Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC.

This is an easy and fun read. A perfect vacation or beach book.

I fell in love with all the characters…well, except for Ali’s ex-husband (Pete). I love seeing Ali work through her grief and find her own voice. She recognized the power and influence a strong woman can have.

Going into Summer Romance, I was expecting a big romance like Annabel's previous works. This book read more women's fiction than romance. As a women's fiction story, Summer Romance is great! Annabel perfectly portrays the grief, struggles, and triumphs of a woman going through a lot. I enjoyed watching Ali's character development. What I didn't enjoy was the romance 🙁 I was disappointed by the romance of this story. I thought the chemistry between Ali and Ethan was lacking. I wanted their relationship to be more of a focal point. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something felt missing with Ali and Ethan. I did like how Annabel weaved the setting into the story. She did a wonderful job of describing the town. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for the ARC.

Very enjoyable summer romance. I like how the author writes about characters with complicated past relationships and backgrounds. Her writing style brings talent and depth to a story that could have been just another second chance romance.

After the last couple summers of enjoying Annabel Monaghan's romances, I eagerly looked forward to this next one. While enjoyable, it is not nearly as good as her previous works, and quite forgettable after a few weeks. We follow a single mom as she works to finalize her divorce, rebuild her life, and reconnect with a new love connection. This is a great summer read, however it lacks the staying power particularly of Nora Goes Of Script, but it is still worth a read. The descriptions of small-town life and humorous interactions between the leads are great, and the novel is well written.

Annabel does it again.. I just loved this book and these characters so much!
Annabel adds so much heart to her stories. I find the characters and situations relatable.
The romance was perfect and swoony. There was no crazy miscommunication and it was so refreshing. Enjoyed from start to finish!


-Closed door romance
-Mid 30’s MCs
-That meet cute 🤣, so good!
-Best friends brother/ He fell first

Oh this book. I absolutely hands down adored this book. The grief of losing her mom, her ex, the sweet kiddos, her dog and of course Ethan. From start to finish this book was a delight. Great characters, funny, heartwarming and really brings you into all those summer feels! So grateful for the ARC copy NetGalley!

There is life after divorce! Such a great story about finding true love after losing yourself to motherhood and a marriage that didn’t’t work. I couldn’t stop reading and truly appreciate the author’s ability to tell an engaging story.

I didn’t think it was possible to love a book more than Nora Goes Off Script, but I think this one surpassed it. I loved Ali, I loved Ethan, and I LOVED the overall message.

I will not be surprised when this book ends up being one of my favorites for the year.

4⭐️
1.5🌶️

⛱️This book was an unexpectedly deep beach read. Going in, I knew that grief was a topic that was going to be handled, but it was done so well and in so many different ways.

🌊There were several times that I got so mad at something Pete was doing that I actually had to take a break from the book 🤦🏻‍♀️

⛱️I loved the ending of this book. There was a lot of self-discovery, character development, and an overall satisfying end to the story.

🌊Thank you to Penguin, Putnam, and Annabel Monaghan for the oppourtunity to read and enjoy this advanced copy.

💌Content Warnings: divorce, death of a parent/friend, grief

Such a sweet book that has me ready to kick off summer! I really enjoyed the main character Ali and her development throughout. The conflicts in this one were pretty low stakes so it didn't have a ton going on plot=wise, but I found myself super invested in the characters and it was an easy read to just relax into. It did seem a little far-fetched that Ali couldn't ID Ethan right away - but that's a minor enough quibble that I could suspend my disbelief for this delightful book. Definitely recommend as a summer beach read!

After three books I can say I’m a big fan of Monaghan. She writes the loveliest of rom coms with a level of depth that makes me feel so much and she adds in that necessary dash of humor to make the sad moments very approachable.

This entire story is told from just one point of view which was a really nice change from so many of the books I’ve been reading lately. I didn’t have to keep track of timelines or people! 🙌🏻 I was a big fan of the main gal Ali and thought both her life journey and romantic aspects were just delightful. Between the meet cute, adorable dogs, and quirky characters this was exactly what I’ve come to love about Monaghans stories.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam for the arc via Netgalley!

This is the third book I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan and it is my favorite so far. Ali and Ethan’s romance is fun and sweet and full of hope. And Ali’s story with her family as she navigates this new relationship amidst all of the loss she’s experienced makes for an emotional story. I don’t know how, but Monaghan manages to make this book feel like summer even when you’re reading it on a cold, rainy day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC!

Did I sit down with the intention of devouring this book basically in one sitting? Nope. But I shouldn't have been surprised because this has happened with every book I've read from Annabel Monaghan. There's something about her writing style that sucks me in. I LOVE the characters in this book. Ali is a fantastic heroine and Ethan is SWOON WORTHY. Get this book on your radar now because it's PERFECT to get sucked into on vacation.

This was such a sweet summer romance about love, grief, moving on, and just becoming yourself. I loved the family dynamics mixed in with this romance and the love interest was sweet. It’s one of those reads where nothing really bad happens and you’re just along for the ride, so it can definitely be a light pick me up while also talking deep topics. Our main character, Ali, has to combat a lot of changes to her life as she lost her mom a few years before and she’s going through a divorce with a man she never fully loved. All the while raising her three kids and a new-ish love interest comes into town. I flew through this just like I have with the author’s previous books and got me in the mood to read more summer romances!

I do wish we got to see a bit more going on as it felt like not much was happening throughout the novel. I did enjoy seeing Ali’s love for her kids and figuring out how to fit Ethan into her life. I just loved Ethan and did find it hard to believe that she had no idea who Ethan exactly was at the beginning. Overall, it was a short and sweet novel that I had an enjoyable time with!

