Annabel Monaghan returns with another comforting, escapist romance, this time set on the fringes of the film world. Her books are easy to read but written with a lightness of touch and sharp sense of humour that isn't always present in this genre. I think she's great.

Another great read by Annabel Monaghan! I love how her characters always seem more mature than many you read in romance novels, however I do think these characters were slightly younger than her previous books I’ve read. I loved the mental health rep and wanted to wrap Jane in hug and at the same time shake her so she would wake up and accept that love exists and she’s worth it! I enjoyed the small town feel on Long Island. I wasn’t quite as in love with these characters as our MC’s of Annabel’s but I still thoroughly enjoyed this one and 100% recommend it. Unfortunately the timing of when I read this book was straight after a 6 star read for me, so it had a lot to live up to. While I didn’t get the 5 star feels I really did love it and highlighted so many passages with Annabel’s beautiful way of writing and capturing thoughts and emotions. 4.25 stars for me!

Feeling very lucky I was approved an arc copy of this book. This story has me craving summer like right now. It follows Jane Jackson, former child actor turned film executor and cinematographer and rival- Dan Finnegan. When Jane gets her hands on a script she has her heart set on making, she is determined to get it made, even if it means working with rival Dan and tracking down her former teenage fling- Jack.

I loved the vibe and setting that this book gave. The two main characters biking to the beach, laying in the sunshine, sitting on the swing outside the house just felt so wholesome and cosy summer to me. I am itching for that feeling! I also adored Dan’s family and feeling they gave me when reading. I honestly felt what Jane was feeling when she was spending time with them.

Jane is a very reserved character in the sense of she thinks through every small detail of her life when we really find out she is holding on to some pretty big trauma. I enjoyed seeing her opening up and letting down her barriers.

This is my first Annabel Monaghan book but will definitely be adding her others to my TBR. Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sharing this digital arc with me in exchange for my honest review.

DNF

this is my second attempt at reading something by this author, and once again i couldn’t make it past the 5th chapter, it simply didn’t work for me. there’s something so anticlimactic about her writing style that stops me from connecting with the characters or the story. I think it’s time to accept that her books and I just aren’t a good match.

many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange of an honest review!

I have loved every book by Annabel Monaghan so I had high expectations going into this one, and it really lived up to them.

While I thought the beginning was a bit rushed, I soon became completely invested in Jane and Dan as individuals and as a couple. They are both very real and relatable characters, and I was rooting for both their individual character development and their romantic development. You can really see how they both grow throughout the book, and how deeply they care for each other. I wasn't completely keen on the insta-love of it, but with how much growth they showed, I didn't mind in the end.

Annabel Monaghan's books always feel like more than a romance and this one was no exception. The emotions that are described feel real and raw, and I could fully connect to the characters and what they were going through. However, I wasn't completely invested in the Jack aspect of the storyline, and I do wish that we had seen Jane stand up for herself more in this regard. With all the growth she was showing, it would have been good to see.

Overall, though, this is a moving and realistic love story packed with emotion.

3 stars

Im sad to say It's not my favorite book from Annabel. I did have fun reading it, and our main couple was super adorable together, and yes, it was a bit instalovey, but it was cute enough I didn't mind.
My main issue was that I didn't feel like there was any real "drama" or that it wasn't "that deep" so I lose my interest at times (a first one for me with AM books) but still this was a super cute read about finding the✨️ spark✨️ in ourselves again.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jane has spent years shedding her awkward child actor past, crafting the perfect, polished image she believes she needs to succeed. Now an exec at a studio, she’s determined to bring her dream love story script to life. Enter Dan-the annoyingly handsome and talented cinematographer she’s butted heads with before. But when one little lie spirals, she finds herself tagging along to his family gathering while also chasing down the key to getting her passion project greenlit.

Tropes and themes I loved:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Hollywood drama
✨ Slow Burn Romance
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Big family life

The magic of Monaghan’s books lies in the way her characters slowly peel back their carefully constructed facades. The timing is never perfect, mistakes are made, but the journey is full of humor, charm, and those satisfying ‘finally’ moments that make you root for love.

