This was so cutie patootie, I teared up twice. I loved how Jane found herself and was able to find love with Dan. There was a little excessive use of “I” at times, but I overlooked that because the book was cute!

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for allowing me access to the e-arc.
This was so cute and fun. I have loved all of Annabel Monagahan’s books and this was no exception. Dan was a gem and his family so wholesome.
The only part I didn’t love was with the 3rd act breakup and makeup. The breakup was immature. Also, I didn’t like Dan’s reaction when Jane tried to apologize, especially since he was supposedly so heartbroken. However, the ending/epilogue was what I was hoping for

My eyes were glued to my kindle the last 50%. I did not want to put this down and I did not want it to end.

The characters were loveable, frustrating, and believable. The tension between Jane and Dan had me completely hooked. Without giving anything away I just have to say that a certain scene involving a thunderstorm TOOK ME OUT. Annabel Monaghan nailed it. The tension, the longing, the desire...utter perfection.

This adorable beach read from Annabel Monaghan finds Jane, a retired child actor (now movie exec), desperately needing a ‘win’ at her job. So much so that she exaggerates and claims that her one-time childhood crush, Jack, has agreed to write a song for a movie she’s trying to get greenlit. We also come to learn that Jack is also at the core of some of her greatest teenage shame. In desperation, she enlists the help of Dan, a barely-tolerated coworker who has a connection that will get Jane an audience with Jack in his hometown on Long Island.

This book had more depth than I initially anticipated, and it was really lovely to see Jane’s development throughout the book. It got me thinking about how small moments in our life can have very formative and important implications on how we think about ourselves, and how it can be so difficult to change how we view ourselves when we’ve been of a singular mindset for so long. I appreciate the journey the author took us on as Jane sorted through her own feelings of inadequacy, and how her relationship with Dan (and Jack) modified those feelings throughout the book. Ultimately, this is what I want in a summer read – the beach setting, a developing romance, a fun side cast of quirky family members, and general chaos stemming from poor decision making, but with sufficient substance that I feel satisfied as a reader when the book is over.

And a special bonus for readers who read Same Time Next Summer – a return to Oak Shore.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for allowing me access to the e-arc.

4.5 stars

Jane and Dan's love story was beautiful. I love it when Jane meets his family it gives found family feelings. Jane's life has not been easy. She grew up on a sitcom where she was the nerdy character. People only saw her as her character. Even though she had more talent than the girl next door she was always put in second place. I loved seeing Jane fall in love with Dan who treated her like she was special to him. It was difficult to get an understanding of Dan in the beginning but once I did he is a great book boyfriend. I do feel like the beginning of the book needed more information about Jane so that we could understand her reactions in the first couple of scenes. This is one of the heavier books from Annabel Monaghan. Overall, this was an emotionally beautiful story that I will be re-reading.

I highly recommend it!

Loved loved loved this book! I haven't read a book by this author before this book but boy did she deliver! I knew the second I started reading it that I was going to love it. Had all of the good feels, witty banter and pulling at the heart strings. If you are looking for a quick rom-com this is the one for you!

Having read all of Annabel Monaghan’s other books, I had high expectations for this one, and boy did it deliver! This book was full of heart, humor, and deep insight into what truly matters in relationships. Annabel Monaghan’s writing is so compelling and relatable to me because she exhibits a vulnerability that reminds us that we are all flawed and weird and wonderful at the same time. I wanted to devour this book in one sitting and also savor it slowly to absorb every bit of it. I absolutely loved the characters and the ending was perfect!

With a pub date of May 27, 2025, It’s a Love Story is going to be an easy grab and read at the airport and heading to the beach. Highly recommended whether you’ve read Annabel Monaghan’s other books or not.
We know how this story is going to end before it even starts. But that’s the joy in reading romance novels! What we don’t know is the journey Jane and Dan are going on to get to that ending.
You know that feeling you get that makes you squeeze your eyes shut and breathe in all the feels? Expect lots of those.
Many thanks to the author, Annabel Monaghan, the publishers, Penguin Publishing and Putnam, and Netgalley for the Advanced Readers Copy.

Loved getting an ARC of this book! Super cute, easy read! One of my favorite from Annabel! Thanks NetGalley for this copy! Definitely recommend!

Love, love, loved it!! Read this is one day! Jane is such a sweet, tenderhearted main character who you constantly are rooting for to see her amazing-ness. Dan is so loveable and patient, the perfect match for Jane. This is a wonderful story that I will be recommending to everyone!

Jane used to be a teenage actress and now works for a studio trying to get a movie made. Now she must work with her enemy Dan over a week to get her movie made. Another great romance by Annabel Monaghan!