This is my first read by author Annabel Monaghan, and I’m kind of mad about it. How am I just now discovering her???
Summer Romance is the perfect summer read. The main character, Ali, shows so much growth over one summer. She finally puts her soon-to-be ex-husband in his place by no longer being a doormat, comes out of deep depression after losing her mother two years prior, and takes a chance at love again with the best guy. As someone who has lost a close loved one, Ali's journey through grief is relatable and tugs at the heart strings.
I definitely recommend grabbing Summer Romance as your next beach read or your next lazy, rainy day read…you get the point, just grab it ASAP.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Annabel Monaghan for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Summer Romances are just that a "summer romance" until the heart gets in the way.

Ali's life is so disorganized, unlike how she leaves her clients homes. Her mom died, her husband left her a single Mom and zipper pants are just too much work. Out for the first time with her dog at the park, the dog literally marks the man, Ethan, who will make her heart feel again.

This novel is emotionally romantic with mature adults letting their hearts lead the way. There's also humor, tenderness and swoon-worthy moments. The secondary cast of characters in this little beach town are the exact support Ali needs to uplift her life.

Ali and Ethan are simply the best! This is my new favorite by Annabel Monaghan.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons

Benefits of a summer romance: it’s always fun, always brief, and no one gets their heart broken. There aren’t enough labeled glass containers to contain the mess that is Ali Morris’s life. Her mom died two years ago, then her husband left, and she hasn’t worn pants with a zipper in longer than she cares to remember. She’s a professional organizer whose pantry is a disgrace. No one is more surprised than Ali when the first time she takes off her wedding ring and puts on pants with hardware—overalls count, right?—she meets someone. Or rather, her dog claims a man for her in the same way he claimed his favorite of her three children: by peeing on him. Ethan smiles at Ali like her pants are just right—like he likes what he sees. The last thing Ali needs is to make her life messier, but there’s no harm in a little Summer Romance. Is there?

So you want a Best Friend's Brother, Friends to Lovers, Small Town Romance? Look no further than Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan. I've loved every book she's written so far, and this one did not disappoint! I was cautious when I started this book because Ali focused a lot on her mother's death and I hate a parental death in books. It's a big fear of mine that I know I'll have to face one day, but I don't wanna think about it now, especially in books. But anyway, I digress. This turned out to be a fantastic book! I was so taken in by it, that I couldn't put it down. Ethan is such a sweet hero. He doesn't play games, he is upfront with his feelings about Ali and is just such a cinnamon roll hero. I loved it when he came in to help Ali with her divorce and really took her ex down a peg. He was such an unlikeable foil to Ethan. Ali grows so much as a heroin. I love seeing a character who is depressed or down on her luck get a redemptive character ARC. As someone who had gone through that hard work, I appreciate how much it shows on the page with Ali. The small-town secondary characters were a hoot. I loved Ali's kids and how they interacted with Ethan. I just can't say enough good things about this one!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 6/4!

I really enjoyed this story about Ali ,who has two children and is getting a divorce, . She meets Ethan in the dog park when her dog pees on him. Shortly after that they start meeting at the dog park and that leads to dating. Ali and her children are invited to her best friend's house for dinner and Ethan is there. That is when she finds out that he is Scooter , her best friend's brother . Read this story to find out what happens.. Is this just another summer romance for Ali or the real thing.? A VERY GOOD READ.

In "Ali Morris: A Summer of Hope," Annabel Monaghan took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they delve into the life of Ali Morris, a woman facing numerous challenges. Ali's world is turned upside down as she navigates the painful process of divorce while still grieving the loss of her beloved mother. The weight of these burdens makes it difficult for Ali to find stability and order in her home and personal life.

However, amidst the chaos, a chance encounter with Ethan at the local dog park brings a glimmer of hope into Ali's life. Their summer romance blossoms, offering Ali a much-needed respite from her troubles. Monaghan's vivid storytelling captures the essence of their relationship, making readers laugh, cry, and swoon as they witness the ups and downs of Ali's journey.

Monaghan's ability to create realistic and relatable characters is a standout feature of this novel. Ali's struggles and triumphs resonate with readers, allowing them to connect with her on a deep level. As Ali embarks on a journey of self-discovery, readers are taken along for the ride, experiencing her growth and transformation firsthand.

The compelling plot kept me engaged from start to finish, as they eagerly turn the pages to uncover what lies ahead for Ali. Monaghan's writing style is both captivating and heartwarming, making it impossible to put the book down. With each chapter, I became more invested in Ali's story, rooting for her happiness and eagerly anticipating the resolution of her challenges.

This book is a heartwarming story that left me with a sense of optimism and a renewed belief in the power of love and self-discovery. Monaghan's ability to weave together a tale of resilience and hope is truly remarkable. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating story with elemnets like late 30s MCs, and tropes such as single parent, best friends brother, meet cutes, forced proximity and looking for a closed door romance!

I am eagerly anticipating Monaghan's next literary masterpiece. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

After enjoying the author’s previous 2 books I was very excited to be gifted an advance copy of Summer Romance! I think this may have been my favorite of all of her books.

It follows Ali, a 38 year old single mom in the middle of a divorce. I loved that this was an older MC whose life was a little messy- it felt more relatable to me than all the romances focusing on women in their 20’s. I also really enjoyed that there were multiple threads in this book- Ali is grieving the loss of her mom and that is a huge part of the storyline as well. I felt like it was all so well done. I also loved the friendship between Ali and her neighbor. So many good morsels in this one!

I would have loved an epilogue but otherwise was very satisfied with how it ended. It even made me cry and I’m not a big crier. 4.5 rounded up

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.