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If We Never End
You've Reached Sam
meets If I Stay in this epic romance spanning life and death, from New York Times bestselling author Laura Taylor Namey.
Sylvie Castellano is used to goodbyes. Every summer, her friends leave to vacation at faraway beaches and her parents jet off to work on a luxury yacht, dumping her with her tia Vivian. Sylvie may love her aunt Viv, but just once, she wishes the summer held a big adventure for her, too.
When Sylvie scores the thrift find of a lifetime-a vintage gold watch worth thousands-she thinks maybe her luck is turning around. Then a turn of the watch's dial summons a ghost boy. With no idea who he is or why he's attached to the watch, and only his name to go off of-Penn-Sylvie offers to help him unravel the mystery of his death.
Sylvie's summer is suddenly full of road trips, beach bonfires, and ferris wheel rides as she and Penn try to piece together the life he lost. But soon, Sylvie begins to imagine a future together-a future they can never have. Then a devastating discovery brings everything crashing down. The watch's secrets extend far beyond Penn, and it's not only Sylvie's heart at risk, but her life.
Sylvie Castellano is used to goodbyes. Every summer, her friends leave to vacation at faraway beaches and her parents jet off to work on a luxury yacht, dumping her with her tia Vivian. Sylvie may love her aunt Viv, but just once, she wishes the summer held a big adventure for her, too.
When Sylvie scores the thrift find of a lifetime-a vintage gold watch worth thousands-she thinks maybe her luck is turning around. Then a turn of the watch's dial summons a ghost boy. With no idea who he is or why he's attached to the watch, and only his name to go off of-Penn-Sylvie offers to help him unravel the mystery of his death.
Sylvie's summer is suddenly full of road trips, beach bonfires, and ferris wheel rides as she and Penn try to piece together the life he lost. But soon, Sylvie begins to imagine a future together-a future they can never have. Then a devastating discovery brings everything crashing down. The watch's secrets extend far beyond Penn, and it's not only Sylvie's heart at risk, but her life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
41 people are currently reading
14833 people want to read
About the author
Laura Taylor Namey
7 books1,027 followersLaura Taylor Namey is the New York Times and international bestselling author of young adult fiction including Reese's Book Club pick A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. A proud Cuban-American, she can be found hunting for vintage treasures and wishing she was in London or Paris. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 9, 2026
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Every summer, Sylvie Castellano is left with her tia Vivian while her friends go on vacations and her parents go to their jobs on a luxury yacht. Although she loves her aunt, Sylvie wants to be given the freedom and choice to have a great, big adventure of her own, too. But she doesn’t see it when she and her tia stay at a cabin in a small town in Oregon.
But when she finds a broken, vintage gold watch worth thousands of dollars at a thrift store, Sylvie thinks her adventure could actually happen. The thing is, the watch isn’t actually broken because when she turns the dial, it summons a ghost named Penn, who knows nothing about his previous life. So, Sylvie offers to help him solve the mystery of his life and death, leading to a summer full of fun and longing for her and Penn to actually be together, until a discovery not only can break her heart, but also puts her life at risk as well.
•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: Happier by Marshmello, Bastille
0:32 ───ㅇ───── 3:34
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ At first, I was worried that this was going to be a mid read, but past the 60% mark, I was literally flying through the pages! Don’t get me wrong, the first half of it was good, but it was just a bit slow, nothing that would make me DNF it or give it three stars, because it was still interesting.
I really liked Sylvie and related to her and her upbringing. I’m half Salvadorian–half Mexican, so when her Aunt Vivian said, “‘Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,’” I felt that. 😂 You feel like you have to constantly prove yourself to your parents that you are, in fact, a responsible adult, but it seems like nothing works. I am still their niña. Which I get. Lol, but I could not relate to people knowing Sylvie was a Latina because whenever people find out that I’m Hispanic, they’re shocked. After all, like Sylvie, my other sibling and I have green eyes, light brown hair, and lighter skin, unlike the rest of our siblings, who inherited the dark eyes, hair, and skin. I will never understand how genes and biology work. 😆
But I also related to Sylvie’s resentment toward her parents and the world, basically. I’m not going to go into too much detail about that because you are going to have to read it to find out the reasons why she’s mad at her parents, but let’s just say that I totally get where she is coming from, and her character growth made me realize that I need to do the same: to grow and let go. Life is too short to be holding onto past hurts and traumas that I’ve already come to terms with. The resentment isn’t helping me, and it’s not hurting them, no matter how much I think it is.
And then there’s Penn. He was so sweet! 🥹 I was wishing right alongside Sylvie that he wasn’t a ghost so they could be together forever. He was understanding, sarcastic, funny, and kind. I was just as happy as Sylvie was when he showed up. I loved the scenes when they were together, and I was hoping that the ending would be a happy one for them.
AND THAT PLOT TWIST?!?!
My jaw dropped, and I was ready to tell my invisible audience what the heck just happened. I was shocked. No, beyond shocked because I thought I had this story figured out, but nope! I was wrong, and I am very happy that I was. 🤭
All in all, I enjoyed this book so much! 💙 Not only because it has ghosts, romance, and some mystery, but because of the lessons I learned that I truly believe have helped me realize that I need to work on myself some more. Ah, when will it end? 😂😏
✧ Thank you to Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books | Bloomsbury YA for granting my wish to read the arc via NetGalley! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be available on 03/03/2026! ✧
❗Content Warnings❗
Death/dying & blood.
Swearing: Yes (including the f-word)
Spice: Only kissing. (🌶/5)
But when she finds a broken, vintage gold watch worth thousands of dollars at a thrift store, Sylvie thinks her adventure could actually happen. The thing is, the watch isn’t actually broken because when she turns the dial, it summons a ghost named Penn, who knows nothing about his previous life. So, Sylvie offers to help him solve the mystery of his life and death, leading to a summer full of fun and longing for her and Penn to actually be together, until a discovery not only can break her heart, but also puts her life at risk as well.
•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: Happier by Marshmello, Bastille
0:32 ───ㅇ───── 3:34
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ At first, I was worried that this was going to be a mid read, but past the 60% mark, I was literally flying through the pages! Don’t get me wrong, the first half of it was good, but it was just a bit slow, nothing that would make me DNF it or give it three stars, because it was still interesting.
I really liked Sylvie and related to her and her upbringing. I’m half Salvadorian–half Mexican, so when her Aunt Vivian said, “‘Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,’” I felt that. 😂 You feel like you have to constantly prove yourself to your parents that you are, in fact, a responsible adult, but it seems like nothing works. I am still their niña. Which I get. Lol, but I could not relate to people knowing Sylvie was a Latina because whenever people find out that I’m Hispanic, they’re shocked. After all, like Sylvie, my other sibling and I have green eyes, light brown hair, and lighter skin, unlike the rest of our siblings, who inherited the dark eyes, hair, and skin. I will never understand how genes and biology work. 😆
But I also related to Sylvie’s resentment toward her parents and the world, basically. I’m not going to go into too much detail about that because you are going to have to read it to find out the reasons why she’s mad at her parents, but let’s just say that I totally get where she is coming from, and her character growth made me realize that I need to do the same: to grow and let go. Life is too short to be holding onto past hurts and traumas that I’ve already come to terms with. The resentment isn’t helping me, and it’s not hurting them, no matter how much I think it is.
And then there’s Penn. He was so sweet! 🥹 I was wishing right alongside Sylvie that he wasn’t a ghost so they could be together forever. He was understanding, sarcastic, funny, and kind. I was just as happy as Sylvie was when he showed up. I loved the scenes when they were together, and I was hoping that the ending would be a happy one for them.
AND THAT PLOT TWIST?!?!
My jaw dropped, and I was ready to tell my invisible audience what the heck just happened. I was shocked. No, beyond shocked because I thought I had this story figured out, but nope! I was wrong, and I am very happy that I was. 🤭
All in all, I enjoyed this book so much! 💙 Not only because it has ghosts, romance, and some mystery, but because of the lessons I learned that I truly believe have helped me realize that I need to work on myself some more. Ah, when will it end? 😂😏
✧ Thank you to Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books | Bloomsbury YA for granting my wish to read the arc via NetGalley! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be available on 03/03/2026! ✧
❗Content Warnings❗
Death/dying & blood.
Swearing: Yes (including the f-word)
Spice: Only kissing. (🌶/5)
February 3, 2026
4.5/5⭐️!! Loved this one!! Tanto que lo lei en solo 2 noches jajajaja
Tiene un concepto cool, el romance is swoon worthy, y tambien tiene solidos subplots de family and life purpose. Admito que tiene un comienzo lento (solo por esa razon no le di un 5/5), dude si continuarlo, pero después de cierto punto se me hizo imposible soltarlo… y tiene un plot twist I NEVER SAW COMING jajaja literal pense que tenia todo descifrado y booommm la autora me dijo “no mijita, no tenes ni idea”🤣
Gracias Bloomsbury Publishers por este ARC!!
Update: acabo de analizar que tambien hay unos cuantos loose threads que no vemos finalizados 💆🏻♀️ pero esque yo tmbn siempre quiero que los finales sean satisfactorios en todo sentido jajaja no me gusta cuando quedan cosas sin resolver
Tiene un concepto cool, el romance is swoon worthy, y tambien tiene solidos subplots de family and life purpose. Admito que tiene un comienzo lento (solo por esa razon no le di un 5/5), dude si continuarlo, pero después de cierto punto se me hizo imposible soltarlo… y tiene un plot twist I NEVER SAW COMING jajaja literal pense que tenia todo descifrado y booommm la autora me dijo “no mijita, no tenes ni idea”🤣
Gracias Bloomsbury Publishers por este ARC!!
