Love, friendship, grief, healing, parenting, silliness, passion, understanding…this sweet book has it all. Much more than a summer rom-com, you’ll feel all of your feels reading this story! And the dog analogy 🥹🥹🥹

Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley!

This one is, unfortunately, a dnf. I gave it 20% before I gave up.
I loved the tongue-in-cheek humor, but that's about it. It read a bit clinical to me, ie I couldn't really feel what the characters were feeling. Since I am someone who loves angst, this one was doing nothing for me, so I bailed.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this so much. I love Annabel’s books — I love her writing and her stories. They feel so cozy and warm and this was no exception.

I loved the journey Ali goes on throughout this book and the romance was so sweet 🥲 I feel like Annabel is so good at writing chemistry and depth with her characters. I also loved the kids and the dynamic Ali and Ethan had with the kids!

The summer vibes were also so good! The descriptions made me feel like I was on the beach in Long Island which I love so much.

This book also touches on grief and Annabel wrote it so well.

It’s also closed door which I always appreciate!

Highly recommend adding to your summer tbr!

This was such an enjoyable read! It portrayed life in a very real way; covering loss, divorce, love, and other tribulations while still managing to be fun and lighthearted. The relationship between Ali and Ethan was so easy and so right. Their relationship is goals and I have zero criticism.

Summer romance is a beautifully written story about love, grief, and finding yourself again. Ali is a mother of 3 going through a divorce and is trying to navigate this stage in her life and motherhood, while also grieving the loss of her mother. I love how raw this story is with everything Ali is feeling and the depth there is to her character. She meets Ethan while walking her dog. I enjoyed all their cute encounters and moments. Ethan is a such a gentleman!! He puts her at ease, consistently shows up for her, and makes her feel safe. Ali can be her true self around him. I adore them!! I love how gentle and supportive Ethan was. It was heartwarming seeing Ali finding herself again and her spark reigniting.
Annabel Monaghan’s descriptive writing makes you feel as if you’re right there with the characters and brings out all your emotions. Something that stuck with me was the importance of finding happy moments along the way, the little things truly are what make memorable and beautiful memories as well.

This is a perfect summer romance book and highly recommend it! Can’t wait for everyone to read this.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnum, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC to read and review.

This was a light enjoyable read for me. Touching on some heavier themes such as divorce and death, but without being depressing about either. Ali's marriage has fallen apart on the one year anniversary of her mother's passing. Living each day on autopilot isn't helping to heal from either of those things. A chance meeting with a handsome stranger right after her husband announces he's finally moving forward with filing for divorce just may be exactly what she needed to get back on track. I really enjoyed reading Ali's realization of who she is outside of what she conceded to be in her marriage. The conversations she has with her dear departed mother in her car were touching and showed how we all deal differently with grief, especially coming to terms with things you wish that person had done differently in life. I will certainly be checking out more by Ms. Monaghan in the near future!

I loved this book! This is a story of Ali, a middle aged mom of three, who has been separated for a year from her husband and is now finalizing her divorce. She is also suffering from the grief of a recent loss. She runs into a character from her past a things only get better from there. I loved the characters, the plot and the witty writing. It was a fantastic read.

A complementary copy was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own

I loved this so much. From the grief, to the joys and struggles and motherhood, to the swoony romance, to the beautiful setting—it was all perfection for a summer read. This was a romance with a lot of heart and depth. Definitely a perfect kickoff to the summer!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book! I loved how it wasn’t just a love story but also a story of finding one’s self again and healing after losing a loved one. Ethan and Ali’s relationship was really sweet and I also loved the addition of Ali’s three children. Sometimes life gives you a curveball and you end up wearing soft pants for a while, but life will also give you the wonderful things that are worth putting your hard pants on for.

This might be the book of the summer for me. I have all the warm and fuzzy feels!

Ali is a mom of three navigating divorce while still healing from the loss of her mom. She has lost herself. Then she runs into her best friend’s little brother, whom she hasn’t seen since high school, and you’ll never guess what happens next!

This is a story of a mom finding herself again after putting herself on the back burner for many years. The coastal setting is idyllic, the characters are quirky and lovable and the romance is so sweet.

As a mom to young kids myself, I resonate with stories of redemption for moms who have lost bits of themselves. This book and others like it give me the inspiration to keep looking for my own lost pieces!

If you enjoyed Nora Goes Off Script, you’ll love Summer Romance! Check it out on June 4th!

