It Had to Be You is Georgia Clark's newest novel, following the lives and loves of those involved in the In Love in New York wedding-planning company. The owner of said company, Liv Goldenhorn, finds out that her husband died from an unexpected phone call from his mistress (yeah, that sounds pretty rough to me too), only to find out a few months later that the same mistress turns out to be the new co-owner of In Love in New York. The rest of the story rotates between five love stories and their point of friendship and intersection - what's not to love?

This novel is a greatest hits playlist of romantic fiction tropes, and boy does it pack a heart-warming punch! I laughed, I cried, I texted my Classical Language Major text thread to say "Dionysus and a Bacchanalia were both mentioned in the same contemporary novel I'm reading! Ahhh!" Trust me when I say, if When Harry Met Sally and Love, Actually had a baby (minus the Christmas theme) - it'd be this book! All stories were so well-crafted and from the heart!

If you love anything from Nora Ephron, Love, Actually the movie, Valentine's Day the movie, New Year's Eve the movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral (both versions!), The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver (but without the magical drugs), The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan (specifically the attention that went into the group of friends), or Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple - you'll love It Had to Be You!

Wow I was so intrigued by the blurb of this book and it did not disappoint! I loved Liv & Savannah’s relationship evolution, female friendship in a book is always a win for me. The timeline in this book was tricky to follow as were all the secondary characters. If the book was more solely focused on Liv & Savannah it would have been a 5 star read for me. I am looking forward to more of Clark’s work and to recommending this book.

"It Had to Be You," by Georgia Clark, has a very intriguing premise: Liv Goldenhorn, along with her husband, runs a wedding planning company. After her husband's sudden death, his dirty secrets become revealed, the most surprising of which includes a hidden mistress. Liv is horrified to discover that her husband left part of the business to his mistress in his will. Liv and Savannah must learn to get along and work together in order for the business to be successful. Along the way, both ladies will fall for various suitors.

I thought the premise of the book was interesting, but I had a hard time rooting for any of these characters and their quest for happiness. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I thought this was going to be a Liv vs. Savannah comedy full of hijinks and one upsmanship. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this had a lot more depth to it, and the circumstances around their relationship wasn't as dramatized as the current synopsis made me believe it was going to be. The other romances in the novel are interesting and diverse, and there's an epilogue that wraps everything up nicely.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a sucker for second chances tropes! Clarke carefully weaves multiple storylines which adds depth to the characters and plot! Loved the main duo: Savannah and Liv. Tons of growth and complexity with them both which made me love Clark’s story so much more. They couldn’t be more different from each other; another element that made her writing more interesting. This was my first read of hers and it will not be my last!

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria for this ARC!

This is another 4S read: smart, sweet, soft, swoon! It was mostly heartwarming, entertaining, feel-good book with so many storylines ( actually they are five! ) and lots of well crafted, lovely characters.

The story centered around Liv and Savannah. Liv was delighted to run a successful wedding organizing business with her husband Elliot Goldenhorn till he bites the dust and leaves his shares to his mistress Savannah.

But don’t blame the poor, naive girl! She has no idea the man was married. Liv thinks she may sell her shares so she doesn’t have to deal with that girl who has no experience about their business but her nightmare eventually comes true: Savannah is volunteered to work with her, sharpening her organizing skills. Sorry Liv, I know you didn’t see that coming!

Yes, Liv you gotta be patient not to kill that girl who stole her cheater husband’s heart. Savannah and Liv’s characters couldn’t be so different. But interestingly both women not only learn to work together, bury their hatchets , they also become each other’s confidante.

I love both women and as secondary characters Darlene and Zia’s story lines were interesting. The book’s romance parts feed by Darlene’s love story. But the other storylines didn’t make me so satisfied enough and the timelines between the stories are a little confusing. The author reminded me of a juggler who tries to roll too many balls above her head but eventually some of them were dropped.

But the positive things about my reading beat the negative parts (mind spinning- too many characters make you go back and read their parts to remember their back stories and evasive timelines)I’m still rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 because I still enjoyed the promising beginning and most of the characters are still easy to resonate with. It was a great feel good novel with bunch of motivational stories!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

So, yes, this is my favorite Georgia Clark book yet!!!
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.
For 20 years Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn have run Brooklyn's top wedding planning business. Eliot suddenly dies while visiting his younger and blonder girlfriend, Savannah. She had no clue he was married and Liv knew nothing about Savannah.
To make matters worse, Eliot leaves half the business to Savannah and she won't sell, she wants to help Liv!
Liv & Savannah are polar opposites which makes for an amazing laugh out loud read and has the reader choosing sides. I loved to hate both, personally.
This was such a charming and sexy read about second chances and secret romances. There was emotion and laughter in every page and I can not wait for others to read it next year.

Thanks to the publisher, Atria and Netgalley for my advanced ebook copy.

This is a delightful book, well written, with characters who have depth and well, character. It is a romance, but encompasses the stories of several characters as they go through life's trials. I have not read anything by Georgia Clark before, but I will definitely be looking up her other books -- I hope this wasn't her first.

Thanks again for sharing this galley with me!