I can't relate to this story because I am not a mother and I am not married either but I couldn't stop crying once I started this book. Ali is such a strong FMC and I respect her for that. Her resilience and the love that she has for her kids was captivating and admirable. The things that she went through and then moving on with her life and finding love again was everything she deserved. The romance between Ali and Ethan had me swooning the entire time and I couldn't stop smiling from every single interaction between these two.

Thank you to NetGalley for my latest read! Summer Romance was a wonderful winter pick-me-up and Annabel Monaghan has delivered yet again. This story explored so much in so little time: grief, navigating the end of a marriage, and more. Each character in this story had so much depth and I did not want to put this book down. This is my second read from Annabel Monaghan and I am eager to complete her collection! Add this book to your TBR now in anticipation of its 2024 release!

Wow, this book really hit it out of the park. I loved how goofy Ethan was. It was exactly what Ali needed. The moment where they say getting a dog is setting yourself up for heartbreak really pulled on my heart strings. I keep think about that and when they said how life is going to happen and get the dog. Honestly I will be thinking about those lines for a long time. I think I read this book at the best time. I was really about to feel and understand Ali. I have loved all the books by Annabel Monaghan but this one is definitely my favorite. I actually cannot stop thinking about it. It was refreshing being able to see these life lessons be presented that way. Another moment that really stuck with me was when Greer was talking to Ali about what she’s been struggling with. I’m not a mother yet, but the moment where Greer tells Ali how she saw how Ali was treated by Pete and Ali just taking it. It’s crazy to think how observant kids are and how they view certain things. It was really eye opening and something I will keep in the back of my mind. I loved this book. I can’t wait to see what else this author releases.

3.75 stars.

The question is, should I care enough about this romance between these two characters? Felt it wanted to be on the funny, sappy side but then also wanted to be sad at the same time. Didn’t always hold my attention, maybe not the way it should have.

I started feeling a little bored towards the middle. Perhaps because neither one of the main characters - Ali and Ethan had interesting storylines (he still skateboards and helps run a skate park for under priveleged kids - a story that wasn't fully fleshed out), she's an almost divorcee, with a selfish ex to boot, and is an accountant/organizer of some kid, neither stories fully discovered. Ali truly misses her mom Fancy or Nancy who passed two years ago, has three kids (one named Cliffy, which I will never understand), again back stories that are never fully developed.

Yes, this is a "summer romance", but found it lacked humor or the sweetness that most of these stories generally carry. It's neither here nor there.

I absolutely loved her past two books, especially Nora Off Script. Didn't think this latest one carried as much depth ahd humor, but Monaghan is still a great writer!

Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc!

I was drawn into this story from the very beginning and could not put it down. Following Ali through her journey from a soon to be divorced mom of 3 who's lost so much herself to grief and a bad marriage to a woman who is the architecture of her own experience was at times heartbreaking and other, heartwarming.

Ali and Ethan's romance was sweet and felt grounded even though it was a whirlwind and I couldn't stop rooting for them.

The cast of secondary characters was incredible and served to move the story along, add depth and heart, and better help us understand Ethan and Ali. They made me smile (Cliffy); they irritated me (Pete): and made my heart break (Greer and Phyllis) but the story was so much richer because of them.

I loved this book, absolutely loved it.

I started reading this book while waiting for my plane to take off and next thing I knew I had devoured the whole thing and we were getting ready to land. Annabel Monaghan’s books just keep getting better and better and this is by far and away my favorite by her.

This story focuses on Ali and finds her struggling to both deal with the death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage. She’s 38, the mother of three, and is lost both personally and professionally. A charming meet cute at the dog park with an out of town visitor sparks something in her, ultimately leading to a summer of romance and personal change.

I seriously loved everything about this book. It was funny, heartfelt, sexy, and poignant. It was impossible to put down and bittersweet to finish because I’ll miss all of the characters so much. Can’t wait to recommend this one to everyone.

Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story draws you in from the get go.
It’s a thought provoking, heart warming, funny tale surrounding a soon to be divorced, single mom navigating through her new situation and past life choices.
Ali and Ethan’s chemistry jumps right off the page and sucks you into their sweet story.
Underneath the romance aspect portion of the novel is a story of rediscovery and learning how to handle, life, loss and love.
Highly recommend, you will not be d disappointed!

Single mom, divorce, closed door, grief

What an enjoyable read that gave me all the feels! I laughed, cried, and had butterflies! Annabel does an incredible job of making you fall in love with her characters with a closed door romance. Set during the summer but would be excellent for any time of the year!

This book was such a gem! I absolutely loved Nora Goes Off Script but wasn’t as enamored with Same Time Next Summer, so I was excited to see how I’d feel about Summer Romance.

I love Monaghan’s writing and I love that her characters are grown ups with real life, everyday problems. It’s refreshing to read about a 38-year-old woman finding herself because as we all know, you’re always growing and you can find/change/reinvent yourself at any age.

I liked the love story but I loved Ethan. He was such a sweetheart and he really stole the show for me!

"The air is summer warm and the sun is as low as the stakes." This felt like the motto for this breezy, charming summer read. Jump in, the water's fine! Just do it! What do you have to lose!? All sentiments that crossed my mind while reading this book. I enjoyed both main characters (and the secondary characters too). I felt like I was along for the ride, and I didn't want summer to end either!

"He takes my hand, and I feel relieved. Like I've plugged back into an energy source." YES! I had all the feels while reading this cute story.

I was smiling this entire time WOW OH WOW DO I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I hated the husband so so much and was just overall rooting for everyone (esp Cliffy he's so cute!)

