I really enjoyed this book! It was a perfect mix of a fun summer romance and real life things like divorce and grief. The meaningful relationships between different sets of characters were so special! This book definitely makes you laugh and tear up all at the same time. Highly recommend picking this up over the summer!

Let me start by saying, I absolutely loved this book. Annabel Monaghan’s Summer Romance is the most relatable, fun romance.

Ali lost her mother. Her husband wants a divorce. Her kids are beginning to hit the preteen age. And while she is a professional organizer, her life is messy and falling apart. But a not-so-meet-cute at the dog park brings Ethan into her life. Ethan brings Ali out of her slump and makes her realize that maybe she doesn’t need to just survive each day.

I love that Annabel Monaghan gives us older women later in life romances that are so relatable yet so fun and warm. This book is giving me life!

Ali Morris is drowning in grief. Her mother died two years ago, her husband wants a divorce, her kids are preteens, and she’s struggling to keep her life in order. She feels like she’s just floating through her life, organizing everyone else’s homes and lives but her own. Then she meets Ethan, and she finds that maybe she doesn’t need to just get by every day. Maybe there’s joy in life still. Ethan brings Ali back to life. But what was supposed to be a summer romance feels deeper, and Ali isn’t so sure she’s going to survive the end of the relationship.

Annabel Monaghan has quickly became one of my favorite authors. Her niche is later in life love stories and I just devour each storyline. I find myself rooting for her main characters because she makes me fall in love with them.

Thank you Annabel Monaghan and Penguin Group for the ARC of this novel!

Annabel Monaghan is an auto read author for me. I absolutely loved Nora Goes Off Script and am excited for the opportunity to review Summer Romance.

In Summer Romance the main character Ali is in the process of divorcing her husband and rediscovering who she is. While she is a professional organizer, her personal life is a mess and she needs to pull things together. Following a meet cute at the dog park she quickly realizes that what she thought was a new face was actually a supporting character from her past.

This book has all of the components of an enjoyable read. Lovable main and supporting characters, light closed door romance, and a perfect balance of lighthearted moments and genuine emotion. This book is both a breath of fresh air and a ray of sunshine.

I want to start this review by thanking Net Galley and Penguin Random House for an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, this is the part where I have to be honest and honestly this book wasn't for me. I'm usually such a huge Annabel Monaghan fan and I loved "Nora Goes Off Script" so much. However, this book just feels like a bland, copy and paste but make it summertime reinterpretation of that first book. Single mom, dad's a loser, cute kids, and then enters the guy who's only there for a short time that she knows she shouldn't get serious about.

It was cute...the first time. It's just not the same twice and I honestly couldn't bring myself to care or connect with the characters or their story of their little island life. The main character, Alice, felt really unemotional the entire time and her voice was so stiff and awkward. The guy she's with refers to her as 'robotic' during a short scene at the end of this book and I was reading it thinking, where has he been the whole the time? The woman doesn't even speak in contractions and only says 'yes' and not 'yeah' which is kind of weird.

I think the writing style only makes it worse, too. I loved the way AM (Annabel Monaghan) wrote in "Nora Goes Off Script," but I just don't think it works for this narrative. I tried so hard to connect with Ali and her journey through her divorce, but with such a hard limit of the word count in this book it's hard to really get to know her or see her emotions in a raw, unhinged state. Everything is so quick and to the point, but we miss out on so much when AM decides to leave the details up to the reader's interpretation. The story was just vague in a way that seemed like it wanted to get readers to think more intelligently about what every small thing meant, but then it never gave you enough to really see a full picture.

Finally, I just think that there was no chemistry between Ali and Ethan. None. He was far more obsessed with her than she was with him and it really only felt like Alice loved him because she felt admired by him. He was definitely a step up from her jerk ex-husband, Pete, but I just didn't get anything passionate or emotional or romantic or anything from them. It was hyped up to be this summer romance where they make out on the beach and just live in the moment, but it just ends taking a turn for the stale and domestic again as a sort of "happily ever after." It just didn't work for me and was not what it was advertised to be.

These are my thoughts and I wish they weren't my thoughts, but here we are!

I just about devoured this book. This was one of those reads where you get lost in the story and the next thing you know it’s 2am and you need to get up for work in a few hours. But it’s totally worth the lack of sleep. Also, I swear Monaghan’s books just keep getting better.

