Ultimately would very much recommend this book. The story is as much of a love story as it is about the main character figuring out herself. It was wonderful storytelling and I found myself cheering for Jane right away. My only issue (and why it’s not 5 stars) was I felt like I was starting the book in book 2 of a series or mid book? This is my first book by Annabel and I had to make sure it wasn’t a second in a series (it’s not). Once I muddled through the first 40 pages-I couldn’t put it down.

Another wonderful read from Annabel Monaghan!

I think this book takes the second-favorite spot of hers after Nora Goes Off Script. Monaghan has a way of making a novel like your favorite comfort food; a story that weaves you into the fabric of characters so comfortably that you are sad to leave them once the book is finished. This book has so many of my favorite themes sprinkled throughout: found family, tremendous character growth, and just unique personality traits that were celebrated/embraced. You won’t regret picking up this endearing summer rom com.

I am always down for an Annabel Monaghan book and this one sure did not disappoint. I can even begin to express how lucky I feel to have gotten to read this book early. I think this might be one of her best works yet. I have recently found it hard to relate to female main characters, but I can not express enough good things about Jane. She was funny and relatable and not cringy. I thoroughly enjoyed the instant connection between Jane and Dan. The relationship between them was relatable and believable which I feel is a hard thing to find nowadays. I could not put this book down. It was witty and easy to follow, and just an overall wonderful book to read in my free time. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope, and Annabel nailed it. I can not wait to read everything she continues to put out in the future.

This was a fun, sweet read perfect for summer! Jane is a former child star trying to make it in the movie making business. When her latest script is in jeopardy of not being made she is determined to get her former co-star, Jack, to write a song for the movie. In order to get a hold of him she has to work with her nemesis, Dan, staying with him in his childhood home to find Jack at a music festival. But what she finds is Dan knows her better than anyone, including herself. Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is only the second book of Monaghan’s that I’ve read and it made me excited to read more! I first read Nora Goes Off Script and felt it was a bit meh especially with the relationship development. So I was a bit nervous for this one but luckily it was much better and one I'd recommend.

The beginning is a little slow with the buildup of meeting our main characters, Jane and Dan. I was a bit confused by some of Jane’s mannerisms until I realized it was her anxiety coming into play. This made a lot more sense and added a wonderful depth to the storyline. Jane and Dan are both feeling trapped in past identities and find it difficult to be comfortable just as they are. It was wonderful seeing them both accept things about themselves and pushing past other’s expectations of them. There were several sweet and entertaining scenes and the banter was funny while still being realistic.

I was a bit disappointed near the end with the final conflict. It felt a bit forced, overdramatic and only lasted a few pages, so I felt like it could have been handled in a different way without the cliche third act break-up situation. There had been so much growth and emotional intimacy between the characters, so sliding so far backwards was really just for dramatic effect.

Loved it- unexpected depth! When I started reading It’s a Love Story, by Annabel Monaghan, I expected a light, summer read. In many ways, that was the case, but this story also had a lot of depth and was very thought provoking. The book tells the story of Jane Jackson- former childhood star, cast as the funny sidekick- who now works on new project development for a movie studio. Jane finds a script she absolutely loves and has to partner with her work nemesis, Dan Finnegan, to try to get the project green lit. Jane and Dan travel to Dan’s hometown and family home to track down Jack Quinlan- pop superstar and Jane’s 14 year old crush. The story ends up being about so much more- with Jane learning to release old narratives about herself and embrace the woman she has become. Dan has many hidden depths and it is fascinating to see him stay true to who he is, in spite of his family, who loves him but wants him to conform to their vision for his life. The love story between Jane and Dan is very moving and contains hidden depths. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Like all of Annabel's books, I loved it. I love that she actually writes safe romances that you can turn to for an enjoyable read, with just the right amount of drama to keep you actively reading, but not over the top so that you're heartbroken and crying as you turn the pages.

