I just finished It Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier, and I can’t stop thinking about it. The story is a thrilling blend of suspense, romance, and dark humor that pulled me in from the very first page. It follows Eva and Jonathan, two contract killers who unknowingly share a passionate encounter on a sleeper train from Florence to Paris. Their chemistry is electric, but attachments are a dangerous game in their line of work.

Six months later, their paths cross again in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, and this time, there’s a twist—they’ve been hired to eliminate each other. What unfolds is a gripping, high-stakes game of cat and mouse that keeps you guessing at every turn.

What I loved most about this book is how Brazier balances the action-packed suspense with deeply emotional storytelling. Both Eva and Jonathan are complex characters, shaped by their pasts, and watching their relationship evolve as they grapple with trust and betrayal added so much depth to the story. The vivid European settings, from the opulence of Versailles to the romance of Florence, only added to the book’s allure.

The pacing is spot-on, with razor-sharp dialogue and moments of dark humor that bring levity to the intense plot. The twists are clever and well-executed, keeping me on the edge of my seat while also rooting for these two assassins to find a way out of their impossible situation.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

If I Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier is a really great blend of romance and thriller. What truly stood out was how seamlessly woven the romance was into the tension and mystery, making it feel organic and real, deeply tying it to the internal struggles of Eva and Jonathan.

Both Eva and Jonathan’s journey is one of vulnerability, fear, and self discovery. Finding who they could be if they weren’t apart of this contract killer life. Both are struggling with the weight of their pasts and their current lives, and it’s incredible to watch them navigate feelings of love and connection that seem entirely foreign to them, minus Eva’s supposed love for Andrew. Their emotional growth adds a layer of suspense that raises the thriller aspect of the book, making the stakes feel even more personal.

Honestly, the romance didn’t feel like an afterthought, but rather a crucial part of the story. It was my favorite aspect of the entire book. How two “evil” people can find love within each other.

Even though the pacing occasionally wavered, the emotional resonance of Evie and Jonathan’s relationship more than made up for it. Highly recommend for those that love love and thrillers.

I’ve been picking up more and more books that cross over into the romance genre, and I’m not mad about it. This book has all the action you want in a book about contract killers, the pacing and suspense you want in a thriller, the intrigue of a story spanning multiple continents, the SPICE of a romance, and some truly unhinged characters and moments throughout the book. I had a blast with this and finished it in two sittings. If you’re on the fence in terms of romance, just keep in mind that there are some spicy scenes in this one!

It Had to Be You is a darkly comedic romance featuring two contract killers, Eva and Jonathan, who meet by chance and later discover they’ve been hired to kill each other. Reminiscent of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the story mixes action, suspense, and forbidden attraction as they navigate a high-stakes adventure across Europe. Their chemistry, witty banter, and inner monologues make for a fun, deranged ride that’s full of humor and intrigue.

Despite being cold-blooded killers, both characters are surprisingly relatable and likable, with softer sides that add depth. The book expertly balances dark humor and suspense, creating a chaotic but compelling read. It Had to Be You is an engaging mix of rom-com and suspense that’s both entertaining and unexpectedly heartwarming. My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

IT HAD TO BE YOU was super fast-paced and exciting with great banter, tension, and delightfully messed-up leads. This would be a great book for a weekend away, an airplane ride, or maybe even a train ride! ;-)

I would have loved some more depth about the assassin organization and how all of that worked. Some of that logic felt lacking to me.

There was more sexual content here than I usually pick for myself. Everyone's spice-meter is different, but this was a little high for me.

Overall, thrilling and enjoyable, but not exactly the right book for me or my audience.

As I was reading this one, the news broke that it had been optioned for a movie, which I can absolutely see just based on the style and structure of it. It feels tailor-made to be a film, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the prose itself is a little sparse, and this is about as close to a kind of romance novel as you can get without fully being categorized as romance. The resolution with the assassin network also felt a bit too conveniently wrapped-up, but overall this one still made for a fun and diverting read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

This was everything I wanted it to be. I looved it.

This was my first novel by Eliza Jane Brazier, and it did not disappoint! I love the uptick in thrillers with some romance. I love it when my two favorite genres intersect!

The opening scene on the train had me hooked, and I devoured this one to find out what would happen to Eva and Jonathan. There's action, comedy, suspense, and spicy romance--a little of everything.

Eva was a badass. She's such a fun main character, and was a treat to read. I connected to her more than Jonathan but enjoyed both POVs. January LaVoy and Will Damron nailed the narration. Their performance added to the fun of this book!

I'm absolutely interested in reading more by this author if it's anything like It Had To Be You. I highly recommend this book!

NOW THIS A STORYLINE I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! A TRUE lovers to enemies. These two were insanely perfect for each other. Emphasize on the insane part. But hey, with this premise, I am sure we were all expecting that. Yet, the author neatly avoids making them caricatures, which is a trap many “enemies to lovers” books do. Instead, she leaves us rooting for both of these unhinged characters, who have more soul than meets the eye. 5 stars!

IT HAD TO BE YOU follows two assassins with sizzling chemistry who have a one-night stand on a sleeper train and are assigned to kill each other a month later. This was so much fun! A romantic, cat-and-mouse thriller with action, spice, and humor. I really enjoyed the dual POVs and the immersive Western Europe setting. Highly recommend for fans of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel.

