Book Review: It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

 

Pages: 368

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025

Publisher: G.P.Putnam's Sons

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Nora Goes Off Script,

Same Time Next Summer and Summer Romance

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "From the USA Today bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script, a novel about a former adolescent TV punchline who has left her awkwardness in the rearview mirror thanks to a fake-it-till-you-make-it mantra that has her on the cusp of success, until she tells a lie that sets her on a crash-course with her past, spending a week in Long Island with the last man she thinks might make her believe in love.

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—you can’t fake a belly laugh. Jane should know, she spent her adolescence as "Poor Janey Jakes," the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punchline on America's fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s a Creative Executive at Clearwater Studios and she’s living by 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 opened her mouth and a big fat fib fell out. She claimed that Jack Quinlan, hottest popstar of the moment, has promised to write an original song for the soundtrack. 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 on Long Island, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan while facing down her past is Jane's idea of hell, but Dan just might surprise her. While covering up her lie, can they find something true?"

 

 

 

Jane Jackson is a former child star from a 90s sitcom in which she played the nerdy, clumsy friend. Now as an adult, she is trying to make a name for herself as a producer, but she is always dealing with the stereotypes that stem from her childhood. She finds the most wonderful love story script and is determined to get it made into a movie. The only problem? Dan Finnegan, a cinematographer, is tied to the movie and she doesn't work well with him. In order to get the movie made, it needs a big name attached to it. Jane, feeling like her back was up against the wall and grasping for straws, promises she can get Jack Quinlan, a pop star, whom she used to crush on as a teen and worked with on set. The only problem? She hasn't talked to Jack in twenty years. He is playing at a music festival near Dan's hometown of Long Island, so they depart for Long Island with the hopes that Jane can connect with Jack. It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan is a heartfelt romance with elements of a beach read thrown in; fans of Monaghan will appreciate her coastal setting, Dan's hilarious family, the witty dialogue, and the enemies-to-lovers romance. 

Jane is a protagonist you can't help rooting for in It's a Love Story. Filled to the brim with insecurities stemming from her child actor days, readers' hearts will go out to her as she tries to make a name for herself in Hollywood. Her promise to connect with Jack is so cringeworthy, readers can't help but cheer her on even if they can predict how it will go. But it's all part of Jane's transformation as she lets go of her insecurities from her acting days and builds confidence.

On the other hand, Dan is a typical Monaghan male protagonist that you can't help, but love. I really started to enjoy him more when Jane and Dan returned to his family's home on Long Island in It's a Love Story. I adored every member of his family, their witty banter, boisterous behavior, and the hilarity that ensued. The Long Island setting truly added to the beachy feel of the story and makes it a great novel to throw in your beach bag this summer.

While this wasn't my favorite of Monaghan's novels, I can appreciate It's a Love Story and enjoyed it overall. The enemies-to-lovers romance was done very well, and of course, Monaghan writes dialogue with the best of them. There's also the forced proximity trope which was fantastic, too, and didn't feel trite at all. All in all, this is another gem from Monaghan, who is becoming one of my favorite beach-read authors. In the comments below, let me know if you plan on reading It's a Love Story and if you are a fan of Annabel Monaghan.