I love reading anything from Annabel Monaghan. I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and the enemies to lovers trope, but I didn’t find this to be one of my top Annabel Monaghan stories. The third act dragged a little, but I would still recommend reading it when it comes out on May 27, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC of this book.

Just finished my ARC of this book and let me tell you, it's SO GOOD! I loved the characters, the plot, the personal take on love and dealing with childhood trauma. 10/10 recommend!

LOVED this book. The family dynamics with Dan and his family were realistic and fun. I really loved Jane and Dan's relationship, but dreaded the breakup. Such a fun read.

This was a lot of fun!
I have read most of Annabel Monaghan's prior novels and they have all been delightful. This one no exception.
I really enjoy a well-written rom com with characters you can believe and root for. It is surprisingly difficult to pull off, but Ms. Monaghan does it. The female protagonist in particular was so vividly drawn that I felt I knew her. The stakes are genuinely high, and the "thing" keeping or lovers apart feels heartbreakingly real. There is also plenty of genuinely witty banter, which (IMO) is a large part of what makes the book such a delight.
This is a love story, but it is also about breaking free from your past, and becoming the person you are supposed to be.
I do not want to gush, but I really loved it.
Highly recommend.

Sigh, it’s just that good. I’m always blown away by Annabel Monaghan’s beautiful romances - her depth of feeling gets me every time. If you were to ask me what my favorite part of a romance is, I would say it is the quiet moments when the heroine and hero fall in love. Only the great romances have truly exceptional quiet moments. This book not only talks about the quiet moments but shows us the beautiful quiet moments. Sigh. Love is messy and wonderful. I have no doubt that this will be on my favorite books for 2025. Thank you for sharing this lovely ARC with me, the opinions are all my own. #itsalovestory #NetGalley

Thank you so much to Putnam and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan.

Jane, who was part of a sitcom in her adolescence, has since moved on to other pursuits in Hollywood. Currently, she’s looking to establish herself as a studio executive. In an effort to have her first project made, she indicates she could get popstar (her former costar) Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie. She partners with cinematographer, Dan Finnegan, to help her find a way to get back in contact with Jack to ask him to write the song for the film.

It’s such a joy to be approved for an eARC of a book by Annabel Monaghan! Goodness, Dan sure stole my heart in this one. I really enjoyed the set up for our main pair, and it was so well executed in bringing them together. I loved how they were both drawn to this film for their own reasons and it brought them together in tracking down Jack. I loved the moments that Jane and Dan had with his family - those scenes were a highlight of the story for me. The romance between Jane and Dan was so lovely and melted my heart.

Excited for the release on May 27, 2025!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

I honestly didn’t know what to think when I started this, but as I got further in I was absolutely entranced by Annabel’s words (like every book I’ve read of hers). She has a way of crafting incredibly unique storylines, but making the romance so raw and realistic. Her writing is so descriptive and stunning!!! These characters were a delight and I really thought this story was a bit unpredictable & it turned into a beautiful love story. Definitely recommend this one!!!! Perfect summer read — and Annabel has cemented herself as one of my fav romance authors ever!

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan releases on May 27! Thank you to Penguin Group - Putnam for the advanced copy.

Well, I think I'd say I give this one a 2.5 or 3, but I'm stuck between the two. This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, and I don't think I see much of a unique voice in it. Even before I got to the acknowledgments, I knew this was inspired by Jennette McCurdy, and ironically my daughter was watching Sam & Cat in the background when I read the acknowledgments. I would have liked to see the daddy issues explored more deeply, which may just be because I have daddy issues. But I feel like she just scraped the surface. Lots of tropes going on here at once - enemies to lovers, only one room, etc - which made it painfully predictable. The only thing that really made me feel anything was the painfully awkward exchanges between Jane and her douchey childhood crush turned rockstar. That guy isn't even worth me mentioning his name, but it really hit me in the feels when he so bluntly turned her down after she bravely approached him to write a song for her movie. I was really happy with the resolution at the end re: the option and the script, I'm happy the film was made and she was able to see it with her mom.

ALSO - thank you to the author for not making the steamy scenes too much. Thank you so much.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

You know how there are times when you start reading a book and you just know you're gonna love it? That was me reading 'It's a Love Story.' I absolutely loved it!!! I knew very quickly this was going to be a 5-star read for me. It's about a former child star, Jane, known for being the butt of the joke trying to get a script she's found green-lit, but the only person who can help her is a man she hates, Dan. Jane and Dan travel to Dan's hometown in hopes of connecting with someone Jane worked with in the past to write a song for their movie... then things occur of course! This book is going to give you the cutest of meet-cutes, some enemies-to-lovers action, and some found family. I'm telling you that meet-cute..... oh. my. gosh. I'm obsessed. I adored both Jane and Dan- I feel like sometimes you can get mad at characters for their refusal to communicate or they seem to dwell on their issues for too long, but I never found myself getting frustrated with either of them. You get to know Jane and Dan both pretty well, and they just complement each other so well- they are my new couple goals. I don't know how else to describe this, but you know how in 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' Andie's hair gets curlier as she fall in love?!?!?! You'll get to see that happen to Jane too (SOB!!!) I also really appreciate a closed-door romance, which is what you'll find here. I was also a big fan of Jane's best friend, Clem, who reminded me a lot of my best friend who knows when to call me out but also how to be there for me. Overall, I liked this book so freaking much that I went and bought another one of Annabel Monaghan's books before even finishing this one. I 10000% will be recommending this book to everyone I come across. Annabel Monaghan, you are going to be the talk of the town this summer and I cannot wait for what you write next- this book has secured me as a fan for life.

