3.5 stars for a fun, light, perfect for summer read! The MMC Dan is going to run straight into all the readers hearts with his artsy souls, confidence, and loving (and large) family to back him up. Invite me to that family dinner anytime!

While I personally didn’t connect with the FMC, I think her story is an important one to experience. I think id have liked an epilogue scene showing that she had sought professional therapy as she once alluded to, in order to stress to the reader the importance of doing so.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with the digital arc in exchange for my honest review of the content, and thank you Annabell Monaghan!

Thank you to Putnam Books, Annabel Monaghan, & NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

TBH I had to DNF this book. reading this book was like pulling teeth. I had to force myself to pick it up each time and for me it really had no redeeming qualities except Jane’s mom, which we only saw glimpses of briefly. I’m really disappointed that this was my first read from Annabel, as it will be a while before I pick up another book from her.

Jane was a poorly written FMC for me. I couldn’t get a good sense of her true personality and I feel like Annabel led us to believe there were several men Jane was interested in throughout the story. Maybe this was intentional, but it left me feeling confused. In addition, I felt like there were soo many unnecessary details and tropes thrown in, which really took away from the story for me. I can see why people like Annabel’s stories, I think this one just wasn’t for me.

it’s a love story

thank you, netgalley and putnam’s sons, for the arc!

i was thrilled to get this one because annabel monaghan became an auto-buy author for me last year—and this book only solidified that.

monaghan has such a beautifully poetic way of writing about love. her descriptions are so tender and evocative that the couple’s connection feels incredibly real and heartfelt. the progression of their relationship was so natural and genuine, it gave me actual butterflies.

one thing i love about her writing is how much care she puts into building well-rounded characters. they’re never just placeholders—they feel like real people with stories of their own. the fmc’s struggles with identity and self-worth will be deeply relatable to many, and i appreciated how raw and honest they felt. the mmc’s journey of not fitting in with his big family also made him feel so much more three dimensional. side note: his family dynamic was one of my favorite parts of the book. it was so wholesome and tender—it reminded me of my own family in the best way.

the summer setting was absolute perfection. even though i read this in the middle of winter, it had me completely immersed in warm, golden summer vibes.

my only real gripe with the book—and the thing that kept it just shy of 5 stars—was that the fmc grated on me a little at times. her insecurities, while relatable, sometimes felt a bit overdone, and it made it hard for me to connect with her in certain moments. but honestly, that didn’t take away from my overall love for the story.

while it’s not my favorite of her books, i’d still recommend anything annabel monaghan writes. her stories are unique, her writing is poetic and memorable, and her romances are always sweet and layered with relatable depth.

4.5 stars

It's a Love Story follows a previous teenage sitcom actress as she works in Hollywood trying to distance herself from her adolescent role and work on projects that she is passionate about. She digs herself a hole when trying to get a project green lit, and she must turn to the guy she can't stand to dig herself out of the mess. Queue the forced proximity and loathe to love goodness!

This book is a perfect lighthearted summer read. It is similar to Annabel Monaghan's other romance titles, with a strong sense of character development at the core of it. Fans of Annabel's previous work with love this one too!

This is my second book I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan, and I think this is my favorite one! I just really fell in love with these characters and the fast paced plot. I really loved the MMC, Dan. He has my heart! Even though the FMC Jane annoyed me at times, I found myself relating to her A LOT. Towards the ending, I was really frustrated with something she did, but it’s honestly real. Things like that happen so much in relationships in real life. You’ll see if you read this! Another thing I really loved about this story was Jane spending time with Dans family and them all becoming so close! It was so sweet to see her so appreciated by his family.
But I really did enjoy this story a lot and it’s a perfect book for those who feel that they are not enough or unloveable❤️‍🩹

Uneven is probably the best descriptor for It’s a Love Story. I found the beginning difficult to follow and wasn’t clear on who the love interests were. Then, for all the protestations of insta love, this story was a lot more insta love than slow burn. The pacing felt herky jerky, like it would move smoothly forward for a bit and then slam on the brakes, which didn’t make for a great reading experience. It doesn’t even feel like the romance truly begins until halfway through.

