I loved her debut novel, 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘎𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘖𝘧𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵, currently listening to her second novel, and jumped on the bandwagon for this latest one, due out June 4.

A 38 year old woman, living in her childhood home town, grieving the death of both her mother and her marriage, thinks a summer romance will be just the shove she needs to get back into life (and into her hard pants). Of course, when that hot man turns out to be her best friend’s younger brother, a classic rom-com ensues.

Kudos to the author for avoiding some of the most over-used tropes, like frenemies, missed communication, and fake dating - thank you!! I’m still not sure what to think of the ending, or if the chemistry was hot enough, but I did enjoy the strong independent career woman lead-character, instead of a female lead who turns every decision over to the man.

I read this one in a day; it is the perfect palate cleanser after a heavy traumatic read. Will it be memorable? Unsure, but it sure was entertaining!

I love everything Annabel writes! This isn’t just the typical romance, there’s always depth to her stories and I appreciate it so much! This was a fun read that I’ll definitely be recommending.

This really was on pace for being a 5 until Taylor Swift’s new album came out and I lost momentum. I loved the beginning of this book and really am obsessed with the author. Maybe it got slow and dragged or maybe I just was distracted by Taylor swift who’s to say lol. Overall very good and looking forward to more by her!!

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my gifted copy.

I have read all of Annabel Monaghan's books and love them all, This one is probably my favorite. Her writing is just so smooth and pulls you right in. I definitely recommend this one!

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan. Nora Goes Off Script is one of my all-time favorite romcom reads and I dove right into Summer Romance. This is a novel about Ali, a professional organizer, who is struggling in the wake of her divorce. She meets a handsome stranger who turns out to be her childhood friend’s brother who recently returned to town after many years.

Just like in Nora Goes Off Script, I loved the inclusion of the kids in the story and found all the characters to be really well developed. Fans of Nora Goes Off Script or The Guncle will love this one.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summer Romance
Author: Annabel Monaghan

Thank you SO much netgalley and Putnam books for the arc!!!! When I initially saw this book was coming out on my birthday (6/4) I was freaking out! I requested an ARC but didn’t think it was going to be accepted. I even messaged Annabel letting her know how excited I was for this one. Her other two books, “Nora Goes Off Script” and “Same Time Next Summer” were also five star favorite romance reads.

This book was perfect. It was hilarious. A love story that starts with your dog peeing on him. *sigh* how romantic. 😂. The thing I love the most about Annabel’s books is they are funny, heartwarming, realistic and relatable. It was so refreshing having a 38 year old FMC, who is going through a divorce, raising her kids on her own and who also just lost her mom. It’s nice to read about a woman who is STRUGGLING versus everything is just.. perfect. The characters feel real to me. Ali was great, and then don’t get me started on Scooter. This book was just perfection as everything Annabel writes is.

Can everyone go preorder this book and buy it for my birthday? Thank you very much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel. I always enjoy Annabel Monaghan’s writing. This is an easy summer read. Perfect book to pick up before a day at the lake or the beach.

Another great read by Annabel Monaghan!! Thank you NetGalley for an ARC! I held it back to read closer to summer, but just couldn’t wait any longer. This book grabbed me from the beginning. Ali, the main character is struggling with life. Many changes occur and she learns she has lost herself! This book is an amazing journey through her rediscovery of herself, what she values, and her strength, I read this in less than 2 days because I couldn’t put it down. If you’ve read this authors other books, pick this up, because you won’t be disappointed!!

This book was perfection. After loving Annabel Monaghan’s first 2 books, this one book did not disappoint and definitely will add to my favorites shelf.
I felt everything Ali was going through, I laughed, cried and smiled. I enjoyed how Ali took back her life & happiness after getting divorced and agreed to a summer romance with Ethan. Ethan was a dream and a new book bf.
I highly recommend this book. Easy 5 stars. Thanks to the author & publisher for my arc.

Ali and Ethan (Scooter) have technically known each other since kids. Ali is going through a divorce and Ethan is back helping his parents with their inn and selling their house, when a summer romance blossoms. I did laugh out loud a few times, I enjoyed all the supporting characters but I did feel her talking to her mom was odd. Quick cute read!!

This one was slow to grab me but once it did I couldn't put it down! Warm and enjoyable, with characters you can root for.

This is a beautiful story about love and loss. As a woman this story is extremely important. If you are a mother and a wife there will be a lot of themes that are relatable. This painted such a picture of reactions to being overwhelmed. I loved the details of Ethan doing things and planning things for Ali and the follow through. This book is a lot more than just a sweet summer romance.

This is my second book I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan and I will definitely read more.

“Because that’s what life is—joy peppered by loss.”

I ADORED this book.

Ali Morris has recently lost her mother and her marriage. She and her three kids are trying to move on as their world has been turned upside down. Ali is desperately trying to emerge instead of hiding as she navigates grief and divorce.

Ethan Hogan has grown up, moved out of his hometown and become a lawyer but still finds it hard to escape his past and his childhood nickname “Scooter”. His family and his community still see him as the boy he was instead of the man he has become.

