My favorite author did it again - she wrote a book I loved. No big surprise there, but since giving five stars doesn't come that naturally to me anymore, I can safely give this one five stars without a doubt. Ellie and Ash's journey thoughout the years after their intense meet-up, is absolutely fascinating to follow - heartbreaking, heartwarming and so much in between. I loved so many aspects of this book, how deeply the characters feel for each other, how they try, how they fail. Paige Toon is such a mastermind at writing not only the settings of the book so wonderfully and picturesque, but also to deliver such strong emotions to her readers. While reading her novels, you're always set up for a good cry, many laughs and you can practically feel your heart beating faster or clenching when close to sobbing. I also adored how most part of the book was set in Wales, a place I have never been to before, but only hear amazing things about when it comes to the scenery. Also, that National Trust was mentioned and I have been to places taken care of by them before, kind of melted my heart. Be aware that there is a lot drama involved in this book - family drama, relationship drama, you name it. You also get some Bridgerton vibes combined with knowledge about plants and flowers and of course, a lot of romance. And I can guarantee that Ellies and Ashs romance will blow you away.

This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching & romantic story from the ever-so-talented author of Seven Summers.

A chance encounter on a European interrailing trip leads Ellie on a journey she never expected. Charming, kind & irresistible, Ash helps her experience life to the fullest and captures her heart. Except when she arrives in Madrid...he's not there.

Six years pass without a word, and a shock reunion has Ellie questioning everything she thought she knew about him and herself.

Why didn't he turn up, and will she ever get over the man who encouraged her to be her best self?

I'm all for a second chance romance so when I was accepted for this ARC I was really excited but unfortunately, it just fell really flat for me.

I didn't have the feeling of really rooting for the characters, I actually found their relationship immature and the level of lack of communication and almost unauthentic feel to their relationship made it hard to connect with them. Also, because I didn't have a 'bond' with the characters, I found some chapters difficult to get through as it felt very slow.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

My thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘What If I Never Get Over You’ written by Paige Toon in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

It takes Ellie just three days to fall in love with Ash who she meets in Lisbon while travelling around Europe. They don’t want to part but Ellie needs to return home so they arrange to meet in Madrid in a week’s time but Ellie is late, Ash is nowhere to be found, and she leaves with a broken heart. Six years later she takes up the job of her dreams as gardener at Berkeley Hall in Wales and comes face to face with Ash who’s not how she remembered him.

‘What If I Never Get Over You’ is a beautifully written romantic novel of Ellie and Ash who form a connection neither of them can ignore but just as life couldn’t get any better it has a way of throwing obstacles stopping them in their tracks. I loved the character descriptions of Ellie and Ash who were destined to keep meeting only to be torn apart again. This is the first Paige Toon novel I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed the romance, the friends Ellie makes along the way, as well as the descriptions of Wales. I recommend it!

Paige Toon does it again. Likeable characters, fabulous locations and a story that is beautifully written. I absolutely bloody loved this book and the ending was perfect.

Ash and Ellie meet interailing in Lisbon and arrange to meet in Madrid but Ash never turns up so Ellie spends the next 6 years trying to forget about Ash and the 3 days they spent together. Ellie finds herself a new job as a gardener in a huge grand estate in Wales but Ash is also there and Ellie wonders if it was always meant to be.

