A fun romcom with a few tropes coming into play: enemies to lovers, fake relationship, amnesia.
I enjoyed all of the characters in this book. Mimi is a firecracker who I wouldn't be upset to get more of in the book. Ellie is at wits end about her life and her future, but she's uber talented and has a great sense of humor (and some of Mimi's firecracker personality too). Theo has more to him than meets the eye. Ted, Theo's dad, you'll enjoy despising. I found this to be a quick read with only a very few moments that slowed a bit. I really enjoyed the quick wit and snarky humor. There are a couple of spicy scenes, and they really like the F bomb, so reader beware if that's not your thing. Otherwise, this is a delightful read, and I really don't even understand the few low star rankings some reviewers have given this book. It's a romcom. It's not supposed to be reality - it's purely for enjoyment.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

i really wanted to like this one, i’m a lover of fake dating and thought the plot sounded cute. unfortunately, i was on the verge of dnfing this multiple times.

let me first say the two things i did like about this book:
- theo!!, he was so sweet and i felt like i could genuinely tell he cared about ellie, i wish we got to see his pov
- bella!! she was such an amazing cousin & support system, i wish we got to see even more of her

now onto the things i disliked about this book:
- everything moved soooo fast, i think this would’ve worked way better as a slow burn, it would’ve given the time to fully give depth to the characters & their relationship
- it was a pretty big point that ellie was close with her family, but we only really saw her relationship with bella, and even that wasn’t really given a lot of depth. i liked in the beginning how we got to see the whole family, and how it was clear how much they meant to her. but then it felt like we barely saw them again.
- everything about the sam plot line i absolutely DESPISED. it was so unnecessary, i would’ve been fine with sam & ellie being friends but they just completely ruined it and it was really annoying. everytime that plot line was brought back up i had the urge to dnf
- i honestly could not stand ellie and her push and pull with theo. she did not trust him but continued to hook up & give him the impression that they were more than just a fake relationship. and yet every single time something happened she would pull away and regret it. i totally understand having trust and commitment issues, but she never communicated anything with him until the third-act breakup, where everything just blew up and honestly ruined the whole book for me. i thought this could still maybe be a 3 star read, but once i got to that part, it immediately went down because i was so miserable & just trying to get to the end

This book started really slow for me, it took me a few chapters to actually be interested in the plot. Saying that the amnesia trope… if that’s a thing was something I really wanted it to lean more heavily into. The characters were likable enough and I liked the strong family that was shown through the whole book.

Normally I am a sucker for fake dating, but this book fell a little flat for me. I think my biggest obstacle was that I really did not like the female main character. I found her annoying and well, she complained endlessly, and it just grated on my nerves. She also seemed to self-sabotage then get upset about it. It was confusing to me. Theo on the other hand seemed like a decent enough of a character, but he couldn’t carry the whole book. I also struggled with the pacing. The book started off with a nice clip to it, then it fizzled and came to a screeching slow down, much like hitting rush hour traffic, which is also frustrating. I also struggled with how Theo lied to Sam about his relationship with Ellie. While they were “fake dating” they did actually hook-up rather quickly despite not liking each other, and then Theo told Sam nothing was going on. That just rubbed me the wrong way. The chemistry between Theo and Ellie was also lacking, and I just couldn’t root for them in the end.

While I was hoping to get a nice fluffy rom-com to cleanse my palate, I got a book that will stick with me, but not good the best reasons.

While this book was a miss for me, it might not be for you so take this review with a grain of salt.

Thank you to the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I do with this book all the success it deserves.

*This book was gifted by netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*
IF✨YOU✨LOVE✨HALLMARK✨MOVIES✨READ✨THIS✨ASAP!!!!!!! This was a super cute fast read. I would describe it as reverse grumpy/sunshine romance. The main character Ellie Greco is a self made fashion designer who gave up her dreams to take the reins for her family deli business. The love interest Theo ‘Trip’ Taylor is a family business man working for his families, specifically his douchebag tycoon father’s, real-estate company . In a turn of events these two people are thrust into a spontaneous fake dating engagement arrangement. It’s so incredibly cute and I recommend everyone add it to their tbr. The chemistry between the two characters is everything and the quips and banter between them had me grinning so much my cheeks hurt. The end also had me on the edge of my seat the turn of events had me gasping and crossing my fingers that everything was be okay😭 I recommend 100%.

