Wren is left devastated when the man she is planning to marry tells her he’s fallen in love with someone else. After months trying to avoid her ex and his new girlfriend, Wren eventually takes a summer trip to Indiana to spend a few weeks with her dad and stepmother on their farm, and reconnect with her half-sister. While there, Wren befriends locals Jonas and Anders and can’t help but start to fall for Anders despite the distance he is sure to set between them. Because Anders holds onto a tragic secret, and is still grieving the loss of his wife 4 years previously, that would make a relationship with Wren impossible even as they start to fall in love.

I absolutely loved this one. I was totally hooked and I am remembering why I used to love Paige Toon so much and now I need to catch up on her back list that I’ve been missing out on. I found so many parts of Wren’s story so emotional and as a character, I really feel that I got to know her - her strengths and her vulnerabilities as well as some of her flaws - at the same time that she also takes time for some self reflection and sees the ways she acted in her past relationship that weren’t quite right.

I really enjoyed the farm setting and I loved that the main places the characters hung out tended to be on one of the farms. The friendship group that forms with Jonas, Bailey, Wren and Anders was also a really lovely one and I genuinely think that some of the enthusiasm and joy fell off the page and made me happier in turn just imagining the summer days in Indiana, the lake and movie night and all the excitement of plans still to come. It all felt every atmospheric and I really felt like we as readers were transported to the farms.

I also felt so emotional about so many aspects of Wren’s story especially her connection and reconnection with her Dad and sister. Wren’s feeling of ‘other’ in her family in America is so obvious and it’s easy to see the ways in which her past has affected her and the way she interacts with her dad and Sheryl, and I loved the small ways they all got closer and the steps that were taken by Sheryl to apologize. It was also lovely to watch Wren and Bailey form a really solid friendship and sisterhood, and be there for each other.

I also just loved the connection between Wren and Anders. It’s very slow burn, and a real friends to lovers story though it’s obvious from the start that Wren is falling much quicker, even when she doesn’t want to. I didn’t really expect Anders’ ‘secret’ and I do think it’s a very complex one that really delves deep into what love and commitment means to different people, guilt, moving on or ‘giving up’ and to the core, I think it comes down to the right to life or the right to release. I think it’s a topic that may affect some people very strongly and could be a controversial one depending on how you feel about the topic at the core of the secret. But it’s certainly incredibly emotional and torturous for Anders and I really felt for him and Wren s everything came to light and how impossible a future looked for them.

I know some people aren’t a big fan of rambling epilogues where you get the lowdown on everyone’s story but I do enjoy them as a guilty pleasure and this one was one of those for me. Sometimes the neat bow and happy endings is exactly what I need.

Fantastic book with great core characters. Recommend to friends for anyone who loves this genre of book!

This was a book about second chances with a wide range of characters and a string found family element.

As a big Paige Toon fan, I was so excited to read this book and it didn't disappoint! It was emotional, raw, authentic and full of love. It captivated me from start to finish and I'd highly recommend it!

Thanks to the publishers & NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

I was extremely late to join the Paige Toon bandwagon but, since I read my first of her books a while back, I always keep my eye on her releases so I can dive into the next one.

‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ follows Toon’s
modus operandi in that it focuses on the female lead recovering from a traumatic event in a new setting, gradually opening herself up to love but not without a few hurdles along the way.

Wren and Anders had my heart immediately. Yes, there were a few moments where I just wanted to jump into the book and shout JUST KISS EACH OTHER or JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER but sometimes this frustration makes the happier moments all the more enjoyable.

As usual, the secondary characters added to this one and really set the scene for me — as well as the vivid description of the setting — without falling into the “annoying but sometimes valuable “ category where they sometimes do.

I don’t want to spoil this one but if you love Toon’s wholesome yet emotional books, definitely give this one a go.

Another fab book from Paige Toon, I know a book is good if it makes me cry! I found it a bit slow to start but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. All the characters were so likeable and the story was just beautiful and heart warming. Can't wait for the next book now!

A wonderfully written book by a contemporary romance author. This book explored the realness of love and just how messy it can get. I wish there was more point of views but a good read.

I have always loved Paige Toon's books so I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this one! She always gets the emotions out with her love stories and this one was no different. I don't want to give too much away but it's the love story of Wren and Anders. They don't expect to fall in love but when they do, Anders is forced to reveal what he's kept hidden.

This heartbreaking small town romance was just the type of book I needed in between all the thrillers I have been reading of late. It was well written, hard to put down and made me tear up a few times. Another Toon-tastic read!

This was my first Paige Toon novel but I have heard lots of great things so was really excited to be accepted to read this. Only Love Can Hurt Like This was a fantastic read that pulled on the heart strings

Sumptuous heart-rending romance with well drawn characters, a compelling plot and some intense love scenes.

Architect Wren is living with her landscape gardener fiance in picturesque Bury St Edmunds when she notices him having an intense discussion with a colleague just before her world comes crashing down when Scott comes to explain that they have to end their relationship.

