This is going to be such a good one for summer this year. It's sweet, cute, and wholesome

Jane Jackson, once a childhood actor, is now a Hollywood exec trying to get her movie made. In a desperate move, she claims she can get pop star Jack Quinlan to write a song for her movie, despite not speaking to him for years. She turns to cinematographer Dan for help, leading to a trip back to dans home town, she's forced to face her past and find something genuine

I do think they fell in love pretty quickly, it was more insta-lovey than some of her other books which have been 5 stars for me, which is why I've given this a 4 star!

I love how Annabelle always creates such lovely female friendships too, and this book did not disappoint on this front. I loved Clem so much.

I for sure need to watch the notebook after reading this! ..

Thank you, NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and Aria & Aries, for the chance to read this ARC of It’s A Love Story in exchange for my honest review! It’s A Love Story will be released on 29th May 2025 📖

This story follows Jane Jackson, an ex-child actor who played the cringe / “butt of the joke” character on Pop Rocks (think iCarly or Sonny with a Chance vibes). Trying to leave her past behind, she now works as a creative executive and trying to get a romance script she’s fallen in love with greenlit. In a moment of sheer desperation, Jane oversells her relationship with Jack Quinlan, a now-famous musician she sung with as a teenager, and claims he will pen a song for the soundtrack.

We also meet Dan Finnegan: an arrogant cinematographer (who isn’t one of Jane’s biggest fan). Ironically, he feels the same about this script and is willing to help Jane. Jane and Dan spend a week away together in pursuit of Jack in Long Island, who is headlining a festival that just so happens to coincide with Dan’s parents 40th wedding anniversary.

The book got off to a bit of a slow start for me, I didn't particularly care for Jane or Dan but I pushed through and I’m so happy I did! Once they got to Oak Shore, things really picked up. The rest of the Finnegan family were a beautiful cast of complimentary characters, and I will be dreaming of a love like Cormack & Reenie’s.

TROPES:

- Enemies-to-Lovers

- Summer Romance

- Only One Room

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book and it won’t be my last! A solid, easy to read summer romance!

Annabel Monaghan has quickly become an autobuy author for me so I was extremely excited to receive and early copy of her latest book Its a Love Story. As usual with Annabel Monaghan the writing in this book is beautiful. It is a beautiful and romantic love story that has emotional depth and excellent character development. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jane and Dan. There interactions had me smiling throughout the book. I loved the supporting characters in this one too.
Overall another great romcom with great emotional depth. Definitely one to pick up for an easy and comforting read.

ೃ⁀➷ 5⭐️

Read if you like :

🎥 : perfect writing
🎥 : found family
🎥 : self growth
🎥 : golden retriever boy

damn I knew I’d like it but this crushed all my expectations!
It started slow and for the first 15% I was a little bit bored ngl (intrigued but bored still)
But then they went to NY and you lost me! I am so far gone for Dan it was a bit embarrassing.

this story is indeed a love story but it’s so much more than that. It’s about finding a place where you can be yourself. It’s about being a part of a family when you never really had one. It’s about being yourself without rules or shame.
It resonates so much in me and i know it will resonate in you too. I’m actually crying writing this because that really felt like a love story I’d want if I hadn’t already had my perfect one.

I loved Summer Romance but this one ? it surpassed Annabel Monaghan’s other books. I’m not sorry here she outdone herself.

To be utterly honest here that’s my fav book of january so far and i KNOW it will stay that way. The way Dan READS Jane ???
I HAD BUTTERFLIES THE WHOLE BOOK !!! I never get butterflies !!

I’ll absolutely buy the physical copy when it’s out!!

4.5 stars - Heartfelt, Hilarious, and Oh-So Relatable

It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan stole my heart and left me with a goofy grin. This book was a delightful mix of slow-burn romance, personal growth, and witty banter that had me hooked from page one.

Jane Jackson, former sitcom star and now a determined Creative Executive, is a walking contradiction—trying to outrun her awkward past while faking confidence in a cutthroat industry. Her journey begins with a desperate fib about her “close connection” to mega pop star Jack Quinlan, which leads her straight into the orbit of her so-called nemesis, Dan Finnegan. Spoiler alert: Dan is anything but a nemesis.

The chemistry between Jane and Dan? Off the charts. Their banter is sharp, their connection undeniable, and their week together on Long Island felt like stepping into a cozy rom-com. Dan’s chaotic, loving family only adds to the charm, grounding the story in warm, messy reality.

