I dnf'd this book about 40% of the way in. I really thought the storyline from the title of the book and blurb was going to be akin to the emotions you feel when you read Me before you however I didn't really feel anything. The characters are okay but not interesting enough to keep going. I was initially hooked from the first couple of chapters as we follow Wren navigate her breakup but then it just kind of got boring. It felt like the story was being dragged out and there had been no mention of Anders late wife in what I had read and that seems to be a big part of the story. Honestly, the chemistry between Anders and Wren was extremely weak and I just couldn't bring myself to care. To be honest from what I read I don't find the title to be fitting.

I love all books written by Paige Toon and this one didnt disappoint either! The plot and characters were all relatable and i look forward to the next book by paige!

When Wren realises her fiancé is in love with someone else, she thinks her heart will never recover.
On the other side of the world, Anders lost his wife four years ago and is still struggling to move on.
Wren hopes that spending the summer with her dad and step-family on their farm in Indiana will help her to heal. There, amid the cornfields and fireflies, she and Anders cross paths, and their worlds are turned upside-down again.
But Wren doesn't know that Anders is harbouring a secret, and if he acts on any feelings he has for Wren it will have serious fall-out for everyone.

I’m not a big romance reader but occasionally I dip into the genre. This is a well-written and well-constructed novel, making it an easy read. It’s certainly more than a love story with several differing storylines and multiple characters. A good and interesting read.

I got Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.




Only Love Can Hurt Like This is the story of Wren You was raised in The UK after her American dad left them when he got his mistress pregnant with Bailey her step sister.

The story stats out when Wren, finds out her fiance leaves her for his assistant and still struggling with this she goes for a holiday at her fathers house, in America were Wren finds about love.


Only Love Can Hurt Like This, is one of those novels that can almost defy a classification, while I have seen it called a Chick Lit, Romance, Women’s fiction and all though the main character Wren is in her 30’s it is in some ways a new adult novel because it is a novel about dealing with love in its many forms.

I am not saying that it is a novel about love between different or same sex relationships, as the novel is not what you would call device as Only Love Can Hurt Like This seems to be about white characters maybe that is its setting being the farming area of the US state of Indiana.

It may even be the way I am reading the story or the writer Paige Toon only using a background and Characters that she knows.

Having said that Only Love Can Hurt Like This, deals with the love involved with being a family and the things that is the human condition in how people are affected by events some in their control and others beyond that.

As a reader what Only Love Can Hurt Like This does well, is even though most of the story is told through the eyes of Wren, Paige Toon is very good at doing heart to heart conversations between individuals for example Anderson and Wren allows the reader to see both individuals perspective.

This was particularly true when Wren and Bailey were sitting together and talking about a meal which the attended with their father and Bailey’s mother. As it examined how the two step sisters sat were they did almost by accident when Wren felt she was pushed out.

All in all Only Love Can Hurt Like This is a universal novel about relationships and how each one can affect others involved making Paige Toon’s novel well worth reading.

Now are you ready for some more Hayley gushing. Ever since I discovered Paige – very late into her career I’ve been mesmerised. There’s still a few token books I haven’t quite got to though. Each and every time I’m like she can’t top this it’s my favourite and then she goes watch me watch me.

Having waited what seems like an eternity to read Only Love Can Hurt Like This yet as soon as I started reading it was hard to stop. This book took over my every waking moment and following a bit of a weird week it was much needed and appreciated. Although in saying that it did throw out my whole reading plans but it’s ok.

Paige is a go to author and I will forever rave about her books. She has a knack of writing a real story that will sweep you off your feet and break your heart. There’s so much I want to say about this book but there’s also lots I can’t say and if you aren’t new to Paige you’ll know that’s happened in a few of her books of late.

There are so many themes that run along this story – other than the love story I truly loved the dis-functional families. And how your relationships with your siblings change as you age. Seeing Wren and Bailey form a beautiful relationship that saw them both opening up so much was heartwarming. There were many aspects about Wren’s family set up that really got to my heart. I have to mention the brooding brothers from the off I wasn’t sure what to expect of their story but my oh my. It’s made me think of my relationships with men and why they could be the way they are. How men disguise their emotions in a multitude of ways, this was eye opening and at times truly heartbreaking.

As ever with a Paige Toon novel there is an overwhelming sense of love. That real sense of being truly in a moment and just how all encompassing that can be. This book made me feel love, lust and all in between. Whenever I finish a Paige Toon read I’m bereft. I’m jealous of everyone just opening this beauty of a book.

