Summer Romance

"This book was very touching. It managed to be both funny and emotional. Ali and Ethan are such a sweet couple! I enjoyed watching Ali find herself and learn how to stand up for herself, and I loved how supportive Ethan was through everything. He wasn't just a great love interest, but also an amazing friend and support system for Ali. Ali's kids are super sweet, and Ferris, the dog who “chose” Ethan is the real MVP! If he hadn't peed on Ethan's shoe, Ethan and Ali might never have met. Small town romance, single mother, best friend's brother, meet cute(sort of), slow burn, and so many sweet, fluffy moments! This is a fast paced, super sweet summer romance, and I highly recommend checking it out! "

"So sweet. Love her writing!"

"This was a good read! The fmc is divorced and finding herself again. The mmc is sweet and I loved how he helped her gain her voice again. There are also themes of grief and friendship. Overall it was a sweet and easy read. A great summer reading option. This book was closed door. "

"Summer Romance was sweet and easy to read. Ali is given the opportunity to reclaim her life and autonomy while also getting a second chance at love. It can be emotional at times and also explores the layers of losing yourself when trying to make others happy. It will hit home with middle-aged moms. We all need an Ethan in our lives. "

"I really love anything by this author. I was laughing, smiling, getting butterflies and tearing up the whole way through. This book was so relatable as a middle aged Mom! Also, Ethan is an angel. Highly recommend!"

"Super cute and light"

"I read this for a book club and though right away it seemed too light and unrealistic for me, by the end I found myself enjoying the story and the characters."

"2.5 stars<br/><br/>This book just wasn’t for me. I’m definitely in the minority on this, but based on reading other 2 star reviews, I know I’m not alone.<br/><br/>Summer Romance is great if you want a lighthearted beach read that has no drama. The premise is a soon-to-be-divorced mom tries to navigate life as a single parent, all while grieving the recent death of her own mother and facing all the “firsts” that come with dating again.<br/><br/>And that’s where my main issue with the book lies. I don’t have qualms with a book that has no drama, but the story isn’t just low stakes; it has no stakes. I just don’t see how that can be when the book touches on heavy topics like grief and divorce.<br/><br/>For example, the MMC initially tries to hide his identity from the FMC, as if it would be the end of the world if she finds out who he is. But the reader can totally figure out who he is before the FMC does, and it’s just a letdown when you realize he’s just a regular guy who’s misunderstood by his family. And not like bad-boy-actually-good-boy type of misunderstood either, but more like my-parents-just-don’t-get-me misunderstood.<br/><br/>This goes the same for the reason that the FMC and MMC think they can’t be together. The FMC makes it seem like it is absolutely impossible for them to stay together, when in reality, it’s very possible for them to stay together, but just requires some effort. Think Michael and Holly from The Office when they *spoiler* break up after Holly moves to Nashua (it’s just a 5 hour car ride, guys; not great, but not impossible).<br/><br/>For that reason, it was difficult for me to feel motivated to pick up the book.<br/><br/>Another thing that made it hard to get into the story is there’s too much telling and not enough showing. Oftentimes the FMC just tells us exactly how she feels about something or someone, and we don’t get a chance to form our own opinion as readers because it’s just part of the narrative. And that tends to contribute to some flat one-dimensional characters. The mom? Good. The MMC? Good. The ex-husband? Bad; very, very bad. I mean I don’t doubt that ex-husbands can suck, but there isn’t one redeeming quality that the guy is given, which explain why the FMC fell in love with and married him in the first place, then proceeded to stay together and have 3 kids with him.<br/><br/>There are parts that I enjoyed from the book, and mostly they are when the author captures the little moments in beautiful prose, when it’s showing and not telling. Like the chapter about the morning the FMC decides to take off her wedding ring; so much is said when she makes that decision, and then sets the ring on the cinnamon in her spice cabinet before shutting it away.<br/><br/>Again, I know I’m in the minority about how I feel about this book. But I think fans of Annabel Monaghan books will also love Summer Romance, because it seems to have similar tropes to Nora Goes Off Script. And anyone who wants a light summer beach read should give this a try too.<br/><br/>Special thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for sharing this digital e-ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.<br/><br/>Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan will be out June 4, 2024."

"Sometimes books receive 5-star ratings because of profoundness, uniqueness, or especially clever plot lines. But this book received 5-stars because it was an absolutely effortless read. I enjoy reading most when the pages fly by and my mind becomes fully engrossed, and for this book that happened from the very beginning. Ethan + Ali ="

"Loved this book so much!"