Annabel Monaghan, you genius. It’s a Love Story is exactly the kind of book that makes you forget the real world exists—until you look up and realize you’ve been grinning like an idiot for hours.

Jane Jackson, a Hollywood executive, is determined to secure a pop song for her first project, but to do so, she must team up with Dan Finnegan, a talented but frustrating cinematographer from her past. As their mission takes them to Dan's Long Island hometown, old tensions resurface, and an unexpected romance begins to bloom.

Let’s start with Dan Finnegan. He’s a twin. TWINS. This automatically makes everything 10x more fun, and the Finnegan family as a whole? I want in. Their potato farm, their warm chaos, their banter—I felt like I was there, squeezed into a too-small kitchen chair with a cup of coffee and no choice but to fall in love with all of them. And the family group chat, lovingly (and accurately) titled The Mob? A masterpiece of sibling energy. Cormack must be protected at all costs, and Reenie? A queen.

Then there’s Dan and Jane. The slow burn, the technically a love triangle situation that’s tangled up in sibling rivalry and long-held family dynamics, the forced proximity via one shared bedroom—Monaghan had me in a chokehold. And the way Dan and Jane are so fiercely protective of each other? Fully melted.

Monaghan also has a way of making every character pop off the page, no matter how big or small their role. The little details—the specificity of a fashion choice, the way someone moves through a scene, a single line of dialogue that tells you everything—make each person feel fully realized.

And let’s talk friendships. Clem is the golden kind of best friend, the one who makes you own your shit and helps you through the mess of it. And the family dynamics? Perfection - no pretense—just real, unfiltered love.

This is exactly the kind of love story I want to read, watch, and live. Annabel Monaghan’s best. Full stop.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Putnam for the early copy—I couldn’t have loved this more. It’s a Love Story hits shelves on May 27, and trust me, this one is a MUST.

Thank you to Putnam Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

This was a great summer beach read! I liked the bicoastal setting between Los Angeles and the sleepy beach town on Long Island. I really enjoyed the MMC Dan and his big, boisterous family, even though I had trouble keeping all of their names straight. I liked the FMC Jane, but I didn’t really understand what motivated her to say and do the things she did. Childhood trauma plays a big part in this book, but the way she acted made her seem more immature than anything. Also, she causes a conflict towards the end that felt very forced.

Overall, this was a fun, lighthearted romance filled with that signature Annabel Monaghan humor, beach town vibes, and entertaining family members.

4.5 stars. This is my second book my Annabel Monaghan, and she will now be an auto read for me. I enjoyed it immensely!

This book would be such a great beach read for the summer! I loved the male main character and his family, however I found Jane to be unlikable. She’s the reason I ended up rating the book lower. Jane somehow went from hating Dan to falling in love with him in the matter of days + the way she handled the third act conflict was frustrating. I would still recommend this book though!

This was a quick and light read- it would definitely make for a great summer beach read. The setting was perfect and I really felt immersed in the beach town vibe throughout the book! Although the FMC, Jane, was a bit odd and I’m not entirely sure I liked her all that much, I adored the MMC, Dan. His character was so sweet and I loved his big, lively family. The dynamics within his family felt incredibly relatable to me.

Although I’m a fan of enemies-to-lovers and enjoy a good forced proximity plot, the romance develops super fast in this story- within just a few days. This isn’t a spoiler, but I also wasn’t a fan of the conflict toward the end- it felt too forced and unnecessary.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted romance filled with humor, a charming beach town, and entertaining family dynamics, you may enjoy this one more than I did.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this book!

It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan was one of my anticipated reads for 2025 and I was lucky enough to get an arc from the publishers.

This was the first book I read by Annabel and it took me a couple chapters to get into the book but then I was absolutely hooked and it did not disappoint.

I absolutely loved Annabel’s writing style and have never found a more relatable character as I did with Jane. She experienced so much change and growth from start to finish, I felt myself cheering her on all the way through. Jane’s instant love connection with Dan turned workplace enemy was so fun to read and I couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of how that mess came to be and how their story continued to unfold between them.

Overall, It’s A Love Story is a fun lighthearted read with plenty of humor in it. It’s a story about overcoming the past, finding love in unexpected places and learning to be true to yourself. Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Publishing Date: May 27, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley, Publishers and Annabel for letting me read the arc 🥰

Annabel Monaghan is one of my favorite romance authors and her new summer romance does not disappoint. Do I love her books for new and creative plot lines, no I love her books because she makes you feel for her characters. They have baggage they have real reasons for being skittish about relationships, they have complicated lives.
For a romance the character development is strong, the story lines believable and there is humor to break up the sad parts. Highly recommend that you had to your summer TBR and go back and read her backlist while you wait for the new release !

