I love Annabel Monaghan’s writing so very much, and Summer Romance is her best yet. It is smart, funny, romantic, heart wrenching and just so well done. The main character’s story arc is believable and relatable, and the grief storyline that quietly permeates so much of her reality is so beautiful and raw. I thought the romance was perfect—2 people who actively fought for each other and made realistic sacrifices and choices to make it work. It warmed my heart and made me shed a few tears. Absolutely loved it and I know I will sell SO MANY copies this summer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️She’s done it again! Annabel Monaghan writes the struggling single mom so well. She creates these characters you can’t help but root for. She masterfully connects the lived in experiences of womanhood and motherhood to romance in the most representational way.

Any book she writes I will absorbed like sunlight. I adored Nora goes off script and I devoured Same time next summer, but Summer romance transcended both for me. Dare I say the perfect summer read? Or the prefect summer time capsule for when you’re depressed in November?!

Ali and Ethan are my new favs! And while I clearly appreciated the romance of it all, what really struck me was the exploration of self love here. I treasure them and their love. The chemistry did me in. Takes swoon to a whole new level in its simplicity. But what was so compelling and special about this story was Ali’s new found devotion to herself. The romanticism of self care. The personal growth and grace she allotted durning the turbulent transformation and transition period of her life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin for the advanced reader copy! Made my month!

What a fun read! I went through all the emotions with Ali and am now motivated to organize my house! I loved Nora and Same Time Next Summer but this may be my favorite.

Definitely add this book to your reading list. It’s warm and lovely and I couldn’t put it down. I did read this over the winter holidays but to be fair, I was on a tropical vacation so it felt right.

I will always sign up for the latest Annabel Monaghan book. Her characters are robust, relatable, and feel like real people I might know.

Ali is going through the loss of her mother and her marriage and spends the summer rediscovering herself. It was a delight

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I loved loved this! My third book from Annabel Monaghan and another five star for me. I love her writing style and stories, just make my heart happy. Ethan is the total package and I loved watching the romance with Ali unfold.

6/10

I love me a good rom-com. I've said it before and I'll say it again. In fact, I just did.

The thing about a well-written rom-com, is that from the first few pages you know the entire arc of the story and you know exactly how it ends.

1. Couple doesn't like each other
2. Couple is in some way forced to be near each other
3. Couple realizes they have stuff in common but still pretend to not like each other
4. They get together
5. Something breaks them apart and they vow to never talk to the person ever again
6. They realize their undying live and come together to live happily ever after.

[author:Emily Henry|13905555] has mastered this.

Unfortunately, Annabel Monaghan hasn't. At least as it relates to "Summer Romance". And at least as it relates to my opinion of the book.

The general premise is all nice and fine. Ali's mother died 2 years ago. Ali's marriage is falling apart. Ali meets guy during the summer.

It's a good enough start to a rom-com as any. Also, Annabel's writing style is not bad. Meaning, she can create believable characters and can paint the picture of what's happening in ways that allow me to easily picture it all as if it were a move.

That's the good news.

The bad news, unfortunately, is the story line.
First of all, it's trying to be a rom-com but it's just not very funny. Secondly, it fails to follow the traditional rom-com arc. Every great rom-com follows that arc for a reason.... it works. Just watch any Meg Ryan movie.

What I was left with in Summer Romance is a story that I just didn't care about. There was little tension with the romance - it's not like the two didn't like each other and were forced together. They liked each other from the start and they stayed that way throughout the entire book.

I wonder if this book was pushed together quickly because, from what I gather, Annabel is a best-selling author and this doesn't seem to me like a best-selling book. It felt like she had a first draft of an idea but never bothered to flush out the storyline much more than the first draft.

It's too bad. It could've been a winner. Unfortunately, it's in my memory bank of mediocrity.

#netgalley #summerromance

This book was everything. While I am in a stable marriage and have not experienced the loss of a parent, the way Annabel Monaghan captures raw emotion in such a tangible way while still advancing a romance is delightful and relatable. This book made me smile with its realism and the joys and heartbreak experienced through the eyes of the narrator. As a mom and a wife, I loved everything about this book. I especially appreciated the non-steamy approach to a love affair. Bravo!

Quick recap without spoilers:
Ali Morris defines herself as a mom of three and not much else as she starts navigating life as a newly single woman after her husband notifies her that their marriage is over. Add insult to injury, Ali’s mother died two years prior, leaving her in a permanent sweatpants era. That is until she meets Ethan at a dog park. With a new stranger entering her life, Ali has an awakening about her life and her role moving forward.

