Wow. I loved this. It made me cry, laugh, feel all the things.

Jane is so insecure even though she had years of success as a kid on a TV show. Dan is SO sure of himself even though he is so different than his 4 brothers.

Dan’s family dynamic was so wonderfully written, and Jane’s connection to each of the family members was so special.

I couldn’t put this down and I felt I cared so deeply about these fictional characters more than I have in a long time.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC. This is a must read!

Another good Rom Com with some depth to it. Was able to read it thru NetGalley and enjoyed the story a lot. Made me want to spend a weekend in Long Island with the main characters fun family. It’s a great story!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of It's a Love Story!

It's a Love Story is my first Annabel Monaghan book, so I had no prior expectations going into this book, and I ended up enjoying it so much!
 
I really enjoyed getting to watch Jane's journey throughout this story. She's a former child actress who's trying to escape her past, and she struggles with the all-too relatable battle with her own expectations and perceptions of herself. She speaks to the fears that so many of us have, and for that I found her deeply relatable. I too will be thinking about every embarrassing thing that happened to me at 14 years old for the rest of my life.

The cast of characters was fantastic, and I loved the way that Jane was immediately integrated into the Finnegan family. I found it so heartwarming. The setting was also so great-- I never knew Long Island could sound so idyllic!

Everything does happen rather quickly (within a matter of days, really), but I think if I was in Jane's shoes things would have gone down the exact same way. While it may be a little unrealistic for real life, this book isn't real life, so who cares? (not me)

This book is fun, witty, sweet, and a little cheesy, but it was a great read! And most importantly, it helped get me through a nasty stomach bug, and for that I will be forever grateful for It's A Love Story!

I absolutely adored this love story.

Jane is a former child star, turned Hollywood studio executive who desperately wants to prove herself by getting her first project greenlit. In doing so, she over-promises on her ability to get popstar Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie.

With the help of her one-time crush, possible enemy and cinematographer, Dan Finnegan, Jane plots to track Jack down in Dan's hometown to get an in-person meeting to convince Jack to help with the movie.

During this week long visit we get to see not only the beginnings of a reluctant Jane opening up to the possibility of romance and love, but also the boisterous and raucous dynamics of a small town, close knit family with the Finnegans. Seeing where Dan fit into this dynamic and how easily Jane was drawn into the fold was heartwarming to see played on through the story.

Jane reckons with her past as a child star and we really seeing her find herself and who she truly is instead of who she has always pretended to be.

So many lovable and true to real life characters that just made this such a bingeable read for me.

It's a Love Story is a winner from Monaghan. This enemies to lovers romance has great leads--she’s a former child sitcom star and he’s a creative filmmaker--on a beautiful beach setting and with humor that had me laughing all the way through! I loved it.

Jane Jackson was a child star who starred in a middle school sitcom and was famous for being the one in the show who made everyone laugh. Now, she’s thirty-three and working hard in her new career to get a script she loves made into a movie. Unfortunately, she stretched the truth when her boss told her she needed something big to make the movie viable. She said that she knew Jack Quinlan, a famous pop star, and could get him to write a song for the movie. But she has a problem because she hasn’t talked to him in almost twenty years and she needs the help of Dan Finnegan, an award-winning cinematographer and her enemy, to help her find Jack.

Jane and Dan first met in LA when they were both watching a hawk. Dan was taking photos of it and they end up chatting. They were flirty and funny and he asked her to dinner the following Friday night. But before they could go on their date, they ran into each other at a team meeting at her office. The team was looking over the script for her new film project and Dan was brought in as the director of photography. Unfortunately, Dan criticized her project (he called it trash) and it was squashed--needless to say, there was no date!

Now, a few months later, Jane has a new project she loves and she needs Dan's help. Luckily, this time Dan likes her new script and wants to help her make it into a movie! Jane tells Dan about the fib she told her boss and how she needs to find Jack, the pop singer, to ask him to write a song for the movie. Dan tells her that Jack will be doing a concert the next weekend in the beach town where his (Dan’s) family lives and they go there together. When there are no hotel rooms available, Dan offers her a place to stay at his family’s home and this is where the story really takes off!

Dan’s family is loud and boisterous and they are thrilled that he has come home and also brought a girl, (even though Dan tries to tell them they just work together). They invite her to stay for dinner and it’s funny when they recognize her from her tv show from when she was young. It turns out they all used to watch it and there are some laughs around this.

