Thanks to Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP- Putnam for the E-ARC! I absolutely loved this! The characters were so cute together and I loved the setting!

4.5 Stars
Annabel Monaghan has done it again! Same Time Next Summer was one of my favorite books that I read last year, and Summer Romance is definitely going to be a Summertime favorite!

This novel touches on everything: motherhood, marriage, divorce, falling in love, heartbreak, grief, and so much more. Ali is struggling to find herself after her mother's death and then her husband asking her for a divorce. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and felt like I could really understand each one's perspective.

I loved getting to see the transformation Ali had throughout the book. Her ex-husband, Pete, was clearly a selfish husband and father. He constantly seemed to take advantage of Ali and walked all over her. By the end of the book, she was no longer a doormat for him which I LOVED. Show him who's boss, girl!

Ethan, the MMC, was also just such an easy character to like. He had Ali's back when dealing with Pete, and just immediately stepped up when it came to Ali's children. He was present and you could tell the kids loved having a male figure involved in their lives since their dad was mostly absent/just didn't care.

For part of the book I really wasn't sure how it would end. Ali and Ethan were both in positions where their lives really weren't able to be uprooted. I didn't see how they were going to be able to figure it out to be together. But that's the point of a Summer Romance, right? You just have to keep your fingers crossed and enjoy the time you have!

My only critique of this book is the overuse of Ali feeling "carbonated". Perhaps using that term once or twice would be fine, but it felt like it was used way too often. It was just an annoying term to use so frequently to describe how Ali was feeling.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Annabel Monaghan just knows how to write closed-door Summer romances. I will definitely have to re-read it this Summer when it comes out!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Annabel Monaghan for letting me enjoy an ARC of Summer Romance!

Ali couldn’t feel any lower. She has been separated for a year, and her husband is ready to take action with their divorce. Ali's mother, who was the glue that held her family together, is dead, and Ali cannot summon the energy to manage her bills or change out of her sweats. Her best friend finally badgers her into wearing regular pants. Thankfully, she does, since she encounters a hot guy at the dog park in a hilarious meet cute.

It was a pleasure to read as Ali and Ethan's relationship grew. Through their summer romance, Ali found herself again. Ethan was a strong, charming, romantic partner and I loved how he connected with Ali’s children. This book will bring you both tears and laughter. 4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5 stars: This book feels like summer in all the best ways. I loved the relationships that developed throughout the book - family, friendship, and romance. I appreciated Ali’s openness about everything she was experiencing, and I loved going along for the ride as she rediscovered herself and fell in love again. Add this to your TBR!

This is my favorite book by Annabel Monaghan thus far. It’s a meet-cute and a second-chance at romance, but also a story of grief and letting go of identities previously assigned to you by others. Ali is finding herself again through the identity crisis of motherhood and grief. Honoring herself as an individual and not who others have expected her to be. The setting brings me back to summers on the East Coast and nostalgia of small towns and being on the Long Island sound.

My only critique is in the first chapter - it sets up some context/quirks in the rest of the book, but it feels like some of it might be better left unsaid to pull the reader into the story sooner (ie, the monologue about the pantry). Otherwise, I loved this story and the sweetness of truly seeing another person for who they are and giving them love/respect. “It’s funny how you’re meeting me for the first time, and I’ve known you forever”.

Ali Morris is mourning the death of her mother and navigating a divorce from her husband while raising three kids and trying to figure out what her next career move will be. She meets Ethan who is supposed to just be a Summer romance.

It's truly refreshing reading a book that features main characters who are in their mid to late 30's - where their lives are a little messy but they're fully functional adults. Ali and Ethan are characters that I feel I could encounter in the real world. Their love is sort of that 'slow and then all at once' love. Even the secondary characters are well-rounded. It’s such a well-written story of grief, starting over, and learning how to stand up for yourself. I had a hard time putting this book down and when I did, I could not stop thinking about the characters.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Annabel Monaghan for the eARC!]

I read this book in two sittings, so needless to say, I really enjoyed it. I don't know that I've ever read from an author who writes about characters in their mid-to-late thirties, and they actually seem like the age they are and don't read much younger. Ali and Ethan feel like people I know, and the issues they deal with in this book (divorce, losing a parent, starting a relationship, finding a place to call home, etc.) are talked about and handled in a way that is so relatable. Another thing I think this author does well is writing child characters. In other romance/contemporary fiction books I've read, they feel like a second thought or only there to introduce a roadblock to the love interests getting together. In this one, Ali's children fit in so well, and you actually look forward to them showing up within a chapter. I also appreciated that the characters dealt realistically with each hardship, miscommunication, and crossroad - I could see myself making the same decisions they did. If you are looking for a story filled with relatable characters and a very swoony romance, definitely pick this one up.

Thank you to author Annabel Monaghan, Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for an eARC copy of Summer Romance in exchange for my review.

