Ellie, the most stubborn Greco daughter returns home to run the family business after her father passes away. She leaves her dreams of costume design and NYC behind. Theo Taylor, son of the wealthy Taylor family who owns properties all over Millborough doesn't see eye to eye with his dads investments and taking away small town family business charm in exchange for big box stores. Ellie and Theo team up together to stop Mangia from running out small businesses.

In a cute will they wont they, guy gets girl, girl loses guy, do they find themselves back together again rom com, this was a good beach read and well paced.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Felt like a Hallmark movie in a book. It was just OK. If you are feeling like watching a Hallmark movie then pick this book up instead. I think I was looking for something a little deeper and more funny. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. #sponsored

3.5 stars

This was a cute rom com and my first book by this author. Ellie is trying to save her family business so she enlists the help from Theo, a guy she went to high school with. Theo's family is planning on bringing Mangia, a corporate business into Milborough that will undermine small businesses like Ellie's. An accident happens, fake engagement/dating ensues and some amnesia takes place.

There were few parts that shocked me. I wasn't expecting at all. There's some spice. There's some betrayal going on. I didn't like how some of the characters acted out. Some of their decisions were very frustrating. I thought some of the stuff could have been handled differently. However, I did enjoy Ellie's self discovery for forging a new path for her future. I also enjoyed the fake dating aspect. Ellie and Theo were cute together. In the end I just wanted a little more.

Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon

Ellie Greco, once a costume designer, is now running her family’s deli in Milborough after her father's death. She loves the deli but longs for a more exciting life. When she learns the landlord plans to rent to Mangia, her rival, she tries to negotiate with the property management firm. But, her meeting with Theo Thompson goes badly when a ceiling collapse in the prospective building leaves Theo with amnesia. Impulsively, Ellie claims to be his fiancée. After he regains his whereabouts, Theo proposes the two keep up the ruse in order to stop the Mangia deal. Ellie reluctantly agrees despite mistrusting Theo. Their fake engagement seems to work until Theo’s ex-fiancée, Sam, returns and uncovers their deception. Sam proposes a deal of her own and forces Ellie to choose between her growing feelings for Theo, her family's deli, and a potential new friendship.

This book reminded me of the movie "While You Were Sleeping." It was a cute rom-com with a fake-dating trope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Press for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This one is definitely low drama, so if you are a Sarah Adams/low drama fan, stay away. I was on edge through most of this because I just knew things were going to go wrong. I didn't love the behind the back sneak attach with Sam and Ellie; this one just had a little too much drama going on for me.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted e-copy.

Enemies to lovers, fake dating tropes to save the FMC business. Not much to say about this one except it's cute, but I ended up skimming the last 1/4 because I kind of lost interest. It is better than several romcoms I've read lately, and the chemistry between Ellie and Theo is more believable. The writing is pretty good too. I will definitely read more from this author.

3.5 stars

This was a fun book, with an original twist on the fake dating/marriage of convenience trope.

Love You, Mean It was a cute romance, but I wish we had gotten to see more of a connection between the main characters.

Overall, I would recommend this, especially if looking for a fake dating romance!

Love You Mean It by Jilly Gagnon
Genre: romance

🩷fake dating
🩷rom com
🩷trying to save family business
🩷MMCs have very different upbringings
🩷small business vs. big corporation

I sadly liked the idea of this more than the actuality! It didn’t suck me in like I wanted it to. I was at almost 40% and still not feeling connected to the characters so I decided to stop reading.

Thank you to Dell for my eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Usually I do not DNF, but I just couldn’t get into this one unfortunately. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read!

From the cute cover to plot synopsis, I was looking forward to reading this romantic, feel good story. Love You Mean it fell short of my expectations. The female main character was really negative and the language throughout book was ugly (lots of f-bombs). The chemistry between the characters really wasn’t working they go from enemies to “wildcats”

Thanks For the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was an okay read. I had a really hard time connecting with the female protagonist and didn’t feel much chemistry between the two leads.

Enjoyable rom com with main characters at odds due to small business vs big business. The setting in the deli helped make the book enjoyable. Ellie and Theo are two likeable characters that one hopes finds their way to each other. Overall likeable. I do wish I could have connected with the characters a bit more. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review.

