I adored Jane and Dan! Annabel Monaghan has such a talent for creating complex characters and a love story that feels real and honest. This might be my favorite by her!

A uniquely fun semi-second-chance romance. This story was enjoyable due to the way that Annabel wove the story by including tidbits of information about FMC June's childhood along with the current timeline. There were significant events in her childhood as an actress that formed her into the woman she is in this story and the way Annabel told that story made this flow in an easy to digest way. Our MMC Dan, is just enough of a grumpy blacksheep with his glass half empty approach to things to make him lovable and make the reader want to see him happy by the end of the story. The author also used the storyline with Jack, a side character that very much drove the plot in this book, to make us feel more sympathy and empathy for both of the MC's.

This was the perfect quick, fun, vacation read that put me in the perfect mood to read more lighthearted, but meaningful romances.

Annabel Monaghan is an incredibly talented, skillful writer and I've very much enjoyed her previous novels. This one had its moments for me too, but mostly I found it dragging. I think because it often veers too close to the "all of this could be solved with one conversation" problem in multiple plotlines. Not mid enough to keep me from looking out for her next one, but overall slightly disappointing from an otherwise reliable writer.

Thank you to Netgalley for granting me this ARC of It's a Love Story.

"It's a Love Story" by Annabel Monaghan is a contemporary romance novel that has garnered positive attention for its engaging characters, pacing, and blend of humor and emotional depth. The story revolves around Jane Jackson, a former child actress trying to make her mark as a Hollywood studio executive, and Dan Finnegan, a cinematographer who becomes an unexpected ally.

Jane's past as "Poor Janey Jakes," the punchline of a sitcom, haunts her as she strives to be taken seriously in Hollywood. To get her project greenlit, she impulsively claims she can get pop star Jack Quinlan, her first kiss and a source of past embarrassment, to write a song for the movie. When she realizes she needs help, she turns to Dan Finnegan, despite their initial animosity.

The novel takes readers to Dan's hometown, where Jack Quinlan is scheduled to perform at a festival. Jane and Dan find themselves in close quarters, forcing them to confront their pasts and present feelings. The setting plays a significant role, with vivid descriptions that allow readers to feel like they are part of the story.

One of the praised aspects of "It's a Love Story" is the character development. Jane's journey of self-discovery and her struggles with anxiety and self-doubt resonate with readers. Dan's character helps Jane come "back to life," and their evolving relationship is a highlight of the book. The supporting characters, particularly Dan's family, add depth and humor to the narrative. Their interactions create a lively and realistic atmosphere, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Monaghan's writing style is frequently commended for its authenticity and emotional resonance. Her ability to balance lightheartedness with deeper emotional themes makes the story both enjoyable and thought-provoking. The pacing of the novel is also well-executed, with each word contributing to the story's progression.

The book is characterized as a perfect summer read, with elements of "enemies to lovers" and "forced proximity" tropes adding to its appeal. The guaranteed happy ending provides a sense of comfort and satisfaction, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an uplifting romance.

However, some reviewers found the ending and the third-act breakup to be less convincing. One reviewer noted that Jane's actions towards the end of the book were somewhat frustrating, though understandable. Despite this, the overall reception of "It's a Love Story" remains overwhelmingly positive.

Readers who enjoy summer romances with well-developed characters, engaging family dynamics, and a touch of emotional depth will likely appreciate this novel. Annabel Monaghan's storytelling ability shines through, creating a memorable and enjoyable reading experience.

Overall, "It's a Love Story" is a recommended read for those looking for a blend of humor, romance, and personal growth. The book's strengths lie in its relatable characters, vivid setting, and the author's skillful writing, making it a standout in the contemporary romance genre.
#ItsaLoveStory, #NetGalley

Rockstar romances are normally my least favorite of tropes, but I should have known Annabel would knock it out of the park. Anything she writes I'll read and love. She has such a beautiful way of story telling. Tension and banter was off the charts. Her character development and attention to details are unmatched.

Pick this up if you love anything written by Annabel, second chance romance, relatable characters, enemies to lovers, close proximity.

Thank you Net Galley for the E-ARC. 5/5!

Annabel Monaghan's books always feel like a warm hug to me and I feel so fortunate to have been an ARC reader for all of her novels - they truly never miss! This one did feel different, but in a good way. I loved the story and the setting (even though I felt like the storyline between Jane and Jack was positioned in the summary as the "main event" and that was hardly the case) and I loved that, per usual, Monaghan's story is about way more than just the love story. Or rather, it's about love in all different forms - friends, family, lovers, coworkers, etc. I was skeptical of this one at the start but it turned out to be one of my favorite's she's written and I'm already so excited for all of my friends and my mom to read!

Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for the chance to read this book! This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, and I so glad I had the chance to read it. I am definitely adding Monaghan's other books to my list to read.

I really enjoyed It's a Love Story! From the first few chapters, I found myself smiling and laughing along with Jane’s chaotic, funny, and relatable journey. I loved how the story balanced humor with real emotion, especially as Jane navigated her feelings. The characters felt genuine, and I liked that the romance didn’t come across as too perfect or predictable. Jane’s awkwardness, her stubbornness, and even her vulnerability made her easy to root for.

The last quarter of the book did feel a little slow to me. Even so, it didn’t take away from how much fun the rest of the book was. Overall, It's a Love Story was a great read with charming and real moments that made me laugh out loud. If you're in the mood for a feel-good romcom, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up!

"I hold his gaze for a few beats before I actually feel myself weakening. There's power in his quiet; it makes room for something."

"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩, 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 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."

I loved everything about 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬. Annabel Monaghan has crafted another book that seems like a romance but is so much more, and it gets all the stars from me.

Jane, a former child star turned movie exec, and Dan, the director of photography she hates, have to travel to his hometown to try to get a movie they both love made and save their careers. It's also Dan's parents' 40th wedding anniversary so they stay with his large Irish family, causing Jane to question her belief that love doesn't last.

The characters and their journeys in this book are so believable that I found myself reading scenes and wishing I could be friends with them. There's also such a sense of fun running through it - yes, Jane and Dan each have serious issues they're dealing with but I also found myself laughing out loud. (The Eleanor Roosevelt swimsuit makes me giggle just thinking about it!) With a dual timeline that focuses on Jane's time on a Disney Channel-esque sitcom (fun fact: Monaghan was inspired to write this after reading Jennette McCurdy's 𝘐'𝘮 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘔𝘺 𝘔𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘪𝘦𝘥), the banter-filled dynamics of Dan's family, and a beautiful friendship between Jane and her best friend, Clem, there's a little something for everyone in this one so if you're considering giving it a read, baby just say yes. (I can't be the only one who has that song stuck in their head after reading this title!)

Thanks to Putnam Books for the copy to review.

This is a beautiful story about quiet, steady love. The author does a beautiful job of peeling back the layers of each character is such a thoughtful way that NEVER feels rushed. Reading any book by Annabel Monaghan is like taking a peaceful walk down the beach— you want to savor every moment. You never want to rush through. You never want it to be over! And this book was no different. I am SO sad it’s over. FIVE STARS.

It’s A Love Story was my introduction to Annabel Monaghan, and what a treat it was! Jane and Dan couldn’t be more opposite—and that’s exactly what made their story so compelling.

Jane is someone who struggles to be her authentic self. She shapes her personality based on how she thinks she should be, rooted in the belief that if she doesn’t fit a certain mold, she’ll be overlooked. It’s incredibly relatable, and heartbreaking at times to watch her self-sabotage. Then there’s Dan—confident, grounded, and completely unbothered by other people’s expectations. He knows who he is and what he wants, and he embraces the world with this open-hearted curiosity that’s hard not to fall in love with.

It was so dang beautiful watching their worlds collide. It’s an enemies-to-lovers slow burn full of heart, set against a charming Long Island backdrop. It’s told from a single POV (Jane’s), and I only wish we got a peek into Dan’s mind too.

The final conflict broke my heart, but Annabel did such a fantastic job of putting the pieces back together. Loved this story from beginning to end!

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Annabel Monaghan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This is my unbiased review:

Jane Jackson has gone from awkward teen TV personality to an aspiring Hollywood producer. She finally finds a script she loves, but trying to bring that story to the silver screen has her confronting all her insecurities, biases, and defenses. Her week with Dan Finnegan and his family brings all her hurts, and hopes, into focus.

It took me awhile to get into this story, because to be honest, the characters felt two-dimensional in the first half. Jane was a mess on the inside, put together on the outside. Dan was a little too perfect. But they both showed growth, and there were a lot of funny or sweet moments. This turned out to be a quick read because I wanted to see if they could keep the momentum. This was a fun, summer read that I will definitely recommend!

I had no idea what I getting myself into when I picked up this book. This was my first read by this author and Jane Jackson pivoted my mind right back to the teenage me who felt unworthy and unlovable. The girl who's dad also walked away. She, as an adult, still struggling with the traumas of past boys and a father that wouldn't stick around. It's easy to make it your identity, or like me, just stuff it down to it spills out of you one day and you have to deal with it. Well, I guess she does that too.

