Thank you Netgalley for this arc! I have loved the last few summer releases by this author and this one does not disappoint! I truly loved it! There is so many emotions with this book. At times I felt sad, happy, angry, excited. The characters really helped me feel their emotions.
Ali’s mother died two years ago and one year ago her husband and the father of her three kids left. She has been handling the single mom life the best she could. While her ex is involved it’s only on sports nights and weekends.
One day at the dog park she met this endearing guy, but the kicker is he’s only home for the summer to help with his parents business. Then, she finds out he’s actually her friends little brother Scooter (Ethan)that we two years younger than her in school.
What happens when a summer romance feels like more?

The perfect summer read (if the title didn’t give it away). This is my first Annabel Monaghan novel and it will not be my last. Her writing flows and I like that this book follows a mom of three and gives her a chance to find love. Ali and Ethan are both very likable characters and this book will not only make you feel good but also makes you want to declutter and clean out your home. Not saying I’ll do that but the want is there. 🙈 Solid 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for 'Summer Romance' by Annabel Monaghan.

'Summer Romance' sparked my joy for Summer reading, I couldn't put this novel down when I was in the sun. I loved this novel for its quirks, like Brenda.

Overall I give this novel 3 stars out of 5 because of its length. Some chapters felt a bit redundant and could have been reduced. As always Annabel Monaghan knows how to spark emotion, I very much recommend this for an easy, summer comfort read.

I love Annabel Monaghan’s books and this was no exception. It was the perfect summer read! This particular story explores relationships, grief, family dynamics and also motherhood. I appreciated the way Monaghan portrayed both the struggles and joy that come with being a mother. The romantic story was sweet, but I could have done without the skateboarding parts. I would recommend reading by the pool, on a beach, or if you simply want to escape to an idealistic beach town! Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam books for this e-ARC for my honest review.

*thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

This story is much more than a romance novel - it has a heavy emphasis on grief and finding yourself again after losing a parent. Ali is in the middle of divorce proceedings with her ex husband when she connects with her best friends brother who didn’t have the best reputation when they were younger. Ali is still struggling with losing her mom and properly grieving her while still being present for her kids. Ethan “Scooter” helps her find her spark in life again.

I was a little bored with this one. I wasn’t able to connect to any of the characters and the writing approach didn’t make the story hit as hard as I think it could’ve.

Monaghan does a great job combining romance stories with deeper themes and I look forward to reading more of her future work.

This was such a fun and special read. What a treat of a book. I literally couldn’t put it down! Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Read! Highly, highly recommend!

This was just okay for me. While an adorable romance, I found it extremely predictable and kind of forgettable. I hope I was just in a funk because I loved her first book!

LOVES:
- The very first chapter hits you with the realities of being a mom and dealing with grief👌🏻then continues to explore those themes throughout in an absolutely beautiful way.
- Their meet cute is adorable 🥰
- Phyllis is a character you know you’ll love immediately and she only gets better
- The way he just rolls out all his feelings. And builds her back up. He’s so sweet. I really love Ethan. And my love for him only grew as the book went on because he’s also an evil genius 😈
- It’s adorable how much her son likes flowers and of course, all the men at the party will want flowers too 🌺
- The way they can both just be their actual selves with each other
- The way her dad describes how Ethan listens to her 💛
- The big conversation between Ali and her daughter: being a middle schooler with divorced parents (and an absolute dick of a dad) is tough.

“You’re the architect of your own experience.”

I cried, I laughed, I got that flippy feeling in my stomach. This was so well done. Extremely relatable and a beautiful story.

Thanks to @netgalley for the eARC.

This is my kind of romance…genuine & relateable. This book is like the perfect mix of everything I loved about Monaghan’s previous two books, Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer. The friendship to love was done so well. The longing. The banter. The real life relationship struggles. The journey through grief and feeling like you’re not ever going to measure up. I loved Phyllis and her laughing face emojis (😂 this one is for you Phyllis) 🥹. Give me an elderly, witty neighbor friend in every book from now on! Another thing I appreciated about this book was how many times the first sentence/paragraph of a chapter had me laughing or nodding my head. I mean the first line of the book is also hard to beat “Sometimes you just have to throw shit in the pantry.” I just love Monaghan’s writing style. Ok…I’ve now went on too long for a review and no one is going to read all this but I just have to say in all caps I WILL READ WHATEVER ANNABEL MONAGHAN WRITES FROM NOW TO ETERNITY. DONE!

I love that the two books that I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan have main characters who are mature adults just finding their way when life doesn’t go as expected. Summer Romance is full of emotion, humor, and many swoon worthy moments. A few tears may have been shed along the way too🥲

I absolutely adored these main characters! I loved following Ali as she found her way after losing her mom and in the midst of her divorce. Ethan made her feel truly wanted and, thanks to his love and affection, she was able to really become her best self.

