Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of this novel!

Last year I discovered Annabel Monaghan's work, her novel, Summer Romance was one of my favorite summer reads last year. I was thrilled to get an early copy of her new novel coming out this spring/summer. "It's a Love Story" involves Jane Jackson, a former child actor turned struggling producer and her work enemy Dan Finnegan. They travel to the east coast together in hopes to get the famous singer, Jack Quinlan, to write a song for the film they want to get approval to produce. Jane might have embellished her connection to Jack and tries to make a miracle happen. During this time Jane stays with Dan's large Irish family and learns that she might have judged Dan too harshly. Dan soon becomes Jane's biggest supporter as she navigates her interactions with Jack and is forced to face the baggage that came from her acting career as a young teen.

In my opinion, this novel started a little slow. I do not think I connect as well to characters that start in LA and are in the movie business, its just not relatable. However, as the story progressed I did find Jane to be a deep character with sides of her that I was rooting for. Also Dan's family was hilarious and warm. It made him likable and I wanted Jane to have these people as her found family.

As always, Monaghan creates realistic characters with trauma and baggage that they sort through before they fall for each other. I found this novel to be a sweet romance that is also in the women's fiction genre. I like how her female characters are independent and do the work to grow themselves and their love interests support this growth rather than swoop in and magically solve all the FMC's problems.

“it’s everyday care and treating the other person like they’re your house keys”
“I feel the ghosts of a million laughs in this room”
“I lean back into him in response which probably speaks volumes, but it the quietist conversation I’ve ever had”

Admit it. Now you REALLY want to read this book and find out exactly what these quotes are about. Those are just a few quotes from her book. There were more. I never highlight in a book, but I kept reading and then rereading phrases that were so perfectly articulated. I was constantly amazed at Annabels turn of phrase.
I didn’t want ANNABEL MONAGHAN’S latest book ‘It’s a Love Story’ to end. I’ve always been a fan and I’ve read all her books, but this is a new favorite.

This is not just another romance/love story. This book has heart, it has teeth, it has everything you want that will keep you up at night reading.

Jane, a former child star turned movie producer, doesn’t believe in true love. However, she’s found a movie script that she believes could perfectly portray it. To help her land a big-name singer for the title song, she’s enlisted the help of her friend and cinematographer, Dan. Annabel Monaghan has crafted a satisfyingly fun summer beach novel that plays on the close proximity and friends-to-lovers trope. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the early proof.

This is a very painful review to write, and I even rounded up from 2.5 stars. First off, do not let this review sway you into thinking this is not a great author, because by all means, when I saw this come across my email, I was OVERJOYED! I could not wait to start it. This was about the point that all this wave of excitement began to plummet.

If it wasn't for my love of this author, I would have DNF this book. I genuinely just kept hoping it would get better, but no such luck.

I was not engaged with the characters; quite frankly I thought the entire plot was stupid and drawn out. I really think she missed the mark with this one sadly.

I just finished It’s a Love Story and wow, this book is like a warm hug. Annabel Monaghan has such an easy, witty writing style that makes the characters feel totally real and relatable. The story has heart, humor, and just the right amount of emotional depth without getting too heavy. It’s one of those books that’s both comforting and fresh at the same time. If you're into character-driven romances that are smart and charming, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

4.5 stars
Jane Jackson spent her awkward teen years playing up her goofiness as a punchline on a TV show. She liked going for the laughs. As an adult, she has firm ideas about how she should change herself to attract a stable mate—working in the movie industry is not exactly a steady way to make a living. But this script she’s sure is going to cement her role in the industry. Except when she gets to the meeting, the pompous cinematographer, Dan, who tanked her last script is there. She’s desperate to get the project greenlit, so when her boss claims this project is too quiet, she lies and says she’s still friends with the mega musician Jack Quinlan and he’d be willing to write a single for the soundtrack. Except she neglects to mention that her ties with him lasted about a day 17 years ago.

