
Member Reviews

This book talked about grief beautifully. Readers truly go on this journey of self-love/self-discovery with Ali and it is so rewarding. This book is like a warm hug… and to think it all started with a dog. I will continue reading books from Annabel Monaghan.

Annabel Monaghan has fast become an author whose books I will always read. She excels at character development and I love that she focuses on women that are older/more established in their identity.
The chemistry between Ali and Ethan strikes just right, and I like that both have their own life imperfections that they’re working through, but they’re working through them together.
If you like romances with some complex family dynamics, this is a good book to pick up.
Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley, author and publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love that the main character is older, a mom, and a mess after her divorce. So many of us have been there. And there is life after the 20s!
All the summer vibes you could possibly want with a forbidden love romance.
Ali is the best at organizing as long as it's not her own life. Ethan lives a full adult life that he loves. He never wanted to go home and she never wanted to accidentally date her best friends little brother.
I really liked Ethan and Ali. I liked the dynamics and relationship. Everyone needs an Ethan in their lives.
Great read and a little escape from winter.

If you’re a fan of fiction involving romance with an honest and funny writing style, you’ll love "Summer Romance." The brilliant writing made this a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. Even more interesting is the book’s premise that the romance occurs in the setting of a divorce (with children), as well as a new relationship that becomes more complicated than expected. While these topics are not uncommon to fiction or the romance genre generally, Ms. Monaghan does a wonderful job of writing a unique and honest depiction of someone going through a divorce while parenting children and rediscovering her purpose, all with her usual humor and on-point take on real life situations. At the heart of the book though, is a romance with the same brilliant writing, banter, and humor that she is known for in her other books. If you like this book, you’ll also love “Nora Goes Off Script,” also by Ms. Monaghan. I was fortunate to both independently purchase, and afterwards, to receive an ARC copy of Summer Romance through NetGalley.

A wonderful lush romance with a strong grip on humanity. Monaghan is a wonderful writer and an amazing addition to the romance world.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I am a big fan of Annabel Monaghan's prior books, so I had high hopes for this one, but It didn't really work for me. I enjoyed the writing and characters -- and I love that Monaghan writes about more mature (ahem older) characters, but this overall plot just didn't work for me.

Thank you so much @PutnamBooks for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 04 June 2024)
SYNOPSIS | Ali is a 30-something soon-to-be-divorced mom of 3 who is trying to navigate life as a single parent and all the "firsts" that come with dating again whilst grieving the recent death of her own mom.
WHAT I LIKED:
- how the author captured little everyday moments
- loved that the main MC was a professional organizer
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the romance was too insta-lovey for my liking (Ethan was besotted with her from the get go)
- generally the story erred more on the side of literary fiction than romance
- lots of telling and not a lot of showing
- the third act conflict
- the plot kind of felt too simple / low stakes and there wasn't enough "meat" to keep me intrigued. It was fine but unfortunately forgettable.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan was an absolute delight from start to finish. The novel centers on Ali Morris, a 38-year-old professional organizer whose personal life is in disarray following her mother’s death and a subsequent divorce. Monaghan masterfully portrays Ali’s journey of self-discovery and healing, making her a relatable and endearing protagonist.
The story takes a charming turn when Ali’s dog introduces her to Ethan in a rather unconventional way, leading to a heartwarming summer romance. Their relationship unfolds with genuine chemistry and tenderness, capturing the excitement and vulnerability of new love. Monaghan’s writing is both witty and insightful, seamlessly blending humor with deeper emotional themes.
Set in the picturesque town of Beechwood, the novel exudes a cozy, small-town charm that adds to its appeal. The supporting characters, including Ali’s children and best friend, are well-developed and contribute significantly to the richness of the narrative.
What I particularly appreciated about Summer Romance is its focus on personal growth and second chances. Ali’s evolution from a woman overwhelmed by life’s challenges to someone open to new possibilities is both inspiring and heartening. The novel also touches on the complexities of balancing parenthood with personal desires, adding depth to the romantic storyline.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ali is newly divorced and floundering a bit professionally and personally, so indulges in a summer romance that would never work long-term… but what if it did?
This was very easy reading and a delightful, fun little story. While the romance was the main storyline, I really loved how much the main character stepped back into herself and redefined who she was.
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for this ARC!!

I loved this book. It has one of my most favorite things, FANTASTIC dialogue. The banter is off the charts. Fabulous story!!

