I read Lean on Me earlier in the year and was delighted to be invited to this tour by Rachel’s Random Resources.

Beth Moran writes books that on the face them look bright and cheery, but underneath there is always a serious message. In this book she covers the challenges of teens in the care system and the impact on them and their foster families, teenage pregnancies, this being covered from both mum’s and dad’s pov and single parenthood.

The story is told in dual timelines, the now, where Libby and her sister Nicky work together in their charity for teen mothers, and the then, with Nicky at sixteen living in a home, where foster children came and went, some leaving lasting memories.

This was an emotional ride, and I was touched to read that the author is a foster carer of teens,which makes sense how knowledgeably and sensitively she wrote about the subject.

Beth Moran has a huge back catalogue and I am planning to read more!

The Burb
Growing up, sisters Libby and Nicky never knew who they’d find at breakfast.
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.

A really enjoyable book which I will recommend to others.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

A nice little real life story.

I wanted only good things to happen for Libby and her life. She deserved the best. Nice, easy and quick read.

We all remember our first love, just like Libby, our main character. Her heart was forever changed by her first love.
I had never read anything by Beth Moran before this book and I have to say that it grabbed me right from the beginning.
Dealing with two kids is hard enough when you have a partner to help out; however, she does it alone most of the time while also trying to run an extremely successful business with only occasional support from her father who lives miles away – no wonder she feels swamped every single day. But despite all this generosity that seems so ingrained within Libby’s nature – not being able to turn down anyone who needs help – could just only be an attempt to lessen the weight of guilt over an incident thirteen years ago that had long-reaching effects.
However much Nicky loves her little sister, despite her problems, she wants nothing more than seeing ‘the right man’ come into Libby's life because that girl deserves it more than anyone; but then again love itself can sometimes complicate things too much for our liking or expectations… and that happens when her estranged mother and her first love, Jonah, reappear in her life.
Libby and her friends had me rooting for them the whole time because they were such strong characters with depth who were relatable to many different people. It might seem like nothing much happens plot-wise; however, this story is anything but boring thanks to its quick pace paired up with an engaging narrative that is anything but dry.
It was a delightful dual-time story and I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC

It had to be you was an engaging read that takes us on an emotional, sometime painful, journey, but leaves us uplifted and hopeful at the end. Serious topics are balanced with humor and heart. Found family and second chances take these beautifully crafted characters and elevates them into the equivalent of a warm hug in story form.

This has been my favourite Beth Moran book to date. A lovely story giving a view of fostering children and how they move on and develop their own lives later in life.

I can always count on Beth Moran to give me a great tragic love story with character growth and a valiant journey to find happiness again.

Told in past and present, you slowly learn Libby’s sad story where a young girl takes the weight of the world on her own shoulders looking for love and acceptance in her life. When her lost love Jonah returns, all the old feelings come back, but Libby needs to heal herself before she can move on.

The heart of this story is Libby. Her guilt with what happened 13 years ago has weighed heavy on her. Her life has not been easy as a single mom and then her past returns in full force. Libby is a good person who thrives on helping others, but she neglects herself. Jonah’s return is surprising, but Libby takes it in stride. His transformation from a brooding foster kid to a compassionate teacher is admirable and his unwavering devotion to his vulnerable sister is heartwarming. Jonah is a good man who has overcome so much and I love his patience and commitment to Libby.

Ms. Moran writes realistic imperfect characters who learn truths about themselves and strive to change for the better. This is so true for Libby and it is enlightening to see her become the bigger person by forgiving those who wronged her, but not allowing them to walk all over her anymore.

I love the idea of Libby and Nicky’s charity, Baby Bloomers, to empower single mothers to “defy the odds, smash the stereotypes, and conquer that long, hard road together”. Libby’s older sister Nicky is Libby’s protector and a force to be reckoned with. I admire her strength and her straight talk especially as she and Libby confront their long lost selfish mother.

If you enjoy poignant stories about real-life hardships, dysfunctional families, and second chances, give this book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Moran for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Always a fan of Beth Moran and this book had me feeling the same again! Such an easy read that brings you in and makes you not want to stop reading it! One of my favorites in a bit. Pick it up! You won’t be disappointed!

Started out absolutely fabulously but unfortunately lost steam as the book progressed. Shouldn’t be at the top of your list but not bad.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I couldn't put it down. It was a second chance romance story. I was happy for Libby who managed to get her life and house finally organised. I have to admit I do love reading Beth Moran books.

Beth Moran's books are always a pleasure to read, and this one was no exception. A dual timeline focusing on Libby and her family, now and 13 years ago when Libby was 16. Libby runs a successful antenatal and postnatal support business and charity helping teenage parents, as well as being a single mum to two kids. The past timeline takes us back to a complicated time in Libby's life when her parents were foster carers. There are themes of family, fostering and adoption, teenage pregnancy, drug use, relationship breakdown, identity, and estrangement. With a colourful cast of characters, a compelling story, and a beautiful setting, this book keeps you turning the pages. Whilst I had an inkling of how things would turn out, there were plenty of surprises and questions along the way to keep you interested. I loved the deep dive into family relationships and their inevitable turbulence and the way it highlights the importance of communication. I can definitely see a sequel to this - keep them coming, please, Beth!

I loved this book as it was so heartwarming and beautiful! This book is about Libby and Nicky who are sisters and their mum and dad who are foster parents, as such the sisters are very close. It also tells you about Jonah the last foster kid. It is an amazing book.

I would highly recommend reading this book as once I started it I couldn’t put it down!

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early.

It Had To Be You is a wonderful second-chance romance. I loved reading about Libby and Jonah. The book has dual time periods - now and then, so the reader gets a story in real-time but also the lead-up to the reckless decision made by Libby all those years ago.

