I was first introduced to Paige Toon last year when I read Only Love Can Heart Like This. Seven Summers blew me away. It is so beautifully written, I felt like I was right there with Liv and Finn. The scenery was so descriptive I could picture the town and where everything was. I enjoyed learning about Liv and Finn, I do wish there was a little more about Finn growing up. The inclusion of Liv's brother Michael was beautiful.

What would you do if you loved someone but only saw them once a year during the summer? This was beautifully written and the growth of their relationship as well as individuals was wonderful. Can a love like this last or is it just not meant to be. I wasn't sure what to think when Tom came along but that portion of the book was magical in a different way.

Are Liv and Finn meant to be together? I loved the seven summers leading up and the seven summers after. I did feel that the end was rushed and would have enjoyed more of the last seven summers.

Rating: 4.5
Anticipated Release Date: May 21, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and Paige Toon for an ARC of Seven Summers for an honest review.

Liv and Finn meet six summers ago. After a fun night turns to tragedy, they are forever bonded. But life and commitments get in the way and they endure a long distance relationship until one falls in love.

This is a totally new author to me, but I can’t wait to delve into her backlog and anxiously await her next read. This beautiful, summery cover spoke to me, and the description sealed the deal. But the writing and storyline had me turning the pages, devouring the story. I loved the characters, especially the lovable Michael. I so appreciated the way the author portrayed Michael’s condition and fierce independence and Liv’s devotion to him. All characters and situations were realistic and relatable. I enjoyed seeing the characters mature and make some tough decisions. I read this with a lump in my throat and a tissue in hand. This book gave me all the feels…loss, family and always love at the center.

Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you for the advanced readers copy of Seven Summers. What drew me in was the beautiful cover and title that reminded me of Morgan Wallen. I love exploring new authors, particularly romance, because I am most open to new ideas, settings, characters.

Unfortunately, something just didn’t click for me with this one. I have been in a bit of a romance slump, so that could be contributing to it. This wasn’t bad, I really thought the FMC was cute and reminded me a bit of myself.

I just can’t do tell not show romance. You are really thrown into an instant romance with absolutely no slow burn. I think what my ultimate issue with the book was the light theme beginning & then abrupt grief loss that was not fleshed out. Also, let’s meet every summer like nov 9 (Colleen Hoover) gave me the ick.

All and all, I didn’t love but I would pick up another book by the author because the writing was good.

Seven Summers by Paige Toon is an edgy and emotional read that had me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

Liv’s art is her passion, but she has also had several love interests. I adored her love interests and how she evolved as a sister, a friend, a colleague, an artist, and more. Art and music are woven throughout, along with so many stories. There are beautiful descriptions of Cornwall, the book’s primary setting, and I could picture the locations in my mind.

The story had a good flow in the sections telling each summer’s story, but I was often disappointed since we flipped to the present and the past in no discernible order, which sometimes took a while to wrap my head around.

There was closure and a wonderfully deserved ending, with a better-than-expected happily ever after that was a long time coming.

Seven Summers is set in a small village on the sea of Cornwall and filled with art, music, and a core group of friends. Have a cuppa or another beverage and meet some wonderful people.

The review is posted on NovelsAlive.

Seven summers of undulated love, heartbreak and bittersweet happiness.

Thanks NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC!

Paige Toon! I can’t believe you did this to our hearts. 🥺We can only take so much. 💔

This book left me speechless and crestfallen. But what a brilliantly imagined story of love! I think this is Toon’s best yet!

Synopsis -

Cornwall - six summers ago, Liv and Finn are bound for life in both love and unimaginable tragedy. While Liv carries on living here with her brother, working at Seaglass, the beach bar, Finn’s music career is in LA, where he lives with his dad. But he returns every summer to spend it together with Liv (only if they are single).

In the present summer, Liv meets the newcomer in town, the tall & handsome Tom. She begins falling for him amidst the blooming sweetness of nature around them. May be this time the autumn won’t leave her heart aching? But Liv is in for a shock as she gets acquainted with Tom’s past and now must make impossible choices.