Update: acabo de analizar que tambien hay unos cuantos loose threads que no vemos finalizados 💆🏻♀️ pero esque yo tmbn siempre quiero que los finales sean satisfactorios en todo sentido jajaja no me gusta cuando quedan cosas sin resolver
March 3, 2026
Laura Taylor Namey’s If We Never End blindsided me with a love story so fragile and chaotic that I’m still emotionally cleaning up the wreckage. Published by Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books | Bloomsbury YA, thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
I thought I was picking up a soft, summery YA romance with a quirky paranormal hook. A vintage watch. A ghost boy. Some yearning. I was prepared to enjoy it, maybe even tear up a little. I was not prepared to feel personally attacked by themes of abandonment, resentment, cultural expectations, and the terrifying tenderness of loving someone you cannot keep.
Sylvie Castellano is used to being left behind. Every summer her parents sail off to work on a luxury yacht, her friends scatter toward beaches and freedom, and she’s sent to Oregon with her brilliant, warm, endlessly patient Aunt Viv. Sylvie is eighteen, technically an adult, but in her Cuban household that doesn’t mean much. When her aunt teases, “Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,” I laughed out loud because it’s funny and painfully true. That tension between independence and family loyalty hums beneath every page.
Then there’s the watch.
Sylvie finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. It shouldn’t work. It definitely shouldn’t summon a ghost. But when she turns the dial, Penn appears. Confused. Kind. A little sarcastic. Very dead. He doesn’t know how he died, only that he’s tethered to the watch. And Sylvie, who has spent her life feeling powerless, finally has something that feels like hers. A mystery. A purpose. A boy who looks at her like she’s the only solid thing in the room.
Watching Sylvie and Penn piece together his past is where the magic lives. Ferris wheel rides. Late-night talks. Road trips that feel golden and fleeting. The romance builds in glances and almost-touches, in the quiet understanding that their time is borrowed. “Some loves aren’t meant to last forever. They’re meant to change you.” That line wrecked me.
But what makes this more than a ghost romance is Sylvie herself. Her anger at her parents feels sharp and real. Her loneliness is not dramatic for the sake of drama. It’s the slow ache of being unseen. Through Penn, and through her aunt’s steady love, she starts to confront the truth that holding onto resentment doesn’t protect you. It just keeps you stuck.
And the twist. Oh my God, the twist.
I genuinely believed I had figured it out around the halfway mark. I was wrong. Spectacularly wrong. The final act shifts the ground beneath you, and suddenly every moment carries new weight. I had to close the book and stare at the wall for a minute. You know that feeling when your chest tightens and you whisper, no way? That.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars, without hesitation.
This book is for readers who love yearning that hurts a little. For anyone who adored If I Stay or stories where love brushes up against life and death. It’s for daughters navigating complicated families. For romantics who believe even temporary love can be epic. For readers who don’t mind crying but want to come out the other side feeling steadier.
I finished If We Never End feeling cracked open in the best way. It reminded me that grief and love often share the same space, and that letting go is sometimes the bravest thing you can do.
Tell me, have you ever fallen in love with a fictional character knowing it would break your heart anyway?
#IfWeNeverEnd #LauraTaylorNamey #YARomance #ParanormalRomance #BookReview #BloomsburyYA #NetGalley #RomanceReaders #YoungAdultFiction #GhostLoveStory
I thought I was picking up a soft, summery YA romance with a quirky paranormal hook. A vintage watch. A ghost boy. Some yearning. I was prepared to enjoy it, maybe even tear up a little. I was not prepared to feel personally attacked by themes of abandonment, resentment, cultural expectations, and the terrifying tenderness of loving someone you cannot keep.
Sylvie Castellano is used to being left behind. Every summer her parents sail off to work on a luxury yacht, her friends scatter toward beaches and freedom, and she’s sent to Oregon with her brilliant, warm, endlessly patient Aunt Viv. Sylvie is eighteen, technically an adult, but in her Cuban household that doesn’t mean much. When her aunt teases, “Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen,” I laughed out loud because it’s funny and painfully true. That tension between independence and family loyalty hums beneath every page.
Then there’s the watch.
Sylvie finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. It shouldn’t work. It definitely shouldn’t summon a ghost. But when she turns the dial, Penn appears. Confused. Kind. A little sarcastic. Very dead. He doesn’t know how he died, only that he’s tethered to the watch. And Sylvie, who has spent her life feeling powerless, finally has something that feels like hers. A mystery. A purpose. A boy who looks at her like she’s the only solid thing in the room.
Watching Sylvie and Penn piece together his past is where the magic lives. Ferris wheel rides. Late-night talks. Road trips that feel golden and fleeting. The romance builds in glances and almost-touches, in the quiet understanding that their time is borrowed. “Some loves aren’t meant to last forever. They’re meant to change you.” That line wrecked me.
But what makes this more than a ghost romance is Sylvie herself. Her anger at her parents feels sharp and real. Her loneliness is not dramatic for the sake of drama. It’s the slow ache of being unseen. Through Penn, and through her aunt’s steady love, she starts to confront the truth that holding onto resentment doesn’t protect you. It just keeps you stuck.
And the twist. Oh my God, the twist.
I genuinely believed I had figured it out around the halfway mark. I was wrong. Spectacularly wrong. The final act shifts the ground beneath you, and suddenly every moment carries new weight. I had to close the book and stare at the wall for a minute. You know that feeling when your chest tightens and you whisper, no way? That.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars, without hesitation.
This book is for readers who love yearning that hurts a little. For anyone who adored If I Stay or stories where love brushes up against life and death. It’s for daughters navigating complicated families. For romantics who believe even temporary love can be epic. For readers who don’t mind crying but want to come out the other side feeling steadier.
I finished If We Never End feeling cracked open in the best way. It reminded me that grief and love often share the same space, and that letting go is sometimes the bravest thing you can do.
Tell me, have you ever fallen in love with a fictional character knowing it would break your heart anyway?
#IfWeNeverEnd #LauraTaylorNamey #YARomance #ParanormalRomance #BookReview #BloomsburyYA #NetGalley #RomanceReaders #YoungAdultFiction #GhostLoveStory
February 28, 2026
Okay because tell me why I really thought my girl was out here tripping seeing ghosts and what not. I was concerned for sure concerned about that migraine headache.
So good….Perfect YA fiction with just a little magic sprinkled in. And that twist? It tore me up a little. Her realization about the adults in her life had me sitting there like… wow. Because how often do we really stop and think about the grown folks who shaped us? The impact they had…good, bad, intentional or not.
So good….Perfect YA fiction with just a little magic sprinkled in. And that twist? It tore me up a little. Her realization about the adults in her life had me sitting there like… wow. Because how often do we really stop and think about the grown folks who shaped us? The impact they had…good, bad, intentional or not.
March 10, 2026
Thank you @bloomsburybooksus for this early copy!
If We never End was sooo good! It mixes emotional romance, tragedy, and the escape of summer all in one!
It all starts with a mysterious watch… and then a ghost appears.
Penn shows up in front of her with no memories, no past, no idea who he even is. Just a name.
Sylvie has never had the kind of summer where something big happens to her, so this feels like the perfect mystery to chase. Finally, an adventure that is hers.
What begins as curiosity turns into road trips, late nights, and piecing together the life Penn lost. And somewhere along the way, she stops just trying to solve his story… and starts falling in love with him.
But he is a ghost.
And ghosts do not stay.
What a unique romance read! I absolutely enjoyed it! There was so much emotional depth to it, and lessons along the way. I cried and loved it! There were some twists I did not expect and it added that "omg!" Moment I absolutely love in a book!
If We never End was sooo good! It mixes emotional romance, tragedy, and the escape of summer all in one!
It all starts with a mysterious watch… and then a ghost appears.
Penn shows up in front of her with no memories, no past, no idea who he even is. Just a name.
Sylvie has never had the kind of summer where something big happens to her, so this feels like the perfect mystery to chase. Finally, an adventure that is hers.
What begins as curiosity turns into road trips, late nights, and piecing together the life Penn lost. And somewhere along the way, she stops just trying to solve his story… and starts falling in love with him.
But he is a ghost.
And ghosts do not stay.
What a unique romance read! I absolutely enjoyed it! There was so much emotional depth to it, and lessons along the way. I cried and loved it! There were some twists I did not expect and it added that "omg!" Moment I absolutely love in a book!
February 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 for making me laugh, cry, and think all in one summer’s read.
March 17, 2026
Thank you Bloomsbury for a copy of this beautiful Special Edition book!
If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey is a masterclass in emotional storytelling disguised as a YA paranormal romance. This standalone novel transcends its genre classification to deliver a profound exploration of grief, emotional expression, family dynamics, and the transformative power of love—even when that love exists on borrowed time.
The Premise & Hook
Sylvie Castellano has spent her life being left behind. Each summer, her parents depart to work on a luxury yacht, her friends disperse toward beaches and freedom, and she's deposited with her Aunt Viv. This summer, it will be in a small town in Oregon. At eighteen—though as her parents remind her, "Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen"—Sylvie exists in the liminal space between childhood and adulthood, bound by cultural expectations that complicate her desire for independence.
When Sylvie discovers a vintage gold watch in an antique store, she unknowingly acquires something impossible: a tether to Penn, a ghost boy who materializes only when the watch's second hand ticks. Penn is confused about his death, kind despite his circumstances, subtly sarcastic, and undeniably present in a way that makes Sylvie feel seen for perhaps the first time. Together, they embark on uncovering the mystery of his death while Sylvie confronts the emotional walls she's built around her own pain.
