Book Review: What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
When I first stumbled upon What If I Never Get Over You, I was excited—a new Paige Toon novel! After reveling in her heartbreaking yet beautiful tale, Only Love Can Hurt Like This, I was eager to dive into her adult romance. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had been misled by the genre tags. Did I just step into a YA storyline? Let’s take a journey together through this literary experience.
The tale follows Ellie, a passionate gardener who finds herself interrailing through Europe, only to meet Ash during a moment of serendipity in Lisbon. Their quick connection leads to a promise to reunite in Spain, but, shockingly, Ash never shows. Fast forward six years, and Ellie is living her dream job on a stunning estate in Wales—only to discover Ash has resurfaced, adding layers of unexpected tension and nostalgia to her life.
From the get-go, the story took on a distinctly YA feel—something about the charm and innocence of their whirlwind romance reminded me of those bittersweet teen romances. While I have no qualms with YA, stepping into this book, I wanted the depth and complexity that adult fiction demands. Ellie’s sudden emotional upheavals felt quite young, leaning heavily on familiar tropes of love lost and miscommunication. Given the premise, I craved more emotional depth to truly invest in their reconnection.
Ellie’s character initially drew me in, but my excitement dimmed when I found the supporting cast to be just a tad too perfect and interchangeable. While the other staff members at the estate envelop Ellie in warmth and camaraderie, they lacked the depth to truly stand apart, making them feel more like plot devices rather than fully realized characters. And with Ash’s re-entry into her life, it felt as if the story pivoted from complex romance to melodrama, filled with secrets and miscommunication that felt frustrating rather than engaging.
Toon has a way with words that sparkles in certain moments—her descriptions of the lush Welsh countryside or the nostalgic Lisbon streets brought real beauty to the narrative. However, the pacing sometimes missed the mark; moments that could have been heart-wrenching or gripping instead felt rushed or glossed over, leaving me yearning for more substance.
While I appreciated the book’s exploration of youthful love and its entanglements, I found myself wishing for more nuance in Ellie and Ash’s relationship. Immature decisions, secrets, and lack of communication do not lay a strong foundation for romance, and unfortunately, these elements lessened my connection to the characters. For me, emotional stakes fell flat, leaving my heart a little uninspired.
Nonetheless, if you’re someone who enjoys a light read filled with typical romantic tropes and seeking a backdrop of picturesque European travels, this book could be a satisfying escape. Perhaps younger readers or those new to exploring emotional narratives will find greater delight in its pages.
In conclusion, What If I Never Get Over You presents a sweet, albeit somewhat predictable, love story wrapped in the warmth of friendship and nostalgia. Though it didn’t entirely resonate with me, I’m curious to hear what others think—especially my buddy reader, DeAnn, who is sure to add another layer of insight to this discussion! As always, I’m grateful to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing an ARC through NetGalley, allowing me to share my honest thoughts on this journey. Happy reading, everyone!
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