This started a little slow for me but it picked up and I ended up really loving it - read it in one sitting. Ali was such a great character, I loved seeing her growth. And I loved how Ethan supported her and shined a light on all the qualities she had kind of forgotten about herself. The relationship with her mom was really interesting and sweet - it also showed the complicated side of grief. How you can miss someone and cherish that relationship but also acknowledge that they upset you. I loved seeing that explored. The dog analogy really got me so the last line was complete perfection. I think this will sit with me for awhile!

If I had to choose a book boyfriend, I’d choose Ethan. What a beautiful summer rom com that needs to be at the top of everyone’s TBR’s.

I really really liked this author’s style: the writing, the setting, the vibe I get from the MCs. The only reason I didn’t give this book a 5 is that some I wanted to know more about Frannie. And Marco. And Ali’s dad. And on and on. Like, I just didn’t feel like I knew her life very well, so I was less invested in her story. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it feels like an explanation. 💜📚

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the relationship between Ethan and Ali. I loved the kids, the dogs, and Phyllis ( until ch 44 😡). I I loved hating Pete. I loved Scooter, the divorce lawyer. It was the kind of book that makes you sigh at the end because you are sad it is over.
Thank you net galley for my free copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

We first meet Ali while she is going through a hard time. She is grieving the loss of her mother, and at the same time her husband Pete decides he wants a divorce.

One day she decides she needs to start wearing “hard pants” again, so she gets dressed up and goes to the dog park. This is where her dog decides to choose a guy named Ethan to pee on. Thanks to her dog, we are taken on a champagne summer between her and Ethan. They have this instant, undeniable connection.

After this run-in, Ali starts feeling different. She finally sees a light in her life. She finally has some motivation to get dressed up every day.

As she goes through her divorce I loved seeing the growth in Ali. You see her realizing what a jerk Pete was to her and the kids. Pete tries to mess everything up for Ali, he will change plans to do what he wants without caring how it affects her.

I loved seeing Ethan truly care, listen, and be there for Ali every step of the way. You can see how much he cares for both her and her children. Given his professional history, Ethan was present during most of Ali and Pete's divorce meetings. One of my favorite parts of the story was ws hearing about the outfits Ethan would wear to these meetings.

When we get deeper into the story we learn that Ethan's nickname is “Scooter” and that Ethan has known Ali since they were fourteen years old. He has been in love with her ever since. Unfortunately, Ali doesn't remember him. However, Ethan lives in another town about four hours away. He has been in town visiting family and has no ambition to move back. Ali is hoping she can change that.

This summer romance was very emotional but I loved it so much! I love both Ethan and Ali as well as her children.

Annabel does it again! This is a must-add to your summer reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was heavy and beautiful and fun! It’s a mature romance between Ali who is a mom of 3 going through a divorce and dealing with the loss of her mother, and Ethan (I won’t spoil his identity but this man is a little too perfect to be relatable imo).

It packed a punch with life lessons about relationships and adulthood and family dynamics, and still managed to be a fun cute sexy beach read!

I really loved this story. I gave it a five stars. This is from the same author as Nora Goes Off Script, which I also really enjoyed. This was romantic and hilarious. This would make a perfect beach read book. I highly recommend reading. I couldn't put it down.

I really enjoy Annabel Monaghan's romance novels. She hits the right spot with fun and heart filled summer romances.

Summer Romance is a sweet surprise that belongs in everyone's beach bag this summer! Ali's husband leaves here on the anniversary of her mother's death. After some justified wallowing, she starts to find her old self again, along with a potential new love.

Summer Romance is a sweet story about loss and rediscovering oneself. Ali is dealing with both the loss of her mom and her husband Pete leaving her. She finally decides to out on real pants and take her dog to a dog park and she meets Ethan. He is great. Their romance is just what she needed to feel happiness again.

I felt this story was a little slow, it took me longer to get through this book than it did Annabel Monaghan’s other books. I really didn’t like the constant mentioning of her mom’s passing because it made me constantly feel sad. The story did wrap up nicely in the end and yes I would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for an ARC ebook. I always feel lucky to be able to read an ARC.

