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Five Years From Now
What if you met the right person at the wrong time?
Nell and Van meet as children when their parents fall in love, but soon they are forced worlds apart.
Five years later, they find each other. Their bond is rekindled and new feelings take hold, but once again they must separate.
For the next two decades, fate brings Nell and Van together every five years, as life and circumstance continue to divide them. Will they ever find true happiness? And will it be together?
‘One day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened…’
Nell and Van meet as children when their parents fall in love, but soon they are forced worlds apart.
Five years later, they find each other. Their bond is rekindled and new feelings take hold, but once again they must separate.
For the next two decades, fate brings Nell and Van together every five years, as life and circumstance continue to divide them. Will they ever find true happiness? And will it be together?
‘One day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened…’
Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2018
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About the author
Paige Toon
37 books5,450 followersPaige Toon grew up between England, Australia and America and has been writing books set in sun-drenched locations around the world since 2007. She has written fifteen novels, a three-part spin-off for young adults and a collection of short stories. Her books have sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. She loves hearing from her readers so get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PaigeToonAuthor or visit her website and sign up to her free newsletter The Hidden Paige.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,647 reviews
May 25, 2018
OMG, Paige! What are you doing to me??? I was the girl sitting on the train this morning- crying in public!
Five Years From Now was such a beautiful and heart-wrenching story. Nell and Vian meet at the age of five and soon become the best of friends. At the age of 10 they get separated by a tragedy but they always stay in contact and eventually feel something more. While reading the book you will meet them every five years and see what happened in their lives and how their relationship develops.
‘I know this might be hard to believe right now, but one day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened.’I loved the message of the book. “One day you’ll understand why this happened” is kind of my life motto. The ending was beautiful but heartbreaking - I loved and hated it at the same time, is that even possible? I just know that this book will surely stay with me for some time…
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August 16, 2018I can't bring myself to rate this book, I loved it, especially the angst and the longing of two people who were meant to be together but couldn’t.
I loved it, until the very end :(
I loved it, until the very end :(
August 27, 2018
This was my 12th full novel I’ve read by Paige Toon and I just really hope she won’t stop writing anytime soon! She’s still one of my favorite authors and there’s just something about her writing that captivates me. Whenever I sit down with one of her books, I always somehow end up reading like 200 pages at once because she manages to write her novels in a way that I’m always immediately glued to them.
This also once again applied to “Five Years From Now” and I pretty much flew through it. The story made me laugh, cry and swoon a lot and I enjoyed it immensely. The only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I overall just still enjoyed her 2017 release, The Last Piece of my Heart, a bit more than this novel.
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This also once again applied to “Five Years From Now” and I pretty much flew through it. The story made me laugh, cry and swoon a lot and I enjoyed it immensely. The only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I overall just still enjoyed her 2017 release, The Last Piece of my Heart, a bit more than this novel.
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July 2, 2018
I would have given this higher but quite frankly the ending sucked! This is not how this book was supposed to end and I'm really disappointed. Its like spending ages baking a cake hoping it will turn out incredible, only for it to be a disaster. This book built us up for an incredible ending and then let us down :( I may sound over dramatic but I really wanted a different ending
February 6, 2024
Five Years From Now by Paige Toon is a beautifully written story that has the reader feeling all the emotions and more. I now want to read more books by this author so I will be looking into her backlist. Recommended.
May 20, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars.
I love Paige Toon books and have read them all. This book for me however lacked a little something. Or maybe I’m just too old for Paige Toon books now!?
This was an easy read, but something about Nell the main character I couldn’t gel with which affected how I felt as the story progressed.
Plus the ending was a disappointment for me, who she ended up with was a bit of flat way to end especially and you get a sense that Nell herself wasn’t happy about it either!
I love Paige Toon books and have read them all. This book for me however lacked a little something. Or maybe I’m just too old for Paige Toon books now!?
This was an easy read, but something about Nell the main character I couldn’t gel with which affected how I felt as the story progressed.
Plus the ending was a disappointment for me, who she ended up with was a bit of flat way to end especially and you get a sense that Nell herself wasn’t happy about it either!
April 3, 2021
I hated this book. There was not a single chapter of it that I fully enjoyed.
To be fair, when I first picked it up I was full of excitement for a good romance story -- the premise sounded really cute. I was initially doubtful as to how the author could portray the consistent five-year gap realistically and I got my answer --- she couldn't.
Perhaps Nell was unrelatable because I can't imagine myself ruining my life that much, without doing anything to change herself or circumstances. I know things like unwanted pregnancies or bad timing are realistic and can happen but Nell has never displayed a sense of purpose in her life. Apart from Vian/Van, I have never seen her have a passion for anything else and pursue it. I know I don't have to relate/like all characters, but I dislike her.
I hate their angst. It's underdeveloped and unjustified. At first, Van moves away because of a misunderstanding. Yet, he comes back, and that misunderstanding is really quickly resolved, and their next stage of angst is them getting in bed and getting caught. Throughout the first 20 years of their lives, I realized quickly that they have no idea how to SPEAK or COMMUNICATE. Any relationship (even friendships) depend on proper communication, even just TALKING. In their 20 years, they never really sat down and spoke about the state of their relationship. There are many complications in their story -- ALL THE MORE THE REASON TO TALK IT OUT. WHY won't THEY TALK? Their story moves with their misunderstandings of seeing each other kiss other people, kiss each other, cry, "oh no my father will never approve", and yet they have never once considered just sitting down and talking.
