This was my book choice of the week to read during my lunch breaks. I honestly did not want the story to end. It is such an adorable love story and I struggled to put it down as I was wanting to know if Jane and Dan were ever going to go from enemies to lovers. I am truly jealous of Dan’s family as I have always wanted to have a large family gatherings. There are topics throughout the book about losing a parent and having a parent abandon you that I think many readers are going to connect with and make them love the book even more. So excited for its release in May! Definitely a book you want to keep an eye out for.

Everything Annabel writes is magic!!

I love how Annabel so expertly weaves nostalgia into her heartwarming stories of family, friendship, and the human experience. This story of belonging, rediscovering yourself and voice, and blazing your own path tugged on and wrapped itself around my heart. I found myself wanting to wrap Jane in a hug and my heart ached for her as she fought to find her footing while wrestling with past hurt and insecurities. Jane’s journey and growth was immensely relatable and her longing for home, family, and acceptance is something that all readers can understand.

This story will leave your heart tender but so full of hope and encouragement, and I am grateful for Annabel’s message that there is a community full of love and acceptance for each of us.

AND!! My god. Annabel writes the most delectable tension and explosive kisses that have you squealing and kicking your feet in delight!

Where do I start? Jane works in Hollywood, and so does Dan. They serendipitously meet when Dan was crossing the street attempting to get the best (picture) shot of a hawk sitting on a billboard. But, you don't find that out for a few chapters. You originally meet Jane and Dan when Jane pitches a new movie to her boss, Dan just so happens to be the cinematographer for said potential movie. Jane comes up with a white lie to get the movie green lit and when she runs into trouble making the white lie turn truthful she reaches out to Dan for help. Dan takes Jane home for a week and of course the two fall in love. I mean, it's quite literally in the title. Jane battles with some past trauma when it comes to love and that is sprinkled in very nicely, in my opinion.

I couldn't get enough of this book. I put toothpicks in my eyes to stay up all night reading it (not really, but I never wanted to put this bad boy down). Monaghan's character development is superb. This book is so cozy and warm and everything you need to feel good. I love love. I love love stories.

One of my favorite book blogger (Katie, who goes by @beachreadsandbubbly, on instagram) has said "they could write the phone book and I'd read it". I feel this way about a handful of authors, and Annabel Monaghan is certainly one of them. She really could write the phone book I'd read it cover to cover as quickly as humanly possible (and as quickly as my 8 month old daughter would let me).

I feel so lucky and honored to have been given this book as an eARC, in exchange for my honest review. Forever thankful to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and Penguin Group Putnam.

Taylor lyrics and an Eras Tour coded cover? If I wasn't already in love with everything Annabel Monaghan had written, those two things would have sold me alone. I had the absolute delight of reading this ARC of this novel and it is incredible. As always, Monaghan writes about parenting and growing up with humor and poise and she appreciates all the messy stuff in a way that makes her characters SO lovable. Dan has all the approachable adorable thoughtfulness of Jude Law in The Holiday, and Jane is a relatable queen. Monaghan's books are so astute, hilarious, and utterly un put downable. She delivers again! Preorder this NOW!

Anabel can literally do no wrong. I am always worried that her protagonists being older than me will mean I won’t like the book but that never comes true. Another winner!

I just think it's impossible for Annabel to write a book I don't love. 'Cause she's done it again.

And I was SO FREAKIN' EXCITED (*in Kristen Wiig's SNL Sue voice*) that I got an early ARC of one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. But for real, we bow down Annabel.

IT'S A LOVE STORY is the (er...) story of jaded creative exec Jane Jackson (formerly the adolescent TV star and side-character punchline Janey Jakes) who, desperate to get her first project greenlit, tells a lie insinuating that she can get a former colleague -- and her first crush -- mega-star Jack Quinlan to write a commercially-appealing original song for her film. Determined to make good on her (big) white lie, she ends up in Long Island following Jack to a musical festival to get his cooperation after not speaking to him for two decades. But of course, she's accompanied by an annoyingly hot cinematographer (a man she almost dated, whoops) who brings her to his family home while she plots her plan of (Jack) attack. But as she connects with Dan's family and spends her days in sunny proximity with him attempting to get her movie made, she might just reckon with her past, her carefully-planned-to-a-T present, and find something true for her future.

There's truly not much more I love than getting lost in an Annabel Monaghan story. The characters are so richly developed, there's such a strong, captivating sense of place. The writing is smart and funny and the dialogue/argu-banter feels genuine and lived-in. Plus, it's swoony as hell with emotional heft for days. It's deeply resonant story that you want to just keep tucked into your heart.

