This book was so sweet!! I have really enjoyed my time reading Annabel Monaghan books and this one was no different. I absolutely loved how well fleshed out the characters felt for not being a long book and what they brought out in each other. I loved how much I saw of myself in these characters. I could heavily relate to Dan being the quietest and sometimes feeling out of place because of it. I admired how he stayed true to himself even when it’s uncomfortable and how that helped Jane become more comfortable being her true self. I also connected to how Jane felt like she had to put on a mask as a certain version of herself that she thought people would make her lovable rather than being her true self in fear of rejection. I loved the analogy of people liking loud, noisy movies because we feel like they can hide behind them in comparison to quiet movies that are scary because they are vulnerable and teach us things about ourselves even if it’s uncomfortable. The fun, cozy beach setting in Long Island would make this the perfect summer beach read!!

It certainly is a love story. I wasn’t sure how much I’d connect with the characters at the beginning of the book, but as details started to play out, I really started to fall in love with the characters. Jane reminds me of Jeannette McCurdy, which Annabel confirms gave her the inspiration for this story. I totally see it and thought Annabel did a fabulous job really exploring the idea of child actors, a topic that has been brought up in media very frequently. The romance just was the cake on top, with the FMC and MMC just having such a solid connection. I love watching their love play out. A solid 3.75/5 ⭐️for me.

This was such a cute read! I loved the banter between Jane and Dan and seeing their characters develop throughout the story. This book had me smiling so much and is down-right BINGEABLE. So far my favorite book from Annabel Monaghan!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House LLC for this ARC!

Once this story finds its rhythm, the characters become lovable, funny and complex. While there are a few cringey, forced moments and some repetitive backstory... the depiction of falling in love is worth the read. The contrast between the mother-daughter relationship and the dynamic of a large, close-knit family highlights how these perfectly flawed characters have been shaped by their upbringing and the emotional baggage they carry. It all comes together for a quick, enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jane is trying hard to get her career moving. She finally has a shot at making a movie she believes in, but finds herself exaggerating a truth to sell it. She needs help from Dan, who she hates. Dan helps her out and along the way, they grow closer and fall for each other. Jane has some heavy baggage and is good at self sabotage. She finally gets to a happy place with Dan and an encounter with someone from her past brings up insecurities that have her torpedo her new relationship with Dan. With the help of her best friend, Clem, she climbs out of her hole and fixes things. Jane and Dan seem totally right for each other and it was satisfying to get their happy ending.

"Love happens over breakfast" Don't mind me over here sobbing...

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read It's a Love Story in advance. This is likely my favorite Annabel Monaghan book yet.

The writing encapsulates the feeling of slowly (and then very suddenly) falling deeply in love. I enjoyed watching Jane learn about herself and put those learnings into action (though not always seamlessly).

Also, Dan's family is 12/10

I just finished reading this book, and I plan to start it again as soon as possible. I absolutely loved it. Annabel Monaghan is a favorite author of mine, and this book lives up to the excitement I felt when I saw she had written a new novel

Jane and Dan are relatable characters and their story was beautifully written.. It’s a Love Story will be a favorite for a long time to come, and in my opinion, one of her best stories!

I received an ARC from NetGalley for Its a Love Story. I loved this book so much! Reading this story felt like I was laying in bed, under my favorite blankets, reading about perfectly, flawed people that I wished I could know personally. Do yourself a favor and add this to your must read list of 2025!

This book felt like a marg, chips, and gab sesh with your best friend. I don’t know how else to describe it.

Lighthearted yet poignant; funny and comforting. Somewhat indulgent, but also exactly what I needed.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

An engaging, witty romcom that grabbed me on the first page! Annabel Monaghan has written another winner. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. Can't wait for her next one!

Oh, this book. I’ve recently discovered Annabel Monaghan and loved all of her books. This might be my favorite. It’s heartfelt, heartbreaking and deliciously swoony! Jane and Dans romance feels so earned, pure and right and the cast of supporting characters is so well written and developed. Watching Jane address her deep insecurities and move past them was inspiring. The Finnegan family was lovely, though imperfect in the way that families always are. I truly did not want this one to end!

This book deserves all the love and stars! it was just perfect. this has got to be my favorite Annabel Monaghan to date! i absolutely love the humor of Annabel and the way she incorporates so much REALNESS AND FEELINGS into her story. i’ve never related to an Annabel Monaghan character more. I loved the romance…the enemies to lovers was so so good! I cannot say enough about this book!

Wow. I’ve just finished this book, and I have a sense that it will stay with me for the rest of my life.
The depth with which the author explores Jane’s internal struggles is profound. I was deeply moved by how she grapples with feeling invisible to everyone around her—her sense of being overlooked and undervalued resonated so strongly with me. At times, I found myself in tears, because I saw so much of my younger self in her. The weight of shame, the difficulty in fully embracing who you are—it’s heartbreaking to witness.But what makes this journey so powerful is watching Jane break free from those self-imposed limits. The moment she begins to embrace her true self, to love herself and accept love from others, is nothing short of beautiful. It’s a poignant reminder of the healing that comes from self-acceptance and the courage it takes to be fully yourself.
This story touched me in ways I can't fully express. Annabel, you've crafted something truly special.

