Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book! I loved how it wasn’t just a love story but also a story of finding one’s self again and healing after losing a loved one. Ethan and Ali’s relationship was really sweet and I also loved the addition of Ali’s three children. Sometimes life gives you a curveball and you end up wearing soft pants for a while, but life will also give you the wonderful things that are worth putting your hard pants on for.

This might be the book of the summer for me. I have all the warm and fuzzy feels!

Ali is a mom of three navigating divorce while still healing from the loss of her mom. She has lost herself. Then she runs into her best friend’s little brother, whom she hasn’t seen since high school, and you’ll never guess what happens next!

This is a story of a mom finding herself again after putting herself on the back burner for many years. The coastal setting is idyllic, the characters are quirky and lovable and the romance is so sweet.

As a mom to young kids myself, I resonate with stories of redemption for moms who have lost bits of themselves. This book and others like it give me the inspiration to keep looking for my own lost pieces!

If you enjoyed Nora Goes Off Script, you’ll love Summer Romance! Check it out on June 4th!

Big thank you to Net Galley for an

I fell in love with Annabel Monaghan after reading Nora Goes Off Script, and she has quickly become an auto-buy author for me! I was thrilled to get a NetGalley ARC of this book and it was the perfect summer read. Summer Romance follows Ali, a recently divorced mom working to rediscover herself and what she is passionate about, and Ethan, a man who is trying to rid himself of his childhood stigmas back in his hometown. When Ali's dog pees on Ethan, their meet-cute begins. Except when Ali realizes that cute dog park guy, is actually her best friend's brother, who she knew as "Scooter." Summer Romance dives not only into the love story between Ali and Ethan, but also into their individual stories as they rediscover themselves and their passions. I loved this book! Ethan is an excellent book boyfriend and Ali is relatable as she walks through learning to re-love her self. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez, I would recommend Summer Romance to anyone looking for a summer rom com with some substance.

I adored this book! A divorcing mother of three finding new love? Yes please! She buys her undies at Costco AND shaves her legs with her reading glasses on so as to not miss any spots…..say less….she is me!
I loved this story and I couldn’t get enough.

While I enjoyed the first third of this book, after that it was disappointing, This premise could have been very strong , but ultimately fell flat. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters and was even less connected to the romance. I just didn't feel any chemistry between Ali and Ethan in this romance. There also wasn't much happening in the last 2/3 and I was pretty bored for the majority of it. I felt that it could use a lot more depth in the storyline which is what would make me feel more connected. Overall, I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't work for me.

I also just don't think Annabel's writing style is the best fit for me, so even if I didn't like it that doesn't mean others won't!

⭐️4.25
Life is NOT over. Even if your mom dies and your marriage is ending.

This unexpected romance has the flavor of summer inside of a small town. I wanted a little more of her charming neighbor Phyllis in this book, but overall the perfect beach read this summer.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5962426160

A big thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: June 4, 2024

I adore anything Annabel Monaghan writes and this is no exception. The perfect way to start summertime and fall in love with even more of her characters is such a treat. Don’t miss out!

This was such a well-written women's fiction. Ali was a bit older than me and at a different life-stage, but I felt for what she was going through and thought Ethan was perfect. The characters were well-developed and I really liked Ali's relationships with her children. The story was tender and emotional, and highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Review live now on GoodReads and TheStoryGraph

This is a sweet beach read. I have loved Monaghan’s other books, but this one was a miss for me. It felt very predictable and I had a hard time connecting with the main character.

Oh my goodness, I loved this book so very much! Despite the relatively short length, I felt like I got to know the characters and their layers so deeply, including various side characters. I loved the character arcs and growth of both main characters, and the themes of motherhood, grief, and what comprises a meaningful life. One of the most memorable scenes in the book, for me, was actually entirely separate from the romance storyline, but it spoke to deeper themes in the story and really moved me emotionally. I also love the way in which Annabel writes children. She manages to capture sweetness and quirk in her child characters without it being cheesy or contrived. I could go on and on, honestly! The warmth of the characters and the charm of the small beach-town setting will make this a comfort read that I return to again and again. Many thanks for the opportunity to read early!