Like always, Monaghan’s writing goes down like a milkshake. The supporting characters were a lot of fun too. But overall, I’d recommend Nora Goes Off Script over this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC
It's A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is another winner. I loved Summer Romance and Nora Goes Off Script, and this one is another one of my favorites. I enjoy seeing where an old sit com favorite child is today, and Jane Jackson, a child sit com star reminds me of myself, always getting myself into quite a pickle. Jane must spend some time with her "one-time" crush Dan in order to deliver her first kiss and greatest source of shame, Jack. Dan is very endearing and sweet, and his family, I just loved them. This book is such a sweet story and has all the feels.
Again, I cannot thank NetGaffey, Penguin Group Putnam and GP Putnam's Sons for this ARC, I feel so honored, a real boost to a new reviewer!! Thank you!!

I love Annabel Monaghan. She always delivers on a romance with a heroine who goes on her own journey of growth, and It’s a Love Story is no different. It’s a Love Story is about Jane, a child TV star who grew up as the one everyone laughed at. Now as an adult, Jane is trying to get a script made, but her boss shuts it down as not commercial enough. In an attempt to save the movie, Jane lies about her relationship with a current pop star who she knew once upon a time. To try to make good on her promise of an original song, she has to spend the week with her work nemesis Dan, the cinematographer on the project. After spending a week with Dan and his family, Jane realizes that the kinds of love - both familial and romantic - that she never believed in are within reach.

Jane goes on a real journey through this book, confronting her past demons and some present ones. I loved her growth through the book, and I really loved the window we get through her eyes into Dan and his relationship with his family, where he is well-loved but often misunderstood. While at times I was so frustrated with Jane for the way she reacted to things, ultimately her moves made sense for where her character was. Dan was a great MMC who drew you in and gave you butterflies.

This book is extremely enjoyable and gripping. I never wanted to put it down. I definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC

I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of this book on NetGalley. I will read anything Annabel Monaghan publishes. I just adore her, all of her imperfect characters and the way she writes about falling in love. Perfect escape from winter!

3.75, but I'm rounding up.

I like Annabel Monaghan because she writes quirky female main characters who typically fall for an unexpected male main character. It's a Love Story continues exactly what she does well. Jane is a former teen star... who doesn't necessarily realize she's outgrown the awkward character she used to portray. She's a bit rigid and overly planned, but it makes her endearing. Both she and Dan have complicated relationships with their families, but ultimately they bring out the best in each other, even when it is difficult to do. Dan's parents also have the sweetest relationship and I think it is nice to read about a MMC who wants to emulate what his parents have and also watch them be equally as invested in their son's happiness. The way love is described in this book could convince even the most serial singles to give dating a try... or to just let it happen.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
I sometimes laugh in my sleep, and I love that.
No one kills sexual tension like I do.
Love happens over breakfast. Romance happens over dinner.

If you enjoyed Nora Goes Off Script, give It's a Love Story a read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advance reader copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! Annabel Monaghan is a must read, can’t miss for me! You don’t want to miss this one.

Another hit from Annabel Monaghan.

Beautiful! This story was just so beautiful and captivating. I couldn’t put it down and I was smitten through its entirety.

It’s a love story about falling in love while learning to love yourself. Katie’s journey made her feel unlovable but Dan’s sweetness and honesty taught her just how beautiful and lovable she is.

It was so fun to watch Katie and Dan fall in love and the family’s dynamic was so warm and captivating. Long Island was described so beautifully.

I was happy with the ending but would love an extended epilogue or bonus chapter with a more satisfying ending for Jack who was such a jerk and Hailey who was also a bit of a bully.

