It Had To Be You By Susan May Warren

It Had to be You by Susan May Warren

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.

Is a story about believing God loves you, our belonging in the Kingdom of God, and learning to redefine our understanding of God's love in our lives. Pretty deep themes for a fictional book. Yet, the author does all this quite well.

Eden writes the obits for the paper. It's not what she planned on doing with her journalism degree, but someday she'll write a story worthy of being pasted above the fold! Until that happens, she grudgingly writes the obits while sitting on the sidelines watching her brother, Owen, make star-status on the ice as a major player in the National Hockey League. She goes to all his games, does his laundry , gets him out of bar fights, intercedes for him when necessary with the team manager and media and tries to kept Owen out of trouble. Until the day Owen gets injured and sidelined himself.

Jace, the team's bad boy and captain gets an earful from Eden as to how he is suppose to be leading the team and helping Owen make the right decisions. But Jace, notices Eden sure is cute as she lays into him, even while he is suffering from a migraine caused by one too many concussions from fighting during a game.

While Jace and Eden spend time with Owen in the hospital , they meet John Doe, a young man in a coma, who, seemingly, has no family. They team up to find Doe's family, because no one should die alone, right?

Eden must face her fears that she is only second-best, destined to always sit on the sidelines and write obituaries instead of "real" stories. Jace must learn of his worth aside from playing hockey as his migraines are only getting worse.

This is a wonderful book with a story that lingers long after you read it. A story of God's love, even when you feel loved, but not liked.

Review written by Michelle Alut