It Had to Be Him - (Love on the Vine) by Adib Khorram (Paperback)

About the Book

"Ramin Yazdani's proposal has just gone bottom's up: his ex not only dumped him in public but also accused him of being boring. Bent on proving him wrong (and maybe a little drunk), Ramin books a spontaneous sabbatical to Italy. But when he runs into his high school crush, his resolve is put to the test. Noah Bartlett's in a rut. Since his divorce, he's become, well, a bit of a homebody. So when his ex-wife invites him to join her and their son on an Italian vacation, Noah reluctantly agrees. His reticence turns to excitement, however, when he runs into Ramin, who's aged just like a fine wine. As a teenager, Ramin fascinated him-and since Noah now knows that fascination was code for crush. . . all those feelings are quick to come rushing back. Soon Ramin and Noah are tumbling headfirst into a relationship. Only Ramin fears that Noah's feelings are temporary-and Noah's not sure he can be the supportive partner Ramin deserves. With the days counting down to the end of their trip, can their love last without the magic of Italy?"--

Book Synopsis

Heartstopper meets Eat Pray Love in this swoony, spicy, second-chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Adib Khorram about two former classmates unexpectedly reuniting in Italy.

"It Had To Be Him is a swoony, sunny, sexy treat--hot single dads, not-so-unrequited crushes ... Adib Khorram spins a story of yearning, learning, and about how the sweetest fresh starts come from second chances." ―Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone, bestselling co-authors of A Merry Little Meet Cute

Ramin Yazdani's marriage proposal has just gone bottoms up: his ex dumped him in public for being boring. Bent on proving him wrong, Ramin books a spontaneous solo trip to Italy. When he runs into his high school crush while in a gelateria, however, his resolve to reinvent himself is put to the test.

Noah Bartlett's in a rut. Since his divorce, he's become a bit of a homebody. So when his ex-wife insists he join her and their son on an Italian holiday, Noah reluctantly agrees. But his reticence turns to excitement when he sees his former classmate, who's aged just like a fine wine. As a teenager, Ramin fascinated him--and since Noah now knows that fascination was code for crush--all those feelings are quick to come rushing back.

Soon Ramin and Noah are tumbling headfirst into a relationship. Only Ramin fears Noah's feelings won't last without Ramin's adventurous new persona--and Noah's not sure he can be the supportive partner Ramin deserves.

With the days counting down to the end of their trip, can their love last without the magic of Italy?

"Adib Khorram has penned a lush second chance romance set in Italy and filled with delicious food, decadent wine pairings, and plenty of steamy interludes. You'll want to curl up with a glass of Italian red to savor this sensual and emotionally charged romance." ―Alexis Daria, bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola

"A perfect combination of funny, tender, and sexy moments makesIt Had to Be Him absolutely shine. Ramin and Noah have my heart. This book is so lovely I wish I could read it again for the first time!" ―Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of When Javi Dumped Mari

Review Quotes

"A sexy and sweet Italian getaway in book form."--Marie Claire

"An all-around heartwarming good time."--New York Times

"Khorram gives readers a tender novel about what to keep and what to discard as one ages. This emotional depth is wrapped up in a sweet and steamy love story about how fitting two lives together takes effort, but being seen and loved for who we are is always worthwhile."--Shelf Awareness

"A winning romance about lovers helping each other become their best selves."--Publishers Weekly

"A perfect combination of funny, tender, and sexy moments makes It Had to Be Him absolutely shine. Ramin and Noah have my heart. This book is so lovely I wish I could read it again for the first time!"--Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of When Javi Dumped Mari

"As delicious as afternoon sorbet and memorable as an Italian sunset, It Had to Be Him is the indulgent getaway of every romance reader's dreams. From tender kisses to shiver-inducing passion, every page is a reminder that second chances aren't only for love stories--they're for ourselves too. Prepare to meet your new obsession!"--Julian Winters, bestselling author of I Think They Love You

"This bighearted tale features scorching hot yet deeply realistic sexual moments and relatable, lovable characters. . . . A pleasure-filled, wholeheartedly sincere second-chance romance."--Kirkus, Starred Review

"It Had To Be Him is a swoony, sunny, sexy treat--hot single dads, not-so-unrequited crushes . . . hotels with only one bed! Amidst the gorgeous scenery and delicious food, Adib Khorram spins a story of yearning, learning, and about how the sweetest fresh starts come from second chances."--Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone, bestselling co-authors of A Merry Little Meet Cute

"Adib Khorram has penned a lush second chance romance set in Italy and filled with delicious food, decadent wine pairings, and plenty of steamy interludes. You'll want to curl up with a glass of Italian red to savor this sensual and emotionally charged romance."--Alexis Daria, bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola

"Adib Khorram arrives in adult romance with a perfectly concocted love story. This book has all the ingredients I love in a romance: big feelings, delicious tension, and characters that stay with you long after the last page."--Adriana Herrera, USA Today bestselling author of An Island Princess Starts a Scandal, on I'll Have What He's Having

About the Author

ADIB KHORRAM is the queer Iranian author of I'll Have What He's Having, which was an instant USA Today bestseller. He is also the author of the young adult novel Darius the Great Is Not Okay, which earned the William C. Morris Debut Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, and was named one of Time magazine's 100 Best YA Novels of All Time; his other young adult novels Darius the Great Deserves Better, Kiss & Tell, and The Breakup Lists as well as the picture books Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story and Bijan Always Wins, have garnered critical acclaim, starred reviews, and bestsellers.

He grew up in Kansas City--the Milan of the Midwest--but he'd rather be in the real thing, sitting on a patio, enjoying an aperitivo.