I really enjoyed the plot. We’ve all seen the mother who is getting divorced and trying to find herself again, but this takes it a step further. Ali already knows who she is to the extent that she loves being out in nature, spending time with her friend Frannie, and being there to support her kids. The idea of finding another love doesn’t even cross her mind until Ethan enters the picture, and she needs to lean on him for support through her divorce. However, at the same time Ali is rediscovering her old self and beginning to stand up and speak up for the things she wants. The plot runs smoothly and progresses at a decent pace.

Let’s talk about the main characters:

I adored Ethan (AKA Scooter) so much. He’s so kind, patient, adventurous, and funny. He is the perfect guy, and I loved him with Ali.

Ali was a great main character. She puts her kids first, but she also makes time for herself by kayaking whenever she can and speaking to her diseased mother when she needs advice. I was rooting for her the entire time.

Best Quote:
Ali: “This isn’t a problem you can solve. To make this work, you’d have to alter the whole space-time continuum.”
Ethan: “Then that’s what I’ll do.”

Cue swooning.

I don’t have enough words to say how much I loved this novel. If I didn’t have to work I would have read this in one sitting. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next!

*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Annabel Monaghan has done it again! This is a perfect beach read, with likable, relatable characters who the reader feels they’ve gotten to know by the end.

Annabel Monaghan, you have done it again. I have adored her other books, and this is no exception. At its core, this book is about what it means to be a daughter and a mother, and how to rediscover your identity when those roles change.

It has been a very long time since I have felt as seen by a book as I did by Summer Romance. While our situations are far from identical, I could see so much of my own struggle as a wife, mother, daughter, and woman in these pages. This book is truly a gift to all women struggling to find their place and themselves, and is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of self discovery and new beginnings.

And the swoon is real, oh my oh my. The sweet nostalgia in Ali and Ethan’s connection took me right back to first crush feels, and the humor Ethan injected was the perfect balance to the gravity of emotions and experiences Ali was navigating.

I could go on and on and not run out of things to say about this book, but I don’t want to ruin anything! Suffice to say, this book broke, restored, and wholly captured my heart in the most beautiful ways, and makes me wish for my very own Champagne Summer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Many thanks to @netgalley @putnam @annabelmonaghan for the opportunity to review this book in advance of its official publication. Publication date June 4, 2024.

The grief and loss aspect of this book is very well done, but it is a VERY large part of this reading experience. This was not a negative for me once I wrapped my head around it, but I’ll admit that I had to put the book down for a couple days and come back to it with adjusted expectations. (It hit, as you can maybe tell, quite close to home.) I will never tire of reading about the idyllic homes, waterlogged summer activities, and delicious family dinners that Monaghan dreams up. The romance was bubbly and sweet, and the cast of characters (minus Pete) was completely lovable. Here’s to a champagne summer!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was such a cute story! Like many others, I've fallen in love with Annabel Monaghan. Her stories are lovely such good reads. For me, Summer Romance falls short of Nora Goes Off Script but it's still a good one nonetheless.

This book took me just a moment to get into. In fact I had to start it twice as the first time I just wasn't feeling. I'm so glad I gave it the second chance though because I devoured it. I enjoy stories about women that aren't so young and fresh faced. It's nice to read a story about someone I can relate to better. Ali seems like someone I'd be friends with in real life.

Ali has been struggling since her mom died 2 years ago. Her husband left her and their 3 kids. For a professional organizer, her own life is a mess. Until one day she meets Ethan at the dog park, and his flirtation wakes her up. Maybe a summer romance is just what she needs to get back to normal.

I’ve really enjoyed Annabel Monaghan’s books, and this one was no different. Her characters come to life on the page with their personalities. I could feel Ali’s emotions going through those stages of grief and lightening.

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam for an advanced copy of this book!

4 Stars

Another absolutely solid read from Annabel Monaghan!

This was my second book by her after reading Same Time Next Summer last year and I can see why people love her so much. I think I’ve deduced that her books are like a warm hug and pretty much the perfect summer/beach read if you’re looking for something cozy but with no spice (but not lacking chemistry) & not overly deep.

I appreciate that she writes about real people who aren’t super models & aren’t 20 years-old. It’s refreshing to read about people close-ish to my age who have some of the same problems as me! In this case I really connected to Ali dealing with grief and trying to come out of years of survival mode as a mostly stay at home mom.

I don’t really have any complaints! If I was going to pin-point what made it a four star read for me instead of a five star it would just be that it only delves so deep. I don’t feel like I really get to know the characters enough to LOVE them but what I see I like and think is sweet? It’s a really straightforward love story without a lot of angst or conflict which I know a lot of people will absolutely give five stars to!

