It’s always fun to find a book where I have something in common with the main character. In Susan May Warren’s book It Had to Be You, I found myself connecting with Eden because she’s a writer. She actually has a job as a writer, albeit a writer of obituaries, and a degree in journalism (cool). Eden wants more, though; she’s tired of writing obits, feeling like she’s stuck in a rut while someone else is getting all the headlines and big stories.
Eden also feels like she’s left on the sidelines in her life. Her job in the big city of Minneapolis means she can keep an eye on her younger brother, Owen, who has recently scored a place in the NHL. Eden is there to cheer for Owen at his games, wash his laundry, and get him out of drunken brawls at the bar… but she wishes someone else—like maybe his team captain Jace Jacobsen—would step in to help Owen before his new position on the team goes to his head and he makes some big mistakes.
Jace Jacobsen has a reputation as the team enforcer. Too many fights on the ice have left him battling migraines, however—and his next concussion could cause serious problems. With the possibility that his hockey contract might not be renewed, Jace wonders what else he can do… and how ended up in his thirties with nothing to live for except hockey. Then he begins hanging out with Eden and starts to hope for something more…
I received this book for review courtesy of the publisher; all opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My thoughts on It Had to Be You
I thoroughly enjoyed returning to the Christiansen family with It Had to Be You. When I first picked up the book, I thought, “Wow! It’s big!” Even with the free series prequel included at the end of the book, It Had to be You is long—and yet I read it quickly.
I wanted to know what happened to Eden and Jace, and to Owen and Sam (Jace’s friend whose daughter needs a heart transplant) and John Doe (an unknown hospital patient in a coma whom Eden wants to help).
It was also fun to catch glimpses of Eden’s brother Darek and his girlfriend Ivy Madison from Take a Chance on Me, the first book in the Christiansen Family Series. I can’t wait to pick up Always on My Mind, about Eden and Darek’s younger brother Casper.
More about Susan May Warren
Susan May Warren is the best-selling author of more than forty novels. She and her husband have four children and served as missionaries in Russia for eight years. They now live in Minnesota (the setting for the Christiansen family novels) and enjoy hiking and canoeing. Susan also runs an online writing community. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website.
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