I hate the premise. What I initially thought was an interesting premise turned out to be something that killed the story. Something that was supposed to be romantic -- the ending part where Van tells Nell she will understand 5 years from now -- it's plain stupid. I know sometimes after time we look back and realize things went well but it's absolutely ridiculous for the characters to be apart for 5 years without any contact, come back and be okay with each other. Van's words before he broke up with Nell -- that he was doing this because he loves her and she deserves better -- that was noble idiocy. The truth is, they could have made it work. They could have at least tried long distance, then move together when both their kids grow up. There were solutions if they cared enough to look, but they both seemed to have convinced themselves unnecessary angst is the way to end the story. If Van truly loved Nell, he would not have let her go if she was clearly happiest with him.
I hate the ending. I didn't like how Nell clearly didn't fully move on from Van, yet still married someone else. Edward was so in love with her but she's only partially with him. I wish she was honest with him and honest with herself.
Maybe the reason why this book was so well-received by the reviews here is that they portray a cute romance that blossomed. For me, it was ruined after the 10-year mark when the cute romance lost its logic and its reason. The author tried too hard to have angst but to be honest my favorite part of the book was when the dad passed on -- it was written beautifully without too much of unnecessary drama. Although in the end, it became about Van again even right before he passed away (his last words were that it was okay for them to get together).
To be fair, when I first picked it up I was full of excitement for a good romance story -- the premise sounded really cute. I was initially doubtful as to how the author could portray the consistent five-year gap realistically and I got my answer --- she couldn't.
Perhaps Nell was unrelatable because I can't imagine myself ruining my life that much, without doing anything to change herself or circumstances. I know things like unwanted pregnancies or bad timing are realistic and can happen but Nell has never displayed a sense of purpose in her life. Apart from Vian/Van, I have never seen her have a passion for anything else and pursue it. I know I don't have to relate/like all characters, but I dislike her.
I hate their angst. It's underdeveloped and unjustified. At first, Van moves away because of a misunderstanding. Yet, he comes back, and that misunderstanding is really quickly resolved, and their next stage of angst is them getting in bed and getting caught. Throughout the first 20 years of their lives, I realized quickly that they have no idea how to SPEAK or COMMUNICATE. Any relationship (even friendships) depend on proper communication, even just TALKING. In their 20 years, they never really sat down and spoke about the state of their relationship. There are many complications in their story -- ALL THE MORE THE REASON TO TALK IT OUT. WHY won't THEY TALK? Their story moves with their misunderstandings of seeing each other kiss other people, kiss each other, cry, "oh no my father will never approve", and yet they have never once considered just sitting down and talking.
I hate the premise. What I initially thought was an interesting premise turned out to be something that killed the story. Something that was supposed to be romantic -- the ending part where Van tells Nell she will understand 5 years from now -- it's plain stupid. I know sometimes after time we look back and realize things went well but it's absolutely ridiculous for the characters to be apart for 5 years without any contact, come back and be okay with each other. Van's words before he broke up with Nell -- that he was doing this because he loves her and she deserves better -- that was noble idiocy. The truth is, they could have made it work. They could have at least tried long distance, then move together when both their kids grow up. There were solutions if they cared enough to look, but they both seemed to have convinced themselves unnecessary angst is the way to end the story. If Van truly loved Nell, he would not have let her go if she was clearly happiest with him.
I hate the ending. I didn't like how Nell clearly didn't fully move on from Van, yet still married someone else. Edward was so in love with her but she's only partially with him. I wish she was honest with him and honest with herself.
Maybe the reason why this book was so well-received by the reviews here is that they portray a cute romance that blossomed. For me, it was ruined after the 10-year mark when the cute romance lost its logic and its reason. The author tried too hard to have angst but to be honest my favorite part of the book was when the dad passed on -- it was written beautifully without too much of unnecessary drama. Although in the end, it became about Van again even right before he passed away (his last words were that it was okay for them to get together).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
Sadly 3 ⭐️
I’ve loved every Paige Toon book I’ve read—until this one. I wanted to rate it higher, but the ending felt like a sucker punch and left me completely dissatisfied.
I’ve loved every Paige Toon book I’ve read—until this one. I wanted to rate it higher, but the ending felt like a sucker punch and left me completely dissatisfied.
May 27, 2018
4.5 Stars!!!
September 25, 2020
If I could give this zero stars I would. I hated the ending. HATED IT, loathed it with the fire of a thousand suns and it killed any good feelings I initially had about this book (and author to be quite honest).
Spoiler alert: They don’t end up together, don’t get married, never have children together (“our books are our babies, the only children we will ever have together” barf), never get anything that resembles a proper relationship but it’s ok!! They went through so much bullshit to end up with nothing because at least they know they’re soulmates or whatever the fuck that last page is saying. Oh, but it’s ok, the protagonist has a husband, more children and still has her soulmate be obviously in love with her so she gets to have it all~~. And thank God her husband is ok with her still being obsessed with the guy she’s been in love with since she was 15 and is happy for them to go away on a book tour together because they’re adults or whatever the fuck, he ~trusts her. I honestly don’t know which guy I feel worse for at this point, the last minute husband who gets to be the father of her children and a placeholder or the other man the author just had to make sure we knew that she still belonged to even though she’s married and committed to someone else. The jury is still out on that one. AND how cute is it that their son and daughter are hot for each other~ because even if they can’t be together, their children can be and they can live vicariously through them.
THANKS, I HATE IT.
