Quick intro:
Ali’s mom died two years ago, her husband left her a year ago, and now, a year later, he officially wants a divorce. On the first day she wears “hard pants” in two years, she has the most awkward meet cute at dog park when her dog pees on Ethan. Can Ali, a new single mom, and Ethan have just a summer romance?

Quick thoughts:
Wow, this book really surprised me. After not loving Same Time Next Summer, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Monaghan’s newest book. Boy, did she really bring it.

Ali is an organization-wiz when it comes to other people’s messes, but her own losses and grief have paralyzed her when it comes to dealing with her own house and heart. It was so wonderful to watch her tackle what felt like mountains to her and slowly go from surviving to thriving in this new season of life. What I appreciated most about this book was how realistic and honest it felt. Ali is hurting, grieving, and refiguring out her own wants and desires - you could feel the depth of her feelings in her inner dialogue. Monaghan opens up about the loss of her own mother in the author’s note and you can tell she put a lot of herself into Ali’s character.

And all along the way, there was Ethan, her best friend’s brother and total angel of a human - the most unexpected summer romance and the one who would hold her hand, make her laugh and feel young again, and empower her every step along the way. He’s a skateboarding lawyer who knows how to have fun and is there for those who cares about - what more could you want?!

This book had me swooning, giggling, and sobbing the entire time. I loved it. Definitely have it on your radar for next June - it will be the perfect read to kick off summer with! Read if you like best friend’s brother, older FMCs (38), realistic depiction of motherhood, MCs with pets, and summer vibes.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for access to this eARC.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for opportunity to read this novel.
I see it’s going to be published in June so it will be a great summer read about a summer romance!
The author does a great job describing the growth of the main character as she recovers from the death of her beloved mother and divorce from her husband.
There is humor and beautiful descriptions of this small Connecticut beach town that will keep you reading on in this fun novel

This is my favorite book by Annabel Monaghan to date! It’s not just about Ali’s summer romance with Ethan, it’s also about her summer romance with herself, in a way, and I loved that parallel. The book starts with Ali in the middle of the messiness of life as she deals with the grief of losing her mom and the ending of her marriage. But as she gets to know Ethan, she gets to know herself again, too. She finds her voice and begins to dream and realizes what she wants. Ethan is calm and steady, and I love how he gives Ali time to figure things out and allows her to take things at a pace that she’s comfortable with. The scenes with Ethan and Ali’s ex-husband made me laugh, and the scenes with Ethan and Ali’s kids made me swoon. This book shows how complex relationships are, but also how life-giving they can be, and I felt so hopeful after reading it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in advance of publication in exchange for an honest review.

Ali Morris is a mess. That’s a tough situation for a part time professional organizer to be in. Two years ago her mother died and on the first anniversary of her death, her husband asked her for a divorce. Now her best friend Frankie tells her that “hard pants”, instead of her usual stained sweats, will solve her problems. As if. Three children and a dog are enough to fill her life, she thinks, until she takes said dog to the dog park and meets Ethan. Hunky, handsome and kind, he’s the perfect man. He’s a lawyer, a skateboarder and involved with teen groups. He’s also Frannie’s now grown kid brother who Ali remembers as “Scooter”. The two negotiate a summer romance, love with no strings until they have to confront their feelings as summer turns into fall.

Thank you Annabel Monaghan for this love letter to all the joys of summer. Thank you for the themes of grief, love and family. I loved seeing Ali regain her confidence during her divorce negotiations. I loved watching as her relationship with her daughter Greer grow. I loved her father’s description of the way Ethan looks at her. This is more than a summer read. Don’t miss it. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and Annabel Monaghan for this ARC.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan is a heartwarming and humorous tale of Ali Morris, a professional organizer whose life is in disarray. After the loss of her mother and a failed marriage, she's left in a chaotic state, both emotionally and organizationally. However, an unexpected encounter during a summer outing leads to an unlikely connection with Ethan. This delightful story explores the ups and downs of love, self-discovery, and the messiness of life, reminding us that sometimes, a little summer romance can bring unexpected joy and clarity. The author’s storytelling captures the essence of lightheartedness and vulnerability, making this a charming summer read!

I’ve enjoyed this author’s other romances so I’m not surprised that I greatly enjoyed this one as well. The plot, characters, and setting were all top notch and I’m glad that I got to experience it early.

Ali is a professional organizer who has lost herself in a bad marriage and grief from her mother's passing. On the eve of her divorce mediation, she meets a handsome man at the dog park who might be a good distraction. This is the story of her rediscovering herself and discovering love again. I could not read this book fast enough. The story, the chemistry, everything was just perfect!

From the moment I squealed when I got the email that I was approved for the ARC of this book until I finished it at 5am today, I have not stopped wanting to read this book. I love every single thing about how Annabel strings her words together and makes you feel so seen and that’s exactly what this book did for me.

