Thank you to Net galley for the ARC. Unfortunately, I was just pretty bored reading this one. I couldn’t make myself care about these characters. I will definitely try another one by this author in the future

I am so thankful for the chance to receive any early copy of “It’s a Love Story” by Annabel Monaghan. From page one, I was drawn into the narrative, as only Annabel Monaghan can do. Her writing style is so approachable and the characters feel real and true. The premise of the book pushes on a failed young love and connection through the entertainment industry….and then a new connection later in life. As I started becoming immersed in the story, I kept feeling a connection to Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. Sure enough, in Monaghan’s acknowledgements, she shared the inspiration found there for her Jane and Jack. This book was the truest gift and best way to start off my reading in 2025. It will be a re-read again and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Thank you for your storytelling, Annabel!!!

This book felt like a warm hug. I love reading romance books about people who are flawed and relatable. This one was no exception. The slow burn between Jane and Dan was incredible. I cannot wait to purchase a physical copy when this book is released!

This has probably been my favorite Annabel Monaghan book so far!! I loved the character depth of both Kate and Dan and loved seeing how they both had so much growth in becoming who they really are independently in the midst of their budding relationship. This book had so much wit, slow burn tension, and truly just a lot of feel good moments that made it the perfect rom com read!

Content warnings: explicit language, open-door sexual activity (I would not label this as a “smut” book; open door scenes are mild in their description).

I really liked this! This isn't just a swoony, rom-com. I don't know how to describe it, but it's an emotional, mature, love story. It feels so genuine and relatable. I loved Dan and Jane so much. I also loved Dan's family and every second they spent at the family house with all the side characters.

It'll be a great summer read to sweep you away to a small town in Long Island with a found family. And for all "The Notebook" lovers, the references are absolutely amazing.

It started off pretty slow for me but I'd say halfway through, I became hooked. There was a third act breakup / pushing the other away act at the end which felt a bit anticlimactic for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved Monaghan's other books, so I was excited to get this ARC. It's a love story did not disappoint. I quickly fell for Jane, and the chemistry between her and Dan was palpable. I also adored Dan's family. His parents especially, and the cozy home they created. I didn't care for the jack storyline as much. But it was a fun story!

Absolutely loved it! The plot, the humor, the characters are all the perfect combo. Fantastic read that gave me all the feels. The way Annabel describes love is beautiful and true. It's in the small, quiet moments and not always the big stuff. Loved Dan and Jane, and all the Finnegan brothers.

Another Annabel Monaghan winner who is becoming one of my favorite writers. Thank you Net Galley for this preview copy. I love Annabel’s writing style and how she develops her characters flaws and all. I was immediately invested in the characters and their story. The main characters are Jane, a former child actor, and Dan, a cinematographer, a person who disagrees with Jane on bringing a screenplay to film. To not give away this heartwarming storyline that is absolutely beautiful, funny, and captivating, this story definitely will tug at your heartstrings. I’ll be first in line buying a physical copy when released on May 27th. So didn’t want this story to end.

The introduction was so choppy I could barely get through it. The writing had no flow and I almost gave up. It picked up after the first chapter. Some little things- commas that should have been semicolons, repetitive sentence structure, predictable text. It's a beach read, but I think a lot of readers may give up if they can't get through Chapter 1. Each character feels formulaic. And Jane's meltdown is so, so childish. If the characters were a little bit more nuanced, it would add a depth to the book that, I believe, would give it the weight it needs. The work scratches the surface of major childhood traumas without giving those traumas the gravity they need- it comes off as inauthentic and exploitative. The work itself is so predictable. I understand that readers like predictability, but I felt like a psychic by the end of this.

5—Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me early access to Monaghan's highly anticipated romance in exchange for my honest thoughts. Once again, Annabel Monaghan immerses me in her stories, making me feel like I'm right there alongside the characters.

In this book, we follow Jane Jackson, a former child actor who strives to shed her awkward past while navigating the chaos of Hollywood. The dialogue is light-hearted and fun. While you might expect a typical light romance, this book pulls at the heartstrings in the best way!