3.5 stars.
Ok I’m going to dive straight in by saying that initially the romance in this kept making me cringe. This is marketed as a contemporary adult romance but it felt very YA to me. There are a couple of themes (particularly concerning Ash’s father and an experience Ellie had in her youth) that were obviously there to give the story more substance but which sadly felt underdeveloped. However, overall it turned out to be a really lovely story which I enjoyed reading.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading romance (especially YA romance) and cosy, feel good stories. If you cry easily get your tissues out.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Review: gosh it was good ro be back in a Paige Toon novel again. I know I am in safe hands going into one of her books, the short chapters make for a page turner you really can’t put down! And….this one didn’t make me cry! Paige always does such a great job of a bit of a slow burn romance, puts a barrier up for her main characters and their love story and always has some sort of exotic location as a long-distance additional barrier too of course. There’s always a hot Aussie in there too! And this book is no exception!
It was wonderful to meet Ellie at the beginning of the novel, she is trying to do the wild and independent woman travelling thing but we know that something is holding her back, we just don’t know what yet! Then she meets Ash and this meet cute helps to unleash her feer self, the one who gets to let go and have fun and that was fabulous. When Ellie shuts down again once she’s back home, towards the beginning of the book, I found this section so hard to read. The way she is written to be so closed off to pleasure and so just doing anything to stay quiet and be successful in her job-it was just so relatable.
When we change settings in the third section of the book, that is when the fun really starts. Paige Toon knows how to write a fun group of friends to have an adventure with, people who will challenge our main character to be their best selves and find their joy and this book is no exception. Who knew there was so much fun to be had in such a location that many would consider mundane.
Now don’t get me wrong, the fact that this book didn;t make me cry doesn’t mean that there is no tragedy in here, there are plenty of moments that tug at the heart strings and both Ellie and Ash have been through a lot to get them to the various points we meet them throughout the novel. But as we always find with a Paige Toon novel, the joy outweighs that. This was a quick read with fun characters, a great meet cute and a story that will have you guessing right up until the last page!

I LOVED this book! I went in expecting a bittersweet love story, and what I got was a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the aching in-between.

Ellie is travelling solo across Europe—lost, lonely, and unsure of herself—until she meets Ash. Their instant spark leads to three intensely magical days in Lisbon. They make a plan to reunite in Madrid and continue their journey together… but fate has other ideas. Ellie is late. Ash isn't there. No phones, no way to reach each other. Just heartbreak.

Six years later, Ellie is still carrying the ghost of that love. On the surface, she’s successful, ticking off all the boxes her status-obsessed parents set for her. But beneath she’s unhappy. She never stopped wondering: What if…?

I loved Ellie’s journey of reclaiming her happiness. She walks away from the cold, corporate world and follows her true passion—gardening. The moment she steps into her new life in beautiful Wales, there’s a sense of peace… but then—bam—Ash is back. In the most unexpected way.

This book hit all the emotional beats for me. I love an enemies-to-lovers trope, or should I say… lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers! I could barely keep up with the emotional rollercoaster.

The settings made this story even more magical for me. I had a total fangirl moment every time a location I’ve visited popped up. Chirk Castle, Powis Castle, Raglan Castle (I like my castles 🏰) and the breathtakingly mystical Pistyll Rhaeadr transported me straight back there, even Southwold in Suffolk, where I've visited, gets a little nod. It felt like ticking off past holidays in book form!

A beautiful, heart-tugging, slow-burn romance about timing, choices, and second chances. A book for all the dreamers who’ve ever asked, what if?

When you pick up a Paige Toon book, you know it’s likely to break your heart in some way! This was no exception but it was a wonderful book to also put it back together.

From the very first page I really liked Ellie as a main character. There were some mysteries surrounding her that I was curious about and I loved learning more about her alongside Ash. The first few chapters in Portugal with their whirlwind story were incredible and kept me hooked.

I read this book in just over 24 hours as it was that addictive. The plot was captivating and I was rooting for Ellie and Ash so much! I definitely recommend this book and know I need to pick up more of Paige’s backlist as she’s just fab.

Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for this arc.

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
I give this book 4.5 stars.

Three days to fall in love. Six years to try to forget.
But when Ash unexpectedly crashes back into her life, Ellie is forced to question if the universe has other plans...

A book by Paige Toon that has a Bridgerton vibe and has a copy of ACOTAR featuring ……. Yes please!
Second chance romance is one of my favourite tropes and I was drawn in from the first chapters, I enjoyed this book so much that i would read it again. I fell in love with the characters and the journey they take together and separately, this author always goes far deeper than a traditional romance.I loved the undeniable connection between Ellie and Ash, meeting the right person at the wrong time when life gets firmly in the way of love and happiness. There’s loss, dealing with grief, gardening, family inheritance, love and heartbreak and I was there for it all. I can’t believe I’ve only recently discovered this wonderful author!
With thanks to Netgalley, Paige Toon and Random House UK /Cornerstone for my chance to read and review this book.

What a gorgeous story! For those that believe in love at first sight, or even for those that don’t, this is an intense love story of love, loss, love again and so forth. I have read a Paige Toon book previously so I was really looking forward to this, and it didn’t disappoint.

