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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
DNF’ed it 44 pages in. Main characters are talking about going out for dinner and they “joke” about killing a Mexican. Unacceptable.
This book started SO strong, but I DID NOT like the third act breakup. You’re telling me he searched far and wide for her the first time they split up, then just gave up when she ran the second time? I just felt like the characters didn’t have strong personalities and the side characters had so much potential. Would have been great to let the love interests have a little tension for longer before recoupling too
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So...I liked it. It had a happy ending, the two main characters were fine. But they took WAY too long to get together. 8 years! Dude that's too much. And the issues they keep dealing with are, like, so solvable with one phone call. Towards the end they don't speak for 2 years & the whole thing is a complete misunderstanding brought on partially by childhood trauma & its just so frustrating. Aldo the secondary characters were all so underdeveloped besides their 2 dead best friends (don't worry you find out about them super early on & it's pretty obvious) and it's just sad to watch these people go through life with what feels like no real friends or family. Like the relationship is horrible because they're too dependent on each other because they have literally no one else it's just...ugh it's a bit hard to read. But the gardening and country-ness of it was really fun, and like when they were doing OK (which was so not often at all) that was nice too I guess.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
lighthearted
medium-paced
The first part of this book was perfect. Chef’s kiss, 10/10, no notes. Parts 2-4? Woof. Not my fav
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
What If I Never Get Over You was a perfect summer read with a premise I really enjoyed. The whirlwind holiday romance that resurfaces years later felt sweeping and romantic, and Paige Toon's writing made it easy to get lost in the settings from sun soaked Europe to the Welsh estate.
I liked both Ellie and Ash but I did not love them. Their chemistry was strong yet their lack of communication frustrated me. Ellie often felt immature and her decision to keep their past a secret because of class differences grated on me. She projected her insecurities onto Ash and overlooked his feelings, which stopped me from fully connecting to her.
Even with those flaws, I enjoyed the story and the emotional journey it offered. It had romance, grief, and self discovery woven together in a way that felt heartfelt and escapist. A solid 4 star read and one I would happily recommend for summer.