream job. Just as everything is going perfectly Ash crashes back into her life, everything is turned upside down, there is a lot of hurt, questions and barriers you could not begin to imagine but what they felt all those years ago still burns, in them both. What do you do when you are pulled together like moths to a flame but everything is stacked against you?

Aw guys, so I have read a Paige Toon ages ago (I checked Goodreads, 2012!) so when we got the chance to read this one, clickity click! I am a sucker for a romance and who hasn't had either a holiday romance or the old one who got away. Coupled with that you have so many family issues, on both the main characters, Ash and Ellie, parental expectations, keeping up with the Joneses . With this one we have a wee bit of classism, societal divides for example the gardeners at Ellies new job, they all work at this beautiful prestigious 500 year old estate but there is a tone between other hired staff and the gardeners.

When Elli and Ash finally find each other again, especially after six long years there is so much to unwrap! I loved the will they won't they, the barriers flung between them, the shady attitude especially exhibited by Ash's dad and one of the help at the house. People can be absolute bangers, snobbery and how folk treat each other, even Ellie's parent's, despite not being in the book much their impact they have on Ellie is huge and far reaching.

A tale of love, near misses, societal barriers, travel, family, relationships, friendships and following your heart and dreams. At one point I had goosebumps, a few moments of NOOOOOO what are you doing! As I said I have only read one of Toon's books before this and will be getting more, 4.5/5 from us.

This book was a heartfelt exploration of love, loss and the lingering grip of ‘what could have been’. It had emotional depth and romantic tension which drew me into a story that felt both personal and raw.

I loved how this book started with three days for Ash and Ellie to fall in love in the beautiful setting of Lisbon. It was so beautiful to read how they both connected so easily with chemistry that was undeniable, but then it lost its magic for me slightly when it dragged into 6 long years of them trying not to forget.

It was a touching read overall though that would be perfect for anyone who has ever struggled to let go of a first love.

What If I Never Get Over You is an unforgettable, emotionally rich love story set in Lisbon. Paige Toon’s writing is effortlessly immersive, with natural dialogue, vivid characters, and a plot full of heartache, fate, and longing.

Ellie and Ash’s love story is both beautiful and devastating real, relatable, and deeply moving. The settings, from Lisbon to Wales, come alive with lush descriptions, while the story weaves in powerful themes like grief, family, identity, and resilience.

Romantic and beautifully written. I adored this book

Whenever I pick up a new Paige Toon book I know that I am going to be in for a wonderful read with a beautiful romance woven around an interesting story and this was no disappointment! This story had every element I have come to expect from this author and so much more that kept the pages turning as I needed to know what was happening for Ellie and Ash.
The main focus of the story and storyteller was Ellie and seeing everything from her point of view made the story quite an emotional journey as she reveals her past as she starts to live out her dreams.
The ending had everything I wanted from it but it did leave me wanting to see more of the characters that I'd spent the last few days with and as some of the workers were still single, maybe there is hope for a revisit to the estate!

I’ve read and loved Paige Toon’s two latest books so it was a no brainer to request this when I saw it on Netgalley. I’m smart like that :D

I totally loved the beginning of this story. I am usually not a fan of insta-love, but I instantly could feel Ellie and Ash’s connection and chemistry. It almost felt as if I was in Lisbon with them.

I think the story lost some of its touch after the first third. I would have wished for the underlying themes to be explored a little further (e.g. the grief elements), instead there was a lot of miscommunication and irrational behavior on both sides. I’m also always a fan of more fully fleshed side characters, there would have been more room for that as well.

Having said that, I still enjoyed this book and was constantly looking forward to reading the next chapter. I will definitely be picking up whatever Paige Toon blesses us with next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

As a rule I love reading books by page toon, however, Unfortunately I just did not connect with the couple in this book and I felt they really shouldn’t have been together. They both treated each other awfully

Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me. It had more of a YA feel than I expected & I struggled to connect with the characters & storyline, which felt a little immature at times. I’m a bit gutted as this was my first read by Paige Toon but that said, I’m still open to trying another of her books in the future.

I always enjoy Paige Toons writing and this was no exception.

Great read if you want a love story with some depth. Whilst it wasn't completely enthralling I did find myself wanting to see where the love story went and developed. I did at times find the pacing a little slow. But overall a great read.

I loved this story, it’s always nice to read a good love story and I was so sure I knew how it would all end, but what I didn’t realise was the hurt and trauma this couple would go through. It is well written by a super author and that is why she is a best-selling author and so well known. I could not put this down as it gets to you and you want to read what happens all the time. One for your list to read.

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Paige Toon has a lovely soft way of writing that lulls you into the arms of her books, this is no exception.
Whilst travelling two people meet and instantly click. Unfortunately they have to go their separate ways but arrange to meet up in a week, one is late and one doesn't turn up.
Life carries on for a couple of year and amazingly their lives cross paths again. Can they forgive each other?

Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Paige Toon and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I like Paige Toon - but her last few novels haven't really hit the mark with me - I haven't loved them as much as her earlier stuff. This book, is pretty much the same.
It was just a bit 'meh'... not great, but also not awful!

The main downer for me about this book was that I just didn't care about the protagonists. I found them to be really whingey and completely unlikeable. I kept getting frustrated with them. And in a romance book you should be rooting for the couple - but I just couldn't care less.

If you are new to Paige Toon, I wouldn't suggest starting with this book.
As I say, not a bad book - just one with annoying characters, and one which I would immediately stop thinking about after finishing.

I was so excited to pick this book up and I did enjoy it, however it missed the mark for me and I can’t quite put my finger on why.

I just didn’t feel gripped and it took me a long time to finish it. The characters were likeable but I just didn’t connect with them and their journey. Maybe it’s because the right book at the wrong time and I’ll pick it back up in the future and love it.

Paige’s writing was gorgeous, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books in the future.

Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone & NetGalley for the arc 💕

As always, Paige Toon will never fail. She writes so effortlessly. I would say that this book gives me more young adult vibes than an adult romance novel el and I think it could maybe be marketed as such as the characters are quite young when they meet. A very sweet book full of emotion and tension as we read ok to find will they end up together or break up!

I always enjoy getting lost in Paige Toon's love stories. This one was a travel adventure with Ash and Ellie meeting and spending a few days together in Lisbon. Agreeing to meet again in Spain, Ellie turns up late to find Ash already gone. Fast forward six years and the two meet again, in much different circumstances. Even though they are from different worlds, the chemistry is still there. Can they make it work? 

Aside from this being mostly an insta love story (not my favorite trope at all), I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The story was sweet and the characters were both likeable. I managed to binge this book fairly quickly as it was such an easy addictive read. I can't wait for the author's next book!

This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

Ok, so this is a difficult one to rate.
I absolutely loved 70-80% of it. The writing is beautiful and engaging and I loved the characters (for the most part) but the last part really did anger me.

Obviously I can’t say much without including spoilers but chapter 33 is where it changed for me.
Where did Ash get the audacity to be like that? Like he is some wounded solider! Seriously??

His actions betrayed his words! That’s all I’ll say.

And then we get to part 4 and this is what happens in so many epilogues and I hate it! Sorry, personal opinion.

I guess I have a love/hate relationship with this book (the story & characters) as it has evoked a myriad of emotions and made me connect to it in a way I never expected.
Even though the story itself is worlds apart from my own experiences, the relationships have triggered memories for me. (Some good some bad). And I feel I may have set myself up for a fall with this book because the title is a question I am still asking myself years after splitting up with my ex so that hits a little close to home.

Aspects I loved ~

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 ~ Being set in Wales (for the most part) and words like cwtch (I use this word daily)
🎧🎤 ~ The music especially 80’s ♥️
☀️⛱️ ~ Ash & Ellie’s time in Lisbon

I don’t know how to end my review so will just say this was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions.