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.

Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now even if I enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, twisty and entertaining. I liked the good storytelling
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

TLDR: I always have a good time with Eliza Jane Brazier books. IF I DISAPPEAR, GIRLS AND THEIR HORSES, and GOOD RICH PEOPLE are all a lot of dark and twisty fun. Her latest is a lot lighter, a MR & MRS SMITH knock-off that is steamy and violent and overall a lot of fun. That being said, after reading this book

and Rob Hart’s ASSASSIN’S ANONYMOUS, I realized that I struggle a bit with novels set in the world of hitmen and assassins; it’s a lot of double-crossing and shooting, but after a while, it gets a little exhausting, and it feels like no one has successfully reinvented the genre in a new and exciting way. That being said, the romance here is fun, the cat-and-mouse antics are enjoyable, and the romance between the two leads here helps elevate it beyond a standard action thriller. There’s also an excellent third act twist about the book’s big bad boss that I really loved and actually wish the author would have leaned into a bit more.

After a meet-cute on a train, two contract killers follow each other through Europe. As their feelings grow, things get even more intense when they're each tasked with killing the other. The VOICE in this book is PERFECT. Both of our lead characters have a hint of evil, but you can't help but root for them. This is one of the QUICKEST thrillers l've ever read. I could not put this down and loved how it was the perfect blend of steam and intrigue. We all know I'm obsessed with rich people problems and the details surrounding their romp around Europe were PERFECT (I mean, the scene at the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles?)!

A truly twisted love story between two contract killers who are either perfect for each other or lethal to each other (or both). Eliza Jane Brazier’s It Had to Be You is a weird, quirky, surprisingly romantic thriller that you won’t want to miss.

No matter what kind of reading slump you are in, this will surely knock you out of it. It Had to Be You is so delightfully deranged! I can’t think of a better word for it. Every novel from Eliza Jane Brazier somehow tops the prior one in terms of how weird and dark the book is. This is no exception! It kind of reminded me of the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith crossed with A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing. Unhinged and oh-so-fun!

The story alternates between Eva and Jonathan’s perspectives (though it favors Eva’s perspective). They meet on a sleeper train from Florence to Paris where they hook up right on the luggage rack. Their meeting is so fun that I almost forgot that the book was going to be about two contract killers, so I was pleasantly surprised when I was reminded of that twist in essentially the next chapter.

Sparks fly between these two deranged lovebirds, but it seems they will separate for good. They’ve both gotten in one another’s head, and they don’t know the other is a contract killer too. But the reader knows, and we have so much fun watching them figure it out. Six months later, they meet again in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles when Eva has been sent to kill Jonathan. She’s a contract killer after all. She can’t turn down an assignment just because she hooked up with the target.

We are in on the secret, so for us this is a story about two people who will probably have to kill one another, but also seem as though they could be soulmates. Both Eva and Jonathan are unstable—partly because of their pasts and partly because of their line of work. They can’t easily have relationships, but we learn that suits them both. Eva had a fiancé who died (another contract killer so I think she can safely assume he was killed) and her only other close relationship is with her handler (who is at once her lifeline and support, and her boss). Jonathan has a brother, but otherwise he is alone.

Do these two kooky killers work it out? You’ll have to read to find out! Brazier doesn’t write this as a typical love story. These two aren’t blinded by attraction or feelings—they are very decidedly planning to kill one another and that is a lot of fun to watch. At a certain point, there becomes a bigger problem that the two are distracted by and that leads to a very temporary cease fire. Things pick back up from there.

Some good twists and turns along the way, and several that totally surprised me (which is always fun). The ending worked well. It will sound strange to say that this was actually not as dark as her last book, Good Rich People, given that this is about two killers. It honestly isn’t even as dark as If I Disappear. Stylistically the humor is more forward in this book, though there is always some irony in Brazier’s humor. But I think it works because these are consenting killers (which I’m laughing just typing that phrase; consent is important!). Weird, dark, funny, and quick-paced!

The audiobook for It Had to Be You is narrated by January Lavoy and Will Damron. Not only are they both fantastic narrators (January Lavoy is easily one of my favorite narrators in the business), but they are always great together. And of course, as I mentioned in my review of Listen for the Lie–they are married in real life! Is that not adorable?

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Penguin Random House for my copy. Opinions are my own.

It Had To Be You is a surprisingly heartwarming story about two contract killers. Eva and Jonathan meet on a sleeper train to Paris. Eva just scattered the ashes of her ex, who was also a contract killer. Jonathan is shot and is going to Paris to see his brother Mas, who is a doctor. They hook up but then Jonathan passes out in the bathroom, and Eva thinks he ghosted her. Neither is aware they have the same career.

When Eva is hired to kill Jonathan, things take an interesting turn. Can she really kill someone she actually likes? Who, really, are they working for?

Even though they are both bad guys, it's easy to like Eva and Jonathan and want them to make it out alive. The story isn't necessarily original, but it's a fun read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.