4.5 stars

Eliza Jane Brazier’s newest thriller published this week. This book was great—funny, suspenseful, steamy, and romantic—and I wouldn’t be shocked to see a film/TV adaptation pop up sometime soon.

Eva (not her real name) and Jonathan (not his real name) meet cute on a sleeper train from Florence to Paris. There’s definitely chemistry between the two of them, despite the fact that Jonathan seems a bit loopy. (He got shot but doesn’t want anyone to know.) The two wind up having hot sex on a luggage rack on the train, and when Eva goes to back to their compartment, Jonathan never returns.

The truth is, both are contract killers, but neither knows that yet. They can’t get the memory of their encounter out of their minds, but it’s a shock to both when six months later, they run into each other again, at the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. It’s no coincidence this time, though—Eva has been assigned to kill Jonathan.

Eva is proud of her skill as a cold-blooded killer, but while she thinks she can easily murder Jonathan, her heart isn’t quite in it. As they start falling in love with each other, it appears that their failure to kill one another has made them both a threat. Can true love survive trained assassins? Can they ever walk away from their past?

This has aspects of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but the chemistry between the two and the existential challenges they face make the plot richer. As they ping-pong their way through Europe, they don’t know whom to trust—not even each other.

Such a fun read!! Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Short synopsis: Two assassins have a tryst on a sleeper train, then happen to run into each other month later. Only this time Eva is assigned to kill Jonathan.

My thoughts: Okay, this was a fun one! A Romantic thriller with some spice. It grabbed my attention from the first few chapters because the chemistry between Eva and Jonathan was magnetic from the get-go, and the sizzle just would not stop.

I loved the dual POV, we could get the lust from both characters along with their deeper feelings. I also was obsessed with the setting. Please take me exploring across Europe!

This definitely has a dark element, but the humor intermixed throughout the pages added some lightness to the story.

Read if you love:
- The movie Mr and Mrs Smith
- Lust and love
- Romantic thrillers
- European tours
- Comedic breaks
- Dual POV

After a memorable meeting on a sleeper train car to Paris, two assassins meet up again when they are hired to kill each other.

Not sure what I just read but it was a wild ride! This was a fast-paced cat and mouse game across several countries. These two contract killers have lots of trauma in their pasts and end up being very well matched. I enjoyed the dual POV and was surprised by the humor in the dialogue.

Pick this one up if you like:
--a European setting
--a dual POV
--a dark comedy
--spice!
--a second chance

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

It was a fun premise for sure- and definitely fits in the darker romance trends that are hot right now. I’m just not sure it was totally for me - which not every book can be! It was written in a terse, almost staccato way, which works for the thriller genre more so than the romance genre. So being more of a romance reader than a thriller reader, it just wasn’t the right fit for my preferences. I do think that people who enjoy darker themes will connect to this book more though!

Based on the synopsis, I found myself stepping out of my usual genre and giving this one a shot. Holy shit am I happy I did. I loved Eva and Jonathan so fast it made my head spin and this was genuinely such a fun read??? The narrative is sharp and witty and the dual POV really brings even more fun to the page. It is action packed, emotional, and over-all exciting. The spicy parts are delicious and feel empowered when they come from Eva’s side of the scene, though Jonathan’s perspective is just as sexy. It has honestly been a long time since I’ve loved a romance novel this much and I’m pleased that the action was just as thrilling as the romance plot was. This is absolutely a new favourite for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! I was also lucky enough to receive an ALC from the Penguin Random House Audio Influencer Program. @prhaudio #PRHAudio #PRHAudioInfluencer
All opinions are my own. @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram #BerkleyBookTok

This was a smart and sexy novel. If you like action comedy rom-com movies from the early 2000s such as The Killers or Mr. and Mrs. Smith, then you will love this book! I read and listened to this book at the same time. Fun Fact: January Lavoy and Will Damron are not necessarily acting with their narrating chemistry...they are a real life couple. I think that makes the audiobook much more romantic. I was a little worried this book might be pretty violent and while it was an action romantic comedy novel, it wasn't too triggering for me. I think Eliza Jane Brazier is a fantastic writer and I am excited to see what she comes up with next!


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Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Ms. Brazier for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This book was the absolute perfect book to read as a palate chaser between two heavier books. I have never read anything by this author before but after this book she's headed to my auto-buy list. This book was SO much fun. I was stuck in an airport for 6 hours and this book kept me sane. It was fun, it moved at lightning speed, it was funny, it was romantic, it was murder-y, it was absolutely gripping. Heads up Hollywood, this would make an AMAZING movie; it's Mr. and Mrs. Smith but less smarmy and self-congratulatory. These two killers are actually, ahem, killing. I would say Mr. and Mrs. Smith crossed with a little Butcher and Blackbird, but make it Europe.