I am in love with Annabel Monaghan!! I have given every book i have read by her 5 stars and this is a 6,Star book for me, This will undoubtedly be one of the absolute best books to release in 2025. It’s the perfect book to read in the summer season. I really loved the romance and there was GREAT character development in both our main characters. Best vibes, and of course she slayed that cover!! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity!

Annabel Monaghan has become an auto-read author for me. Something about her writing just scratches an itch in my brain in the very best way! I’m on such a kick of reading adult romances and this one certainly did not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC of this tender, heartfelt novel that feels like a warm hug from someone you love. Annabel Monaghan has done it again, delivering a story that’s as laugh-out-loud funny as it is emotionally profound—a perfect blend of sweetness, humor, and vulnerability.

It’s a Love Story follows Jane Jackson, a former sitcom punch line turned Hollywood studio executive who’s determined to leave “Poor Janey Jakes” in the past. Her mantra of “fake it till you make it” has carried her far, but when a desperate lie about getting mega popstar Jack Quinlan involved in her latest project spirals out of control, Jane is forced to confront the ghosts of her past. To fix things, she enlists the help of cinematographer—and her nemesis—Dan Finnegan, spending a week on Long Island in close quarters with the last man she ever expected to challenge her cynicism about love.

This book is quintessential Annabel Monaghan: flawed, relatable characters who heal together, sharp humor, and moments of breathtaking tenderness. Jane’s journey is deeply human, and her vulnerability is matched by Dan’s warmth and quiet strength. Monaghan excels at showing the “why” behind her characters—why they’re guarded, why they fear love, and why they act the way they do in relationships. It’s that depth that makes the romance between Jane and Dan feel so believable and rewarding.

But this story is more than a romance—it’s a celebration of growth, forgiveness, and finding joy in the messiness of life. It’s also a love letter to Long Island summers, filled with nostalgia, warmth, and rich sensory details that make you long for a salty ocean breeze and a backyard barbecue.

And the humor? Absolutely top-notch. From Jane’s biting inner monologue to the quirky, heartfelt interactions with Dan and other supporting characters, the laughs never overshadow the emotional weight of the story—they complement it beautifully.

Fans of Nora Goes Off Script will find themselves equally smitten with this book. With its cinematic charm, heartfelt exploration of self-discovery, and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that sizzles with chemistry, It’s a Love Story is destined to be one of the books of the summer.

If you’re looking for a tender, funny, and completely absorbing read, this is it.

Well, once again Anabel Monaghan has stunned me to silence by the time I’ve sat down to write my review. It’s A Love Story is an absolutely beautiful book following Jane and Dan and, well, their love story. I absolutely love books like these, where if you just followed the plot points you might think that not much actually happened, but really we went on a journey with two characters finding each other and themselves in such a real and tender way. The entire time I was reading this book, I had an ache in my chest, and that feeling in my throat like I might cry at any moment- the tenderness and joy in which this story was presented was just so moving I was borderline emotional at all times. The tears did spill over a few times, but mostly in happy ways, watching Jane finally realize her self-worth and allow someone else to be part of her life without the barriers she always thought were self-preservation but were actually more like self-sabotage.
Dan was so absolutely wonderful- an immediate surprise, given how much I disliked him in the first couple of chapters- so much so, in fact, that I double checked the synopsis to see if he was actually going to be the love interest, because he was presented in such an unpleasant way I thought I might have misunderstood the blurb. Fortunately for him, he grew on me like a weed, immediate and popping up whether I liked it or not, and I understood him and his actions so quickly that I want to go back and reread his beginnings so I can give him the chance to not be so hated at the get-go. His family was just so wonderful, and the way they embraced Jane immediately was just what she needed, and I never felt like she was anything but safe around any of the Finnegan brothers and their absolutely lovely parents.
As usual in books like these that absolutely take my breath away, I cannot properly comprehend my love or the effect that this book had on me, so I’ll leave it at this and say that this book should absolutely be a top read and is just another stunner on Monaghan’s already incredible lineup of beautiful books.

This was a surprisingly great read. Monaghan not only makes you feel everything the narrator feels, but she is able to convey a greater message of being enough. Admittedly, at first I was worried this would be a surface level cheesy rockstar romance, but im glad I was wrong. This is my first book by Monaghan, and I will more of hers in the future.

It’s A Love Story is a standalone romance by Annabel Monaghan. It’s a rivals to lovers love story with a big side of dealing with deep-rooted insecurities. This was my first book of hers that I read and it makes me want to go read her backlist.

Although a bit of a slow starter for me, I was absolutely obsessed with this story by about the halfway mark. I loved watching Jane fall for Dan before she could fully understand what was happening with her emotions. I loved Dan’s big and loving family. And I love all the metaphors and descriptions used in the telling of this story. It feels a little like an ugly duckling turned swan story. And it makes me wonder how Steve Urkel from Family Matters, Screech from Saved by the Bell, and Kimmy from Full House coped with their childhood roles as adults.

Overall, I definitely recommend this one! It’s coming out in May and will be a perfect beach read.

I LOVED this book! The ups and downs, the struggle of self-worth and finally the love they find. It was such a beautiful read, I fell in love with all the character, Jane & Dan, Clem, Dan's, family all of them! Annabel Monaghan has fast become one of my favorite authors.