Customer Reviews

It Had to Be You (Grayson Friends)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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

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?

Zachary Wilder "Rolling Deep" is a famous music producer. Everyone who is anyone wants to work with RD. Well everyone but the beautiful and talented Laurel Raineau. Laurel plays the Violin. She wants nothing to do with RD. He has a reputation of being a play boy. Zach has never been turned down before.

When RD learns that Laurel will be taking a vacation down to Playa del Carmen, he books a flight down there. He hopes to show Laurel that there is more to Zach then his image as RD.

It Had to Be You is book four of the Grayson Friends novels. It can be read as a stand alone novel. I say this because it is the first novel I have read by this author. It is not for a lack of not wanting to try a book out by Francis Ray but just never got around to it yet. I can happily say that after reading this book, I will make sure that time does not pass before I pick up another one of Francis Ray's books.

The sexual chemistry between Zach and Laurel was as hot as the sandy beaches of Playa del Carmen. It was nice to see the softer side of Zach. Zach and Laurel made beautiful music together. If there had to be one book that started my summer out right, it had to be It Had to Be You.

This was a really nice book, great story line. I liked how she brought in other characters from previously written books. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Renowned violinist, Laurel Raineau, refused to even consider working with the notorious music producer Rolling Deep. He was well-known for running through women as often as he changed shirts. With a reputation like that, Laurel didn't want her musical career to be associated with the likes of him. Besides, Laurel had more important things to deal with, like working through the grievance with the loss of her beloved father while trying to compose her next album. So, she followed her families' recommendation of getting away for some much needed rest and relaxation before tackling her huge project. The last thing Laurel expected to find was love; but, that's exactly what happened when she met and fell for the handsome and dashing Zachary Wilder.

Famous Musician Zachary "Rolling Deep" Wilder was determined to produce the legendary violinist Laurel Raineau's next album, but there was one small problem, Laurel refused to have anything to do with him because of his very public reputation. Nevertheless, Zach was willing to do whatever it took to change her mind. So, he `accidently' met her while on vacation using his real name fully knowing it could possibly backfire. And, backfire it did! Not only did Zach fall hard and fast for Laurel, but she had no idea that he and Rolling Deep was the same person. Will Zach be able to save the special love between them, or was all hope lost?

It Had To Be You was a joy to read, and my emotions were all over the place. Although, I knew from the start that Zach's plan was going to be a failure, I had to give him kudos for his determination. What started out as a scheme, quickly turned into something much more meaningful. Zach didn't know how to correct things without hurting Laurel in the process.

While Laurel had lived such an innocent and sheltered lifestyle, she quickly blossomed into a mature woman by handling her situation beautifully after Zach's betrayal. Laurel's reaction was to be expected, and I was so mad at Zach for causing her heartache and betraying her trust. Yet, he quickly regained my affection by the actions he took to fix his wrongdoings. Right or wrong, Zach was a bold, compassionate man who was not afraid to go after what he wanted. The sexual chemistry between the couple was flaming hot and continued to burn intensely until the very end. This is one Joyfully Reviewed Recommended Read that you will not want to miss out on!

It Had To Be You is book four in Francis Ray's Grayson Friends series and can be read as an independent.

Nikita
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Love love love it, I am a newby to the Francis Ray novels, I couldn't put it down it drew me into the story. I could see the faces I could feel the passion between R.D. and Laurel. I want to know the beginning of their stories how this woman could just consume him and he not even know her. Ms. Ray makes you want to hunt for the books that have come before and after, it's like a hunger to be feed but can't get fullOnly Hers: The Taggart Brothers

Classical violinist virtuoso, Laurel Raineau can achieve mega status with her next album if she will step outside of the box; she needs a little help from a musical genie. Zachary Wilder, music's number one producer, can turn anyone with a modicum of talent into a superstar. A match made in musical heaven, right?

Wilder wants to produce Laurel because her music was the only thing to soothe his troubled soul after his father's death and he knows with the right promotion Laurel's record sales will reach its proper crescendo. Known in the industry as 'Rolling Deep', Wilder produces hip-hop artists and has a reputation of being a tabloid seeking playboy. Laurel rejects Zach's offer, which is a first for this egotistical producer. She abhors his public relations media approach and his overt commercialization towards music.

Zachary has to meet the first talent to reject him, so he pulls some strings, and using his real name, books accommodations at Playa del Carmen, a secluded resort where Laurel is vacationing. Their meeting is explosive and gratifying, and Zach knows he most tell her the truth. When he informs her of his deception she ends the relationship. In desperation, he turns to friends and family to get him an encore performance with Laurel.

IT HAD TO BE YOU has a familiar plot, but Ms. Ray keeps it fresh and interesting with her venture into the unbridled world of music. Both the hero and the heroine learned some valuable lessons as they conquered what was a virtual dichotomy. This is very good addition to the Grayson family and friends. Is there more?

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

IT HAD TO BE YOU by Francis Ray is a contemporary romance set in modern day Los Angeles and a few days in Mexico. It is a part of the A Grayson Friends Novel series, but can be read as a stand alone. It has romance, betrayal, deception,passion, sensuality, forgiveness, the music industry, and family. Two people with different background and musical interest become involved; Zach(record producer) and Laurel;(classical violinist). While one feels betrayed, Laurel, the other,Zach, is determined to win her heart, while maintaining her happiness. This book was interesting and a good love story showing how two people with different musical, and social background can have happiness and maintain their careers. This book was received for review and details can be found at St. Martin's Paperbacks and My Book Addiction and More.

Francis Ray returns with the family and close net friends that everyone has come to love and adore.

Laurel Raineau is a world renowned violinist struggling with her career after the lost of her father. Zachary "Rolling Deep" Wilder is a well known producer, working with some of the best artist in the business. Zachery is interested in working with Laurel but wants nothing to do with Zach and the reputation that follows him. Determined to find his goal Zachery works his way into Laurel's life keeping his identity a secret.

Laurel and Zach are not looking for love but love is determined to find a way. Will Laurel and Zach find their way to love when Zach true identity is revealed. Will Laurel be able to separate the man from the rumor. Will Zach win the woman despite his reputation.

Francis Ray writes an exciting story about two passionate artists, in love with their music yet too blind to see their love for each other. Will their love for music lead to the love of a lifetime.

Reviewed by Missy
For Sexy Ebony BookClub Reviews

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.