It Had to Be You, book review & giveaway
Come home to the Christiansens’, where faith and family meet real life.
It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren
About this book: Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.
Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.
About the author: (excerpted from Litfuse Publicity) Susan May Warren is the bestselling author of more than forty novels. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women’s events about God’s amazing grace in our lives. She also runs a writing community for authors. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more. You can also visit her online at susanmaywarren.com.
Genre: Fiction/Christian/Romance
Would I read this book judging on its cover alone? Maybe. I think it’s attractively done, and appropriate for the story, but since I’m not a huge romance genre fan, I’m not sure it would have drawn me in.
If this book were a movie, I would rate it: G. Completely family friendly.
Reminds me of… Denise Hunter
You’ll want to buy this book if … you’re a romance lover and a hockey fan. And bonus! This edition includes a novella of the series prequel, I Really Do Miss Your Smile— “the love story that started it all.” See what other reviewers are saying here.
Why did I read this book? As a Litfuse blogger, for Tyndale for review.
Would I read another by this author? I have long admired this prolific writer and would likely say yes to anything she writes.
My take: Susan May Warren had me at hockey. As a hockey mom myself, the fact that this sport is featured at the center of this romance was an enormously fun part of it for me. But you don’t have to know hockey to enjoy this book; fans of any team sport will find much to appreciate.
What else did I like? The wintry, north Minnesota setting–with several forays into Deep Haven, the site of another of Warren’s series. She is a prolific novelist and consummate storyteller, and the woman knows how to write romance. If I had to complain about something, it would be to speed up the romance a bit–the two main characters seemed to spend an awfully long time not liking each other before they finally did–but I take that more as my own fault. I’m an impatient reader. I did like how Warren skillfully weaves two other subplots, plus a strong faith message, into her main story-line–the culmination of which makes for a particularly satisfying ending.
I’ve not read the first of this series, but judging from this novel, I’d say the series tagline is appropriate. Reading It Had to Be You felt a lot like coming home.
Thanks to Tyndale for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
Now your turn: If you were to write a story centered around a particular sport, which would it be?
Susan May Warren is celebrating the release of her newest Christiansen Family novel, It Had To Be You, with a $100 Visa cash card giveaway and offering readers a free book club kit.
One winner will receive:
- $100 Visa cash card
- Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 29th. Winner will be announced April 1st on Susan’s blog. Also, visit her website to learn more about the It Had To Be You backstory and Susan’s free book club kit.
I’ve seen this book around snd didn;t realize it was part of a series. This is an author I want to read, which book should I start with?
Stacy~ the first of the series is Take a Chance on Me. While #2, It Had to Be You, stands easily on its own, it would be even more fun, I’m sure, to read the series in order. Happy to hear a new series has piqued your interest! ~ Katherine