It’s complicated. But, if it was a perfect love story, we probably would be bored.

Ellie, 28, left her dream world in NY as a costume designer when her father died. She immediately decided to stay in the town near Boston to manage the beloved family deli. However, after some time, there was news that the owner of the sports store nearby was retiring and emptying all assets. There was a rumor that the space was set to become an organic market of sorts. If that happened, her small deli could be in trouble – making her overly nervous.

Ellie discovered that the Taylor Family was the landlord and had a reputation of one goal: to make money. She found out a familiar face from her high school, Theo Taylor,r was managing the lease. He was one of those unreachable handsome rich kids, now 30. She needed to figure out a plan fast to convince Theo and his father to lease this space to someone else. The question was: how?

It’s always fun to read a fast-paced steamy romance story that can easily lead into a long evening. There were only a few key characters to keep track of from two families. One needed a good imagination to feel the attraction of the love birds -- two totally opposite personalities. It’s one of those romantic comedies that is totally predictable but that’s okay. It’s a good book to take to the beach.

My thanks to Dell Publishing Company and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of April 30, 2024.

3.5⭐️

This was a fun, simple romcom. Ellie and Theo were so cute and I loved watching their relationship slowly progress past faking. I do think they slept together rather quickly considering they only kissed one other time but it never claimed to be a slow burn so I probably just had unrealistic expectations.

I also really didn’t enjoy Sam’s storyline. Her deal with Ellie just felt really icky to me. I think her friendship with Ellie could have been great but it felt tainted with their deal.

Overall this was a good book and recommend to anyone who enjoys a fake dating romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy to review!

3-3.5—This story started out like a twist on While You Were Sleeping then slipped into a fake engagement trope (that scene was cute!)…honestly, I enjoyed the story but didn’t always love the FMC and the amount of language was a bit on the annoying side. Really overdone.
I did love Theo :)

I was excited for the premise of the story and the bones of the plot had potential. I only wish I liked the characters more! Our main character Ellie isn’t very likable, complains a lot and doesn’t have any spark to her. I couldn’t see how our male lead was into her. I had a hard time getting through this one.

This was a cute fun book that has fake dating and enemies to lovers that will always be a trope that I love. I thought the book was quickly paced and I did not feel bored reading it.

I thought Ellie is a very relatable character that struggles with finding her true happiness and how to make her dreams a reality. I thought it was very accurate how its like to be a woman and have insecurities, self doubt and second guess yourself a lot. I think that anyone growing up can relate to feeling uncertain with the future, finding love, friends, etc. It wasn't a 5 star read for me because I felt the romance was a bit rushed. I was enjoying the dynamic between her and Theo but I felt like the build up was needed and more for them to develop. I thought it ended a little abrupt and I wanted more of them so I could truly see the romance but otherwise, it's fun and cute and a fluffy romance.

☀️ Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75

This was cute! I loved the meet cute, and it hooked me since it happened pretty early on. After, the pace was slower but definitely kept my attention.

Tropes:
- fake dating
- enemies to lovers
- amnesia
- food! lots of it.

However, though the book kept my attention and was pretty cute, there were some cons. I didn't love the characters and their chemistry wasn't quite there. Even with this, I still found the book enjoyable enough.

Okay, where to start. There were a few tropes at the beginning that could have been the entire plot, but were resolved quickly. I am here for a fake relationship situation! The main conflict was one that I don't love, so I struggled a bit, but we got there at the end. I really enjoyed it overall. It seems to me that the plot summary doesn't fully match my experience, though.

I'm not sure if any interconnected stand alones are planned, but I vote for Bella!

Thanks to NetGalley and Jilly Gagnon for the ARC of this book for an honest review.

This was not what I was hoping it to be, unfortunately. I mean: fake dating, enemies to lovers. How could you not enjoy? But, I didn’t. The execution of this story just didn’t do it for me.

