This story follows Jane Jackson, a former child actress turned aspiring Hollywood executive, who lies about securing pop star Jack Quinlan—her long-lost first kiss—for a film project. To cover her tracks, she recruits cinematographer Dan Finnegan, a former crush, leading to a week of revelations and romance on Long Island. This romance explores love, ambition, and second chances.

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet—it was everything I want in a romance. Jane’s humor was perfect, such a feel-good read!

annabel monaghan has become an auto-read for me and I always love getting approved for her arcs, bit this one missed the mark for me. I had a hard time getting into the plot and found the main female character kind of annoying. the romance happens wayyyy to fast also - literally over the course of one week they go from enemies to lovers and that’s just too quick for me.

romance lovers will still like this and it’s a light read, just wasn’t a favorite of hers.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc!

‧₊˚✧ arc review ✧˚₊‧

𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓪 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓫𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪𝓫𝓮𝓵 𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓰𝓱𝓪𝓷

୨⎯ it sure was a love story. i am so happy and grateful for @netgalley & @PutnamBooks allowing me to be able to read this in advanced!! i loved this book so much. this book feels like slowly falling for someone. it embodied the feeling of liking someone, and how the little things add up to that moment of “this is the one”. it feels like that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you start liking someone. it was done perfectly. i loved the quietness of Dan and how honest he was - he was exactly himself. his character allowed for our girl Jane to open up, be vulnerable and accept the fact that she too deserves love and to be loved. the softness of their love story was everything. i found my self giggling and kicking my feet waiting for the next small interaction, for the next glance between the two.
a quote i loved :

“ I love that you follow your heart around looking for beautiful things. I love that you’re quiet because when you do say something, it’s perfect. I love that you want to make things that matter. I love that you know how much you matter.”

so please 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐖!! 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 ⎯୧

I’ve loved all of the books I’ve read by this author and this one is no exception. I was a huge fan of the direction in which she took the story and I’m a big proponent of using this trope in romance books.

Former child TV star Jane Jackson has a promising meet-cute with Dan Finnegan. On the day of their first date Dan turns into annoying cinematographer who crushes all of Jane’s hopes of her green-lit script True Love. On a last minute trip to Long Island to save the project, Jane must confront her past in order to move forward with her true self and open her heart to True Love.

It’s a Love Story is funny, heartfelt and Everything. I love anything Annabel Monaghan writes. I was a big fan the second I discovered Nora Goes Off Script. Currently pining for the next one!!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to get an ARC for Annabel Monaghan's next book! This is another excellent romance; I'd definitely recommend anyone who is looking for a good summer "beach read" add it to their TBR list for when it comes out on May 27th. I ended up reading the entire book in one day.

Jane is a creative executive for a production company who has optioned the rights to the script "True Story" and is trying to get it green lighted. In order to save the project from being killed she lies, saying she is childhood friends with musician Jack Quinlan and that he's agreed to write an original song for the move to help give it the star power it needs to be a box office success.

Dan, who her boss wants as the cinematographer for the movie, had Jane's last project killed and she's less than thrilled at the prospect of working on "True Story" with him. Dan hears that Jack Quinlan will be performing at a music festival in his hometown, so he and Jane travel to his hometown with the goal of convincing Jack to write a hit song for the movie and save the project. They stay with his parents and extended family and Jane begins to fall for not only Dan, but his family too. I loved the picture that Monaghan paints of Dan's family, I felt like I was right there with Jane getting to know them all. Jane and Dan have the sweetest romance and Jane learns a lot of important life lessons along the way.

After you get almost half way through the book, it starts to feel more like a romance. I was really confused during the beginning. I wasn’t sure who the love interest was, or if they were for or against the movie being made. And then ,eventually, we were introduced to a TON of characters in one go. That made me not wanna continue reading. Luckily, the book doesn’t seem to focus too much on them, and the romance becomes a heavier part of the story afterwards. This was a decent story, I just didn’t fully enjoy it. There were a few cute scenes that I loved that definitely made up for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Couldn’t put this one down!! I love all of Annabel Monaghan’s books but this is now my new favorite. I love Dan and Jan and can’t wait to reread this book again. 10/10

Good book! A little short, but enjoyable- finished it all in one afternoon!

Warm characters with good background and character development. I was expecting a more climactic ending though- the end of the book was quick with not much development! 4/5 stars, would recommend.

This was one of my most anticipated reads, and I find myself very disappointed. Overall the story was fine, but Jane was insufferable. And I really didn’t think she improved over the course of the story. If anything she doubles down on her immaturity. I could not relate to someone who was so mean to her supposed new love. Also for someone who wants a partner not a true love, this seemed like insta-love to me. Enemies to lovers in under a week, just no. I do see an audience for this, it just wasn’t me. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc to read and review. 2 1/2 stars

Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Let me preface this by saying, I love Annabel Monaghan. I have read every one of her books and I swear they just keep getting better. It's a Love Story is absolutely her best book yet! She knows how to write complicated characters with complicated stories that are easy to relate to and understand. Jane and Dan are no different. I love the entirety of their story from their original meet cute to their forced proximity. I love Clem and Dan's whole family. I love Jane's character arc. And I LOVED the ending. I wish I could read this story again for the first time. I laughed and I cried and I got mad and I live for books like this one that make me feel all the things. Just read this book! I know you'll love it!

