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Book Review of It Had to Be You (Christiansen Family, Bk 2)

It Had to Be You (Christiansen Family, Bk 2)
sophiesperspective avatar reviewed on + 141 more book reviews


Predictable, cliche, but not nauseating

As a general rule I don't read books categorized as "romance" - they're so sickly sweet I gag if I try to read them.

Good news. This book isn't like that. It has some good messages in it, and the characters are real enough.

Bad news. There's still way too much kissing for my taste. I know that may sound prudish, but kissing before they're a couple, kissing when they aren't sure about their coupleness. It takes about halfway through the book to start, but once it does it's implied that it's pretty serious kissing. I find that very disappointing since this work is labeled as a Christian work. I get that the characters aren't perfect. Neither am I. But as writer you also influence people's ideas, perceptions. Maybe even help them form some ideas for their own life. I know, there aren't sex scenes or things like that which (I hear) are common in non-Christian romance novels. But what about fleeing from temptation? What about setting a higher standard?

The story would be quite compelling without the unnecessary kissing ... or at least some of the descriptions accompanying those scenes.