This book has it all! After the death of her mother and an end to her marriage, Ali tries to find herself again amidst her grief. Taking her friend's advice, she decides to pick herself up and move on.
This book is funny, it's got some swoon, it has some drama, and during part of it, I really wanted to slash Pete's bike tires. The part I liked most is that the main character reminded me of some of my single mama friends and other people I know. The author's character development was spot on!

"Summer Romance" is a wonderful and lovely book. I have become a HUGE fan of Annabel Monaghan and will quite literally read anything she writes. Her stories and books are that good.

This book follows Ali, who just recently has lost her mother and is separated from her husband. Ali's mother was basically her life partner and helped her with her three kids plus keeping her marriage alive (well maybe not alive but from ending anyways). Once she was gone, it seems everything in her life became a mess from her newly single life to her home cleanliness, which for Ali is big because she quite literally organizes people's homes and lives for a living. A chance encounter at the local dog park with a man named Ethan, who is a stranger but not really, changes everything. Ali finds herself wanting to tackle her mess. Ethan and Ali's relationship grows and as it grows Ali becomes more like her old self again, the girl that Ethan knew she was.

This story was so heartwarming. It felt natural, like it's something that you know could happen to you in real life. Not like a fairytale store. I loved the playfulness and the genuine love between the characters. The real emotions of raising kids and rediscovering yourself was also beautifully written and portrayed. Every character was lovable, well except for Pete. He was trash but we needed that for the story. The romance gave me butterflies like I was going through it myself. I was hard core rooting for them the entire book. There isn't a ton of action but the emotional ride of the character's was action enough for me. I just loved, loved, loved this book. Annabel's romance novels are my favorite. I can't wait to for this to come to print (June 4th, 2024!!) so I can purchase a hard copy ASAP.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC in exchange of my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this book.

This is a very sweet book; perfect for lazy summer Saturdays. The main character, Ali, is a newly divorced mom of 3 in her late 30s. This book is definitely geared towards a more mature reader with its themes of death, motherhood, dating with kids but that shouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it. It’s a very safe book for book clubs (or sharing with your mom) because the intimate scenes are alluded to instead of in your face so for anyone who likes romance without spice this is a great choice.

What a wonderful romance!

Annabel Monaghan's Nora Goes off Script is one of my favorite romance novels of all time! This book is also wonderful!

Monaghan does a beautiful job of combining what it is to be a mother, an individual person, and someone in a romantic relationship. Although I'm not a single mom, like the character in this book, I could still find lots of things to relate to.

And the relationship between the main characters is so sweet! I love Ethan. :)

Overall I highly recommend this book!

Annabel Monaghan has done it again!
This book had it all, the perfect amount of comedy and romance. A quirky, imperfect main character who I connected with on so many levels and a love story that's about beginning again.

When Ali Morris is finally able to take off her ring and begin her single life (one year after the fact), she meets a cute guy at the dog park. When his identity is revealed, things begin to get complicated. Ali's story of the complex layers of motherhood, of dating and of obstacles were so refreshing to read. This book gave me all the feels and will stick with me for a long time to come. There are so many bright points, detailed layered characters and the perfect amount of humor makes this book a MUST READ!

"Summer Romance" is the perfect rom-com, quick summer read!

She’s done it again. Annabel’s third book has put her on my favorite authors list, easily.

I love this book so much. As a married woman, with three kids, I relate to Ali in so many ways. It’s refreshing to read about a 30 something woman, who loves her kids but also loves a break, whose house is a mess because she’s always taking care of everyone else.

Ethan is adorable, a total cinnamon roll, who has been pining for Ali his whole life, completely unbeknownst to her.

I really loved this one.

That ending! Wow, this story warmed my heart in so many ways. The analogy about getting a dog – broke my heart straight in half. But it is a reminder to always take a risk, to always leap, even if you know you will get hurt. And for the record, I will always have a dog, too.

Ali is a professional organizer who is quirky and relatable. She’s has been through a lot in the past couple of years and her own life is a bit of a mess. She lost her mother 2 years ago and is now in the process of getting a divorce from her husband. Not to mention she is also raising 3 kids, mostly on her own due to her ex only being around when it’s convenient to him. Ali finds cleaning and organizing to be therapeutic, and she frequently has conversations with her late mother. I absolutely adored this poignant concept; it’s charming how she continues to seek guidance from her mom, and I feel like that is something a lot of people can relate to, whether you’ve lost your mom, or just someone you look up to in general.

