I adore all of Annabel Monaghan's books and this is no different. Summer Romance was a cute and quick read for me and I can't wait to get the actual book to add to my collection.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan. I greatly enjoyed Monaghan's earlier two books, Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer, but this book is in a league all its own. While it is a (closed-door) romance like the other two, it has a depth to it that is rarely found in a "romance" novel (though this author does have a knack for bringing *more* to the average romance/romcom IMO!).

Summer Romance is a special novel, with a layer of grief throughout that adds emotional honesty to a genre that can often seem fluffy and unrealistic. The reader finds out in the very first pages that Ali, our main character, is a year out from her husband moving out and two years out from her mother's death (Yes, her ex-husband left her on the anniversary of her mother's passing. Yes, he is totally self-absorbed.). These two losses are part of Ali and so they are part of the story. She doesn't get over them or move on to find her HAE (happily-ever-after). They are interwoven in her life and love story, and that is the beauty of this book. The people are real - they are happy, they are sad, they laugh, they cry. All the things, all wrapped up in a whole person - just like we all are.

Truly such a special book that I can'y wait for even more readers to discover. What a gift this author is to the romance genre (and readers in general!).

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam for the early copy. Truly, thank you!

SUMMER ROMANCE by Annabel Monaghan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is for you if you love older main characters (in their late 30s), self-discovery, and the best friend's brother's romance set in a cute small town. I promise you won't regret reading it.

I adore this book and its wonderful characters (especially Ethan, my new fictional boyfriend). I love that Annabel Monghan's characters are very relatable (maybe because I am also in my early 40s with young kids, or maybe because Annabel knows how to write relatable characters—probably both). Either way, I love Annabel's voice and her funny and heartwarming stories, and I am already looking forward to her next book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group, for the ARC of this novel!!

This book is a perfect mix of quirky, laugh-out-loud writing but also had me shedding a few tears. It’s so much more than a fluffy romance read. There are so many lessons and themes around personal growth and navigating life after loss and divorce. I was rooting so much for Ali to find herself and joy again. I also loved the scenes with Ali and her kids, the impact that Ali’s mom had on her, and Ali’s actions had on her daughter.

The whole book was also so wholesome, taking place in a small town in NY, with sweet next-door neighbors, and a family that runs the local diner and inn. This was such a quick and easy read, it will be the perfect beach read for this summer.

Ali is separated from her husband (a complete tool) and mourning the loss of her mother when she meets Ethan, who is just…*chef’s kiss*. But he’s only in town for the summer. She has three kids to think about, and he has a life elsewhere that makes him happy, so they decide to embark on a “summer romance” with the understanding that it can’t really last.

She’s done it again. I LOVED this. Could not put it down. The writing is elegant but accessible, the story pulled me along effortlessly, and the characters are so vivid. I FELT every moment of their respective transformations, as well as the pain of being pulled in two directions by their lives. I could also very much feel the chemistry and the longing between the main characters, and there was a perfect balance between conflict and swoony resolution. In terms of *steam*, I’d say that it’s….not a <i>closed</i> door, but also not an open one. It’s slightly ajar?

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam + Netgalley for the arc!

This is a sweet read!

Read this if you…
like an older FMC
love the small town life
need someone to organize your pantry
have a crazy close bond with your mom

This definitely gave me a lot of Nora Goes Off Script vibes. Her ex was awful. This author is really good at writing terrible ex husbands lol.

Ethan was so perfect. I loved the pining and am a sucker for a childhood crush.

Highly recommend this book! I really enjoyed Same Time Next Summer and knew I was going to love this book too. It was an emotional story with humor and banter. I really enjoyed Ali’s character development, starting the book at a low point in her life and watching her confidence grow. And I loved the summer romance between Ethan and Ali.

