I really enjoyed this story and seeing Jane come into herself. I liked that it was more than just a fluffy romance, but dealt with some difficult topics. I do wish that the Jack Quinlan stuff could have had more of a moment after the whole book was premised on them tracking him down, but overall very good story!!!

Annabel Monaghan quickly became a must read author for me after her first novel. She is one I continue to pick up again and again. I loved this novel just as much. I loved Dan’s character and relationship with his family. Those types of families always have a beautiful draw to them. Must read!

4.5 ⭐️

Jane was a teen actor known for her role as the “funny girl.” She is now an adult working as an executive in the film industry and trying to be taken seriously. However she also struggles with deep insecurities and finds her way through life and dating by hiding behind acting, or literally in a closet or under a desk.

Jane reads a script for a film she wants to make and her colleague, Dan, who she nearly dated once, is also adamant it must be produced. However, their company isn’t so sure it’s commercial enough to make. That is until Jane tells a lie that sends her on a quest to Long Island with Dan.

The book and its characters are incredibly endearing. I found it to be just a bit of a slow start for me personally but it didn’t take that long for me to become fully invested. I love the family in this book, the anticipation in the relationship, the growth of the FMC, the quiet and uniqueness of the MMC, and how the story unfolds. This is how great stories are written. I got completely lost in it losing track of time and all real-world worries. It was the perfect escape.

The details of being on the beach, the ocean, the sand, the rain, the drinks, the people. It all reminded me of some really wonderful times of my own life. I was feeling so nostalgic and it made me feel that much more deeply for the story and the characters Annabel Monaghan has written here. I also enjoyed the authors note of who inspired her to create Jane’s story. I read the same memoir and wondered early on if there was a connection. I love how interconnected we all are through reading.

This is one book you won’t want to miss and one I already want to revisit again. It would be a perfect beach read but fun to read in winter - warmed me from head to toe. :)

Thank you NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Annabel Monaghan for the Advanced Readers Copy.

Publishing date: May 27, 2025

From the USA Today bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script, a novel about a former adolescent TV punch line who has left her awkwardness in the rearview mirror thanks to a fake-it-till-you-make-it mantra that has her on the cusp of success, until she tells a lie that sets her on a crash course with her past, spending a week on Long Island with the last man she thinks might make her believe in love.

This was such a delightful read. As an introvert that struggles with self-worth I related so much to both Dan and Jane. Plus who wouldn’t want a family like the Finnegans?! Definitely recommend to friends who love a heart warming romance.

Love love love! These characters felt a lot younger thanAnnabel Monaghan’s previous protagonists, but as a 20-something, I really loved it as I found them more relatable. Still had all the beauty of an Annabel book but with a more relatable protagonist.

I loved this story. It was a good enemies to lovers trope but had so much heart. I loved seeing the progression of their relationship. I also loved dans vulnerability, which I feel I don’t see much. Highly recommend.

Janey Jakes was a childhood star, imagine her character as a female version of Screech, and she’s used to acting the way people expect her to. It’s her way of protecting herself from the disappointment she still carries from being a scorned 14-year-old in love and having her dad walk out on them. Now an adult trying to make it as a producer, she meets Dan, who’s so comfortable in his own skin. Can she stop being the person she thinks others want her to be to open herself to a true relationship?

I loved this novel! So many people struggle with being their authentic selves, and I enjoyed watching that dynamic unfold between Dan, who’s so sure of himself, and Janey, who’s trying to suppress her comedic nature because she believes it will keep her stuck in the role of the witty sidekick. One of my favorite moments was when Janey, an only child, spent a week at Dan’s family’s house—it was fun to see her experience such a chaotic home. Dan’s favorite movie is The Notebook (Jane hates it), and as a fan of the movie myself, I loved the references!

Throughly enjoyed this book by Annabel Monaghan. It was so wonderful, full of witty banter that’ll leave you smiling long after you’ve finished the book. Definitely a book to curl up with and enjoy!

This gave me the same butterflies as Nora Goes Off Script. It took me some time to get into but as soon as they got to Dan’s house I couldn’t put it down. You fall in love with Dan’s family as quickly as you fall in love with him. I hope Annabel writes Brian’s story so we can experience this world again!