*Summer Romance* is a delightful and heartwarming story that captures the messy yet transformative journey of a woman learning to embrace new beginnings. Ali Morris, a professional organizer, is caught in the aftermath of her mom’s death and a difficult divorce. Living in a self-imposed rut, she’s avoided anything that might disrupt her fragile sense of stability—until one fateful day when she steps out of her comfort zone (literally) and meets Ethan, thanks to her dog’s less-than-charming introduction.
This book is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. Ali’s reluctance to open herself up to love again is completely relatable, and her dog’s embarrassing “first impression” of Ethan offers the perfect mix of humor and vulnerability. As Ali slowly warms up to the idea of a summer romance, readers are drawn into her journey of rediscovery. The idea of a brief, no-strings-attached fling may sound simple, but the emotional depth that unfolds as Ali navigates the complexities of moving on makes this story far more than just a casual romance.
What I love about *Summer Romance* is its balance of lightheartedness and emotional growth. The author does an excellent job capturing the tension between Ali’s desire to protect her heart and the allure of a connection with someone new. Ethan is the perfect foil to Ali’s hesitation—charming, patient, and refreshingly understanding, he encourages her to embrace a love that is messy but real.
Overall, *Summer Romance* is the ideal read for anyone looking for a feel-good story with depth, humor, and heart. It’s a reminder that sometimes, taking a risk—even just for the summer—can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for laughs, romance, or a touch of personal growth, this book delivers it all in a refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable way.
A sweet, funny, and emotionally satisfying read. Highly recommended for fans of lighthearted women’s fiction and summer romances with a dose of personal discovery!

I loved Monaghan's first book so I was excited for this one. Sadly, it didn't really do it for me. I felt like the plot was rushed and characters immature. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters and rooting for them

I think Annabel Monaghan could write the dictionary and I would still enjoy it. Her wit and humor and grasp on the human experience is perfect.

(4.25 stars)
Sometimes it’s a lot of fun to read a book that’s seasonally “inappropriate.” So that’s exactly what I did - I read “Summer Romance” in the middle of December. And it was delightful! This was my first book by Annabel Monaghan but it definitely won’t be my last.
The story is told by the main female character, Ali. Her mother died two years ago and Ali still “talks” to her. (This didn’t come off as weird at all; it came off as totally sweet.) Her husband, Pete, asked for a divorce a year ago and she’s having trouble keeping things together, for herself, her three kids, and her dog. Ali is a professional organizer (and former accountant) but her life is chaotic.
One day she stops by the local dog park with her dog and he pees on someone’s foot, a very handsome someone, a stranger to the town, Ethan. And things proceed from there!
I found nothing endearing about her ex. I sympathized with Ali, as she gradually realizes that, over the years, she had let Pete take over and let him make herself feel “less than.” (And her mother, as much as Ali loved her, was complicit in this, which Ali admits in the moments when she’s being completely honest with herself.) I loved her growing relationship with Ethan/Scooter and loved her personal growth over the course of the summer. I also loved Ethan and sympathized with him having people in his hometown look at him as if he was still the messed up teen he had once been.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
I was super excited about this one because Annabel's second book, SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER, was one of my favorites of 2023. I don't often read books about characters in their mid-late 30's and/or characters going through divorce, but Annabel did a great job of immersing me into the story and making me feel empathy for the protagonist and her love interest. There are so many wonderful, heartfelt themes. I also love the fact that the love interest is a skater--how unique and fun!

Summer Romance
Annabel Monaghan
💘 best friend’s brother trope
🏠 newly divorced and still grieving her late mother
☀️ enjoying a summer romance that’s helping her heal
🥹 low stakes, lots of heartfelt moments
🫶 loving like you have something to lose, dealing with grief, being brave not only for yourself but for your kids too
so much of tolerating a man only to have another man also heal that?? other than that, it was overall a really sweet and heartfelt story. I love reading “older” romance of women who are post-married life. Monaghan knows how to tug on our heartstrings 🥲

i cannot be feeling this way about a novel where two of the characters are named cliffy and scotty. anyways i cried i laughed and i loved this book. a poignant look into grief and loss, finding love in unexpected places, the joy that is mother-daughter relationships, and insecure men who thrive on belittling women. thank you so so much to the publisher for the advance copy!!

I absolutely loved summer romance. I thought it was so well written, and the characters were fully developed and easy to connect to. I felt connected to the characters and the setting. I loved how we got to see Ali move through grief and reclaim her life. The book had such good character development. I loved it just as much if not more than the romance itself. I think this is a good example of the best friend’s brothers trope.

Nora Goes Off Script remains one of my favorite rom-coms in the past few years. It was delightful and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was so excited to get my hands on this one - Annabel Monaghan writes summer in small towns so well - the characters are endearing and the main duo are always two to root for. This was a perfect beach read, and I recommend to my friends constantly. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC!

Annabel Monaghan has become a must-read author for me, and Summer Romance solidifies why. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC of this absolute gem.
Despite its breezy title, this book hit me with every emotion imaginable—grief, love, self-discovery, and second chances. Monaghan’s writing is a masterclass: every sentence deliberate, every scene perfectly paced. She’s unmatched in crafting banter, chemistry, and heartfelt stories that leave me in awe.
Ali’s journey is raw, relatable, and inspiring, with themes of motherhood, marriage, identity, and love woven seamlessly. The romance is mature and refreshing, with Ethan standing out as a supportive, communicative partner we all deserve.
This book made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. If you read it and don’t love it, just lie to me—because Summer Romance can do no wrong in my eyes.