The characters really made this book enjoyable for me. Jane, Dan and the Finnegan family. Annabel Monaghan writes delightful characters.

It’s a sweet story about two people, rather quickly, falling in love. And unfortunately, that’s about it.

There was so much more to build upon here - compared to her last three books, this one fell a little flat for me.

I look forward to reading her next book

It’s a good read! It’ll be a good pool day read- I like the growth of Jane, and I loveeee a good slow burn/hate to love story. It had some cute moments, and a realistic time frame for the relationship.

Jane Jackson is a former child actor trying to leave her awkward past behind and make it as a serious studio executive. She has found the perfect script and is willing to do or say anything to get it made…..including lying about how well she knows the hottest pop star on the radio. Now, she has to rely on Dan Finnegan, an arrogant cinematographer, to track down this pop star who is performing at a music festival in Dan’s hometown. Jane thinks this trip with Dan will be “the worst” but it might make her believe in things she never thought possible.

Annabel Monaghan has done it again! Another sweet, funny, binge-worthy romance! The characters have tons of chemistry, lots of witty banter and the perfect slow burn. Like her other books, this one would be a perfect beach read. I really enjoyed this story. I fell in love with Jane and Dan and the whole Finnegan family. Highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read an ARC of It’s a Love Story in exchange for my honest review.

This was the perfect cozy book for this unseasonably cold weather we are having. I loved that Jane had depth as a character and I really loved the relationship that developed between her and Dan. Another shining spot in this book was Dan’s family - each one could have their own book! I thought that Monaghan did a great job building the tension between the characters while not relying on silly miscommunications. Overall, I would highly recommend this one!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you @annabelmonaghan @netgalley @putnambooks

I read this book in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. This book will make you squeal and feel the butterflies of falling in love for the first time.

Thank you Putnam books & NetGalley for the ARC!

Overall I enjoyed the story. What I didn't enjoy as much was the third-act break-up. Or more accurately, the motivation behind it. It seemed so extreme for the situation. Still, loved the characters.

Creative studio exec and former child television star, Jane Jackson, is desperate to get her first project greenlit without changing it into the blockbuster the studio is clamoring for. After exaggerating to the bosses that she is close with pop star Jack Quinlan, It’s her grumpy co-worker, and one time crush, Dan Finnegan who must come to her rescue.

Annabel Monaghan can do no wrong in my book. Is she an auto-buy author for me? Yes. Fun fact - she is the only author who has a perfect five star score from me. Literally every book she has written is one I have loved enough to read and reread, and her latest is no exception.

Her characters are always so relatable and real, they feel like they can exist off the page just as perfectly as on it. Jane and Dan are so fascinating. Their insta connection turned workplace enemies was way too much fun and I could not wait to get to the bottom of how that mess came to be. And while this is of course a rom-com, the serious and more emotional notes, hit you right in the heart as we go back in time to experience the loneliness, humiliation and longing Jane felt being a childhood star.

I could not have loved this one more and will of course be doing an audio reread in the not so distant future.

Read if you like:
▪️enemies to lovers
▪️former childhood actors
▪️unconventional Hollywood romances
▪️forced proximity
▪️relatable characters
▪️dual timelines

Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy.

📆 Pub: May 27, 2025

I don’t know what happened. I have adored every other story I’ve read by this author. Something about this book felt different. I’m also tired of all her FMCs having the exact same personality. Normally, I find her work adorable and swoon-worthy but this was so boring to me. I’m disappointed.

3.5 stars for a fun, light, perfect for summer read! The MMC Dan is going to run straight into all the readers hearts with his artsy souls, confidence, and loving (and large) family to back him up. Invite me to that family dinner anytime!

While I personally didn’t connect with the FMC, I think her story is an important one to experience. I think id have liked an epilogue scene showing that she had sought professional therapy as she once alluded to, in order to stress to the reader the importance of doing so.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with the digital arc in exchange for my honest review of the content, and thank you Annabell Monaghan!

Thank you to Putnam Books, Annabel Monaghan, & NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

TBH I had to DNF this book. reading this book was like pulling teeth. I had to force myself to pick it up each time and for me it really had no redeeming qualities except Jane’s mom, which we only saw glimpses of briefly. I’m really disappointed that this was my first read from Annabel, as it will be a while before I pick up another book from her.

Jane was a poorly written FMC for me. I couldn’t get a good sense of her true personality and I feel like Annabel led us to believe there were several men Jane was interested in throughout the story. Maybe this was intentional, but it left me feeling confused. In addition, I felt like there were soo many unnecessary details and tropes thrown in, which really took away from the story for me. I can see why people like Annabel’s stories, I think this one just wasn’t for me.

it’s a love story

thank you, netgalley and putnam’s sons, for the arc!

i was thrilled to get this one because annabel monaghan became an auto-buy author for me last year—and this book only solidified that.

monaghan has such a beautifully poetic way of writing about love. her descriptions are so tender and evocative that the couple’s connection feels incredibly real and heartfelt. the progression of their relationship was so natural and genuine, it gave me actual butterflies.

one thing i love about her writing is how much care she puts into building well-rounded characters. they’re never just placeholders—they feel like real people with stories of their own. the fmc’s struggles with identity and self-worth will be deeply relatable to many, and i appreciated how raw and honest they felt. the mmc’s journey of not fitting in with his big family also made him feel so much more three dimensional. side note: his family dynamic was one of my favorite parts of the book. it was so wholesome and tender—it reminded me of my own family in the best way.

the summer setting was absolute perfection. even though i read this in the middle of winter, it had me completely immersed in warm, golden summer vibes.

my only real gripe with the book—and the thing that kept it just shy of 5 stars—was that the fmc grated on me a little at times. her insecurities, while relatable, sometimes felt a bit overdone, and it made it hard for me to connect with her in certain moments. but honestly, that didn’t take away from my overall love for the story.

while it’s not my favorite of her books, i’d still recommend anything annabel monaghan writes. her stories are unique, her writing is poetic and memorable, and her romances are always sweet and layered with relatable depth.

