Sometimes, I feel like an author creates a book, especially for me, as if they know my mood and what I want from a genre, and presents it with a bow. This feeling encompasses how I felt when reading It’s a Love Story. The book featured honest but humorous characters, a slow burn without too much heat, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and forced proximity, and I devoured it. Thank you, Annabel Monaghan, for creating a five-star romance I will recommend to everyone I know. This is precisely what I needed.

Quick recap without spoilers:
Jane Jackson found fame as a teen, playing an awkward but hilarious character who America loved. But even though Jane grew up to work as a Hollywood studio exec, she still saw herself as her teenage persona. Enter Dan Finnegan, a cinematographer who is Jane’s nemesis (but was once a crush), who offers to help her save a script by tracking down a megapopstar to write an original song. The same megapopstar humiliated teenage Jane after giving her her first kiss. Traveling to Dan’s hometown and staying with his large Irish family shifts something in Jane, forcing her to reevaluate who she is and how she wants others to view her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advance copy. I will publish a review on my page the month prior to the publication date and on the day of publication.

This book was an absolute delight—witty, charming, and full of heart. Jane’s journey from awkward teen star to a woman trying to outrun her past was funny and relatable, and the chemistry between her and Dan was spot-on. The fake-it-till-you-make-it theme worked perfectly, and I loved how the story balanced humor with real emotional depth. If you enjoy second chances, slow-burn romance, and a heroine who’s a little messy but deeply endearing, this one’s a must-read. Five stars!

It’s a Love Story will be available on May 27, 2025. A big thank you to the publisher and author for providing an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley!

3.5 stars, rounded up.

I absolutely adored Nora Goes Off Script, so I was thrilled to be approved for the ARC of It’s a Love Story. The novel follows Jane, a former child star turned studio executive living in sunny Los Angeles. Jane finds herself in a tricky situation when she claims she can convince world-renowned rock star Jack to write a song for a movie she’s desperate to get approved. The catch? Jane hasn’t spoken to Jack in twenty years—after working with him for just one day.

Enter Dan, a charming cinematographer who has a place on Long Island, conveniently near where Jack is performing an upcoming concert. Jane hatches a plan to convince Jack to agree to do the song, and in the process, she’s stuck with Dan for a full week. Chaos (and chemistry) ensues!

I will give it to Annabel Monaghan - she truly knows how to set a scene. Her descriptive language transports readers straight into her pages. If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted summer romance read with a lot of witty banter, pack this one for your next beach vacay.

I LOVED this book! I think Annabel is an amazing author. None of her books have disappointed me. This book made me feel all the feels. I thought it was a cute story, but also the deeper issues going on made it a good read. Can we have a sequel of Dan and Jane?

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC.

My first time reading Annabel Monaghan and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I have been hearing great chatter about her novels for a while and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to give this one a go. I was expecting a chick-lit romance, and it was, but I liked the author's easy conversational style so much that it felt like more. There was a level of comfort while reading, and it reminded me of sitting and talking with a friend. 🖤🥂🖤

Jane was a child star who supported herself and single mother growing up on a popular kid's show. On this show Jane was comic relief whose talent was used to prosper the show although she didn't receive proper credit. She carries some serious baggage from her days growing up in the public eye. Today she's traded in punchlines and braces for a job as a creative executive and is aching to get a project close to her heart green lit to film. She overextends and promises to get a famous singer to write a song for the soundtrack. The problem is that she hasn't actually spoken to this guy since she was fourteen and things didn't end well then. 📚 🎹🎤

Dan Finnegan is a cinematographer who killed the last project Jane tried to make because he found it lacked depth. He knows the singer Jane has promised will be performing at a spot in his hometown soon. He offers to take Jane along on his trip home to give her a chance to make good on her word and get the film they're both passionate about off the ground. Dan chooses to live far away from his loveable, but raucous family. In his batch of rowdy brothers, he sticks out for being quiet and contemplative. 🎥

These characters were fleshed out and the pieces came together gradually. It was enjoyable getting to know them flaws and all. Overcoming a difficult childhood is an uphill battle. I rooted for Jane to accept the most authentic version of herself even though I knew it wouldn't happen overnight. Dan's family was filled with characters that brought humor and heart to the story. The brother banter had me laughing.🤣 Spending a week in Dan's hometown delivered the understated small-town vibes that made an excellent setting for tentative Jane and Dan to see where they stood.
🚲 🍓🫐
This one definitely falls under the enemies to lover's trope and does it justice. The steamy scenes aren't graphic. If open/closed door is your measurement here, I'd say the door is open a crack. 🚪

I think a lot of readers are going to enjoy this one. It's coming out at the perfect time to tagalong in beach bags this summer! 🏖️

