‘It’s A Love Story’ by Annabel Monaghan is a gorgeous and summery enemies-to-lovers romance that delivers a lot wonderfully relatable heroine and an abundance of laughs. We meet media executive Jane who is determined to get funding for a movie project close to her heart. She soon realises that the only route to a green light is a white lie… one which leads to her bunking up with workplace rival Dan and his family in his Long Island childhood home to stalk a dismissive popstar she once knew!

This was such a sweet read, and the chemistry between Jane and Dan was believable - I was really rooting for them and enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Jane’s own journey to self-acceptance and embracing the past was captivating, and Dan’s family were fabulous.

Overall, this big-hearted beach read gets four stars from me, and belongs in your suitcase (or on your kindle ready for your summer reading)!

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Aria & Aries via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The story follows Jane Jackson, a former child star trying to rebuild her life and career as a Hollywood studio executive. Desperate to get her first project greenlit and riled up by pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan, she claimed that she could get mega popstar Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie. Jack may have been her first kiss—and greatest source of shame—but she hasn’t spoken to him in twenty years. Now Jane must turn to the last man she’d ever want to owe: Dan Finnegan. Because Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan as she faces down her past is Jane's idea of hell, but he just might surprise her.

This is my first Annabel monaghan book but will definitely be adding her others to my TBR. I loved this book sm. The writing was beautiful and i was hooked from the start.

What I loved most was how real Jane felt. She’s funny, flawed, anxious, and trying so hard to move on from her past. Her dynamic with Dan is full of banter and tension, but it builds into something really sweet and genuine. And even though it’s technically a romance, the story also dives into bigger themes like growing up in the spotlight, and learning to own who you are.

I loved 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.

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.

I’ve really enjoyed Monaghan’s other books, and this is my new favourite. The blend of east and west coast, the hustle of the film world vs the warm and beachy family vibes made for a cosy and entertaining read.

Jane and Dan were interesting and human, and their chemistry felt easy and natural, without being cookie cutter. I absolutely adored Dan’s family, and how he found his identify both with and away from them.

The writing style was engaging and warm, and perfectly paced. I felt like I was watching a movie, and could have happily sat with Dan and Jane’s story a little longer. I’d highly recommend to anyone who has enjoyed Monaghan’s other books, or who are looking for a summery and comforting romance.

Thank you Aria & Aries for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

A gorgeous sunshiney romance from Annabel Monaghan. Set in Hollywood, ex child star Jane Jackson is now a film maker and she's goes on a wild good chase with her work nemesis Dan Finnegan to try and get the green light on a film script they both want to make.

Jane is delightful, funny and clever, but hiding a crippling anxiety that makes her literally hide in her closet.

Dan is also complicated, with issues around his life choices, and essentially his character. He's low-key estranged from his large family and working hard to make it in Hollywood. When these two spend a week together with his family they are able to be open together and it's swoony and so romantic. Not insta-love as it's been bubbling for a while and their vulnerability is healing for them both.

This would have been a five star read for me except that Jane's core issues around her unloveability didn't resonate when she had the means to access therapy and other assistance.

If you love Sarah Adams' books this will be a perfect read!

Thank you Annabel Monaghan, and Aria Books for the ARC. This review is entirely my own opinion.

This was my first book by this author and I picked this up not knowing much about the storyline.
It was an enjoyable, easy, beach read with a really lovely romance in the middle.
I loved the MMC and the whole section at his family home. Really great summer setting and a cast of delightful characters. The romance was nice, if a little quick!
However I really didn’t get on with the FMC. I found her quite immature in her actions, which sadly made the book feel gimmicky at times. I also thought she was really quite bitter about a lot of people in her life which put a bit of a downer on the story.
Overall a nice read and I’d be interested in the authors other books.

"I'd like to be the person who could take all of your sad things and make them happy."

Jane Jackson is a Creative Executive at Clearwater Studios and she’s faking it till she makes it. Desperate to get her first project greenlit and riled up by pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan, she opened her mouth and a big fat fib fell out. She claimed that Jack Quinlan, hottest popstar of the moment, has promised to write an original song for the soundtrack. But she hasn’t spoken to him in twenty years. Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown on Long Island, and Dan has an in.

I didn't know what to expect with this having forgotten the synopsis. Dan was so much more and I loved uncovering his layers especially as they wandered around his hometown. I loved the giddiness that came with their new relationship; stolen glances, hand holds, affirming words, it was all beautiful.

Dan's family was wild. The banter was amazing and their acceptance of each other even with mistakes was beautiful. I loved Jane's support system as she faced past hurts in order to move forward. This was beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5⭐
Steam level: 2.5🌶️ Fade to black scenes

Annabel Monoghan has fully cemented herself as one of my all-time favourite authors. I adored her previous books, and this one was no different. Annabel just has this beautiful way of writing characters you can't help but love.

