2.5 stars

This book just wasn’t for me. I’m definitely in the minority on this, but based on reading other 2 star reviews, I know I’m not alone.

Summer Romance is great if you want a lighthearted beach read that has no drama. The premise is a soon-to-be-divorced mom tries to navigate life as a single parent, all while grieving the recent death of her own mother and facing all the “firsts” that come with dating again.

And that’s where my main issue with the book lies. I don’t have qualms with a book that has no drama, but the story isn’t just low stakes; it has no stakes. I just don’t see how that can be when the book touches on heavy topics like grief and divorce.

For example, the MMC initially tries to hide his identity from the FMC, as if it would be the end of the world if she finds out who he is. But the reader can totally figure out who he is before the FMC does, and it’s just a letdown when you realize he’s just a regular guy who’s misunderstood by his family. And not like bad-boy-actually-good-boy type of misunderstood either, but more like my-parents-just-don’t-get-me misunderstood.

This goes the same for the reason that the FMC and MMC think they can’t be together. The FMC makes it seem like it is absolutely impossible for them to stay together, when in reality, it’s very possible for them to stay together, but just requires some effort. Think Michael and Holly from The Office when they *spoiler* break up after Holly moves to Nashua (it’s just a 5 hour car ride, guys; not great, but not impossible).

For that reason, it was difficult for me to feel motivated to pick up the book.

Another thing that made it hard to get into the story is there’s too much telling and not enough showing. Oftentimes the FMC just tells us exactly how she feels about something or someone, and we don’t get a chance to form our own opinion as readers because it’s just part of the narrative. And that tends to contribute to some flat one-dimensional characters. The mom? Good. The MMC? Good. The ex-husband? Bad; very, very bad. I mean I don’t doubt that ex-husbands can suck, but there isn’t one redeeming quality that the guy is given, which explain why the FMC fell in love with and married him in the first place, then proceeded to stay together and have 3 kids with him.

There are parts that I enjoyed from the book, and mostly they are when the author captures the little moments in beautiful prose, when it’s showing and not telling. Like the chapter about the morning the FMC decides to take off her wedding ring; so much is said when she makes that decision, and then sets the ring on the cinnamon in her spice cabinet before shutting it away.

Again, I know I’m in the minority about how I feel about this book. But I think fans of Annabel Monaghan books will also love Summer Romance, because it seems to have similar tropes to Nora Goes Off Script. And anyone who wants a light summer beach read should give this a try too.

Special thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for sharing this digital e-ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan will be out June 4, 2024.

This was a nice and sweet beach read romance with closed-door spice. I like that the FMC is a professional organizer and yet her house/life is a mess. It’s a mess because she has lost herself over the years, is grieving the loss of her mother, and is also going through a divorce. She has to reorganize what she thought she wanted to what she actually wants out of life. And always like a MMC that is open about his feelings. Note that there are a few good organizing tips in here lol.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC. This was my third Annabel Monaghan book and it was a hit like all the others. This was the perfect slow burn that hit on so many important topics. The ending was emotional and beautiful. I loved it.

In 2022. Annabel Monaghan’s Nora Goes Off Script was hands-down one of my favorite books so I was eager and excited to receive a copy of her newest novel, Summer Romance. It turns out, my excitement was founded. This book did not disappoint with its concise language, dry wit, and caring touch.

One of the things that makes Annabel Monaghan books a joy to read is that she is a master at writing approachable female-identified main characters. They are women who are trying to make their way through the world, dealing with problems as best they can, with a little bit of grace and a lot of wit and humor. They are flawed yet likable and I suspect that many of us can see parts of ourselves within their fictional attitudes and journeys. I found this story to be so sweet and poignant, but the very best part of my reading time was spent rooting for the main character and her many touching relationships.

Summer Romance is centered around a love story, but it is really a book about loss and change. Monaghan has created a character that is mid-life and, in more than one way, is evaluating an adult existence that is not what she’d expected in her younger years. As she continues down her path of transition, she uncovers parts of herself that had gotten lost, while also seeing that sometimes what you happen upon is even better than what you’d hoped for. The dating story gives readers the light-hearted antics that we love, while the journey of discovery adds a level of maturity not typically present in beach reads. It's such a great mix: Not inane fluff. Not overwhelmingly heavy. It’s the right combination to captivate your heart and your brain in equal measure.

I removed one-star from my rating because I found that some of the support stories start with strong, earnest emotional investment from the reader, but as the book concluded, those resolutions felt a bit flat and hurried. These pressed wrap-ups certainly didn’t ruin the book, but they were noticeable and I found myself wishing for more. Additionally, while not a critique, I want to caution anyone that is currently dealing with grief, particularly from the loss of a parent, that now may not be the time to enjoy Summer Romance. Ali’s mother’s death is two years in the past and the aftermath is handled beautifully, but her grief does play a role in this novel’s journey.

For me, the appeal of a story that is fun and dreamy, yet rich with humor and emotional connection cannot be overstated. This novel is refreshing and invigorating, much like a dip in the pool on a hot day.