Ethan had me swooning several times through this story. He was always so thoughtful, loving, and patient. I especially loved his relationship with the kiddos at his skate park and that you could feel the chemistry and connection between Ali and Ethan come off the page. They both deserved someone who adored and desired them and they couldn’t have found better partners in each other!

𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬:
•best friends brother
•late 30s MCs
•single parent
•forced proximity
•swoon-y

Summer Romance is a touching story about a single mother navigating the path to rediscover herself after a divorce and loss.

The main character Ali brings humor to her situation in a way that brings light to the heavier parts of her life. Her children are a bright spot in the story as well and incorporated in a way that allows her relationship with Ethan, the love interest, to grow.

Although much of the story is centered around a love story, the addition to Ali's found family and her journey toward self love are the icing on the cake. I really love how happy this story becomes and how the characters are so relatable.

An overall excellent summer read.

Advanced reader copy of this book was received from NetGalley and Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review

Ali lost her mom 2 years ago and has spent a year separated from her husband/father of her 3 children. She finally takes her ring off the day she meets Ethan at the dog park. This is a romance, so obviously sparks start flying. 🥰

I really liked this book and I can't even really tell you why. I could relate to Ali and her organization projects. Ethan was so adorable. I just couldn't wait to keep reading and spend time with them. Side note: This book is "open door" but without anything more than kissing and the words "making love" on the page.

4.25 stars - Annabel Monaghan let me read your grocery list challenge

"Summer Romance" is a delightful, heartwarming read that's perfect, as the name suggests, for summer. The story follows Ali Morris, a single mom grieving the loss of her own mom and a rough divorce. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Ethan, a charming guy who brings some much-needed joy back into her life.

Monaghan is great at creating characters that feel real. Ali’s journey of self-discovery is compelling, in a way that feels natural, and her interactions with her kids and the lovable supporting cast add depth to the story. The romance between Ali and Ethan is sweet and (mostly) realistic, with just the right amount of chemistry to keep things interesting.

What sets this book apart is how it handles real-life issues with humor and heart. The cozy, close-knit community setting adds to the book's inviting atmosphere. Monaghan’s writing is engaging, and her knack for weaving in relatable experiences makes "Summer Romance" a refreshing and uplifting read.

Overall, "Summer Romance" is a feel-good book that's perfect for summer. It’s heartwarming, funny, and filled with moments that will make you laugh and cry. If you’re looking for a sweet escape with relatable characters and a charming romance, this book is a must-read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

I think this book is a good example of right person, wrong time. She knew Scooter/Ethan for a long time through her best friend, but she hadn’t thought of him that way before. Now that he’s grown up and found himself, he’s more attractive and also the perfect balance for her. Her (ex)husband is a bunch of improper words I cannot say, but unfortunately is representative of a large portion of the male population. I enjoyed watching Ali find her voice and herself again, after being a doormat to her husband for so many years. You may think “how can she just take it” but it’s really not that easy to stand up for yourself against those personalities and unfortunately she fell victim to it. Thankfully she got out, and found the gem that is Ethan.
He is also a good support and role model to her kids. He’s already there for them more than their own father and they do take a liking to him. Ali has her own struggles in whether she should pursue a relationship with Ethan, but it’s really fear based for how it can end. But now she has someone who truly wants her and would actually do anything for her.
This is a story of finding true love of some dark times of living your life on autopilot.

Thank you PRH Audio and NetGalley for the read.

Oh, this book, this book. I absolutely fell in love with this book.

Judging by its cover, you would think that it's simply a rom com. But this story has much more depth than your average rom com (not that there's anything wrong with rom coms...love them).

Ali Morris, 38, is a former accountant turned professional organizer. She is struggling. Her husband wants a divorce, and she lost her beloved, fun-loving mother two years ago to cancer, leaving her and her three children bereft. She has been in a depressive state but is slowly fighting her way out as she begins to re-discover things about herself that she had lost along the way of juggling her life as a wife and mother.

Ali meets Ethan (aka "Scooter"), a thirty-six-year-old lawyer, who is also in a bit of a funk as he returns to their hometown for a visit following a break-up, and he's grappling with the moniker of "unreliable" from both his ex and his family. As the two connect there is an instant attraction, and they slowly move forward into a "summer romance" which is precisely what Ali feels she needs at this point.

I'm not sure what I liked most about this book. Was it the characters? Yes, I related to Ali's vulnerability as she struggles to pull herself up by her bootstraps. I cheered her burgeoning confidence in no small part due to Ethan's bolstering, especially as she dealt with an often-belittling soon-to-be ex-husband. And Ethan, well he was a revelation in himself. Labeled a rambunctious troublemaker since adolescence, he himself could use a little propping up. These two together are simply wonderful, providing sounding boards, encouragement and validation to the other.