Dan might have an in as to how she can reach Jack, but it would mean traveling with him back to his family in Long Island. She assumes they live in a mansion and all have Ivy League educations. What she finds is a place where she can be herself. Funny and goofy and not faking it all the time.

I fell in love with Dan along with Jane. There were parts of the ending that didn’t quite work for me, but all in all an enjoyable romance.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel which RELEASES MAY 27, 2025.

This one started slow for me. I almost put it down but I’m so glad I stuck it out. If you’re starting this book, trust me: hang in there until chapter 10, when the story shifts to New York. That’s when it finds its heart!

Jane’s character growth is one of the strongest parts of the book. Watching her grow into her true, authentic self was amazing. She begins as someone who’s a bit unsure of her place in the world, but by the end, she owns who she is—and you can’t help but cheer her on.

And Dan 😍 He’s quirky, thoughtful, and completely himself, even when his family doesn’t totally get him. I absolutely loved that about him. He doesn’t change to fit anyone’s expectations, and that kind of confidence makes him one of the best book boyfriends out there.

I also loved Dan’s family. Every single one of them brought warmth and depth to the story, especially his parents—their love was such a beautiful backdrop to Jane and Dan’s own journey.

If I had to pick one thing I didn’t love, it would be the third-act breakup. It felt a little unnecessary and disrupted the emotional momentum. Still, the ending was satisfying and heartfelt.

Overall, this is a love story that’s messy, real, and full of heart. Give it time to unfold—you won’t regret it.

It’s A Love Story did not capture my attention right away. However, the story that blossomed once Dan & Jane go to his hometown, had me unable to put the book down. It gave me How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes. Many times books give a non-realistic version of love but this book focused on the little things that make a relationship thrive. “Love happens over breakfast” will forever be a favorite quote of mine now. I loved the ending of this book but am so sad that it’s over. Hoping for a sequel involving Clem 🤞🏼

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance for my honest review.

human interactions are never really portrayed accurately in books. they’re always a little too perfect, a little too scripted. sometimes i think about myself—being spontaneous, or sharing out of pocket jokes—and how i could never be written in a book because my experiences aren’t universal enough for many people to understand. people often don’t want to read about this realness because it’s awkward; you don’t know the characters that intimately, and being unique means you won’t connect with everyone. but monaghan, against all odds, gives us a real life person in the form of it’s a love story.

jane is a creative movie exec who tells herself she’s looking for love and presents a facade of someone loveable, someone who wears the right clothes for the right dates and knows when to laugh or smile. deep down, she feels guilty and unworthy of showing her true self because the real jane has only been rejected from love, and this has plagued her ever since. jane starts working on a movie with her nemesis/coworker dan, and she has to face all the feelings she’s swept under the rug.

let me be honest, at first i thought jane was a total weirdo. a whacko actually. because what kind of quirky are you to eat candy in a closet when emotional? and some of the things she says are totally unhinged. i felt like we got too personal too quickly, but around 25% i started connecting with her. jane tries to escape her pain from the past by becoming someone new. she avoids her feelings with humor, becomes funny so she doesn’t cry, and i think this is when i realized we’re more alike than i thought. compare her to myself, and suddenly she’s less insane.

jane’s inner monologue definitely overshares, but her out of pocket thoughts are more realistic than anything else. maybe her reactions aren’t how i would react, but they’re how a person would react, and jane became more of a person than a character.

what i appreciate most is that there wasn’t miscommunication!! jane and dan were able to actually open up and discuss their feelings. (spoiler) their fight was satisfying in a way because jane lashing out makes sense. she’s been running away from janey jakes for years, and after finally being caught, not only is she facing feelings of being unlovable and weird, but also has to reconcile this person with the person who fell in love with dan. and that’s a lot.

there’s definitely a line between being honest and overcharging, which monaghan flits over a couple times, but overall i appreciate knowing jane so intimately. however, i’ll say that a lot of the unnecessary details slow down the plot.

jane talks a lot about love and what it’s supposed to feel like. she’s against her mom’s flings, against insta-love, and really wants a love story where the two people love as they learn about each other. i’d say this is contradictory though because dan and jane were definitely insta-love. or, not exactly the slow burn that jane advocates for, which bothered me a bit. jane found dan attractive almost from the start and caught butterflies maybe a day later? their spending time together was cute but the “i love you” came after less than a week of them together.

lighthearted and cute, this book is perfect as a summer beach and vacation read!

