Janice Thompson's It Had to Be You ~ Reviewed

It Had to Be You
By Janice Thompson
Published by Revell
ISBN 978-0-8007-3344-5


Description:

Bella couldn’t be happier that two of her long-feuding relatives have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy—and an old mobster from New Jersey—life starts to get complicated. Will a friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly approaching wedding amid the chaos?



Review:

Janice Thompson is a master wordsmith and It Had to be You is romantic comedy at its best. You'll fall in love with Rossi clan and laugh your way through their misadventures, including the evangelizing parrot, Guido. Thoroughly entertaining, reading It Had to Be You is a cinematographic experience. Novel Journey and I give It Had to Be You a high recommendation.

Reviewed by: Ane Mulligan
Editor, Novel Journey


BONUS REVIEW:

Love is in the air, and not just for Bella the wedding planner, and her boyfriend DJ, in It Had to Be You. Love brings families together with Italian passion and food. The family is celebrating the marriage of Rosa and Lazarro. Bella grew up with her favorite Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro, and since this is such a huge event, everything has to be just right. Bella hopes to bring Aunt Rosa’s dream wedding and reception come true. Of course, Aunt Rosa has to help and can’t keep out of the kitchen. By the sounds of the reception menu, I would love to attend this wedding with the great food and big band swing dancing.

Sparks start to fly - not only in the love department and in the planning of Rosa and Lazarro’s wedding, but between family members as they start arriving from Italy to join the celebration. There are many surprises and things to catch up on!

It Had To Be You is the third book in the 'Wedding by Bella' series. Janice Thompson has captured the essence of the Italian-American family in this series full of love, respect, fun, food and music. Thanks to your books Janice, I've been taken away from the worries of the day and swept me into Bella's world, with her and her family, and all the incredible weddings she was contracted to do. It can’t get any better than that...fun, family, food and dancing. I’m there!! Thanks for the memories Janice, great R&R and the spiritual thread that ran through all three books. Janice talked about God, how to love well and how to get close to Him and each other. This spiritual thread radiated in a fun but powerful way in this series. I had so much fun. I can’t wait to see where Janice Thompson will take me in her next series.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent
ACFW Book Club Coordinator




Bonus Review:

This book is absolute fun from start to finish! I have a few words of caution though; this book may make you start singing and dancing due to vivid descriptions of swing music and dancing and also WILL make your mouth water with description upon tantalizing description of authentic Italian food. The story is cute and lighthearted. A story of friends, family, true love, and (as I mentioned before) food. You’ll fall in love with the quirky Rossi family, particularly Bella as she juggles her job as a wedding planner with family life and living out God’s will. Another thing I liked was that the author uses Frank Sinatra songs as book titles and swing music song titles as chapter names. This is an amazing tale, third in the series “Weddings By Bella” and I am definitely going to read the other three books!

Reviewed by: Rachael Schnikter