That said, while I liked this one, it wasn’t my favorite from Annabel. The beginning felt a little rushed, and I struggled to fully connect with the characters at first. But once it found its rhythm, I was invested. If you loved Nora Goes Off Script, you’ll definitely want to pick this up!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC

Jane has spent years shedding her awkward child actor past, crafting the perfect, polished image she believes she needs to succeed. Now an exec at a studio, she’s determined to bring her dream love story script to life. Enter Dan-the annoyingly handsome and talented cinematographer she’s butted heads with before. But when one little lie spirals, she finds herself tagging along to his family gathering while also chasing down the key to getting her passion project greenlit.

For fans of:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Hollywood drama
✨ Slow Burn Romance
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Big family life

The magic of Monaghan’s books lies in the way her characters slowly peel back their carefully constructed facades. The timing is never perfect, mistakes are made, but the journey is full of humor, charm, and those satisfying ‘finally’ moments that make you root for love.

That said, while I liked this one, it wasn’t my favorite from Annabel. The beginning felt a little rushed, and I struggled to fully connect with the characters at first. But once it found its rhythm, I was invested. If you loved Nora Goes Off Script, you’ll definitely want to pick this up!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC

Well, this was an amazing summer romance! It's a love story was my first time reading the author and I can already tell that I want to read all of her backlist.
Enemies to lovers will always be a superior trope to me and mixed with forced proximity only makes it even better.
This was also the type of story that seems much more fluffy when in reality deals with very heavy and deep topics, but what I discovered is that Annabel has an amazing balance between the cute and not so cute aspects keeping it emotional but also funny and light.
Now, the romance!!!! Not spicy at all but with all the feels!!!! The chemistry, the tension, the slow burn. Pure perfection! There's also a lot of banter between the characters, and witty conversations and I specially loved the side characters, the family interactions and the way that they support each other through everything.
I strongly believe that if you love feel good stories, with complicated emotional depth, Abby Jimenez style, this is the perfect book for you! I can't wait to see what else has the author in storage.

I started reading this book feeling a little wary - because well, I loved "Nora Goes Off Script" and then I didn't love the next two books too much, but no worries guys, I was immediately in. It was like "Nora" - an absolutely perfect love story.

The strength lies in the characters and the writing style. Annabel Monaghan can write the most beautiful things about falling in love without them feeling too meh and she can brilliantly describe all the emotions, both positive and negative. This writing is like a big hug, enveloping you immediately. There are a lot of words - the descriptions and the inner monologues are long and very detailed and sometimes I wished they were shorter and straigh to the point, but that's the way the book is. Not many dialogues, but the banter is then brilliant and light - hearted and feels genuine.
The characters were, in my opinion, very well done. Both the main ones as the background ones, especially the Mob - Dan's family. My kind of family - full of chaos but you know where you belong. Our mian character, Jane, goes on a journey of finding herself and I loved how she embraced her true - self and left her comfort zones.
And you know that there is going to be some kind of conflict, there must be some kind of conflict, right, but this time I was literally praying for no conflict at all, because the two characters worked so, so well together.

The book has something magic in it, something that will pull you immediately in and you won't want to stop reading. It's true and beautiful and it's so much more than just a romance, as the author touches upon some deeper issues. Loved it!

In this story we follow Jane a film producer whose latest work seems promising and could save her from being fired after many rejections from her company. However one of the producers is Dan who since day one has been extremely critical of all her previous projects. When Jane struggles to get a green light, she claims to still be in touch with Jack, one of the biggest pop stars. However that is a lie and to try to convince him to work with her, she travels to Long Island alongside Dan since his brother is working on the set of one of Jack’s concerts. While spending the week at Dan’s she struggles to keep up her lie, will they be able to get Jack on board of their project?

This is my first book by this author and I have to say that it was an amazing read. The writing was very easy to read and the setting was perfect for the summer. I liked Jane a lot and I found her very relatable, Dan was an absolute sweetheart, I’m obsessed. The love story was super comforting and calm, which makes so much sense for the two MCs. This was such a fun and heartwarming rom-com, that I would recommend to everyone. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book easily gets 5 stars! I loved it! ✨💛

It was so hard to put this book down, it felt like a warm hug. If you're looking for the perfect read for spring & summer 🌼, this is it. I could read hundreds of books about these characters.
Dan with his love for "the quiet" (I totally get that) and Jane, who is quite an overthinker (again, totally get it) and kind of awkward in some situations. There should be a movie about this couple, so cute! It had me swooning and giggling. I also loved the family aspect in the book (<3 Dan's family).

