It Had To Be You

by Irene Hannon

Maggie Fitzgerald has worked hard raising her twin nieces and running a B&B in a small Maine town. When the girls go off to college, she is finally free. Then Jake West returns to town. Jake and Maggie were teenage sweethearts, who planned on marrying. But when Maggie took on the responsibility of her nieces, Jake felt overwhelmed by the idea of a ready-made family and left town to join the Navy. Now, he wants to marry Maggie and start a family, but can Maggie trust the man who once broke her heart?

Genres: Romance, Love Inspired, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Reviews

[Sue Batt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was read in one day, need I say more!!

‘It Had To Be You’ is a beautiful love story. All the many emotions reading this book were, at times, hard. I highly recommend this book to anyone, male or female. A lot of really good lessons are reinforced for everyone. Thank you Irene Hannon!!

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. Jake was to controlling.

[J-walk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story. Made me wish...sitting in Acadia National Park bundled up with my Golden and drinking hot chocolate. A girl can dream!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, a nice, light, romantic read.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Fitzgerald's life is falling apart. Both of her parents are dead and her sister and brother-in-law have just been killed, leaving twin 6-year-old nieces raise - one of whom needs several years of medical treatment. Her rock growing up was her fiance, Jake West. Weeks after getting custody of the twins, and just weeks before their wedding, Jake calls it off and enlists in the navy. Maggie's spiritual strength sees her through and she eventually moves to Maine and opens a B&B.

12 years later, Jake is on his way to interview for a job in Maine and stops at their B&B. He's leaving the navy to help care for his widowed (estranged) father. Neither have forgotten the other, but it's a shock when Maggie & Jake meet and end up living near each other. Both are anxious about a new start, but Jake has to prove to Maggie and his dad he's changed.

Clean. Christian overtones, but not too heavy. Well done nice story.

[LdyGray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an embarrassing number of contemporary Christian romance novels as a teenager, when they were basically the only romance novels I was allowed. The main difference between a Christian romance and a secular romance novel is that the denouement is one of the MCs getting converted, rather than the MCs having sex. It's a very different reading experience. I enjoyed revisiting this one, a sweet second-chance romance.

[Zenobia N Jefferson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I nearly stopped reading this, especially after Jake's rejection.

But my curiosity got the better of me. Towards the end was like getting dessert before dinner.Abby and Allison were characters; I could feel Pop's bitterness.

[Gerri · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF After reading the Prologue I did not like Jake and gave up after chapter 5. He was so selfish with Maggie and his parents and even after 12 years it was all about what Jake wanted.

People change however then there's the trust issue and that is not something that comes easy if at all.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give it 3 1/2 stars. Sweet' caring and loving all rolled up into a storyline. Loved the ending. Just a nice easy read"

[Ann Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author was recommend for romantic suspense. Too much romance, though clean, and no suspense. Too predictable like so many mass media romantic novels. Just not a fan, at best of this one.

[Dawn Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay.
It didn't really keep my interest and had to keep pushing through.
The last half of the book picked up some but thought it was rushed the last chapter.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another sweet story, but not my favorite. Jake and Maggie had so many issues to work out.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second chance romance story as the main characters work through their priorities, commitments, memories, and possibilities for the future.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was originally published as a Love Inspired book titled "It Had to be You". It was sent to me with this new title by Harlequin with the request that I read and review it.

This is not a book I would have chosen to read. It was basically a plain love story with no suspense or intrigue, which I prefer. I have read nearly all of Irene Hannon's other books and they have all been mystery/suspense Christian fiction. I have totally enjoyed all of them, except this one.

The story was ok; I read it in a matter of hours. Maggie and Jake were engaged to be married but Jake walked out on her just weeks before the wedding because he could not face the fact that Maggie's sister had been killed and she now had six-year-old twin nieces as her responsibility. Jake joined the navy and Maggie moved away.

Twelve years later Jake books himself into a B&B that coincidentally just happens to be run by Maggie and her nieces. Sparks fly of course but can Maggie trust him not to betray her again? Basically a boy meets girl, boy loses girl, then finds her again. No suspense really.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

OVERDRIVE NEWTON LIBRARY. A Christian inspired love book about a young girl and. a young guy who had loved each other since they were 16. Maggie's sister was killed leaving 6 year-old twins, one of which would need more surgeries after the accident. Although Jake loved Maggie, the idea of that much responsibility caused him to end the relationship and join the navy. 12 years later, Jake leaves the navy to care for his father after h is mother died. Applying for a job in Maine, bad weather forces him to stop at a B and B for the night. Maggie owned the inn and the twins were 18. Maggie had never married and spent her life raising the twins. Jake was thrilled to find her again and wanted to settle down and have a family. Maggie had already raised a family by herself and she wanted travel and have some time for herself. Jake's leaving had really hurt Maggie ans she did not think she could go through his leaving her again. Better not to get involved.

[Englishrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say, the premise of this book was hard for me. I'm not sure that I would have been able to forgive a man for doing that to me. So, it was hard for me to relate. The saving grace of this story and what made it real and believable and understandable was Millicent Trent. Her insights and side commentary helped me to really understand the idea of being able to forgive such a big thing. The story itself, though a little slow on action, was good and sweet. I really got drawn into it. The way it talks about relationships and forgiveness and attitude is amazing. You have to give this one a try.

http://cleanromancereviews.blogspot.com

[rm2h]

I do not own this book but I found out via the author's website this info:

IT HAD TO BE YOU
Steeple Hill, 1999; ISBN 0-373-87058-2
Maggie Fitzgerald had loved Jake West since their first teenage kiss. But then tragedy struck and he left her alone on the eve of their wedding to raise two orphaned nieces. Now, 12 years later, he’s suddenly appeared by chance at her remote inn. Romance blossoms anew, and Jake makes it clear he is eager to make amends. But Can Maggie find the courage to trust again?


Reissued as The Heart Remembers in 2011 as part of the Harlequin Heartwarming program (ISBN 978-0-373-36418-3).

[Anna McFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

re release as "The Heart Remembers" after the death of her sister and brother in law, as the last sole living family she has to raise her twin 6 year old twin nieces, 1 with medical condition. Jake her friend since childhood and later love of her life walks out 5 weeks before their wedding, only to ha c en a chance running in to each other 12 years later. can Jake get Maggie to be open bout their lost love.....

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Had To Be You

Irene Hannon is great author and this book is a good example of her work. When Jake leaves Maggie six weeks before their wedding to join the navy because he wasn't ready for a ready-made family, he left several broken hearts behind. Now twelve years later they have found each other again, but will they be able to pick up where they left off?

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Harlequin Heartwarming

[Myra Wardhana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it, found the book at bookstore closing by accident and was hooked from the start!

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie and Jake split when she had to take care of her nieces. He joined the service and now is ready to live a civilian life..maybe with Maggie.