Annabel Monaghan has carved out a distinctive niche in contemporary romance, crafting stories that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. Following the success of Nora Goes Off Script, Same Time Next Summer, and Summer Romance, Monaghan returns with It’s a Love Story, a novel that expertly weaves together themes of professional ambition, personal growth, and the transformative power of authentic love.
The story centers on Jane Jackson, a 33-year-old creative executive at Clearwater Studios who spent her adolescence as “Poor Janey Jakes” on the sitcom Pop Rocks. Now determined to shed her awkward past through a “fake it till you make it” philosophy, Jane finds herself trapped by a desperate lie about securing megastar Jack Quinlan for her film’s soundtrack. This fabrication forces her into an unlikely alliance with Dan Finnegan, a brooding cinematographer who challenges everything she believes about herself and love.
A Masterclass in Character Development
Jane’s Journey from Performance to Authenticity
Monaghan excels at creating protagonists who feel genuinely flawed yet utterly sympathetic. Jane’s character arc represents one of the most compelling aspects of the novel. Her transformation from a woman hiding behind carefully curated personas to someone brave enough to embrace vulnerability feels both earned and believable.
The author skillfully uses Jane’s television background as more than mere backstory—it becomes a lens through which we understand her deep-seated fears about authenticity. Having spent her formative years being told where to stand and what to say, Jane’s struggle to find her genuine voice resonates with anyone who has ever felt the pressure to perform a version of themselves for acceptance.
Jane’s character strengths include:
- Her fierce loyalty to projects she believes in
- Quick wit that emerges when she drops her guard
- Unexpected courage when fighting for what matters
- Genuine warmth beneath her professional armor
Dan Finnegan: More Than a Brooding Love Interest
Dan initially appears to fit the familiar “arrogant artist” archetype, but Monaghan subverts expectations by revealing layers of depth and vulnerability. His commitment to artistic integrity isn’t pretentious posturing—it stems from a genuine desire to create meaningful work that connects with audiences on an emotional level.
The author particularly shines in depicting Dan’s relationship with his large Irish family. The Finnegan clan serves as both comic relief and emotional anchor, illustrating the kind of unconditional acceptance Jane has always craved. Through Dan’s family dynamics, Monaghan explores themes of belonging and the courage required to remain authentic within demanding relationships.
The Long Island Setting: More Than Scenic Backdrop
Monaghan’s decision to set significant portions of the story in Dan’s Long Island hometown proves inspired. The contrast between Jane’s polished Los Angeles existence and the raw, unfiltered warmth of small-town life amplifies the novel’s central themes about authenticity versus performance.
The Finnegan family home, with its boisterous dinner conversations and casual affection, becomes a character unto itself. Monaghan uses this setting to explore:
- Family dynamics: How genuine love expresses itself through both support and gentle teasing
- Community belonging: The security of being known and accepted completely
- Generational wisdom: The quiet lessons embedded in long marriages like that of Dan’s parents, Reenie and Cormack
The author’s description of the potato fields and weathered family home creates an atmosphere of rootedness that contrasts beautifully with Jane’s carefully curated but ultimately hollow professional life.
Romance That Transcends Genre Conventions
Building Chemistry Through Conflict
Rather than relying on instant attraction, Monaghan builds romantic tension through intellectual and professional conflict. Jane and Dan’s initial antagonism feels genuine because it stems from fundamentally different approaches to creativity and authenticity. Their transition from adversaries to allies to lovers unfolds with satisfying inevitability.
The author particularly excels in smaller, intimate moments: Dan teaching Jane to paint watercolors, their shared appreciation for Dateline, the way he notices and celebrates her genuine smile. These details create emotional intimacy that feels more substantial than grand romantic gestures.
The Power of Vulnerability
The novel’s most powerful romantic moments occur when characters drop their defenses. Jane’s confession about her father’s abandonment and Dan’s admission of his own insecurities create the foundation for genuine connection. Monaghan demonstrates that true intimacy requires courage—the willingness to be seen completely, flaws and all.
Exploring Hollywood’s Performance Culture
Monaghan brings insider knowledge to her portrayal of Hollywood’s development process, creating an authentic backdrop for Jane’s professional struggles. The pressure to find “commercial” projects that sacrifice artistic integrity for market appeal reflects broader cultural tensions between authentic expression and mass consumption.
The author’s treatment of Jane’s childhood stardom avoids both nostalgia and exploitation, instead examining how early fame can distort one’s relationship with authenticity. Jane’s journey toward creative fulfillment parallels her romantic growth, suggesting that professional and personal authenticity are inextricably linked.
Where the Story Sometimes Stumbles
Pacing and Plot Convenience
While the emotional development feels organic, certain plot points strain credibility. Jane’s lie about Jack Quinlan’s involvement requires significant suspension of disbelief, and the resolution sometimes feels too convenient. The coincidences that bring Jane and Dan together occasionally overshadow the more compelling internal character work.
Secondary Character Development
Though the Finnegan family provides wonderful color and warmth, some members blur together beyond their basic personality traits. Additionally, Jane’s best friend Clem, while supportive, sometimes serves more as a sounding board than a fully realized character with her own arc.
The Third Act Rush
The novel’s conclusion, while emotionally satisfying, feels somewhat rushed. Jane’s confrontation with her past and her professional revelation could have benefited from more development time. The transition from conflict to resolution happens quickly enough that some readers might wish for more gradual pacing.
Thematic Resonance and Cultural Commentary
It’s a Love Story works on multiple levels beyond pure romance. Monaghan uses Jane’s journey to examine:
- Authenticity versus performance in both personal and professional contexts
- The lasting impact of childhood trauma and the courage required for healing
- Class and cultural differences between Hollywood sophistication and blue-collar warmth
- Women’s ambition and the pressure to choose between career success and personal fulfillment
The author’s exploration of these themes feels natural rather than preachy, embedded within character development and plot progression rather than explicitly stated.
How It Compares to Monaghan’s Previous Work
Readers familiar with Monaghan’s earlier novels will recognize her signature blend of humor, heart, and authentic emotional depth in “It’s a Love Story”. Like Nora Goes Off Script, this novel features a protagonist reconnecting with her authentic self through unexpected love. However, It’s a Love Story feels more ambitious in scope, tackling broader themes about creativity, authenticity, and the courage required for genuine connection.
The author’s growth as a writer is evident in her more sophisticated handling of dual timelines and the way she weaves Jane’s past trauma into her present circumstances without relying on melodrama.
Final Verdict: A Romance with Genuine Heart
It’s a Love Story succeeds because Monaghan never loses sight of the emotional truth at its center: that genuine love requires the courage to be authentically yourself, flaws and all. While the plot occasionally relies on convenient coincidences, the character development and thematic depth elevate this beyond typical genre fare.
Monaghan has crafted a romance that honors both the genre’s emotional requirements and readers’ intelligence, creating a story that lingers long after the final page. For anyone who has ever struggled with authenticity in love or career, Jane and Dan’s journey offers both escapism and genuine insight into what it means to find your true voice—and someone who loves it exactly as it is.
Recommended for fans of Christina Lauren, Emily Henry, and readers who appreciate romance novels that dig deeper into the psychology of love and self-worth.