Oh I loved this book! Just delightful!!! The characters - ALL of them are simply wonderful. The warm and fuzzies were well written and absolutely received by this reader! Annabel Monaghan is an auto-read author for me. This was simply a fantastic reading experience. Big thanks to NetGalley for an early copy!

A sweet enemies to lover story that will make you smile and laugh!

“It’s a Love Story” is about Jane a former child actor that is trying to make it in the movie production business. She meets Dan, a realist who dismisses her first big project. The fly from LA to Long Island to track down a pop start that Jane knew from her childhood. But while they are there they stay with Dan’s family. You will absolutely fall in love with the Finnegan family! I loved each and every one of them.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart warming quick read with a found family vibe.

Thank you Penguin media for an ARC of this book.

DNF - Slogged through this at the pace of a turtle. I just could not get into it. It wasn’t poorly written just boring and slow. Didn’t connect with it at all unfortunately. I found myself in a book slump simply because I didn’t want to pick this one back up and that’s when I know it’s time to move on.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was told about this book from and friend and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed the development of the romance between the two main characters. The emotional growth of Jane had me in tears. A good lesson is learned from her relationship with her mother as well as the way Jane learns to see herself.
Some parts seem to drag a bit at the beginning and end but overall I enjoyed the story!

It’s a Love Story by @annabelmonaghan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5


Annabel has done it again. She delivered another beautifully crafted story that you can see play out in your mind. Her books are perfect beach reads but always have an emotional depth that you don’t expect. I have loved all of them.

I immediately fell in love with Jane and Dan and was routing for them right away. Their troupe of enemies to lovers felt unique and refreshing.

I adored Dan’s family. A big, loud, Irish family was always my dream (spoiler alert, I got it). I could see the house and feel the warmth from his Dad and smell his Mom’s cooking. The way the family was written felt like a big hug that I felt right through the pages.

It’s a Love Story is out on May 27th. Thank you @netgalley and @penguinbooks for this advanced copy.

3.75/5 stars....The FMC had a plan for her life and was really trying to stick to it and the MMC really just didn't want to be compared to his siblings. I liked them together once the FMC realized the perfect person for her would not check every box on list but the ones that really mattered. The FMC is an only child and sometimes that's a blessing in and of its self. Her relationship with her mother (at the start) is not the best and she barely got to know her father. The MMC has siblings to spare and both parents in his life, these characters are polar opposites and were meant to be together. I was not a fan of the 3rd act break up but it all worked out in the end. This was also one of the quickest reads for this year.

Annabel Monaghan is an incredible romance writer. Romance is very hit-or-miss for me, but Monaghan's stories work very well for my tastes. Her characters feel like real people, not the quirky nonsensical characters that are often present in romances. There's always something deeper going on in her stories, and I find myself rooting for her characters more than most. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this novel.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan was such a warm and comforting read. I’ve loved her writing in the past, and she absolutely delivers again here — her style feels like a cozy hug, so easy to sink into. I felt especially connected to Dan’s character; his emotions and journey resonated with me deeply.

What held me back from a full 5 stars was the way the female lead’s storyline developed toward the end. Her mental breakdown felt a little too heavy compared to the tone of the rest of the book, and it pulled me out of the story for a bit. Still, overall, this was a solid, heartfelt read that I’d definitely recommend to anyone who loves sweet, emotionally layered romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this!

This may be her best yet! It still has the light hearted fun that’s perfect for a summer read, but this story feels like it is her most relatable and authentic yet. I saw myself in these characters in a way that was both heartbreaking and beautiful. And, on a final note, thank goodness for Clem ❤️ please give her a story of her own!

A total 5 stars.
I definitely WASN’T expecting it to be that good, and when I say that good, I mean I can actually compare to my most favorite author Emily Henry.
Words cannot describe how perfect this gem was. It kept me thinking about its quotes, and the one that stuck in my mind was: “there’s a difference between someone loving you and agreeing with every single thing you do.”
Dan was a heart-stealer and reminded me a lot of Gus from Beach Read, so I have a feeling if you loved Beach Read you’re gonna love this one.
I went to it completely blind and honestly wasn’t looking forward to anything except that the amazing @croknits_withmads saying that it altered her brain chemistry, and I was like “oh I definitely should give it a try.”. It’s became my 2nd fave read of the month if not more.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

“𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭.”

