Elizabeth is a retired college dean who loves reviewing movies and interviewing celebrities. Harry delights in their discussions together about films. Since reuniting after being divorced and estranged for almost two decades, Harry and Elizabeth treasure their time with each other. Now retired from his work as an engineer, Harry plays golf as many mornings as possible, then drives Elizabeth to various entertainment venues for her coverage in the afternoons and evenings. Elizabeth says Harry is always one to see the wry humor in life. He makes her laugh every day, and that's one of the reasons she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. IT HAD TO BE US is Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence's first book. According to Romantic Times Magazine, their little romantic memoir is "a heartwarming story that proves true love really does stand the test of time."

The E-book version of IT HAD TO BE US earned First Place in the E-book category at the 2006 Hollywood Book Festival Awards Program.

Radio host Don Grady called IT HAD TO BE US, "the Valentine Book of the Year."

Lea Schizas of Muse Book Reviews rated IT HAD TO BE US as "A Great Read."

IT HAD TO BE US was selected as Book of the Month for the August 2006 issue of the Long Story Short Ezine for Writers.

The expanded Kindle edition of IT HAD TO BE US zoomed to a #1 Bestseller rank in Amazon's Kindle Store divorce category on August 3, 2010, during the first day of a new book launch.

The movie version of IT HAD TO BE US, titled CAKE: A LOVE STORY, won First Place in the short film category at the fist NSAEN Online International Film Festival.