Member Reviews
This is a second-chance romance with now and then chapters. I enjoyed getting the backstory of the characters to see what they were like growing up. I am not a big romance fan but Beth Moran always adds something to her stories where the romance is secondary. Even though this is a romance it is in no way a fluffy read. Moran tackles some tough topics like mental health, parental abandonment, drugs, teenage pregnancy, divorce and extramarital affairs. I love that she writes about these issues in such a realistic way while being sensitive at the same time.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book! Such a wholesome and heartwarming read, and I will be sure to check out more of Beth’s catalogue!
"It Had to Be You" by Beth Moran is a heartwarming and poignant exploration of love, family, and self-discovery. Following the journey of Libby, a single mother navigating the complexities of life after a troubled past, Moran crafts a narrative that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed yet hopeful.
From the very beginning, we’re drawn into Libby’s world, where the chaos of her upbringing as a foster sister shapes her current life as an antenatal coach and charity founder. Moran’s vivid storytelling immerses us in Libby’s daily challenges, making her struggles relatable and her triumphs all the more inspiring. The way Libby balances her responsibilities while caring for both her children and the mothers-to-be she supports showcases her resilience and dedication.
What truly sets this novel apart is the emotional depth Moran brings to the characters. Libby’s journey is not just about caring for others; it’s about confronting her own fears and regrets. The shadow of a reckless decision from her past looms large, adding layers of complexity to her character. As she grapples with her past and learns to prioritize herself, readers are treated to a powerful message about the importance of self-love and healing.
4.5 stars: I have read and enjoyed several of Beth Moran's romance stories and It Had to Be You was another winner for me. Libby and Nicki grew up in a loving home where her parents were foster parents. They never knew who would be at their breakfast table. Now they run a charity for teenage mothers and Libby is an antenatal coach. She is also a single mother who is crazy busy, with only limited help from her dad. She is worried that she is coming unraveled. When she comes face to face with the boy, now a man, who she loved thirteen years ago, she has to figure out what she wants from life and if she is willing to take a chance to love again.
This is a wonderful story of second chances. Libby spends all her time taking care of everyone else, and needs to decide if it is time for her to take care of herself. The story is told in a dual timeline of then and now as we learn about young Libby and what her dreams and plans were. Nicky has her own problems, but wants her sister to be happy. With her mother and Jonah coming back into her life, she is dealing with that and her residual feelings and maybe some guilt. Then there is her ex-husband, who thinks he knows best and tries to tell her what she should be doing. Although this is a second chance romance, it is also a story of personal growth, making choices for yourself, not always for others, and taking a chance on being happy. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it.
Beth Moran always writes with the right balance of depth in the story, the characters and the lightess of humor. She creates worlds I would love to be part of and “it had to be you” is no different. Read this book if you want to see personal growth, helping others while learning to lean on others for help, importance of family and friends, exciting storylines, relatable and likable characters, funny moments, lost and found love and the bonus of cute babies!
Beth Moran’s latest novel is a beautifully woven tapestry of love, loss, and the complexities of family life. The story centers on Libby, a single mother and dedicated antenatal coach, who grapples with the emotional scars of her past while fostering a safe haven for others. Moran captures the chaos of Libby's life—echoes of her childhood spent in a constantly shifting household, and the weight of unresolved guilt that shadows her.
From the outset, readers are drawn into Libby's world, where her caring nature often leaves her feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. The dual narrative of her current struggles and her history with a troubled boy introduces a poignant exploration of healing and self-acceptance. The character development in the book is fantastic and Libby and her sister Nicky feel like old friends, each layered with relatable flaws and dreams.
The author masterfully balances moments of laughter and heartache, creating an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you engaged throughout. The secondary characters are equally well-developed, each adding depth to Libby’s journey and enhancing the themes of community and resilience.
Moran’s prose is both uplifting and accessible, making the story an ideal comfort read. Her ability to blend humor with heavier themes results in a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Overall, I felt that this novel is a heartfelt exploration of finding oneself amidst chaos. With its satisfying resolution and a strong message about the importance of self-love, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that resonates long after the last page is turned. Beth Moran continues to solidify her place as a queen of comfort reads, offering a story that is, indeed, good for the soul.
I received a complimentary copy of this book "It Had to Be You" and all opinions expressed are my own. The book took a bit to get into. Love and second chances are the theme, overall good book.
Beth Moran is an excellent story writer and she keeps you involved throughout. At the centre is Libby who has shut herself off emotionally after the breakup of her marriage. A single mother, with two young children, she seems overwhelmed at times. You soon realise that she is driven to help those who are vulnerable but she is in danger of going under with the strain. As the story evolves, you hear from Libby in the present but also thirteen years earlier when she was a teenager and her parents fostered young children. It was the arrival of a young adolescent boy, who complicates the picture for her and it seems, her family have fragmented as a result.