I wanted to love this so much more than I did, unfortunately. I’ll start by mentioning that I LOVED Nora Goes Off Script and I really liked Same Time Next Summer, too. I think Annabel Monaghan is lovely, and she writes with heart and quick witted dry humor that I love. I loved the FMC’s relationship with her mother, even after death, and I appreciate the themes of a woman finding herself (no matter her age) and standing up for herself and what she wants. That being said, my issues were:

Insta-love.
Ali seemed way older than Ethan?
The whole skateboarding thing (couldn’t it have been tennis or something😫 ?!). Show me a 42 year old woman who would get on a skateboard willingly.
& Finally, it just didn’t scream summer to me.. besides a trip or two to a beach, this love story could’ve taken place in any season, IMO.

Bummer, but the first two were tough acts to follow. I do think lots of people will enjoy this one, though, and I bet Ethan will be a fan favorite book boyfriend…

I’m not a big fan of romance but I love a mid life character with a sense of humor. There was more depth to this romance as the main character was dealing with a divorce, the death of her mother and finding her way out of grief. She’s a professional organizer whose life and her own personal pantry are a mess. It’s a fun summer closed door romance.

Wow! This ARC was such a treat!!! Excellent blend of romance with enough depth to the side plots and major character growth, I loved this! 4.5 stars!!

Now that I’ve read two books by this author, one thing she does really well is writing more mature characters. In this one, our FMC is in her mid thirties and finding love after the loss of her mother and a divorce. Her struggles felt real and the way she reacted and moved throughout the story never felt overdramatized, which just made everything feel so much more believable.

Also loved SO MANY side characters - her kids were a treat, her best friend Frannie, Frannie parents, her neighbor, the freaking dogs!! There was so much love in this story outside Ethan and Ali, who were spectacular on their own. 🥰

I think fans of Emily Henry, Kennedy Ryan, and Abby Jimenez will love this!

Summer Romance was a great way to kickoff summer reading. Is has been awhile since I finished a book in less than 24 hours.
I loved Nora Goes Off Script and while Summer Romance deals with very different issues, it is just as good.

My apologies in advance for how incoherent this review probably is. Jet lag is real, folks.

I have a bit of an accidental tradition with this author’s books: I always read her books on vacation. I read Nora Goes Off Script in Canada, Same Time Next Summer in northern Florida, and now Summer Romance in Norway. Her books are just the PERFECT vacation reads. Her writing style, humor, and the life lessons she weaves into her books always makes for a good time.

This is once again the case in Summer Romance. I’m giving it 3.75 stars, though, because there were some things that annoyed me. Specifically how Ali seems to shove her kids off for her “summer fling.” It all worked out well in the end (the ending was pretty perfect!) but it bothered me throughout the book.

As for spice, it’s closed door but you know they’re doing it off page. Nothing is described, though, which I appreciate. Also very little swearing (the first line of the book has a cuss word but don’t be put off by that. There’s not much at all).

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC! All opinions are my own.

I ate this book book up in less than 24 hours! It was my first book of Annabel’s and now I’m immediately reading the rest! I loved love loved Ali and Ethan’s banter and relationship! She covered the topics of grief, divorce, finding yourself after kids beautifully!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC!

4 stars

This was such a perfect rom-com to prepare for summer! The romance was adorable, and I loved Ali’s character development. The ending was satisfying, and this was such a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of this book!

I stumbled upon Nora Goes Off Script and loved it, so I jumped when I saw a chance for an ARC of a new Annabel Monaghan book.

I love this type of romance. Characters who have lived their lives, made mistakes, gained baggage, and yet still find romance. It feels fresh to read, especially after a long binge of 20=something romances, complaining about being alone forever at 22.

Ali is separated from her husband, has lost her mother to cancer, and is trying to raise her three children and elderly dog through the haze of grief. Divorce looming, she meets an attractive man at the dog park and suddenly feels rejuvenated. It turns out that he is the younger brother of her best friend and has no intentions of sticking around long-term. Throughout the story, we see how Ali made herself smaller to accommodate her horrible (soon to be ex) husband, how close of a relationship she had with her mother, and how that might not have been a good thing. Plus, we get to see her wonderful friendship with her super elderly next-door neighbor.

This book made me laugh and cry, and I read the whole damn thing in about a 12-hour period. I highly recommend this one, folks!

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC!

This is now my favorite Annabel Monaghan book. After I finished the book I wanted to read it again for the first time. I read it in 1 day at the pool. Ali and Ethan were relatable, mature, and honest. Through grief, divorce, single parenting, and a new romance, I liked seeing Ali find her voice as well as learn to love without fear of loss.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

What an awesome book! Honestly, I loved that this was a rom-com that I could identify with. Although my current life situation is completely different - happily married, family support, great husband, kids, etc - I loved that the main character was similar in age (late 30s) and previously married with children. She is going through a divorce and trying to find herself (and love!) again. I find that many rom-coms the characters are younger, first marriages, no children - and although fun to read... a lifetime ago for me! I loved that she touched on how after many years of marriage and children, it can be hard to feel sexy again. Difficult to feel good in yourself, what you wear, etc. and even harder to remember to put yourself first. I love that this was about a summer romance and two people supporting one another during a difficult time. We all know how this will end... but it does not change how wonderful the book is. I loved the characters. I loved their openness about their struggles, their issues and the changes that they make throughout the book. A must read - especially for those ladies who have been married for over a decade with children!!
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

SUMMER ROMANCE is the third book I’ve read from Annabel Monaghan and it won’t be the last. This is the perfect beach read for people who actually like to read — it has heart, dimensionality, warmth, and wit. You’ll fall for Ali and Ethan and root for their happily ever after.

