Having read all of Annabel Monaghan's book and loving them all, I think SUMMER ROMANCE may be my absolute favorite of hers! I love and admire how the author can take the themes of feeling light-hearted, easy and fun and still incorporate such emotional depth and realness to the story and characters. The whole time I read this, I also felt alive and giddy when reading it and what a joy it was!

A professional organizer Ali can help put others' lives in order, but when it comes to her own "mess," she struggles. After a divorce, Ali finds ways to feel bubbly and light by dressing better and having a summer romance that includes skateboarding and making out with her friend's little brother Scooter who had a mullet back in the day. It was inspiring to see Ali find her confidence again, speaking up for herself, and setting boundaries to make sure her plans are made because they work for you and not for her ex-husband.

I loved how Ali talks out loud to her mother who's passed... a beautiful way to even learn and understand more about Ali and her relationship with her mother. It added such a beautiful layer. Another thing this author is brilliant at in her work, is the pacing of the story unfolding and the realness and believability of the characters and storyline. I"m never reminded that I'm reading fiction book when reading her work is something I truly respect.

I appreciated the reminders that the risk of love is worth it (just like when you get a dog), to notice what lights you up and makes you feel good, and that it's okay to not know how something will work out but focusing on feeling good for when you do know what it is that you want. I loved the idea that when looking at our past decisions, it was our future self that was setting us up for how we are feeling right now.

Oh how I love and adore Ali and Ethan (Scooter) and their relationship... my heart is so incredibly happy to have witnessed their love!!! I love their teasing, humor, connection, and intensity. I loved how Ethan has been in love with Ali this whole time ever since they were in high-school which tastefully added to the tension between the two. I loved Ethan's ridiculous lawyer attire, and most of all, loved how moved and impacted Ethan was by Ali's high school graduation speech all those years ago and would recite phrases that reflect how he lives his life even today. I'm about to faint I'm swooning so hard!!!

So much gratitude to Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my goodness, this book was so entertaining right from the beginning! I loved the characters minus the ex-husband, ha! Such a delight to read this book and to stay up late to finish it. When an author can do that with a story I know it deserves five stars. I see this book becoming a big hit in 2024! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"Summer Romance" is my current favorite from Annabel Monaghan! A must read!
We follow Ali's journey from disarray to unexpected life bliss. She is coping with the loss of her best friend, her Mother, while going through a divorce, all while raising 3 kids (1 being a full on teenager!) The witty narrative weaves a tale of rediscovery, featuring lovable dogs, beautiful scenery and a man who sees beyond the mess. With its perfect blend of laughter and poignant moments, this book captures the essence of a summer romance—fun, hot and surprisingly healing. Ali's quirks make her endearing, and Ethan's smile is the sunshine readers crave. A heartwarming, five-star read that leaves you believing in second chances.

A blend of best friend’s brother/single mom romance and women’s lit about a daughter mourning her mother. I adored the author’s “Same Time Next Summer,” but this is more “Nora Goes Off Script.” I love her writing, and if the themes sound interesting to you, you should definitely check it out.

Summer Romance is lovely. Annabel Monaghan has become one of my favorite authors for writing books I can relate to in this season of my life. Her characters are a bit older than a lot of the early 20’s heroines features in a lot of rom-com books and with that I feel I can find some wisdom from them about love, parenting, self-worth and feeling comfortable in your skin in your 30’s.

In this book Ali is great at organizing other people’s messes, but has a hard time dealing with her own messy life. Her champagne summer gives her more than just a romance - she gets her sense of self back too. This book is packed with perspective on setting examples, being there for others, and the love a mother has for her children.

I loved this book and Annabel’s writing. Her stories are so immersive. This is my favorite of her books so far.

A smart romance that has depth and characters that you fall in love with! There were so many quotes and lessons in this book that I will remember forever.