Spoiler alert: They don’t end up together, don’t get married, never have children together (“our books are our babies, the only children we will ever have together” barf), never get anything that resembles a proper relationship but it’s ok!! They went through so much bullshit to end up with nothing because at least they know they’re soulmates or whatever the fuck that last page is saying. Oh, but it’s ok, the protagonist has a husband, more children and still has her soulmate be obviously in love with her so she gets to have it all~~. And thank God her husband is ok with her still being obsessed with the guy she’s been in love with since she was 15 and is happy for them to go away on a book tour together because they’re adults or whatever the fuck, he ~trusts her. I honestly don’t know which guy I feel worse for at this point, the last minute husband who gets to be the father of her children and a placeholder or the other man the author just had to make sure we knew that she still belonged to even though she’s married and committed to someone else. The jury is still out on that one. AND how cute is it that their son and daughter are hot for each other~ because even if they can’t be together, their children can be and they can live vicariously through them.
THANKS, I HATE IT.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
4.5 Stars.
This book was wonderful. I love Cornwall, it was our first proper holiday in our very first campervan, and we went every year spending a few days at different places.
Nell, Vian, Scampi (the dog)and Webster (duckling Nell and Vian rescued) are our main characters, who we follow from when they were five years old. It's a story of family, friendship, love and loss. It's a beautiful story set in a picture-perfect place, and I loved it.
This book was wonderful. I love Cornwall, it was our first proper holiday in our very first campervan, and we went every year spending a few days at different places.
Nell, Vian, Scampi (the dog)and Webster (duckling Nell and Vian rescued) are our main characters, who we follow from when they were five years old. It's a story of family, friendship, love and loss. It's a beautiful story set in a picture-perfect place, and I loved it.
May 22, 2018
I loved this book. I hated this book.
I read it in a day. One day. Granted, it was a quiet day at work and I didn't have much to do so why not get paid double time and a half (yay stat pay!) to read a book? But seriously, one day, I could not put this down.
I loved Van and Nell. LOVED LOVED LOVED THEM! Right from the start you can feel this real connection, even at such a young age that just tugs at your heart and makes you want everything great and perfect for them. I just fell madly in love with them the second I started reading. They were a perfect match, they suited each other and filled the other out and it was...just a gorgeous read. I was rooting for them so hard.
I also loved the way this story was told...checking in every five years, seeing how their lives changed. It was an interesting way to show how much their lives intersected and made the story that much more...something.
It was a beautiful love story and they were so clearly soul mates.
And the ending was horrible and made me want to throw my Kindle across the room and swear at everyone. (I mean, it was realistic as in all my romantic imaginings, not even I could see another solution that would work but...still, made me want to throw things and cry about it not being fair and why did you do this to me, Paige Toon????? WHY???)
I read it in a day. One day. Granted, it was a quiet day at work and I didn't have much to do so why not get paid double time and a half (yay stat pay!) to read a book? But seriously, one day, I could not put this down.
I loved Van and Nell. LOVED LOVED LOVED THEM! Right from the start you can feel this real connection, even at such a young age that just tugs at your heart and makes you want everything great and perfect for them. I just fell madly in love with them the second I started reading. They were a perfect match, they suited each other and filled the other out and it was...just a gorgeous read. I was rooting for them so hard.
I also loved the way this story was told...checking in every five years, seeing how their lives changed. It was an interesting way to show how much their lives intersected and made the story that much more...something.
It was a beautiful love story and they were so clearly soul mates.
And the ending was horrible and made me want to throw my Kindle across the room and swear at everyone. (I mean, it was realistic as in all my romantic imaginings, not even I could see another solution that would work but...still, made me want to throw things and cry about it not being fair and why did you do this to me, Paige Toon????? WHY???)
July 10, 2018
A MASSIVE thank you to Emily from Penguin Random House for sending me this gorgeous copy of Five Years From Now by bestselling author, Paige Toon. I have never read Toon’s works before so I was beyond excited to read it! But due to uni commitments, I didn’t get the chance to read it until very recently. So here’s the overdue review! Enjoy!
My Rating: 3.5
Publication Date: 1st July 2018
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Romance
‘I know this might be hard to believe right now, but one day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened.’
Five Years From Now was such a heart-wrenching story, I felt so many emotions I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling. Our main protagonists, Nell and Vian meet at the age of five due to family circumstances, and they soon become best pals. In a hell-0f-a-ride of emotion and life changing moments you are drawn into this family’s lives and just WOAH.
Nell and Vian’s birthdays are two days apart and these kids do everything together and their friendship just melts my heart. The development of their friendship is so beautiful and honestly I am happy to simply read a book about their childhood years. Anyways, later on at the age of 10, Nell and Vian get separated by an incident that broke me.
Despite the great distance from Cornwall (UK) all the way to Australia, they stay in contact, and eventually feel something more for each other. While reading the book you will meet them every five years and see what happened in their lives and how their relationship develops. AAND YUP. Big chapters.
There are several unexpected turns in this book which just shook me. Truth to be told, neither of our main characters really have a great life plan. (I’d also like to point out that the kids definitely have attachment issues in their early childhood. And medically and scientifically speaking, this has something to do with everything. Bye) Something which I really enjoyed about this book is that both Vian and Nell let their circumstances lead them in the way which suits them best. Sometimes these moments are joyful, sometimes they are difficult and of course sometimes they are quite sad. I will admit I had one pretty major cry during this book. Have some tissues ready!
Toon’s writing is very atmospheric and descriptive, crafting this beautiful and inspiring story. I will be thinking about this book for a quite some time whether I like to or not. It would serve as a reminder to me about how tumultuous one’s life can be and when we look back at our old selves, you would understand and everything becomes clearer. Personally, I am quite disappointed with the ending, which is the main reason of the not-so-high-rating. I don’t understand why the Toon chooses to close the story this way (I just keep thinking about alternative endings and it’s driving me mad), but I do respect her decisions. By all means, it’s bitter-sweet and haunting in a luscious way.