If you like Annabel Monaghan’s other books, you’ll love this one too! The characters are relatable and enjoyable to read about. It’s a nice light read through most of it with some more emotional moments towards the end. I really enjoyed this book and am excited to catch up on the other books written by this author!

Thank you to penguin and NetGalley for this arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review! If you want to suck down an entire book in one sitting on a summer vacation (possibly in a bikini on a beach with a cocktail in hand 👙) this is your book!! Jane is an insecure former child star who thinks she is destined for a supporting role in life. Currently working on getting her new film project off the ground, Jane teams up with Dan, a hipster cinematographer who has rubbed her the wrong way professionally in the past. In pursuit of their project, they head to the Hamptons to nail down a lead single for their movie from a current pop super star, who happens to be a ghost from Jane’s childhood past.

So many things worked for me in this story. First, Jane was so easy to root for and relatable. Who hasn’t had an ugly duckling phase in middle school? I also loved how Monaghan explored how girls who aren’t ‘perfect’ get relegated to the ‘goofy sidekick friend’ role. It was sweet to see Dan help Jane come out of her shell and be herself (and as a naturally curly-haired girl who has spent a lot of time in the past taming my mane, I loved how Jane’s naturally curly hair appeared more as her acceptance of herself grew). Also, introverted men with man buns are not typically my jam, but Dan did it for me. I love a yearning man and my guy was down soooooo bad. And besides the main characters, Dan’s family dynamic adds so much warmth and coziness to the story. I mean, a big Irish family on a potato farm in the Hamptons—could my Irish heart be any more smitten?? 🤩 And when Jane described seeing his parents’ love as being each other’s house keys 🔑 🔑 Protect this family at all costs.

Monaghan’s writing really shines in this story. I felt instantly transported to summer. The background of the Hamptons and Dan’s parents’ home was so dreamy. There is also a short scene that involves painting that was incredibly romantic. She writes, ‘I wish the salty air were a blanket I could pull up over us’ excuse me!?!! How gorgeous!!!

I have read ‘Same Time Next Summer’ and ‘Summer Romance’ and in my opinion this one blew both of those out of the water. The only thing I found a bit grating was the number of references to The Notebook (was this needed?). Overall I loved this book and will be recommending it to any girlfriend who needs an easy beach read this summer.

Jane is an executive producer eager to move on from her past as a teenage actress, constantly the punchline of jokes. Now, with a passion project she’s determined to see succeed, she needs to get the green light on her script. To do so, she must team up with Dan, a cinematographer who doesn’t exactly seem thrilled to work with her, and find a way to turn their collaboration into a successful film.

I believe this is my second book by Annabel Monaghan, and I’ve found it a bit challenging to get into both of them at first. It’s like, once I hit the 50% mark, I suddenly become hooked. Might even be later in the book.

As for the characters, I’m not really sure what to say about them. They weren’t bad, but I just didn’t connect with the book overall.

I really liked that they went to his family home, especially since it was also a workplace. It added an interesting layer to the story. That made me want to keep reading.

A big thank you to netgalley and putnam for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and heartwarming, slow-burn romance that will be perfect for the summer! This book is just as charming as her others. If you are a fan of Annabel Monaghan books you will not be disappointed!

This book was a beautiful, heartfelt love story, and I'm so sad that I finished it because I wanted to keep living in their world forever!

