Jane Jackson, aka “Janie Jakes”, child star from a famous sitcom is now grown up. Always the side kick and never taken seriously Jane finds a movie script she absolutely adores and wants to make. Dan, her work nemesis, loves the movie too much to Jane’s surprise. The catch, Jane’s boss thinks the movie isn’t commercial enough and needs a hook. In her desperation, Jane says she know Jack Quinlan, her old cast-mate now famous pop star, and he will write a song for the movie. Jane doesn’t know Jack anymore and they have a history. Dan finds out and offers to bring Jane to Long Island where Jack will be playing for a festival. Whose going to fall in love? What’s going to happen when Jane sees Jack again?

After a slow start, I flew through this book once Dan and Jane were trying to find Jack. A great romance, easy, breezy, with a little bit of depth. I found the reason for the break up to be a little far fetched and it wrapped up a little too easy for me. However, overall, it was super fun, small town feel, found family, and love. Always love.

The beginning is really shaky, almost felt too cringey honestly but the rest of the story really redeemed that. I absolutely loved the romance between the two main characters and a lot of Jane’s story felt so realistic. At first I actually kind of hated the conflict and how Jane reacted but it’s truly a normal way that someone would react. It’s not the best way to react but it’s a very real possibility that someone would. Even now thinking about the beginning being cringey it gets less cringey as it goes and I think that truly shows Jane’s growth as a character. I did VERY much dislike the whole stress eating thing and the hiding under desk/in closet thing. The way Jane fits in with Dan’s family was so heartwarming. Overall I very much enjoyed this story and wound up crying at the happy ending.

4.25 stars
1.5/5 spice rating

The description + cover image & title (which seems very Swiftie inspired) called to me as a perfect beach read, so I didn't expect that I'd be reaching for the tissues the last 20-ish% of the book! As another reviewer posted re: this book, I too wasn't expecting to feel so many emotions when I started reading this book. This is one I'll be adding to my permanent collection when it releases in May.

Annabel Monaghan is a marvel, the cat's meow, and a humdinger of a romance novelist. Whew!! I inhaled this book, I adored this book, and I cannot wait for whatever she writes next. Her characters and flawed and lovable, with complex inner lives and a desire to be loved. Watching them find each other and overcome their very real differences is a beautiful thing, plus she's able to write about intimacy with elegance. I'm never embarrassed or grossed out by the typical terms that authors like to use to spice things up. Instead, I'm drawn in to the beauty of love and desire that exists between two people. I wouldn't say this was closed door, but it's classy and respectful and I never wanted to skip a paragraph.
Jane and Dan's love story is one for the ages, and maybe even one for the big screen (imho). Child tv star Jane is a hopeful filmmaker and Dan is a cinematographer. They are both working to get the green light for a script, and find themselves in Dan's hometown of Long Island with the goal of pitching a big pop star the opportunity to add a song to the soundtrack, in hopes that will make their film commercial. But Jane has a complicated history with this pop star, and she finds herself falling in love with Dan and his family. Nothing is really going according to plan, and Jane has to figure out who she is and what she really wants.
It's absolutely gorgeous. Go read all of this superhuman's novels!! You won't be disappointed. Thank you @putnambooks for the advance digital copy.

Thank you to net galley and penguin group for the opportunity to review this book!

Annabel Monaghan books are a must order for me and this did not disappoint. I found Jane to be a compelling character, even in her frustrating times. I thought the growth of her character seemed realistic. I bought into Jane and Dan’s love story and thought it made a natural transition from enemies to friends to lovers.

Annabel Monaghan writes with such an amazing sense of place. I am ready to go to Oak Shore and can perfectly envision the Finnegan house.

4.25/5 stars. This is a work rivals-to-lovers story and is pretty fast paced. It feels like a quick, lighthearted beach read made for summer. It has a slow burn, second chance romance that makes it feel even more realistic.

It is fast-paced and doesn’t feel like there were lulls in action at any time. The writing doesn't get too deep and flowery, so it is a perfect quick read for relaxing during summer. It does get pretty raw and emotional near the end as Jane works though some childhood trauma and insecurities.

The acknowledgement section at the end mentions Jennette McCurdy, and I’ll be honest I thought about those connections while reading. I feel like people who liked that book would also love It’s a Love Story. I just wish I had watched The Notebook before reading the book with how much it is mentioned.

