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A review by spow
Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon
4.0
**Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, G.P Putnam's Sons and author Paige Toon for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review**
This was my first read by Paige Toon, and this one left me a bit confused on how to review this book.
The story revolves around a woman named Wren, who after a bad breakup visits her father’s farm to get some distance and perspective. Not having a strong relationship with him and his family in the past, this time gives her an opportunity to heal old wounds and form new bonds. There she meets Anders, their neighbor’s son, who is also healing after losing his wife four years ago. As they meat, become friends and eventually feel more than that, they have to contend with Anders’s past and how his loss all those years ago still guides his present.
So the cons of this book first--there is a lot of internal dialogue from Wren, and for most of it, it felt more like narration than thinking. The problem with this is that, it made it very hard for me to get attached to her as a main character. I liked her, I just never got to the point where I was rooting for her. Also, there are quite a few different conflicts going on in this book that all kind of detract from each other. Almost every character, main or supporting, had their own conflicts, and that also detracted a bit from the Wren/Anders story. Wren herself has one too many conflicts in this book—family issues, relationship issues, self esteem issues, job issues—that take away from the main plot. Lastly, I do think things between Wren and Anders was a bit drawn out, repetitive, instead of building attraction, it felt like it was just a lot of the same until they eventually get together…I wish there were a bit more fireworks.
Reading all that, you might think I didn’t like this book, but I actually did. The Ander/Wren story was drawn out and repetitive, but those scenes were not bad—they were very entertaining and kept me wanting more. The characters in the story may all have their own issues but they were all likable especially Jonas, Anders’s older brother. I did feel like Wren was more a narrator than main character, but while I never grew fully attached to her, I liked the story that she told. I wish there were more sparks between Andy and Wren when they interacted, but the ending eventually gives the reader what they want. I didn’t expect the twist in this story (although I can see how others may have), and it definitely lent an emotional aspect to where Anders is coming from. It made me feel for him more.
So with all that, I’m left saying I think this book is worth a try. I don’t regret the time I gave it, while there were parts I wish gave me more, I wasn’t left frustrated while reading and can say I was entertaining for the 2 days I read it. A 3.5/5 star read for me that I will round up for this review, it might not be a super memorable read but it won’t be one you wish you didn’t waste your time on.
This was my first read by Paige Toon, and this one left me a bit confused on how to review this book.
The story revolves around a woman named Wren, who after a bad breakup visits her father’s farm to get some distance and perspective. Not having a strong relationship with him and his family in the past, this time gives her an opportunity to heal old wounds and form new bonds. There she meets Anders, their neighbor’s son, who is also healing after losing his wife four years ago. As they meat, become friends and eventually feel more than that, they have to contend with Anders’s past and how his loss all those years ago still guides his present.
So the cons of this book first--there is a lot of internal dialogue from Wren, and for most of it, it felt more like narration than thinking. The problem with this is that, it made it very hard for me to get attached to her as a main character. I liked her, I just never got to the point where I was rooting for her. Also, there are quite a few different conflicts going on in this book that all kind of detract from each other. Almost every character, main or supporting, had their own conflicts, and that also detracted a bit from the Wren/Anders story. Wren herself has one too many conflicts in this book—family issues, relationship issues, self esteem issues, job issues—that take away from the main plot. Lastly, I do think things between Wren and Anders was a bit drawn out, repetitive, instead of building attraction, it felt like it was just a lot of the same until they eventually get together…I wish there were a bit more fireworks.
Reading all that, you might think I didn’t like this book, but I actually did. The Ander/Wren story was drawn out and repetitive, but those scenes were not bad—they were very entertaining and kept me wanting more. The characters in the story may all have their own issues but they were all likable especially Jonas, Anders’s older brother. I did feel like Wren was more a narrator than main character, but while I never grew fully attached to her, I liked the story that she told. I wish there were more sparks between Andy and Wren when they interacted, but the ending eventually gives the reader what they want. I didn’t expect the twist in this story (although I can see how others may have), and it definitely lent an emotional aspect to where Anders is coming from. It made me feel for him more.
So with all that, I’m left saying I think this book is worth a try. I don’t regret the time I gave it, while there were parts I wish gave me more, I wasn’t left frustrated while reading and can say I was entertaining for the 2 days I read it. A 3.5/5 star read for me that I will round up for this review, it might not be a super memorable read but it won’t be one you wish you didn’t waste your time on.