Review -

First and foremost, the setting! Oh, my goodness – I am so disappointed that I didn’t visit Cornwall when I went to the UK. If you follow Toon, you can see her reels capturing the footage of the beautiful Cornish coast, the bar that inspired Seaglass, the terrace where Liv and Finn kiss, even the beach cottage that was Liv’s home. I’ve immensely enjoyed seeing these and can only imagine how beautiful Cornwall might be.

Toon’s novels always involve a lot of emotional depth, poignancy and deeply drawn characters. I loved Liv – felt her agony, her pain, anguish and her immense loss. Nobody should go through what she does and I have no idea how she endured getting wrecked every single summer.

While my heart chose Finn, my head said it should be Tom for Liv and for once I was happy she chose to be selfish and put herself first. However life changing the present summer was for Liv, I was glad she found Tom. He was simply a gem.

The ending more than makes up for all the sorrow and heart shattering ❤️‍🩹. It is sure to leave you feeling overwhelmed yet joyfully sated. 🥹

If you enjoy complexly layered romance, then this is for you.

Seven Summers -a standalone and beautiful cover🏖️🩴🐚 !

By Paige Toon- I read Only Love Can Hurt Like This and gave it 5 ⭐

Setting: Cornwall, England

Page count📖 : 488

Publication date: 5-21-24 , read 5-20-24

Rating: 5/5 ⭐

🤷🏾‍♀️WHAT TO EXPECT:

✨ New Adult
✨ Women's Fic
✨ love triangle
✨ slow burn
✨ small town
✨ 2nd chance romance
✨nonlinear
✨grief

Summary: Olivia " Liv" Arterson lives in a coastline town in Cornwall with her parents and brother Michael who has Down Syndrome. There she reconnects with Danny "Finn" Finnegan -a former classmate- now a aspiring singer living in LA. After a passionate night together, tragedy strikes Liv's family. Her dreams of becoming an artist are put on hold, and she and Finn agree to a "summer romance" to hook up every summer if they are single. When Liv slowly moves on with her life she meets and falls for a new renter/ tourist Tom Thorton. A choice has to be made- a forever summer and new spring.

🥰 What I liked:

-Definitely a beach read
-An emotional rollercoaster
- coming of age for Liv and Finn

😞 What I didn't like: N/A

🤔My Thoughts : I loved that the story was told nonchronological. Watching a relationship grow over seven years and how each character changes, makes you root for them. It was emotional just like OLCHLT, and kept me engaged the entire read.

🙏🏿Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC 🩷! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are mine alone.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"It's complicated."
"When isn't it?"

"Don't ask me to stay, Liv."
"Then don't ask me to leave."

"I was never going to fall out of love with you."
"Love is not enough."

"He helped me to fly, only for another man to see me soar."

Just a few of the many quotes that ripped my heart out in the beautifully written Seven Summers by leaving you emotionally raw author Paige Toon.

Home for the summer from studying to be a sculptor Liv's life is changed walking into the Seaglass Bar and hearing the melodic voice of sexy singer Finn. Once their eyes meet their fates are sealed together...or are they?

Both have plans that don't include the other. At the end of summer Finn leaves this Cornish coastline small town for Los Angeles and stardom. Liv's heading back to conquer the art world. But they have the summer; that is until tragedy strikes and Liv's life is left buried in grief, guilt and sorrow.

She can't leave. He can't stay. But they promise if next summer they are single they will pick up where they left off. She wants no communication in between. It will be too hard on her heart. For six summers it works...sort of...and then Tom comes to town. He doesn't leave. He chooses Liv...Every Time. Hold up though, because it's not the story you think. It's not the break up you are thinking of and it's not the heartbreak you're expecting but it will break you and just barely put you back together again.

I finished this, life happens while you make plans, story, as the sun rose. Eyes swollen, cheeks tear stained and heart aching with sadness and joy. Written with the most descriptive prose, bringing the beauty of Cornwall to life, this writer has created fully drawn characters ready for the big screen. Seven Summers will be the romance of this summer.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a gut punch. I’m not sure how Liv and Finn deal with seeing each other only for weeks during the summer. I mean honestly they don’t but they have survived 5 summers so it must work for them. Until it doesn’t. Seven Summers is a story of love, loss, growth and learning to let go. It’s about being open to new things and while maybe never having the closure you seek.

