*It's a Love Story* is a delightful romantic novel that explores not only love but the importance of family and friendships. The gradual development of Jane and Dan’s connection feels authentic and heartfelt, capturing the natural rhythm of falling in love. Alongside the romance, the book delves into the lives of Jane's family and friends, adding complexity and depth to the story. While I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, I did feel that the ending came a bit too quickly, leaving some emotional moments feeling slightly rushed. Still, the book is an enjoyable, feel-good read that will leave you with a smile.

I loved this book. The main character was bonkers in a way that I found very charming, her love interest was a dude with messy hair who was expressive and vulnerable, and it felt very Sarah Dessen for grown-ups to me (complimentary). I loved both characters' exploration of finding their places in their families.

My only real qualm was a common one for me with romance books - the ending was just a bit rushed. But I honestly loved it anyway. The other qualm was a selfish one - it captured the feeling of summer so well that it made me feel like I was crawling out of my Boston-in-February skin.

This was my favorite Annabel Monaghan book so far. Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is a charming and easy-to-read romantic tale that offers a slow burn romance full of sweet moments and heartwarming interactions. The pacing of the story is gentle, allowing for the romance to build gradually, which gives the characters room to develop and form a connection. While the slow-burn aspect might not be for everyone, it is perfect for those who enjoy a more subtle, character-driven story where the romance blooms over time.

Annabel Monaghan's writing is light and enjoyable, making this book the ideal escape for fans of cute, feel-good romances. Whether you're looking for a book to unwind with or simply enjoy stories that capture the magic of love in a unique way, It's a Love Story is a lovely choice.

I was so excited to get the eARC copy of this book because I adore Annabel Monaghan! This was a great book! I really enjoyed the characters and the MMCs family. I was glad that the MFC didn't get together with Jack and was able to still get her movie made. I was glad the 3rd act break up was resolved quickly and wasn't over dramatic and stretched out.

Annabel Monaghan blew me away with this one — my favorite of hers to date.

I would say the theme is "love happens over breakfast." My favorite part of the book, hands down, was when the characters discuss that romance is for dinner, when we are all dressed up with the ugly parts hidden, and the work of the relationship, the Love, (the divvying of chores, the discussion of bills to pay, messy hair and bad breath) happens in the morning.

I will always love a story where the main character learns to let her guard down and just be real. And this book was no exception. The characters were so genuine, so perfect in their messiness. Can you tell I read it in less than two days?

I want to thank Net Galley for the advance copy, and I want to assure the author that I will be buying this when it releases so I can mark up all my favorite moments that left me feeling like I had been punched in the gut (but in the best way possible).

This might be my favorite Annabel book to date. I really enjoyed Jane and found her likable and that I was rooting for her! I'm a sucker for second-chance romance with a slow burn. I liked also that it had a bit of a Hollywood twist to the storyline. This was full of witty banter and Dan is definitely a book boyfriend!

Annabel does it again! She is a must-read author for me ever since I read her adult debut novel. Her characters are rich and come to life on the page, and Jane and Dan are no exception. I loved the interactions of Dan’s family, and their romance felt so real. 10/10 recommend!

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book but I don’t think it’ll be my last! I loved this! The premise was so cute and I love the idea of child actor turned producer (I know it was heavily inspired by Jeanette McCurdy whose autobiography I also LOVEDDDDD). Janie was dramatic and slightly annoying but I eventually did end up relating to her by the end which made it more heartfelt. Dan, despite being an ick if a name for me, was adorable and I loved their enemies to lovers banter. Very fun very cute. And yes, while it’s a love story, it is way more than that.

Anabel Monaghan has done it again! Her books are like the best dessert that you want to savor, take your time and enjoy but instead you devour it too quickly.
It's a Love Story is as compulsively readable as all of Monaghan's books. I will say that this one started out a bit slower for me, I had a harder time relating to Jane that most/all of Monaghan's other FMCs. However, the book really picked up when Jane and Dan travel to Long Island, as Jane and the reader both realize that she's a different version of herself there. A version that I enjoyed immensely. The hatred to friendship to lovers story of Jane and Dan was fun to read; the backdrop of the Finnegan family was hilarious and added a layer to their love story. I was frustrated at the "third act breakup" but I do think it was in character for Jane who doubts herself throughout the book. Once again, you can't go wrong with an Annabel Monaghan book! I almost wish I waited for summer to read this so I could be on a beach with Jane and Dan.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book.

“It should be strange to have him here, Dan Finnegan, who I love, but it's not. It feels like he was always supposed to be here.” 🎬👙🌴💙
it’s a love story ARC 4.5/5⭐️
Thank you to Net Galley and Putnam Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this! This is my second book that I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan! I loved this book so much! I loved the story line and the characters so much! Her writing is so easy to follow and I could not put this down!! This book is about a girl named Jane who was a child actor and she now lives in LA and wants to make her own movie. Dan is the movie producer and he thinks it has potential but needs some work. They both go on a trip to Dan’s hometown to try and work on the movie. They end up falling in love and it’s perfect. I loved how they referenced The Notebook too! This book would make the perfect summer/beach read!! You need to read this book!! This book comes out May 27th, 2025!! Definitely read this if you like romance, enemies to lovers, and closed door romance!

Loved this!! Such a fun and unique storyline about a former child star who is desperate for her first big break as a producer. She falls in love with a great storyline and maaaaaybe over promises a little bit on what she can deliver in regards to a custom song by a certain recording artist from her past. In the adventure to track him down she falls in love with more than just the movie. Annabel Monaghan does it again, I loved it!

