When Wren finds herself dealing with the aftermath of a broken engagement, she decides to cross the pond and spend the summer on her dad & step-family's farm in Indiana where she meets Anders, a brooding farmer who lost his wife four years ago.

As their feelings for each other grow over the course of the summer, their potential relationship is hampered by a big secret that Anders is hiding, and it ultimately becomes up to Wren if she should walk away or stay.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I thought that the plot was really well written and incredibly detailed, almost to the point where I felt that it was as if this book contained two separate stories that came together seamlessly -- Wren's adventure to find herself post-divorce, and then Wren and Anders' relationship and its challenges once his secret is uncovered.

I also found that the characters were very well developed, and I enjoyed how each character had their own issue or struggle that they were dealing with, which really helped add more dimension to everyone, especially the supporting characters.

I found this story to be unique and unlike anything I had read before and overall, I would give this book 4 stars.

Talk about a slow burn!

If you’re not into slow burn, this one is not for you. It is the definition of a slow burn. But when it hits, it’s good.

This story was heartwarming, emotional, and cute. I did find myself tearing up as Wren healed from her childhood traumas. I also really like watching the story unfold for her and Anders. I really loved him as the MMC. I felt like he was the definition of a gentlemen and it was cute. The town was very cute and quirky. I loved all the side characters, as well.

The only I didn’t care for was that I felt like this was advertised as romance. I felt like it was very much so women’s fiction.. which is fine. I like women’s fiction. I just felt a little let down when it wasn’t what I was made to think, ya know?

I enjoyed most books I read by Paige Toon, and Only Love Can Hurt Like This is no exception. This love story is as angsty and as emotional as you would expect any book from Paige Toon to be. Only Love Can Hurt Like This is described as a heartbreaking love story with an earth-shattering secret at its core. I must say, I had mixed feelings about the secret once it was revealed because I found it a little too much, but Paige made it work in the end. I recommend this book to Paige Toon's fans and readers who love angsty romance.

This touching, beautiful story is one I will be recommending as a must read!

Wren's fiance has fallen love with someone else, and she decides to get some distance from the new couple by spending some time with her father and his second wife in a small farm town in Indiana. Wren lowers her defenses and bonds with her father and half sister, and begins to develop feelings for the man next door, Anders. There are plenty of complications and a bombshell of a secret to be revealed as the connection between the two grows.

I loved the characters and enjoyed seeing Wren learn to open up and let her family in. The tender moments where they talked about their past were well written and beautiful parts of the story. Watching the family bonds grow was just plain heartwarming.

The growing relationship between Wren and Anders was enjoyable as well, even when the surprise was dropped and things grew truly emotional. I was moved to tears several times by this beautiful story about love, family, and the emotional connections that grow between people.

The farm setting was fun, and I adored the storylines about how they were growing the farms through events and markets.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Many thanks to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Penguin Random House for my gifted ARC. Publication date 4/25/23*

Move over Colleen Hoover and JoJo Moyes and make room for Paige Toon!!

WOW!!!! Let me say first, I am not a big romance reader, but every once in awhile I am in the mood for one and this one did not disappoint!! I am definitely glad I picked this one up!

When Wren finds out her fiancé is in love with another woman, she decides she needs to get away. She decides to go on a 2 week vacation to the US to visit her dad, stepmom, and stepsister. She stumbles upon Andres, the sexy neighbor, who has not exactly told Wren the whole truth. As she gets closer to him and the truth comes out she has a very hard impossible decision to make.

Definitely pick this one up Tuesday when it comes out. I couldn't put this one down! I absolutely loved everything about it. The family dynamics, friendships, love, loss, and hurt. 4.5 stars from me!

𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.

Wren flees to UK for a getaway on her dad’s farm in America when her fiancé breaks off the engagement, leaving her heartbroken. She spends her summer falling in love with Anders, the next door neighbor farm brother who lost his wife four years ago and is still not quite ready to let her go. Despite the undeniable chemistry in their unspoken words, it is an impossible situation. One secret will change everything.

💗💔💗💔💗

This sweeping novel takes us from the park in London with its gravel terraces and Victorian townhouses to the cornfields and breathtaking landscapes of Indiana, following our MFC Wren as she begins to heal from her breakup. The characters are incredibly relatable, especially the two main characters Wren and Anders. You can feel how palpable their draw is to each other as your heart beats alongside theirs.

