Review of What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
There’s something inherently captivating about the adventure of travel and the sweet ache of lost love woven into a narrative. When I stumbled upon What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon, I felt a spark of curiosity. Toon’s previous work, Only Love Can Hurt Like This, had left a mark—an emotional, resonating wave of storytelling that I still think of fondly. However, my journey with this latest release took me down a path that, while intriguing, didn’t quite meet my expectations.
At its heart, the story follows Ellie, who embarks on an interrailing adventure through Europe, only to find herself falling for Ash in the vibrant streets of Lisbon. It’s a charming start that evokes nostalgia for youthful love affairs filled with passion and spontaneity. Yet, just as quickly as their romance blooms, it falls into a chasm of unfulfilled promises when Ash fails to show up in Spain. Fast forward six years, and Ellie finds herself as a gardener on a historic estate in Wales—a dream come true, but one laced with the unexpected reappearance of Ash in her life.
Here’s where the narrative hits a snag for me: despite the lush backdrop of Europe and the promise of rekindled romance, I found Ellie and Ash’s reunion lacking emotional heft. The connection they once shared felt overshadowed by what I can only describe as excessive immaturity, secrets, and a stark lack of genuine communication. It’s a classic tale of “will they, won’t they,” but the stakes fell flat for me, perhaps because I couldn’t fully invest in the characters. The supporting cast, while well-intentioned, felt more like convenient archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals.
Toon’s writing style remains engaging, and her knack for setting a scene is undeniable—I could almost smell the blooming flowers in the estate’s gardens and visualize the sun-drenched streets of Lisbon. However, the pacing seemed uneven at times, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this narrative was steeped in a YA vibe, despite being marketed as adult fiction. For someone like me, who has outgrown the simplicity often found in YA narratives, it became a point of disconnect.
Notably, phrases reflecting on love and communication echoed throughout the book, but many lacked the depth that I longed for. The absence of compelling dialogue meant that I struggled to root for Ellie and Ash as I had hoped. While the trials and tribulations of young relationships can make for great storytelling, they must be accompanied by character growth and substance—elements I felt were lacking here.
Yet, perhaps this story may resonate more with those still navigating the tumultuous waters of youthful love. If you’re in your late teens or early twenties, you might find the emotional entanglements and miscommunication more relatable and reflective of your experiences.
In closing, while What If I Never Get Over You offered some sweet moments wrapped in the nostalgia of love and travel, it ultimately left me yearning for more depth and character development. It’s a pleasant read, but perhaps best suited for a younger audience still discovering the nuances of love’s complexities. Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley; my reflections remain my own, as always.
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