Also, I loved that at the beginning I wasn't sure who the love interest would be, and that I fell in love with him while Jane did as he came into greater focus during the course of the story. I was giggling and kicking my feet, for real.

There's a secret candy-eating closet, a man who loves The Notebook, potato-farm living found family, only one bunk bed, contraband muffins, worrying as cardio, the kind of vampire "that wouldn't kill you might break the bed" energy, sandwiches that ruin all other sandwiches, a he's-softer-at-home man, permission to lick, distraction by shirtlessness, whipped cream in coffee, Eleanor Roosevelt's childhood swimsuit, the he's-good-with-children man, happily being bad at watercolors, an ankle spectacle, being interesting and true and beautiful, explosive kisses, protecting what makes you different, the small acts of care that add up to something big, charged moments in thunderstorms, games of tug-of-war, the forming of core memories, performances of "Let it Go," love that happens over breakfast, two heads on a single pillow, domesticity porn, punchable pop stars, dismantling the stories you tell yourself, once-in-a-lifetime feelings, and ordinary moments that feel like miracles.

PLUS THESE QUOTES!!!

"Being with you was the most beautiful thing that's ever happened to me."

"You're beautiful when you're having big emotions."

"It's the time spent digging that makes unearthing the treasure so satisfying."

"Love isn't a helicopter ride to Catalina; it's everyday care and treating the other person like they're your house keys."

"Maybe it was you I was lusting after all that time."

"Do you need to go be alone and do some Edward Scissorhands stuff?" which made me laugh out loud.

I want to re-read this book immediately.

Thank to Putnam and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. IT'S A LOVE STORY is out 5/27/25!

Well done! This was a fun and fast read. It feels very nostalgic and had the Nickolodeon and Disney type teen shows, I later read the inspiration came from the Jeannette McCurdy book. It’s a Love Story is more lighthearted and fun and well with the read! Thank you Netgalley!

** 2.5 stars rounded up **

I was introduced to Annabel Monaghan’s work via Summer Romance (2024), which I adored. I then opted to explore more of her catalog by reading Same Time Next Summer (2023), which I wasn’t fond of, and her newest release, It’s a Love Story (2025), unfortunately did not work for me either.

Things I Enjoyed:
~ Dan - The MMC’s quiet, artistic personality, kindness and care towards children, and desire to listen and communicate openly and honestly with Jane made him lovable.
~ The Meet-Cute - Shoutout to Tails, the matchmaker.
~ Clem - Jane’s supportive and wise friend
~ Dan’s Parents and Niece - The breakfasts and song were sweet.
~ The Reconciliation Attempt and Resolutions - The former was clever, and I appreciated the dialogue of the latter between Jane and her mom (though I wanted more from their relationship) as well as Jane and Dan.

Things I Struggled With:
~ Jane - The FMC read too judgmental, a trait consistent throughout the book. I understand she was dealing with abandonment issues and childhood television star trauma, but her dialogue and behaviors came off as immature and hypercritical, especially towards Dan, which bogged down the romance.
~ Lack of Backstory Development - Jane’s child star trauma is only ever really explained in depth as one “young love” style embarrassing moment when she was 14, so the power with which she gives that one experience over her entire life (she’s 33) seems illogical. There are brief comments that Jane acted as the provider for her and her mother during that time, but those experiences are never detailed. Doing so would’ve added more authenticity to the weight she seems to carry as well as make her actions/reactions more plausible.
~ The Third-Act Breakup - I get the “hurt someone before they hurt you” self-sabotage response, but Jane wasn’t likable enough prior to this moment for me to entertain riding that wave.
~ Clem and Jane’s Friendship - While I loved Clem’s character, their relationship appeared one-sided.
~ The Finnegan Brothers - Normally, I love falling into large, quirky fictional families, but these brothers weren’t doing it for me. Aidan was nice, but I can’t recall much about the others except that Connor turned me off, particularly when he commented several times that Jane was hot, both in and out of his wife’s presence.

Overall, this story had potential, but I ultimately found it frustrating and lacking.

Did you ever keep thinking “I can’t wait to re-read this book” multiple times while reading a book? I can’t wait until It’s a Love Story is published and I get a hard copy that I get to underline and write in the margins. I think we are in a "golden age" of romcoms where the best writers are writing this genre. Don't be a genre snob. Romance books are by far the highest selling books in the US today. Why wouldn't the best writers write them? Remember in the 1990's when the NYT bemoaned that Broadway wasn't doing anything creative and then pointed out that the best songwriters and show runners were working for Disney instead? I have read 75 books so far that will be released in 2025 and 3 of them are romance books that are some of the most well written books ever, and this is one of them.