🌟 A VERY welcome return of Toon! She really does make you feel all the emotions. I laughed, I almost cried (more than once), I fell in lust, my jaw dropped, my heart ached....
🌟 Brimming with a fabulous cast of complex characters that I was invested in from the start, well aside from Heather but there is always one isn't there 🤭
🌟The journeys these characters went on made it hard to put down, I even cheated on a buddy read because I HAD to know what happened (sorry gang!).
🌟An immersive read, you won't want to miss. Cannot wait for Toons next release & whilst I'm not so patiently waiting you'll find me re reading her back catalogue.
💫

I loved this book! Living in the Midwest I related a lot to the farming and small town feel of the book. The characters are very sweet and feel like your friends (the nice ones at least!) It is a highly enjoyable and relaxing read. I found myself trying to find any second I could to read this story.

I've wanted to read a Paige Toon book for a long time having heard great things about her writing. This book did not disappoint. Lengthy, deep character development and a twist! What more could you want? I devoured this book quickly whilst away on a short break and couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.

How is it 9 years since I’ve read a Paige Toon book?!.

Only love can hurt like this is a sad tale. When Wren discovers her partner is in fact in love with another woman she decides it’s time to escape to America and rebuild her relationship with her distance father.

Little does Wren realise how this trip will change her life. Will she get to mend her relationship with her father? Will she come to terms with why he left? Will she find someone to help restore her faith in men?

This book was a great read. Happy in places and tragic in others. Great writing by Paige Toon. I look forward to reading more of your stories.

4.5 stars
I’m a huge fan of Paige Toon and her writing and this one is another brilliant, beautiful story. I loved the fact that we have more than the ‘simple’ girl meets boy story in this one. Such complex characters and so many characters who bring so much to the story. I think my favourites were Anders and Jonas, although Wren and Bailey were great too.
I loved seeing the family dynamics at play as we work through the story - misunderstandings and impressions are easily assumed as so much emotion is at play. As always Paige Toon tugs at our heartstrings completely and many times I found myself with a lump in my throat as we follow these wonderful characters through their emotional journeys.

Paige Toon is one of my favourite authors and I always look forward to a new story. This one is set in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and Indiapolis and involves, architecture, indy racing and farming - you always learn something along with the romance twists and turns.
The characters are real and believable, the locations described well and the activities accurate.
If you like modern romances, heart wrenching stories, then this is one for you!

Heart breaking and heart warming in equal measures. I loved every minute of this book and would recommend!

A truly heartbreaking and heartwarming story at the same time.
Two heartbroken people not looking or expecting to find love but you can't help who you fall in love with. Will they or won't they..... An absolute must read. Loved it.
Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone Penguin, Paige Toon and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

Another classic Paige Toon novel every time I read one of her books it becomes an immediate favourite 😍

I laughed, I cried, I fell in love and experienced heartbreak and when it was over I stared at the wall for longer than I want to admit just processing everything.

If you like contemporary romance this is a must read addition to your TBR. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Giovanna Fletcher, Beth O’Leary and Sophie Kinsella

This is the first time that I have read a P.T. book and it won't be the last. I usually read crime etc and wanted a wee break so this book was ideal. It will take you through every emotion possible from love to anger, empathy to sympathy, laughter to crying and everything in between. I really liked the main character of Wren as she comes across as being a very strong woman at times but has her innate weaknesses too - a very relatable person. Slightly predictable at times but that didn't detract from the enjoyment of the story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

💔Breaks & 💗fills your heart in equal measure.

Thanks Netgalley , Random House UK, Cornerstone, Penguin for the ARC!

Synopsis-

Wren is heartbroken when her fiancé announces his love for his colleague. Eager to put some distance between her life in London, she decides to spend the summer with her dad and stepmom in rural Indianapolis. As the quiet country life begins to heal her, she meets her neighbor Anders and can’t help getting attracted. As she suspects Anders to be hiding something from his past, Wren might be risking getting hurt all over again

Review-

Another author onto my favorite list - for she writes exactly my kind of romance.

Opening with Wren’s broken engagement, I could only imagine how crestfallen she would be. But I was glad she flew to the US for the summer – the change of place proved to be a game changer for Wren.

The most beautiful part of the book is the picturesque location. Toon transports us to a quaint little town in rural Indiana and I fell in love with the lovely farmland Wren’s father owns. The rich descriptions of the lush sprawling fields, the crops, the flowers and fruits - all the refreshing serenity kindled my imagination and invoked escapism.

Toon’s characterization was genuine and realistic. Wren and Anders were so kind and endearing, but deep down they were both wounded at heart, flawed and had difficult pasts. Patience is a must if you really want to appreciate the kind of connection and chemistry that is weaved between them.

The author also explores Wren’s feelings of abandonment, outsider complex and stepsister dynamics so sensitively. Just when things felt a bit slow, Toon ups the ante and pulls off a twist that is unimaginably hard to fathom or recover from. It really hits you hard - the impossibility of it will surely make you shed a few tears.

