"Everything you say is a little crazy, Jane. Doesn't bother me a bit anymore."

Jane is a grown-up child star now pitching scripts to be turned into movies. Her dedication to get a script made puts her and the guy who ruined her last big break together for a week with his family in New Jersey. Jane is still dealing with the repercussions of being the awkward, braces-clad teen on TV who earned laughs at her expense. Dan is feeling the pain of being back with his family where he doesn't quite fit in.

This is a lovely romance novel with a main character who tries, fails, gets embarrassed, hides in her closet, and then tries again. Which is a cycle I can fully relate to. And Dan is earnest and hopeful in his steadfast belief that Jane will make the movie happen.

Jane and Dan's dynamic reminded me of Nora and Charlie in Book Lovers. A bad first (or second) impression that makes the FMC feel like there is no use trying to impress the guy, and it's that lack of a mask that allows them to fall in love.

This really was a love story. I went into thinking it was one thing (more romcom) and going a completely different direction but found myself pleasantly surprised. It was sweet, light, beautiful, with fun moments and great character development. A sweet love story, or stories.

The author’s note says that she was inspired to write this after reading Jeanette McCurdy’s memoir, and boy do I see the influence! Quirky child star Jane is trying to find her footing in the movie industry on the other side of the camera, and has to go on an impromptu trip with her nemesis Dan… to his hometown… to try to convince a rockstar to write a song for their movie. Of course chaos, and romance, are along for the ride.

This book is the perfect summer read - several beach scenes, and a summery vibe. At first I didn’t like Jane or Dan, but both grew on me. And each other. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC. I definitely recommend this book for fans of the author, and lovers of love.

Annabel Monaghan always writes a winner! Loved this storyline. Jane is trying to get a movie green lit that she is passionate about and in the process promises she can get a famous singer to write a song for it. Dan is a cinematographer, among other things and likes the movie too. Jack the singer is going to be playing a festival in Dan's hometown so he and Jane head off to hunt him down as well as go to Dan's parents 40th anniversary party. There is some negative back story between the two, but the more time they spend together the more they grow to like each other. Jane sees what she wants out of life instead of what she has been settling for. A beautiful enemies to lovers story!

I'm a little disappointed, this is my first Annabel Monaghan book and I had high hopes. I didn't get fully invested until about halfway through. It picked up then, and while I liked Dan and Jane, their romance felt a bit too quick for me. I t wanted more from them

Very cute, lighthearted romance that will be the perfect summer read. The main character reminded me of Sam from iCarly, fellow 90’s babies will definitely enjoy this.

This was a wonderful love story and romance novel. It had a slow start but eventually picked up. The characters are heart warming and believable. Monaghan is a must buy for me at this point.

I loved this slow burn romance with so much depth! Dan and Jane were characters that I immediately liked and cheered for from the beginning. I loved the character development for each, but specifically Jane. I feel like her character is relatable to so many; just wanting to feel accepted and loved for who you are not who others want you to be. The Finnegan family was awesome and I adored the big family vibe and how they loved and accepted Jane with no expectations in return.

When I read the author's note about this story being inspired by Jennette McCurdy's book I was surprised, but also not. I was picturing her or a child actress like her the entire story!

Annabel Monaghan is a must-read author for me and this book was another reason why!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for giving me this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of the sweetest, coziest, kick-your-feet-and-squeal books I’ve read. Every time I read one of Annabel‘s books, it becomes my new favorite of hers. The writing is witty and emotional and resonant, and I just couldn’t get enough of Jane and Dan. This book is the PERFECT summer read, and now I’m desperate to spend the summer with the Finnegans on Long Island eating blueberry muffins, riding bikes, and playing tug-of-war at the beach.

Annabel Monaghan returns with another unforgettable love story about found family and discovering who you are meant to be.

It's a Love Story is well-written and entertaining. I'll be the first to admit that it took a little while to get into this story, but I was hooked once it got into its groove.

I absolutely adored Jane and Dan. At first glance, a relationship between the two of them seemed like a total train wreck. Not only were they complete opposites, but Dan had a reputation for ruining everything he touched. But, the more time these two spent together, the more you realized that there was more to both of them than meets the eye, and I really enjoyed their journey to happily ever after.

Jane Jackson played goofball, bumbling Janey Jakes for laughs in a sitcom called Pop Rocks as preteen and teenager. Now, she’s a creative executive at a movie studio, where she found a script she’s passionate about and wants to get made. Only, there’s two problems: one, she has to work with the most annoying cinematographer, Dan, and two, she told a little lie about being able to have Jack Quinlan, a famous musician, write a hit for the soundtrack. Her brief interaction with Jack at 14 haunts her adulthood, and she realizes she’s going to have to make good on contacting him. And she gets to do so with Dan, whose hometown on Long Island is holding a festival where Jack is headlining.