Thank you for this , I loved every minute reading this, I'm not a big Romance reader but this felt real, with loss, grief, insecurities, fear of taking a chance in life and family dynamics

4.5⭐️/0.5🌶️

This will be the romance of the summer! The perfect balance of swoony and deep.

Things to love:
He fell first
Single mom
Dog park meet cute
Beach! Summer!
Reformed bad boy
Skateboarding
Powder blue tuxedo
Grief rep

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

NetGalley early read! I loved this book, it’s a beautiful story of grief and growth and a healthy romance story. I loved all the characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 stars
“Summer Romance" by Annabel offers a delightful escape into the world of unexpected connections. Ali's journey from chaos to a chance encounter with Ethan brings a refreshing blend of humor and heartwarming moments. The storyline cleverly explores the perks of a lighthearted summer romance, creating a feel-good atmosphere. The characters, especially Ali and Ethan, are charmingly portrayed, making it easy for readers to root for their budding connection. While the premise is familiar, the engaging narrative and relatable struggles make this a solid choice for those seeking a sweet and enjoyable read.

"Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan is an absolute gem that swept me away on a journey of love and laughter. Monaghan has a knack for storytelling that effortlessly brings the characters to life, making it feel like you're right there experiencing the highs and lows of their summer escapades.

The novel's setting, against the backdrop of sun-soaked days, adds an extra layer of magic to the story. Monaghan's writing style is both engaging and heartwarming, creating a perfect blend of romance and nostalgia. The characters are so well-developed that you can't help but root for their happiness.

ARC Review - 4.5 ⭐️

Such a beautiful read that navigates starting over, grief, and more. The pace was a little slow to start, but picked up and put me in all my feels. Favorite Annabel Monaghan book so far

I will read anything Annabel Monaghan writes, because I know it’s going to be a winner. She’s done it again with Summer Romance. Relatable adults with plenty of complications and baggage but so much to love and root for. This is the perfect vacation book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Annabel Monaghan has done it again. What a fun, cute romance that also tugs at your heartstring. I laughed and cried a little reading this book. Ethan/Scooter is a great character and Ali is just everything as she tries to piece her life back together. Plus there are some cute kids thrown in! Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Annabel Monaghan is a wonderful writer. Her characters are realistic and lovable. In this case, the same was true!

Ali Morris is on her way to divorce, but that's not the only thing that she's going through. As a result, her life is kind of... A mess. But, one day she decides to take off her wedding ring and meets Ethan. And she decides to take a risk and fall right into this Summer Romance. (Heheheheh see what I did there?)

This was an enjoyable read that had its own complexities for what should've been a simple storyline. The only reason that this story ends up with 3 ⭐️ is simply because the story ended with me yearning for more chemistry and passion between the two characters.

Full disclosure: I really enjoyed both of Annabel Monaghan's previous books so I had a lot of expectation going into this one. Thankfully my expectations were met! Monaghan has a gift in creating very relatable "human" characters. Fans of her previous books will be excited to get this one in their summer beach bags.

Annabel Monaghan won me over with her book “Nora goes off script” so I was very excited to dive right in to “Summer Romance”. This is a short best friends little brother trope romance that is easily enjoyable.

Ali has three kids and is experiencing a down trodden time in her life. Her mother died, her husband left her and her house is a literal mess. Ali is a caring and compassionate character who always puts herself last. I really enjoyed her meet cute with Ethan being her dog peeing on him at the dog park! Ethan is a lovable character from the start. He is willing to put himself on the line for Ali and everyone just adores him.

I would recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a light romance.

I love Annabel Morgan. Same time next summer is one of my favorite love stories.
But I could not get behind this book. It was a struggle. The FMC was whiny and frustrating. I found it impossible to root for anyone. Rather than identifying with their human struggle, which I believe is the point of art, I just found myself exhausted by it.

Y’ALL! Annabel Monaghan has done it again. In the vein of her previous two books, Summer Romance is swoon-worthy and so stinkin' cute.

It’s the start of summer, and our main character Ali is navigating her new normal: separating from her husband, becoming a newly single mom, and floating through life after her own mother's passing. On the day she decides to take off her wedding ring, she meets a handsome stranger, Ethan, at the dog park, and their love story begins to blossom. As readers, we get to follow and see if this becomes a life-long love or stays only a summer romance.

Aside from her excellence in crafting the sweetest romance, Monaghan writes extremely relatable characters, who have so much depth and humanity to them. They make mistakes and own up to them, are clever and witty, and painfully face the same struggles that so many of us also do in our daily lives. Monaghan has a magic that makes you feel seen her characters, which is something not many authors can do, and she has definitely become an “auto-buy” author for me!

I give 4 stars to Summer Romance and hope you pick it up upon its release on June 4, 2024 🥰

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for allowing me to read a copy of this book in advance of its release!

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