Jane is desperate to get a movie script green-lit, so she tells a lie to nudge it along. In order to make that lie a truth, she flies across the country with Dan, her work nemesis, to hunt down a famous singer who she knew when she was 14. Dan brings her to stay at his family's home for a week, where they're surrounded by his 4 brothers, loving parents and a gaggle of nieces and nephews. Wrapped in the cocoon of this large family, Jane finds herself falling in love, with both Dan and his family. But decades old childhood hurts eat away at her and she feels un-able to accept that she deserves to be loved back.

Jane was such a quirky and flawed FMC, and I related to her so much. It can be really hard to set aside long-held beliefs in yourself, especially when they were born from the people in your life that you should be able to trust the most. Dan was quiet and introverted, and absolutely besotted with Jane. His family was loud and boisterous and loving, and I understood completely why he felt the need to put a country's worth of distance between them and carve out a life of his own. These characters all touched my heart, and it felt like reading about old friends.

I have loved all of Annabel Monahan's books, but this one is definitely up there as a favorite! I loved how the writing flowed and kept my attention. It was character driven, and really got into the hearts and emotions of both Dan and Jane. I especially love that both characters were in their 30s, and understood so much about themselves but still had room to grow. It made for a story that was so beautifully crafted, and one that I know I will return to again for a re-read.

Thank you to @putnambooks and Netgalley for the e-arc!

Really liked this one- I have enjoyed the author's other books as well and was hoping this would work for me the same way and it does. I loved the section with the family characters out east. So fun and charming. I would love more books about the brothers...
I imagine this will be a great summer read- Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In "It's a Love Story," Annabel Monaghan introduces us to Jane Jackson, a former child star trying to shed her past as "Poor Janey Jakes" from a popular sitcom. Now a Hollywood studio executive, Jane is determined to be taken seriously, adopting the mantra "Fake it till you make it." However, her ambition leads her to a precarious lie: claiming she can secure a song from pop star Jack Quinlan for her first project. Jack, once her first kiss and a source of deep embarrassment, hasn't been part of her life for two decades. To pull off her plan, Jane must enlist the help of Dan Finnegan, a cinematographer she once crushed on, who has connections to Jack. As Jane navigates a week of close quarters with Dan, she's forced to confront her past and the truth she's been avoiding.

I found "It's a Love Story" to be a delightful read, filled with Monaghan's signature charm reminiscent of her previous work, "Nora Goes Off Script." Jane's journey is relatable, especially for those of us who have struggled with past identities and self-worth. The novel’s exploration of love and self-acceptance through the lens of a middle-aged woman who doubts love’s existence is both refreshing and engaging. The characters are likable and their problems, such as feeling trapped by past selves and seeking validation, resonate deeply. Monaghan crafts a story that is both humorous and heartfelt, making it a compelling read for anyone who enjoys stories of personal growth and unexpected romance.

I enjoyed this book just like the other books that Annabel has wrote! It was an easy read that pulled you in with a setting that I would not normally not know any information about. It was a little hard to figure out all the "lingo" about the tv/behind the scenes of film, so I enjoyed the second half more. However, I really related to the male main character. Overall, a good read to enjoy when you want something to just dive into!

Another great one from Annabel! I love Jane and Dan, I love how he’s steady and quiets her run away thoughts and I adored the family dynamics. I honestly could’ve done without the Jack storyline, it felt a bit out of place to me and forced.

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc! annabel monaghan will always be one of my favorite and auto read authors. while her stories are primarily about the FMC, she always has a fully-formed MMC with feelings and thoughts of his own. i loved when jane and dan compared being in love/being partnered to "they're always aware of where the other one is in the room, like they're each other's house keys." annabel always writes so beautifully and makes connections other writers wouldn't.

This book really resonated with me about all the little things that make a good love story. I felt all the emotions of seeing two imperfect people find their perfect person. Annabel really brought the feelings to the forefront, and they seemed so real, rather than contrived by the conventional attractions of some romance novels. This was one I didn't want to put down, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her novels in the future.