I enjoyed this little beach read. Light and easy, no truly unlikeable characters, and a happy (albeit unrealistic) ending. Nora Goes Off Script still holds reign as my favorite by Monaghan, but this one was cute.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!

✨Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan✨

“Here’s to a champagne summer!”

When Ali Morris’s husband tells her he wants a divorce on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, she has even less of a reason to put on “hard pants.” Despite Ali being a professional organizer, her life is a mess. But then her dog pees on a charming man at the dog park, and so begins a “fun-tastic” summer romance. Ali learns how to stand up for herself, how to get her life back together, and how to love and be loved again.

This book was an absolute delight. I knew I was going to enjoy it from the very first page. Ali was relatable and I loved seeing how much she grew as a character over the course of the book. Annabel Monaghan has a way of making you feel all your emotions and that is why I will continue to read everything she writes.

🥂 Motherhood
🥂 Grief
🥂 Professional organizer x lawyer
🥂 A dog park meet-cute
🥂 Best friend’s brother
🥂 Skateboarding

“The taste of Ethan is narcotic, and I wonder if that’s a thing, if people actually get hooked on another person.”

First off, thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Random House for the e-Arc. I always feel honored to get advanced copies of books; to have them shared with me is such a privilege. I’m especially excited when authors I absolutely adore come out with my eagerly anticipated reads.

Summer Romance explores grief, love, friendship, family, and the journey of finding one’s self again. It’s beautifully written, the characters are impeccable, and it came to me at the perfect time…as books tend to do. My only regret is that it doesn’t come out until June. Until then, I will sing the praises of this well-thought-out, touching novel. Five stars, chef's kiss, loved it...obsessed. Highly recommend.

Annabel Monaghan does it again! Summer Romance is a funny and charming love story but feels real. The common tropes (death, grief, divorce) and the likable characters are relatable. The love story is refreshing rather than corny.

Terrific follow up to her debut!! Summer Romance hits all the right rom-com notes and more. Monaghan has a more in depth approach to characters and plot and is a welcome relief from so many more shallow books in the genre. Bravo.

It has some really great lines but it was slow and the characters didn’t feel super real to me. Sorry, Cari!

I never want Annabel Monaghan's novels to end! Great in-depth characters, deep storylines, laugh-out-loud moments, and more that pull on the heartstrings and make you want more! Keep writing, Annabel!

Thank you, NetGalley and Putnam Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Annabel Monaghan, author of the beloved Nora Goes Off Script, strikes gold again with this romance that is more than a romance.

In the last two years, Ali (mom of three) has lost her mother, separated from her husband, and lived in her sweatpants. Enter Ethan, the handsome man she meets at the dog park, who is just visiting family. A romance just for the summer ensues.

Likes:
*Ali's relationship with her children - she interacts with each one on an individual level.
*hard pants = pants with a zipper. I will never think of them another way.
*Ali's journey to gaining back her sense of self and independence - relationship, job, organization.
*the setting - Long Island Sound!
*There was steam but not too much - the perfect amount for me. I appreciate a fadeaway.

Dislikes:
*It seemed like I was waiting for the conflict I knew was coming the entire book and when it finally came (toward the end), it was dealt with in a couple pages, so not that big of a deal?
*Pete (the ex) - he is the worst

Perfect for readers that loved Annabel Monaghan's other titles!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Another fun sizzling read from Annabel Monaghan. I've loved Same Time Next Summer and Nora Goes Off Script, so I had high expectations and wasn't disappointed! Such a great beach read...even in the middle of winter. I was transported into the story with her ability to build and develop a story that was a light playful read but didn't feel too troupe. She excels at character development and dialogue. I couldn't put it down and read it in a day. Can't wait for her next one! Highly recommend for anyone who loves her other reads or Emily Henry.

Summer Romance was lovely. Excellent character development and a “can’t stop reading” vibe. I felt like I was a part of the family reading this one.

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I loved this as much or more than Nora Goes off Script! It is a fantastic rom com with added depth about the experiences of grief, divorce, and parenting- while somehow still being an extremely fun, unputdownable book. Read in one sitting & will read anything Anabel writes!

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, it is not working for me right now. It is nothing against the story or the author, but I couldn't get into the story/characters. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

Monaghan has done it again! This book grabbed my attention because Nora Goes Off Script was one of the only romance novels I have enjoyed. Summer Romance may be my new favorite.

I found myself rooting for Ali Morris as she finds her footing after loss, divorce and keeping her family afloat. The characters were cute and quirky and I experienced all emotions while watching the story unfold. I highly recommend moving this book to the top of your TBR list.