Dan is the opposite of his brothers. He’s an introvert and an artist who loves painting, photography and movies. He takes Jane biking to his favorite places around town, including the beach, as they search for Jack. My favorite part of the story is when they are at a big lobster feast at the beach with Dan’s brothers and friends. The descriptions of all of their food and fun sounded like a good time. I also found it very moving when different family members share what love means to them. Dan is beautiful and has a big heart and while he’s normally a man of few words, he is chatty with Jane and she is so funny. I loved their banter. While it’s not spicy there is a lot of chemistry between them with some closed-door scenes. I should share, I can’t reveal more about Jack, the rock star, for fear of spoilers.

There are a few things that Jane and Dan need to work through in their love story but other than the awkward beginning of the story, I couldn't put the book down.

It’s a Love Story is another winner from Monaghan. It’s funny, tender and heartwarming and I recommend it for a sweet summer read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Ms. Monaghan has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Her female protagonists are always witty, slightly goofy and so very relatable. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy. Jane Jackson, former child star turned movie executive, has spent years trying to be taken seriously. She used to be the token geek on a beloved sitcom - you know, the one who laughed and milk shot out of her nose. Now Jane is hustling for that first hit movie. Eager to get her project approved, Jane fibs, exaggerating her relationship with a former co-star. Jack (the former co-star) also just happens to be the biggest pop sensation in the world. Will he write a song for the movie? Jane teams up with the pompous and infuriatingly cute cinematographer, Dan. Who cares if superstar Jack was Jane’s first kiss? Furthermore, who cares if Jane had a big crush on Dan last year? Now she’s off to Dan’s childhood home on Long Island. Jane and Dan plan to ambush Jack at a local music fest. What could possibly go wrong? #meetcute #bookstagram #thumbsup #netgalley #whatiread #reading #books #bookgram #annabelmonaghan #goodreads #libbyapp #longisland #bookworm

Annabel Monaghan does it again with this beautiful love story! Jane is a former child actor grappling with her awkward past and trying to get a movie made. Dan is the cinematographer who doesn’t see eye to eye with her plans. What will happen when they have to take a trip together to get the project going?

There’s so much to love:
💙Rivals to Lovers
💛Forced Proximity
💙Found Family
💛Great banter (especially about a romantic movie we all love!)

Annabel Monaghan is an auto-buy author for me. I always feel the spark between her characters. Jane is vulnerable and shares her insecurities with Dan. Dan is quiet but opens up to Jane. Yay! I love Dan’s family too and everyone needs a Bestie like Jane’s friend, Clem!

Thanks to Putnam Books, Netgalley and Annabel Monaghan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Annabel Monaghan's "It's a Love Story" is a charming novel that explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the enduring power of childhood experiences.

Jane, a "polished" Hollywood studio executive, lives by the motto "Fake it till you make it." This mantra stems from her childhood role as Janie Jakes, the awkward laughing stock of the popular show "Pop Rocks." Traumatized by this experience, Jane constantly strives to present a flawless image, fearing that her true self will be met with rejection.

In an attempt to secure a coveted script, Jane fabricates a past friendship with Jack Quinlan, the man behind her most humiliating teenage experience on "Pop Rocks." And to make matters worse, Dan Finnegan, Jane's rival, needs this script to be greenlighted just as much as her. To save both of their careers, Dan and Jane go on a week-long trip to Long Island (Dan's hometown) to track down Jack.

The forced proximity and shared desperation throw Jane and Dan into an unexpected friendship. Their friendship is built on the basis of honesty and vulnerability, and is unexpected on both sides. Through their week-long trip They discover that "something out of nothing" can be created, and perhaps, if you're lucky, "something out of everything" too.

this is the second book i've read by annabel Monaghan and no matter how badly i want to enjoy her books i cannot get into them. it's heart breaking because i see everyone enjoying them and i cannot get into them :( maybe i will give this another shot in the summertime

It’s a love story is another hit for Monaghan. I tend to love her books for the maturely written characters and while Jane our FMC does have some mature moments for me she is the most immature FMC Monaghan has written. It is still a great book but with a less mature character it does start to emulate other popular authors.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. Although it took me a bit to get into overall I did enjoy it. It was funny and witty with a feel good story. A bit chaotic at times and hard to follow. Definitely an enemies to lovers trope. If you enjoy those you will enjoy this.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this novel.

Jane, former tween television star, is currently an adult working at a movie studio while using a set of rules to find love. She finds it in the unlikeliest person while on a work trip trying to connect with her former duet partner (and first kiss).