I liked it, then I loved it, then I liked/loved it. It started off a little slow for me and I asked myself more than once, "So, what's this girl's job? Is that a job?" Then the love interest was introduced and I loved that the FMC and him had a little backstory that wasn't immediately revealed. You just know they are probably into each other, but also hate each other for Reasons. Then they left to go to his hometown for Reasons. But all of the stuff that happens when they were in his hometown was so good. I was hooked and loved it. His family was great and fun, and learning more about the FMC and the MMC made me love them both. So yeah...they grow closer and don't hate each other because the Reasons were stupid. But the Reasons they were there ended up ruining it. Ug. That's when my like started again. I did love how it all wrapped up, though. There was a moment that took me back to the movie "Bed of Roses" and bless this book for that. Also, big love and shout out for her best friend, Clem. Everyone needs a Clem. She was the real MVP in this story.

I also loved this stupid moment between the friends so much I went back into the book to find it-

I text Clem: It's so humid here, I can't think straight
Clem: What does that actually mean?
Me: Okay, he's hot. And not the worst.

One more note: I read a few reviews before I read it and they said this was a closed door romance. It isn't super graphic, but I'd say it's not entirely closed door. I expect this author to be closed door because of her previous books and was disappointed this wasn’t the case.

ARC Review
I LOVED this book. The plot is fun. The characters are LOVELY. I loved seeing the MC’s come together and fall in love. It’s closed door but VERY romantic. I kept thinking about this days later. There’s an annoying third-act breakup, but otherwise, I loved it. HIGHLY recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book. It’s a Love Story is a perfect title, because that’s exactly what it is. It’s a story about new love, true love, love that is fleeting, love that lasts a lifetime, the love of family & friends, and maybe most importantly, self-love.

Jane’s journey through her past and toward her future takes her through the process of self-acceptance and learning to embrace her true self. She finds the truth in the saying, “Happy girls are the prettiest.”

Anabel Monaghan’s writing drew me in, kept me invested in the character’s stories, and left me smiling and thinking about the strength that comes from accepting who we are, flaws and all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

this is the perfect summer beach read. It is so special and made me feel all the warm and fuzzies. I was kicking my feet and giggling and yelling "KISS" at my kindle. @annabelmonaghan does it again.
A former teen TV star, the punchline of all jokes, "Poor Janey Jakes," has outgrown her awkwardness and is now a Creative Executive for Clearwater Studios. Fake it till you make it is her mantra and she's living by it. So much so, that she tells a big lie about her relationship with a pop star. Her lie catapults her into stalking said pop star, Jack Quinlan, to ask him to write a song for her new movie. Her first kiss and greatest source of embarrassment- she hasn't spoken to him in twenty years. Jane must rely on her enemy, Dan Finnegan, to help her find Jack. Jane and Dan spend a week in Long Island with Dan's family, where Jack will be playing at a music festival. Along the way, Jane finds that all the parts of herself she's tried to hide over the years, are better off unhidden...and maybe she was too quick to judge Dan.

I discovered Annabel Monaghan last summer and she’s an auto-buy author for me, especially after reading “It’s a Love Story”. I couldn’t put it down, stayed up way too late to finish, and literally fell asleep smiling thinking about this story.

This book follows Jane, a creative executive at a studio in LA and Dan a cinematographer as they seek to get a script they’ve both been drawn to into production. Their paths lead them (reluctantly) to Dan’s home town where they spend the week trying to chase down a famous musician to agree to write a song for their movie. They of course stay with his family, who are just a delight. I wish I could be adopted by them.

Its rivals to lovers, slow burn, found family, grief, and coming of age. But it’s SO much more. Monaghan writes characters with such a depth and I love them all. The chemistry between Jane and Dan, their banter, even the silence is *chef’s kiss. We meet Dan’s family, who are all just so endearing- even if they’re a little messy! And even the relationship between Jane and her BFF Clem gives me all the warm fuzzies.

“It’s a Love Story” is funny, thoughtful, sweet, and swoony without being corny. Definitely recommending to all my friends and will be grabbing a copy for my self when it is released in May!

Thank you so much to Annabel Monaghan, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for this ARC

Annabel is one of my will read whatever she writes authors and this only solidified that notion. The book had so much longing and was so relatable. I can’t wait to buy this book to have it on my shelf with the rest of her books!

