There’s just something about an Annabel Monaghan book that feels like sinking into your favorite oversized sweater—warm, comforting, and sneakily profound.
After falling in love with Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on It’s a Love Story—and it absolutely delivered.
With her signature wit, emotional depth, and relatable characters, Monaghan gives us another charming tale of a woman in her 30s trying to make it in an industry (and world) that’s not always kind.
It’s funny, heartfelt, a little messy in the best way, and full of unexpected heart!
Summary (spoiler free):
From the USA Today bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script comes a delightfully funny and unexpectedly tender story about growing up, speaking your truth, and finding love in the least expected places. It’s a Love Story follows Jane Jackson, a former child star known for playing the comic relief on a middling sitcom.
Now in her 30s and trying to make it as a creative executive, Jane is armed with nothing but her “fake it till you make it” mantra and a pitch for the film she believes in with her whole heart.
But in a moment of desperation, Jane blurts out a lie—one that involves a pop star she hasn’t spoken to in two decades. Her one-time co-star and first kiss, Jack Quinlan, is now the hottest name in music, and she tells her boss she can get him to write an original song for her movie. Oof.
Enter Dan Finnegan—grumpy, smug, and infuriatingly handsome. He may be her creative nemesis, but he also might be her only shot at salvaging this mess.
Together they head to Long Island to try and find Jack and come away with more than just a song. A week of family, nostalgia, banter, and heart-cracking truths follows—along with a whole lot of self-discovery.
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Review of It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Smart,Swoony & So Much Fun
Annabel Monaghan does it again. It’s a Love Story is charming, smart, and full of laugh-out-loud moments. Jane is one of those perfectly flawed protagonists you can’t help but root for. Watching her navigate her lingering childhood insecurities, industry sexism, and a PR disaster of her own making is as hilarious as it is heartfelt.
The story balances comedy with deeper emotional beats. Jane’s internal dialogue is sharp and self-deprecating, while her journey toward self-acceptance hits some incredibly tender notes.
Monaghan really nails the “grown woman still figuring it out” vibe—without ever making Jane feel like a caricature.
And then there’s Dan. Oh, Dan. He’s not the typical romance lead. He's layered, unexpectedly kind, and the chemistry between him and Jane crackles from the first page.
Watching their banter evolve into something real was SO satisfying. The Long Island setting, filled with Dan’s warm and chaotic family, gives the story heart and warmth, grounding Jane’s transformation in community and connection.
This isn’t just a love story—it’s a story about owning your past, showing up for yourself, and learning how to be vulnerable even when it feels risky.
Final Thoughts:
If you loved Nora Goes Off Script or Same Time Next Summer, you’re going to adore this one. Monaghan proves once again that she can make you laugh while breaking your heart just a little—and then putting it back together.
There is a reason she is one of my must buy authors!
It’s a book about second chances, found family, career ambition, and (of course) a slow-burn romance that delivers all the swoony satisfaction.
I highly recommend grabbing this one!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own!
3 Books to Read If You Loved It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
1. Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
If you haven't already read Monaghan’s other hit, this is the perfect place to go next! Nora is a romance screenwriter whose script unexpectedly brings a heartthrob actor—and a second chance at love—into her quiet life as a single mom. It's witty, tender, and swoony with just the right dose of real life.
2. Beg, Borrow, Steal by Sara Adams
This heartfelt and hilarious debut blends small-town charm with big emotional punches. The protagonist is a fiercely determined woman navigating family pressure, romantic mishaps, and professional hurdles with grace and grit. You'll fall hard for the voice, the banter, and the emotional payoff.
3. Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
A former child star and a journalist with history reunite for one last interview, ten years after their story went viral. With its dual timelines, complex characters, and sparkling dialogue, this novel captures the emotional beats of fame, reinvention, and rediscovering yourself—just like It’s a Love Story.
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