Jane is endearing and really relatable from her self-deprecation. I found myself genuinely laughing at her thoughts and dialogue. Her closet time was so endearing including how rough it is to leave a voicemail. I feel you, girl! Her insights were so interesting and felt so similar to things I’ve felt before. The way she compares herself to a touch-starved monkey was hilarious. The way her character is written makes her seem so real. She works through some of her past trauma with her dad and sees some strong character growth.

Dan and Jane’s back story was so cute. I love how it was described and added so much history between them. Dan’s family was hilarious! I loved how the book described Dan’s need for individualism and how he felt he was always different from his brothers. He just felt so real as a character and I loved how he described the feeling of liking the idea of someone.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advanced copy. I am voluntarily leaving this comment and the honest opinions I am expressing are my own.

4.5 stars
Wow. This book was so incredibly touching. It was well-written. Jane and Dan were real and perfect, flaws and all. Their relationship, which was messy and perfect, progressed in the best way. I loved watching Jane confront her fears, make mistakes, and eventually be brave to go after what she wanted. Dan was lovable with his confidence and vulnerabilities. I wish I could read this book again for the first time. Annabel Monaghan was able to write in a way that made “It’s a Love Story” both deep and lighthearted. She made this book cozy, like a bed you’d want to climb back into in a Sunday (iykyk)

I absolutely loved this book like I have several of her previous books. It was so funny and charming and she does such a good job of building tension between characters. My only complaint is as always, I her books were open door. But I respect that they are not. I found a couple of areas that may benefit from editing. At location 2540 of of 3860 in the Kindle app on my iPad (ch 23) she appears to say the same thing twice- that they're the thing she aspires to be, that she'd like to find that kind of love. It feels repetitive. In chapter 31 in the second sentence it says his instead of this.

Another lighthearted and beautifully written summer jam from AM. This book was adorable. I loved Dan and Jane’s chemistry. Jane was not my favorite on her own, but she worked in this story. This one definitely isn’t my favorite by this author but it was solid.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is funny, sweet, and full of heart. Jane, a former child star, teams up with Dan, a moody cinematographer, and sparks fly. It’s got great banter, real emotions, and just the right amount of drama. A perfect read for romance lovers. Loved it! Thank you

I'll keep it short and sweet (potential spoilers):
LOVED DAN. LOVED JANE. LOVED THE SUPPORTING CAST. LOVED THE FINNIGANS (SO MUCH!). LOVED THE PREMISE. LOVED THEIR ROMANCE. LOVED THE LOCATION.
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HATED THE THIRD ACT "BREAKUP". I find it hard to do a miscommunication breakup well, and I found this one to be very unbelievable. It just made me want to scream "USE YOUR WORDS LIKE A GROWN UP!".



I still really enjoyed the book, Annabel Monaghan has this way of making you feel so hopeful while also letting you watch good people overcome their struggled in a heartfelt way.

Many Thanks to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC in exchange for honest review!

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for my ARC! I was so excited to get the e-mail that I had been chosen to pre-read another Annabel Monaghan book.

I've been a fan of Annabel Monaghan since I first read "Nora Goes Off Script". I adored the story and related to the characters so well (maybe because I myself had been a single mom for a few years). It was easily in my top 5 read books of 2022. Since then, I've been eager to devour her books.

One of my favorite things about Ms. Monaghan's books is that she creates likable characters who you want to root for. I loved Jane Jackson and Dan Finnegan (once we got past "man bun" and got to know him), and the whole "enemies-to-lovers" trope. The characters were well-developed, as was the storyline. I had hoped for more interaction with Jack Quinlan, but overall, he was a shallow character whose purpose served to dismantle any progress Jane had made in the book. I enjoyed the fact that the relationship was built on seeing the other's "true self" and appreciating that person for who they are, as opposed to who they think they should be or who they project to the world. I think it's great that the relationship forces Jane to take on demons that have haunted her for decades.

Where I struggled a bit: I wish Jane had a bit more self-confidence and did not doubt herself so easily. For someone who came of age as an awkward teen on television, whose appearance and physical gaffes served to entertain people, I would think she would have more confidence. I, myself, dabbled in acting during my teen years, and it takes an awful lot of confidence to be in front of an audience, let alone in front of a television audience. Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part, or perhaps her lack of confidence is due to the familial rejection.

Overall, I liked the book, but it didn't have the same sparkle for me as Nora Goes Off Script or Summer Romance. It's a fun love story and easy beach read. Thanks, again, for the ARC!

This book was such a delightful read! From the very first page, I found myself completely immersed in the story. The writing was so approachable and warm, making it easy to connect with the characters and the plot. I loved how the book felt both inviting and engaging, without ever being too complex or hard to follow. It was just the right mix of comfort and intrigue, and I truly enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a wonderful read that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming escape!