Ali is a middle aged mom to three and feels like she’s lost herself in the shuffle of life. While going through her divorce from her ex, Pete, she meets Ethan from her childhood life and shows her another side of her she hadn’t seen in a long time. But this summer romance isn’t only a summer romance.

I don’t see nearly enough books with the single mom of three trudging along and trying to figure life out and this was such a beautiful one to read. I felt like I could relate to so much of Ali’s feelings.

Also can we talk about Ethan?! The song “Sk8er Boy” by Avril Lavigne kept ringing through my head and it made me want to find skateboarding lessons in my area (spoiler alert: I’m NOT going to actually do that bc I will with 100% certainty break something 😜)! But seriously he was just the loveliest and made her feel so comfortable and then there’s the whole mentoring teens and meeting them where they’re at and OMG my heart was swooning for him!!

This absolutely knocked it out of the (skater) park for me and I loved it so much!

Thank you to NegGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 🥰

Off to see if Annabel has any grocery lists published because I’d literally read anything of hers ever. 😍😍

As an enormous fan of Annabel’s I knew that I would love whatever book she produced next, but I didn’t think I could love anything the way I did Nora Goes Off Script. Somehow, Annabel flipped my world upside down because I just finished this book and I feel breathless. She has such a way with words and storytelling that keeps you hooked immediately. The way she handled grief and the idea of mothering and reconciling how we have been parented was so tender and beautiful - I was in tears. And that’s not even to mention the romance of it all! This had swoon written all over it!

This book has set the standard for romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I have now read 3 of Annabel Monaghan's books and I have loved all of them equally! This one was a wonderful story of love and started over and was as beautifully written as the others I have read. Her writing style is reminiscent of Katherine Center; lighthearted but with some emotional depth and obstacles the characters must overcome.
In this book, the main character is Ali. She is a late thirties, mom of 3 who is in the process of getting divorced and reeling from the loss of her mother. She is just going through the motions of life until an unexpected "summer romance" with someone from her past wakes her back up again. I enjoyed the book very much and I am grateful to have received an early copy. I would recommend it highly!

Annabel Monaghan has become one of my favorite authors. She consistently puts out stellar material and I know she'll never let me down. Thank you so much for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This might very well be my favorite Annabel Monaghan book so far. (Which is saying alot because I ADORED Nora and STNS.)

But GAH I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. SO MUCH!

I stayed up until 3 am reading it and finished in two sittings -- it's *that* good. Captivating from page one, SUMMER ROMANCE tells the story of Ali Morris -- a professional organizer who's own life is a bit of a mess. As she navigates a divorce and the grief from the death of her mother, she learns to recognize and use her own voice, remove clutter and toxicity from her life, and open her heart to love. It's genuine and tender, and there were so many moments that had me teary-eyed. There was also lots of humor, heart, and major SWOON. THE ABSOLUTE SWOON OF IT ALL! I have not felt like, legit butterflies in my stomach from a book in so long???? The romance had me kicking my feet and giggling to myself and I loved every moment.

And on a more personal note, I felt so seen by this book. As someone going through a very similar personal challenge, Ali's journey helped me feel understood and left me feeling so hopeful and happy. I'm so grateful to Annabel for sharing this story with us and giving me that.

I did not want this book to end!

Read for:

- messy pantry relatability
- the grief of loss
- hard pants!
- a set of seven pencils (this was meant for me, I swear)
- navigating divorce and single parenthood
- summer wishes
- babies that smell like cheeseburgers
- navigating dog park culture
- dogs with people names
- inadvertently calling someone adorable
- eggs as a love language
- flowers and gardening
- hate-watching Dr. Phil
- like, so much eye contact
- "it's definitely a date"
- a one-in-a-million chance
- a rebellious boy who turns into a full (👀) grown (👀) man (👀)
- reckless things that might end up wonderful
- skateboarding lessons
- "maybe it was just me" !!!!! (iykyk)
- "This sounds a little too New Testament for eleven a.m. on a Tuesday."
- mildly aggressive texts about lime
- home organization (that turns into:)
- pantry kissing
- "I've known you a long time"
- diner food
- tiny steps forward (into the unknown)
- a costume collection
- the challenges of single motherhood
- moving on from toxic relationships
- remembering and honoring those we lose
- a LI who Remembers
- He falls first
- fun-tastic moments
- not having to pretend
- candle hoarding
- showering with glasses on
- Costco underwear
- charm bracelets
- the carbonated feeling of love
- looking forward to the future
- recognizing your superpowers
- when in doubt, fresh air
- "the way summer rain comes out of nowhere and hits you hard like a love affair"
- feelings!
- being unearthed
- power suits
- stepping into your very best self

An absolute, unequivocal five stars!

