It’s been a minute for a 5 star read and this is AM’s best yet!

Jane Jackson is a former kid star known as Janey Jakes. She played the nerdy, yet comedic role in a teen series in her early life. Fast forward to her adult life trying to get movies made and a script she loves has been green lit. The only problem is the movie would be more marketable with a famous person tied to it. Who does Jane know?, her former costar Jack Quinlan, who is now an uber famous musician. She hasn’t talked to him in 20 years, but now needs a song for the soundtrack.

What could stand in her way? Oh, her nemesis at work Dan who opposes every project she tries to get off the ground and maybe a tiny fib about her closeness to Jack and how they remained friends.

This book is the perfect blend of romance, friendship, courage, and finding your own happiness. ❤️❤️❤️

Got this as an ARC from NetGalley.

4.5 stars

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, and I’m officially a fan of her writing. It was funny, heartfelt, and insightful. While I wouldn’t categorize it as a slow burn or enemies to lovers, it felt more like a “getting to know the real you” kind of story. It beautifully explored family dynamics and how we often perceive ourselves through the lens of others, especially when it comes to love and self-worth.

One of the standout themes was that inner critic we all carry, the voice that tells us we’re not good enough or not worthy of love. That emotional thread really resonated with me. My favorite parts were when the story took us to Long Island with the Finnegan family—those scenes felt warm, grounded, and authentic.

That said, the pacing was a bit slow at the beginning. And while I appreciated the emotional depth of Jane’s journey, her reaction after finally meeting with Jack felt a bit immature. Given all the growth she’d experienced. I was hoping to see her confront Jack with more clarity and self-assurance. That unnecessary “fight” scene with Dan felt like a dramatic step backward rather than a realistic setback. Healing is never linear, but Jane’s outburst seemed a bit over the top at that point in the story.

Still, this was a deeply enjoyable read and a strong 4.5 stars. With just a slightly more grounded resolution, it easily could have been a full 5.

The good. The prose is good and there are some sweet moments. But the characters are frustrating and hard to root for and the third across breakup feels unearned. Overall, this was a disappointment.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC of Its a Love Story. I was looking forward to this as a summer read but so excited for the early copy!

I had some issues with our fmc Jane in this one but overall a super cute story and adorable MMC Dan. The ending was a bit rushed with Jane’s third act conflict. Jane could definitely benefit from therapy but was able to solve all her past trauma with one conversation with her mother making it a bit too brushed over for me.

I have been an Annabel Monaghan fan since Nora Goes Off Script, and It's a Love Story has only deepened my appreciation for her work. It takes a special kind of talent to really flesh out a male main character in a romance, and to do it without a dual POV is a whole next level, but that is precisely what the author has achieved here. While it took me a bit longer to connect with the heroine, Jane Jackson, Dan Finnegan is the strong, quiet, and steadfast type of hero you never saw coming, and with the tension developed, it was so very satisfying to read. I highly recommend this book, as well as the author's backlist.

Thank you to Putnam Books for gifting me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I always love a new Annabel Monaghan book. This one was a bit of a slow burn for me at first. The opening felt slightly guarded, much like the main characters, and it took me a few chapters to really get hooked. But Monaghan’s style came through a couple chapters in and the emotional layers soon began to peel back. I found “It’s a Love Story” to be a heartfelt, charming, and satisfying romance.

As the story unfolded, I found the development of Dan to be the most delightful - I love what Monaghan did with his character and how he was able to get Jane to show her true colors. By the middle of the book, I found myself thoroughly invested in Jane and Dan’s journey. Their banter, growth, and eventual connection felt earned, and I was completely rooting for them.

If you’re a fan of character-driven love stories give this one time to develop - you won’t be disappointed.

I was so excited to read another book from Annabel Monaghan, and this one was SO sweet. I'm so happy! I really loved the two main characters, Jane and Dan, and loved their connection. They were both imperfect people, which I appreciated. I absolutely loved their trip back to Dan's home, and Dan's family, and how they immediately loved Jane and basically took her in as their own. I always enjoy complicated family dynamics, which this had, but it wasn't too heavy that it weighed down the romance. I can't wait to read more from Annabel Monaghan. :)

I loved Annabel Monaghan’s Nora Goes Off Script and this one too. It’s an engaging and substantive romance that I didn’t put down for one long plane ride.

“You can—wait for it—say how you actually feel.”
“No.”
“Yes. It’s a thing grown-up people do. Brand-new, started on TikTok.”

The characters have depth and although I am supremely irritated by plot lines in which the conflict is essentially someone not saying how they feel, this has more complexity than that, and an unfolding backstory that makes the fear of vulnerability understandable and relatable. “…burying shame might be my superpower.”

“I trail off. I’m easy to leave. It’s something that I know about myself, but right now it’s more of a feeling than a thought, bubbling up uninvited to justify my fear.”

Ch. 26 fade to black! This story was so cute and super binge-able. I loved the summer vibes and it fades to black which is so amazing! I was giggling 🤭 with this one! 💛
I’ll read anything and everything she writes

4,5! I felt like I wasn’t going to get over my dislike for the main character for too long to make this a 5 star but I really loved everything going on by 30% in!

I absolutely love anything Annabel Monaghan writes. I find her books perfectly paced, smart, and non-cringe which is pretty hard to do as my cringe radar is very sensitive!

It’s a love story is the perfect summer read. This story made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I loved our main characters and their people - Dan’s big, boisterous family and Jane’s best friend and mother. It all felt so real. It wasn’t just about their life story, but also overcoming the stories we have told ourselves since childhood. It’s about knowing that who we are is enough to those who matter. I love all of Annabel’s books, but this is my new favorite.

