It hurts to love you.

There is an old saying and I am sure a song or two that sings Love Hurts and it does. Wren has been hurt by love. By her father and her Fiancé Scott who had recently broken his engagement when he met his soul mate. Living in England close to her mom, Wren is needing to regroup and decides to visit her father and his wife and their daughter in Indiana. You get the back story on how her parents met and how they divorced and went their separate ways. Wren never feeling a part of a family. Always the outsider. If you have experienced this, you will connect to Wren very easily. However, she makes a go to see her father and her 1/2 sister Bailey to mend her broken heart and possibly make a connection to her other family. A family that Wren is withdrawn from to cope from the pain of being separate. Wren is always in a coping mode. Bailey is the opposite of Wren.
She loves her sister and is excited for the time that they will spend together. She is now married but she has a free spirit and she helps Wren to free up her a spirit a bit.

With that she meets her step father's neighbor sons at a bar. The irony is the two sons Anders and Jonas. They are polar opposites as well. Their family is in the farming business with it's own Swedish heritage. It is the beginning of a friendship that opens up possibilities for the families.

So what did I like about this book is pretty much everything. Wren is telling her story, how she sees everything, how she missed some things, her relationships, and how she overcomes her insecurities. She seems pretty much put together but she is always on in protecting herself. With her dad and step mother she takes risks to find connection. The relationship between Anders and Wren comes to a head when the truth of what he is holding back. His family has their own turmoil that is weaved thru out this book. There is so much good threads but in the end there is always a fork. A road to follow. Do you take a chance on love and do you take the pain that comes with it.

A special thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Toon & Penguin Group Putnam for an arc of Only Love Can Hurt Like This in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own & may not be reproduced.

I’m a big fan of Paige Toon & I am super happy I get to write this review for her new novel set to hit shelves on April 25, 2023.

This story asks the question: Is love worth risking everything for?

Wren finds out her fiancé is in love with someone else and across the world, Anders lost his wife four years ago. Both of their hearts are shattered. Wren cross paths with Anders and soon they start to fall for each other, but Wren is keeping a secret that would have serious consequences for everyone involved if he acted on his feelings for Wren, but it would shatter Wren all over again to have to walk away. But could Anders’ secret be worse.

I’m not crying, you’re crying! Wow!!! What a touching love story that will reach every part of your mind, body and soul! This story elicits ALL of the feelings. It’s a slow burn, but not really. I mean, you know it is going to be because of the situations that Wren & Anders have both had to deal with, but the payoff is so worth the wait!

The family, friend, lover dynamics between all characters was perfection. I don’t know that I’ve really gotten behind characters AS MUCH as I did the ones in this novel.

This story is a true gem and will be one of my favorite reads of 2023. Yes, I know it’s just February, but I can 100% tell you know that this will be in my Top 10 of the year, if not higher.

PLEASE pick this book up and give it a read. I HIGHLY recommend!

5/5 Stars

I have been a big Paige Toon fan since I read “The Minute I Saw You.” I’m excited to have gotten to read her latest “Only Love Can Hurt Like This.”

This is an apt title for this story, I could definitely feel the pain of familial, friendship, and romantic love through out.

I love how wonderfully descriptive Paige is when it comes to place. She makes cities and towns come alive, they almost serve as secondary characters. Speaking of supporting characters, I was frankly more drawn to Bailey and Jonas (separately!) than Anders and Wren at times. I found myself getting a bit bored. I did really appreciate the epilogue, though I felt it had to work harder than most epilogues to wrap up the story.

Overall, this was not my favorite Paige Toon, I find myself wanting to go back to read her backlist rather than this latest title. However, I think many people will be happy with this and her prose is a strong as ever, this story was just not for me.

[ARC REVIEW]

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc!

This is the first Paige Toon book I’ve read. I have to admit, it did take a while for my to get into this book but emotional hold this had on me once I neared the end really threw me for a loop. It’s not the most gut wrenching story I’ve read but it definitely pulled on my heartstrings. I didn’t even expect to cry but when I did, oh man.

