It’s a Love Story is a “fake it ’til you make it” and “facing your past” page-turning romance that features likable characters and a big, happy family.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Romance, Family, Long Island (New York)

***This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @PutnamBooks @PenguinUSA for a complimentary eARC of #ItsALoveStory upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Jane is so success-driven in her job as Creative Executive at Clearwater Studio that she tells a giant fib in an attempt to get her first project greenlit. Unfortunately, this fib results in working with a competitor and spending time with his family, and then facing her greatest embarrassment and a person she hasn’t seen in twenty years. It’s complicated and chaotic.

My Thoughts:

Four for Four

Annabel Monaghan is now my dependable, go-to author for summer reading. Limited profanity, open-door but not overly steamy romance, relatable and likable characters, substantial content, witty banter (but not over-the-top), heartfelt drama (not dysfunctional), and thoughtful themes provide a solid and enjoyable “escapist” reading experience.

Other Managhan titles: Nora Goes Off Script (a bit steamier than the others), Same Time Next Summer, and Summer Romance (probably my favorite). Have you read an Annabel Monaghan romance?

Family

While It’s a Love Story includes some fun tropes like forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers/workplace romance, and youthful crush, what I loved most about this story is Dan’s big, fun family!

More Than a Romance

I enjoy Monaghan’s stories because they are more than a romance. She always offers thoughtful themes and substantial content. In this case, childhood embarrassment, insecurity, childhood fame, family relationships, found family, career goals, family dynamics, and trust.

Recommending It’s a Love Story:

Beach bag approved. I can enthusiastically recommend It’s a Love Story (and her other titles) for your summer reading if you’re a fan of romance with thoughtful and substantial themes. Have you read Annabel Monaghan?

Content Consideration: Her stories are not closed-door romance and include some open-door scenes, but I don’t find them overly steamy, spicy, or explicit (Nora Goes Off Script is probably the steamiest). I think she strikes a tasteful balance between closed- and open-door. In other words, the scenes often fade to black and she trusts our imaginations! If you’re looking for firmly closed-door romance, this might not be exactly right for you.

My Rating: 4 Stars

More Information Here

Meet the Author of It’s a Love Story, Annabel Monaghan

Writing love stories has probably been the most fun I’ve ever had. Pre-Nora, I wrote fiction for young adults and a column for not-so-young adults.

I grew up in Los Angeles, and nearly every one of my relatives still lives in Southern California. I attended Duke University where I studied English. I have an MBA from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania and a brief history as an investment banker. I also used to teach novel writing at The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. I now live in the suburbs of New York City with my family, including a little dog who sheds.

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QOTD:

Are you an Annabel Monaghan fan?

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All books I review are purchased or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).

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