Monaghan is back with another deeply moving love story that made me want to improve my life! While the Hollywood aspects of the book aren't completely accurate, she captures the wish fulfillment of chasing the dream of making movies. A winner in my book!

This is going to be a very popular summer read. The characters were very likeable and their story was fun and cute. I really enjoyed the premise and how it led to an enemies to lover story.
My only complaint was I just wanted a little more from the ending but overall a really great summer romance read.

Thank you to NetGalley and JP Putnam’s Sons for this advanced reader copy!

Annabel Monaghan is such a pillar for a great, spicy, warm, feel-good summer romance, and this is no exception. ☀️

This story follows Jane and Dan, two film professionals who share a passion for a particular film and its production. This second chance romance has longing, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity all in one!

I loved a lot of this book, but also spent a lot of it confused. The MMC spoke really poorly of Jane at the beginning of the novel- enough so that I didn’t totally believe when he fell for her.

Also, the FMC has such a beautiful arc and character development, but I wish they were a little more closely tied to the plot and the general love story.

I laughed. I gasped. I swooned. I cheered. This is a perfect low-stakes love story that will get you longing for the beach and summer vibes!

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️&🌶️🌶️

I went into this book expecting a fun love story that you expect from Annabel Monaghan, but Jane and Dan both came with a lot more baggage than I thought they could. It made for a relatable story and I was cheering on Jane throughout the book hoping for the growth she needed. Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for a chance to read this one early in exchange for an honest review.

Another charming romance by Annabel. Her characters are complex and real but simple and human in all the best ways. Jane was an easy FMC to root for, she is clearly feeling a little lost in her current life- not living the life she imagined while she watches others seemingly thrive. Dan was the softest love for her. The way he brings her home to his family and fits her in without question was really sweet. Every member of this family was so dang pure and I love that she connected with them all outside of Dan. Their love is more of a slow burn and some parts felt more focused on Jane’s growth, but it all worked so well together. Their story feels free, I don’t know how else to describe it other than reading about them enjoying spending time with each other in this beach town made me feel like I could smell the ocean water and feel the breeze in my hair. Truly a perfect summer read!

Annabel Monaghan has become a must read author for me— she just knows how to write romance that makes you swoon! I loved this enemy to lovers, slow burn. The side characters were hilarious. This is going to be a great summer romance!

It’s a Love Story is exactly what I hoped for and more. Annabel Monaghan delivers a beautiful, heartfelt romance that’s both fun and deeply emotional. I went into it expecting something sweet and funny—and it absolutely delivered on that front—but what caught me off guard was how emotional and honest the love story was. I laughed out loud more than once, but I also cried because the love between these characters was so genuine and moving.

The plot is engaging, the dialogue is sharp, and the chemistry leaps off the page. It’s a love story that feels real—joyful, complicated, and full of heart. I’ve read all of Monaghan’s books and this one might be my favorite yet. Thank you for the opportunity to read this incredible story early—I’ll be recommending it to everyone.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book!! Perfect for a beach read and if you've enjoyed any of the author's other books, you'll eat this one up.

Jane is a former adolescent star of a kitschy Nickelodeon-esque show trying to make it as a movie producer and find "the one" even though she doesn't believe such a thing exists. She absolutely needs therapy. I'm extra appreciative of her BFF, Clem, for being an excellent side character support person.

Jane's only experience with Dan comes from a meet-cute that turned disastrous when he turned out to be the cinematographer that crushed her first big movie pitch. From that, she has decided he is her arch enemy. Jane and Dan soon discover that they both love the next script that Jane has optioned, but the only way to get the studio to go for it is to get something, or someone major, signed on. Jane offers up her connection to megastar Jack suggesting she can get him to write a song for the soundtrack. Never mind that he was her first kiss, broke her heart, and she hasn't spoken to him since she was 14.

Jane and Dan concoct a scheme to approach Jack at a music festival he's playing in Dan's hometown on the other side of the country. One flight from LA, several days staying in Dan's childhood home with his large and loud, but loving family, and Dan and Jane discover they like each other a whole lot more than they thought.

I really appreciated that Dan did not revert to a childish version of himself when home. He stayed true to the fact that he is different than his brothers and dad and that's okay. I loved Dan's family and the good-natured ribbing they all gave each other.

This book surprised me in the best way!