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of Summer Romance in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This was another great read by Annabel Monaghan! I love that her romances focuses on people who are not 25 just starting their lives and careers. While this was not my favorite of hers, that one has to go to Same Time Next Summer, it was very enjoyable and I think it will be just as popular! The only storyline I struggled with was that of her mother. It felt like sometimes she took on a role in the book as an additional character but then other times she was very much not mentioned. Overall loved this story and of course the happy ending.

I can’t believe I held off on reading this book for so many weeks. It is Monaghan’s best, so far. I loved Ali and her neighbor. This book reminded me a bit of Georgie, All Along - two strong, independent people not sacrificing themselves or their lives to make something work. I loved the depth of grief and humanness. It’s definitely much more than just a, “Summer Romance.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Annabel Monaghan for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced reader's copy of Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan, coming out June 4th, 2024!

This story was so delightful! I laughed, I cried, I experienced so many emotions! This is the second book by this author that I have read and I enjoyed it just as much as the first one I read! I am not a mother, but I imagine mothers, would be able to find the main character relatable. I loved seeing the main character grow through the story as well as grow in her relationships with other characters.

I definitely recommend checking out this book when it releases! It's a perfect summer romance read!

This was the first book I have read by this author and I loved it.

I found the characters very relatable, especially Ali. As a mother myself, the challenges and struggles she faced were something many women struggle with. I love th journey to self-discovery and self-empowerment that she had during this book. I also really loved her relationship with Ethan.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, I was able to read Monaghan’s newest book (releasing on June 4). I have enjoyed two of her previous releases (Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer) and this was no exception. During several sleepless nights this past month, Ali, Ethan, and a whole host of lovable characters kept me company as they grappled with love, loss, and what it means to make a fresh start. I appreciate that more authors in this genre are including characters in their 30s, 40s, and 50s which allows readers to consider themes from a different perspective. I love it when you read a book and are rooting for the characters and this book had me rooting for everyone!

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Ali and Ethan from the start, and even though it was pretty predictable who he was and that they'd end up together, I loved seeing their story unfurl. I loved seeing Ali rediscover herself again and work through her grief. This book had so much heart that I could not put it down.

A swoonworthy summer romance with all the feels!

Ali went from confident high school valedictorian to struggling housewife married to a dead beat dad but her best friend’s little brother Ethan sees her for who she truly is and reminds her every chance he gets.

Ethan went from a troublemaker teenager to a lawyer do-gooder but his family doesn’t see him that way. One thing has never changed though - he wanted Ali in high school and he still wants her now.

Their lives collide and they seem to bring out the best in each other but can they really just have a summer fling?

Monaghan’s best work yet! She creates the perfect blend of drama and romance. And you will have the best time discovering delightful pearls of humor sprinkled throughout the story that make you laugh out loud in between hardcore rooting for Ali and Ethan. A must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Summer Romance is one of those books that gives you the feels. While it’s titled Summer Romance it’s really a lot more than the title or the breezy cover alludes to. Sure there’s a romance, but that’s not the book’s primary focus. However, the mere possibility of a summer romance is what jump starts Ali Morris’s life after the death of her mother and the death of her marriage.

I absolutely loved Ali and her three kids. They’re so relatable. Even if you’ve never been divorced or have kids you know the feeling of being comfortable in your own mess or the comfort of having your own traditions. You’re invested in Ali and her need to wallow in her grief and her desire not to wear hard pants; but at the same time, you’re yelling at her to wake up, put on those hard pants, and put her soon-to-be ex-husband in his place. And then there’s Ethan. I dare you not to fall in love with him. He’s a unicorn.

SR is perfect if you’re looking for adult characters who finally get their coming-of-age moment at ages 38 and 36. Not only do Ali and Ethan exhibit personal growth they do so by encouraging and supporting each other. The third act breakup is even kinda understandable.

The only thing I didn’t really like was the Hogan parents storyline. It was a bit of a stretch and it also wrapped up a bit too quickly. I’d have also liked to see more of Ali at work. None of this matters in the overall story.

Summer Romance is that book that can be fun-tastic, heartfelt, and real all at the same time. Plus, it’ll make you want to have your own Champagne Summer™. I encourage everyone to put this book on your summer reading list. Summer Romance comes out on June 4th.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the digital ARC of Summer Romance.