3.5 ⭐ rounded up to a 4 for goodreads. Annabel Monaghan's writing is some of my favorite and I love her characters. While I didn't connect as much with this book, there were parts of it I really loved.

Our female main character was a child star and the butt of the joke as a kid. As an adult, she's working in film and trying to get a movie she loves made. Her only problem is she needs someone big to sell it. She blurts out that she knows Jack, a famous singer, and can totally get him to write a song for the movie to make it more "Hollywood." The only problem is, the last time she saw Jack, she was 14, and she hasn't talked to him since.

Our male main character is blunt and the arch nemesis of our fmc. There are a lot of tropes in this book and some of them are my faves, no spoilers.

Anyway, it didn't work for me as well as I hoped and it seemed a little quick for a lot of the book. I will still recommend Monaghan's's books and you should totally read this if you are looking for a love story!

Thank you to netgalley for an ARC to enjoy.

Annabel Monaghan’s It’s a Love Story showcases her undeniable talent for crafting strong prose, but it ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling romance. While Dan’s interactions with his complicated family are written with depth and sensitivity, his character lacks a growth arc, entering the story already self-assured and confident in his choices. Meanwhile, the main characters, Jane and Dan, feel underdeveloped, leaving their whirlwind romance unconvincing. The transformative script that played a pivotal role in Jane’s growth and their connection remains frustratingly vague, robbing the story of emotional resonance. Though Monaghan’s previous novels felt more immersive and authentic, this one struggles to justify its central love story. Despite this, fans of her earlier work, like Summer Romance, may still appreciate her writing style and will likely be curious about her next offering.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨ I think this is my favorite book of hers yet!! It had me swooning and giggling until 1:00am 🤭 I was able to picture every aspect so perfectly and think this is going to make for a fantastic summer read! So many cute life lessons and overall such a sweet, wholesome, sexy romance— I highly recommend! Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC 🫶🏼

It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
half of 🌶️😉

I LOVE Annabel's novels and always look forward to them. In two days, I devoured "It's a Love Story" and wished it wouldn't end. While this is a cute and humorous novel, it has a lot of heart, depth, and so many gorgeous lines. As someone who struggles with self-doubt(s), from looks to smarts to anything, I relate to the main character, Jane Jackson, and understand her decisions and life choices. 💕

❤️ I can’t wait to read Annabel's next book.

Tropes:
💏 Enemies to lovers
🛏️ Forced proximity
📋 Workplace romance
🏘️ Small town 
🫂 Found family

⚠️ TW: death of a parent


Thank you, Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, for this ARC.

"It's a Love Story" by Annabel Monaghan had a slow start for me. I'm not usually drawn to stories set in Hollywood, but once the action shifted away from LA, I was hooked. The Finnegan family is pure chaotic energy – loud, obnoxious, and utterly hilarious. They perfectly capture the essence of a boisterous summer.

Dan is a fascinating character. He's quiet and observant, a man who knows his own mind. There's a quiet intensity about him that I found incredibly sexy. Jane, on the other hand, broke my heart. Her self-deprecating tendencies were both relatable and heartbreaking.

Monaghan's writing is truly special. She has a way of getting inside your head and making you feel deeply. This book felt almost therapeutic, exploring themes of self-doubt and the search for authenticity.

"It's a Love Story" is easily my favorite book by Monaghan so far. It's a perfect summer read, filled with humor, heart, and a touch of melancholy.

I absolutely loved Summer Romance and was thrilled to receive this arc. Annabel’s writing is so easy to read, and everything about this book was just perfect. I loved reading Jane and Dans story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Annabel Monaghan for this incredible ARC!

5 🌟
2.5 🌶️ peppers (not quite fade to black)

-rivals to lovers
-forced proximity
-small town feels
-charming loud family/only child who craves it

Jane Jackson, once a beloved child star, "the funny/nerdy type-cast girl", is determined to escape the shadows of her past. As a child, she was treated more like a product than a person, leaving her with a harsh inner critic and a regular occurring shame spiral. Now, as a creative executive in Hollywood, she's trying to make her mark behind the camera.

When Jane stumbles upon a captivating love story manuscript, she sees a chance to bring something truly special to life. However, to get the project green-lit, she must team up with "man-bun Dan" (who, ironically, doesn't even have a man-bun), a videographer and former almost-fling she dubs "the worst" after a run-in years earlier when he killed her first big project. To make the script more appealing commercially, Jane fabricates a story about her relationship with Jack, a former teen crush/acquaintance turned mega-rockstar. This lie forces her to confront her biggest fear: convincing Jack to write a song for the movie, despite the fact that he humiliated her teenage self when she confessed her love for him (ok in his defense, it was after like one hour of knowing each other).

Dan takes Jane to a music festival in his hometown, where Jack is headlining. As Jane spends time with Dan's charming family, so unlike her own, Jane must face her past, her fears, and her feelings for Dan, all while trying to secure the future of the project she's passionate about.

WOW ok wow. This book was so wonderful. First of all let me start by saying, I love a good romcom, and Jane's character, while being charmingly cringey and awkward, is also hilarious. There are so many funny little one-liners in this book, and this type of dry/sarcastic humor really sneaks up on you. Little gems like "on the days I don't run, worrying is my cardio" and "Dan follows me to the door. He's going to open it. I'm going to walk through it, and he's going to close it. That's how doors work." I also think her mannerisms and strange little coping tactics are hilarious as well. The way she hides under her desk or only makes embarrassing calls/texts in her closet. As if that will help haha. WHEN SHE THROWS her cup of soda at Jack's car in a panic?

But hidden behind the humor there is REAL depth in this book. I actually read Jeannette McCurdy's memoir "I'm Glad my Mother is Dead", and I don't think people understand how dehumanized stars and celebrities are. They're so often treated as commodities and little more. I mean sure, they make lots of money, and have fame, but I often wonder if you asked them "10 years later" if it was worth it, how they would respond. There are just so many hard-hitting moments in this book where you see the toll this takes on Jane, and how that affects her own sense of self-worth and all of her relationships.

Also, I love Dan, the mmc. I love the WRITING in this book it's so beautiful, but I love how Annabel captures Dan as being this creative soul that can see the beauty in the small things, and the prose she uses when he's describing something that captured him. For being a cute little romcom, in general I felt so sucked into the beauty of things. Really mundane things, like at one point they're viewing a painting of a woman stretching and the line "you can see the shadows between the discs of her spine." Like, it makes perfect sense, the language is even simple, but it's also so abstract and lovely.

Highlyyyyy recommend!

"The small things are the big things. It's the thing that happens at breakfast."

Jane Jackson, creative executive for Clearwater Studios, has optioned THE movie that will make her mark. Jane grew up on a Nickelodeon style teen comedy as the awkward, braces laden, kooky "Janey Jakes". Jane is still dying to make it in the industry. When her boss makes it clear that their heartfelt movie is too "quiet" to green light, Jane tells a huge fib out of desperation. Her once coworker, now huge popstar Jack Quinlan, will write a hit song for the movie. The execs love it and Jane is mortified. To make things even worse, pompous cinematographer for the project and former crush Dan Finnegan is her only lifeline to make this work. They head to Long Island to stay with Dan's huge extended family for a music festival at The Owl Barn (I adore the throwback to Monaghan's second novel!) to track to Jack and make a proposal.

Jane grew up in a small family. Her circle is just her mom and best friend. Dan is one of five brothers. His family is loud. His parents have been married forty years. As Jane stays with Dan's family for a week on long island, she begins to make connections and calm in a way she never has before. Dan is a pain, but as she sees him around his family she notices that he is very quiet and considering to their loud and brash way of being.
There is always beauty in Monaghan's love stories, but her secondary characters always make the novel. The contrast between the responsibility of supporting a household as a teen and the voyeuristic trauma from growing up in the public eye is jarring when compared to Dan's big, crazy, stable Long Island family.

Most importantly, Jane has been telling herself lies about who she is her whole life. Too funny. Not special enough. Not memorable. Too embarrassing. Can our girl face the music and claim the life she's always wanted?

It's a Love Story is an absolute delight! Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam and Sons for the gifted copy. It's a Love Story debuts on May 27, 2025.

Top contender for my favorite book I read all year. Annabel Monaghan has held a special place in my heart since <i>Nora Goes Off Script</i>, and I found myself just slightly underwhelmed by her two follow-up novels. For me, this was a triumphant return to form. It made me laugh, giggle, gasp, and cry. I was utterly charmed by Jane and I identified deeply with her struggles - there is representation of a certain kind of trauma that I haven't seen explored often, and Annabel does so with complexity, nuance, and grace. There is also so much here about the persona others create for us (and we create for ourselves), and how this can become a shield as much as a mask.

"I hold on to a lot of shame," I say, "Like it sneaks up on me."
"Yes, you hold on to it really tight, like it's your identity."

I was rooting for Jane from the jump, and I was rooting for Dan just as hard. I love the way they come together, pull apart, and find each other again. I love the way they are flawed and complicated in all the right ways for each other. The evolution of their love story - and the ensuing conflict - felt so natural as it unfolded. In addition to the main pairing and their individual journeys, this book has an incredible surrounding cast of characters. Like Jane, I found myself completely captivated by Dan's family and his world. Clem is the best kind of book best friend. Every character feels fleshed out, relatable, and real. I loved this book so much and I cannot wait to read it again and again.