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5/20/25

*Thank you @NetGalley and @PutnamBooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Childhood TV star Jane Jackson aka "Poor Janey Jakes," was the funny nerdy girl in the sitcom Pop Rocks. Now grown up, shes trying to make it big in Hollywood by getting the movie script Love Story produced. When she gets some push back, she may tell a little lie: that she can get a mega star singer she used to work with to write a song for the movie. Only thing is, she hasn't talked to him in years. Jane heads to a small beach town with her office nemesis (and former crush) Dan, to confront the pop star during a music festival and ask for his help. Being forced to spend a week with Dan isn't her idea of a good time, but it will be worth it if things work out in the end.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🎥 Enemies to Lovers
🩱 Small Town
🎥 Forced Proximity
🩱 Big Family Dynamics

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
Monaghan is a “she writes it I read it” author for me. I loved her other books. This one was my least favorite. I didn’t feel any connection to the characters and found Jane to be annoying and not quirky. The hiding under desks and in closets was odd to me. I do appreciate Monaghans writing, and the text flowed well and was easy to read. This story will definitely have its audience and is worth reading 📖 if you’re looking for a good light read.

Huge thank you to Annabel Monaghan and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This is admittedly my first read for this author but I was pretty sure it would be great when I saw Abby Jimenez's raving on the cover! In the beginning of the story i was struggling to connect with Jane, the FMC but as the story started to develop I got so sucked into the storyline. I love that this book wasn't overly complicated with thousands of unnecessary characters - every one was well written and contributed value to the story. Clem for example, was just such a great supporting friend character - she reminded me so much of my LD best friend that I call and text my stream of crazy thoughts to and her overwhelming support and understanding of Jane and the way her mind worked was so heartwarming and relatable.

When we're introduced to the MMC's family, this book goes into a whole new level - watching the FMC interact and long for the types of love she's seen on the screen but is now experiencing in real life really sucks you in. I really loved the running comparison of the movie script they were working to get made, and the love being witnessed in real life. The MMC was truly special in his own way, not the stereotypical romance MMC, but quiet, reserved, loves hard, and truly sees his people and his world around him.

Overall, I went into this book expecting to like it, to think it was cute, but i choked on tears more than once - the vulnerability and the way that Jane is able to process her thoughts and feelings, lay them out for you to truly understand why she's struggling and why this is such a sore spot just really hits home. If you've ever struggled with shame, self-consciousness, etc - this is such a refreshing reminder that it's okay to just be yourself - want what you want, chase your dreams, protect your flame of what makes you, you. It's a love story, not just for our main characters, but for Jane to love herself too.

I enjoyed this book so much, am so thankful to have read it, and I know that Jane will stay with me for a long time.

*It’s a Love Story* was a quick, easy read—light, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable. It didn’t knock me off my feet, but I had a good time with it.

I absolutely loved Dan. He’s the kind of soft, sensitive, artistic MMC that’s impossible not to root for. And Jane, with all her messy charm and big heart, was so easy to love too. Their connection sparked fast but felt genuine, and the family dynamics when they visited his hometown added a really sweet layer to it all.

If you’re looking for something light and low-stress with heart and humor, this one’s a perfect summer read!

Another hit from one of my fave Romance writers. I love her “adult” romances and her humor and detailed sensibilities. Her characters are perfectly flawed and real.

It’s a Love Story
Is a beach read with the right amount of obstacles, chuckles, self discovery and swoon to keep you from putting this one down.

She has done it again!!!! Gosh I love everything Monaghan writes… she can do no wrong!! The character development of these two lovebirds is unmatched. Seriously I want to read about them for ten more books. I loved how the story intertwines the past and present and how very real the past can affect our present. Truly, this is a masterpiece. I laughed and cried so many times!!!!

If you were looking for the perfect light, swoony romance to pack for your late spring/early summer getaway, LOOK NO FURTHER! Annabel has Annabelled yet again - this is vacation in book form! We've got views, we've got steam, we've got self-reflection..what more IS there?!

Jane and Dan have a meet-cute for the ages, but things go downhill fast for them as they become coworkers in the small town that is La La Land. As Jane fumbles her way into needing Dan's help getting a script she loves greenlit, you know where the slow burn is taking you and every minute of the ride is delicious.

But I think my favorite part of this story has to be Jane's journey back to herself. She's spent a lot of time packing away parts of herself she doesn't want to show people, but those are the only parts Dan is interested in seeing.

Annabel Monaghan hits the spot with her latest romance. I was wholly invested in her characters and the HEA.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book and it kind of let me down. I didn’t love Dan and felt like the characters weren’t as deep as the characters in her other books. It was a good time. I love Annabelle’s writing and will read anything she publishes.

This book is so meta, felt like a book version of 30 Rock.

What a joy! It was an incredible reading experience. I smiled so big and laughed out loud. Jane is a wonderful character. She works for a production company in LA with industry roots as child actress. Being a teen actor is hard, especially on a goofball role. I can see how it could prime you to want to be taken seriously as an adult. I love the whole premise around Pop Rocks and the core four. Jane is pushing for a script to be green-lit but needs the help of a cinematographer, Dan, to entice a former colleague to help increase the sell for the film. Dan and his whole family are wild and loving.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!