The one saving grace is that he has been honest and let her know straight away before anything happens, but their small town means they can't help running into each other. Wren's mum suggests some space might help and Wren goes to visit her dad in the US where he lives with the woman he left her mum for and their daughter.

Relations are strained as Wren feels abandoned having only seen her father for brief vists after the divorce when she was a young child. She feels disliked by her step-mum and like an intruder in their new family. Her relationship with her stepsister isn't great due to the age gap, combined with her resentment that she alone has received all the fatherly attention, leaving Wren feeling rejected by him in favour of his new family.

Her feelings of isolation are compounded when Wren learns that her stepsister now lives very nearby and sees they have a very close relationship. However, now that they are older, the 6 year age gap becomes less significant and she agrees to spend some time with her, starting with going to a local bar that evening.

Whilst there they can't help but notice two very handsome brothers playing pool. It turns out they are from a neighbouring farm and over time friendships develop, helped by a tornado warning leading them to shelter together. She makes breakthroughs to improve her relationship with her family and is able to extend her stay by working remotely for a few weeks.

Things are going really well and she considers accepting a job offer to extend her stay more permanently when a romantic relationship also begins to blossom, only to be immediately thwarted before it can start by a huge bombshell revelation leaving them facing a difficult and painful decision. Coming to terms with this Wren resolves to walk away but she realises that she has to at least be open and honest about her feelings. The only problem is, will that be enough?

okay but this book hit hella deep wth? i really really enjoyed it and will defo have to give it a reread, it made me a bit emosh. i will 100% have to check out the authors other works. i loved the raw emotions and the way the betrayal just… AHH THE ANGST. give me all the angst

I'm a sucker for a well written romance and this was right up my street. Complicated back stories, realistic characters, enough will they/ won't they moments to keep me completely hooked, and some wonderfully emotional moments. This book has had rave reviews all year and I can see why, it has everything you want in one beautifully put together storyline.

When I tell you that I SOBBED reading this. So beautifully written and heart wrenching. I couldn't put it down, and would highly recommend this book to everyone!

My first novel by this author, but definitely not my last. Absolutely loved it, devoured it in a few days and loved every second

I’m a sucker for books like this. I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting to cry so much in this one though! I finished this in a day because Toon managed to grab my attention so much and I didn’t want to wait to find out what happened. The main twist in the plot become more predictable the more I read, but not in a bad way. Also, please tell me I’m not the only person who can’t read the title without singing the song?!

There are no words to honestly describe my love of Paige Toon’s books. I first read Lucy in the Sky around 15 years ago, and I have been utterly obsessed ever since. I have devoured each and every one of her books as they released, and Lucy in the Sky has always stayed my absolute favourite… until now. Only Love Can Hurt Like This is absolutely stunning in every way possible.

Only Love Can Hurt Like This is honestly one of the best books I have read this year, without a doubt. Years ago I used to be able to sit and read a book in a day and focus on it all day, and it’s honestly been years since I have been able to do that. However, I just could not put this book down and I devoured the entire thing in one sitting. I loved the setting, I loved the characters… just everything about it is perfection. It is such a moving and heartbreaking tale but in the best way possible. You are just rooting for these characters so much, and you can’t put the book down until you find out how it all works out for them.

Paige Toon has definitely cemented herself at the top of my favourite authors list. There is nobody who does contemporary and romance quite like she does. I recommend her books to everyone and this is certainly no exception. From the moment we met Wren and Anders, I was giddy and couldn’t wait to see how their relationship was going to develop. But one thing I love about Paige Toon is that she doesn’t only make you love her main characters, but the side characters too. I adored everyone. One thing I really adore about this book is that you see Wren’s half sister, who is recently married going through some struggles and adjusting to married life. I feel like in a lot of books (and real life), marriage is painted as this wonderful thing that is perfect and fantastic and what everyone should strive for, and I actually loved seeing this realistic side plot of yes, it is all of those things, but it can also be really hard adjusting to those new roles. I thought that was wonderful to see!

Only Love Can Hurt Like This is heart-wrenching. Paige has packed all of the emotion that I have come to expect from her into this one. But have no fear… there’s a happy ending I promise. She’s just going to make you feel all the ups and downs of life in the process of getting there. It was utterly perfect, and I already want to re-read this one. If there is only one romance book you pick up this summer, make sure it is Only Love Can Hurt Like This. You won’t be disappointed.

Wow. I was not expecting this book to have so much emotion and depth. I thoroughly enjoyed this book (apart from the sobbing part!) and I’d really recommend this

Beautiful, heartbreaking and utterly unputdownable! A great read, I would advise having tissues to hand. It will make you look back at your own breakups.

A true literary gem that will capture your heart and mind, it is packed with emotion, action, and unexpected revelations. Great beach read.

I absolutely loved this book
Was so well written
And such an emotional read
One of my favourite books of all time
Thanks NetGalley