For your entertainment and a way for yours truly to cope for her post-FYFN feelings, I created this Spotify Playlist for y’all. I find listening to music help to solidify those feelings and heal me in a way that’s kind of hard to explain, but I know some of you would know what I mean. Enjoy.
https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/n...
Wings out.
My Rating: 3.5
Publication Date: 1st July 2018
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Romance
‘I know this might be hard to believe right now, but one day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened.’
Five Years From Now was such a heart-wrenching story, I felt so many emotions I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling. Our main protagonists, Nell and Vian meet at the age of five due to family circumstances, and they soon become best pals. In a hell-0f-a-ride of emotion and life changing moments you are drawn into this family’s lives and just WOAH.
Nell and Vian’s birthdays are two days apart and these kids do everything together and their friendship just melts my heart. The development of their friendship is so beautiful and honestly I am happy to simply read a book about their childhood years. Anyways, later on at the age of 10, Nell and Vian get separated by an incident that broke me.
Despite the great distance from Cornwall (UK) all the way to Australia, they stay in contact, and eventually feel something more for each other. While reading the book you will meet them every five years and see what happened in their lives and how their relationship develops. AAND YUP. Big chapters.
There are several unexpected turns in this book which just shook me. Truth to be told, neither of our main characters really have a great life plan. (I’d also like to point out that the kids definitely have attachment issues in their early childhood. And medically and scientifically speaking, this has something to do with everything. Bye) Something which I really enjoyed about this book is that both Vian and Nell let their circumstances lead them in the way which suits them best. Sometimes these moments are joyful, sometimes they are difficult and of course sometimes they are quite sad. I will admit I had one pretty major cry during this book. Have some tissues ready!
Toon’s writing is very atmospheric and descriptive, crafting this beautiful and inspiring story. I will be thinking about this book for a quite some time whether I like to or not. It would serve as a reminder to me about how tumultuous one’s life can be and when we look back at our old selves, you would understand and everything becomes clearer. Personally, I am quite disappointed with the ending, which is the main reason of the not-so-high-rating. I don’t understand why the Toon chooses to close the story this way (I just keep thinking about alternative endings and it’s driving me mad), but I do respect her decisions. By all means, it’s bitter-sweet and haunting in a luscious way.
For your entertainment and a way for yours truly to cope for her post-FYFN feelings, I created this Spotify Playlist for y’all. I find listening to music help to solidify those feelings and heal me in a way that’s kind of hard to explain, but I know some of you would know what I mean. Enjoy.
https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/n...
Wings out.
June 20, 2018
Even though this book gave me lots of Love Rosie feels, it also felt very different. It is about two bestfriends who are in love and keep getting pulled apart and only really see each other every five years.
This book really helped me emotionally, reminding me that so much can change in five years and that your problems now are temporary, so many different things are ahead. It was a very realistic book and I respect the author for that, it felt very real and that's what made me satisfied after reading it.
I wasn't very attached to the main romance but that didn't spoil the story for me. This is the first Paige Toon book I've read and I'll definitely be reading more.
This book really helped me emotionally, reminding me that so much can change in five years and that your problems now are temporary, so many different things are ahead. It was a very realistic book and I respect the author for that, it felt very real and that's what made me satisfied after reading it.
I wasn't very attached to the main romance but that didn't spoil the story for me. This is the first Paige Toon book I've read and I'll definitely be reading more.
May 20, 2018
Wait, what?
April 24, 2020
Well once I picked this book up, I couldn't put it back down again, that's for sure! Paige Toon always knows how to write a page turner. Now this book has fairly long chapters, which normally is a little off putting for me but it just meant that I stayed reading this book for even longer in one sitting and of course 'one more chapter' before bed turned into many many pages! Aside from that, I love love loved the way this book is structured. It reminded me of One Day in that respect because we have a prologue which introduces us to Nell and her Son Luke and then we flash all the way back to when she was five. The book continues on in increments of five years that like, 10, 15 and so on until we reach the epilogue, thank goodness there was an epilogue. I love the fact that we got to revisit these characters again and again and fill in the gaps five years at a time.
Nell as a character is great to follow because she is just a lovely person who knows the difference between right and wrong. She is like a best friend or a sister, not someone who necessarily knows what direction she wants to go in life but knows that she wants to surround herself with love and happiness. Van is very similar in this way, he just wants to be happy and for his family to be happy as well. Like Nell, he has a strong moral compass, I really liked that about both of them. We are also introduced to quite a few secondary characters who can often play the third wheel in a way. One character, Edward, is introduced in the Ten chapter and the friendship between the three of them reminded me a little of the friendship between the three main characters in the musical Blood Brothers, there was great tension between them all, the kind that makes you really really want to keep reading and find out more.
As I mentioned, neither of our main characters really have a great life plan, something which I really liked about the book and they let their circumstances lead them in the direction which suits them best. Sometimes these circumstances are happy, sometimes they are challenging and of course sometimes they are sad. I will admit I had 2 pretty major cries during this book. One at the end of course and another part way through so, as will all Paige Toon novels, have a couple of tissues ready! As always, the book is set between the UK and Australia and due to the fact that the UK setting is Cornwall there is a lot of surfing involved. Now I have no interest in surfing whatsoever but it didn't put me off reading about any of the events or the characters in this book, so have no fear that surfing will take over, even if you have no interesting in waves and boards and wetsuits, these characters will guide you along and you will still have a good time!