Jane was a child actor, think iCarly or Suite Life with Zach and Cody. She was a class clown, made funny faces, the comic relief. She was a better singer than the lead, who was prettier. Jane knows that men aren't attracted to funny women, and goes on a lot of dates up until date 4, when everything falls apart. Jane is now working for a studio and is trying to get a script made that she loves, the studio doesn't think it is commercial enough. In a misguided impulsive move she promises her childhood co-worker Jack (who is now a big star) will write and perform a song. She hasn't spoken to him since she was 14.

Enter Dan. Swoon. He is her coworker and would be the cinematographer. Jane and Dan go to the east coast to find Jack and talk him into the song. He will be there for a music festival and they will stay with Dan's parents and extended family. And the family is AMAZING. As an only child of a single mom, Jane makes these observations about Dan's family that are heartwarming, emotional, and raw.

At its heart, It's a Love story speaks to many of the deep fears we all have. That was aren't lovable. That the best parts about us are something to be ashamed of. That we are destined to be in the background. Jane isn't just likable, she is one of the most relatable female main characters I have read this year. She recognizes the privilege that her childhood gave her, and the opportunity to buy a house in LA, but it also gave her a slew of insecurities that led her to not celebrating her own gifts. The way she infiltrates into Dan's family and starts to understand and yearn for their family dynamic.

I love this book. One of my top ten books of 2025, and it is purely because of how perfectly these characters are written. Flawed, funny, relatable. It's the way we know Jane is falling for Dan ***just*** a minute before she realizes it herself.

Thanks to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC. Thank you to @annabelmonaghan for writing fade-to-black romance that doesn't have cringy spice scenes and also isn't full of purity culture harmful crap. It's literally perfect.

I really really loved this book! The premise was f re sh and fun, the characters were real and loveable, the banter was top notch, and it was super sexy without being too much. Another hit from a favorite author!

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, witty, emotional, and inspiring book to read this summer, It’s A Love Story is all of the above and more.

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, and it certainly won’t be my last. Upon reading the synopsis, I expected a fun, cute, and sweet story. Instead, I was taken by surprise not only by a charming romance but also by a beautiful tale of finding oneself.

As much as I did enjoy the book overall, the first 20% felt a bit slow for me. However, shortly after that, I increasingly became engrossed in the story as I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

Monaghan has created a Hallmark movie-worthy cast of characters, from our protagonist, Jane, to our sweet love interest, Dan. With that being said, the cherry on top for me had to be Dan’s crazy, but lovable family, as they constantly had me smiling and laughing on multiple occasions.

All in all, It’s A Love Story will have you swooning, emotional, and grinning from ear to ear as you embark along with Jane on this beautiful journey.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Annabel Monaghan for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a Love Story is typical Annabel Monaghan in the best ways. I loved all of her books and this was one of my favorites this year! I love the premise that one little white lie can take us on a whole different path. The imagery in this book is unreal and I totally pictured myself alongside the main characters at various parts of the book. This novel follows a former child star trying to make a name for herself and overcome what expectations and feelings people had about her when she was a child actress.

I was pleasantly surprised by the epilogue that walks through Monaghan’s inspo for the book and I thought what she depicted was spot on.

I loved the ending where Jane really took back her name and voice and the novel was wrapped up so nicely.

Jane is an executive producer trying to leave behind her past as a teenage actress who was always the butt of the joke. She has a project she’s incredibly passionate about and needs her script to get the green light. Now, she has to work with Dan, a cinematographer who doesn’t seem to be her biggest fan, and work as a team to make this movie a reality.

This book portrays a beautiful kind of love. I really liked how it describes it as “love happens over breakfast” and emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to be your true self around the people you love and that it's all about the small and mundane things. Jane and Dan's relationship evolves in a delightful way—their banter was so entertaining—but I loved seeing how they gradually built their relationship through small gestures, secret messages and stolen moments in a crowded room.

I also really enjoyed how it incorporates Jane’s past as an actress in a teen sitcom and how that created struggles in her adult life. There’s a great message about learning to let go of the things that hold us back and how love can be expressed in many different ways. (+) I love their family, and how they all incorporated Jane without even questioning, she found her mob 💘

Annabel Monaghan has a way of writing stories that leave you reflecting on so many things. On one hand, you fall in love with the characters and their story, and on the other, you start questioning aspects of your own life—amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book 💘 can't wait for more people to read it!!

