This is the story of Ellie, trying to keep her family business afloat after the death of her father, and Theo, who she hopes is the answer to her problems. Theo suffered a head injury and is initially tricked into believing he is Ellie’s fiance. When Theo’s memory returns, he proposes playing along with the charade, as something mutually beneficial.

Overall, this was a fun rom com with a cute fake dating situation.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Love You Mean It" by Jilly Gagnon is like the rom-com you didn't know you needed, scoring a solid 3.5 stars from me. You have Ellie trying to save her family's deli and somehow she ends up in a fake engagement with Theo Taylor.

The story's has all your favorite tropes – fake dating, amnesia, and enough chaos to keep you hooked. The main couples chemistry is there, but not fireworks level like they're missing a bit of that spark. However it is still such a fun read. Perfect for a quick summer escape or something to chuck in your bag for a trip. Quick note: Foul language makes quite the appearance on almost every page. Some folks are cool with it, others not so much.

TLDR: In a nutshell, "Love You Mean It" is a cute story with a few twists.. Jilly Gagnon brings the rom-com binge read vibes. It's like comfort food – not mind-blowing, but definitely satisfying and entertaining.

This read was just okay. I wanted to love it so much, but the FMC was so negative that I felt no draw to even want to know her story.
Overall the idea and storyline was good, but the characters are what kept me from enjoying.

Love you mean it.... What a fun light read. I'd never read anything but Jilly Gagnon, and it was refreshing and very enjoyable -- I feel like she must have an architecture or fashion design background because the detail with which she wrote about the topics was impressive. Ellie and Theo start off on an interesting foot when he gets hit in the head and wakes with amnesia while she is pretending to be his fiance so she can accompany him to the hospital. I was worried this would be the start of an awful "how long is she going to keep lying to him hoping his memory doesn't come back" but thankfully that was NOT the plot of the book. Lots of family drama and a bit of stress, introspection, and other challenges in the mix which made the HEA that much more sweet.

Cute love story that I couldn’t put down.
*Enemies to lovers
*fake dating
*foodies
There’s so much happening in the book I never felt bored. Ellie trying to grow up and make friends, finding out what she wants for her future and the possibility of a real relationship out of her fake one. The one thing I do wish was for it to not end so abruptly. I want to know more about what happens with Theo and Ellie. A second book would be perfect or a second book in the series following Sam, or Bella.
Thank you To NetGalley, Jilly Gagnon and Dell for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect light rom-com book of 2024 has arrived! Love You Mean It is a hilarious adventure between two near-perfect strangers that agree to pretend for their own selfish reasons, but can’t help the chemistry that exists. Ellie left behind the city and has returned home to run her family’s deli, not her dream, but her duty. She’s outraged to find that there are plans to put in a full-block box-store deli that will ruin her town. Her high-school acquaintance, Theo is in charge. When she sets a meeting to plead her case, her world is literally turned upside down when Theo suffers an injury and she becomes his stand-in fiancee. Theo and Ellie decide it benefits them both to keep the charade going, but there’s lots of relationship and business plans that their relationship is influencing. I loved watching them learn to stand up for each other and on their own. There were complicated friend, family and life changing decisions and dynamics that evolved for both characters, making the novel flow quickly and smoothly. Author Ji8lly Gagnon did an excellent job keeping Love You, Mean It engaging, fun and witty.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fake dating AND a nod to romcom classic While You Were Sleeping? Love You, Mean It was such a fun romp while also managing to thoughtfully touch on topics of grief and family obligations. This is for everyone who wants to fall in love and have it mean something.

Though it had its slow points, this was an adorable romance and I loved the way Ellie was able to follow her dreams, and how it examined the way her fears were holding her back.

Please add this to the top of your TBR for April if you like Fake Dating and Romantic Comedy.

I freaking LOVED this book, even though a few times the overly "rich people are all terrible" attitude was annoying. Read the blurb if you want specifics but I'll say that temporary amnesia, a rich dude who isn't so bad, family drama, fake dating and laughing are things you like then just read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon is a cute romcom. Ellie has come home to run her family’s deli after her father dies, and it is going pretty well. But then an Eataly type of company proposes opening a huge shop in town, this could put them out of business. There is an attractive man involved of course, and also temporary amnesia. Lots of back and forth between the two, and hopefully a happy ending for her store. Good if you are looking for a fun light read. #loveyoumeanit #jillygagnon #romcom #netgalley #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

The premise of this story was super cute, and I loved how it reminded me of Sleepless In Seattle. The first few chapters were enjoyable and entertaining, but I had a tough time finding the rest of the book as enjoyable. The way Elle and Theo met was fun, but neither of them was very likable during the story. I felt more connected with some of the side characters than with both Elle and Theo. The story itself was good, but something still was missing.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Random House Publishing for giving me a copy of the book.

Wow, I went into this one blind and it was so much fun! “Love You, Mean It” features Ellie, who runs her family’s deli store. And then along comes Theo, who is seeking to bring in the deal for a larger grocery chain to take up lease in their small town. Ellie needs to save her family’s business from the larger competition. This sets up a meet-cute of amnesia proportions and fake dating shenanigans!