Perhaps my absolute favorite part of this book is the found family aspect. Having been raised by a single mom, with whom she feels distant due to secrets, Jane yearns to have a large, loving family - and she finds that all with Dan’s - his parents, four brothers, and their spouses and kids. She is accepted warmly into their wild antics, and develops special bonds with several members, especially Dan’s dad and his niece.

Jane and Dan’s relationship progress as well - from disdain to dislike to disarming attraction. And while it does happen rather quickly, it never feels like an unrealistic “insta love” situation, but more like the satisfying culmination of events.

This quiet, gentle, thoughtful romance is Annabel Monaghan at her best.

Ms Monaghan you’ve done it again. Made me fall in love with a love story. You write about those deep down insecurities like you know me. You create characters who are beautifully imperfect and yet full of strength. Dan… oh my heck I just loved this sappy huge hearted creative MMC. I have so many quotes that I can’t wait to share when this book is released because they just spoke to me deeply.
Jane is a former child star who works at a production company who is desperate to make her mark in the movie industry. Dan is a cinematography who we find out has crossed paths with Jane and it didn’t go well. They are both desperate to turn a script into a movie and have to take a trip back to Dan’s hometown to pull off a miracle. The entire week of the hometown visit is joy and laughter and love wrapped in steamy and slow burn moments.
There’s some heartbreak but the scenes between Jane and her Mom really touched me in some vulnerable places. This book was everything! Oh and I can’t forget Clem! Can we get her story please?!!!


Loved this so much!

The romance was very sweet in this book but I feel like the flow between chapters was lost. I felt like I was jumping into scenes instead of flowing between them. My biggest pet peeve when it comes to any form of media (tv, movie, books) is when the main character bases something on a lie and it blows up in their face. I was worried about that in this book but this is the first time I understand why and also appreciated the way the author played it out in such a realistic way. Overall, I would recommend this for a fun summer read.

Annabel Monaghan has once again proven herself to be a writer with a unique voice within the romance genre. It's like sitting in the shallows of a lakeshore with small waves breaking against your legs. There is a beautiful, wistful cadence to it. She doesn't lean on quippy dialogue nor does she make her characters out to be falsely perfect. This book makes intermittent reference to The Notebook and that's perfect.

It's rare that I do not like the FMC in a traditionally published romance and this one sometimes pushed me to find a way to like her, but I think that's the point of her character. Jane is inflicted with the common human affliction that is complexity. She can be neurotic and stubborn, and yet her behaviors do not defy logic when placed within the context of reality. The MMC, Dan, takes time to warm up to just as he does for his counterpart. Monaghan creates duality in her characters, the one that they tell us themselves and the one that we see within the active context of the story. 

There were times while reading that I could not imagine awarding it five stars - and maybe I'll change my mind - but, right now, it feels right. If you were moved by Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, and The Notebook is your comfort movie, this may be the book for you.

Another book I couldn’t put down! Easy to love the characters, a love story involving old flames and new ones plus family members that remind you of those in your own world! Janey and Dan had me smiling, tearing up and cheering them on! Such a fun summer read!

Annabel Monagham never fails to create a perfect summer beach read! I enjoyed reading Jane and Dan’s love story and wished I was by the beach reading it! It was to get into it at first but after getting through 30% of it, it was sooo worth it! The found family and family dynamic in this was amazing and made me love it even more. Overall, a perfect read for the summer and will definitely be rereading while I’m on a beach vacay!

I look forward to Annabel Monaghan’s new release every year, and this one did not disappoint! This book is cleaver, funny, and gave me all the summer feels. It’s a very fun and fresh take on enemies to lovers and I loved following Jane as she tried to outrun her awkward past finding unexpected love along the way. A perfect mix of heart and humor and the kind of nostalgia you get from visiting home for the summer.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and Penguin Group Putnam for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved her love story! The grumpy/sunshine, the shared bedroom, the beautiful scenery, I ate it all up! I will read anything Annabel Monaghan writes, but I look forward to more love stories.

Thank you so much to Putnam for the gifted book!

I thought this one was cute and fun overall!

Dan and Jane were super cute and I loved watching them fall in love!

Some of my favorite scenes were with Dan's family and all the fun interactions Dan & Jane had with all of them. It also really made me crave muffins (iykyk)!

This is the third book I've read by Annabel and I can't wait to see what she puts out nex!

A book that just might make you believe in love again. Featuring:
- Big family dynamics
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- He falls first
- Healing journey
- Opposites attract
- Second chance
- Workplace romance

I LOVED this book. It hooked me from page 1 and I didn't want to put it down. The writing was beautiful, the characters were likable and as relatable as they could be (minus the awkward teen sitcom star punchline bit) and the setting was picturesque. The tension, character development and relationship building were exquisite. The love on these pages is aspirational.

"It's a Love Story" is a beautiful and romantic healing journey about confronting your past in order to overcome its hold on you and live a life you never could have imagined before. This was my first book by Annabel Monaghan and it definitely will not be my last.

Thank you so much to Putnam/PRH for the ARC!!!! One of my top 3 reads of the year so far.