Ali has an embarrassing meet-cute with Ethan, who turns out to be someone from her past. Immediately after meeting Ethan, Ali has a determination to get herself back out in the world, put on some “hard pants” (basically, not sweatpants), and start finding herself again. Ethan is a sexy skateboarder who also happens to be a fantastic lawyer. For the first time, she feels like she’s noticed by someone and appreciated. As they get to know each other, they start to develop deep feelings, and it leaves Ali questioning whether this summer romance can last longer than just this summer. She has kids to think about and it’s up to her to decide whether she thinks Ethan can fit into this life she is trying to build for her family.

At first, I wasn’t sure how she didn’t recognize him from her past, but I was able to get over that quickly. The banter between the two main characters is natural, witty, and makes them feel authentic. This is a closed-door romance; the connection was genuine and there was no spice needed. The deep connection they have gives you the insight into the intimacy that develops, so even if you are not a fan of closed door, I am sure you will still love this book.

Not only are the two main characters fantastic, but I also enjoyed the full cast of family and friends. By the time I finished reading, it felt like I knew these characters personally. You begin to feel the feelings they are feeling, you laugh with them, especially Ali as she is navigating dating again. I also cried so hard in some parts where she is talking to her mom and when she is helping her elderly neighbor.

I could not stop reading this book. It is so binge-worthy! I loved how short the chapters were, the words were easy to digest. It’s complete escapism! It is a must read for anyone looking for a compelling story. This is my favorite book of Annabel Monaghan’s! I’m obsessed – I will be buying a copy to put on my favorite books of all time shelf!

I've loved and recommended both Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time, Next Summer to any patron who enjoys romance or is looking for a beachy read, and now I'll be recommending Summer Romance. I really really enjoyed the book and finished it in one day. I loved all of the characters (even Pete), and I loved hearing Ali's inner dialogue. I think it's a great story that shows you how a person can change, and how your feelings toward your hometown can change as you grow and transform. I especially loved the dogs in the story, I thought they were a fun element and I like how the different characters interacted with them. I think this book might be more like 4.5 stars for me than 5 stars, and I can't quite put my finger on why. I think I just wanted a little more. I think I needed a little more about Ali's relationship with her mom, like flashbacks or something, but also I'm not entirely sure. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC!

Annabel Monaghan has done it again! I’ve really enjoyed this book, a comeback story for a mom who felt drowning in grief & lost in life. I really like how this story weaved together a life of a newly separated mom not looking for love but found one and a daughter grieving for her mom. I know “romance” is in the title but this is more than a your usual summer romance read!

Separated but not yet divorced mom of 3 Ali is part time closet organizer part time stay at home mom and a former accountant. She is still very much grieving the loss of her mother who died 2 years prior. The subsequent grief she feels is what she largely (initially) attributes her divorce to. She is deep in grief over the loss of her mother, her marriage, and her life, unable to fully get dressed each morning when she meets Ethan at the dog park. As the title suggests, Ali embarks on a summer romance.

Annabel Monaghan's books, this one included, always feel very lived in. The characters all have depth and dimension and the plot, especially this one, feels very real.

I really enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters in this book and following Ali's journey of self discovery and the beginning of her second act. The breakup felt a bit forced to me but it didnt really detract as the overall story was one worth following. Will be reading any all books from the author.

I loved the book! Ali Morris is recently single with three kids and a dog and a life in free-fall because of the death of her beloved mother. In the middle of trying to get her life back on track she meets a handsome stranger who turns out to be her best friend's brother. They have a beautiful summer romance but then it's time to get back to reality and Ali isn't sure if she can do that.
I specifically loved the emotional and evocative way the mother-daughter relationship is depicted in the book. The author takes us on a journey through every single page as the main character deals with the ups and downs of living in a small town with your family and an ex-husband that would rather go on a bike ride than see his kids. I enjoyed reading the love interest and his sure-footed way of interacting with Ali. Of how he constantly reminds her of who she used to be and who she still was deep inside. Not to mention the sizzling hot chemistry they shared every time he looked at her! I wanted it to be open door but that's just a personal choice and the book was still really enjoyable without it. It was ultimately an amazingly heart-warming read and I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy romance and women's fiction.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

Excited I got to read this book early through NetGalley! I have always enjoyed reading Annabel Monaghan’s books. She writes such feel good romances and her descriptions are always so dreamy.