I found myself a little confused at first because I felt a little lost in the context of the book, but once I started I couldn't stop. I loved the journey the characters took to get to their happy ending, and Annabel's writing made it a very quick read. I devoured it in a few hours.

Totally recommend it.

This is my first book by Annabel Monaghan and I feel like I will soon be picking all her books.

This book might be a summer romance which looks like breezy and fun but once I was invested I could see the depth in quotes and how the character developed.

Read if you like:
▪️enemies to lovers
▪️former childhood actors
▪️Hollywood romance drama
▪️forced proximity
▪️relatable characters
▪️dual timelines

Thank you so much Netgally for providing me with an ARC of It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

Annabel Monaghan is such an amazing author at writing women at so many different stages of their lives. Her characters are always enjoyable, funny, and relatable!

This time around I unfortunately felt this book to not interest me as much as her previous novels. The main character Jane was not nearly as relatable or enjoyable to read about as past protagonists and the story felt like it did not brush the surface on depth like her previous books have lead readers to expect.

I also was not nearly as interested in the setting that this book took place as I have been previous works of hers. Jane is a script writer trying to make her big break and the story felt almost lacking stakes. It also read rather juvenile compared to other texts of hers with her having to face her childhood crush along side her annoying work nemesis who she would never fall in love with…

Overall this was a book I think certain people could find very entertaining and enjoyable, but I was not one of those people. I want to note that I still love Annabel Monaghan’s writing, think she is incredibly talented, and look forward to what she has in store next, but this book was just not for me.

I really enjoyed this book. The romance was sweet and I liked seeing how the FMC came into her own as an individual. I also liked how she overcame her insecurities and learned how to open up to others. I would definitely recommend this book. It was funny, sweet, and endearing.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this eARC. Publication date is May 27, 2025. All opinions are my own.

I stayed up way too late reading this book. This is the story of Jane and an unexpected trip that obviously leads to love. It wouldn’t be a love story without it! In true love story fashion, things got complicated and feelings got hurt. However, true love is always enough.

I loved the relationship that developed between Jane and Dan. I laughed with them during family events. I felt sad with Jane when finally talking to the famous musician Jack. Don’t forget Clem, with the witty text messages and her actions that show what true friendship is.

I highly recommend this book for a fun, relatable love story.

I am feeling a little torn about this one, but I think I am landing at a 3.5⭐️ rating. I love Annabel’s writing and even though this isn’t my favorite book by her I still flew through it in less than 24 hours. Her books are always devourable with raw, real human emotion and this was no exception.

Something about the beginning of this book just felt off to me - it lacked any context so I felt thrown into a stream of consciousness that didn’t really make sense. The first interaction we see of the two main characters was also confusing, though in hindsight that may have been intentional. Once I got into the meat of the book I enjoyed it a lot more and had trouble putting it down. I liked the setting and character growth for the FMC (though it took awhile to get there).


Annabel is a must-read for anyone who wants to read about relatable women who are living a little later in life or if you enjoy women’s fiction with a strong romantic plotline. Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

Jane Jackson, former child star and current creative director of Clearwater Studios, has finally found the perfect script to bring to the studio. To seal the deal, Jane even insists she can get superstar Jack Quinlan to record a song for the film. After all, Jack is an old friend Jane knew from her child actor days… sort of.

Enter Dan Finnegan, director of photography and Jane’s biggest nemesis. Dan just so happens to be interested in this script too, and offers to help Jane get in touch with Jack. This leads to a week long trip to Long Island where Jack is expected to play in a music festival. The festival also happens to be in Dan’s hometown and is still the home of the rest of the Finnegan Fam. And it is also where Dan and Jane are staying for the week.

Jane is now fighting to overcome her insecurities about the last time she saw Jack, Dan’s very large and loud family, and the pesky feelings she is feeling towards Dan.

What will happen in one week on Long Island? Will Jack write a song for the film? Will the film be made regardless? Will Jane be able to handle a week in the family home of her former enemy? Whatever happens, it’s sure to be a love story.