As I say, this was a fairly fast read for me, I wanted to try and make it last longer but I really had to find out what happened. There are certain aspects of each chapter that only really become clear when you start reading the next chapter and so you just have to keep reading. There were moments I could relate to, moments that made me laugh and moments that made me cry. All the while though, I enjoyed that feeling of escapism that a Paige Toon novel always brings with it and I am so glad I was able to read Nell and Van's story, it really is one of legend!
Nell as a character is great to follow because she is just a lovely person who knows the difference between right and wrong. She is like a best friend or a sister, not someone who necessarily knows what direction she wants to go in life but knows that she wants to surround herself with love and happiness. Van is very similar in this way, he just wants to be happy and for his family to be happy as well. Like Nell, he has a strong moral compass, I really liked that about both of them. We are also introduced to quite a few secondary characters who can often play the third wheel in a way. One character, Edward, is introduced in the Ten chapter and the friendship between the three of them reminded me a little of the friendship between the three main characters in the musical Blood Brothers, there was great tension between them all, the kind that makes you really really want to keep reading and find out more.
As I mentioned, neither of our main characters really have a great life plan, something which I really liked about the book and they let their circumstances lead them in the direction which suits them best. Sometimes these circumstances are happy, sometimes they are challenging and of course sometimes they are sad. I will admit I had 2 pretty major cries during this book. One at the end of course and another part way through so, as will all Paige Toon novels, have a couple of tissues ready! As always, the book is set between the UK and Australia and due to the fact that the UK setting is Cornwall there is a lot of surfing involved. Now I have no interest in surfing whatsoever but it didn't put me off reading about any of the events or the characters in this book, so have no fear that surfing will take over, even if you have no interesting in waves and boards and wetsuits, these characters will guide you along and you will still have a good time!
As I say, this was a fairly fast read for me, I wanted to try and make it last longer but I really had to find out what happened. There are certain aspects of each chapter that only really become clear when you start reading the next chapter and so you just have to keep reading. There were moments I could relate to, moments that made me laugh and moments that made me cry. All the while though, I enjoyed that feeling of escapism that a Paige Toon novel always brings with it and I am so glad I was able to read Nell and Van's story, it really is one of legend!
July 29, 2021
Oh my god, it’s been a while I didn’t read such a beautiful story. So beautifully written. I was absolutely loving this book until the end…😭 Not gonna lie the ending left me feeling unfulfilled and that took away my enjoyment of this book.
However, it was a beautiful story, nicely developed, just not with a fairytale ending. And I need fairytale ending in my romances. It was kind of a bummer for me. ☹️
However, it was a beautiful story, nicely developed, just not with a fairytale ending. And I need fairytale ending in my romances. It was kind of a bummer for me. ☹️
July 28, 2018
I read this in one sitting through a span of two hours and ten minutes. If that doesn’t speak for the quality of this book I don’t know what will!
April 20, 2018
What a beautiful story, so easy to read, and it tugged on the heart strings, but at the same time I suspect will have me later think back over my own life in 5 year chunks to see how things have changed, or what may have been the effect of something else.
This is the story of Nell and Van, and how their lives intersect at 5 yearly intervals. We meet them aged five when Nell's dad is living with Van's mum. In a rollercoaster of emotion and life changing moments you are drawn into their lives and over the few hours it took for me to devour this this book , I feel as though I have grown up alongside them.
I loved getting to know both Nell and Van, along with their friends and the other locals in Cornwall that they grew up with. There are plenty of unexpected turns in this book which just added to the one more page syndrome that I had while reading this.
Read the book in two sittings, the majority of it sitting out in the garden, refusing to move or do more work until well I ran out of pages. I was hooked on this story, although if you are a slower reader, the book is split into 5 year snapshots, so you could read a chapter and come back to the next knowing that the characters have grown a bit older in your absence.
I totally love Paige Toon's books and her writing is as wonderful as ever before I have always found her books to be exceptionally quick to read and this was no exception, it was a fabulous book to read on a hot spring day, while mentally being in Cornwall with Nell and Van.
This is the story of Nell and Van, and how their lives intersect at 5 yearly intervals. We meet them aged five when Nell's dad is living with Van's mum. In a rollercoaster of emotion and life changing moments you are drawn into their lives and over the few hours it took for me to devour this this book , I feel as though I have grown up alongside them.
I loved getting to know both Nell and Van, along with their friends and the other locals in Cornwall that they grew up with. There are plenty of unexpected turns in this book which just added to the one more page syndrome that I had while reading this.
Read the book in two sittings, the majority of it sitting out in the garden, refusing to move or do more work until well I ran out of pages. I was hooked on this story, although if you are a slower reader, the book is split into 5 year snapshots, so you could read a chapter and come back to the next knowing that the characters have grown a bit older in your absence.
I totally love Paige Toon's books and her writing is as wonderful as ever before I have always found her books to be exceptionally quick to read and this was no exception, it was a fabulous book to read on a hot spring day, while mentally being in Cornwall with Nell and Van.
May 29, 2019
This left me very disappointed. I have read most of Paige Toons books and she is the only 'chick lit' author that I read. I mostly read other fiction, but I devoured all of her books, especially the earlier ones (Lucy in the Sky, Johnny Be Good). I always tried to read a little slower so as to savor the experience more. It was different with this one. I found the writing from the perspective of a five-year-old (and also, ages 10 and 15) quite boring at times and not very relatable. However, as this is the only time the protagonists really spend time together, I see the point of writing it like this.