Although it's a cosy romance, there are a few life lessons to think about. I will definitely buy a physical copy when the book comes out. It was my first book by Annabel Monaghan but I will for sure check out her other novels.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC ♡

This book has easily become another favorite of mine, and honestly, I’m not even surprised. It had my least favorite trope—insta-love—but Annabel managed to write something so beautiful that I didn’t even care. All I wanted was to see Jane finally embrace herself, both the good and the "bad." Dan and Jane’s love was so quiet and subtle, but it hit me so hard. There were moments between them that actually made me tear up.

My favorite part was definitely Jane’s interactions with Dan’s family. Watching her slowly come out of her shell and learn to see that even the not-so-perfect parts of herself are lovable was so emotional. I don’t even know how many times I cried while reading this. May this kind of love find me and kidnap me.

That being said, I think this could’ve been a five-star read if the characters were a bit younger. It felt a little unrealistic that Jane, in her 30s, had all this time to confront her past and just…didn’t. I also wish Jane and Dan had more than a week to get to know each other. But honestly, that part didn’t bother me too much because the found family dynamic was so beautifully done.

If I could've asked for one thing though, it would’ve been to see Jane stand up to Jack for once. I get it—she has trauma and a lot to work through—but she’s also in her 30s, and it would’ve been so satisfying to watch her call him out for being such a jerk.

Even with all that, this book left me feeling so much. I’ll probably be thinking about it for a long time.

Annabel Monaghan has become a must read author for me since I read ‘Nora goes off script’ so I was very excited to receive an ARC of her latest ‘It’s a Love Story’. I have to admit that the premise and start of the story didn’t sell this one to me: Jane is a former child star known for her geeky character in a kids TV show. She now develops movie scripts in LA. Dan is a cinematographer who has openly criticised her ideas. They have to work together to try and get a script they both love get made. This involves a trip to Long Island to track down a singer they want for the soundtrack who Jane knew and has history with from when she was a child star. Notwithstanding this, a few chapters in I knew I wouldn’t be putting this book down and finished it in one sitting. It has gorgeous locations, great family dynamics and sizzling chemistry. Whilst not being my favourite from Annabel Monaghan, it is a satisfying, compelling and fun read.

A beautifully touching romance that I immediately connected with. From the start, I was rooting for Jane and hoping for her happy ending. Jane struggles with relationships—not because of the men, but because of the emotional walls she’s built. These walls seem impossible to break, until Dan comes into the picture.

Their charming meet-cute quickly shifts when they’re forced to work together to save their jobs. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and I loved watching their relationship develop. The slow-burn tension, the subtle glances, and Jane's witty narration made for a truly satisfying read. While Jane’s self-sabotaging tendencies add some humour, they also made her a deeply relatable character.

I loved everything about this book—the characters, the setting, and even meeting Dan’s family. It's a Love Story is a heartwarming, beautifully crafted romance, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Aria & Aries for the ARC in exchange for this honest review. This is my second book by Annabel Monaghan, and I can't wait for more.

This book is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and self-discovery, proving that love and life rarely follows a script. With laugh-out-loud moments and an unexpected emotional depth, the novel captivates you with its fresh take on romance and second chances.

Jane’s self-deprecating wit makes her an instantly relatable and her internal monologue feels like a conversation with a friend. The romantic tension between Jane and Dan is electric, built on quick banter, mutual irritation and a growing respect. Dan’s character is down-to-earth, perceptive and unafraid to challenge Jane. The pacing is perfect, with a cute mix of funny moments, heartfelt revelations and romantic beats. The Long Island setting adds a cozy, nostalgic backdrop to the plot.

It’s a Love Story reminds you that love, whether romantic, platonic, or self-directed, is messy, unpredictable and wonderfully transformative. If you’re looking for endearing characters, sharp dialogue, and heartfelt story, this book is for you!

𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 :
• enemies to lovers
• forced proximity
• fake it till you make it
• opposites attract
• grumpy x sunshine
• slow burn

Thank you Annabel Monaghan, Aria & Aries & NetGalley for an e-ARC copy.

