That ending! Wow, this story warmed my heart in so many ways. The analogy about getting a dog – broke my heart straight in half. But it is a reminder to always take a risk, to always leap, even if you know you will get hurt. And for the record, I will always have a dog, too.

Ali is a professional organizer who is quirky and relatable. She’s has been through a lot in the past couple of years and her own life is a bit of a mess. She lost her mother 2 years ago and is now in the process of getting a divorce from her husband. Not to mention she is also raising 3 kids, mostly on her own due to her ex only being around when it’s convenient to him. Ali finds cleaning and organizing to be therapeutic, and she frequently has conversations with her late mother. I absolutely adored this poignant concept; it’s charming how she continues to seek guidance from her mom, and I feel like that is something a lot of people can relate to, whether you’ve lost your mom, or just someone you look up to in general.

Ali has an embarrassing meet-cute with Ethan, who turns out to be someone from her past. Immediately after meeting Ethan, Ali has a determination to get herself back out in the world, put on some “hard pants” (basically, not sweatpants), and start finding herself again. Ethan is a sexy skateboarder who also happens to be a fantastic lawyer. For the first time, she feels like she’s noticed by someone and appreciated. As they get to know each other, they start to develop deep feelings, and it leaves Ali questioning whether this summer romance can last longer than just this summer. She has kids to think about and it’s up to her to decide whether she thinks Ethan can fit into this life she is trying to build for her family.

At first, I wasn’t sure how she didn’t recognize him from her past, but I was able to get over that quickly. The banter between the two main characters is natural, witty, and makes them feel authentic. This is a closed-door romance; the connection was genuine and there was no spice needed. The deep connection they have gives you the insight into the intimacy that develops, so even if you are not a fan of closed door, I am sure you will still love this book.

Not only are the two main characters fantastic, but I also enjoyed the full cast of family and friends. By the time I finished reading, it felt like I knew these characters personally. You begin to feel the feelings they are feeling, you laugh with them, especially Ali as she is navigating dating again. I also cried so hard in some parts where she is talking to her mom and when she is helping her elderly neighbor.

I could not stop reading this book. It is so binge-worthy! I loved how short the chapters were, the words were easy to digest. It’s complete escapism! It is a must read for anyone looking for a compelling story. This is my favorite book of Annabel Monaghan’s! I’m obsessed – I will be buying a copy to put on my favorite books of all time shelf!

I've loved and recommended both Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time, Next Summer to any patron who enjoys romance or is looking for a beachy read, and now I'll be recommending Summer Romance. I really really enjoyed the book and finished it in one day. I loved all of the characters (even Pete), and I loved hearing Ali's inner dialogue. I think it's a great story that shows you how a person can change, and how your feelings toward your hometown can change as you grow and transform. I especially loved the dogs in the story, I thought they were a fun element and I like how the different characters interacted with them. I think this book might be more like 4.5 stars for me than 5 stars, and I can't quite put my finger on why. I think I just wanted a little more. I think I needed a little more about Ali's relationship with her mom, like flashbacks or something, but also I'm not entirely sure. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC!

Annabel Monaghan has done it again! I’ve really enjoyed this book, a comeback story for a mom who felt drowning in grief & lost in life. I really like how this story weaved together a life of a newly separated mom not looking for love but found one and a daughter grieving for her mom. I know “romance” is in the title but this is more than a your usual summer romance read!

Separated but not yet divorced mom of 3 Ali is part time closet organizer part time stay at home mom and a former accountant. She is still very much grieving the loss of her mother who died 2 years prior. The subsequent grief she feels is what she largely (initially) attributes her divorce to. She is deep in grief over the loss of her mother, her marriage, and her life, unable to fully get dressed each morning when she meets Ethan at the dog park. As the title suggests, Ali embarks on a summer romance.

Annabel Monaghan's books, this one included, always feel very lived in. The characters all have depth and dimension and the plot, especially this one, feels very real.

I really enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters in this book and following Ali's journey of self discovery and the beginning of her second act. The breakup felt a bit forced to me but it didnt really detract as the overall story was one worth following. Will be reading any all books from the author.

I loved the book! Ali Morris is recently single with three kids and a dog and a life in free-fall because of the death of her beloved mother. In the middle of trying to get her life back on track she meets a handsome stranger who turns out to be her best friend's brother. They have a beautiful summer romance but then it's time to get back to reality and Ali isn't sure if she can do that.
I specifically loved the emotional and evocative way the mother-daughter relationship is depicted in the book. The author takes us on a journey through every single page as the main character deals with the ups and downs of living in a small town with your family and an ex-husband that would rather go on a bike ride than see his kids. I enjoyed reading the love interest and his sure-footed way of interacting with Ali. Of how he constantly reminds her of who she used to be and who she still was deep inside. Not to mention the sizzling hot chemistry they shared every time he looked at her! I wanted it to be open door but that's just a personal choice and the book was still really enjoyable without it. It was ultimately an amazingly heart-warming read and I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy romance and women's fiction.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

Excited I got to read this book early through NetGalley! I have always enjoyed reading Annabel Monaghan’s books. She writes such feel good romances and her descriptions are always so dreamy.

Even as a mom, I don’t always connect with characters that have kids in romances. I found this book to be the exception. Ali felt relatable and I enjoyed watching her find herself while falling in love.

I didn’t really get the addition of the skateboarding. Ethans connection with the kids as a mentor was endearing, but teaching Ali how to skateboard just made him feel younger. So in my head I kept imagining her much older than him.

That said, their relationship together still gives you butterflies. Her books always make me smile and want to move to an idyllic small town.

I read this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. I absolutely loved this clean romance novel! There were a lot of emotions displayed and felt in this novel. I absolutely fell in love with Ethan! He is the definition of patient, loving and willing to make sacrifices for the woman he loves!

I was so thankful to receive this ARC from NetGalley! This author continues to wow me more and more with each book I’ve read. I love this one the most. She has crafted such a beautiful story. I find that no matter what the subject matter, I always find something I can relate to on a deeper level in her books. I was highlighting all the way into the authors note at the end of the book, and I barely ever highlight! Would totally recommend this book, and I would read it again and again. This book definitely made me feel “carbonated”! ❤️

Loved this! Love her writing style and her ability to handle all of life’s challenges with such thought and care. The fact that the main character is navigating the loss of a parent and the end of her marriage and all of the things that go with moving on and finding love. It highlights the sacrifices women often make whether or not it’s their choice to divorce. It shows the love mothers have for their children and families but also how exhausting it can be to carry the emotional and physical load of managing everything. This was very beautifully done and the reader feels all of the emotions alongside the main character. I absolutely loved the ending! This author is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me!

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this book.

I loved this book! Alice is a mom of 3 kids going through a divorce. She has slowly lost herself in her grief over her mom's recent death and just the day to day chaos of managing a household. Scooter/Ethan comes back into town for the summer and reminds her of what a strong person she was and is capable of being. First of all, I love the setting of the book since I live on Long Island. This would be a perfect spring/summer beach read! It definitely leans more towards women's fiction than romance (closed door) but it worked for me really well. I couldn't stop turning the pages and finished within 24 hours.

Annabel Monaghan has a gift and I can't wait to see what comes next!

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book in less than 24 hours, but I just couldn’t put this book down. Annabel’s “Nora Goes Off Script” came to be when I was first separating from my husband of 15 years. I cried through most of it and it gave me so much strength and courage to keep going. To keep being a good mom and working to heal myself. This new book, Summer Romance, also came to me at exactly the right time. I’m now divorced and moving on with my life and finding so much happiness in the simple things. This story will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. It is full of hope and longing and all about taking risks for love in all types of relationships. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.

I love how Annabel Monaghan writes romances about people in their 30s/40s. Summer Romance is a heartwarming and real story about the changes that happen as we grow into our true adult lives (which society tells us is in our 20s but just no). Our decisions sometimes lead us to become people we never dreamed possible and it can be hard digging ourselves out of holes that we have fallen into. Ali and Ethan’s stories are so real and relatable. Definitely worth a read and dare I say a reread or two (or three) over the years.

I loved this book so much!

The main character is a professional organizer, which at first had me a little worried because I'm a professional organizer! But, while it was included in the story, it really wasn't the most prominent part. It was a captivating story and I was really invested in the characters. It was also very clear that the man she met was the brother (don't worry, not a spoiler, you find that out really early!).

Can't wait for the next read from Annabel Monaghan!

Thank you to Annabel, Penguin Randomhouse, and Netgalley for an early arc of this book. Fans of Nora goes off script, and same time next summer will devour the story of Alice and Ethan (Scooter) it was a beautiful story about finding yourself, and reclaiming your confidence, so much more than just a summer romance as the book suggests. I fell in love with Scooter; along with Ali. Perfect Beach read!

Thanks to Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP- Putnam for the E-ARC! I absolutely loved this! The characters were so cute together and I loved the setting!

4.5 Stars
Annabel Monaghan has done it again! Same Time Next Summer was one of my favorite books that I read last year, and Summer Romance is definitely going to be a Summertime favorite!

This novel touches on everything: motherhood, marriage, divorce, falling in love, heartbreak, grief, and so much more. Ali is struggling to find herself after her mother's death and then her husband asking her for a divorce. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and felt like I could really understand each one's perspective.

I loved getting to see the transformation Ali had throughout the book. Her ex-husband, Pete, was clearly a selfish husband and father. He constantly seemed to take advantage of Ali and walked all over her. By the end of the book, she was no longer a doormat for him which I LOVED. Show him who's boss, girl!

Ethan, the MMC, was also just such an easy character to like. He had Ali's back when dealing with Pete, and just immediately stepped up when it came to Ali's children. He was present and you could tell the kids loved having a male figure involved in their lives since their dad was mostly absent/just didn't care.

For part of the book I really wasn't sure how it would end. Ali and Ethan were both in positions where their lives really weren't able to be uprooted. I didn't see how they were going to be able to figure it out to be together. But that's the point of a Summer Romance, right? You just have to keep your fingers crossed and enjoy the time you have!

My only critique of this book is the overuse of Ali feeling "carbonated". Perhaps using that term once or twice would be fine, but it felt like it was used way too often. It was just an annoying term to use so frequently to describe how Ali was feeling.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Annabel Monaghan just knows how to write closed-door Summer romances. I will definitely have to re-read it this Summer when it comes out!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Annabel Monaghan for letting me enjoy an ARC of Summer Romance!

Ali couldn’t feel any lower. She has been separated for a year, and her husband is ready to take action with their divorce. Ali's mother, who was the glue that held her family together, is dead, and Ali cannot summon the energy to manage her bills or change out of her sweats. Her best friend finally badgers her into wearing regular pants. Thankfully, she does, since she encounters a hot guy at the dog park in a hilarious meet cute.

It was a pleasure to read as Ali and Ethan's relationship grew. Through their summer romance, Ali found herself again. Ethan was a strong, charming, romantic partner and I loved how he connected with Ali’s children. This book will bring you both tears and laughter. 4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5 stars: This book feels like summer in all the best ways. I loved the relationships that developed throughout the book - family, friendship, and romance. I appreciated Ali’s openness about everything she was experiencing, and I loved going along for the ride as she rediscovered herself and fell in love again. Add this to your TBR!

This is my favorite book by Annabel Monaghan thus far. It’s a meet-cute and a second-chance at romance, but also a story of grief and letting go of identities previously assigned to you by others. Ali is finding herself again through the identity crisis of motherhood and grief. Honoring herself as an individual and not who others have expected her to be. The setting brings me back to summers on the East Coast and nostalgia of small towns and being on the Long Island sound.

My only critique is in the first chapter - it sets up some context/quirks in the rest of the book, but it feels like some of it might be better left unsaid to pull the reader into the story sooner (ie, the monologue about the pantry). Otherwise, I loved this story and the sweetness of truly seeing another person for who they are and giving them love/respect. “It’s funny how you’re meeting me for the first time, and I’ve known you forever”.

Ali Morris is mourning the death of her mother and navigating a divorce from her husband while raising three kids and trying to figure out what her next career move will be. She meets Ethan who is supposed to just be a Summer romance.

It's truly refreshing reading a book that features main characters who are in their mid to late 30's - where their lives are a little messy but they're fully functional adults. Ali and Ethan are characters that I feel I could encounter in the real world. Their love is sort of that 'slow and then all at once' love. Even the secondary characters are well-rounded. It’s such a well-written story of grief, starting over, and learning how to stand up for yourself. I had a hard time putting this book down and when I did, I could not stop thinking about the characters.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Annabel Monaghan for the eARC!]