It seemed implausible at times how the author made sure that Nell and Van could not be together. And it makes you wonder about the skipped times of their lives. After Nell and Joel broke up, for example, why didn't the two of them make it work then? The obstacles in their way seemed a little artificial and just to stretch the story. You follow the characters' lives for decades. You keep thinking, will they FINALLY be able to be together now, now that this or that is out of the way? Being together, for me, felt like the only right choice.
I hated the whole Ed storyline from the beginning. I got a sick feeling in my gut as Nell spent time with the guy, went over to his place etc. I found myself skipping whole paragraphs, because I just didn't care for Ed and Nell as a couple. It felt so wrong. I lost hope towards the end, only to think, in the last chapter, that it could work out after all - Van's daughter starting university in the UK and everything. But no, Nell has long since married Ed, had a couple more kids and the book actually tries to tell you that's the right choice?! I didn't feel it. I felt heartbroken.
When I read a book like this, it's to be uplifted. To feel really good, happy for the protagonists, a kind of escapism. This one just didn't do that for me. I would have liked it better if Nell had ended up with Nick, because he was described in more detail and sounded more likable as a romantic partner than Ed. It is plausible that Nick and Nell broke up, though, but I'm just saying, better him than Ed. The ending is very unsatisfying. I don't know why Paige Toon keeps doing that, she did it in 13 Weddings, too. She introduces a whole new character in the last few pages that the reader doesn't even have time to like and is opposed to anyway, as they would most likely be rooting for the two protagonists that the whole book is about.
I feel sad for Nell, ending up with a second choice. What will their kids think one day when they learn that their parents left their true love just because of them? I would feel horrible, even though I can understand that you make decisions based on the happiness of your children. Once they're older, however, don't you deserve happiness, too? It all seemed strange and I regret having spent time with this book. Not so sure I'll read future books of the author, which makes me very, very sad as she used to be one of my favorite authors. But if I feel let down and angry afterwards, what's the point?
It seemed implausible at times how the author made sure that Nell and Van could not be together. And it makes you wonder about the skipped times of their lives. After Nell and Joel broke up, for example, why didn't the two of them make it work then? The obstacles in their way seemed a little artificial and just to stretch the story. You follow the characters' lives for decades. You keep thinking, will they FINALLY be able to be together now, now that this or that is out of the way? Being together, for me, felt like the only right choice.
I hated the whole Ed storyline from the beginning. I got a sick feeling in my gut as Nell spent time with the guy, went over to his place etc. I found myself skipping whole paragraphs, because I just didn't care for Ed and Nell as a couple. It felt so wrong. I lost hope towards the end, only to think, in the last chapter, that it could work out after all - Van's daughter starting university in the UK and everything. But no, Nell has long since married Ed, had a couple more kids and the book actually tries to tell you that's the right choice?! I didn't feel it. I felt heartbroken.
When I read a book like this, it's to be uplifted. To feel really good, happy for the protagonists, a kind of escapism. This one just didn't do that for me. I would have liked it better if Nell had ended up with Nick, because he was described in more detail and sounded more likable as a romantic partner than Ed. It is plausible that Nick and Nell broke up, though, but I'm just saying, better him than Ed. The ending is very unsatisfying. I don't know why Paige Toon keeps doing that, she did it in 13 Weddings, too. She introduces a whole new character in the last few pages that the reader doesn't even have time to like and is opposed to anyway, as they would most likely be rooting for the two protagonists that the whole book is about.
I feel sad for Nell, ending up with a second choice. What will their kids think one day when they learn that their parents left their true love just because of them? I would feel horrible, even though I can understand that you make decisions based on the happiness of your children. Once they're older, however, don't you deserve happiness, too? It all seemed strange and I regret having spent time with this book. Not so sure I'll read future books of the author, which makes me very, very sad as she used to be one of my favorite authors. But if I feel let down and angry afterwards, what's the point?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2018
1.5 stars
This fell rather flat for me. I've read Paige Toon before, she's previously written some wonderfully uplifting books that are perfect summer reads, but this for sure isn't one of them.
My friend decided to choose this for a readalong so we can discuss it (I'm all for a bookclub!) and we sadly both ended up not liking it much. So, naturally, our book discussion was very negative and ranty. Those are the best kind though! Much more fun.
I disliked the love interest for a start and found myself not really attaching to the protagonist either. Everything was underdeveloped, there wasn't any character development and everything was so rushed. The storyline was kind of all over the place and it just didn't work with me. I also think the ending was too unrealistic and fluffy to some extent, and I wasn't happy that the whole reason for this book barely even happened.
SPOILER ALERT:
If you're going to start reading Paige Toon or any other authors in "Women's Lit" (or whatever this genre is, not even sure), I wouldn't start with this one. Maybe avoid it. I see it's very popular on Goodreads and I can maybe see why people are fond of it, but I wasn't a fan.
This fell rather flat for me. I've read Paige Toon before, she's previously written some wonderfully uplifting books that are perfect summer reads, but this for sure isn't one of them.
My friend decided to choose this for a readalong so we can discuss it (I'm all for a bookclub!) and we sadly both ended up not liking it much. So, naturally, our book discussion was very negative and ranty. Those are the best kind though! Much more fun.
I disliked the love interest for a start and found myself not really attaching to the protagonist either. Everything was underdeveloped, there wasn't any character development and everything was so rushed. The storyline was kind of all over the place and it just didn't work with me. I also think the ending was too unrealistic and fluffy to some extent, and I wasn't happy that the whole reason for this book barely even happened.
