This book includes the fake-dating and rom-com tropes, with a little amnesia thrown in. I liked the premise of the book and its description, but it just did not work out for me.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are solely my own.

A fun, quirky enemies to lovers read that made me laugh out loud. The characters are fun and witty and the story is enjoyable. It is the typical enemies who then fake an engagement to get what they want, fall in love for real in the process, break up, and get back together “for real,” it is a fun read, although rather predictable.

I could not get into this book as I felt no pull towards the main characters. This made it difficult to get through.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group Ballantine, Dell, & Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Major Shop Around the Corner vibes in the best possible way. Cute story and the setting/family feud added to the story in a good way.

this book was an extremely sweet romance! it reminded me so so much of 'while you were sleeping', one of my all-time favorite movies! this was chalk-full of all of the right tropes that kept romance readers like myself on their toes! would highly recommend to all of my friends!

While You Were Sleeping is one of my favorite classic movies, so I tend to dig books inspired by it. Love You, Mean It had a sweet premise and I normally would love this kind of romance, but the main character Ellie did not work for me at all. She was really insufferable and judgy, I was actually shocked Theo felt anything for her. I was kind of hoping he'd get back with the ex to be honest. I would give the author another try, just needed characters I actually wanted to root for.

Let me be real, "Love You, Mean It" was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The premise—fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and a little amnesia—is all the ingredients for a fun rom-com, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite land.

First off, the characters—Theo and Ellie—weren’t particularly likable. Theo's a joke of a ML while Ellie’s negative Nancy attitude wasn't doing her any favors. I just couldn’t fully get behind either of them, and that made it hard to care about their fake engagement or their developing relationship.

The fake dating trope is a classic in romantic comedies, but here, it felt predictable and even cringey at times. I was hoping for more laughs or heartwarming moments, but the plot didn’t draw me in as much as I wanted it to. The pacing was off, the chemistry between the characters was almost non-existent, and I found it hard to stay engaged.

Overall, "Love You, Mean It" wasn’t particularly memorable. If you’re a fan of the fake dating trope and don’t mind a bit of predictability, this might work for you, but for me, it didn’t quite hit the mark.

Love You, Mean It is a delightful romantic comedy with a charmingly quirky premise. Ellie Greco, a talented costume designer, finds herself unexpectedly drawn back to her hometown and forced to confront the challenges of running her family's beloved deli. The author masterfully captures the complexities of family dynamics, the joys and frustrations of small-town life, and the unexpected ways in which love can blossom.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This is a fun, romantic comedy by a new-to-me author, with charming and quirky characters, sizzling tension, and heartwarming hilarity. For fans of the fake dating trope, this is one you are sure to enjoy.

This is a fun, romantic comedy by a new-to-me author, with charming and quirky characters, sizzling tension, and heartwarming hilarity. For fans of the fake dating trope, this is one you are sure to enjoy.

Ellie's dream job is designing beautiful costumes for theatres, but after her father's death, she was obligated to come back home and run their family deli. She of course loves the place, but she always imagined a more exciting life for herself. But when a corporate takeover threatens the deli, she doesn't hesitate to fight it. She confronts the landlord, Theo Taylor, and things don't quite go her way. When the roof falls in, Theo gets knocked out cold and Ellie panics and pretends they are engaged. Her fiery encounter with him sets the stage for a comedic whirlwind of misunderstandings, amnesia, and reluctant collaboration. The appearance of Theo's ex- fiance, Sam, also added a fresh twist to the story.

The story was well-written and entertaining with sparkling banter and the genuine chemistry between Ellie and Theo was sweet. The balance of humor and heart was well done. Though the novel was lighthearted, it delivered moments of self-discovery and emotional growth for its leads. Themes of family legacy, ambition, and trust are also woven into the story, providing a level of depth. With witty dialogue, well-drawn characters, and just the right amount of twists and turns, this book is a delightful escape.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was another different book for me. I like a good fake dating trope and I found this one to have left me with rather mixed feelings. It may be that I am in a place in my life where loss is all too much a part of my world and looking back at the good times is bittersweet, but I found this book a difficult read. There was some cute parts that left me with a chuckle and a smile but I found myself liking the secondary characters more than the primary ones. I found myself finding this novel more, in a way realistic, because the fake dating trope was needed to really move the plot along and the romance, because of that, grew in a different way than I thought it would. I will return to this book again because I think this review reflects more of me and where I am than it does the author's skill and storytelling.