I loved everything about this book, and while I was scared about the whole lying situation (it tends to gives me second hand anxiety), this was done really well and actually found it brought a lot to the story and character development. I really enjoyed the premise of this one and really loved the discussion about child actors and how success is measured against other child stars. Jane was such an amazing character who had spent her whole childhood being told what to do and who to be. I really liked seeing her come into her own and find out who she truly was.

I absolutely adored Dan and his family, who were just amazing side characters and hilarious. I loved getting to know more about Dan and how behind everything he's quiet and unsure of himself. I loved the romance between him and Jane, especially when I found out how the two went from crushes to enemies.

While this is a rom-com, I love that Annabel deals with some tougher topics such as loneliness and struggling to fit in. I found myself with tears in my eyes at certain points as some of it just really hits you deep, which is something I love about Annabel's writing and books.

I can't recommend this and Annabel's books enough. I can't wait for whatever she writes next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Annabel Monaghan and I was very excited when I received the ARC.
Jane Jackson is 33 and a Creative Executive at Clearwater Studios. We meet the anxious and nervous Jane pitching a manuscript to the studio she believes would make a great movie. Her boss and the committee don’t agree and prefer to pass on it but won’t let it go because her job is on the line and says she can get the most popular rock star to write a song for the movie…..

We find out that when she was younger, Jane was a childhood actress in a popular sitcoms and said rock star was in the sitcom with her. However they haven’t spoken in over 20 years, so how is she going to deliver……

Enter her nemesis Dan Finnegan the cinematographer who has disagreed with every pitch she has presented, including this latest script. Together can they pull this off and get he song and the movie approved?

I wasn’t sold on Jane in the first few chapters, I thought she was self absorbed, neurotic, had first world problems and trying to keep up with the Jones at all costs. As Jane’s character was revealed, we see that she is the product of being that child star. She uses her acting skills to hide her lack of confidence in herself and anxiety. She has strange coping mechanisms when she is on her own. But we also find out Jane is witty and funny and a talented musician and singer which she tries to hide from everyone.

The banter between her and Dan was well written. I loved Dan and how he called her out on her BS. I love that he knew how desperate she was to get this project approved and came to her aid.
Meeting his family is just what she needed. It have her perspective and also made her see Dan in a new light.

I enjoyed the writing style and the storyline even though I found it a bit slow at times.

Thank you NetGalley,Aria and Annabel Monaghan for the advance copy of this book!

Jane and Dan don't get on. As the book progresses you find out why, but will he be able to change her mind about him? A great read, and I loved the setting around his family home.

‘A stormy romance - the best kind’

After recently reading ‘Nora Goes Off Script’, I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of Annabel Monaghan’s upcoming novel, which is out on the 27th of May.

Jane was a childhood actress who played the comedic sidekick in a highly successful children’s show. Now in her 30s, she’s a Creative Executive trying to turn her favourite script into a movie. To make it happen, she just needs to persuade superstar Jack Quinlan (whom she duetted with on the show when they were children) to write and sing a song for the movie. In her desperation to make it happen, she enlists the help of cinematographer Dan Finnegan, whom she detests - but needs must!!

And so, unfolds a summer that will change her life forever!

Annabel, you’ve absolutely smashed it again! This heartwarming page-turner was such a delight. I particularly enjoyed the chapters involving Dan’s family - loved, loved, loved Dan’s family so much! And the way you described everything made it so real.

Now must backtrack and read your other two novels. Thanks again to @paigetoonauthor for recommending Annabel’s books - now definitely on my auto-buy list!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Aria & Aries @headofzeus for my advanced digital copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#itsalovestory #annabelmonaghan #netgalley #arcreview #bookreview #stormyromance #romancebooks

Jane Jackson has spent her adolescence known as "Poor Janey Jakes," the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punchline on America's fifth-favourite sitcom. Now she’s a creative executive at Clearwater Studios, and she is determined to get a project through to production. However, the person that is standing in her way is her least favourite person, pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan. To succeed, she tells a huge lie and that is that Jack Quinlan, hottest popstar of the moment, has promised to write an original song for the soundtrack. However, she hasn’t spoken to Jack in twenty years, back when he gave her ‘first kiss’ and then shattered her confidence and belief in love. Jane must tag along with Dan to his hometown on Long Island, as Jack is meant to be playing there at a festival. For one week, as Jane gets closer to Dan, she finds herself petrified by facing her past when she meets Jack again.
I have read all of Annabel Monaghan’s books, and this one was truly beautiful. She just continues to make each book so unique, truthful, and realistic. I loved both characters, Jane and Dan. Jane gives the perception that she has her life in control, but as she spends time with Dan, she finds herself opening up to him and just being herself. Her fears are so understandable, as is her inability to share this with Dan, who is such a beautiful soul. Likewise, Dan initially appears to be arrogant from Jane’s initial experience, but as she spends time with him, his goodness wins her over. This was such a beautiful romance that I found myself racing to the end to see how it would turn out, yet wishing the story could go on forever. 5+ stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I first met Annabel Monaghan on Twitter (now X) a few years ago when she was excitedly promoting her book, Nora Goes Off Script. (I should add, we’ve not really met, but I feel like I know her – thanks social media!). I’ve since read and loved all her books, and so I was incredibly excited to be sent an advance copy of It’s a Love Story a few months before it was published.