Did I like the story the most? Yes, although it could have turned into an average rom com, it was filled with real-life serious issues that were akin to things I had either experienced or could readily relate to. The additional guest stars (especially Ali's next-door neighbor) were the "cherries on top" that added an extra level to Ali's and Ethan's separate and couple journeys. Well-written and totally absorbing.

Did I like the romance the most? This was a slow burn in some ways but also an instant sexy attraction as well. They were both a little leery of that kind of relationship/complication, but with their chemistry there was no denying it had to be. The intimate scenes were not explicit as far as descriptions are concerned but rather more concentrated on the emotions/feelings of connectedness the two shared. Oh, such a sweet, tender and satisfying romance.

So, yeah, I pretty much enjoyed every aspect of this book and would highly recommend reading it. I'm sure it will be a return read for me, and I very much look forward to future books from Monaghan.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and G. P. Putnam's Sons for providing the free early arc of Summer Romance for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This was the PERFECT summer romance for me. I have been seeing more and more of Annabel's books lately and knew I wanted to check her out, and this was such a strong start.

Summer Romance gave me Emily Henry vibes in the best way. What I look for in a romance book is a strong main character, the typical tension and chemistry between the leads, humor and banter, but most importantly, I want depth and emotion. Annabel delivered all of that in this book! Ali Morris' life has fallen apart since she lost her mother two years ago...and her ex-husband asked her for a divorce on the one-year anniversary of losing her mother. More importantly, Ali has lost herself in her grief, the regular motions of being a mother, and failing to see her self worth. Ali starts the book deep in a funk, clearly depressed and going through the motions to try and keep her life together and her kids moving. She meets Ethan in the dog park one day and sparks instantly fly for Ali, who has no idea how to go about dating someone new after her failed marriage.

Ali was such a strong and fun female main character. I loved how this book followed a female main character coming out of a divorce, especially because having a mom as the female love interest isn't in many of the romance books I read. Ali is so caring, headstrong, yet vulnerable and has learned to shove her emotions in a ball. She is overcome by her grief and her fear over losing the people she loves if she lets people get to her heart. I LOVED the way Ethan showed up for Ali and slowly coaxed her out of her shell. Showing up for Ali's kids, being a good human being, and him being a lawyer who gave up his big law firm job to do public interest work?? Yeah that is my type of guy. Ethan was so sweet, and I loved how as much as this book focused on Ali and her issues, it also explored the toxic pressure and tension Ethan experienced in his own life.

I also loved the overarching themes of grief and loss throughout this book. I could tell that Annabel herself had experienced the loss of a close loved one by the way that she managed to capture the feelings of death and grief so poignantly. I think it made this book and these characters seem so much more real. I especially loved how Ali had conversations with her mom throughout the story and slowly healed from the wound of missing someone so much.

I binged this book in a day, I highlighted so many lines, and I already am so excited to come back to this book and reread!! If you want a fun summer romance perfect for the beach and for the warm weather and sunshine, while also looking for a romance that will keep you captivated and explore so many different themes, this book is for you!! Thank you so so much to GP Putnam and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Summer Romance is about a professional organizer who faced more than her share of personal loss. Although she is grieving, she makes an effort to move on and finds the possibility of love in the summer. I love books like this one with second chances at love.

The book is a delightful romantic comedy that will add extra sunshine to your summer. It is written with both humor and compassion, and also focuses on family as well as romance. This is my first book by Monaghan, and I will explore her previous work and anxiously await her new novels!

I received a gifted advance reader's copy from Net Galley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, GP Putnam's Sons. My review is my own.

Another great read from Annabelle Monaghan. I found the development of the female main character to be very quick but other than that I really enjoyed the book. The story of family and found family was heartwarming! I would recommend this book.

Annabel Monaghan is the queen of summer reads— I read this book in one sitting by the pool yesterday, and it was exactly the summer romance (😉) book I was looking for!!

A book about a second chance on life, a second chance to fall in love, and a chance to have that perfect summer romance. This book was flirty, it was sweet, it was heartfelt, and I flew through it!!

Ali, the FMC, felt extremely relatable despite the fact that I am a single woman with no kids. I could feel her heartache, her hope, and thought her whole character was portrayed very well. Her relationship with her kids was a true highlight of the book, and the way they looked after each other was so, so sweet.

This book is out today and I highly recommend you go pick it up at your local bookstore! Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this heartwarming romance. It had depth to it, felt unique, and had excellent characters. It made me laugh and made me cry. This is the book I’ll be recommending all summer!