Now where do I begin to unravel the emotions I felt whilst reading this book.

Wren finds herself staying with her Dad and step mum and step sister in America after she goes through an upsetting break up with the man she loves. Whilst there she has to figure out the dynamics of her family and once again she feels as thought she's on the outside looking in and not quite sure where she belongs. She soon gets used to the simpler way of living and begins to form a strong bond with her sister which is different to the one she had before now that they're both grown up. On a night out they meet two brothers and Wren is fascinated with one of them in particular called Anders. Their paths cross multiple times and when Wren decides to renovate an old Airstream, ( I had to look this up and it's a shiny steel camper van,) she finds at her dad's house, Anders wants to help her.

The setting sounds idyllic, surrounded by peach groves and a lake to swim in, the writing was very atmospheric and I could almost smell the peaches and feel the dry dust in the air when the weather got hotter. I wouldn't describe this book as fast paced, it reads at a more leisurely pace with a real slow burn between the characters.

Both Wren and Anders have had their hearts broken in different ways and they seem perfect for each other but guilt and heartache strive to keep them apart.

It's really hard to describe what happens without giving spoilers so I'll just say that I was floored by something which I really wasn't expecting and which I think tested the characters to their limits. The emotions run high and it seems impossible for them to escape the shackles that are holding one of them back. Its such a heart-breaking scenario which brings up all sorts of dilemmas.

Deeply emotive with a twist that will break even the hardest of hearts. I loved this book so much, easy to read and impossible to forget.

Wren has escaped to America after her fiancé, Scott, admits he is in love with another woman. But Wren doesn't bet on meeting Anders whilst she's trying to mend her broken heart. But he's got his own secrets, secrets that might just keep them apart.
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"I didn't know it was possible to love so fully and hurt so deeply at exactly the same time..."
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It's been years since I've read a novel by Paige Toon and when this popped up on NetGalley I thought I'd give it a chance. It's definitely an emotional read given some of the topics it covers - step-families, depression, grief, heartbreak - and I did shed a tear at least once. I loved how descriptions focused on buildings and interiors since Wren is an architect.
There's a twist near the end that has a very Jane Eyre type vibe to it. I just felt like overall something was missing from these characters. Like, Jonas was more intriguing than Anders. And I find the adult relationship she has with Bailey, her half-sister and Sheryl, her step-mum are actually quite childish. I feel like the side characters needed to be more fleshed out for me to care about them. There were parts of the book I felt unnecessary and they slowed it down quite a lot. This is definitely a slow burn romance and I wasn't a fan. They are declaring their love before they ever even kiss. I'll definitely read further Paige Toon books though as I love the emotional plot points.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an ARC of this book.

The first I’ve read by this author but it wont be the last. I absolutely adored this book and couldn’t put it down, definitely heartbreaking in parts but overall a true love story

I think this is Paige’s best one yet.

The amount of research this author puts into each novel. But especially of recent. This particular one I feel took a different turn within her genre compared to previous novels. For starters, this novel is set between America and the UK. Usually it is Australia.

The fact that the main character has been dumped and falls for a complicated man not technically an affair compared to actual affairs Toon usually writes about.
This novel did come from a warm angle.

This is a slow burn that will have you wanting to know more.
I loved every single character and their personalities and watching everyone grow. Wren, her dad, the discoveries between him, Sheryl, Bailey and Casey. Jonas and Anders relationship with each other as brothers and with their parents. And all the others.

I liked the detail at the end with the whole epilogue of every character.
Very well written, I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to the publishers for sending this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I used to love Paige Toon when I was younger - some of my fav books back in the day.
However, I have been left super disappointed and somewhat frustrated by her more recent books.

This book was so dull! I just could not get into it. I disliked the characters, and the plot didn't go anywhere. I didn't want to DNF as I kept hoping it would get better... it didn't! Even the 'twist' didn't grab me.

I really really disliked this one - maybe i'll just stick to Paige Toons earlier books.

This is a brilliant love story that takes you on will they won't they journey for various characters.
When they the man you love leaves you for another woman the best thing you can do is move on with someone else - unless they re unavailable.
I really enjoyed the background story as well as the main character arcs. This is one for everyones reading list.