Thank you to Putnam Books for providing an Advance Reading Copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I want to start by saying Thank you to NetGalley and the author Annabel Monaghan for allowing me to read the ARC of this book. From the moment I started reading this book, I could not stop. It was the perfect summer romance, I really loved both FMC and MMC. I loved both locations of this book, it felt like a city and small-town romance all together. I really felt very close to the FMC, her struggles and her way of coping with them. I really loved the MMC too. I was in love with the MMC family, each one of them were perfect. I was sad we did not get a glimpse of Sam and Wyatt (from same time next summer) since we were in Long Island again! (Unless I somehow, I miss them) I cannot wait to read more of her books!
Once this book releases (5/27/25) don't hesitate to grab it, to enjoy the perfect summer romance!!

Again, Thank You Netgalley and Annabel

Annabel Monaghan cannot write a bad book! In fact, I think she just keeps getting better. I loved this book! I liked the characters and especially loved the side characters. I love how this book depicted family. The hassling and nagging you but then defending you. The chaos of a family all under one roof was so well written. I don't love a third act breakup when it is from miscommunication but this felt different because it was blatant denial of feelings from Jane. You could tell she mentally could not accept the reality and that feels more believable to me. The humor and heckling between the two main characters was precious and had me giddy and smiling. I also loved that the story starts with Jane being put together physically then as the story of her becoming more herself on the inside she loses some of the physical things she was using to put on the show. I loved it and I will read anything this author writes!

Imagine you are a former child star who played the role of a goofy teen now trying to get taken seriously in Hollywood. Jane Jackson is trying to get a script she loved adapted into a movie. When the script is in jeopardy of being scrapped, Jane over-promises on her relationship with her former co-star. Jane has to spend a week with her work rival in his hometown tracking down a pop-star to save her movie.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. I love the relationship between Jane and the MMC. Their banter was so fun and though it is more insta-love, there was so much depth to their relationship. The dynamic with the MMC's family was fun, I want to be invited to all the family holidays.

This is the perfect summer read, it will make you giggle and kick your feet but also so many moments made me laugh.
Easy 5 stars.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first started reading “It’s a Love Story,” I was fully convinced that this would be a three-star book for me. There was something about the writing style that just didn’t appeal to me, and the plot felt a bit too cheesy, even for my taste. I didn’t dislike it, but it didn’t draw me in like I’d hoped.

But after I got through the first third(ish) of the book, I struggled to put it down. In fact, I definitely neglected some responsibilities just to finish it as quickly as possible. I fell completely in love with Jane, Dan, Dan’s family, and Clem. So much so that it’s taking everything in me not to ignore my initial thoughts and give it a solid five stars.

I look forward to reading more by Annabel Monaghan, and am thankful to NetGalley for the ARC.

Really liked this! It took me a bit to get into but I absolutely fell in love with the characters. Dan is perfection and I loved his whole family. Jane and Clem had the sweetest friendship. I loved Dan & Jane’s romance. Some of their conversations made me teary with how tender they were. The plot arc towards the end annoyed me (get it together, girl) but overall really enjoyed this. There are also some laugh out loud funny lines and great banter in the book. Will definitely reread this one.

Book Review — 4⭐️

ARC provided by NetGalley—thank you so much for the opportunity to read this early!

*Spoiler Warnings Below*

I really enjoyed this novel and was so excited to be selected for the ARC! It was such a cute, breezy summer read—perfect for beach days or lazy afternoons. I absolutely flew through it because I couldn’t wait to see how everything would come together.

Going in, I assumed (based on the description) that this was going to be a second-chance romance with the pop star ex-boyfriend—and was genuinely surprised when he played such a minor role! Instead, the main romance ended up being with her coworker, who I honestly didn’t expect to be the central love interest. That twist made the story feel fresh, though I was initially a little thrown off.

It’s definitely a slow burn, with the real romantic action not happening until around 60-70% of the book. But let me tell you—the yearning was real and totally worth the wait! Beyond the romance, the book also explores deeper themes like the identity struggles of being a former child star, family dynamics, and self-worth. The author handled those emotional beats with subtlety and realism—they never felt overdone.

Also, the setting? Total coastal dream. This book had me wanting to pack my bags and head to a small beach town for the entire summer. Sunshine, ocean breeze, quiet mornings with coffee—yes, please. ☀️🌊⛱️

If you’re a fan of Annabel Monaghan or just looking for a feel-good, emotionally resonant, and low-stress summer romance, definitely add this one to your list!