4.5 stars

It's a Love Story follows a previous teenage sitcom actress as she works in Hollywood trying to distance herself from her adolescent role and work on projects that she is passionate about. She digs herself a hole when trying to get a project green lit, and she must turn to the guy she can't stand to dig herself out of the mess. Queue the forced proximity and loathe to love goodness!

This book is a perfect lighthearted summer read. It is similar to Annabel Monaghan's other romance titles, with a strong sense of character development at the core of it. Fans of Annabel's previous work with love this one too!

This is my second book I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan, and I think this is my favorite one! I just really fell in love with these characters and the fast paced plot. I really loved the MMC, Dan. He has my heart! Even though the FMC Jane annoyed me at times, I found myself relating to her A LOT. Towards the ending, I was really frustrated with something she did, but it’s honestly real. Things like that happen so much in relationships in real life. You’ll see if you read this! Another thing I really loved about this story was Jane spending time with Dans family and them all becoming so close! It was so sweet to see her so appreciated by his family.
But I really did enjoy this story a lot and it’s a perfect book for those who feel that they are not enough or unloveable❤️‍🩹

Uneven is probably the best descriptor for It’s a Love Story. I found the beginning difficult to follow and wasn’t clear on who the love interests were. Then, for all the protestations of insta love, this story was a lot more insta love than slow burn. The pacing felt herky jerky, like it would move smoothly forward for a bit and then slam on the brakes, which didn’t make for a great reading experience. It doesn’t even feel like the romance truly begins until halfway through.

Like always, Monaghan’s writing goes down like a milkshake. The supporting characters were a lot of fun too. But overall, I’d recommend Nora Goes Off Script over this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC
It's A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is another winner. I loved Summer Romance and Nora Goes Off Script, and this one is another one of my favorites. I enjoy seeing where an old sit com favorite child is today, and Jane Jackson, a child sit com star reminds me of myself, always getting myself into quite a pickle. Jane must spend some time with her "one-time" crush Dan in order to deliver her first kiss and greatest source of shame, Jack. Dan is very endearing and sweet, and his family, I just loved them. This book is such a sweet story and has all the feels.
Again, I cannot thank NetGaffey, Penguin Group Putnam and GP Putnam's Sons for this ARC, I feel so honored, a real boost to a new reviewer!! Thank you!!

I love Annabel Monaghan. She always delivers on a romance with a heroine who goes on her own journey of growth, and It’s a Love Story is no different. It’s a Love Story is about Jane, a child TV star who grew up as the one everyone laughed at. Now as an adult, Jane is trying to get a script made, but her boss shuts it down as not commercial enough. In an attempt to save the movie, Jane lies about her relationship with a current pop star who she knew once upon a time. To try to make good on her promise of an original song, she has to spend the week with her work nemesis Dan, the cinematographer on the project. After spending a week with Dan and his family, Jane realizes that the kinds of love - both familial and romantic - that she never believed in are within reach.

Jane goes on a real journey through this book, confronting her past demons and some present ones. I loved her growth through the book, and I really loved the window we get through her eyes into Dan and his relationship with his family, where he is well-loved but often misunderstood. While at times I was so frustrated with Jane for the way she reacted to things, ultimately her moves made sense for where her character was. Dan was a great MMC who drew you in and gave you butterflies.

This book is extremely enjoyable and gripping. I never wanted to put it down. I definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC

I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of this book on NetGalley. I will read anything Annabel Monaghan publishes. I just adore her, all of her imperfect characters and the way she writes about falling in love. Perfect escape from winter!

3.75, but I'm rounding up.

I like Annabel Monaghan because she writes quirky female main characters who typically fall for an unexpected male main character. It's a Love Story continues exactly what she does well. Jane is a former teen star... who doesn't necessarily realize she's outgrown the awkward character she used to portray. She's a bit rigid and overly planned, but it makes her endearing. Both she and Dan have complicated relationships with their families, but ultimately they bring out the best in each other, even when it is difficult to do. Dan's parents also have the sweetest relationship and I think it is nice to read about a MMC who wants to emulate what his parents have and also watch them be equally as invested in their son's happiness. The way love is described in this book could convince even the most serial singles to give dating a try... or to just let it happen.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
I sometimes laugh in my sleep, and I love that.
No one kills sexual tension like I do.
Love happens over breakfast. Romance happens over dinner.

If you enjoyed Nora Goes Off Script, give It's a Love Story a read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advance reader copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! Annabel Monaghan is a must read, can’t miss for me! You don’t want to miss this one.

Another hit from Annabel Monaghan.

Beautiful! This story was just so beautiful and captivating. I couldn’t put it down and I was smitten through its entirety.

It’s a love story about falling in love while learning to love yourself. Katie’s journey made her feel unlovable but Dan’s sweetness and honesty taught her just how beautiful and lovable she is.

It was so fun to watch Katie and Dan fall in love and the family’s dynamic was so warm and captivating. Long Island was described so beautifully.

I was happy with the ending but would love an extended epilogue or bonus chapter with a more satisfying ending for Jack who was such a jerk and Hailey who was also a bit of a bully.