You know that feeling when books come to you at the exact right time? That's how I felt with Summer Romance. Like Ali, my mom, who I was very close to passed away just over two years ago, so I related to Ali's thoughts and feelings so much throughout the whole book. I loved the coastal setting, the wonderful cast of characters, and of course, Ferris and Brenda (the dogs!). Yes, this is absolutely a book about romance, but it's so much more than that. Often times, books with parent death are so triggering for me. But if they're done right--like this one--they are comforting and make me feel understood.

"She was a little over-the-top about everything in my life. It all mattered. Like she was so focused on all the little moments. Maybe because she was older, or maybe because it was just me."

"Because that's what life is--joy peppered by loss. It's why you get a dog, and then you get another dog. Madness repeating itself to get another taste of joy."

Don't worry--the dogs are delightfully present throughout the book.

Annabel Monaghan how do you do this with every single book of yours, you grab my heart and make me cry and smile all at the same time.

Ali Morris is in the process of going through a divorce, she has spent the last year living in a fog, mourning a marriage the really ended a long time ago and mourning the loss of her biggest supporter, her mother. Once an accountant, Ali cares for their three children, living in her sweatpants and organizing other people’s lives. While she loves her child immensely, she has come to realize that a piece of her has gone missing. The day has come to wear her “hard pants” and remove her wedding ring .. she unexpectantly meets a striking man at the dog park, Ethan. Ali’s life is about to change, time for her “champagne” summer romance, it is time to discover her voice and bring joy back into her life. After all it is only for the summer .. but can it be? Ethan makes her feel more confident about herself. He is smart, loves dog and makes her laugh. So what’s the hitch?

While I so enjoyed watching the slow burn of Ali and Ethan’s relationship and romance, I really felt Monaghan brilliantly takes Ali on self-exploration of who she is, discovering what she wants her life to look like. As with Ali, Monaghan’s characters are rich, flawed, and are people that live with everyday problems, she allows them to breath and grow.

“I made my own decisions about leaving my job and hiding from my marriage. I am also the architect of the wall I built between myself and my happy ending.”

Will Ali be brave enough try or will she panic that she might get hurt again? Well, you will just have to add this novel to you summer reading list!


Thank you, Annabel Monaghan, G.P. Putnam’s Son and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

She’s back!! Monaghan has delivered yet another sweetly perfect, but realistic, love story. She has this spectacular ability to create the most relatable female protagonists and swoon worthy male interests. I hope she never stops.

As with Nora (Nora Goes Off Script), I fell in love with the main character in Summer Romance: Ali. She was witty, selfless, and resilient. Her story really connected with me and I found myself in her through a lot of situations. Which is always the best kind of reading experience. And Ethan. My heavens! My stars! ETHAN! Straight out of a dream, that one! (Oh and I must include: Pete sucks. He’s the worst. Womp womp sounds every time he’s in a scene. When you read it you’ll understand. 😌) Dare I say this is now my favorite story from her?! I cannot wait to see others reading and reviewing all over my Instagram feed 🥹. And I cannot wait to read this again. Immediately adding this title to my comfort reads stack.

I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet with giddy excitement. This is an absolute must read for all the fellow rom-com lovers out there. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

Your perfect summer/beach read is here!

Thanks NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC!

Synopsis –

Ali Morris is an organizer for a living, but her own life is in shambles. It’s more like chaos central. After she lost her mom 2 years ago and her husband left her, she hasn’t bothered to keep up with appearances. The day her dog ‘chooses’ a man in the dog park, is the same day she wore nice pants. Her connection with Ethan is instant. What’s the harm in a little summer romance? It’s supposed to be only fun with no heart-break right?

Review –

Monaghan knows just the right recipe for a gorgeous, fun, heart-warming romance! She chose the perfect small town setting of Beechwood, a relatable MC, Ali who’s having a rough time and the most swoon-worthy love interest Ethan. Ali’s adorable kids play a vital role as well, bringing all the joy, light-heartedness and laughter to this rom-com.

I was moved by Ali’s current circumstances, her imminent divorce and the recent grief stricken past. Monaghan portrays the most beautiful mother-daughter relationship with Ali and her mother. Learning from the author’s note at the end - it’s inspired by the author’s own life experience and I loved the idea of how Ali chooses to keep her mother close, as if she was her breath.

Meeting Ethan is the best thing that happens to Ali and although I found her meek, passive and submissive at the start, I rooted for her as the story developed. Ali’s transformation begins with her divorce and ably supported by Ethan, nothing can stop her from getting her life finally in ‘order’.

I definitely had my ‘😍' look as I watched Ali and Ethan slowly fall for each other – their love budding with easy yet strong chemistry and attraction.

