It’s a Love Story – Book Review

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?

Annabel Monaghan has released another new romance novel–It’s a Love Story this year and really glad I got my hands on this book. I have become a huge Annabel Monaghan fan and enjoyed reading all her books and make it a point to read all her latest published novel.s

Outline– Jane Jackson was a former child star and now she works as a creative executive at a studio. Desperate to get a big break in her career, Jane tells everyone that she knows Jack Quinlan, now a famous singer. Along with her former crush and nemesis Dan Finnegan, the two travelled to Long Island, New York where Jack supposedly was performing. Will Jane succeed in getting Jack work with her and at the same time, keeping her feelings towards Dan to herself?

Thoughts – This was a cheesy romance novel set up. Sometimes, most of Annabel Monaghan books are enjoyable to read and at the same time laughable in some plot lines. And most of the time, characters don’t immediately fall in love with each other at once.

Characters Jane Jackson used to be insecure about her looks even though now she has grown out of it. Jane doesn’t really want to fall in love with Dan even though she couldn’t help later on being in love with her. I also like the gradually increasing chemistry between Jane and Dan.

Writing The writing was great and intriguing and engaging.

There are some funny parts in the book, but I really like the family dynamics mentioned in the book. Jane’s character started growing throughout the story which made her a likable character in my opinion.

Overall thoughts– I enjoyed this book even though I think her previous books are better than this. This book will be a perfect beach or summer read for anyone looking forward to go on a vacation to beach. Worth four stars.