Libby and her sister Nicky run a charity supporting young mums largely influenced by their experiences of their parents fostering when they were growing up.

Their most recent intake includes Libby's ex, the father of her children, and the woman he was in bed with while she was delivering his daughter and Jonah, a brooding young man her parents fostered and his younger sister.

The story explore the complex relationships of all involved. The way the writer explored the care system and also teenage pregnancy was insightful yet delicately done.

With thanks to netgalley and boldwood books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Libby is a single mom whose life is in chaos. Her house is as messy as her life despite the fact that she successfully runs a charity devoted to helping young mothers and is very work oriented. One of the young mothers that turns up to her group is the sister of someone very important from her past. Jonah was Libby’s first love and one she never truly got over, and as she second guesses her life choices just as he re-enters her life again, they get a second chance at what could have been. Jonah has become a good man who is patient and kind despite the chaos of Libby’s life.
She also takes in one of the dads and his baby when he becomes homeless and the mom walks away and want nothing to do with the baby and he helps Libby get her house, and her life, in order.
This is not your typical second chance romance as there’s a lot going on in Libby’s world-toxic/unhealthy relationships, social services, foster care, broken families, just being some of it, but I liked that despite the semi heaviness of the story we got to get a happy ending.
These are imperfect chat who get to know themselves and we get to watch them change for the better, especially in Libby’s case, but even in a lot of the “Baby Bloomers” as the women of her charity are known.
The story is told in two timelines making it very easy to follow. I can’t wait to read what the author writes next.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Can love last a lifetime? Libby devotes her life to helping young mothers. One young mother shows up with her brother who is someone from Libby’s past. The characters in this story are wonderful and bring the story to life. I enjoyed the dual timeline. Libby was my favorite character as she is so relatable she could be your best friend. If you enjoy books with a heart this is a book for you.

Completely engaging, I fell in to this book and it wrapped around me like a comfort blanket.
It was a lovely read and one I would recommend
Thabk you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion

Beth Moran has done it again, she has written a another book that had me running through all my emotions, she always somehow manages to pull me through the wringer when I come out the other side I feel warm and uplifted.

It Had To Be You is such a wonderful story, I love how Beth has clearly used her experiences with foster care and put her heart into the story. Libby is a beautiful character that you can’t help but feel for and connect with, you’ll be routing for the best things for her and willing her on (or maybe that’s just me when I’m reading 😊)

I loved watching her growth, her being able to forgive others and move on, whilst not letting people treat her badly too. This book does deal with difficult issues, such as neglect, drug abuse, social services, broken family and divorce, its not a sweet lighthearted romance but a story that will pull every emotion from your body and that’s what I love with Beth Moran books so much, the genuine emotion I feel for the characters and their experiences, if you’re looking to really feel a story, this will fit the bill perfectly.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Not the best way to start a review, but I wasn’t sure at first that this was going to be the book for me – as Libby is barely keeping her head above water while juggling being the best mother she can be with working as an ante-natal coach and running (with help of her far more organised GP sister Nicky) their charity for troubled teenage mothers. It’s all distinctly chaotic and uncomfortable (well, it was for me anyway…), but – with the unwelcome arrival of her ex-husband and his pregnant new partner in one of her classes, and an awareness that she really does need to get her life under some semblance of control – she decides that the time has come to make some changes.

An unexpected arrival on her doorstep – a homeless young father and his baby – provide welcome help and support, when she might have rather expected things to be the other way around. But she’s also dealing with a major issue from the past – the reappearance of Jonah, once fostered by her family and the teenage love of her life, now supporting his addicted younger sister to her ante-natal classes. Their earlier relationship ended badly, with repercussions for her parents’ marriage too – and, as they get to know each other again, and discover both what happened in the missing years and the fact that there’s still a strong spark between them, we also find out in flashback what really happened thirteen years before.

The author unfailingly makes me ache for her characters, feel their anguish and pain – her emotional touch is just perfect – and there were so many moments that broke my heart. And this book really does deal with a number of particularly difficult issues – teenage pregnancy, child neglect and abuse, drug use, the challenges of motherhood – all handled with the surest of touches. But it’s often nicely balanced by humour, and there’s joy between the pages too with a focus on friendship and family and second chances – all as Libby begins to shed her feelings of inadequacy and guilt, and feels able to consider the possibility of a brighter future.

