First of all, thank you Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not going to lie, when I first started reading this, I was not feeling it. I just couldn’t connect with Ali at all. Usually I breeze right through Annabel’s books, but this took me some time. On the other hand, I ended up liking this book. Ali and Ethan are perfect for each other. I think romance lovers will love this. It’s a wonderful book for summer! Annabel always pulls her readers in! I usually don’t read about older divorced women, but Annabel keeps me interested. Although this wasn’t exactly for me, I will definitely recommend this book to others to try.

Sign of a great book? When you have to actively tell yourself to 'slow down', read less fast, and savor the story.

Summer Romance is the third book I've read by Annabel Monaghan (she's become an auto-read for me!) and it is by far the best yet (definitely check out Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer). While it is a 'romance,' (and Ethan is a dream!!) it is also what I would call a 'coming-of-middle-age' story. I think it will appeal to a lot of people - particularly women- in their 30's and 40's or 50's who might identify with the feeling of sort of losing a little bit of themselves - whether that is due to marriage or kids or work (or maybe all three). I know that I was really rooting for Ali as she figured out how to work herself out of her rut.

The premise of this book: Ali is a mom of three delightful kids (who, as sub-characters, are written with depth, which is something I also appreciated in Nora Goes Off Script). Her husband (self-obsessed) has asked her for a divorce. She realizes that she's not even sad bout it, which she acknowledges probably says a lot about what their marriage wasn't. As if that isn't enough, he asks her on the anniversary of her mother's death. She's also been dealing with a lack of motivation - to get dressed in anything but sweats, to clean her kitchen, etc. and is feeling stuck and lost. She misses her mother deeply.

At the encouragement of a friend, she finally puts on real pants and takes off her wedding ring. One trip to the dog park and a meet-cute later, she's met Ethan, a handsome, presumably single man who doesn't seem too fazed when Ali's dog pees on his shoe. Not your dream meet-cute, but definitely memorable!

I am confident that readers who enjoy contemporary romances will love the build-up of Ali and Ethan's relationship. But this book offers a lot more - it tackles grief, raising tweenagers, a crappy soon-to-be ex-husband, and finding oneself/self-care. I especially enjoyed how Ali developed a different perspective on her mother's advice as the book progressed.

What I loved most, though, is the voice that Summer Romance is written in. Ali is both our narrator and main character and she is very realistic, contemporary and hilarious! My cats gave me weird looks several times as I quite literally laughed out loud while reading it. The dialogue is brilliantly done - not too cheesy ( a turn off for me ) and just the right amount of humor.

This book earned 5 stars from me - which I have to say, is not easy to do!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the delightful opportunity to read an ARC of this book and provide my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Let me just start off with Nora goes off script was my favorite book by this author. I also read Same Time Next Year but it was not my favorite.

I decided to give the author another chance. Summer Romance was a quick, fun read. I liked the characters names Ali and Ethan. I enjoyed the dynamics and the storyline.

Annabel Monaghan is the queen of punchy summer romances! I've read and loved this author's previous releases, so I was very excited to pick this one up (and very appropriately titled, might I add). This was fun, flirty, and heartfelt. Literally the perfect poolside read for summer 2024!

The Details:
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
Rom Com | Swoony | Mom Life

Quick Summary:
Ali is going through it - grieving her late mother, a divorce while juggling three kids, and an unorganized life as a career organizer. Then she meets Ethan at the dog park and thinks a summer fling is just what she needs.

My Take:
This is my third book by this author and might be my favorite (Nora Goes Off Script is a CLOSE second though). The characters are REAL. Ali is just so genuine and relatable. Ethan is SO sweet and funny. Even the side characters are developed and likable. The dialogue, the storyline, the kids, the DOGS. Would definitely recommend!

My rating: 4 stars!

This book was such a happy and loving story about life, love, death, marriage and identity! I finished reading with the biggest smile on my face.

It was a quick read that I couldn’t put down because I genuinely enjoyed every part of it!

Ethan is up there at the top of the 'best book boyfriends' list for sure!

So this was perfect! I swear Annabel Monaghan never misses! I got introduced to her last year and I am now a super fan! Summer romance was amazing! Falling for your best friends younger brother. Yes please!

Summer Romance is the perfect antidote for my mid winter blahs as I was thrilled to receive an ARC from NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam. Annabel Monaghan is a wonderful writer and couldn't wait to dive into her new book.
From beginning to end I fell in love with this what I'll term "grown people" romance between an almost divorced Ali and her best friend's little brother Ethan. What unravels is a wonderful tale of falling in love, working through grief, finding one's self and new chapters. Highly recommend

Annabel Monaghan has this incredible talent for writing beautiful romances that sweep you off your feet but still feel realistic. This book has so much life in it with themes of grief, love & loss, motherhood and rediscovering yourself. The story flows so well throughout its entirety & stops with a perfect ending. There was also surprisingly a good amount of humor that paired well with the romance. This is one of those books I’ll be thinking about probably forever & wish I could read again for the first time.

DNF at 9%. Unfortunately this is another book by this author that's just not for me. I can't relate to a middle aged divorcee with three kids and her problems. Just a few chapters in, way too much already revolved around her kids and that's a plot point that just never works for me. SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER was so perfect so I'm hoping the author writes more books like that in the future.

After loving Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer, any Annabel Monaghan is officially an auto read for me. I was beyond excited to get an advanced copy of Summer Romance and it didn’t disappoint.

Summer Romance follows Ali Morris who’s dealing with the death of her mom and a husband who wants a divorce. She meets someone at the dog park and the story takes off from there. Monaghan does such a great job getting readers to connect and fall in love with her imperfect characters. While I may have loved her other two novels slightly more, this one was still fantastic!

