It's a pull at your heart strings kind of romance book but deals with life after separation and finding love again. But also dealing with death, long distance relationships and life with kids.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5⭐️ Highly recommend! This book warmed my heart so much. I laughed, cried, and felt butterflies (Ethan was a fantastic book boyfriend.) I loved the how the story unfolded for Ethan and Ali, and appreciated the beautifully poignant life lessons that were woven in. The analogy about getting a dog cracked my heart right open. 😭

Spice: 🌶️ Closed door
Swearing: None

This is a really beautiful, engrossing romance that will have you rooting for Ali and Ethan to make it work and for Ali to find her voice again with her ex. I immediately liked Ali as a character, but the introduction of Ethan is a bit bumpy.

I had a really hard time believing that they grew up in such a small town, and he was the brother of her best friend, yet neither of them recognized the other. Depending on how much the person has changed, this might take a few minutes, but there would be at least some recognition or familiarity.

The only way this is believable is if Ethan and Ali only knew each other in elementary school, but Ethan was in love with her in high school and can quote her valedictorian speech, so at least one of them would've recognized the other soon after meeting again.

The whole conflict around this almost made me lose interest in the story, because it just wasn't believable. Once you get past that part, though, it does have more depth and lots of heart, so it's worth pushing through.

I looove Annabel Monaghan’s Summer Romance! Such wonderful writing and storyline. You feel so much for Ali. I love it!!!

I loved this book! Annabel is most definitely an auto buy author for me. It gave be all the feels as I, like the main character, am in my 40s. No edits - just loved! Will be posting tiktok shortly

I absolutely loved this book! I've read and enjoyed all of Annabel Monaghan's books, but this one is my favorite. Ali Morris might be a professional organizer, but she's struggling to contain the messiness of her own life. She's still grieving the loss of her mom, is in the midst of getting divorced and leaving an unfulfilling marriage, and she just feels stuck, wanting to find herself again but not sure where to start. That is, until she meets Ethan, who's in town for the summer visiting his family—and who just might be a life-altering blast from Ali's past. There's no harm in a summer romance...but could what Ali and Ethan have become something even more?

Summer Romance is the perfect summer read! Monaghan effortlessly balances the lighthearted tone of the story and the swoon-worthy romance that develops between Ali and Ethan, with some heavier, more emotional topics, like coping with grief, learning how to discover who you are beyond others' expectations of you, and opening yourself up to love and happiness, even when you risk potential loss or heartbreak in the process. The writing was engaging and witty, the characters were super enjoyable to follow, and I loved all of the different relationships the story explores (my personal favorites were definitely Ali and Ethan's love story and Ali's bond with her kids). I also really enjoyed the small-town setting—it truly felt like Beechwood was a real place, and it was so easy to get drawn into Ali's everyday life. Overall, I'd highly recommend Summer Romance! It's a bittersweet, tender story that will tug at your heartstrings and give you a warm, comforting hug all at once. I already can't wait to reread it soon, and I look forward to seeing what Annabel Monaghan writes next! Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was super cute and fun! Loved the sweet moments and really love the "mom vibe" of the story. Real issues and funny problems really made the book special. This was a really good summer romance book (cute title hehe), but I don't see it leaving a last impression on me. I really loved her second novel. Annabel is definitely a good writer and I've enjoyed all her books!

4 ⭐️. This was my first Annabel Monaghan book and it certainly won't be my last. This book tackles grief (loss of a parent), divorce and the struggles of raising kids entering teenage years... all while finding yourself again. This was a beautiful book, Ali was so relatable since we are nearly the same age and I have two kids (not 3 thank goodness) and even though I am not in the same situation, a lot of her personal struggles and feelings towards her parents and kids are 100% relatable.

It is a closed door romance, so if you go into this expecting spice, I hate to disappoint you but you won't find any here. My only gripe with this book would be that Ethan is a little TOO perfect, this magical unicorn of a man, but I truly did love this story. The banter was adorable and I literally LOLed or gasped a few too many times. I also cried for the last 30 pages of this book, it is so heartwarming and wraps up very tidy (pun on the organization business Ali owns? Maybe).

