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It Had to Be Him

Brief Description
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... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$5100

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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 savour 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 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

Series: Love on the Vine

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  • It Had to Be Him
    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."...
    Paperback
    $5100
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781538739556

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 September 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Forever

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 141.0mm

Height: 207.0mm

Weight: 336g

Pages: 384

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.

Also by Adib Khorram

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    Love is more complicated than "boy meets boy" in bestselling author Adib Khorram's sharply funny new romantic comedy, set in the sordid world of high school theatre. As a techie—a stage manager, a lighting guy, a jack-of-all-theatrical-trades—Jackson Ghasnavi is not a fan of the spotlight. He isn't too fond of romance, either, ever since his actor ex-boyfriend decided he was...
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  • Darius the Great Is Not Okay
    Hilarious and heartbreaking, this unforgettable novel is for anyone who's ever felt not good enough—then met a friend who makes them feel so much better than okay. Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram introduces a brilliant new voice in contemporary YA. Darius doesn't think he'll ever be enough, in America or in Iran. Winner of the William...
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  • Tea Is Love
    A lyrical ode to the warmth, comfort, and traditions of tea drinking, from award-winning author Adib Khorram and Caldecott Honor and the APALA winner Hanna Cha A lyrical ode to the warmth, comfort, and traditions of tea drinking, from award-winning author Adib Khorram and Caldecott Honor and the APALA winner Hanna Cha Tea is a plant. Tea is a ceremony....
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  • Kiss & Tell
    Kiss & Tell is a total rush! Perfectly sweet and swoon-worthy. I loved every page!" - Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin' A smart, sexy YA novel about a boy band star, his first breakup, his first rebound, and what it means to be queer in the public eye, from award-winning author Adib Khorram. Hunter never expected...
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