For those who enjoy:
🩵 Hate-to-Love
🩵 Small Town
🩵 Opposing businesses
🩵 Fake Dating
🩵 Making a deal with his Ex
🩵 “While You Were Sleeping”
🩵 Interesting family dynamics

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fake dating is my absolute favorite trope and this did not disappoint! I love how Ellie and Theo meet and the reasoning behind their fake dating made sense to me! My one criticism is Ellie and her inability to say what she’s feeling! I understand it was to move the book along, but the whole Sam, Ellie, Theo “triangle” just felt unnecessary to me. Thankfully, Theo makes up for that! I will definitely be picking this up again in the future!

This was such a cute and quick read! I did struggle with the first few chapters as it wasn’t really hooking me in. But then it did! I was a bit skeptical about another amnesia love plot… but plot twist! The unexpected twist and the way Ellie was tricked throughly surprised me. Theo really matched her energy and I enjoyed how that frustrated Ellie. The execution of the fake engagement trope was enjoyable and the connection between Ellie and Theo unfolded in a fun manner. The spice in the book was also just the right amount. I loved Ellie and Theo and hope that there’s more to their story. I’d definitely recommend this book to others.

Thank you @Netgalley and @randomhouse for this advanced copy!

This book filled with fake dating, amnesia and dueling businesses reminds us that we will go to any length to help our families. While I struggled with the believability of some of the plot, I would this romantic comedy very playful and heartfelt. Definitely a book worth cozying up with!

I was SO excited to read this book. After reading the synopsis and a few blurbs that talked about how successfully it does the “amnesia trope” I couldn’t wait. Unfortunately the book didn’t live up to the hype.

I put the book down twice (45% and 71%) with honestly no intention to pick back up, but I pep talked myself into finishing it HOPING it would get better, it didn’t, but I did finish the book.

I found the writing to be long winded and reminded me of when you would write and essay in school and try to change as many words via thesaurus as possible just to make it sound fancier. On more occasions that I can count I had to go back and read sentences multiple times just to try to figure out what was actually being said. I found the characters lacked depth and likability and the big moments weren’t earned. The sex wasn’t earned. It left be feeling uninvested and not wanting to root for them. The characters lacked chemistry in the intimate moments and definitely leading up to, they did have great banter though. Also, Sam and Theo went on a date?! WTF. Theo should have said sorry no I’m mad at Ellie but it’s clear I love her and I don’t need to go on a date with you to confirm that, that was a real let down.

On a positive note, I thought that the amnesia trope was done SO WELL. It was refreshing to not roll my eyes reading this storyline. I alreally really enjoyed that as far as the fake dating went, the true close family members weren’t kept out of it, they were in on the secret. I always hate when the sweet mom and dad or grandma get swept into it as collateral damage. I loved that Ellie realized that she did love the deli and that she wanted to do it for her. I imagine given the circumstances that it would be hard to come to that realization on your own or quickly.

Overall, this book was a miss for me, but I really, really wanted to love it which is why I kept reading. For plot and a few successful areas, I’m willing to give it 2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book. It was really well written and it just had you trying to solve the mystery. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

Thank you Random house Ballantine for Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon. This is a fun romcom with lots of tropes, including love/hate, enemies to lovers, amnesia kind of fake fating themes and exploration of family ties and identity.

This is a case for me of wanting to love a book more than I did, I liked the plot a lot but somehow this one felt slow to engage me, the two main characters felt a little flat and unlikable for me and the chemistry didn't quite work for me. A case of maybe it's just me but compared to some other romcom/romance reads that worked for me recently, this one didn't quite nail it. I still think it's a fun read and perfect for a quick summer read, a good book to stick in a beach bag or read on an airplane!
(note, this might also be really fun as an audiobook, that review copy was not yet available when I read this and at times I tend to really prefer romcoms like this on audiobook!).

3.5 stars!

I received an advanced copy of this book for review!

4.5⭐️ I am such a sucker for a fake dating trope. I loved Ellie and Theo so much. I finished it and found myself wanting more! I loved their banter and how they challenged each other to leave their comfort zones. I am not a huge fan of the third act break up, and that was quite painful to read (in a way that I was gut-punched at what they were saying to each other), so that knocked half a star off for me, but overall, I enjoyed this book so so much and will definitely be reading more from Jill Gagnon!

Ellie gives up her life in New York to take over her family deli after her father passes away. When Theo's family wants to sell the building down the street to a huge corporation that will be the end of Ellie's store, she tries to reason with him. That meeting leads to an injury, amnesia, a fake engagement, and Theo and Ellie working together to trick his father in this fun romantic story. I enjoyed the book and read it in 2 days. I felt that it took too long for Ellie to see what was really happening. The story was a bit predictable but it was still a fun read. Thanks so much to the publisher for giving me an advanced copy and suggesting that I read it!