I loved the setting of this book so much - it was so well described that I could see it perfectly in my mind.
I read this last September so, even though it was set in a place that was really warm, it felt right to be reading it in autumn with all the mentions of pumpkin patches and maize mazes.
I also loved every single character in the story (ok, with the exception of Heather!) - they were all so different but so likeable, their flaws making them even more so.
Seeing Wren and Bailey's relationship as sisters grow was such a lovely part of the story, as was their friendships with Anders and Jonas.
As always, Paige Toon has produced an amazing story, full of all the emotions, with one he'll of a twist thrown in. Loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin books for allowing me to read Only Love Can Hurt Like This in advance of its release on April 27!

About 10 years ago, I stumbled upon one of Paige’s books in a charity shop. The rest is history.
Every new book that has been published seems to be my new favourite, and every year I think, this cannot get any better. But it does. Every time. What I so love about Paige’s books is that the details change accordingly to the narrator. It’s the small details that set the scene and I love it.

Wren has just come out of a relationship, and comes to the US for a change of scenery. A very nice change of scenery, because here we meet Anders.
The unlikely pair are both not ready to fall in love again, after experiencing heartbreak, both in a different way. However, as summer leads to autumn, saying goodbye becomes somewhat painful. I will not enlighten you in what happens, it’s too beautiful, you have to read it yourself.

Wren and her dad - and stepfamily- are a sore subject at the start of this book. There’s pain, heartache and some resentment, all for good reasons. It’s heartwarming to see the ice melt away in these relationships and forge new memories and bonds. The book is about growing, facing your (albeit painful) past, and the hope for a better future.

There’s humor, there’s the tension between the lovers, there’s enough room for peace and quiet. You can easily read between the lines and make up your own fairytale.

I loved this book with all my heart. But it did hurt indeed.

Another emotional read from this author. I really enjoyed the almost instant change of location in this book and felt that the characters were likeable as well as relatable. Well written and made me want to return to it after it was finished, I loved it.

There is always a big buzz around the release of a new Paige Toon novel and rightly so in my opinion because she is an author who creates one flawless book after another and you can guarantee you will not be disappointed. I couldn’t wait to start her new novel, Only Love Can Hurt Like This and what a beautiful heartfelt novel this was.

We are welcomed into the story as our heroine Wren has just had her heartbroken by her fiancé and at the suggestion of her mum she needs some time away which is what leads her to spending some time with her father in America on his farm. Although Wren is here for healing there are still scars that are present with the relationship with her father who has lived in America with her step mother and sister but can the distraction of the Farmers sons next door help to provide the perfect distraction this Summer?

Anders is back on his parent’s farm as there are concerns for his brother but can the arrival of the neighbour’s daughter bring some light to their darkness?

I have stared at this screen for so long now as I try to compose the words to review this book without giving anything away so that the reader experiences the same gut punch that I did when I read this book having no previous expectations. With that said my review may seem a little lacking but I am desperate to leave you in the dark but at the same time show you how much you need to read this book.

Wren and Anders are both unforgettable characters who by then end of this book feel so real that the heartache that is felt by the characters feel so personal to the reader that it hurts, be that a quivering lip or a full-blown snotty cry this storyline will touch the hearts of so many and in a way I related to this storyline too so I felt so vulnerable reading this.

The story actually begins like so many books I have loved by Paige and other authors with a broken heart but there was still a lightness to the book as there is healing and hope as Wren begins to focus on moving forward and throws herself into a new project too. I was reading along enjoying the light tone of the book with friendships blossom, an odd spot of flirting here and there, this was the author leading me into a kind of happy bliss before spinning me full circle with something so unexpected that really knocked me off my chair. This part of the book was written with such gentle care but with such brutal raw honesty too with thoughts, feelings an emotions poured out for all involved giving such a detailed insight into this circumstance and this has to be applauded.

This was an outstanding read that I know will be on my top 5 of the year already. Whenever I read a book like this I am usually so desperate for the characters to be revisited in another book but with this novel I feel like this was a story that touched my heart and now the characters need to be left in peace, the ending was tied up perfectly and here is where the storyline deserves to end. There is so much more I would love to say on both Anders and Wren but let them into your hearts and you will see what strong, beautiful, honourable and deserving characters they really are.