Character Development & Emotional Arc
Sylvie's characterization stands as the novel's greatest achievement. Her anger toward her absent parents reads as authentic rather than melodramatic—a slow ache of accumulated abandonment rather than performative teenage rebellion. Namey captures the particular loneliness of being functionally neglected while materially provided for, the confusion of resenting parents who haven't technically failed in their responsibilities but have absolutely failed to show up emotionally.
Sylvie's journey toward emotional honesty and self-acceptance unfolds with remarkable nuance. She learns that holding onto resentment doesn't protect her—it keeps her frozen. Through Penn's presence and Tia Viv's unconditional love, she discovers that expressing anger, sadness, and hurt isn't weakness. It's survival. It's growth. This arc resonated on a deeply personal level, creating moments of recognition that transcended the page.
Penn serves as more than romantic interest or plot device. His confusion about his own death, his gradual revelation of self, and his understanding that his time with Sylvie is finite create a character who exists fully despite his spectral state. The romance builds through glances, almost-touches, and the quiet understanding that every moment together is precious precisely because it cannot last.
Tia Viv provides the found family anchor—an artist who creates beautiful, meaningful work and offers Sylvie the steady, patient love that allows healing to begin. The Cuban family dynamics add cultural texture that enriches rather than stereotypes, presenting the specific tensions between traditional family structures and contemporary adolescent independence.
Plot Structure & The Twist
The narrative unfolds deliberately, prioritizing emotional development over breakneck pacing. The opening chapters establish Sylvie's world with care, allowing readers to inhabit her loneliness before Penn's appearance disrupts her isolation. This measured beginning serves an essential purpose—the emotional weight of later revelations requires this foundation.
The central mystery of Penn's death propels the plot while the real story unfolds in Sylvie's gradual emotional thawing. Namey structures the investigation as collaborative discovery, with Sylvie and Penn piecing together fragments of his past through road trips, conversations, and small-town investigation.
The plot twist—which this review will not spoil—lands with devastating effectiveness. Readers may believe they've anticipated the revelation around the story's midpoint. They are likely wrong. The final act reconfigures everything preceding it, adding weight and meaning to moments that seemed straightforward upon first encounter. The emotional impact of this twist justifies the patient pacing that preceded it.
In fact, there are multiple revelatory moments in the conclusion, each building on the previous to create cascading emotional impact. The feeling of closing the book and needing to simply sit with what just transpired speaks to the twist's power.
Themes & Deeper Meaning
While marketed as paranormal romance, If We Never End functions primarily as an exploration of emotional health and self-acceptance. The underlying message—that we are permitted to feel our emotions, that we should express rather than suppress them, that pushing pain down only allows it to fester and rot from within—permeates every scene.
Additional themes include:
*Abandonment and being left behind - not just physically but emotionally
*Cultural expectations vs. individual identity - particularly around family obligation
*Grief and moving forward - processing loss without forgetting
*Impossible love - loving fully despite knowing the relationship cannot last
*Living in the face of endings - choosing to engage with life and love even when impermanence is guaranteed
*Found family - creating chosen connections when biological family fails
*Self-discovery and acceptance - learning who you are when no one else is watching
These themes integrate organically into character arcs and plot developments rather than existing as abstract concepts that the narrative illustrates.
Writing Style & Technical Execution
The first-person POV proves essential to the story's success. Inhabiting Sylvie's perspective creates the intimate connection necessary for her emotional journey to resonate. Namey's prose balances accessibility with beauty—readable without sacrificing emotional precision or evocative description.
Specific lines carry devastating weight. The observation that "some loves aren't meant to last forever—they're meant to change you" encapsulates the story's philosophy with elegant simplicity. The writing captures yearning, borrowed time, and the coexistence of grief and love with remarkable skill.
Minor grammatical inconsistencies exist but remain sufficiently subtle to avoid disrupting the reading experience. The overall technical execution serves the emotional narrative admirably.
Setting & Atmosphere
Small-town Oregon provides an ideal backdrop for this story of reflection and transformation. The slower pace away from urban chaos creates space for introspection. Tia Viv's art studio, summer road trips, a ferris wheel ride, a beach bonfire—these settings generate an atmosphere of golden, fleeting summer that mirrors the romance's temporary nature.
The descriptions balance specificity with universality. Readers can visualize locations clearly while projecting their own summer experiences onto the framework Namey provides. The setting influences the story rather than merely hosting it—the environment facilitates the emotional work both Sylvie and readers undertake.
Pacing & Structure
The deliberate opening pacing may challenge readers accustomed to immediate action. However, this slower beginning serves an essential narrative purpose. The story requires readers to understand Sylvie's isolation before Penn arrives. It needs space to establish her resentment, her loneliness, her feeling of powerlessness. Rushing past this foundation would undermine the emotional impact of her transformation.
The pacing accelerates emotionally in the final third without necessarily increasing action. The last 35% creates mounting emotional intensity as revelations compound and the inevitable conclusion approaches. This section proves difficult to set aside, not because of cliffhangers but because the emotional investment demands resolution.
Emotional Impact & Reading Experience
This section requires personal testimony: this book made me cry. Twice. As someone who rarely experiences strong emotional reactions to fiction—perhaps once or twice yearly—this represents significant impact.
The majority of the book generated typical engagement without intense emotional response. The final 35% shifted everything. Tears came not from manipulation but from genuine emotional resonance. Sylvie's acceptance of herself, her willingness to feel everything, her understanding that she deserves to express her emotions—this journey created moments of recognition that transcended the page to touch lived experience.
The ending provides catharsis without easy resolution. It acknowledges that growth is ongoing, that healing isn't linear, that loving someone you cannot keep still matters tremendously. The final chapter and epilogue deliver emotional satisfaction while maintaining thematic integrity.
Originality & Genre Positioning
The ghost-attached-to-vintage-watch conceit provides a fresh twist on paranormal romance. The specific constraint—Penn only appearing when the second hand ticks—creates unique magical parameters that generate both romantic tension and narrative interest. The reasoning behind this constraint, revealed later, proves both logical and emotionally resonant.
While certain tropes appear (ghost romance, impossible love, summer setting, found family), their execution avoids feeling derivative. The combination of elements and the emotional depth distinguish this from standard paranormal fare.
Who This Book Serves
This novel will particularly resonate with:
*Readers who appreciate yearning that aches
*Those who loved You've Reached Sam, If I Stay, or similar life/death romances
*Daughters navigating complicated family dynamics and cultural expectations
*Romantics who believe temporary love can be transformative
*Readers seeking emotional catharsis who don't mind crying
*Young adults processing feelings of abandonment or struggling with emotional expression
*Adult readers who enjoy YA for its emotional honesty and coming-of-age themes
*Anyone interested in Cuban family dynamics and cultural representation
*Readers wanting paranormal romance with substantial thematic depth
Content Considerations
This is a clean YA romance with no explicit sexual content and very minimal profanity (maybe 1 or 2 words). Themes of parental abandonment, grief, death, and emotional processing may prove triggering for some readers. The emotional intensity in the final third can be overwhelming—bring tissues.
Final Assessment
If We Never End earns its perfect score through exceptional character development, profound thematic exploration, emotionally resonant plotting, and writing that balances accessibility with beauty. Laura Taylor Namey has crafted a story that operates on multiple levels: a paranormal romance, a coming-of-age narrative, an examination of emotional health, a meditation on grief and love.
This book reminds readers that grief and love often share the same space, that letting go can be the bravest choice, and that we deserve to feel our emotions rather than bury them. It provides permission to be angry, to grieve, to accept ourselves.
The reading experience begins with uncertainty—the slower opening and unfamiliar genre may challenge readers outside YA paranormal. Persistence rewards with genuine emotional transformation. The book doesn't just tell a story about a girl who learns to feel; it creates space for readers to feel alongside her.
For this reader, If We Never End represents the rare book that closes the gap between "objectively excellent" and "personally transformative." It accomplished everything it set out to do while exceeding expectations in ways that created lasting emotional impact.
Highly Recommended For: YA readers, adult crossover readers, anyone processing grief or family complications, readers seeking emotional catharsis, paranormal romance fans wanting depth, and those who loved Laura Taylor Namey's previous work.
Perfect 10/10 - A book that makes you feel, heals while breaking your heart, and stays with you long after the final page.
Review provided by Sundragonscrolls
If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey is a masterclass in emotional storytelling disguised as a YA paranormal romance. This standalone novel transcends its genre classification to deliver a profound exploration of grief, emotional expression, family dynamics, and the transformative power of love—even when that love exists on borrowed time.
The Premise & Hook
Sylvie Castellano has spent her life being left behind. Each summer, her parents depart to work on a luxury yacht, her friends disperse toward beaches and freedom, and she's deposited with her Aunt Viv. This summer, it will be in a small town in Oregon. At eighteen—though as her parents remind her, "Cuban eighteen is not regular eighteen"—Sylvie exists in the liminal space between childhood and adulthood, bound by cultural expectations that complicate her desire for independence.
When Sylvie discovers a vintage gold watch in an antique store, she unknowingly acquires something impossible: a tether to Penn, a ghost boy who materializes only when the watch's second hand ticks. Penn is confused about his death, kind despite his circumstances, subtly sarcastic, and undeniably present in a way that makes Sylvie feel seen for perhaps the first time. Together, they embark on uncovering the mystery of his death while Sylvie confronts the emotional walls she's built around her own pain.
Character Development & Emotional Arc
Sylvie's characterization stands as the novel's greatest achievement. Her anger toward her absent parents reads as authentic rather than melodramatic—a slow ache of accumulated abandonment rather than performative teenage rebellion. Namey captures the particular loneliness of being functionally neglected while materially provided for, the confusion of resenting parents who haven't technically failed in their responsibilities but have absolutely failed to show up emotionally.
