rosie_morley's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was an okay book I think because it was a trational book of lovers I think this book is a 16+ book with no spice I have to admit it wasn’t a laugh out loud book but I did appreciate the audiobook
lynnedf's review
2.0
Ok. So if you're looking for a lighthearted read, with a romantic twist, I can think of several other books with a stronger and better developed plot and characters. There was nothing inherently wrong with "It Had to be You" - except that everything took too long to develop AND then nothing really happened.
If you read the blurb on the back of the book, you know that Bea thinks she's met her dream guy (he literally has been in her recurring dream) in her local park and that they are meant to be. But things aren't all that they seem, and he turns out to not be the right guy ... does she stay with him just because he was in her dream???
The thing is ... Bea meets him (Dan) and he isn't horrible, or off-putting. He doesn't treat her poorly or abuse her. They simply aren't a match. No sexual chemistry... and it takes her forever to admit to it ... meanwhile the plot becomes more about her roommates, her step-father and mother's relationship and the dream.
It's a lot of pages for not very much to happen - and while it didn't have me cringing, it certainly didn't keep me turning the pages with a mad urge to find out what Bea decides to do.
I was hoping for more of a [b:Big Sexy Love|34835025|Big Sexy Love|Kirsty Greenwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513106901s/34835025.jpg|56063978] or [b:Who’s That Girl?|26115279|Who’s That Girl?|Mhairi McFarlane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467240853s/26115279.jpg|46062170] - both of which made me laugh and get into the whole romantic comedy mood, but this one just fell flat.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
If you read the blurb on the back of the book, you know that Bea thinks she's met her dream guy (he literally has been in her recurring dream) in her local park and that they are meant to be. But things aren't all that they seem, and he turns out to not be the right guy ... does she stay with him just because he was in her dream???
The thing is ... Bea meets him (Dan) and he isn't horrible, or off-putting. He doesn't treat her poorly or abuse her. They simply aren't a match. No sexual chemistry... and it takes her forever to admit to it ... meanwhile the plot becomes more about her roommates, her step-father and mother's relationship and the dream.
It's a lot of pages for not very much to happen - and while it didn't have me cringing, it certainly didn't keep me turning the pages with a mad urge to find out what Bea decides to do.
I was hoping for more of a [b:Big Sexy Love|34835025|Big Sexy Love|Kirsty Greenwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513106901s/34835025.jpg|56063978] or [b:Who’s That Girl?|26115279|Who’s That Girl?|Mhairi McFarlane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467240853s/26115279.jpg|46062170] - both of which made me laugh and get into the whole romantic comedy mood, but this one just fell flat.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Bookouture for the ARC via NetGalley!
This is my first book by Keris Stainton. It was a fun read. The reason I'm giving it only 3 stars is because some parts felt a little too predictable. But I enjoyed it anyway, it's definitely not a bad book. Bea is such a great character. She's so smart and funny. It was nice knowing her.
This is my first book by Keris Stainton. It was a fun read. The reason I'm giving it only 3 stars is because some parts felt a little too predictable. But I enjoyed it anyway, it's definitely not a bad book. Bea is such a great character. She's so smart and funny. It was nice knowing her.
_lc_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book wasn’t really my jam. I certainly didn’t think it was “an absolutely laugh out loud romance novel”.
I always find it hard to get through books that start off with the guy/girl you know they don’t end up with and this one had us starting before she even met the wrong guy… so I knew it was going to be a slog for me. You have to go through all the meeting and first dates etc when you know it’s not going to work out.
I did like the side characters and Henry as a love interest but the whole dream thing and dream guy just didn’t do it for me personally.
Single POV, no spice, 16+
I always find it hard to get through books that start off with the guy/girl you know they don’t end up with and this one had us starting before she even met the wrong guy… so I knew it was going to be a slog for me. You have to go through all the meeting and first dates etc when you know it’s not going to work out.
I did like the side characters and Henry as a love interest but the whole dream thing and dream guy just didn’t do it for me personally.
Single POV, no spice, 16+
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.