This was the first Paige Toon book I have read and it definitely won't be the last. It was slow-moving but kept me hooked. There were no hidden dramatic romantic twists and turns but the way Toon revealed the issues that could keep the protagonist and her love interest apart felt almost like it would happen in real life. I loved the main character and how te story explored her familial issues as well as her romantic ones. All in all a good read.

My first Paige Toon novel and it probably won't surprise anyone to learn that I really enjoyed it. I didn't see the plot twist coming which was great, but I also didn't feel quite the connection to the characters that I was hoping for. For that reason, it's a four rather than a five star review from me.

Not your usual love story, full of twists and turns! It’ll have you gripped till you finished reading, I was up all night finishing it!

strong statement alert…. this is my favourite paige toon book!
i love wren i love anders i love the happiness and do not see the plot twist that made me gasp. i love the strength in wren in what seems a hopeless situation and anders is well just the man we all need.
a great read which i’m very likely to read again!

I've loved the other books by Paige Toon that I've read and was so excited to see this one pop up on NetGalley. Unfortunately, I found this book was missing something. I didn't feel as deeply for the characters as I have done in the author's other novels and I saw the plot twist coming, so it fell short of my expectations. It was a very steady, slow paced romance novel, that sadly didn't keep me hooked. That said, it is a very well written book and I can see it appealing to fans of the genre.

This book had everything love, laughter and sadness which all made for a great story.

Wren’s heart has been broken as her fiancé has left her for another woman. She still sees them both in the town where they live and realises that she needs some space. She then decides to spend her summer vacation with her Dad and his family in America where they have recently moved to a house with a farm/orchard. Whilst there she meets the neighbours sons (Jonas and Anders) and bonds with her younger sister. Despite being heartbroken, Wren feels an instant attraction to Anders but he is holding back. Can she persuade him to let go?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Paige Toon has done it again. Such a beautifully written novel, that had me balling my eyes out from about the half way mark. I love how raw and emotional her stories are and this did not disappoint.

Thank you Cornerstone and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

PAIGE TOON: ONLY LOVE CAN HURT LIKE THIS.

GENRE: Adult fiction / women’s fiction / Romance.

PUBLICATION DAY: 27/4/23

FORMATS AVAILABLE: Ebook, audio, hardback and paperback.

MY REVIEW:
Paige Toon is one of those authors who I get genuinely excited about, especially when there is a new book to devour.

Only Love Can Hurt Like This, is another fantastic story.

We are transported to rural Indiana, where Wren has gone to heal from her heartbreak. Staying with her dad, step - mother and half - sister, brings it’s own challenges.
Anders lives on a nearby farm. He and Wren begin to build a special friendship, but there is heartbreak and devastating secrets waiting to bubble up from the past.

Paige Toon creates a truly immersive setting in this book. Old farm houses, corn fields, orchards, barbecues and swimming in the lake, all wafted the scent of summer from the pages.

The mix of characters worked well. Wren is strong and determined. She knows her own mind and looks to the future.

This is a story that is light hearted and funny, but equally, it is heartbreakingly emotional and deeply touching.
It’s one of those tales that will bring on both the happy and the sad tears.

The twist in the story is a blinder. I must admit, I wasn’t expecting it at all.

Only Love Can Hurt Like This, is a beautifully written, poignant, sweet and moving story.

Another five star triumph for Paige Toon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Netgalley and Random House Uk for a digital arc of this title.

This book deserves 5 stars and so much more. What a wonderful read!! I had the pleasure of reading it during the weekend. And I was hooked on to it from the very first page. The capability of the author to not only interweave a fascinatingly emotional story but also to invoke them too; is an absolute art, in my humble opinion. I really loved this

I had an email prompting me to read this from the publisher, and I was in-between books and had no idea what I felt like reading so I thought I'd give this a go. It was the perfect book for me. I don't read a lot of emotional romance books, but sometimes it's just what I need. I loved the characters, I cried a little, I loved it. I'm going to be looking for more books by Paige Toon.