I'm thrilled to have discovered Annabel Monaghan's writing, and this book is a refreshing change of pace. The slow-burning romance between Jane and Dan is skillfully crafted, and the authentic portrayal of Dan's family dynamics is a welcome departure from the norm. The emotional complexity of Jane's relationship with her mother is especially noteworthy, and the Author's note provides a satisfying conclusion. I'm eager to recommend this book to others.

Annabelle Monaghan is definitely an auto-buy author for me. Her books always offer me a dose of happiness. This one was no different and had so much to love. I always enjoy a funny, feel good enemies to lovers book that hits you right in the feels. I loved these characters. The chemistry between Jane and Dan was just perfect, and I loved how Dan's family was accepting of Jane and I thought they just seemed like such a lovely family. This is a perfect Spring, Summer, Beachy read. A nice, slow burn love story. Just what I needed!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

"It’s a Love Story" by Annabel Monaghan is exactly what I’ve come to expect from her: smart, layered, and full of emotional depth. Her books aren’t a typical beachy romances; they always carry something a little deeper, a little more reflective. And this one is no exception.
Jane Jackson is messy, ambitious, and deeply human. Her "fake unit you make it" approach to life is both relatable and heartbreaking, and watching her unravel that carefully built image while confronting her past makes for such a compelling journey. There’s humor, sure, but there’s also vulnerability, nostalgia, and the bittersweet weight of growing up and facing who you used to be. The romance between Jane and Dan is slow-burn and satisfying, but it’s Jane’s relationship with herself, her past, and her choices that really hits.
If you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, think, and maybe ache just a little this book is for you, also read the previous ones.
This book will be out on May 27 2025.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for this book, in exchange of my honest opinion.

Annabel Monaghan brings a bright, emotional read with It’s a Love Story. I love her writing; I especially enjoyed feeling immersed in the LA vibes. Dan was lovable and Jane was lovable, too. I loved the first 30 percent of the book when their relationship was forming - definitely felt the yearning. The found family was also wonderful.

I did feel that it was somewhat repetitive and similar to some of Monaghan’s other novels, though I highly enjoyed.

4.5 stars!

I read Nora Goes Off Script earlier this year and I was disappointed that I did not love the book as much as I hoped I would. I thought the main couple's dynamic was not developed enough and too insta-love while not having much chemistry. Yet, I was still drawn to Monaghan's easy-to-read writing, how she delved into Nora's personal feelings, and how wonderfully she wrote about the relationships with Nora and her kids, so I felt the urge to give another one of her books a try, and I'm so glad I did.

Monaghan mentions in the acknowledgments that she started thinking up Janey Jakes, the character our protagonist Jane played on TV as a teenager, while reading Jeanette McCurdy's memoir and thinking about how playing a character on TV affects the child actor when they grow up. The result was a very fleshed out, relatable, real-feeling character who is clearly smart, capable, and recognizes her own privilege, while also being insecure, hurt, and always feeling like she needs to show the world a certain version of herself. I loved seeing her walls slowly fall with Dan and his family, and letting herself just be her genuine self and have fun.

Her and Dan have more of a slow burn romance (as much as it can be a slow burn when most of the events of the book take place over the course of a week) but their chemistry oozes off the page, even before their relationship turns romantic. I adored both their witty banter and the open, vulnerable conversations they have with each other. While they are only in Long Island a week, their connection feels very genuine, sweet, and grounded, so I found it believable they would develop such deep feelings for each other in that short time. The book feels even more warm with Dan's family, and Monaghan really conveys how Dan loves and is close with his parents and brothers, but also needs to be away from them because he has different interests and dreams from them. The third act conflict was frustrating, but it made sense given how much Jane had allowed to stay repressed for so long.

Arguably, not a whole lot happens in this book, so some may find it slower. Yet it is the kind of romance I love, with the main characters going through personal growth outside the romantic storyline, witty banter, and a vibrant cast of family and friends. This book was a cozy warm hug while also having a bit of an emotional punch.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with the ARC!