First, special thanks to Dell and Netgalley for a copy to review.

This story is fast, cute, light and quirky. Theo is the son of a business tycon that is planning to bring in new and big establishment that will threaten the other small business around the block where Ellie’s little deli is at stake. Its a semi enemies to lovers kind of a story.

There were lots of character and I do not feel like I am connecting with any of them. I want them all to actually step up and get their act together. However, it was entertaining for the time being.

Cute story but the characters weren’t my favorite and I found it hard to like them or follow their love story.

A fun well written rom-com with a bunch of fun characters.

Ellie has moved home to take over her father's deli after he passed. Even though it was a far cry from her previous dreams of costume designing, she poured her heart and soul into it. When she finds out that an old high school class mate, Theo, is planning on opening an Italian super store in town that is sure to put her deli out of business, she automatically tries ro rectify the situation. While meeting with Theo, he is hit in the head and has amnesia. She decides to tell him she's his fiance which ends up sticking (even when he regains his memories)

Can Theo and Ellie work together to save her deli? And what is in it for Theo? With a bunch of quirky secondary characters, this book was a quick read! I was sad when it ended and wanted to hear more about how their relationship turned out as well as Sam's new relationship. I'm hoping for a book 2!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.

Everyone was highly unlikeable except for Samantha, one of the side characters. I couldn't see what either MC liked about the other. The whole story was way too negative for me.

Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon is a quirky quick read that I really enjoyed. Its a cute love story of Ellie who is trying to save her family deli and Theo whose big time real estate dad wants to bring in a big time company that would put the deli and other businesses out of business. While Ellie's thinks of ways to save the deli she also wonders if this is what she really wants, or is she just doing it to save the memory of her father. who once ran this deli.
Ellie and Theo's story is your typical story of two people who are totally wrong for each other. Ellie a working class girl whose family has been in the deli business for years. First her grandparents ran it than her dad until he died and Ellie gave up her dream of costume design and came back home. Theo Taylor good looking who works for his wealthy father Ted Taylor who is stepping away from the everyday work dealings but still has his hand in things. He is also a real snob when it comes to Ellie. You see Ellie and Theo are pretending to be involved with each other even engaged to try and save her business. Will it work?
Ellie and Theo start this fake romance after Ellie takes Theo to the hospital after he has an accident at a construction site and she brings his to the hospital and tells the hospital staff that they are engaged. She only wanted to make sure Theo was ok. Well Theo believes they are engaged until his memory starts to return and they both hatch the idea to let everyone know they are a couple. Until Theo's family decides that Ellie isn't right for him and Theo's father appoints Theo's ex fiancee to run the company. What will happen now? Will their feelings change for each other? Will both Theo's and Ellie's true secrets come out? The real reasons they are doing what they are doing? Is it for the sake of their families or for them?

I really enjoyed this story. Was the plot predictable yes, which was fine because sometimes when I just read a very heavy book I need a little light read and this was just that. The characters were written well. At times I just felt Ellie was getting a little needy. She couldn't make up her own mind. Enter Sam the ex-fiancee, a beautiful and talented women who knew what she wanted and went for it. She also knew when to give up when things didn't work out. I didn;t like her off the bat, but I realized she ended up making Ellie a better person.

Overall I enjoyed this story and the characters. I think there are more stories to tell when it comes to Ellie and Theo. I for one would like to know what happens to them. Will they follow their dreams of Ellie becoming a designer and Theo becoming an his own person away from his father and his ideas. I'd also like to read more about Bella who was instrumental in the end for Ellie and Theo.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for the ARC. Thank you Jilly Gagnon fro this feel good book. Hope to read more by you.

A complicated but well written romcom. Loved the unique plot lines mixed with the tried and true. I am a sucker for fake dating. This was a hit.

Amnesia AND fake dating?! Sign me up! LOVE YOU, MEAN IT by Jilly Gagnon had a combination of all my favorite tropes, and boy did it deliver. I was laughing, I was swooning, I was furiously turning the pages because I couldn't put it down. Definitely don't miss out on this 2024 release!