4.5 stars, rounded up.

Annabel Monaghan does it again. I was super pumped to read this as I love everything I've read by Monaghan and I was not disappointed at all.

The characters she develops are perfect. Not in a they are perfect and there is nothing wrong with them type of way, but they are perfect because they are flawed. They feel so real and relatable. I spent the whole book wanting to hug Ali, she was going through so much and was doing the absolute best she could. Her character development and journey coming back to herself were A+.

The romance was great! I thought it was super realistic and loved the chemistry between Ali and Ethan. There was little spice so don't be expecting a super steamy read. But the chemistry and angst were perfect!

This book made me laugh and cry (both happy and sad tears). If you're looking for a quick read (I read it in one sitting) that makes you feel all the feels while reading, I highly recommend this!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Annabel Monaghan is an absolute master at creating characters that a reader can truly empathize with. Ali has a lot to work through at the start of Summer Romance- grief, divorce, single parenthood, and Monaghan doesn’t gloss over the tough topics. I love seeing Ali come back to herself with the help of Ethan, and how they both became each others homes.
All of the characters are extremely well developed and it’s easy to fall in love with them all (well, except Pete!). Summer Romance is much deeper than the title would lead to to believe- but what a beautiful story it is!
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for a review.

I first met Annabel with her book Nora Goes off Script and it was love at first read. When I got my hands on Summer Romance, I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed and I must say it held the bar just as high. I absolutely loved it.

The characters that Annabel writes are so real, so relatable, that you can perfectly empathize with them. This particular book made me feel hope, I laughed to tears with Ali, my heart was squeezed and when her happily ever after finally arrived I couldn't help but let out a few tears.

Ali Morris: you became one of my favorite female characters this year.

Thanks to Net Galley and Annabel for the opportunity to read this advance copy. And in case you have any doubts: I absolutely recommend this book.

The follow up to Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Year is right smack in the middle of those two books in terms of book adoration. Nora is a five star read and if I could give it more, I would! Same Time Next Year didn't give me those feel good vibes in quite the same way and so it ranked somewhere in the 3.5 star range. Summer Romance was a book that I think could have easily have had 50-75 more pages (epilogue plz) and it would have been almost perfect. So 4 stars is where it lands in my head. With that said, I wish that I had Ali's relationship with her mother. Sometimes for folks like me with that awkward strained mother/daughter relationship.... reading about such a devoted mother and close relationship can be a bit much for me but I think my favorite part was when Ali realizes that Fancy (Nancy) wasn't perfect and in fact probably was a little too protective of her. This aha moment made me realize that the love that I have tried to give my own children that I was missing needs to be a balance of comfort without smothering.
Now, the romance part of this story was just incredible... I rooted for Ethan (Scooter) and Ali the whole time and loved the angsty moments more than I want to admit. There are children (that Ethan totally loves on!) and there are dogs and there are moments of total outright laugh out loud moments (think '70's style tux)..... I just wanted even more of this couple and I loved all the little moments between the love and pain! I adore Annabel Monaghan's writing and I'm here for it all day!

"Summer Romance" is the second book by Annabel Monaghan that I've enjoyed reading, and my anticipation was high after thoroughly enjoying "Same Time Next Summer."

This delightful story revolves around Ali, a soon-to-be-divorced single mother embarking on self-discovery through a summer romance. Despite not being a parent myself, Ali's narrative resonated with me, showcasing Monaghan's ability to capture real-life issues with a touch of light-hearted romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and Penguin House Putnam for providing the advanced reader copy of "Summer Romance." This book is scheduled for release in June 2024 and is an engaging and memorable read.

I am enamored. This is easily Annabel Monaghan's best yet. It's a warm breeze, nostalgia, and a champagne summer. It's about remembering who you are, shedding the clutter, and putting on the Hard Pants (TM).

Selfishly, I think I picked this book up at exactly the right moment in my life. I'm not grieving the loss of a loved one, going through a divorce, nor single=parenting three children. And yet. There are some subtle, sage truths in these pages about harnessing courage and self-discovery that will resonate broadly with readers.

Oh, and Ethan? Perfection. I've said it once, I'll say it again. We love a man who pines. The emotional development here is palpably realistic and yet still so dreamy. Love, love, love.

TY to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and Net Galley for the ARC!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars! Man, she's done it again! This is my third book by Annabel Monaghan this month, and my favorite so far. 🌶️🌶️- A little steam, but not too much IMO.

Ali Morris is a struggling soon-to-be divorced mother of three. The book starts two years after her mother's passing, one year after her separation, and the day she finally takes off her wedding ring and puts on "hard pants" (opposite of sweats/leggings). She meets the handsome and charming Ethan at the dog park and decides to put her anxieties aside and pursue a summer romance with this man who makes her feel like her old super self.

The juxtaposition of being so grateful to a parent's love and care, while being so frustrated with some of the trauma they unknowingly imposed, and trying to raise your own children while you are still learning/growing and you just know you are actively messing them up too.....SO RELATABLE!!! It feels so good to feel seen and to feel less lonely when reading a book. Her characters are deep with real baggage but she still makes the story fun, light-hearted, and feel good and you are rooting for the heroine's growth the entire time.

Thank you so much to Annabel Monaghan and Penguin Group Putnam for the Digital ARC of this book. This book was such a cute and quick read! It will make a great summer read. I loved Ali and Ethan in this story.

I think this is my favorite from this author! Loved the love story written for older adults with kids- made it feel more relatable and real. Fans of her previous work will enjoy!