(I got this as an ARC from NetGalley – it will be available on April 30, 2024.) Fake dating isn’t always my favorite romcom trope, but this one was extremely cute, because the tension was there from the start. After a short attempt at creating and selling her designs in NYC, Ellie moved back home after her dad died to run the family’s deli. While she’s not sure that it’s her dream job, it is something that she’s fiercely protective of, which is why she’s extremely nervous and outraged when she learns a developer is attempting to bring in a big-box Italian store which would almost certainly put the deli out of business. Ellie sets up a meeting with Theo, and after a short bout of injury-induced amnesia, the two agree to pretend to fake date, and Theo agrees to help try to stop the new store from moving in. Very soon, though, the fake part of fake dating starts to get blurry, and Ellie gets confused… and a little bit nervous! The tension in this book was so good; I kept wanting to read just a few more pages to see if Ellie and Theo would finally admit that their feelings had become real. I also really liked how Ellie’s story ended – it was a nice reminder that sometimes, we don’t want to admit to ourselves what we really want, and what makes us happy.

I stayed up way too late finishing this book, so know that I eventually got into it. But man, did I want to quit at the beginning. Ellie Gregor, who inherited her family’s deli to run after her father passed away…has a problem with Theo Taylor….the popular guy from school who has a wealthy family. She rants on and on about how big of an asshole he must be because his family has money. I am so tired of judgement on people just based on the economic status. And hello, Ellie. YOU RUN A FAMILY DELI. So while maybe they don’t make as much money as the Taylor family, you can’t be mad at someone for staying in the family business. Lord it took everything in me to keep going, but I was determined. I don’t have a problem quitting books, but for some reason, The While You Were Sleeping style trope kept me engaged in the beginning.

And then the book got good. Theo gets his memory back, and then enters a fake dating trope. The banter was fun back and forth, and there was enough going on with both their families and the deli and everything that it remained interesting the whole time. Then we get another complicated entry of Theo’s ex, Sam. Who honestly, is quite lovely. I went back and forth on if I wanted Sam and Theo to get back together, seeing as how Ellie was so negative and self-sabotaging for most of the book.

And that is another thing, sometimes I felt like the book lacked some chemistry. Maybe it would have helped to have had a few chapters from Theo’s POV. The pacing in the book was a little off. I felt like they hooked up fast, everything came to a halt, then the ending was sort of abrupt. And as many times as Sam asked Ellie if she was sure, I felt like maybe Ellie should have been the bigger person and came clean with either Sam or Theo…but she didn’t. That was very disappointing. Made it harder to root for her in the end.

Bottom Line: Whether you think Theo should have ended up with Ellie or Sam, this book was a fun ride getting to the end. I had a hard time where I wanted to rate the book. As I was between 3 and 4 stars. I had a hard time putting it down, regardless of my feelings for Ellie at times.

**I received an ARC copy of Love You, Mean It from Netgalley and am leaving my review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.**

This was a super cute read from a new author. I really love romcom and all that comes with it. This was a quick read, and I enjoyed every second.

For fans of While You Were Sleeping, Love You Mean It by Jilly Gagnon is a cute romantic comedy involving Ellie Greco, who is trying to save her family’s deli from a larger and flashier food emporium moving in. She tries to plead her case to Theo Taylor, the scion of the property management company bringing in the business that’s about to put her out of business, but when the ceiling literally comes crashing down on their heads and Theo ends up out cold, she panics and claims to be his fiancée. Theo comes to, with a case of amnesia, and believes the ruse, and though eventually he regains his memory, he agrees to keep it up for his own personal reasons.

I found this story to be pleasant, but not particularly memorable. In this classic enemies-to-lovers/fake-dating story, there are a lot of plot devices that seem far-fetched. I enjoyed the chemistry between Ellie and Theo, along with the rest of the cast of characters, but didn’t love the unnecessary drama Ellie kept stirring up.

Thank you to @netgalley @randomhouse and @dellromance for an advanced reader copy.

I was sent an advanced copy of “Love you, Mean it” and it sounded like a cute, quick read- obviously inspired by the classic film “While you were sleeping.” If you’ve seen the movie, you can pretty much guess how this one goes. However, I had a difficult time connecting with any of the characters and DNF about 45% through.
2/5 ⭐️

When this story started, I was not a big fan. Everyone is lying to everyone. It sort of got on my nerves. But as the story moved along, it becomes clear why!
I enjoyed the characters and their connections. And the ending was on target!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random Publishing House for the digital review copy of Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon.

This book is pitched as an enemies-to-lovers "dueling delis" Romance, and that's half right. I wouldn't really say we've got truly dueling delis on our hand, as one of the restaurants remains entirely theoretical, but the fake dating, we've got.

