A good ol’ beach read that was fun, sweet, and easy to get through. I got a little bogged down in the middle, but the ending was perfect and I loved the sense of place. I know a lot of people enjoyed Annabel Monagan’s other books and while I won’t be immediately bumping them to the top of my TBR, I’d read more from this author!

Annabel Monaghan does it again! There’s something so powerful about reclaiming your life, and that’s exactly what Ali does. I love the focus on the different relationships in her life and how they evolve throughout the story. Finding out Ethan has been crazy about Ali since they were younger was another thing I loved about this book. I really enjoyed the family dynamics and what life can look like the older you get. I loved this one!

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan (June 4, 2024)

“You can’t just keep doing what you’re doing and wait for it to turn into something happy. You kind of have to look for the happy things along the way.”

To jumpstart the summer in a delightful way, Annabel Monaghan is back! Since I devoured Nora Goes Off Script back in 2022, this author’s books are automatic reads for me.

I want to be friends with Monaghan and her novels’ characters. As always, in her latest book, the author writes in a conversational tone, with characters who are relatable, fun, and unsure of themselves. And they have lots and lots of flaws.

Ali and her three kids live in Beechwood, NY, a small coastal town wedged between Manhattan and Connecticut. They celebrate the last day of the school year with a tradition her late mom began—one I might incorporate!—“toasting” to a champagne summer.

As Ali, a professional organizer, winds her way through the summer—and divorce proceedings—she tries to figure out what’s next in her life. She takes some chances. She steps out of her comfort zone. She meets dreamy Ethan.

And she feels lighter, happier, and terrified.

A sweet, wonderful book full of laughter, drama sadness and characters that enjoy being together. Ali is a soon to be divorced mother of three, has an organizing business and seems to be at a crisis. Ethan is an attorney who lives in Devon to get away from his family, who seem to always consider him still a problem child. I loved all the characters from old to young, but I especially liked Ethan. He had a way of encouraging Ali,even though he was discouraged about the way his family treated him. He was able to have Ali see herself has a vibrant, important woman. (Should’ t we all feel that way?) A heartwarming story of second chances that made me cry, but most of all made my heart happy. Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an early copy. This review is my honest opinion.

This was such a cute and interesting story! I love how the author incorporates serious topics of grief and loss but also manages to make it a light hearted and heart felt story. I’m a sucker for a summer theme book and this is definitely one i will always recommend! I was so proud of the FMC for the confidence and courage she built through the story, not only for herself but also for her kids. The main MMC is the definition of golden retriever and I want one lol. His patience and resilience from start to finish was so well written and described. His attentiveness was on point. Overall I think the story developed so well and is perfect for those looking for a summer romance story!

I see why so many others have given this a 5 star review. It was such a sweet story and not exactly what I was expecting. I loved the growth that both Ethan and Ali obtained. Highly recommend.

This is a great summer beach read. It is a feel-good story about a woman whose mother died 2 years ago, and after a year separation from her husband, she is finally going through with her divorce. Her best friend Frannie is hell bent on getting Ali to wear 'normal' clothes and just start living life again. Then Ali meets Evan at the dog park... her 'meet cute' happens when her dog Ferris pees on Evan's foot. Oops! But Evan takes it in stride and the next time they see each other he asks her out. Ali finally has something exciting in her life and is intent on moving forward, even if it's just going to be a summer romance with Evan.

A super cute romance perfect for the summer. It shows you that you can always move on in life, even with all the awkward encounters and potential to get your heart broken. I liked Ali and Evan, as well as the supporting characters like Frannie, and the dogs. Everyone needs a little love in their life!

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙝𝙖𝙣
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★

This was truly such a sweet story that I connected to on so many levels! The main character Ali was a wonderful mom, doing her best but dealing with grief from the death of her mother, losing herself and a failed marriage. All of this was taking her down little by little along the way. This story of Ali’s come back from her divorce, finding her voice and going for what she wants in life was truly inspiring and a beautiful read!

