I could NOT believe I got this for an ARC! Thank you so much!

I absolutely loved Summer Romance—it was sweet, thoughtful, and gave me all the feels. However I was not a huge fan of Same Time Next Summer...

For this one I went in expecting a fun, swoony read, but the romance between the main characters felt underdeveloped and lacked any real chemistry. For a book with “love story” in the title, there just wasn’t enough actual romance. Most of the time, I couldn’t even understand why they were falling for each other.

On top of that, the main character, Jane, read incredibly immature. Her voice didn’t feel like someone who had grown or learned from her past—more like someone stuck in it. Her decisions and inner monologue made it hard to root for her, and the central conflict felt more exhausting than entertaining.

I’ll still check out whatever Monaghan writes next (because Summer Romance really was that good), but this one just didn’t work for me.

3.5 stars ⭐️ The sun came out today, so it felt like the perfect day to pick up one of my most anticipated summer reads.

I really really loved a lot of this book! I highlighted so much because of all the great movie references. Also, the found family here was picture perfect and added so much to the story.

My favorite part was how well spoken the MCs were. Annabel Monaghan’s characters are always mature, which is a big reason I keep on coming back to her books and this one did not miss. Both of the MCs had their own strengths & weaknesses that felt realistic and genuine. They also knew how to communicate with each other (for most of the book anyway) which we love.

SPOILER - the reason this book gets only 3.5 stars from me is because I really did not like the third act break-up. I knew it was coming, but I was still so disappointed and it so felt unnecessary. One of my favorite parts of this book was how well Dan got Jane to communicate with him, so for the third act to end like that made me really sad. The saving grace is that he didn’t immediately take her back, she really had to beg for it, so that made it feel a little more realistic.

Alright, with that said, NO SPOILERS DOWN HERE, I would still recommend this book, I really liked it! It’s a great second chance rom com to add to your summer TBR, but I may be biased because I will always recommend Annabel Monaghan’s books.

Thank you to Putnam/Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to give my candid feedback.

This is the first book I've read by Annabel Monaghan, although I've seen her name many times before. I can't wait to go back and read the others! It's a Love Story contains banter and romantic tension that is a joy to read. It is swoon-worthy and not too steamy. Both the romantic leads and the supporting characters were well-written and fun characters to be around - overall, an enjoyable, lighthearted romance. Perfect summer beach read!

I get excited every time I see a new book from Annabel Monaghan because I know I’m going to love it. At this point, I don’t even need to read the summary to know I want to read the book.

As expected, It’s a Love Story completely delivered on all my expectations. The characters were all perfection. I liked Jane and Dan, but Dan’s family were the stars of the show. I would love to be a part of that family (there’s still one single brother btw). I just want to eat blueberry muffins on the porch with Cormack while watching Ruby dance to the potatoes, then spend the evening at a lobster boil on the beach…gah, put me on a plane now.

The romance – steamy car windows – yes please!

If you liked Annabel’s other books or authors like Emily Henry, you’ll enjoy this book too. The quote on the cover from Carley Fortune says “Anything Annabel writes, I’m reading it.” Same girl, same.

This is not my first Annabel Monaghan book and it won't be my last. As I have read in other reviews that the beginning of the book was a little slow which I definitely agree on! It took me a little bit to get into the book but it was still good! There were a lot of references to "The Notebook" which was sweet but a lot at times. Jane and Dan were cute characters and I loved the ending! Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I love every book she writes and this was no different. I read this on a beach vacation and it was perfect. Funny, sweet, emotional. Really checked all the boxes for me!

Annabel Monaghan! i love the woman that you are! This book is FABULOUS and the writing is SUPERB. I fell right in love with Jane and Dan's story. I am a sucker for an enemies to lovers and will be until the day i die. This is a great summer beach read!

5 out of 5 berry pies!

If I could describe this book in one word, it's "tingly" (in the best way).
The whole time, I was kicking my feet and giggling. It felt so real, and so pure.
Enemies to lovers!
I loved Jane's backstory, and how she had to overcome her insecurities.
I loved Dan's confidence,
Ugh, such a cute book!

Also...Ruby made me cry happy tears.