Spoiler Alert: I loved it.

Great characters, fabulous setting (Hollywood and the movies – what’s not to love!), a fun romance.

If you’re looking for your next read that will take you away from the boring parts of your life for a few hours, this is it.

5 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Aria & Aries for sending me an advance copy.

When Jane claims she knows Jack Quinlan, the current hotshot in music, she tells her workplace she can get in touch with him to do a song for their production. What Jane fails to tell everyone is that she hasn't spoken to Jack in twenty years. Who knows if he'll even remember her! On a mission to track him down, Jane along with her work colleague and nemesis Dan decide to head to Dan's hometown where Jack will be playing at a music festival. Will they find him? Will he agree?

I'm not saying too much more about the storyline because I don't want to give too much away but I always know I'm in for a treat when Annabel Monaghan comes out with a new book and this one did not disappoint. With witty banter, a lot of laughs, fun family moments and the one bed trope (one of my faves!), this book will be a perfect addition to your summer reading list.

👩🏽‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏽💘🎥🎞️🎬

After loving Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan, I was really looking forward to this one, but unfortunately, it didn’t give me the same kind of feels. I’m not sure if it was the timing or the story itself, so I might revisit it someday to see if my feelings change.

I found it a little hard to get into at first, and I struggled to connect with Jane as the main character. Around the middle, it felt like the plot lost a bit of its focus, which made it harder to stay fully engaged.

That said, there were moments I truly enjoyed. I loved the way Jane and Dan’s first meeting was told—it was tender, funny and memorable. The Finnegan family brought a lot of warmth and charm to the story, and there were some beautiful quotes and genuinely relatable moments scattered throughout. While I didn’t fully fall for the romance, Dan and Jane definitely had their sweet moments.

Definitely loved this closed door romance. The writing kept me intrigued and made the story seem like it went by to fast. From the beginning to the end the romance was there. The tension was great the MMC was a gem. The FMC had some issues to work through but she got through it.

I’m always so thrilled when Annabel Monaghan has a new book out. She is far and away my favourite romance writer. Her books are charming and funny with lovely characters that you are gunning for from the first page.
Jane and Dan are another fabulous will they/won’t they pair. As they go from hate to love in Long Island there is so much to enjoy in the scenery and cast of supporting characters. As is always the case with romance the storyline is a little formulaic but that only adds to the enjoyment!
If you haven’t read Annabel Monaghan’s books, Recife that immediately - and I’m sure you will have read all of them by the end of summer….

This book was like a nice summer vacation for my brain! I actually felt like I was on the beach!
I loved the character growth and development in this book, the writing was amazing and I could really empathise with the characters!
The feelings, the humour, the slowww burn!
And the side characters as well! Dans family was so good!
I will note a couple of times Jane annoyed me but I can let it slide haha I really enjoyed this!
Thanks again NetGalley for the eARC!

This was such a cute, fun, summery read! It was so cool to get an insight into Jane's life in Hollywood too, in an era where child stars struggle or are dismissed with they turn eighteen. Such a lovely book!

This book felt like a warm hug! It tugged at my heartstrings, made me laugh and kick my feet at every single scene.

I loved Dan and Jane so so much, seeing them love each other felt like a reward. I think Annabel Monaghan is absolutely brilliant at writing very simple stuff and emotions beautifully and that is exactly what she did with Jane and Dan's relationship, their individual stuggles and dynamics, as well as the love they felt for each other. I also adored how Jane's relationship with her mum was portratyed and how realistic it felt to keep something to yourself just because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Their little family was a beautiful contrast to Dan's family and how they communicated and it just showed that family, relationships and love come in all shapes and sizes.

There were some lines that I want to tattoo on my brain and never forget.

After reading the last 3 of Annabel Monaghan's adult romances last year and loving them all, my expectations were pretty high for this one.
I wonder if maybe that was a problem because this one fell a little short.
It's not a bad book and I didn't dislike it. It was just very average. I still enjoy her writing and she has a talent to transport me to a summer beach like no-one else.
Having said that, a huge part of why I didn't love this book was because I didn't love Jane at all. She was highly immature and acted more like a teenager than a functional, employed, fairly successful adult.
I didn't buy into how quickly things went from we-don't-like-each-other to I'm-head-over-heels-in-love-with-you. Also, taking someone you don't really like to spend a week at your family's home, on the opposite side of the country, when a big celebration is going to take place? Implausible at best.
The whole Jack Quinlan subplot also ended up going nowhere and it was flimsy to begin with anyway.
I did enjoy the Long Island portion of the book and the Finnegans were great! I loved spending time with them.
Even if "It's a Love Story" didn't really work for me, I would still read anything Annabel Monaghan writes in the future.

Many thanks to the publisher for approving me to read this eARC.