Ali Morris is a soon to be divorced mother of three, who is grieving the loss of her mother, but balancing work, kids, and taking care of everyone around her. While taking her dog to the dog park, her dog walks over to a hot guy and pees on his shoe. This funny twist of events throws Ali into a Summer Romance that is charming, sweet and also proves that there are relationships that may be for a short time, but still worth the memories.

I enjoyed Annabel Monaghan's writing in her book, Nora Goes Off Script, so much that when I saw her latest book, I immediately requested it from the publisher. So thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. #NetGalley #SummerRomance @PutnamBooks

First of all, I'm a big fan of Annabel Monaghan, but this didn't grab me. Ali is a complicated character, dealing with some heavy issues. The whole grieving phase is well-crafted, and the way the protagonist tries to overcome this sadness shows just how strong she is.

I snagged the ARC (thanks to the publisher for that) because I thought it would be more fun. Towards the end of the first part and in the middle, there are some funny scenes with Ethan, but the humor felt a bit forced at times. It seemed like the author wanted to write a heavier, overcoming kind of book, and it has more drama, with the comedy feeling a bit out of sync with the scenes.

Perfect for those looking to move beyond the shallowness of romance novels.

I grew fond of Ali throughout the book; her divorce and determination were impressive, and in the end, her transformation felt convincing.

The writing had a lot of details on more trivial things and the other characters themselves; I couldn't picture them very well at first. However, the writing improved as the chapters progressed (which are short, a definite positive).

The development is slow, meaning you need patience. I found myself quite bored in the early chapters, but it was worth waiting for Ali and Ethan's encounter; it gets more interesting from there. Still, I missed some tension in their interactions.

I recommend this book for those seeking a mature romance with a summer backdrop and a life lesson.

I adored Nora Goes Off Script; It was one of my favorite books of last year. And Monaghan’s new book baby gives me all the Nora feels and then some. I’m grateful to have been chosen to read an ARC via Netgalley, but my copy wasn’t in final release shape, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get past the confusing formatting. But one page in, it didn’t matter. It could have been written by hand on post-it notes, and I would have devoured it.

I found it refreshing that it’s the hero, not the heroine, who has to overcome a troubled high school experience. My heart broke for the way his family overlooks him time and again, always seeing him as the boy he used to be and never the man he’s become. But the heroine sees through it all, and it’s absolutely swoon-worthy. If you’re in need of a Nora and Leo fix, add Summer Romance to your TBR. Ali and Ethan won’t let you down.

I love this book SO much. I absolutely adored Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer so I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to read anything else by Annabel Monaghan. I flew through this in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down, and I was laughing, smiling, and crying the whole time.

Ali (Alice) is just such a REAL character. I related to her so much and I was rooting for her the entire time.

Summer Romance is absolutely going to be the perfect summer read for 2024!!! Add this to your TBR rn.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Starting over can be hard but having the right people around you make it easier. Stepping out of your comfort zone and giving things a chance is what I feel this book is about. Enjoyed the story line and the characters. I’m always a sucker for a good romance.

It's official. Annabel Monaghan is a must-read author for me. I loved her previous two novels, and had high expectations for this one. It lived up to them!

Ali is a professional organizer who can't seem to get her own life together. Two years later, she is still dealing with the grief of losing her mother, and then her husband leaves. But, on the day she finally removes her wedding ring, she meets a handsome blast from her past at the dog park. What was supposed to just be a fun and casual summer between them starts to feel like something that should be permanent.

I really liked this book, which was great news for me, but sad news for people who have to wait for it to be published in June 2024. You can just go ahead and put it right on your summer TBR list.

What I love about Monaghan's writing is that there's such a maturity to it. The characters are rich and have full lives. There are complicated emotions and adult considerations in the conflicts, but these never weigh down the book; they only serve to make it feel more realistic. And, she creates a wonderful sense of place in her books, and this one was the best.

Annabel Monaghan, if you could just continue to publish at least a book a year, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this manuscript.