Loved it!! I’m not saying the plot didn’t matter, but it’s the little things that I’ll remember so much more. I was crying while the main character, Jane, was making pie and when she was singing Let it Go with a 6 year old. This is not just a love story of two characters, this is a love letter to life. Annabel Monaghan has magic in her books that make me FEEL.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love everything this author writes and this book was no exception. 10/10 no notes, a perfect summer romcom. Can’t wait for her next book!

While not my favorite Annabel Monaghan book, I still enjoyed this read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy!

4 stars- This was a cute read! My favorite part was definitely Dan's family dynamic and all the moments with them. I wish at the end we got to see a little more of Jane and Dan working on the film that the whole plot is working towards. This was the first book by Annabel Monaghan I have read and it definitely won't be the last!

It's a Love Story follows Jane, who is a formal child star and now a creative movie exec looking to bring her first big project to life. She is paired up with Dan, who is a cinematographer (and her nemesis) to get the project green lit, but with a slight complication. In order for the script to be picked up, Jane needs to bring in someone big on the project in which she promises a song from one of the most popular pop stars (whom she hasn't worked with in years). While tracking him down Jane and Dan get closer & you watch their love story unfold.

I really enjoyed this book - the relationship development between Jane and Dan was really fun to follow. They had great banter, a great setting, great and enjoyable family members involved as the side characters. I love how Annabel Monaghan writes, her style is so easy to read and it's always a fun time diving into one of her books.

The only part of the story I didn't fully connect to was the beginning - I found it hard to get invested in the characters and the story until they left LA. I'm not completely sure what exactly threw me off in the beginning, but once I got deeper into the story I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a 5-star romance for me! Were there elements of this story that were a bit unrealistic? Yes! Could it be cheesy at times? Of course! But, I just couldn’t put it down!!

Jane Jackson is an aspiring movie executive who is trying to leave behind her past as the goofy sidekick on a teen television show, while trying to prove herself as a successful movie producer. With a fake-it-till-you-make-it attitude, she tells a BIG lie to get the green light on her passion project. To make up for it, she finds herself in Long Island with the infuriating Dan Finnegan, a cinematographer who was responsible for shutting down her last project. While there, she must confront her past with a major pop star in order to save her movie and her reputation. Between, staying with Dan’s chaotic, but charming family, and seeking out the elusive popstar, sparks begin to fly between Jane and Dan. Throughout all of this, Jane must confront issues of abandonment and self worth.

What I loved:
- Jane’s journey of discovering who she is and what she wants out of life.
- Dan’s passion for art and photography, and how he proudly embraces what makes him different from the rest of his family.
- The growing connection between Jane and Dan as they learn more about each other and themselves.
- Dan’s endearing family and how they welcome Jane into their home and lives.
- How the author weaved references to the The Notebook thoughout the story.

Overall, this was a lovely and heartwarming story that was the perfect mix of romance, self discovery, and family.

Thank you so much to G. P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Another hit from Ms Annabel Monaghan!

When I started this novel I felt the flow was a bit slow. It could have just been me because the next time I picked it up I simply couldn’t put it down! From the fun characters to an interesting plot, this is your next summer read.

In this novel we follow Jane who is trying to get a manuscript green lit. Jane used to be an actress in a pre teen television show where she played a clumsy nerd. She has since transformed herself and doesn’t like to associate with the character she once played. Our MMC Dan is a cinematographer who Jane doesn’t like working with. When Jane promises famous singer Jack Quinlan will be writing a song for the movie’s soundtrack, this is her only hope to get the film approved. Unfortunately, Jane lied and now Dan has agreed to help her track down Jack and get him to agree to write a song. This involves traveling from LA to New York and staying with Dan’s crazy family. Will these two enemies become lovers?

I loved all the tropes in this book:
- Enemies to Lovers
- One Bed (which end up being bunk beds)
- He Falls First

When I started the book I didn’t feel the chemistry between Jane and Dan. However this changed as the novel progressed. I liked that we got a flashback to when they first met and how they quickly turned into enemies. I also liked how they didn’t go from enemies to lovers instantly. They really had to work for it, and the wait was totally worth it.

I loved Dan’s family. Part of me really hopes that Dan and Jane move back to NY to be closer to his family. They are just so sweet and interesting. His brothers are amazing.

I feel like you can’t go wrong with a book by Monaghan. Is there a lot of spice? Not really, but there is so much heart put into her novels that when her characters hurt, you hurt. Sheer perfection.

*An ARC was received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Trust me, I tell the truth, and my opinion has not been influenced in any way.