Jane, a former teenage actor, and her quirky coworker Dan are on a journey chasing down one of Jane’s former teenage acquaintances in hopes of him helping them get a movie produced. This was definitely a sloooow burn but it was worth it. Jane’s childhood had some big consequences on how she viewed love and romance. I loved that this was not a typical “girl pining after an insta-love romance” and rather she was much more hesitant to seek out, and invest in, a serious relationship. In the end, I was very pleased with how Jane and her mother were able to be honest with each other and Jane was able to find out who she truly was at her core.

What a breath of fresh air in a book. This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, and I will 100% be reading more. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn between Jane and Dan. Dan's family relationships were realistic and refreshing. Jane and her mother's relationship and subsequent deep conversations felt real and emotional. I couldn't get enough of it all. The Author's note at the end stating that Janey Jakes stemmed from Annabel reading I'm Glad My Mother Died really tied everything together with a neat bow. Can't wait to recommend this to others!

Sadly I give this 2.5 stars. It was okay, I didn’t connect with any of the characters and it fell kinda flat for me. It almost dragged in a way, I wasn’t that invested in it. The romance was very slow which I liked, but it didn’t do it for me. I mean it was fun cause Hollywood, but not for me sadly. Super thankful for the arc though!

"This feels like wealth, I think. This is the thing you save up for, You live your whole life so that you can be surrounded by too many people in too small of a room and tell the story of how it all happened" - Jane

Overall rating for this was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Annabel Monaghan has such talent at writing the most wholesome summer romances! After reading and loving "Same Time Next Summer" I was thrilled to receive this ARC and can confirm it did. NOT. miss. I binge read this book in two sittings because I couldn't get enough of every single character.

I like that this was kind of a uno reverse card where Jane, the FMC, doesn't believe in hollywoods version of true love and Dan, the MMC, was a hopeless romantic (I mean his favorite movie is the Notebook!!! HELLO). Jane is quirky, funny, and has quit severe daddy issues (no shame) and is doing everything in her power to make herself "worthy" to others all while feeling unworthy of truly being herself (gotta give this girl a hug). Dan is the exact opposite, he comes from a huge family (LOVE the Finnegan fam) and his parents that are the definition of true love, celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. While his family is all quite raucous and outgoing, Dan is the "outcast" and much more introverted and quiet, but unapologetically himself.

This is giving work enemies to lovers, a full cast of lovable side characters, and a one bed trope?? sign me UPP. It's light on the spice but the chemistry between Dan and Jane is palpable, like truly rooting for these two as if they existed in real life 😂

"Laughter bounces around and its impossible not to get hit by it. So I just strap in and feel it all around me" - Jane

For me, this book was fast paced, the romance was a slow build over time, where the main characters truly built a deeper connection and understanding of each other before just immediately falling head over heals. Dan's family being so welcoming and accepting of Jane was also just the cherry on top!! You could feel how badly she needed that, given she came from a "broken" home, and I just like to think that the Finnegan family helped heal Jane just as much as Dan did.

Loved every second of this!! Thank you Netgalley and Putman Books for the ARC!

This one was another cute read by this author. I was a little surprised by the insta love (ish!) and felt a little out of the loop not knowing the movie the notebook, but this was beautifully written. J didn’t expect the unknown child star piece to be such a huge part.

I enjoyed her other books so I knew I would enjoy this one story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

Getting a NetGalley ARC from a rom com author you don’t really know is always a bit of a gamble. It means I don’t have the opinions or reviews from people I’d normally rely on for this kind of thing…. Danger is my middle name.

She: former child TV star, works for a studio, is trying to get a movie made.

He: is a cinematographer who also wants to get the movie made.

They: are teamed up for reasons. IDK, he wants to shoot the movie, she lies and says she has the support of a famous singer she used to star with…. Seems a bit over-complicated. Like, for a while I thought for sure this was going to be about her and the singer, not the cinematographer. Clear as mud, I’m saying.

