This was a good rivals to lovers romcom with a fun nod to one of my favorite movies, While You Were Sleeping.
Ellie manages the small deli that’s been in her family for generations, Theo is the son of an extremely wealthy property manager. When it comes to her attention that a large food department store is in talks to come to their town, a deal being brokered by Theo’s dad, Ellie knows she has to try and plead her case. But when an opportunity for her to use the good old fashioned “I’m his fiancée” line arises, Ellie takes it. Soon, Theo proposes that they try the fake engagement scheme out, and both of their lives are irreversibly changed.
I did enjoy this one, although I’ll admit the scenes with the side characters were the ones I loved the most. I wish we had more of Ellie’s family - especially the dynamic between her grandparents - and I really liked Sam, Theo’s ex-fiancée. And the miscommunication was a bit too much for me, the fact that Theo knowingly let her believe the worst at the end for awhile irritated me a bit.
I’d definitely try another book by this author in the future!

Thank you to Jilly Gagnon, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love the cover, the colors instantly caught my eye. Unfortunately, I wasn't a big fan of this book.

I didn't like Ellie. There was just something about her. I also found this book slow and boring at times. Just wasn't for me.

A truly enjoyable romcom. I truly enjoyed reading this book. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for sending this to me

I’ll start with the positives. I really liked Ellie as a character and Theo was fine too. I would have liked more of Ellie’s regular life, though. I really enjoyed the scenes of her running the deli and with Bella and her family. I also really liked seeing her embark on this quest to form more friendships. It would have been nice to see more of her and Jenna from that perspective. I appreciated that Sam wasn’t just some catty, jealous ex. She handled everything maturely and with full transparency.

Now the things I didn’t love. I liked Ellie being a designer/seamstress (not sure what the appropriate term is), but I had a very hard time envisioning the pieces as they were being described. I don’t know if that’s just my lack of sewing knowledge, or if the descriptions were poor, but I had literally no idea what any of her pieces looked like.

My second issue was the Theo and Ellie relationship. Or, I guess, more specifically how Ellie was in the relationship. I never understand these books where the characters can’t physically control themselves. The go in committed to being strong and resisting all temptation and then wind up throwing that immediately out the window as soon as they get a whiff of the other person’s perfume/cologne. I just can’t personally relate to that lack of control, so I always find it a little off putting.

Lastly, the plot is predictable. And that’s totally fine! Nothing wrong with that. I knew exactly what I was going to get when I started this book and it delivered while also providing likable characters that you wanted to root for. However, I’m never going to rate a book over 3 stars unless it surprises me in some way. Did I like this book? Sure, but was I surprised by anything? No. Overall, this book is exactly what you think it’s going to be.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a great read. Though the ending seemed predictable, I was excited to keep reading to find out exactly how it would go down. I will definitely recommend this book to my students as I think many of them will enjoy it!

Oh I so needed this. I have been in such a romance slump lately. This book started out strong and finish like a sweet kiss. I had to stay up late to finish it because I couldn't stop reading. I don't know why I love an amnesia storyline ( maybe because I adore the movie Overboard). I loved how she got herself all stuck in a 'fake' relationship and my absolute favorite scene was them in the car, each knowing the other is lying and seeing how far it is going to go. Absolutely laugh out loud moment. The story is so fast paced, and it just moved so smoothly into the mutual fake finance storyline to save her deli. While this story could have had the normal "fake' dating issues, with her not fitting into his world, families not getting along, perfect ex back in his life and while it had all that it didn't follow the normal safe tropes. I hate a girl bashing book and this steered clear of that by making 'the evil ex" as one of my favorite characters. She pulled no punches and played no games. Same is such an amazing character that defies the mean girl, and I loved Ellie and her friendship that bloomed throughout the book.
The romance could have had the 'miscommunication' where they couldn't understand what was happening but instead, we were thrust into Ellie's head as she had to figure out her life before she could trust her feelings for Theo. I feel like they had really could communication and even as their relationship changes and they grow closer together I never felt they mistook what was happening between them.
I love stories that show such great character growth. At the beginning in the story I felt like she was grieving her old life, her dad and her future but when the deli was threatened and as she fell in love with Theo and her friendship grew with Sam, she was able to find herself and make a new life for herself. She really bloomed.
Fun, Cute, Sexy, great family dynamics, great chemistry, great characters growth. Chef Kiss for a perfect romantic comedy. It literally plays out as a movie in your head.