This was a beautiful story that I'm so grateful to have been given a chance to read. Jane's story of learning to think of herself in better terms and let herself fall in love genuinely had me crying at times. Her and dan are such a sweet couple whose romance felt very natural and lovely to read. Read it in one sitting and will read again when it comes out

I got so excited when I saw this title pop up on NetGalley! I’ve been a big fan of Annabel Monaghan since reading Nora Goes Off Script in 2022. She is one of my favorite authors that I keep revisiting each time she releases a new book! It’s a love story is no exception!!

I liked that the FMC (Jane) was a child star and worked in film, it definitely had me interested early on. Her childhood tv personality throwbacks were so fun and totally believable! She did frustrate me a lot throughout, though. We really went with her on a growth journey which made me understand and appreciate her a lot more in the end!

Dan’s family (MMC) was one of my favorite pieces of the story. I did get a bit confused with all of the names and relationships thrown out! My brain could not keep up with his family although I loved them and they cracked me up.

If you’re looking for a sweet, captivating rom com set in LA / Long Island, with some enemies-to-lovers vibes, look no further! I’m just doing my best to not spoil it any more than I already have 😂

A huge thank you to Penguin Group via NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

If you have read a Annabel Monaghan book in the past you will love this one.

Jane Jackson is a former child star (Annabel mentions in her author notes she was inspired by the Jeanette McCurdy autobiography) who is now working as a producer. She is working to get a script produced and meets Dan Finnegan a cinematographer that is assigned to the project. In an last ditched effort to have this film made Jane travels with Dan to his hometown on Long Island.

This is a slow, minimal spice read with a true story. It gives you all the feels.

Thank you for Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There’s a lot to like about this love story. The chemistry is intense, the families are supportive and colorful, and Dan is wonderful. I had trouble with Jane though. In so many ways, she’s an interesting character with a great sense of humor, but overall it fell flat for me. She flips too suddenly and I didn’t totally buy into her “damage” -felt more told than realistic. I really wanted to like this one bc I love Hollywood elements and I really enjoy the author’s writing but it missed the mark for me. That said, it did pull at my heart strings!

Short summary: Jane is on the cusp of making her dream movie. She just has to get past an obstinate man, and another who humiliated her…

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely LOVED this one! Annabel Monaghan is an auto-buy author for me. I've loved every book by her so far and this one was no different! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy to add to my collection (and re-read!). All the 5 stars in the world for this book! Thank you NetGalley!!!

Wow! Annabel Monaghan’s books just keep getting better and better! It’s a Love Story was the 2025 book I was most looking forward to reading and it did not disappoint. I loved it so much. The writing in this book just spoke to me. I highlighted sentences left and right and copied quotes that were extra special. Like the movie the main characters in this book are trying to make, this story is a quiet love story. There isn’t anything super exciting, no helicopters or tigers (IYKYK). And yet, I didn’t want to put the book down. I wanted to keep reading about Jane and Dan as they quietly fell in love. And Dan’s family! I loved his parents and his siblings and nieces and nephews so very much! It’s only mid-February but I already know It’s a Love Story is going to be one of my favorite books this year. The only bad thing about reading Annabel’s new book each year is knowing I have to wait another whole year to read her next one. What a problem to have!

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy of It’s a Love Story. I can’t wait until it officially comes out on May 27th so that I can add it to my bookshelf next to the rest of my Annabel Monaghan books!

My two favorite quotes -

“ When you smile at me, I feel like I want to capture it. But it’s not the regular way like when I see something beautiful and I want to photograph it. When you smile, it does something to me, I feel it in my chest, and I just want to figure out how to get you to do it again.” (How swoon worthy is this?!?)

“ This feels like wealth, I think. This is the thing 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.” (At Dan’s parents’ 40th anniversary party - reminds me of how I felt at our recent 25th)

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book and WOW! It didn't disappoint in the slightest. She has a way with words that seems so simplistic, but she describes things perfectly. She doesn't over complicate emotions or feelings between characters. She writes in a way that so many people can relate to. I found myself relating to the fmc multiple times throughout the book, especially the aspect about family. This was the ultimate slow burn and I loved getting to watch Jane and Dan's relationship come to light. This was the perfect enemies to lovers book that I can't recommend enough! I will be running to the bookstore to pick up Annabel Monaghan's other books!

This is perhaps the sweetest and most ridiculous enemies to lovers journey I've ever read. It made me laugh out loud and giggle maniacally while kicking my feet MULTIPLE times. Jane and Dan's banter is just perfect, and I will be using "I bet you understand Jackson Pollock and make sure everyone knows" in any and all real life scenarios that call for it. Annabel Monaghan, I love you and your talent for writing frazzled women in their 30s with the same intensity that Jane Jackson hates man buns. I don't know if I liked this better than Summer Romance or Nora Goes Off Script, but I still had a fantastic time reading this, and would recommend this to just about anyone!

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book and I don't think it will be my last. The synopsis and cover of this book made me think it was going to be a lighthearted rom com with a happy ending. But what I got was a deeply moving story about a former child star who has spent her life trying to be perfect and finally learning it's okay to just be herself. There were definitely elements of a rom com, enemies to lovers, instant chemistry, etc. But watching Jane come into herself by the end of the book was definitely the highlight.