Post Review Thought: As I reflect on this review I am wondering if my part of my reaction to this book was the illustrated cartoon art style of the cover. I wonder if this didn't have what I call the Classic Rom Commy - Screwball Comedy Cover Style would I have entered this in more a Nicholas Sparks place? Would this have framed the book more firmly with the more dramatic and emotional read I found? I think my expectations were based on the cover art more than they should have been and that led me down a path I took in terms of rating this book

🌟🌟🌟💫 Rounded up to 4

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the copy that I read.

This tried to do too much and too many triopes in my opinion with a little homage to while you were sleeping

Ellie runs her family's deli in her small town after an unsuccessful foray as a designer in New York City in Love You Mean It by Jilly Gagnon. It's a fine life, nothing too exciting, and she gets to see her loving family often. Unfortunately, the deli may be closed due to rich developers in her town who wish to close the deli and other local businesses to leave room for a multi-floor luxury gourmet market.

To thwart these plans, she hopes to convince Theo Taylor, the son of wealthy and powerful Ted Taylor, to keep her family deli out of these plans. While she attempts to talk to Theo at the building that's under construction, he hits his head and gets knocked out cold. With no one to vouch for him and get him medical attention, Ellie claims that she's his fiancée. Once Theo comes to and regains his memory, they formulate a plan that could stop the market from ending the long run Ellie's deli had.

This cute romantic comedy may remind people of the Sandra Bullock flick from the 90s called While You Were Sleeping. I forgot about that movie even though I saw it in the movie theater with my mom when it came out. It's similar but not exactly a carbon copy, and I immediately was charmed by the story. I was surprised because I generally do not read romantic comedies too much because they always seem too vapid or rife with sex. Neither is the case. This is smartly written with a wry character in Ellie who feels nuanced while her romantic counterpart Theo is totally her opposite. As Ellie soon comes to find out, they live their lives and have experienced it in a very similar vein despite their differences. And the sex scenes are not too erotic but erotic enough to catch your interest.

I love the concept of a couple who pretends to be engaged and then slowly falls in love, especially if they seem ill-suited for one another or argue all the time. There's plenty of hoping they can see it through to developing a real relationship and getting frustrated when they both mind the roadblocks instead of pushing them aside. Some of the roadblocks seem insurmountable until they don't.

I will say I really hate the title because it seems too flip and not indicative of what the book really is. Plus, I don't like the cover--it's too cartoonish. I'm assuming it has to fit into the genre with bright colors and saucy-looking characters. I just thought it downplayed the smartly written prose and cute story that sometimes featured surprises. I also really loved the descriptions of food and places, which added to the book.

While this is not heavy literature, it's a fun book that will keep you entertained. I generally do not read these types of books even though the covers always intrigue me, but this one was a winner in my book. Maybe you'll feel that way, too.

Oh yes, a delightful enemies-to-lovers, fake engagement trope with the aim of saving Ellie's family deli she inherited following her fathers passing. This story is filled with humor, chemistry, and engaging narrative; as well as heart, grief, and emotional healing. I really enjoyed the witty banter and the cast of characters made for an exciting plot.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Jilly Gagnon and it was a little lackluster for me. I was bored for the first 20 pages and it didn't get much better from there. This actually surprised me because the synopsis sounded right up my alley! It might have just been the case of "right book, wrong time," and maybe I'll have to go back and re-read when I'm in a different headspace!