Ali and Ethan meet in the dog park (under hilarious circumstances) and Ali has no idea that Ethan is Scooter, her best friend’s younger brother who was always in some sort of trouble as a kid. This meet cute turns into a summer romance that is idyllic, swoony, hilarious and heart melting. The story is filled with wonderful insights pertaining to grief, mother/daughter relationships, motherhood, marriage and the power of finding yourself after feeling lost. There was so much emotion and feeling put into the storytelling and it hit home for me many times. This book will move you, make you laugh, and most definitely make you feel “carbonated”.

“My mother would say it sparkles.”

Annabel Monaghan, this whole book sparkles!

Many thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Annabel Monaghan does it again with "Summer Romance," delivering a delightful tale that captures the essence of the season while tugging at your heartstrings.

Ali Morris, is a woman whose life is anything but orderly. From the loss of her mother to the dissolution of her marriage, Ali's world is a whirlwind of chaos. However, amidst the clutter of her life, she finds unexpected joy when her dog plays matchmaker, introducing her to Ethan.

Monaghan's writing is as enchanting as ever, effortlessly weaving humor and heartache into a narrative that feels both relatable and uplifting.

I couldn’t put this down! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Annabel Monaghan has become one of my must-read romance authors! I loved Same Time Next Summer and Nora Goes off Script. Summer Romance, is my new favorite read by Annabel Monaghan! I loved the pacing and storyline of this romance novel, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

When I started this book, I didn't realize it would be so easy and quick to read. I really enjoyed the development of Ali's story as she starts to really understand what she wants out of her life. Scooter is the definition of "if he wanted to, he would" and is so swoon worthy at times. My favorite quote was "Ever since I met him he has been calling me back to myself, reminding me that I matter." Such a good, clean small town romance with her best friend's brother.

I enjoyed this one! I loved how Ali and Ethan knew each other prior. Even if she didn't recognize him! The two had such a sweet relationship. I loved how Ali started to heal and find joy in her new relationship with Ethan. This book had some hilarious moments too.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC via Netgalley!

Annabel Monaghan doesn't miss! I fell in love with her first two books, and this one was no different. What I love about her books is the way she weaves in heavy hitting topics while still keeping the overall mood of the book as light. So while this was an enjoyable, sweet story about, it features a mom going through a divorce and trying to figure out her life while grieving the loss of her mother - and without her pernicious ex husband.

While I would consider SUMMER ROMANCE to be a "beach read", it packs a powerful punch with a MC you can root for. I greatly appreciate Monoghan's portrayal of a female protagonist that isn't in her 20's (not that there's anything wrong with MC's in that category, but as someone in my 30's, I love reading someone who is a bit more *seasoned* in life). I think Ali's struggles will hit home for readers who have gone through a divorce when they had children involved, and the emotional turmoil of trying to figure out the logistics and also a way to move on with their life.

I also really enjoyed the male protaganist, Ethan, and the multiple dimensions of his character. He had some ground to make up in her mind due to being her childhood friend's "kid brother", and he rose to the occasion. Not only was he well educated and kind, but he was involved in his community in a big way. While I didn't find him as "swoony" as some MMC's in books, I actually found I really appreciated that about him because he was realistic. He was sweet, caring, and good to her without being over the top or fake.

Again, another win from Annabel Monaghan, and I can't wait to read everything else she ever writes!

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book because I really enjoyed Annabel Monaghan's other two books (Nora Goes off Script and Same Time Next Summer). It didn't disappoint - I loved it! Ali is a mom of three and a professional organizer whose life is really a mess behind the scenes. It's been two years since her mom died and one year since her husband left, and she is feeling lost, numb, and stuck. When she decides to have a casual summer romance with a handsome guy that her dog peed on at the dog park, she gets more than a couple of surprises!

This book was a lot of fun and left me feeling warm, fuzzy, and hopeful. Ali is a character that readers will easily want to root for as she takes back control of her life and finds her voice again. It will be a great summer comfort read for romance lovers!

Who says a summer romance has to be short lived?

This book surprised me, in the best possible way. Sitting in my favorite lawn chair, with a sweet drink and feet dipped in my kids blow up pool. I didn’t leave until my toes were pruned and skin burned.

This book left sun tan tear streaks and a grin that wouldn’t leave until well into the evening hours, long after finishing this book.

Ali and Ethan are so relatable and down to earth, it honestly didn’t feel like I was reading a book. They truly jumped off the page and pulled me right through into their world and summer romance.

This book plays at your heart strings in the hardest yet most uplifting way possible and it was such a breath of fresh air.

Being a mom, with three kids myself. I really appreciated the relationships Annabel painted in this book. With the ups and downs of motherhood, she captured it beautifully and the love Ali has for her children just shines through every page.

I swooned, I gasped, I smiled and cried. I had the best time reading this book and cannot wait to own a physical copy once it hits shelves in June.

Ya’ll, grab your beach towels, shades and lotion and prepare for a summer romance that is unlike any other.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.