Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read It Had to Be You in exchange for an honest review.

Overall I enjoyed the book - it’s a multi-couple storyline style book that follows several different characters as they experience love. The starting point - Liv’s husband dies while having an affair and leaves his half of their wedding planning business to the mistress - is unusual and is never fully explained (the explanation given doesn’t quite do it for me) but sets off a chain of events that leads to lots of love! Liv and Sam’s story is probably my favorite of the group (middle aged love gives me hope!), followed by Darlene and Zach’s (always love a fake relationship that gets real trope), but they’re all interesting and engaging in their own way. Those two stories were just more satisfying than the others for me. But it may be because those characters felt more fully realized.

The one part I had trouble with though (and granted, this is SUPER small, but also something that would have been an easy fix): Honey and Savannah drink a lot of Pappy Van Winkle and it seems like Honey is pouring that on the house several times... but that bourbon runs to the hundreds and thousands a bottle so I had a hard time believing it would be served in a hole in the wall chicken place AND comped. Again, small detail, but unless New York prices are wildly different from Texas prices, there is no way they’d be drinking so much of that particular bourbon.

Do you ever close a romance read and think “my god that was freaking cute”? That is exactly what occurred when I finished Clark’s newest release. This novel comes with all things warm, fuzzy and chaotic. The moments that make up the crazy thing we call love. The ups, the downs and the in-between questionable moments wrapped up in an adorable four-part character driven plot.

It Had To Be You is told in multiple POV’s with a mixture of tropes and themes tastefully representing mixed relationships, divorce, cheating, LGBTQ and more. When I started this novel, I didn’t expect the different storylines that ensued, and I was slightly disappointed that the full focus wasn’t on Liv and Savannah. As the character depths began to deepen, connections started to grow and each unique situation started playing in my head like a Valentine’s Day Hallmark movie, I became pretty invested in each character.  Ok, I became hooked. Clark expertly executed multiple variations of love at different stages into a truly clever read.

I originally jumped on this one due to the genre placing of romcom. I don’t necessarily think I’d label it as such though.  There are a few chuckles along the way, but this is more heartwarming than funny. I wouldn’t consider a lot of the situations realistic either, but with novels like this I am not looking for realistic. I want that tropey romantic plot structure that leaves me smiling and cheeky by the end.  Just like my cheesy Valentine’s Day movies. Even though all of the characters grew on me, I do believe that less would’ve been more in the end. The initial introduction of characters and situations took me a moment to relax into and appreciate. Slightly on the overextended side too due to the numerous characters too.

For me, this was a wonderful novel to dive into after some of the darker reads I’ve had lately. I adored the uplifting vibe that left me in high spirits by the end. I’d recommend this one to my romance lovers. Those who enjoy those adorable romantic movies that you know you secretly watch when your significant other isn’t around.

Thank you to Atria Books for my advance copy of It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this fun rom-com! It was packed with all the tropes and such diverse relationships. I really feel that there is at least one (or more!) couple in this ensemble that readers will fall in love with and root for all the way through. I found all the characters to be likeable and the interweaving stories all just did it for me. I was a little worried I that I would not like one of the story lines as well as the others, but I honestly enjoyed them all! But I did have my favorites, which were Liv and Sam, Zia and Clay, and Darlene and Zach!

This is a great one to add to your TBR if you enjoyed the movies Love Actually or New Years Eve!

It Had To Be You is an adorable and fun rom com that follows the lives of a large cast of characters over a year of weddings in New York. A few other people have compared it to both Four Weddings and A Funeral and Love, Actually and I have to say those are both spot on comparisons!

Love, Actually is one of my favorite movies, so I loved watching all of these stories unfold and the ways they intertwined with each other! There wasn’t a single POV I didn’t love, and I think they were all built out really well and had great character development.

Another thing I loved about this book was the diversity of the stories being told! There were stories of older people getting a second chance at love, young 20-somethings discovering their sexuality, couples dealing with age gaps, and mixed race couples and couples from different economic backgrounds that addressed the intricate problems and dynamics faced in those situations.