Thank you NetGalley, Putnam Books and Annabel for the chance to read this ARC!

My Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 2/5 🌶️ (fades to black scenes)

This book. THIS book. I loved it. I loved Jane’s character growth. I loved the scenes in Long Island. I loved the quirkiness of Dan’s family. I loved it all. And I wish I could throw a cup of water in Jack’s face because how dare he?

The entirety of the book I felt like Jane’s character—especially her TV role—was reminiscent of Jennette’s role on iCarly, only to realize in the acknowledgments that that’s exactly what inspired Annabel after reading I’m Glad My Mom Died. I love that the inspiration transferred so well onto paper and into Jane’s character. The amount of things Jane seemed to overcome from her childhood was so beautifully done and in such a realistic way. I also deeply appreciated Dan and his family’s no need to sugar coat things.

I feel like I can barely organize my train of thoughts when it comes to this book because it was just so good. Seriously the best one yet, Annabel. I also was not a The Notebook girlie before this book but I have a new found appreciation thanks to Jane and Dan.

This is going to be the perfect summer read.

Absolutely LOVED this one!! You know that bantery fun tension filled feeling of watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days when they’re visiting his family? That’s the feeling I got through this whole book! The characters were so fun and relatable and SEXY. Omg. I always love AM books but this might take my top spot! Definitely add this to your summer TBR!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book! I love Annabel Monaghan's narrative voice and really enjoyed reading this next story - I felt so much for these characters and found it immensely satisfying. I can't wait to recommend this to our local book clubs!

Jane meets Dan, they have an immediate connection, and then Dan becomes Jane's work nemisis. As a former child actor on a successful TV show, Jane is familiar with the demands of the industry and how hard you have to work to get what you want. She read a script that just speaks to her in such a way, she knows this is the next big thing. Standing in her way to getting this movie made is Dan and a promise of securing a popular singer from her past to write a song for the movie. Can she make it happen? We get to go on this journey with Jane of self acceptance and finding the confidence to finally be herself and it's well worth your time.

This is part meet cute, part workplace romance, and part enemies to lovers story that will have you wanting to give Jane a hug, protect Dan (and his family) at all costs, and send gifts of appreciation to Jane's bestie and biggest cheerleader.

What an absolutely beautiful love story! The characters were not perfect, but they were perfect for each other. A lot happens during the short period of time this novel takes place, but under the author’s deft writing it all feels earned.

The emotional heaviness of our protagonist’s personal journey is balanced with humor and plenty of sweet moments. This novel is a hug in all the best ways.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

monaghan is gonna do it EVERY TIME. hooked from the start, she always delivers on a story you just want to binge in one sitting while also providing a deep, engaging romance and these two are no exception!! while the famous trope is something i’m always a bit iffy on, i did enjoy how it was handled and this was fairly cute at the end of the day

It's a Love Story is a more emotional romance from Annabel Monaghan. This book is about Jane and Dan and finding a way to be your true self despite what the world/people around you want you to be. I feel like Annabel's books have deeper themes, but I think that this one takes the cake. Jane is trying to not let the fact that her father abandoned her define her and Dan is trying to be an individual while still loving his family. It took me a while to get into a rhythm with this book, but once Dan and Jane were with his family in Long Island I was hooked. I love the tender moments between Dan and Jane and how momentous they are for each of them. Dan's family is also a huge part of this story and I loved how they accepted Jane with open arms and healed parts of her by just accepting her. I loved the themes about love in this book!

I recommend this book if you are looking for something a little deeper than a typical beach read!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin group Putnam for this ARC!

3.75 maybe 4 stars?! Not a bad book by any means but just not my favorite from Annabel! I felt like the beginning was kinda rushed and I was trying to keep up with these characters. I didn’t really feel that invested till the 50% mark. It did pick up for me half way through and while I did think Dan & Jane were a cute couple they felt a bit insta lovey for me. I think I just wanted more tension and the story to be a bit longer? The whole plot of the book was finding Jack and that wasn’t really a focal point? I thought it was a little silly that Jack seemed to have so much power over her, but then we find out that’s not really the issue at all.

I do think the last 30% was where I felt the most invested. There were really beautiful quotes about love itself and how Jane was feeling about Dan. I did enjoy the setting once we were back on the east coast and Dan’s family was really fun. I did love Clem’s character!!

This one really crept up on me!!! I love an Annabel Monaghan story. She always writes the perfect summery story! I could not stop highlighting this one. Potentially my top out of all of her books?! Just so perfectly sunshiney & happy & fun!