Summer Romance" by Annabel Monaghan offers an enjoyable blend of humor, heart, and healing in the midst of life's messiness. Funny enough, Ali Morris is a professional organizer grappling with her own disarray who finds unexpected love when her dog plays cupid in the most unconventional way possible. The story beautifully captures Ali's journey of rediscovering herself after loss and heartache, all while navigating the complexities of single motherhood.

Monaghan skillfully crafts a narrative that resonates with readers, particularly those who appreciate the nuanced dynamics of relationships. Ali's cautious approach to romance, grounded in her commitment to her child and her ongoing grief, adds depth to her character and makes her journey relatable. The chemistry between Ali and Ethan sparkles with authenticity, offering a refreshing take on the classic "best friend's brother lover" trope.

What sets "Summer Romance" apart is its ability to balance light-hearted moments with poignant reflections on love, loss, and self-discovery. Monaghan's witty prose keeps the story engaging, while her insights into human nature add layers of emotional resonance. As Ali navigates the uncertainties of new love, readers are reminded that healing often comes in unexpected forms.

In summary, "Summer Romance" is a delightful read that effortlessly blends humor, heart, and hope. With its endearing characters and engaging storyline, it's sure to leave readers smiling long after they've turned the final page. For fans of the best friend turned lover trope and those who appreciate a heartfelt romance with a touch of humor, this book is a must-read.

I had really high hopes for Summer Romance but was ultimately let down a bit. I feel like what I was looking for in the book only started happening from 85% on, and that's not how it should be. I felt Ali was still too hung up on her ex-husband for too long even though she repeatedly recognizes that she knew her marriage wouldn't work in the long run. There were many descriptions and details that I felt were unnecessary and didn't add anything to the plot. I didn't fully buy in to Ali's romance with Ethan, but I throughly enjoyed reading her interactions with her children.

My personal rating is 3 stars, but I do think that many will connect with this book. Many have given it high ratings already but it just didn't totally click with me. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Summer Romance hits shelves on June 4, 2024.

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, so I didn’t know what do expect, but I had heard great things about her other books. “Summer Romance” definitely exceeded my expectations!

I knew there would be romance, of course! (Closed door by the way!) But I didn’t know it would go deeper and make me feel so many emotions! The book was a swoony, spunky, fairly predictable (at times) romance…but it also touched on grief and family and finding yourself! It was sweet and funny and heart-breaking and beautiful all in one!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. All thoughts are my own.
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan comes out on June 4th, 2024.
3.5/5 stars, round up.

Annabel Monaghan knows exactly how to write delightful, light, quick summer reads. I have read and enjoyed her other books and this one was no different. I read it all in one sitting while laying out by a pool with a tall glass of lemonade and honestly, nothing could have been better than that.

This story follows Ali, a professional organizer whose personal life is anything but organized. She is still grieving her mother's death when her husband announces that he wants a divorce, plunging her into life as a single mother of three children. When her best friend encourages her to get back into the dating world, Ali finally gives it a try and is pleasantly surprised when she meets a charming man at a local dog park. She decides to give into the idea of a summer romance, but little does she know that the man she met is her best friend's little brother. Is it possible that this summer romance could turn into something more?

One thing I love about all of Monaghan's books is that she writes about fully grown women. So many summer romances revolve around characters in their 20's, and while I enjoy those stories, as someone who is no longer in my 20's I appreciate reading stories about characters who have full and complex lives. Fans of Monaghan's other books were certainly love this one as well.

I actually really like Annabel’s writing. Her characters are so fleshed out and lovely. Ali is reclaiming her life and I love to see it!!

I think this is going to be such a good summer m beach read!! I mean it’s called Summer Romance and I think people are going to love it.