I did not take ONE break when I read this book, I did not pass GO, I literally sat there glued to the page waiting to see who would kill, and who would get killed, next. Somehow I had no problem whatsoever cheering on a pair of murderers (does that make me messed up?).

Definitely a full five-star recommendation on this book for me.

Two strangers on a train find an instant connection on a trip from Florence to Paris but never expect to see each other again.

Fast forward to six months later when Eva reconnects with Jonathan at Versailles, but unbeknownst to him, she’s not there as his lover. He’s her target.

As it turns out, they're both assassins.

From the synopsis and some of the editorial reviews, I was expecting this to be a bit more romance heavy—something like Mr. and Mrs. Smith without the domesticity and duplicity seen at the beginning of the film—and while there is definitely chemistry brewing between Eva and Jonathan, this is not your typical romance.

“Both of us are broken people. That’s the truth, and the truth just feels different.” They both experienced childhood trauma that they have not processed. It directly impacts how they relate to other people and to their chosen profession.

I feel like the way their POVs are portrayed depicts their mental states. His chapters, especially, are full of more simple sentences in what felt, at times, like a staccato-style thought process to me.

I suspect that I would have enjoyed this one more on audio, with narrators bringing these characters to life or as a movie or limited-run television series.

Expect intense physical scenes—both of the intimacy and violence variety—and a developing emotional connection that leads these two main characters to their own version of an HEA.

I received an advance copy of the book from Berkley and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this book; it took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I didn't want to end. The author masterfully blended my favorite genres, creating a story that was both heart-pounding and deeply romantic. From the first page, I was hooked, and I couldn't believe how perfectly the thriller and romance elements intertwined.

The murderers in the story had a chilling job to do, yet their lives were filled with unexpected passion and love. The tension between killing and love was so palpable, it kept me on edge the entire time. I found myself completely absorbed by the characters, despite their dark and dangerous paths. Their complexity made them feel so real, and I was deeply invested in their fates.

The relationships were intense and beautifully complicated. The author captured the fine line between love and obsession with such skill that it left me breathless. The romantic moments were haunting and powerful, creating an unforgettable contrast with the suspenseful, often violent plot.

I couldn't put this book down. The perfect mix of thriller and romance kept me turning pages late into the night, desperate to see what would happen next. It's been a long time since I've read something that moved me so deeply. This book is an absolute gem, and I can't recommend it highly enough to anyone who craves an emotional, thrilling, and passionately written story.

It Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier
.
Two contract killers meet on a sleeper train. There is an instant attraction but they are separated by circumstances. When they meet again later, it isn’t by chance, it’s just the job.
.
What I loved:
-This book was so much fun to read from the very beginning all the way to the end.
-I love how we learned more about our favorite contract killers and how they came into their careers. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, but Eva and Jonathan were both super cool and at the same time I wanted to give them both a mom hug.
-The POV alternates between Eva and Jonathan so it’s fun to see how each interaction looks through two perspectives.
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4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 If you loved the movie Mr and Mrs Smith, then you will love It Had to be You. I highly recommend this book, it is the perfect summer read!

I absolutely loved "It Had to Be You" by Eliza Jane Brazier. This book gives off serious Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes, blending suspense and romance perfectly. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Eva and Jonathan meet on a sleeper train from Florence to Paris, feeling an intense spark. They part ways, not knowing they are both contract killers.
Six months later, they meet again in Versailles, where Eva is supposed to kill Jonathan. This kicks off a thrilling adventure across Western Europe, filled with danger, bodies, and unexpected romance. I adore how Eva and Jonathan communicate and support each other without undermining or discrediting one another. They push each other to be better, making their relationship unique and compelling.
It's not your typical happily-ever-after, but it's a refreshing and exciting read that I enjoyed immensely and highly recommend

This book was such a fun thriller! Romance? Yes. . Thrilling twists and turns? Absolutely! This book keeps you on your toes and is unputdownable! The main characters are contract killers that actually have hits on each other! The problem? Eva and Jonathan fall for each other!!! I loved this book and if you love thrillers with romance this is the book for you! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Eliza Jane Brazier's latest, It Had to Be You, might be one of my surprise favorites of the summer. It really has it all, and I loved every crazy minute of it. As if contract killers weren't interesting enough on their own, there's a little bit of a rom-com element, and a little bit of spice, and it's just the thing for lazy summer reading days. As I was reading, I wasn't sure how it was going to end, or even how I wanted it to end, but the ride was so fun that I didn't care. It turns out that it was perfect, and I want more Eva and Jonathan. At the very least, I want this to be a television series, because it would be AMAZING!

I just love the concept here, and the cover! So fun!