"My heart is treacherous and historically wrong about everything, it is the weakest muscle in my body, but Dan and his family and our script are conspiring to whisper it back to life like it's an ember worth restoking."

When her sworn enemy, Dan Finnegan, and herself for once agree on a move script they both want to produce and film, Jane decides to do her best (or worst) to get it greenlit by saying she can get famous singer, Jack Quinlin and former teenage Jane's biggest humiliation, to write a song for it. She may have embellished just how good of friends they were. To do that, she finds herself a guest in the Finnegan house on Long Island as her and Dan try to catch a Jack sighting and chat before he plays a big show in Dan's hometown. What you get is a family that loves big, speaks their minds, makes Jane feel like she's one of them (mom and dad are hoping so) and full of so much joy and laughter. And, tension. So much tension. How could she not fall in love with them or...him? And, how can't he when he finally see's the real Jane she doesn't allow others to see.

While I looooooathe a third act break-up, I could totally understand the spiral that Jane took that landed her there. And, while I wish Dan would have been a little more tender at first with her, she definitely hurt him and pushed him away. There's no double standards here. I know some will hate it, but with her unaddressed past, this was bound to happen.

I 100% plan on going back and reading Annabel Monaghan's back catalog after finishing this book. I couldn't put it down. The beautiful tender moments, the tension and longing...I ate it all up and swoony sighed on my couch.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Annabel Monaghan for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jane Jackson is a Creative Executive for a big studio and has a script she’s trying to get green-lit. She’s desperately trying to prove her success because she’s most formerly known as “Poor Janey Jakes” from an adolescent sitcom, in which her character was nerdy and often the butt of everyone’s jokes. Jane gets ahead of herself when she tells her bosses that she is close with major pop star Jack Quinlan, and that he has agreed to write an original song for the soundtrack. She does know Jack but hasn’t spoken to him since they shared an awkward first kiss twenty years earlier. Now insert Jane’s coworker, Dan Finnegan, who was once a crush and is now a rival for turning down Jane’s first ever project. Dan is the only one who can help Jane because he has access to a festival that Jack is playing at in his hometown of Long Island. So off to Long Island Jane and Dan go to try and track down Jack in hopes of saving the film, and maybe fall in love along the journey.

This wasn’t my first Annabel Monaghan novel and it won’t be my last. I love her style of writing; the easy pace of a great summer read. I love her characters as they are usually well developed, relatable and likable.

This title releases on May 27, 2025.

4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan and Penguin Group Putnam for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This summer read is surprisingly emotional & brought all the feels. Annabel Monoghan wrote such a relatable character with Jane Jackson, and it's her POV that we follow. Jane, a former child star turned studio exec, is trying to get her first project greenlit. But her passion for this project has her exaggerating her ability to close the deal with her former child co-star turned major heartthrob & popular singer. As she navigates how she'll convince him to say yes to this project, she gets help from the most unlikely source: her rival colleague Dan, whom she almost dated & might still find attractive.

Dan & Jane have this amazing dynamic that only grows as they spend more time together. The setting is with Dan's large, rambunctious family on Long Island, where they are tracking down Jack, Jane's former costar, who is in town playing at a local festival. The banter is phenomenal, but Jane's longing to feel loved, wanted & accepted is highlighted as Dan's family embraces her. This is not just a romance but an exploration of feeling like you don't belong, & what happens when you finally start feeling wanted. I very much related to Jane & her story is so compelling.

The romance between Dan & Jane is steamy, angsty & there is plenty of yearning. It's the little moments described, the touches, the looks - that really had my heart exploding. I love how they both love romance, but in different ways. Dan is a true romantic at heart (his favorite movie is The Notebook) & Jane likes the idea of romance, but a bit sinister in it being real brings this opposites attract vibe. Plu,s add in the found family dynamic from Dan's family & this story just captivated me from beginning to end.

This is one of those books I'll be recommending to all my friends for their summer reading list & I can't wait to see what Annabel writes next!

💖 Enemies to Lovers
🎤 Former Childhood Actor
🛏️ Forced Proximity
☀️ Summer Romance
⚡️ Opposites Attract
🫶 Found Family
☝🏻 Single FMC POV

ARC Review
Jane is a creative executive trying to get a script about a love story made into a movie. She is passionate about this project, but doesn’t necessarily believe in love. Jane’s boss is not convinced, so Jane name drops a singer she met as a child that can write a song for their movie. Jane played the awkward “Janey Jakes” on a sitcom and met the same singer, Jack Quinlan, during that time. She must travel to another state with her arrogant coworker Dan to convince Jack to be a part of her movie to boost the popularity.

