ℬ𝒪𝒪𝒦 ℛℯ𝓋𝒾ℯ𝓌 📕
3⭐️

So this was my first book by the author.
At moments it was lol funny. The story is about Jane Jackson a ex childhood star who was the butt of all jokes. Now she is a movie executive who is trying to be taken serious. She’s beautiful but sadly she doesn’t know that. She tries to be perfect and has rules set in her life so she doesn’t spiral. Well her nemesis Dan, filmmaker and coworker turns her life upside down. He and his family are the peace she didn’t know she craved and needed. This was the most special part of the book to me. Jane interaction with actual family and laughter. I wanted more character growth between them as a couple. I think Jane character grew throughout but something still felt unsettled to me when I made it to the end. I wanted more of a resolution to the final conflict. Look I would have settled for a B**ch slap to Mr superstar for the total disrespect. Most of the book I was literally screaming kiss already 😫. This is a quick read and the story started strong. The mission Jane and Dan take to get this film made wasn’t easy. I love how the author tried to keep the plot as light hearted as possible but there are trigger warnings especially corporate and social BULLYING.
Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for my ARC of this one.

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I’ve yet to read an Annabel Monaghan book I didn’t absolutely love, and It’s a Love Story is no exception. This book truly has it all—charm, heart, and a storyline that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

The story follows Jane, a former child star determined to get her dream film made. She’s certain this project is her big break. Enter Dan, the cinematographer the production company insists on hiring. The catch? Dan once torpedoed one of Jane’s previous projects. Desperate to secure the green light, Jane spins a lie about landing a mega pop star for the soundtrack, which sets the stage for a whirlwind trip to Long Island.

True to its title, It’s a Love Story delivers a heartfelt and satisfying romance. Monaghan’s writing is as delightful as ever, making this a must-read for romance fans.

Annabel Monaghan is an automatic read for me every time. I am so honored to be offered an ARC and the opportunity to get lost in Annabel’s characters. It’s A Love Story centers around Jane and Dan’s professional and then romantic relationship. Annabel
is so talented at writing real characters with emotion, depth and human flaws. She writes “…quiet and warm, like you want to climb right into it and stay forever.” and that’s exactly how I feel about this book. While the beginning took a little to get into (and I was slightly
confused) once the story takes off I could not put it down. The book is out 5/27/25.

Thank you Putnam Books & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a Love Story was classic Annabel Monaghan / strong characters, strong plot, and strong development. This protagonist, Jane, has a lot of baggage. Monaghan writes her in a way that, while not relatable (we are not all former child stars), is believable. Her love interest Dan is interesting and lovable while not being a caricature of the ideal person. His family and their Long Island home is big, loud, and a standout in the novel. The character development is high - and with that, comes the rom com third act challenges that almost always drive me crazy (this book was no exception). It’s a very fast, completely binge able read! While not my favorite novel of Monaghan’s, it was a solid novel with a ton of heart. Probably higher than 4 stars, but not quite 5, so unfortunately it rounds down rather than up. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

5 stars, 1 chili pepper (light spice, closed door). Another amazing romcom by Annabel Monaghan! I absolutely loved this book and I already want to reread it! The book felt real, relatable (even though not really? lol), and made me laugh out loud and tear up. It truly reminded me of those inital feelings and butterflies you get when you first fall in love with someone <3.
Jane is a former child star with [zero self confidence] who will do anything to get her newest movie script produced... even proclaiming that Jack Quinlan, a huge popstar, has agreed to produce a song for the movie album (but she hasn't talked to him in 20 years). Jane is forced to work with Dan, a screenwriter and a one-time crush who she had declared her arch nemesis, to try and get Jack to now agree to produce a song for the movie by going to one of his shows in Dan's hometown.
TROPES:
Enemies to lovers
Workplace Romance
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn

Favorite Quotes:
-"The loud movies with the explosions and superheroes, they sell tickets because they're an escape. We don't have to think about our own lives when we watch them. We can hide in the noise. But it's the quiet movies that make room for us to look at ourselves. People cooking, teaching, gardening. They're quiet things, but they're the things that move us. And people, mostly, are afraid of the quiet."
-"When you smile at me, I feel like I want to capture it. But it's not the regular way like when I see somethign beautiful and I want to photograph it. When you smile, it does something to me, I feel it in my chest, and I just want to figure out how to get you to do it again. .... It's the best smile, but more than that, I just like thinking you're happy."
-"Love happens over breakfast." <3

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for giving me an e-ARC of this book!

