I work for the publisher. This is a great romance book, very sweet with lovely characters. Would reccomend to romance readers.

3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had a good time with this book but unfortunately it fell a little flat for me in parts. I did absolutely love the writing so I will definitely be reading more of Annabel’s books. So many quotes I had underlined (when Dan talks about her smile oh my god it was actually the cutest thing ever I was swooning!!)

What fell a little flat in this for me was I just didn’t feel overly invested in the characters until the end. I didn’t really believe in them together but I will say the ending had me so engaged and I was totally rooting for them. The plot didn’t overly captivate me. I understand this is more of a character driven story but I didn’t overly connect to the characters until towards the end.

An issue I had with this was how quickly they came to love each other. This book spans over a week and I think them falling for each other happened too quickly - a week is hardly any time at all! It did make sense for this story but just thinking it was too quick for real life.

The conflict at the end made sense but I didn’t like how Jane acted although she made up for her actions by the end.

Although I wish this book resonated with me a bit more I still would absolutely recommend it!

More than just a ‘love story’; this is a story of self-discovery, self-compassion and healing.

FMC Jane has spent a lifetime feeling like the butt of the joke. Attempting to move on from her past, growing up as the punchline of an adolescent TV show, Jane is determined to prove that she can be a successful, career driven woman. A creative executive for Clearwater Studios, Jane has found what she thinks is the perfect script to launch her career and must team up with her one time crush turned rival, Dan, to make the film happen.

From their first meeting, the chemistry between Dan and Jane is apparent, however, Jane’s insecurities get in the way, causing a rift between the two. After being forced to work together, they embark on a journey from rivals to friends to soulmates. Getting to know each other on a deeper level, they share their vulnerabilities, their perceived flaws and past traumas, building a true connection. Through this connection, they each gain a better sense of who they are and what they want individually before coming together.

I loved Jane’s growth and the way Dan allowed her to work through all of her ‘stuff’, supporting her as she dropped her walls and allowed people to see who she really was. The banter between the two is perfect; the romance is sweet and slow; and the spice is mild.

Set against the cosy backdrop of a charming beachside community, Dan and Jane’s romance unfolds over a week spent at Dan’s family home, surrounded by his parents and siblings. During their stay, they inevitably have to share a bedroom; are mercilessly tormented by Dan’s siblings; counselled by Dan’s parents and thrust into the middle of the family’s beautifully chaotic lives. I thoroughly enjoyed the big family vibe, the private jokes, the comfort food and the warm, welcoming feel of coming together. I loved this family and the way they embraced Jane’s presence in their home, giving her the family feels she’d always craved and I desperately want to spend time in their kitchen where “love happens over breakfast”.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

This is the second book by Annabel Monaghan that I've read and I am starting to become a big fan of her writing. What a great read! I absolutely adored this - the storyline was great and it was so captivating. I can't wait to read more.

Annabel Monaghan novels are summer in book for me - she instantly transports you to a hazy, summery location and this one was no exception.

It’s a Love Story follows former child star Jane who is desperate to get a new film made - only problem is she’ll need the help of Jack, her first kiss and a man she hasn’t spoken to for years.

In comes her work nemesis Dan, and the pair take a trip to try and persuade Jack to write a song for their film.

This was a sweet love story with a lot of kicking your feet moments but it’s definitely my least favourite of Monaghan’s books - something about the characters felt less real to me than her previous work but I still enjoyed it.

It’s a love story - 4.5 stars ✨

What a start to the year!!
I went into this blind and honestly loved the experience. Being my first Annabel Monaghan I was surprised it’s taken me this long to read her books. The writing gave me comfort feels of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez, like the feeling of a warm hug. Watching Jane’s character develop over the course of the book was beautiful while having the moments of humour and banter throughout. The perfect balance of everything. Excited to read more of Annabel’s books in the future!

I really enjoyed this book from Annabel Monaghan. I adore her writing and it is so easy to read whilst also being super descriptive and captivating! I loved this story and the romance beautiful!

I always look forward to Annabel’s books and this is another book I will think about for a long time! I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Aries Fiction for an ARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Aria & Aries for providing this ARC for free via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Annabel Monaghan book, so I had no idea what to expect.

I was instantly drawn in by the hilarious inner monologue of our FMC. I found her humour blunt in the best possible way.

I really appreciated the natural build up of Jane and Dan’s relationship. Their love was the quiet kind, without the need for grand gestures. Also, you know it’s a true enemies to lovers when you have to double check he’s the love interest, so well done Annabel.

Unfortunately, I found myself losing interest at times due to the slower pace. It felt like not a lot happened plot wise. I also found the third act a bit frustrating, as Jane seemed determined to sabotage their relationship, despite Dan’s attempts to support her.