Set in Cornwalll, this is another emotionally charged star crossed, wrong place/wrong time romance that takes place over several summers as two strangers connect and promise to keep meeting each summer until that promise gets too difficult to keep.

Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Ever summer after. This one will make you swoon and cry and is sure to delight long time fans of Paige Toon. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first book by Paige Toon. It was such a beautiful story told over 7 summers filled with love, romance, and sadly, loss. I adored her heartfelt writing and beautiful emotions she poured into this book.

I really loved Liv's character. She really went through a lot with all the heartbreak she experienced throughout her life. I also loved the journey between Live and Finn. They always fell back to each other and were always there for each other no matter what was going on in their life.\

And Tom....the mysterious new arrival that randomly showed up in her town. He deserves so much credit for his understanding of Liv and Finn's relationship. He was so sweet, and I really loved his character.

And for the impossible decision Liv had to make, mu opinion changed so many times regarding what I think she should do, and who she should choose between Finn and Tom.

I really liked the alternative timelines. Starts I'm the present and then goes from the present to 1 summer, 2 summers and so on until 7 summers later.

And can we talk about how beautiful the cover of this book is?

If you enjoy emotional reads, small towns near the sea and a tale of true love, then you don't want to miss out on this beautiful story, Great summer read!

Thank you Net Galley, Putnam books and Paige Toon for my gifted e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Summers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date: 5/21/24

This truly is a beautiful raw and emotional book. It will tear your heart apart and put it back together. Liv meets Finn one summer while working at a bar in Cornwall. They connect on an even deeper level through an unimaginable tragedy. But his life is in LA with his band and she’s not willing to leave Cornwall yet . They make a promise that he will return next summer and if they’re both single they will reconnect.
I loved how there are alternative timelines. You’re in the present but then go back and forth between present and 7 summers and then 6, 5 and so on. I really liked this book but still not sure I liked the ending. I know a lot of people loved the ending. If you want to know why I didn’t you can message me. I don’t want to spoil this beautiful story for anyone!
This is my second book by Paige Toon and I really liked both so much!! I can’t wait to read more by her!!

Thank you NetGalley, Putnam books and Paige Toon for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

No spoilers. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you NetGalley, Paige Toon, and Penguin Group Putnam for this arc. Read via Kindle.

What a roller coaster of emotions. There are tragedies and drama to give this romance more than just the loving story. I loved the way Liv grew as a person over the years and following along over the years. This book was a fun fast read, perfect for a beach read this summer! I did not know how much more my heart could handle, and you will have to see if it was ever repaired when you read this book. The epilogue is longer than expected, but I absolutely felt like it was the perfect way to get your questions answered and not be left wondering. The fun adventures and storyline had me forgetting I was reading a book and like I was living in it.

Would I recommend this? YES. If this is not on your summer TBR yet, you need to add it immediately!

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!

The narrative's depth and rollercoaster of emotions, interwoven with themes of love, loss, and redemption, resonate deeply with me. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Cornwall, the novel expertly navigates multiple timelines and complex relationships, leaving the reader torn between two compelling love interests alongside the protagonist, Liv. As the story unfolds, heartbreak and hope collide, delivering a gut-wrenching yet ultimately satisfying journey that lingers long after the final chapter. With a well-earned place among the reviewer's most cherished reads of the year, "Seven Summers" heralds a triumphant return for Paige Toon and stands out as a standout addition to the world of contemporary romance literature.

Liv and Finn meet six summers ago, their futures full of promise, Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family—so they make a promise. Finn will return every year, and if they are single, they will spend the summer together. Until one summer everything changes.
This is a beautiful well written story that has you pulling at your heart strings, if you like a story that's a rollercoaster of emotions with highs and lows and the type of story that rips your heart out then this is for you. The story is told over seven summers that goes back and forth from past to present. The only reason a didn't give it 5 stars is because I felt the ending was slightly rushed. I highly recommend checking it out. Looking forward to reading more from Paige Toon.
Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for the early copy of this book!

