Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Ali Morris has three kids, a dead mother, and has just gone through a divorce. She is depressed but still talking to her mother. And her mother (at least in Ali's mind) is still responding. Ali is finally starting to come out of the haze (and wear "real clothes" which is so dumb to me, sweats are real clothes and who likes wearing hard pants) when her dog pees on a man's foot. And, oh, what a man. She meets Ethan who turns out to be not only handsome, but smart and caring as well. There are definitely some issues between them and the third act interruption in their HEA was expected. I would have given this three stars but the scene with her neighbor and the coming to terms of grief over her mother's death were beautifully written.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 4, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

One day, scriptwriter Nora Hamilton's husband decided to leave. He just took off leaving her behind with her two children. This caused her to diverge from her usual Hallmark movie writing into a much more serious film. One that got picked up by a major studio and is going to star Leo Vance. Yes, THAT Leo Vance, a former Sexiest Man Alive. Even better, they want to film at her house meaning she will get to make some extra money. And that's good because Nora doesn't seem to have it in her anymore to write that old familiar script. Hollywood will show up for a week, film, and leave. And all of that happens, except that Leo doesn't leave. Leo stays. And that is the story that unfolds in this book. 
I didn't love the ending nor the Big Misunderstanding. And the ending was a little too formulaic but this was overall a delightful read. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 7th, 2022

ARC  kindly provided by Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley

Opinions are my own