Summer romance is exactly as the title says! This is the second book I have read from this author and I just love her MCs! They are always smart amazing women who find a man that appreciates that! They are amazing moms and role models to their children. It’s always a delight to read!

Great romance novel about a woman in the wake of a separation that unexpectedly meets her friend's brother and embarks upon a summer romance b/c there is no way this relationship can last past summer, right?

This was a cute summer romance! I loved that not only did we get to see the romance aspect if the story, but also the main character finding herself again after going through so much in a couple of short years. It was very easy to relate to a thirty something mom struggling to have her life together and I enjoyed the realness of that! Thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for the ARC!

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I am still a little raw from this one. That being said, if I could give 6 out of 5 stars, done and done.

Ali, separated mother of three is wandering through life in a pair of sweatpants and piles of bills, after losing the mainstay in her life: her mother.

But when a skateboarding lawyer (I know, right?), knocks her off her axis, only sparks can fly.

This was such a lovely, beautiful, raw and bittersweet novel. I think I cried the entire 25 percent of the story and did not regret a second.

Monaghan has such a beautiful way with words, I can't wait to read what is next.

Pros: I really enjoy Annabel Monaghan's contemporary romance novels because the protagonist is often in her late 30s. This gives her characters more depth and different priorities and life experiences than similar novels that feature 27-year-old main characters. Although this book is a light and fun read in many ways, it also examines grief. As its title suggests, this will be a great summer read.

Cons: The biggest con for this book (and any of the author's future books) is that I compare it to Nora Goes Off Script, which is one of my favorites in the genre. Although I really liked Summer Romance, Nora is still my favorite of the author's books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read this book.

3+ stars

Still reeling from her mom’s death two years ago and her husband’s announcement that he wanted a divorce a year later, professional home organizer Ali Morris’ life is a mess. She finally builds herself up enough to take off her wedding ring and put on “hard pants” (overrated, in my opinion) and finds herself in a meet-cute at her local dog park.

I loved how perfectly this book depicted the complexities of relationships, which made it so easy to relate to and root for Ali (as well as Ethan). I also loved that while Ali is struggling with some of the really difficult parts of life and has lost herself along the way, she finds her way back to her true self and figures out how to take control of her own life and happiness. Nora Goes Off Script was one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, and Summer Romance is now right up there with it!

I rated this book 5/5. Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC!

"Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan is a heartwarming and laugh-out-loud tale that effortlessly blends humor with genuine emotion. Ali Morris, a professional organizer whose life mirrors the chaos she tries to tame, takes readers on a delightful journey of self-discovery and unexpected connections.

Monaghan's writing is a perfect mix of wit and tenderness, creating a narrative that resonates with authenticity. Ali's struggles with loss, divorce, and the challenges of daily life are portrayed with both sensitivity and humor, making her a relatable and endearing protagonist. The author skillfully weaves a tapestry of emotions, ensuring that readers will find themselves both chuckling and tearing up as Ali navigates her messy, yet beautifully human, existence.

The concept of a summer romance, presented with a refreshing twist, adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the story. The humor derived from Ali's dog "claiming" a man for her is both clever and endearing. The unexpected encounter with Ethan brings a spark to Ali's life, and readers will find themselves rooting for this unlikely duo.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of life's messiness and the beauty that can emerge from it. Ali's journey toward embracing change and finding joy in unexpected places is a universal theme that will resonate with a wide audience. The narrative skillfully balances the lightheartedness of a summer romance with deeper reflections on resilience and the human spirit.

"Summer Romance" is a delightful escape into a world where laughter and love triumph over life's messiness. Annabel Monaghan's ability to infuse humor into poignant moments makes this novel a standout in the genre. For readers seeking a heart-tugging and hilarious summer read, this book delivers on its promises and more, earning it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. I loved this book and enjoyed the storyline. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance book that feels more realistic.

This was such a sweet story with a wonderful cast of characters. I loved a romance with a mom who had lost herself finding herself and love again.