If you love lighthearted romance with a Hollywood twist and a dash of family warmth, It’s a Love Story is a must-read! Jane and Dan’s story was so fun - their banter had me laughing out loud more than once!

The story follows Jane Jackson, a former child star trying to shed her cringe-worthy teen persona and prove herself as a serious producer. Enter Dan Finnegan, the brooding cinematographer who inadvertently sabotaged her last project. When fate (and some scheming) bring them together on a movie set, sparks fly, both the romantic and confrontational kind. But as they spend more time together in Long Island, surrounded by Dan’s huge, welcoming family, Jane begins to see past his gruff exterior, revealing a surprisingly sweet and sensitive side.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Jane and Dan. Their relationship develops organically, with tension and flirtation building up beautifully. Watching Jane slowly fall for Dan while surrounded by his loving (and sometimes hilariously nosy) family was heartwarming. I also appreciated how real Jane felt - her insecurities and struggles with her career made her incredibly relatable.

Yes, the romance progresses quickly, and Dan’s family is almost too perfect at times, but honestly, I didn’t mind. The cozy, charming Long Island setting and the romance were exactly what I needed. If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good rom-com with plenty of heart, It’s a Love Story is definitely worth picking up!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts! ❤️

I feel like this book had so much potential for something a little more fun. I liked the characters and the scene set up, this was still a fun read!

This is an absolutely delightful sophomore novel. Annabel Monaghan really nails the tender, sweet, romantic comedy. I was ever so slightly nervous about the premise, feeling like the "child star to adult" has been really thoroughly covered recently. I was very surprised by how fresh it felt, and I really loved Janey Jakes self discovery journey.
Dan was the perfect love interest, it's awesome to see a MMC that is refreshingly himself, he definitely didn't pull any punches. The family aspect with "the mob" was so lovely, and gave such a great depth to his character.

I’m a newer Annabel fan and this one didn’t disappoint. I loved the former child star angle. Jane was so complex and flawed and I hurt for her. This was an excellent take on its trope (no spoilers). I don’t love romance or rom coms but I make exceptions and Annabel is one of them.

Synopsis: Former child star Jane Jackson has worked hard to become a creative executive at a film studio, and she has finally found the script she thinks will be her big break. Unfortunately, the cinematographer on the project is none other than her nemesis, Dan Finnegan. After telling a bit of a fib about her connection to a huge rockstar, Jane finds herself traveling across the country with Dan to track down the singer.

Thoughts: This book doesn’t come out until May, but you’re going to want to preorder it ASAP! Dare I say this is the perfect romcom?! Definitely my favorite of Annabel’s books so far, and an easy five stars. Jane and Dan are so adorable, and I loved their organic relationship progression and off the charts chemistry. Jane is so relatable, and the way she is written makes you feel like you’re inside her head feeling all her feelings with her. And Dan has just raised the bar for book boyfriends everywhere. I could gush about them all day, their romance is the kind that had me giddy and cheesing like a fool the whole time I was reading. Shout out to Dan’s huge, boisterous family as well for being full of so much heart and fun. Hopefully I’ve convinced you to add this book to your TBR, it’s going to be the beach read of the summer!

Read this if you like:
⛱️ rivals to lovers
⛱️ opposites attract
⛱️ forced proximity
⛱️ workplace romance
⛱️ quirky characters
⛱️ family/found family
⛱️ Hollywood
⛱️ fade to black romance

I love Annabel Monaghan's stories. Janie Jakes wouldn't let anyone in until she was forced to let everyone in. Very heartfelt story about finding love and discovering yourself
Intense 3rd act break up with everyone boyfriend, friends, family
Drama way to get back together
But happily ever after

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

I was so happy to get access to this ARC. I love Annabel Monaghan books and this was another good one!

Janey is a former child actress trying to make it as a movie studio exec and get the green light on a love story that speaks to her. Unfortunately Jane finds out that Dan, a cinematographer that totally shot down her last script, is also set to work on the project. Jane promises she can get Jack Quinlan, who she worked with on her prior sitcom and who is now a famous popstar, to write a song for the movie. Unfortunately Jane has not kept in touch with Jack and she has significantly overinflated their history with each other.

I loved Janey’s lovable awkwardness and Dan’s introvertedness as they went from enemies to more as they travel to Long Island to stalk Jack and see if he will write the song.

I didn’t love this as much as her other books but it was still a fun read!