The development of the story was at a slower pace but I wouldn’t consider it much of a slow burn. Maybe it was just mild simmer until you get to the “twist” of the story. You are definitely wanting to root for Wren and Anders and the emotional payout at the end is worth it 👌

Thank you to NetGalley as I received this as an advanced reader copy (ARC). This book did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more from Paige Took.

This was one of those books where I saw the cover and title and just had to read it. It’s also my first book by Paige Toon but it won’t be my last! I’ve started of 2023 with a bunch of amazing reads, but this one is one of my favorites so far. I felt very connected to the characters, their backstories and I loved to watch their journey. I won’t go into too much detail, so as not to spoil anything but here’s what I loved:

- Small town, friends to lovers, intricate plot, interesting side plots
- I loved watching the bond develop between Bailey and Wren and the bond strengthen between Wren and her Dad
- Wren and Anders. You could literally feel the sparks from these two and I loved every single second.
- The struggle of the characters to find contentment in their careers. It was so relatable and I loved to watch them further develop as characters and to find joy doing what they loved.
- I literally didn’t want this book to end and I think it’s going to stick with me for a while!

If you like friends to lovers romance, give this one a read!

A massive thank you to NetGalley, Paige Toon, and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC!

At 9% of the way in, I found myself caring more about Scott (the man who broke up with Wren) and Nadine (his new love interest) than I do Wren and now-introduced Anders. I think it’s just too slow for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

This is a very poignant love story that has many twists and turns. It's also one that a reader can not put down nor stop thinking about. I will read this author again.

Wow what a great read! I normally don’t read a whole lot of romance books but this one was so good, heart wrenching and sweet. I didn’t really know what to expect coming into this one but I enjoyed the whole book. I read it almost in one sitting and really enjoyed the ending. There was a part I really wasn’t expecting and it took me back but wow it was put together so well!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This one gets all the stars!!!

Did I pick up this book on Netgalley because the title reminded me of a great song? Maybe. Seriously though…OMG y’all! I’m glad I did!!! This. Story. Exceeded. My. Expectations. The story broke my heart and put it back together several times. This is a must read book. It is not just a love story but about family drama, including a family secret that rocked me to the core, friendships and life on a farm.

When Wren realizes 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 struggling to move on. Wren hopes spending some time with her Dad on his farm in Indiana will help her to heal. Amid cornfields and fireflies, Wren and Anders meet and both their worlds are turned upside down.

Author Paige Toon wrote an outstanding story that had me furiously turning the pages. I enjoyed the farm setting. Made me feel like I was picking peaches from their orchards or harvesting corn. I fell in love with all the characters, especially Wren and Anders. I cried so much throughout this book. The emotional roller coaster was intense. I look forward to reading her backlist and future books by her. I’m definitely experiencing a book hangover.

I received an electronic advanced reader (eARC) copy from publisher Putnum and Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.

4.5 Stars!

Wren was recently dumped by her fiancé and has complicated relationships (specifically with her dad whom she goes to live with in the States to get away). Anders is the son and brother of a neighboring farm. He also has many complicated relationships (with his parents, with his brother, with his past).

Only Love Can Hurt Like This is the first Paige Toon novel I've ever read (and I will be reading more!). It was a delight! I was so taken with the characters and their complex stories. They all have a history that you *slowly* uncover. I loved the chemistry that the main characters had, but I also adored the secondary characters and the relationships they build. I was captivated from front to back.

I went into this novel knowing that there was going to be something that was heart wrenching. I didn't know what it would be or who it would come from, just that it was going to happen. When it finally did I was shocked, heartbroken, and a little mad. I still have mixed feelings about how it was handled by the characters.

I will be recommending this to everyone!
Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for the eARC!

Wow. That’s the first thing I thought while reading this book and after being done with it. Just Wow. I don’t normally give books 5 stars, but I had to for this book. It’s a slow burn type of book but doesn’t read as a slow burn. The interactions between Anders and Wren are engaging and keep the plot moving. I couldn’t stop reading this book, but I also didn’t want it to end. What makes this book special is that there is so much love between all the characters. Characters in friendships, relationships, family, or friends. While of course I loved seeing the relationship blossom between Wren and Anders and felt all their angst and desire when they wanted each other but had to walk away, the relationship I loved seeing blossom the most was that between Wren and her dad. I don’t have a relationship with my dad, but it made me smile that these two were able to grow in their relationship. I also loved seeing the relationship between Wren and her half-sister Bailey grow; I’ve always wanted a sister! It was also enjoyable to read about Wren’s friendship with Anders’ brother, Jonas. Toon did a great job switching up the dynamic between the brothers, with Anders looking out for his brother first and then Jonas looking out for his brother. I really cannot say enough good things about this book. It all comes down to this: I loved it! Everyone needs to read this book.

