It Had To Be You

Notorious by Susan Andersen introduces us to Hayley Granger Prescott and Jon-Michael Olivet. Haley Prescott wonders if she will ever stop being the focus of people who want to know her story and will not leave her alone until they get it. She is a private person for a reason. Jon-Michael Olivet is the older brother of Kursten, Hayley’s best friend, and one of the causes of Hayley’s notoriety.

After the trial for the killer of her husband and shortly before he is to be executed, Hayley travels across the country from New Hampshire to the small town of Gravers Bend, in the Pacific Northwest. She needs to get away from the hordes of journalist wanting to know her feelings on the death penalty, since it was her testimony that sealed the deal on the killer. She returns home to heal and hopefully live in anonymity. Jon-Michael decides it is time to revisit their past and try to apologize for ruining her reputation back in high school.

These two still have a chemistry that sizzles and arcs between them. There is no denying the attraction they have for each other. The problem is, they both have secrets that could derail their relationship. Hayley has much more to lose when her secret is exposed. It brings the paparazzi to town, causing problems for Hayley as well as the town. The question is will Haley and Jon-Michael be able to overcome all of these obstacles in order to have their happy ever after.

The story line has two additional arcs that run parallel to and intersects Hayley’s story. First off, another high school friend, Patsy, wants to be Hayley’s best friend and goes over the edge while aspiring for that to happen. Secondly, Kursten has a love interest who turns out to be the journalist who ends up exposing Hayley’s conflicting feelings regarding the death penalty.

This was a very entertaining story with likeable characters that you want to support and cheer on hoping for that happy ending. The characters were well written and complex. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I really enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. After finishing it, I just wanted there to be more. I wanted to know what happened to Kursten and Ty as well as the future of Hayley and Jon-Michael. I just didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

Before I start, let me say I am a huge fan. She is one of my authors that whenever a new book comes out, I buy it.
That being said, this book just didn't hold my interest, took a long time to finish, which is very unusual for me. I love all of Susan Andersen's books and most are my "comfort" books, which means I reread them often. I really wanted to like this book, but just didn't.