Overall, I thought this was a really sweet book that had so much heart! I truly enjoyed watching each of these people grow and the relationships that blossomed. I highly recommend you pick up a copy, especially if you like those big multi-POV romcoms!

Thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the #gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow, all I can say is, this story kept me giggling! You will find yourself laughing out loud as you are reading IT HAD TO BE YOU by Georgia Clark. She will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Liv! What an awesome story. All of Georgia’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again.

IT HAD TO BE YOU is a funny story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down! This story centers around a company called In Love in New York which is owned by Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn. It is a wedding planning company and this is why you meet so many various characters. You also won’t be able to stop yourself from laughing at Liv and the situations she gets herself into! IT HAD TO BE YOU identifies itself as a modern “Love Actually” which fits the bill pretty well.

IT HAD TO BE YOU is without a doubt one of my top funniest books I’ve read in 2021 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. My heart broke for Liv when she found out about Savannah. She learns a hard lesson as she begins to realize that people aren’t always what they seem to be. Georgia Clark sure knows how to hook the reader with an awesome story. I can’t wait to read more by Georgia.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This wonderful book is finally out in the world and I could not be happier to take part in helping to promote its release day. It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark is this witty, funny & just all around amazing book reminiscent of the movie Love Actually.

When I say I enjoyed this book, that’s putting it so so lightly. I enjoyed this book that I read it from start to finish all in one sitting because I could not tear myself from it. The myriad of character stories it weaves as they all interconnect around a wedding planning business are so heartfelt and intriguing that at times it felt that you were right there in the book amongst them all living everything with them. And the diversity in its characters! 😭😍👏🏼

I adored it plain and simple and I can’t thank the publisher & the author for sending me an early e-galley of this book which I’m going to go buy a physical copy of right now because I need it on my shelves.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a very enjoyable book, packed full of romance and based around a group of people interconnected by a wedding planning business. It is moving, fun, silly, and definitely entertaining. It manages to be really easy reading and yet at the same time, as the car-crash scenarios build, it is one of those books where I had to stop reading for a few minutes to regroup and go in again and see just how bad it could be.

The author has a keen sense of observation, and whilst sometimes I felt the cues, or the clues, were broadcast a little loud, I was happy to be in on the story, and ready for what was coming next. It is an interesting take on the variety of modern life, and loves, and gives the reader plenty to think about as well as being satisfying escapism. As one might expect of a romance novel. things generally turn out well for our five sets of protagonists, although not always just as we might have expected.

I definitely recommend this to you as a fun read which starts in a most unexpected manner, and there is plenty of hope sprinkled through the pages.

This is the first book I’ve read by author Georgia Clark. Though I really enjoyed the beginning part of the book - the sad story of husband passing only to get that phone call from his mistress .. just started out w/ a bad taste in my mouth. Then you throw in a bunch of other characters in the mix- all trying to find their own path at love - and I just got a bit confused (although each additional person brought their own flare/spice to the book). This is a really cute rom-com book, but unfortunately missed the mark for me.

Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for this e-arc in lieu of an honest review.

Take a ride with Liv and her friends as they find love in New York. The story will take you through a wide range of emotions. It is told from several viewpoints with Liv as the central character. It is a poignant story of love and friendship. It is romantic, witty and funny. The characters are vibrant and colorful. It is a book to enjoy on a relaxing vacation that will give nothing but feel good vibes.