4.25 stars for a "sweep you up" book. This is a quick story but one that you're sure to feel emotions in. Jane can never get to a 4th date . . . she has everything planned for the first three and knows exactly how to act but can never seem to get to the 4th date. Her preconceptions of love are skewed. Enter Dan, her rival at the studio where she produces movies. Well . . . you know what happens next, right? A slow burn begins but then heats up way too fast - say 7 days - fast.

I loved how Jane started second guessing herself about pre-conceived notions of love and life. She confronts her mom about a lie that has been continuing her whole life. I love how Annabel Monaghan created a male character who is different from his family and does it with care and gentleness.

The final bit was a bit contrived for me and seemed a bit out of place for this super sweet book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan and Penguin Group Putnam / G.P. Putnam's Sons for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. I'll keep reading whatever Annabel Monaghan writes.
1 like

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

LA chapters: 2 stars
Long Island chapters: 4 stars

I almost DNF'd this. Which killed me, because....Annabel Monaghan. I'm glad I kept going, although I disliked Jane throughout the entire story. She was so immature and, seriously, Jane, why aren't you in therapy?? Hiding under your work desk? Hiding in your bedroom closet? Yikes. Absolutely LOVED cinnamon roll Dan and his entire family. It felt like the two settings - LA and LI - were two different books smashed together. I recommend this for the sheer joy the Finnegan family brings.

Jane Jackson was the awkward teenage geek in a sitcom twenty years ago. Now she is trying to get movies produced. When she finally finds the perfect script, her nemesis, cinematographer Dan Finnegan, is called in to work on the film. In a desperate attempt to get the studio to green light the movie, Jane says she can get a famous pop star to write the title song. Dan asks her to travel to his family home on Long Island where the pop star is playing in a small festival. This is beautifully written with many likable characters. Jane, who is hiding a family secret, falls in love with Dan’s big, loud Irish family. They represent everything she’s ever wanted. Though Jane, Dan and the pop star experience some ups and downs, the novel reaches a believable conclusion. Much of the plot was predictable but I still found this engaging and enjoyable. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book is an absolute gem that had me grinning from ear to ear! Following the journey of Jane Jackson, a former child actress turned creative executive, this novel is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and personal growth. Jane's transformation from a perfectionist to someone embracing her true self is both relatable and heartwarming.

The chemistry between Jane and Dan is electric, with a slow-burn romance that keeps you eagerly turning the pages. Their witty banter and undeniable connection make their story truly captivating. The supporting characters, especially Dan's lively family, add depth and warmth, making the narrative even more engaging.

Monaghan's writing shines with its perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments. The plot is engaging, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. If you're looking for a feel-good read that leaves you with a smile, this is the perfect choice. Five stars all the way!

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for an ARC

Thanks netgalley for the arc. I always love reading Annabel Monaghan books so I was excited for the arc. This was a cute love story that will be perfect for a summer read. I loved the book once they got to the East coast and it was very fun and light read. I would recommend for an easy summer contemporary romance!

Also posted to goodreads.

this book made me laugh and it made me tear up, this story has so much heart. it’s the perfect summer read and going into it i expected something light and fluffy with an enemies to lovers romance but it was so much more than that! fmc jane is so relatable trying to protect herself while life just keeps happening around her. the genuine connection and chemistry i felt while reading this really made it for me and i was so excited for dan and jane throughout the book.
thank you to netgalley for giving me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I was so excited about this book since I've loved every other Annabel Monaghan romance I've read, but unfortunately, this one didn't live up. I loved the love story and the male main character's swoon-worthy falling for Jane. I really liked the enemies to lovers aspect and the idea of the teen actress now paving her way as a development executive. I liked the small town vibes and the big family reunion.
My biggest problem with this book was the female main character, she felt very one note. She spent her teen years being the plucky comic relief to the pretty, talented star but it didn't feel like enough reason for her to be so fearful of showing her true self. She also felt very contradictory, for example she repeatedly said she didn't believe in love but blamed herself for being the reason her mother lost her true love, then in one week she fell in love with Dan.
I was also frustrated that a huge part of the plot rested on the idea that as a cinematographer with almost no credits, Dan had the power to shut down a project in the development stage. At the end of the day, this one felt rushed and did not have the same magic her other novels had.
3.5/5 stars

I received this advance reader copy from NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early.

Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity

Definitely a cute summer romance!

Jane and Dan are both in the movie Industry in LA, but they couldn’t be more different from one another. Jane was a child actor and that left her with on going anxiety about herself and who she was really as a person.

Dan is a quiet creative guy that comes from a chaotic big family. Desperate to stand out and make a name for himself instead of just another Finnigan brother. He was a big believer in love.

Forced to work together to make this script into a movie, Jane travels to Dans childhood town and home. As time goes on Jane who thought love wouldn’t happen for her, found herself falling for Dan.

GP Putnam's eARC
I always look forward to Monaghan's stories because I know I'll be getting a romance with characters that have so much depth and heart. I also love how her characters are a bit older. I could relate so much to Jane. She tried so hard to keep herself safe and sacrificed a lot in the process. I loved her vulnerability and reflections. And oh how Dan was the perfect love interest. I adored how we got to know his family and how he was different from his brothers, yet loved. I think this setting with Dan's family was such a fun way to stretch and grow both of these characters. It was so lovely, and I can't wait to see what she does next.