Finishing this book felt like a warm hug. The resolution of the story was so perfect in so many ways. The connection Jane and Dan have is so electric, you can feel it coming off of the page at points.

This book was so funny and cute and I can’t recommend it enough! It is definitely a beach read in the waiting ☀️🌊

Extra big thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC 💜🩵

Okay I know it's only April, but this might be my favorite read of the year. I have loved Annabel’s other books so I had high expectations going in and it lived up to every one and more. 🙌🏻

You know in the movie “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” where the characters aren't really sure about each other but then they visit his crazy family and that weekend every changes? 🥹

That feeling is what this whole book felt like and I ate 👏🏻 it 👏🏻 up 👏🏻.

A love story about trying to produce a love story movie set between LA and Long Island, NY with a movie exec/former child actress and a cinematographer chasing down a famous musician. 🥰

This book was all things romance. It was soft and sweet, had imperfect people that were unsure but hopeful, and grew along the way. They were funny, flawed, and had so much freaking chemistry I was giddy. 😍

I adored the family and side characters in this book and how being outside of your comfort zones really allowed the characters to let down their walls and open up in a way they couldn't before. 🫶🏻

Read if you love:
😍 Opposites attract
☀️ Summer vibes
🎥 Hollywood and Nicholas sparks
🥰 Close proximity
🫶🏻 Family Reunions/Vacations

Thanks to Putnam Books for this ARC! 🙌🏻

Annabel Monaghan’s books have been a summer staple for me for the past four years, so when I was lucky enough to get this ARC, I tried SO hard to wait until closer to summer to pick it up—and failed.

I went into this book completely blind, so was pleasantly surprised to find out this was an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance—not something she’s done in her other books. This did have the author’s signature humor which I’ve come to love from all her books.

This was the slowest of slow burns and I just loved how Jane’s and Dan’s relationship developed over their week in Long Island. It definitely had me smiling and giddy! I loved how chaotically fun the Finnegan family was as well as the strong sense of place.

I wasn’t a big fan Jane and how she handled the conflict, but fortunately Dan’s character was so steadfast.

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I devoured this book and yet by the last chapter I was not ready to say good bye to Jane and Dan! I really need Brian to get his own spin off romance just so we can get a peek at their HEA!!

I think one of the things I love most about Monaghans books is that they feel real and you can relate to her characters. The relationship between Jane and Dan felt very natural and even though they are “office rivals” in the beginning I wouldn’t call this book an enemies-to-lovers type book because there’s no real animosity between the 2.

I would say this book is more Romance/women’s fiction than romantic comedy. There are so lighthearted moments but for the most part this book is just a love story so if you like levity with your romance this might not be your favorite pick.

4.5 stars. Fairly closed door so a good recommendation for those that like their romance with no spice.

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, and it did not disappoint! It perfectly captures that dreamy summer vibe and is releasing just in time to land a spot on everyone’s summer TBR.

I connected so much with our main character, Jane. A former child star now working behind the scenes in the film industry, she’s hustling to get her passion project greenlit. Beneath her confident exterior, she struggles with feelings of not being enough, of being forgettable, and of never truly being seen. She’s a pro at putting on the face people expect, but she can’t seem to make it past a fourth date—emotionally guarded and deeply relatable.

Then there’s Dan—our MMC—an artsy, film-guy type with long hair and a man bun (obsessed). He starts off as the classic grumpy jerk, but it quickly becomes clear that’s not who he really is. Cue me kicking my feet and giggling because I was seriously swooning over this man.

The story follows Jane and Dan as they travel to New York in search of a famous singer-songwriter, Jack, whom Jane once worked with as a child. Their mission? Convince him to write an original song for their film. Cue chemistry, tension, and a dash of emotional growth.

My only real gripe? The third-act breakup. I usually don’t mind them, but this one had me screaming for Jane to just communicate! It felt frustrating, especially after all the progress she’d made.

