I'm not gonna lie. This was a rough one for me to get into, but I love this author so yeah, II kept it going. Jane is a studio executive in los angeles, she had once been a teenage actress, ala zoey 101 or hannah montana vibes- she wants a movie maid. She thinks it's the best script she's ever read and she'll do anything to get it green lit including maybe overstating her relationship with her former crowstar, who's now there? I think that's recording star - enter her co-worker Dan. Oh, shit has a disdain. 42 put it my ugly, but dan happens to be from long island where said singer will be performing up that weekend and who's brother is working the show - so off they go to spend the week. At dan's parents house.Oh, by the way, it's his parents' fortieth anniversary party jane have some intimacy issues due to parental abandonment. I wish that would have been explained a little bit earlier. Because I felt like it took too long to get to the root of her issue. But yeah, it was a very good ending.I enjoyed the book. Definitely, gives an insight to what these former teenage stars probably do go through once they're cycled through, so to speak definitely a great beach read.


Thanks, net galley for the arc.In exchange for an honest review

A lightheaded book full of emotion. Great combo. I loved the storyline. The celebrity storyline was a win for me. Great characters, fun story, lots of witty banter.

This was my first Annabel Monaghan read and now I need to go read everything she has written. I absolutely loved this book and I did not want to put it down. The story was beautifully written and left me with the cure to my reading slump. The characters were full of life and complex in a way that left me wanting more. I loved the balance of humor and emotion. I really connected with all the characters, but especially with Jane. I will be recommending this book to friends. Thank you to Annabel Monaghan, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Just finished It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan, and I’m absolutely in love with this book! It’s everything you could want in a romantic read—charming, heartfelt, and brimming with relatable moments that hit you right in the feels.

The way Monaghan weaves humor and emotion into the story is pure magic. The characters feel so real, and their journey had me laughing, tearing up, and rooting for them every step of the way. It’s the perfect blend of sweet romance and meaningful connections, with just enough twists to keep you turning the pages.

If you’re a fan of stories that leave your heart full and your mind dreaming, you need to pick this one up. It’s a love story in every sense of the phrase, and I can’t recommend it enough!

I was so thrilled to receive this ARC! If Annabel Monaghan is writing it, I’m reading it! I have loved her 3 previous adult romance books and this one did not disappoint me. In fact, it’s my new favorite! I loved every word down to the end of the acknowledgements. There’s something about the way she writes her characters that makes them so easy to love and root for.

Jane and Dan have an almost perfect meet cute and then it all goes awry at a business meeting where they disagree on a script. Fast forward and they are both trying to get a different movie made to advance their careers in Hollywood, but because of a lie Jane told in a meeting, they need a hit song by pop star Jack Quinlan for the soundtrack in order to get the movie publicity and ultimately get it made.

Jane and pop star, Jack Quinlan, starred in a hit teen show together but now in their 30s, they are strangers. Jane and cinematogropher Dan embark on a journey together to his parents’ home in Long Island, NY where Jack Quinlan is playing a music festival and Dan needs to attend his parents’ 40th anniversary party. Can Dan and Jane work out their differences long enough to survive the weekend in Long Island, find Jack, and ultimately get their movie made?

Read this book if you love:
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Hollywood romances
Slow burn
Mature characters with depth

If this book was made into a movie, I’d be thrilled. Just saying.. 🎥🍿

Your review
. .
Jan 25, 2025
This book surprised me in so many ways but in the best of ways. First off, I wasn't sure if l'd enjoy a book set in the movie industry in LA and I wasn't sure if the FMC Jane was likable but Annabel Monaghan wrote it so well that I quickly understood how we should all be rooting for Jane. I loved Jane and Dan's meet cute and how the workplace enemies become lovers. Jane and Dan's time together in Dan's hometown, a beach town, sounded like a wonderful vacation even considering all of the family dynamics when you return home. And if for some reason you're wavering on reading it, read it for the scenes with Dan's adorable niece, Ruby. Thank you to Annabel Monaghan and Putnam Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book early on NetGalley.

