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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The can't-miss book of the year!, October 2, 2007
Over the years we have grown to known and love our favorite Upper East Side scandal-makers. We have followed their every move - thanks to the help of a little birdie named Gossip Girl - and accompanied them as they played the field, played hard to get, broke hearts, found love, shopped 'till they dropped, and partied until the sun came up. The one thing we were never privvy to, however, is how it all began. How they came to love - and hate - one another; and why their relationships were so tumultuous. But now, we get to go inside their private world, and see just how our favorite socialites became so...fabulous. IT HAD TO BE YOU takes readers back to a time before Nate Archibald hat taken his first hit. Before Serena van der Woodsen abandoned her cushy life in the city for boarding school living with her older brother. Before little Jenny Humphrey was burdened by an over-large chest. Before Blair Waldorf's father came out of the closet. It provides answers to our questions, and gives us a little piece of mind. At least for now.
At fifteen-years-old, Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen, and Nate Archibald were basically attached at the hip. The Three Musketeers-esque clique did simply everything together - from partying to sleepovers, and everything in-between. Nate was viewed by his older St. Jude's School for Boys classmates as being the man-about-town, considering he had managed to hook not one, but two smoking hot girls to hang on his every word. And, in turn, Blair and Serena were viewed as goddesses by their Constance Billard classmates for having the privilege to hang out with someone as dashing as Nate. But each girl was harboring a secret. Both Serena and Blair had been madly in love with Nate, and his hypnotizing green eyes, since they were in diapers. The only question that remained was who would be the lucky girl to snag him as their boyfriend; and who would end up the odd woman out.
Without a mother to care for them, Dan and Jenny Humphrey simply had each other to rely on. And, without any known friends, it was essential that the two stuck close to one another. Luckily, they both had one very important thing in common...their obsession with the ethereal Serena van der Woodsen. While neither had ever spoken to Serena, they both admired her from afar, and watched her every move - like sibling stalkers. But, for Jenny, her obsession went farther than just Serena. It reached her chest; or, rather, lack thereof. At twelve-years-old, Jenny was the only one in her class without noticeable development, and was determined to make it to at least a 34B. This, of course, left her perusing the Internet to locate some sort of wonder drug. But then the unthinkable happened, and it became evident that sometimes you have to be truly careful for what you wish for.
Vanessa Abrams was always an off-the-wall girl. However, with her flowing black hair that reached past her waist, she had the potential to be beautiful; if only she would take up a new hobby. When she shaves her head completely bald, she finally gets the recognition she wants - especially from Dan Humphrey. Unfortunately, he seems to be more after her friendship than her bod; and would rather spend his days mooning after Serena - much to Vanessa's chagrin. But she knows that, with a little effort, she may just be able to snag his heart - before it's too late.
As with the GOSSIP GIRL series, Cecily von Ziegesar manages to find a way to intertwine each character's stories, so that they combine into one racy, can't-resist teenage soap opera. IT HAD TO BE YOU paints each character in a different light. Serena displays such an uncanny amount of vulnerability, loneliness, and sadness throughout the story, that you can't help but love her, and want to see things work out in the end. Blair, on the other hand, comes off as being completely self-centered and self-absorbed. And, to put it bluntly, downright bossy. However, the underlying family problems she finds herself going through, and the fact that she is struggling with an eating disorder - even if she refuses to come to terms with it - show just how much she is crying out for attention; which actually makes you feel badly for her. Nate, as always, is so dashing and adorable. However, his penchant for being totally out of it in just about every situation makes him seem like a total waste of a life. I will admit, though, that his looks make up for whatever his personality happens to be lacking. No matter what, I can't help but feel that the Humphrey family is the most entertaining. Jenny is such a naive, sweet character, who only seems cuter in pre-pubescent-hood; and Dan's lovesick, mooning, dark poet-like personality makes him appealing in every way. What's so perfect about the Humphrey family is that, while they don't seem as well off as the Waldorf's, van der Woodsen's, or Archibald's, they have a wonderful family life that draws the reader in to sample Rufus' bizarre, edible creations; and stamp around the musty apartment. Of course, as with every GOSSIP GIRL book, the story would not be complete with GOSSIP GIRL's countless nosy updates, which are sprinkled throughout the book, and only add to its charm. The can't-miss book of the year!
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
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35 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From Cecily von Ziegesar, October 5, 2007
Hey people, Cecily here.
I just want all my readers to know that the GG prequel, It Had to Be You, WAS really great and I WAS really proud of it, until the copyeditors and proofreaders changed words that shouldn't have been changed and created mistakes in the book that shouldn't be there. I worked really hard and spent a year writing the book and I was so excited when it finally came out, but now I just want everyone to read the book I wrote, not the tampered-with version. For instance, there's this whole chapter where the word "ululate" which is actually a really funny word, was changed to "undulate" like six times. Now the chapter isn't funny anymore and makes no sense. You guys are all really smart and I'm pretty sure you'll know something is up when you come across these mistakes. I just wish my copyeditors and proofreaders were as smart as you are. Needless to say, this isn't the last you're all going to hear about this.
You know I love you,
Cecily
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Beginning of the End, October 10, 2008
It's been several years since Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and all of their a-list (or wannabe a-list) pals burst onto the scene. Since then, Gossip Girl has basically been credited for spawning the entire young socialite/it girl/prep school explosion that's come out of the last few years including many-a-copycat book series and several TV shows to boot, including our very own Gossip Girl.
As the series comes to a close (to be replaced by Gossip Girl 2.0 that follows a group of triplets), Cecily Von Zeigesar picks up the pen one last time to write about how it all began for our favourite Upper East Siders. There isn't much by way of plot other than explaining a lot of the future plotlines we love and loathe, but the crux of the story probably comes from Serena, Nate, and Blair being BFFs until the two girls realize they're both jonesin' for the same boy. Of course the usual minor characters are in play - Chuck, Isabel, Kati, Jenny, Dan, and Vanessa - but their storylines are even thinner than what the main trio are going through.
I enjoyed this book because I haven't been into the GG series for several years now, but going back to the beginning like this was a delightful surprise as key traits and quirks for each character popped up as part of their character histories. Additionally, because the purpose of the book was to explain the characters future motivations and personalities, they were written as much more logical, reasonable, grounded, and most importantly relatable. The uber-flightiness we see in the later books isn't quite as prominent here, and it works.
That being said, having mostly only been exposed to the TV series over the last year, it was weird to go back and see the less glamorous (if you can believe it) portrayals of many of the characters - in particular the Humphrey family - as well as the juxtaposition between how the characters' relationships on the show compare to those in future books (i.e. Dan & Serena, Chuck & Blair).
Ultimately I'd say this is a great must-read for any Gossip Girl fan, whether lapsed or obsessed. Don't be expecting the book series - as the kids are quite a bit younger here and fairly less insane - but don't be expecting the TV series either. A great ending/beginning for the original young socialite series.
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