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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I heard about this book online and thought it sounded like a really fun story.
“What If I Never Get Over You” is a romance that follows Ellie and Ash. Ellie is on a backpacking trip through Europe just trying to escape her life when she meets Ash. The two have a whirlwind three days together and promise to meet up in Wales. But, when Ellie arrives, late, Ash is nowhere to be found. Now, six years later, Ellie gets her dream job as a gardener for a 500-year-old estate in Wales, and Ash has made a reappearance in her life.
I really enjoyed this story up until the 75% mark. I thought Ellie and Ash had a lot of chemistry and I enjoyed seeing their stories as individuals develop. But then the book did one of my least favorite tropes and completely ruined one of the characters for me. It just felt entirely unrealistic that this character would make such drastic, life-altering decisions and end up living the life they did. Although I liked where Ellie and Ash ultimately ended up, I did not like the path they took to get there. Additionally, I felt like the big reveal at the very end felt a little out of left field.
Ellie was a pretty cool girl for most of the novel. She desperately wants to break free from her parents’ life and do what makes her happy, which is completely admirable and I loved that for her. Additionally, she is trying to heal from the very traumatic loss of her best friend. She is going through unimaginable pain all while trying to figure out who she is. I loved seeing her get a backbone and fight for the life she wanted.
Ash’s story felt a little more unrelatable because of who he is. His life is far from “traditional” and subsequently, he has a lot of family obligations to live up to. He is a really great guy at the end of the day and I think he really helped Ellie find her worth and fight for the life she wanted.
Overall, I thought this was a fun, sometimes heavy, romance that in general I would recommend, but it was just not exactly my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Def just for the vibes. Fun to read this while traveling Europe. Ellie lowkey sucks looool. Ash is a good romantic interest. The writing feels a bit juvenile.
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My first Paige Toon book and what a beautiful story this was.
Ellie embarked on a solo trip across Europe, exploring sights she was told to visit by her best friend Stella, who sadly passed away.
Ellie unexpectedly met a man named Ash, who was also solo travelling. Their families seemed ambitious and controlling, and both yearned to escape that life and be themselves. After a few days, Ellie didn’t expect herself to fall for Ash, but upon their departure, they agreed to meet in Madrid.
Madrid worked out for Ellie, but not for Ash. Ellie couldn’t stop overthinking, but eventually realised it was just a fling and returned home. Years later, she decided to gain the confidence to change her career, much to her parents’ disappointment. Undeterred, she set off to make her own ambitions come true. This was until she got a new job on a grand private-estate and she realises Ash is there and he is the Viscounts heir.
Despite the difficulties they faced, the ending was lovely, and I’m really happy they both found their happy ever after.
Ellie embarked on a solo trip across Europe, exploring sights she was told to visit by her best friend Stella, who sadly passed away.
Ellie unexpectedly met a man named Ash, who was also solo travelling. Their families seemed ambitious and controlling, and both yearned to escape that life and be themselves. After a few days, Ellie didn’t expect herself to fall for Ash, but upon their departure, they agreed to meet in Madrid.
Madrid worked out for Ellie, but not for Ash. Ellie couldn’t stop overthinking, but eventually realised it was just a fling and returned home. Years later, she decided to gain the confidence to change her career, much to her parents’ disappointment. Undeterred, she set off to make her own ambitions come true. This was until she got a new job on a grand private-estate and she realises Ash is there and he is the Viscounts heir.
Despite the difficulties they faced, the ending was lovely, and I’m really happy they both found their happy ever after.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated