☀️Summer Romance☀️

⭐️⭐️
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 4th, 2024

From the author of Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer, comes a new “summer romance” as the title implies.

Ali Morris has lost her mom and asked for a divorce all within the last 2 years. She is now the single mom to three kids, and is a personal organizer as a living, yet her own life is disorganized and chaotic. Life is not looking up for Ali, but the day she takes off her wedding ring, she attracts the attention of a man at a dog park. With the chaos of 3 kids, a pending divorce, and a new summer fling, Ali struggles to not self sabotage and allow herself to accept love again.

I feel horrible rating this book only 2 stars since it has incredible arc reviews already, but I was bored for nearly the whole book. I personally find it weird for a young adult romance to be about a romance between mid 30s adults. The novel tackles adult issues, yet was written in a young adult way. I couldn’t feel the chemistry between Ethan and Ali, which made it really hard to believe and become invested in the romance while reading. I also am not a fan in general of characters talking to their dead loved ones regularly through out the book, which there was a lot of between Ali and her dead mother. I have yet to read the authors other two popular novels, so I can’t speak on if this is just how her writing is, but I definitely want to try out her other books to see. Thinns author could just not be a good fit for me.

Annabel Monaghan is so clever and funny and writes about the real-life mom stuff that makes me feel validated. This was a joy to read. Ali makes me want to clean off my kitchen counters and take all of the risks because life is too short!

Smart and fun and quirky and all of the best things in a great book!

Summer Romance is easily my favorite Annabel Monaghan book so far. This book is so raw and emotional while at the same time being so HEALING. I sobbed through the ending in a way that I haven't in a long time. The way this book handles grief is so beautiful and so painful at the same time.

Ethan was such a dreamy love interest and I LOVED how obsessed with Ali he was. I loved getting to read about Ali falling back in love with herself and in love with Ethan at the same time. I also really loved Greer's storyline and although I don't have kids, I feel like that part of the story is really going to help lots of mamas out there.

Overall, this is one of my favorite books of the year and you definitely all need to pick it up on June 4th!!!

I have loved Annabel Monaghan’s other books, and Summer Romance was no different. Monaghan writes utterly relatable fmcs and swoon worthy, perfectly imperfect mmcs.

After losing her mother and separating from her husband, Ali has had a rough few years. She no longer wear’s “hard pants” and has lost herself somewhere along the way. So when her husband calls her up and declares it’s time for a divorce, Ali takes the opportunity to turn her life back around. She puts on something that isn’t sweatpants, and takes her dog to the dog park, where he promptly pees on the only single man there, while another woman is flirting with him. Fortunately for Ali, Ethan only has eyes for her, and she quickly learns it’s because he’s someone from her past who has, likewise, gotten his life together after some tough times. While Ethan is only in town for the summer, Ali thinks a summer romance might be just what she needs. Add that Ethan is a lawyer who has agreed to help her in her divorce case in return for some assistance going through his parents things to get their house ready to sell, and Ali is all in. But what happens when she wants her summer romance to last longer than the summer?

I loved so many things about this book that it’s hard to name them all. I’ll start by saying that Ethan is the perfect guy - the one who is so supportive, encourages Ali to stand up for herself (by showing her how it’s done), and thinks Ali is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The way he and Ali handle the divorce mediation sessions is so well balanced - a touch of humor mixed with a heaping dose of comeuppance for her terrible ex. Ali’s arc through the book is well done moving from her depressive state to happy and feeling herself again, which is somehow very believable and realistic in the books short time span. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this ebook!

What an excellent way to start your summer (2024)!! As the reader learns how Ali Morris might be able to organize the lives of others, her own feels like it is going to shambles. Absolutely adorable characterization and truly pulls at the heart strings of the reader. A new love interest is just the thing Ali needs to repair the holes and move on with life.

I have a new favorite rom-com writer. Wow, I loved this. The way Annabel intertwines motherhood, grief and love, while keeping her characters kind and believable…. I didn’t want this one to end.

Since my version was an arc, I’m not really supposed to pull quotes in my review. However! The line “And then she died.” is exactly how I started my first journal entry after my dad died (with the pronouns swapped of course). That sentiment may seem simple, but it’s a clear line in the sand. It’s the ultimate transition point.

Things were this way, and then she died…
So I had to figure things out on my own.

I was this person, and then she died.
And now I am a different person.

I’m babbling, but I’m assuming it makes sense if you’re in the dead parent club.