Jane lives by the fake-it-til-you-make-it philosophy, which often means she’s putting on a character for all of the different people in her life, which begs the question…who is the real Jane?

Enter Dan, a brutally honest cinematographer who has a history of turning Jane’s dream movie ideas as a Creative Executive at a film studio. Now they have to work together to get a movie greenlit that they both love and that involves a trip to Dan’s hometown, staying with his family and friends and what do you mean there isn’t an extra bedroom anymore? 😏

It was the enemies to lovers I didn’t see coming and the quiet love that shows up in outside of the grand gestures. It’s the small, every day things that we never knew we were missing.

I tore through this and can I just say, I really want to be invited to the next party at the Finnegans!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for letting me read this arc. A cute story of coworkers “enemies” to lovers, Jane and Dan both work in the film industry. Jane thinks Dan is pretentious and Dan thinks Jane has a bad taste in movies. In order to sell a movie, Jane promises to get an old friend who is now a famous singer, Jack to make the soundtrack song. Dan also wants to this movie to be made so they team up and go to New York to convince Jack to make this song. Dan brings Jane to his childhood home where they are consciousdently celebrating his parent’s anniversary. They accept Jane right away and make her feel right at home. This was my favorite part of this book, meeting all of Dans family members. They all had so much personality. It was very sweet of them to accept Jane right off the bat. While staying at the house, Jane and Dan start to feel romantic feelings toward each other. I thought they had great chemistry. Dan was really sweet with Jane but they also made fun of each other and had fun banter. I was glad that she didn’t get Jack to write the song and was still able to get the movie made, she had great trust and passion with this movie it was nice to see. There was a third act break up, which I’m not a huge fan of but I feel like this one was realistic. She felt like a failure, so she took it out on the people around her. The side storyline with her mom was also sweet, I love how close they were. I would give this book a 4 star.

“I try on the feeling, just for a second, of what it would be like to belong to him.”

if curly hair in love theory was a book 🤭 this was so cute and really had me feeling giddy and giggly! I adore annabel monaghans writing, it is so straightforward and easily digestible while also feeling dreamy in the way she phrases ordinary thoughts and feelings ! this may be my favorite work of hers so far and I am incredibly grateful to have gotten this as an arc ! simple, sweet and full of perfect summer vibes, this was truly a joy to read !!

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I want to take this book with, everywhere I go, reliving all of the moments I spent with Jane—the joy and happiness and love along with the hurt and anger. Jane was an awkward child star of a tv show, who made audiences laugh but who was making feelings of abandonment and a sense of not being important enough to matter. As an adult, she’s still hiding by wearing “costumes” to both dates and work, and physically hiding under desks and inside closets. All of that changes when she heads out to Long Island on a mission to save her job, accompanied by her co-worker who she also kind of hates. Quickly, though, Jane’s eyes are opened up to so many possibilities, by a family who accepts her for who she is, taking her into their fold. And Dan….sigh….in his quietness, in his ability to see Jane underneath the facade, he finds a way to make Jane feel loved and protected…finally. I loved Jane so much, my heart breaking for her, my heart rejoicing with hers! I felt like I knew Jane on a personal level, taking me through her layers— and there are many many layers. I highlighted so many passages from the book that spoke directly to my heart, reading them over and over with a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and a big smile on my face. I received an advance reader copy of this book.

Jane has spent her entire life feeling "uncompelling." Even as a child actor, she was the awkward (but funny), meant-to-be-behind-the scenes ugly duckling. She has never been in a serious relationship because she sabotages it even before it gets started. She does not feel worthy of being loved. When she heads to Long Island, NY with a male business associate, Dan, (who she almost went out with) to track down someone from her past who might be able to help her with a possible movie script, all of her rules for relationships go out the window. She is totally enraptured by this family and soon becomes enraptured with Dan as well. All the makings of a love story, with all the angsts, are laid bare. Once it started, I could not put the book down. I just had to keep reading until everything was resolved. Annabel Monaghan has become a favorite of mine, and I will be looking forward to what she puts out next.

Thank you to NetGalley & G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Jane and Dan meet, and it’s cute. He asks her out! She says yes! And then it all goes to hell when they find themselves attached to the same project and completely at odds about it. Thing is, they’re both desperate to get this film made. And when Jane pitches a way to make that happen, they find themselves back in Dan’s hometown teaming up to chase a very famous ghost from her past.