Ellie has a difficult relationship with her family, and has been pressurised into going into the family business. She commits a minor act of rebellion and goes interrailing, and meets Ash. Three days in Spain is enough for them to fall in love. Before meeting Ash, Ellie had agreed to go home with her parents, but they make a plan to meet up again in Madrid the following week. Ellie is late, and Ash is no where to be seen. Unfortunately, Ellie has no way of contacting him, having never even asked for his surname. Ash also doesn’t contact her and Ellie spends the next 6 years trying to get over him. Ellie finds the strength to pursue her dream career and ends up working in a stately home’s gardens, and she is living the dream – until she bumps into Ash again. Is he all he seems?

A known trope but with some very clever twists and turns. I really enjoyed it and will be looking out for more books by this author.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7412233411

https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2025/04/what-if-i-get-over-you-by-paige-toon.html

I loved this book, it was such a beautiful read overall especially how it delved into different emotions and how some connections can change our lives.

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: 10/04/2025
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Can always count on Paige Toon for a feel good romance leaving you cheering on the couple.
When Ellie goes off on an inter-railing trip through Europe she doesn’t expect to fall in love but that’s exactly what she does, in a short 3 days, with Ash. They plan to meet again but when that doesn’t happen Ellie finds herself mourning the loss of her new romance. In a cruel twist of fate, Ellie and Ash’s lives collide once more but will it all start where they left off or is romance once again off the cards for this pair?
Fantastic boy meets girl romance story that I have come to expect, and love, from Toon. I found myself cheering on Ellie and willing Ash to make the right choices.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Toon and Random House UK for this ARC in return for an honest review.
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#books #booknerd #bookworm #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstack #bookchallenge #booklover #reader #readersofinstagram #reading #bookswithcookandacuppa #NetGalley #2025Reads #PaigeToon #WhatIfINeverGetOverYou

There is actually an epidemic of books right now which should be YA but for some reason the author insists on adding swear words like they just learnt them and basically off page sex scenes that add little to nothing to the storyline. I was so looking forward to this arc after reading the blurb as I'd seen a lot about Paige Toon in the last year or so - especially 'Seven Summers' when that released last year but honestly I was majorly disappointed by this book and will probably not bother with any of her others. I do think this would hit way better with younger audiences though, like a 'Love & Gelato' kinda vibe.

After trauma bonding in Lisbon, our two main characters proceed to base the next few years of their lives on never moving on emotionally. After reuniting in the most predictable way they then spend the entirety of the book proving how much they shouldn't be together. Honestly, I don't think I've ever wanted a couple to not end up together more. Their relationship felt soooo forced and they have no connection other than a few days spent together like six years before. Just not enough yearning at all like how am I supposed to believe these two are soulmates when it seems they are actively working against each others best interests.

Not for me, way too immature and just downright unlikable characters. The only interesting part was at the start when they were interrailing yet that was breezed by in a few chapters. I think this would have been a bit more enjoyable if there was some more to Ellie's character before meeting Ash because the elements of her life that don't revolve around that man are what actually make this book interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and Penguin for this arc !!

*All opinions are my own !!*

I have loved Paige Toon’s books since reading my first one - Chasing Daisy - so when Paige posted on her Instagram stories if anyone would like an ARC of her next release I jumped at the chance!

This story follows the story of Ellie and Ash. They met while they were travelling in Europe and had an instant connection. After spending the next few days together, and agreeing to meet up, everything goes wrong. We fast forward 6 years to Ellie starting a new job with a fresh start.

This story has all of the classic Paige ingredients. Chemistry, longing and lots of angst between the main characters. A good friend group and great settings from Lisbon to Wales. Ellie did annoy me a little but she actually addressed her faults directly in the story which I liked. This is an emotional read and at points feels like it will never work out!

If you’ve never read anything from this author then here are some of my favourites

✨ Johnny Be Good
✨ Chasing Daisy
✨ The Longest Holiday
✨ Lucy in the Sky

Thank you to Paige for the copy of this title via Netgalley.

4.25 stars! ✨

I adore the way Paige writes her books. This book follows Ellie and Ash who meet by chance when they are both interrailing through Europe and stop off at Lisbon. However, when they agree to meet a week later in Madrid, Ash is no where to be found. Fast forward a few years and Ellie and Ash’s paths cross again but this time the circumstances are not so ideal.