FIVE FREAKIN STARS. Absolutely hilarious!! Janey is my favorite person! And together Janey and Dan are so funny! Love love loved!

Thanks NetGalley!

I am grateful to NetGalley for the Arc copy of this book. A former child star goes to great lengths to get her movie script produced with the help of her hunky nemesis with a man bun 😉 It is a sweet and quick read.

Annabel Monaghan did it again. 🥹🥹🥹 My first thought after finishing this book was that I was utterly devastated that it was over, and my second was that I wanted to read it again.

A lot of the time you read books, romance in particular, where the characters don’t feel like they could be real people. It’s A Love Story did not disappoint. Jane was so, so relatable as a woman. I think she will resonate with every reader. She was messy, complex, and layered despite her best efforts to appear put together. Dan was unapologetically himself and all the more lovable for it. The intimacy and tension these two share is next level. I laughed, I cried. I couldn’t recommend this book enough.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.

Going down as one of my favorites this year. I loved this story. The main characters were great and the side characters added so much to the story. Definitely check this one out!

Annabel Monaghan has quickly risen to the summer romcom must-read list! I was enamored with her from day one.

This is a story about a former child star (enter my favorite genre - Hollywood romcom!) trying to make a name for herself in the biz and no longer be associated with her nerdy 90s character. And, surprise, she begrudgingly falls in love with Dan in the process.

It gave me vibes of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" where the FMC is forced to spend time with the MMCs family on the east coast. This had the typical "nevermind I'm not good enough for you so I'm going to disappear - but oh wait, now that we're back to real life, I can't think of anyone but you" storyline. It was as little cheesy at times, but that's what I rely on summer romcoms for in the first place.

Add this one to your summer 2025 reading list and you won't be disappointed!


Thanks to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam, and Annabel Monaghan for the ARC!

I love Annabel Monaghan. I love the way she writes everything in such an honest way and it feels so real and it perfectly encapsulates falling in love. She’s so good at writing quick little sentences that pack such a huge punch. She’s so good at making you love her characters like they’re your best friends. I’m so glad I got to read this, thank you netgalley for the early copy

What is it about Annael Monaghans writing that sucks you in from the get go? Her writing is so light and deep all at once and I am so happy to have recieved an ARC of "It's a Love Story". It is your enemies to lovers trope, and while the characters fall in love quickly, I think it will be a summer romance must read!

I really enjoyed 'Summer Romance' so when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of 'It's a Love Story,' I jumped at the chance!

The main character, Jane, is a former child star who is looking to get her script sold and ultimately works with her nemesis to try to secure a famous pop artist (and former co-star) to record music for it. Admittedly the beginning didn't quite hook me as a I expected but halfway through I was glad I stuck with it. Jane wasn't likeable initially but is forced to grow up and change her outlook on life and love once the right person is able to break through her façade. Such a great book - thank you NetGalley, Putnam Books and Annabel Monaghan!

A beautifully written, raw, and funny love story. “It’s a Love Story” is one of Annabel Monaghan’s most compelling (see what I did there? If not, go read the book) novels. The characters are fleshed out and grow over the duration of the book. You are rooting for them all the way through. This book discusses the impact of truth and vulnerability in relationships and I think we can all learn something from Jane and Dan. The complexity of family dynamics is almost a side character in the story. The ability to see the truth in yourself and others is an incredible (but scary) thing. Also, the writing was absolutely beautiful: vulnerable, true (hehe), and personal. There were no sweeping/generic characters or phrases. It felt as if we got to hear the How Did You Meet story directly from a very much in love couple.
Highly recommend!