3.5 stars
[i think i need to re-read this book at a different point in time and see if my thoughts about it change at all.]
it was not a bad book by any means, but i didn’t connect with jane and dan’s characters like i usually do with annabel’s books. i also didn’t feel like i was as invested jn this book like i was her first three. the first half of the book felt a little juvenile and the second half felt more weighty but still off-kilter. jane was was/is working through a lot of issues and i can usually appreciate a character’s transformation (or at least some self-improvement) but this seemed like things kept piling on. i can’t put my finger on what it is that is turning me off so i’ll stop here and re-read down the road.

thank you to penguin group putnam for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

This book is a lot of fun! I loved the summery beach vibes and the romance. It did take me a few chapters to get into it and to grow to like Jane's character, she seemed very immature and there was a little too much millennial humor for me. By the time Jane and Dan made it to Long Island I was hooked.

I do wish that there was more of a focus on her character's feelings about fame, especially when I saw that the author was inspired by Janette McCurdy's memoir. I think there was an opportunity here to really dive in to what it meant for Jane to have been famous at a very young age, specifically in relation to her feelings about both of her parents, but it felt like we kind of skimmed over it in favor of the romance plot.

I’ve enjoyed all of Annabel Monaghan’s books mostly because she writes stories that sneak up on you. They start off kind of surface level and then BAM it’s an emotional punch in the gut with characters that have stolen your heart.

Love Story was like that for me. In the beginning I wasn’t loving Jane’s character - found it very immature and annoying - but as soon as Jane and Dan went to Long Island and started spending time together and with Dan’s family, I really became invested in their story. I wanted to see Jane do a little more work on her issues once she recognized them and the impact it was having on her relationships. I loved Dan and Dan’s family so much and really would have loved some of the story from his perspective.

I read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was perfectly sweet, good, fun, and heartwarming.

Jane Jackson, a once upon a time young actress for a teen show is now an adult working in the tv industry. She has found the perfect script "It's a Love Story" and has a plan to seal the deal and get this script pushed through to production...but there's a small clincher that she needs in order to make this happen.

Enemies to lovers trope and I'm here for it. It was so well done and easy to fall for the relationship as the reader. This will make for a great summer read poolside, at the beach, or on the back deck. Easily consumed and I'm ready for the next Monaghan book!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the gifted e-ARC of this book.

This was such a heart warming story! The setting really got me excited for summer. The characters were perfect in their flawed ways. Dan reminds me a lot of my own partner, he’s so creative, yet reserved. It’s refreshing to read such a character. I loved watching Jane realize she was worthy of love, that she never thought she was. The story line with her mom was endearing and sweet to read. Dan’s family dynamic was one we all strive to have & i saw a lot of my own family within his. I think so many people will love this story like i did! I can’t wait for the praise to come in!

This is a true “feel good” romance with lots of banter and chemistry, but also deep and emotional. The beginning and the end were fast paced but the middle kind of plateaus and gives the reader a great escape into a slow moving love story.

I requested this book right after finishing Summer Romance. I LOVED this book. The author has captured some of the quiet parts of lasting love in the parents relationship while also giving you that feeling of falling in love from the main character's. I am the director of a library and I can't wait to have this book in my library so I can recommend it to patrons and hear what they think. Putting the right book in the hands of the right reader is one of the pleasures of being a librarian an this book will be the right book for so many readers.

4.25 ⭐️ ahhh this gave me all the summer feels!! this romance was kind of a slow burn, but the moments shared between Dan and Jane were so sweet! Dan dropping everything and going out of his way for Jane was so wholesome. i especially loved the bond that Jane formed with Dan’s family, it was so heartwarming! also, the forced proximity and the way Dan was always there to comfort her…i can’t!! this is my second read from Annabel Monaghan and i WILL be reading more. i adore her writing so much and the emotion she puts into the words her characters speak. please read this book when it comes out!!! this book was also a clean, closed door contemporary romance!!

****4/18/25 **** Life got busy and I'm finally posting my 5-star review of Annabel Monaghan's "It's a Love Story!" Centered on young-ish Jane Jackson, who is pivoting from childhood actor to studio executive, we see Jane pigeonholed into a character from her young teen years (and having romantic whiplash by her heartthrob co-star Jack Quinlan) to modern day, and not being allowed to make the movie she wants to make by her challenging boss. But then she promises a very commercial theme song by an incredibly popular artist who just so happens to be her teen heartthrob co-star Jack. Surely he will take her meeting, right?

At it turns out, Janie needs help to make this happen and help comes in the form of a super annoying cinematographer that Jane used to have a crush on, but now mostly avoids, Dan Finnegan. He wants to make the movie too, and just happens to have a family home near a music festival where they *might* be able to intercept Jack Quinlan to get him to agree to do a song for the movie.

The majority of this book is about Jane crashing in Dan's childhood home, getting to know his large, super charming Irish family, and trying to get to Jack so she can keep her job and make a movie. There are a lot of situations, relationships form, and Jane sees a different way of living (as well as seeing if Jack Quinlan's true colors have changed since their teen years).

Monaghan writes a particular kind of romance that centers around adult women balancing work, multi-generational families, friendships, and are basically trying to get stuff done and be a good person while doing it. I love that genre!! Her books are fun to read and have very satisfying conclusions that are life-based, not just romance-based. I've been a fan since book #1 and will read anything she writes. Keep up the good work Annabel, and good luck on your May release! 5-stars.

*** 3/19/25 *** Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for providing an advance reader copy of Annabel Monaghan's newest "modern romance," coming out May 27th, just in time for summer reading lists. I've been a fan of Monaghan since "Nora Goes Off Script," and even though I'm not a reader of most romances, somehow Monaghan weaves engaging and compelling novels of middle aged women dealing with relatable life events, and you love these women and want to see them come out on top in matters of life and the heart. Review coming soon!