I found this to be an overall enjoyable read, even though ultimately I feel like the ending was just a bit off for me. I enjoyed watching Ali navigate herself out of her pit of despair. There’s a lot of personal growth and trying to figure out what she wants to do, and how to manage her life. I think Ethan was an interesting character, who had a lot of depth and layers that got exposed as the book went on. He himself was working through some of his own personal difficulties. However for me, how the two end up tying things up at the end just didn’t sit quite right with me. Perhaps it was too fast, or didn’t feel quite fair or realistic. However I still recommend the read, as it was thought provoking and fun. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

This book was so magical and lovely. I devoured it in one day. It’s the perfect beach read and I even read it at the beach (though almost all inside, in full disclosure.) It’s refreshing to read a romance with mature, reasonable protagonists. It felt genuine and heart-warming. It was very closed-door, for those who care about such things either way. Ethan was a wonderful book boyfriend and I loved Ali as well.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was so much more than a summer romance read. I laughed, and I felt so much while reading this. It’s a romance about healing & re-finding yourself and it was so dang relatable.

I loved Ali & Ethan’s stories. They felt like real people with real problems and it was nice to read something actual people can relate to.

𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
“I love you, Ali, like in a way that’s so intense I don’t think I could even explain it to you.”

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲:
• Small Town
• Single Mom
• Best Friend’s Brother
• “It’s always been you”

Thank you Net-Galley and Putnam Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️rating: 4/5

This was so beautiful and heart-warming, I really enjoyed it! It’s all about finding love and your happiness again, finding where you belong, and it really was just so beautiful.

You see Ali working through grief and post-divorce, a single mom of three kids who’s finding herself again, and meanwhile Ethan has loved her since they were children😍 It’s such a sweet closed door romance.

Fair warning that this book may make you cry…I definitely teared up…but don’t worry because the happy ending is wonderful and everyone ends up where they belong💕

I very much enjoyed reading Summer Romance. It’s deeper and more emotional than I expected, but so very heart-warming. I for sure recommend it!

“Life’s going to do what life’s going to do. You might as well have a dog.”

Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was one of my most anticipated reads this summer and it did not disappoint! Annabel has quickly become one of my very favorite romance authors. Her books are deep and mature and there is so much in each one I relate to. There are so many lines I could quote in this review, but I know we’re not supposed to quote advanced copies. 🤪

Ali, the FMC, is exactly my age so I knew from the beginning that I was destined to love her and relate to her especially since she’s a mom. She was also an only child growing up, and as the mother of an only child I saw my daughter in a lot of what she described during her childhood. And thank you, Annabel, for writing a character who didn’t mind growing up as an only child. 👏🏻 It made my one child mama heart happy. 🩷 It was refreshing!

There were so many funny lines in the beginning of this book and the meet cute had me giggling! 🐶 There were also such tender moments and deep moments I related to as a mother. What I loved most was that this story was about so much more than a mom quickly approaching her 40’s who decides to embark on a summer romance. It’s a story about a woman finding herself again after divorce, dealing with her mother’s death and taking care of those around her. It was a perfect balance.

If you are looking for a beach read with the perfect setting, cast of characters and a deeper storyline then definitely check this one out! I loved it!

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴:
🔥: closed door
⚠️: divorce and dealing with death of a parent

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved the ending of this book but it just felt like it was missing something throughout the middle. I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I still loved the book though and it was tied up so sweetly.

This one was a solid read. For me, nothing to rant and rave about exactly. Would I put it on my staff picks shelf, maybe. Looking forward to Monaghan's next one!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. I’ve loved all of Annabel Monaghan’s books and Summer Romance was no exception. I loved both Ali and Ethan and you really wind up rooting for both of them. Also, similar to her last novel, Monaghan really manages to totally suffuse the feeling of summer throughout this book. A real treat to read.

Summer Romance is such a fabulous read. The FMC, Ali is so relatable. I also floundered after my mom’s death in 2015 - as a mother, wife, friend, functioning member of society. Ali’s path to finding herself again is so empowering and captivating. From the trials of motherhood and the desire to be a fun, spontaneous and memorable mom, to finding her voice and allowing herself to be happy and fulfilled, Ali’s summer is full of humor, friendship, family, self discovery, grief and love. It is truly a “champagne summer” and this story is truly a five star read!

I have posted this review on Amazon, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6549153903

And Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7zx_SKPsL8/?igsh=MWFjYWNmb2NidWJzag==

Ali is trying to figure out her life after the loss of her mother and her marriage. While she is a former accountant turned home organizer, organizing her own life does not come as easy for her. Juggling 3 kids and grief have taken almost everything out of her.

Her bestfriend keeps encouraging her to put on her hard pants and get herself back out there. Have the first first date again, that first kiss, the first butterflies. She pushes her to go and out and find herself again. The first day she decides to dress in more that sweats she takes her dog to the dog park and Ferris manages to find an extremely good looking guy and "marks his territory". The two hit off and decide to go on a date. Things are starting to look up for Ali and she is feeling things she hasn't felt in a long time or maybe never actually felt at all with her husband.

Who is the guy you ask? Well it is none other than her best friends brother "Scooter" who now likes to be called Ethan instead of his childhood nickname. He is a lawyer who is only in town for the summer with all intentions to go back home after he is done with his parents house.

Ali and Ethan decide to have a Summer Romance and make the most out of the time they have together.

It was so nice to watch their relationship grown while also watching Ali's journey with self discovery and taking back her own life.

I adored this book and if you want to see how this story ends pick up this book and enjoy a little bit of your own Summer Romance.

