I've never read an Annabel Monaghan book I didn't love and this book was no different! I absolutely loved the characters and was rooting for them throughout. I loved how Ali found her voice by the end of the book and how Scooter brought out the best in her. The entire book was an absolutely delight and my only complaint was I wish the book was longer! I highly recommend this book for a read that is a little lighter but has a good storyline.

I'm calling it already, this is THE book of summer. I've loved every Annabel Monaghan book, but I think this was my favorite so far.. This book has everything and just felt so good. I read it in one day, but that was even me trying to savor it to make it last longer. All the stars, and if you can read this on the beach, I definitely would do that.

Ali Morris is an organizer - at least for other people. Her life, she feels is a mess. Her mother passed away two years ago, and her husband moved out last year. Now that they have been separated for a full year, Pete wants to file for divorce. Ali is trying to do what's best for her three children, but feels adrift. The first time she leaves the house without her wedding ring, she happens to meet a handsome man at the dog park - actually, her dog pees on his leg, but he's really kind about it. Ethan asks her out, and a Summer Romance begins.

This is the perfect "beach read" - enjoyable, realistic, and romantic! Another great title from the author of "Nora Goes Off Script" and "Same Time Next Summer." Watch for Summer Romance - to be published on June 4, 2024.

Thanks to Net Galley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the Advance Reader Copy of this title!

She does it again! Nora Goes off Script is one of my favorite books so I was very excited to see what Annabel Monaghan had in store for us with this book.
What a story! I absolutely loved Ali and Ethan and the bond they had. They made each other better people!
In the beginning, it was difficult to fully fall in love with Ali since she was so broken. She was letting life happen around her, instead of being part of life. But when she met “scooter”, all bets were off. I loved watching as she grew into the person she was meant to be. Stronger for herself and for her kids and for her relationship with Ethan.
And can we talk about Ethan!!! Does a man get more perfect than him? The skateboarding thing was kind of weird to me, but i guess it worked with his story and it was part of what drove him. I could have done with a different hobby but it ultimately connected him to all those kids that needed his help, so it worked.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book!!! I was left with a happy heart.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnum for this ARC of Summer Romance.

If you enjoyed Nora Goes Off Script, you will like this book. I enjoyed the characters and the setting helped move the story along. It had a YA feel that I did not care for; the last few beach reads I’ve picked up have high school love affairs which I find a little cringey. I guess I’m too old.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

I absolutely loved Summer Romance and think this will be a must read book to throw in your beach bag this summer. For me, this one ranks right up there with Nora Goes Off Script. I didn't love her previous novel, Same Time Next Summer, but Monaghan is back with what I have no doubt will be a fan favorite. I love Ali and Ethan! Highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Oh my, what a lovely book. This is the sort of book you fall into and never want it to end. Annabel Monaghan has such a way with writing her characters. Ali and Ethan are so believably nice that I was rooting for their happiness. Ali's soon to be ex husband Pete is so self absorbed that I found myself hoping things turn out badly for him. The small town setting was richly described. Just an all around great addition to the author’s previous novels. I recommend them all.

Summer Romance introduces us to Ali Morris, a character I easily fell in love with. Ali is a busy mom, balancing her life after the loss of her mother, juggling the responsibilities of her family, and recently separated from her husband. After an unexpected meeting in a dog park, as the title reveals, a summer romance begins. What I loved the most about this book is that while it may look like an easy summer read, which it is, it is also much more. I loved watching Ali find herself again after the losses life had dealt, and I feel like most of us women can relate to her character. Annabel Monaghan continues to be an author I will always look forward to reading her next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

He's her best friend's brother, and he's her divorce attorney. Can't he also be her summer fling? Are you kidding me!? I was instantly invested.
I adored this book! Oh so swoony and sweet while also tackling touch subjects, from rediscovering your 'self', single parenthood, divorce, grief, new love, loss and all sorts of complicated interpersonal relationships.
The romance in this was absolutely ADORABLE! Like all the butterflies, swoony, funny banter moments.
It was so beautiful to see her grow and rediscover herself. I was crying big time cause I'm such a softie but also because I was just so invested in this story emotionally.
Thank you NetGalley and Annabelle Monaghan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

My favorite of Annabel Monaghan’s books thus far. I love that she writes older characters in a genre that is often dominated by 20-something protagonists. And while much of Ali’s story isn’t mine (three kids, grief of losing a parent), she’s eminently relatable, with her messy pantry and aversion to hard pants.

