It’s a Love Story is that perfect book when you want to escape for a few hours. It’s endearing and charming. Make sure you pick it up this summer.

Annabel Monaghan always writes relatable female characters, because they’re real. Jane has a lot of childhood trauma that manifests into a lot of quirks that she uses to hold her adult self together. I wasn’t sure I was going to like Jane Jackson when I first met her, but once she started opening up it was hard not to like her. Our MMC, Dan Finnegan is nicely fleshed out romantic artist.

I do have one issue with the book and it’s fireflies. Yes, fireflies. We don’t have them here in SoCal, but Jane watches them from her front porch in Santa Monica.*

Thank you to publisher, Putnam Books, for providing the gifted digital ARC via NetGalley, which I voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

*[Technically we do have them](https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-new-species-of-fireflies-20150626-story.html), but they’re very rare and they don’t light up and fly around like they do on the east coast.

If you love Annabel Monaghan you'll love this newest one! I love how Annabel can capture the realness of falling in love. She also just gets the east coast beach scenes just right. Loved this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Annabel Monaghan for the eARC of It's a Love Story.

Annabel Monaghan does not disappoint in this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed all of Monaghan's books, but this one might just be my favorite. It's a perfect beach read, and the pages are impossible to put down.
I loved the revisit to "Oak Shore" and everything that goes with this quintessential beach town, including the entire Finnegan family.

This will definitely be my number one summer '25 beach read recommendation.

It is no secret that I adore Annabel Monaghan. Before I get into the book itself, I just need to reiterate how breathtakingly beautiful her writing is. So often throughout her books I’ve found myself literally holding my breath; subconsciously I think my body is trying to avoid distraction from her words. There are so many times I get lost in pages because I forget I am not there in the story and that I am my own person. It’s A Love Story is another glowing example of her artistry, and if you’ve never read anything by her I am all but begging you to do so immediately.


Jane Jackson is a former child star who was better known as Janey Jakes, an awkward sidekick character who’s job was to be the butt of the joke. We follow her in adulthood as she strives to make a name for herself while dealing with the repercussions of trauma and heartbreak from her youth. As a blossoming studio executive, Jane has found a script that she was so moved by that she will do nearly anything to get it made, including working with the worst person she knows- Dan Finnegan.

Dan got a project of Jane’s canceled and she will never forgive him. He’s a know-it-all art bro who acts like he is cooler and smarter than everyone else in the room… doesn’t he? Hijinks ensue and Jane finds herself in Long Island with Dan’s entire family. Is Dan really as awful as she initially thought, and what will a week in his home town change about their relationship? I think you should read it to find out. *wink*

Without giving too much away, I am so moved by Jane’s story and growth. Jane at her core believes herself to be unlovable and unremarkable, and most of this story is her discovering that she is neither. As someone who has always struggled with these same self doubts, her inner voice and the way she spoke to herself sometimes was jarring; I could recognize that what she was thinking about herself was fundamentally false, but also knew I was guilty about thinking the same things about myself. I’m not saying this book healed me, but I am saying that so many of us are Janey Jakes in our own ways and that we need to be seen and loved in the way that Dan sees and loves Jane.

It’s A Love Story is out on May 27, just in time for you to add to your summer TBR. If I don’t see a bunch of you reading this book on the beach I will riot. I may have read it in the cold of winter, but it deserves to be enjoyed in the warmth of the sun because that’s how it made me feel- warm all over.

Thanks for PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons & NetGalley for this ARC! As with all of Annabel Monaghan's other books, I love this one, too! I enjoyed the story and the build of the characters. She does a great job of getting into the character's heads and discussing the background of why they feel the way they do. I wish she had delved a bit more into the relationship between Jane and her mom. The major conversation felt a bit too brief. I did love Dan's family and how the crazy good energy was developed in the story. I want a fun family like that to be a part of. Overall, truly enjoyed this book. A bit more emotional connection and the Jane truly working on herself in longer than a week timeframe would have made it just a smidge better.

I loved this. 5 stars. No notes. :)
Dan & Jane felt like real people as well as the other characters with their quirks and insecurities etc...
Monaghan's writing style is smart, funny and heartfelt. It's a great blend of humor, heart and second chances.
The added back story for Jane as a childhood actress was an interesting twist that added an extra layer of depth.
I loved Dan's family and would LOVE another book that interacts these characters again.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the EArc!
'It's a Love Story' is a feel-good, charming, wonderful book from start to finish.