The ending came together so wonderfully and I could do nothing but feel teary eyed and clutch my heart!🫶

This book is what should accompany you on your summer holidays!

Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for this advance copy. I absolutely adored Same Time Next Summer and Nora Goes Off Script, but Summer Romance fell flat for me. I liked the main characters, but the chemistry and drama were missing. It also felt like it took too long for the story to get going.

Although this is a romance book, it is also a grief recovery story, a how-to-be-a-better-parent story, and a divorcing-the-wrong-one story. I felt all of Ali's emotions as I read her story, from the struggle of living up to everyone else's expectations to how motherhood (even though it's what you want) can make you feel as if you've disappeared. When Ethan enters her life (and their meeting is so funny), her description of how crush/love makes her feel carbonated is so amusing. I appreciated that they had a lot of details to work through on the way to a happily ever after and really liked that he had his own past to reckon with along the way. Another wonderful book for this year and an author who I will be going back to read backlist from.

Annabel Monaghan is one of my go to summer reads. I love that she highlights female main characters who are a little older and have lived a little more! It tends to be rare that you find romances with female main characters who have children or are divorced and I love that Monaghan highlights these perspectives. Summer Romance is an entertaining read about rebuilding your life after divorce, grappling with grief, and balancing motherhood. The romance was cute and endearing, it was mostly closed door which I enjoyed. My favorite thing about this book was by far the setting. As a New England girly, I just adored all the vivid descriptions of the quintessential New England summer.

This is a fantastic quick pool or beachside read to add to your summer TBR!

I found the story to be charming and witty. I didnt connect much with the characters and the story felt like it was rushed at times.

Absolutely ADORED it!

Alice is facing divorce, and still trying to find her way out of her grief after her mother’s passing. But it’s difficult to wear hard pants, and keep everything together with three kids, all on her own. It’s a quiet, emotional story of a woman finding the love she deserves, and the life she envisions all on her own terms. All while being subtlety funny.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Annabel Monaghan’s Summer Romance Is a great, summer read!

I really liked the development of our
FMC, Alice (Ali).

It’s a fun read, while still touching on some deeper development. You see changes with both the MCs, across many different aspects
Of life!

It was fun to see a little of the interactions with Ali and her oldest daughter too.

I would recommend!

Reading this book feels like the perfect summer day - one of those days that's warm and bright and languid. I loved their sweet and youthful romance, and Ali rediscovering her identity after marriage/kids. Definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC.
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Annabel Monoghan's previous 2 novels: Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer so I was highly anticipating Summer Romance. It did not disappoint!! Ali Morris is a single mom of 3 and is in the process of getting a divorce. Ethan is Ali's best friend's little brother and nothing like she remembers from when they were teenagers. After their meet-cute at the dog park, they have a connection. In order to spend more time together, Ethan agrees to help with Ali's divorce since he is a lawyer and Ali will help him clean out his parent's house since she is a professional organizer. It was only meant to be a summer romance but what happens when summer ends? I loved Ethan and Ali's dynamic because she is the only one who truly sees the real Ethan. This is a women's fiction novel as well as a romance. Ali is working through a lot since she lost her mom 2 years ago. This side plot as well as the side characters had my heart. I was crying and laughing all through this book and it was such a beautiful story. I will be highly anticipating any book this author releases in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review!

I loved Sane Time Next Summer, so I was thrilled to get an e ARC of Summer Romance! This is a sweet, fun summer read with a lot of heart. It tackles themes of grief, divorce, and starting over with so much heart. I absolutely loved the story line and ending! Being a fan of this author, I was not disappointed with her newest novel! Thank you NetGalley!

This is a perfect little summer romance (pun intended lol)! It’s great for a pool or beach read, and I enjoyed it a lot! I loved Ethan and how Ali learned to stand up for herself and take her life back from Pete’s influence and impact. I also loved the ending! Such a fun summer read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the opportunity to read before pub day! ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. SUMMER ROMANCE is out now!

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Summer Romance by Annabelle Monaghan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 368 / Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romcom

Ali Morris is a professional organizer and mother of three whose personal life is a bit of a mess. When her mother died two years ago, she lost her rock. No matter what life threw her way, Ali and her mother could handle it. Without her mother’s help, her husband doesn’t like her sad neediness and leaves her. Now that she’s totally on her own, does she fall even farther? Nope, she starts digging herself out of her rut. She starts by continuing to help all those around her and then herself. She takes off her wedding ring, cleans up her house, starts wearing real pants again, and even meets a cute guy at the dog park.

I love reading about women who pick themselves up, help themselves, work on themselves, and become their best selves all on their own. I loved this fun, fast, feel-good read.

