This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers story. I like the MMC’s down to earth, true love believing personality. The FMC is your typical love cynic. I liked their chemistry. The family dynamic is everything you could hope for in a family. It all comes together nicely at the end.

Was so excited to read this new Annabelle Monaghan book and was not disappointed! While it isn’t one of my favorites from her, it had all the same charm and energy as her previous books. I was entertained the whole entire time and read it in just a couple of days. I think there are so many people will be able to relate to this book’s heroine and I can’t wait for it to be officially published.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: It's A Love Story
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Annabel Monaghan
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: May 27, 2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝:
⇥ LOVED LOVED LOVED the main character, Janey. She was so real, funny, and easy to connect with.
⇥ Loved Dan and his family. Each hot brother deserves their own book. They were hilarious and written so well.
⇥ Not quite a closed-door romance, but spicier than I remember from her other books (though I have a terrible memory, so don’t hold me to that!).

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝:
⇥ There was one small detail I wish had been addressed for closure with two of the plotlines. I wanted either more or less from what we got—just a little something extra to tie it all together.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
★★★★.5
I love when the main characters in a romance aren't in their 20's because then I feel too old. Janey and Dan were ADORABLE, and I loved their dynamic. Full disclosure: I went into this blind and totally thought Dan was the “villain,” with Jack as the love interest. I couldn’t have been more wrong! While this isn’t a perfect romance, it hit all the right notes for me, especially when I was in a major slump. The writing was mature, hilarious, and had me hooked. If you like childhood acting tropes, this one has it, too!

“Love happens over breakfast”

This had a bit of a slow start in the beginning. There was so much background explanation and building of the story that made the first couple of chapters flat. The story didn’t start to come to life until Jane and Dan made their journey cross country and when they did, I couldn’t put this book down. The dialogue was witty yet emotional and I loved how the author slowly built Dan and Jane’s through every day actions.

The author has a way with setting a scene and brining it to life. Her words immerse you and pull you into the story where you feel as if you are a part of the book rather than an outsider looking in. I could feel the chaos of the Finnegan family and the love they showed one another. I wanted so badly for this fictional world to be my reality.

This is a quiet love story. One that sneaks up on you after slowly getting to know it. It’s not filled with over the top grand gestures or billionaires with private jets, but instead contains little mundane, day to day activities that truly show how real moments are truly the most romantic.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons through NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this! Heartwarming and skeptical, simultaneously.

Jane Jackson, creative director at a Hollywood studio, passionately wants to make a movie, a love story. Her boss, Nathan feels it doesn’t have a commercial feel; Dan, a handsome cinematographer, agrees. Jane is upset.

Jane used to play a character on an after school show when she was 14 years old. The character was nerdy, awkward and funny. Jane feels she was playing herself. Now at 33 years old, she doesn’t get recognized much which is fine with her.

Jane feels like she’s unlovable and no one really wants to have a relationship with her. This stems from her father, leaving her and her mother when she was a young child. Like many children, she feels like it was her fault.

Jane meets Dan, accidentally and sort of a meet cute situation before their meeting with Nathan. She’s now pissed at him for agreeing with Nathan, plus she lies and says she could get a current rockstar to write a song for this movie.

Jane and Dan fly to NY and stay with Dan’s large family on Long Island, to go to the rockstar's concert to try to discuss the song. After a week Jane has fallen for Dan and the Finnegan family. It’s fun to watch it develop.

The rockstar turns down the song writing gig and laughs at Jane. In her humiliation she lashes out at Dan. They fly back separately. Weeks go by without contact and she feels she effed this up.

They may or may not get together again in a memorable way! So fun.

I love Annabel Monaghan’s sense of humor.

Thanks Netgalley and GP Putnam.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam Books for the gifted eARC.

Once I start an Annabel Monaghan book I can't stop until I have finished! Her books completely pull me in and I probably would have finished this in one sitting had I been given the chance.

What worked for me:
-Loved the setting
-Adored the extended family/secondary characters
-Appreciated both the main character's flaws and struggles

What didn't work for me:
-The FMC's very extreme rush from dislike to infatuation and proceeding borderline juvenile responses to this. HOWEVER, I think that given that part of her story is that she grew up as a young child star it maybe makes sense that she has some immature reactions to things based on her life experience's. Also... I might just be being a bit judgy.

This will be a high recommendation for summer reading from me this year!

Jane was a child actress with years of identity and self-esteem issues that affect her still decades later, especially in relationships. In this enemies to lovers romance, she works through her unresolved issues (although she really could have used some therapy!) with Dan to get her happy ending.
I’m not a fan of the third act breakup, including this one, but the ending was sweet and I overall enjoyed the story. I really liked the part of the story where they were in along Island with Dan’s family, and all their craziness. The story had some very great parts.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. I really enjoyed this authors writing and her other books were really good as well. Nora goes off script is one of my favorites, so it was obvious I would want to read this one.

I understand now why people adore Annable Monaghan's summer romances. Her characters feel so raw and fresh out, paired with her beautiful writing and some descriptions that make you go, wow. This creates such a pleasing read. I enjoyed both Jane and Dan a lot and felt so fulfilled with all the family scenes in this book. Monaghan's descriptions of Dan from Jane's point of view made my heart flutter, and a smile stretched my face. Even though, at times, the writing could feel choppy towards the end, this is the epitome of summer romance. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I started reading this story, expecting it to be a light summer romance, but it ended up making me feel so much.

Jane is a former child star who’s trying to put her past behind her while trying to become a respected Hollywood executive. She has to end up working alongside Dan, a creative studio executive, who she can’t stand, to get a script green-lit.