I loved the pure sweetness that came from Ali’s friends and their parents, her neighbor friend and the way she parented her kids. Without question her kids came first, she lived for them and always did what was best for them and I could relate to this so much. I adored the picturesgue town of Beechwood and the access to the water and the Inn, which her friend’s family owned. It all gave such small town, summer vibes and I loved it!

Ethan entering Ali’s life was the cherry on top! He came in and made her see things completely different. He was a carefree, skateboarding, loving, lawyer who gave her a completely different outlook on life and all of its possibilities. What she thought would be just a summer romance, she then hoped could be so much more!

My favorite part of the story had to be Ali’s growth and finding what she wanted in life, learning to speak up for herself and going with her dream in the end. This was such a heartfelt story that will have you shedding some sad tears and so so many happy tears!

I thought this would just be a cheesy cute romance to get me out of a reading slump, but it was so much more than that. The characters had me constantly turning the pages, I could barely stop reading this book. Each character gave off their own energy and I loved every single bit of it. Ethan and Alice were by far one of the best book couples I have ever had the privilege of reading. Monaghan has a very extraordinary talent, and I will definitely read her books more often because of this wonderful masterpiece . I will recommend this amazing book to everyone whenever I get the chance, no one wants to miss out on this amazing romance. When Greer and Alice talked together, I almost cried. Monaghan knows exactly how to write young girls, and it is absolutely heartbreaking but amazing at the same time.

This book was fun and light-hearted - a super quick read since I couldn’t put it down. The story captures the essence of a summer fling with engaging characters and a sweet plot. A perfect pick for anyone looking for a cute, quick escape

This was vanilla for me. A light read after some other heavy books. But nothing really too remarkable about this story. I still think Nora Goes Off Script was this author’s best book.

I love Annabelle Monaghan, and the way her novels make me feel like I’m sitting back watching a chick flick. Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to have this advanced readers copy

This book gave me all the best feels.

Thank you to Annabel Monaghan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Ali is in the middle of a divorce and grieving the loss of her mother. Her life is a mess and she is trying to find her way back to herself. Enter Ethan, a handsome man whom she happens to meet and starts a summer romance. I loved reading about a woman navigating life as a new single mom while also evaluating what brought her here. The growth of Ali was wonderful to read. We never forget that Ali is a mother, and I understood the choices she made to best benefit her children and their life together through all this change. A quick read with wonderful vibes. A must read for Summer 2024.

4.25 🌟

The perfect summer romance read!

I loved the characters in this book so much. Having grown up in a small town, I could totally relate to Ethan and the desire to be something other than how your childhood defined you. I also loved that Ali is older and redefining herself and finding herself. It was a great reminder that life doesn't end once you hit a certain age. Also, Ali's relationship with her older neighbor. ❤️❤️

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

First off thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for the chance to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Annabel Monaghan and I have been looking for more "grown" romances where the FMC is older and has kids so I was really excited about Summer Romance. I thought the story was sweet and definitely laughed out loud a few times. But there were also themes of grief throughout the book that were pretty heavy at times. To me this book had all the makings of a great story but it somehow lacked depth for me. I was never swooning over the romance and everything seemed to happen so fast.

I did love the way Ali was able to move through her grief and find herself again and to me that was the best part of the story. And of course how things happened with her husband Pete but I don't want to give anything away.

I liked this book but didn't love it, so for me it was 3.5 star read because I definitely wanted to know what happened next!

I'd really like to give this 4.25-4.5 stars if that was an option. I received this as an ARC from Net Galley & was extremely thrilled as Nora Goes Off Script was a recent 5 star read for me.
Annabel Monaghan writes novels that appeal to a specific "life milestone" for women.
Ali is going through a period of her life where she is experiencing deep grief from the loss of her mother while simultaneously juggling a divorce from her long time self appreciating husband (who honestly sucks). She's starting to realize her mother always tried to protect her from pain and always looked for a "silver lining". Ali's 3 children notice her not exactly "being herself" and she's receiving criticism from her best friend about needing to stop wearing sweat pants and it's time for "hard pants".
One day while Ali goes out of her comfort zone (wearing hard pants) she takes her dog to the dog park who hilariously "claims" the sexy mysterious man in town for the summer. After agreeing to a date she finds out this is in fact her best friends brother. They decide on a barter where he will use his lawyer skills to help settle her divorce if she can use her organization to help clean out his parents house he inherits.
After much push back, Ali allows herself to enjoy a "champagne summer" or "summer romance".
Throughout the summer we see these 2 get closer and try to navigate the long distance / divorce / dating after divorce with balancing kids.
I loved the humor, I laughed and I cried. I loved watching a lost woman who gave her soul essentially to her self absorbed ex husband, take a chance and learn to grow and be herself again.
I definitely recommend this story, especially for those in their 30's, mothers, best friends brother romance, navigating grief from the loss of a close one.

