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chuang22's review
2.0
2.5
It was okay. I felt the big drama that occurred regarding Bea’s family was unnecessary.
It was okay. I felt the big drama that occurred regarding Bea’s family was unnecessary.
saarahn's review
5.0
Aww... Lovely, truly.
I'm so giddy about this book. Why do such good books have to end so soon? This is a brilliant love story: quirky and quite unpredictable. Keris Stainton clearly has a knack for writing a story that keeps you up late even when you know you really shouldn't. I plan to read more of her work.
Bea has had a recurring dream of a man sitting on a park bench. She calls him the man of her dreams and plans to find him. Will she succeed? Will it end in a happily ever after?
This was cute and wonderfully warm, as a proud rom-com fan this book was definitely one I was guaranteed to enjoy. I loved it, it never became boring and there were times when I just couldn't contain laughter at Bea and her friends' antics.
A lovely book which wonderfully exceeded my expectations. I was reminded of the film In Your Eyes (2014) after which I watched In My Dreams (also 2014) because I couldn't get enough of the ingenuity of the bizarre but always endearing storyline. I watched both quite some years ago, so I was grateful for a sense of familiar fun. Except this book definitely has more funny moments. I wish there were more books which shared this theme, it never gets old.
I received this book through NetGalley.
I'm so giddy about this book. Why do such good books have to end so soon? This is a brilliant love story: quirky and quite unpredictable. Keris Stainton clearly has a knack for writing a story that keeps you up late even when you know you really shouldn't. I plan to read more of her work.
Bea has had a recurring dream of a man sitting on a park bench. She calls him the man of her dreams and plans to find him. Will she succeed? Will it end in a happily ever after?
This was cute and wonderfully warm, as a proud rom-com fan this book was definitely one I was guaranteed to enjoy. I loved it, it never became boring and there were times when I just couldn't contain laughter at Bea and her friends' antics.
A lovely book which wonderfully exceeded my expectations. I was reminded of the film In Your Eyes (2014) after which I watched In My Dreams (also 2014) because I couldn't get enough of the ingenuity of the bizarre but always endearing storyline. I watched both quite some years ago, so I was grateful for a sense of familiar fun. Except this book definitely has more funny moments. I wish there were more books which shared this theme, it never gets old.
I received this book through NetGalley.
zuravel's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
casacostello's review
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this. The ideal read after a heavy going last book. I wanted some escapism and I got it. We've all been there when we are dating someone and just don't feel it (I did chuckle at the 'tingle')
I was sent an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was sent an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
daphneereads's review
3.0
It Had To Be You by Keris Stainton was enjoyable. Although, I thought the main character was annoying with her indecisiveness. I guessed the ending almost from the beginning, that’s always a bummer. It was a good read anyway, funny and with good writing.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the free ebook copy in exchange of my honest opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the free ebook copy in exchange of my honest opinion.
intostarlight's review against another edition
5.0
My first time reading a Ms. Stainton book and I really enjoyed it. This was such a wonderful, feel good book. I loved it - in fact on finishing it, I could happily have returned to the start to begin reading it again, it was such a good read. I loved the characters and I love the plot. The characters are so lifelike and you find yourself connecting with all of them. The writing was smooth and easy. I was sucked into the story from the first word and I couldn't put it down as I neared the end. The story is lovely, and although the ending becomes predictable as the story goes on, it doesn't stop it being a very enjoyable read!
It Had to Be You is funny and will have you laughing out loud at moments in there and you can't help falling in love with all (the right) characters! It's definitely one to look out for this year.
***I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
It Had to Be You is funny and will have you laughing out loud at moments in there and you can't help falling in love with all (the right) characters! It's definitely one to look out for this year.
***I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
yeahorneighreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Bea is dating the perfect man...on paper at least. They don't have the chemistry that most couples do, but after the disaster of her last relationship, she's not being too picky. When her feelings for her best friend start to develop, she has to decide if she should follow her heart and take a risk, or play it safe. LOVED this story! A wonderful, witty romance.
ftlobooks's review
2.0
Overall opinion of the book:
In all honesty, this wasn't my favourite Chick-Lit, and I didn't fully enjoy the content until over halfway through the book. The latter end of the book I did enjoy however. Overall the book fell slightly flat as I struggled to relate to the main character Bea. Being of a similar age I thought, "yes! Finally a book that's going to rep my age group", but I felt Bea's character acted a lot younger than 25. Her character seems worlds apart to the reality of being in your mid 20's, as she seemed to reflect a character who would typically be between 18-20. I understand that everyone's life experiences vary greatly, but for her age she definitely did seem a little too naive and immature.
