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A review by yamffaea
It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
*Thank you to NetGally and Penguin Publishers for granting me free access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*
“‘I’d like to be the person who could take all of your sad things and make them happy. Like I’d hunt down each one and turn it over.’
‘I don’t think anyone is that person for anyone,’ I say.
‘I don’t think so either. But I’d like to be that person for you.’”
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
3.75/5 Stars - Great!
Read April 2025 - ARC
It’s a Love Story is a cute, stereo-typical story…but with characters to die for.
Positive messages: 2.5/5
Don’t hold on to grudges or unforgiviness, whether that be toward yourself or toward a friend/family member. Tell the truth and be honest with those you love. Be unoffendable and don’t fall for a guy who will treat you like trash. Family bonds are strong and prevalent.
Positive role models: 3/5
Jane, the main character, is relatable. She is looking for love, hiding secrets in her past, and holding resentment toward characters. Throughout the novel, she will learn to overcome her fears and the odds that are stacked against her and do what she believes is right—following her dreams. (Jane’s relationship with her mother is inspiring, although hers with her father is not—he is absent in her life)
Clem, Jane’s friend, is going through a hard divorce at the beginning of the novel. Their bond is strong and Jane describes her as a hideout she can go to laugh and a place of comfort. <i>That’s</i> how close they are.
Jack, a famous singer and Jane’s first kiss and boyfriend, is prevalent (more toward the end of the novel). I don’t want to spoil too much about his character…you’ll just have to read and see for yourself.
Dan, Jane’s crush, is sweet and welcoming. His family is crazy but he learns to be unoffendable and patient toward them.
Dan’s family is HUGE. I couldn’t keep track of all the names, but as a whole, they are supportive and funny. The language his father uses is explicit, though. 😂
Nathan and Rodney, ‘coworkers’ of Jane’s, are side characters. Although they are negative at first, they are realistic and make the plot the novel more real.
Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 1/5
Characters drink beer, wine, etc. at parties. Smoking weed is mentioned.
Language: 3/5
‘S—t’ (and variations of it), ‘a—hole,’ ‘a—,’ ‘bada—,’ ‘bastard,’ ‘f—k,’ and ‘hell’ (and so on…) are used throughout, although not as frequently as the majority of adult romance novels.
Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 0/5
A character gets VERY lightly hit by a car (limps for a few hours and is fine)
Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 3/5
Closed-door sex scenes include strong implications (go to bedroom, wake up ‘entangled’) Lots of heated kissing, touching, and lustful thoughts/feelings. Condoms/prevention and sex are talked about (in friends/family settings)
What You Should Know:
- - - before reading - - -
Annabel Monaghan is a TALENTED writer. I adored her books Same Time Next Summer, Nora Goes Off Script, and Summer Romance.
So, of course, when I am scrolling through NetGally and see THIS…! I’m so excited to start reading.
- - - after reading - - -
This book was so cute! Predictable, but cute.
If you want to know what to watch out for in two words: sex and f-bombs. The sex is closed-door though. The language isn’t as bad as some romance novels, which I appreciated. I would say this novel is appropriate for mature teens and adults.
LOVED all the references to my favorite movies. Mrs. Doubtfire and The Notebook?! Thank you, Annabel, for choosing some of my all-time favorites. It made me love the characters even MORE (if that’s even possible!)
I laughed.
I smiled from ear to ear.
100% recommend if you are in the mood for a lighthearted, easy rom-com read to start off the month. ♥️
Age Range Recommendation: 15+ A Fiction/Romance/Rom-Com
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: LANGUAGE, PREMARITAL SEX, ABSENT FATHER FIGURE/IMPLIED CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK
Fave Quotes
*may contain small spoilers (I have blurred them all out just in case—on read if you are willing to take the chance 😉)*
“When my future partner and I tell our kids about our first date, that’s how I want him to describe me: kissable and Grandma-worthy. Think Reese Witherspoon in basically any movie.”
“‘Wait, did you just agree with me?’
‘Even a stopped clock is right twice a day, Dan.’”
“‘I really liked this day,” he whispers. “Besides the time we weren’t together.’”
‘We should dance,’ he said and turns me around.
‘You don’t dance,” I say…
‘Maybe I do…’”
“‘I’m glad I already know everything that’s wrong with you,’ I say.
He laughs. ‘That’s the tip of the iceberg. There’s tons more.’”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol