I love how the author tackles so many different life issues like death, divorce, single parent, grief, financial issues, family dynamics and self identity. The author did a beautiful job navigating those issues and made the characters feel real and relatable. I loved the characters and loved being able to watch both of them grow while going through difficult times. I also enjoyed that this romance didn’t follow the “typical” narrative and showed a single mom looking for love and how she navigated a new relationship for the first time in years and with her kids. The romance was there but not “spicy” so makes for more of a casual summer read. Overall, I would give this 3.5 stars (rounding to 4) but would recommend. Thanks to Netgalley for a ARC!

I absolutely adore Annabel Monaghan’s writing. Her characters are always so fleshed out and seen so real. Her stories are never drawn out. There is always heart to her stories. I loved reading the relationship with Ali and Ethan grow. I loved reading about Ali’s relationship with her mother and her children also. This book was hard to put down. I’ll definitely be reading everything from her in the future.

thank you Annabel, the publisher, & NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I think this was the first book that I've read that involves a single mom, Ali's children really touched my heart. I like that she was constantly trying to talk to her mother even if she wasn't physically there with her anymore. I'm glad Ali found her person in the end and that she realized that she deserved more than what she was getting in her previous relationship. and who would have ever thought that I'd end up being motivated to clean because of a character in a book, thanks Ali.

Oh Annabel! I love how I can count on you for always providing a great romcom 😍 Another book by her that did not disappoint. The silliness of this one kind of gave me Finlay Donovan vibes.

Although the main male character “Ethan” wasn’t my ‘type’ he was great & someone you would definitely set up with a friend 😜 I loved his quirkiness, like how he thought it was totally ok getting peed on by a dog, or how he wore his special getups to Ali’s meetings (I kept picturing Burt Reynolds in his 70’s suit outfits), probably my favorite parts in the book. Ali (main female character) was fine. Ridiculous at times but fine. They were a sweet pair to read about their Summer Romance. One thing about this story is Ali lost her Mother a couple years ago (the book lets you know that right away), and I didn’t dig the way she would talk to her mom & her mom would respond…like he was an imaginary friend or she was talking to a ghost. I’d have rather it been written more so where she talked out loud to her mom but kind of rhetorical, or instead answer for her mom like “oh Mom would’ve definitely told me …”🤷‍♀️

So many things in this book were relatable to me in this book as far as relationships with family and my spouse, my kids, just being a Mom in general (sahm vs working). Lots of subjects I could relate to or got me thinking. Overall this book was a fun/cute romcom, good chemistry between the two main characters & a satisfying enough ending (without spoilers I’m a tad mad at Ali lol). With all the sexual tension it could’ve had a bit more spice but I also appreciate that Monaghan doesn’t make her books full nasty 😜 Wasn’t a full 5 star for me but it was a fun quick read & I’d definitely recommend it to fellow romcom fans & especially Annabel Monaghan fans. This is like the movie Inside Out for kiddos but the adult version, all the feels/emotions. You can tell she put her heart in this book & there were times it was even a bit emotional for me 💖

Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the Arc!

Oh my two totally petty complaints.. she used the word “carbonated” too many times & she sure liked to have her characters wear white shirts often haha 😂

Cute, cute! Monaghan has become an auto read for me. The perfect read to begin summer. Cute, with enough plot, easy beach read. My teen has begging for more romance/women's fiction reads and this is perfect.

Summer Romance is officially my favorite Annabel Monaghan novel! After reading Nora Goes Off Script earlier this year, I was excited to dive into another Monaghan novel, and this small town romance novel did not disappoint. In fact, I read the book cover to cover in under 24 hours, which is extremely rare for me.

This book gave me all the feels. The story follows Ali, a mom of 3 who recently lost her mother whom she was very close with, and is going through a divorce. Ali is stuck and lost, until Ethan shows up in town and re-ignites fun in her life. The problem: Ethan is her best friends brother and family friend who doesn’t live in town, her divorce is proving messy, and it is hard to be a single mom of 3.

When I started the book, I thought it was a little basic, but I was so wrong! This book had incredible emotional depth. I have always found myself moved by talks about death and grief, and found myself deeply moved by Ali’s relationship with her mother, and the way she continues to search for advice from her. In addition to her obvious love and respect for her deceased mother, Ali has a beautiful relationship with her children, who are experiencing all of the wildness of growing up. Not to mention my favorite character, Phyllis, who is Ali’s next door neighbor and a godmother-type figure in Ali’s love. No spoilers, but Ali’s relationships with her mother, children, and Phyllis made me tear up multiple times. Of course, the MMC, Ethan, was great and I loved how he helped bring out the best in Ali. And naturally, the happily ever after left me giddy.

Overall, I’d recommend this book! It was fast paced and moving. It doesn’t have spice, and the drama is a little less ~dramatic then some other romance novels I’ve read, but it was still a fun time. Also, if you are looking for romance novels with older main characters (which I know a lot of people like), this one is definitely for you. Solid 4 star read for me!

another hit from this author. Perfect mix of romance yet reality. I loved the grief storyline and how the FMC slowly dealt with it through her personal trials.

Friends, Annabel Monaghan has done it again. She’s written a realistic,, well-written romance novel about a woman in mid-life who has gone through a divorce and has raised a child —- but finds herself later in life and ends up in a love story. I also enjoyed the way this book tackled losing your mother after a close relationship, and the way mothers and daughters often raise kids together. My mom has helped me so much that I could relate.

The only thing I just couldn’t was the fact that the love interest was a single lawyer who skateboarded. The skateboarding was slightly ridiculous.

If Annabel Monaghan writes it, I will read it!

I keep waiting for one of her books to not hit the mood and this was not it! The Summer vibes in her books are perfection and this one especially felt like the perfect Summer time read!

I was in a book slump when I picked this one up and it pulled me right out! It has enough depth to not be total fluff but also has so much happy, swoony, goodness as well!

Her stories feel familiar in a comforting way but are different enough that I am happy to read each and every one! I loved watchin Ethan and Ali work through some hard things on the page while being their authentic selves. Can't wait for the next "Summer Romance" that Annabel Monaghan writes!

Wow! This book is so delightful and easily pulls on all your heart strings. A wonderfully conceived plot and crafted with relatable characters that make it believable. The main characters of Ali and Ethan have amazing chemistry, fun and flity banter and a history they have to work through to have any future together. I quickly became emotionally invested in their story and had a hard time putting down the book. I honestly lost a good amount of sleep while reading this book because I kept thinking I would just read one more chapter and then continued past that chapter.
I highly recommend this heartwarming book! This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2024! I am so grateful to Penguin Publishing - Putnam Group for the opportunity to read a digital copy of this outstanding book through Netgalley. The opinions in the review are my own.

"Summer Romance" is a heartwarming novel about a newly single mother, Ali, who is navigating grief and rediscovering love. After her husband leaves her and she mourns her mother's passing, Ali, a former accountant turned home organizer, feels lost. Her three children bring her joy, but it isn't until Ethan comes to town that she begins to find herself again.

The story focuses not only on Ali and Ethan's romance but also on Ali’s journey of self-discovery. She is a relatable, honest, and flawed character that readers can easily root for.

While the plot may be predictable, it features endearing moments, humor, and PG-13 chemistry between the main characters. Monaghan’s characters face real-life challenges, learn from their mistakes, and grow throughout the story.

Overall, "Summer Romance" is a delightful summer read with relatable characters and a charming setting, making it a perfect escape.

I read for a distraction from real life. This just felt too boring for me to be distracted. I’m a mom of 2kids and happily married…. I think I’ve figured out that a divorce trope is just not for me.

Annabel Monaghan is an auto buy author and an auto read for me. I loved this book!! Thank you netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book! 5 beautiful stars

I ended up listening to this one in audio and thought it was really cute. I liked the two main characters and it was cute and carefree.

This book was an absolute delight! I loved that it was a closed-door romance, keeping things sweet and heartfelt without crossing any lines. The story was so cute, and I found myself totally wrapped up in the characters’ journeys. It’s the perfect pick for a beach day—light, fun, and impossible to put down. I ended up finishing it in just one day. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, eager to see how it all unfolded. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good read!

This book felt incredibly realistic! It had all the charming, feel-good vibes of a romantic comedy, but they felt genuine rather than like a typical Hallmark or fairy tale. It was a fun, lighthearted read—perfect for summer. I also appreciated that the characters were adults and not some twenty-something’s that you can’t relate to. It felt like the comfort of a favorite TV show while lounging on a cozy couch. I highly recommend it!

Perfect meet cute and summer read! Loved the chemistry between Ethan and Ali! Would definitely reread and recommend!

Love this book so much! Love all of Monaghan’s books but this was possibly my favorite. The author writes the best “second chance/mid-life” love stories.
The characters are always lovable and the stories are easy to get into. The real meat of life-loss, grief, fear- are always weaved into stories to make them completely relatable and realistic.
Looking forward to her next book!

This meet be my favorite and funniest meet cute I’ve ever read. I couldn’t believe the dog peeded on him and it made me definitely want to keep reading. There were many parts where I would tell myself I would Put down the book at the end of the chapter but then I would keep reading because it would be getting good!

I highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of this book.

This book was not what I expected it to be, I was expecting light hearted summer rom com, but it had so much more depth. This book follows Ali, who is going through a divorce and recently lost her mother. She meets a guy at a dog park and has an instant attraction to him, only to find out later she's known him since childhood. I enjoyed this book so much and would definitely recommend it. I also loved that the main characters were in their mid to late 30s, so it didn't feel super young.