Overall, this was a fantastic read—warm, heartfelt, and romantic in all the right ways. Highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list!

This was a sweet story but my least favorite Annabel Monaghan novel.

Jane Jackson is a former child star who is currently an executive at a movie studio trying to lock in the production of a movie script that she has fallen in love with. Her challenge is twofold: cinematographer Dan is a champion for the movie, but Jane’s nemesis; and she has claimed she can get famous singer Jack to write a song for the movie, when in reality, she hasn’t spoken to him since their days on their show and things didn’t end well. Jane spends the week with Dan and his family on Long Island in hopes of encountering Jack, and asking him to do a nearly impossible favor.

I found Annabel’s prior books to have significant depth with protagonists who were mature, complex, and real. Despite her interesting relationship with her mother (and father), Jane was not super compelling for me, and Dan felt a little too black-and-white. What’s more, instead of feeling super aspirational, Dan’s family felt simply too perfect. And I didn’t love the take-take-take relationship I felt Jane had her with her friend, Clem.

This is certainly a quick read and an interesting aspect to the enemies to lovers trope, but it didn’t sit with me quite as well as I was hoping. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Annabel Monaghan has done it again y’all. Jane and Dan have the sweetest, most genuine buildup that I’ve read in a romance book in a longggggg time. Their love story felt believable and real but had me giddy and out loud laughing in public!!!

Jane has perfect comedic timing when she lets herself just be, and she has some hilarious one liners throughout the book. I adore her and despite not being a child actor (lol) I definitely could relate to her insecurities and the mask she puts on to make herself more palatable for her dates. There’s no better feeling than reading an FMC that makes you feel seen. <3

And then there’s Dan, our introverted MMC who’s so sure of himself and who loves his family with his whole giant heart, even though he’s so different from them. I loveddddd his quiet love for his people and for Jane. When they both got each other a glass of water before bed, one glass cold & one glass room temp, I died. When Dan made sure at his parent’s anniversary party that Jane felt included in every conversation & never felt like an outsider, ugh I LOVED it. When Jane defended Dan’s move to LA, his movie (without even watching it) and his career, so passionately for someone who “hated” him just a few days before, she did that because she knew he needed someone to stand up for him. I love quiet love, when both people just get each other on an innate level.

This book made me feel all the feelings in the best best best way, and I simply couldn’t put it down. 5 (million) stars.

Thank you times a million to NetGalley & GP Putnam’s Sons for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

What a wonderful read!! So glad I picked up another one of Annabel Monaghan's books- it definitely did not disappoint.

The story centers around Jane, a producer who will do anything to get her movie made, including relive an embarrassing childhood moment. Jane is an incredibly relatable and vulnerable character, struggling a lot with her past insecurities. She tells a lie in hopes of getting a green-light for her movie, leading her on an adventure with cinematographer Dan Finnegan. Dan changes drastically from Jane's number one enemy to someone kind and dependable, and someone she might just be falling for as Jane's life begins turning upside down. Dan is a quiet character, and he and his family are exactly what Jane needs.

The slow yet meaningful romance between Dan and Jane was so fun to read! It was a wonderful sort of enemies-to-lovers, and seeing the initial chemistry and fallout of the two was interesting. Seeing how both characters changed and interacted with each other just made me so happy. This was my ideal romance novel- one packed with emotion, that can bring you to tears. There was a lot of emotional depth- this book is not just another unmemorable romance. I also like her writing style a lot as well; the book didn't have too much fluff, but it still flows together well. This book is told through a single point of view, just from Jane's perspective, but in this instance it just served to heighten the emotions and at times, turmoil, that Jane felt.

That said, I had a wonderful time reading this author's other books, especially Nora goes off Script and Summer Romance. If you enjoyed these previous books, I would definitely try this It's a Love Story. This book is not your average romance and was exactly what I needed!

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for this ARC.