This novel is a story of loss, love, and second chances. It was a wonderful book full of great descriptions, fun characters, and a heartfelt storyline. I greatly enjoyed it.

I'm not sure I can even explain how much I loved this. This was SO good.

Earlier this year I received an ARC of Same Time Next Summer and I really enjoyed the author's writing. So, when I saw she had a new book coming I had to request it too!

This book was the greatest combination of heartbreaking and heartwarming. Her writing has SO much feeling and this story felt beautifully real. Ali is a recently single mom who is grieving the loss of her mother. She is working on finding herself again and the MMC Ethan plays a huge part in this.

Ethan was incredible and I think any reader will appreciate everything about his character. He's supportive, considerate, welcoming, and literally perfect with her.

The small-town energy was so sweet and the imagery was so descriptive. I seriously couldn't put this book down.

I absolutely adored this book!! The characters were SO beautifully raw and real and relatable. There isn’t that much of a plot compared to Nora Goes off Script, for example, but I was just here for Ali and Ethan and the whole wonderful cast of characters. I will read anything Annabel Monaghan writes. I could not put this down and my only complaint is that I miss the town/ characters already.
Read if you’re a fan of the best friend’s kid brother glow up trope (i may have made that up, but it’s definitely a thing), characters who love and respect each other , and a slow burn / closed doors romance.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Anabelle Monaghan has quickly become a must read author for me. Her latest book, "Summer Romance" was a warm hug within the pages and I took my time reading and digesting the story.

Our FMC, Ali, is super relatable to me as a 38 year old mother. I felt her emotions and understood where she was coming from (in my notes app, I wrote "I think Ali is me!!! Is Ali me??? several times). Ethan is the perfect book boyfriend and along with Ali, I felt all the butterflies when they were together. He supports and encourages Ali as she navigates a major life curveball and you really get the sense that he would be a true partner. Ali's 3 children are fully rounded out characters and each one has a distinct personality, something that not every author is able to convey well.

I felt the whole gamut of emotions while reading: I laughed, I cried, and I smiled silly. If you love feeling all the feels and enjoy character growth, pick up "Summer Romance." I also recommend checking out "Annabel Monaghan's other books as well. A big THANK YOU! to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Heartache, loss and strength for changes that life unfolds.

An unexpected run in with an old acquaintance that turns her summer into a romance at just the moment Ali needs it most, even if she doesn’t know it at the time.

Annabel Monaghan delivers this hometown heartfelt story that you will not want to put down.

The lows and the highs will keep you reading as the puzzle pieces of life start dropping into place.

In the absence of the summer sun, this book manages to wrap readers in a comforting warmth, providing solace and escape from the rigors of reality. The protagonist's journey, marked by the challenges of divorce and the responsibilities of motherhood, unfolds with a poignant authenticity. The narrative delves into the intricacies of her emotions, portraying a woman who evolves into a symbol of resilience and strength. Alongside her, the introduction of a captivating male character adds a layer of intrigue and fantasy to the story, embodying the dreamlike figure one might yearn for but never quite anticipate.

The oscillation between highs and lows mirrors the rhythm of life itself, and as the characters grapple with their own uncertainties, the readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. The book's ability to seamlessly integrate these personal struggles into the broader canvas of life's journey creates a compelling narrative that resonates with a universal audience. The vivid portrayal of everyday challenges provides a relatable backdrop, making the characters' triumphs all the more poignant.

With each turn of the page, the story not only captivates but also instills a sense of hope and introspection. The exploration of loss and rediscovery, set against the canvas of familial bonds and romantic aspirations, makes for a multi-faceted narrative that keeps the reader engaged. In the end, it's not just a tale of love and loss; it's a testament to the transformative power of life's unpredictable twists and turns.

Annabel Monaghan has quickly become a favorite author of mine since Nora Goes Off Script. The breath of freah air that is her books is that she creates mature female MC's. Ali has 3 kids who play an integral and loveable part without overpowered the storyline.

Ethan could not be a more lovable MMC. At about the 1/2 way point when Ali gets to witness first-hand what he does in his spare time - melted my heart. Their chemistry was unmatched and so sweet.

Read If You Like:

Adore Sweet Eldery Neighbors
Haven't Worn "Hard Pants" In A While
Are A Single Mama
Want A Champagne Summer
Talk To Your Dead Relatives
Like Men With Nicknames
Like The Best Friends Brother Trope

Summer Romance
by Annabel Monaghan
Pub Date: June 24, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The heart-tugging and hilarious story of a professional organizer whose life is a mess, and the summer she gets unstuck with the help of someone unexpected from her past, by the bestselling author of Same Time Next Summer and Nora Goes Off Script.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I loved it as much as the first. I highly recommend this fun read!
5 stars

I loved Annabel Monaghan’s first two books and couldn’t wait to read this one! Thank you Putnam Group and NetGalley!
Summer Romance is fantastic because the characters are all wonderfully done. Their vulnerabilities make them lovable and relatable. It’s just a raw and beautiful story. The FMC’s “journey”/realization/self discovery was so vulnerable and although I’m not married, divorced, or have kids, I felt moved by the story.
There is not much of a plot but I was never bored because the love story was so romantic. I didn’t even mind the closed door sex scenes because I enjoyed the story so much. Ethan is my favorite MMC of Monaghan’s so far.
I couldn’t get enough of the MCs’ love story and I didn’t want it to end!
Definitely 5 stars!

