YES the new Beth Moran book is here and YES OF COURSE it’s another perfect smasher! One of my absolute favourite authors, I can always rely on Beth to provide characters I become deeply invested in, some laughs, some tears, some truly hard-hitting themes, a brilliant story that never gets boring for a second, and a fab ending. What more can I want for?

In this latest story, we follow 29-year-old Libby – a single mum of two, struggling to balance everything going on in her life. From her antenatal classes with rich couples to her charity supporting teenage mums through pregnancy and birth, to her own home life with two young kids and a ‘dropout’ ex-husband she can’t rely on – and his new life with his influencer girlfriend he left her for.

In the present day, an older brother of a pregnant teenager gets in touch with Libby to ask for help – the name is similar to someone from her past. But, it can’t be him, can it? We then flit between the present and 13 years ago, when a troubled teenage boy came to live with Libby, her sister Nicky and their parents, and how she came to have her heart broken for the first time.

The story touched on some difficult themes with the teenage mums that Libby supports – the sub-story with teen dad Toby and baby Hazel was incredibly moving – both sad and uplifting in equal measure! And – oh! – Libby and Jonah is just the most gorgeous love story and my heart broke for them multiple times. The description of Libby’s teenage feelings for him was just perfect and really filled my heart with that powerful young love feeling that I remember so well!

Perfection once again!

Sisters Libby and Nicky grew up in a bustling household, where their parents fostered children of all ages. Now, as a single mother of two, Libby continues to dedicate her life to caring for others. Through her work as an antenatal coach and her involvement in a charity for teenage mothers, Libby channels the nurturing skills she learned growing up. Yet, despite her outward strength, Libby struggles with inner turmoil and unresolved guilt from a past decision. As she grapples with her own demons, Libby realises that it's time to prioritise her own well-being and confront the wounds of her past. With the support of her family, friends, and community, Libby embarks on a journey of self-discovery and self-love, hoping to mend her broken heart and find peace at last. Fay Keenan's poignant novel is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the importance of caring for oneself amidst life's challenges.

This is a heartwarming tale that delves into the complexities of family, love, and self-discovery.

From the outset, Moran captures the reader’s attention with the character of Libby, a compassionate and selfless woman who dedicates her life to caring for others. As a single mother, an antenatal coach and co-founder of a charity for teenage mothers, Libby’s days are busy with nurturing those around her, leaving little time for herself. Yet beneath her outward strength lies a vulnerability stemming from past mistakes and unresolved heartache.

The narrative skillfully navigates between past and present, gradually unraveling the events that continue to haunt Libby. She’s forced to face her past and reassess her life when a man from her past arrives, triggering memories from thirteen years ago. Moran deftly explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the healing power of love, as Libby embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns to confront her insecurities.

The cast of characters adds depth and richness to the story, from Libby’s family and friends to the eclectic mix of women and their partners who bring both chaos and joy to her life.

Moran’s writing, as always, is filled with warmth and compassion, drawing readers into Libby’s world with its vivid descriptions and heartfelt emotions.

It Had to Be You is a story of hope and resilience, reminding readers of the importance of self-love and acceptance and allowing for second chances.

✨3.5 stars✨

I’ve read “Let It Snow” by Beth Moran and really enjoyed it so when I saw the chance to request the ARC for her new book I jumped at the chance.

I enjoyed this book, not quite as much as “Let It Snow”, but still found it cute.

Features the second chance romance between Libby and Jonah and grapples with the different aspects of motherhood as Libby runs a club for new mums, an aspect of the book that I found interesting, but this is a big part of the book so if you’re not interested in that this book probably isn’t for you.

However, I didn’t find myself completely able to connect with the characters which is why the rating is what it is.

I would recommend if you’re looking for a contemporary with second chance romance.

I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is the sort of book that, once started, I couldn't put down! Libby is an antenatal class teacher and runs pre, and post, baby classes from the cabin in her back garden. There are moments of awkward hilarity (enter the ex and his now pregnant girlfriend!) as well as poignant moments as well as romance - this book has it all!

This is the first book by Beth Moran that I’ve read. It took me a few chapters to get into, but then I didn’t want to put it down. Everything tied together nicely and I didn’t find there to be any gaps in the plot. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

This was a lovely story. It’s centers around Libby, one of two sisters who runs a prenatal program in England. Interspersed with drama involving various pregnancy situations, are Libby‘s family drama, and relationship woes. The story was inspiring and hopeful, and I really enjoyed it.

Libby,a single mother with two children who has a business and a charity is running on empty.
The business she has is running ante- natal and post- natal classes and with her charity she runs them for looked after teenages to prepare them for their babies.
At the moment when Libby feels exhausted her ex husband and his pregnant girlfriend turn up to one of her classes and so does the sister of her first love,the forbidden love that wrecked her family.
We go back in time to when Libby's parents fostered children which along with her sister Nicky was mostly enjoyable. There were times when sharing her parents was difficult and always having to put the foster children first hard at times.
When her parents retired from fostering Libby's mum had a breakdown and has been abroad finding herself for five years.
What a chaotic life Libby leads,there's never a minute to herself and problems piling up just like the occasional postcard from her mum telling them she's making her way home after all this time. How should Libby and Nicky fell ?
I love books by this author, The characters feel so real and I get involved in their problems.
The only problem with this book is when I reached the last page,I couldn't believe it was all over. I now have a book hangover and don't know how to get onto another book.
Loved it !

