What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon Book Review: A Love Story That Lingers Like a Lisbon Sunset
- Joao Nsita
- 11 hours ago
- 9 min read
Introduction: What If Three Days Could Change Your Life Forever?
Imagine a fleeting romance so intense it burns brighter than a Lisbon sunset, only to slip through your fingers like sand. In What If I Never Get Over You, Paige Toon, the Sunday Times bestselling queen of heartfelt romance, delivers a contemporary love story that’s as intoxicating as it is gut-wrenching. Released in April 2025, this novel follows Ellie and Ash, two souls whose three-day connection in Portugal sparks a love that haunts them for years. Toon, with over two million books sold, weaves a tale of fate, longing, and second chances that’s already a USA Today bestseller. This isn’t just a romance novel—it’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever wondered if the universe conspires for love. Dive into more swoon-worthy stories at That Love Podcast’s romance recommendations.
Book Summary: A Connection Forged in Time, Tested by Fate
What If I Never Get Over You begins with Ellie, a young traveler interrailing through Europe, grappling with displacement and loss. In Lisbon, she meets Ash, a free-spirited Australian whose charm and warmth ignite an instant spark. Over three blistering days, they share secrets, laughter, and a bond so deep they scrap their plans to reunite in Madrid. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash vanishes, leaving her heartbroken. Six years later, Ellie, now a gardener on a sprawling Welsh estate, seeks a fresh start among vibrant blooms and ancient hedges. Her peace shatters when Ash reappears, forcing her to confront their past and the reasons for his absence. The central conflict swirls around missed opportunities, family pressures, and the pull of destiny. Toon’s unique gift lies in crafting a second-chance romance that feels like a modern Bridgerton crossed with One Day—a contemporary romance novel where love’s intensity is matched by life’s messy realities, set against lush European and Welsh backdrops.
Author’s Style and Craft: A Symphony of Emotion
Paige Toon’s prose is a melody of heart and heat, each sentence a note that resonates long after the page turns. Her dual-timeline structure—flashing between Lisbon’s fiery fling and Wales’s poignant reunion—keeps the pace propulsive, like a train racing through Europe. Short chapters, a Toon hallmark, make the 657-minute audiobook or 400-page novel unputdownable, as noted by reviewers on NetGalley. Dialogue crackles with authenticity: Ellie’s quip, “I have a surreal feeling that I could listen to his voice for the rest of my life and it still wouldn’t be long enough,” captures their electric chemistry. Toon’s character development shines—Ellie’s journey from a people-pleaser to a self-assured woman is as compelling as Ash’s evolution from reckless youth to a man wrestling with duty. Her vivid settings, from Lisbon’s cobbled streets to Wales’s emerald gardens, immerse you fully, cementing her as a master of contemporary romance novels and emotional storytelling.
Themes and Deeper Meaning: Love as a Cosmic Dance
What If I Never Get Over You explores love’s endurance against fate’s whims, weaving themes of belonging, grief, and class. The missed Madrid rendezvous symbolizes life’s cruel timing, a metaphor for opportunities we chase but lose. Ellie’s gardening—nurturing life amid chaos—mirrors her quest for self-worth, while Ash’s strained ties with his domineering father reflect generational wounds. Toon ties these to universal struggles: the ache of unhealed loss, the weight of parental expectations, and the courage to defy societal norms like British class divides. The novel’s stargazing motif, tying love to the cosmos, elevates it beyond romance books, offering a poignant reflection on whether we’re fated to find our “person.” This contemporary romance speaks to anyone who’s ever felt love slip away, yet hoped for its return—a narrative as timeless as the stars.
Strengths: A Romance That Soars
Toon’s latest is a triumph of emotional depth and escapist joy. The Lisbon meet-cute—Ellie and Ash bonding over shared grief for lost friends—pulses with raw connection, making their three days feel eternal. The Welsh estate, with its “towering topiary hedges and colorful gardens,” is a character in itself, grounding the drama in nature’s embrace. Toon excels at balancing angst and hope—Ellie’s heartbreak when Ash doesn’t show in Madrid is visceral, yet their reunion sparks butterflies. The ensemble—quirky estate staff, toxic parents—adds texture without overshadowing the leads. Reviewers like Annabel Monaghan praise its “propulsive and gut-wrenching” arc, and it’s easy to see why: this romance novel delivers a rollercoaster of feels, making every page a treasure. Its blend of travel, gardening, and cosmic love elevates the reading experience, a 2025 standout.