The author wrote a very realistic book with shaky family dynamics, and I found myself immersed in Libby and Jonah’s tale. The setting in the story was wonderfully described. The characters were complex and fully developed. I enjoyed the writing style of the author. The author wrote the book with plenty of emotion, passion, and realism. I enjoyed watching each character grow and work through some very difficult personal choices.

Moran's books are the best when it comes to comfort reads and they're always written from the heart.

I do love a good second chance love story and Libby and Jonah's was no exception. It Had To Be You takes us back to the beginning where Libby and Jonah first meet then switches to current day where we find Libby struggling with life as a single mother.

Second chance love is a huge trope favourite of mine and a HAE is always the icing on the cake.

Moran has created some brilliantly realistic and somewhat relatable characters in Libby and Jonah. I found them and their stories so easy to become emotionally invested in.

It Had To Be You is a heartwarming and quite emotional story of second chances and rediscovery.

I have read a few Beth Moran books and loved them and this was no different. I loved the fact that this wonderful story was told in a dual time format as we got a glimpse into the past that led Libby to where she is now. I was really drawn into to the uplifting narrative of this story with many characters overcoming adversity to thrive and move forward. I loved the second chance romance trope and it is illustrated perfectly in this book.

EXCERPT: I paused briefly as I read her name: Ellis.

I'd known an Ellis who'd been in foster care once. She must be about the same age as this one.

More significantly, I'd known her big brother.

I scanned straight to the box where people could add the names of their birth partner, my heart sinking - in either relief or disappointment, I wasn't sure - at the unfamiliar name.

The truth was, I'd not simply known him. He'd been my first kiss. The love of my life.

Loving him had nearly destroyed our family.

Losing him had almost destroyed me.

ABOUT 'IT HAD TO BE YOU': Growing up, sisters Libby and Nicky never knew who they’d find at breakfast.

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 THOUGHTS: I think most of us remember our first love with a little wistfulness, maybe a little regret, but we never forget them. Libby has never forgotten hers.

This is my first book by Beth Moran and it pulled me in very quickly. I found it hard enough parenting two children with a husband present, but Libby only has herself and the occasional help of her dad, plus she is running a demanding business. No wonder she never feels on top of anything! I found her easy to relate to and empathise with, especially the 'doing anything else to avoid dealing with her own problems' scenario. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and still I catch myself doing it every now and then! Libby has a big heart and just can't say no to anyone who needs her help. Perhaps it helps assuage her guilt over the events of 13 years ago . . . the event that ruined so many lives.

Nicky has her own problems in life, but just adores her younger sister. She wants to see her in a meaningful relationship - she deserves to be! - but Libby doesn't want or need any more complications in her life.

Need or not, she's going to get them when both her mother and first love Jonah wind up back in her life.

Beth Moran hasn't written a typical romance. In fact, the romance comes a clear second to the dramas in Libby's life - broken relationships, child behavioral problems, and an ex-husband who feels he has every right to hand out advice on her life to name but a few.

Told in a 'NOW' and 'THEN' format, Libby's current life is interspersed with the past, the circumstances which lead up to THAT event.

I really enjoyed It Had to be You. It is a quick, easy and emotional read that kept me rooting for Libby and her friends throughout.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1

#ItHadtoBeYou #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Beth Moran initially worked as a biochemist and then taught antenatal classes before becoming an author. She loves to write contemporary women`s fiction set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she lives with her family.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of It Had to be You by Beth Moran for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or the publisher's blurb - there are already reviews like that out there if that's what you are looking for.

I've read quite a few books by Beth Moran, and have enjoyed most of them immensely. This one was no exception,

The author has a knack of taking serious (and often unpleasant) issues and showing how people overcome them and can thrive. This novel includes teenage pregnancy, parental desertion, parental violence, divorce, single parenthood, fostering and more. There are some great characters cleverly woven into the story.

I liked the dual timeline aspect too - we move between Libby's past, living with her parents and family, and her life now, living with her kids. There are some great friendships, strong and less strong characters, and a second chance at romance...

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I loved Beth’s latest book, It Had to Be You. You can tell right from the beginning that the subject matter is very close to the author’s heart and firsthand experience. I laughed a lot while reading, but I also cringed at some of the squeamish parts. I’m not sure I’d be very good at delivering a baby - too much mess for me!

As well as some fun and romance, Beth included many difficult topics in the book, such as teenage pregnancies, parental abuse and single mums and dads. It was particularly interesting to read how a single teenage dad coped with being thrust into fatherhood, with no support from his partner.

The book is a dual timeline story, flipping between present day and when our female protagonist, Libby, is sixteen and just about to sit her GCSEs. I enjoyed reading about her and her sister’s life growing up amongst the many foster kids who came through their home and how there were rules set in place to keep everyone comfortable and safe within the home.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review It Had to Be You by Beth Moran.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review…

This book definitely did not disappoint, i was pulled in to it right from the very beginning and each chapter that i read kept me wanting to read more and more, until i had, very quickly, devoured it all!

I loved the second-chance romance trope that was contained in this story and absolutely loved how the story slowly unfolded…

Libby was a wonderful, realistic, down-to-earth character and one that you could very easily become your new best friend…

There was a wonderful dual time line, told in both the past and the present, which i really enjoyed.

It Had To Be You was a very heartwarming, emotional, real-life story and was well worth the read…..

I want to give everyone a hug in this book. So many hot messes and big hearts. Libby/Liz is a hot mess who runs a charity giving prenatal classes, mostly to at risk moms. She grew up in a family that fostered many kids, including Jonah. As teens, they were drawn to each other and had to be separated. He comes back into her life for classes for his sister. On top of classes, being a single mom, and family drama, can Libby get herself together and find love? This is a chaste second chance romance with lots of mess and heart.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.