Started On: January 15, 2025
Finished On: January 18, 2025
Format: eBook/Kindle
Genre: Romance

Release Date: May 27, 2025
Get the book here (paid link)

Perfect for you if you like:
Summer Romances
Enemies to Lovers
Fade-to-Black

Book Summary:
Love is a lie. Laughter is the only truth.

Jane Jackson spent her adolescence as “Poor Janey Jakes,” the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punch line on America’s fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s trying to be taken seriously as a Hollywood studio executive by embracing 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 claimed that she could get mega popstar Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie. 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, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan as she faces down her past is Jane’s idea of hell, but he just might surprise her. While covering up her lie, can they find something true?
(Summary from Goodreads)

“being with you was the most beautiful thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Review/Thoughts:
One of my favorite things about Annabel Monaghan’s writing is how real, raw, and honest it is. It doesn’t feel like it’s all sunshine and rainbows.

The main character, Jane, is a recovering childhood actress who struggles with anxiety, shame, and feeling like she’s enough. The love interest, Dan, helps bring her back to life. I enjoyed watching these imperfect characters develop a relationship and watching Jane grow as an individual and learn to accept herself for who she is.

Annabel’s writing is easy to read, funny, and deep. Lighthearted, but has emotional depth at the same time. It makes you feel things in the best way! She does a beautiful job describing the setting, and I felt like I could picture myself sitting on the beach or in the midst of a chaotic family gathering.

I loved it! This would be a great summer romcom, but also a wonderful read anytime of the year!

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Annabel Monaghan for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. 💛