Notebook lovers rejoice becasue Annabel gives us a Summer Romance for the ages! I fell in LOVE with the main characters and secondary characters! This is for sure a book for the beach bag this summer!!

HUGE shoutout to NetGalley, Annabel & G.P. Putnam's Sons for the eARC! This was such an honor to read!

What to expect:
⭐ Summer Romance
⭐ Enemies to Lovers
⭐ Co-workers to lovers
⭐ Third Act Break Up
⭐ This has Nora Goes Off Script Vibes
⭐ Big family
⭐ Self Discovery

My Thoughts:
If you love what Annabel writes you're going to love this! Get ready for a summer breach bag read! Put this one in your bag! You will fall in love and root for main characters (Dan + Jane) to get together by the end. You will LAUGH, and LOVE the secondary characters of this story as much as the main characters! Some of them were my favorite! Also they talk a LOT about "The Notebook" in reference form throughout and I LOVED everything about that book & movie when they came out.

The story is deeply written with a well formed plot. Both main characters not only go on a journey of finding each other and falling in love. They both also go through a deep healing journey. They spend a lot of time self discovering where they are in life and what got them there. They both also find ways to heal of past hurts and take time to use that to move forward on their own journeys.

I know some reviews will say that emotionally the end feels like it missed the mark. I actually found the end to be very emotional. The coming clean to everyone and taking off the "mask" was a huge step and a lot of healing comes with that. I would have loved to see a bit more of depth in that area. I would honestly have loved a few more pages!!! I would love to see an additional epilogue because Dans family is so big and full of life to see it come full circle is so lovely!

I 100% loved this one as much as the others!

Synopsis:

Love is a lie. Laughter is the only truth.

Jane Jackson spent her adolescence as "Poor Janey Jakes," the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punch line on America's fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s trying to be taken seriously as a Hollywood studio executive by embracing a new mantra: Fake it till you make it.

Except she might have faked it too far. Desperate to get her first project greenlit and riled up by pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan, she claimed that she could get mega popstar Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie. Jack may have been her first kiss—and greatest source of shame—but she hasn’t spoken to him in twenty years.

Now Jane must turn to the last man she’d ever want to owe: Dan Finnegan. Because Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan as she faces down her past is Jane's idea of hell, but he just might surprise her. While covering up her lie, can they find something true?

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan was everything I wanted—charming, heartfelt, and full of the kind of romance that makes you swoon. The chemistry between the leads was so good, the writing had that effortless warmth, and I found myself grinning through so many moments. Monaghan has such a knack for crafting relationships that feel real and deeply felt.

But why must we suffer through an unnecessary third-act breakup? It knocked this down from a perfect rating for me, but even with that frustration, I still loved the journey. If you’re a fan of sweet, emotional love stories with characters you can’t help but root for, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Quote from the book the perfectly summarizes this story: "You're going to spend a week hunting down a guy who you're terrified to see while shaking up with another guy you can't stand?

The book cover and title gives Taylor Swift vibes... No T-Swift refences in the book though.

I loved this love story! We have an enemies to lovers trope, but not overly done or cringe. The characters act like normal people would act if they didn't like each other which was refreshing to see this trope not overkilled. Our main character, Jane, was a child star and we get to see how this has affected her in her adult life- relationship, peers, and self-worth. Loved her part in this story.

It is a fall in love in a week situation, which is far fetched, but it works!

Very much a mild spice to this book.

Would definitely recommend if you need quick read to get out of reading slump, a beach read or travel entertainment. This was my first book I have read by Annabel Monaghan and I would certainly read more of her books!

While I appricate the writing style and not adding a lot of fluff to the story, some parts of the book seemed to not flow as well as others. Kinda jumpy. Also did not like that all the text messages were not written consistently...some were written as texts, some were in dialogue format and others were just embedded in the paragraphs. Could be an ARC issue though, so take that with a grain of salt.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I LOVE this book 😭😭 Finished it in one day and I have already promised to buy my sister a copy when it comes out. This is my first book by Anabel Monaghan and I will absolutely not be my last. I laughed, I cried, I used the highlighter function on my kindle liberally (blue for quotes I liked, pink for making me laugh out loud, yellow for quotes about love that felt like summer sunshine).

It felt like a romcom and I could picture everything so clearly! Loved the setting and the summer vibes, and Dans family reminded me so much of my own (loud & laughing) so I loved that element as well.

Only (minor) issue is that Jane’s behavior was a little unhinged at times, especially for a woman in her 30s, but viewed through the lens of her being a child star who never got a chance to discover her true self as a child I was able to forgive her. Dan was perfect, steadfastly himself and I loved him for it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC. All opinions are honest & my own.