Even as a mom, I don’t always connect with characters that have kids in romances. I found this book to be the exception. Ali felt relatable and I enjoyed watching her find herself while falling in love.

I didn’t really get the addition of the skateboarding. Ethans connection with the kids as a mentor was endearing, but teaching Ali how to skateboard just made him feel younger. So in my head I kept imagining her much older than him.

That said, their relationship together still gives you butterflies. Her books always make me smile and want to move to an idyllic small town.

I read this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. I absolutely loved this clean romance novel! There were a lot of emotions displayed and felt in this novel. I absolutely fell in love with Ethan! He is the definition of patient, loving and willing to make sacrifices for the woman he loves!

I was so thankful to receive this ARC from NetGalley! This author continues to wow me more and more with each book I’ve read. I love this one the most. She has crafted such a beautiful story. I find that no matter what the subject matter, I always find something I can relate to on a deeper level in her books. I was highlighting all the way into the authors note at the end of the book, and I barely ever highlight! Would totally recommend this book, and I would read it again and again. This book definitely made me feel “carbonated”! ❤️

Loved this! Love her writing style and her ability to handle all of life’s challenges with such thought and care. The fact that the main character is navigating the loss of a parent and the end of her marriage and all of the things that go with moving on and finding love. It highlights the sacrifices women often make whether or not it’s their choice to divorce. It shows the love mothers have for their children and families but also how exhausting it can be to carry the emotional and physical load of managing everything. This was very beautifully done and the reader feels all of the emotions alongside the main character. I absolutely loved the ending! This author is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me!

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this book.

I loved this book! Alice is a mom of 3 kids going through a divorce. She has slowly lost herself in her grief over her mom's recent death and just the day to day chaos of managing a household. Scooter/Ethan comes back into town for the summer and reminds her of what a strong person she was and is capable of being. First of all, I love the setting of the book since I live on Long Island. This would be a perfect spring/summer beach read! It definitely leans more towards women's fiction than romance (closed door) but it worked for me really well. I couldn't stop turning the pages and finished within 24 hours.

Annabel Monaghan has a gift and I can't wait to see what comes next!

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book in less than 24 hours, but I just couldn’t put this book down. Annabel’s “Nora Goes Off Script” came to be when I was first separating from my husband of 15 years. I cried through most of it and it gave me so much strength and courage to keep going. To keep being a good mom and working to heal myself. This new book, Summer Romance, also came to me at exactly the right time. I’m now divorced and moving on with my life and finding so much happiness in the simple things. This story will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. It is full of hope and longing and all about taking risks for love in all types of relationships. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.

I love how Annabel Monaghan writes romances about people in their 30s/40s. Summer Romance is a heartwarming and real story about the changes that happen as we grow into our true adult lives (which society tells us is in our 20s but just no). Our decisions sometimes lead us to become people we never dreamed possible and it can be hard digging ourselves out of holes that we have fallen into. Ali and Ethan’s stories are so real and relatable. Definitely worth a read and dare I say a reread or two (or three) over the years.

I loved this book so much!

The main character is a professional organizer, which at first had me a little worried because I'm a professional organizer! But, while it was included in the story, it really wasn't the most prominent part. It was a captivating story and I was really invested in the characters. It was also very clear that the man she met was the brother (don't worry, not a spoiler, you find that out really early!).

Can't wait for the next read from Annabel Monaghan!

Thank you to Annabel, Penguin Randomhouse, and Netgalley for an early arc of this book. Fans of Nora goes off script, and same time next summer will devour the story of Alice and Ethan (Scooter) it was a beautiful story about finding yourself, and reclaiming your confidence, so much more than just a summer romance as the book suggests. I fell in love with Scooter; along with Ali. Perfect Beach read!