This book felt like a warm hug! It tugged at my heartstrings, made me laugh and kick my feet at every single scene.

I loved Dan and Jane so so much, seeing them love each other felt like a reward. I think Annabel Monaghan is absolutely brilliant at writing very simple stuff and emotions beautifully and that is exactly what she did with Jane and Dan's relationship, their individual stuggles and dynamics, as well as the love they felt for each other. I also adored how Jane's relationship with her mum was portratyed and how realistic it felt to keep something to yourself just because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Their little family was a beautiful contrast to Dan's family and how they communicated and it just showed that family, relationships and love come in all shapes and sizes.

There were some lines that I want to tattoo on my brain and never forget.

After reading the last 3 of Annabel Monaghan's adult romances last year and loving them all, my expectations were pretty high for this one.
I wonder if maybe that was a problem because this one fell a little short.
It's not a bad book and I didn't dislike it. It was just very average. I still enjoy her writing and she has a talent to transport me to a summer beach like no-one else.
Having said that, a huge part of why I didn't love this book was because I didn't love Jane at all. She was highly immature and acted more like a teenager than a functional, employed, fairly successful adult.
I didn't buy into how quickly things went from we-don't-like-each-other to I'm-head-over-heels-in-love-with-you. Also, taking someone you don't really like to spend a week at your family's home, on the opposite side of the country, when a big celebration is going to take place? Implausible at best.
The whole Jack Quinlan subplot also ended up going nowhere and it was flimsy to begin with anyway.
I did enjoy the Long Island portion of the book and the Finnegans were great! I loved spending time with them.
Even if "It's a Love Story" didn't really work for me, I would still read anything Annabel Monaghan writes in the future.

Many thanks to the publisher for approving me to read this eARC.

This is a really fun read with strong romcom movie vibes.

We follow Jane, a former child star turned creative exec, and Dan, a cinematographer who torpedoed one of her film pitches. Dan and Jane had a really meet-cute moment just before the torpedoing occurred, but the connection fizzled out as Jane was furious at his takedown of her pitch. Ever since they’ve had a tense professional relationship but when Jane pitches a new project and in desperation name-drops a famous musician (and former crush) as a potential for the soundtrack, she and Dan end up on a road trip to his hometown where the musician is appearing in a music festival.

The set up has great romcom potential, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, small town charm, and whilst moments between Jane and Dan were cute and often funny, the pacing just felt a little off and the story fell a little flat for me. The whole point of the road trip had been to track down the musician however this took a backseat which was strange as it could really have been quite a fun plot line. Jane was quite emotionally reserved and as a child star she’d perfected the art of acting the part in any situation, which made her character a little harder to root for, especially in comparison to Dan who came across as much more fleshed out and relatable.

That said, it is a fun and quick read with plenty of romcom moments, including a kiss in the rain!

Sadly this book was not for me 😭 I love Annabel’s writing, and I had such high hopes! But I just didn’t like the plot of this book, nor the fmc unfortunately.

Starting with what I liked - the setting! Jane & Dan stay with Dan’s large & raucous family in Long Island , and the summer vibes are perfect ☀️ The descriptions of cycling down to gorgeous beaches & days in the sun made me feel like I was there! I also loved Dan’s family, who were loving and a lot of fun.

On the flip side, I didn’t love the plot. I get bad second hand embarrassment and I cringed SO many times whilst reading this book 🫣 There is an acceptable number of times to stalk someone in a book, and that number is 2 fewer than Jane does 🫠

Because of this I didn’t like Jane very much. I was hoping her character arc would be filled with growth and better decisions - but even by the end she was still immature and just mean, and her actions don’t feel justified by her history.

The irony of this love story is that many of Jane’s problems stem from her insta love when she was a teenager… but then despite being vehemently anti-love at the start of this book, her and Dan’s sweeping love affair takes place over one single week. It doesn’t feel like long enough for her entire mindset to change and for her to fall in love - especially with someone she claimed to hate at the start of the week.

I normally love Annabel’s books, but unfortunately this one was a miss for me sadly.

Unfortunately this was a DNF at 30% for me 😭

This was a book I was so so excited about, I’ve heard amazing things about this author and I loved Nora Goea Off Script. However, this one I found the writing felt so different and didn’t give me that wow feeling in the same way as Nora goes off script. The main character I felt constantly frustrated with and I just found myself not interested in her story at all. There were some funny moments, I think she writes good banter. But I just couldn’t find myself interested enough to continue, which im so sad about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for sending me this ARC. This was a great love story where you can watch the love grow between the two main characters. I really enjoyed the character development that Jane (FMC) went through and honestly I felt like I was on that journey with her which I loved! I struggled with getting into the story for the first 30% but as Jane was discovering herself and allowing herself to be vulnerable, I was enjoying it much more! There were a good mix of heartfelt scenes, sad scenes, funny scenes - would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a cute summery romance story, great for fans of Emily Henry and Laurie Gilmour!

