Gossip Girl: It Had to Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel (Hardcover)

by Cecily von Ziegesar (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live in luxe Fifth Avenue apartments and attend Manhattan's most exclusive private schools. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we wear fantastic clothes, and we know how to party. We can't help it-we were born this way.

Our story begins with three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-olds, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald. Blair's loved Nate and his glittering green eyes since she was in Bonpoint onesies. Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful
best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush. And Serena has a secret she's keeping from them both. Hmmm, something tells me these best friends may not be as close as we thought. . . .

How do I know all this? Because I know everything-and lucky for you, I can't keep a secret. So sit back while I untangle this messy little tale and tell you how it all began.

Admit it, you're already falling for me.

You know you love me.
gossip girl

About the Author
Cecily von Ziegesar has always lived in New York City. She's already working on her next The It Girl novel as well as a new Gossip Girl series featuring a whole new cast of scandalous characters, coming in Spring 2008, so be careful of what you do or say and who you're seen with...

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Poppy (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031601768X
• ISBN-13: 978-0316017688
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #271,746 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The can't-miss book of the year!, October 2, 2007

By	Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

31 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Cecily von Ziegesar, October 5, 2007

By	Cecily von Ziegesar "The Author" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must read for any gossip girl fan especially if you just started watching the show!, October 25, 2007

By	Skylar N. Jutte (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was amazing! I read the first gossip girl book about a year ago and fell in love with it. About a month ago a friend of mine got me back into them and I can't put them down. I have read the first book several times and had always wondered what some of the drama was about. This prequel really explains everyone's history very well. I just have to say that Nate and Serena's history is very complicated but very enthralling. Blair is so unrealistic with her expectations for her and Nate. Who thinks about that stuff at the age of 16! I absolutely love Jenny's storyline in this book. I have never seen someone so obsessed with their boobs! Dan and Vanessa's relationship is so awkward, it totally reminds me of my life! The author did a wonderful thing in writing a prequel for the series, it really explains things. It is totally going to really help me understand somethings when I read the rest of the series. I love this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!