Annabel always creates characters you want to root for, and she makes her couples work for it. Jane and Dan are messy in the best way — both juggling past hurt and fear. As their relationship shifts from contentious to something warmer, they build a trust that sets the stage for a vulnerable, beautiful bond. They’re able to see each other in a way that no one else does and it frees them both to be honest with each other — and themselves.

I have loved every one of Annabel’s books and this one does not disappoint. It’s a Love Story, alright — and it’s a damn good one. If you’re looking for a warm hug of a book — one that’s satisfying without being surface level — this is it. A perfect summer read.

It’s a Love Story comes out 5/27!

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

The dynamic between Jane and Dan crackles with chemistry and banter, while the story explores themes of identity, self-worth, and second chances with a light but meaningful touch. Monaghan’s signature humor shines, making this the perfect binge-worthy beach read with heart.

“Love happens over breakfast.”

Perfection.

My favorite book of the year so far!

My romance loving heart devoured this book. I felt butterflies in my stomach just like the main character Jane. For an author to accomplish that through her writing is nothing short of amazing, brilliant and a testament to her talent.

Jane Jackson is a former child actor who starred in a very popular kids show. She now works for a production company and feels like she has found the perfect script. Dan Finnegan is an artist and photographer who also works as a cinematographer. Jane and Dan have a history…a history that makes Jane’s stomach drop when she realizes he’s been called in to give his thoughts on the script.

Jane and Dan will join forces to try and bring this script to life. The movie will only get a “green light” if they can get a big hook. This will not be an easy feat as Jane will try to get pop star Jack Quinlan to write and perform a song for the movie. Jane knows Jack from her time on TV but it is a day she wishes she could forget. Heading to Long Island to find Jack at a music festival, they stay at Dan’s family home where Jane will get a front row seat to the Finnegan shenanigans.

Staying under the same roof, sharing the same bedroom, Jane and Dan begin to open up to one another. Jane confides in Dan about her Dad leaving when she was five and Dan confides in Jane how different he feels from his outgoing and loud family. The two will grow close as they enjoy their time in Dan’s hometown.

This book explores how profound scars from the past will never heal until they are properly cared for. Sometimes that means allowing a quiet man into your life because he really sees you and all the ways you are lovable. It’s about being brave and realizing you are enough. It’s about letting love in because you deserve it. It’s about being yourself because that person is beautiful on the inside and out.

It’s a Love Story is just that…a beautiful, funny, poignant and romantic love story that captured my heart. This book is why I love romance. This book is why I love reading. This book is why I love…love!

“Sometimes the simplest facts are the most painful ones. They’re the ones that cut to the essence of who we are.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Annabel does it again with really heartwarming, charming characters. The banter is top notch, the chemistry is undeniable and the romance led to nonstop feet-kicking while reading. I think Annabel earned an extra pepper of spice with this one whether that was a goal or not but still so tastefully done and so true to the characters. I loved it! Jane and Dan just might be my favorite couple from Annabel's repotoire and the family! Omg the Finnegans were so much fun to experience. I am also so happy that we got another look at Oak Shore. Although the storyline was different the dynamic with visiting his family reminded me of the movie Dan in Real Life which I love!

Highly recommend. Thank you Netgally and Putnam books for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review!

I have loved all of this author’s books, so I was so excited to get approved for this one! She writes the cutest rom coms! I loved the main characters and going along their journey of self discovery with them. The third act breakup was my only complaint. It just seemed so unnecessary and I found myself so annoyed with the characters. Thankfully the ending saved it a bit. I will always love this author’s writing and she will continue to be an auto buy author for me! This one just wasn’t my favorite of hers.

This would be the one to take to the beach! What a great summer read with all the beachy feels! I’m tucking this one away for a reread to close out summer…..

Jane was a child actor, who is striving to get a script green lit, while Dan her arch nemesis, would rather go in another direction with the script. On a whim Jane lies and says she knows a famous pop star singer. Jane and Dan decide to search for the pop star while spending time at Dan’s childhood home.

This was a slow burn with great chemistry. It touches on unresolved trauma of abandonment,, absent fathers and bullying. I thought it was a great add that they spent time on Oak Shore which was the same little town in “Same Time Next Summer”.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Yay! Annabel Monaghan is back:) This is now my 2nd favorite book from this author after her debut. Loved the banter, family dynamics, and believable romance. Thank you NetGalley!