Sylvie's journey toward emotional honesty and self-acceptance unfolds with remarkable nuance. She learns that holding onto resentment doesn't protect her—it keeps her frozen. Through Penn's presence and Tia Viv's unconditional love, she discovers that expressing anger, sadness, and hurt isn't weakness. It's survival. It's growth. This arc resonated on a deeply personal level, creating moments of recognition that transcended the page.
Penn serves as more than romantic interest or plot device. His confusion about his own death, his gradual revelation of self, and his understanding that his time with Sylvie is finite create a character who exists fully despite his spectral state. The romance builds through glances, almost-touches, and the quiet understanding that every moment together is precious precisely because it cannot last.
Tia Viv provides the found family anchor—an artist who creates beautiful, meaningful work and offers Sylvie the steady, patient love that allows healing to begin. The Cuban family dynamics add cultural texture that enriches rather than stereotypes, presenting the specific tensions between traditional family structures and contemporary adolescent independence.
Plot Structure & The Twist
The narrative unfolds deliberately, prioritizing emotional development over breakneck pacing. The opening chapters establish Sylvie's world with care, allowing readers to inhabit her loneliness before Penn's appearance disrupts her isolation. This measured beginning serves an essential purpose—the emotional weight of later revelations requires this foundation.
The central mystery of Penn's death propels the plot while the real story unfolds in Sylvie's gradual emotional thawing. Namey structures the investigation as collaborative discovery, with Sylvie and Penn piecing together fragments of his past through road trips, conversations, and small-town investigation.
The plot twist—which this review will not spoil—lands with devastating effectiveness. Readers may believe they've anticipated the revelation around the story's midpoint. They are likely wrong. The final act reconfigures everything preceding it, adding weight and meaning to moments that seemed straightforward upon first encounter. The emotional impact of this twist justifies the patient pacing that preceded it.
In fact, there are multiple revelatory moments in the conclusion, each building on the previous to create cascading emotional impact. The feeling of closing the book and needing to simply sit with what just transpired speaks to the twist's power.
Themes & Deeper Meaning
While marketed as paranormal romance, If We Never End functions primarily as an exploration of emotional health and self-acceptance. The underlying message—that we are permitted to feel our emotions, that we should express rather than suppress them, that pushing pain down only allows it to fester and rot from within—permeates every scene.
Additional themes include:
*Abandonment and being left behind - not just physically but emotionally
*Cultural expectations vs. individual identity - particularly around family obligation
*Grief and moving forward - processing loss without forgetting
*Impossible love - loving fully despite knowing the relationship cannot last
*Living in the face of endings - choosing to engage with life and love even when impermanence is guaranteed
*Found family - creating chosen connections when biological family fails
*Self-discovery and acceptance - learning who you are when no one else is watching
These themes integrate organically into character arcs and plot developments rather than existing as abstract concepts that the narrative illustrates.
Writing Style & Technical Execution
The first-person POV proves essential to the story's success. Inhabiting Sylvie's perspective creates the intimate connection necessary for her emotional journey to resonate. Namey's prose balances accessibility with beauty—readable without sacrificing emotional precision or evocative description.
Specific lines carry devastating weight. The observation that "some loves aren't meant to last forever—they're meant to change you" encapsulates the story's philosophy with elegant simplicity. The writing captures yearning, borrowed time, and the coexistence of grief and love with remarkable skill.
Minor grammatical inconsistencies exist but remain sufficiently subtle to avoid disrupting the reading experience. The overall technical execution serves the emotional narrative admirably.
Setting & Atmosphere
Small-town Oregon provides an ideal backdrop for this story of reflection and transformation. The slower pace away from urban chaos creates space for introspection. Tia Viv's art studio, summer road trips, a ferris wheel ride, a beach bonfire—these settings generate an atmosphere of golden, fleeting summer that mirrors the romance's temporary nature.
The descriptions balance specificity with universality. Readers can visualize locations clearly while projecting their own summer experiences onto the framework Namey provides. The setting influences the story rather than merely hosting it—the environment facilitates the emotional work both Sylvie and readers undertake.
Pacing & Structure
The deliberate opening pacing may challenge readers accustomed to immediate action. However, this slower beginning serves an essential narrative purpose. The story requires readers to understand Sylvie's isolation before Penn arrives. It needs space to establish her resentment, her loneliness, her feeling of powerlessness. Rushing past this foundation would undermine the emotional impact of her transformation.
The pacing accelerates emotionally in the final third without necessarily increasing action. The last 35% creates mounting emotional intensity as revelations compound and the inevitable conclusion approaches. This section proves difficult to set aside, not because of cliffhangers but because the emotional investment demands resolution.
Emotional Impact & Reading Experience
This section requires personal testimony: this book made me cry. Twice. As someone who rarely experiences strong emotional reactions to fiction—perhaps once or twice yearly—this represents significant impact.
The majority of the book generated typical engagement without intense emotional response. The final 35% shifted everything. Tears came not from manipulation but from genuine emotional resonance. Sylvie's acceptance of herself, her willingness to feel everything, her understanding that she deserves to express her emotions—this journey created moments of recognition that transcended the page to touch lived experience.
The ending provides catharsis without easy resolution. It acknowledges that growth is ongoing, that healing isn't linear, that loving someone you cannot keep still matters tremendously. The final chapter and epilogue deliver emotional satisfaction while maintaining thematic integrity.
Originality & Genre Positioning
The ghost-attached-to-vintage-watch conceit provides a fresh twist on paranormal romance. The specific constraint—Penn only appearing when the second hand ticks—creates unique magical parameters that generate both romantic tension and narrative interest. The reasoning behind this constraint, revealed later, proves both logical and emotionally resonant.
While certain tropes appear (ghost romance, impossible love, summer setting, found family), their execution avoids feeling derivative. The combination of elements and the emotional depth distinguish this from standard paranormal fare.
Who This Book Serves
This novel will particularly resonate with:
*Readers who appreciate yearning that aches
*Those who loved You've Reached Sam, If I Stay, or similar life/death romances
*Daughters navigating complicated family dynamics and cultural expectations
*Romantics who believe temporary love can be transformative
*Readers seeking emotional catharsis who don't mind crying
*Young adults processing feelings of abandonment or struggling with emotional expression
*Adult readers who enjoy YA for its emotional honesty and coming-of-age themes
*Anyone interested in Cuban family dynamics and cultural representation
*Readers wanting paranormal romance with substantial thematic depth
Content Considerations
This is a clean YA romance with no explicit sexual content and very minimal profanity (maybe 1 or 2 words). Themes of parental abandonment, grief, death, and emotional processing may prove triggering for some readers. The emotional intensity in the final third can be overwhelming—bring tissues.
Final Assessment
If We Never End earns its perfect score through exceptional character development, profound thematic exploration, emotionally resonant plotting, and writing that balances accessibility with beauty. Laura Taylor Namey has crafted a story that operates on multiple levels: a paranormal romance, a coming-of-age narrative, an examination of emotional health, a meditation on grief and love.
This book reminds readers that grief and love often share the same space, that letting go can be the bravest choice, and that we deserve to feel our emotions rather than bury them. It provides permission to be angry, to grieve, to accept ourselves.
The reading experience begins with uncertainty—the slower opening and unfamiliar genre may challenge readers outside YA paranormal. Persistence rewards with genuine emotional transformation. The book doesn't just tell a story about a girl who learns to feel; it creates space for readers to feel alongside her.
For this reader, If We Never End represents the rare book that closes the gap between "objectively excellent" and "personally transformative." It accomplished everything it set out to do while exceeding expectations in ways that created lasting emotional impact.
Highly Recommended For: YA readers, adult crossover readers, anyone processing grief or family complications, readers seeking emotional catharsis, paranormal romance fans wanting depth, and those who loved Laura Taylor Namey's previous work.
Perfect 10/10 - A book that makes you feel, heals while breaking your heart, and stays with you long after the final page.
Review provided by Sundragonscrolls
March 13, 2026
It already feels like summer where I live, so picking up If We Never End felt perfectly timed. I went into it expecting a light YA romance with a slightly magical premise, but it ended up being far more emotional and thoughtful than I anticipated. While the story begins at a slower pace, it gradually builds into something heartfelt, romantic, and surprisingly impactful.
The novel follows Sylvie Castellano, who has just graduated high school and is once again sent to spend the summer with her tia Vivian in a small town in Oregon while her parents work on a luxury yacht. Sylvie loves her aunt, but she can’t help feeling left behind. Her friends are off having exciting summers, and she longs for an adventure of her own before starting the next chapter of her life.
That adventure begins when she finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. What seems like a broken watch turns out to be something far stranger: when Sylvie turns the dial, it summons the ghost of a boy named Penn. Penn has no memory of his past or how he died, and the watch appears to be the only thing tethering him to the present. Determined to help him uncover the truth, Sylvie spends the summer piecing together clues about Penn’s life. Along the way, the two grow closer, sharing quiet moments, small adventures, and a connection that becomes difficult to ignore despite the impossible circumstances.
One of the strongest parts of the book is Sylvie herself. Her frustration with her parents and her longing for independence feel very real, especially in the awkward stage between high school and adulthood. The cultural dynamics in her family also add depth to her character and make her emotional journey more relatable. Watching her slowly confront her resentment and begin to grow past it was one of the most meaningful aspects of the story.
I also really loved Sylvie’s relationship with her aunt Vivian. Vivian is warm, artistic, and quietly supportive in a way that feels grounding throughout the story. She gives Sylvie space to figure things out while still being a steady presence in her life, and their bond added a comforting layer to the book. And special mention to Anne Shirley, the cat, who completely stole every scene she appeared in. Any story instantly becomes better with a memorable animal sidekick, and Anne Shirley absolutely delivered.