Thank you @NetGalley, @PutnamBooks, and @AnnabelMonagham for my gifted copy.

Annabel Monaghan hits another one out of the park. Ali is still reeling from her mom’s passing two years ago and her husband announcing he wanted a divorce on the first anniversary of her mom’s death. Enter a meet-cute for the ages: Ali’s dog pees on the shoe of a hot guy at the dog park. Suddenly, Ali has the energy to put on hard pants in the hopes of crossing paths with Ethan again… turns out, he’s her best friend’s prodigal kid brother Scooter home to help his parents downsize. Everyone thinks Scooter is a screw up, but when he offers to represent her as her lawyer in her divorce negotiations in exchange for her organizing expertise at his parents’ (and some steamy makeout sessions between) Ali figures a fun summer fling with the visiting hottie is just what she needs to get on with her life. She didn’t count on Ethan being so much more.

Monaghan is a wiz at a second act story. Ali is struggling, but she’s funny and relatable and so deserving of Ethan, who turns out to be that much better for everyone underestimating him. When he shows up for her first mediation session with her ex in his dad’s ancient, powder blue tux? Priceless. But he’s also so kind and generous with his time and energy, good with kids and old people, animals like him… A+ book boyfriend. The chemistry between them was real too - and that much spicier as they had to sneak around a bit lest everyone in their small town see exactly what was going on.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/GP Putnam’s Sons for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've read Annabel Monaghan's other books (Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer), and although I enjoyed both of those books, her newest book Summer Romance far and away is my favorite of hers that I've read. I enjoyed the character arcs for both Ali and Ethan. Monaghan's description and complications of loss (both of Ali's mother and her marriage) were so poignant. Even the little descriptions, for example, of dead heading the geraniums, carried the story for me.
This book reminded me of the writing of Kate Clayborne (one of my favorites).
I fully recommend this one. Monaghan is on my auto read list officially now.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Putnam Books for providing the copy.

I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and boy did Annabel Monaghan deliver.

Going into a book from an author you love is like coming home. I was hooked to this story from the first chapter. I was so enthralled I read this book in one sitting.

Ali is still grieving the loss of her mom when her husband decides he wants a divorce. The grief and pain was so real it made me tear up so many times. She was just trying to survive and lost herself. The day she meets Ethan everything is about to change. It’s time to put on real pants and start living.

This is the perfect summer read. We have a MMC with a Hero complex who just steals our hearts. Ethan is definitely book boyfriend material. He had me smiling and swooning. One of my favorite reads of the year!!!!

“And now I can never unknow the truest true thing—the intensity of the love you feel will match the intensity of its loss.” 🤞🏻

Summer Romance is an undeniable triumph. I’m absolutely mindblown by Annabel Monaghan’s writing each time I open up one of her books. She makes poignant characters come to life with the simplest of sentiments. I knew this would be a five star read - I felt it in my heart before I even finished 🥹

While there are many cute & funny things like:
❤️ dog park meet-cutes
💛 a case of mistaken(ish?) identity
❤️ LOTS of eye contact
💛 mild trespassing
❤️ life lessons learned in skateboarding & canoeing
💛 silly costumes & charm bracelets
…this book also deals with some heavy themes; feelings that can weigh a person down until they completely vanish, grief & other people’s expectations. There was never a time I felt that something didn’t belong. Each perspective was so fine tuned & it allowed the story to flow naturally.

Ethan & Ali are perfect. They are witty & complex & tender & utterly relatable. Ali is navigating life without her mother in a marriage where she has disappeared. A divorce is looming, her life is not her own, she talks to her dead mom in geraniums & she can’t find a good reason to wear hard pants… until Ethan. Ethan escaped this small town where everyone saw him as “unreliable.” But, Ethan is unexpectedly back for the summer with a new superpower: showing up & meeting Ali where she is & giving her space to step into her best self.

Annabel Monaghan never disappoints & I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on Summer Romance!!! You’ll laugh, cry & fall in love! 🤞🏻

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an early review!

Another lovely read from the wonderful Annabel Monaghan, Summer Romance should officially be on your list for the Summer of 2024. The story follows a newly divorced mother of three, Ali, as she navigates life as a single mom in her small NY town. It was refreshing for me to read a romance with a protagonist older than 25. Ali has to manage issues any divorced woman might deal with - finances, negotiating custody with her ex, and her work as a professional organizer. To make matters worse, she's still reeling from her own mom's recent death. Monaghan writes this difficult situation really well, and she also manages to give us everything we expect from a book with this title. It's a really honest and thoughtful portrayal of life at this stage, and it manages to be sweet and heartwarming too.

If you are looking for your next plane, pool, road trip, or beach read, what are you waiting for? Summer Romance is out today. Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for the #ARC.