But truthfully I’m not feeling the women’s fiction vibe right now. So this is a very soft dnf @ 25%

Thank you so much to Penguin Group - Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ali, a professional organizer, who is still dealing with grief over her mothers death and her marriage ending considers her life an absolute mess. Her best friend is trying to get her to put on “hard pants” and take her wedding ring off but she did not expect her first guy to be her little brother, Ethan. Ali did not recognize Ethan right away and when her dog decided to claim him by peeing on his leg. She does not ask for his number and ends up going back to the dog park to look for him the next day but she doesn’t see him. When she finally puts it together that Ethan is actually Scooter, her best friends little brother, she does not know what she will do with herself.

Looking at the cover, I thought this was going to be a light, summery beach read, but it was so much more. There is grief, struggles after divorce, learning to date again, and doing all of this while taking care of three kids. Ali and her children show tremendous growth throughout the story and Ethan was the perfect complement to that compared to her horrible ex husband. He was the worst and just put her down at all times but expected her to be able to watch the kids 24/7 with no warning even when he said they would be staying with him. The love story between Ali and Ethan was just perfect and Ethan is the best kind of guy who was so considerate of her and her kids.

Ali's husband wants a divorce and she is a feeling a bit lost with being herself and also taking care of 3 kids. Thank goodness she lives in her hometown near her best friend. One day, she takes her dog to the park and that dog pees on a good looking guy's foot. Ali is mortified, but is able to strike up a conversation with this guy, who's name is Ethan.

After the dog park, she realizes that she never asked for Ethan's number and she can't stop thinking about him and his charm. She even goes to the dog park the next day in hopes that she will see him again, but she doesn't.

When Ali meets up with her best friend, she sees Ethan!! Her heart just skips a beat, but then she is informed that that dude Ethan, is actually Scooter...her best friend's brother that grew up and hasn't been around for ages.

Will Ali be able to navigate life as a single woman with 3 kids? Will she be able to find her voice again? Is her summer crush going to be something that happens for the summer?

Annabel Monaghan does it again! I love everything she writes and this was an amazing reading. I enjoyed how the writing flowed really well and the storytelling was amazing. It's not a simple rom-com kind of book as there is more depth to it, but it is definitely a book you'll want to take to the beach, relax with, read in bed with, or cancel all plans just to binge read this book!

This was not my first Annabel Monaghan book, but it’s my favorite. I already knew she was a sharp, witty writer that portrayed real, mature women in realistic every day life with accuracy and grace. And she did it again.

I went into this one blind and gasped out loud when I learned quickly that Ali is still in the thick of her grief of losing her mother two years ago. On top of all of the other things going on in this book, that resonated so deeply and I wasn’t sure I could go on. I did, and not only did I fall in love with Ali, I loved reading her journey through her emotional loss and then growth. Monaghan had such great insight and her afterword confirmed that (don’t miss that).

Ali’s life is a mess, she hasn’t worn “hard pants” in two years, she is stuck and her grief is a bit of a cornerstone of that. Her husband has left her, she’s a professional organizer with a mess of a house and her life is chaotic all around. She meets a cute guy on the day she finally takes off her wedding ring and decides she’s going to have a summer romance. Monaghan captures the complexities of a busy woman/mom that is suddenly single, juggling all the balls and desperate to not drop any of them.

I don’t want to scare anyone of thinking this book is solely about grief. It’s much more about Ali as a whole person and her growth. There is so much more, I laughed to myself multiple times and can completely relate to redoing my pantry in plastic bins and having way too much to go through. Ethan, the cute guy, is adorable and the type of book boyfriend every book ought to have. He’s kind, considerate, smart and is obviously very into Ali. Her kiddos and friends are great too. Her ex, well he’s a jerk.

Monaghan is a writer that you wish lived next door. I have no doubt we would be great friends. She would entertain me endlessly with her recommendations for favorite non-hard pants. I don’t often rate this genre of books as highly but I have no doubt that this one will stick with me as I remember “she’s as close as your breath”. Thank you for sharing those words, Annabel.

I loved Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer, so I couldn’t wait to read Summer Romance. This hit the spot! Easy, one sitting read with lots to engage emotion overload in.

I didn't love this one quite as much as I loved Nora Goes Off-Script, but it was still SO good. Quick, well-written, and a great exploration of grief as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.