This was an interesting take on the Mr and Mrs Smith trope. A relatively fast read but I wasn’t super invested in the characters so the outcome fell a bit flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

It Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier is a compelling romantic comedy that explores the chaos and unpredictability of love in the modern world. The story follows a determined protagonist who navigates the ups and downs of relationships while trying to find her place in a whirlwind of unexpected encounters and self-discovery. Brazier’s sharp wit and relatable characters bring humor and heart to the narrative, making it an engaging read. With its blend of romance and personal growth, this novel resonates with anyone who has experienced the complexities of love and the journey to find oneself.

3.5 stars!

A cat and mouse game…that’s the best way I can describe this one! Once again Eliza Jane Brazier gave us quirky characters, an odd plot and lots of bizarre banter between the characters that kept this one fun.
She’s an auto read author for me, and even though I liked some of her books more than this one, it doesn’t change that.

This was a slow burn for me and it took awhile for me to really get into it, but as I read on it became more interesting and the surprises started coming…the last 40% was super enjoyable and I flew through it.

There was a decent layer of romance added in I could have done without (but if you know me that won’t be a surprise to you) and parts were necessary to the story but I didn’t need allll of it.

So overall a good read and something different from a lot of other books I’ve finished!

3.5

The blurb and cover immediately caught my attention! I mean—two assassins-for-hire hook up during a mission, only to find themselves targeting each other six months later? With those Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes, I knew I had to dive into this book. The story kicks off at a fast pace with instant chemistry, drawing me in right away. The dual POV really enhanced the story for me, allowing a deeper understanding of both characters. However, there were moments when the inner dialogue began to drag, affecting the flow and pacing. I’m typically not a big fan of back-and-forth narratives, but in this case, the witty banter and outrageous antics made it enjoyable. The European backdrop was a delightful bonus, especially since it’s on my travel bucket list. The humor and action were engaging, and I have to admit, the spicy scenes took me by surprise—in a good way! That said, I felt the book lacked detail in certain areas. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, which made it difficult to fully connect with the couple's relationship. Overall, while the book was entertaining, I believe the story could have been developed and executed more effectively. If you’re a fan of assassins and cat-and-mouse dynamics with a touch of suspense, this book might just be for you!
Paperbacks and Merlot

A Mr and Mrs Smith-esque romance that had me fully captivated from start to finish! This was so fun and fast-paced, with a wonderful setting spanning across Europe.

Thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for the copies to review.

Oh my goodness this was so much fun to read! The audio was fantastic and overall it was such a wonderful entertaining read! I loved the Mr. And Mrs. Smith concept here but it was done with a few twists I did not see coming and I really enjoyed it so much. I listened to this in one sitting as I could not stop, I was completely hooked on this story. I am a huge fan of Eliza Jan Brazier and this is my third read of hers, she is now an auto read author for me, her books are so good and so much fun!

✨ Review ✨ It Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier; Narrated by January LaVoy, Will Damron

Thanks to Berkley, PRHAudio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This book was everything I didn't know I needed. I've been in a bit of an audiobook slump the past few months and this book broke me out of that. The narration was terrific and I couldn't wait to keep listening to this! The narrators perfectly embrace the tension between the two main characters.

Eva and Jonathan meet on a train to Paris. As the first two on their crowded sleeper car, they have an instant connection...or something that makes them curious about each other. As the book goes on, turns out they're both contract killers, and we can see how this observational power and mystery draw them together.

The book gives big Mr. and Mrs. Smith energy as the two circle around each other -- looking for love or a kill? It made it such a fun read that combined thriller energy with the steam of a good romance. I loved this one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: mystery/thriller + contemporary romance
Setting: Paris and France, but also other cities around Western Europe
Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
Reminds me of: Mr. and and Mrs. Smith
Pub Date: July 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ contract killers in love
⭕️ travel around Western Europe
⭕️ sleeper trains
⭕️ a steamy thriller

Huge thank you to @berkleypub and @netgalley
for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review

This gave major Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes and I was here for it. A tour through Europe with contract killers assigned with murdering each other. There’s drama, murder, intrigue and love. This is such a fun one!

3.75/5 rounded up

Thank you Berkley for the advanced reading copy!

I went into this one with super high expectations and, overall, it just fell a tiny bit flat. This book has a super fun premise with major Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes. Eva and Jonathan had great chemistry, and the spice level in this book was higher than I expected for sure. Having both characters' POV's made it extra fun and gave us helpful insight. Plus, this made for some really funny moments that had me giggling! Overall, the writing style just wasn't hitting for me, which is a huge surprise after I loved GIRLS AND THEIR HORSES. The timeline jumps felt both unnecessary and confusing, and some things felt way too detailed while others were lacking. The plot was great, and the ending included a bunch of really clever connections and surprises. I definitely enjoyed this book but wanted just a little bit more from it.

SYNOPSIS -- Eva and Jonathan think that their train hookup is the end for them. En route from Florence to Paris, they agree that what happens on the train, stays on the train, and it does. Until six months later, when Eva is hired to kill Jonathan and they reunite in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. What Eva doesn't know, however, is that Jonathan is also a contract killer and things are about to get very, very complicated. As these two travel through Western Europe, there's sure to be a mixed bag of tourism, murder, and maybe even love.