So when this books comes out in June of 2024 - run if this sounds like your kind of Summer Romance read. Thank you to Netgalley, Annabel Monaghan and Penguin Group Putnum for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

I knew from the first page that I was going to 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 this book. I was right.

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 (PUB 06.04) is a story about life, love, and being the architect of your own experience. Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for early access. I had zero chill and read this as soon as the approval came through.

After losing her mom 2 years ago and separating from her husband a year ago, single mom Ali is ready to shake off the haze. When she is finally shamed into putting on hard pants, (you know, those pesky pant with a zipper) she meets someone who not only catches her eye, but her heart as well.

- Fresh and snappy dialogue that creates a brisk pace.
- The writing has an uplifting, evocative and light feel to it, but never schmaltzy. - The story and characters delve into heavier, real-life topics.
- It just sparkles.
- Leans more towards women's fiction with a closed door romance.
- I loved seeing older characters (38) with kids.
- Ethan is the perfect match for Ali and I loved everything about him. So easy to root for.

This is tied for my favorite Annabel Monaghan book alongside 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘎𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘖𝘧𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵. I just want to reread it all over again. I just might.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Summer Romance! I love Annabel Monaghan's female characters, and Summer Romance was no different. Ali is messy and real and her problems are so relatable. Her transformation is realistic and inspiring. And Ethan is perfection. I loved the friendships in this book as well. As with all of Monaghan's books, I devoured this one in a day!

I was so excited to get an ARC of this book as I’ve loved all of Annabel Monaghans books. This one may have been my favorite of all, and that’s saying a lot because I LOVED Nora Goes Off Script. She has a way of writing that pulls you in from the start. You feel like you know these characters. Ali’s transformation through the book was so great. I was rooting for her to get her life back and be happy again. The town, the characters, the connections, the history, the growth….everything in this book was perfect. Don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll just say this is a must read! You’ll find yourself smiling, tearing up and smiling again.

[3.5 stars] A heartwarming story of a divorced single parent going through grief and finding love again in a somewhat second-chance romance. The story starts off slow and it took me a while to connect with the characters, and I couldn't relate that much to Ali as a person since her life is so different from my own, but the romance is so sweet and it's impossible to not root for her and Ethan's HEA. I appreciated all the thought and care that went into writing every character, even the side characters, making no one seem like an afterthought.

I recently read and enjoyed 'Same Time Next Summer' - if you loved it too, definitely give this one a chance!

I loved this book so much!! Everyone seems to think Norah off Script is her best, but I think this one is by far my favorite. So sweet and good romance. Can’t wait for her next.

I loved Nora Goes Off Script, liked Same Time Next Summer, and with Summer Romance, I'm back to love. This was an excellent rom-com. Maybe divorced moms with kids is Annabel Monaghan's sweet spot?

In this one, Ali — a mother and accountant-turned-home organizer is struggling to find herself after the death of her old mom two years before and her husband's announcement that he wants a divorce. The divorce is welcome, but Ali is stuck...until she meets Ethan, a handsome slightly younger man who seems oddly familiar and who actually listens to her and encourages her, something her soon-to-be-ex-husband couldn't be arsed to do.

The two embark on a summer romance. No strings (at least that's Ali's plan) — just dates, organizing the home he inherited from his parents, and lots of makeout sessions. But, pfft, we all know that's not how it's going to play out, and as it does, there is so much great banter. The soon-to-be-ex-husband gets some comeuppance, Ali starts to figure out who she is, and Ethan proves to be just the best.

Actually, my only criticism is that Ethan was too perfect. He has no discernable flaws. They don't really ever even argue. But hey, it's a rom-com!

