Note: NetGalley Advanced Reader Copy Review - Thank you to Putnam Imprint and Penguin Publishing

Jane has followed up her childhood fame as the awkward funny girl with a budding career in picking scripts for movies now. Her first real shot has her partnering with Dan who she can’t stand. They must chase down her old crush and spend a week in Dan’s hometown. She has to face her insecurities and the lies of her family to follow her heart.

This is a sweet read with some great summer vibes and would make a fun addition to your beach reads list. Perhaps my favorite Annabel Monaghan novel yet. Jane has great growth throughout the book. Dan is just as sweet as can be while remaining believable. Dan’s family is something special you wish you could step into.

It’s a cute love story that didn’t shock me at all but felt like a predictable cozy hug.

This was a cute and quick read. I was having some trouble getting engaged until about 20-30% of the way through to be honest but I’m glad I pushed through. Their story was unique and fun.

My first Annabel Monaghan and it did not disappoint! Enjoyed the relationship arc of the main characters -- would recommend this one!

Enjoyed it so much I'm going to be picking up her other works

So happy to have received this ARC, thank you NetGalley!

4.5 — thank you Annabel Monaghan and Putnam for the eARC of this book.

I’m kicking my feet and smiling over this book. I think this is my favorite book yet by this author. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Monaghan just knows how to portray such realistic scenarios through her books. They are such a breath of fresh air to read because it feels so real and relatable, you can feel every emotion the characters have, whether it be the anxiety or the anger or the inklings of falling in love through her character and writing. Even though this plot was slightly outlandish, I still fell in love with every single one of the characters in this book. Somehow Monaghan made me love the insta love trope (which is one of my least favorite). I just loved everything about this.

The only thing I hope she changes is there is one quote “I want this bracelet like some people want a Tesla”… and given todays political climate, I hope she changes the word Tesla out for something else lol..

3.5 stars!

I always love Annabel’s books!! They’re the perfect beach reads in my option, always feel like that summer rom com gives too.

This book was great, I love the relationship between Dan & his family & also Jane getting to know his family.

Unfortunately this book fell a bit flat for me in certain parts. The miscommunication at 75% in was a tid but annoying.

I really enjoyed Jane & Dans story and I would have loved to read more about them specifically.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the arc! I will be recommending this one as Annabel’s books are always a stank summer book recommendations for me!

Thank you so much to Putnam Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Who says you can't have a love story for the ages? A sweeping, epic, kiss in the rain moment? A build you a house and wait for you to come back to me forever kind of love?

Jane and Dan are on opposite sides of the romance spectrum. Jane is a skeptic running away from it, while Dan is a hopeless romantic.
Workplace rivals and a first date that never happened, a joint venture brings them together as they go to extremes in an attempt to green light their movie.
If there's one thing Annabel Monaghan knows how to do, its build a relationship. She seamlessly navigates the change from foes to friends to something more. The push and pull, opposites attract work so well in this story. You can't help but fall in love Dan, who is unapologetically himself, even when this goes against his favor. He leads with his heart and gets Jane to see herself in a new light.

This book is full of magical movie moments reminiscent of the Notebook, butterflies, and swoon.

I’ve read all of Annabel Monaghan’s books and was so excited to get to read this one early. As expected, this did not disappoint- a very quick, engaging, light, beachy, feel-good romance that left me smiling. Jane is a child actress turned studio executive who has found the script that will change her career. She is frustrated when she finds out that Dan, her hot but project-killing current work nemesis, is also on the film, but he surprisingly aligns with her. When the studio doesn’t want to option the film because it isn’t commercial enough, Jane lies and says she can get an acquaintance from her acting days to write an original song for the film. Turns out he will be in Dan’s hometown playing a show and she reluctantly agrees to accompany Dan home in hopes of saving the movie.

Anything that reminds me of an East Coast summer is an immediate yes for me, so the setting gets 5 stars. Also loved the descriptions of Dan’s family and all of the dynamics at play there. The romance is light and easy breezy. My only complaint is that the climax of the book was a little weak, but overall this was a super enjoyable read. Will recommend!

Thank you to Penguin Group/Putnam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book!