Monaghan brilliantly balances humor and heart, making Jane’s emotional journey feel authentic and really relatable. I mean who hasn't hidden under the covers, the desk or in a closet when they are anxious or nervous? Watching her shed her polished facade and embrace her true self was as satisfying as the romance itself. And that romance? A masterclass in slow-burn perfection.

While the final conflict felt a tad dramatic, it didn’t detract from the overall joy of the story. This book is a warm hug wrapped in clever dialogue and endearing characters. I want to be a part of Clan Finnegan please and thank you.

If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt, hilarious, and beautifully crafted love story, It’s A Love Story is your next must-read. Preorder it now—you’ll thank me later!

An easy 5 stars from me
Excellent writing
In-depth, nuanced characterisation
Believable, romantic love story
Well written character arcs and emotional development
Brilliant supporting characters
Interesting 'backdrop' of Hollywood that felt wholly authentic

The best romcom I have read in years.

The beauty of this story lies in Jane’s journey of vulnerability and self-discovery. She’s spent years hiding behind humor and faking confidence, but Dan challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Jane and Dan is deliciously tense, filled with witty banter, simmering tension, and moments of surprising tenderness. The contrast between Jane’s personal history with Jack and the tension-filled interactions with Dan make for a fun, heartwarming ride. The small-town Long Island setting adds a cozy backdrop for the drama, and the slow-burn romance is a treat to watch unfold. If you love enemies-to-lovers with a splash of nostalgia and a whole lot of laughs, this one’s a winner.

I was super excited to receive an ARC of 'It's a Love Story, as I have adored Annabel Monaghan's other books. However, this one didn't quite give me the same level of warm fuzziness. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why - but I felt like it was missing some of the usual warmth and humour. It also annoyed me when the main plot of the book started with the main character telling a lie... It's one of my least favourite plot devices, that always leaves me feeling a bit angsty! All that said, I definitely warmed to the characters more as the story progressed, I enjoyed the holiday setting and the chemistry between the main characters. It's not a bad book at all - but after recently reading 'Summer Romance', I couldn't help but compare the two, and "It's a Love Story' definitely came in second best.

Former child actor, Jane, grew up playing the role of the comedic relief, accident prone sidekick. Now a film producer, she's finally found the script that will make her the leading lady in her own life. There's only two problems. One, she's on a mission to convince her old co-star, now famous musician, to write a theme song. And two, to accomplish this she'll have to rely on the one man she can't stand.

This is the second novel I've read by Annabel Monaghan and I loved every minute of it. The premise offers and delivers on a great Rom-Com, whilst also exploring complicated emotions and motivations really well. Both main characters, Jane and Dan, have incredible depth and I connected with both equally (especially impressive for a single POV book).

Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the opportunity to read this ARC

Thank you for my earc of this book! I really enjoyed Monaghan‘s previous books so was excited for this!
It didn’t disappoint. I loved the romance, the plot and the characters, the Finnegans were such a lovely addition, and I enjoyed Jane & her mums complex history.
Would definitely recommend!

Review: It’s a Love Story (arc) - @annabelmonaghan

4.5 ⭐️

This book is the first bite of cherry pie, the first dip in the ocean, the first barefoot sprint on the beach in summer. It’s screaming your favourite song from the car window, it’s the smell of sunscreen, it’s dancing in the rain. It’s falling in love while on holidays, it’s infinite promises and it’s violent, beautiful nostalgia.

Wow. What a story. This was my first Annabel Monaghan book and it definitely won’t be my last. I am wholly, irretrievably obsessed with this story.

This story follows Jane: an ex-child actor who is now working for a studio, trying to get a script that she’s in love with, turned into a movie. The problem is? It’s not “commercial enough.” This is where we meet Dan: the cinematographer (who isn’t Jane’s biggest fan). Together, they go on a trip away in search of tracking down an old “friend” of Jane’s (who is now incredibly famous and having him work for the film will sell it to the studio) in hopes to have him write a song for the film.

Jane and Dan spend a week away together in what i can only describe as their own bubble. We get an insight as to how they work as people and the way they connect, the way they speak the same language - the way that they are completely on the same wavelength and they don’t have to say anything to understand each other.

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet, had me yelling in frustration and gave me a massive vibe of “nothing feels real while you’re on holidays.” Jane and Dan’s love seemed so ….real? It was messy, it was ugly, it was perfect.

This book was centred around the romantic and emotional connection you have with someone. This book focused a lot on Dan’s tumultuous family dynamic and the cosy, yet chaotic comfort that comes from being one of many siblings. The way Jane slipped into the madness so easily was so wholesome to read about.