Overall, I’d still encourage fans of slow burn, cozy romance to give this one a try.

I have yet to find an Annabel Monaghan book which doesn’t instantly make it into my favourite romances of all time, and this latest is no exception - I couldn’t put it down! This was a great storyline, and I loved our main characters Jane and Dan, and their excellent chemistry! Plus his whole family stole my heart, along with the gorgeous sounding Long Island location.

I keep saying it, but I really think Annabel should be every bit as hyped as Emily Henry - she’s my favourite romance writer!

It’s a Love Story made me smile. An enveloping, comforting read. The perfect beach companion!

Jane Jackson found success at an early age playing a character on a Nickelodeon-style popular sitcom between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Now thirty-three, Jane works as a Creative Executive for a major studio but has yet to see one of her scripts green-lit for a movie.

And Jane holds Cinematographer Dan Finnegan responsible for much of her professional failure, ever since the fateful day he publicly rejected a new script she was very excited by. And now he’s trying to sabotage her again – this time he loves her script choice, but feels it needs something extra to appeal commercially. Not willing to let Dan quash her dreams yet again, Jane promises she can get famous singer Jack Quinlan to write and record a song for the movie soundtrack – even though Jane only met him briefly on set, nearly twenty years ago. Uh-oh! Jane’s faced with quite the pickle.

When Jack doesn’t answer her calls, Jane reluctantly admits to Dan that she doesn’t know the singer as well as she pretended to. Surprisingly, Dan has a solution. Jack Quinlan will be playing at a music festival in his hometown the same weekend of Dan’s parent’s 40th anniversary party. He invites Jane to spend the week with his family in order to track Jack down, the golden opportunity for Jane to pitch her idea to him. Out of options, Jane unenthusiastically accepts.

It’s going to be an unforgettable life changing week for Jane and Dan!

I’m not a ‘Swiftie’, but because I don’t live under a rock, even I know that the title of this book It’s a Love Story is a line from Taylor Swift’s first mainstream popular song Love Story. This novel was so sweet and adorable, and as it stands my favourite so far by Annabel Monaghan. And it featured so many of my favourite tropes – slow burn, hate to love, enemies to lovers, acquaintances to lovers, friends to lovers, workplace/work colleagues romance, slight open-door but mainly closed, forced close proximity, and forced to share a bedroom.

I loved Jane and Dan’s teasing, comebacks, fun banter, and the heated arguments about ridiculous things. I appreciated how much they slowly grew to care about each other, and had one another’s back, even though neither were ready to admit it. I adored their ‘meet cute’, and all their romantic moments, and physical admiration. And of course there was their sizzling chemistry.

Dan’s Long Island hometown of Oak Shore had everything I could possibly want in a romantic setting - small town cozy vibes, a gorgeous beach, bike rides around the picturesque town, and a rustic farmhouse in the countryside. Not to mention all the glorious food - the delicious home cooking, beachside dining, cookouts on the beach, and ice cream at the local diner. The Finnegan family were warm, big-hearted, and welcoming, creating a sense of belonging that was missing from only child Jane’s life growing up with a single mother and no father in the picture.

As you know I like my romances with a side of unresolved trauma and past baggage where during the course of the novel, and with the support of a loving trusting accepting partner, a character’s journey leads to healing, confronting one’s past, and finding your people and your happy place. It’s a Love Story contained a lot of real-world issues like abandonment and absent fathers, bullying, loneliness and feeling unaccepted for being different, and the pain and rejection of a first crush. Also, the downside and exploitative nature of growing up in the spotlight and experiencing puberty in front of a TV audience.

I really loved the 2009 Sandra Bullock movie The Proposal and It’s a Love Story had a fair bit in common with that. A complete win for me, and I’m sure It’s a Love Story will make a lot of reader’s top favourite contemporary romances list for 2025.

I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Aria & Aries, and Annabel Monaghan for the e-ARC.

Publication Date: 29th May 2025.

annabel monaghan books are definitely hit or miss for me, and unfortunately i did not love this one... i found myself not being very interested in the plot but i think that this kind of romance just maybe isnt for me. if you liked her book nora goes of script, i think you would also like this one! i found it very easy to bing but unfortunaetly DNF'd it at 50%

Annabel Monaghan has fast become one of my favourite authors and I loved this book so much. Monaghan writes the most perfect settings and this one is no exception - possibly even better than usual because there’s both Long Island and LA. But my favourite part of It’s A Love Story was Dan’s fabulous big family. I could have happily hung out in that farmhouse forever. A gorgeous book.

”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.”

There are books that feel like a hug, and this was one of them.