PS I am also dying for Mimi's Lasagna recipe.

Starts out as a While You Were Sleeping turns into fake dating. Which as a premise sounded really good.

It just didn’t work for me, unfortunately.

I didn’t like the characters- I found their personalities and decisions were a bit insufferable. Miscommunication is ever a fav and the way the conflict worked out kind of didn’t make sense. They seemed incompatible on many levels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an eARC for an honest review.

I always love a fake dating trope, and felt this one was well-done. I got a little frustrated with Ellie for not communicating how she was feeling (but that's expected with the fake dating) and her tendency to self-doubt made her a little hard to root for. I did enjoy the beginning meet-cute, which had me hooked at the beginning. The pace slowed a bit after that, but I liked all of the characters. Overall, a cute read that I recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a very cute read. It starts off with a While You Were Sleeping (such an underrated 90s classic rom com) premise, that quickly turns into a fake dating romance.

Small business owner Ellie learns that a big box store is going to be moving in and potentially putting her and other small businesses out. She meets up with the property manager, Theo, to discuss this business, but an accident causes him to briefly get amnesia. From there, chaos ensues, and things quickly escalate for Ellie.

This book checks off a lot of romance tropes. It was very lighthearted and sweet. I wish the characters were fleshed out a bit more. These two knew each other in high school, and Theo actually dated Ellie’s cousin, which was kind of strange, and most of that was brushed over. And there’s a whole subplot with another of Theo’s exes that I could’ve done without. But overall a quick, fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Ellie Greco left her small hometown of Milborough for the bright lights of New York to pursue her dream of costume design but five years before, when her father died, she returned home to temporarily run the family deli... and has been stuck there since. Greco's deli is the only place left that makes her feel closer to her dad and when a big foodie department store threatens to come to town and put her business at risk, she's determined to do whatever it takes to squash the deal.
Theo Taylor is in charge of the sale of the building for his father's real estate business. He has plans of his own for this building and agrees to meet with Ellie, but before they can even discuss things he gets hit in the head in a freak accident and wakes up in the hospital with amnesia and Ellie claiming to be his fiance. When his memories come back though, he decides this fake engagement could be just the thing to put his own plans in place. Can they convincingly pull it off without catching real feelings?
There was plenty of judgement from both sides to cause drama and tension over money and class, plus the ex who just seems like a better fit and wants another try with Theo. I like all the funny banter and sexual tension between the two that they try so hard to deny. They both learned a hard life lesson through their heartbreak and eventually found a hopeful HEA. I thought this was a sweet opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance with just enough spice.
Thanks to Random House - Ballantine through Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and given voluntarily.

This was a hard book to get through. I almost DNF it at several parts but I kept hoping it would get better.

The main character, Ellie was hard to cheer for and not very likable. Don’t think Grumpy v Sunshine trope, think mean and hypocritical. She judges Theo for his inherited business as she’s trying to save her own inherited business. She befriends a girl and backstabs her repeatedly…

I did like the setting and the small business vs new development tension. Wish it was framed more about change, new vs traditional, rather than just eat the rich.

Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon is a playful romantic comedy that weaves together dueling delis, fake dating, a shockingly awesome ex, and just the right amount of amnesia. Ellie Greco, stuck in her hometown, faces choices between friendship, family legacy, and an unexpected romance. Gagnon’s delightful storytelling captures the essence of love, humor, and unexpected connections.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This hooked me in and I couldn't put it down!! Super cute, fun, easy read!
I thought everything worked out nicely together, the main characters and the side characters, the plot and storyline!

I think both Ellie and Theo were very relatable and real, with their fears and struggles. Not everything goes perfectly every time, everyone makes mistakes, but it all happens for a reason and in the end it works out the way it was supposed to!
They have a funny humor and I just want to hug them forever and keep them from heartbreak.