This was such an engaging read – emotional at times, sometimes painful, but ultimately so wonderfully uplifting and filled with hope. One I’d very much recommend to others – and the author’s writing just continues to get better and better with every book.

An uplifting and hopeful book about second chances at first loves.
There's a convincing crew of characters in this story that explores so many sides of family, life and how messy and imperfect it often is.

A lovely read. When sisters Libby and Nicky were growing up family life was often difficult but also happy as their parents were Foster carers but after an incident involving a young sixteen year old boy things changed especially for libby.as the family unit changed.Thirteen years later after a failed marriage with two young children to look and a job and also her charity working with young pregnant women her life is completely chaotic and she decides she has to make some changes to her life. A beautiful story plenty of drama but also laughter,warmth and eventually healing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for providing me with an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book by Beth Moran is a really fun summer read about first loves, and second chances. It was a very enjoyable read and a well written story.

It Had to be You is a story of forgiveness, family and second chances and is both heartwarming and uplifting.

Whilst there is a romance at the heart of the story, I really enjoyed that Libby and her relationships were the true focus. Libby had been dealt some hard hands, but the honesty of her family relationships was refreshing and I loved seeing Libby work in an authentic way to get her life on track.

The book dealt with complex issues such as fostering and adoption, child loss and infertility, family conflict and depression with sensitivity and respect. Rather than being too heavy, I enjoyed the way these were woven through the story to establish empathy and understanding for the characters (or sometimes not!).

Jonah and Libby’s relationship was sweet and heartfelt, and I thought the ending of the story felt uplifting and genuine. This is the first I have read of Beth Moran, but it won’t be the last!

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book from Beth Moran about first love and second chances. I loved the characters, a great summer read.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This beautiful romance follows Libby who runs antenatal classes for expectant parents and a charity for teenage mothers. As a single mother, she finds it hard to juggle work, with parenting and running a home.

With past mistakes on her mind and the current state of her life, she sets herself the challenge to improve her life balance and learn to love herself again.

When she receives a call from a brother concerned for his pregnant sister, she encourages him to bring her to one of her group sessions.
When he arrives, she realises that he is a guy from her past, one of the teenagers her parents fostered in her home.

Will Libby learn to love herself again? Will the guy from her past remember her?

This romance is a beautiful read and is uplifting as well as heart-warming.

There are some additional family drama storylines, which add to the struggles in Libby’s life but also help her become a stronger woman.

An unexpected house guest also helps her realise that she needs to make some changes, and this is wonderful to see as I think many could relate to the struggles of being a single parent and the lack of time to let yourself have a break occasionally.

Overall, a beautiful and uplifting romance where a single mum must learn to love herself again.

It Had to be You by Beth Moran

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Their parents fostered children of all ages, and although the girls loved playing their part in providing a safe haven, it meant that life was rarely peaceful.

Now as a single mother of two, Libby’s life is still anything but peaceful. In her work as an antenatal coach, as well as for the charity she and Nicky run for teenage mothers, Libby uses all the skills she learnt growing up surrounded by children. Her days are full, caring for her family, the mothers-to-be and the latest strays she has welcomed into her home. But in the dark of the lonely nights, Libby worries she’s falling apart at the seams.

One troubled boy and a reckless decision she made thirteen years ago still haunts her.

Two hearts that were broken, still not mended.

The time has come for Libby to look out for herself. As her family, friends and her community have known forever, Libby is one of a kind, and if she can just learn to love herself, she may be able to welcome back the love she let slip through her fingers.

My Opinion

Beth Moran writes some lovely books. This was one that I finished in an afternoon as it was just so easy to read. Moran uses chapter headings to tell this story in two different timelines, making it very easy to follow. Libby and her sister Nicky have always been close, they even share a business. A very relatable novel with some great characters.

I have now read quite a few books by Beth Moran and so far I have not been disappointed.