Did Annabel Monaghan just write my perfect man?! She may just have.

This book is the epitome of its title and will make the best Summer read. It’s the age old story. I think all of us as little girls dreamt of the day that we’re at a dog park and our dog pees on a beautiful man’s shoes. But not just any man, our BFF’s younger brother who you hardly remember and haven’t seen since highschool. I joke, but that’s exactly what happens to grief stricken, mother-of-three, Ali.

This was such a ✨sweet✨ story!! Ali and I may be in very different stages of life but I fully believe her to be a fellow enneagram one and so much about her reminded me of myself! The MMC, Ethan, was spontaneous and goofy and compassionate and minus the blond hair just totally the type of guy I picture myself with😆

Y’all, I loved this. It felt like an adult romance with so much chemistry while still being closed door which is my JAM.

4.5 stars.

💕Small town
💕Summer romance
💕Single parent
💕Best friend’s brother

Anabel Monaghan has a serious knack for writing romance novels that offer mature, complex characters and vivid storylines. The relatability of the characters in this book made it so easy to connect with the story.

While the author doesn’t shy away from the tough topics like losing a parent or divorce, this book balances romance, healing, and a heartwarming story. It truly is a great comfort read! Did I mention there’s a dog? 🐶

For a perfect slow burn bingable beach read, this book does not disappoint! ☀️

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Maybe that’s the essence of a summer romance: it’s the impossible thing–a love affair with no reality check.”

Summer Romance is the new heartfelt romance by Annabel Monaghan, the newest must-read women’s fiction author! Ali is finally going to start getting her life back on track – as a professional organizer, her life is a mess two years after losing her mother and one year after her husband asked for a divorce. Going to the local dog park, Ferris pees on the leg of a good-looking man, now giving Ali a reason to actually put on “real pants” to go back to the dog park the next day. However, Ethan just happens to be her best friend’s trouble-making brother, all grown up, who is only staying in town for a short period of time. Does Ali have what it takes to do a no-strings-attached, summer fling? Or does she have what it takes to lay her fragile heart all on the line?

What a REAL story! This book is just everything you want, bundled into one, relatable, down-to-earth story. Ali is legit the mom who is trying to do everything right, but failing only when it comes to herself – which is why she has a best friend that tells her to wear “hardware,” a neighbor encouraging her, and a summer fling that reminds her that she is “the architect of [her] own experience.”

From being a mother, going through a divorce with an almost ex-husband who doesn’t understand boundaries or give and take, losing your own mother, attempting to organize your own life, help those around you and then be expected to attempt to date again . . . this book was so perfect with emotions, feelings, and is the epitome of women’s fiction.

Side notes, my chihuahua Mr. Martini (a long time ago!) peed on my mom’s boyfriend the very first time I met him, and they now have been married for 17 years – maybe a dog knows when to mark its territory! I also have an elderly neighbor named Phyillis, and this continually made me think that I needed to go next door and make her eggs.

And lastly, I absolutely loved the whole theory and logic about: “it’s why you get a dog.” You know you are going to have your heart broke, that their life span is less than ours - but you know how much joy they will bring you while they are alive, so we need to do what makes us happy, even if it’s temporary. “The intensity of the love you feel with match the intensity of its loss.”

I rate this 4.7 stars and will tell everyone to go buy it on June 4, 2024!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam / G/P. Putnam’s Sons for this lovely arc. All opinions are my own!