This book is truly a delight. The characters and surroundings were described so well that I could vividly picture myself in the story. The banter was sweet and the character development was just what I look for in a novel that keeps me coming back for more. While it surprised me, just like Jane, when I started to fall for Dan—I was not at all surprised at how quickly I fell in love with his family. Loud, warm, familiar, and full of love. I read the book looking for a love story with quality character development. I ended up getting that—with lots of exciting and romantic build up—but found myself even more delighted that the true love story is one about family, belonging, and truly finding and accepting yourself.

This book is summertime. Warm, nostalgic, exciting, full of possibilities. Highly recommend!

Jane Jackson is trying to fake it in Hollywood, and has been all her life. After a stint as a child star on the show Pop Rocks, where she played nerdy Janey Jakes, she's been trying to make a name for herself as a serious producer and creative executive. She is also on a quest to find a suitable and stable partner after a childhood filled with tales of The Notebook-style love between her mom and late father. What Jane doesn't plan for is meeting handsome cinematographer Dan Finnegan and agreeing to a date, before they intersect professionally and he shoots down a project she loves and she becomes determined to hate him. Now they're thrown together again on a project they both love, but Jane's boss is less than convinced will be a box office success. Jane tells a white lie that she is friends with singer Jack Quinlan and that he'll do an original song for the film in an attempt to get the film greenlit. When Jane realizes she is going to have to make that actually happen, Dan offers to help by taking her to his Long Island hometown, where Jack is performing at a festival that Dan's brother is working at. The week of also happens to coincide with Dan's parents' 40th anniversary. As they travel east and try to find Jack, while also spending time with Dan's large and vibrant family, Jane realizes maybe there is more than meets the eye with Dan.

I look forward to Annabel Monaghan's books every summer and this one was such a treat! Her books are always the perfect mix of beach read and deep self-exploration and this one fit that bill to a tee. I wanted to give Jane a hug so badly; she had dealt with so much in her life and wouldn't really let herself be happy for fear it would be snatched away from her. Dan was such an interesting character and as Jane got to know him more, especially in the context of his family home, seeing her realize there was so much more to him than she thought was so rewarding! Dan was so steady for Jane and their small, intentional interactions made my heart warm. Jane fit seamlessly into Dan's family and seeing her be a part of it after her childhood was so isolating and small was beautiful to see. I loved how the romance between them developed so naturally. Jane's best friend Clem was also such a great character and I'm glad she helped Jane sort through her complicated feelings and helped her realize she was worthy and capable of love. Such a great book that felt like a warm hug - I devoured it in less than a day!

TW: Death of a parent, abandonment

4.25/5

Okay I actually loved this so much. Some scenes in this book had some of the best tension I’ve read in a looooong time holy moly. And yes even though this is a closed door romance!!

My two main complaints are Jane not letting good things happen to her and her lack of logical reactions to things, as well as the th*rd a*t brea*up

Dan?? I fear I need him bad actually

Thank you NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for access to this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF
It started out promising but I wasn’t expecting the language. It’s so unnecessary so unfortunately I have decided not to continue reading.

I can’t recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley for approving me for this eARC for an honest review

This one just wasn't for me. I get that it's enemies to lovers but they painted the MMC in such an unlikeable view that I never got over it. I was surprised I didn't like this because I loved Same Time Next Summer and the fact her books take place on Long Island where I'm from.

Annabel Monaghan is an instant read for me and this book did not disappoint! I wasn’t sure at the start where we were heading but goodness once it got going I was hooked! Especially after we met Dan’s fully lovely, overbearing family and his delightful town.perfect beach vibes! Big thanks to Penguin & Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a delightful read- full of humor and heart. I enjoyed the love story and found myself rooting for the characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a contemporary fiction with strong character development!

Annabel does it again! This is now my favorite book by her and gives me the same love for her storytelling as Nora Goes off Script. 🥰

Read if you like:
Enemies to Lovers
Hollywood touch of fame
Insta Love
Welcoming Family
Fade to black/ closed door romance
Honest character issues

This book gave me a salty sea breeze warm sun hug. I loved every page!

“This feels like wealth, I think. This is the thing you save up for. You live your whole life so that you can be surrounded by too many people in too small of a room and tell the story of how it all happened.”

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Annabel Monaghan and the publishers for letting me read and review this advanced book copy. This is a five star summer vibes romance read that releases Tuesday May 27th. This is the third book I have read by this author. This was such a cute summer vibe I would take on vacation or to the beach. The story dynamic was wonderful especially with the main character Jane being a child actor in the entertainment industry. She is currently now working on getting her script to becoming a movie. She has to work with her nemesis Dan who has a way to get a hold of her former colleague to write a song for the movie. Dan and Jane have a instant connection with a slow burn romance at the start. They have amazing jokes/commentary for one another while showing how real their personalities match well together.