Can't wait for this book to come out so I can tell everybody to read it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the eARC <3

something about annabel monaghan’s writing feels like it was perfectly made for me. the way she describes her main characters inner monologue is so realistic yet poetic all at the same time.

i really enjoyed these characters and the setting this book took place in! jane was relatable and funny and her inner monologue had me laughing out loud during multiple scenes. dan was sweet and had this complicated yet realistic family dynamic that i really loved seeing through jane’s eyes. i loved the time they spent together in both hollywood and in long island and how annabel monaghan made those cities seem so close and like i was in them throughout the story.

the nostalgia and disney channel vibes this sub plot gave me were also so immaculate and i loved hearing about pop rocks. i thought that was so fun and unique and made jane such an interesting character. her experience with jack was so relatable because i feel like we all have some embarrassing moment from dating in our early teens and this entire sub plot just made me feel very seen.

i can’t recommend this book enough. it’s absolutely perfect for the summer and i’ll definitely have to do a reread of this one sitting on a beach chair getting sunburnt sometime this summer.

Another enjoyable rom-com from Annabel Monaghan. I do look forward to these each year. She writes great banter and keeps the spice level mostly close door (this one was slightly more open door than her previous books).

It's a Love Story has elements of Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer. "Nora" in that the book focuses a lot on making a movie and the Hollywood of it all and "Same Time" in the Long Island setting and being surrounded by family and the dynamics that entails.

This one though is about Jane Jackson, formerly the awkward character in a teen pop star sitcom and now the producer at a Hollywood agency. She has a very specific plan to find a romantic partner, which involves not being herself too much or not being too much herself. Career-wise, she's desperate to turn this one beautiful script she's optioned into a movie, but as her nemesis, cinematographer Dan Finnegan, points out, it's not commercial enough. Sure, he loves the script, but it's a quiet story and Hollywood glitz won't do.

With her first greenlit project about to be shelved, Jane makes the bold and not quite accurate claim that her former co-star turned megawatt music sensation Jack Quinlan would be happy to write a song for the film, ensuring it gets enough attention to make the project viable for the studio. The only problem is that Jane hasn't stayed in touch with Jack for very good reasons. Oh and another problem...Dan might be the only person who can get her close enough to Jack to pitch the movie to him.

What ensues is a trip to Long Island and a week with Dan's big, loud, wonderful Irish family, and yeah Dan is there too and maybe he's not as awful as he seemed.

This is a fun, bantery enemies-to-lovers story. I really enjoyed how Dan calls Jane out on her insanity, his big family, and also Jane's best friend. Jane

A very cute summer romance! I love Annabel Monaghan's book and flew this one as usual. As soon as the story moves from LA to Long Island, it really picks up and has you invested in the characters. The miscommunication trope is featured heavily which as a matter of personal preference is not a trope I generally enjoy so that kept this from being a five star read for me, but was still incredibly cute and enjoyable

4.5
I really need half stars!! I absolutely LOVED this book!! I was so excited I was approved on Netgalley to receive this ARC and I just have to sing its praises. I have loved every Annabel Monaghan book and I think so far I have to say this is my favorite! The only one I haven't read yet is Summer Romance and you can guarantee I will be reading that this summer!! This was fun, flirty, and also hits emotionally with how you view yourself because of some small thing that happens when we are younger. Go and read!!

I absolutely love Annabel Monaghan’s writing and this book was no exception! I had a hard time putting this one down - I just adored Jane and Dan’s love story. Romance in a way that feels very pure and authentic (and sexy without needing to be explicit). Thankful for the ARC from NetGalley - will for sure be purchasing a physical copy for my shelf!

Annabel Monaghan’s writing honestly feels like a hug from my mom. It’s so warm, real, and inviting. And on a related note, you can sense how much she loves her own mom. I’ve loved the other books I’ve read by her, and my high expectations for this book were certainly met! Sorry if this is creepy, but I just feel like her and I would really get along! Her books always speak to me in such a clear and beautiful way 🩷🫶🏻

Jane is trying to make a movie that she feels passionate about, but she needs Dan’s help to do it. And Dan is the one who crushed her last hopeful movie. Jane was a childhood celebrity and has history with a currently famous singer, Jack. So she tries to connect with Jack to get him to work on this next movie’s soundtrack.