This is one of my favorites from this author, this is mostly due to Jane’s sense of humor, I actually laughed out loud. I found Jane and Dan to be relatable characters, they felt like real people who end up dating and exposing all the baggage they have between them. Jane has abandonment issue and Dan who comes from a large family of boys struggles to keep his individuality and being accepted for who he is. Ultimately they both wanted the same thing, to show up as themselves and have their person want them as is.

I loved the Finnegan family they were hilarious, and felt like a big hug. Clem was such a good friend, who showed up without being asked, as well as the relationship between Jane and her mom. There were a lot of jokes within the book around the topic of insta-love, which is ironic because Jane and Dan fell in love after a WEEK, oof. Really?


Thank you so much Penguin Group Putnam, Netgalley and Annabel Monaghan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Honestly, at this point I think everything Annabel Monaghan writes is utter perfection. I just devour her books, and I gobbled up It’s a Love Story in less than a day. I rooted for Jane and Dan from the very beginning - talk about a love story you want to see come true. Can’t wait for the next great love story from Monaghan. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Annabel Monaghan writes beautiful stories with compelling, flawed characters. She makes Long Island in the summer feel magical. Jane is someone we all know (or have been). Her fight or flight reflexes have always tended towards flight because she doesn’t believe herself worthy of the fight. She has been pushed down or minimized at such critical points in her life until Dan and the Finnegans show her (without even meaning to) what love and family can be. Loved it.

Annabel Monaghan has a way of writing a book that just sucks you into the world she is writing about. I loved this book! I loved the sweet reminder that love is the smaller things that happen every day. Life is really that way. We should all appreciate those moments to tigers and explosions. I have nothing negative to say about this book and will be recommending it as a summer read!

It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan 4⭐️

This was a very cozy and entertaining romance book! This was my first read by Annabel Monaghan but I’ve heard so much about her other books so I was really excited going in.

This is an enemies to lovers story starring Jane Jackson and Dan Finnegan. They are forced to work together to basically stalk Jack Quinlan, Jane’s childhood crush that left her heartbroken, to try and get their dream movie into production.

I enjoyed Jane’s character development and watching her walls come down. I liked her witty banter and her appreciation of Dan’s family who were so welcoming to her. I found it relatable how much she just wanted to fit in and feel like a part of such a loving group. I do however, dislike a fourth quarter breakup and it was really frustrating to watch her destroy the great thing she was starting with Dan. Sometimes you just want to shake a character and knock some sense into them and that’s how I felt about Jane.

I really loved Dan as the MMC. He’s quiet and the black sheep of his family but he was a really compelling love interest and overall so supportive and endearing. His love for his family made him even more attractive and it’s easy to see why Jane fell for him so quickly. Their tension was palpable even with it being a closed door romance. I also really respected that he didn’t immediately cave when Jane came back to apologize. I hate in a book when characters instantly forgive something that truly hurt them so I liked that Dan stood his ground but in the end loved Jane enough to forgive her mistakes.

While this isn’t exactly “insta love” I wish the timeline of the story had been a little longer. It felt like a slow burn but it all really took place over the course of a week 😂

It’s something I rarely say but I absolutely loved the epilogue. It was an appropriate amount of time after the original story to make it realistic and I found it immensely satisfying. My only wish was that we could’ve seen the movie become successful and see Jack Quinlan feel silly for having passed it up.

I definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a heartwarming and cozy rom com with some great banter. Especially if you’re a fan of The Notebook 🤭

Thank you so much NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced reader copy!!

This is my first Annabel Monaghan book and after this one I want to read more!

Jane, a former child actor has her heart set on getting a script she found and fell in love with on the big screen. But she’s forced to work with her arch nemesis, Dan. Jane lies and says she’s still in contact with a former costar Jack and that he will produce a song for the movie. Dan and Jane then go on a wild chase back in Dans hometown where Jack is said to be putting on a secret show.

Jane and Dans love story begins, or should I say continues then. They are both complex characters who really balance each other out. Their humor throughout the book matches each other. I was hooked and couldn’t put this book down!