It took me a minute to get into this book, but once I did, I was hooked. I really enjoyed the storyline and how her quest to convince Jack Quinlan to help forces her to get out of her daily routine. Jane’s struggles are very relatable, and I think the author has a realistic way of showing real life problems. This book was entertaining and adorable. It also had deeper issues that made it more interesting and more engaging to read. There’s a lot of side characters that are memorable without taking away from the main characters. I think I enjoyed Dans brothers' dynamic the most because they added comedic relief during the harder times.

Annabel Monaghan has a way of incorporating summer vibes in her books, and I adore these types of books. This is the perfect time to pick this book up with the summer season starting soon. She is becoming one of my favorite authors, and I highly recommend reading any of her books. This book comes out May 27,2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

I love Anabel Monaghan. I know she's not for everyone, but her reads give "beach read" vibes and keep me entertained.

This one was kind of predictable, but I appreciated how anti "insta love" this one was. I loved reading as Jane came into her own and broke down her walls with Dan.

If you're looking for something easy for a summer read, try this one!

I was delighted to receive an ARC of "It's a Love Story", but Annabel Monaghan. And what a sweet story it was!

Jane Jackson, our main character, is a former child actor who now works as a producer. She has fallen in love with a script that the studio she works for has optioned, and is working hard to get the film greenlit. The studio decides to link her with a cinematographer by the name of Dan Finnegan. Dan and Jane "almost" dated once, but it didn't work out when he crushed one of her previous scripts. Dan likes this new script, though!

Jane, in a last-ditch attempt to save her shot at making this movie, tells the studio that Jack Quinlan, a now-famous singer from her past, will sing the theme song for the movie. Problem is, she hasn't seen or talked to Jack since she made of fool of herself in front of him when she was 14. Determined to make the movie, she and Dan team up to try to catch Jack at a concert in Dan's hometown, and beg him to give the movie a song. Jane and Dan stay at the Finnegan's family home, and the place is FULL of family!

I won't give away more plot detaills, but I found Dan's family to be absolutely loud, dysfunctional, and perfect! This story had me smiling, and occasionally tearing up a bit. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, warm-hearted read, This would be an excellent beach read, a break after an intense read, or a pick-me-up if you've had a really bad day.

It's starting to finally feel like spring where I live, which has me dreaming of coastal Maine where I live and warm, carefree summers! What I loved most about this book was the dynamic of Dan's family. It reminded me of beach trips with my family every summer, something so many can relate to! The summertime storms, slow mornings, sand slightly on the floors everywhere you walk, and late nights on the beach by the fire! I can't wait to re-read this on the beach, or anytime I want to get into the summer mindset! I felt there was a lot of fluff in the middle, but I lived in it and was ready to soak it in more! If you don't like a slower read, this might not be for you. But if you're someone who loves the cheese, loves a slow burn and LOVES the summertime feels, you will highly enjoy this book!

Annabel Monaghan writes with such beauty and emotion. She continues to be one of my favorite rom-com authors!

I am fortunate enough to have received an ARC of Its’s a Love Story. This is an enemies to lovers romance that focuses on finding oneself.

Our main character in this story is Jane, a woman who doesn’t believe in love, especially after the traumatic events of her childhood. Jane is put into close proximity with Dan, her coworker. Both are working on a Hollywood project together.

Dan and Jane end up spending a week with Dan’s family in Long Island. They are hoping to run into Jack Quinlan, the beloved singer who is extremely popular. Jack is performing in Dan’s hometown and if Jane can reconnect with him, she may just be able to get him to help her with her current work project-. Jane would love for Jack to write a song for their upcoming movie. But when Jane finally reconnects with Jack, her insecurities and past come bubbling back to the surface.

Monaghan has so many quotes worth highlighting. I continue to be a reader of hers for life.

3.5⭐️ At first, I thought Jane would be the unbearable “quirky” character and felt a bit turned off. But as the story went on, I really started to enjoy it—Dan especially grew on me! I loved the beach town setting and his family. I think I would’ve liked the book more without the ongoing “problem” storyline—it kept pulling focus and felt unnecessary.

Not my favorite Annabel Monaghan book, but it was a cute read with a meaningful message.