Thank you SO much to NetGalley for the ARC of what is my current fave read of the moment ✨

It's a Love Story beautifully captures the story of Jane Jackson – a former child actress (I pictured Amanda Bynes-level comedic timing) turned studio exec – as she navigates her career and the complexities of self worth and her desire to feel wanted. Her evolving relationship with Da, who she can't stand due to what she perceives as his smug attitude, becomes a compelling part of the story as they search to reconnect with Jack Quinlan (who Jane mayyyy have embellished her connection to).

Annabel Monaghan masterfully blends humor with heartfelt emotion, and I absolutely fell in love with Dan — and his family — right alongside Jane.

Throughout their journey, Jane's struggles with past insecurities and her yearning for acceptance/a sense of belonging are written in such a wonderfully authentic and relatable way. There were a few moments while reading the book that I thought it would take a particular turn in one direction, but I kept being pleasantly surprised by where the story kept going. I started this book while super exhausted and couldn't make it in one sitting, but it was so good that I reread it two other times before writing this review.

If you are a fan of Monaghan's other work, enemies-to-lovers tropes and just a great balance of lightheartedness and heartfelt moments - you have to give this a try!

This was a super quick, easy, and cute read! I loved the setting of the book as well as the big family dynamic! I find that Annabel Monaghan's books are pretty easy to get through!

I’ve read (and loved!) all of Annabel Monaghan’s adult novels, and It’s a Love Story is yet another gem. Her books always deliver the perfect blend of wit, heart, and honesty—and this one might just be my favorite yet.

This is a story about messy family, messy love, and messy characters—and I adored every bit of it. Jane is such a relatable, complicated, lovable protagonist. She’s a former child star turned Hollywood exec who’s trying to outrun her awkward past and fake her way into success. The lie she tells kicks off a hilarious, heartfelt chain of events that forces her to face everything she’s been avoiding—including her teenage crush, a pop star she hasn’t seen in decades, and her undeniable chemistry with the infuriatingly charming Dan Finnegan.

There’s something so refreshing about characters who are flawed but still so easy to root for. Jane and Dan’s dynamic is full of banter, tension, and emotional depth, and the second-chance vibes throughout gave me all the feels.

I also have to shout out the supporting cast—every side character brought something special to the page. From family members to coworkers to surprise cameos, they added so much richness and personality to the story. The world felt fully lived in, and it made the emotional moments hit even harder.

Funny, vulnerable, and full of heart—this is Annabel Monaghan at her best.

I finished this book with my heart over my chest just as I was meant to.

This book is for the funny girls™️. the girls who are always lightning the moment with a joke. the girls always provide the laugh, even if they themselves ARE the laugh. the girl who has had a very close friend go around the room describing her other friends as "my backbone", "the most dependable person I know", "the girl who helped me survive my worst days", and upon her turn she gets: "like… super witty and just, fun!"…. and that was….. IT 😄!!! (too niche? DON'T CARE!!!!! THIS IS MY BOOK OK!!!!!) THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO FUNNY GIRLS™️ THAN JUST THE WITTY-NESS PROJECTED ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!!!! WE HAVE FEELINGS TOO, AND WE ARE NOT ALWAYS JUST THE HEHE HAHA LAUGH GENERATOR!!!!!!! the funny girl™️ has a MULTIVERSE of feelings inside her, but she only projects the part of her people love most, the sunshine-y, giggle-giggle, "everything is a joke even when its not" part, for fear of being vulnerable with how she REALLY feels and showing who she REALLY is. jane jackson is the funny girl™️ spokesperson, and I have never loved or related to a character more. If you don't like Jane, you don't like me! 😄❤️

OK! so besides the fact that this book was a big fat love letter to the funny girls, this was also the sweetest, most relatable romance ever! it is messy and imperfect and precious and truly the real kind of love that happens over breakfast (iykyk). I ADORED their teasing and fun banter and getting to watch them slowly grow to care about each other. dan and jane's love is like an extra scoop of whipped cream in your coffee, the kissing in the rain scene from the notebook, your mom's crispy pancakes, whispered confessions via bunk bed, a saved-just-for-you blueberry muffin, a messy watercolor mosaic of feelings, and alllllll the good things.

there is so much to love in this book, and NO, I am not done yet! because we haven't even discussed the mob! aka dan's chaotic, perfect, lovely little (huge) family <3333 they are everything to me. Reenie and Cormack at the wheel, and the rest of the Finnegan boys and their wives + kids manning the sails, and Dan, sweet Dan, is somewhere on the deck, taking a picture of the sunset while the chaos ensues behind him. And every single crazy person on the boat welcomes Jane with loving, open arms. And I just cannot possibly say how much I love this family. ugh!!!! Annabel!!!! please write 17 more books about the Finnegan family, I beg!!!!!!!