4.5 stars
Easily becoming one of my favorite romance authors, Annabel Monaghan knocks it out of the park with this one!
Ali's life is a mess. She is grieving her mother, dreading her upcoming divorce, all while trying to raise 3 kids. One day at the dog park, she meets Ethan and there is an immediate attraction. After a date, she finds out he is only in town for the summer...and he is NOT who she expected him to be. But as their relationship grows deeper, they are both questioning everything. Ethan has already admitted he struggles with commitment. Will they find a way to work things out?
I loved all of the characters in this book! Ali is a strong MC and loved seeing her devotion to her kids. Ali and Ethan's romance seemed so genuine and relatable. This is truly a perfect summer read that will grab your heart!
Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

i love this book so much. it was so easy and fun and a such a joy to physically read the words Annabel strung together to make this beauty. all the sentences make sense and are satisfying to consume. there is so much fun and joy and i loved every second of it. the love & grief & power of this book are ones i will think about for a long long time. i love Ethan and Ali together so so much. and Ali is my role model. i want to only read Anabell Monahan books for the rest of my life bc they make me feel so much and so good and remember the hard things, and that it’s normal to go numb and not do anything about the hard things. i am the architect of my own experience.

and one quote because i keep thinking about it: "He smiles when he sees me, like I'm the thing he's been looking everywhere for."

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the arc.

I loved this book. This was my first book from Annabel Monaghan, and I loved it. It's a sweet story about Ali Morris, mom of three kids, professional organizer, but in her personal life, Ali is barely holding on. She's dealing with the grief of losing her mother two years prior, and a divorce from her barely there husband. Her house is a mess, and she does not see an end to her misery.

Just as Ali is questioning "how" she got herself in this literal mess of everything, someone from her past comes back to town. Ethan Hogan is the younger brother of Ali's best friend, younger by two years, and he's a breath of fresh air. He makes Ali feel empowered, feel "carbonated", just feel. And, Ethan has been in love with her since he was fourteen. It's all wonderful, right?

Well, of course not, because that's not how I like my romances, and this romance had a lot of reality grounded into it. Ali has to contend with getting her "old" self back, the person who was the valedictorian of her high school class, who worked in Manhattan and loved the grind of accounting (I loved how Ali was thrilled about seeing the cells of spreadsheets, and the fun she had in preparing her own budget, but that's because I'm an accounting geek), the person who strived to create her own joy. Monaghan does an excellent job of describing the reality of having to deal with cleaning out a loved one's living quarters while handling the grief of losing your loved one, and that although your loved one is not physically present, they are always present inside of you. I've always believed that, and it was beautiful to read it.

Ethan also has to address some issues he has with his childhood home, but he's pretty much perfect. And he make Ali feel "carbonated".

I loved this book. It's perfect as the weather warms us towards Spring and Summer, but really, it's perfect for bringing one out of the doldrums.

Monaghan's latest release once again proves to be the perfect addition to her book releases. For those familiar with her work, this book is undoubtedly another must-read. Known for her knack for crafting relatable characters and engaging narratives, Monaghan delivers yet another gem with Summer Romance.

This book is filled with laughter, love, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of summer, the story follows a mom, Ali, as she navigates the complexities of divorce and grief while embarking on a journey of new beginnings. Along the way, we're treated to a heartwarming love story between Ali and Ethan, as well as a deeper exploration of themes such as self-discovery and resilience.

This is a perfect summer read that seamlessly balances lightheartedness with deeper themes.

Summer Romance hit all the right notes for me. I loved the authors previous books and this one is great too! I loved that the romance was based on more mature adults with histories and flaws (more books like this please!!) and less angsty 20yr olds. I really loved the quirky side characters that added to the story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rating: 4.5 star
Genre: Romance

Thoughts: I have really adored all of Annabel Monghan's books, so I was so excited to read this one & it didn't disappoint!

This book follows Ali as she is navigating the grief of losing her mom a year ago, the changes that come from her separation/divorce, & finding herself among this season of life!

I enjoyed the majority of the main characters (in their 30s) and the romance storyline intertwined with loss, grief, divorce, & parenting! Annabel has a way of writing witty, captivating stories and I look forward to every one!

If you enjoy:
-summer romance
-more mature main characters
-more in depth storyline themes
then definitely add this one to your TBR!

Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Spice: 0/5 🧼

Summary: Ali is a professional organizer who could use someone to organize her own life. She is still deeply grieving her mother and her husband has announced he wants a divorce. She’s convinced she’ll never be ready to date again but stumbles into a man who looks at her the way she’s always dreamed someone would. Their lives are in completely different places but she decides a summer romance would do them both good.