Liv is living her best life. She works side by side with her husband and has a darling son she adores. Then she gets the call no one wants. Her husband had died...in bed with his girlfriend. Trying to get over the betrayal is hard. It’s harder when her husband has left half the business to his girlfriend.
Opinion
Ms. Clark has written a story so detailed that it could, in fact, be a series. Not only does the reader get to enjoy the main story but there are multiple side stories woven in throughout. Each story adds a charm to the overall plot that you wouldn’t expect of a story set in NYC.
Be prepared to laugh and cry along with each character in this wonderful tale.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This was such a cute, fluffy read. So sweet and sugary and just the sort of book that will put you in a happy mood. I generally enjoyed the Love Actually style plot line. The storylines for each couple were unique and different. The author made effort to create couples. and characters that represented an accurate portrayal of the different types of love and relationships that are common in the real world, i.e. LGBTQIA+ couples, interracial couples, interfaith couples, open relationships, widowers, divorcees, couples that come from different socioeconomic or educational backgrounds. There was also the examination of many different forms of platonic relationships: friends, parents and their children, coworkers, siblings, etc.

If you are looking for a feel-good rom com that will entertain you, this book is it. It won't blow you away but it will leave you with a sense of comfort and hope. Hope in love and life and all the messy bits in-between. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

It Had to Be You is my first book by Georgia Clark and I was excited to start it. The blurb sounded so great and I was excited to go along with Savannah and Liv in their journey of wedding planning. But it wasn't just Savannah and Liv. It was Savannah, Liv, Henry, Gorman, Sam, Darlene, Zach, Zia, Clay, and there might even be more I'm forgetting...

If you like large casts of characters (think Love Actually or Valentines Day) this will be a perfect book for you.

This book was a big Wow for me in so many ways. I had never read this author before and now I can’t wait to read her others, but this is a very unique story/romance. We have the interwoven love stories of 5 couples and how they all interconnected. Each couple had their highs and lows in their relationship, but the writing was so beautifully done that I felt something for each character. And I loved the sweetness and cuteness, and yet heartbreak that was in each love story. I read somewhere that this book was similar to the movie, Love Actually, and I could feel the similarities. If you are looking for a feel good story with lots of sweet romance, this is a great read.

Liv Goldenhorn has run her wedding planning service, In Love, with her husband Elliott for twenty years. On the day of a wedding gone wrong, Liv learns that her husband has died and that he was having an affair to a woman whom he has left half of his business. OUCH! Samantha, the woman he is having an affair with is also much younger. Double OUCH. Plus, Samantha wants to run the wedding planning business with LIV. How Rude! Because who does not want to run a business with their dead lovers’ wife?

Plus, this is not the only storyline going on in the book. There are several individuals/couples as well - couples/individuals who are friends and have ties to In Love and Liv and Samantha. Which for me gave it an almost Olive Kitteridge vibe to it - not in the subject matter but in that all the other characters all are woven in and around Live and Samantha.

Second chances are the name of the game here. Starting over, making peace, finding love, making friends, picking up the pieces, etc. There is laughter, some tears, love, and commitment. Plus, there is diversity in this book which makes it more appealing. As the book dives into all the couples in this book, it really does take on a Love Actually feel as the synopsis states.

This is a charming book that some readers are enjoying more than I did so check out their reviews as well. This is an ensemble book with interesting characters who are experiencing a myriad of issues in their relationships. With romance it is a journey, and I enjoyed the journeys in this book!

Charming, Cute, Diverse

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a cute book filled with so modern day romances! I LOVED the diversity of the characters and relationships. With five couples featured, I worried there was too many characters and storylines, but quickly got in a rhythm and Clark did a wonderful job of separating the pairs while also perfectly interweaving their stories. Naturally, I connected with a few of the couples more and became a little more invested in their stories, but I genuinely enjoyed them all.

While parts of the book are just as sweet and cute as the cover, Clark also dives in to some more serious issues - love after loss, questioning sexuality, the journey to self discovery and so many other things. She did a wonderful job of pulling back layers the layers of each character & made it easy to pull for them and their respective relationships.

I’ve seen others saying this book really reminds them of Love Actually and I can’t believe I haven’t seen that, but want to watch it soon!

I highly recommend checking this one out. 👌

Trigger warnings - mention of transphobia, death of a spouse, mention of abusive relationship

There is a LOT packed into this book. A few different storylines, each having their own issues to work through, but not in an overtly obvious way.