I LOVE this author!!! Liv and Finn meet in a bar six summers ago. A moment of tragedy brought them together, but Liv lives in Cornwall, and Finn lives in LA. That’s where his band is, that’s where his dad is. Finn promises to return every summer, and so long as they are single, they will spend that time together. Then Liv meets Tom, and as they spend time together, they start to fall for each other. Now Liv must make a choice, and the reason that Tom left his hometown is shocking.

Paige Toon has such a way with words, with her story lines – they are utter perfection. Get ready to be gutted reading this book. I was gutted multiple times. But she puts you back together, even if it’s not the ending that you originally thought, or the ending came a different way than you thought it would.

This book will literally give you ALL the feels – love, sadness, grief, happiness, worry. My chest physically hurt going through all these emotions. I wanted to read this so fast so I could just be apart of Finn and Liv’s world, but I also didn’t want it to end.

I KNEW that Toon could rip my heart out when I read Only Love Can Hurt Like This, and this book is on par with that one. If you like being emotionally wrecked (which I do, obviously), then you absolutely NEED to read this book!

Toon also includes a character with disabilities in this book, and I think her portrayal of that character was well done. I was happy to see that Michael had his own life, his own independence, and that he thought he was taking care of his sister, Liv, as much as she was taking care of him.

This a 10 star must read book!

This book tugs at your heartstrings. It is a beautiful love story on two counts. It is told in summers, before, present and after. It is a story of Liv and Finn both of which have had tragedy strike their families. Liv lives in a beach town and manages rental properties. She also bartends at the local bar. Finn is a musician who lives in LA. They have mutual friends who have fun and hang out together. Liv & Finn fall in love but neither of them can move from where they live so they see each other every summer. If neither of them is with anyone else they will pick up where they left off the last summer. It is a very hard relationship. Enter Tom, a handsome man who is renting a house from Liv. She finds him very attractive and they strike up a friendship. It is here the story becomes very involved and interesting. Tom has some issues he is dealing with but he is very attentive and loves taking care of Liv. She has never had anyone who stays in her corner for long. The writing is great, the characters are great and the story is heart wrenching. It is a great read and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to #netgalley, #randomhouse and @paigetoonauthor for an ARC of this great book.

Seven Summers is a story told in the span of six summers. Liv and Finn promise to meet every summer if they are still single.
There is a lot happening in this book and everything is tied together to make it fit. The jump from past to present for me made to feel a little bit choppy. The book will be loved by fans of Paige Toon. For me it was Ok and not much more.
Thank you NetGalley, Paige Toon and Penguin Group for the copy of Seven Summers. This is my personal review.

This book is so moving. I was invested beginning to end. Paige Toon just has a way of pulling the heart strings. It's so well written, easy to follow and offers a great pace. It was full of love, drama, happy, sad and just all the emotions. I would highly recommend this book.

Liv and Finn have an undeniable connection. So much so that they promise to see each other every summer but only if they’re single. Fast forward almost a decade of their back and forth, their lives start to form and they are forced with outside influences that don’t allow them to be together. A typical right person, wrong time many times over in the duration of their lives. They both try and move on with others but in the end, it always falls back to each other.

I have so many mixed emotions about this one. I truly loved the journey of Finn and Liv. I loved how they always fell back to each other but what annoyed me the most was that they held out for each other for years without either one of them budging to take the next step. Then Liv finds love in another, Tom. That man should have received more recognition because if my boyfriend told me he needed to go see his ex to close a chapter, I would have not been there when he came back. Tom definitely didn’t get enough credit for his understanding of Liv and Finn’s relationship so kudos to that man! Overall, it was a sweet story. I did feel like the ending was rushed way too much especially under the circumstances we see happen to Liv and lo and behold, Finn there to pick up the pieces.

Sometimes after reading a Paige Toon it takes me a while to figure out how I feel about it because the writing is so beautiful and painful and loving and basically all the feels. Seven Summers was like that. I find that just as with Only Love Can Hurt Like This, elements of the book creep into my thoughts even days later. Beyond a fun, flirty, summer romance story, Seven Summers really pulls at the heartstrings with drama, uncertainty and pain. The best for a deeply moving love story.

I usually go in to stories blind, only relying on my love for authors or word of mouth because I don't like to expect anything from the story and I'm glad I did the same with this one!