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Group for the ARC!

I've been eyeing this book for a while and eagerly awaiting its arrival. I did an actual happy dance when I saw my NetGalley approval. We had it on our short list this year for book club and I'm happy to say it will be our August pick!

I never really understood when people said they loved a book so much they kept putting in down so it wouldn't end until this one! Annabel Monaghan's other books were some of my favorites of 2023, and this one did not disappoint either.

Each character, from our couple Ali and Ethan down to the neighbor's daughters, is well written, and have a specific role in the story. I related to Ali as a mom (although happily married), and it didn't hurt that I am in the midst of a new year declutter of my home. Ali and Ethan are just adorable, the kids are well written, the other family members add to the story and help paint a full picture of Ali's life.

Annabel Monaghan is a must-read author for me, and this book just solidified that status.

“Summer Romance” is just like it sounds - A sweet escape into a world of Nancy Meyers kitchens and coastal grandmother vibes with a second chance at love and life. In a phrase, it’s a “champagne summer,” something Ali Morris’ mother used when she was growing up to help soak up the summertime nostalgic magic.

Ali uses organization to take control over the things that she can in her life, or other people’s lives as a hired organizer (closets, pantries, you name it). Unlike the recent death of her mother and separation from her husband, which she can’t tuck in a neat little box. She’s grieving the life she thought she was supposed to have, or rather that her mother wanted her to have. Ali is on the road to starting over, when she runs into her best friend’s brother, unbeknownst to her at the time that it’s “Scooter” (who now goes by Ethan), and is smitten from the start. Through the finalization of her divorce and getting back on her feet, Ethan is by her side through it all - Reminding her to speak up for herself and what she wants, and that it’s okay to ask for it.

I am a big fan of Annabelle Monaghan’s writing and storylines. I’ll admit that this one took me a minute to get into “Summer Romance” by Annabelle Monaghan. It was a slower pace and felt it took a bit to get to the meat of the story.

But, I love that Monaghan’s books have a theme of second chances – Women going after their dreams, finding themselves again after heartbreak and starting over, finding love in the process, and this is no different.

Ethan’s character is a woman’s man. The kind of man we all dream of finding someday. The relationship he and Ali developed from the beginning is something to aspire to. Their chemistry jumps off the page and will give you all the butterflies, feet-kicking, 13-year-old girl crush, screaming into your pillow kind of feelings, which is why we read these stories, right?

I definitely recommend this one for those who love a sweet love story and dreamy landscapes to escape your daily life. It's a feel good summer read!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced copy.* You can pre-order now for the June release date.

I fully fell in love with this book, the way Annabel Monaghan captures lead characters is unparalleled. Summer Romance is very relatable if you're in your 30s (or 40s), and yet it gave me butterflies like a teenager. Ethan is a dreamy love interest who is even more enchanting as the story progresses. There's a beautiful discussion on grief and how we can lose our way planning, parenting, and trying to survive each day. I saw parts of Ali in me and I think almost every woman over 30 probably will. It was perfection, like any summer romance is, and I didn't want it to end!

My favorite Annabel Monaghan book yet. A smart, heartwarming novel about love, loss, family and self-discovery. I just loved the cast of characters and the setting. Delightful!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I was able to get an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I was so excited to be approved for this read.

Honestly in the beginning of the book I felt like it was slow and sort of depressing which really made me slowly go through the first chapters. However at 20% I felt the story picked up and I became very invested in the characters, story and could not put the book down. I really liked the MFC and MMC and their storyline and character development. I was very happy with the way the book ended and I would recommend this to anyone.

This book was such a cute, happy read and I am so glad I got to read it prior to release because I’ve been so excited for this since I heard Annabel Monaghan was releasing a new book.

Ethan is my new book boyfriend. Aw, who am I kidding, I absolutely love Ali too. Annabel has written two characters I’d love to meet, and a town I’d love to visit.

A meet-cute like none other leads to a summer romance for these two.

I love the supporting cast of characters and would love to see more of them and this little coastal NY town.

Ethan and his heart and antics had me grinning. I loved how he helped so many people grow and I loved how Ali also helped him find himself as well.

Annabel has a way of writing that makes you feel those same feelings the characters are throughout the story. Even though I know romance novels always have a happy ending, I was in tears during the plot twist between Ethan and Ali. That doesn’t happen too often to me with the amount of romance I tend to read. So thank you for that. These two characters will always have my heart.

Thank you NetGally and the publishers for letting me read an ARC of this novel for an early review.

Annabel Monaghan has done it again! This book delights from the beginning to the end with characters that sparkle and engage the reader. All Morris, single mother of three, is a professional organizer and her life is a mess. The return of Ethan Hogan, her friend’s little brother who has been crushing on her since their teens (and can still quote from her graduation speech), helps Ali to rediscover her best self. This book dishes equal parts humor and poignancy. Warning: you’ll stay up too late and neglect your to-do list because you’ll be compelled to find out what happens next! Advice: Add Ms. Monaghan’s previous offerings, Norah Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer to your TBR pile if you haven’t read them already.

I absolutely loved this book. Anybody who loved Nora goes off script would love this book as well. I read this book in one day, which rarely happens. Things to do today? Yes. Did I do them? Absolutely not.

This is the quintessential summer read! A professional organizer has allowed her own life to completely fall apart, but as the story begins, she resolves to do something about it. She's just looking for a fun summer romance and a little bit of life success, but finds so much more in this wonderful book. I look forward to recommending it to readers who enjoy contemporary romances with a light, humorous touch.