Thoughts: There is something about the way Annabel Monaghan writes that just makes me feel like I’ve stumbled and fallen into the pages and I never want to leave.

The dialogue felt so natural and witty. I loved how mature the relationship felt between the two main characters. The romance took a secondary role to the journey Ali goes through and I loved the sense of discovery it had.

I walked away from this book with such a feeling of healing. There were a lot of topics worked through that we all experience in varying degrees and I love how it was navigated. It was all so relatable and brought out all of my emotions.

I just love how this author has such a refreshing approach to writing that feels simultaneously simple and eloquent.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. The words are all mine, this book is a treasure.

Annabel Monaghan CAN WRITE!! I loved this so much, definitely my new favorite of hers!

This story centers around Ali, a mom of three going through a divorce while still working through the grief of her mom’s death two years ago. Then comes a dog lovers dream or nightmare meet cute (youll have to read and decide for yourself) with Ethan, an easy going lawyer who is only in town for the summer. Thus ensues a beautiful summer romance.

I love that real life gets in the way of these two all the time. Their dates get interrupted by unreliable ex husbands and seventh grade girl emergencies and skate park politics. They are patient with each other and accepting of their own independent lives they had before they met, but the problem comes when trying to merge these lives come fall. Are either of them willing to give up parts of themselves to be together for the long haul or is it best to leave it in the summer??

I have no notes for this book. The writing was witty, the story was fun but also emotional, the characters were all very fleshed out, the setting was beautiful. I had a great time reading this book and I think you will too.

Sometimes putting on pants with a zipper is totally worth it…

Meet Ali. She is a professional organizer whose life is anything but put together. Her mom passed away then her husband left her. Life got messy and this single mom has been living in sweats. For a long time.

Knowing she needs to start somewhere she puts on real pants and heads to the dog park. Good thing she did because her dog meets a handsome guy named Ethan.

Ali isn’t ready for a real romance, but maybe a summer fling is what she needs to begin living again.
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan is a great book about two people with messy, complicated lives. A must-read summer rom-com.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED this book. I’ve read and really liked both of Monaghan’s previous novels - enough that she is on my list of auto-read authors but this book went straight to the top of my Monaghan rankings. It combines all the heart, humor, and depth of her previous novels into something exceptional. The characters are rich and real. The relationships beyond the romance (especially with the next door neighbor and oldest daughter) are just as important to the main characters growth as the central relationship. I loved it all.

Absolutely adored this book. Ethan was the sweetest! I loved how selfless he was with Ali and how he challenged her to find her voice again. I loved seeing Ali come into herself in the wake of her divorce and find her voice again. I love how easy it is to connect with Ali, I felt every small triumph like I was right there in it with her. I think the complexities of grief were displayed in a very honest way through out the story. Highly recommend! Annabel Monaghan hit the mark with this one!

Summer Romance follows the story of Ali Morris, a professional organizer, whose life is still a mess 2 years after the death of her mom and 1 year after her husband asked for a divorce. After putting on “hard pants” at the insistence of her best friend, Ali runs into a handsome stranger at the dog park and begins a…. Summer Romance 🤪

This books has all the elements of a classic Annabel Monaghan novel - quirky kids, a handsome and charming male lead, and beautiful descriptions of the outdoors. Despite reading it in the dead of winter, I still felt enveloped into a summery world.

Overall, I liked the book but felt like some elements were very reminiscent of Nora Goes Off Script (which I literally read like 2 weeks prior to reading this, which was maybe my own fault for reading them so close together). I felt like the romance was a hint too insta-love (I am personally more of a fan of a slower burn). I did appreciate that there was no miscommunication really and I did appreciate how neatly the story wrapped up. If you enjoyed any of Monaghan’s other books, Emily Henry, or romance in general, you’ll definitely like this. I will definitely be recommending this book whenever someone asks for a lighthearted romance ☀️😎👙🌻⛱️

This review will be posted on my instagram @booksadithareaddy closer to publication!

I absolutely loved this book! And Ali is so relatable and loveable and Ethan is the best MMC and I loved their love story! I could not stop reading this! Loved every word of it!
I just reviewed Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan. #SummerRomance #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]