I loved this book! The characters were very heartwarming, and the author has a beautiful writing style. Finished this book in just a few days and it warmed my heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4 stars

This is one of those books where when you start reading, you don't want to put it down. I was immediately drawn in to this story and connected with these characters so quickly.

It's an achingly slow burn that brought me to tears on more than one occasion. While the love story was a bit predictable I was still completely invested and emotionally moved.

The only real critique I have is that the epilogue felt so different from the rest of the story. It just didn't flow as well and felt overly long.

This was my first read by the author and I would definitely consider reading more from her.

Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and the author for this complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wren always seems to be on the wrong side of love. Her father left her and her mother when she was a child, prompting a move to England with her mother. As the years go by, relationships never quite gel for her and she goes from heartbreak to heartbreak, never quite feeling like she's ever going to fit in and be truly loved. Visiting her father and his new wife and her half-sister in Indiana one spring, Wren meets a pair of brothers from the farm across the road from her father's modest farm. She is immediately taken by Anders, the quiet, more reserved brother who seems to be friendly enough but is holding back what both he and Wren are beginning to feel for each other. Will this be yet another heartbreak for Wren? Why does Anders act the way he does? What is in his past that he just can't overcome in order to love her?
A romance novel that has an interesting twist. Engaging characters and lovely scenes of farm life in Indiana.

Wow! What a surprise this book was!! A very emotional surprise! My first read by this author & she pulled on all the heart strings!
The feeling of authenticity was overwhelming🙌🏼 I totally fell in love with….Well I fell in love with everyone!🥴🫣 Including Paige Toon. Oh Gahh, she turned me into a whole harlot!🤣

Honestly, so many emotions at play here. I felt the heartache, the longing & despair as if they were my own.
Toon weaved all these moving parts together so well, with a lil shock-nugget that blew my hair back & choked me up.
I’m rambling, I know. But I blame the book! I started & finished yesterday, but I do believe I have a smidge of a hangover, and I can’t blame this one on booze🥴 Just read it!
I’m going on a P Toon shopping trip.
Thanks to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I'm not familiar with the novels of Paige Toon - does she(they?) normally write YA romance? This tone of this story felt so wrong - no 29 yr old professional architect would think and act so awkwardly... I did find the Indiana farm land setting interesting. The setting was the best part about this story. I've yet to read any Colleen Hoover novels - if her writing is anything like Toon's, it will be a hard pass for me.

Only Love Can Hurt Like This does a wonderful job of exploring the complexities, disappointments, sorrows and joys of loving others. It delves into both familial and romantic love and shows the grief and pain that infidelity causes all parties involved. It also shows the healing power of acceptance and forgiveness.
Although I enjoyed the story and appreciated the complex theme the author was trying to explore, I found that I wasn’t as deeply moved as I expected to be after hearing so much about this book. It was a good read, just not a great one for me. However, it’s a book I can easily recommend to patrons who enjoy this type of story.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
#OnlyLoveCanHurtLikeThis #NetGalley

It’s not very often a story can make me ugly cry, but this one achieved that. There’s so much depth to this story and these characters it’s absolutely refreshing. This book hits on so many topics that’s there’s got to be something that everyone can identify with. There is discussion of depression and suicide if that is a trigger for you just be aware, but it’s done in a very tasteful way. Overall this book was just so heartwarming and complex that it makes me want to go read everything else from this author. This one is going to stick with me for a while.

Oh my gosh! Get the tissues. I haven’t read Paige Toon before. I always go in blind. And I loved the slow build up. The keeping her at arm’s length. The twist. The go away, no come here, no go away. I started crying at 75% in and didn’t stop til well after I finished! Great Job!