Austin Evans is a playboy, a flirt and a charmer. He’s dated half the female population of Fate, Texas and figures he’ll get around to the other half before he ever decides to settle down. Fate, however, has other ideas. Because one night with the prim and proper town doctor isn’t nearly enough. He can’t get her out of his head, doesn’t want her out of his bed and if he can convince her to give … give him half a chance he’ll keep her in his life forever.
It was supposed to be one night. One night of passion. One night of scorching hot, mind-blowing, earth-rocking fun. It was a one-night stand that somehow turned into two nights, then three and four… and Victoria Sands knew better. Of course she knew better. She was a good girl, a smart girl. She knew better than to continue seeking him out, knew better than to keep falling into his arms, knew better than to let her heart get involved, but when it came to Austin her logical, rational brain never stood a chance to her body’s desire.
They’re complete opposites. She’s the town princess and he’s the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. She grew up in the mansion on the hill and his mother is the woman that cleans it. She thinks everything through and he goes with his gut instinct. The one thing they have in common is that they’ve never felt anything like the sparks that flare between them.
But is that enough to build a life on? A family on? Because when that thin blue line appears, one night starts to look more like forever. When the baby carriage comes first, can love and marriage really come second?
*It Had To Be You is an opposites attract, surprise baby, small town romance set in the imaginary world of Fate, Texas. It is a standalone full-length romance novel with plenty of steam and a guarantee of a Happily Ever After.
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Wow I love love this book
This is the first by this author for me and I’m hooked now I need to read more.
Austin stole my heart.
Austin is the typical bad boy, and Victoria is the princess. These two are total opposites, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable. This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster journey, as well as being humorous, entertaining and steamy. I recommend for all.
My first book by Ms. Bryant and it was fun and romantic story. Fate is a small town where everyone knew your business. Austin is the town’s charming playboy and Victoria is the prim and proper princess. They don’t do relationships. I got pulled into the story right away. The characters were fun and the story delightful, sexy and sweet.
Review copy was received for a honest opinion.
3 1/2*
Austin has the reputation as a player until dancing at a wedding & one night with Victoria leaves him desperate for more.
The story took a while to get into and at times it was back and forth the reasons for them not to be together.
Austin was determined to show her they should be together. Victoria certainly took some convincing.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Oh this was such a sweet book. I laughed and I cried and I surely loved the whole story. It was wonderful to read a story about two people who had flaming hot chemistry together, having nothing in common, from the “wrong” sides of town, coming together and getting to understand each other.
I loved reading about Victoria, relying on her brain and how Austin managed to let her heart reign and Austin, having the image of the playboy and charmer, is actually a very sweet, loving and protective man. Reliving this romance, a happy sigh escapes me.
Austin Evans is a playboy, a flirt and a charmer. He’s dated half the female population of Fate, Texas, and figures he’ll get around to the other half before he ever decides to settle down. Fate, however, has other ideas. Because one night with the prim and proper town doctor isn’t nearly enough. He can’t get her out of his head, doesn’t want her out of his bed and if he can convince her to give him half a chance he’ll keep her in his life forever.
It was supposed to be one night. One night of passion. One night of scorching hot, mind-blowing, earth-rocking fun. It was a one-night stand that somehow turned into two nights, then three and four… and Victoria Sands knew better. Of course she knew better. She was a good girl, a smart girl. She knew better than to continue seeking him out, knew better than to keep falling into his arms, knew better than to let her heart get involved, but when it came to Austin her logical, rational brain never stood a chance to her body’s desire.
They’re complete opposites. She’s the town princess and he’s the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. She grew up in the mansion on the hill and his mother is the woman that cleans it. She thinks everything through and he goes with his gut instinct. The one thing they have in common is that they’ve never felt anything like the sparks that flare between them.
But is that enough to build a life on? A family on? Because when that thin blue line appears, one night starts to look more like forever. When the baby carriage comes first, can love and marriage really come second?
This book was amazing!!! I have never read a first chapter that hooked me on two characters as much as the first chapter hooked me on Victoria and Austin. I knew Immediately that I was going to fall in love with these two and the rest of their story did not disappoint. I loved how open and honest Victoria and Austin were with each other and how it helped them fall more and more in love with each other.
The pregnancy story line added so much to this story and I loved how Jess Bryant was able to connect Victoria’s pregnancy with other character’s stories from this series other novels!!
I have been reading Jess Bryant’s books for a while but I think this is my all time favorite book of hers!!
What do you get when the goody-goody doctor/town princess and the town playboy have a one night stand? What happens when it turns into more ?
You get this little gem here! It’s lighthearted but emotional and funny all at the same time. I am a dark romance reader and from time to time I need a lighter read to cleanse my pallet. Almost anything Jess Bryant writes is a good go to for that.
I loved the banter between these two and by the end I even loved Austin. All of the Fate, Texas books have been great so far!
Let me start off by saying how much I loved everything about this book. The characters are incredible and I fell in love with Austin and Victoria. Their relationship in the beginning was just two people casually meeting up until one day things changed. Victoria comes from a family of doctors and has a life of privilege and Austin, the town mechanic, is not exactly who her parents expected her to end up with. But Austin and Vicky have something special, they both just don’t know it yet.
