It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is a great summer romance read that will have you laughing, crying, and swooning. I gave it 5 stars.
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is a fantastic summer romance novel! I loved this book so much that I gave it 5 stars. This book features Jane, a self-proclaimed “plain Jane” who spends the novel discovering who she truly is and what she brings to the table. She needs to work with a man she can’t stand to get her dream movie on the big screen. This book feels like laying out in the sun reading a funny and breezy rom-com with a nice cold drink in your hand next to a pool. It’s a whole vibe!
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It’s A Love Story Overview
Title: It’s A Love Story
Author: Annabel Monaghan
Pages: 368 Pages
Publish Date: May 27th, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Star Rating: 5/5 stars! (I loved this book and would recommend everyone reads it.)
Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4i696pQ
Synopsis from Amazon
Love is a lie. Laughter is the only truth.
Jane Jackson spent her adolescence as “Poor Janey Jakes,” the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punch line on America’s fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s trying to be taken seriously as a Hollywood studio executive by embracing a new mantra: Fake it till you make it.
Except she might have faked it too far. Desperate to get her first project greenlit and riled up by pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan, she claimed that she could get mega popstar Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie. Jack may have been her first kiss—and greatest source of shame—but she hasn’t spoken to him in twenty years.
Now Jane must turn to the last man she’d ever want to owe: Dan Finnegan. Because Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan as she faces down her past is Jane’s idea of hell, but he just might surprise her. While covering up her lie, can they find something true?
My Review of It’s a Love Story
Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Monaghan, and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for my honest review. I LOVED reading It’s a Love Story!
This is the first book I’ve read by Annabel Monaghan, but it definitely won’t be the last. I loved reading this book so much that I would stay up late just to get a few more pages in. I found myself laughing out loud while reading, so you can see why I gave It’s a Love Story 5 stars.
Jane has to team up with a man she can’t stand, Dan, to make her dream movie. They must work together to get Jack Quinn, a famous musician and Jane’s first kiss, to agree to write a song for the film. All the while, we find out more about Jane and watch her grow into a confident woman. Not someone pretending to be confident.
Things I liked about this book: Jane. She was a child star who was the butt of every joke in every episode. She can’t seem to shake the feeling that she’s never good enough and not “main girl” material.
Dan’s family. I really enjoyed the introduction of a BIG family that took up a lot of space. Figuratively and literally. I married into a large family (9 kids), so I know what it’s like to join a group like that. Dan’s family felt like home.
Lastly, I enjoyed Dan. He’s not the most put-together man, but he knows his place and what he brings to the table. His self-assuredness seems to rub off on Jane, making her more sure of herself.
Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4i696pQ
Who Should Read This Book?
This book is ideal for readers who enjoy summer romance novels. There’s a little bit of spice, but not a lot.
If you like light and breezy summer books with some meaningful moments, then this book is for you. The main characters go through some self-growth and self-discovery. If you enjoy reading about people finding themselves, you’ll like this book.
Lastly, this book is great for anyone hoping to read a funny and warm summer novel while relaxing at the beach or pool.
Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4i696pQ
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Final Thoughts
It’s almost summertime, and It’s a Love Story made me wish I was reading it out in the summer sun. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I’m sure you will too. This book is perfect for anyone who loves summer rom-coms. I hope you enjoy this book!
If you enjoyed this review or have any questions, let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from all of you. Lastly, don’t forget to share this post. I appreciate all the love and support.
Thanks for reading,
Kel
This sounds like a great read, and so fun you got an ARC! Once it releases, I think I will recommend it for my virtual book club over the summer! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the review. This isn’t my usual type of book, but I like to step out of my comfort zone and try new reads!
I love a good summer rom-com. I hope they make a film version. Thanks for sharing your views.
Ooh I love this and it seems like a book right up my alley! Thank you for sharing!
I don’t tend to read a ton of romance books, but this one sounds quite interesting. I really enjoy books with a lot of character growth, and from your review, it certainly sounds as though Jane does exactly that.
Oh, I love a good recommendation! I’m not usually a fan of romance novels, but this sounds like a great book. I’m making a point to add it to my Summer Reading List.