This book had me longing to be a part of Dan’s large, loud, close-knit family. I felt like I was part of the gang in many of the scenes, and I love how Janey fell in love not just with Dan, but with his entire family.

Jane’s admission to not knowing who she is any more is so relatable for so many. Her journey through the novel is raw and gives words to things I’ve felt but couldn’t explain. another five star book from Annabel Monaghan - I look forward to her novels every year!

"𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒕"

This is my first book by Annabel Monaghan, and it didn't disappoint! Her writing style truly captured me from the start 🤩

Jane, a former child sitcom star known for her comic relief role, is now a creative director in Hollywood, striving to be taken seriously. When her boss mentions that the script she chose needs a big commercial element to make the movie work, Jane panics and lies about being able to secure a song from the popular pop star Jack, but to pull it off, she needs help from her former crush and now workplace rival.

This book beautifully portrays love in all its messy glory. It shows us that love and dating don't always go according to the script or meet the expectations we set. Love isn't about grand Hollywood vibes, elaborate gestures, or extraordinary moments. It's found in simple things, like holding hands and navigating everyday life. The scene "Love happens over breakfast" really stuck with me. It was such a sweet, relatable way to express how love can develop in the most unexpected ways.

Jane was such a fun character. funny, quirky, with fake it till you make it vibes, and very relatable. I absolutely loved her inner monologues. A few of her punchlines had me laughing out loud 🤭. The MMC, Dan, is the quiet and reserved type and isn't your typical book boyfriend type, but he was just what Jane needed. I really enjoyed the slow burn tension between Jane and Dan, but I have to admit, I couldn't quite buy into them faling in love in just a week 🫣. That part felt a bit rushed, but their banter more than made up for it. IT WAS ADORABLE 🩷

Major A++ points for the small town setting and Dan's family. They were absolutely lovable.

Tropes
~ Enemies to lovers
~ Small Town
~ Forced Proximity
~ Opposite Attracts

Release date: May 27 2025

Thank you, Netgalley, Penguin Putnam Group, and Annabel Monaghan for an eARC 💗

Wow wow wow this is Monaghan’s best book yet and that’s a high bar. I had Jenette McCurdy in my head the entire time and was so delighted to see her memoir in the acknowledgements. In It’s a Love Story, the child star finally gets to have it all while learning to love her childhood self — the story Jenette and so many others deserved. And I just loved getting to see the world of Same Time Next Summer expanded in this book. A huge thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC — I’m so grateful for every second I get in Monaghan’s sweet east coast beach towns.

This story was really fun and enjoyable! The characters were relatable, but it didn’t have the pizazz like some of her other books. I did laugh a lot though!!

Annabel Monaghan's It's a Love Story is a heartwarming exploration of love in its many forms. Monaghan's writing is both witty and tender, capturing the complexities of relationships with authenticity and grace. The characters are relatable and endearing, making their journeys all the more impactful. This novel is a beautiful reminder of the power of love and connection, leaving readers with a warm and satisfied feeling.

Man. Annabel Monaghan knows how to write romance. Her books always get my attention and have such depth that I fly right through them. I have loved them all, but this one might have just become my new favorite.

Such a great take on the enemies to lovers trope that made my heart ache in the best of ways.

I truly enjoyed this book. I have read a few of Annabel’s books and there is a reason I keep coming back. She has a way to tell stories that just capture the realness of life. The ups and downs of Jane and Dan’s relationship had me guessing and when I thought I had it figured out another curveball. The relationship between Jane and her mom was so tangled that it made me sad that she couldn’t be her authentic self. I felt bad for Jane and how she lived her life. Dan’s family was amazing and I loved how they all just enveloped Jane. Thank you to Annabel Monaghan, NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan was another win for me. I love how Monaghan writes books that are more than just a fluffy romance. I think the thing that stood out the most to me is how we see that the sort of love story so often portrayed and movies and tv are just not realistic. This is a great story about romantic love, but also the love of families we are born into and the chosen family we make with friends. The characters and dialogue are well written and feel realistic. Yes, there are come cases of issues caused by lack of communication, but unlike many books it feels much more reasonable in this story. Monaghan has become an automatic read author for me. I look forward to her books every year! I will definitely be recommending this books to friends!

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Annabel Monaghan is a must read author for me. Her characters and location are always so vivid and real. I enjoyed Dan’s family, and the elements of forced proximity bringing Dan and Jane together. I wished this book had an alternate element where Jack is redeemed that didn’t require Jane to be so self sabotaging.

I expect this to be a best selling summer book, and it would make for the perfect vacation read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.