Penn is equally charming. He’s kind, sarcastic, and genuinely sweet, and his dynamic with Sylvie is what makes the story shine. Their relationship develops through small conversations and shared discoveries, creating a romance that feels tender and bittersweet.
The pacing in the first half is a bit slow, but the story really picks up later on. The mystery surrounding Penn becomes more intense, and the final twist genuinely caught me off guard (even though the book scattered plenty of clues throughout the story, I still didn’t see it coming). It added a layer of emotional weight that made the ending much more memorable.
Overall, If We Never End is a touching YA story that blends romance, mystery, and a hint of the supernatural. It’s about love, letting go of past resentment, and realizing that even brief connections can leave a lasting impact. A beautifully emotional summer read.
P.S. I did wish we got a little more of Del. I really enjoyed the moments of friendship between Del and Sylvie, and it would have been nice to see their bond develop even more throughout the story.
P.P.S. I listened to the audiobook, and unfortunately the narration by Barbara Castano didn’t quite work for me. The delivery felt more like the lines were being read rather than performed, and there wasn’t much vocal modulation or emotional nuance between scenes. That said, I don’t want to be too harsh since this appears to be one of her first audiobook narrations, so hopefully it’s something that will improve with more experience.
The novel follows Sylvie Castellano, who has just graduated high school and is once again sent to spend the summer with her tia Vivian in a small town in Oregon while her parents work on a luxury yacht. Sylvie loves her aunt, but she can’t help feeling left behind. Her friends are off having exciting summers, and she longs for an adventure of her own before starting the next chapter of her life.
That adventure begins when she finds a vintage gold watch in a thrift store. What seems like a broken watch turns out to be something far stranger: when Sylvie turns the dial, it summons the ghost of a boy named Penn. Penn has no memory of his past or how he died, and the watch appears to be the only thing tethering him to the present. Determined to help him uncover the truth, Sylvie spends the summer piecing together clues about Penn’s life. Along the way, the two grow closer, sharing quiet moments, small adventures, and a connection that becomes difficult to ignore despite the impossible circumstances.
One of the strongest parts of the book is Sylvie herself. Her frustration with her parents and her longing for independence feel very real, especially in the awkward stage between high school and adulthood. The cultural dynamics in her family also add depth to her character and make her emotional journey more relatable. Watching her slowly confront her resentment and begin to grow past it was one of the most meaningful aspects of the story.
I also really loved Sylvie’s relationship with her aunt Vivian. Vivian is warm, artistic, and quietly supportive in a way that feels grounding throughout the story. She gives Sylvie space to figure things out while still being a steady presence in her life, and their bond added a comforting layer to the book. And special mention to Anne Shirley, the cat, who completely stole every scene she appeared in. Any story instantly becomes better with a memorable animal sidekick, and Anne Shirley absolutely delivered.
Penn is equally charming. He’s kind, sarcastic, and genuinely sweet, and his dynamic with Sylvie is what makes the story shine. Their relationship develops through small conversations and shared discoveries, creating a romance that feels tender and bittersweet.
The pacing in the first half is a bit slow, but the story really picks up later on. The mystery surrounding Penn becomes more intense, and the final twist genuinely caught me off guard (even though the book scattered plenty of clues throughout the story, I still didn’t see it coming). It added a layer of emotional weight that made the ending much more memorable.
Overall, If We Never End is a touching YA story that blends romance, mystery, and a hint of the supernatural. It’s about love, letting go of past resentment, and realizing that even brief connections can leave a lasting impact. A beautifully emotional summer read.
P.S. I did wish we got a little more of Del. I really enjoyed the moments of friendship between Del and Sylvie, and it would have been nice to see their bond develop even more throughout the story.
P.P.S. I listened to the audiobook, and unfortunately the narration by Barbara Castano didn’t quite work for me. The delivery felt more like the lines were being read rather than performed, and there wasn’t much vocal modulation or emotional nuance between scenes. That said, I don’t want to be too harsh since this appears to be one of her first audiobook narrations, so hopefully it’s something that will improve with more experience.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh my heart what a journey this read was! The writing was vivid, descriptive and atmospheric. I am ready to book a trip to Oregon to head into the woods and off to the coast after this read!
We have Sylvie, fresh from her high school graduation, upset when her parents once again send her to summer with her Aunt (Tia) instead of joining them on the luxury yacht they work every summer. The 18 year old emotions are running high and though she adores her artistic aunt - Sylvie longs for adventure and feels left out.
When they arrive in Sacred, Oregon - Sylvie picks up a few items at an antique store. One of these is a watch that turns out to be very valuable. But, the watch is holding secrets of its own, and when turning the dial makes the ghost of a boy named Penn appear, Sylvie worries her post-concussion recovery has taken a turn for the worse.
Well, ghost-boy isn't going away, and Sylvie is determined to help him uncover his identity so he can cross into the after-life. Along the way, Sylvie and Penn go on adventures around the area to try to trigger memories for Penn. They also begin to fall for each other.
My thoughts...This read was hard to put down! I participated in a read-along with a group via Tandem Collective and with daily prompts and reflection cards, it made this read even more immersive! Sylvie's character and her actions at times made her a bit unlikeable, but as the story unfolds, it all begins to make more sense as to what she was processing and why. The book had a couple of slower spots, but it picks up momentum and the last few chapters were absolute gold. There was also a cat with personality, and I love an animal sidekick in any story! This was a 4.25/5 star read for my personal reading preferences.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Press for a #gifted copy of this book. (which is absolutely beautiful by the way!!). All opinions shared are my own and are given freely.
We have Sylvie, fresh from her high school graduation, upset when her parents once again send her to summer with her Aunt (Tia) instead of joining them on the luxury yacht they work every summer. The 18 year old emotions are running high and though she adores her artistic aunt - Sylvie longs for adventure and feels left out.
When they arrive in Sacred, Oregon - Sylvie picks up a few items at an antique store. One of these is a watch that turns out to be very valuable. But, the watch is holding secrets of its own, and when turning the dial makes the ghost of a boy named Penn appear, Sylvie worries her post-concussion recovery has taken a turn for the worse.
Well, ghost-boy isn't going away, and Sylvie is determined to help him uncover his identity so he can cross into the after-life. Along the way, Sylvie and Penn go on adventures around the area to try to trigger memories for Penn. They also begin to fall for each other.
My thoughts...This read was hard to put down! I participated in a read-along with a group via Tandem Collective and with daily prompts and reflection cards, it made this read even more immersive! Sylvie's character and her actions at times made her a bit unlikeable, but as the story unfolds, it all begins to make more sense as to what she was processing and why. The book had a couple of slower spots, but it picks up momentum and the last few chapters were absolute gold. There was also a cat with personality, and I love an animal sidekick in any story! This was a 4.25/5 star read for my personal reading preferences.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Press for a #gifted copy of this book. (which is absolutely beautiful by the way!!). All opinions shared are my own and are given freely.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Magical Realism
Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Bloomsbury Publishing for a stunning gifted copy. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Sylvie has been sent to stay with her tia Viv in Sacred, Oregon while her parents are off on a luxury yacht and her friends get to have a beach vacation. Sylvie is desperate for a special summer of her own, especially now that she's about to head off to college. Early in her trip Sylvie comes across a vintage gold watch at an antique store. However, when she turns the crown it summons a ghost, a 19 year old boy named Penn. Penn doesn't have too many memories, so once Sylvie comes to terms with this mysterious watch and the ghost in front of her, she decides to use her summer to help him figure out what happened. Sylvie and Penn start having adventures of their own and it's hard for them not to feel something for each other despite the circumstances. Turns out there is much more at stake though as secrets are uncovered.
Wow, this story was beautiful and really hooks you in with the unanswered questions about Penn, Sylvie, and some of the other characters from the beginning. The descriptions of the setting were gorgeous and I loved the Cuban culture that was weaved throughout with Sylvie and her tia. As with many YA books, the plot really moves and the romance was sweet. I wanted a tiny bit more build-up, but the characters were VERY much teens, so it felt very true to them that Sylvie and Penn dove in quickly. At times Sylvie could be a little annoying, but I knew it was YA going in, so it didn't bother me too much. Also some good side characters, especially Anne Shirley the cat with a lot of personality! The twist though! I knew something was coming from the synopsis, but it still surprised me! Love when a book does that and it's been a while! This book was so bingeable and I highly recommend.
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Magical Realism
Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Bloomsbury Publishing for a stunning gifted copy. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Sylvie has been sent to stay with her tia Viv in Sacred, Oregon while her parents are off on a luxury yacht and her friends get to have a beach vacation. Sylvie is desperate for a special summer of her own, especially now that she's about to head off to college. Early in her trip Sylvie comes across a vintage gold watch at an antique store. However, when she turns the crown it summons a ghost, a 19 year old boy named Penn. Penn doesn't have too many memories, so once Sylvie comes to terms with this mysterious watch and the ghost in front of her, she decides to use her summer to help him figure out what happened. Sylvie and Penn start having adventures of their own and it's hard for them not to feel something for each other despite the circumstances. Turns out there is much more at stake though as secrets are uncovered.
Wow, this story was beautiful and really hooks you in with the unanswered questions about Penn, Sylvie, and some of the other characters from the beginning. The descriptions of the setting were gorgeous and I loved the Cuban culture that was weaved throughout with Sylvie and her tia. As with many YA books, the plot really moves and the romance was sweet. I wanted a tiny bit more build-up, but the characters were VERY much teens, so it felt very true to them that Sylvie and Penn dove in quickly. At times Sylvie could be a little annoying, but I knew it was YA going in, so it didn't bother me too much. Also some good side characters, especially Anne Shirley the cat with a lot of personality! The twist though! I knew something was coming from the synopsis, but it still surprised me! Love when a book does that and it's been a while! This book was so bingeable and I highly recommend.