Rating 4/5

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few other of Beth Moran’s books and enjoyed them immensely. It Had to Be You is another great book. The cover belies its serious issues: the foster system, toxic relationships, single motherhood, and dysfunctional families. While there is a bit of romance involved in this book, it’s not the focus of the book. Rather, it’s one of many subplots in this womens fiction novel.

I do admit at times to being overwhelmed reading the book as Libby navigates from one crisis to another, yet I realized that was the effect of great writing! Moran really knows how to write so you feel you’re IN the story. However, because of that, I couldn’t read this book in one or two sittings, but rather a few chapters at a time. It’s a great book but brings about a lot of emotions.

Fairly decent read but the backstory from Libby and Jonah and her family muddled up the book quite a bit. Not enough about Nicky or their parents or how they dealt with it as a family etc. As a result not enough info to really care about any of the characters.

I absolutely loved this story of second-chance romance and found myself turning the pages, hoping for clues of a happy ending. Of course, Beth Moran controls the story carefully and reveals each element slowly. Each morsel leads toward the final payoff, and I loved every moment.
When we first meet her, Libby is a little bit broken. She is under the illusion that she’s coping well with her life and doing a great job of raising her children and running a business. However, it’s not long before the reader becomes aware that the piles of mess and unimaginative meals are symptoms of a breaking heart. As the book tells us more about her past, we get a clear insight into the events that led to her downward path.
Along with her sister, Nicky, Libby runs a centre that helps parents discover more about what is in store for them when their baby arrives. Thankfully, Libby’s background is as a midwife and Nicky works as a GP. Together they coach couples in all forms as well as single parents. They dedicate a part of their service to troubled teens, as when they were growing up, their parents fostered children who may otherwise have been lost in the care system. With each element of detail about Libby’s past, I was able to gain a better understanding of how she came to be so sad, and how she could perhaps find her way back to happiness.
Parts of this story are poignant, and others are comedic. I particularly enjoyed her blossoming friendship with Toby and the way he clearly saw what she needed and helped in a way that seemed to be about him rather than her. That friendship was inspiring and beautifully handled. Her relationship with her Dad was beautiful, and I could imagine his presence as she became stronger and more in control of her actions.
I was less inspired by Libby’s feckless ex-husband and her absentee mother, but even the irredeemable are offered a safety net in this beautifully uplifting story that left me feeling warm and contented.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

Libby is a single parent, bringing up her two children, as well running a charity with her sister Nicky and working. But her list of things to do is just not getting less but bigger, especially with what needs fixing in the house.

Then someone from her past comes back into her life and she takes in a lodger and her life gets even more disorganised, but this also gives her a chance to take stock and make changes.

I recommend this book.

It Had to Be You is a classic heartwarming Beth Moran book. Libby is a single mum, juggling caring for her two children, running a thriving antenatal charity and keeping her house tidy! Her life is rocked when her ex-husband turns up to her ante-natal classes with his new wife, which would be enough in itself, without her first love also reappearing in her life.

What's great about It Had to Be You is its realism. Libby is facing a huge amount of challenges, and she is not coping. It makes you as the reader (and a parent) feel like you're not alone. Libby needs to take time for herself, to help not only her own wellbeing but that of her children and family too. That's a really important message that comes out of the book; there's no magic happy endings without putting the work in first!

It Had to Be You is an excellent read, perfect for summer holidays and chilling on the beach.

A heart warming story about 2 sisters and how much Libby gives to everyone. It did take a bit for me to get into as it was a bit slow moving at first. Though it was still good.

Libby and Nicky, who grew up in a foster family, now run a program for vulnerable mothers. Libby, divorced and raising her children alone, faces chaos and struggles daily. When Jonah, a troubled boy she loved at 17, reappears, memories of a reckless choice from 13 years ago resurface, reminding her of the resulting family destruction. Determined to support Jonah and his sister, Libby strives to keep her life from falling apart.

The story, more focused on life than romance, showcases Libby's realistic self-reflection and growth. It sensitively addresses difficult topics like neglect, adoption, drug use, and abuse, with empathy. Libby's character development adds depth to this touching narrative.