Yes, girl! I was really into this one. Nora Goes Off Script was a solid hit for me, and TBH I didn't read the author's second book (because the description didn't interest me). This one, however, had LAYERS. And I, for one, enjoyed the layers. The complicated relationship with the father, the mom trying to make up for that loss, the brooding handsome but flawed male lead, the whole backstory of being a child actor and the impression that left on the main character...for a quick read, there was a lot going on here. And I, for one, was here for it. Read this one, y'all. I think you'll enjoy it!

I really, really enjoyed this book! It starts with the main character Jane, a studio executive, trying to get her first movie script greenlit. After some issues, she ends up having to spend a week with Dan, the cinematographer that she almost-dated and now hates, and his entire, huge family.

I loved the close-knit family aspect and how they all treated Jane when she spent time with them. And I also loved most of the romantic scenes. They were super sweet and movie-like.

The only issues I had with this book were 1. The timeline - very instalovey as this book took place over around one week. 2. The third act breakup and the love confession made the fmc seem somewhat childish. The conflict came across as a tantrum when the mmc did nothing but be there for her, and the love confession was a little cringey.

But given this is a rom-com, some of that is just common among that genre so overall, I really liked this book and would recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read the arc and share my thoughts on it!

I just want to start and say I loved this book! I loved the characters and the storyline, the writing. Everything.
This is the second book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last. I have a feeling I will be continuing on my Annabel Monaghan journey.
If you want a book that pulls at your heartstrings this is the book. I can’t say enough good things except just read it.

It's a Love Story is a good enemies to lovers romance - a trope I generally don't like too much. Janey Jakes aka the oof girl has gone from child actor to grown up Jane Jackson want to be respected film producer. She's found what could be her signature launch, but wouldn't you know it. That guy who trashed her last project is in the mix again and she can't stand to be in the same room with him much less working with him. So what if he won an award for whatever his last artsy film was because she wants to tell a love story - True Love.
Dan Finnegan is not the cinematographer Jane wants for True Story. He finds her a bit unhinged and confrontational. He needs the work though and surprise surprise he actually agrees with Jane that True Story could be good. However, boss Nathan wants super heroes and explosions and action. He wants big commercial in-your-face presence. When Dan doesn't agree, Jane jumps in with a last desperate effort and claims she can get the latest mega-star rocker to write a song for the film. She knew Jack Quinlan when and he broke her heart, but desperate times require desperate measures.
The story grows from here when Dan and Jane are thrown together in a quest to meet with Jack Quinlan. His latest gig happens to be near Dan's family home and his brother is one of the electricians. How things go from here is sweet and exposes the vulnerability in both characters that both pushes them apart and draws them together. It's a Love Story is well-written and well-paced with just enough suspense to keep you wondering if everyone or anyone will get their happily ever after.
Thank you Annabel Monaghan and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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Thank you NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Annabel Monaghan for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I first became a fan of Annabel Monaghan after reading her debut, Nora Goes Off Script. While Nora is still my favorite of her books, It's A Love Story was a true delight and I thoroughly enjoyed the world that Monaghan creates for her readers in this book. The setting can make or break a book - and Monaghan gives us a treat in this regard, transporting us to a charming small town on Long Island where the bulk of the action occurs.

The ambiance is palpable and rich, just like her characters - Jane and Dan, who are once both enemies and sortakindaalmost lovers. Their complicated relationship only ratchets up ten notches when they realize they both want to see the same script made into a movie (Jane as its producer and Dan as its cinematographer). But Hollywood is never that simple. Which is something that Jane knows all too well as a former child actor working to escape the shadow of the sidekick character she played on a popular sitcom years ago. Dan is the youngest in a family of loving, rambunctious boys who wants his next big break and believes in the restorative power of a love story.

I thought the pacing of this fun, enemies to lovers romance was just right. The characters were genuine and well developed and there was a plethora of witty banter. Our two main characters had believable chemistry and I enjoyed the way that Jane, in particular, fumbled her way through her journey of growth and discovery - it felt very "real" and authentic. I was thoroughly charmed and was so grateful to have the chance to read this as one of my first novels of the year. I can't wait until its official release and plan to recommend it to many of my romance book loving friends.