March 17, 2026
If We Never End is a beautifully atmospheric, character-driven story that takes the familiar ghost-romance trope and gives it a genuinely unique twist. Even though it's set in the present day, the story possesses that lovely, out-of-time quality that you usually only find in perfectly crafted small-town settings. Laura Taylor Namey’s writing leans heavily into a dreamy magical realism vibe that completely drew me in.
At its heart, this book is about Sylvie and Penn, both of whom read like true old souls. They think and speak with a maturity far beyond their years, especially Sylvie. There is a deeply poignant moment where Sylvie admits she knows she is "too young to be jaded," and it completely broke my heart. Because of her dysfunctional parents and the lack of a normal childhood, her profound loneliness makes perfect sense. Of course she would jump at the chance to finally be special to someone, even if that someone is a ghost summoned by a vintage watch. I also absolutely loved the exploration of finding "our own kind of elsewhere."
In terms of pacing, the story does drag a bit in the middle, but the deliberate buildup makes sense once you reach the final act. Be warned: this book gets extremely sad at one point, so prepare yourself for some heavy emotions. As for the ending, I did see it coming a mile away. It also requires a pretty massive suspension of disbelief, even for the magical realism genre.
However, I am a reader who thrives on character-driven narratives. Because Sylvie and Penn's emotional journeys are so compelling and well-drawn, those minor plot and pacing issues didn't ruin the experience for me. If you love emotional, character-focused stories with a touch of the impossible, this is definitely worth picking up.
At its heart, this book is about Sylvie and Penn, both of whom read like true old souls. They think and speak with a maturity far beyond their years, especially Sylvie. There is a deeply poignant moment where Sylvie admits she knows she is "too young to be jaded," and it completely broke my heart. Because of her dysfunctional parents and the lack of a normal childhood, her profound loneliness makes perfect sense. Of course she would jump at the chance to finally be special to someone, even if that someone is a ghost summoned by a vintage watch. I also absolutely loved the exploration of finding "our own kind of elsewhere."
In terms of pacing, the story does drag a bit in the middle, but the deliberate buildup makes sense once you reach the final act. Be warned: this book gets extremely sad at one point, so prepare yourself for some heavy emotions. As for the ending, I did see it coming a mile away. It also requires a pretty massive suspension of disbelief, even for the magical realism genre.
However, I am a reader who thrives on character-driven narratives. Because Sylvie and Penn's emotional journeys are so compelling and well-drawn, those minor plot and pacing issues didn't ruin the experience for me. If you love emotional, character-focused stories with a touch of the impossible, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy
View this review on my blog:
https://emmaisabookworm.blogspot.com/...
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Thank you Girl’s Life for this copy! This review is my own facts and opinions.
😘 - the kissing isn’t descriptive at all
🤬- the language isn’t horrible and I would say normal for a YA book
13+ it is a little dark at the end and the main character is in high school
☆⛤♥⭑the romance⭑♥⛤☆
I think this was the first paranormal romance I have read, and it was very good! The romance, the chemistry, the sparks, felt very real and I was all for it, rooting for Sylvie and Penn. I have never read You’ve Reached Sam, but it seems similar to what I have heard about it.
☆⛤♥⭑Sylvie⭑♥⛤☆
I absolutely loved Sylvie as the main character. She was very curious, something I love in any kind of book (I hate it when people aren’t suspicious or wondering what’s happening). Her bond with her aunt was so cute and honestly inspirational. Sylvie and all the other characters were very well written and a pleasure to get to know.
☆⛤♥⭑the ending⭑♥⛤☆
WOW! I did not expect the ending. It was twist after twist, and then it was perfectly wrapped up, no loose ends or anything, which, props to the author for that!
☆⛤♥⭑final thoughts⭑♥⛤☆
This book was gorgeously designed (the cover is drop dead gorgeous) and gorgeously written. I felt sucked into the world and would read anything by Laura Taylor Narney!
xoxo
emma
https://emmaisabookworm.blogspot.com/...
Follow my Youtube for unboxings!
https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaIsABookworm
Thank you Girl’s Life for this copy! This review is my own facts and opinions.
😘 - the kissing isn’t descriptive at all
🤬- the language isn’t horrible and I would say normal for a YA book
13+ it is a little dark at the end and the main character is in high school
☆⛤♥⭑the romance⭑♥⛤☆
I think this was the first paranormal romance I have read, and it was very good! The romance, the chemistry, the sparks, felt very real and I was all for it, rooting for Sylvie and Penn. I have never read You’ve Reached Sam, but it seems similar to what I have heard about it.
☆⛤♥⭑Sylvie⭑♥⛤☆
I absolutely loved Sylvie as the main character. She was very curious, something I love in any kind of book (I hate it when people aren’t suspicious or wondering what’s happening). Her bond with her aunt was so cute and honestly inspirational. Sylvie and all the other characters were very well written and a pleasure to get to know.
☆⛤♥⭑the ending⭑♥⛤☆
WOW! I did not expect the ending. It was twist after twist, and then it was perfectly wrapped up, no loose ends or anything, which, props to the author for that!
☆⛤♥⭑final thoughts⭑♥⛤☆
This book was gorgeously designed (the cover is drop dead gorgeous) and gorgeously written. I felt sucked into the world and would read anything by Laura Taylor Narney!
xoxo
emma
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sweeping. Romantic. Beautifully tragic. 🤍
If We Never End feels like falling in love with something you already know you’re going to lose. ⌛️
A gold watch.
A ghost boy.
One summer you wish you could hold onto forever.
When Sylvie is sent away to stay with her Aunt Viv again for the summer, she discovers a vintage watch that summons the ghost of a boy named Penn, she sets out to help him uncover the truth about his death, and ends up falling for someone she can never truly keep.
Sylvie and Penn’s story is sweet, luminous, and deeply romantic in that tender, almost untouchable way. It unfolds in quiet moments and whimsical adventures. In ferris wheels and bonfires and almost-touches, and before you realize it, your heart is fully involved. Penn is so wholesome. 🥹
I also loved the relationship between Sylvie and her tia Vivian. Their bond felt grounding and real, full of creativity and steady love in a season where everything feels uncertain. Viv is truly selfless and the type of Aunt everybody wishes they had. Then there’s Anne Shirley, the cat who is a scene-stealer and absolutely earns her place in this story. 🐈
I thought I knew where this was headed but I truly did not see the final turn coming. 🫨
This book made me laugh and cry.
Whimsical. Hopeful. Quietly devastating in the most beautiful way.
Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC of this unforgettable story. 🤍
If We Never End feels like falling in love with something you already know you’re going to lose. ⌛️
A gold watch.
A ghost boy.
One summer you wish you could hold onto forever.
When Sylvie is sent away to stay with her Aunt Viv again for the summer, she discovers a vintage watch that summons the ghost of a boy named Penn, she sets out to help him uncover the truth about his death, and ends up falling for someone she can never truly keep.
Sylvie and Penn’s story is sweet, luminous, and deeply romantic in that tender, almost untouchable way. It unfolds in quiet moments and whimsical adventures. In ferris wheels and bonfires and almost-touches, and before you realize it, your heart is fully involved. Penn is so wholesome. 🥹
I also loved the relationship between Sylvie and her tia Vivian. Their bond felt grounding and real, full of creativity and steady love in a season where everything feels uncertain. Viv is truly selfless and the type of Aunt everybody wishes they had. Then there’s Anne Shirley, the cat who is a scene-stealer and absolutely earns her place in this story. 🐈
I thought I knew where this was headed but I truly did not see the final turn coming. 🫨
This book made me laugh and cry.
Whimsical. Hopeful. Quietly devastating in the most beautiful way.
Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC of this unforgettable story. 🤍
February 18, 2026
✨📖 If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey is PURE magic and I am not okay (in the best way).
Sylvie has just graduated high school and is heading to Sacred, Oregon to spend the summer with her Aunt Vivian. She’s feeling abandoned by family and friends, stuck in that strange in-between space where everything is changing and nothing feels certain. The post-grad emotions? So real.
On the way, she finds a mysterious gold watch in an antique shop. The catch? It doesn’t even work. Or at least… it doesn’t seem to. ⏳✨
Because suddenly, the second hand starts ticking.
And then Penn, a college boy, appears to Sylvie.
What follows is dreamy, romantic, and just the right amount of magical. I adored:
💛 Characters that felt authentic and layered
💛 A swoony love story that gave me butterflies
💛 The tender, beautifully written relationship between Sylvie and Aunt Vivian
💛 Anne Shirley the cat (an icon, obviously 🐈)
This story feels nostalgic and hopeful, like summer wrapped in stardust. It’s about love, timing, healing, and the unexpected ways life can surprise you.
⭐️ 4.75 stars and I’m still thinking about it.
Sylvie has just graduated high school and is heading to Sacred, Oregon to spend the summer with her Aunt Vivian. She’s feeling abandoned by family and friends, stuck in that strange in-between space where everything is changing and nothing feels certain. The post-grad emotions? So real.
On the way, she finds a mysterious gold watch in an antique shop. The catch? It doesn’t even work. Or at least… it doesn’t seem to. ⏳✨
Because suddenly, the second hand starts ticking.
And then Penn, a college boy, appears to Sylvie.
What follows is dreamy, romantic, and just the right amount of magical. I adored:
💛 Characters that felt authentic and layered
💛 A swoony love story that gave me butterflies
💛 The tender, beautifully written relationship between Sylvie and Aunt Vivian
💛 Anne Shirley the cat (an icon, obviously 🐈)
This story feels nostalgic and hopeful, like summer wrapped in stardust. It’s about love, timing, healing, and the unexpected ways life can surprise you.