Speaking of Annabel, she is now officially my favorite romance author. Her writing just grabs my heart and doesn't let it go until the last page, and even then, I am always constantly thinking about her words, her characters, and her stories, loooooong after I have finished. I love how she conveys so much in so few words and handles such serious topics (like childhood trauma, insecurity, family relationships, etc — which are all in this story) with such care. everything she writes turns to magic, and It's a Love Story was no exception.

"and then what happened? everything." <3

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

The romance was good, but not even the best part of the story. The family dynamics and setting was so good. The inner work the main character did was compelling. The concept was good and well executed.

There were things about this story that I absolutely loved and some things that irked me. Overall, it is a sweet romance with themes of family.

Oooh, this was a delightful read! I have become quite fond of Annabel Monaghan's books, and It's a Love Story did NOT disappoint! Jane, a former child star, is on a mission to get pop star Jack Quinlan to write a song for her new movie proposal because, oops, she had already told people he had written one. Enter Dan Finnegan, a man she loathes, to help her track him down. Enemies to lovers in all the right ways, this story has heart, romantic tension, and that ever so sweet anticipation you can only get from a delightful rom-com. Definitely recommend! Thank you NetGalley!!

Annabel’s writing is effortless, funny, and full of heart. It’s light and entertaining but still hits deep emotions. Her descriptions are so vivid—I could almost feel the ocean breeze and the warmth of a lively family gathering. This book made me feel everything in the best way. A perfect summer romcom, but honestly, a great read any time of year. I loved it! Thank you NetGalley for an advanced E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a quick, feel good romance ! I loved every single minute of this book. The main characters were relatable and hilarious, felt like a cute summer romance movie and I could see it all in my head! I’m newer to Annabel Monaghan’s writing, but I will definitely be reading more of her books! I would definitely recommend picking this one up when it comes out in May!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC! I really enjoyed some of Annabel Monaghan’s other books so was so thrilled to get this one.

For anyone in a book slump, this is a quick read (once you make it past the 25% mark). Full transparency, I almost DNF’ed at that point because it felt like there was no plot movement in the first quarter of the book but past that, I flew through the rest of the story. Annabel Monaghan is fantastic at immersive world-building in her contemporary romances and this was no exception. I felt like I was thoroughly lost in the rowdy family dynamic and the seaside beach scenes.

However, aside from the setting, I found that this book lacked some of the emotional depth and character development that her her other stories had. This one felt like it was trying to be more profound than it was able to accomplish. I personally disliked Jane as an FMC and I did not enjoy being in her head or experiencing her inner dialogue. Despite it being the title, I struggled to find a genuine love story between our FMC/MMC and it felt more like a relationship of convenience without lasting power. I appreciate the inspiration behind Jane as a character, but there was something so emotionally stunted about her approach to life that was hard to read for 300 pages. I also found the third act conflict and even more, its rushed resolution, to be quite unsatisfying and unrealistic.

Overall, I think this is a worthy palette cleanser read if you’re in the mood for a contemporary romance that is more ~vibes~ than substance but be prepared for uneven pacing. Still love Annabel Monaghan and excited to read what’s next.

It’s a Love Story is everything its title promises—warm, witty, and full of heart. Annabel Monaghan delivers a swoony, smart romance that feels both classic and refreshingly real. It’s a story you’ll want to hug when it’s over.

Before I share my review, thank you SO MUCH to Penguin Publishers. I am so grateful for this opportunity to read a novel by one of my all-time favorite authors. Thank you!!

(my review - below)

*Thank you to NetGally and Penguin Publishers for granting me free access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

“‘I’d like to be the person who could take all of your sad things and make them happy. Like I’d hunt down each one and turn it over.’
‘I don’t think anyone is that person for anyone,’ I say.
‘I don’t think so either. But I’d like to be that person for you.’”
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
3.75/5 Stars - Great!
Read April 2025 - ARC

It’s a Love Story is a cute, stereo-typical story…but with characters to die for.

