Member Review

Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon

Let me start off by saying that I love Paige Toon’s novels, I have all but one of them, and that particular omission is being corrected this month. I enjoy that combination of light-hearted and heart-breaking in a book, especially when it comes to stories that are building up to a big romance.

I am not going to spoil the story, any more than the summary does, because as with the majority of books by this author, I am going to be recommending it when it’s released, to my reading friends because it made my heart crack a little.

Wren is devastated when she realises that Scott, the man she has been with for years, her fiance, is in love with someone he works with. Scott didn’t mean for it to happen, but you can’t control who your heart opens up to and unfortunately, it’s not Wren.

In need of an escape, she goes to visit her father and his family in Indiana. Though this visit will not be without its own wounds, she needs to get away from Scott, as every town is small when you really want to avoid someone.

Going to Indiana reminds her of old resentments, especially towards her dad’s wife and their daughter Bailey, the reason her own parents divorced. However, after meeting their neighbours, especially Jonas and Anders, she realises that love doesn’t follow the rules.

Wren’s falling for Anders, and is even contemplating leaving her old life behind, but then a secret is revealed and everything is up in the air.

There are many things that Paige Toon does so well when it comes to her books, and at the top of the list is the way she combines a beautiful love story with moments that are emotionally devastating. This book is no different, I even noticed a few Easter Eggs in the story, harking back to previous books and though I was hovering between tears and laughter for a considerable amount of the tale, this made me smile.

When I read this I was reminded, a little, of Angie from If You Could Go Anywhere, there was something about her travelling away from her home in an effort to escape from the things that are permanent brain luggage. Both women who’ve been through the wringer emotionally, hurt by family and friends though neither intended it to happen.

Anders, what can I say about him? He’s not exactly the traditional romantic hero, but then I don’t think that he’s meant to be. He’s harbouring a lot of pain and initially doesn’t want to open up to anyone.

I loved Jonas and though he is not the hero of the piece there was something about him that made me want him to have his own story, he’s the classic rough and ready hero, a farmer who has been emotionally hurt and can’t commit.

I can’t read the cover of this without hearing the Paloma Faith song, but all told it’s a pretty good companion piece.

Definitely will read again and will be recommending it everywhere come April.