Sneak Peek: It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
ON OUR BOOKSHELF
It’s a Love Story
by Annabel Monaghan
A preview of a cozy romance perfect for the beach to add to your summer TBR.
Summer is my favorite reading season. From packing my beach bag full of summer reads to sitting pool-side with a cocktail and sunnies on my face and a stack of romcoms by my side to swaying under the tall trees in my yard while i’m curled up in a hammock with my latest read. There’s nothing like the combination of sunshine, fresh air and a happily ever after.
And for this New England girl (who lives right by the Long Island sound), this cozy romance deserves a spot on your summer TBR.
Grateful to have received an advanced reader’s copy of It’s a Love Story via NetGalley!
The Sneak Peek
Let’s meet our characters: Jane an ex-child actor (“Poor Janey Jakes”) turned movie exec who is also eager to Manifest a Solid Partner and finally, finally, get her movie made. Dan is an award-winning photography director / cinematographer / photographer…. and once upon a time, Jane had a crush on him. But his success has made him pompous, and unfortunately for Jane, he stands in the way of her greenlit movie.
Jane has grown up thinking/experiencing life as if she’s the sidekick of her own life. But she’s eager to finally make things happen for herself. To get that done, she’s made rules for herself to help her find a solid partner and she’s taken on the mantra to "fake it til you make it.” But embracing this new belief system sets her on a crash course with her past, forcing her to spend a week on Long Island with none other than Dan Finnegan, the man she dubbed as “absolutely not” from their very first movie.
The world seems to be conspiring against her as their professional paths continue to cross, and they keep standing in each other’s way. How can either of them find their HEA? And can Jane finally be her own leading lady?
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’ RATING: 3.5/5
This book dives right into the action and you’ll Immediately become drawn into a curious little spiral to uncover the story between Dan and Jane. Their similarities are stark — they’re both eager to bring their artistic visions to life, they want / need to make this movie happen. Yet, our introduction to their relationship leaves a lot unanswered. And when Jack’s character is introduced, well… I certainly spiraled in theorizing if we were in for a love-triangle.
But as soon as we get them outside of LA in the cozy corner of the Finnegan’s world, everything changes. Amongst the chaos and quiet of Dan’s family, within the quaint storybook streets of small-town life, Dan and Jane’s relationship finally blooms. But I think my favorite moments happen in the dark when they’re laying side-by-side in the small room they share, exchanging peace offerings, secrets, insecurities. Those little moments are when people fall in love. And it’s so sweet how Dan basically fangirls over having a “sleepover with Janey Jakes.”
I think one of my favorite things about this book is Jane’s growth. While she’s spent years trying to break out of the shadow of her childhood role of Janey Jakes, she never really shook her insecurities over the role and her reputation. She still saw herself as the “poor man’s Hailey Soul,” failing to give herself credit for who she has grown up to be. And that confidence translated to other parts of her life whether or not she knew it. But this little adventure with Dan helps her step out of that and into herself… even if it’s still not fully there, it’s progress.
Then there’s Dan’s family, which is just so wonderful, aren’t they? The way they embraced Jane filled me with so much warmth. The way they’re aware of one another and care for each other just makes you want it — Jane certainly does.
This is a cozy romance, perfect for the beach. Its big city escapes to small coastal town where she’s surrounded by so much love and care that she allows herself to fall in love.
Pre-order your copy of It’s a Love Story (Amazon) and read with me!
Favorite Scene
“I find you exceptionally lovable.”
- IT’S A LOVE STORY by Annabel Monaghan
Similar Reads & Recommendations
MAKING A MOVIE WITH YOUR NEMESIS: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club Pick! Yulin Kuang is a genius. If you’re unfamilar with her background, she’s a screenwriter / director and she’s adapting Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read. This is important context for when you read this book, which is her debut novel, in which she taps into her experience with both writing worlds and channels that into her characters — a screenwriter and a novelist.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
ALSO A TAYLOR SWIFT REFERENCE: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club Pick! This wrecked me. I wasn’t prepared for the emotional pendulum that is this love story. Or the framing of memories in the lens of witnessing and living life. Abby Jimenez balances the lightness of humor and laughter against the heaviness of grief and anxiety. It is so real, maybe too real. But she incorporates perfectly timed full-circle moments and comedic breaks to lighten the darkest moments, which only made the characters more relatable and more human.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU’RE TRAVELING FOR WORK: The Takeover (Miles High Club #2) by TL Swan (Amazon)
This is one of my favorites of all-time! It’s at the top of my palette cleanser list. When the FMC and MMC just happen to bump into each other in a conference overseas, things happen… The way this relationship comes together is so sweet — especially when the kids get involved. There’s hi-jinx that’ll make you laugh out loud, there are spicy scenes that’ll make you squeal, and there are heartfelt moments that’ll make you shed a few tears.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
ON A MISSION TO FIND THE PERFECT PARTNER BASED ON A LIST: Exes & O’s by Amy Lea (Amazon)
Booktok Influencer revisits a list of exes to see if they could be her second-chance romance. Naturally, one might expect some bad blood, but this romcom was so sweet and charming. And a friendly reminder that maybe (just maybe) the people we meet in each chapter in life serve a purpose that ultimately leads us where (and with whom) we’re meant to be.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
BY THE AUTHOR: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan (Amazon)
In the mood for a Hallmark movie? Pick this up instead. Single mom seeks out a second chance at love… and happens to have a cute little meet-cute with her best friend’s brother (who she didn’t realize was in town and didn’t recognize!)
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