The story shows how two people from different sides of life, try to make it work. Austin wants to do right by Victoria and will do anything to prove himself to her. Victoria grew up in the eye of the town of Fate and doesn’t like to draw attention, but when it comes to Austin, she just knows there is something between them and she wants him in her life.
This story took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and to me, that shows how exceptional this book is. I loved how Austin is so kind and loving and Victoria comes to realize how much better her life is with Austin in it. I highly recommend this book as you will love it just as much as I do!
The bad boy and the good girl have some fun
It Had To Be You is the first book written by Jess Bryant and it is quite engaging and was well written. It is the story of Austin and Victoria. This is an opposites attract story with the ubiquitous bad boy playboy and the moneyed good girl. But she still wants to play dirty and they are drawn to each other. When that attraction has an unexpected consequence the question becomes can their attraction to each other become something real where they meet in the middle or will they each stay in opposite lanes?
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
A woman that has money and comes from a line of doctors against a man who came from nothing and is the town playboy will they last
I have never read anything from this author, but know I want to read it all. I really love the relationship that happens between the H/h. It might have not started out hearts and kisses, but ends so sweet. I love Austin. He was so caring and sweet toward Victoria. Victoria grew on me. I love how her character develops throughout the book. I guess it’s true every girl has insecure regardless of where you come from. The romance between the H/h started slow but grew into something so beautiful. I love the supporting characters too. Now I want to read all their books that came before and the future books because I’m as nosy and as invested as the town of Fate is with these people.
When the least expected is exactly what you need! Austin was a permanent playboy and happy with that state. He was also Christmas, averse and everyone left him to his personal dysfunction during the holidays. This was the one time when he let his dark side take ownership of him and wallow in his discontent. His father, Anthony abandoning the family when he was 13, during the Christmas holidays was the equivalent of dropping a trunk loaded with cement blocks on his life! He was the local mechanic and content with his life, other than Christmas. Victoria was the Pediatrician working in her dad’s practice. She was considered the town princess. They met, connected and then the challenge starts. They were caught up in their own life stories and didn’t realize they were perfect for each other. They had a critical challenge. Did they pull together or pull apart? They found out the true nature of friendship and loving relationships. Do these two opposites stand a chance? Can the families find anything in common? Will they let down their walls and build one around their relationship? Delightful! Good story, kept me glued. Great characters and better friends. I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
I absolutely loved this story. The storyline is engaging and entertaining.
Victoria and Austin.
They have plenty of steamy chemistry. The characters are amazingly likeable. They are totally opposite and over hills for each other. Both families are funny and overpowering,you could say crazy and overwhelming.
Will they win the fights? The little blue line is changing everything.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Player meets good girl…
These two characters are polar opposites. Yet their attraction can’t be denied. Will they find their HEA?
My first book by this author. Really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more.
I absolutely loved this one from beginning to end. Victoria and Austin were suppose to be nothing but a fling when they needed something from each other. But then she discovered that she is having his baby. But Austin is not known for being the settling down type and is not her type. She comes from an upper class family and expected to be with someone in her class. But little do either one of them realize that fate has something more in store from them. I absolutely love how Austin wont give up on Victoria no matter what she does. These two have amazing chemistry. You can easily see it through the authors writing. A great storyline with great characters. An enjoyable book from beginning to end.
This was a great introduction to a new author for me and I’ll definitely read her again. I have to say I loved Austin!! I loved the whole opposite attract vibe he had with Victoria. He is the towns bad boy that will take you for a ride lol but you won’t get more from him until he meets Victoria who shouldn’t be with someone like him but can’t deny the pull she has to him. Definitely recommend!!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book
A sweet story about the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, and a good girl who has always done what she’s told.
Victoria and Austin are hooking up in secret, and having a really good time doing it.
Austin thinks she keeps coming back because she wants excitement, rough trade, something she’s definitely not going to get from all those preppy boys down at the country club.
Victoria can’t put Austin out of her mind. No matter how many times she tells herself that the town playboy only wants her for one thing, and he could never actually fall in love with her, she just keeps going back for more.
A truly sweet love story with some really fun, steamy sex Austin and Victoria learn quickly they have to support each other with both families, her angry brothers, and his friends that might be a little too judgemental. When push comes to shove will they have each others backs, or would it be easier for both of them to just walk away?
Brilliant, Beautiful, & Bewitching
Austin has stolen my heart! He’s the bad boy with a heart of gold we all love to read about. Bryant has drawn him up so perfectly, I can even hear his soft Texas drawl in my head when I read his dialogue.
On the surface, Victoria is the country club princess and Austin is the charming blue collar rascal from the wrong side of the tracks who has done a turn around the dance floor with every single girl in town. As Fate – the town or the mysterious force – brings them together, they each begin to reveal their layers and it makes for such a compelling story.
Bryant is my go-to author for emotion-packed stories about love in a small town. Her books are romantic, amusing, and steamy. And while my mind always enjoys the escape she provides, my heart is a little fuller too each time because of how she weaves in important themes like family and loyalty and forgiveness. Bryant’s work makes me feel a little better about being a human for having such life-changing capabilities.