This was the second book that I read from this author and it was just as fantastic as the first one. I cannot wait to read what comes next from this author.

This was so cute! I had to just keep reading to see what happened. Another Annabel winner! I’m glad that Ali found herself again and was able to speak up to Pete!

If you’re looking for a sweet romance, with barely any spice, to read this summer then this book is for you!

Pros- I could relate to the main character and Ethan was truly one of the sweetest “book boyfriends”. This story was sweet, relatable, funny and had the perfect ending!

Cons- Took me awhile to finish because it wasn’t gripping me. I like a little more action, twists or spice in my books, but that’s juts a personal opinion!

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.

Guys, I loved this book. It had me feeling all the feels. Late-thirties main characters. Loss of a parent. Parenting/Co-parenting. Real life struggles. Finding Oneself. Complex feelings. Chemistry. I’m here for it all. I loved Ali, her kids, and Ethan. They were well developed and I was rooting for them the whole time. I didn’t want to put this book down.

Whether or not you can relate to the book’s themes, I’d hands down recommend it.

Summer Romance, Annabel Monaghan
This is a super cute romance about Ali, a recently single mother who's down on her luck. After losing her mother, a divorce, and 3 kids she wonders if she'll ever feel like herself and find happiness again. Just as Summer is beginning, she meets Ethan...her best friend's brother. Instant attraction and a promise to only have a "summer romance". Of course, this is a romance novel and we know that's certainly never going to happen. It was so cute to watch their love story develop and grow throughout the book. December is probably not the right time to read this book, when you get an Advanced Readers Copy, you jump on it! I enjoyed this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan is a perfect blend of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud humor that left me wanting to move to a small summer town.

I was a bit skeptical as a twenty-something reader, thinking I might not connect with Ali Morris, a 40-something divorcee with kids, yet I was hooked from the start!

The characters are not just adorable; they're witty and quirky, adding layers of charm to the narrative. Ali's stumble into a summer romance with Ethan was utterly endearing and their chemistry was electric. The author does an excellent job portraying the struggles of divorce, family dynamics, and parenting, making the story feel authentic and relatable.

The narrative isn't just about romance; it's a journey of rediscovery after life becomes stagnant. It's a sweet and uplifting story that goes beyond the typical summer romance tropes.

The writing flows effortlessly, making it a breeze to get through in a day.

A couple of quirks I noticed—the "carbonated" analogy for Ali's bubbly feelings was cute at first but loses its impact through overuse. Also, Ali's frequent conversations with her deceased mom were charming, but they occasionally felt a bit too frequent and slightly confusing.

"Summer Romance" is a fun, easy read that's perfect for a beach day or lounging by the pool. Whether you're in your 20s or 40s, you'll find yourself grinning and rooting for Ali's journey. Add this one to your summer 2024 TBR!

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Books Putnam Group for the ARC!

Oh my goodness I ADORED Nora goes off script and somehow I think this was EVEN BETTER. As a wife and mom, the themes just hit home. Loved!

What a cute story! This book was exactly what I needed to ready lately and I am so glad I was provided a copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This is not just a story of a summer romance but also of a woman that was lost and was able to find herself again. Ali is a mother that lost herself over the years due to becoming a full time mom and then losing her own mother. She is able to find herself again and reconnect with her children by inadvertently falling in love with her best friend's younger brother.

There is just so much emotion in this book! you love all the characters, they are skillfully written and very relatable. You feel for the oldest daughter as she navigates her way through middle school drama; the middle child is just who she is and I love it; and the youngest is just happy to be around his mom.
Then you have the romance part of the book, where Ethan is able to help Ali find herself again.

This is a must read and I will be looking for more books from this author.

Funny, sweet and as much charm as Nora Goes Off Script, which I adored. If you like witty banter and characters you root for, read this book! This may become of my future comfort reads, which is a high bar to reach.

4.5 stars rounded up. Annabel Monaghan has become something of an auto-buy author for me. When I saw that her upcoming release, Summer Romance, was available on netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it early. And although this book doesn't come out for 6+ months, I couldn't wait. Summer Romance is told entirely from Ali Morris's POV. And her life is a bit of a hot mess, which is kind of ironic given that she's a professional organizer. She's recently divorced, still dealing with the death of her mother, and is falling in love with her best friend's younger brother, who is only in town for the summer. Is a summer romance worth it, even when you know there's no possible ending, but an ending? Something about Monaghan's writing just resonates with me. Summer Romance felt a little bit more emotional, and maybe a little bit slower, than her other books, but it was no less powerful or poignant. Her books seem to feature older women (aka women not in their twenties), and a big theme with her books is that life can happen at any age. And I just love that. But because of that, I feel like they're more on the women's fiction spectrum of romance, rather than rom com. That's not a bad thing at all, but just something that new readers of this author should be aware of, especially given the fun illustrated cover. Scooter was totally a golden retriever type of book boyfriend, and he was truly adorable. But also reliable and supportive and just absolutely everything Ali needed.

I absolutely recommend Summer Romance, and truly think it would be a perfect summer read. Thank you so much to Monaghan, Putnam, and netgalley for early read in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. I absolutely loved the characters in this book. I especially loved Ali’s character growth. The kids were realistic and the ex wasn’t an over-the-top monster (he still sucked). I loved how she showed and talked about grief.

A warm, quick read!