This was a cute little rom-com written with several popular tropes. I enjoyed the story of Ellie and Theo's relationship as it grew throughout the book. There was plenty of lively dialogue between the two. Ellie and Theo are both trying to chase their dreams as the story evolves into a pleasing happily ever after.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ellie Greco (28) has returned home to run her family's deli after her father's passing. She enjoys running the family business, and has made a comfortable life for herself over the past 5 years, giving up her dream of designing costumes. That is until her childhood classmate Theo Taylor and his family proposes to put in a food market chain and put her out of business.

Tropes
Fake dating
Memory loss (luckily it does not last long)
Enemies to lovers

Negatives:
The storyline of Sam, Theo's ex girlfriend was really annoying. Overall the book was just okay.

This romantic comedy was enjoyable, but nothing about it stood out enough for me to highly recommend it. The characters were charming, and the banter was good, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the main characters. The story relied heavily on familiar tropes like memory loss and childhood friends, with new ones added throughout, which felt a bit repetitive. It was a decent read, but not a standout or a personal favorite.

In Love You, Mean It, Jilly Gagnon delivers a sharp, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud exploration of modern relationships and messy friendships. Equal parts rom-com and emotional drama, this book will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to balance love, ambition, and self-worth. Here's why you should add it to your TBR!

Top 5 Reasons to Read Love You, Mean It:

1. A Hilariously Flawed Protagonist: The main character, Ellie, is a beautifully messy human being—ambitious, insecure, and painfully relatable. Her hilarious and brutally honest inner monologue makes her journey a joy to follow. You'll find yourself nodding with her thoughts and feeling deeply connected to her story.

2. A Fresh Take on Love and Friendship: This story isn't just about romance and how friendships evolve as we grow. Ellie's complicated relationships with her best friends add depth and realism to the narrative. The dynamics between the characters are well-crafted, showing the complexities and nuances of maintaining friendships while navigating personal growth.

3. Perfect Blend of Humor and Heart: Gagnon's writing is razor-sharp, filled with moments that make you laugh and scenes that tug at your heartstrings. The balance between humor and emotional weight is not just spot on; it's engaging. You'll find yourself fully immersed in Ellie's world, laughing and feeling with her every step of the way. The witty banter and heartfelt moments create a perfect harmony that keeps the reader hooked.

4. Realistic Depiction of Modern Dating: The book captures the chaos and awkwardness of dating in the digital age, complete with text missteps, social media mishaps, and moments of vulnerability. It's painfully accurate—and wildly entertaining. Gagnon portrays the highs and lows of modern dating with a keen eye, making it easy for readers to relate to Ellie's experiences.

5. Unpredictable Plot Twists: While the setup feels familiar, Gagnon surprises readers with twists that keep the story fresh and unpredictable. It's not your average rom-com, and that's a good thing. These unexpected turns will keep you on your seat, eager to see what happens next. The plot twists add an element of surprise that elevates the reading experience.

Why Not 5 Stars?
While Love You, Mean It is a fantastic read, a few elements kept it from earning a perfect score. The first few chapters feel overly drawn out, focusing too much on setup and backstory, which might test some readers' patience as it takes a while to get to the central conflict. Additionally, while much of the book is grounded and realistic, the resolution feels too neat and rushed, making the ending seem over-the-top. A more nuanced conclusion would have better matched the tone of the rest of the story. Lastly, though the humor is one of the book's strengths, there are moments where it feels forced or distracts from the emotional beats. Dialing it back slightly in certain scenes would have made the impact stronger.

Final Thoughts:
Love You, Mean It is a whip-smart and emotionally resonant exploration of love, ambition, and friendship in the modern world. Jilly Gagnon's writing sparkles with wit and honesty, making this a standout contemporary romance. While not without flaws, it's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think about your relationships.
I recommend it to Sophie Kinsella and Beth O'Leary fans and anyone who enjoys heartfelt rom-coms with a touch of realism.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

What a little cutie! 3.5 stars
I had so much fun reading this and I loved the twist on the amnesia trope + fake dating. Overall a fun reading experience. Ellie tries to save her family business while Theo's family is trying to bring in a big chain business that would destroy Ellie's family's business. Their fake dating scenario started pretty quickly in the first part of the book which was what easily hooked me. I thought it was fun!