I loved “Norah Goes off Script”, but “Summer Romance” might rival that or at least be a close second! I love that Annabel Monaghan writes romance stories involving older women who are trying to rediscover themselves, but yet know they need to be responsible! Ali is the main character, a woman going through divorce who is trying to pick up the pieces of her life after just having recently lost her mother 2 years ago. She might be “losing it” more than most being that she regularly talks to her mom as if she’s still right there. Who is she outside if daughter, mother, and wife? In the process of trying to discover this she meets up with Ethan. Ethan is a man established in his thirties who still finds happiness enjoying his skateboarding hobby, but a successful lawyer who has made a mark for himself. He’s also a surrogate father to a bunch of teenage skateboarders. The dialogue in the book is snappy and fresh. The way Ali and Ethan interact after knowing one another since childhood to a mature stage of life is so relatable. Summer Romance is a closed door romance for those who don’t love a ton of steam factor and so sweet. It was a fast read that just had me wanting more! I didn’t want to put it down! I can’t wait for Annabel Monaghan’s next book, she’s become an autobuy for me!!

Thank you NetGalley for this early release! It was a 5 star read!!

Ali may be paid to organize other people's lives, but her own had been in disarray since her mother's death. The loss of her mother, her best friend, the buffer and the balancer of her life, hit Ali like a ton of bricks. She was doing the bare minimum of living, and then her husband left her. With her divorce looming, Ali was encouraged to put on some "hard pants" and start a new chapter, and so she did with help from a very unlikely source.

Gosh! I adored this book so much! It was funny and heartfelt and touching. There were so many things I loved, so let's hit the high points.

It's about starting over. Ali had been in a marriage that she knew wasn't working but she was stuck. With her husband exiting, it gave her the opportunity to recover the pieces of herself she lost or kept buried for the sake of this union. She no longer needed to compromise herself for her husband, and it was simply beautiful watching this woman find herself again.

It's about reconnecting with people from the past. Who would have suspected that the person who would give Ali the encouragement and support she needed would be named Scooter. Well, that's what his family called him, but now he was a grown man who was NOTHING like the kid she remembered. He was actually pretty phenomenal, kind and giving, too. He was everything her husband wasn't, and I couldn't help but hope and pray for this relationship to catch fire.

This is my fifth book from Monaghan, and I know there will be many more in my future as my adoration of her stories continues to grow. I love the messy characters, the humor, the warmth, and everything else Monaghan never fails to deliver in her tales. Like her other books, Summer Romance left me with walking on sunshine and smiling my face off.

Picture this: me, sitting in a grocery store parking lot, smiling and crying, much to the confusion of the person parked next to me (who probably thought I was having a breakdown). But no, it was just me, utterly engrossed in this book. 😅

"Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan is like lemonade on a summer day – it hits all the right spots!

Now, I'll admit, I was a tad skeptical when I picked up Monaghan's first book, "Nora Goes Off Script" last summer. I mean... a single, childfree crazy dog mom relating to the character of a divorced single mom? But oh boy, did Annabel Monaghan prove me wrong and I'm so glad I took a chance on that book. I've been hooked ever since!

Her characters are so relatable. While reading this book, I felt like I was the one divorcing a jackass, navigating how to communicate with my teenage daughter, and learning to date again.

"Summer Romance" has everything you could ask for: small-town charm, a meet-cute that's dog-friendly (because, let's face it, our dogs are the ultimate wingmen), and a male lead, Ethan, who's the epitome of swoon-worthy. Ladies, if your love language is Acts of Service, prepare to fall head over heels for Ethan – he's thoughtful, respectful, and funny! 😍🥰

So, if you're in need of a pick-me-up that'll leave you grinning like a fool and craving your own summer romance, grab a copy of this book ASAP.

Just be warned: you might find yourself reading it in unexpected places, like grocery store parking lots. But hey, desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

Thank you to @annabelmonaghan @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I still cant wait for the physical copy that I pre-ordered to get here!

#summerbook #summerromance #summerreadinglist #beachyreads #smalltownromance #actsofservice #feelgoodbook #annabelmonaghan

Ugh I loved this so much. I loved seeing Ali learn how to stand up for herself and learn to accept that loss and grief are part of life and you have to embrace them to live fully. I loved Ethan so much. What a man. I will keep coming back for more of these characters and more of Anabel Monaghan!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Annabel Monaghan is now an instant read for me. This is the third book I've read by her and I have loved each of them. There is so much that I loved about this book.

One of the things is Ali's transformation through the book. Since the death of her mother she has been in a major funk and seeing her slowly become herself again was fantastic. Especially since you can fully tell that while Ethan helps push her a little she does it on her own. Also, I just loved Ethan. He is such a great character.