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ccassidy98's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcohol, Car accident, Death, and Alcoholism
fizzy_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Terminal illness, Medical content, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Suicidal thoughts
melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was absolutely gut wrenching and made me ball my eyes out a couple times but I loved it nonetheless. One thing I will say is that both the mc’s are better than me bc I’m one petty mf and I’m the type to hold grudges until the day I die, so for them to be so forgiving and even APOLOGIZE to the people that wronged them made me want to jump into the book and slap some sense into them and the person hurting them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Death, Grief, Abandonment, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Chronic illness, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
3.0
Paige Toon offers an emotional contemporary novel that searches for happiness while dealing with loss and change.
I liked how Wren came to terms with the narrative she's told herself over the years since her parents' divorce and setting down new roots that will help her to grow as a person and in her career. Her character arc felt quite natural to me. Anders and Jonah are quiet stern types but also adore their family's farm. Both are managing their own issues, though Anders' is quite over the top. There are a lot of characters who get page time, which isn't necessarily a bad thing because I really did enjoy Wren's family, but I wish there'd been more focus on Wren and Anders.
I did find the novel to be overwritten at times and just wanted the plot to move along. There was a sort of repetitive nature in Wren's first person POV that could've been tightened up.
I'd recommend Only Love Can Hurt Like This to those who enjoy an emotionally driven contemporary love story about fighting for those you love (that does have an HEA) but also has a wide focus on family.
I liked how Wren came to terms with the narrative she's told herself over the years since her parents' divorce and setting down new roots that will help her to grow as a person and in her career. Her character arc felt quite natural to me. Anders and Jonah are quiet stern types but also adore their family's farm. Both are managing their own issues, though Anders' is quite over the top. There are a lot of characters who get page time, which isn't necessarily a bad thing because I really did enjoy Wren's family, but I wish there'd been more focus on Wren and Anders.
I did find the novel to be overwritten at times and just wanted the plot to move along. There was a sort of repetitive nature in Wren's first person POV that could've been tightened up.
I'd recommend Only Love Can Hurt Like This to those who enjoy an emotionally driven contemporary love story about fighting for those you love (that does have an HEA) but also has a wide focus on family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Ableism, Death, Grief, and Alcoholism
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