I did have a little trouble getting into the writing, which is purely a "me" thing with absolutely nothing wrong with the book. I just tend to prefer a bit more sensory prose that's less straight forward, because of the way my brain works. I know, I know. So please don't take this as anything negative here. Even so, hello! I'd love to see this on screen!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Eliza Jane Brazier, and allowing me to participate in the blog tour for the book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Eva and Jonathan meet on the sleeper train from Florence to Paris and hook up, thinking they'll never meet again. They both feel a spark unlike they've felt before, but work must come first. Because unbeknownst to the other, they are both contract killers. Let the games begin!

I adored Brazier's last novel, Girls and Their Horses, but this one is even better and just as deliciously fun! It's a sexy, over the top, cat and mouse tour through Europe with characters trying to deal with past trauma the only way they can. There are twists and surprises and bodies left along the way. I loved the dark humor, the romance, the thrill ride. This is an absolute must read for the summer - don't miss it!

Eva and Jonathan have a one-night stand aboard a sleeper train. Despite incredible chemistry, they don't expect to see each other again. Neither of them knows the other is a contract killer, and neither of them suspects the other is the one they've been ordered to take out.

This book gives serious Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes, including the undeniable chemistry between the MCs and the dark humor. It takes you on a deranged, high-stakes, and very spicy journey across Europe as these two parse out what is going on between them and, eventually, who is after them. These two are well-armed, and their unexpected connection makes the danger surrounding them and the crazy scenarios they find themselves in all the more confusing and exciting. This dual POV cat-and-mouse game is fast-paced, action-packed, and suspenseful. Some twists were predictable, but overall, this thriller/romance mashup was a wild ride and a fun summer read!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the free book!

Two assassins, falling for each other, trying to kill each other. I thought it sounded good, but I didn’t connect with the characters and I was a bit bored by the storyline.

If you like the novel’s premise you may really enjoy it- it just wasn’t for me, so I DNFed it.

It Had to Be You is so good! The story is told in Dual POV in alternating chapters for both of the main characters. Both characters are likable even though they are assassins. Both characters have past childhood trauma that lead to their current career. Both characters hold themselves in varying levels of contempt for their careers which makes them feel equally more human and more disturbed.

The secondary characters are intriguing. Some are saints and many are sinners. They provide motivation for our main characters and red herrings in the plot.

“I have been apologizing for myself all my life and I finally found the one person I don’t have to apologize to, and I was willing to kill him, for what? Survival? What the f@#k is the point of surviving if I’m not even living?"

The plot pace was constant, and even though it wasn’t as fast as I expected, it felt perfect for the story. It’s like the difference between taking a train or a plane: one is faster but the other allows you to enjoy the journey more. The plot arc was engrossing even though it required suspension of disbelief, however, I find that to be true with most blockbuster action adventures/thrillers.

I loved the unanticipated ending. The whole book was easily digestible, highly entertaining, and thoroughly satisfying. I’m looking forward to Eliza Jane Brazier's next novel.

I enjoyed the author's last book, Girls and their horses but I absolutely LOVED this latest dual POV thriller that sees a female assassin falling for a contract killer on an overnight train only to later find herself assigned to kill him.

The perfect blend of Killing Eve and Mr & Mrs Smith, this was great on audio narrated by January LaVoy and Will Damron and sure to be a memorable romantic suspense read this year! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

It Had To Be You By Eliza Jane Brazier
Publication Date: July 16, 2024
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded up to 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

Oh my gosh -- what a FUN and entertaining read this was! Brazier's upcoming book is a sexy, spicy cat-and-mouse thriller that you'll love to love.

From the very first chapter, I knew this was not going to be your everyday, run-of-the-mill thriller. There was nothing scary or creepy about it. This was a thrilling adventure across Europe with two people trying to keep really big secrets from each other. Each chapter alternates between the perspectives of the two main characters, Eva and Jonathan, with the start of each chapter picking up right where the previous chapter left off. The story is seamless, the writing is fast-paced, and the chapters are short. I really enjoyed seeing the way each character was thinking as the plot unfolded. This was one of those books where it felt like the reader knew the secrets of each main character before they shared with each other, and it was so fun to watch the whole thing come together through the pages.

I will say that some of the scenes in this book got downright spicy. 🌶️ The scenes didn't last long and weren't a big portion of the book by any means, but just be warned - some of the language was pretty hot and steamy. You don't see that very much in thrillers, and in my opinion, it was a fun change for the genre. 😘

This book is somewhat reminiscent of Mr. And Mrs. Smith, and the way the chapters alternated perspectives between the two MCs reminded me a little bit of that show The Affair on Showtime. If you like cat-and-mouse storylines...if you like will-they-won't-they tropes in rom-coms...if you're thinking about dipping your toe into the thriller genre...Then this book is DEFINITELY for you.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for gifting me this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! Be sure to get your copy of the book when it hits shelves on Tuesday, July 16th!

#ItHadToBeYou #ElizaJaneBrazier #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookrecommendations #bookreviews #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #thrillerreads #spicythrillers #catandmousethrillers #booklovers #bookcommunity