When Jane and Dan first met, they felt an instant connection. But then an artistic disagreement occurred, a fight followed, and things between them soured.

Now, they are enthusiastic about the same idea and must work together to make it happen. Working together entails chasing a celebrity, staying at Dan’s parents' place in Long Island, and hanging out with his family.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll probably say it again: I love books about big families. There’s something magical about them—life is rarely messy in book families, the parents are wise, understanding, and supportive, and so are the siblings. They are always there to make you feel unconditionally loved and accepted. What’s more important, these families give us so many book boyfriends!

Jane and Dan were adorable together. Dan had this unique approach to life; he knew what was important and did his own thing regardless of what the world had to say about it. I loved his quiet confidence and his big heart. Jane had issues, which unfortunately caused the third-act drama, but I’m just going to pretend it didn’t happen. I’m so sick of third-act breakups, I’ll just pretend they don’t exist. That’s my new strategy.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“It’s a Love Story” is the first book by Annabel Monaghan that I read.

Thank you Aria & Aries for the ARC.

Unfortunately I need to DNF this book at 24%.
The cover is the reason why I applied for this ARC and I was looking forward to reading the book.
I tried to get into the story, but I do not like the characters and the plot is not engaging.

i really enjoyed this book!

i absolutely LOVE jane. i also love how we get to hear her backstory and find out why she is the way she is.

this book is a classic “enemies to lovers” but i really enjoyed that the enemy part didn’t last forever and that jane and dan came together naturally.

i’d definitely reread this!

A feel good, sweet, realistic romance!
Overall feeling with my first Annabel Monaghan book was CUTE! gives all romantic vibes, you can feel them falling in love! i adored all the summer feeling movie moments so easy to get invested in their love story.

I absolutely loved the big family dynamic, the teasing and banter but ultimately feeling all the love between them, so wholesome.Janes growing relationships with Dans family had me, love a found family trope.

"love happens over breakfast"
"you bring your real self to breakfast" i loved the meaning behind these quotes! id love to see Reenie & Cormacks love story🥹

Thankyou Netgalley and Aria & Aries for this arc all opinions are my own.
-adelereadsromance

i’d like to be the person who could take all of your sad things and make them happy. like i’d hunt down each one and turn it over.”
“i don’t think anyone’s that person for anyone,” i say.
“i don’t think so either.but i’d like to be that person for you.”

oh annabel monagan’s soooo back to us and i can say this because the first time i received this book was at the end of 24’ and when i started reading jane’s story i was simply done for it because well… I TRULY FELT SEEN thanks to annabel’s storytelling but i wasn’t surprised if i have to be honest because since i started reading her books she became quickly one of my favourite authors and when i requested it’s a love story i knew i could have trusted her and she really surprised me by outdoing herself!

as i said before i felt seen while reading jane’s and dan’s feelings because i could relate to both characters… why?because annabel’s stories and protagonists are ALWAYS so raw, real and relatable hence for this it’s very easy and unique to empathize with them and being captured in her stories :’)

jane’s an ex child actor but now she’s in LA as a executive creative at a film studio and she has a good feeling about a script but she needs help from dan aka the director of photography who squashed her first film deal…and so u can imagine her feelings about working with him right? well! prepare yourself to go to long island because these 2 will go there to find a famous singer from jane’s past and guess what’s also the island where dan’s parents will celebrate their anniversary so what are the odds? 😁

dan and jane i wish i could write all the emotions i felt while reading about these 2 characters separately and them as a couple because besides me relating to them they were everything… THE TENSION? THE INTIMACY OF THEIR MOMENTS? THE JEALOUSY? THE HUMOR? THEIR DIALOGUES STOP IT THIS IS REAL LOVE TO ME!!

from the vibes her books can seem just romcoms but in the end these stories aren’t simple romcoms because they are even more trust me because with this book i couldn’t stop thinking about some specific quotes or parts of the stories and well i ended up rereading it this month so when i say that i truly loved this book now u can understand the level of love i’m talking about and if u know u know that this feelings’s rare for me like i’ve already reread an arc ? me ? yes! no but realistically speaking i’m begging to have the physical copy asap because of the need to annotate my fav lines and reread!!

a lot of thanks to netgalley and to aries fiction for sending me the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I loved Jane and Dans story. Jane and Dan end up on a totally unexpected whirlwind adventure, chasing old ghosts and learning more about each other. The journey they take to find each other and accept themselves was heartwarming. A very fun and engaging read!

not my favourite but it was enjoyable and entertaining and I had a good time reading. A summery wholesome read.

Annabel Monaghan returns with another comforting, escapist romance, this time set on the fringes of the film world. Her books are easy to read but written with a lightness of touch and sharp sense of humour that isn't always present in this genre. I think she's great.