I loved Nora Goes Off Script, and Summer Romance did not disappoint! The main character, Ali, is multi-dimensional and complex; she's a woman who has spent years disappearing in her marriage. It's not until she goes through a divorce and meets a man from her past (who she doesn't remember because it's been so long!) that she finds herself again. Her chemistry and relationship with Ethan ere both wonderful; I loved seeing a positive male role model coming into her single mom family. I feel like there are not enough characters like Ethan out there. The town of Beechwood was a beautiful backdrop to the whole story. I love that this story touches on the challenges facing moms going through divorce as well as that feeling of revitalization when you meet a person who sees you for all of the wonderful things you are (and that your ex didn't see). Having been through the same situation myself, this book reminded me of how wonderful a divorce can be when you're married to the wrong person. 5 stars; I would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!

FIVE.FREAKING.STARS. Annabel Monaghan is quickly becoming my favorite author. Her stories are heart warming and just feel like life in a nutshell. Her characters are always a little bit older (Ali is divorced with 3 children) and the maturity of the characters and their stories is so refreshing. I loved every minute of this book and may have even shed a tear or two.

Thank you NetGalley and Annabel Monaghan for the ARC of Summer Romance.

I read a lot of books because reading relaxes me and brings me joy. Every once in a while I'm lucky enough to find a book that makes me smile when I'm reading. I want to race through it, but want to savor it at the same time. I don't want it to end. All of that to say, I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I've read and enjoyed all 3 of Ms Monaghan's adult novels, and this one is my favorite (that is high praise, as I adored Nora Goes Off Script). This is going to be your favorite book of the summer!

I loved the imperfect main character, Ali, and her realistically messy life (despite being a professional organizer). I was fully invested in her journey of healing, from the death of her beloved mother and a divorce, and self love. Her love interest is simply adorable. This book was sweet, and charming, and funny. 5 very enthusiastic stars!

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Summer Romance will be out June 4, 2024 but you can preorder it now!

What an absolute delight. I love every Annabel Monaghan book I've read, and always want to be BFFs with the protagonists. Ali, who is in the midst of divorce from an absolute doorknob of a man, is really in a rut. She's lost her mom, and she's lost the idea of family she thought she had. A chance dog park encounter sends her on a first date she enjoys, but when she discovers she went out with her best friend's goofy younger brother, she is thrown for a loop. Fortunately, he's a lawyer who can help her argue terms of divorce and she's a professional organizer who can help her clean out his parent's house, so they continue to spend time together. Feelings grow as Ali navigates single parenthood and her first romantic relationship built on respect. The writing is so casual and fun but there's so many deep messages buried within the text. It was such an easy read but left me thinking.

I cried in an airport finishing this book.

TW: Parental loss, divorce

Summer Romance was a beautifully written heart wrenching tale of life, love and loss. It had the comfort and support of your mothers hug. This book was similar to her previous books in terms of a second chance romance and coming home themes but also incorporated much heavier topics. Monaghan seamlessly integrated grief and the afflictions of motherhood, once again reminding us that there is no joy without pain or vice versa. Seeing Ali find herself again and pick up the pieces of her life to find peace and happiness was so satisfying. I really related to her raw sentiments in regards to motherhood and finding that balance in yourself and relationships with others. Ali and Ethan were such a great pair and the epitome of a partnership. They truly brought out the best in each other. I wish there was an epilogue so we could see a glimpse into their future but other than that, I loved this book and think it was incredibly well written.

"Life's going to do what life's going to do, Alice. You might as well have a dog."

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and author for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This will be the perfect book to kick off your summer reading! Coming June 4, Summer Romance is now my favorite Annabel Monaghan book!
Grieving the loss of her mother and her impending divorce, Ali Morris has been living in a haze. A professional organizer who has lost complete control of her own home and is barely caring for herself and three children. On the day she knows she needs to start pulling herself together, her dog embarrassingly forces an introduction to a man at the dog park. Ethan is visiting family and a summer romance might just be the thing Ali needs.
Ethan is a dream of a MMC and although Ali’s life might be a mess, she’s an awesome mother and devoted daughter. Over the course of the book, she must navigate her relationship with her children, her soon to be ex-husband and squeeze in some time for herself and Ethan. She navigates life as a single mother, and with some encouragement finds her voice again. And through Ethan’s eyes she can remember the woman she once was and really still is.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my gifted arc.