I don’t know how else to describe this book except an ode to your younger self and a love letter to the small moments in life.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for this arc and May 2025 cannot come fast enough as i can’t wait to have the physical copy to re-read and annotate!

"Love happens over breakfast..."
This was my very first Annabel Monaghan Book, and I can safely say this book has made me want to read everything she has ever written.
This book is not only the perfect Summer/Beach read, but it's also full of heart and depth with a romance so layered that you can't help but fall in love with both of them. I loved the relatable family dynamics and the conversation about "Love happens over breakfast"...perfection!
What to expect:
Enemies to Lovers
Beachside Town
One only room
Summer Romance
Movies Industry

Thank you so much to Hachette and Netgalley for my EARC.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the arc of this book.
FIVE STARS!! this book is so incredibly good - it's tender, heartfelt and so preciously written. Annabel Monaghan absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one. I saw parts of myself reflected in both the main characters and felt immensely happy to see their growth throughout the book. This book is one that will stick with me for a long long time.
Anything Annabel Monaghan writes I will read it, she is a new auto-buy author for me.

Oh this book is bingable! The ending didn’t go the way I expected it to go, it was a bit anticlimactic but that’s not what this book is about. It’s about Jane discovering her true self and dealing with past traumas, from trying to make it big in Hollywood to realising what’s more important in life other than her career.
Jane falls in love with Dan along the way and wow the heartwarming moments they share will have you swooning!

I love Annabels writing! It’s very soothing! It just flows and the next minute I’m finished the book.

This book has a few of our favourite tropes
Found family
Self discovery
Only one bed
Dislike to lovers
It has minimal spice but maximum romance.

Definitely recommend if you love an uplifting cheesy romance

Jane Jackson was a child star on a TV series about a group of kids who have a band (I was thinking the female equivalent of Screech from Saved by The Bell), the kid with goofy braces and a big smile who always gets into trouble/sits on a cream pie - you get the picture. She also had a catchphrase for whenever she did something stupid.

Nowadays, Jane is a Creative Executive at Clearwater Studios and she's found a script that makes her heart sing. Unfortunately, her boss has also shared the script with award-winning film-maker Dan Finnegan, her one-time crush and now arch-enemy. He torpedoed her last script and now he seems to be determined to do the same with this one, contradicting everything she says and insisting that the film is small and quiet. Unfortunately, Jane's boss thinks small and quiet won't sell, they need action and explosions, so unless Jane and Dan can find a way to create a draw for the film its canned. So Jane tells a white lie, well exaggerates massively. She tells them that she is friends with Jack Quinlan, hottest popstar of the moment and she can persuade him to write a song for the film. Jane does know Jack, they sang together once on the hit single released by the TV show, its just that Jack and Jane were singing on behalf of the two 'leads' of the show (going with my Saved by The Bell comparison, they would be Zack and say Kelly) who were attractive but couldn't actually sing. Unfortunately, Jack also humiliated Jane on what turned out to be the worst day of her life and arguably coloured all her beliefs about love and self-worth thereafter.

When Jane asks for Dan's help getting hold of Jack, he lets slip that Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown on Long Island, and Dan's brother is part of the backstage crew. It's also Dan's parents' wedding anniversary and his brothers have planned a week of celebrations so Dan offers to let Jane tag along.

What can I say? I love Annabel Monaghan novels, I loved Dan, I loved Jane and while I thought the conflict at the end was a bit dramatic I could see from where it stemmed. Also, for some reason I thought the romance might be with Jack and so I was prepared to be disappointed - spoiler - I wasn't.

Another banger!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.75-4⭐
I need a dozen of Dans, please! 🤭

The most beautiful aspect of this book is how Annabel Monaghan builds the romantic tension between Jane and Dan. My heart was racing, and their moments together were so sexy! I think this is her best book in that regard. However, I did have some issues with Jane's decisions along the way.

Jane's background as a child actor growing up in front of a camera is solidly developed.

Annabel Monaghan, I need another book now! I'll read anything you write.

- "Everything is different with you, Jane. I feel like I never shut up."

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

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This romantic story follows the life of Jane, a 33 year old film executive living in Los Angeles. She wants to make a great film, but the only way she can try to make this happen, is by working with Dan: a disorganised, brutally honest cinematographer.

I always adore Monaghan's romances. They are sunlight-soaked stories of a gentle but passionate falling in love. The best kind! The locations are adorable, the characters are thoughtfully created. I need to meet all the Finnegans, immediately!

This is such a perfect read for everybody missing the warmth and the romance of the summer, and I'm excited for the world to hear about it!