But in the end it’s great for what it is — low stakes, harmless, forgettable but enjoyable. Read it on a beach vacation or whatever.

At this point I just need all of Annabel Monaghan’s new books to be automatically added to my tbr. This was soooo good!! I loved it so much and these characters are so fun!! Jane was a little neurotic at first which was concerning. I loved that Dan brought her out of her shell & allowed her to be herself. Dan was also just great in general not afraid to say what he feels and be himself. I didn’t know where this story would go but I loved how it ended up. I will forever and always be a fan of AM!!!

Loved everything about this book! Nice medium paced book. Good character development. I truly enjoyed how the main character slowly started to realize new things without them being told directly to her.

This book was so cute! This was my first read from Annabel, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I loved it. This was the perfect mix of enemies to lovers, with moments of authenticity that can come with being exposed to some of the character’s roots/trauma that made them who they are when we meet them early in the story. Jane’s growth throughout the story felt realistic, and Dan’s authenticity felt so genuine. How can you not hope for a happy ending for character’s like that. I can’t wait to recommend this book when it comes out in May of 2025.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, Annabel Monaghan, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Baby just say yes…to this book. (Sorry I had to, but seriously just read this.)

Annabel Monaghan’s writing is a warm hug. I have learned to clear my calendar when I start one of her books. I catch myself smiling, laughing out loud and crying. It’s A Love Story was no exception. Our protagonist, Jane Jackson, former child TV star just wants to be taken seriously. She is desperately trying to get a movie made that she truly believes in, and makes a hysterical (and untrue) proposition. Chaos is going to ensue and is made worse when THE WORST, most pretentious, stupid cinematographer, Dan Finnegan, is also assigned to work on the project.

I absolutely LOVE the heroines that Annabel writes. They are imperfect and REAL and so relatable. Here, Jane feels haunted by her childhood alter ego, Janey Jakes, dorky, jokester extraordinaire. I felt such raw emotions living through her childhood memories alongside her.

If you love a rom-com (The Notebook is referenced a lot), and were intrigued by Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died (inspiration for Jane’s character), you will LOVE It’s A Love Story.

You’ve got to wait until May 27th, but you can preorder today! While you’re waiting, check out Annabel’s other books: Nora Goes Off Script, Same Time Next Summer, and Summer Romance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for my advanced reader copy of this book.

Just like Annabel Monaghan's other books, I LOVED this story! Her writing is beautiful and I enjoyed how this was a fun romance while also being complex. Loved being back on Long Island for this book. Her descriptions of a perfect summer week have me counting down the days until Memorial Day. I could read a book about every Finnegan brother & their parents! This is a wonderful pick for a beach day read.

Hoping we get to see some more of Dan & Jane in the next book which was set up perfectly in the epilogue (at least I hope that was a set up!!).

Thank you Netgalley & Putnam Books!

This was my very first Annabel Monaghan book and I can with confidence say I’m a fan! As the “Funny friend” I finally felt seen and related to the protagonist in a very real way. I felt Monaghan did a beautiful job capturing the emotion of navigating the initial spark you might feel in your youth to the doubt that complicates your adult relationships. The characters were compelling and multi-dimensional. Overall, a great read and I’m excited to find more books by Monaghan.

Per usual, Annabel strikes again wirh another perfect summer romance! I adore her writing style and just like all the others before this one, it's perfect! Jane and Dan are adorable and Jack? Well, he can suck an egg! What a jerk!

All all in, this was amazing and I HIGHLY recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the opportunity to read It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan.

It took me a while to get into the story. Once I was able to connect to the characters, it became easier to submerge in their world.

I appreciate the story within the story. Life imitating art. You don’t realize I deep this story goes until you’re in the thick of it. I felt the characters were well rounded and the journey a thoughtful one. Truly felt as if I was apart of their ups and downs. It’s an experience.

This was a lot of fun and I could relate to the characters. I recommend anyone giving this book a chance.

3.5 ⭐️