⭐️ 4.75 stars and I’m still thinking about it.
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February 25, 2026“𝑀𝓎 𝑜𝒻𝓇𝑒𝓃𝒹𝒶 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒷𝓊𝒾𝓁𝓉 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒽𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑔𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓇 𝓀𝒾𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑒𝓉.”
𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘐𝘧 𝘞𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘦𝘨𝘰. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢 𝘪𝘯 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴, 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘺...𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴! 𝘈𝘴𝘬 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦! 𝘐 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘨 𝘊𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘵’𝘴 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳...𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘩 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.
𝘐𝘧 𝘞𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭, 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 (𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘰!) 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺, 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.
𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘐 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵.
𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘐𝘧 𝘞𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘦𝘨𝘰. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢 𝘪𝘯 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴, 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘖𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘺...𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴! 𝘈𝘴𝘬 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦! 𝘐 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘨 𝘊𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘵’𝘴 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳...𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘩 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.
𝘐𝘧 𝘞𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭, 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 (𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘰!) 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺, 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.
𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘐 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵.
Review of advance copy
This book honestly pulled me in right away, which is not something I say often enough. The writing style, and the tone when it started had me wanting more. Also was just incredibly excited for an Aunt who was always there, and a roadtrip/vacation that swerved from the norm of their time together.
Sylvie, our new High-School grad FMC, is doing what she does every summer, spending it with her aunt while her parents are far away ‘working’. Even though she’s 18 now and should’ve been allowed to be alone, the standards and allowances were different for her Cuban-American family. So while her friends were living it up, she was here with her aunt for yet another summer.
But she make’s the most of it, as she always does. Little does she expect a gold watch to change well—just about everything. When her find has a ghost attached to it, one that she tries to help and then falls for in the process, achingly knowing there isn’t a real future here.
This story made me feel so many things, about so many things—from the family dynamics right off the bat to Sylvie and Penn’s relationship. I don’t want to say too much, but definitely give this a read!
Sylvie, our new High-School grad FMC, is doing what she does every summer, spending it with her aunt while her parents are far away ‘working’. Even though she’s 18 now and should’ve been allowed to be alone, the standards and allowances were different for her Cuban-American family. So while her friends were living it up, she was here with her aunt for yet another summer.
But she make’s the most of it, as she always does. Little does she expect a gold watch to change well—just about everything. When her find has a ghost attached to it, one that she tries to help and then falls for in the process, achingly knowing there isn’t a real future here.
This story made me feel so many things, about so many things—from the family dynamics right off the bat to Sylvie and Penn’s relationship. I don’t want to say too much, but definitely give this a read!
February 18, 2026
“Somewhere that only exists if we never end.”
“Broken plans can be fixed, changed. But hope hurts too much.”
“I want to be everywhere with you.”
Thank you Bloomsbury for the gifted physical ARC!
Wow a YA with some magical realism and a huge shock made this story phenomenal. This writing draws you in immediately. It’s been a while since I truly felt I was within a book and seeing every page in my mind and this book brought that out of me. There were moments that felt a little boring and repetitive, HOWEVER it was realized it was much needed because that twist and ending was absolutely stunning.
I truly loved each of these characters and wanted to be friends with Viv immediately. She was the most beautiful Aunt and someone who was so selfless. I’m so glad that Sylvie had someone like her. Penn was so wholesome. Sylvie was so teenage girl which gave me all the feels and memories. This book really makes you realize how important it is to tell the people in your life exactly how you feel and exactly what you want. You never what when your last time will be.
“Broken plans can be fixed, changed. But hope hurts too much.”
“I want to be everywhere with you.”
Thank you Bloomsbury for the gifted physical ARC!
Wow a YA with some magical realism and a huge shock made this story phenomenal. This writing draws you in immediately. It’s been a while since I truly felt I was within a book and seeing every page in my mind and this book brought that out of me. There were moments that felt a little boring and repetitive, HOWEVER it was realized it was much needed because that twist and ending was absolutely stunning.
I truly loved each of these characters and wanted to be friends with Viv immediately. She was the most beautiful Aunt and someone who was so selfless. I’m so glad that Sylvie had someone like her. Penn was so wholesome. Sylvie was so teenage girl which gave me all the feels and memories. This book really makes you realize how important it is to tell the people in your life exactly how you feel and exactly what you want. You never what when your last time will be.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Tandem Collective and Bloomsbury Books for the gifted book.
This story hooked me from start to finish and all the emotions came: happy, laughing, sadness, smiling, crying. All of it.
Sylvie was so easy to relate to. She’s emotionally neglected by her parents, her friends are moving on, and she just wants to escape and begin her adult life. And when she finds a watch (or the watch finds her…), of course I would wind the watch and see what happens. And if a ghosty boy shows up, I’d be scared but I’d be too curious to not want more information.
Her friendship and relationship with Penn felt so intense. It was like she felt free to be her own true self, knowing that Penn was kind of a temporary part of her life, and that he was relearning himself—he wasn’t there to judge. I fell in love with both of them, I felt it so hard when Sylvie struggled with knowing an end was in sight.
The last bit ruined me. I wasn’t expecting the ending and gah my heart was shattered and rebuilt. All the tears but my heart was full. My first from this author and hopefully not my last.
This story hooked me from start to finish and all the emotions came: happy, laughing, sadness, smiling, crying. All of it.
Sylvie was so easy to relate to. She’s emotionally neglected by her parents, her friends are moving on, and she just wants to escape and begin her adult life. And when she finds a watch (or the watch finds her…), of course I would wind the watch and see what happens. And if a ghosty boy shows up, I’d be scared but I’d be too curious to not want more information.
Her friendship and relationship with Penn felt so intense. It was like she felt free to be her own true self, knowing that Penn was kind of a temporary part of her life, and that he was relearning himself—he wasn’t there to judge. I fell in love with both of them, I felt it so hard when Sylvie struggled with knowing an end was in sight.
The last bit ruined me. I wasn’t expecting the ending and gah my heart was shattered and rebuilt. All the tears but my heart was full. My first from this author and hopefully not my last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced reader's copy!
One girl. One summer. One very haunted thrift-store find. ⌚👻
Sylvie Castellano expects another quiet summer of goodbyes—until she scores a vintage gold watch that does way more than tell time. One twist of the dial… and hello, ghost boy.
Penn doesn’t remember how he died, only that he’s tied to the watch. So Sylvie does what any girl craving a real summer would do: she helps him chase answers. Cue road trips, beach bonfires, ferris wheels, and feelings she absolutely did not plan for.
But some secrets don’t stay buried. And when the truth about the watch comes out, Sylvie learns this isn’t just a love story—it’s a race to survive.
✨ Summer magic
💔 Impossible love
⏳ A countdown she never saw coming
I loved this book...It reminded me of the movie Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon. I did not see the twist coming. Remind me to never to purchase a watch that doesn't work. Namey leaves the reader guessing. Is Penn real? Does Sylvie's concussion make things appear as they really are or is it something with her brain? I loved learning about the boxes that her Tia creates and the relationship Sylvie has with her Tia. She helps Sylvie make the best of the situation, being stuck in a nowhere town, not knowing anyone, dumped as usual by her parents. Part romance, part family drama, this one will be checked out a lot in my school library!
One girl. One summer. One very haunted thrift-store find. ⌚👻
Sylvie Castellano expects another quiet summer of goodbyes—until she scores a vintage gold watch that does way more than tell time. One twist of the dial… and hello, ghost boy.
Penn doesn’t remember how he died, only that he’s tied to the watch. So Sylvie does what any girl craving a real summer would do: she helps him chase answers. Cue road trips, beach bonfires, ferris wheels, and feelings she absolutely did not plan for.
But some secrets don’t stay buried. And when the truth about the watch comes out, Sylvie learns this isn’t just a love story—it’s a race to survive.
✨ Summer magic
💔 Impossible love
⏳ A countdown she never saw coming
I loved this book...It reminded me of the movie Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon. I did not see the twist coming. Remind me to never to purchase a watch that doesn't work. Namey leaves the reader guessing. Is Penn real? Does Sylvie's concussion make things appear as they really are or is it something with her brain? I loved learning about the boxes that her Tia creates and the relationship Sylvie has with her Tia. She helps Sylvie make the best of the situation, being stuck in a nowhere town, not knowing anyone, dumped as usual by her parents. Part romance, part family drama, this one will be checked out a lot in my school library!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is one of my favorite books of all time, so I'm always ready to read another Laura Taylor Namey book! I love how Namey's books tackle themes of grief and moving on so beautifully; If We Never End gave me all of that and more! I also love the sprinkles of Cuban culture that Namey infuses her books with, and it's always fascinating to learn more.
I won't lie, I was a bit hesitant to dive into this book because sometimes contemporary books with supernatural elements are a miss for me, but I thought those elements were handled very well in this book! That said, the start of the book was a bit slow for me, and I was struggling to see how things would come together. I also thought the relationship between Sylvie and Penn felt a bit forced at the beginning. But once I hit the 50% mark, I flew through the last 50% in three hours.
A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow is one of my favorite books of all time, so I'm always ready to read another Laura Taylor Namey book! I love how Namey's books tackle themes of grief and moving on so beautifully; If We Never End gave me all of that and more! I also love the sprinkles of Cuban culture that Namey infuses her books with, and it's always fascinating to learn more.