4.5⭐️s! Another lovely book by Annabel Monaghan! Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the advanced copy! It’s a Love Story is told in single POV by Jane, a former child star who is desperate to be taken seriously in the industry she grew up in. As an adult, Jane works as a film executive but she hasn’t actually made a movie yet. The book opens with Jane working to get her newest project , True Story, off the ground. Unfortunately, she’s going to have to work with her work nemesis, Dan who is a brilliant cinematographer but a pain in her butt. While trying to get the movie which they are both passionate about green lit, they end up spending a week together with Dan’s family in Long Island. This process brings up a lot of history for Jane who isn’t exactly living as her authentic self. She feels so much hurt, guilt, and shame from her childhood and it all comes rushing to the surface while spending time with Dan and his big, boisterous family. Annabel created once again the most believable, complex characters. Although there were times that the story itself felt a little far fetched, the character development more than makes up for it. While of course, it’s a love story, it’s not necessarily just between Jane and Dan. At its core, this is a story about getting to know yourself, and loving yourself fully. I absolutely adored it and can’t wait to go back to catch up on a few of Annabel’s backlist that I haven’t read yet. I highly recommend picking this up this summer as the perfect beach read!

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this ARC! *It’s a Love Story* by Annabel Monaghan is a delightful and heartfelt tale that celebrates the unexpected twists of romance. Monaghan’s charming characters and witty dialogue make the story both relatable and entertaining. With a perfect balance of humor and emotional depth, the novel explores themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the magic of serendipity and the beauty of second chances.

ARC Review: It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

What happens when a former child star desperate to prove herself in Hollywood tells a lie that forces her to confront her past—and spend a week with her irritatingly charming co-worker? It’s a Love Story is a witty and heartfelt romantic comedy about second chances, personal growth, and the unexpected ways love can find you.

Annabel Monaghan’s It’s a Love Story blends humor, heart, and a journey of self-discovery in a fun, if occasionally uneven, romance. Here’s what worked—and what didn’t—for me:

Pros:
* Engaging premise: The setup—a former sitcom punchline navigating a career in Hollywood while facing her past—is unique and provides plenty of humor and heart.
* Jane’s wit and charm: Jane Jackson’s sharp humor and relatable “fake it till you make it” mantra make her a delightful protagonist. Her slogans like “Manifest a Solid Partner” and “World’s Greatest Divorce” had me laughing and wishing she’d trademark them!
* Character growth: Jane’s development is a standout. Her journey of self-acceptance and her evolving relationships with her parents, Clem, and Dan add depth to the story.
* The romance’s second-half glow: The story really hits its stride when Jane and Dan visit his hometown. The small-town charm and deeper exploration of their dynamic make this section shine.

Cons:
* Dan’s early portrayal: Dan’s condescending attitude early in the book made it hard to connect with him or root for the romance at first. While his behavior is explained and he becomes more likable later, this rough start could be off-putting for some readers.
* Uneven pacing and structure: The book has a slow start, with abrupt chapter endings and a lot of information upfront which makes it feel slightly disjointed at times. I also wish I knew the contents of the movie script since its such a big part of why these two characters connect.

Final Thoughts:
Despite its uneven pacing and some early frustrations, It’s a Love Story delivers a charming, heartfelt romance. Jane’s wit and growth carry the story, while her journey with Dan ultimately becomes compelling. Fans of laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with an emotional core will find much to enjoy here.

Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this book!

I absolutely loved everything about this book. Jane was quirky and neurotic, but I found her inner monologue incredibly relatable. I wish the world had been kinder to 14-year-old Janey Jakes, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow and embrace her unique quirks. Dan wasn’t your typical romantic lead, but he was exactly what Jane needed, and their personalities complemented each other perfectly. Despite the fact that their romance developed over the course of just a week, it didn’t feel like insta-love. The story was heartfelt, engaging, and at time laugh out loud funny, I cannot recommend this book enough!

*It's a Love Story* by Annabel Monaghan is a captivating, feel-good read that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you smiling. Monaghan masterfully weaves humor, warmth, and heartfelt emotion into a story that celebrates love in all its messy, beautiful glory. The characters are wonderfully relatable, and their journeys are both touching and inspiring.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC!!