Would totally recommend this story if you like a fast paced, fake engagement, forced proximity, hate to love, small town story!

Also loved the opportunity to meet a new author! I'll be looking into more Jilly books!

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!💜

This sweet romance was the perfect pallet cleaner after a bunch of fantasy books! It was light and fun and such a fun read.
I really enjoyed the storyline and the character development. I will definitely be reading more by Jilly Gagnon!

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Love You, Mean It is a fun quick read! I gave it a solid 3 stars which for me means I liked it.

I didn't love Ellie (the female lead), which made it a little difficult to root for her throughout the story. BUT I did like Theo (the male lead) quite a bit. Between him and the story line, I decided to stick with it. It's cute, light, a little spicy, and easy to read. I liked the character development, although I wish it hadn't waited until the very end of the book.

Overall, I liked it. If your looking for an easy fun read, this one is a good pick!

Ellie runs her family's deli, its been in the family since 1920 and when another big box store is possibly coming to town she knows she has to do anything she can to stop it. One white lie turns into a whole situation and if it means she can save her family's legacy, she has to do what she has to do.
Theo works for his dad, but he doesn't really like him. After he suffers a concussion and Ellie claims to be his fiance, he hatches a plan to have them both get what they want. These two really didn't know each other and have misguided notions of who they are because of who they used to be, but as time wears on, they might be get closer than they are ready for.
The premise of this was so cute, a While You Were Sleeping vibe, but it didn't last long enough. I didn't really click with either of the characters although I loved Ellie's big Italian family. I wanted there to be sparks but I didn't get them as I was hoping I would. The addition of Theo's ex into the mix threw the vibe off for me and I couldn't recover from it.
It was a really quick read for me and it was light. So if you are looking for a light, fun read with fun family vibes and lasagna, pick this up.
Thanks to Random House, Jilly Gagnon and Netgalley for an early copy.

3.5 stars rounded up

Love You, Mean it is a contemporary romance and follows Ellie and Theo perspectives. It has fake finance and relationship of convenience tropes. I loved the setting and Ellie’s big, close family, there was so much love, laughs and so much food. It all sounded so good and made me hungry every time I was reading this book. The dynamic and interactions with Ellie working so hard for her family's store was my favorite part. I was here for that in the plot and kept the story going for me. The romance and relationship development were fine. Ellie and Theo were great character’s, their interactions and situations that I found with them together were interesting, but their chemistry and romantic development was lacking, there was no tension, angst or any type of back-and-forth banter, which are things I look for in romance stories I am reading. They felt like amazing close friends most of the time. Theo came off a bit cold shoulder and was uninterested in Ellie for quite a bit. I did have a great time reading this and had some great laugh out loud moments but just wanted a little more from the romance.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

I loved this sweet romantic novel. Ellie is back in her hometown to run her family's deli. All is fine until a company threatens to buy the property. Ellie confides in her old classmate Theo, and when an accident causes Theo temporary amnesia, Ellie ends up as his faux fiance. This book was light, fun, and a delight to read. Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

A delightful Romcom that was the perfect palate cleanser after recently reading mostly fantasy and thriller. The banter between characters was great. Always love a fake dating plot line, but the amnesia was a nice touch!

A little estranged acquaintances, part fake fiance to real feelings, part save the small town mom and pop deli from the big chain conglomerate.

Ellie and Theo went to school together growing up, they reconnect over some real estate holdings of his father's company and her concern that their latest endeavor is going to ruin her grandparent's italian deli that she now runs. When he's injured during their meeting (no fault of hers) she claims the fiance card to follow him to the hospital. His day or so of amnesia helps sell this scheme and when he does regain his memory suggest they continue with the ruse to get back at his father.

I'm not usually one for the amnesia trope (as in its probably my least favorite) but I like how this one introduced it as a short lived symptom of a concussion. I loved watching their fake engagement turn to real feelings, but I felt that the resolution was a little rushed and would have loved an epilogue, but overall this was a cute read!


Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review!