Ali Morris's life isn't going as planned. Two years ago, her mom died who was one of her most favorite people in this world. Then a year ago, her husband asks for a divorce. Ali is spending her time taking care of her three children, wearing sweatpants, and being a professional organizer; while her own life is a mess. One day, she finally takes her best friend's advice and puts on pants with a zipper and takes off her wedding rings. While at the dog park, Ali meets Ethan who likes her just as she is. The only thing is, Ethan is only in town for the summer.
Review:
Summer Romance is a light hearted and fun read that is perfect for the summer. I love that Annabel Monaghan's characters have depth and are a little messy. It is relatable and not perfect which is always refreshing to read! I did feel like it had a slower start and I had a hard time getting into the story. I also wasn't sold on the love story between Ali and Ethan at the beginning, but was more convinced as the story and their relationship progressed. I absolutely loved the mom/daughter relationship between Ali and her mom and then Ali and her daughter, Greer. It was beautiful to see that bond and I loved the author's note at the end!
Summer Romance publishes on 6/4 and I highly recommend picking up this summer read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC of Summer Romance in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars (round up to 5)

I really liked the setting, the characters, & the overall vibe of this sweet love story. Annabel Monaghan has a knack for writing characters that seem so familiar to me. It is a joy to read her stories! Summer Romance is the perfect cozy summer read ☀️

“Spring is always coming, and I know for sure that I will always have a dog.” ❤️❤️❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summer Romance
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Source: NetGalley
Pub Date: June 4, 2024
⛱️
Summer Romance is outrageously good, and it is in my top three romance books for 2024. EVERYONE will love this one and the romance is soft, sweet, and closed door. I read this book from start to finish in one day because the story is lovely and mesmerizing. Ali is getting a divorce and with three youngish kids and an absentee father, the burden of single parenting falls on her. Add to this is the loss of her mother two years earlier who was her guiding star. Then she meets Ethan at the dog park and sparks fly. Ali hasn’t dated in decades, but she knows that Ethan is something special and she is prepared to make it a summer romance since he is only in town for a short while. He’s worth the risk. Sometimes life is hard and sometimes life hands you a golden opportunity to make a future with just the right person. I WILL buy this book. I would like to highlight the whole darn thing. The writing is eloquent, the romance has so much loving vibes and Ali and Ethan deserve a love that lasts a lifetime BUY THIS BOOK…like, I mean buy this book ASAP. You can thank me later. #SummerRomance @annabelmonaghan @netgalley @penguinartgroup @putnambooks #romance #love #heart #family #life #loving #sweet #chicklit #womensfiction
⛱️

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the Publisher, Netgalley, and the Author for the opportunity to read this novel.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #bookreader #reader #reading

In this mature romance set in the fictional coastal town of Beechwood, NY, Monaghan has crafted a beautiful story about a 38-year-old, soon-to-be divorced mother’s reawakening and the surprising man from her past who is the impetus for it. I couldn’t help but recognize the use of the changing tides as a metaphor for washing away the detritus of life. leaving a clean slate on which to forge a new path and rediscover parts of herself that were carried away by grief and loss.

On the one-year anniversary of her mother’s death, Ali Morris’s husband Pete asks for a divorce. On the two-year anniversary, she wakes up drowning in grief and decides to take her dog, Ferris, to the dog park to help clear her head. In a unique “meet-cute,” he pees on a charming, handsome stranger’s foot, and despite Ali’s embarrassment, Ethan doesn’t seem bothered by it at all. In fact, he looks at Ali as if he’s seeing the vibrant, attractive version of herself that she thought she’d lost years ago, before grief, a failed marriage, and three kids left her a shell of her former self. Even before she realizes that Ethan is her best friend Frannie’s younger brother Scooter, he’s already awakened feelings that she thought were long gone.