I adored the small-town charm and the community coming together towards the end. With themes of family, guilt, unthinkable loss and grief, Toon presents a unique story of love – one that really hurts, but also imbues hope, instills joy and promises happier times.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Random House UK for approving me for an ARC of this book. A special shout out to my fellow buddy readers Lisa, Bex and Wendy, I loved reading this one with you.

💖When I first heard about this book I thought I would be going into a girl meets boy romance which I was totally game for! I expected some tears and for my heart to ache but what I got was something much more special. This was a story about family, the harsh, gritty and undefinable bond that holds us to each other.

👧🏻We quickly learn that perception is everything with Wren and her family. She has always felt like an outsider in her father’s home but as she starts to open up more to her sister Bailey, we learn that perhaps Wren has misread some of her family’s actions. The development between them all was beautifully executed.

🧔🏻‍♂️Paige Toon has truly spoilt us with the men in the story. Brothers Anders and Jonas are both swoon-worthy, troubled and completely loveable. They have the kind of brotherly love you would expect but it was how they interacted with Wren and Bailey that I loved most. These four created a lovely group and it was nice to see some fuss-free friendships forming.

🤫The twist in this story absolutely knocked me sideways. I had to reread to make sure I hadn’t got it wrong and it was like a punch in the gut! I did feel a lot of emotion as I read the final part of the story, but I didn’t sob as I had thought I would.

I would love to see another story with Jonas featured as he ended up being one of my favourite characters, I felt very invested in his future. It is safe to say that the start of my Paige Toon journey has begun.

Initially Wren is in the UK – but when her engagement falls apart, she takes herself across the Atlantic to stay with her Dad and his ‘new’ family in Indiana. The descriptions of the American countryside are fantastic – and I could really visualise the setting (and want to go and visit!)

The relationships between Wren and her Dad and step family are explored – along with new friendships with the locals – especially the neighbours Anders and Jonas.

I was really enjoying this escapist read and then BOOM there’s a twist! I had to go back to see if I’d somehow missed the clues – and with hindsight you can see they’re there – but it came as a total shock, which I really liked and shows how clever the author has been. And no spoilers here! This really changed the book for me into something deeper than ‘just’ a romcom. (Although there is always space for a well written romcom in my world.)

The book twists and turns through the final chapters in a brilliant way – and the ending has a perfect element of deja vu.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book – and would definitely recommend you buy it when it’s out later this week.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I loved this journey to Indiana for what turned out to be an epic love story. This book gave me serious movie vibes and I loved every minute of it. Thankfully I read this alongside my lovely friend Hayley and that meant we could discuss what was happening at every turn. It has it all-a heroine you love to love, an evil villain you love to hate, travel, intrigue and of course, a hero you love to love.
I really enjoyed the fact that this book was in a completely different setting. Paige Toon is the queen of jetting you off to some interesting places for her novels. I’ve learned a lot about places I have never travelled to through her writing, this time it was set somewhere I had been but not just the city, rural farmland too-very hallmark movie! I can picture the farm and the heat of the summer now just thinking about it, it was all described so vividly.
Anders is definitely a brooding main character and in true Paige Toon style he has a career in motorsport-I loved this aspect of him. He is complicated and he is unpredictable, a winning combo in a love story. He has a deeper emotional side though and this story definitely confronts men opening up and sharing their emotions, sharing their worries and taking care of their mental health too which is so important in today's world.
Wren is a great main character to share the story with. She has a complex relationship with her father and especially her father other daughter, her half sister Bailey,. It was wonderful watching their relationship grow over the course of the book and the relationship between Wren and her Dad really added to the meaning of the title, Only Love Can Hurt Like This. I always loved a Paige Toon novel but I loved this one for the characters, the setting and the love that was at the heart of everything!

#OnlyLoveCanHurtLikeThis is my first book I’ve read by #PaigeToon and it won’t be my last. Im looking forward to reading past and future books by this author.
I really enjoyed this book, I couldn’t stop reading, it pulls at your heartstrings. It made me tear up at times and also put a smile on my face.
I loved the authors easy to read style of writing. And I like the way she touches on some serious issues like depression, addiction and divorce, not just all about the romance which I truly enjoyed reading, the growing relationship between Wren and Anders.
The story is well developed and the characters and setting are really relatable. Just loved the storyline, it’s really well written.
A heartfelt and poignant touching romance novel. Definitely recommend.
Thanks to #NetGallery #RandomHouseUK #Cornerhouse #Penguin #PaigeToon for an arc of #OnlyLoveCanHurtLikeThis in exchange for an honest review. Book published 27th April 2023.