Areas for Improvement: A Few Tangled Vines
Even Toon’s brilliance has its blemishes. The romantic conflict—rooted in miscommunication—can feel contrived, as NetGalley reviewers note, with low-stakes issues that a single conversation could resolve. The grief over Ellie’s friend Stella and Ash’s friend Taran, while poignant, lacks the depth of Toon’s past explorations, like Seven Summers. Some readers find the pacing uneven, with the middle section’s repetitive pining slowing the momentum. Deepening the loss narrative or streamlining the on-again, off-again tension could sharpen this love story. These flaws might frustrate fans of high-stakes drama in their romance books, but Toon’s charm and emotional payoff keep most readers hooked—a minor wilt in an otherwise vibrant garden.
Comparative Analysis: A Star in Romance’s Sky
What If I Never Get Over You shines beside Toon’s Seven Summers (Amazon Link), sharing her slow-burn magic but with a grander, travel-fueled scope. Compared to Beth O’Leary’s The Flatshare (Amazon Link), it’s more angsty, less quirky, yet equally heartfelt. Against Jojo Moyes’s Me Before You (Amazon Link), it’s lighter, less tragic, but matches its emotional pull. Toon challenges contemporary romance norms with her focus on class and fate, weaving a modern aristocracy angle that feels fresh, as Booklist notes. Her contribution—a love story that’s both escapist and raw—sets a high bar for 2025 romance novels, earning its place among genre giants.
Target Audience: Who Will Fall for This Tale?
This book beckons romance readers aged 18+ who crave emotional depth—fans of contemporary romance, second-chance love, and travel-infused tales will devour it. Gardening enthusiasts and stargazers will love its nature and cosmic vibes, while book clubs will relish its layered themes. Perfect for those who adore One Day or Bridgerton’s drama. Content warnings: grief, toxic family dynamics, mild language. If you love romance novels with heart-wrenching twists, relatable characters, and dreamy settings, What If I Never Get Over You is your 2025 must-read—a love story for every hopeless romantic.
Personal Impact: A Love That Stays
What If I Never Get Over You wrapped me in its wistful glow. Ellie’s ache for belonging echoed my own restless moments, while Ash’s quiet devotion stirred a longing for connection. Their story left me teary, hopeful, and craving a Welsh garden under starlight. It’s a romance novel that lingers like a half-remembered dream—raw, radiant, unforgettable. You need this book for its emotional pull—it’s a sparkler in your soul, fizzing with love’s eternal promise.
Conclusion: A Romance Worth Remembering
What If I Never Get Over You is Paige Toon’s crowning gem—a contemporary romance that weaves love, loss, and fate into a tapestry as vibrant as a Welsh spring. It’s a must-read in 2025 for its sweeping emotion and unputdownable charm, a love story that soars.
Grab it on Amazon and let Ellie and Ash steal your heart.
In a world of fleeting flames, this is a love that burns eternal—a story you’ll never get over.
About the Author: Paige Toon
Paige Toon, born in 1975, is a British-Australian author whose emotional love stories have captivated millions. Raised across England, Australia, and America, she’s penned seventeen adult novels, including Seven Summers, and three young adult titles since 2007. With over two million copies sold worldwide, Toon’s sweeping romances, set in sun-drenched locales, explore fate, family, and heartbreak. She lives in Cambridgeshire, England, with her husband and two children. Connect with her at
, Goodreads, and Penguin UK.
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FAQ Section: Your Romance Queries Answered
What’s What If I Never Get Over You about?
Ellie and Ash fall in love over three days in Lisbon, but a missed reunion separates them—until fate brings them back six years later.
Is it a standalone novel?
Yes—a complete, heart-tugging contemporary romance.
How’s the romance level?
Emotional with light spice (1/5 🌶️)—focuses on connection over heat.
Who’s the target audience?
Romance fans, travel lovers, and readers of emotional sagas, 18+.
Any content warnings?
Grief, toxic family dynamics, mild language—check triggers.
What’s Toon’s style like?
Lyrical, immersive, and emotional—a page-turner with heart.
Does it fit 2025 romance trends?
Yes—second-chance love and travel vibes are hot now.
How does it compare to Seven Summers?
Grander scope, less cozy, but equally heartfelt.
What’s its unique hook?
Blends cosmic fate with raw emotion—a modern epic romance.
Why read it now?
Its timeless love and gripping twists make it a 2025 essential.
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Romance Community Resources
For more romance novel reviews, discussions, and recommendations, check out these fantastic resources:
Dear Author - A trusted source for honest and well-thought-out reviews, often featuring witty commentary.
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