And this book will fill your cup as you read about Ali’s journey to becoming a new person after losing her mom.

But yeah. This is a rom-com book, I swear. It just goes beyond the typical tropes and flat storylines. I hope you’ll read it when it comes out! I know I’m buying a copy or three.


Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for selecting me to read an early copy. And thank you to Annabel Monaghan for writing such a fun, heartfelt book.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I picked up SUMMER ROMANCE, I was in that weird in-between of just having finished one book but also having a whole day before the last installment of a series I’ve really enjoyed dropped. My plan had been to occupy myself with Annabel Monaghan’s newest until I could dive into that other book, but SUMMER ROMANCE was SO captivating and relevant and heartfelt that I couldn’t put it down until I found out how the summer romance between Ali and Ethan ended.

Ali is getting divorced, her mother—her closest confidant—has passed away, and while she has no problem organizing other people’s houses, Ali can’t seem to find the energy to devote to organizing her own. All of that changes when her dog pees on Ethan’s leg at the dog park. Romantic, no?

What follows is an absolutely heartwarming story of not only a summer romance between two people who really see one another and want what’s best for each other, but also growth and rediscovery that kept my attention so well that I felt zero FOMO for not reading that other book.

5 ⭐️s and SUMMER ROMANCE will be another one of Annabel Monaghan’s books I’ll be adding to my library!

Annabel Monaghan writes characters who I want to be friends with and Ali is my newest friend! I adored this story about Ali, a 38 year old mother dealing with her grief after losing her Mom and trying to find her way through a divorce. I loved how this is a romance, and a swoon worthy one at that, but Ethan doesn't swoop in to save Ali. He's there for her but reminds her who she is and helps her find her way back to herself. It's Ali that needs to save Ali.

There were so many wonderful supporting characters and touching moments in this book; I loved Phyllis the next door neighbor. I loved Ali trying to find her way as a mother to a teenager. I loved Ethan and Ali's budding relationship. It all just comes together in the most wonderful way, I had tears in my eyes multiple times throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

** spoiler alert ** " .... something I never thought possible—a partner with whom I am totally free to be myself. A summer romance that doesn’t have to end."

I loved this book so much, it was a very healing story of woman rediscovering love in romance as well as in life in general. The plot was very well balanced in terms of the MC healing mentally from her mom's death / her divorce and reclaiming the lost control of her life, of the MC parenting her kids and maintaining genuine connections with them, her friendships, and of the romance itself! I liked how the divorce settlements (which were on page) were about giving more agency to the MC rather than of the straining process of the divorce itself, and I loved how the MC and her "summer romance"/partner built up and supported each other. The hea was so cute 😭

TWs - death of a parent, divorce, burnout professionally and mentally

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

As I’ve come to expect from Annabel Monaghan, this book was so much more than “just” a summer romance. It was a tough one to start because the beginning is in large part about losing her mother, but it morphs into a gorgeous romance that’s unapologetically lovely. In that regard, it was almost too simple, but Ali’s life is in such a messy, painful place that it’s exactly what it needs to be for balance. And it was nice to read about two people loving each other without drama. There’s minimal steam in this one, and no queer rep.

Short summary: Ali’s mom is gone and so is her husband, she’s on the verge of losing herself when her dog has…a moment. That becomes a launch point and Ali’s life is never the same.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This is Annabel Monaghan’s best book yet. Relationships are at the heart of the story. While Ali and Ethan are the main focus, there are many heartwarming relationships within this the book.

This is an excellent exploration of divorce, grief and resiliency. You cheer for Ali as she heals from a divorce from a manipulative, selfish man and losing her mom. What’s best is as she finds herself, she also finds her one true love.

Read if you love:
🩵 Single mom
🩵 Childhood acquaintances to lovers
🩵 Best friend’s brother

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. Be sure to check out this book when it releases on 6/4/24!

Summer Romance is the 2nd Annabel Monaghan book I've had the opportunity to read. Thank you, #NetGalley, for the ARC! Annabel is a fantastic writer & her stories tug at the heartstrings as she writes about real-life issues such as overcoming difficult circumstances like grief & divorce to learn to love oneself as well as find happiness in a romance we're all rooting for from the beginning.
I look forward to reading more from Annabel Monaghan soon with her fun characters you can't help, but wanna join for brunch or maybe a canoe trip.