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. SUMMER ROMANCE is out June 4, 2024. Bravo, Annabel!

I don't know how Monaghan does it, but in each of her books so far, she manages an alchemy that transforms real life into something perfectly beautiful. Summer Romance features characters so realistic they could be your neighbors, but so vivid and rich that you can't quite get enough of them. When I first started reading, I was a little worried that Ali would be too much like Nora from Nora Goes Off Script, since both characters had an organizational bent and both were in the aftermath of a failed marriage. Happily, I could not have been more wrong-- Ali jumped off the page as her own (extremely relatable) person. Truly, how many of us have opened our pantry and wondered how we managed to have more than one open container of the same thing? It's impossible not to root for her as decides to tidy up her life, even while dating a man notorious for being a mess. In the end, we all want to be that person who puts on her hard pants, makes her coffee the way she likes it, and embarks upon a "champagne summer."

Annabel Monaghan is one of my new favorite authors to watch. She perfectly selects tidbits that show the characters' personalities and lives, yet never leaves readers feeling bogged down in details. I cannot wait to start recommending this book to anyone who wants a swoony summer romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC of this funny, heartwarming read!

Annabel Monaghan has done it again. This was a sweet story of family, grief, love, and rediscovering yourself after everything feels like it's fallen apart. Its name might be a bit on the nose, as this is the quintessential summer romance: It's full of romance and sweetness, with just enough depth to draw you in without dragging you down. I really enjoyed this one!

Annabel Monaghan writes romances where the characters are just nice, and gentle with one another. Her writing is comforting, but not in a schmaltzy way.

Summer Romance was a delight to read. It's been two years since our FMC, Ali, lost her mother. And one year since her husband asked for a divorce (he wasn't good with dates, so he didn't realize is timing on the anniversary of her mother's passing). They have three kids together, and he is ready to make the divorce final. Ali is a professional organizer, and her own house, and life, is a mess. But her husband telling her it's time to officially end the marriage ignites something in Ali, and she is ready for new Ali.

Which is perfect timing because she meets an adorable man at the dog park who is totally NDB when her dog pees on his shoe.

I won't spoil the rest of the book, because I think the reader should experience the lovely quietness of this story for themselves

Thank you Penguin Group, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC for my honest review.

𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 is a beautiful story not only about unexpectedly finding love but also about overcoming toxic relationships, regaining confidence and a sense of self, and learning the power of vulnerability. In the novel, 38-year-old single mom Ali—formerly a Manhattan accountant and now a home organizer in a small, suburban beach town outside of the city—is struggling with imbalance and disorder. Her current job may be organizing closets, but her own house and personal life is a mess. She’s still mourning the loss of her mother and she’s separated from the inconsiderate, inconsistent father of her three children, so she can’t seem to find the energy or time to sort out herself and her house. But when the summer season begins, Ali and Pete officially start divorce proceedings, and she has a meet-cute with attractive bachelor Ethan at the dog park, fun and lightness seem possible again. A summer fling seems like just the thing to reset her life.

𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 is the third of Annabel Monaghan’s adult fiction novels, and I think this may be my favorite. 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘎𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘖𝘧𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵 had a lovely premise and cast of characters but I struggled a bit with the plot development at times, and 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 had a wonderful set-up but didn’t quite hook me because of characterization issues. But in 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, the characters are fully formed; the plot is captivating yet probable and has a third-act breakup that doesn’t seem contrived; and once again Monaghan is a master at creating vivid settings. Ali seems like someone I could know and befriend, her interactions with Ethan are both sweet and sexy, and I had to look up if the town of Beechwood actually existed.

I would recommend 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 not just as a fun beach read but as a poignant novel for any time of the year. A great book about romantic and family relationships, self-actualization, and the risks and rewards of opening your heart. Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. My review was posted on October 30, 2023 to https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5935454342.

It’s been two years since her mother’s passing and one year since her husband asked for a divorce. Ali Morris’ s life has been slowly falling apart and she knows it’s time to get things back together.

Summer Romance is a stand-alone, contemporary romance. There are some heavier topics covered throughout the book such as death of loved ones and divorce.

Every once in a while a book comes along that touches my emotions on a whole other level. Summer Romance is one of those books. It has everything from the sweet flutters of a first meeting to the bone deep sadness of a final goodbye. I never meant to read this book in one sitting. I figured I would savor it over a few days but once I started it I could not put it down.

Summer Romance is a beautiful and raw journey through the different types of grief. Each character, not just the MCs, from the adults to the children is struggling at some point throughout the book. The author does a fantastic job showing how different situations bring on different types of grief as well as the stages of healing. One of the most heart felt parts of the storyline is watching the FMC start to heal not only herself but she begins to be able to help those around her.