Since Ethan lives four hours away and is just visiting his parents, she knows the best they can expect is a summer romance with sex off the table (since, in her opinion, it can lead to complications and possible heartbreak). Having had a crush on her since high school, Ethan is happy to spend whatever time he can with Ali. So, when his parents announce that they’re retiring to Florida and leaving their home to him, he and Ali negotiate a deal that will benefit them both and allow them to have some alone time. As a part-time professional organizer (who can’t seem to keep her own house in order), Ali will help him clear the house out prior to listing it and Ethan, a lawyer who can’t seem to shake the reputation he earned as a trouble-making teen, will help Ali get the best deal in her divorce settlement. Is it any surprise that these two kind, supportive, and protective people, who feel truly seen and accepted by each other, find themselves falling?

There is so much to love about this slow burn, closed-door romance that really evokes emotional responses ranging from laughter to sadness. Ali’s “conversations” with her enthusiastic and eccentric mom provide guidance beyond the grave and her care for and friendship with her elderly neighbor Phyllis is poignant. Witnessing Ali’s casting off the cloak of grief (or, in her case, stained sweatpants and t-shirts) and reclaiming her self-reliance after a loveless marriage to a selfish man (especially while realizing that her feelings for Ethan are what she deserved all along) is really life-affirming. Her relationships with her three children are touching, especially with her pre-teen Greer who is navigating the horrors of middle school mean girl machinations. Ethan’s devotion to the skateboarding kids in his hometown and his selfless acts of kindness with his neighbors are endearing and provide a window into the wonderful man that he’s become, despite his family’s inability to see how he’s changed. It’s also worth noting that, despite there being no graphic sex scenes, Monaghan has managed to establish such tension and intimacy between Ali and Ethan that the fade-to-black scenes are not a disappointment (for those who crave them). If you’re looking for the perfect beach read, you’ll find it here. Highly recommended.

4.5/5 ⭐️, 1/5 🌶️ (implied/closed door), 0/5 💧

🚣‍♂️ Mature Contemporary Romance
🛹 Love after divorce
🚣‍♂️ Self Discovery
🛹 Single Parent
🚣‍♂️ Grief of lost loved ones
🛹 Single POV

This was a mature romance that I wasn’t sure I could relate to but ended up loving at the end. The growth of the fmc was really exceptional done. The style of writing feels more matter of fact for me so I don’t feel as emotionally invested, but the struggles and many pressures that weighed the fmc felt very real. Nothing was super dramatic and I appreciated how age appropriately the characters acted throughout. I think I wanted a tad more drama and satisfaction/closure at the end with many characters, but I’m also very happy with it too. Would recommend!

What a sweet book!

I loved that the characters in this were adults who have lived some life and dealt with real problems. I’d say this was a book with a mix of romance and women’s fiction, which I love.

This is a feel-good read that is perfect for the summer!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

A summer romance 💕

Lovely, fun, emotional story. Highlights the thrill and heat of a summer romance while balanced with the complexities of every-day life.

Only two things kept this from five stars for me:
1. I didn't find it believable that she didn’t recognize Ethan.
2. The beginning felt slightly underdeveloped.

Very much enjoying the best friends brother trope this summer & this made for a solid summer read. I enjoyed reading this one and tried to just let the story flow instead of thinking too much about it. I didn’t feel quite as connected to the couple as usual - I think because of the skateboarding aspect it felt a bit too immature when we were dealing with almost 40 year olds, but I understand the point it was trying to make. I loved the playful nature they had and how they handled Pete and the mediation items. The grief portion was not too much to the point of dragging the book down so all in all it worked for me! Link to review on IG coming soon.

We love an older FMC & a mother with younger children FMC!

This was right up my alley. Second chance romance (romance post-divorce), strong female lead, plus summery vibes. I won’t say too much more because I don’t want to give it away but throw this in your beach bag and enjoy yourself!

I love Monaghan’s other books so this was a no brainer.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This novel just cemented Ms. Monaghan as an auto buy for me. Ali is every mom who struggles with multiple “identities” and figuring out how to balance all of it. Her soon to be ex husband is pretty useless and with the loss of her mom, she’s not quite sure how to move on. Then enter Ethan and that’s that. I love how they give each other space to be who they are or whom they are becoming. Plus they hold space for each other in the best ways.