Like all of her books I really enjoyed this one. I loved the connection between Jane and Dan and enjoyed the growth of their friendship into love. I found the memories they had of each other nostalgic and Jane’s determination to seek success in her career is something lots of women can relate to.

Dan has a lovely family and I enjoy books which showcase a caring and loving family for a male character and even though Dan’s job is across the country, his family have open arms for him all the time. They are welcoming to Jane and I enjoyed that aspect.

A slow burn romance which gives all the feels, set in a beautiful place and another success for the author.

Well I absolutely adored this, Annabel Monaghan can do no wrong in my eyes. Such delightful characters fully brought to life across a lovely heart-warming storyline, I wasn't ready to say goodbye!

I loved this!! Easy easy 5 stars!!

The main character is Jane, a former child star who appeared on a nickelodeon type show as the comedic relief character. She's now a creative executive and has found a script she loves and is determined to bring to life, but the film company tells her she needs to bring a little "something special" to get the go-ahead. She gets an idea to convince ex co-star/now-famous-popstar to record a song for the movie, even though she hasn't had any contact with him for years (and he's kind of a dick). He's going to be performing at a beach town where Dan, a cinematographer who also loves the script, lives, and Dan offers Jane to stay with him and his family while trying to get in contact with her ex co-star. The big problem? Jane dislikes Dan immensely.

We get a super fun, forced-proximity, workplace-enemies, romance with gorgeous summer vibes. I thought the pacing of the romance between Jane and Dan was perfect. Their relationship feels so realistic, and I thought they worked so well together. I thought the tension between them was perfect and I was rooting for them so much! I just love how Annabel Monaghan writes - these characters felt very real and flawed. Jane has a lot of self-doubt, from being the butt of the joke throughout her childhood, and struggles to be her real, authentic self. My favourite thing about this book was seeing Jane's character growth. I loved seeing her relationship with Dan, and the other characters, develop. All the relationships in this book were so special, and I did shed a tear or two during this book!!

I loved reading this book, it was fun and lighthearted, but also had a lot of substance! I think this is perfect if you're looking for a fun, Summer romance!!

For the most part I enjoyed this book, but I think I’ve come to realize I don’t like books about movies, actors, scripts etc for some reason. I also wasn’t a fan of the middle of the book as I found the plot a bit meandering and there was way too many characters. I loved the writing as always, and there were some beautiful quotes. I really liked the ending too, and the discussions on difficult family relationships. Overall a solid romance but not a favorite.

3.5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was my first book by this author and I definitely enjoyed it. Whilst it was t a 5 star read for me I’d definitely revisit more of Annabel’s books. I loved the humour and how easily the writing flowed. I didn’t connect too much to Dan or Jane but I really enjoyed Clementine’s wittiness and would like to see a book about her as I felt I only got a little insight into her.

I admired Jane’s passion and drive to get her movie green-lit and found it humorous in regards to the length she went too. Dan’s character was warm and intriguing which made so much sense as we learnt about him, thus ultimately making the story line a little sweeter.

A workplace romance between rival colleagues in the film industry.
Jane was a child star and has a lot of trauma to work through, which bleeds into her romantic life and work life.
Dan is part of a big family but feels that he doesn't fit in.
When they both end up working together to get a film green lit, their feelings for each other get messy.
I loved Dan as a character and his family, the big boisterous and loveable feeling that came through the page.
I struggled with Jane as a character and wanted some of Dans perspective to shine.
Jane goes on a big journey which was good, but I found it frustrating at the same time.
A mixed bag for me.

This is my second Anabel Monaghan book and both are solid 4 stars (first was Same Time Next Summer). Her style of books crosses women's fiction with romance and the single POV focuses on the FMC's internal monologueing whilst the real life plot plays out.

Jane is a Hollywood movie producer and has landed a script she desperately wants to make. Having been a childhood sitcom star and the punchline of the joke, she yearns to be taken seriously in Hollywood and this script is her ticket.

Enter the award winning cinemetographer Dan, who poo poo'd her last project and now has opinions about this script. In a desperate attempt to save it, Jane says she can get a chart topping singer to write a song.

Jane has met the singer a long time ago but not spoken to him in years, overplaying her ability to get this sing written and script produced. Dan decides to help Jane out and they go to Long Island to a music festival where the singer is playing.

The best part of this book is the forced proximity where Jane stays with Dans' family in long island and watching them get to know each other and discard past assumptions. I loved Dan's family and how their interactions taught Jane about healthy family dynamics and the kind of relationships to aspire to. Dan is an all around good guy and it was great to see their HEA play out, interwoven with Jane's growth in dealing with her childhood trauma.