Here’s to a champagne summer!”

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and G.P Putnam's Sons to providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is my third book by Monaghan and I swear each book I read gets better than the last. A few months ago I picked up Nora Goes Off Script, because all my book buddies in my book groups told me it was fantastic. And guess what? They were right. I loved it and tore through it and ended up picking up Same Time Next Summer and liking just as much if not more. So, given the chance to read this one early, I jumped on it and I'm so glad I did.
Monaghan has a way of taking her stories and infusing tension that pulls you along and makes you feel like you never want to stop. I feel this often with Christina Lauren books. Like something heavy is sitting on my chest waiting to burst and it won't happen until I get to the end of the story. I love a story with this type of tension. It makes me want to keep reading. I really give a lot of props to the author that she can keep this up throughout the entire book. There was not a point that I wanted to put this book down. The pacing was that good for me. I ended up reading it in less than 24 hours!
This is women's fiction at it's finest. Monaghan chooses to write to a certain age group with her adult fiction and it just works. While I'm older than her characters, I still find them immensely relatable. They bring me back to that time in my life and that feeling of nostalgia is so soothing and right.
The book also infuses one of my favorite tropes, which I'm not sure I even knew about going in: best friend's brother. But unlike some books I've read where there is a hard line that cannot be crossed, this one is more blurry. The characters are older than what I usually see for this trope, mid to late thirties.
This book is a closed door romance. I do love my spice but sometimes it's nice to just have the story be the story and not worry about all the sexy scenes. I think this plays well with the single parent vibe Monaghan sets up. And it allows the characters time to get to know each other without worrying about always being naked together.
Ali never had a chance to find true love. Pregnant within a year of dating her boyfriend, they end up married. But after three kids and moving back to the town where she grew up, Ali loses herself in the marriage and becomes complacent with what she has been handed. She loses who she is. And she is still grieving the loss, even after two years, of the one person she had counted on to make her feel grounded, her mother. Add to that an ex who continues to step all over her and always put his own needs first and you have a recipe for someone who loses their self-esteem. Plus, she's now a single parent because her ex doesn't make his kids a priority. Juggling all of this takes it toll on her mentally. When she's presented with a chance at Summer romance, something that is fleeting and will give her just what she needs, she jumps in without hesitation. She craves to feel that feeling of romance and being cared for. I loved the growth this character went through. I love how she was able to find herself again and start to see all the parts of her she had buried deep for someone else. I also love how she can see that even though she was close with her mom, there were things her mom did to keep her complacent in her marriage.
Ethan, aka "Scooter", has so many fabulous elements as a MMC. He's a bit younger than Ali, but not by much. But it's his own life experience that has shaped him into a loving and caring human being. I love how Monaghan made him so involved in his community. At the same time, you could see he was running away from trauma he experienced as a teen. He has his own issues with understanding his own self worth and, like Ali, has to work through them. What I think I loved most about him was his compassion and ability to just listen, even if that listening was to silence. He was able to be in the moment and express his own wants and needs easily. He also has the best sense of humor and uses it to break up a lot of tense moments in this book that would otherwise have sent Ali off the rails. Above all, he shows Ali that she is a strong and capable woman who has so much to give the world if she would just be her true authentic self.
I do wish this book would have been dual point of view. On the one hand, I understand Monaghan's choice to really tell Ali's story. I can see she didn't want Ethan's to get in the way. At the same time, I wanted to truly see Ethan in his own element: interacting with his family, interacting with his community, making life decisions. And I didn't get that as much as I would have just seeing him through Ali's eyes. But I also know this is women's fiction and Monaghan for sure wanted to give Ali a true and honest voice without having it overshadowed by anyone else.
My favorite quote in the book: "And now I can never un-know the truest thing - the intensity of the love you feel will match the intensity of it's loss."
Monaghan is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and her books will automatically be added to my TBR before I even know what they are about. As soon as I was done with this one, I wanted to go back and be able to read it again for the first time. She makes me laugh, and cry, and clutch at my heart and then gives me everything I want in the end. I'm looking forward to what she puts on paper next!