Positive messages: 2.5/5
Don’t hold on to grudges or unforgiviness, whether that be toward yourself or toward a friend/family member. Tell the truth and be honest with those you love. Be unoffendable and don’t fall for a guy who will treat you like trash. Family bonds are strong and prevalent.

Positive role models: 3/5
Jane, the main character, is relatable. She is looking for love, hiding secrets in her past, and holding resentment toward characters. Throughout the novel, she will learn to overcome her fears and the odds that are stacked against her and do what she believes is right—following her dreams. (Jane’s relationship with her mother is inspiring, although hers with her father is not—he is absent in her life)
Clem, Jane’s friend, is going through a hard divorce at the beginning of the novel. Their bond is strong and Jane describes her as a hideout she can go to laugh and a place of comfort. <i>That’s</i> how close they are.
Jack, a famous singer and Jane’s first kiss and boyfriend, is prevalent (more toward the end of the novel). I don’t want to spoil too much about his character…you’ll just have to read and see for yourself.
Dan, Jane’s crush, is sweet and welcoming. His family is crazy but he learns to be unoffendable and patient toward them.
Dan’s family is HUGE. I couldn’t keep track of all the names, but as a whole, they are supportive and funny. The language his father uses is explicit, though. 😂
Nathan and Rodney, ‘coworkers’ of Jane’s, are side characters. Although they are negative at first, they are realistic and make the plot the novel more real.

Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 1/5
Characters drink beer, wine, etc. at parties. Smoking weed is mentioned.

Language: 3/5
‘S—t’ (and variations of it), ‘a—hole,’ ‘a—,’ ‘bada—,’ ‘bastard,’ ‘f—k,’ and ‘hell’ (and so on…) are used throughout, although not as frequently as the majority of adult romance novels.

Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 0/5
A character gets VERY lightly hit by a car (limps for a few hours and is fine)

Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 3/5
Closed-door sex scenes include strong implications (go to bedroom, wake up ‘entangled’) Lots of heated kissing, touching, and lustful thoughts/feelings. Condoms/prevention and sex are talked about (in friends/family settings)

What You Should Know:
- - - before reading - - -
Annabel Monaghan is a TALENTED writer. I adored her books <i>Same Time Next Summer, Nora Goes Off Script,</i> and <i>Summer Romance.</i>
So, of course, when I am scrolling through NetGally and see THIS…! I’m so excited to start reading.
- - - after reading - - -
This book was so cute! Predictable, but cute. <spoiler>The third act at the end was so unnecessary, though. Like, why?! But…it’s okay. Because I love Annabel Monaghan and I loved these characters so darn much.
If you want to know what to watch out for in two words: sex and f-bombs. The sex is closed-door though. The language isn’t as bad as some romance novels, which I appreciated. I would say this novel is appropriate for mature teens and adults.
LOVED all the references to my favorite movies. Mrs. Doubtfire and The Notebook?! Thank you, Annabel, for choosing some of my all-time favorites. It made me love the characters even MORE (if that’s even possible!)
I laughed.
I smiled from ear to ear.
100% recommend if you are in the mood for a lighthearted, easy rom-com read to start off the month. ♥️

Age Range Recommendation: 15+ A Fiction/Romance/Rom-Com
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: LANGUAGE, PREMARITAL SEX, ABSENT FATHER FIGURE/IMPLIED CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK

This was Annabel Monaghan at her finest. I’ve enjoyed all her previous books, and this one was no exception. It would make a great vacation read—enjoyable while also featuring a fantastic cast of characters dealing with relatable issues.

Jane Jackson, a former child actress turned entertainment executive, must work with her mild work nemesis, Dan. Both are passionate about the same project and are forced to collaborate to hopefully get a movie made. This involves a trip to Dan’s hometown while chasing a celebrity costar from Jane’s acting days. Along the way, they stay at the family compound, explore Long Island, and track down a pop star at a music festival. Both Dan and Jane are forced to confront the identities that have been predetermined for them. They take different approaches to how they are perceived and, in the end, find their way in life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the advanced copy!