In many ways, you see family relationships under great strain. Many of the young mothers who Libby helps come from dysfunctional homes. Having been fostered, they lack any other support. Certain characters go through a roller coaster of emotions. Some surprise themselves but others struggle to form healthy relationships and make foolish choices. Set against some emotional scenes, I enjoyed the humour which came from some of the larger than life characters but especially Libby’s two children. Despite some emotional parts, this is ultimately a heartwarming novel which reinforces the power of healthy family relationships.
In short: uplifting and enjoyable reading
I find Morgan’s books really interesting on a personal level - some I have read I really struggled with, and others I whizzed through. This is one where it is just right.
Beautiful characterisation, great dialogue and a cracking storyline make for a quick, easy summer read despite a potentially difficult topic at times. This is highly recommended.
It’s not much of a secret to followers of my Blog or past reviews that I’ve read a lot of the author’s books ( almost all published till date). This does not mean I’ll rate all the books the same – the opposite in fact. I have a standard with the content I enjoy and this book falls somewhere in the middle of the others I’ve read.
This book is about how the past can impact the present. We have a dual grindstone narrative to reinforce the overlap. Our protagonist has an interesting job feeling people plan births as much as possible. Given that it’s been less than a year since I gave birth myself, a lot of the talk around the event and the emotional reactions of the younger mothers made a lot more sense to me than it would have otherwise.
She is struggling with her personal life because of several reasons and this book will serve as the time for her own coming of age type narrative.
There are always serious plotlines tackled in all her books and this was no exception. The idea of fostering and the weight it carries both to the family doing the carrying and the children in the system is dealt with. My favourite part of the story has to be the unlikely lodger and his teething child. It was the most vivid part of the entire narrative.
I was not a fan of the dual timeline format in this book. This is probably the only reason I’m rating it the way I am. I would still highly recommend this author and the book to readers of this genre.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and several of the author’s other works.
In this complicated dual timeline modern fiction novel, readers follow Libby, a single mom of two and an antenatal coach who runs a charity for teenage mothers with her sister Nicky. As things pile up in her life, Libby feels that she and her life are falling apart when she is forced to confront a reckless decision and relationship from thirteen years ago. As she continues to take in strays and support her immediate family, Libby must find time for herself to care for her challenges, and this means taking some risks that have hurt her before. As readers follow Libby in her very full and emotional life, they too will see how sometimes life gives people a second chance at happiness. The characters are the beating heart of this novel, and the many distinct personalities, relationships, and problems set them apart from each other. With these many complicated dynamics, readers can clearly follow the storyline and understand Libby’s backstory. Moran’s characters and their struggles are realistic and relatable, yet they remain distinct from those that the other characters experience. An emotional, heart-warming, and rewarding read, this is a great novel for fans looking for several kinds of relationships and character growth.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well-developed, making it easy to love some and despise others. I flew through the book and eagerly await Beth Moran’s next release.
"It Had To Be You" is a delightful feel-good read, perfect for escapism. Initially, I wasn’t sure if it was for me, but Moran’s warmth and humor quickly drew me in, and I found myself falling in love with the vibrant characters.
Beth Moran’s writing exudes warmth, and after a rocky start, I became deeply invested in the story, especially as the narrative unraveled the events that tore Libby’s family apart thirteen years ago.
Sisters Libby and Nicky grew up in a home filled with foster children. They loved playing a part in providing a safe haven, though it meant they rarely had moments to themselves. Now, Libby is a single mother of two, working as an antenatal coach and running a charity for teenage mothers with her sister. Her life is hectic as she juggles caring for her family, supporting mothers-to-be, and helping those in need, all while welcoming them into her home.
When a face from her past reappears, Libby must confront old ghosts. To move forward, she must let go of her heartache and finally prioritize her own happiness.
"It Had To Be You" is beautifully written and heartwarming, possibly my favorite Beth Moran novel yet. It’s a charming and uplifting tale that I wholeheartedly recommend. Just lovely!
Libby, the main character, is forever changed by her first love, just as many of us are. This was my first Beth Moran book, and it gripped me from the beginning.
Managing two kids is tough, especially when doing it alone most of the time. Libby also runs a successful business with only occasional help from her distant father, leaving her feeling overwhelmed daily. Despite her generosity and willingness to help anyone in need, this may be an attempt to alleviate guilt over an incident thirteen years ago with long-reaching effects.
