Listen to a sample
It Had to Be Him
Love on the Vine (Related to this series)
- Author
- Adib Khorram
- Narrator
- Corvin King, Vikas Adam
- Publisher
- Hachette Audio
- Publish Date
- 2 September 2025
- Run Time
- 11 hours 59 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
"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
Critics 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
-
"A sensuous and immensely satisfying queer love story."—Kirkus, Starred Review, on I'll Have What He's Having
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
"With an eminently likable group of characters, a generous helping of wine and foodie culture, and an extra steamy and tender love story, YA author Khorram’s first foray into adult fiction will warm readers’ hearts."—Library Journal, Starred Review, on I'll Have What He's Having
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Adib Khorram
- Narrator
- Corvin King, Vikas Adam
- Duration
- 11 hours 59 minutes
- Release Date
- 2 September 2025
- ISBN
- 9781668651551
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Hachette Audio
- Genre
- Romance, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Romance, Romance
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
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.