This was rom com perfection. Workplace enemies to lovers, found family, second chance romance, oh and my favourite - one bedroom.

You know that scene when Ben takes Andie home to meet his family in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days? That is this book. It gives you those same vibes, that same feeling. His big family, open arms excepting this perfect girl, everyone in the room watching two unsuspecting characters fall in love.

Jane and Dan have incredible chemistry. They jump out at you immediately and you’ll be laughing straight away. Dan is everything that infuriates Jane most - especially his man bun. He’s about to ruin her chance at getting her perfect script turned into a movie. This book will take you on such a rollercoaster. You’ll be laughing, crying, swooning, hand on heart just having the time of your life. You won’t be able to put this down.

Such a feel good book and a great reminder that love isn’t straight forward. It has no rules, it’s messy. But when you find it, be brave enough to go for it!

Thank you NetGalley and thank you Annabel. The perfect summer read!

Could this be another auto-buy author for me?

Thank you Aria and Aries as well as NetGalley for giving me this ARC to review.

Jane Jackson may be rearing for a True Love Story to be given the green light as a Creative Executive at her job Clearwater Studios, but there’s nothing true about her ways to achieve this. Faking it until she could make it would have been easy if she could just hide in her closet and eat sweets like normal, but when a chance at succeeding in making a True Love Story big, Jane has to spend a week with her one-time crush and pompous cinematographer. Yet when art starts to imitate life, it is possible that Jane must face her own truth and question the longevity of her comfort of living within facades.

Jane is the most unique characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and I loved her awkwardness and bluntness from the get go. It was my first time reading Annabel Monaghan but it definitely will not be my last. The plot was an easy going, summer read. There are many characters you believe to be real, flaws and all, who you fall in love with. And the writing was reflective and beautiful. I would definitely recommend.

If you’re looking for the sweetest cozy romance read or a read to take for your summer/spring picnic or beach outing, then this one’s for you!

This is the kind of romance that slowly sneaks up on you and you don’t know you’re in it until you are ALL IN. The kind that grows and is found in the beauty of all the flawed, quirky, ‘figuring yourself out’ moments.

Dan and the honest and genuine way he carries himself grew on me & I felt for Jane so much in this! I just wanted to wrap her up in a hug and tell her how wonderful she is 🥹 I connect so much with big families in stories because of mine and I loved the big family in this one! The chaos, love, laughter and different personalities warmed my heart.

This was my first read by Annabel Monaghan and she truly wrote in the most romantic, cutesy but realistic scenes! I can’t wait to read more.

A massive thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the eARC!

Former child actor Jane Jackson is now a creative executive fighting to get her dream script greenlit. To sell the studio on the project, she claims her former co-star and now-famous musician, Jack Quinlan, will write the perfect theme song. With reluctant help from Dan Finnegan, an infuriatingly charming cinematographer, Jane sets off to track Jack down. But as their week together unfolds, Jane finds herself drawn into Dan’s warm, chaotic family and questioning whether her real story isn’t about finding Jack but discovering herself

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan was a charming and heartfelt read with a fun premise centered around a former child star. While it’s definitely a love story, it also doubles as a journey of self-discovery for Jane as she learns to accept and love her true self. The representation of anxiety throughout the book was well done.

The Long Island setting was super cute and summery, and I absolutely loved how Jane was folded into the Finnegan family. Their dynamic was so sweet. Cormack and Jane’s relationship was adorable, and the brothers’ ribbing felt so authentic to real sibling relationships. A small nitpick: naming one of the sons Finn Finnegan and having twins named AiDAN and DAN was a bit odd and distracting?

I really enjoyed the banter between Jane and Dan. Their witty exchanges made their growing connection even more fun to read, and their chemistry felt natural. I also loved how their week together kept shifting focus from finding Jack to simply spending time with each other. However, I do have a pet peeve when characters fall in love in just a week, so that element felt a little rushed to me.

Jane’s emotional journey was compelling, even when it was hard to watch her lash out because of her own pain. It’s relatable to see someone behave that way, but it’s also one of those books where you can’t help but think, "She really should have been in therapy for years." But it was nice to see her learn to be herself and not some character that she thought other people wanted her to be.

This was a sweet and engaging story with plenty of heart, humor, and a dash of self-discovery. An excellent Summer read for fans of contemporary romance!