About two thirds of the way through this book I felt like I was reading "Love Actually", which is one of my very favorite movies, and concepts. I simply adore when all of the characters in a book or movie are intertwined into each other's lives.

I enjoyed reading this and would recommend to you if you're looking for some good characters, some real life obstacles, and just want to be immersed in New York City for a few hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Fans of “He’s Just Not That Into You” or “Love, Actually” will flock to this novel. This story follows many characters who are all struggling at different points in their lives, but yet everyone’s storyline somehow overlaps and interconnects. It’s a story that encompasses second chances, secret romances, personal growth, and finding love. And while it follows many different characters, it’s easy to to get completely sucked into each and every storyline. If you’re looking for a quick heartwarming, feel-good romance, this is the book for you!

Huge thank you to Atria for gifting me a copy of this one in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Atria books for the gifted e-copy.

Wow. I finished this book last night, and I"m still thinking about it. I'm not quite sure how to review it, so here are some thoughts:

-It opens at a wedding, and introduces you to a bunch of characters. It seems like the book is centered around Liv, and I guess she is the connection between everyone, but there are SO many characters this book alternates between. Each character has a story, and usually that stresses me out because it's so much to keep track of. In this case, I got totally invested in ALL of their stories. It reminded me a lot of Love, Actually or Valentine's Day - where you have a bunch of different characters that each have stories and it makes one big plot.

-This book has a diverse set of characters and hits on so many relationship themes. There's infidelity, loss and grief, divorce, friends to lovers, same sex couples, questioning sexuality, personal growth...it just is an all inclusive smash up of topics, which really could be a disastrous mess, but it WORKS.

-Someone needs to make this into a movie or tv show stat. I don't even watch tv, and I would watch this.

My Review:⭐️⭐.5 / 5 stars

I love how cute this cover is - lively and colorful. This follows the story of many different couples all connected to Liv and Savannah. Liv and her husband Eliot owned a wedding planning business in Brooklyn - until the day he died of a heart attack and left his half of the business to his girlfriend/mistress Savannah. Savannah moves from Kentucky to Brooklyn to take on the business with Liv, who is depressed after losing her husband and finding out about his affair. The book also revolves around the other couples such as Darlene and Zack, both musicians who perform at weddings, but he needs his inheritance. Of course, he has to pretend to date Darlene to do it. My favorite is Zia and Clay - the waitress/server at the wedding who dates the big movie star. However, there were so many different couples in their own romantic comedy cliches in this short book that I really did not feel anything for them. The great thing about this book was the diversity of couples: middle aged (Sam and Liv), interracial (Zach/Darlene, Clay/Zia), and other LBGT+ couples as well - but it was maybe too much to fit into the story.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
US Pub Date: May 4, 2021

Love is Love, and I LOVED this book!!!
Happy PUB Day to It Had to Be You by Georgia Clark!

With truly amazing representation, memorable characters, and moments to make you laugh or cry; this rom-com had everything I could have asked for in a romance and more.

In-Love-in-New-York is a thriving wedding planning business run by Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn until one ruinous day when Liv receives a call from her husband’s mistress, Savannah, informing Liv of her husband’s passing. Unbelievably, Eliot left his half of the business to Savannah, forcing Liv into a partnership with her nemesis or certain financial ruin. With wedding season underway keeping the two wedding planners busy, eight more characters and their unique love stories emerge from the narrative, making this a fun and playful read.

This book was delightful! Ten characters may sound like a lot to keep track of, but I completely loved this multiple-POV “Love Actually” style romance. I loved how much representation was featured in this story! There were LGBTQ and straight relationships, biracial couples, as well as characters young and old dealing with love, loss, marriage, divorce, identity and starting over. I loved the STEAM between Darlene and Zach, and the kindness and compassion between Henry and Gorman. I really loved it all!

Thank you, AtriaBooks / Emily Bestler Books, NetGalley and GeorgiaClark for the #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 5 Stars!