We follow Wren through heartache and then the tethers of a new love while meeting other enriching characters. I had so many emotions while reading this book, there were quips that made me laugh and sometimes miscommunication that made me angry, and tender moments that tugged at my heartstrings. Nothing like a good neighborly romance to set your heart aflame.

No spoilers as always, but the earth-shattering secret is intense. Phew. This is the first book in months that I cried during, several times. 🫣 (There is also plenty of comic relief!!) Can you love and hurt at the same time? This novel shows you not only can you, but you will.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and the author for my advanced review copy. This was one for the books!

I wish I could form words and sentences that could actually do this book justice. It is beautiful, sad, and all of the things in between. It shows how messy and hard grief and healing can be. But also shines light on how much power we hold in our own lives. It hides secrets that I didn’t see coming. It made me cry at least five times (but who’s counting). I genuinely enjoyed this book and all of the emotion the story held. Highly recommend this one.

Thoughts: I wouldn't I'd rank this up there with CoHo, but I did like the emotional ride author Paige Toon offers in Only Love Can Hurt Like This. Two brokenhearted people determined not to fall in love again, yet love finds its way to them once again. The first half of the story centers mostly around Wren finding herself and her place in her family after her fiance falls in love with someone else and breaks off their engagement. Wren hopes that spending some time away from England and her former fiance and in America with her father, stepmother, and half sister -- whom she's always felt like a visitor around -- will help her heal. It's around this time that she meets Anders, literally the farmboy nextdoor, who's dealing with family issues of his own. Lots of self-discovery, friendship building, and dealing with all the feels rounds out this story. I wish it wasn't as neatly wrapped up as Toon makes it by the end, but it's still a sweet story with a lot of complications. Wren and Anders are cute together, even when trying to just be friends, but I wish there was a bit more passion between them throughout the story.

**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for a DRC in exchance for an honest review.**

Wren and Anders have both been through hard times and both feel stuck. Family plays a big part in both their lives and secrets abound. Now they just both have to figure out that communication will be key to moving forward through the twists and turns in life.

I had not read any of Paige Toon's previous works but I'll definitely look for her previous novels now. The characters of Wren & Anders and their story of finding love again with each other after they are both broken hearted by very different circumstances is a slow boil and a fun read. And also a tear jerker! At the same time it was heart warming to follow Wren form a relationship, as an adult, with her father, stepmother and half sister. This book is due out in a few days and it will surely hit the best sellers list. #onlylovecanhurtlikethis #netgalley #paigetoon

4 1/2 stars

Yep, this title is quite fitting. What a beautiful and extremely emotional book.

Wren is nursing a broken heart after losing her fiancee to his soulmate. In order to get over the loss, she escapes from the UK to America where her father and his wife live. Surely the distance will help her get clarity and move on with her life. All seems to go to plan. She helps her father and stepmother with their new farm, spends time with her stepsister and meets some of the locals - - including the two handsome brothers from the farm next door. One will only ever be a friend and the other one....well he could definitely be something more but he doesn't appear interested.

Anders is dealing with his own issues. He's been struggling to move on since the loss of his wife four years ago and doesn't appear to be making any progress. When he meets Wren, she's captivating and he's drawn to her but the guilt overwhelms him. It's all he can do to maintain their friendship.

Can these two work through their losses together and find their way to a happily ever after or is fate truly that cruel and heartless?

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

4.5 ⭐️ Paige Toon’s Only Love Can Hurt Like This is a delightful romance. The main character is Wren, an architect who lived for a time growing up in the US but now lives in England. Wren is engaged at the beginning of the book but then her fiancé ends the engagement, having found his soulmate. Left reeling, Wren goes to visit her dad, her step-mom and half-sister in Southern Indiana. Wren meets Anders and Jonas, two brothers who grew up on the farm that abuts her dad’s farm. Both Anders and Jonas are dealing with their own problems, but Wren and her half-sister quickly bond with the brothers.

I loved the character development and progression as I read the book. I fell in love with the characters and was totally invested in them. Can’t wait to read more Paige Toon books.

Thank you to the author, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my opinions. The book comes out April 25th.