Ellie Greco moved home from New York to run her family's deli, giving up her dream of doing costume design on Broadway. Now, a new superstore might be moving into a vacant building, which would almost certainly put the deli out of business. She hatches a plan to work with the developer's son to put a stop to the project - but of course, things get complicated between them.

What I Liked About Love You, Mean It

The banter between our main characters is fantastic. One of the best parts of enemies-to-lovers is how the antagonism turns to jokey flirting, and we've got that in spades.

I also like the unique setup for the fake dating scenario, which has shades of While You Were Sleeping but manages to avoid the creepier bits. Gagnon plays with tropes throughout this book in a way that keeps it fresh and interesting.

Seeing Ellie's journey of self-discovery and coming to better understand her relationship to the deli and her work life was also a great part of the story, making it about more than just the love story while also adding to the tension there. We also see a desire for platonic friendship throughout, which is a nice (and relatable) touch since romantic relationships aren't the only ones that matter to us or that we are actively looking for.

What I Didn't Like About Love You, Mean It

Honestly, my main issue with the book was that it didn't deliver on that "dueling delis" tagline. The love interest doesn't work at a rival deli, but a developer who might bring a big superstore that sells deli items into town. Not really the same thing.

Ellie's choices were a bit frustrating at times, but I felt like we got a good sense of why she made them that carried throughout the book and made me understand, even if I didn't approve.

Final Thoughts

In all, I very much enjoyed Love You, Mean It. It's a great enemies-to-lovers rom com with a good dash of spice, while still giving us more to root for in the characters than just happily-ever-after. Also, there's some great food talk, which I always enjoy.

In order to save her family’s deli, Ellie Grecco must pretend to be Theo Taylor’s fiancée to stop a deal to bring in a huge store that would put them out of business. Falling in love or even liking him wasn’t part of her plan. Love You, Mean It is a cute, funny romantic comedy full of surprises and emotions. I loved the development of their relationship and the chemistry between Theo and Ellie. Great read for the beach this summer!

A quintessential when fake dating goes wrong trope, I fell in love with Ellie and Theo from the very beginning. Their interactions were so fun, and the supporting characters just enhanced the book. If you want to read a fun, feel-good book, this is for you!

I cringed when I read that Theo would be losing his memory but was pleasantly surprised by the way that resolved. This was an okay read, but the characterization is weak; ultimately I found myself rooting more for ex Sam than for Ellie…

This was a fun romcom. Enemies to lovers + fake dating are two solid tropes in my opinion. It was an enjoyable read for sure, with a few flat moments along the way, but overall a good palate cleanser if needed.

This book was a joy to read! What started out as a amnesia/fiance trope alla "When You Were Sleeping" quickly shifts to a fake dating scheme that I was pleasantly surprised by. Theo and Ellie had SO much chemistry that I couldn't get enough of. This was my first book by Jilly Gagnon and she kept me engaged throughout the entire story. The side characters were fantastic and I loved seeing Ellie get schooled about the things she wasn't admitting to herself. The ending was satisfying and I wish i could see more about this couple's future, I want a peek into the restoration and renovation of their future home!

This was a fun easy read with fake engagements and finding out who you are.

Ellie inherited her family's deli when her dad passed away. Theo is practically running his family's commercial real estate company. When Theo's business threatens to bring in a big-time Italian food superstore, Ellie is nervous it's the end for the deli. Through a temporary bout of amnesia, Ellie is "engaged" to Theo and they hatch a plan to stop the deal and save the deli. Of course real feelings arise and Ellie and Theo both have to look at who they both really are inside.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was a fun, quick read. I really liked the premise and generally enjoy the fake dating trope. I liked that the main character was mostly likeable but was a bit complicated and that she has some good epiphanies about her life. There were some timing issues with the relationship that I didn’t love…the lead up to the first kiss just felt strange and rushed. The date that happens before is just glossed over, so there’s not a really good setup for it. I felt similarly when the characters first slept together. It was just odd and rushed and seems like it probably should’ve happened a bit later. It picked up more towards the end when the main character finally did a bit of soul searching (although considering what she did she probably needs some therapy as well). The ending seemed like it came a bit abruptly, but it was cute. One of the things I probably liked the most was the overall positive interactions the main character has with other female characters. There was no cattiness where you might expect it- she just honestly wanted to be friends with the women she interacts with. Over, I enjoyed reading this book and think there’s a good chance romance lovers will as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!

Three stars for the fact it is a romance novel, nothing new, and relies heavily on many tropes. But three and a HALF stars for the fact it was a fast read and fun was on every page.
Every small business knows they are one competitor away from closing down and even though Ellie didn't see herself running the family deli, she doesn't want to see it go under either. So Ellie does what Ellie needs to do, with a little help of course.
A great Rom-Com safe for your teen readers too. Sticky sweet, like popsicle in the summer. Enjoy.