Big thank you to Net Galley for an

I fell in love with Annabel Monaghan after reading Nora Goes Off Script, and she has quickly become an auto-buy author for me! I was thrilled to get a NetGalley ARC of this book and it was the perfect summer read. Summer Romance follows Ali, a recently divorced mom working to rediscover herself and what she is passionate about, and Ethan, a man who is trying to rid himself of his childhood stigmas back in his hometown. When Ali's dog pees on Ethan, their meet-cute begins. Except when Ali realizes that cute dog park guy, is actually her best friend's brother, who she knew as "Scooter." Summer Romance dives not only into the love story between Ali and Ethan, but also into their individual stories as they rediscover themselves and their passions. I loved this book! Ethan is an excellent book boyfriend and Ali is relatable as she walks through learning to re-love her self. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez, I would recommend Summer Romance to anyone looking for a summer rom com with some substance.

I adored this book! A divorcing mother of three finding new love? Yes please! She buys her undies at Costco AND shaves her legs with her reading glasses on so as to not miss any spots…..say less….she is me!
I loved this story and I couldn’t get enough.

While I enjoyed the first third of this book, after that it was disappointing, This premise could have been very strong , but ultimately fell flat. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters and was even less connected to the romance. I just didn't feel any chemistry between Ali and Ethan in this romance. There also wasn't much happening in the last 2/3 and I was pretty bored for the majority of it. I felt that it could use a lot more depth in the storyline which is what would make me feel more connected. Overall, I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't work for me.

I also just don't think Annabel's writing style is the best fit for me, so even if I didn't like it that doesn't mean others won't!

⭐️4.25
Life is NOT over. Even if your mom dies and your marriage is ending.

This unexpected romance has the flavor of summer inside of a small town. I wanted a little more of her charming neighbor Phyllis in this book, but overall the perfect beach read this summer.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5962426160

A big thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: June 4, 2024

I adore anything Annabel Monaghan writes and this is no exception. The perfect way to start summertime and fall in love with even more of her characters is such a treat. Don’t miss out!

This was such a well-written women's fiction. Ali was a bit older than me and at a different life-stage, but I felt for what she was going through and thought Ethan was perfect. The characters were well-developed and I really liked Ali's relationships with her children. The story was tender and emotional, and highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Review live now on GoodReads and TheStoryGraph

This is a sweet beach read. I have loved Monaghan’s other books, but this one was a miss for me. It felt very predictable and I had a hard time connecting with the main character.

Oh my goodness, I loved this book so very much! Despite the relatively short length, I felt like I got to know the characters and their layers so deeply, including various side characters. I loved the character arcs and growth of both main characters, and the themes of motherhood, grief, and what comprises a meaningful life. One of the most memorable scenes in the book, for me, was actually entirely separate from the romance storyline, but it spoke to deeper themes in the story and really moved me emotionally. I also love the way in which Annabel writes children. She manages to capture sweetness and quirk in her child characters without it being cheesy or contrived. I could go on and on, honestly! The warmth of the characters and the charm of the small beach-town setting will make this a comfort read that I return to again and again. Many thanks for the opportunity to read early!

Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan offers an enjoyable blend of humor, heart, and healing in the midst of life's messiness. Funny enough, Ali Morris is a professional organizer grappling with her own disarray who finds unexpected love when her dog plays cupid in the most unconventional way possible. The story beautifully captures Ali's journey of rediscovering herself after loss and heartache, all while navigating the complexities of single motherhood.

Monaghan skillfully crafts a narrative that resonates with readers, particularly those who appreciate the nuanced dynamics of relationships. Ali's cautious approach to romance, grounded in her commitment to her child and her ongoing grief, adds depth to her character and makes her journey relatable. The chemistry between Ali and Ethan sparkles with authenticity, offering a refreshing take on the classic "best friend's brother lover" trope.

What sets "Summer Romance" apart is its ability to balance light-hearted moments with poignant reflections on love, loss, and self-discovery. Monaghan's witty prose keeps the story engaging, while her insights into human nature add layers of emotional resonance. As Ali navigates the uncertainties of new love, readers are reminded that healing often comes in unexpected forms.

In summary, "Summer Romance" is a delightful read that effortlessly blends humor, heart, and hope. With its endearing characters and engaging storyline, it's sure to leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page. For fans of the best friend turned lover trope and those who appreciate a heartfelt romance with a touch of humor, this book is a must-read.

I had really high hopes for Summer Romance but was ultimately let down a bit. I feel like what I was looking for in the book only started happening from 85% on, and that's not how it should be. I felt Ali was still too hung up on her ex-husband for too long even though she repeatedly recognizes that she knew her marriage wouldn't work in the long run. There were many descriptions and details that I felt were unnecessary and didn't add anything to the plot. I didn't fully buy in to Ali's romance with Ethan, but I throughly enjoyed reading her interactions with her children.

My personal rating is 3 stars, but I do think that many will connect with this book. Many have given it high ratings already but it just didn't totally click with me. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Summer Romance hits shelves on June 4, 2024.