SPOILER ALERT:
If you're going to start reading Paige Toon or any other authors in "Women's Lit" (or whatever this genre is, not even sure), I wouldn't start with this one. Maybe avoid it. I see it's very popular on Goodreads and I can maybe see why people are fond of it, but I wasn't a fan.
June 5, 2018
Sorry, but I feel betrayed. I thought I could rely on Paige to give me a satisfying and uplifting story - it’s why I read her books. I read them for relief from more ‘literary’ fiction. I love being able to invest emotionally in characters, which I did fully in the beginning, confident that Paige would deliver the happy ending. I got suspicious halfway through when things started going awry and the plot started feeling a bit convoluted. I persevered hoping that things would improve. They didn’t. This book left me feeling heartbroken. Too much sadness, too much crying, which is fine if there is a payoff at the end, but nooooo! Cross and sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2018
This book tore out my heart, stomped on it, dumped it in gasoline, lit it on fire, and then shoved it back into my chest while it was still burning.
May 4, 2020
There is just so much to love about this book! The main characters Nell and Van are both just so lovely to read about and so well developed and relatable. I fell in love with them both as children and adults.
I loved the format of the book. We meet Nell and Van every five years from the age of 5 up into their forties. Every five years we catch up with them both, find out what's been happening in their lives and how their relationship has changed. I particularly enjoyed this format because we managed to cover so much of their lives without it becoming too long winded or boring.
As the story unfolds we watch Nell and Vans friendship grow and then develop as they become older. Time and time again they seem to end up separated by thousands of miles, destined to never be together.
Alongside Nell and Van there are a whole host of wonderful characters, and then of course there are the beautifully written scenes set in Cornwall and Australia. Paige's descriptions come alive from the page and make you feel as though you are really there with them whether that's looking out at a gorgeous sunset or wading barefoot through the freezing cold sea.
Five Years From Now is such a heartwarming, wonderful story but it certainly packs an emotional punch. I'm pleased to see this book reduced me to tears, in fact the ending full on broke me. It wasn't the ending I would have chosen, but it was a little bit perfect in its own way.
I could have read about Nell and Van for another fifty years and am almost sad the book is over for me. I noticed this with the last Paige Toon book I read, The Last Piece of My Heart. The characters really do become to feel so real you actually think you know them in real life and look forward to reading about them. After two brilliant reads I'm now a solid Paige Toon fan!
I loved the format of the book. We meet Nell and Van every five years from the age of 5 up into their forties. Every five years we catch up with them both, find out what's been happening in their lives and how their relationship has changed. I particularly enjoyed this format because we managed to cover so much of their lives without it becoming too long winded or boring.
As the story unfolds we watch Nell and Vans friendship grow and then develop as they become older. Time and time again they seem to end up separated by thousands of miles, destined to never be together.
Alongside Nell and Van there are a whole host of wonderful characters, and then of course there are the beautifully written scenes set in Cornwall and Australia. Paige's descriptions come alive from the page and make you feel as though you are really there with them whether that's looking out at a gorgeous sunset or wading barefoot through the freezing cold sea.
Five Years From Now is such a heartwarming, wonderful story but it certainly packs an emotional punch. I'm pleased to see this book reduced me to tears, in fact the ending full on broke me. It wasn't the ending I would have chosen, but it was a little bit perfect in its own way.
I could have read about Nell and Van for another fifty years and am almost sad the book is over for me. I noticed this with the last Paige Toon book I read, The Last Piece of My Heart. The characters really do become to feel so real you actually think you know them in real life and look forward to reading about them. After two brilliant reads I'm now a solid Paige Toon fan!
May 4, 2019
Nell and Van met when they were 5-years old, sharing bunk beds in her father’s cottage. They became the best of friends and over the next few years, they have adventure after adventure together. But when they’re 10-years old, a tragedy tears them apart, sending Van to Australia to live with his father, leaving Nell behind to live with hers in England.
5-years later, Nell and Van are reunited and it’s like all the years between them have melted away. But in the place of their once strong friendship is a budding romance. They’re madly in love like teenagers usually are, but once again they’re torn apart, living on opposite sides of the world.
The story follows their journey every 5-years. Countless times, Van and Nell are brought back together, only to live separate lives, again and again. But one thing remains: their unwavering love for each other.
This is Van and Nell’s love story—but not every love story has a happy ending.
Five Years From Now by Paige Toon is an emotional, soft-spoken story about love. Paige Toon has done it again—she’s written a story that had me tearing up. I enjoy books that span over decades, where we see bits and pieces of the main character’s lives every few years. This story had me thinking about how people come into our lives for a reason, but not all people you care about are meant to stay. Life is inconvenient and tears apart even soulmates, as we get to see firsthand here. While the ending was bittersweet, it felt right. I’ll leave it at that, as I don't want to reveal too much here. Yet another heartfelt book from Paige Toon—4.25/5 stars.
5-years later, Nell and Van are reunited and it’s like all the years between them have melted away. But in the place of their once strong friendship is a budding romance. They’re madly in love like teenagers usually are, but once again they’re torn apart, living on opposite sides of the world.
The story follows their journey every 5-years. Countless times, Van and Nell are brought back together, only to live separate lives, again and again. But one thing remains: their unwavering love for each other.
This is Van and Nell’s love story—but not every love story has a happy ending.
Five Years From Now by Paige Toon is an emotional, soft-spoken story about love. Paige Toon has done it again—she’s written a story that had me tearing up. I enjoy books that span over decades, where we see bits and pieces of the main character’s lives every few years. This story had me thinking about how people come into our lives for a reason, but not all people you care about are meant to stay. Life is inconvenient and tears apart even soulmates, as we get to see firsthand here. While the ending was bittersweet, it felt right. I’ll leave it at that, as I don't want to reveal too much here. Yet another heartfelt book from Paige Toon—4.25/5 stars.