This was a sweet, but an emotional love story with a twist that I didn’t see coming. The plot and characters are so well written that I was hooked from the beginning. Wren and Anders are both very strong people for having to deal with what they each have gone through and I loved watching them fall in love despite trying desperately not to. I was rooting for them the entire time and am happy with the ending they got! Speaking of endings, that one was a “wow” one! I can’t wait to see if their story continues through another book. Maybe with Jonas and Tyler in the spotlight? I loved Jonas so much and would love to read more about his and Tyler’s (and Astrid’s) happily ever after. 💗

Thank you so much Netgalley, Putnam Books, and of course, Paige Toon for allowing me to read and review!

I was immediately drawn into the plot with a slap in the face, gut drop of a prologue. How could you not when the drama goes from zero to double the speed limit like that?

Wren and Ander’s friendship and developing relationship had me intrigued from the beginning. I mean, who doesn’t love a brooding male main character and a heartbroken female main character? But really, we’ve got to hand it to the supporting characters because their build and humor just lent so much more to the storyline than if they hadn’t been there. The plot was enough to keep me nosey to the point of wanting to know what happens, but not enough I was longing for the next pages.

Unfortunately, the writing is lackluster and unnecessarily drawn out. It felt as if I was getting a blow-by-blown account of someone’s life, with a whole bunch of details that didn’t help to build the story much as all. There were also a few portions of chapters that seemed out of place and/or out of order which was incredibly distracting to the rest of the book. Because of these things the story seemed to drag on instead of flow and piece together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House - Putnam Books for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5/5 Stars

Only Love Can Hurt Like This is a heartbreaking, emotional love story with a twist that I did not see coming. It tells the story of Wren, a British woman recovering from a broken heart who visits her father and his family at his farm in Indiana when she meets Anders, the neighbor, and sparks fly and hearts get broken. Anders is so complicated and swoonworthy and frustrating all at the same time. There was such intense character development with such relatable characters that I felt like I knew these characters. I loved the romance but I also loved seeing Wren finally connect with her half sister after so many years. I absolutely cried while reading this one.

This book was emotional! It hit a lot of different topics like, heart break, child of divorce, mental health issues, and of course the twist of Anders wife being in a vegetative state. I loved the characters in the book so much. The author did a great job with making you feel like you knew them all. I didn’t love how you questioned if Jonas and Wren’s half sister had a thing. It was odd and set something up for Wren’s sister to be unhappy in her marriage when really it was fine. That seemed like an unnecessary thing to throw into the book and didn’t seem to flow right. If she had work issues, then just make it that. I don’t think she really needed a “struggle” anyways because many other character did. That was about the only thing I didn’t like. Overall the book was very good and kept me wanting to read! I liked the depth of the book because it felt way more than a typical romance book. Loved the small town theme as well.

Will post on goodreads and my book Instagram

I was not expecting to fall in love with this book. The emotion of the characters, the constant wondering of what will happen.. so raw and so incredible. My heart went out to Anders. I was so captivated by this story, that the ending left me wanting more. Even if its just a small little novella or just bonus chapters. I need to know more. This was a beautiful story that has you by your heart strings. The title is absolute perfection- only love can hurt like this.

I really enjoyed this quiet love story - there were parts that were a little slow but it still kept me engaged and needing to know how it turned out. I really loved Wren and Anders, but Jonas was the star for me! And I really enjoyed seeing Wren’s relationship grow with her family. When I got to the “twist” my jaw dropped and I couldn’t put it down from there. This was filled with heart and so sweet.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Putnam Sons an Imprint of Penguin Random House. This books will have you feel so many emotions happiness, tears, sadness and also gratefulness. This book can be read anywhere but I would recommend a mature reader. Love can bring with it many feelings not just love but pain. And that isn't such a bad thing. I hope that it teaches us to appreciate what true love really is. Wren and Andres never excepted to meet or like each other. But secrets have a way of coming out. It's brings with it hurt and betrayal. It also can destroy a bond. But can a bond really be repaired. Can you truly trust someone. Sometimes trying to protect a person can make things worse but maybe also better?

This is a really special story. It will make you laugh and make you cry. The characters Anders, Jonás, Beth, and Wren are really spectacular. The plot details all the joys and sadness that have brought them all together. There will be surprises that are both good and bad. The setting also add to making the story formidable. This is a great book to buy and read.