At first I did think this was going to be an Insta-love story but the more I continued reading, it was much more than that. I felt I really connected with the story as I too went interrailing at 21 and also live in wales and lived closely in the past to Wisley gardens which makes an appearance in the story too. Ellie loves gardening because of her grandparents love for it and again I connected to it this way too.

I think this is going to be a perfect summer romance read. There was also a lot of character development that I enjoyed too with therapy and councillors being normalised which I believe needs to be spoken about more.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this ARC copy.

What if I never get over you rings a little too close to home for me right now. I was expecting emotion, upset, sadness and all these things were delivered in this new romance by Paige Toon.

In a whirl wind romance that lasts a few days, our main charades Ash and Ellie cross paths while travelling across Europe. Their connection is instant and in a matter of days they build romance and passion that many only dream of. When life hits and a planned meet up doesn’t happen, Ellie is left wondering why Ash never showed and what happened to the one who got away. She returns home and spends years trying to forget Ash, sleep walking through a life she doesn’t enjoy. Ellie finally says enough, leaves the family business, pursuing her dream job only to stumbling across the man she’s has sent years trying to forget. Will they get another chance of happiness or will it end in enough disaster?

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book.

In Portugal, Ellie and Ash meet, and during going around the city they realise that they have both lost friends and their parents are too busy with their work.

Before going their separate ways, they arrange to meet up in Madrid. But, on the day, one of them doesn’t show at the place they agreed.

After a long time, Ellie and Ash meet, when Ellie begins her new job at the home of Ash’s parents. But, she’s shocked to find out that Ash wasn’t honest with her.

They fall in love, but once again, things seem to be against them and again, they part ways.

When the colleague mentions something about a family manor gardens they meet again for the third time.

I recommend this book.

Paige Toon does it again! What a wonderful book this is was. A will they, won’t they love story that draws you in completely and does not let you go until the end. I genuinely stayed up late at night reading this one unable to put it down.

Ellie and Ash meet by chance in Lisbon whilst interrailing and hit it off straight away. They spend just three days together before they have to part ways but they both feel a connection so strong, one like neither has experienced before and agree to meet a week later in Madrid and carry on travelling together. But when Ellie arrives in Madrid, albeit a little later than agreed, Ash is nowhere to be seen. Ellie stays a few days, unable to believe that Ash isn’t coming but eventually she has to admit defeat. Heartbroken and crestfallen she returns to England and tries to forget about Ash, which is easier said than done. Six years later, as Ellie accepts a job in Wales, she cannot believe when Ash turns out to be the son of her new employer. Her carefully constructed world comes crashing down in a matter of minutes. But Ash, now in a new relationship with a girl called Beca, seems eager to talk to Ellie and explain. And Ash’s friends suddenly realise that Ellie is ‘the’ Ellie. Where has Ash been all this time and why wasn’t he in Madrid? Can Ellie and Ash start over or is there more in the way of their love than just the hurt of the last six years?!

Set in beautiful gardens and under magical night skies, this latest novel by Paige Toon will feel like a gorgeous big cwtsh (= hug in Welsh - this comment will make more sense once you’ve read the book 🥰) and one I absolutely loved and wholeheartedly recommend.

This was my first Paige Toon novel and it did not disappoint and I’ll definitely be checking out her other books! This was a story of love, friendship and loss and I felt that this book had beautiful character building and development. The clear research behind the book was handled so elegantly and woven into the novel so carefully, I felt comfortable with the characters from the off.

To begin with I was bit concerned with the insta love trope but it was handled throughout the story in such an assured and gentle way - much like the character of Ash. It felt like the writing style and the characters married up beautifully. I did find the main twist was quite predictable but I’m not sure if this was a conscious decision by the writer or not as it was used in a way that kept me interested - like with the insta love, it concerned me when I first got to it but Toon’s writing kept me engaged.

I found the character of Ellie so familiar with all her anxieties and penchant for overthinking and despite the highs and lows of the plot, she remained relatable. I really liked how she stood on her own and made her own choices to live her life her way and found her need for independence inspiring.

I read the book in two days and stayed up all night to finish it - I couldn’t put it down and even when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. Parts of the story were set in places that are familiar to me and that really helped root my interest in the story and it was great to see places I recognised reflected and visited in Toon’s writing. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.