Absolutely enjoy this author. This title did not disappoint. I enjoy the character development, quirkiness and cutesy romance comedy that this book has❤️to offer. I recommend this book to those who enjoy Emily Henry, Katherine Center and Courtney Walsh.

This is definitely my favorite of Annabel Monaghan’s books. The characters were relatable, the setting and scenery were so realistic I could feel them, and I loved the journey of self discovery that Jane went through. Plus the love story (while not quite The Notebook level, iykyk) was true to life and just fun to read!

I am truly grateful for the chance to read this ARC. Annabel has captured my heart and has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Words cannot fully express my appreciation for her writing. Her characters pull me in right from the start, making me feel a deep connection to individuals I've never met. I witnessed their love story unfold, and the way their romance was depicted was incredibly accurate. At times, I felt a wave of anxiety, fearing an inevitable breakup, desperately hoping I was wrong and that a happy ending was still possible. I can't remember ever wanting a relationship to succeed as much as I did for Jane and Dan.

While reading, I also thought of Jeannette McCurdy's memoir and believe she would be quite flattered by the comparison. Additionally, I was surprised to learn that Annabel lives in Connecticut—my home state! Although the chances are slim that she would want to visit my library, I think I should reach out to her agent.

Thank you NetGalley and the Penguin Group for the ARC! I was so excited to see my request to read it early was approved.

This book, like all of Annabel Monaghan’s books was a delight from start to finish. Janey is this quirky, former child actor who is trying to find how she fits in now that she’s an adult and no longer on TV. Like most child actors, she has some deep seated trauma, but she is also witty and kind hearted. This books starts off with Janey thinking/hoping she found her big break, and how she will make a career for herself by pitching a movie called True Story. Cue Dan who is a filmmaker that Janey just happens to despise, and is forced to work with for this potential film. Janey’s story takes off from there on how she and Dan have to work together to try to get this movie made, while also getting to know each other.

Let me just say the banter in this book was top notch! I laughed out loud multiple times when the two characters were arguing. The side characters are also fun and lovable and give a touch of that found family that Janey has never had. This book was fast paced and it had me smiling through the whole thing. The characters are lovable and you can’t help but root for them.

During this book, I got strong Jennette McCurdy vibes from Janey and how she was working though her life after being such a well known child actor, and in the acknowledgments Annabel talks about how Jennette’s book brought the idea for this story to light. Janey is in no way Jennette, and they don’t share the same trauma (like Jeannette’s eating disorder, abusive mother etc.) but that dynamic of being the goofy side kick in a children’s television show and how it became such an integral part of her life is definitely a shared theme in these books.

This book is for those that want a fast paced bing-able, feel good story. If you enjoy that rivals to lover trope, with some great character growth, and closed door romance, you will definitely enjoy this book.

I think this may be my favorite Annabel Monaghan story yet! I appreciate the journey of acceptance that Jane went on through the book that ultimately led her to her own love story. I loved the whole "mob" dynamic, all the real and messy characters that made up the extended family but also loved each other so fiercely. I especially loved Reenie and Cormack's relationship, which also served as a anchor for the whole story. A beautiful story that felt adult, funny, and has you rooting for Jane and Dan the whole way through.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC!

4.5

I started off skeptical, because I hadn’t enjoyed a previous book by this author, but this turned out so good! The characters were so heartfelt and well developed, and I genuinely cried (which is the measure of a great book). It was enemies-to-lovers but in a soft, sweet way, if you can imagine. I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading something by Annabel, and I’m impressed.

I was able to visualize every aspect of the story. I enjoyed witnessing Jane’s journey of self-discovery. There’s something relatable about someone trying to meet society expectations and finally realizing that it’s perfectly acceptable to embrace their true self. And the romantic element? It has a good slow-burn.

However, I must admit that I didn’t give the book a full five stars because the final conflict felt somewhat forced. This is like 4.5.

