Thursday, March 27, 2014

Review - It Had To Be You


It Had To Be You  
A Christiansen Family novel, book two
By Susan May Warren
Publisher: Tyndale
Pub. Date: January 17, 2014
ASIN: B00E1O6UT6
Pages: 480
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/swarren
Buy Link: Paperback

Review:


As most of my blog readers already know, I prefer historical romances over most contemporary romances, but I signed up to review It Had To Be You because the cover reminded of the romance book jackets from the 80s. Plus, I'm already fan of Susan May Warren's novels.

It Had To Be You centers on Eden Christiansen, who has put a hold on her dreams to help her younger brother, Owen, get his life on track. She would rather be focusing on her writing career, but she is stuck writing obituaries. Plus, she gets sidetracked every time a family member or friend needs her help. In this case, Owen doesn't even want her help, which makes the whole situation even more stressful for Eden.

Owen is an NHL rookie and if he doesn't get the correct guidance, his life will easily run off course in a hurry. Eden steps in, less like a sister and more like a surrogate mother, when she approaches the hockey star enforcer, Jace Jacobsen, who acts tough on and off the ice. Asking this hothead to help her brother is not going to be harder than what she thought it would be.

There is a prequel novella titled "I Really Do Miss Your Smile" at the back of the book.

I have never read the first book in the series, Take a Chance on Me, but I don't think I missed anything as the sequel feels like a standalone type sequel, though it does feature the Christiansen family. I've never been a hockey fan, but it didn't ever bother me that a part of the plot involves the NHL. Susan May Warren is a natural storyteller with charming characters and realistic plots. It Had To Be You plays out like a Hallmark Channel movie, a little sappy at times, but heartfelt and enjoyable at the end.



*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.




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Susan May Warren It Had To Be You

About the Author:

Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award-winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. 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. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. 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.

Learn more about Susan at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com

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