You know that feeling when you take a huge deep breath and exhale real slow? Like, your spine gets all tingly then you feel totally relaxed? That's what this book feels like.

This is the perfect beach read, with all the essential ingredients of a romance and that little extra something that makes it stand out from the rest. It has EVERYTHING, but the characters in all Annabel's stories are just so loveable and Jane and Dan are no exception. I don't think I have much in common with Jane at all, but she was so entertaining and relatable. Loved the whole dynamic between her and Dan throughout the book.

I always enjoy reading the author's acknowledgments, but it was so interesting to read how Jennette McCurdy's memoir inspired this story in some ways. I wish I read the two back-to-back (looking at you, book club, for those June picks!).

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I (for once) timed everything perfectly and got to sit down and read this on Valentine's Day. I don't think I've made many better decisions than that! :)

This story contained alot of the things I love about Annabel Monaghan books but I struggled to connect with the characters in the beginning of the book. It was a really slow moving book for me at first. The second half of the book did pull me in and was easy reading. Overall, I thought it was just ok.

It’s a Love Story is a charming and heartfelt novel that beautifully captures the complexities of love and life. Annabel Monaghan’s writing is warm and witty, drawing readers into the lives of relatable characters who are navigating the ups and downs of relationships. The story unfolds with just the right amount of humor and emotion, making it an enjoyable and engaging read. While some plot points felt a bit predictable, the overall narrative is captivating, and the message about love’s ability to surprise us at any stage in life resonates deeply. A delightful read for romance lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the Arc!

Jane Jackson is holding on to some serious baggage from her childhood but her fake-it-til-you-make-it mentality as an adult has allowed her to go about her day to day seemingly unphased by her slightly languishing career and lack of love life. When we sit with Jane in her closet scarfing candies in attempts to deal with the bits of her life she doesn't often let out, we know there is far more going on than what she allows out on the surface. Jane's story is about finding love but more so about healing and allowing herself to love and feel deserving of it. Without wanting to give too much away, I promise you'll want to read this book. You'll want to hug your best friend for that unwavering love and support through all your crazy. You'll want to have an honest adult conversation with your mom and heal wounds you haven't addressed before. You'll yearn for the family dinner on Long Island with the Finnegans.

Annabel Monaghan’s *It’s a Love Story* is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and second chances. Jane Jackson is a refreshingly relatable heroine—smart, determined, and just the right amount of messy as she navigates Hollywood, past embarrassments, and an undeniable chemistry with the exasperating yet irresistible Dan Finnegan. Monaghan’s writing sparkles with heartfelt moments, making this a perfect read. With its blend of nostalgia, slow-burn romance, and self-discovery, *It’s a Love Story* is as feel-good as its title suggests—utterly charming from start to finish.

I'm a big fan of Annabel Monaghan, and this new book just drove that home! Two Hollywood coworkers who don't see eye to eye end up at the NY family home of the MMC while they attempt to chase down a lead for a movie. The MMC disarmed the negative inner thoughts of the FMC in a way that had me rooting for them from the jump. Add in a really charming big family dynamic and an awesome pay off at the end... totally recommend!

Net Galley/Putnam Books ARC

This is Monaghan's best work yet! It felt different from her first three works but in the best way possible. There is something that resonates true and authentic from her FMC in a unique way, and though she struggles with the aftereffects of her dad, it feels like it could be applied to any relationship where someone feels unlovable. I loved watching her grow and experience so many things outside her comfort zone. Slam dunk, can't wait for this to release so I can read it on the beach!!

Another fantastic Annabel Monaghan romance. Loved the FMC whose mantra is fake it until you make it. I can relate to that! Monaghan’s writing style is smart, humorous and heartfelt.

I discovered Annabel Monaghan almost by accident. I was looking for an available audiobook at my library last summer and stumbled upon Same Time Next Summer. From there, I read Nora Goes Off Script and Summer Romance in quick succession. Her books feel real to me. More than many other romance novelists, Annabel makes realistic, less-than-perfect people have the most rewarding happily ever after.

I was THRILLED to get an ARC of It’s a Love Story. I almost missed my opportunity to read this because a bunch of ARCs became available to me at once, and I didn’t download the book in time. Long story short, I was able to download it again and read it IMMEDIATELY.

My grumpy little heart is soaring after reading this. It's A Love Story is in the top 3 best romances I have read this year. (And there are a lot of heavy hitters coming up!)