July 8, 2018
Hated the ending!!!!!!
May 21, 2018
Wel Paige Toon did it again ... boek kon ik niet wegleggen ... heb zelfs niet gegeten .... jawel je leest het goed ... <3
September 1, 2018
First of all, I want to say thank you to my wonderful friend Amanda (who is also an awesome blogger and you should all check out here blog here) for giving me a copy of this novel.
Amanda knew I was dying to read Five Years From Now, because it is the newest piece of work from one of my favorite authors, Paige Toon, and she was kind enough to send me a copy.
Once again, Paige Toon didn’t disappoint. In Five Years From Now she created two wonderful main characters who will win hearts of the readers all over the world.
This is a beautiful, emotional story that will make you smile, hold your breath and also, it will probably make your heart wrench.
As matter of fact, your heart will probably be broken to that level that you will go online and talk about it all day long (or maybe even longer).
At least, that’s how it’s done on twitter.
Since everyone talked about how emotional this novel is, and there was even a video of the author crying her heart out while writing this book, I prepared myself for the worst.
Can you imagine the consequence of my preparation?
Yes, you’re right. I didn’t cry at all! But in my defense, I’m not a big cryer anyway, plus, this story was still pretty emotional for me.
If there’s one thing I learned from this wonderful novel is just how long the period of 5 years actually is.
So many things can happen’ in 5 years, lives can change drastically.
The story follows Nell and Van from when they were 5 years old to when they were in their forties.
They met because of their parents, who were in love and lived together. When they were 10 a big tragedy separated them and Van moved to another part of the world, Australia.
They kept seeing each other every five years. There was always that big chemistry between them that turned out into love, but life isn’t always as you want it to be.
They both built their own families, lived their own lives, but couldn’t forget each other.
In whole honesty, while I was reading Five Years From Now I had a feeling I already came across this story before, and then it hit me: Love, Rosie! I’ve never read the book, but I’ve seen the movie multiple times, and Five Years From Now reminded me of it.
But still, even though it had some similarities, it is also so different.
Toon’s writing style is so amazing. Her books are always so easy to read, with beautiful sentences.
I want to stress out that Five Years From Now is not only emotional story, but it also has brilliant atmosphere, with amazing descriptions of Cornwall and it’s beaches.
Reading this book while on vacation is the perfect score!
I feel like everyone who already read this piece of literature talks about the end, so I won’t.
In all honesty, I wish they wouldn’t either, because it spoils the reading experience.
I’ll just say I liked it.
Amanda knew I was dying to read Five Years From Now, because it is the newest piece of work from one of my favorite authors, Paige Toon, and she was kind enough to send me a copy.
Once again, Paige Toon didn’t disappoint. In Five Years From Now she created two wonderful main characters who will win hearts of the readers all over the world.
This is a beautiful, emotional story that will make you smile, hold your breath and also, it will probably make your heart wrench.
As matter of fact, your heart will probably be broken to that level that you will go online and talk about it all day long (or maybe even longer).
At least, that’s how it’s done on twitter.
Since everyone talked about how emotional this novel is, and there was even a video of the author crying her heart out while writing this book, I prepared myself for the worst.
Can you imagine the consequence of my preparation?
Yes, you’re right. I didn’t cry at all! But in my defense, I’m not a big cryer anyway, plus, this story was still pretty emotional for me.
If there’s one thing I learned from this wonderful novel is just how long the period of 5 years actually is.
So many things can happen’ in 5 years, lives can change drastically.
The story follows Nell and Van from when they were 5 years old to when they were in their forties.
They met because of their parents, who were in love and lived together. When they were 10 a big tragedy separated them and Van moved to another part of the world, Australia.
They kept seeing each other every five years. There was always that big chemistry between them that turned out into love, but life isn’t always as you want it to be.
They both built their own families, lived their own lives, but couldn’t forget each other.
In whole honesty, while I was reading Five Years From Now I had a feeling I already came across this story before, and then it hit me: Love, Rosie! I’ve never read the book, but I’ve seen the movie multiple times, and Five Years From Now reminded me of it.
But still, even though it had some similarities, it is also so different.
Toon’s writing style is so amazing. Her books are always so easy to read, with beautiful sentences.
I want to stress out that Five Years From Now is not only emotional story, but it also has brilliant atmosphere, with amazing descriptions of Cornwall and it’s beaches.
Reading this book while on vacation is the perfect score!
I feel like everyone who already read this piece of literature talks about the end, so I won’t.
In all honesty, I wish they wouldn’t either, because it spoils the reading experience.
I’ll just say I liked it.
February 3, 2019
This book came to me at the perfect time - when I needed something addictive and swoony with an easy entry level (for those moods when I just want to come home from work, relax and switch off). The story line follows two main characters from their childhoods, teen years, into adulthood through to them having children themselves (and then you also see their own children's childhoods/teen years). It was cruisey and addictive, charming and easy to sink into and go along for the (occasionally twisty) ride. Yep, I love a good contemporary chick lit (although I tend to abandon more in this genre, than finish them), and this one had the swoon and up-all-night vibes.
I'd actually tried Paige Toon before and never ended up finishing her books, so not sure if this was just the right mood timing or if I've mellowed and changed to liking this genre more? Haha.
I'd actually tried Paige Toon before and never ended up finishing her books, so not sure if this was just the right mood timing or if I've mellowed and changed to liking this genre more? Haha.
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