I love Annabel Monaghan, and I felt like the build up to the couple getting together was fun to read with some good tension and banter. I also liked Dan's family dynamics. However, I felt like the third act was unrealistic. I mean, it's a romance, so realism isn't exact what the author is usually going for, but it didn't real earned. I still feel like the story was enjoyable to read.

I thought the pacing of this fun, enemies to lovers romance was just right. The characters were genuine and well developed and there was a plethora of witty banter. Our two main characters had believable chemistry and I enjoyed the way that Jane, in particular, fumbled her way through her journey of growth and discovery - it felt very "real" and authentic. I was thoroughly charmed and was so grateful to have the chance to read this as one of my first novels of the year. I can't wait until its official release and plan to recommend it to many of my romance book loving friends.

4.5/5 ⭐️

One of my favorite things about Annabel Monaghan’s writing is how real, raw, and honest it is. It doesn't feel like it’s all sunshine and rainbows.

The main character, Jane, is a recovering childhood actress who struggles with anxiety, shame, and feeling like she’s enough. The love interest, Dan, helps bring her back to life. I enjoyed watching these imperfect characters develop a relationship and watching Jane grow as an individual and learn to accept herself for who she is.

Annabel’s writing is easy to read, funny, and deep. Lighthearted, but has emotional depth at the same time. It makes you feel things in the best way! She does a beautiful job describing the setting, and I felt like I could picture myself sitting on the beach or in the midst of a chaotic family gathering.

I loved it! This would be a great summer romcom, but also a wonderful read anytime of the year!

*Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Group Putnam* *and Annabel Monaghan for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. 💛*

Annabel Monaghan knocks another one out of the park. In IT'S A LOVE STORY she manages to entertain AND pull on every single heartstring. I love reading her work. It's like watching your favorite movie with a a big bucket of popcorn sprinkled with Sno-caps and chasing it down with good wine. For real. Highly recommend. And I would like an invitation to spend a weekend at the Finnegan house. #TheMob

I really enjoyed this story and seeing Jane come into herself. I liked that it was more than just a fluffy romance, but dealt with some difficult topics. I do wish that the Jack Quinlan stuff could have had more of a moment after the whole book was premised on them tracking him down, but overall very good story!!!

Annabel Monaghan quickly became a must read author for me after her first novel. She is one I continue to pick up again and again. I loved this novel just as much. I loved Dan’s character and relationship with his family. Those types of families always have a beautiful draw to them. Must read!

4.5 ⭐️

Jane was a teen actor known for her role as the “funny girl.” She is now an adult working as an executive in the film industry and trying to be taken seriously. However she also struggles with deep insecurities and finds her way through life and dating by hiding behind acting, or literally in a closet or under a desk.

Jane reads a script for a film she wants to make and her colleague, Dan, who she nearly dated once, is also adamant it must be produced. However, their company isn’t so sure it’s commercial enough to make. That is until Jane tells a lie that sends her on a quest to Long Island with Dan.

The book and its characters are incredibly endearing. I found it to be just a bit of a slow start for me personally but it didn’t take that long for me to become fully invested. I love the family in this book, the anticipation in the relationship, the growth of the FMC, the quiet and uniqueness of the MMC, and how the story unfolds. This is how great stories are written. I got completely lost in it losing track of time and all real-world worries. It was the perfect escape.

The details of being on the beach, the ocean, the sand, the rain, the drinks, the people. It all reminded me of some really wonderful times of my own life. I was feeling so nostalgic and it made me feel that much more deeply for the story and the characters Annabel Monaghan has written here. I also enjoyed the authors note of who inspired her to create Jane’s story. I read the same memoir and wondered early on if there was a connection. I love how interconnected we all are through reading.

This is one book you won’t want to miss and one I already want to revisit again. It would be a perfect beach read but fun to read in winter - warmed me from head to toe. :)

Thank you NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Annabel Monaghan for the Advanced Readers Copy.

Publishing date: May 27, 2025

From the USA Today bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script, a novel about a former adolescent TV punch line who has left her awkwardness in the rearview mirror thanks to a fake-it-till-you-make-it mantra that has her on the cusp of success, until she tells a lie that sets her on a crash course with her past, spending a week on Long Island with the last man she thinks might make her believe in love.

This was such a delightful read. As an introvert that struggles with self-worth I related so much to both Dan and Jane. Plus who wouldn’t want a family like the Finnegans?! Definitely recommend to friends who love a heart warming romance.

Love love love! These characters felt a lot younger thanAnnabel Monaghan’s previous protagonists, but as a 20-something, I really loved it as I found them more relatable. Still had all the beauty of an Annabel book but with a more relatable protagonist.

I loved this story. It was a good enemies to lovers trope but had so much heart. I loved seeing the progression of their relationship. I also loved dans vulnerability, which I feel I don’t see much. Highly recommend.

Janey Jakes was a childhood star, imagine her character as a female version of Screech, and she’s used to acting the way people expect her to. It’s her way of protecting herself from the disappointment she still carries from being a scorned 14-year-old in love and having her dad walk out on them. Now an adult trying to make it as a producer, she meets Dan, who’s so comfortable in his own skin. Can she stop being the person she thinks others want her to be to open herself to a true relationship?

I loved this novel! So many people struggle with being their authentic selves, and I enjoyed watching that dynamic unfold between Dan, who’s so sure of himself, and Janey, who’s trying to suppress her comedic nature because she believes it will keep her stuck in the role of the witty sidekick. One of my favorite moments was when Janey, an only child, spent a week at Dan’s family’s house—it was fun to see her experience such a chaotic home. Dan’s favorite movie is The Notebook (Jane hates it), and as a fan of the movie myself, I loved the references!