I’ve been meaning to read Annabel’s book, “Summer Romance,” for quite some time now. After reading this, I’ve decided to add it to my TBR list and give it a chance. I genuinely enjoy her writing style and believe that I’ll find it equally enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for the Advance copy.

I was lucky enough to get this ARC from Netgalley. Whoa. I could not put this down. I cried for these characters and don’t want to let them go. It’s one of those books where you are so sad to be leaving their world. It was in no way predictable and kept you from putting it down. Five stars!

4.5 ⭐️ I loved this book. Jane is trying to make it as a movie producer, she has found the perfect script, all she has to do is track down a superstar singer, who she has a tiny history with, and get him to sing a song for the movie. Sounds easy enough right? Oh but also she has to work with her work enemy along the way. Jane finds out that she’s completely misjudged Dan. We get to fall in love with Dans whole family. The whole thing felt like a giant warm hug. The only bad thing I have to say about the book is I absolutely hate a third act break up, and unfortunately we have one of those here. If it wasn’t for that trope I would have given it 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin publishing for the early copy of this book.

This book will be published on May 27, 2025 ❤️

Oh man! Her books are just SO good. So much character development and depth and such good romance. And closed door! She’s ready to knock Emily Henry out of the water.

Jane Jackson, a Creative Executive at Clearwater Studios, tells a lie that lands her on Long Island with her enemy, Dan Finnegan. Will they save their film and each other in the process?

I really enjoyed reading about Janey Jakes’s background. It gives Jane more depth and explains why she is the way she is now. The slow burn, the small touches, and the almosts were killing me in the best way possible!

I can empathize with Jane feeling like she can’t be her authentic, funny self in relationships, and men (and just people in general) wanting a certain version of you, a specific type. This made her seem more real and relatable.

I love their meet cute; how cute it was, but then it turned bitter. It was a non-traditional start which I liked. I love how Dan views love and how his parents have shaped him but that he’s also different from his brothers and family. I just loved Dan (and Jane) in general.

I also loved the ending and the book as a whole. Super cute read!

There's something cruel (self-induced) about reading a perfect beach read during sub zero winter temperatures.

"It's a Love Story" was exactly what I've come to expect from Annabel Monaghan. She writes an incredibly well-balanced romance: full of lightheartedness, silliness, and just enough emotional depth to see character growth.

I think this was my favorite of the 4 of her books that I've read. Something about Jane and Dan felt the most relatable and I loved the dynamics of the Finnegan family. They were so heartwarming.

Would highly recommend picking this up when it comes out end of May!

*ARC REVIEW*

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I’m a big Annabel Monaghan fan. Her books are always the perfect warm and fuzzy romances. It’s a Love Story was no different. I’d probably give this book 3.75 stars realistically. The downfalls for me came in the character development - I didn’t feel like the development within themselves or their relationship was as fleshed out as it could’ve been. The storyline also wasn’t my favorite. Truly the whole “finding a famous guy to write a song to make a movie happen” story felt like a forgotten afterthought that every now and then Monaghan got back to. I could’ve done without that entire storyline to be honest. I also didn’t love the FMC. She was alright, but mostly she seemed a little whiny, underdeveloped, and immature for her age. Dan though. I loved Dan. I also loved his entire family, although that brings me to another issue - he had so many nieces and nephews and sisters in law that I lost track of who people were and I never felt connected to any of them because they were such minor parts, but when I was supposed to feel like Jane felt connected to them. I just think the book could’ve gone a bit deeper, but I did truly enjoy it and the romance was fantastic. Overall a great warm and cozy romance as usual for Monaghan and I’d absolutely recommend it as a read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

I love Annabel Monaghan; she's always a recommendation for someone looking for a lighthearted beach read. I don't think this is my favorite of the ones that I read. I really loved the middle part of this book. I struggled a bit getting invested at the beginning - I wasn't loving the headspace of the main character, Jane. I didn't feel particularly connected to her job in the film industry. I was more interested as she travels home with her work nemesis, Dan, and gets to know his family. That part of the story was fabulous!