Review: It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark (audio)

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio / Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Published: May 4, 2021

Source: Audio via Simon & Schuster Audio / Print: ARC E-copy via Netgalley

Summary:

The author of the novel The Bucket List returns with a witty and heartfelt romantic comedy featuring a wedding planner, her unexpected business partner, and their coworkers in a series of linked love stories—perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Casey McQuiston.

For the past twenty years, Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn have run In Love in New York, Brooklyn’s beloved wedding-planning business. When Eliot dies unexpectedly, he even more unexpectedly leaves half of the business to his younger, blonder girlfriend, Savannah. Liv and Savannah are not a match made in heaven, to say the least. But what starts as a personal and professional nightmare transforms into something even savvy, cynical Liv Goldenhorn couldn’t begin to imagine.

It Had to Be You cleverly unites Liv, Savannah, and couples as diverse and unique as New York City itself, in a joyous Love-Actually-style braided narrative. The result is a smart, modern love story that truly speaks to our times. Second chances, secret romance, and steamy soul mates are front and center in this sexy, tender, and utterly charming rom-com.

My thoughts:

A few years ago I read Georgia Clark’s The Bucket List and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to pick up her latest book, especially when I heard it was being compared to the movie, Love Actually. That’s one of my favorite movies!!!

I am the first to admit, I don’t read a lot of romance books, but this one is so much more. Yes, in a way, it is about romance, but it’s also about grief and how we move on. It’s about second chances – in many different forms, and it’s also about love and the many different ways you can love someone. After all, what’s that saying – love is love is love? And when you set the whole thing against the backdrop of the wedding business, it could not have been more perfect. There were so many fun, quirky characters that we meet along the way and I just enjoyed them all.

I will say that this book is a little slow in the beginning, but don’t put it down. It’s is such a great story and one I know will be staying with me for a long time to come. I definitely recommend picking this one up!

Audio thoughts:

This book is narrated by a full cast – Danny Campbell, Feodor Chin, Frankie Corzo, Robin Eller, Gibson Frazier, Pete Simonelli, Megan Tusing, Steve West, Gabra Zackman – and I found it to be quite enjoyable for the most part. Some of the voices at times were a bit over the top but not to the point where I felt I couldn’t listen anymore. It’s the type of book that keeps you engaged and I just fell in love with the story.