I had previously read two other books by Annabel Monaghan. While I enjoyed those both tremendously, Summer Romance is my favorite yet. Her work is beautifully layered and complex while also being relatable. I look forward to reading anything else she writes in the future. I cannot recommend her books enough!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam (G.P. Putnam’s Sons)!

Summer Romance is a beautiful love story and character study, set in small-town Beechwood, NY, involving two thoroughly engaging protagonists.

Ali and her husband, after a year's separation, are undergoing divorce proceedings and mediation. Between that and the death of her beloved mother two years earlier, Ali is floundering. She loves her work as a professional organizer and her three young children but can't seem to organize her own life. Ethan, a lawyer who is still struggling with his childhood name, Scooter, and with a family that has convinced him he is unreliable based on long-ago misbehavior, can't believe he is reunited with his unrequited high school crush, his sister's best friend. There is an instant spark between the two, as they seem to understand each other as no one else does, and together they begin to develop into the people they were meant to be.

The author's lovely writing style, especially in the dialogue, is the star of the book. She makes Ali and Ethan, both in their mid-thirties, come alive as real people, with real strengths, failings, and quirks. Their uniqueness shines through in the details. Ethan, in particular, is a delightful character, who has painstakingly fashioned a life that really works for him until Ali changes everything. The secondary characters are also authentic and memorable, including Ali's ultra-positive late mother (in flashbacks and Ali's thoughts), Ali's tween soccer-playing daughters--one fraught, one not--and lovable 6-year-old son, an elderly neighbor who has formed a close bond with Ali, and Ethan's lively, costume-loving parents, who own an inn and cafe in town but long for a change. Ali's soon-to-be ex is expectedly clueless and careless.

After reading three of her life-affirming books, I consider Annabel Monaghan a must-read author for the way she plays my emotions and makes me reconsider aspects of my own life. Highly recommended.

My thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Annabel Monaghan is officially a one-click author for me!! In her newest book, SUMMER ROMANCE, she gives us a heartfelt, heart-wrenching story of renewal, emotional rebirth, and awakening love.
When faced with a divorce, the death of her mother, and the rapid growing-up of her three kids, Ali ( Alice) checks out, emotionally. Her once bright life has become dimmed and she’s stuck in how to proceed.
Enter Ethan ( Scooter)
Her dog urinates on him in a dog park. She is horrified, he is entranced – with her. The feeling is mutual, but because of the emotional state she’s in, Ali doesn’t know how – or if -s he should allow it. When she finds out he is the brother of her friend, things change. But then, Ethan chips away at her stagnation, helping her return to the person she was before all the death and drama attached itself to her life.
Monaghan is a superb storyteller and I found myself crying at times, and laughing out loud in others.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin for a sneak peek at what will undoubtedly be a hit book. And thank you, Annabel, for penning such a beautiful story.
5 stars

Summer Romance has a beautiful, lazy rhythm to it. Almost like waves coming in and out. Like summer itself when you’re on vacation. It’s a discovery of self. A discovery of another person. A discovery of one's self through another person.

It’s a book of healing. And finding strength in the most non-overt way.

And yet, the discovery that each character experiences is not like building something new, but cleaning away what’s built up over time to find the core of what once was.

In their marketing, so many romance novels these days highlight the tropes and keywords to entice a reader. Every graphic on social media and every caption lists them out. The funny thing about this book is that if you were to sum it up in tropes and keywords, you would not even remotely scratch the surface of how complex and layered this book is—and yet it is so simple at the same time. A major feat of a master writer.

Single mom. Expiration date. Best friend’s brother.

Tropes in any other hands could simply be a blip on the radar of romance novels, I’ve read thousands. But I think Ms. Monaghan could write the most basic of tropes, and perhaps these even are those, but in her hands, it is on another level altogether. And that is not hyperbole.

And let me touch on the sex for a second. One of the reasons I like sex scenes in a romance novel (and I like my scenes spicy) is that I look at them as a door into the relationship. In a romance novel, sex only happens between the two who are destined to be together, for the most part. I don’t really care for sex for sex’s sake, but I think it’s a great device to show the connection between the characters. And I like being able to experience that new level of intimacy that’s created through the act. Which is why I don’t like fade to black or chaste or closed door. Now I know a lot of people, or maybe not a lot of people but certainly some, don’t really like sex scenes in their literature. And that’s OK. More than OK. But I really think that if someone’s looking for a way to have that visceral, physical connection, to show what it means to consummate the relationship, to show how that aspect in the relationship forwards not only the growth of the relationship, but the growth of the individual, sex scenes are a great way to accomplish that. All that said, in Summer Romance, without it being explicit (at all), it still very, very much gives us true insight into the intimacy that develops between these two.

Five stars. Highly, highly recommend.