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trashbinfluencer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual harassment, Racism, Kidnapping, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Sexual content, Blood, Stalking, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Sexism, and Gun violence
harmonj3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Almost didn’t read due to the reviews, but the scene that people are taking issue with isn’t what you think which you only find out if you finish reading it. That said, the book does play with power dynamics in sexual relationships in ways that can be difficult to read independent of this scene. If it bothers you, others will too so I wouldn’t recommend reading it.
There are multiple plots playing out and the ways they converged was well done. I also didn’t feel like the characters that were introduced that make up the other books in this series made things hard to follow
There are multiple plots playing out and the ways they converged was well done. I also didn’t feel like the characters that were introduced that make up the other books in this series made things hard to follow
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Homophobia, and Rape
Moderate: Stalking and Misogyny
her_eyes_flashed's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Body shaming, Abandonment, and Bullying
literaryintersections's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I read this when I was a teen and was obsessed. I’m doing a reread of SEP books and decided to start here, knowing that there would be some tricky outdated things I’d have to get over. And WHEW are there. And yet……. I fucking loved it again.
There are so many issues (the rape is extremely graphic, the fatphobia (internalized and external), the misogyny and sexism a lot of it from the main love interest 🥴🥴, the random remarks about the Deep South (like the comment about the football players being lined up like plantation slaves to their owner who has just died……). I mean I know this was the 90s but WHEW. But there are also things where SEP and s ahead of her time: support of queer and gay people, mentioning people with AIDs as being left behind with the main character working with them, befriending, donating. Like they are her friends not people she pities. The idea that women are more than just pure/madonna or bimbos. The idea that Black young men who are athletic are taken for their abilities but their intellects are completely disregarded and not fostered. Now is there some white saviorism in here? Sure. But again, I think a lot of it is a product of the 90s.
I love Phoebe. I used to love Dan in a nostalgic way. But yall he is a mess and needs to grovel and change in order to be good enough for her. And the jump scare of him messing with a 16 year old (he’s not it’s kinky games with his ex wife) really got me this time 😂😂.
Overall I think this book needs to be looked at as a reflection of the mess and problems of the 90s, but also as a book that really started the sports romance genre. And also SEP really is one of the early starters of a super messed up man who is problematic and misogynistic but just needs the love of a good woman to change him. Like the alpha man stuff started with her.
There are so many issues (the rape is extremely graphic, the fatphobia (internalized and external), the misogyny and sexism a lot of it from the main love interest 🥴🥴, the random remarks about the Deep South (like the comment about the football players being lined up like plantation slaves to their owner who has just died……). I mean I know this was the 90s but WHEW. But there are also things where SEP and s ahead of her time: support of queer and gay people, mentioning people with AIDs as being left behind with the main character working with them, befriending, donating. Like they are her friends not people she pities. The idea that women are more than just pure/madonna or bimbos. The idea that Black young men who are athletic are taken for their abilities but their intellects are completely disregarded and not fostered. Now is there some white saviorism in here? Sure. But again, I think a lot of it is a product of the 90s.
I love Phoebe. I used to love Dan in a nostalgic way. But yall he is a mess and needs to grovel and change in order to be good enough for her. And the jump scare of him messing with a 16 year old (he’s not it’s kinky games with his ex wife) really got me this time 😂😂.
Overall I think this book needs to be looked at as a reflection of the mess and problems of the 90s, but also as a book that really started the sports romance genre. And also SEP really is one of the early starters of a super messed up man who is problematic and misogynistic but just needs the love of a good woman to change him. Like the alpha man stuff started with her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
barbara_sf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexism
Minor: Kidnapping and Stalking
kbz_22's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just revisited "It Had to Be You" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and let me tell you, it's still a solid 5/5 stars. There's something timeless about the way Phillips crafts a love story.
The dynamic between Phoebe and Dan is a masterpiece. The slow burn of their developing love is like savoring a fine wine. And, oh, the spice! Phillips doesn't shy away from the heat, and it just adds this perfect kick to the whole romance.
Re-reading this was like catching up with old friends. The banter, the chemistry, it's all there. If you're into a mix of love, humor, and spice, "It Had to Be You" is an absolute gem. Phillips has a way of making you fall in love with love, over and over again.
The dynamic between Phoebe and Dan is a masterpiece. The slow burn of their developing love is like savoring a fine wine. And, oh, the spice! Phillips doesn't shy away from the heat, and it just adds this perfect kick to the whole romance.
Re-reading this was like catching up with old friends. The banter, the chemistry, it's all there. If you're into a mix of love, humor, and spice, "It Had to Be You" is an absolute gem. Phillips has a way of making you fall in love with love, over and over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
sten89's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
While this is a romance book, it covers heavier topics. Some of which took me out of the story. Before reading I wish I had known that within the first few chapters, it appears that an adult is picking up a 16 year old for sex. This was a sex game an adult couple was playing but it almost made me DNF the book.
The writing was pretty good. Some chapters would switch perspectives with no clear transfer that took me a while to get used to.
The writing was pretty good. Some chapters would switch perspectives with no clear transfer that took me a while to get used to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Incest, Stalking, Sexual content, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Misogyny
navisti's review against another edition
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Incest, and Violence