As the synopses explains, Bea's recurring dreams of her "perfect boyfriend" come into fruition. *Slight spoiler* Readers later discover that Bea moved to London in order to find this man she's been dreaming of *spoiler ends*. It was a little too cliche for me and as a result I struggled to become fully invested in the plot. I have previously read books with a similar premise, such as Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher so I'm not opposed to the plot idea, I just think it may have worked a little better if it was approached in a slightly more realistic way. As the novel progresses, so does Bae's character and I enjoyed seeing her grow and mature. She became quite endearing and her conversations with Dan and her friends flowed well and were natural.
It Had to Be You, discusses many different types of relationships, emphasising that some are not positive and in fact toxic. The book also emphasises the importance of not judging other people's relationships. Every relationship is different and what may work for some couples may not for others. Just because a relationship may seem flawed to others and not perfect on the outside, doesn't meant it's the same behind closed doors.
My favourite part of the book was Bea's relationship with her flatmates. Stainton has written these parts so well and the friendships seem so genuine and lovely. They're definitely the kind of flatmates I'd like to love with if I went to university or lived in London when I was younger! I particularly liked Bea's friend Freya, she was honest and at times hilarious. She's a lesbian, and it was great to see LGBT+ rep in this book. Bea's friendship with Henry was also endearing and he seems like a genuine and kind character.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this was an enjoyable read but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. This doesn't mean you won't love it however. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed seeing Bea grow and mature as the novel progressed but I do think of her age was between 18-20 then this would have suited the content in then novel a little better.
I would like to thank Bookouture, NetGalley, and of course the author Keris Stainton for sending me a #gifted copy of this book. All views are my own and aren’t influenced in any way.
In all honesty, this wasn't my favourite Chick-Lit, and I didn't fully enjoy the content until over halfway through the book. The latter end of the book I did enjoy however. Overall the book fell slightly flat as I struggled to relate to the main character Bea. Being of a similar age I thought, "yes! Finally a book that's going to rep my age group", but I felt Bea's character acted a lot younger than 25. Her character seems worlds apart to the reality of being in your mid 20's, as she seemed to reflect a character who would typically be between 18-20. I understand that everyone's life experiences vary greatly, but for her age she definitely did seem a little too naive and immature.
As the synopses explains, Bea's recurring dreams of her "perfect boyfriend" come into fruition. *Slight spoiler* Readers later discover that Bea moved to London in order to find this man she's been dreaming of *spoiler ends*. It was a little too cliche for me and as a result I struggled to become fully invested in the plot. I have previously read books with a similar premise, such as Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher so I'm not opposed to the plot idea, I just think it may have worked a little better if it was approached in a slightly more realistic way. As the novel progresses, so does Bae's character and I enjoyed seeing her grow and mature. She became quite endearing and her conversations with Dan and her friends flowed well and were natural.
It Had to Be You, discusses many different types of relationships, emphasising that some are not positive and in fact toxic. The book also emphasises the importance of not judging other people's relationships. Every relationship is different and what may work for some couples may not for others. Just because a relationship may seem flawed to others and not perfect on the outside, doesn't meant it's the same behind closed doors.
My favourite part of the book was Bea's relationship with her flatmates. Stainton has written these parts so well and the friendships seem so genuine and lovely. They're definitely the kind of flatmates I'd like to love with if I went to university or lived in London when I was younger! I particularly liked Bea's friend Freya, she was honest and at times hilarious. She's a lesbian, and it was great to see LGBT+ rep in this book. Bea's friendship with Henry was also endearing and he seems like a genuine and kind character.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this was an enjoyable read but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. This doesn't mean you won't love it however. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed seeing Bea grow and mature as the novel progressed but I do think of her age was between 18-20 then this would have suited the content in then novel a little better.
I would like to thank Bookouture, NetGalley, and of course the author Keris Stainton for sending me a #gifted copy of this book. All views are my own and aren’t influenced in any way.
themaliciousreader's review
2.0
*2.5 Stars*
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It Had to Be You tells the story of Bea, a hopeless romantic who works in a library. She’s had a recurring dream about a man for years, how she will meet him in a park, where he will be sitting, the entire thing.
When it finally happens, she cannot believe it but since he’s literally the man of her dreams, she does everything to make a relationship work.
I really did not like Bea, she drove me insane, I could not relate to her at all, despite her love of books. She, basically, was everything I am not.
The story was predictable and I guessed how it would end about 20% in. It was all way too cheesy for me…
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It Had to Be You tells the story of Bea, a hopeless romantic who works in a library. She’s had a recurring dream about a man for years, how she will meet him in a park, where he will be sitting, the entire thing.
When it finally happens, she cannot believe it but since he’s literally the man of her dreams, she does everything to make a relationship work.
I really did not like Bea, she drove me insane, I could not relate to her at all, despite her love of books. She, basically, was everything I am not.
The story was predictable and I guessed how it would end about 20% in. It was all way too cheesy for me…
laurenjamesauthor's review
5.0
Love, love, love. Keris' romcoms are my happy place, always, and this is my favourite yet. So sweet and warm hearted, with a touch of magic. Henry is my best boy.