Throughout the story, you see from multiple angles how trapped Jane feels in her past identifies, while simultaneously seeing her fall in love for the first time with someone who doesn’t check all of her boxes.
Love, in itself, is an emotion that Jane has struggled with because of past experiences with her mother. It’s a beautiful journey seeing her walls come down when she is around Dan and his family and seeing how effortless love can actually be; that it is something she is worthy of having.

Aside from the emotions, this was a fun, workplace enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance with amazing banter. Jane and Dan’s personalities bounce off of each other effortlessly - I couldn’t stop smiling or laughing the entire time. It’s the perfect summer/beach read.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

There is nothing like a new Annabel Monaghan book to give me a good Nora Ephron 90s rom com dopamine buzz. It’s got loads of witty banter, sexual tension, messy family issues, and emotional complexity. (Plus a ton of references to the movie “The Notebook.”) I love a good forced proximity trope, so when Jane and Dan have to travel together to secure music for their movie soundtrack, you KNOW it’s going it’s going to get good!

As always with Monaghan’s books, there’s plenty of emotional punch for both characters. Dan wrestles with being the creative introvert who doesn’t quite fit in his big family. Jane’s got a whole suitcase full of emotional baggage just waiting to be unpacked with the right person.

Dan’s parents are my favorite side characters; the way that they talk to each other and relate to their family is so sweet.

Loved this so much book that I read it in one sitting!

Another Annabel Monaghan book that I loved reading! The descriptive settings are always a treat and this was no different! This was an uplifting and lovely read and really felt like I knew the characters. I love a summer Annabel read and always look forward to them.

A former child star who is trying to make a (new) name for herself is forced to team up with her one-time-crush-turned-nemesis in an effort to get her first movie greenlit. There's so many more layers to this story, but that's all you need to know before diving it.

I don't really know how to review any Annabel Monaghan book other than to say READ IT!!! I have loved every book she was written so far, and It's a Love Story is no exception. I laugh, and I cry. I highlight quotes and passages. I want to be best friends with the characters because they feel so real.

I love a rom com about an "older" couple. This was my favorite from this author so far, and I've read them all!

Truly one of my favorite authors and such a good story complete with a great family of string background characters and a believable love. Huge fan of the story, and I need a spin off in this world asap’

I loved this book! Annabel Monaghan always does a great job of keeping her romance novels lighthearted, while not feeling silly or pointless. Vacation-settings were super enjoyable, and i loved the male main character! This author writes some of the best romantic chemistry in the game, and did not disappoint with this book!

* former child star MC
*enemies to lovers
*history

This was my first time reading the author and it won’t be the last but I didn’t love this. I loved the idea of it, but ultimately found it predictable, and Jane insufferable.

I will read the author’s work, but this one was not for me.



Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC

I had a big, goofy smile on my face the entire time I was reading this. It was such a sweet story!

‘It’s A Love Story’ follows a woman named Jane, a former child actor who got her start on a successful sitcom. On it, she played the goofy best friend — and ever since, she’s been trying to get Hollywood to take her seriously.

Today she works as a studio executive sifting through tons of scripts, and she thinks she finally believes she has found the perfect one to prove herself. However, in order to get it greenlit by the studio, she has to get another former child star turned pop star to write an original song for the film — but she hasn’t spoken to him since he knew her in her role as poor Janey Jakes. Is there anyone out there who will take her seriously as an adult? Will she ever see the same success as her childhood stardom?

Author Annabel Monaghan writes in the acknowledgements that she was inspired to write this book after reading the autobiography ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ by Jennette McCurdy, who spent her childhood starring on Nickelodeon’s ‘iCarly.’ Though I have yet to read that book, I was so intrigued to read Monaghan describing what it was like for her lead character to try and reciprocate her same childhood success in adulthood.

While everyone is always talking about Monaghan’s previous book ‘Nora Goes Off Script,’ I actually enjoyed this one even more! There are so many feel-good moments that had me feeling all warm and fuzzy. I highly recommend giving this a read if you love a good romance!

And since it is a love story, after all, there are loads of references to ‘The Notebook,’ so make sure you’ve seen that movie before reading this book. It will make you appreciate all of the romantic gestures in this even more.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan was a RIDE! Annabel Monaghan books are typically some of my favorite introspective, relationally driven, female-based reads and this was no exception!

Favorite Aspects:
• The SETTING!!! I love the way that Annabel describes settings, but it REALLY got me in this book. I’m a sucker for an east coast/coastal setting and pairing that with Annabel’s writing made me fall in love with our setting and surroundings for a good portion of this book.
• I have always enjoyed when books have great side characters, but the way that Annabel wrote Dan’s family was absolutely perfect for this story. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know every detail about each family member, adult or child, and the way that Jane/Dan interacted with all of them. Probably one of my favorite parts of the book overall.
• I loved Jane’s humor. I always love a funny fmc with a PERSONALITY! I enjoyed watching Jane discover that it’s ok to take her mask off and be who she is.

What I Didn’t Love:
• I wish that we would’ve focused on the overall issues with her Dad, as opposed to the ‘smaller’ issue with Jack. I don’t want to spoil for readers so I won’t say more than that, but just wish we could’ve spent more time on the deeper issue as opposed to what we thought Jane was hung up on.

It must be getting close to summer if I’m reading a new Annabel Monaghan book! I’ve read every book she’s published and this felt like more a return to her first bestseller, Nora Goes Off Script. If you’ve enjoyed her other books then you will love following Jane’s journey as she navigates trying to leave her childhood persona behind all while trying to advance her career and not fall in love with her work guy’s family and town. This was a total hit for me and will make the perfect beach or chill read❤️ And on a personal note, while reading the book I pictured a specific famous childhood actress and imagine my surprise when I got to the author’s note and found that was an inspiration for the author so I say job well done on translating that!