I loved Monaghan's first book so I was excited for this one. Sadly, it didn't really do it for me. I felt like the plot was rushed and characters immature. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters and rooting for them

I think Annabel Monaghan could write the dictionary and I would still enjoy it. Her wit and humor and grasp on the human experience is perfect.

(4.25 stars)
Sometimes it’s a lot of fun to read a book that’s seasonally “inappropriate.” So that’s exactly what I did - I read “Summer Romance” in the middle of December. And it was delightful! This was my first book by Annabel Monaghan but it definitely won’t be my last.

The story is told by the main female character, Ali. Her mother died two years ago and Ali still “talks” to her. (This didn’t come off as weird at all; it came off as totally sweet.) Her husband, Pete, asked for a divorce a year ago and she’s having trouble keeping things together, for herself, her three kids, and her dog. Ali is a professional organizer (and former accountant) but her life is chaotic.

One day she stops by the local dog park with her dog and he pees on someone’s foot, a very handsome someone, a stranger to the town, Ethan. And things proceed from there!

I found nothing endearing about her ex. I sympathized with Ali, as she gradually realizes that, over the years, she had let Pete take over and let him make herself feel “less than.” (And her mother, as much as Ali loved her, was complicit in this, which Ali admits in the moments when she’s being completely honest with herself.) I loved her growing relationship with Ethan/Scooter and loved her personal growth over the course of the summer. I also loved Ethan and sympathized with him having people in his hometown look at him as if he was still the messed up teen he had once been.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

I was super excited about this one because Annabel's second book, SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER, was one of my favorites of 2023. I don't often read books about characters in their mid-late 30's and/or characters going through divorce, but Annabel did a great job of immersing me into the story and making me feel empathy for the protagonist and her love interest. There are so many wonderful, heartfelt themes. I also love the fact that the love interest is a skater--how unique and fun!

Summer Romance
Annabel Monaghan

💘 best friend’s brother trope
🏠 newly divorced and still grieving her late mother
☀️ enjoying a summer romance that’s helping her heal
🥹 low stakes, lots of heartfelt moments
🫶 loving like you have something to lose, dealing with grief, being brave not only for yourself but for your kids too

so much of tolerating a man only to have another man also heal that?? other than that, it was overall a really sweet and heartfelt story. I love reading “older” romance of women who are post-married life. Monaghan knows how to tug on our heartstrings 🥲

i cannot be feeling this way about a novel where two of the characters are named cliffy and scotty. anyways i cried i laughed and i loved this book. a poignant look into grief and loss, finding love in unexpected places, the joy that is mother-daughter relationships, and insecure men who thrive on belittling women. thank you so so much to the publisher for the advance copy!!

I absolutely loved summer romance. I thought it was so well written, and the characters were fully developed and easy to connect to. I felt connected to the characters and the setting. I loved how we got to see Ali move through grief and reclaim her life. The book had such good character development. I loved it just as much if not more than the romance itself. I think this is a good example of the best friend’s brothers trope.

Nora Goes Off Script remains one of my favorite rom-coms in the past few years. It was delightful and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was so excited to get my hands on this one - Annabel Monaghan writes summer in small towns so well - the characters are endearing and the main duo are always two to root for. This was a perfect beach read, and I recommend to my friends constantly. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC!

Annabel Monaghan has become a must-read author for me, and Summer Romance solidifies why. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC of this absolute gem.

Despite its breezy title, this book hit me with every emotion imaginable—grief, love, self-discovery, and second chances. Monaghan’s writing is a masterclass: every sentence deliberate, every scene perfectly paced. She’s unmatched in crafting banter, chemistry, and heartfelt stories that leave me in awe.

Ali’s journey is raw, relatable, and inspiring, with themes of motherhood, marriage, identity, and love woven seamlessly. The romance is mature and refreshing, with Ethan standing out as a supportive, communicative partner we all deserve.

This book made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. If you read it and don’t love it, just lie to me—because Summer Romance can do no wrong in my eyes.

The perfectly sweet summer romance you’ve been waiting for! Annabel Monaghan is always a must-read author!

Annabel Monaghan's Summer Romance is as much of a love story as it is a story about finding your true self again. I've devoured all of Annabel's books and up until now, Same Time Next Summer had been my favorite.

Summer romances are meant to be full of flirty fun and unattached feelings. Ali Morris, who I find so inspiring, is all in for a summer romance with Ethan. She's getting divorced and putting on hard pants (IYKYK). She's making life work as a single parent with three kids and a job as a professional organizer. She's dealing with her grief after losing her mom two years ago. She's also quickly realizing that she wants more than a summer romance with Ethan and to be honest, I can't blame her. Ethan is the sweetest and most hilarious man ever written into existence (seriously, where can I find him?) and he, too, inspires me.

I loved seeing Ali and Ethan grow as people separately and together. One of my favorite moments of the book is when Ali finally stands up for herself with her ex-husband, Pete. I did a little silent cheer and fist pumping from my couch in that moment. Another favorite moment is when Ethan and Ali roadtrip to Devon, Ethan's town, and she gets to see all the ways he helps his community--from him helping his downstairs neighbor change the smoke detector battery to him helping kids feel a little more wanted by opening a skate park to him making a little diner a historical landmark.

I won't spoil the ending (you'll have to read the book yourself if you want to know how this summer romance turns out), but you won't regret picking up this book.

Annabel Monaghan writes with such vibrancy and fun. Her heroines are always plucky and keep the humor flowing. I enjoyed this!

This is not my normal “romance”. It was so simple and wholesome 🫶🏻. Small town, best friends brother, family drama, etc… it was an adorable story about a new divorced mom, figuring out life with an adorable “summer love.”

Honestly, reading this gave me “Drew Berrymore in blended” with her organization business and tough marriage/divorce. This was very much an emotional roller coaster.

Another amazing book from Annabel Monaghan!! Perfect for summer or vacation beach reading. Can not wait to read her next one!

Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Summer Romance is the third book that I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan. I’m always sucked into her tales and they never disappoint.

This book personally resonated with me on many levels. Reading Ali’s journey of finding herself after feeling lost in her marriage and falling in love for the first time was cathartic.

I highly recommend Summer Romance.

ANNABEL MONAGHAN SUPREMACY! I love this woman and I will read anything she writes. This was so sweet and light and such a perfect summer/beach read.

*Summer Romance* by Annabel Monaghan is the perfect blend of charm, humor, and heart. Set against a picturesque beach town, the story follows a young woman navigating love, loss, and the unexpected twists of a summer romance. Monaghan’s writing is light yet insightful, capturing the complexities of relationships with warmth and wit. The characters are relatable, and their chemistry is palpable, making for an engaging and emotionally satisfying read. The pacing is just right, balancing fun moments with deeper emotional growth. *Summer Romance* is an utterly enjoyable, feel-good story that will leave you smiling long after the last page.

I loved this book so much! What an easy, breezy read! Such a cute story of a Mom finding her voice and falling in love

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam in exchange for an honest review.

Hopeful, joyful, romantic romp. I was rooting for Ali and Ethan.

This book is so much fun and the central relationship is wonderfully tender. A perfect summer / beach read! Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the advanced copy!