It Had to Be You: A Grayson Friends Novel

Zachary Wilder, aka Rolling Deep, wants nothing more than to produce the upcoming album for classical violinist, Laurel Raineau, but she won't give him the time of day. Her music soothes his soul and is a great source of comfort to him, especially after the recent loss of his father. Of course, her refusal to see or talk to him serves to make him that much more determined. When he sets up an "accidental" meeting with Laurel when she is vacationing, he does so using his real name, knowing that doing so could likely backfire. His relationship with Laurel moves with lightning speed which is surprising enough; the emotions Laurel brings out in him are especially unexpected. Laurel takes her work very seriously and while her album sales aren't where she would like them to be, she's not willing to work with the notorious Rolling Deep, regardless of what he brings to the table. She goes on a vacation getaway and can't help but feel a little lonely among the loving couples at the resort. Perhaps a touch of melancholy made her vulnerable to the tender attentions of Zach, but when she discovers his true identity, she flees immediately and it appears that Zach has lost her forever. He has one more card up his sleeve and playing it will either bring her back to him or drive her away to hate him forever. This was my first read by Francis Ray and I found it wonderfully entertaining. Laurel and Zach are both extremely likable characters and their families and friends are excellently written and consistently realistic. Knowing what Laurel's reaction would be upon learning Zach's identity filled me with dread, but her initial pain and their heartache in the aftermath are beautifully written and absolutely heartwrenching. Zach's reasons for wanting to produce Laurel's music were legitimate and personal, not simply about money and went far in making his deception forgivable. I highly recommend IT HAD TO BE YOU; I will be shopping for the three previous books in this "Grayson Friends" series.

Congratulations!!!!! Mrs. Ray has done it again, another New York Times Best-Seller. "It Had To Be You" is a fantastic book, from the beginning the book captures your attention with the plot that Laurel a classical Violinist wanted nothing to do with the hot young record producer Rolling Deep aka Zachery Albright Wilder. The book cautions the readers not to always believe the hype. Once I started reading I could not put it down until the end it took me less than 24 hours. My recommendation to the romance readers is to go out and purchase this amazing novel you will not be disappointed. Review submit by Cynthia Benford member of Black Pearls Keepin It R.E.A.L Book Club-Dallas, TX

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! The storyline was amazing. Family came together again and helped each other out. I love how Ms. Ray includes family and friends from previous novels to her latest books and that gives the fans an update on them. Now I am ready for Rio's story. Thank you Ms. Ray for another great novel.

All around wonderful read. The angst of the hero & Heroine is reflected in the song It Had to be You. Since, I am old school I had to go and listen to the song. I was amazed at the correlation between the two. Both the heroine Laurel Raineau & the hero Zachary Albright Wilder had life lessons to learn. Laurel's lesson was that assumptions "truly make an ass of you and me". Zachary's is ," Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. ...". However, they gain insight over time. With the help of family and friends they are able to make amends. Synopsis IT HAD TO BE HER Most musicians would do anything to work with the hot, young record producer known as "Rolling Deep." R.D. can pick and choose any artist he wants--and he wants Laurel Raineau. A classical violinist, Laurel plays soaring music that touches R.D. to his very soul. But the last thing Laurel wants is to work with someone whose exploits with the ladies appear in the tabloids every week. IT HAD TO BE...WHO? Not one to take no for an answer, R.D. keeps trying--and failing--to let Laurel know that he's not the player he's made out to be. So he introduces himself to her by his real name, Zachary Wilder, hoping to win her over. But it's Zach who falls under this beauty's spell. Now it's only a matter of time before Laurel learns who the man she's losing her heart to really is--but can she walk away from a passion that feels so right?

Music's number one producer is R.D. (Rolling Deep), who can make anyone with a modicum of talent into a superstar. He believes classical violin virtuoso Laurel Raineau can achieve mega status with her next album if she will heed his advice. Although her recordings do not sell as well as she would prefer, Laurel rejects Zach's offers, a first for the egotistical producer as everyone wants R.D. She even refuses to meet with him as she detests his public relations media approach, which means commercialization superseding the music. Deciding to use his real name of Zachary Alright Wilder, he tries a duplicitous ruse to just meet the talent who has rejected him. He arranges to see her under his real name at a resort she is visiting. When they fall in love, Zach knows he owes her the truth, but fears losing Laurel as he will have lost her trust. Still he informs her of his deception and she ends their relationship. Desperate he turns to an orchestra of friends and family to get him an encore performance with Laurel before the curtain comes down on their relationship. The latest Grayson Friends (see One Night with You and Nobody but You) contemporary romance is an entertaining tale of two people from different musical philosophies making them almost seem like star-crossed lovers. Although the key plot device of concealing who you are has been used before, Francis Ray keeps it fresh by showing how wide and diverse the music world is. The ensemble as always in a Ms. Ray tale is on top of the charts, but the lead duet own the story line as each understands the Lovin' Spoonful's mantra "the magic is in the music and the music is in me", make that us. Harriet Klausner