She’s also delightfully open and when, in the midst of another “champagne summer,” a new romantic option presents itself, she takes it. And what a wonderfully written, perfectly imperfect, unreliable hero he is.

As in all of her previous work, the author creates an entire cast of beautifully developed characters, and you can see yourself in the inn, or the diner, or the car with them. Plus there are delightful dogs. Read this one as soon as you can!

*I was honored to read an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.*

Reading an Annabel Monaghan book is like coming home. It’s comfortable, you laugh, there is family, and love. Summer Romance is no exception!

Ali Morris is a professional organizer, but her life is in shambles. In the wake of losing her mother, she also is getting a divorce from her husband with three young kids. Enter, Ethan.

I couldn’t get enough of this story. While I knew what to expect going in, Annabel’s writing is comforting and left me smiling. She tackles many big issues, like divorce and grief, in a way that still keeps the story light and fun. She is an absolute must read for me!

If you’re looking for a cute beach read this summer be sure to pick up Summer Romance! I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would like to thank Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I loved Nora Goes off Script. I really liked Same Time Next Summer. I am just okay with Summer Romance. I liked the premise-Ali is a woman about to divorce, now sure of what she wants or who she is. She has children, a house, a dog, commitments. Then she meets Ethan, young carefree, and admittedly unreliable. What harm can a romance do? Well, add in to this the fact that Ethan is her best friends brother ( they called him scooter in school),who she doesn't recognize, a soon to be ex husband who is a true tool, a dead mother who Ali talks to on a regular basis, really a cast of thousands.There is a good deal I liked, but also a good deal , that for me, was just ok.If you are looking for a fun rom com , this might be for you.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5!!! This was such a delightful read, one I have already recommended to family and friends!! Annabel Monaghan delivered a heartwarming story that was well written and had lead characters you wanted to be friends with. While several lines stuck with me, there was one that I have had on repeat. "You're the architect of your own experience." So unbelievably true and so fitting for this book!

I loved that within this sweet romance, the characters were in their 30s, already adulting. As I mentioned, who would not want to be friends with Ali and/or Ethan? That said, Ethan was definitely a favorite for me - what a great male lead character. His personality, strength, and wanting to prove himself was divine. While I couldn't directly relate to Ali - not a mom or going through a divorce, I still felt connected to the character. I loved that Ali was a woman who was trying to find herself in this 'second act.' Finally, the chemistry portrayed between Ali and Ethan just made me smile!

This was my first time reading Monaghan, but it definitely will not be my last. I now can't wait to pick up her other books!!!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons, and the author for a digital copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Summer Romance is my second novel by Annabel Monaghan. I wasn't sure if it would live up to Nora Goes Off Script (which was one of my favorite books of 2023 and one of the few 5-star reviews I gave last year) but wow! This book had all of the heart of Nora Goes Off Script and Monaghan is quickly becoming a must-read author for me.

Ali Morris is struggling - her mom passed away two years ago, and last year, her overbearing husband Pete asked her for a divorce. Ali works organizing houses but feels like her own house (and life) is an absolute mess. Then, one day while at the dog park, she meets a cute man named Ethan and decides to embark on a "summer romance" with him - a low-stakes summer fling to distract her from her real life.

First off, man, can I relate to Ali. We have absolutely nothing in common other than feeling like our lives are a mess but I was rooting for her to put on her hard pants and enjoy her life! Ethan was honestly the cutest thing ever and I loved Phyllis, Ali's next-door neighbor. I love how Monaghan creates such realistic characters and her stories make me smile so wide while also making me cry a little bit along the way. This novel did both, and I loved it for that reason. If I didn't already have a dog, I probably would have adopted one after reading this story!