Solid 4 stars.

It’s A Love Story
Annabel Monaghan

This is my first Annabel Monaghan novel and I’m keen to get to her others on my shelf.
It’s A Love Story was fun and easy going but still had real depth and plenty of charm. Heartwarming and still relatable.

‘I want her to watch that love story and give up her tireless pursuit of the Hollywood kind. Love isn't a helicopter ride to Catalina; it's everyday care and treating the other person like they're your house keys.’

Rules for a love story: There are none. It’s all a lie.

Jane Jackson knows that true love is a lie. Laughter is the only truth. Her mantra to get thru is fake it til you make it. Except she might have e faked it too far.

This fib sets in motion a wild adventure to do what she has to, to get her film greenlit and to save face for Jane. The magic of course happens along the way.

"I'm confused," he says.
"About what?"
"You sound just like Hailey Soul."
"No."
"You do. You've got me all worked up over here."

While covering up her lie, can they find something true?

All the usual trappings in a rom com are here and it’s done masterfully.

(Review posted 15th May 2025 on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/41127816
and my instagram account - http://www.instagram.com/mycrimemysterybookclub )

I was excited for this one but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I found the writing a little immature for the character and some of the pop culture references were a little cringey.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is a charming, clever romance with plenty of heart—but one that asks a bit of patience when it comes to truly connecting with its heroine.

This was my first time reading Monaghan, and while I appreciated her sharp writing and witty dialogue, I found Jane—a former child star turned movie executive—a difficult character to warm to. From early on, her behavior feels shaped by something that happened when she was 14, and yet she's in her thirties, still hiding behind a curated closet and a version of herself that doesn’t quite make sense. At 25–40%, I struggled to understand what she was pretending to be—she wasn’t acting cooler, smarter, or more mysterious, just... less funny? And while that’s explained later, it’s not clear or grounded enough early on, which made her come across as immature rather than complex.

That said, as the story progresses—particularly around the 78% mark—Jane’s motivations come into sharper focus. We finally see why she’s carried so much insecurity, and the symbolism of her closets and “date outfits” starts to feel more intentional. Still, I couldn’t shake the sense that we should’ve had those insights earlier. The late reveal made the first half feel more confusing than it needed to be. Her behavior during the third act especially felt cruel and self-sabotaging—not a reaction to something real, but to her own panic.

Dan, on the other hand, is an absolute highlight. A grounded, emotionally intelligent leading man, he’s easy to root for and impossible not to like. His relationship with Jane is filled with sweet moments, vulnerability, and slow-burn chemistry that truly sparkles. Their dynamic is the emotional core of the book and keeps you rooting for them even when Jane falters.

Despite my frustration with the main character, the story ultimately lands. The ending ties together Jane’s personal growth in a way that’s satisfying and sincere. And while I wish her arc had been a little more balanced throughout, I can’t deny how warm, funny, and tender this novel is.

A MUST READ !!

Such a good story line and so cute !! And I will recommend this to anyone and everyone !!

Wow !!

This was okay and somewhat cute, until about 60% and then it got so dull and o was so bored.

The fmc was insufferable. Her self deprecation was too much, and her actions that lead to the third act break up had me ripping my hair out. She was such a bad friend to Clem, it was all about her constantly. Jane was also so rude to her mum without knowing the full story!

Also how many times can you use the word bougenvellia in a book?!

Thankyou netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a Love Story completely stole my heart. Annabel Monaghan has such a natural way of blending humor, emotional honesty, and romantic tension. The characters felt real and their chemistry was so easy to root for. I especially loved the way the story explored vulnerability and personal growth alongside the romance. It’s sweet, funny, and full of those little moments that stay with you. A perfect comfort read for anyone who believes in love that feels both real and magical.

It’s a Love Story by @annabelmonaghan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you @netgalley and @headofzeus for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review!

I was so excited to see I got approved for this book as I am a huge fan of Annabel Monaghan’s books!

This book follows Jane Jackson, a creative Executive at Clearwater Studios who is trying to get her first project green lit. The only problem is she has to work alongside cinematographer Dan Finnegan, who she once nearly dated until he ruined her previous project.

Desperate to get the project green lit, Jane tells a little white lie than mega star Jack Quinlan has agreed to write a song for the movie. The only problem is, Jane hasn’t spoken to Jack since they were teenagers working on a show together.

Can Jane and Dan get Jack to agree to the movie while he is playing at a festival in Dan’s hometown? Can Jane and Dan survive living in such close quarters for the week?

I LOVED this book! I enjoyed watching Jane and Dan’s relationship progress and really liked the small town, summer vibes. The family dynamics between Dan and all his siblings was hilarious and the characters were so real and relatable.

I highly recommend a read when this book comes out in a few weeks. Annabel Monaghan never disappoints!