I loved this book! It was beautifully written. Ali is one of my favorite FMC and I love the journey she was on. I am not a mother, but I still connected with her love of her children and her resilience. She deserved finding love again and I adore her relationship with Ethan. He is the perfect guy for her!

Oh goodness. What a book. I’m not sure anything I can say here is really going to articulate just how much I loved it. Thank you so much to @putnambooks & @netgalley for the sneak peek, and thanks to @annabelmonaghan for always speaking straight to my heart. This book comes out in June, but it’s my new obsession right NOW.

🥂 Much like Kennedy Ryan’s Skyland series, I appreciate Monaghan’s romance books because they are about grown-ass adults navigating their lives and their relationships. The female MC in this book, Alice, is a 38-year-old mother. I am also a 38-year-old mother. So, while I’m not getting over a divorce, there was still so much here that I could relate to and made me feel so seen.

🥂 The biggest theme outside the love story here— is motherhood. How we handle the relationships with our own mothers, how we grieve our own mothers, and how we mother our children. And how having children impacts our romantic relationships as well. Monaghan wrote those themes with such heart and tender care- there were times I wanted to cry while reading. I don’t even know if they would have been sad or happy tears— I just know I was feeling all the feels.

🥂 I also really loved the male MC’s story arc. He’s from a small town and everyone still think of him as the way he was in high school. He feels so different, but it’s hard to combat his reputation— even within his own family. This is also something I know all too much about! Oh, and if anyone is wondering, there’s honest communication through this whole damn book.

🥂 This was 100% a 5⭐️ read for me no question, and may just be my new favorite of Monaghan’s (and y’all know how much I loved Nora), maybe even my favorite romance ever. I loved it THAT much. I read it in just over 24 hours and is the first book in a long time that had me saying ‘just one more chapter’ over and over and over. So add it to your summer TBR’s, preorder it now, put it in that beach bag when the time comes, and have yourself a champagne summer!

Oh my gosh. Drop EVERYTHING and read this book. By far my favorite contemporary romance of the past few years. Annabel Monaghan has done it again. You will absolutely love this book. The character development, the dialogue, the way you will feel what these characters are going through? I did not want it to end, but at the same time couldn't put it down!

I love it so much. 5 stars. No notes.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Group PUTNAM for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Ali Morris has been in a rut since her mom died. Her husband left her and now he wants a divorce. I love this because so many women can relate to a story like this! Ali meets a new guy, Ethan, and sparks fly. She finds herself again. This is a beautiful love story!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Loved this book! A quick, light funny romance. I enjoyed all the character dynamics. This author never disappoints!

Summer Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I’ve had a summer romance. But he’s . . . he’s something more.”

I’m not sure I can even explain how much I loved this. This was SO good.
Earlier this year I received an ARC of Same Time Next Summer and I really enjoyed the author's writing. So, when I saw she had a new book coming I had to request it too!
This book was the greatest combination of heartbreaking and heartwarming. Her writing has SO much feeling and this story felt beautifully real.
Ali is a recently single mom who is grieving the loss of her mother. She is working on finding herself again and the MMC Ethan plays a huge part in this.
Ethan was incredible and I think any reader will appreciate everything about his character. He’s supportive, considerate, welcoming, and literally perfect with her.
The small-town energy was so sweet and the imagery was so descriptive. I seriously couldn’t put this book down.
This was easily without a doubt a five-star book!
This will be available on June 4th so add it to your TBR now!

Read If You Like:
🦀grief representation
🦀single mom FMC
🦀”I’ve wanted this for years” vibes
🦀dating after divorce
🦀best friends brother

This review will be posted to Instagram on 12/8 @bringyourownbooks
I will tag @putnambooks and the author

I've read Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer, and this book was my favorite among the three. Annabel Monaghan does an amazing job of creating relatable characters through ups and downs in life. All of the characters felt authentic and portrayed real relationships....familial and romantic....in a way that was so easy to step into. I usually have no problems falling asleep at night but this one kept me up for hours to finish after starting before bed.

This was a beautiful, glorious, messy, tender, heartbreaking book. I enjoyed every last second of it. Ate and left no crumbs.

I relate so hard to the FMC Ali in a way I haven't been able to with any other character.

The way this book deals with Grief and love and life and motherhood and loss and friendship and everything I'm between was truly amazing.

Thank you so much for the ARC, I will buy this on release day, and grab extra copies for my friends.

Easiest 5 stats all year. I can't wait to see this in print.