It Had to be You
(Christiansen Family #2)
by Susan May Warren
Christian Romance
January 17th 2014 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
by Susan May Warren
Christian Romance
January 17th 2014 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Summary
Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.
Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.
Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.
Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.
You can read the first chapter here.
My Review
I have enjoyed most of Susan May Warren's books and have been meaning to read this series since the first book, Take a Chance on Me, came out last year. I'm definitely going back to read the first book now because I really enjoyed It Had to be You!!
For one thing, Susan just always does a great job of pulling me into her books from the start. Normally there's some friction between the heroine and hero and this book definitely held to that. I also enjoyed reading about Jace, a professional hockey player, renegade bad boy, and definitely swoon worthy. I tend to be a succor for chiseled athletes, especially when they are gentlemen and are hiding some vulnerabilities. Eden annoyed me in the beginning because I could see how much of her life she was giving to her brother and was almost obsessed with it. However, she mellows out and I could see her kind of come into her own as the story progressed. These characters were a perfect match. Then you have these great supporting characters, such as other hockey players, the John Doe, Sam and his daughter, Eden's co-worker and boss, and the Christiansen clan that really filled in all the spaces. I loved how instantly I felt I knew the characters and connected with them.
The pacing and the writing style were both perfect. I basically just ate the book up! There was enough tension, depth, and romance balanced with some humor and heartbreak. Yes, there was heartbreak. I teared up pretty good in a few spots. Moving on to the happier parts...the romance was really sweet and I loved how the author let the tension between the two MC's grow. Too much is really too much and because everything was balanced so well I was fully invested in each moment. The third POV with Sam did throw me just a little and his portions were the most heartbreaking for me, but I definitely was routing for him and his daughter.
The Christian aspect of the story is fairly strong, but not too preachy. It's more just the characters dealing with what they are facing and they're facing some pretty serious stuff. The inspiration comes through Eden's dad's and others' counsel as to reaching out and trusting in God and making that choice. Some of the inspirational moments touched me as well.
Will I be reading the next book in this series? Definintely. In fact I am dying to pick it up. Right. Now. It was such an inspirational romantic book that left me feeling happy and content (except for needing the next book!!!) I would recommend It Had to be You to those who enjoy Christian Romance or just general Romance and wouldn't mind the inspirational moments.
There is also a prequel to the series, I Really Do Miss Your Smile, that's a little over 60 pages that is also included. It's the back-story for Eden's parents. I really loved it as well!! It was a great novella and definitely worth the read!
For one thing, Susan just always does a great job of pulling me into her books from the start. Normally there's some friction between the heroine and hero and this book definitely held to that. I also enjoyed reading about Jace, a professional hockey player, renegade bad boy, and definitely swoon worthy. I tend to be a succor for chiseled athletes, especially when they are gentlemen and are hiding some vulnerabilities. Eden annoyed me in the beginning because I could see how much of her life she was giving to her brother and was almost obsessed with it. However, she mellows out and I could see her kind of come into her own as the story progressed. These characters were a perfect match. Then you have these great supporting characters, such as other hockey players, the John Doe, Sam and his daughter, Eden's co-worker and boss, and the Christiansen clan that really filled in all the spaces. I loved how instantly I felt I knew the characters and connected with them.
The pacing and the writing style were both perfect. I basically just ate the book up! There was enough tension, depth, and romance balanced with some humor and heartbreak. Yes, there was heartbreak. I teared up pretty good in a few spots. Moving on to the happier parts...the romance was really sweet and I loved how the author let the tension between the two MC's grow. Too much is really too much and because everything was balanced so well I was fully invested in each moment. The third POV with Sam did throw me just a little and his portions were the most heartbreaking for me, but I definitely was routing for him and his daughter.
The Christian aspect of the story is fairly strong, but not too preachy. It's more just the characters dealing with what they are facing and they're facing some pretty serious stuff. The inspiration comes through Eden's dad's and others' counsel as to reaching out and trusting in God and making that choice. Some of the inspirational moments touched me as well.
Will I be reading the next book in this series? Definintely. In fact I am dying to pick it up. Right. Now. It was such an inspirational romantic book that left me feeling happy and content (except for needing the next book!!!) I would recommend It Had to be You to those who enjoy Christian Romance or just general Romance and wouldn't mind the inspirational moments.
There is also a prequel to the series, I Really Do Miss Your Smile, that's a little over 60 pages that is also included. It's the back-story for Eden's parents. I really loved it as well!! It was a great novella and definitely worth the read!
Content: Clean
Source: I want to thank LitFuse Publicity Group and the publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, for my free review copy, which did not affect my opinion in any way.
About the Author
Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award–winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women’s events about God’s amazing grace in our lives. She also runs a writing community for authors. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more.
Tour-Wide Giveaway
Susan May Warren is celebrating the release of her newest Christiansen Family novel, It Had To Be You, with a $100 Visa cash card giveaway and offering readers a free book club kit.
One winner will receive:
- $100 Visa cash card
- Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren
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