What If I Never Get Over You

Toon (Seven Summers) breaks hearts with this poignant tale of love, loss, and second chances. Ellie Knapley and Ash Berkeley first meet in Lisbon, where they’re each separately mourning their late best friends, and instantly feel a soulmate-level connection. After spending three steamy and hopelessly romantic days together, they make plans to meet up again in Madrid—only for Ash not to show up. Six years of no contact later, they’re thrown back together under unexpected circumstances as Ellie, now a gardener for a British noble family, learns that Ash was never who she thought he was. Toon makes their reunion emotionally fraught as she skillfully fills in the blanks about why Ash abandoned Ellie all those years ago. The narrative works because their connection feels intense and palpable despite the compressed timeline of their initial affair. Enhancing the drama are some despicable villains, including Ash’s father and Ellie’s mother, and abundant miscommunication. Readers who like their romances on the angsty side are sure to connect with this. (Apr.)