So cute! Instantly fell in love with Ellie and her raw, spicy attitude! A fun romcom with very likable characters. And very unlikable characters. This was a quick and fun read!

I really enjoyed "Love You, Mean It" and the story line. This was such a cute read with unexpected romance and comedy. I really enjoyed this story!

A playful romantic comedy featuring dueling delis, fake dating, a shockingly awesome ex, and just the right amount of amnesia.

Ellie Greco wishes she weren’t stuck in Milborough. For a few brief, shining years, she escaped her hometown to pursue her dream career—designing beautiful, elaborate costumes for theater—until her father's death five years ago called her home to run the family's decades-old deli. Yes, she loves the place, but she’d always thought she was meant for more exciting things than stocking the right tinned fish. But when Ellie hears that a local landlord is planning to rent to Mangia, the glitzy gourmet food department store, Greco's Deli's very existence is suddenly in jeopardy.

She tries to plead her case to Theo Taylor, scion of the property management firm about to put her out of business, but their meeting goes from bad (it’s not her fault he’s infuriating) to worse (no one expects the ceiling to literally fall in).

With Theo out cold, Ellie panics and claims to be his fiancée… and almost passes out herself when amnesia means Theo seems to actually believe her. Soon, the effects of the head injury wear off, but Theo proposes that their “engagement” stick around. If they manage to convince enough people they might both get what they an end to the Mangia deal. Ellie doesn’t trust him (after all, if Theo Taylor wants it, how can it be good for her?) but seeing no other option, reluctantly agrees.

And miraculously, the fake engagement seems to be working—even Ted, Theo’s shrewd, cold father seems convinced—that is until Sam, Theo’s ex-fiancé, reappears on the scene. Not only does she see through their ruse, but she also proposes an arrangement of her own, forcing Ellie to decide between blossoming friendship, her family legacy, and the burgeoning romance she frankly never asked for. (Goodreads Synopsis)

I guess these stories aren’t for me. I could not stand Ellie. She was the one acting like such a jerk and a brat. I honestly just wanted to smack her. Theo was okay (given his fictional background), but there was something lacking with him. I almost wanted him with a completely different character. I was glad that the author chose not to do the whole “Overboard” thing with the amnesia. I’m beginning to feel like amnesia is overdone.

Overall, I rate this novel 2 out of 5 stars.

2.5 Stars

Ellie came back home after her father’s death to help run the family’s deli. She loves the small town, but she never dreamt of staying here. Her concerns are not leaving her hometown but fighting for her family business when a big gourmet deli threatens to move into the neighborhood and push her small business out. She has to convince the son of the property management firm to find somewhere else to go. Things just don’t go as she plans.

I was immediately drawn to the blurb of the book. Who doesn’t love a small-town/ fake romance? However, this story instantly fell short on multiple levels. The romance didn’t hold a heavy punch, and I didn’t care for the characters.

Ellie sets out to meet Theo to convince him to move on, but he has a freak accident at the site. Ellie has to pretend that she is his fiancé to go along with him to the hospital. Theo has a short stunt of amnesia and confesses that he doesn’t really believe in the gourmet deli moving into the small town. He asks Ellie to agree to pretend they are engaged in order to play on his father’s heartstrings. Of course, his father wouldn’t want to put his daughter-in-law out of business, so Ellie agrees.

This all sounds good at this point until other characters start to come into play. Sam is Theo’s ex-girlfriend who shows up and befriend Ellie after she recognizes the scam going on with their so-called engagement. She wants Theo back, and Ellie agrees to help her. Why? I guess to create this love triangle. I felt bad for Sam, and I didn’t like how Ellie handled that situation at all. She lost any potential of me liking her.

Then, towards the end of the book, Theo’s behavior shows that he isn’t the nicest person. He ends up being a jerk. I thought he ended up showing that he is a typical rich man, unaware of how he speaks to others.

Overall, the book started off promising and lost a bit of its spark. Fans who don’t mind some of the small nuances may like this more.

~ Samantha

What happens when the jerk from high school tries to take over your family’s business? Well obviously you become fiancés in a mutually beneficial arrangement.

What I liked: this books is a classic trope-filled romance novel that has something for everyone. Theo is such a fun character, and the inclusion of all of the different personalities in his family really added depth to the story.

Other thoughts: Theo’s ex-girlfriend Sam was so much more likable than Ellie, our main character. And Sam was supposed to be a villain! Ellie just kept making mistake after mistake and was in denial about everything in her life. It got to a point where I just did not care if Ellie got her happily ever after. This book was just a normal romance novel that needed something more to separate it from all of the other books coming out.

Rating: 3⭐️ I finished this book, I enjoyed reading it, but I probably won’t read it again. If you are looking for an easy read, this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book to review.