Jane and Dan are opposites in many ways. But they are just so SO good together. This is a book with lots of little moments, stolen glances, legs brushing against each other….

This is sure to be a popular read for this summer and I couldn’t recommend it any more highly! Definitely jump on this one!!

Tropes:
🧡 Second chance
🧡 Celebrity
🧡 Enemies to Lovers
🧡 Forced proximity
🧡 Only one bed
🧡 Small town
🧡 Beach town

I had a lot of highlights for this book so I’ll just share a few quotes:
🩵 “There’s a difference between someone loving you and agreeing with every single thing you do.”

🩵 “There’s something about the way he’s looking at me that makes me think an impossible thing: I am interesting and true and beautiful.”

🩵 “Love happens over breakfast.” Cormack smiles at Reenie. “If you want to know the secret to a happy marriage, that’s it.”

🩵 “The evidence of my time with Dan is in how clear I feel for the first time in decades.”

Sadly, did not like this one at all. The characters felt dull and lifeless and I felt zero connection between them. The story felt quite boring itself, and I overall just was not a fan. I have now decided that Annabel Monaghan’s writing is just not for me!

Won’t be making a post, as I don’t make designated posts for a negative review.

This book was a slow start for me. The first few chapters had me sort of cringing at the main character. But all of a sudden, it transforms into such an amazing story.

Jane was a child actor that played the funny geek and seems to have that dictate the rest of her life. Throughout the course of the book she finds, not only love, but herself.

A great read. I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

I received an ARC of this from NetGalley, thank you!

what a delightful book. I can totally see this being a beach read of the summer. it's the kind of book that demands to be read with the sun beating down, sand between your toes, and a Wawa hoagie in hand. I loved the character development and growth. Dan's family and small town is a delight. I would love some spinoffs on each of the family members. I could have had another book on Clem as well because she's so quirky and fun. the romance was well done if a bit slow. I really enjoyed this!

It’s a Love Story is a heartfelt, beautifully written exploration of love in its quietest, most genuine forms.

Annabel Monaghan captures the uncomfortable yet relatable truth of how we sometimes shape ourselves to fit others’ expectations. She handles this with nuance and care, weaving it seamlessly into her characters’ journeys.

Clem and Jane’s friendship is a standout — a deep, loyal bond that shows what it means to be truly seen and loved for who you are. Clem’s steady, unwavering support is the kind of friendship we all hope to give and receive.

Jack’s character, left without growth or redemption, felt entirely fitting. Not every person in our lives deserves a second chance, and his stagnation underscored this reality in a satisfying way.

One of the most powerful moments in the book comes at the anniversary party, where Ruby’s effort to spare someone else a lifetime of shame was both heartbreaking and deeply moving.

Dan exemplifies the beauty of quiet love — through steady presence, small gestures, and making space for authenticity. His open communication and willingness to grow reflect a healthy love that feels all too rare in fiction, making him an especially endearing character.

Monaghan continues to write stories that completely capture me and leave me eagerly anticipating what she’ll create next. It’s a Love Story is more than just a romance — it’s a thoughtful meditation on friendship, self-worth, and the quiet power of love that allows us to be our truest selves.

I absolutely loved It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan! What a beautifully written story following Jane Jackson, a Hollywood film executive working hard to get a script she believes in greenlit. Her boss doesn’t think it’s commercial enough, so she decides to track down her old childhood TV co-star, Jack Quinlan, to sing a mainstream hit song for the movie. Only problem is in order to be in the same place at the same time as Jack, she will need to lean on a cinematographer at work, Dan Finnegan, and take a trip with him back to his hometown where Jack is performing. While back in Dan’s charming hometown and being around his zoo of a family, Jane realizes she can be herself around Dan and that maybe they don’t need Jack’s song to get their movie made.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book! All opinions expressed are my own.

This is one of my favorite stories in this genre and overall. I loved it. Jane and Dan are extraordinarily well written. The Mob is wonderful and captures the big family energy perfectly. Reading this book made me feel like I was in a big hug while laughing - just a great romance full of smart writing and development. It made me feel light and soft in all the right ways. Loved it!