I won't lie, I was a bit hesitant to dive into this book because sometimes contemporary books with supernatural elements are a miss for me, but I thought those elements were handled very well in this book! That said, the start of the book was a bit slow for me, and I was struggling to see how things would come together. I also thought the relationship between Sylvie and Penn felt a bit forced at the beginning. But once I hit the 50% mark, I flew through the last 50% in three hours.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Just when you think you've got the story figured out... This book has a cool premise. An annoyed teen is stuck with her aunt over the summer, again. She winds up in a tiny town being babysat, as usual, by her aunt, an amazing and talented artist. When they make a stop in the little town prior to heading to their cabin, Sylvie buys a gold watch that doesn't work-or does it? The watch connects her over time and space to Penn, a cute boy who is just unattainable (a ghostly presence that only she can see). As she tries to help Penn solve the mystery of who he is and what happened to him, even more strange things start to happen to Sylvie. This is certainly a romance at its core, but with a heavy dose of family and what it means to really communicate. A diverse cast adds to the story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
October 3, 2025
Teen romance with a supernatural twist.
While recovering from a head trauma, 18-year-old former cheerleader Sylvie Castellano reluctantly agrees to follow her aunt to Sacred, Oregon for the summer while planning to work hard and save up enough money to escape her controlling Cuba-born parents. Instead, she buys a watch in an antique shop that summons Penn Gerrity, a ghost with amnesia. Sparks fly as they work together to solve the mystery of Penn's identity and why the watch has brought them together--but solving the mystery will mean saying goodbye, forever.
Subplots weren't wrapped up as tidily as I hoped for, but this built nicely to a spectacular twist. And that cat, Anne Shirley, was a hoot.
While recovering from a head trauma, 18-year-old former cheerleader Sylvie Castellano reluctantly agrees to follow her aunt to Sacred, Oregon for the summer while planning to work hard and save up enough money to escape her controlling Cuba-born parents. Instead, she buys a watch in an antique shop that summons Penn Gerrity, a ghost with amnesia. Sparks fly as they work together to solve the mystery of Penn's identity and why the watch has brought them together--but solving the mystery will mean saying goodbye, forever.
Subplots weren't wrapped up as tidily as I hoped for, but this built nicely to a spectacular twist. And that cat, Anne Shirley, was a hoot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Tandem Collective Global and the author for the gifted copy!
This YA paranormal romance was a quick and engaging read. Sylvie was spending the summer with her Aunt Viv in Oregon, recovering from post concussion syndrome, while her parents were away on yet another vacation without her. While there, she discovered a magical watch that linked her to Penn, a teenage ghost. Sylvie began helping Penn figure out what happened to him, while exploring the town. I appreciated that the characters actually felt like teenagers. They were developed well, and the side characters added to the story in meaningful ways. Aunt Shirley the cat was by far my favorite character, followed by Aunt Viv. While the writing style wasn't my favorite, the story itself kept me engaged. There was one plot twist that left me absolutely shocked! Overall, this was a great read!
This YA paranormal romance was a quick and engaging read. Sylvie was spending the summer with her Aunt Viv in Oregon, recovering from post concussion syndrome, while her parents were away on yet another vacation without her. While there, she discovered a magical watch that linked her to Penn, a teenage ghost. Sylvie began helping Penn figure out what happened to him, while exploring the town. I appreciated that the characters actually felt like teenagers. They were developed well, and the side characters added to the story in meaningful ways. Aunt Shirley the cat was by far my favorite character, followed by Aunt Viv. While the writing style wasn't my favorite, the story itself kept me engaged. There was one plot twist that left me absolutely shocked! Overall, this was a great read!
February 22, 2026
If we never end, is sweet, nostalgic, and gives a twist you don’t see coming, i laughed, I cried, and I felt the anguish Sylvie expressed over her loneliness, her longing for parents to just see her. A ghost story that has so much heart, and a summer filled with adventure. As someone who loved if I stay, I think that comparison is so perfect. But it’s not just the story or the characters, the writing is beautiful, the way the plot unfolds at just the right pace, and the twist is revealed just when you think you know what is happening. And the ending!!! So good, so wonderfully good.
I would say more but I don’t want to give any spoilers, so if your heart is ready for a good cry, with the perfect ending I highly recommend this one.
Thank you tandem reading collective for the early copy!
I would say more but I don’t want to give any spoilers, so if your heart is ready for a good cry, with the perfect ending I highly recommend this one.
Thank you tandem reading collective for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What if your summer fling was literally a ghost and you still fell anyway? 👀✨
Sylvie is used to being left behind every summer, so when she finds a thrift-store watch worth thousands, it feels like fate is finally choosing her. And then she turns the dial and accidentally summons a ghost boy named Penn. Yes. A ghost boy. And yes, I was immediately invested.
Watching Sylvie and Penn piece together the mystery of his death while falling for each other?? The yearning. The tension. The we shouldn’t but we are of it all. Their summer felt golden and fleeting ferris wheel rides, late-night talks, and that constant ticking reminder that their time is limited. I was smiling one minute and staring at the ceiling, rethinking my entire existence the next.
But this story isn’t just about romance. It’s about grief, letting go, and how loving someone even when it hurts is still worth it. And when the bigger secrets behind the watch started unraveling?? My jaw was on the FLOOR.
This book made me believe in epic, life, and death love and then gently shattered my heart!✨
✨️Thank you, Tandem Collective and Laura Taylor Namey, for sharing If We Never End with me!
Sylvie is used to being left behind every summer, so when she finds a thrift-store watch worth thousands, it feels like fate is finally choosing her. And then she turns the dial and accidentally summons a ghost boy named Penn. Yes. A ghost boy. And yes, I was immediately invested.
Watching Sylvie and Penn piece together the mystery of his death while falling for each other?? The yearning. The tension. The we shouldn’t but we are of it all. Their summer felt golden and fleeting ferris wheel rides, late-night talks, and that constant ticking reminder that their time is limited. I was smiling one minute and staring at the ceiling, rethinking my entire existence the next.
But this story isn’t just about romance. It’s about grief, letting go, and how loving someone even when it hurts is still worth it. And when the bigger secrets behind the watch started unraveling?? My jaw was on the FLOOR.
This book made me believe in epic, life, and death love and then gently shattered my heart!✨
✨️Thank you, Tandem Collective and Laura Taylor Namey, for sharing If We Never End with me!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey is a paranormal young adult romance. Sylvie is spending the summer after her senior year of high school with her aunt. On the way, Sylvie stops in an antique shop and buys a broken watch. When the second hand starts ticking, a boy around her age appears. He has no memories of who he is and they go on a journey to learn how he came to be attached to the watch. This is insta-love, which is not my favorite. This story has been done before. This reads as very young adult. I had trouble staying interested. It was an ok read. I am not the target audience for this book and I think someone much younger than me would probably love the story. 3/5 stars.
March 16, 2026
4.5⭐️
What if the only person you feel comfortable with is a ghost? And a ghost that doesn’t know what has happened or who they are?
Sylvie’s summer is now turning into an adventure with ghost boy but it feels like there’s something they both don’t know. The last 1/3 blew me away, I stayed up far too late one night until I truly couldn’t stay awake because I didn’t want to put it down.
I am such a sucker for magical realism and impossible romances. This tugs at your heart but has times of whimsy. Also, it’s absolutely beautiful. Pick it up.
Thank you @bloomsbury and @bookinfluencers for the beautiful copy 🤍
What if the only person you feel comfortable with is a ghost? And a ghost that doesn’t know what has happened or who they are?
Sylvie’s summer is now turning into an adventure with ghost boy but it feels like there’s something they both don’t know. The last 1/3 blew me away, I stayed up far too late one night until I truly couldn’t stay awake because I didn’t want to put it down.
I am such a sucker for magical realism and impossible romances. This tugs at your heart but has times of whimsy. Also, it’s absolutely beautiful. Pick it up.
Thank you @bloomsbury and @bookinfluencers for the beautiful copy 🤍
March 4, 2026
This was my first paranormal romance, and I think it was a lovely introduction to the genre. The begining gave far more questions than answes, and I was hookeed in a way I haven't been in a while. This book forced me out of my reading slump. And don't get me started on the writing style...it was so good; not too bland, not overly-flowey.
Overall, this was a great book. I reccoment that you read it, if you are first starting out paranornal romance. Also, the romance was completely clean (yay!).
Overall, this was a great book. I reccoment that you read it, if you are first starting out paranornal romance. Also, the romance was completely clean (yay!).
March 6, 2026
Laura Taylor Namey is one of my favorite YA authors and this book did not disappoint! I loved that Sylvie had just graduated and is feeling so many emotions; she was such a relatable character.
The heartbreaking yearning in this book really got to me. I wasn't expecting it to be so sad, but tears were shed lol. The journey that the two main characters take separately and together were so interesting. I loved the aspect of the vintage watch and how it all tied in. I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to Girls Life and the publisher for my copy!
The heartbreaking yearning in this book really got to me. I wasn't expecting it to be so sad, but tears were shed lol. The journey that the two main characters take separately and together were so interesting. I loved the aspect of the vintage watch and how it all tied in. I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to Girls Life and the publisher for my copy!
March 15, 2026
Thank you to the GL Bestie Book Club Street Team for this arc.
This book features paranormal romance, grief, adventure, and mystery. It was perfectly paced and kept me eager to keep turning the page. Lauren Taylor Namey perfectly captured grief and moving on from someone you love but also have complicated feelings for. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves plot twist, great writing, and ghost stories that have you tearing up. I can't wait to look at some other books by this author.
This book features paranormal romance, grief, adventure, and mystery. It was perfectly paced and kept me eager to keep turning the page. Lauren Taylor Namey perfectly captured grief and moving on from someone you love but also have complicated feelings for. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves plot twist, great writing, and ghost stories that have you tearing up. I can't wait to look at some other books by this author.
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