Thanks, Ballantine | Dell, for the review copy via NetGalley.

This dueling delis romance started sketchy (“While You Were Sleeping”-style fake engagement while the MMC has temporary amnesia), then gets compelling (fun family members, an intriguing ex-girlfriend, funny grandmother, legit steam between the MCs), but eventually bogs down and gets repetitive. One reviewer commented that Ellie is all over the place, like the pacing. I pushed through to the end and promptly forgot almost everything about it.

With that being said, I came away with a good feeling about the story and would definitely read her next book.

Ended up DNFing around a quarter through. Nothing outwardly wrong with the book, but just didn't grab my attention. Wouldnt NOT recommend

I wanted to love this book, but I couldn't get more than a few chapters in. It just couldn't keep my attention

Stuck in her quaint hometown of Milborough, Ellie finds herself torn between duty and desire. She once lived her dream of designing stunning theatrical costumes, but her father's untimely death brought her back to run the family deli. While she loves Greco’s Deli, she yearns for the excitement and creativity she left behind.

The story takes a dramatic turn when a posh gourmet store, Mangia, threatens the very existence of her beloved deli. Ellie’s desperate attempt to save the family business leads her to an unexpected and hilarious encounter with Theo Taylor, the man behind the lease of the rival store. What starts as a disastrous meeting turns into a rollercoaster of misunderstandings and unintended consequences, culminating in Ellie claiming to be Theo's fiancée after an unfortunate accident leaves him with amnesia.

Ellie’s journey from deception to reluctant agreement with Theo’s plan to keep up the charade is both touching and amusing. Their chemistry is palpable, and readers will find themselves rooting for this unlikely pair. Theo’s initial infuriating demeanor softens, revealing layers of vulnerability and charm that perfectly complement Ellie’s fiery and determined nature.

The plot thickens with the reappearance of Sam, Theo’s ex-fiancée, adding a delicious twist that forces Ellie to navigate the complexities of her fake engagement, burgeoning friendship with Theo, and her loyalty to her family’s legacy. The author skillfully weaves themes of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery, making this novel much more than just a romantic comedy.

Love You Mean It is a testament to the power of following one’s heart and the beauty of finding love and purpose in the most unexpected places. With its witty dialogue, endearing characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this book is a joyous read from start to finish. Fans of heartfelt romance and clever storytelling will find Ellie’s adventure to be an absolute gem.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4 on here)

I really loved the start of this book and how the characters/storyline are similar to While You Were Sleeping. I used to love that movie so I thought it was really cute that the author kind of used a similar set up for that in the novel! I really enjoyed the business rivalry in the book and how the main characters utilized their fake dating to kind of help both characters with their agenda. I did think that the FMC had some growth in the book, but I do feel like she could have used a lot more as she was just kind of frustrating at times. Overall, this is a very lighthearted book that was quick to read and I feel like it is a good pallet cleanser to read between books!

Love you, Mean it by Jilly Gagnon is an easy to read enjoyable book that takes place in a fictional suburb of Boston, MA. The charters are well developed and relatable. A great summer read.

Such a fun twist on a classic rom com! Loved the rivals to lovers aspect as well but hated the ex's involvement.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I will definitely read more of her books.

This is a cute romcom with a brief bout of amnesia and a fake dating relationship. Fake relationships seem to be popular lately.

Ellie Greco returned home to Milborough, Massachusetts five years ago after trying to establish a career as a theatre costume designer in New York City. Her father’s sudden death has brought her home to run the family deli. Ellie comes from a close knit Italian family.

Theo Taylor works in Milborough for his father’s company. It is not the job he wants. Theo’s father wants to bring in a food department store that would most likely close down Greco’s Deli.

A freak accident and a bout of amnesia lead to Ellie and Theo entering into a fake dating relationship. They believe their scheme will save Ellie’s family deli and help Theo land the job he really wants.

This is a story about being true to yourself and stop blaming others for the path your life has taken.

“We’ve already established the meet-cute, Theo. Get ready to lose at pool.”