Happy Book Release Day! I was down to the finish line, so I simply devoured this book.
This book will be a great beach read book rec and perfect for the summer, afterall who doesn't love a summer romance?

It was endearing to meet this soon to be divorced mom of three (Ali) and see how she begins to embrace the changes in her life. She has recently lost her mom as well and the journey felt relatable and tender. Then we meet Ethan, via a dog park meet cute, and watch as the sparks ignite.

The author has a very descriptive writing style and the beginning had a bit of a slow start for me (though the details did help me vividly imagine this world. I enjoyed the journey and I liked Ali's personal growth along the way and the romance (though low spice) still had a good burn/tension to it. She did a good job making you crave their romance.

Grab a copy and let me know what you think!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Penguin Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4/5 stars
1/5 spice

Happy publication day to the always amazing Annabel Monaghan! 4.5 stars for the gem of a book that makes you feel love, grief, tender moments and raw reality so genuinely. She’s an autobuy author and will continue to be so. Even better is the demographic of her “older” female characters, nearing 40 I feel seen.

In this book we have Ali who is supposed to have it all together but she’s a mess! Let’s throw in a sexy man to make her find those butterflies again. This is a book about finding your new self after many life changes, pure magic.

Summer Romance absolutely lives up to its title. This was a delightful, quick, uplifting romance. The main character goes through so much growth on her journey of navigating grief and divorce while finding love again. I appreciated the maturity of these characters and that they had real lives that were allowed to be actual considerations in their romance. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Katherine Center's novels, or just enjoys a good summer romance!

Relatable and real. This book was just what my 37-year-old mom heart needed.

It’s more than just a summer romance. It’s about finding yourself. Overcoming the grief that comes when you lose a parent and the end of a marriage.

I’m not going through a divorce, but I related to so much of what Ali felt.
When being a wife and mom is so much of your identity. When you lose a parent that was your best friend.

This book made me laugh and cry and want to do things for myself. To have a summer romance with myself. To do more small, simple, fun things with my kids. And to appreciate more things that “sparkle”.

☀️ Summer Romance ☀️

Oh my gosh, I absolutely adore this book. So cute, sweet, but still relatable and also deep.

I loved that the characters were actual grown adults, and not college freshman who have a ton of miscommunication. Writing characters in their 30s with relatable adult problems and who have lived full lives creates more depth and layers, and it was wonderful to read.

I love Ethan; he is so far from unreliable (IYKYK). Ali’s transformation from doormat weary housewife to badass confident working mama, while practicing self care and simultaneously falling in love, was amazing and inspiring. I genuinely loved every character in this book (except Pete), and could easily have kept reading about them.

I read this in one night. On brand for Annabel, who has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me (I also loved Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer). I definitely recommend this book; it will be the perfect beach read this summer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam, NetGalley, and Annabel Monaghan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A great breezy read that captures the mid-life, divorce-in-progress mother vibe. I enjoyed the coastal setting, the summer aesthetic, and the strong cast of supporting characters. Nothing too out of the box here, just a quick breezy read.

Everyone should go read this sweet-as-pie, second chance SUMMER ROMANCE.

Annabel does a wonderful job portraying a later in life second chance romance. I adored the banter between these characters, and I actually wanted more as I finished the last page! Maybe we can continue their story? Nonetheless, I had a great time reading this. Huge thanks to Annabel and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced copy.

This binge able read was a delight! Just what I hope for in a summer read.

We have a romance that involves a single mother of 3, Ali, going through divorce and a lawyer, Ethan, who’s in town visiting. A funny meet cute and things are set in motion!

This story also has some meat to it. Grief of a lost parent in a charming way. Ali’s in her 30’s with children navigating the mess of divorce which trickles into the messiness of her life. Who wouldn’t want Ethan to come in and rescue them? Ethan is a lovable MMC who knows just what to do!

A great closed door romance to start the summer reading season!
.
.
.
Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam via Net Galley for the opportunity to start my summer reading early!

All the swoon with this one!

There’s nothing I love more than a woman finding her confidence and power and this book delivered with that!

From heartbreak to re-creating herself, Ali made me proud with how she took control of her life after heartbreak & loss, and let herself enjoy life and love again.

Such a great book, I recommend grabbing it and diving in right away for a perfect summer read 🫶🏻

Newly divorced Ali is learning how to survive as a single parent of three kids. It’s been 2 years since the death of her mom, and 1 year since her husband asked for a divorce.

One day at the dog park, Ali’s dog pees on a someone’s leg. Ali is extremely embarrassed, but the man assures Ali it is okay and introduces himself as Ethan. When they bump into each other again later at a skatepark, they exchange numbers and Ali goes on her first date as a single woman.
The next day, Ali has dinner at her best friend Frannie’s house, and while she is telling her all about the date, Ethan shows up with a bag of ice.
Surprised to see him, it turns out that Ethan=Scooter, Frannie’s little brother who Ali hasn’t seen since he was sixteen! And he has definitely grown up..
Ethan remembers everything about Ali, even the moment he met her for the first time at his parent’s diner.
It might be a summer romance, but maybe it’s Ethan’s chance with the girl he’s always known and loved for years.

This book was adorable! I loved their meet-cute at the dog park. Fun fact: my husband and I actually met 5 years ago at the dog park pictured above! 🥰

I loved how Ethan helped Ali find her confidence again. He had always admired her confidence when they were younger. While her friends dressed as something slutty for Halloween, Ali dressed as a big pumpkin.

Ethan’s escapism is skateboarding. At first I wasn’t sure why a grown man was still skateboarding, but it actually turns out to be a really special part of Ethan’s life, and I enjoyed learning more about him.

Trope: best friends brother

Thank you NetGalley and @PutnamBooks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!