Overall, it was an engaging read, and I recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining story. Annabel Monaghan's writing is straightforward and comforting, making it a pleasure to dive into her world. I appreciate her ability to make readers feel seen and uplifted.

Once again I am blown away by Annabel Monaghan and her ability to make you feel a part of the family she creates. Dan and Jane are relatable in so many ways. I could not put this book down once I started!

I have heard such incredible things about Annabel Monaghan’s writing and was highly anticipating this book. Unfortunately it fell very flat for me. Jane, our main character is a child star who grows up and goes into the movie business as a producer. She has found this incredible script that she needs to bring to the big screen but runs into some trouble and needs the help of her work place nemesis to make it happen.

I found Jane to be mean and self-centered.
She has some depth but I found myself wanting more.

The writing was lack luster at the beginning, and became so much better after the 50% mark. The poetry of Monaghan’s writing was finally showing and I became excited to read her story. Once our third act breakup hit, the writing went right back down hill. This didn’t feel like a love story, it felt like a desperate attempt at enemies to lovers that just missed the mark.

I can’t wait to read what else Monaghan has in store but this one just fell flat.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and Penguin Group Putnam for granting me an ARC copy of It’s a Love Story in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed everything that Annabel has written, and this is one’s no exception! While
Nora goes off script is still her very best for me, this one has the same warmth, good writing with some comedic elements that makes me enjoy all her books! You would think her books are light/summer reads but this one packs a punch, it has lots of emotional depth but not overtly heavy. Interestingly, i automatically thought of Sam from iCarly when the lead said she’s a child star and it’s the same actress the author mentioned in her acknowledgement!

There is so much to love about this story. My favorite was visiting Dan's family and all their adventures leading up to them falling in love. Dan's huge family was so fun to read about and how much Jane felt a part of it until she didn't. I thought the break-up and her internal struggle was a bit much and could have been toned down, it fell a bit flat for me. Overall, I thought it was a wonderful book and definitely worth the read. Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

Thank you so much for the arc for this book! It was so fun getting to read an early copy.

This was a great contemporary romance read. It is enemies to lovers/ workplace rival. It is small town with a big family. A band of brothers that give each other crap in a lot of ways but love each other immensely. It's family trauma and unpacking the hurt and emotional pain it leaves after years of negative self talk and skirting around truths. It's a slow burn romance of unveiling what it is like to truly fall in love and let yourself be exactly who you are. It's a story but it's also a banner of reminding yourself that you matter and what you love matters too. You can unequivocally be yourself and not have to tone down for any job or person. You can let yourself live and enjoy the life you have.

What a wonderful read that makes you want to think about love a little bit more and go watch The Notebook. 📖✨

4.5 ⭐️

Annabel Monaghan is the middle-age book club author of my dreams. This one was a slow start for me but once we got thrown into the loud family of five sons, I was IN.

I always really like her characters and was thrilled the protagonist was not a divorcee this time around. As someone who doesn’t create mind pictures while I read, I particularly liked the representation of artist types through more personality traits and not specific descriptions of photos and videos they take.

Anyway, I love love. I was excited for all the love happening here. It was great.

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House for the advance copy.

This story is a beautiful collision of fun tropes and emotional story and growth. It has forced proximity, some enemies to lovers, and Jane and Dan needing to work together. They push each other outside their comfort zone in the best way and you slowly see their walls falling. All wrapped up in funny banter from Jane that Dan (and myself) couldn’t get enough of.

Oh my goodness was this a fabulous read. Thank you for pulling me out of a multi-month reading rut! This may be my favorite from this author so far. Beautifully written, funny and punchy, and a beautiful ode to love

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I didn’t want to put it down. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

Thank you for an advanced copy! I went into this book with high expectations because I loved this author’s last book, Summer Romance. Maybe my expectations were just too high but I didn’t love this one. Didn’t feel like a strong plot or something I really cared about how it ended up. Also just didn’t feel very invested in the main characters. I really wanted to like it but it just felt like it dragged.