At first, I wasn't sure if Jane was going to fall for Dan or Jack and by the grace of God, I am SO happy it was Dan, haha! I'm also so glad that Jack played such a minor- if that- role in this book.

Dan & Jane's chemistry is sort of the best I've read in a while between two characters. Dan seemingly cares so much about Jane while they're both following this 'enemies to lovers' trope. Except jokes on us, they've been secretly wanting one another the entire time.
Their first kiss? I'm not sure I've seen a kiss better described.

I felt like I was rooting for them the whole time.
And screw Brooke and screw Jack!

I just wish Jane had a little more confidence. She has "date" attire, but hasn't had a "real relationship"? That part was a tad eye-rolly...

I am struggling with this rating, on one hand it was a super sweet book and I loved very specific parts SO much but on the other hand, I really disliked our fmc. Let me back up, Summer Romance was an amazing read for me, so I jumped at the opportunity to grab Annabel’s latest book. I just wished I loved ALL of it.

Quick synopsis, Jane an aspiring movie producer, is trying to get the perfect romance movie made at her studio, only she needs a big name attached. She tells her studio a little lie about knowing a singer who would write a song for the movie. Now she has to make it happen. Jane sets off with Dan (her nemesis because he shut down a previous movie she tried to make) to his hometown in Long Island to track down the singer to get him to agree.

Jane, our fmc, is pretty insufferable. It’s one thing to have trauma and be flawed, it’s another when your coping mechanisms are to hide under your desk (at work!) and in your closet. I just couldn’t relate. Also, the initial chapters of her ideal partner and first through fourth dating scenarios are truly ick. She also seemed like she could never handle herself in a professional setting at all, it’s one thing to make her immature from a love standpoint but another in a professional setting. I don’t see how she makes certain leaps and bounds in her personality in ONE week. Yes, this also happens over a single week, talk about instalove. As cute as Jane and Dan’s time was in Long Island, they went from 0 to 100 pretty darn fast. Also, I am still struggling with the story itself and understand what exactly Jane does for a living. The words Producer and Executive Producer were thrown around a lot in place of telling us any real substance of what she does for her studio, it felt disingenuous.

Now what I absolutely loved and adored. Dan and his entire family, specifically Cormick (his dad), Ruby (his niece) and let’s face it all his brothers and mother. I LOVED every single second of the dreamy time Jane and Dan had on Long Island. I even loved all the Notebook references, and there were A LOT of references. If I could keep reading an entire book around Dan’s family, I would gobble it up. Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough for me to completely love this one. It was missing the emotional gut punch and a deeper conflict. If you go into this knowing it is a bit of a surface level romance, I think you’ll still enjoy it.

This is such a wholesome romance!!! People always say that romance stories are unbelievable, but every part of this story made me think of the love that my husband and I share. It’s messy in the way that you each will always have your own insecurities & past hurts that bleed into your relationship & that other person can never fully heal you from all of that but they can help you day by day rewrite all those hard moments by building new ones that teach you what love actually is.

“Sometimes I watch him reading by the amber light in my living room and try to imagine what it would feel like to be tired of him, to stop wanting to reach out and find him in the middle of the night. So far I cannot. The longer I know him, the deeper I want to dig, the more he matters, like both the giant love of my life and my house keys.”

The butterflies in a relationship will not always be there, you will get comfortable around one another and your true selves will come out and in my opinion that’s where the real magic happens - “Love happens over breakfast.” “at breakfast everything’s just as it is, in the light of day. No one wears lipstick to breakfast. And this is where you talk about your day and the part of the roof that might leak this fall. You bring your real self to breakfast.”

This story where Jane and Dan fall in love is relatable and swoonworthy and if you have yet to fall in love it is a beautiful picture of what it should be. They fall in love in a head over heels kind of way but those feelings last in a way where it’s not 100% passion every waking hour but a comfortable thing where you are known and loved insecurities & shortcomings & all.