You cannot go wrong with a Beth Moran book - I have not read one of hers that I didn’t love!
It had to be you primarily focuses on Libby, who is a single mother, trying to juggle motherhood, running a business and a charity that supports teenagers who are pregnant. Libby's life is coming apart of the seams but she’s trying her best to juggle and keep everything together. Her life is thrown into further turmoil when a teenage dad turns up at her doorstep one evening, followed by her husband and his pregnant partner at her antenatal class and then to top it all off, her first love unexpectedly comes back into her life. Their history is complicated and their earlier relationship destroyed a few lives.
A really lovely read, with the promise of a happy ending for all involved 🥰

I try to be a romance girly, but maybe this one wasn't the place to start. I admit I prefer lit fic, and non fiction about politics, the odd thriller.. so I was probably not the intended audience for this one. The characters just did not seem very likeable to me, I did not care about their journeys although I do appreciate the author bringing to popular consciousness being a foster carer.

This is my first book by Beth Moran and it definitely won’t be my last.
This was a really enjoyable read about Libby a busy and chaotic single Mum of two. I liked her character, found her really relatable and wanted her to grow and find her happy ever after. I also loved her relationship with her sister.
I found the plot interesting and enjoyed the many different issues which were highlighted.
I loved the fact the story went back to the past and explained her relationship with Jonah and their romance was perfect.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Beth Moran for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I have loved every book I’ve read by this author. Let It Snow, Take Me Home and ‎ Because You Loved Me were all four-star reads for me and I am happy to report that It Had to Be You did not disappoint. Moran’s books are always realistic and detail-oriented.

In this one, we have Libby who is a single mother with a life in chaos. She has a messy house, runs a charity and is very work-oriented. I could relate…even though my boys are now 35 and 40 I remember those days and though I remember them with fondness they were also really hard.

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.

I loved the foster care angle, it was so refreshing to see a positive spin on it. I’ve read lots of thrillers with foster parents and they were always negative. Some of the stories in this book were so heartbreaking and I appreciated that the author showed a single teenage dad stepping up and taking responsibility, these are few and far between. I loved the side character, Nicky the most, she reminded me of my own sister in the way that she’s always there for her sis no matter what. All in all a wonderful book on second chances, what it means to be a success and learning to love yourself.

This book was so heartwarming but also so emotional at the same time! The characters are all great and make you want them all to have the happiest of endings. I adore Beth Moran's writing style and this book is simply great.

I love a second-chance romance and Beth Moran hit this one out of the park. Some of the characters were more likable than others, but by the end of the book I was rooting for them too. It Had To Be You was so good and I loved it.

Thank you Boldwood Books, Beth Moran, and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange of my honest review.

Another fabulous read from this brilliant author. I love how she writes from the heart and her characters and storylines really draw you in and this was another of these stories. This storyline was relatable to me as like Libby I grew up sharing my family and it’s home with lots of other foster children who would come and go and stay for varying amounts of time and this book brought back many happy memories of those times.

This was definitely not a light hearted romantic read by any means and at some points was quite heartbreaking and hard to read and all of the issues raised were done in a very sensitive way.

Thank you to boldwood books and netgalley for allowing my to read an arc of one of my favourite authors. I am already looking forward to their next novel.

Another fabulous read from Beth Moran. This is a book that stays with you long after you’ve read it. It pulls at your heartstrings as there are so many lovely characters that you just want the best for…a happy ending, which of course is delivered in the most wonderful way.

I too was a foster mother and the parts of the story that refer to these poor children and frazzled foster parents runs so true. Great research, nice to not see this theme of the book glorified in the wrong way.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I'm absolutely devastated I have finished this book, it was so heart warming and emotional. I loved all the real life anguish that can only happen in families. I found myself smiling all the way through, just perfect!

This book should have been released in autumn- because it was like a warm blanket with a steaming cup of tea that made you enjoy quiet moments of life and a good book.
Great characters and story line and I can see this book doing well for fans of authors such as Jill Mansel.

This isn't my first Beth Moran book so I almost knew that i would enjoy it before i started reading. There is something familiar and comforting aBout the writing style. i enjoyed the character of Libby, she felt like someone i could know. The book is a lovely read, arguably a little long but the ending truly makes up for that.

starting off with I absolutely enjoy beth moran’s books and the writing style. They are typically a little longer and maybe even overly detailed, but they are such wholesome and realistic books and characters that is very easy to read.

it had to be you focused was not your typical romance. it can be a harder read because of all the real life representation going on - toxic/unhealthy family relationships, broken family, social services and the foster care system, divorce and not having a handle on life. while the book could be condensed, following along libby’s trials as she gains back a hold on her life and household was interesting to read. I love the past and present telling because you really are able to understand what lead to the current day situations.

the book did end happily, as beth moran’s typically do. libby was able to mend her broken relationship with her mom, jonah and libby did have a second chance at love and a life together, and libby was also able to get a grasp on her life and structure with parenting.