For awhile there, I was a little worried the conflict between the two MCs was going to be too similar to Nora Goes Off Script, but I should have known better! Monaghan created yet another original story that I kept thinking about even when I wasn't reading, and I couldn't wait to come back to finish. 4.5 stars rounded up - highly, highly recommend for anyone looking for a cute summer romance or a cute and uplifting story that will inspire you to live life to the fullest and go out and get a dog.

A special thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you @netgalley for early reading of this book.

Rating - 4/5

I’m normally not a romance book reader (When I say Romance, I mean there's an RO on the spine of the book and it's shelved in the romance section of the library. Li9ht romance I'm down for.) The synopsis always looks good, but then I get into it and it’s either too cheesy or too racy, but Annabelle Monaghan romance books always hit just right.

📚 This is the story of Ali whose mother recently passed away and then her husband files for divorce on the one year anniversary of her mom’s death. Ali is trying to navigate mom as a single mom with a narcissistic ex. Cue cute boy from her childhood, who she does not remember, and boom, she’s fallen into a summer romance, but will this summer romance survive for PSL season?

This was the perfect cute and fluffy read, great for lounging around the pool or beach.

🎬 I actually could see this as a movie on Netflix, where we’re supposed to believe the single mom is frumpy looking, but then changes her overalls to a denim skirt and suddenly we’ve gone from a ragga-muffin (did you get my RHOBH reference?) looking mom to Emma Blunt at the Oscars. It would be the perfect summer movie.

The cover makes this book look trope-ier than it is. I loved this exploration of life after/during a divorce and all the ways love matters. I loved the intergenerational relationships everywhere and the importance of both kids and the elderly. The main characters of this book are so lovely and thoughtful at their best, I’d like to be friends with them.

I was hoping a book titled Summer Romance would like a light fun read. Although it was fun, I used many many more tissues than expected.

Summer Romance follows Ali Morris through a tough chapter in her life. Still grieving the lose of her mother and navigating life as a soon-to-be divorced mother, Ali can't seem to get herself out of sweatpants and the mess her home has become. Although a professional organizer, Ali can't seem to get out of her own way. When a single, interested, and interesting man walks into her life, she hopes its a chance at a summer romance. "Benefits of a summer romance: it’s always fun, always brief, and no one gets their heart broken."

This story tugs on every heart string. Grief of a parent's passing. Questioning relationships. Wondering if you are enough. Annabel Monaghan knocked this work out of the park.

Ali Morris proves that moving on doesn't always look pretty, but because we are ..."architects of our own experience." it is always possible.


Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley for a chance to read this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review!

When you lose the person closest to you your life can spiral out of control or you just get lost! This is the case in this book Ali is a professional organizer who lost her mother who was her best friend now she is a closet messer her life is a mess, her house, her marriage as she is getting divorce and her love life with an unexpected person. This book had me laughing and in way I could relate! It’s super easy read I recommend!! Keep them coming Annabel!

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!!!

Another wonderful book by Annabel Monaghan. I absolutely adored the characters in this book, I wish they were real and that I could visit the diner for breakfast. This was a heartwarming story about finding love after divorce, dealing with grief of losing a parent, while also finding yourself again. Overall, a great read and I can’t wait to get this when it releases June 4, 2024! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

Annabel Monaghan does it again! Nora Goes Off Script was my favorite book of 2022 and Summer Romance is my favorite book I've read so far in 2024! In this story, Ali's mom passes away and she finds herself drowning in grief, then her husband asks for a divorce and it sends everything into motion. Ali journeys to drag herself out of the darkness with help from good friends, a sweet (and nosy) elderly lady next door, and a "urine-soaked meet cute at the dog park" - it's adorable and funny and heartfelt and tells the story of a great summer romance... dogs and all.

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and Netgalley for this ARC. SUMMER ROMANCE is out June 4, 2024.