A child actor best known as the funny side character in a tv show, Jane is now an executive at a studio in LA. Her one goal is to get a screen green-lit, and after some mild disappointment in her history. When she finds the script she is committed to, she goes all in. However, a man she has dubbed her arch nemesis, Dan, is also seeking to work on this movie. Couple that with a ruinous mention of a “relationship” with a huge music star and the bosses with their hand on the money (aiming for a big name associated with the movie) and Jane is now on a mission to dig up her embarrassing past to solidify her future.

A note for other Annabel Monaghan readers: the town from "Same Time Next Summer" is the setting for the majority of this story, which made me feel warm and familiar, despite the characters being new. This is a quintessential Northeast coastal beach town.

Also, the title addresses two things simultaneously. Mild spoilers ahead!

First, the script that Jane and Dan want green-lit and most importantly, the story between our FMC and MMC.

Jane and Dan have a great connection that becomes the love story in focus in the book. They make sense in ways that shouldn’t work. Despite that, they have chemistry beyond words. As an avid contemporary romance reader, some couples don’t make sense until after they get together, if you know what I mean! But these two oozed chemistry before anything remotely romantic happened. When you learn about their history, your heart just swells! I literally kicked and screamed into a pillow knowing that their history meant that this was going to work out!

Dan is a top-tier book boyfriend. And his family! I want a series about his siblings STAT. Actually, his parents’ story may be needed first!
I felt for Jane immensely after knowing her history. I wasn’t a child star, but I was a young girl that was a side character in my own life during puberty, so I felt a kinship with her.

I will be buying a physical copy of this book when it comes out on May 27! I will never be without a hard copy of an Annabel Monaghan book again.

I want to thank Putnam Books & NetGalley for approving my request for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read so many mediocre romances over the last year, it was a delight to finally read one that hit all the romance beats but didn’t feel like I was reading through a checklist.

The first few chapters, I struggled to connect with the FMC — and I think that’s by design. In those first few chapters, Jane isn’t connecting with herself. She’s literally constantly acting a part. Monaghan’s pacing as she unpacks Jane’s backstory worked perfectly for me. I appreciated that she had a support system but she still had to figure things out on her own.

Dan is maybe the first MMC in a Monaghan book whose name I’ll remember. That’s not a knock. I like that the men are not really the point in her books. The point is the women learning something about themselves. But this book seems like a leveling up — Jane’s own journey is still the point, but Monaghan also created a story for Dan that made him a complete person for me.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Would be a great summer read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

genuinely one of the most beautiful, quietly romantic, gut wrenching books i have ever read. i loved jane with my whole heart. the way she carries her childhood wounds inside of her, her relationship with her mother, her simultaneous desire to be loved and fear of being loved. this is easily annabel monaghan's best work. i'm truly in awe. this will stick with me for a long time. 5⭐️

** i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review **

Annabel Monaghan put me through the emotional wringer with this one. It was so fun and heartwarming while also being very introspective and thoughtful about how other people’s choices can impact a lifetime of how we view ourselves.

Jane was such a complex character, and I felt so much empathy for her. She was a tough nut to crack for completely valid reasons. For all that her self-preservation methods made me anxious, I deeply understood where she was coming from. There was so much to love about her and the only person in her life who couldn’t see it was her. Following along as her heart opened up and she found healing was beautiful thing. Special shoutout to Clem for being a rockstar of a friend.

Dan. Dan was a man who knew himself, knew what he wanted (and didn’t want) from life, and wasn’t afraid to leave behind everything he knew to protect that sense of self from being lost in the (loving) chaos of his family. He was exactly the kind of person to support Jane. He and his family showed her she was worthy of love just by being herself. He also knew how to stand his own ground when it was necessary, which ultimately helped Jane really begin to move forward with the steps she needed to take toward healing her past. The chemistry between the two of them was palpable whether they were denying it or fully embracing it.

Annabel Monaghan has delivered another great summer read and I can’t wait to add it to my shelf. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Probably closer to 3.5 ⭐️ but I really enjoyed the ending and author’s note/acknowledgements section bumped it up to 4

While I didn’t love the enemies to lovers underlying trope, and the big picture plot line wasn’t quite for me, I loved all of the side characters and how much they added to the storyline. Also Dan & Jane’s romance felt real and I like how everything tied together.

A perfect romance that will leave you feeling satisfied in every way. Annabel truly creates relatable, real characters and a storyline that will leave you waiting on baited breath for her next release It's a Love Story was simply that good.