Nicky, Libby’s sister, wants nothing more than to see 'the right man' come into Libby's life, believing she deserves it more than anyone. But love can complicate things, especially when their estranged mother and Libby’s first love, Jonah, reappear.
Libby and her friends are strong, relatable characters that I rooted for throughout the book. The plot may seem simple, but the story is far from boring, thanks to its quick pace and engaging narrative.
Libby’s guilt over past events weighs heavily on her. Her life as a single mom hasn’t been easy, and her past returns with full force. Libby thrives on helping others but often neglects herself. Jonah’s return is surprising, yet Libby handles it with grace. His transformation from a brooding foster kid to a compassionate teacher is admirable, and his unwavering devotion to his sister is heartwarming. Jonah’s patience and commitment to Libby are truly commendable.
Libby and Nicky had a lively childhood, growing up as the natural children of foster carers, never knowing who they’d be sharing their home with. Now adults, Libby is a divorced mother of two running her own business, and Nicky is a GP. They remain close, unlike their parents. Their mother left on a world trip and has yet to return, while their father is still unsure why. Nicky lives an ordered life, but Libby constantly struggles to keep up with everything.
I love Beth Moran books-very well told with integrated themes running seamlessly through the story. The topic of a foster home of loving and caring parents and the part of a harrowing loss of a teen love play directly on the current time of a second chance. But swirling around is duty and misgivings and a whole host of problems. It is a lovely story of family chaos and lasting love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!
I loved this book!!! Wow! What a great ready! This was a first for me by this author but willl not be my last! I recommend this book!!
Beth Moran never fails to impress me with the way that she intertwines sensitive social issues into her books so not only do you get a to read a great story but it highlights struggles that a lot of people have to cope with in their everyday lives.
It Had To Be You included the issues of anxiety, broken families and the foster system and its many associated problems within the storyline focusing on Libby and Jonah, a boy that went to her school that ended up being fostered by her parents.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt that the characters were really well developed, some were easy to love and others easy to hate! I flew through the book and can't wait to see what Beth Moran releases next.
A highly recommended read.
What an interesting story. I enjoyed the more complex themes that were added to this second chance romance story as well as the dual timeline story. . The themes of fostering and teen pregnancy are strong and a powerful backdrop to this story. I really enjoyed it. I took a while to warm to the main character Libby as she frustrated me in the early story. But you soon learn about her past and how that has influenced her present. Highly reocmmend
This is another wonderfully uplifting story by Beth Moran. Told over a then and now timeline we get to know Jonah and Libby and hear the story of their lives coming together before and again now.
The story gave me an interesting look into the world of fostering and the effects that it can have on a family.
Although the story had an interesting arc, I felt this book was mainly a character driven story with so many different people and the relationships between them. All of those very different characters were there for a reason and that was to tell an interesting story well. I loved this book and am now already eagerly awaiting the next by this author!
It Had To Be You by Beth Moran is a lovely feel good read that is pure escapism at its very best. I have to admit I wasn’t too sure if it was going to be for me when I first started it, but I was soon proved wrong as the author’s trademark warmth and humour began to come through and I found myself falling in love with these larger than life characters.
There is a warmth to Beth Moran’s writing that, after a rocky start, made me fall hard for this story as we began to learn what happened thirteen years ago to tear Libby’s family apart.
Sisters Libby and Nicky grew up in a household filled with children of all ages who were fostered by their parents. The girls loved playing their part in providing a safe haven for the children in their parents care, but it did mean that they very rarely got a moment to themselves.
Now, as a single mum to two young children, Libby works as an antenatal coach alongside running a charity for teenage mothers with her sister, Nicky. Her life is far from peaceful as she juggles caring for her family along with tending to the mothers-to-be and helping those down on their luck, all of whom she has welcomed into her home.
But then a face that has haunted her for years reappears and Libby must face up to the ghosts of her past. If she has any hope of moving forward with her life, can she let go of her heartache and begin to put her own happiness first at long last?
It Had To Be You is a beautifully written and heartwarming story that is quite possibly my favourite Beth Moran novel yet! A charming and uplifting tale, this is a book that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Just lovely!
It Had To Be You by Beth Moran is available to purchase now.
Second chance romance, unique premise. It started out very strong and engaging but somehow it got a bit bland halfway through the story.
I love that it told in dual timeline as we see how their romance develop and how it ended. Its really emotional and heartbreaking. This book also touches topic of care system, foster families and teenage pregnancies realistically.
Thank you Netgalley for the review copy.
Thank you for gifting this book on NetGalley. It was a really lovely read, Beth Moran is an excellent writer and any book of hers, I will always read. Highly recommend!