Book Review: Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon

From what I can remember, I’ve only ever read one Paige Toon book. I read The One We Fell in Love With a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. While I was expecting a light-hearted romantic read, it had so much more depth than I expected.

I was delighted to read her latest novel before its official release. Only Love Can Hurt Like This hit the shelves in 2023.

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Genre: Romance

Author: Paige Toon

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2023

Plot

After realising her fiancé is in love with somebody else, Wren is devastated. Feeling broken hearted and unsatisfied with her job, Wren decides to take a break and visit her father and his family in Indiana. Wren has never felt like she belongs in her father’s new family but hopes that time there will help her heal.

Anders meanwhile lost his wife four years ago and is finding it impossible to move on. However, when he crosses paths with Wren, there is an instant connection.

Anders and Wren are cautious, both feeling bruised from their previous relationships, but neither can deny the feelings that are there.

But when Wren discovers a secret Anders has been hiding, her world is turned upside down.

Only Love Can Hurt Like This Book Review

Only Love Can Hurt Like This was another emotional read by Paige Toon.

What I really enjoyed about this book was it wasn’t purely about romance. The story explored relationships between families and the struggle of having to make impossible decisions.

The characters were nuanced and believable and I really liked getting to know Wren and Anders. I rooted for them and hoped they could find a way to happiness. The supporting cast of characters was equally as likeable.

I really enjoyed the location. It felt quite idyllic, as long as you don’t mind a few tornados! I could understand why Wren found herself wanting to stay.

This story was definitely a romance with depth. It was thought provoking and utterly heart-breaking in places. It was also quite unpredictable and I didn’t expect some of the twists and turns within the story.

I appreciated how the story doesn’t villainise ex-partners. When Wren’s fiancé falls in love with someone else, Wren is obviously devastated but can acknowledge he was happier elsewhere and takes comfort that at least he was honest with her.

The exploration of Wren’s family and her upbringing was really sensitively handled. Her sadness over never feeling like she fit in, as well as her feelings of rejection really impacted the story. The way Wren rebuilt these bonds with her dad, step-mother and half-sister felt really authentic.